Disclaimer: I own none of the original characters from TM, TMR, or TSK.
Yada, yada, yada
Author's Note: See, I told you I'd update soon. This chapter will focus mainly on Ardeth, so be prepared for a minimum of the O'Connell's.
"Mr. O'Connell, your wife wishes to speak with you," Fatima said.
Rick went in the room without hesitation and closed the door behind him. Ardeth continued to wait for Fatima to tell him what had happened.
"The child is alive," she finally said after what seemed an eternity of silence. In reality, it was only a few seconds. She opened another door and called out.
"Amina! Amina, put down those books and come here. I need you."
Within moments a young girl appeared in the doorway. Ardeth smiled at her. Amina was Fatima's youngest child. At sixteen, she was shorter than most girls her age and, to Ardeth's relief, much more quiet than her older sister, seventeen year old Fatin. Amina smiled back shyly. She had long harbored a small crush on the Medjai warrior. Ardeth was ignorant of this fact, being an exceptional warrior but still a man.
"Amina, I need you to go to the market for me. Get everything that I'm writing on this list. It is very important that you get these specific things. And make certain that this item here is fresh. Do not let them cheat you. Hurry back as quickly as you can."
"Yes, Mother."
As quickly as she had appeared, the girl was gone. Fatima turned to Ardeth. Her eyes were filled with worry. Ardeth began to worry about Evie and the baby again, but her words reassured him that her concern was not for them.
"Tell me of my sons. Mrs. O'Connell has already told me of the battle with the Army of Anubis. Did my sons live?"
"Yes, Fatima. Hamid has been wounded, but it is not serious. Khalil was tending to him when I last saw them. Hamid insisted on helping to bury our dead before he would tend to his own wound. He was cut on his left arm by an Anubis warrior. Khalil was nearby and killed the warrior before it could do more than wound Hamid."
"How many warriors were lost, Ardeth?" her voice was softer now as she thought of the warriors, undoubtedly some she knew, that were now gone forever.
"Over four hundred, though I'm not sure of the exact total. It has been a great loss for our people, Fatima."
The woman nodded her head.
"I shall acquire some medical supplies to take to our people. My daughters and I will return to the Medjai village with you."
"To stay?"
The minute the words left his mouth, Ardeth silently cursed himself. Fatima hadn't lived in the Medjai village for fourteen years. She had left soon after the death of her husband, Tahir Sabri. Tahir had been a mentor to Ardeth and a strong warrior. But he had succumbed to a mysterious illness that had swept through the village. By the time Fatima had found a treatment, it was too late for her husband. Once everyone had recovered, Fatima had taken her five children and gone to Cairo. She sent her two sons back to the village once they had come of age and she herself visited three times a year to bring supplies and teach the other healers anything new she had learned. Many had pleaded with her to return, but she had always refused. With her husband, she had shared a love that surpassed most arranged marriages. Living in the village where there were so many memories was too painful for her.
Fatima ignored the last question. Instead, she focused on the O'Connell's.
"Are you not the least bit curious about your friend and her baby?"
"Did you not say the child was alive? Is Evelyn in danger at all? Or is something wrong with the baby?"
"Yes, the child is alive. There is nothing wrong with the baby or it's mother. But I sensed something very strange while I examined Mrs. O'Connell."
"Strange in what way?"
"Well, for one thing, I believe she is carrying twins."
"Twins? Are you sure?"
"This early, Ardeth, it is nearly impossible to tell even with all the so- called "scientific" equipment. But I sensed two very strong life forces. Almost too strong. Tell me more about this woman. She is of Egyptian heritage, is she not?"
Ardeth proceeded to tell Fatima of Evelyn's visions and how they had come to realize that she was the reincarnation of Nefertiri. For Fatima, all the pieces of the puzzle were beginning to come together. Just as she began to tell Ardeth of her theory, the door opened again. But it was not Amina or Fatin who came in. Instead, a tall young woman carrying several books walked into the room. She was a stranger to Ardeth and he thought she was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. Her long hair was night black and hung down her back instead of being pulled up like most women. She wore a veil covering half her face but the half that wasn't covered captivated Ardeth. Two amber eyes surrounded by thick black lashes gazed at him boldly. It was an unusual thing for most young women in his culture to do. They usually avoided eye contact at all costs.
"Ardeth, you remember my daughter, Tahirah, don't you?"
Ardeth shook himself. What did Tahirah have to do with anything? Realization dawned on him and, in spite of his Medjai reserve, his jaw dropped.
"This is Tahirah?!" he exclaimed. The amber eyes danced and the woman pulled the veil from her face.
"I'm not sure whether that was a compliment or an insult. I shall choose the former."
Her voice was teasing, another unusual thing for women in his culture. Fatima frowned slightly, but let it pass. Ardeth realized that the reason for her behavior was because of her years away from Egypt. Tahirah had left her family at the age of seventeen, having been given the opportunity to study medicine abroad. She left out of a desire to help her people in the future. Many of the elders in the tribe had been hesitant of sending a woman out into the world. None of them had doubted that Tahirah would be the one to take her mother's place someday, but they didn't like the idea of her "trotting the globe" without some sort of escort. In the end, Fatima had won out. No warriors could be spared long enough to be Tahirah's constant escort and none of the other women cared to go. She was to have been gone four years, but that soon turned into five, then six. Kahlil, Tahirah's older brother had told Ardeth a few months ago that Tahirah had sent word she would be coming home within the year. She had been gone for seven years. Last time Ardeth saw her, Tahirah had been a skinny girl of fifteen, all arms and legs, and quite shy, just like Amina. Obviously, she had grown out of all those traits.
"It is good to see you again, Ardeth," he heard her say.
"And it is good to see you. I just didn't expect you to be so big. I mean, you've aged. But, in a good way," stammered Ardeth. To his eternal shame, he felt himself turning red. What was wrong with him? He was a grown man, a leader in his tribe. He was known for being eloquent and able to handle his words well. He headed up almost every diplomatic mission his people ever embarked on. Why would this girl, for of course that's all she was, make him stumble on his words and blush like a-. What was that term he had heard Evelyn use to describe Jonathan's behavior once? A schoolboy? Yes, that was it. He was behaving like a child. And in front of this girl whom he had known since birth. But there was no smooth way out of the situation. Instead, he mumbled some excuse about seeing to his friends and disappeared into the room occupied by Rick and Evelyn.
Fatima watched him go, at once aware of his predicament. She turned an accusing eye towards her oldest daughter, but couldn't keep a spark of amusement out of them. Tahirah smiled, a beautiful smile that would have flustered Ardeth even more had he been there to see it.
"All I said was it was good to see him," she said innocently, perfectly aware of what the change in her appearance had done to her longtime friend. Fatima couldn't resist smiling back. And a small seed planted itself in the back of her mind.
A/N: I know, it's a very un-Ardeth way to act. But something has to throw the man for a loop at some point in his life. As for what he said, I must confess I stole the idea from another wonderful movie, "American Outlaws". If you haven't seen it, go rent it. Just a small bit of info. All the names of Fatima's children (yes, that's all of them) are of Arabic origin. Here are the meaning of their names and the order of their birth. Khalil- friend Tahirah- chaste, pure Hamid- praiseworthy Fatin- captivating, entrancing Amina- trustworthy
Author's Note: See, I told you I'd update soon. This chapter will focus mainly on Ardeth, so be prepared for a minimum of the O'Connell's.
"Mr. O'Connell, your wife wishes to speak with you," Fatima said.
Rick went in the room without hesitation and closed the door behind him. Ardeth continued to wait for Fatima to tell him what had happened.
"The child is alive," she finally said after what seemed an eternity of silence. In reality, it was only a few seconds. She opened another door and called out.
"Amina! Amina, put down those books and come here. I need you."
Within moments a young girl appeared in the doorway. Ardeth smiled at her. Amina was Fatima's youngest child. At sixteen, she was shorter than most girls her age and, to Ardeth's relief, much more quiet than her older sister, seventeen year old Fatin. Amina smiled back shyly. She had long harbored a small crush on the Medjai warrior. Ardeth was ignorant of this fact, being an exceptional warrior but still a man.
"Amina, I need you to go to the market for me. Get everything that I'm writing on this list. It is very important that you get these specific things. And make certain that this item here is fresh. Do not let them cheat you. Hurry back as quickly as you can."
"Yes, Mother."
As quickly as she had appeared, the girl was gone. Fatima turned to Ardeth. Her eyes were filled with worry. Ardeth began to worry about Evie and the baby again, but her words reassured him that her concern was not for them.
"Tell me of my sons. Mrs. O'Connell has already told me of the battle with the Army of Anubis. Did my sons live?"
"Yes, Fatima. Hamid has been wounded, but it is not serious. Khalil was tending to him when I last saw them. Hamid insisted on helping to bury our dead before he would tend to his own wound. He was cut on his left arm by an Anubis warrior. Khalil was nearby and killed the warrior before it could do more than wound Hamid."
"How many warriors were lost, Ardeth?" her voice was softer now as she thought of the warriors, undoubtedly some she knew, that were now gone forever.
"Over four hundred, though I'm not sure of the exact total. It has been a great loss for our people, Fatima."
The woman nodded her head.
"I shall acquire some medical supplies to take to our people. My daughters and I will return to the Medjai village with you."
"To stay?"
The minute the words left his mouth, Ardeth silently cursed himself. Fatima hadn't lived in the Medjai village for fourteen years. She had left soon after the death of her husband, Tahir Sabri. Tahir had been a mentor to Ardeth and a strong warrior. But he had succumbed to a mysterious illness that had swept through the village. By the time Fatima had found a treatment, it was too late for her husband. Once everyone had recovered, Fatima had taken her five children and gone to Cairo. She sent her two sons back to the village once they had come of age and she herself visited three times a year to bring supplies and teach the other healers anything new she had learned. Many had pleaded with her to return, but she had always refused. With her husband, she had shared a love that surpassed most arranged marriages. Living in the village where there were so many memories was too painful for her.
Fatima ignored the last question. Instead, she focused on the O'Connell's.
"Are you not the least bit curious about your friend and her baby?"
"Did you not say the child was alive? Is Evelyn in danger at all? Or is something wrong with the baby?"
"Yes, the child is alive. There is nothing wrong with the baby or it's mother. But I sensed something very strange while I examined Mrs. O'Connell."
"Strange in what way?"
"Well, for one thing, I believe she is carrying twins."
"Twins? Are you sure?"
"This early, Ardeth, it is nearly impossible to tell even with all the so- called "scientific" equipment. But I sensed two very strong life forces. Almost too strong. Tell me more about this woman. She is of Egyptian heritage, is she not?"
Ardeth proceeded to tell Fatima of Evelyn's visions and how they had come to realize that she was the reincarnation of Nefertiri. For Fatima, all the pieces of the puzzle were beginning to come together. Just as she began to tell Ardeth of her theory, the door opened again. But it was not Amina or Fatin who came in. Instead, a tall young woman carrying several books walked into the room. She was a stranger to Ardeth and he thought she was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. Her long hair was night black and hung down her back instead of being pulled up like most women. She wore a veil covering half her face but the half that wasn't covered captivated Ardeth. Two amber eyes surrounded by thick black lashes gazed at him boldly. It was an unusual thing for most young women in his culture to do. They usually avoided eye contact at all costs.
"Ardeth, you remember my daughter, Tahirah, don't you?"
Ardeth shook himself. What did Tahirah have to do with anything? Realization dawned on him and, in spite of his Medjai reserve, his jaw dropped.
"This is Tahirah?!" he exclaimed. The amber eyes danced and the woman pulled the veil from her face.
"I'm not sure whether that was a compliment or an insult. I shall choose the former."
Her voice was teasing, another unusual thing for women in his culture. Fatima frowned slightly, but let it pass. Ardeth realized that the reason for her behavior was because of her years away from Egypt. Tahirah had left her family at the age of seventeen, having been given the opportunity to study medicine abroad. She left out of a desire to help her people in the future. Many of the elders in the tribe had been hesitant of sending a woman out into the world. None of them had doubted that Tahirah would be the one to take her mother's place someday, but they didn't like the idea of her "trotting the globe" without some sort of escort. In the end, Fatima had won out. No warriors could be spared long enough to be Tahirah's constant escort and none of the other women cared to go. She was to have been gone four years, but that soon turned into five, then six. Kahlil, Tahirah's older brother had told Ardeth a few months ago that Tahirah had sent word she would be coming home within the year. She had been gone for seven years. Last time Ardeth saw her, Tahirah had been a skinny girl of fifteen, all arms and legs, and quite shy, just like Amina. Obviously, she had grown out of all those traits.
"It is good to see you again, Ardeth," he heard her say.
"And it is good to see you. I just didn't expect you to be so big. I mean, you've aged. But, in a good way," stammered Ardeth. To his eternal shame, he felt himself turning red. What was wrong with him? He was a grown man, a leader in his tribe. He was known for being eloquent and able to handle his words well. He headed up almost every diplomatic mission his people ever embarked on. Why would this girl, for of course that's all she was, make him stumble on his words and blush like a-. What was that term he had heard Evelyn use to describe Jonathan's behavior once? A schoolboy? Yes, that was it. He was behaving like a child. And in front of this girl whom he had known since birth. But there was no smooth way out of the situation. Instead, he mumbled some excuse about seeing to his friends and disappeared into the room occupied by Rick and Evelyn.
Fatima watched him go, at once aware of his predicament. She turned an accusing eye towards her oldest daughter, but couldn't keep a spark of amusement out of them. Tahirah smiled, a beautiful smile that would have flustered Ardeth even more had he been there to see it.
"All I said was it was good to see him," she said innocently, perfectly aware of what the change in her appearance had done to her longtime friend. Fatima couldn't resist smiling back. And a small seed planted itself in the back of her mind.
A/N: I know, it's a very un-Ardeth way to act. But something has to throw the man for a loop at some point in his life. As for what he said, I must confess I stole the idea from another wonderful movie, "American Outlaws". If you haven't seen it, go rent it. Just a small bit of info. All the names of Fatima's children (yes, that's all of them) are of Arabic origin. Here are the meaning of their names and the order of their birth. Khalil- friend Tahirah- chaste, pure Hamid- praiseworthy Fatin- captivating, entrancing Amina- trustworthy
