(13) Love is Eternal

As Ardeth and Rick approach the railway car, Ardeth notices a shadow moving along the wall behind it. Squinting his eyes he makes out a form with long white hair and knows it is Amen-Ra. He bolts towards them, Rick stunned momentarily and then following him quickly. As they close in they see Wasser with the unconscious woman and hurry to catch up to him.

Wasser, hearing steps behind him, knows he cannot outrun them while carrying the princess and so he puts her down and lays the valise beside her. Gripping the sword tightly he spins around and readies for his attack, waiting to finish it finally. Snarling he sees the two approach and stares at Ardeth. "So Khnum, we finally come to this. Unless you are a coward and will make it two against one." Ardeth holds his hand out to Rick, motioning for him to move back as he removes his scimitar and advances. "My hatred for you is enough, Binemwase. This time I will make sure she gets your heart . on a golden platter."

Binemwase slashes at Ardeth, growling loudly. With an effortless move, Ardeth blocks the sword and spins out of the way aiming a slash across his back. With a quick movement, Binemwase leaps back, avoiding the deadly blow and makes a parley of blows at Ardeth's head who counters with his own, blocking them effortlessly. The sound of their heavy breathing and metal against metal are the only ones heard in the dark night.

Rick sits beside Amen-Ra and watches as she slowly wakens. He is stunned at how she looks. Her hair, now completely white hangs partially covering her face which is now wrinkled as if she had aged 30 years in only a few hours. Though she looked as if she was 50, her beauty is still very apparent. Clenching her hands over he bosom she watches the two fight.

Binemwase ducks under a blow from Ardeth and kicks him in the side knocking him off balance. He takes this time to slash at him catching Ardeth across the left shoulder. Yelling out in pain, Ardeth steps back and watches Binemwase before charging at him. Moving in close Ardeth hits him in the chin with the hilt of his sword. Binemwase quickly thrusts his sword at Ardeth's head, causing his own undoing. Seeing him move forward, Ardeth drops to one knee and drives his sword deep into Binemwase's stomach. Then with a vicious upward slash he slices through him easily. Binemwase stands stunned, staring at Ardeth. His sword drops from his listless fingers and he falls, face down into a pool of his own blood. His fingers clenching, reaching for Amen-Ra once before he dies.

Hearing a sob, Ardeth tosses his sword aside and kneels beside Amen-Ra. He holds her to him, letting her sob against his shoulder and tries to soothe her. "He is gone for good this time, my love. He cannot hurt us again. We have won. We will be wed soon and no one can separate us ever." He gazes down at her as she peers up into his eyes. Gently he brushes the tears from her cheek and then kisses her. Soon she smiles against his lips and tightens her hold on his waist. Rich, looking around as if seeking something to do, notices the valise and decides to look through it giving the two some privacy. He finds the papers and ring and sees how long Wasser has been looking for the princess.

Amen-Ra glances up at Ardeth and strokes his hair, her eyes alit with love. He seems not to notice the changes and lovingly strokes her face. Suddenly, a look of pain flashes across her face, her skin paling. Calling out her name he grips her tightly. "Amen-Ra, what is it?" As she struggles to catch her breath, her eyes never leaving his face, she speaks slowly. "My time is near, Khnum. I was not meant to stay long in this world. I think perhaps I needed to see you once more." Rick watches, seeing a single tear flow down Ardeth's cheek he is stunned. Ardeth grips Amen-Ra fiercely. "NO! You cannot leave me again. I cannot live without you." Though he has never spoken these words before to anyone, he knew it was true. His love for her was that great. "We are to be wed. We are to have children to carry on our legacy and love. Please stay with me." Amen-Ra breathes heavily, fighting to stay conscious. "I will always be your love and I will always be with you." Amen-Ra removed the necklace from around her neck with a small crescent moon on it and with difficulty put it around Ardeth's neck. "I will always be yours. You are my husband." As they huddled together, Rick hands Ardeth the ring. "It is not to late to be wed." Ardeth looks at the ring and something in him remembers. Taking the ring he slides it over Amen-Ra's ring finger on her left hand. "You told me when I return this to you, it will be as your husband."

As soon as the ring slips completely over the finger, a light seems to glow inside Amen-Ra. Her skin seemed to smooth right before his eyes. He and Rick stared, stunned as the wrinkles and lines disappeared. Her hair slowly darkened, until it was the same ebony as when they first saw her. Finally the glow dissipated and they looked at Amen-Ra, back to the same flawless beauty she was before.

Opening her eyes Amen-Ra smiled. She leaned up, kissing Ardeth lightly on the lips and whispered. "My husband, we will be together forever." With the last word she collapses against Ardeth and releases her last breath. Ardeth, stunned, shakes her. Not wanting to believe the inevitable. "My wife, please wake up. Please." Tears stream down his face as he rocks her. His hair covering both his and her face. Rick can only look on as he watches his friend grieve.