I appreciate everyone's comments so so so so so much!!! You guys make this worthwhile, and I want you to know how much I value your support:) Sorry it takes me so long to post, I never have time to get online lately.

All righty. Finally, the famed Nef/Anck fight scene. I'd just like to let y'all know that it took several million fast backwards to get down the sequencing of the movie scenes, so you'd better appreciate it, lol! :)

PS: Yes, BTTF, only just about the best movie in the world behind TM and When Harry Met Sally;) "I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible!" :):):)

Chapter 19

Thunderclouds Gather

It was Nefertiri's favorite part of morning. The sun had just begun to peek over the distant bronze horizon, rays piercing the foggy morning air as they crept over the sand. As light hit the palace, it began to sparkle, the opulent furnishings showing their worth as they reflected the gold of the rising sun. Today the clouds obscured the sun's beauty a little, but their auburn-tinged edges shone with a splendor of their own.

Nefertiri stood watching nature's display on the balcony, slowly sipping the cup of tea Tahir brought her every morning. She tried desperately not to think about what day it was, but it was near impossible. Today meant everything, and Nefertiri was terrified of failing. She couldn't fail, not in front of her father, in front of Achsu-rai. And especially not because of Anck-su-namun.

She felt Achsu-rai join her on the balcony, arms encircling her from behind for a brief hug before he departed. "You'll be there, right?" she asked him. "You're coming today?"

Achsu-rai kissed her on the cheek. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Where the hell is he? Nefertiri thought angrily, butterflies dancing painfully in her throat. She clutched the sais with clammy hands, twirling them through her fingers as she waited for the crowd to calm down so the demonstration could commence. Anck-su-namun stood beside him, resting a hand on her fiancé's shoulder, the other holding the twin blades calmly. She shot a confident look Nefertiri's way, but the princess quickly stopped her fidgeting and sent one right back. No way was she going to let Anck-su-namun intimidate her.

It would have helped, however, if Achsu-rai had shown up. He was not in the crowd, she was sure, and if he'd been there he would have been standing with Imhotep and the pharaoh anyway. Earlier, when Seti had announced his intention to marry Anck-su-namun, she thought she'd seen him standing near the back of the crowd, but it had turned out to be Khalil. Achsu-rai's brother seemed to be avoiding her, as well, refusing to meet her eyes across the room. I'm overreacting, she told herself. I'm just nervous. No one is avoiding me...

Except her own father. He had not said two words to his daughter the entire day, confirming her suspicions at how deep his anger ran. Seti was not one to hold a grudge, which made her worry all the more. Nefertiri saw Anck-su-namun detach from the pharaoh's side for a moment, and decided to seize her chance. She stole her way over to her father's side and bowed low, not daring to look up until her acknowledged her.

From the heavens came her father's voice, though it was crisp as the chill of the morning clouds. "Daughter," he said. "Is there something you would like to discuss?"

"I am so sorry for what I said, father. I can't stand the thought that I caused you hurt. I'm sure you and Anck-su-namun will be very happy together, and I wish you all the best."

She chanced a look upwards, and was relieved to find a sad smile now gracing the pharaoh's face. "Thank you, daughter. I know your mother's death was hard for you, but it was so long ago. I hope you can embrace Anck-su-namun as a friend, if nothing else."

"Oh, we are great friends, father, have no worries about that."

Seti turned away to accept the greetings of a local merchant, and Nefertiri was left to retreat, alone, back into her thoughts. Time crawled excruciatingly slowly, and all Nefertiri could do was wait. Wait for the fight to begin, wait for Achsu-rai to show up...

Wait for her fate.

One clap, they turned away from each other. A second clap, and suddenly they whirled back, attacking with a level of intensity they had never reached in practice. After what seemed like mere moments of sparring, Anck-su-namun lunged, but Nefertiri easily deflected her back and assailed her opponent again. It was not enough, however, for Anck-su-namun quickly gained the upper hand again by striking Nefertiri viciously across her face, making a move to choke her. The princess escaped by kicking Anck in the face, and they were off across the room again.

It took Anck resorting to her old tripping ploy to get Nefertiri to the floor, and she stood above her, triumphant. Nefertiri removed her mask, giving Anck a look of such pure hatred she was surprised that Seti did not observe it.

"Put your mask on!" Anck-su-namun taunted. "Let's not scar that pretty face."

She did not heed her tutor's advice, rather, Nefertiri vaulted up from her position on the floor and snatched her weapons up again. Faces set with determination, they stood off for but a moment before charging again. They fought for longer this time, but still it was Anck who acquired the advantage, disarming Nefertiri with two quick swipes. She then flung her across the room, Nefertiri fighting to keep balance as she cartwheeled away and leapt up onto a narrow ledge.

The princess looked back down at the ground to see Anck-su-namun pitch her weapons toward two unsuspecting statues and go across the room for a larger weapon. Nefertiri grabbed an ax on the wall and returned to ground level to face her opponent, who had taken hold of a spear from the other wall. They each twirled their weapons as they moved toward each other, finally meeting in a clash of blows that ceased only when Anck-su-namun sprung off a nearby urn and was able to deflect Nefertiri's ax.

By now they had abandoned all pretenses of good training and were fighting with pure ferocity, simply lashing out with huge swipes of their weapons wherever they could get a shot in. Anck-su-namun again disarmed the princess, spinning her spear hazardously close to Nefertiri as she backed away. The latter finally was able to take hold of the spear, grappling for a moment before Anck flipped Nefertiri over her shoulder. Suddenly Nefertiri was lying on the ground, beaten, Anck-su-namun's blade perched precariously at the princess' throat.

"You are learning quickly, Nefertiri," said the victor. "I'll have to watch my back."

"Yes," she replied. "And I'll watch mine."

Anck's face darkened, and Nefertiri wondered briefly if this was how it was going to end--death at the hands of the best friend she'd ever known, a friend tainted by bittersweet betrayal...but then Anck-su-namun backed away, and the moment passed.

"Bravo, bravo!" cried Seti, oblivious to the animosity that had passed between the two women. "Who better to protect the Bracelet of Anubis than my lovely daughter, Nefertiri. And who better to protect me, than my future wife, Anck-su-namun." Anck bowed her head in deference, mocking his words, or so it seemed to Nefertiri.

"Well done, daughter," said Seti, enveloping her in a rare hug. It seemed that their earlier fight had truly passed, she was once again his beloved daughter.

Nefertiri's joy, however, was short-lived as she once again caught sight of Anck-su-namun. She was not, however, looking at the princess. No...she was looking at Imhotep. Something passed between them, a look that could only be borne of familiarity, of intimacy. Time seemed to slow as Nefertiri recognized it. She given the same look to Achsu-rai many times. Anck met the princess' eyes again, and in a flash Nefertiri thought she might have seen the girl she once knew...obedient, loyal, but...somehow defiant. Different.

In love.

~*~*~*~

Things that make Buffelyn happy...exact change...hugs...the Mariners winning...and reviews:):):)

I don't know if anyone else is having this problem, but when I hit the review button for the first time, the box is all slow and won't come up, but it will do it if you exit and click on it again. ???