HEARTBREAK

Ardeth awoke a few hours before dawn.  Something didn't feel right.  Laurel's body wasn't beside his.  He remembered falling asleep with her in his arms.  He knew that tonight was no dream.  She had even covered him up with one of his own blankets.  He looked everywhere in his immediate area.  Not completely understanding her absence, he dressed slowly and then rode back to the village.  It was still quiet and dark.  He looked around for Laurel's horse, but didn't find it.  What was she doing to him?  You asked her to be your wife, but she did not give you an answer.  The tears, her shaky cries of 'oh.'  He hadn't thought it strange at the time, but now it disturbed him.  He dismounted and moved toward his parents' home.  His father had just arisen.  Bahir watched his son for a long moment.  His movements were stilted as if he had done battle and lost.  Pain was written all over him.

"Ms. Aciquilla left several hours ago.  I was under the assumption that she was with you?"  Ardeth said nothing, but nodded his head instead.  "She left this for you," he told his son before giving him a small envelope.

Not sure if he wanted to read the note or not, he carried it with him and sat down.  She didn't seal the envelope, but he tore into it as if it were.  He unfolded the note and began to read.  Ardeth, what happened tonight shouldn't have happened.  I didn't lie when I told you I loved you.  I do.  It's not right for me to be with you.  I know it appears that I used you tonight, but I didn't.  I love you, but you must marry someone else.  Don't waste your heart on me.  I must insist that you go on.  She hadn't signed the note, but she had written the words 'forever love.'  He read the note five or six times before the words were pounded into his mind and heart.  Devastated, he had two options left to him.  His first had been exhausted already.  His second was to give Laurel exactly what she wanted for him. 

Ardeth tore his eyes away from the note and focused them on his father.  "Father, today I wish for you to gather the elders and have another marriage contract drawn up.  I want to marry Waqi."

Bahir looked at his son, surprised.  "Waqi?  Do you not love Ms. Aciquilla?  Were you not with her this evening?"

"I was with her as I have told you and I love her, but as I have often been told, love is of no consequence.  Waqi will produce heirs and keep the bloodline active.  Set up the contract.  I know it is a timely process and it has been broken once.  I will not break it again."

There was a stubborn and determined look on Ardeth's face.  "Son, I will honor your request, but I do not think it is right.  I know the customs.  You were a product of that.  In this instance, I do believe you should wait."

"There is no reason to do so, Father.  Proceed.  Laurel is not receptive and she will not consent to be my wife."

*  *  *

Laurel couldn't sleep.  There was no window in her room and she wasn't happy about that.  She liked watching the sunrise.  However, it would probably only depress her further.  Why can't I let him love me?  Why can't I give in?  Was it the fear of rejection?  He had done it once and she was certain he would do it again.  Yet, it wasn't just that, either.  She wanted him to follow tradition and he wouldn't with her.  As she had told him, it wasn't right.  She faced life here with her father as there wasn't anything else she could do right now.  Staying here meant being near Ardeth.  Could she handle it?  Could see stand seeing him occasionally?  Could she stand seeing him married to someone else?  I can handle it.  I can handle anything if it means keeping him from turning away from what truly matters to him.  She had had her mind made up to leave the moment he kissed her.  Even after making love to him, she couldn't stay.  The only thing that had nearly broken her resolve was his request that she stay with him.  She had almost tossed away every ounce of resistance in her.  She had almost allowed herself to let go and be happy for a change.  It was totally selfish of her, but for a split second, she had been willing to take him away from everything.  Sighing, she buried her face in her hands.  It's over, Laurel.  It's all over now.  You made your choice and he has made his.

*  *  *

Since Laurel had disappeared, Tehotu was an unhappy man.  His plans for her and Reginald had gone down the drain swiftly.  From what he had last heard, Reginald was dead, but his body was never found.  What had been found were his clothing and a small knapsack.  Tehotu hadn't gone through Reginald's possessions as of late, because he found himself quite distressed.  His friend was gone now and there was no one to take over his business.  Reginald's marriage to Laurel was the best business deal he had ever attempted to make.  Tehotu was shrewd and didn't like to lose.  He rarely did.  Laurel's disappearance was considered a loss.  It wasn't like he didn't know where she had gone.  She had returned to Egypt to live with her father.  Good riddance to her.  Shaking off his depression, Tehotu grabbed up Reginald's knapsack and opened it.  There weren't many items inside, but one drew his attention immediately.  It was a small book with a leather cover.  He had seen this book before.  It was a diary he had given Laurel when she was a child.  Curious, Tehotu opened the diary and saw her first entry made when she was a child of eight.  He closed the small book after eyeing the entry, but soon thereafter, opened it again.  He began to read through it as if it were a particularly interesting novel.  The last few entries drew the most interest.  He stared down at them incredulously, not believing his eyes. 

*  *  *

Time passed and before Laurel knew it, three months had gone by.  Like her father, she split time between home and the village.  The first few weeks had been torture.  Ardeth was there most of the time, but they somehow managed to avoid direct contact with each other.  Mostly, looks were exchanged between them, with Laurel always averting her gaze first.  She ensured she never put herself in a position to be with him alone.  It wouldn't be hard to fall straight back into his arms.  By the second month, she received a much needed break from his presence.  He and his tribe had moved out and wouldn't return for three weeks.  She breathed easily during that time and immersed herself in the people as much as her father had.  She found easy kinship with a young woman right about her age.  It was the woman she had waved to the last night she and Ardeth had had together.  Laurel didn't have any friends with whom to associate, so she found Waqi's companionship welcome.  It made coming to the village a bit easier, at least she had a guardian.  The thought of that should have made her giggle, but she couldn't.  That space of time had done something to Laurel, had made her quieter, and had drawn her more into herself.  She stayed locked away more now than she ever had before.  She had even made mention of leaving to go to the university.  It was more difficult for women to be accepted, but since her father had pull, she might have a chance.  The quicker she disassociated herself with Ardeth, the better.  Along with avoiding Ardeth, she also avoided the elder Bays as much as possible.  She didn't know how much his parents knew about them, but it seemed as if they knew more than she was comfortable with.  However, they had never been less than kind to her.  They never asked questions or treated her any differently than they treated anyone else.  Laurel's father, on the other hand, didn't care to mention Ardeth around her on a daily basis.  He had been pushing from day one and would continue to do so.  He had plainly stated that he wanted her to be happy and she wouldn't if she let Ardeth go.  It's too late, Father, I've already let him go.  I won't have him again, because it's not meant to be. 

Actually when Ardeth wasn't around, Laurel found herself enjoying the village.  There were many things Waqi showed her.  They spent a lot of time lurking about the pyramids close to the village.  Laurel would never enter one, she felt uncomfortable entering a tomb.  Yet, she did love to explore and dig around.  Waqi was definitely not afraid to get her hands dirty.  Laurel spent one entire day with Waqi, basically enthralled by all the chores she had had to do.  Of course, the idea of doing chores was one alien to her.  However, she threw herself into it and helped Waqi as much as possible.  It was then that Laurel was struck with the realization that she wasn't just sheltered, she was spoiled, more spoiled than she had ever imagined.  She intended to make up for it and do whatever she could to help.  It kept her occupied and her mind off…  Okay, it's time to cut the thoughts off.  Focus your energy on what you're doing.  That's right…throw yourself into the manual labor, the good work, the work that will drive the brat right out of you.  Without Ardeth's presence, Laurel came as often as possible. 

Laurel knew exactly when to expect Ardeth back and right around that time, she began to taper off on her visits to the village.  She didn't know whom she was trying to fool.  It wasn't like his parents didn't know exactly what she was doing.  Her father knew as well.  Her father had repeated the same statement to her:  If you're going to stay at the village so often, work it out with him.  You see him more now than you ever did before.  I think you both deserve another chance.  Do you think he's going to wait for you forever?  She couldn't stand it.  Her father lectured her way more than her mother ever did.  She didn't like hearing it, because she knew it was the truth.  She did think he'd wait for her forever, didn't she?  He had said as much.  It was insane.  Two days before Ardeth was to return, Laurel made herself scarce.  She didn't want to be at the village on his first night back.  He usually stayed within the fold of his parents for a few days.  You certainly know his moves, don't you?  You certainly watch him enough.  She stayed holed up in her tiny room with a book on her lap.  She heard a knock on the door and it irritated her.  She knew it was her father and knew what he'd want to talk about.

"I'm not in the mood to talk right now," she told the closed door. 

He opened the door but remained standing in the doorway.  "I know you're not in the mood to talk," he said.  "You're never in the mood to talk.  Are you in the mood to listen?"  She sat stony-faced and silent.  He sighed.  "Good.  Your main excuse…and yes I said excuse…for not following your heart is that you're not of his people.  Is that about right?"  Again, no words escaped her mouth.  They had had this discussion approximately nine million times.  He nodded.  "Of course it's right.  It's what you've been telling me for months, what you've told Chieftain Bay, and yourself.  What if I were to tell you that you are of his people."  Those words had finally grabbed her attention.  She peered up at him curiously.  "You said that when you saw the chieftain, you thought he looked like the description your mother gave of me.  I have ancestral ties to this tribe.  I'm not a Bay, but I am directly linked with them by blood.  One of my ancestors was second in command to a Medjai chieftain.  I am of their people; it's one of the main reasons why Elder Bay allowed me to have such free access.  Since their blood courses through my veins and mine courses through yours, you are of their people.  Ardeth doesn't know this, but his parents do.  Why do think we support this so thoroughly?  I didn't think I would have to hit you on the head with it.  I assumed you would stay with the chieftain because I know you love him, and he loves you.  If this is all that's holding you back, don't let it any longer.  He'll be back in two days.  This is my last lecture, I promise," he said with a smile.

*  *  *

Waqi had heard word from her parents that a new marriage contract had been drawn up.  The first had been broken, but she had never known the reason behind it.  However, this one was to be binding.  From the time she was a child, she knew that her marriage would be arranged.  Years ago, her father had been second in command to Bahir Bay.  It was typical to arrange the marriages of a chieftain's son to a second's daughter.  Waqi was to become the wife of Ardeth Bay.  She didn't know much about him, because it wasn't customary for the women to associate with the men they were to marry.  Basically, they would be rank strangers until their wedding day.  She knew of his strength, fierce nature, and heart.  She knew that he was a borne commander and would likely go on to many other great things in life.  She had a few doubts drifting in her mind.  Her purpose would be to bear his children and she understood that it was her main role.  Yet, she didn't like that idea as much as her other peers when they married.  It was a great honor to marry the chieftain and she was excited in her own way, but if she had choices, she wouldn't go through with it.  She hadn't been disappointed the first time when the contract was dissolved, and she wouldn't be if it happened again.

She was lost in thought when Laurel approached.  Waqi was surprised to see her.  She had said she wouldn't return for a few weeks.  "Laurel, what are you doing back?  I thought you were going to stay and help your father," she said.

"I was," Laurel said with a nod.  "I came back for a few hours to pick around."  To wait for Ardeth

Ardeth rode in with the other men, glad to be back.  He had gathered that Laurel would not be here.  He knew she was avoiding him and she had his pattern down pat.  He saw two figures in the distance that appeared to be lugging water.  He wasn't sure why the sight had drawn his attention, but he couldn't tear his eyes away.  As he drew nearer, he immediately recognized them.  Waqi and Laurel.  His heart began to pound in his chest and a cold sweat broke out all over his body.  Why did the sight of the two of them together cause such a horrific feeling to enter him?  Laurel does not know about the contract.  He had never expected her to come.  She normally stayed away and for once, he wished she had.

The two women made it back with the water.  "There is one thing that you have not seen that could benefit you," Waqi said suddenly.

Laurel glanced at the other woman.  "Yeah?  I thought I'd seen just about everything."

"No," Waqi said with a smile.  "You have not seen our wedding customs."

She looked at her friend.  "Wedding customs?  Waqi, are you getting married?"

She nodded.  "Yes.  The contract was begun three months ago and it is almost sealed.  The wedding will take place in a few more months.  I am sure it will be quite the event, the wedding of a chieftain usually is."

At first, Laurel wasn't sure she'd heard the words correctly.  "Chieftain," she said, fighting desperately against stuttering the word.  She suddenly felt sick to her stomach.  "You're marrying Chieftain Bay," she managed to ask calmly.  Inside, she was dying.  You waited too long.  What did you expect?  You told him to do this and he's bloody well doing it.

"Yes," Waqi answered.  "We were contracted to marry before, but it was dissolved."

Laurel heard nothing more after that.  Her brain froze entirely.  This woman who had become her friend was marrying the man she loved.  It's your fault.  You should have spoken sooner.  "I'm sure I'll enjoy the ceremony."  If I don't die before it.  "I think it's wonderful, Waqi.  I've heard he is a good man." 

Not long after she received the devastating news, Laurel didn't linger with Waqi.  She wanted to get back home before she ran into Ardeth.  She hadn't seen him yet, so she might have gotten lucky and missed him.  Although horridly rude, she didn't say goodbye to the Bays.  She couldn't face them now.  It was time for her to get the bloody hell out and go home where she belonged.  You were right, Father, I messed up big time.  She was about to mount the horse when she felt a presence behind her.  She closed her eyes tightly and let out a trembling breath.  She knew it was Ardeth before she had the chance to turn around.  There was pain in her heart, but also a good dose of anger as well.  She was so mad that she wanted to cause him bodily harm. 

"Before you say a word," she began, "I know about the marriage contract with Waqi.  You're a lucky man, Chieftain Bay, she's a wonderful person."

He was almost close enough to touch her and he ached to reach out.  "Laurel, I…"

She turned to him then and crossed her arms over her chest.  "You what?  You're going to make excuses?  Tell me you didn't mean it?  What?  What is there to say?  Besides, I believe I pressed you to make this decision, didn't I?  I suppose you know where your obligations lie and it's not with me."  She shook her head a little and fought the tears.  She wouldn't let him see her cry.  "There is no one else for you?  Indeed.  I wish you the best, Ardeth, I really do."

"You came here knowing I would return," he said.  "Why did you come?"

"It doesn't matter now," she told him.  "I can't say I'm not a little hurt, but I'm the one who wanted you to do this.  I've made a lot of mistakes since leaving you.  This was the biggest."  She laughed a trifle bitterly.  "What amazes me is that Waqi invited me to the wedding.  Whatever day that is, I think I'll be sick, because I don't think it's something I need to see."

"Why were you here," he demanded.  "What you wrote in your letter is not what I am hearing now.  Did you come to see me?"

His dark eyes were boring into her.  She could easily see that he was fighting the desire to approach her.  "I did, but what I had to share with you isn't relevant anymore.  You and Waqi will wed.  She'll give you sons and you'll live happily ever after.  Truly, Ardeth, I mean it when I wish you the best of luck."

"Laurel, I can…"

She held up her hand.  "Don't say it," she told him.  "She doesn't deserve that, not again.  Goodbye, Ardeth." 

He watched her turn away from him and he bit hard into his lower lip.  The part of his heart that was destroyed wanted to go on, because she absolutely deserved to hurt for what she'd put him through.  Yet, the side still so very much in love with her ruled him.  "I will not let you leave, not until I tell you that I love you."

She didn't face him immediately.  After a long moment, she turned and gazed at him for several minutes.  She nodded.  "I know you do and I'm sorry I screwed up."  Without another word, she turned away.

____________________

To be continued…