UNPLEASANT SURPRISES
It was morning, but still dark outside. Ardeth felt the comforting warmth of Leven's body beside his. He smiled a little when he realized that their bodies were literally wrapped around each other. He hated the idea of waking her, but she needed to go back to Hazz's quarters before someone saw her. She had yet to be presented to the elders and premarital relations with the intended was highly frowned upon, almost forbidden. It was hypocritical and he didn't like it. He didn't want to admit it, didn't want to speak the words to Leven, but Hazz had been right. The elders, his people, and the other wives would find many faults with her. Although she had great ancestral ties to the clan, no one would ever know it unless they were told. Despite the fact that she had Egyptian blood coursing through her veins, she was American. Her skin, eyes, hair, and attitude were completely different. She wouldn't fit in easily, if at all. He thought that eventually, she would be accepted if for no other reason than her status as his wife, the mother of his children. He didn't want to voice his concerns to her because it was sure to hurt her. He'd rather lose a limb than hurt her. Yet, there was another thought creeping into his mind. What would become of her after he left? He couldn't stay with her constantly. She had no other support outside him and Elder Haka. Just thinking of her experiencing that much pain and uncertainty unsettled him. It brought pain to his heart. He loved her so much and didn't want anything to ever hurt her again. Unable to help it, he began placing gentle kisses on her forehead, eyelids, and cheeks before lingering on her beautiful lips. She moved against him, coming awake slowly, her arms snaking about his waist, tightening, her hands caressing the small of his back, gliding down to his naked buttocks. He wanted nothing more than to lower her to her back and make love to her until he couldn't think, feel, or breathe. There was little time for that.
"Malak [angel]," he whispered against her lips, "You must wake up and go back."
Her eyes came open slowly. She had no desire to leave, but she certainly didn't have a choice. "I'll go, but I'd rather not."
"I know. I would not send you away if I had another option. Today, I hope that Hazz will gather the elders so our separation can be short-lived."
"Let's hope so." She gave him a soft kiss before pulling free of his tight embrace.
He shifted positions and leaned up on his elbows. A smile danced upon Ardeth's lips as he watched her scrambling around, looking for her clothes in the dark. Last night, they had started out holding each other, but their intimate touches became heated, and his need and desire for her outweighed every other thought and emotion inside him. He needed her more than he had needed anyone. They made love passionately and fell asleep tangled together. It was a comforting image, one that made him want her even more. He sighed a little and found he couldn't take his eyes off her. There was so much they should talk about, but he didn't have the heart to do it just yet. "I will see you later."
She struggled into her jeans, nearly having to lie flat on her back to do it. She turned and looked at him. "You'd better." She threw her top over her head and pulled it down. It didn't escape her that she had yet to find her bra. Perhaps he could bring with him. The image of seeing Ardeth carrying her bra around nearly threw her into hysterics. "I love you."
Before he had the opportunity to return the sentiment [if he did, she wouldn't leave], she crawled out of the tent into the darkness. Leven's moves weren't exactly undetected. A young woman beginning her morning chores saw something very curious out by the village pyramid. She knew the Chieftain had made camp there. Shocked, she watched silently as a woman crawled out of the tent and began to walk toward the village. She ducked out of sight to watch the strange woman. She was more of a girl and had very light skin and hair. She might have been English or American, but it was hard to tell. She stayed back and waited until the woman passed her before she came out of hiding. She forgot about her chores and curiously studied the tent. She began to move toward the tent but stopped when she saw movement. She waited patiently as the Medjai Chieftain emerged bare-chested. The woman had been with him? Considering his stage of undress, she was led to believe they were partaking of sins of the flesh. Quickly, she turned around and set about her daily chores. The elders would have to know about this.
When Ardeth entered Hazz's quarters after the sun rose to its full blazing glory, he smiled a little. Apparently Hazz had found clothing for Leven. He didn't know where he had dug it up, but somehow, he had. She wore a pair of tan form fitting slacks and a white cotton blouse. She had braided her hair and the plait lay over one shoulder. A couple of bowls were sitting beside her, the food inside them relatively untouched. Apparently, she couldn't eat and he noticed that her face was pale. He moved toward her and she looked up at him with a tired little smile. He picked up the bowls, set them aside, and sat beside her on the little cot. He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand.
"The baby," he asked.
She nodded. "Yeah. I'm a little sick, but I'll be okay."
Hazz entered the room and noticed the two young lovers. He made a purposeful noise to bring their attention to his entrance. He didn't want to interrupt an intimate moment. Ardeth immediately and respectfully came up to his feet. "Elder Haka," he said with a nod.
"Sa-baH il-kheyr," Hazz said. ["Good morning."] "I have sent Mukhtar to gather the elders. They should be here shortly. I told the boy to inform them that this meeting is very important to you. It appears that they intended to see you before your departure."
"The elders wish to see me," he asked, confused. "Do you know why?"
He shook his head. "No, Chieftain, I do not."
After Hazz left them to prepare for the gathering, Ardeth sat with Leven and waited impatiently. He had no idea why the elders would approach him. Perhaps it was related to his journey into the future. However, that didn't seem right. For unknown reasons, he felt uneasy about their request. Of course, he wasn't completely focused on it. He would present Leven to the elders and marry her whether they agreed with the pairing or not. Ardeth noticed that the longer they waited, the paler Leven's face became. Her nerves were frazzled, it was apparent in her demeanor and the way she fidgeted.
"What should I expect," she asked suddenly.
"As you know, the elders will be gathered together awaiting us. I am not sure if they know why I requested their presence. We will walk in together, not touching, to face them. From there, I state my intentions, they agree, and it is done. You will stay with the women of the village, the wives of my men, to wait and prepare for the wedding. It is custom to have a period of engagement after the elders have blessed the union. I will insist that they grant a shorter period."
"Oh God," she moaned. Her stomach was quivering sickly. If she didn't throw up, it would be a miracle. "I sense that it won't be as easy as that. I'm not like the wives of your tribesmen. I'm not an innocent and to top it off, we've already started our family. Jesus, I'm not even from this time. I'm scared."
He placed his forefinger beneath her chin and tilted her face up toward his. "Leven, do not be afraid. You are to be my wife. If they cannot accept it, if they cannot bless it, we will proceed as long as it is what you want."
Half an hour later, Mukhtar entered the room and nodded respectfully toward Ardeth and Leven. "Come Chieftain. The elders have arrived," he said.
Ardeth nodded. "Shukran." ["Thank you."] He presented his hand to Leven. "It will be all right," he said as he gazed into her flickering eyes. She was terrified. Leven sighed heavily as she took his hand. "It is nothing more than a formality. Remember that." She nodded nervously, on the brink of tears. He kissed her forehead and pulled her up to her feet.
The two of them followed behind Mukhtar down a long, dark corridor. Beside him, Leven was taking in harsh, sharp breaths. Ardeth squeezed her hand reassuringly, grasping it until they were close to the room where the elders awaited. They entered the room and Leven laid eyes on the seven men. Earlier, Ardeth had told her a little about each man. Elder Qasi was considered the leader of the group. He was the oldest and had been seated with the elders the longest. He was a healthy, robust man of eighty with a long flowing beard that was snow-white. His head was covered, but she wouldn't be afraid to bet that his hair was the same color as his beard. Elder Nukta was the youngest of the group, barely sixty. He held less power than any other elder. His beard was luxuriant and full, shot with lodes of gray. He was frail in body, and according to Ardeth, in spirit as well. Elder Zilan mirrored Qasi physically, with one exception. His left eye was missing and his face was covered with an intricate web of scar tissue. Ardeth had told her that he was in a great battle many years ago and had lost his eye due to a violent slash from a scimitar. He had been left to die in the desert, but had managed to return to the village. He had become the greatest hero and the most respected elder of the group. Even though he wasn't the leader, most of the elders deferred to him. He was considered Qasi's second. Elder Burd was next in line to Zilan. He was the only elder in the group without a headdress. His hair was steel gray, long, and flowing. He resembled an ancient Native American warrior. His face was hard and bitter. Ardeth had told her that the man had been in an unfortunate accident as a youth that left him completely mute. Elder Jahannam was next to the youngest. His beard had no gray at all within it. His face wasn't as stony as the others. His eyes brought the most attention to him. One was black, the other the palest of blue hues. The last, Elder Tuhmi, was like Nukta. His body was frail and feeble, but he was the stronger of the two. He deferred to no one in the group. Normally, if all the elders said one thing, Tuhmi would say something else. He was the only elder devoid of facial hair. There were great differences among the six men, but they shared one common feature. Unlike Hazz, they weren't kind, and they gazed upon her suspiciously. They whispered quietly amongst themselves, never quite including Hazz in the conversation. Leven thought it odd, and her worry grew. She couldn't translate the words, but it didn't matter. She knew what they were saying. Who is this woman? Why is she with the Chieftain? What is her purpose?
"Who is this you bring with you," Elder Zilan demanded.
Ardeth bowed slightly. "She is the woman I love. I come before you to declare my intention of marrying her. I would ask that you bless the union and allow a short period of engagement."
"Chieftain, you bring forth an outsider as your intended?" Elder Qasi had spat his words through great shock and disbelief. "We wanted to seek you today to inform you that we have previously arranged a bride for you. A more suitable bride."
Hazz, Leven, and Ardeth were stunned. Silence filled the room, penetrating every corner. The words 'suitable bride' hit Ardeth like the ultimate insult. "I will not take any other woman for a wife. This woman beside me is the only bride for me," Ardeth stated stubbornly.
"Chieftain, you have lived life alone far too long," Elder Zilan began. "The past fortnight, your behavior and actions have been that of man in need of companionship; companionship of a proper woman. You are aware of the customs and traditions of our clan. We have selected a proper wife for you, Radab Murr. We cannot allow a union with a woman not of our people, not of our clan. It simply cannot be done."
Of course, Radab had visited Zilan and she told of the woman leaving the Chieftain's tent. According to his great-niece, the woman she saw now stood beside Ardeth Bay. She had obviously lain with the warrior. How would the warrior follow in the traditions of his forefathers? How would he one day assume his proper place as an elder with a fallen woman as his wife? Men of his stature chose a virtuous wife, an appropriate mate. Her lying with him was not as much of an issue as her lineage, where she was from. Be it England or America, she was an outsider, a woman not like the others. She would never fit in; she would never belong.
Ardeth knew of this Radab Murr. She had ties to Elder Zilan's family, was a niece or a cousin. He understood the custom, understood the elders' need to provide him with a happy life. However, he didn't doubt that Zilan had planned this purposely. He could not see a relative marrying a man who was not of proper character. Outside a Medjai Chieftain, who else would be more suitable? Ardeth was about to respond before a soft thud drew his attention. He turned and noticed that Leven had fainted dead away. Both Hazz and Ardeth went to her. Ardeth kneeled beside her and brought her body up to a sitting position. He caressed her cheek. As he gazed down at her, he wasn't sure if the shock had knocked her flat, or if it was due to the baby.
"Chieftain," Zilan called. "Have you put this woman with child? Is this why you requested a short engagement? I am sorry, but we cannot grant your request. You will send this woman away and take your proper wife."
His focus, his concern was on and with Leven, but he heard every word Elder Zilan said. Without releasing his hold on her, he turned to look at them. "I will do no such thing. If I must, I will marry against your wishes. If you do not want to give us a proper ceremony, we can leave and wed elsewhere."
Understanding that Ardeth had control of the situation, Hazz drew away and went back to the semi-circle of village elders. "I must say that I do not agree with you, Zilan," Hazz began. "This woman aided with ending the Curse of Set. I think we should grant the Chieftain's request."
"Your opinion, Hazz, is overruled," Qasi said. "What say you, Chieftain? What is your final decision?"
Ardeth focused his eyes, blackened with anger, on the panel of men. "I will marry who I choose. I will accept no one else. There is much you do not know about this woman."
"Chieftain, we know enough," Zilan said.
* * *
Leven awoke with the feel of a hand grasping hers tightly, stroking it with a gentle touch of a thumb. For a moment, she thought the scene in front of the elders had been some sort of nightmare, some sort of extension of her dream before she came to Ardeth. Unfortunately, it wasn't. Ardeth gazed down at her worriedly. "How long was I out?"
He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it. "Not long, perhaps ten minutes."
She sat up on the little cot and gazed up at him. "So, that meeting today went smashingly well, didn't it?" She followed her comments with a bitter laugh that was filled with hurt and shock. "They want you to marry someone else? I think I heard that before I passed out. I sure as hell didn't dream it." As if her touch was poison, she withdrew her hand. "I think you should leave me."
He shook his head and reached for her hand again. At first, she tried to keep him from touching her, but she eventually grasped hold of his hand, squeezing for all she was worth. "Leave you? Leave you after you have come to me? Leave after you were sent to me? No. I will not leave. The only woman I want, the only wife I will take is you. Only you."
She gazed at him incredulously, never quite releasing her tight grip on his hand. "Are you crazy? Do you realize what you're saying and doing? Do you?"
"Yes, I realize it, but I have made my intentions clear. You do not understand the importance of the position I have. It is such that they cannot force me to do anything, not like they could with any other person in the fold. I do not need permission. Whatever decision I make about my future, about our future, is completely ours to make. They may not like it, they may not agree with it, but it does not matter."
She smiled a little. "Basically, you're the boss and that's that?" She sighed and nodded her head firmly. "Yeah, fuck 'em."
He laughed and playfully covered her mouth with his hand. "Just make sure you use that word only in my presence."
She removed his hand and leaned forward to place a soft kiss on his lips. "Is that an order, Chieftain," she asked softly.
"No. It is more like a request."
* * *
Radab Murr awaited her great-uncle impatiently. She knew that he was to have told Ardeth about their marriage arrangement. Surely, the warrior would realize that she would make a more suitable mate than the woman caught leaving his tent. She paced about her tiny, bare adobe walled room. Her great-uncle had told her parents years ago that she would marry a great man and the Medjai Chieftain was the greatest of them all. With his status came honor, and with that honor came respect. She sought that respect. Sought it and strived for it.
"Daughter, your uncle has come with news."
She stopped pacing as she noticed her mother. She almost hadn't heard her voice. "Yes, Mother."
She left her tiny room and followed her mother outside to meet Elder Zilan. She nodded respectfully toward her uncle. "Uncle, when is the wedding," she asked suddenly, foregoing a greeting. She wanted to know immediately so that she could begin the preparations for the ceremony.
"There will be no wedding, not for you and the Chieftain. He has denied you and chosen the outsider."
Shocked, she gazed up at her uncle as if she had never seen him before. "Uncle? Are you telling me that I will not be the Chieftain's wife? I will not be after you have promised me to him?"
He nodded sedately. "That is what I am telling you, Niece. He will marry the outsider at the time of his own choosing. I believe he feels he is obligated to her. She is with child. I am afraid she has possessed the Chieftain's spirit and is trying to turn him away from his people."
"Where is she now? I want to meet her," she said.
"She has taken shelter with Hazz Haka. There, you will find her and the Chieftain."
She nodded respectfully. "Shukran. ["Thank you."] I wish to meet her."
Elder Zilan stood back and watched his great-niece with a smile framing his lips. Yes. Radab wished to meet the Chieftain's woman and he thought it was a splendid idea, a splendid one indeed. "Yes, Niece. Welcome her like only you can."