Disclaimer: I only own Relafetiri. The rest belongs to other people.

A/N: Ok remember, I said that this chapter would be shorter than the last. Please read and review!

The Beginning of the End

An Unlawful Agreement

Later on the night of their return, Nefretiri was talking to Osun on one of the balconies.

"He suspects something," she said, gazing out towards the river.

"Then why didn't he do or say anything?" asked Osun.

"Because, he doesn't want to. But you know he will have to if his advisors find out or even just suspect anything."

"We won't let that happen. Don't worry. You'll be fine. They won't hurt you."

"I'm not worried about me, I'm worried about you and Anix. If they find out, they'll banish or torture and kill both of you!" Nefretiri turned and looked directly into Osun's eyes.

"Don't worry," he said, embracing the Princess, and whispering in her ear, "You know I'll never let any harm come to you. Or our son." Then, he tilted her face up to his and they kissed. Unknown to them, someone had seen and heard them. This person would not forget.

Two years later…

Nefretiri couldn't have been happier for her father. He was to marry Anck-su-namun. She could tell that her father was very pleased with his future wife, but she could tell that Anck-su-namun was not happy. Frankly, she felt sorry for her.

Imhotep, on the other hand, had his own problems. He had fallen in love with Anck-su-namun. He knew that it was impossible for them to be together because she was now the Pharaoh's future wife. Still, he didn't care. He just hoped that he could get over his feeling. He used all his strength to push them away. They only got worse. Then, one night, while the Pharaoh wasn't at the palace, he couldn't keep his feelings inside any more. He set out to find Anck-su-namun. He found her on one of the palaces many balconies looking out at the river.

"Anck-su-namun," Imhotep said as he came on the balcony.

"Imhotep!" said Anck-su-namun, obviously startled.

"I have to tell you something. You must promise not to tell anyone."

"Ok," Anck-su-namun said confusedly.

Imhotep took a huge breath. "I love you. I've loved you since the day you came, since you came into the room with my daughter after she had disappeared, both of you smiling. I know that this is crazy. I've tried to surpress my feelings but for all my power I can't. It only gets worse. I know you probably think I'm insane, but-"

"No!" Anck-su-namun said, "I love you too." Then, they kissed. Imhotep heard a faint sound from inside the palace. He didn't pay any attention to it. He was too happy.

Later that night, Imhotep was walking down the hall.

"High Priest!" said a voice behind him. "I have to talk to you!"

"What is it?" asked Imhotep as he turned around. He saw that the speaker was Osun. The Medjai opened a door leading into the palace's library, which was obviously empty considering how late it was.

"In here so that no one hears us." Once they were inside he continued. "I saw you on the balcony. When you were with that girl. The one who the Pharaoh plans to marry. Now, I don't know exactly what I-"

"I'd not tell him if I were you, Medjai. You see I know something about you as well. I saw you with the Princess on the night that you returned from the Island Palace. I heard what you were saying, too," Said the High Priest.

"You mean you heard what we were saying and you still remember it now, two years later?" asked Osun worriedly.

"Yes. Now, I propose we make an agreement. I won't tell Pharaoh about you and the Princess if you don't tell him about me and Anck-su-namun."

"Fine," said Osun. They shook on it. "But I suggest you be more careful. If he does find out about you, I know nothing."

"Same with me. Good-bye, Medjai," said Imhotep.

And so it began. Secrets, deceit, lies, they had all been present before. Now, they were more prominent. Neither Anck-su-namun nor Nefretiri knew of the agreement that Osun and Imhotep had made. They were on friendly terms. However, this was due in part to the fact that two certain children got along perfectly. Anix and Rela were almost always together. Both seemed to be the most adorable, intelligent and curious children ever. The whole palace loved them. However, nothing lasts forever. When he was only five-and-a-half, it was time for Anix to begin his training to be a Medjai. When Rela found out, instead of being sad she felt left out. She decided she wanted to learn to fight.

"Anu, can I ask you a favor?" she asked one morning.

"Of course Rela."

"You know how you're teaching Miss Nefretiri to fight? Do you think you could teach me, too?"

"Ok, I think that would be alright," said Anck-su-namun. She was proud that the girl had come to her to learn.

And so the children's training began.

TBC…

A/N: Ok well, there's the second chapter. I warned you ahead of time that it would be a lot shorter. I'm going to try to make the next chapter as long as the first. However, this fic is only going to have a couple of more chapters. I'm just writing this to give my next fic some background. Anyway please review!