Author's Note: Okay, back to the O'Connell's. I hope you don't mind, but
this chapter will deal with some of Evie's past life as Nefertiri. It is
important to the story.
Evie, being completely enveloped in Rick's kiss, didn't hear the door open and shut. She was made aware of Ardeth's presence by an unusually loud clearing of someone's throat. Rick turned, obviously annoyed by the intrusion, and Evie fought a smile at the sight of a blushing Ardeth. Wait. Ardeth? Blushing? There must be more to this situation than him just seeing her and Rick kiss. He had seen them kiss many times before and it had never had the slightest effect on him.
"What is it with you people and sudden appearances?" questioned Rick, unable to keep a slight edge out of his voice. Just once, he would like to be alone with his wife for more than ten minutes.
"I am sorry, O'Connell," Ardeth apologized, though he wasn't a bit sorry. He much preferred his friend's temporary anger to the strange feelings he'd been having in the other room. "I just wanted to know how Evelyn was."
"She's fine. And I'd be even better if you'd leave again," came the reply.
"Rick! Shame on you, speaking to Ardeth that way. He brought us here, at my request I might add," Evie's tone made Rick feel ashamed. He glanced at Ardeth, who gave him a hint of a smile, and he saw at once that his friend realized he meant nothing personal by his remark. It lifted his spirits back up and he replied to his wife.
"Oh, he knows I don't mean it. We aren't like you women, you know. Taking offense at every little thing and basically blowing everything out of proportion."
Evie ignored his comments and addressed Ardeth instead. It was her way of telling Rick she wasn't speaking to him for the timebeing.
"I'm fine, Fatima says. She's a bit of a mystery, isn't she Ardeth? Is she something more than just a healer?"
Ardeth nodded. He wasn't surprised that Evie had recognized this. Both his friends were very insightful and adept at reading people.
"Fatima has visions sometimes. Almost like a seer, but not quite as consistent. She's able to sense things most people cannot. It's a gift she's had since she was a child, or so I understand. I didn't come to know her until she married my father's friend, Tahir. It was an arranged marriage and they had a fairly large age gap. Tahir was in his thirties, and Fatima, I believe, was only fifteen. But, of course, it's common for girls to marry so young in our culture. They were married for fourteen years, until Tahir died. During that time, Fatima had become our chief healer in the village. She is incredibly intelligent and, once the elders knew of her visions, she was consulted about most decisions concerning our people. She is respected and revered in the village, but, ever since Tahir died, she has lived here and refuses to come back."
"The memories are too painful for her," came another voice. Evelyn looked past Ardeth and saw a young woman. A very beautiful young woman. Their eyes met and Evie suddenly felt as if she knew this person. But how could she? The woman came forward, her hand extended towards Evie in greeting.
"I am Tahirah, Fatima's daughter. It is wonderful to finally meet you both," she said, turning towards Rick. "Ardeth told us all about your last adventure. You were of great help to him."
"I seriously doubt that," Evie stated. "After all, if it wasn't for me, Ardeth wouldn't have had to risk his life in the first place."
"Nonsense. Ardeth thinks very highly of you both. Otherwise, he would not have brought you here. But I did not interrupt your conversation just to introduce myself. My mother wishes for all of you to come and eat with us tonight. She would like to get to know you better and it is also a chance for her to mother Ardeth."
Rick cocked his head to one side, obviously amused by this statement. It was then he noticed that Ardeth wasn't quite acting like his usual self. Evie, too, had realized this and, being more intuitive than her husband, figured it had something to do with the young woman standing before her. She was intriguing and Evie found herself wanting Tahirah for a friend. The acceptance was out of her mouth before she even consulted Rick.
"We'd love to come, Tahirah."
"Wonderful! Bring your whole family tonight. And that pilot of yours. Mother is planning a feast already. I am sure there will be more than enough food to go around. Now, if you will excuse me, I will leave you to your discussion."
Tahirah left and Ardeth suddenly seemed to be himself again.
"Well, I suppose I should escort the two of you back to the hotel," he began, but stopped when he saw the look on Rick's face. Clearly, the man wanted to be alone with his wife.
"Actually, I just remembered I need to meet someone in the market," he added hastily. Evie looked at him questioningly.
"But you need some rest, Ardeth. You must get back to the hotel."
Much as he hated to agree with his wife at this point, Rick's concern for his friend took over.
"She's right, Ardeth. You better come back with us. I think we could all use a little sleep. There's time before dinner for a nice catnap."
Ardeth's body, mind, and soul screamed for rest. That he could not deny. But it seemed to be a normal thing for him. If it wasn't a world threatening crisis looming on the horizon, it was some problem with his people or with neighboring tribes. Ardeth was a very focused leader, perhaps too focused for his own good. The fact that he was just now allowing himself to feel tired gave Ardeth an excuse for his earlier behavior. He was tired! That's why he had stuttered and stammered and acted like a fool in front of Tahirah and Fatima. As he said goodbye to Fatima (Tahirah was nowhere in sight, much to his secret relief) and headed for the hotel with Rick and Evie, Ardeth Bay simply kept repeating the words to himself.
'I'm tired, just tired.'
And by the time he reached his room, he had convinced himself that it was the only possible reason for his strange moods earlier in the day.
Two doors down, Rick and Evie lay in each other's arms contentedly. Their baby was fine, Fatima had said. That was all Rick had needed to hear. But, after Rick fell asleep, Evelyn lay awake, thinking of the queer expression in Fatima's eyes as they had related their story about Ahm- Shere. Fatima knew something, Evie was sure of it. But she couldn't imagine what it would be. She began to toss and turn, becoming concerned yet again. Finally, she settled into a somewhat troubled sleep.
It didn't take long for Evie to realize she was dreaming about her past life. This was no mere dream about Egypt. No, it was too real for all that. She was standing on the balcony of her quarters and gazing out at the night sky. Nefertiri had always loved to look at the stars. Below her, she could see the Med-jai standing guard. One in particular caught her eye and she allowed her gaze to linger on him. She lingered longer than necessary, she realized, when she heard the voice behind her.
"You grow careless, my princess."
The words were spoken softly, with great love and tenderness, but Nefertiri resented them bitterly. Furious, she turned to her handmaiden.
"You forget your place, Kiya," she said coldly. Kiya did not back down. She stood and looked Nefertiri in the eye.
"Yes, my princess," she replied, but her eyes did not agree with her words. Nefertiri walked back inside, no longer in the mood for star-gazing. Kiya followed. Inside, Tamin and Weret, Kiya's younger sisters, were preparing Nefertiri's bath. They shrunk away from their mistress's obvious fury, not wishing to get in her way. Kiya went about her business calmly, preparing Nefertiri's bed and then her clothes for the next day. Nefertiri simply stormed about the room, occasionally knocking things over. Kiya picked them up and put them back in their places. Once Nefertiri's bath was prepared and she found herself in it, she began to grow ashamed.
"Kiya!" she called. Kiya appeared almost immediately.
"Yes, my princess?"
"I am sorry for what I said earlier. It was unkind and unfair. You know you are much more than just a handmaiden to me. You are the only true friend I have left."
Kiya sat down on a stool nearby and took Nefertiri's hand.
"I knew you didn't mean it, my princess. And I am not the only friend you have left."
"Yes, you are. My only other friend was He Who Shall Not Be Named. He betrayed me when he fell in love with Anck-su-namun. If it wasn't for Anck- su-namun, I might not be in the situation I am in now."
"What do you speak of?"
"You know very well what I speak of, Kiya," Nefertiri replied, becoming agitated again. She stood to get out of her bath and Kiya immediately grabbed her robes.
"Yes, I suppose I do," agreed the young woman. She hated seeing her friend so unhappy. Nefertiri made her way to the bed. Weret and Tamin, relieved that her temper had lessened, each smiled at her as she passed them. Nefertiri, despite her frustration, couldn't help but smile back and Kiya saw it. Kiya saw everything, Nefertiri thought.
"Despite your problem, my princess, you do have friends. Weret and Tamin are your friends. And what about your brother?"
Nefertiri looked at Kiya in disbelief.
"When have Hekatef and I ever been friends?"
"Not your oldest brother. I speak of your half brother."
Kiya did not miss the light that came in to Nefertiri's eyes when she spoke of Rameses. Those two, though born of different mothers, had a special bond between them that had never been broken. Would never be broken. Rameses was only one year older than Nefertiri and the two had always been friends.
"True, I do have Rameses. I am grateful for that. I only wish that he had been born before Hekatef. Then he would be Pharoah."
Her handmaidens were silent. All of them had entertained thoughts on that in the past few months since Seti's murder. Hekatef had always been rather unlikable and now, with his new power, that unfortunate trait had intensified. Hekatef was the real reason for Nefertiri's problem. Hekatef was the one who had arranged the marriage with Smenkhkare, his vizier. The marriage was to take place in three days. And Nefertiri, consumed by love for Kysen, a Med-jai warrior, grew more despondent as her wedding day approached. A love that had been forbidden by Hekatef only days after Seti's murder. Nefertiri's father had not disapproved of it. Kysen was a good man and, despite the fact that no Egyptian princess had ever married a Med-jai, Seti was not unwilling to give his approval. But the approval had not been given in time. And Hekatef, who, for some reason, had always despised Kysen, wasted no time in making sure he would not become a member of the royal family.
And so the beautiful, vivacious princess was destined to become the wife of a man much older than herself, as old as her father had been, in fact. She had never liked Smenkhkare. He was an oily man, a snake in Nefertiri's opinion. And she had never liked the way he always looked at her. Everyone knew he had asked Seti for her hand in marriage, but Seti had refused. Hekatef looked for a way to tame his stubborn, willful sister and Smenkhkare provided it.
Resigned, Nefertiri lay her head back against the pillows on her bed as Tamin and Weret began to darken the room. Kiya sat nearby, sewing on one of her own garments. As Nefertiri slipped into sleep, she heard Kiya's voice singing a haunting melody Nefertiri had heard Med-jai mothers sing to their babies. Her mind only had time to wonder where Kiya had learned it before sleep finally claimed her.
"Evelyn? Evelyn, wake up. We'll be late."
Evelyn blinked her eyes rapidly in the brightness of the room. They finally focused on Rick, who was looking more than a little concerned.
"Are you okay?" he asked. Evelyn blinked again, desperately trying to recall the details of her dream.
"I'm fine, Rick," she replied, when she realized the details were not going to come back to her. She stood up and began to get dressed. Rick watched her, not totally convinced, but decided to let it pass. 'After all,' he thought, 'how would you feel if you had died and come back to life in the past 48 hours?'
Rick left to make sure the rest of their entourage was preparing for dinner and Evelyn was left alone to her thoughts. Why would she be dreaming of her past life now? They had defeated the Scorpion King. Imhotep and Anck- su-namun were both out of the picture. Could it be that some other calamitous event had been part of Nefertiri's life? Evelyn shook her head. She was being ridiculous.
She sat down at the vanity to do her hair. As she looked at herself in the mirror, she suddenly found herself looking at the reflection of Nefertiri. And, behind Nefertiri stood-
"Tahirah?" Evie said aloud. But, no, it wasn't Tahirah. Her dream came rushing back to her. It was Kiya, Nefertiri's handmaiden. Evie nearly dropped her brush in shock. That's why she had felt that she knew Tahirah. Tahirah had been Kiya, just as Evie had been Nefertiri. Evelyn's mind raced. What importance did this have now? She fervently hoped that there would be no more threats to her family and friends.
Rick entered the room again and Evie managed to regain her composure. She didn't want to mention this to Rick until she was sure of it herself. But even Izzy was aware that something was amiss as they made their way to Fatima's house for dinner.
A/N: Oh, I know it's long. I'm sorry. But, once I got started, I couldn't stop. Please read and review.
Evie, being completely enveloped in Rick's kiss, didn't hear the door open and shut. She was made aware of Ardeth's presence by an unusually loud clearing of someone's throat. Rick turned, obviously annoyed by the intrusion, and Evie fought a smile at the sight of a blushing Ardeth. Wait. Ardeth? Blushing? There must be more to this situation than him just seeing her and Rick kiss. He had seen them kiss many times before and it had never had the slightest effect on him.
"What is it with you people and sudden appearances?" questioned Rick, unable to keep a slight edge out of his voice. Just once, he would like to be alone with his wife for more than ten minutes.
"I am sorry, O'Connell," Ardeth apologized, though he wasn't a bit sorry. He much preferred his friend's temporary anger to the strange feelings he'd been having in the other room. "I just wanted to know how Evelyn was."
"She's fine. And I'd be even better if you'd leave again," came the reply.
"Rick! Shame on you, speaking to Ardeth that way. He brought us here, at my request I might add," Evie's tone made Rick feel ashamed. He glanced at Ardeth, who gave him a hint of a smile, and he saw at once that his friend realized he meant nothing personal by his remark. It lifted his spirits back up and he replied to his wife.
"Oh, he knows I don't mean it. We aren't like you women, you know. Taking offense at every little thing and basically blowing everything out of proportion."
Evie ignored his comments and addressed Ardeth instead. It was her way of telling Rick she wasn't speaking to him for the timebeing.
"I'm fine, Fatima says. She's a bit of a mystery, isn't she Ardeth? Is she something more than just a healer?"
Ardeth nodded. He wasn't surprised that Evie had recognized this. Both his friends were very insightful and adept at reading people.
"Fatima has visions sometimes. Almost like a seer, but not quite as consistent. She's able to sense things most people cannot. It's a gift she's had since she was a child, or so I understand. I didn't come to know her until she married my father's friend, Tahir. It was an arranged marriage and they had a fairly large age gap. Tahir was in his thirties, and Fatima, I believe, was only fifteen. But, of course, it's common for girls to marry so young in our culture. They were married for fourteen years, until Tahir died. During that time, Fatima had become our chief healer in the village. She is incredibly intelligent and, once the elders knew of her visions, she was consulted about most decisions concerning our people. She is respected and revered in the village, but, ever since Tahir died, she has lived here and refuses to come back."
"The memories are too painful for her," came another voice. Evelyn looked past Ardeth and saw a young woman. A very beautiful young woman. Their eyes met and Evie suddenly felt as if she knew this person. But how could she? The woman came forward, her hand extended towards Evie in greeting.
"I am Tahirah, Fatima's daughter. It is wonderful to finally meet you both," she said, turning towards Rick. "Ardeth told us all about your last adventure. You were of great help to him."
"I seriously doubt that," Evie stated. "After all, if it wasn't for me, Ardeth wouldn't have had to risk his life in the first place."
"Nonsense. Ardeth thinks very highly of you both. Otherwise, he would not have brought you here. But I did not interrupt your conversation just to introduce myself. My mother wishes for all of you to come and eat with us tonight. She would like to get to know you better and it is also a chance for her to mother Ardeth."
Rick cocked his head to one side, obviously amused by this statement. It was then he noticed that Ardeth wasn't quite acting like his usual self. Evie, too, had realized this and, being more intuitive than her husband, figured it had something to do with the young woman standing before her. She was intriguing and Evie found herself wanting Tahirah for a friend. The acceptance was out of her mouth before she even consulted Rick.
"We'd love to come, Tahirah."
"Wonderful! Bring your whole family tonight. And that pilot of yours. Mother is planning a feast already. I am sure there will be more than enough food to go around. Now, if you will excuse me, I will leave you to your discussion."
Tahirah left and Ardeth suddenly seemed to be himself again.
"Well, I suppose I should escort the two of you back to the hotel," he began, but stopped when he saw the look on Rick's face. Clearly, the man wanted to be alone with his wife.
"Actually, I just remembered I need to meet someone in the market," he added hastily. Evie looked at him questioningly.
"But you need some rest, Ardeth. You must get back to the hotel."
Much as he hated to agree with his wife at this point, Rick's concern for his friend took over.
"She's right, Ardeth. You better come back with us. I think we could all use a little sleep. There's time before dinner for a nice catnap."
Ardeth's body, mind, and soul screamed for rest. That he could not deny. But it seemed to be a normal thing for him. If it wasn't a world threatening crisis looming on the horizon, it was some problem with his people or with neighboring tribes. Ardeth was a very focused leader, perhaps too focused for his own good. The fact that he was just now allowing himself to feel tired gave Ardeth an excuse for his earlier behavior. He was tired! That's why he had stuttered and stammered and acted like a fool in front of Tahirah and Fatima. As he said goodbye to Fatima (Tahirah was nowhere in sight, much to his secret relief) and headed for the hotel with Rick and Evie, Ardeth Bay simply kept repeating the words to himself.
'I'm tired, just tired.'
And by the time he reached his room, he had convinced himself that it was the only possible reason for his strange moods earlier in the day.
Two doors down, Rick and Evie lay in each other's arms contentedly. Their baby was fine, Fatima had said. That was all Rick had needed to hear. But, after Rick fell asleep, Evelyn lay awake, thinking of the queer expression in Fatima's eyes as they had related their story about Ahm- Shere. Fatima knew something, Evie was sure of it. But she couldn't imagine what it would be. She began to toss and turn, becoming concerned yet again. Finally, she settled into a somewhat troubled sleep.
It didn't take long for Evie to realize she was dreaming about her past life. This was no mere dream about Egypt. No, it was too real for all that. She was standing on the balcony of her quarters and gazing out at the night sky. Nefertiri had always loved to look at the stars. Below her, she could see the Med-jai standing guard. One in particular caught her eye and she allowed her gaze to linger on him. She lingered longer than necessary, she realized, when she heard the voice behind her.
"You grow careless, my princess."
The words were spoken softly, with great love and tenderness, but Nefertiri resented them bitterly. Furious, she turned to her handmaiden.
"You forget your place, Kiya," she said coldly. Kiya did not back down. She stood and looked Nefertiri in the eye.
"Yes, my princess," she replied, but her eyes did not agree with her words. Nefertiri walked back inside, no longer in the mood for star-gazing. Kiya followed. Inside, Tamin and Weret, Kiya's younger sisters, were preparing Nefertiri's bath. They shrunk away from their mistress's obvious fury, not wishing to get in her way. Kiya went about her business calmly, preparing Nefertiri's bed and then her clothes for the next day. Nefertiri simply stormed about the room, occasionally knocking things over. Kiya picked them up and put them back in their places. Once Nefertiri's bath was prepared and she found herself in it, she began to grow ashamed.
"Kiya!" she called. Kiya appeared almost immediately.
"Yes, my princess?"
"I am sorry for what I said earlier. It was unkind and unfair. You know you are much more than just a handmaiden to me. You are the only true friend I have left."
Kiya sat down on a stool nearby and took Nefertiri's hand.
"I knew you didn't mean it, my princess. And I am not the only friend you have left."
"Yes, you are. My only other friend was He Who Shall Not Be Named. He betrayed me when he fell in love with Anck-su-namun. If it wasn't for Anck- su-namun, I might not be in the situation I am in now."
"What do you speak of?"
"You know very well what I speak of, Kiya," Nefertiri replied, becoming agitated again. She stood to get out of her bath and Kiya immediately grabbed her robes.
"Yes, I suppose I do," agreed the young woman. She hated seeing her friend so unhappy. Nefertiri made her way to the bed. Weret and Tamin, relieved that her temper had lessened, each smiled at her as she passed them. Nefertiri, despite her frustration, couldn't help but smile back and Kiya saw it. Kiya saw everything, Nefertiri thought.
"Despite your problem, my princess, you do have friends. Weret and Tamin are your friends. And what about your brother?"
Nefertiri looked at Kiya in disbelief.
"When have Hekatef and I ever been friends?"
"Not your oldest brother. I speak of your half brother."
Kiya did not miss the light that came in to Nefertiri's eyes when she spoke of Rameses. Those two, though born of different mothers, had a special bond between them that had never been broken. Would never be broken. Rameses was only one year older than Nefertiri and the two had always been friends.
"True, I do have Rameses. I am grateful for that. I only wish that he had been born before Hekatef. Then he would be Pharoah."
Her handmaidens were silent. All of them had entertained thoughts on that in the past few months since Seti's murder. Hekatef had always been rather unlikable and now, with his new power, that unfortunate trait had intensified. Hekatef was the real reason for Nefertiri's problem. Hekatef was the one who had arranged the marriage with Smenkhkare, his vizier. The marriage was to take place in three days. And Nefertiri, consumed by love for Kysen, a Med-jai warrior, grew more despondent as her wedding day approached. A love that had been forbidden by Hekatef only days after Seti's murder. Nefertiri's father had not disapproved of it. Kysen was a good man and, despite the fact that no Egyptian princess had ever married a Med-jai, Seti was not unwilling to give his approval. But the approval had not been given in time. And Hekatef, who, for some reason, had always despised Kysen, wasted no time in making sure he would not become a member of the royal family.
And so the beautiful, vivacious princess was destined to become the wife of a man much older than herself, as old as her father had been, in fact. She had never liked Smenkhkare. He was an oily man, a snake in Nefertiri's opinion. And she had never liked the way he always looked at her. Everyone knew he had asked Seti for her hand in marriage, but Seti had refused. Hekatef looked for a way to tame his stubborn, willful sister and Smenkhkare provided it.
Resigned, Nefertiri lay her head back against the pillows on her bed as Tamin and Weret began to darken the room. Kiya sat nearby, sewing on one of her own garments. As Nefertiri slipped into sleep, she heard Kiya's voice singing a haunting melody Nefertiri had heard Med-jai mothers sing to their babies. Her mind only had time to wonder where Kiya had learned it before sleep finally claimed her.
"Evelyn? Evelyn, wake up. We'll be late."
Evelyn blinked her eyes rapidly in the brightness of the room. They finally focused on Rick, who was looking more than a little concerned.
"Are you okay?" he asked. Evelyn blinked again, desperately trying to recall the details of her dream.
"I'm fine, Rick," she replied, when she realized the details were not going to come back to her. She stood up and began to get dressed. Rick watched her, not totally convinced, but decided to let it pass. 'After all,' he thought, 'how would you feel if you had died and come back to life in the past 48 hours?'
Rick left to make sure the rest of their entourage was preparing for dinner and Evelyn was left alone to her thoughts. Why would she be dreaming of her past life now? They had defeated the Scorpion King. Imhotep and Anck- su-namun were both out of the picture. Could it be that some other calamitous event had been part of Nefertiri's life? Evelyn shook her head. She was being ridiculous.
She sat down at the vanity to do her hair. As she looked at herself in the mirror, she suddenly found herself looking at the reflection of Nefertiri. And, behind Nefertiri stood-
"Tahirah?" Evie said aloud. But, no, it wasn't Tahirah. Her dream came rushing back to her. It was Kiya, Nefertiri's handmaiden. Evie nearly dropped her brush in shock. That's why she had felt that she knew Tahirah. Tahirah had been Kiya, just as Evie had been Nefertiri. Evelyn's mind raced. What importance did this have now? She fervently hoped that there would be no more threats to her family and friends.
Rick entered the room again and Evie managed to regain her composure. She didn't want to mention this to Rick until she was sure of it herself. But even Izzy was aware that something was amiss as they made their way to Fatima's house for dinner.
A/N: Oh, I know it's long. I'm sorry. But, once I got started, I couldn't stop. Please read and review.
