Chapter 6...........
Samia hesitantly made her way up the path towards Ardeth and Hamid, her steps faltering slightly as she saw the looks being exchanged between the two of them. Hamid was totally smitten by his father, and by the look on Ardeth's face the feelings were reciprocated tenfold.
"Erm, Ardeth............" she managed to croak, feeling the breath catch in her throat as he turned to look at her. His face was a picture of serenity and happiness, his smile.......Oh, his smile.
"I'm so sorry Samia, please come and sit with us," he replied, holding his arm out, gesturing for her to sit beside him. He hadn't missed the look af desolation on her face and wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms alongside his son, re-assure her. But could he? Even the great Ardeth Bay had no answer as to where they all went from here.
She couldn't cope with it all just now, the situation was tearing her to pieces, she needed to get a little distance between them and sort her emotions out before they threatened to spill out. She couldn't stick around just now and let her stupid selfishness at wanting to keep hold of Hamid spoil their moment, that wouldn't be fair at all.
"No," she said abruptly, taking a breath as she realized she'd sounded harsh. "I just wanted to tell you both I'm going to the market, and then to visit Pedro, I'll be back in a couple of hours," she said, just managing to form a weak smile. "You be a good boy for your daddy Hamid," she said, ruffling the little boys hair before she turned to leave.
Ardeth stood quickly and gently caught her arm as she turned away. "Samia, I understand, please will you talk with me later, I have no wish to hurt you, even though I know you are hurting right at this moment."
Samia nodded. "I just need a little time alone Ardeth, to let all this sink in, please let me go for a while, I don't want Hamid to see me upset like this," she begged quietly, as he released her from the gentle pressure of his hand, the mere touch of him unsettling her more.
Samia wandered aimlessly around the market, the thoughts of the days events whirling around in her head. Her stoic practicality having been thrown to the wind, she bought all the things she wouldn't have dreamed of buying before, as if in a daze. Gone were thoughts of what to make for dinner, instead they were replaced by comfort goods. A long black ankle skimming skirt in the softest of material was the first of her purchases, and as she bought it she couldn't help herself from wondering what Ardeth would think of her in it. On the same track she stopped at Maria's stall, picking out a soft russet cotton blouse with intricate emboidery and lacing down the front. It was the first time in her entire life that she'd considered dressing as a way to please someone other than herself. Why did she feel as though she wanted to please him?
A little later as she sat on the beach watching the sun as it descended in the sky, she finally came to a decision. It was obvious she was going to lose Hamid at some point, but Ardeth had agreed to stay on the Island for a while and she'd never had any time in her life the past few years for anything other than Hamid, but yet these feelings Ardeth had unleashed in her she had to admit, felt pretty darn good.
"Damn you Ardeth Bay," she cried, thinking that indeed he was the bringer of doom into her life, but did he have to have the face of a God and the kindness of a saint. If he'd have been a battle hardened warrior like so many of the other Medjai she could have hated him, if his heart had been made of stone she could have closed herself to him. But instead as she sat on the sweeping sands, she found her heart had really warmed to the man. Not Ardeth Bay Hamid's father, her chieftain, but Ardeth Bay the man.
She would make Hamid's last days with her as wonderful as she could, Ardeth owed her that at least. But she wouldn't pull away from Ardeth, she'd put on a brave face, she'd much rather have just a short time with them that harden herself and close him out. What did she have to lose anymore? The only person apart from her mother and father she'd ever been close to was about to leave her, what did it matter if she was improper in inviting Ardeth to stay, who was there to know?
"Samia, you're going to do this and you're going to get through it, and when they've both gone at least you'll have some wonderful memories to keep you company." she told herself.
The sounds of laughter from within the house had travelled all the way down the path, and when Samia finally opened the front door nothing could have prepared her for the sight that greeted her.
"Look at me," shouted Hamid, "I'm just like daddy now," he squealed.
Samia felt the heavy thud as her heart landed somewhere at the pit of her belly. In front of her Ardeth was now dressed in the tradidional Medjai robes complete with bandoliers, turban and scimitar. Her eyes took on a will of their own as she scanned up and down his imposing frame, coming back once again to his eyes, it seemed as though he were looking at her for approval. Well he certainly had that, definitely, without a doubt.
A shriek from Hamid broke her line of thought as he stepped out from behind his father, decked out in the same robes, though without the weaponry. "Oh Hamid," Samia cried. "You look so grown up, you look magnificent," she stuttered.
"Daddy brought them especially for me," he said with pride, his huge eyes twinkling with delight.
"My God," thought Samia. It was like the first nail had been hammered into the coffin. This is how they would both look when they left her and went back home.
Ardeth immediately picked up on the look of shock on her face. "Samia I'm sorry, have I offended you in some way, have I brought back memories you would rather forget?" he asked, thinking that seeing the two of them in their robes would somehow remind Samia of the time she'd had to leave the Medjai, a time of grief concerning her mothers illness.
Samia shook herself, once again resolving to play for the normality card, thinking quickly of something to say to cover her tracks.
"No, it's alright," she said. "I was just thinking of all the extra washing I'm going to have if you two persist in wearing those robes everyday."
There, she'd said it, hoping that she'd said it convincingly enough, hoping the moment would pass quickly. In fact she'd been shocked at the sheer presence of Ardeth Bay. When he'd been dressed in the conventional clothing she could fool herself that he was just an ordinary man, but now, stood before her looking like he did, she knew darn well that he was so much different from other men and that the little boy beside him was the future for a whole race of people. She silently wished it wouldn't be too overwhelming for him and once again prayed she'd taught him enough of his heritage.
"I have a surpise for you both," said Samia, thinking on her feet. "If it's alright with you Ardeth, I'd very much like for us all to go out for dinner this evening."
"I too would like that very much Samia, and in answer to you having to wash these robes, I have no intention of wearing them on a daily basis whilst I'm here, Hamid just wanted to see them, and then he wanted to try them on, but only If I put mine on also," Ardeth winked.
Samia laughed, she knew just how persuasive Hamid could be, in fact wasn't the little warrior now swinging a broom around the cottage, narrowly missing the breakables, robes flying in the breeze.
"Okay then," she said. "But you're the one who has to tell him to get changed and I don't envy you in that task," she giggled.
"Ahhhhh," he sighed.
"Ahhhhh indeed, I'll leave you to it, I'm just going to have a bath and get changed, so you have around half an hour to do the deed."
Samia lay back in the bathtub listening to Hamid's pleading, laughing a little at the way he was trying to wind his father around his little finger, but getting nowhere. She had to give Ardeth credit for his way with the boy, he was firm but gentle, slowly turning Hamid around to the thought that it was his own idea to change back to normal clothes. She was still giggling to herself when she wrapped her robe around her and walked out of the bathroom roughly towelling her hair dry.
"Hamid, come on," said Ardeth. "Samia's getting the jump on us here, we have to get washed and dressed before dinner, we don't want her eating everything before we get there do we?"
Ardeth easily caught the cushion Samia had just flung at him in mock temper. He was relieved the easiness had returned between them. He wanted her to like him, needed her to want him.......but why? Why this craving for acceptance from a woman who he'd only just met? In the time alone he'd spent with Hamid, he'd seen a lot of Samia in the boy, little things, a gesture here, a mannerism, a little saying or two, and instead of being jealous of Hamid's affection for Samia, he thoroughly understood it, he was finding himself wanting to be drawn under her spell. Not that she'd ever cast one, but she had a charm and a grace that was all hers and no-one else's. He also suspected there was a passionate side hiding behind the wary exterior and Ardeth hoped he could one day unlock it. Oh, and the fact that he thought she was absoloutely ravishing helped a lot.
If he'd thought she was ravishing before, the sight of her dressed in the new clothes she'd bought earlier in the market all but took his breath away. Her jet black hair after being dried by the heat of the fire hung in soft waves almost to her waist. A waist that was nipped in by a black leather belt with a huge golden buckle. Underneath the belt flowed a long black skirt, almost to the ground, just revealing tanned feet encased in strappy sandals. But the biggest shock was the almost sheer cotton blouse she wore, russet in color, heavily embroidered with gold thread, complimenting the golden flecks in her eyes.
"Aunt Samia is a pretty lady now, yes?" giggled hamid. "Daddy, doesn't Samia look pretty?" he added, turning to Ardeth to see if he agreed.
"Samia, you......you.. look beautiful," stuttered Ardeth, now mesmerised by her change in appearance. He thought she was simply perfect, from the sheen of her hair through the swell of her breasts, the curves of her hips, right down to her sandal clad toes.
Samia was now embarrassed and desperate to break the moment. "It's no big deal," she said, shaking her head. "I just decided to dress up a little for once, what's wrong with that?"
"Nothing, nothing at all," replied Ardeth, sensing her discomfort. Why had he stared like that? he knew full well that Samia wouldn't take compliments freely, he supposed she just wasn't used to them, keeping herself secluded like she had.
"You two look very nice as well," Samia complimented, knowing Hamid had tried hard to impress his father. His father however, there were no words to describe, glamorous was the best she could come up with in her mind. A plain black open necked shirt, tucked into plain black trousers, probably designed to blend into the background, but failing miserably. Instead it gave him an air of mystery, an air of.....just damn right sexiness, and as he turned away from her towards Hamid she couldn't help but notice the way the cut of the trousers clung to his muscular ass.
"Stop it," she chastised herself. "Pull yourself together, anyone would think you hadn't ever seen a man before."
"Sorry, did you say something?" asked Ardeth, looking straight into her guilty eyes.
"No, only that I think we should go for dinner now," she said, averting her eyes lest they wander again.
Ardeth fell in love with the harborside, his deep eyes taking in every sight, his smile permanently on his face in wonder.
"I can see why you were drawn to this place Samia, it's just so, what's the word?"
"Peaceful, tranquil, soothing? take your pick," she interrupted.
"You took the words right out of my mouth," he drawled, smiling straight at her, thinking that the picturesqe harbor was nothing compared to the beauty of Samia tonight.
His eyes were like a jet of heat searing through her entire body, causing her to blush and change the subject once again. Ardeth mentally kicked himself again for his lack of consideration. He just couldn't find it within to tear his eyes away from her. What was wrong with him, a simple woman could reduce the great warrior to this?
Fortunately Hamid's tummy broke the silence, rumbling as it was, and both Ardeth and Samia found themselves laughing in relief. They decided to let Hamid do the ordering for dinner, and he did, with such an air of importance as Alejandro fussed around him letting the small boy lead the way.
They lingered for quite a while over dinner, listening intently to Hamid as he described all the food he'd ordered, telling them where the fish was caught, how it was cooked, even down to which Island the bottled water had come from.
"He's really something Samia," remarked Ardeth. "You've done a wonderful job of bringing him up, I can honestly say I wouldn't have wanted him to be with anyone else."
"Apart from you of course," Samia said.
"I can't say that I can answer that, I would have been away so much, my mother isn't in the best of health so my only sorrow would be that you couldn't have brought him up within the Medjai," he replied truthfully.
"Please Samia, take this compliment, even if it's the only one you will take from me, it comes from the heart," he said, taking her hand in his and placing it on his heart, "as do the others, but that's for you to decide in your own time."
Hamid was all but falling asleep in his chair by now. "I suppose I should find a place to stay for the night," said Ardeth, starting to get up and make his way over to Alejandro.
"Ardeth, sit down, please," Samia begged. "I know you may find this a strange request," she continued, mustering up all her courage, ready for the rejection, "but I would like you to stay with us at the cottage, and I'm sure Hamid would too."
Why was she shaking as she said that? Was it the fear of him rejecting her offer? or the fear of him taking up the offer?
"Are you sure Samia?" Ardeth said seriously. "You and I under the same roof? you don't have a great deal of room."
Samia took a breath and hoped she wasn't insulting him by this suggestion. "I'm sure you'll find the sofa very comfortable, there's plenty of cushions and I have spare blankets," she babbled.
Ardeth let out a laugh of such sweetness that Samia hadn't a clue what he was going to say next. He knew it had taken courage on her side to even ask the question, he could see she was confused over the feelings she was having, as was he. What would happen when they were all put in the mix together? Only one way to find out.
"In that case, how could I refuse?"
"Just one thing though," Samia retorted with a giggle. "You'd better behave or else I wont teach you to drive."
"I promise I'll be on my best behavior," he smiled, wondering just how long that best behavior would last being so close to her.
Samia hesitantly made her way up the path towards Ardeth and Hamid, her steps faltering slightly as she saw the looks being exchanged between the two of them. Hamid was totally smitten by his father, and by the look on Ardeth's face the feelings were reciprocated tenfold.
"Erm, Ardeth............" she managed to croak, feeling the breath catch in her throat as he turned to look at her. His face was a picture of serenity and happiness, his smile.......Oh, his smile.
"I'm so sorry Samia, please come and sit with us," he replied, holding his arm out, gesturing for her to sit beside him. He hadn't missed the look af desolation on her face and wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms alongside his son, re-assure her. But could he? Even the great Ardeth Bay had no answer as to where they all went from here.
She couldn't cope with it all just now, the situation was tearing her to pieces, she needed to get a little distance between them and sort her emotions out before they threatened to spill out. She couldn't stick around just now and let her stupid selfishness at wanting to keep hold of Hamid spoil their moment, that wouldn't be fair at all.
"No," she said abruptly, taking a breath as she realized she'd sounded harsh. "I just wanted to tell you both I'm going to the market, and then to visit Pedro, I'll be back in a couple of hours," she said, just managing to form a weak smile. "You be a good boy for your daddy Hamid," she said, ruffling the little boys hair before she turned to leave.
Ardeth stood quickly and gently caught her arm as she turned away. "Samia, I understand, please will you talk with me later, I have no wish to hurt you, even though I know you are hurting right at this moment."
Samia nodded. "I just need a little time alone Ardeth, to let all this sink in, please let me go for a while, I don't want Hamid to see me upset like this," she begged quietly, as he released her from the gentle pressure of his hand, the mere touch of him unsettling her more.
Samia wandered aimlessly around the market, the thoughts of the days events whirling around in her head. Her stoic practicality having been thrown to the wind, she bought all the things she wouldn't have dreamed of buying before, as if in a daze. Gone were thoughts of what to make for dinner, instead they were replaced by comfort goods. A long black ankle skimming skirt in the softest of material was the first of her purchases, and as she bought it she couldn't help herself from wondering what Ardeth would think of her in it. On the same track she stopped at Maria's stall, picking out a soft russet cotton blouse with intricate emboidery and lacing down the front. It was the first time in her entire life that she'd considered dressing as a way to please someone other than herself. Why did she feel as though she wanted to please him?
A little later as she sat on the beach watching the sun as it descended in the sky, she finally came to a decision. It was obvious she was going to lose Hamid at some point, but Ardeth had agreed to stay on the Island for a while and she'd never had any time in her life the past few years for anything other than Hamid, but yet these feelings Ardeth had unleashed in her she had to admit, felt pretty darn good.
"Damn you Ardeth Bay," she cried, thinking that indeed he was the bringer of doom into her life, but did he have to have the face of a God and the kindness of a saint. If he'd have been a battle hardened warrior like so many of the other Medjai she could have hated him, if his heart had been made of stone she could have closed herself to him. But instead as she sat on the sweeping sands, she found her heart had really warmed to the man. Not Ardeth Bay Hamid's father, her chieftain, but Ardeth Bay the man.
She would make Hamid's last days with her as wonderful as she could, Ardeth owed her that at least. But she wouldn't pull away from Ardeth, she'd put on a brave face, she'd much rather have just a short time with them that harden herself and close him out. What did she have to lose anymore? The only person apart from her mother and father she'd ever been close to was about to leave her, what did it matter if she was improper in inviting Ardeth to stay, who was there to know?
"Samia, you're going to do this and you're going to get through it, and when they've both gone at least you'll have some wonderful memories to keep you company." she told herself.
The sounds of laughter from within the house had travelled all the way down the path, and when Samia finally opened the front door nothing could have prepared her for the sight that greeted her.
"Look at me," shouted Hamid, "I'm just like daddy now," he squealed.
Samia felt the heavy thud as her heart landed somewhere at the pit of her belly. In front of her Ardeth was now dressed in the tradidional Medjai robes complete with bandoliers, turban and scimitar. Her eyes took on a will of their own as she scanned up and down his imposing frame, coming back once again to his eyes, it seemed as though he were looking at her for approval. Well he certainly had that, definitely, without a doubt.
A shriek from Hamid broke her line of thought as he stepped out from behind his father, decked out in the same robes, though without the weaponry. "Oh Hamid," Samia cried. "You look so grown up, you look magnificent," she stuttered.
"Daddy brought them especially for me," he said with pride, his huge eyes twinkling with delight.
"My God," thought Samia. It was like the first nail had been hammered into the coffin. This is how they would both look when they left her and went back home.
Ardeth immediately picked up on the look of shock on her face. "Samia I'm sorry, have I offended you in some way, have I brought back memories you would rather forget?" he asked, thinking that seeing the two of them in their robes would somehow remind Samia of the time she'd had to leave the Medjai, a time of grief concerning her mothers illness.
Samia shook herself, once again resolving to play for the normality card, thinking quickly of something to say to cover her tracks.
"No, it's alright," she said. "I was just thinking of all the extra washing I'm going to have if you two persist in wearing those robes everyday."
There, she'd said it, hoping that she'd said it convincingly enough, hoping the moment would pass quickly. In fact she'd been shocked at the sheer presence of Ardeth Bay. When he'd been dressed in the conventional clothing she could fool herself that he was just an ordinary man, but now, stood before her looking like he did, she knew darn well that he was so much different from other men and that the little boy beside him was the future for a whole race of people. She silently wished it wouldn't be too overwhelming for him and once again prayed she'd taught him enough of his heritage.
"I have a surpise for you both," said Samia, thinking on her feet. "If it's alright with you Ardeth, I'd very much like for us all to go out for dinner this evening."
"I too would like that very much Samia, and in answer to you having to wash these robes, I have no intention of wearing them on a daily basis whilst I'm here, Hamid just wanted to see them, and then he wanted to try them on, but only If I put mine on also," Ardeth winked.
Samia laughed, she knew just how persuasive Hamid could be, in fact wasn't the little warrior now swinging a broom around the cottage, narrowly missing the breakables, robes flying in the breeze.
"Okay then," she said. "But you're the one who has to tell him to get changed and I don't envy you in that task," she giggled.
"Ahhhhh," he sighed.
"Ahhhhh indeed, I'll leave you to it, I'm just going to have a bath and get changed, so you have around half an hour to do the deed."
Samia lay back in the bathtub listening to Hamid's pleading, laughing a little at the way he was trying to wind his father around his little finger, but getting nowhere. She had to give Ardeth credit for his way with the boy, he was firm but gentle, slowly turning Hamid around to the thought that it was his own idea to change back to normal clothes. She was still giggling to herself when she wrapped her robe around her and walked out of the bathroom roughly towelling her hair dry.
"Hamid, come on," said Ardeth. "Samia's getting the jump on us here, we have to get washed and dressed before dinner, we don't want her eating everything before we get there do we?"
Ardeth easily caught the cushion Samia had just flung at him in mock temper. He was relieved the easiness had returned between them. He wanted her to like him, needed her to want him.......but why? Why this craving for acceptance from a woman who he'd only just met? In the time alone he'd spent with Hamid, he'd seen a lot of Samia in the boy, little things, a gesture here, a mannerism, a little saying or two, and instead of being jealous of Hamid's affection for Samia, he thoroughly understood it, he was finding himself wanting to be drawn under her spell. Not that she'd ever cast one, but she had a charm and a grace that was all hers and no-one else's. He also suspected there was a passionate side hiding behind the wary exterior and Ardeth hoped he could one day unlock it. Oh, and the fact that he thought she was absoloutely ravishing helped a lot.
If he'd thought she was ravishing before, the sight of her dressed in the new clothes she'd bought earlier in the market all but took his breath away. Her jet black hair after being dried by the heat of the fire hung in soft waves almost to her waist. A waist that was nipped in by a black leather belt with a huge golden buckle. Underneath the belt flowed a long black skirt, almost to the ground, just revealing tanned feet encased in strappy sandals. But the biggest shock was the almost sheer cotton blouse she wore, russet in color, heavily embroidered with gold thread, complimenting the golden flecks in her eyes.
"Aunt Samia is a pretty lady now, yes?" giggled hamid. "Daddy, doesn't Samia look pretty?" he added, turning to Ardeth to see if he agreed.
"Samia, you......you.. look beautiful," stuttered Ardeth, now mesmerised by her change in appearance. He thought she was simply perfect, from the sheen of her hair through the swell of her breasts, the curves of her hips, right down to her sandal clad toes.
Samia was now embarrassed and desperate to break the moment. "It's no big deal," she said, shaking her head. "I just decided to dress up a little for once, what's wrong with that?"
"Nothing, nothing at all," replied Ardeth, sensing her discomfort. Why had he stared like that? he knew full well that Samia wouldn't take compliments freely, he supposed she just wasn't used to them, keeping herself secluded like she had.
"You two look very nice as well," Samia complimented, knowing Hamid had tried hard to impress his father. His father however, there were no words to describe, glamorous was the best she could come up with in her mind. A plain black open necked shirt, tucked into plain black trousers, probably designed to blend into the background, but failing miserably. Instead it gave him an air of mystery, an air of.....just damn right sexiness, and as he turned away from her towards Hamid she couldn't help but notice the way the cut of the trousers clung to his muscular ass.
"Stop it," she chastised herself. "Pull yourself together, anyone would think you hadn't ever seen a man before."
"Sorry, did you say something?" asked Ardeth, looking straight into her guilty eyes.
"No, only that I think we should go for dinner now," she said, averting her eyes lest they wander again.
Ardeth fell in love with the harborside, his deep eyes taking in every sight, his smile permanently on his face in wonder.
"I can see why you were drawn to this place Samia, it's just so, what's the word?"
"Peaceful, tranquil, soothing? take your pick," she interrupted.
"You took the words right out of my mouth," he drawled, smiling straight at her, thinking that the picturesqe harbor was nothing compared to the beauty of Samia tonight.
His eyes were like a jet of heat searing through her entire body, causing her to blush and change the subject once again. Ardeth mentally kicked himself again for his lack of consideration. He just couldn't find it within to tear his eyes away from her. What was wrong with him, a simple woman could reduce the great warrior to this?
Fortunately Hamid's tummy broke the silence, rumbling as it was, and both Ardeth and Samia found themselves laughing in relief. They decided to let Hamid do the ordering for dinner, and he did, with such an air of importance as Alejandro fussed around him letting the small boy lead the way.
They lingered for quite a while over dinner, listening intently to Hamid as he described all the food he'd ordered, telling them where the fish was caught, how it was cooked, even down to which Island the bottled water had come from.
"He's really something Samia," remarked Ardeth. "You've done a wonderful job of bringing him up, I can honestly say I wouldn't have wanted him to be with anyone else."
"Apart from you of course," Samia said.
"I can't say that I can answer that, I would have been away so much, my mother isn't in the best of health so my only sorrow would be that you couldn't have brought him up within the Medjai," he replied truthfully.
"Please Samia, take this compliment, even if it's the only one you will take from me, it comes from the heart," he said, taking her hand in his and placing it on his heart, "as do the others, but that's for you to decide in your own time."
Hamid was all but falling asleep in his chair by now. "I suppose I should find a place to stay for the night," said Ardeth, starting to get up and make his way over to Alejandro.
"Ardeth, sit down, please," Samia begged. "I know you may find this a strange request," she continued, mustering up all her courage, ready for the rejection, "but I would like you to stay with us at the cottage, and I'm sure Hamid would too."
Why was she shaking as she said that? Was it the fear of him rejecting her offer? or the fear of him taking up the offer?
"Are you sure Samia?" Ardeth said seriously. "You and I under the same roof? you don't have a great deal of room."
Samia took a breath and hoped she wasn't insulting him by this suggestion. "I'm sure you'll find the sofa very comfortable, there's plenty of cushions and I have spare blankets," she babbled.
Ardeth let out a laugh of such sweetness that Samia hadn't a clue what he was going to say next. He knew it had taken courage on her side to even ask the question, he could see she was confused over the feelings she was having, as was he. What would happen when they were all put in the mix together? Only one way to find out.
"In that case, how could I refuse?"
"Just one thing though," Samia retorted with a giggle. "You'd better behave or else I wont teach you to drive."
"I promise I'll be on my best behavior," he smiled, wondering just how long that best behavior would last being so close to her.