"Did you know that Seti and Anck-su-namun had a child

I own nothing from The Mummy or The Mummy Returns.

Family Ties

"Did you know that Seti and Anck-su-namun had a child?" Ardeth asked, sitting across the desk from Rebecca.

Evy and Rick were sitting on a couch nearby. Evy gripped Rick's hand tightly, knowing that Ardeth's stories did not have happy endings.

"That child, a daughter, was to be put to death due to the treachery of her mother, and to accompany her father to the afterlife. Neferetiri prevented this. She did not feel the child should be blamed for the actions of her mother. She raised the child as if she were her own. They were close. But there were those who did not believe that the soul of Seti would complete the journey to the Afterlife as long as the daughter of his murderess still lived. An attempt was made on her life. For her protection, Nefretiri sent her to live with the Medjai. She grew up learning the ways of my people, and married one of the leaders. She had many children."

"Sounds like a good story so far." Rick said, relaxing with his arm around Evy's shoulders.

"The sect that believed the woman should die came to believe that her death would bring about the resurrection of their Pharaoh. So one day, while Neferitiri was away, men were sent to seek out this woman. They came upon her at the marketplace, and attempted to end her life. Medjai warriors fought them off, but not before three of her four children were killed."

"Oh my god." Rebecca breathed, horrified.

"The sect, realizing she had one child left, became determined to destroy him as well. To protect their son, his parents prepared to leave Egypt. They were set to sail when their camp was attacked. Both parents were killed, but not before they saw their son set aboard the ship."

"Maybe not such a good story." Rick said quietly. He knew what it meant to risk all for your child.

"The boy was never seen again. Though it was rumored he had gone to an island to the north."

"England?" Evy guessed, wiping tears from her eyes.

"Yes. We have discovered that the family that adopted him was called Medford."

All eyes turned to Rebecca. She straightened as the import of his words struck.

"That's my family." She said, confused.

"That would explain why you're finding Anck-su-namun's things." Rick said quietly. "You're related to her."

"Maybe they were put there as a warning for you to beware." Evy added. "But by whom?"

"Maybe it's Seti." Rebecca said, "You said yourself it felt safe there, now that Imhotep is no longer there. Maybe he's looking out for us."

"The descendant of one child and the reincarnation of the other." Ardeth said slowly. "That was also the opinion of the council."

"If he was protecting us, why did you force us to leave?" Rebecca asked, confused.

"What was happening at Hamunaptra was not what concerned us. It is those who have learned of your presence there. Do you think the sect went away? The Medjai are not the only group that have endured the centuries."

"Why do they care if I am there?"

"You are the last surviving member of your family, are you not?"

"Yes. Mother and Father died last year."

"You are the only descendant left. The only one they feel can fulfill their prophecy." Ardeth told her, his eyes holding hers across the desk. "They want your death."

Her breath left her in a rush. She hadn't expected this. She'd been right in the fact that there was no supernatural danger at Hamunaptra. This threat was entirely human.

"What can we do?" Evy asked, walking over to her friend.

"We can return to England." Rick suggested.

"They would follow us." Rebecca sighed. "I've got to stay here. You should go. Take Alex. Keep him safe."

"We can't leave you." Evy said fiercely, wrapping her arms around her. "You're family. Even more than we thought."

"My men will watch over the boy." Ardeth assured Rebecca, reaching across to grip her hand. "They already watch the house. You will not go anywhere unattended."

For once she did not argue. It was not only her life at stake. Alex meant as much to her as her own child would have. She stared at her hand, engulfed in Ardeth's larger one. She was comforted by his touch, and his protection.

"We need to tell Jonathan what's going on." Rick said, rising to his feet. "I'll go find him."

"I'll go with you." Evy told him. "Alex should know too."

They left the room, leaving Rebecca alone with the Medjai warrior. She freed her hand from his, rising to pace restlessly. She stopped before the window, looking out at the crowded city. Ardeth stepped up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. She leaned back against him, closing her eyes as she relaxed. Caught up in the moment, neither noticed the man staring up at them from the street below.

"Soon." The man muttered, his hand going to the knife at his side.