(5) Memories and Streaking

Waking up after a long night, Evie stretched and then leaned over to watch her sleeping husband. Smiling she gently kissed his cheek and then rolled out of bed. Grabbing her robe as she slipped her feet into her slippers, Evie hurried down the hallway to check on their guest. As she approached the room she saw Ardeth sleeping in a chair at the door. Evie could tell he had not moved from this spot the entire night. As she stepped around him to enter the room Ardeth suddenly stood up and brought his scimitar towards her throat, stopping just inches away. "ARDETH," Evie yelled, her eyes wide with fear. Looking sheepish, Ardeth quickly put the sword away and apologized. "Evie I am so sorry. I did not know it was you. Please forgive me." Just as Evie was getting ready to speak, Rick rushes from their room, his fist tight around a cane.

"Evie what happened!!??" Ardeth, stares at Rick and then begins to laugh as Evie turns her back trying to hold in a fit of laughter. Rick stops uncertain as to why they were laughing and then realized that he was standing before them holding a cane yet wearing no clothes. As quick as he had run from the bedroom he turn and leaped back in. Evie glanced at Ardeth and then entered the guest room. Laying on the pillows, in a peaceful sleep was Amen-Ra. Ardeth walked to Evie's side and stared down at the princess. "What do we do now? I mean why is she here?" With a slight moan Amen-Ra blinked her eyes open and seeing Ardeth smiled. Then she glanced at Evie and sat up speaking quietly in Ancient Egyptian. "I wish to thank you for your hospitality. I will make sure you are well paid."

Then holding a hand to Ardeth, her smile widens as he takes it and sits on the edge of the bed. Laying her head against his shoulder she clings to him and then sighs deeply as he wraps his arms around her protectively. Glancing up at Evie, his expression filled with confusion and something else.love? Moments later Rick returns and then states he will wake up Alex and see how breakfast is coming. Evie slips out to dress giving the two time alone. Amen-Ra raises her head and looks deeply into Ardeth's eyes.



"You look so different Khnum but you are still my love. How long have I been asleep?" Ardeth opens his mouth to speak and then stops before trying again. "I am not sure if you know it Princess but I am Ardeth Bay of the Med-jai. I know I look like your betrothed but it has been many years since your passing." Amen-Ra sits up, pushing back from him. Her fine features showing the torture in her soul. "My passing? I was sick for a long time is all. Khnum why do you say such things to me?" For some reason Ardeth's heart twists as he sees the pain she goes through but knows she must learn the truth.

"Many years ago you knew me in another life. I must have been Khnum then for I feel that I belong with you. But you were killed.murdered by Binemwase on the day your father announced your betrothal." As she listened, her eyes widened. The memories coming back to her as tears flowed down her face. She remembered the pain of the poison and she remembered the look on Khnum's face as she realized she was dying. Then she stiffened as she remembered the face of Binemwase standing over looking down at her like a vulture waiting for it's prey to die before devouring it. Wiping her face she stared at Ardeth.

"Khnum has come back to me in you. Though he died his love did not and you feel that. The gods have blessed me and given him back to me through you, another loyal Med-jai. One of the chosen." Ardeth smiled slightly as he reached out and touched her cheek. He was not accustomed to the feelings that burned through him. Guarding and fighting was his life as a Med-jai. But this woman burned him deeply and as a princess she required his protection. He knew in his heart, he belonged with her and it was always meant to be. Leaning forward, Amen-Ra leaned forward and kissed him every so lightly on the lips before running her fingers along them. "I care not how long I was asleep as long as you were here when I awoke." Hearing the sound of a throat clearing at the door, they both turned to see Evie standing there holding some dresses. "I thought you might wish to change into something else before coming down to eat. If you would like I could have a tray brought up to you." Sliding from the bed with a refined grace and took the clothes. "Thank you. If I could have some privacy I will be down momentarily."

Use to being obeyed she turned and waited for them to leave. As they did so she sunk to the bed and sobbed. They wrenched at her heart for all that she had lost. Her parents, her love and her life. She was frightened and would do whatever she could to not show that fear. She was Princess Amen-Ra and her breeding would not allow her to show fear. In time she will adjust. Going to the basin she cleaned her face, looking into the mirror she noticed she had not changed. Smiling she thanked the gods she still had her Khnum. Brushing her hair she frowned slightly seeing a strand of gray hair. Shrugging it off she conceded that she was due that imperfection after all she had endured. Then dressing she walked out the door and followed the sounds of voices heard below her.