Hellllllllllo, I'm back! And I only have one (maybe two) chapters left to
write. I plan on working on them this weekend. It's great to be back! I
would also like to take this opportunity to welcome my new sister-in-law
RyAne, and her four children, to the family. Yes, I now have three new
nieces and a new nephew. . .and the nephew's name is Alex!
Reviewers:
Sailor Elf: You'll get your wish! (smiles) Trust me. Just trust me.
Cindy: Thanks, I had a great time while I was away, and got even more story ideas. Not just for the Mummy series fics, but for my other fics, like UC: UnderCover. Now, if I could just find my diskette for UC. . .
Deana: Oh dear-heart, you could never be like Rick. That is SO not your style! As for Ardeth.well, you'll see in this chapter!
What Might Have Been
Part Eight
There was one person who was forgotten in the rush, who was just as frightened for Ardeth as the others. That was nine year old Alex O'Connell, whose life was turned upside down once more. And the knowledge that he had nothing to do with this particular catastrophe didn't help much. The little boy understood that right now, Ardeth needed his parents. He also understood that his parents *needed* to be with Ardeth.
But that didn't prevent the nine year old from feeling left out. . .or frightened. And worse yet, Alex wasn't sure what frightened him more. Seeing Ardeth so helpless, or seeing the obvious fear and guilt in his parents' eyes. While he was among the Med-jai, the young boy often heard the young warriors speak ill of his father. Alex never found it easy to keep his tongue still, but the young, fierce warriors made him uneasy.
They didn't know his father as he did, of course. They didn't know how Dads saved him from Lock-nah, and some of them didn t care. Some of them lost brothers, fathers, and friends because Alex put the Bracelet of Anubis on. And even more of them lost people during Imhotep's first rising, back when Alex was a baby. The youngster could understand how the Med-jai would resent them. . .but Dads was. . .well. . .he was Dads.
And not all the Med-jai resented Mum and Dads. It was mainly the young warriors. . . and Ardeth's sisters. And his mother Altair did a lot more than just resent him. Alex shuddered, remembering the confrontation between his father and the woman, after Ardeth and Dads rescued Auntie Celia from Khaldun's followers. And that brought something else up.
Auntie Celia. When she first arrived in Egypt with Miranda and Jason, she was different. For one thing, she was a lot quieter. For another, she got along a lot better with Dads in the beginning. Uncle Jon told him that part of the problem was that Dads told Auntie Celia something he shouldn't have. He didn't specify exactly what Dads said. . .just said that he talked about something that wasn't any of his business.
Alex also knew that Auntie Celia was upset with Dads, because Khaldun took control of him at Hamunaptra, when they went to save Miranda. Mum was upset with him, too, but Auntie Celia still hadn't forgiven him for that. Alex wondered about that. . .why she could forgive Alex and Mum for their parts in Imhotep's awakening, and the Scorpion King's, but she couldn't forgive Dads when he didn't actually do anything wrong.
Uncle Jon, who was usually Alex's co-conspirator and partner-in- crime, was curiously silent about this. When the boy questioned it, Uncle Jon simply answered that Auntie Celia had her reasons for her troubled relationship with his father. And those were his exact words, too. It occurred to Alex to remind his uncle that he was a kid, but he wasn't stupid. But a quick glance at Uncle Jon kept him silent. His uncle was worried. . .very worried about Ardeth.
Everyone was worried about Ardeth, and Alex was no exception. To a lesser degree, Mum and Uncle Jon were worried about Auntie Celia, and to an equal degree, Dads was worried about Mum. She would give birth to Alex's little sister any day now. Alex tried to help. He sometimes ran errands for his father, by getting more water for the basin. But right now, Alex's mother was with Ardeth, and Auntie Celia was sitting in the hallway with Dads.
He knew he wasn't supposed to, but he listened to his father and aunt. He couldn't hear much of it. . . they were both talking too quietly. Something which also frightened Alex, since 'quiet' was one word he would never use in association with his father. Ardeth actually was very quiet, though Alex didn't think so when he first met him. But, he couldn't really blame Ardeth for that. Especially not when he was cramped in that trunk, all the way to Alex's house.
At last, the two adults fell silent. This was a different silence than the one Alex noticed in the last few days. That one was. . .frightened. Tense. Alex sometimes had the feeling that everyone was holding their respective breaths. . .that kind of silence. This was much more relaxed. The kind of silence between two people after something very important was settled. And that made Alex relax as well.
Auntie Celia leaned back against the wall. Dads rose to his feet after Mum called him, and left Auntie Celia there. Alex watched as his father walked into the room, then slipped from his hiding place and sat down beside Auntie Celia, his mum's best friend and Ardeth's wife. She was family, for those two reasons. Ardeth was Mum's brother in their previous lifetimes. And, according to Mum, in other lifetimes, Ardeth and Dads were brothers, too.
She opened her eyes and looked at him, asking softly, "You okay, kiddo?" Alex wasn't sure what to say. Was he all right? No, not really. He was scared and angry. But he didn't want to say no, because. . . because it wasn't his family who was in danger. It was hers. Alex overheard his mum saying that the timing was so terrible. . .Auntie Celia and Ardeth just got married. It wasn't fair that they were going through this, when they had so little time together.
And Alex was afraid Auntie Celia would get mad at him, as she was so often angry with Dads. There were times when the nine year old was angry with her for that. She said a second later, her voice very soft, "You know. . .it's okay for you to be scared. Things have been a little crazy lately, and I know you've been worried about your mother. There's nothing wrong with being scared and even angry."
Alex looked at her quickly, not sure if he should be worried that she knew what he was thinking, or reassured. His aunt's eyes were gentle and sad. As if she didn't have the energy to be angry. That was almost as frightening as the arguments she sometimes had with his father. If she didn't have the energy to be angry. . . Alex wasn't sure what that meant, but it couldn't be good. Especially since she just finished a conversation with his father.
Alex answered, "But I can't be angry or scared, because Ardeth isn't my father, or my brother." Auntie Celia smiled at him almost sadly, and Alex continued, growing more confident now that he knew she wouldn't yell at him, "Dads pretends. . .pretended like he didn't care as much about Ardeth as he cares about me and about Mum, but that's all it is. He knows Ardeth better than I do. I can't be scared."
But he was. His companion said nothing, and after a moment, Alex asked, "Auntie Celia? Why do you and Dads not get along?" His aunt looked at him closely, and Alex added, "And please don't tell me that I'll understand when I'm older. I hate it when adults say that. It's like they think I'm stupid." A ghost of a smile came and went on Auntie Celia's face, then she looked away from him. Alex was on the point of demanding her attention, but decided not to.
He was glad a moment later, when Auntie Celia said softly, "You know, I always hated it when people told me that. I understand why adults do it. . .it's because we don't want to admit that we don't fully understand something, either. And because it's so hard for us to explain something to ourselves. Like when Khaldun took over Ardeth's body, and I couldn't bring myself to tell Miranda that I smashed a vase over his head."
"But you weren't hurting Ardeth, you were hurting Khaldun and preventing him from killing my father. That wasn't your fault," Alex pointed out. Auntie Celia nodded, though she still didn't look convinced. After a moment, the little boy said, "I need to ask you another question. Why do you. . .I mean, adults. . .think that you always have to understand something? Why can't you just tell us that you don t know something?"
"Because, honey, we think we're supposed to know everything. We think we have to know everything, because we're the adult. When I was growing up, my parents were the same way. Or, they wouldn't even bother with, 'you'll understand when you get older.' It was just the way it was, and if I knew what was good for me, I wouldn't ask any more questions. My grandparents. . .they were different. They understood that telling me that they were scared or didn t know wouldn't frighten me. . .it would make me feel better," Auntie Celia replied.
She paused, then said, "And you asked me why I don't get along with your father. There are a lot of reasons. I don't want to insult your intelligence by saying that it's something you can't understand. That's patronizing, and my grandparents raised me better than that. Your dad loves you and your mom more than anything else in this world. He would do anything for you, anything at all, and that's good. That's how it should be."
Auntie Celia stopped, rubbed her hand over her eyes, then went on, "But when your dad thinks that everyone else's first priority should be his family, that's when there's trouble. That's why so many of the Med-jai don t like your dad. Because he only wants my husband around when your father needs something from him. At least, that's the side which he shows to the Med-jai, and to most people. So, they think that's all he really cares about."
Alex started to protest, to defend his father, but Auntie Celia looked at him somberly. She asked very softly, "What did your father do, Alex, when my husband came to your aid in London? Was he happy to see him? Or did he blame him for Evy taking the Bracelet of Anubis? Or rather, for those consequences?" She knew the answer, of course. . .Alex knew that she knew about what happened. All of what happened.
"But Dads didn't really mean it! He was just scared!" Alex exclaimed. He was scared, too. He was scared when that man took his mother, and scared when he heard the alarm in Ardeth's voice. He was scared so many times that night. The little boy repeated, "He didn't really mean it." But Alex could still see the pain which flashed across Ardeth's face when Dads slammed him into the pedestal.
Just as he could see the sadness and disbelief in Auntie Celia's eyes now. She said softly, "If he didn t really mean it, then why did he do it? Your father is supposed to be a grown man, not a little boy. Children do things they don't really mean, Alex. Like when you put the Bracelet of Anubis on your wrist. You did it because you were curious and didn't know what it would do, didn't know what the consequences would be. Sorry, kiddo, 'he didn't mean it' won't cut it with me. That's not an acceptable answer."
Alex started to open his mouth, but Auntie Celia asked, "What if Anck told you that she didn t really mean to kill your mother at Ahm Shere? I know that it wasn't her, that it was Meela. But would it really make a difference to you, Alex?"
The boy closed his mouth quickly as he thought about that. No. . .not really. Anck. . .or Meela. . .hurt his family entirely too much for him to trust her. Even if he didn't watch her kill his mother, he still wouldn't have trusted her. She took too much pleasure in hurting others. Auntie Celia added softly, "Mind you, she has done a lot in the last few weeks for both of our families. But you still wouldn't trust her."
No. No, he wouldn't. He couldn't trust her. And, Alex was starting to understand, that was the core of Auntie Celia's troubled attitude toward his father. She didn't trust him. It's never easy for anyone to realize that their parent is far from perfect. It's hard enough for an adult, but for children, it's a hundred times harder. Especially for little Alex O'Connell, whose father braved both Imhotep and the Scorpion King to rescue Alex and avenge his mother.
But Alex was also a child who could see through the eyes of another, and he was seeing why Celia Ferguson Bey didn't trust his father. She couldn't. Yes, he helped her to rescue her daughter, and he helped Ardeth to rescue Auntie Celia. But just as importantly, she didn't trust Alex's father to be there for Ardeth now, when he needed them all so badly. Ardeth was fighting for his very life, and no one in this house wanted to let him down.
Auntie Celia said softly, "Your father is trying, Alex. I know that. I can see that, with my own eyes. I could see that when he came to the train station for us. But for once. . .just for once. . .I'd like him to think before he opens his mouth. Before he blames my husband because your mother once more awoke something which should have remained sleeping, or because something was disturbed which should have been left alone."
Again, Alex opened his mouth to protest, but Auntie Celia wasn't finished. She gazed at him steadily and said, "I love your mother very much, Alex, like the sister I never had. But it's true. When she took the Necklace of Isis from the Temple, she awoke the Guardians. Not my husband, not any of his people. Those Guardians went after her. . .and my husband risked his life to save her. Only to have your father. . ." Her voice was shaking suddenly, her face tightening with rage.
Alex lowered his eyes. He wanted to be angry with his aunt, for saying all these things. But behind *her* anger, was fear. Auntie Celia was afraid for Ardeth, she was afraid that she would lose him. And that was when the final piece of the puzzle fell into place for Alexander O'Connell. Auntie Celia was behaving exactly as Dads did after Mum was killed at Ahm Shere. She was angry and scared, and too many other things for Alex to fully understand.
But shortly before they returned to England, Anck told Auntie Celia that there were many reasons why Imhotep hated Dads. Because he stood in Imhotep's way, because he had what Imhotep wanted. . .and because in some ways, they were two of a kind. When Alex asked Mum to explain, she said that sometimes, when two people were alike, they didn't get along at all.
That was what he was seeing with Dads and Auntie Celia! They didn t get along, because in some ways, they were too much alike! Auntie Celia was trying to protect her husband, she was trying to protect Ardeth. . .just as Dads tried to protect Mum and Alex and the baby! Alex was so intent on sorting out that puzzle, he almost missed the odd change in the atmosphere of the house.
Almost. Because Auntie Celia whispered, "Alex, do you feel that? It's almost. . ." And then there was nothing more, for both Dads and Mum cried out in alarm. Auntie Celia scrambled to her feet, even before a gold light exploded from Ardeth's room. She cried out in alarm and grabbed Alex's hand. Together, they raced down the hall. Auntie Celia threw open the door with her free hand. . .and they both stared in awe at the sight before them.
"This can't be good!" Auntie Celia muttered under her breath. Alex released her hand long enough to wrap both his arms around her waist. He felt her arm go around his shoulders protectively, and Alex buried his face against her hip. There was a man in Ardeth's room, a man who didn't belong there. He stood tall and proud, a man's body. . .with the head of a falcon. Horus. Horus was in Ardeth's room.
"Stay behind me, Alex," Auntie Celia breathed, her eyes focused solely on the two deities in the room. Two? Yes. . .there were two. Horus and. . .Alex peeked around his aunt at the second figure, feeling his heart jump into his throat. Isis. She was in Ardeth's room, too. Auntie Celia repeated, "Stay behind me. . .I don't know what's going on, but your mother would kill me if anything happened to you."
That was not a problem. The nine year old's customary bravado faded in the face of the two *very* angry gods. And they *were* angry. He could see that. But were they angry with Ardeth for some reason, maybe because Mum got the Necklace of Isis, or were they angry with his father, the way almost everyone seemed to be?
. . .
Ohhh, this just kept getting better and better! When Rick heard his wife call out, he had a feeling things were about to take another bad turn. He didn't think that was possible, not with everything Ardeth went through in the last few days. That was his first mistake. While he was outside, sorting things out with Celia, Ardeth's fever began to rise once more.
Evy needed help. She was scared, and that wasn't good for her, it wasn't good for the baby. When Rick arrived in the room, Ardeth was moaning and thrashing about on the bed. Where he found the reserves of strength, Rick didn't know. But he did know Ardeth couldn't take much more of this. As he did before, the American sat down on the bed beside his friend, trying to soothe him.
What followed was ten of the worst minutes of Rick's life. Instead of soothing him, Rick s touch seemed to enrage the Med-jai, and the moans turned to something far more menacing. Ardeth actively fought him, making animal noises which turned Rick's blood to ice. The American had no idea where Ardeth was now. . .he traveled through his brother's death, his violation at the hands of Lock-nah and his men, through the horrors of Hamunaptra.
What else was there? Rick wondered, as he desperately tried to calm his friend. The delirious Med-jai was making his own life an open book to the American. Rick was discovering things about his friend, but he had a feeling Ardeth didn't want him to know about any of this. Hell, *he* didn't want to know about most of this stuff! Rick repeated to himself that he and the Med-jai chieftain would have a very, very, very long talk when it was over.
It wasn't about the holding things back. Rick could understand that. Sharing things like that, that wasn't either of their styles. Rick also had a feeling that Ardeth would kill him if he ever told Celia about what Lock-nah and his men did to him, over and above the flogging which almost killed the adolescent chieftain. Ardeth decked him for telling Celia that he was a virgin. Rick didn't want to know what he would do to him for letting loose this particular secret.
No, when Ardeth finally came out of this, he and Rick would have a long talk about sharing burdens. Over the last few days, Ardeth told Rick a great deal about the burdens he carried. There were some he had to carry alone, as the chieftain of his people. Some he could share with Celia. And still others, he needed help, but it wouldn't be Celia who could share those burdens. She was a brave, loyal woman, but she wasn't a warrior. Rick and Ardeth were.
Now, Rick O'Connell knew in his heart that he could not afford to ignore what his instincts and his heart told him. He had a chance to do a lot of thinking over the last several days, and he could no longer hide. All hiding places were taken away from him, all excuses. As Ardeth finally started quieting once more, Rick whispered, "You've gotta come back to us, little brother. We can't do this alone, we need you too much."
He wasn't Andreas Bey. But he knew himself to be very much like the late chieftain. They were both bullheaded and willing to move heaven, hell, and earth for their families. They both had vengeful natures and neither really knew how to forgive. While Rick never forgave Beni for leaving him to die at Hamunaptra, he also couldn't leave the little weasel to die. That, he clung to. But several things became clear to him, during this whole ordeal.
His family needed Ardeth Bey, and Ardeth needed them. But Rick couldn't allow things to be so one-sided any more. That wasn't the way family worked, and he now accepted what his wife and brother-in-law knew as truth. Everyone but him. Ardeth was a member of their family, just as his wife was. He realized something else. Rick had it within him, to become a man truly worthy of his wife, of his brother. He had it in him, but he wasn't there yet.
If he didn't stop fighting what he knew to be the truth, he would lose the best friend he ever had. He lost Evy, and got her back. He didn't think he would be lucky enough to get Ardeth back. Rick knew it wouldn't be easy. His instincts were still leading him to lash out, and that had to stop. But it would take time, and meanwhile, the first thing he had to do was win back Ardeth's trust. That, in and of itself, would be hard.
As Ardeth quieted down, Rick patted his shoulder, taking deep breaths. *I dunno how much more of this he can take,* Rick thought, *or any of the rest of us.* He bowed his head, resting his hand on Ardeth's shoulder once more. These bouts with delirium took a lot out of him, and Rick whispered, "I don't know who up there is listening, but he can t do this for much longer. Help him. . .tell me what I m supposed to do to help him."
The folks upstairs chose an interesting way to answer. As the words were spoken, the room lit up in gold. Rick was torn between throwing himself protectively over Ardeth and pulling a gun. His wife already did one. . .throwing herself protectively over Ardeth. . .so Rick did both. He drew his gun, even as he shielded Evy and their brother from the golden light now bathing the room. He didn't realize he cried out until he heard the sound.
The light burned his eyes and Rick looked away, burying his face in Evy's hair. He fumbled, trying to put his gun away, and Rick silently prayed that he didn't shoot himself in the foot. . .literally. As the light died, the American blinked several times to clear his vision. He heard Evy breathe, "Oh. . .my. . .God." Rick tensed, wondering what disaster was upon them now. His wife answered that question a moment later when she added, "Horus. . .Isis?"
Rick blinked again, then finally focused on the two forms in front of him. The features were. . .he couldn't make them out. Evy continued, her voice filled with a mixture of fear, defiance, and awe, "You'll not take him from us. . .I'll fight you for him, if need be!" Rick blinked at his wife again. She was nine months pregnant, due any day, and she was challenging a goddess and a god???
A male voice answered, "There will be no need for you to fight us, Evelyn O'Connell. We do not seek to take Ardeth Bey's life from him. Rather, we have come to return it to him. However. There is a price to be paid. What would you give, Evelyn O'Connell, to ensure that no further harm comes to our child? Ardeth has sacrificed much for you and yours. What sort of sacrifice are you willing to make for him?"
"Whoa. Wait a minute. Now, I appreciate that the two of you are gods, and that the Med-jai belong to you. But there ain't no way my wife is sacrificing anything! She's nine months pregnant. I lost her once. It won't happen again. . .least of all before I get some answers. What do the two of you have to do with what's happening to Ardeth, and what do you want from us to do it?" Rick retorted.
Evy looked at him wildly, and Rick realized with a sinking feeling that he just mouthed off to a pair of deities who could have him, his wife, his unborn child, and his best friend for lunch, if they were so inclined. However, before he could say anything. . .whether to apologize or stick his foot any further into his mouth. . .the female said, "You wish for answers, do you, Rick O'Connell? Very well. But know this. Every moment that we delay, means another moment taken away from Ardeth Bey s life."
Whoa. That did not sound good. The male, Horus, added, "And we care far more for the Med-jai than you, so we will make this, as you say, snappy." Okay, there was something you didn t hear every day. An Egyptian god, using American slang. Worse yet, Rick had a sneaking suspicion that the surprises weren't yet over for him or his family. Any of his family, come to think of it. He was proved correct only a moment later.
Horus continued, gesturing to Evy as she hovered over Ardeth, "The dreams you both had, two nights ago, were no accident. They were arranged by Lady Ardath and Prince Rameses, and aided by Princess Anck-su-namun. We allowed it to go forward, because it coincided with our own plans to get your attention."
Huh? Isis took the narrative, explaining, "You see, all of this happened for a reason. Four months ago, we became aware of Evelyn's dreams. We knew those dreams would lead her to my temple and the necklace. What her dreams did not tell her, for Nefertiri never knew, was that the necklace was protected by my priests and priestesses. Among those priestesses was Nefertiri's mother. Should anyone else touch the necklace, the Guardians would awaken."
"The Guardians?" Evy whispered, "Those men who attacked. . .they called themselves the Guardians." Isis inclined her head, and Evy continued, her voice raw with pain, "Then you took the bodies of those men, after Ardeth and Celia killed them. All but the leader." The leader? That must have been the guy Rick found dead on the floor when he. . . Rick turned his memory away from that. Evy added, "And what happened to his body?"
That's right! Rick was so shaken by the knowledge that he pushed Ardeth too far, he never noticed it until now. The body was gone! Horus replied, "We took his body, Evelyn, while you saw to Ardeth. One of my mother's most faithful Guardians grazed Ardeth's palm with his dagger." Now everything clicked into place. Horus gave a snort of laughter and said, "Now you understand. The tip of the dagger was laced with poison not of this world."
"But why! Ardeth did nothing wrong! He was trying to protect me! And now he's dying?" Evy cried out. Rick was feeling the world shake under his feet. There was something in the back of his mind, something dying to get out. Something which was very important. Evy shook her head, whispering, "Why are you punishing him for simply fulfilling his task, for being whom and what he is?"
"That is true. You brought this upon him, Evelyn O'Connell, with your heedless curiosity. He is unconscious, and suffering. But the true punishment is yours. He suffers for your curiosity, and your husband s selfishness. I ask you now. . .if the price of your curiosity is the agony suffered by your brother, is it worth it?" Horus asked. Rick understood. He knew why all of this took place, and rage bubbled up inside of him.
In a voice trembling with that rage, Rick spat out, "So let me get this straight. . .you had one of your own fall ill, just to teach us a lesson? Ardeth is sick. . .dying. . .because you wanted us to see the consequences of our actions? You set this whole thing up? You did this to him? What kinds of gods are you? You claim to love him and care for him, but you. . .you used him! You made an example of him, for something he didn t even do!"
Isis looked at him steadily, replying, "The O'Connell double standard is at work once more. You may risk the life of Ardeth Bey, but none others are allowed that right?" Rick swallowed hard. That was two. Not good, Ricky-boy. Not good at all. Before he could say anything, Isis looked away and said gently, "Sleep, child. This will not be on your head." Rick turned toward the door. . .the open door. . .just in time to see Celia crumple slowly to the ground.
She took Alex with her, Alex, who was locked in her arms. Alex, who remained awake, even as he struggled to free himself. Isis continued, "And you may remain awake, little one. So you never forget the consequences of your parents' actions. Remember this, Alex O'Connell. Remember this, and know that each action you take, each tomb your parents desecrate, has a consequence. And that is why we are here, Rick O'Connell."
"My mother speaks truly. We did not force you, either of you. You both chose to ignore the warnings issued by Ardeth Bey. You ignored the warnings of the temple. Just as you ignored the warnings at Hamunaptra, at Thebes, and countless other temples over the years. Did you truly believe there would be no consequences, once the line was crossed? The Guardians were fulfilling their task, to retrieve the Necklace of Isis," Horus added.
There was something curiously familiar about his voice. Evy said desperately, "I'll give you the Necklace, it will only take me a moment to retrieve it! I promise I will never go near another tomb, if you ll just save Ardeth! Please. . .we love him so much. Our family wouldn t be complete without him, and his wife needs him." Now Rick was starting to see what was meant by the sacrifice. What was Evy willing to give up for Ardeth?
Isis shook her head, saying softly, "You cannot keep that promise, Evelyn O'Connell. You know that, as do I. No, this is not what we will ask of you." She was right. Even if Rick's wife *could* keep that promise, there might come a day when she would resent Ardeth for it. Evy might not, but Rick might, and the deities obviously knew that. Which, in turn, begged yet another question. One of many.
And Evy asked it, almost begging, "Then what would you have us do?" Rick would have chided his wife for dragging him into this, but a mocking voice rang in his head, 'we, what we?' He held his tongue, realizing they were walking along a very fine line here. If they screwed up even a little bit. . .the consequences would probably shatter Rick's family for good. No. He would keep his mouth shut.
Isis replied, her voice almost gentle, "Think. Just think about the consequences your actions have on people other than yourself. Think about how much anguish it has caused Celia Bey to watch her husband in such pain. Think about the pain it has caused the Med-jai, to lose so many because of your arrogance." Evy lowered her eyes, as if ashamed by what the goddess said. She nodded in acknowledgment.
However, Rick's pledge to keep his mouth shut went right out the window at that point. It was okay for him, and his little voice, to acknowledge that he was arrogant. It was something else entirely for someone else to say it. . .even if that someone *was* a goddess. And no one was allowed to talk that way to Evy, not even a goddess. He took one step forward, his mouth open to respond with some dumb remark about who Isis thought she was to talk that way to Evy.
However, Horus had other ideas. He removed his falcon-head mask. . .it was a mask????? His face looked unnervingly familiar, but Rick had no time to think about that, because Horus lifted his hand, and the American went flying into the wall behind him.
The young god hissed, "You arrogant ass! You arrogant, self-centered ass! Be grateful that my mother and I treat you with more respect than the respect you give to others! There is a reason Ardeth Bey called me his best and most clever friend, Rick O'Connell." Rick stared up at the enraged god. Best and most clever friend? The god continued, his face twisting with a bitter, ironic smile, "Yes, O'Connell. I am Horus, and it was I who watched over Ardeth Bey during the journey to Ahm Shere. I heard every word you said to my Chosen, to my child!"
Oh. . .my. . .gawd. A thousand and one questions ran through Rick s mind. Why didn t Horus allow his body to live, after he was shot out of the sky? Why was Horus even in bird form, and why was he a servant to a Med-jai chieftain? He had the opportunity to ask none of those questions, for Horus continued, his black eyes flashing with a long-suppressed fury, "You have been warned, and warned, and warned, Rick O'Connell. And still you refuse to understand. I will make you understand."
Now *that* did not sound promising. Rick backpedaled. . .or tried to. It wasn t easy, considering he was already against the wall. From the corner of his eye, he saw Celia sitting up in the protective circle of Alex's arms. The other American gave Rick's son a gentle push toward Ardeth's bed, and the little boy scampered up beside the Med-jai. Celia got to her knees and grabbed Evy's wrist, pulling her toward the American woman.
Then Rick's entire attention was on Horus. The god had him by the throat, bringing back memories of having the life choked out of him by Imhotep inside Hamunaptra. That was only the tip of the ice berg, though, for images exploded through his mind. Images, and pain, like he never experienced before. He felt a blast, tossing him to one side, and the smell of rotting mummies burying him.
Ardeth. He was seeing things through Ardeth's eyes. That was the first thing that occurred to him. The second was, how on earth did his friend survive such pain? A very good question, as the agony threatened to explode his chest. He couldn't breathe. Not because of the hand at his throat, but because it felt like an elephant sat on his chest. That pain was replaced with the sensation of knives tearing his flesh, and he prepared to die.
Rick shivered and burned, his chest and shoulders throbbing in time with the beat of his heart. Dimly, he recognized that Horus was forcing him to experience things through Ardeth's eyes. The first and second risings of Imhotep, the injuries he suffered first in Hamunaptra, then in London. Jonathan and his damn double decker bus. How did Ardeth tolerate the agony, during the week-long journey to rescue Alex? How could one person bear such pain?
And yet, Ardeth pretended to be fine. He wasn't fine, he couldn't be. The physical pain was bad enough. Horus was also forcing him to feel Ardeth's anxiety, his frustration, the barely-held back anger with Rick, every time the American dismissed Ardeth's attempts to explain the markings. //You never listen. . .why do you never listen?// Rick didn t know how to listen. . .not to Ardeth at least, but he knew how often Ardeth was wrong. Not often at all.
And yet, Ardeth maintained his patience, perhaps understanding that Rick would accept in his own time. That wasn t the end. The report of the rifle as Horus was blown from the sky. My best and most clever friend. The one being who asked so little from Ardeth. Only what the chieftain could give him. The one being who was allowed to see all sides of Rick's friend, not just what Ardeth wanted his people, his family, to see.
And a grief which turned Rick's blood to ice. Horus, who was the final gift from Andreas Bey to his treasured little brother. Rick saw what might have been, and knew how much Ardeth meant to his older brother. Horus wasn't finished with him, for a crushing sense of guilt swamped over Rick, to accompany the grief. Not his guilt, but Ardeth's. . .Ardeth felt that he failed his brother twice over. Rick closed his eyes, trying to fight back the images.
It did no good. He heard Horus in his mind, growling, *If this is what it takes, then so be it. You will see things through his eyes, Rick O'Connell, and know the pain which you and yours have caused. You will learn of the consequences, if I must kill you and bring you back to life to do it.* More images then. . .the arguments with the Elders, the roadblocks Ardeth found in his path as he tried to prevent Imhotep from rising the first time.
Horus changed tactics, then. No longer satisfied with forcing Rick to experience the agony experienced by his friend through the years. Now he was seeing through Ardeth's eyes in an entirely different way. This was pain of a new kind. A man struggling to keep his family, his people, his world from a curse which backfired. A man who raged against his ancestors, the stupidity, the short-sightedness, the arrogance which led to this.
And again, the only thing Rick could find in his own experience was his utter helplessness when Evy died. That was the best he could do, for he never experienced such frustration. Two kinds of duty threatened to tear Ardeth apart. He was a warrior, not a diplomat, and he was so very young. Twenty-six wasn't young for a warrior, but to the elders, he was hardly more than a child. He warned the elders that the retrieval on the boat wouldn't work.
They didn't listen, and Med-jai blood was spilled. The key remained out of their grasp, and Imhotep awoke. How did they expect him to keep the Creature in his grave if they kept tying his hands? Ardeth lost that battle, but he won a second battle on that topic, when he told them all that the rescue of Celia, who ultimately became his wife, would take place in the open desert, instead of on the barge carrying them away from Cairo.
Frustration. Why were these Westerners so intent on staying? Was the gold really worth that much, was it worth their lives and the lives of all people? What did Ardeth have to do to make them leave? Should he have killed the tall Westerner, three years ago? No. . .no, the other set of Americans would have still come. How much more blood would be spilled, to keep Hamunaptra hidden, and the Creature in his grave?
Success. Finally, the Creature was returned to his grave, and all were safe. The loss of life was not what it could have been. But still, Ardeth's heart hurt. His uncle sacrificed his own life to save Ardeth. Rick shuddered as he saw Ardeth's nightmares in the days and weeks which followed the reburial of Hamunaptra. His father, his brother, his uncle, all died to prevent the Creature from rising. . .and Ardeth failed them. So he believed.
Encounters with the O'Connells, burning pain in his shoulder. *Oh Allah, why can these fools never leave well enough alone? Why are you angry with me, O'Connell, when your wife awakened this evil?* More fevered dreams. A small, gentle hand on his face. *Mother, is that you? Mother, forgive me for not being the son you wanted. Forgive me for leaving the burden to Anatol. I was trying to protect him, truly I was!*
The events leading up to Ardeth leaving the camp near Hamunaptra, to sort out a problem among the tribes. His sense that something was terribly, terribly wrong. Rick wondered briefly to himself if the conflict was simply a way to lure Ardeth away from Hamunaptra, and allow Imhotep's followers to bribe the official into allowing them to dig at the accursed city?
There was no way to be sure, beyond any reasonable doubt. Ardeth himself was very suspicious of the conflict. He knew both parties, and it was entirely unlike them to behave in such a manner. At least Rick and Ardeth were thinking in the same patterns. And like Rick, Ardeth had no idea how Imhotep or any of his followers could have influenced the two parties so powerfully, from such a great distance away.
Ardeth's memories jumped to his return home, only to find that a dig at Hamunaptra was underway, and he could look forward to things starting all over again. The death, the destruction. . .and probably reuniting with the O'Connells. Ardeth sensed there was more going on than he guessed. Surprise, surprise, surprise. . .he was right. Again. And there was the beginning of that frustration and resignation, regarding the O'Connells.
Rick tried to ignore that. He would deal with that later. Instead, he focused his attention on other memories which were flying through Ardeth's brain. He saw his friend learning about the death of the official responsible. His suspicion that some of the other Commanders were responsible for the death, his decision to find out for certain after it was all over. His weeks undercover at the dig, finding the Creature encased in that amber, resin-like material. The flight to London, literally under the noses of Imhotep's disciples.
The rest, Rick recognized. London, the kidnappings of Evy and Alex, the rescue of Evy, and the bus ride from hell. And for the first time, Rick learned that Ardeth was sick while the American chased after the bastards who took his son. He felt Ardeth shudder as spasms tore through his aching body. And still, the Med-jai staggered to his feet and out of the bus to reassure Evy and Rick that for the short term, at least, Alex would be safe.
"Enough!" Rick rasped out around the blockage in his throat, "enough, I get it!" He was released, and slid down the wall. Rick massaged his throat, but while he was free, the images were still there. The images, and the frustration and the grief. Rick said hoarsely, "I get it. Now let me start making things right. . .let me put the balance back. I can't do that if either of us are dead. You've punished me. . .now save Ardeth."
That sounded awfully familiar, and it took Rick only a moment to figure out why. It reminded him of what Ardeth said, just before he went off to fight the mummies alone during Imhotep's first rising. 'Save the girl, kill the Creature.' He could tell, from the way Horus was looking at him, that this particular coincidence didn't escape him, either.
"I shall save our child," Horus replied, "but know this, Rick O'Connell, bearer of the Med-jai named 'Terumun.' We will be watching you. And should you ever forget the lessons learned here today, there will be a second, and far deadlier reckoning. We can, and will, save Ardeth. But even after he recovers, we can still punish you. Never forget that." Rick nodded, still looking at Horus, and the young god moved toward the Med-jai.
. . .
Rick was really in no position to make demands, but time was running out. He knew it. Evy knew it. It was just a question of how much time before they lost Ardeth for good, and if the gods would be willing to accept that Rick understood. They did. Horus replied, glowering at Evy's husband, "I shall save our child, but know this, Rick O'Connell, bearer of the Med-jai named 'Terumun.' We will be watching you. And should you ever forget the lessons learned here today, there will be a second, and far deadlier reckoning. We can, and will, save Ardeth. But even after he recovers, we can still punish you. Never forget that."
Evy knelt on the floor beside Celia, the two women locked in each other s arms. There was a part of Evy which wanted to look away as Horus throttled her husband, but she could not. Nor could she lose the feeling that she had done this to them all. Celia's arms tightened around her protectively, and Evy felt her son's hand on her shoulder. Evy barely managed a smile, knowing that Alex took refuge at Ardeth's side. . .quite possibly the safest place in the area.
She wondered if she was the only one who realized the striking resemblance between Horus unmasked and Rameses. Perhaps that was his choice, to so closely resemble Nefertiri's brother. After all, he was a god, and he could take whatever form he wished. . .as they learned with the revelation that he was with them, all through the journey to Ahm Shere. With that knowledge, Evy began to wonder if Horus actually saved them.
There were many things which she didn't notice at the time, but now realized were odd. They walked away from the dirigible crash with bumps and scrapes and bruises, but no broken bones. Was that his protective hand shielding them? So many possibilities opened up to her, so many potential scenarios that distracted her from having to see Rick's body tremble. Then her husband demanded that the deities save Ardeth. Horus made his answer, but the final words of the mother and son deities was not yet given. Isis had something to say as well, and all who heard her would be wise to heed those words.
"Only time will tell, Rick O'Connell, if you do indeed 'get it,' but your words are heeded," Isis said, moving gracefully to the bed. Celia helped Evy to her feet, her arms wrapped supportively around her. Isis smiled gently at Alex, who put himself protectively in front of Ardeth. Evy couldn't see her son's face, but she could just imagine her son's expression. His small face would be set, his chin jutting out as he dared the goddess to harm Ardeth further.
The goddess said softly, "Fear me not, Alexander O'Connell. I seek to heal my Med-jai child, and return him to those who love him most." Alex looked over his shoulder at Evy and Celia almost worriedly, asking without words if he should, indeed, move. Evy nodded once, unable to shake the feeling that time was running out, even faster than she realized. Alex hesitated, then scampered down from the bed, running to his father.
Horus just gave Rick a contemptuous look and joined his mother at Ardeth's side. The mother and son deities took each other's hands, then placed their joined hands on Ardeth's chest. In unison, they chanted in a language long-forgotten, a language known only to the gods themselves. Evy stared in wonder as something dark and. . .cloudy. . .was drawn from her brother's body. At the same time, he was surrounded with the same golden light which announced the arrival of the deities. Ardeth groaned, but it sounded more like relief than pain.
Isis leaned forward, gently kissing his forehead, and whispered in ancient Egyptian, "Awake, my sweet child. Your beloved ones await your return. They need you, sweet boy. Your wife most of all. Awaken, Ardeth Bey." Ardeth groaned again, and now Evy saw some color return to his face. Yes. His breathing also seemed much, much easier. She almost held her breath, but the tight grip Celia had on her prevented *that* from taking place.
And slowly. . .so slowly. . .his dark lashes moved. He was trying to wake up. Celia breathed, "Ardeth? Sweetheart? Wake up, please wake up." Ardeth's head turned toward her, as if he was trying to find her and Isis looked at Evy. The Englishwoman didn't want to release her friend. Not because she feared for Celia, but because she feared losing her balance. But she had no choice. She released Celia, who made her way to Ardeth's side on unsteady legs.
Evy looked back at the goddess, asking softly, "The poison has been withdrawn from his body. . .will he suffer any aftereffects from that poison?" General translation, what sorts of side effects would Ardeth find it necessary to deal with, over the next few days. Isis looked at her quickly, sharply. Celia was paying no attention to either of them, as her focus was entirely on her husband. Of course.
"There will be side effects, Evelyn. He will be violently ill the next time he awakens, as his body's immune system begins to work once more. Possibly a few times after that. Be ready for it, and you will minimize the amount of suffering he must deal with," Isis replied. Evy made a face. Which meant she could also look forward to sympathetic nausea.
"C'mon, Ardeth, wake up," Celia whispered, and Evy looked back at her friend. The American Med-jai queen was sitting beside her husband on the bed. Celia ran a trembling hand over his black hair, leaning forward to kiss his forehead, his closed eyes, his cheeks, the tip of his nose, his lips. Rick was standing on shaky legs, but Alex was keeping him upright, leading him back to Evy. The Englishwoman felt her husband's arms go around her protectively, both seeking and giving support.
Celia bowed her head, her forehead resting against Ardeth's. She whispered something which Evy couldn't hear, and probably didn't want to hear. A shimmering alerted her to Anck's return to the room. There was nothing she could do. Evy knew that. But she was there, nonetheless, and a quick glance told her that Anck-su-namun looked frightened. She didn't know how this would end. . .and Evy kept forgetting that Anck loved Ardeth as well.
There was a soft moan, then Ardeth rasped out, "Celia?" Evy buried her face in Rick's shirt, weeping in relief. He was awake, and his voice was the most beautiful sound Evy ever heard. Ardeth continued, his voice still rough, "I had such strange dreams, Celia. I dreamed of your grandparents. They love you so much. . . they're so proud of you."
There was a soft gasp from Celia, and Ardeth whispered, "Don't cry, Celia! I am so sorry, my wife, please forgive me." Evy had no idea why Ardeth was apologizing, but it didn't really matter, not right now. Not when Ardeth was awake. But why did he not see Horus and Isis? The answer came a moment later. . .because they didn't want him to see them. Isis merely kissed Celia's hair, took her son's hand once more. . .and then they vanished.
Evy blinked back tears, then returned her attention to Ardeth and Celia. Her friend and sister was saying in a voice made hoarse from crying, "Don't you dare apologize to me, you idiot! I love you so much, Ardeth. . .so much, and I'm so proud to be your wife." Through the tears now rolling down her cheeks, Evy saw that Ardeth drew Celia down to the bed beside him, so that she was lying in his arms.
"And I love you, my Celia. Shhh, don't cry," Ardeth answered, his voice thick with exhaustion. He gave a soft sigh, his cheek resting against Celia's hair, then the only sound was Celia's soft sobbing. Evy moved cautiously from her husband's arms, half-afraid of what she would find. Did the gods come too late? Was Ardeth gone from them for good? She wanted to talk to her brother, wanted to tell him how much she loved him, how important he was.
But now was not the time for that. As she reached Ardeth, she realized that he was asleep. . .asleep, not unconscious. And his wife lay in his arms, quietly crying from relief. There were so many things to be said, so many wrongs to be made right. But as she told Rick several nights earlier, after the dreams. . .that could wait. Isis told her to think, instead of simply act on impulse, as she so often did.
That started now. Isis was right. She could make no promises about other tombs, about her digs. Evy's promise would have been made in desperation, and she could have never kept that promise when her curiosity once more was piqued. And breaking her promise might have led to the forfeit of Ardeth's life. Evy gently tugged on Rick's arm, saying softly, "He needs to sleep right now, Rick. Let him."
Rick didn't want to. She could see that in his eyes. He wanted to shake Ardeth awake, and beg his forgiveness for a thousand little things done and said over the last eight years. Without saying a word, Evy begged him to put Ardeth's welfare first, instead of his own need for forgiveness. He fought it. She could see him fighting it. But something changed in his blue eyes, and Rick bowed his head. A soft sigh was released from him and he nodded.
"Let's go get some rest. . .all of us," Rick replied. Evy looked around, and for the first time, she saw her brother in the doorway behind her. Tears were running down his face as he stared at Ardeth and Celia sleeping in each other's arms. She looked back at Rick, feeling close to tears herself, and her husband added, "They'll be just fine, Evy. They'll be just fine."
Yes, they would. Anck was weeping as well, her brown eyes shining with relief and gratitude. Evy whispered, "Take care of them," and the ghost nodded. Then Evy leaned against her husband as they left Ardeth's room. It wasn't over, she knew that. But it was a beginning. Ardeth awakened, and he would begin to recover. Perhaps it would take him some time, but he and Celia weren't scheduled to be in Scotland until the following week. And it would give Rick and Evy the time they needed to make things right.
No, this wasn't over, not yet. . .but they were getting there. And for the first time in days, Evy O'Connell saw the light at the end of the tunnel. She just hoped that it was daylight, and not an oncoming train.
Reviewers:
Sailor Elf: You'll get your wish! (smiles) Trust me. Just trust me.
Cindy: Thanks, I had a great time while I was away, and got even more story ideas. Not just for the Mummy series fics, but for my other fics, like UC: UnderCover. Now, if I could just find my diskette for UC. . .
Deana: Oh dear-heart, you could never be like Rick. That is SO not your style! As for Ardeth.well, you'll see in this chapter!
What Might Have Been
Part Eight
There was one person who was forgotten in the rush, who was just as frightened for Ardeth as the others. That was nine year old Alex O'Connell, whose life was turned upside down once more. And the knowledge that he had nothing to do with this particular catastrophe didn't help much. The little boy understood that right now, Ardeth needed his parents. He also understood that his parents *needed* to be with Ardeth.
But that didn't prevent the nine year old from feeling left out. . .or frightened. And worse yet, Alex wasn't sure what frightened him more. Seeing Ardeth so helpless, or seeing the obvious fear and guilt in his parents' eyes. While he was among the Med-jai, the young boy often heard the young warriors speak ill of his father. Alex never found it easy to keep his tongue still, but the young, fierce warriors made him uneasy.
They didn't know his father as he did, of course. They didn't know how Dads saved him from Lock-nah, and some of them didn t care. Some of them lost brothers, fathers, and friends because Alex put the Bracelet of Anubis on. And even more of them lost people during Imhotep's first rising, back when Alex was a baby. The youngster could understand how the Med-jai would resent them. . .but Dads was. . .well. . .he was Dads.
And not all the Med-jai resented Mum and Dads. It was mainly the young warriors. . . and Ardeth's sisters. And his mother Altair did a lot more than just resent him. Alex shuddered, remembering the confrontation between his father and the woman, after Ardeth and Dads rescued Auntie Celia from Khaldun's followers. And that brought something else up.
Auntie Celia. When she first arrived in Egypt with Miranda and Jason, she was different. For one thing, she was a lot quieter. For another, she got along a lot better with Dads in the beginning. Uncle Jon told him that part of the problem was that Dads told Auntie Celia something he shouldn't have. He didn't specify exactly what Dads said. . .just said that he talked about something that wasn't any of his business.
Alex also knew that Auntie Celia was upset with Dads, because Khaldun took control of him at Hamunaptra, when they went to save Miranda. Mum was upset with him, too, but Auntie Celia still hadn't forgiven him for that. Alex wondered about that. . .why she could forgive Alex and Mum for their parts in Imhotep's awakening, and the Scorpion King's, but she couldn't forgive Dads when he didn't actually do anything wrong.
Uncle Jon, who was usually Alex's co-conspirator and partner-in- crime, was curiously silent about this. When the boy questioned it, Uncle Jon simply answered that Auntie Celia had her reasons for her troubled relationship with his father. And those were his exact words, too. It occurred to Alex to remind his uncle that he was a kid, but he wasn't stupid. But a quick glance at Uncle Jon kept him silent. His uncle was worried. . .very worried about Ardeth.
Everyone was worried about Ardeth, and Alex was no exception. To a lesser degree, Mum and Uncle Jon were worried about Auntie Celia, and to an equal degree, Dads was worried about Mum. She would give birth to Alex's little sister any day now. Alex tried to help. He sometimes ran errands for his father, by getting more water for the basin. But right now, Alex's mother was with Ardeth, and Auntie Celia was sitting in the hallway with Dads.
He knew he wasn't supposed to, but he listened to his father and aunt. He couldn't hear much of it. . . they were both talking too quietly. Something which also frightened Alex, since 'quiet' was one word he would never use in association with his father. Ardeth actually was very quiet, though Alex didn't think so when he first met him. But, he couldn't really blame Ardeth for that. Especially not when he was cramped in that trunk, all the way to Alex's house.
At last, the two adults fell silent. This was a different silence than the one Alex noticed in the last few days. That one was. . .frightened. Tense. Alex sometimes had the feeling that everyone was holding their respective breaths. . .that kind of silence. This was much more relaxed. The kind of silence between two people after something very important was settled. And that made Alex relax as well.
Auntie Celia leaned back against the wall. Dads rose to his feet after Mum called him, and left Auntie Celia there. Alex watched as his father walked into the room, then slipped from his hiding place and sat down beside Auntie Celia, his mum's best friend and Ardeth's wife. She was family, for those two reasons. Ardeth was Mum's brother in their previous lifetimes. And, according to Mum, in other lifetimes, Ardeth and Dads were brothers, too.
She opened her eyes and looked at him, asking softly, "You okay, kiddo?" Alex wasn't sure what to say. Was he all right? No, not really. He was scared and angry. But he didn't want to say no, because. . . because it wasn't his family who was in danger. It was hers. Alex overheard his mum saying that the timing was so terrible. . .Auntie Celia and Ardeth just got married. It wasn't fair that they were going through this, when they had so little time together.
And Alex was afraid Auntie Celia would get mad at him, as she was so often angry with Dads. There were times when the nine year old was angry with her for that. She said a second later, her voice very soft, "You know. . .it's okay for you to be scared. Things have been a little crazy lately, and I know you've been worried about your mother. There's nothing wrong with being scared and even angry."
Alex looked at her quickly, not sure if he should be worried that she knew what he was thinking, or reassured. His aunt's eyes were gentle and sad. As if she didn't have the energy to be angry. That was almost as frightening as the arguments she sometimes had with his father. If she didn't have the energy to be angry. . . Alex wasn't sure what that meant, but it couldn't be good. Especially since she just finished a conversation with his father.
Alex answered, "But I can't be angry or scared, because Ardeth isn't my father, or my brother." Auntie Celia smiled at him almost sadly, and Alex continued, growing more confident now that he knew she wouldn't yell at him, "Dads pretends. . .pretended like he didn't care as much about Ardeth as he cares about me and about Mum, but that's all it is. He knows Ardeth better than I do. I can't be scared."
But he was. His companion said nothing, and after a moment, Alex asked, "Auntie Celia? Why do you and Dads not get along?" His aunt looked at him closely, and Alex added, "And please don't tell me that I'll understand when I'm older. I hate it when adults say that. It's like they think I'm stupid." A ghost of a smile came and went on Auntie Celia's face, then she looked away from him. Alex was on the point of demanding her attention, but decided not to.
He was glad a moment later, when Auntie Celia said softly, "You know, I always hated it when people told me that. I understand why adults do it. . .it's because we don't want to admit that we don't fully understand something, either. And because it's so hard for us to explain something to ourselves. Like when Khaldun took over Ardeth's body, and I couldn't bring myself to tell Miranda that I smashed a vase over his head."
"But you weren't hurting Ardeth, you were hurting Khaldun and preventing him from killing my father. That wasn't your fault," Alex pointed out. Auntie Celia nodded, though she still didn't look convinced. After a moment, the little boy said, "I need to ask you another question. Why do you. . .I mean, adults. . .think that you always have to understand something? Why can't you just tell us that you don t know something?"
"Because, honey, we think we're supposed to know everything. We think we have to know everything, because we're the adult. When I was growing up, my parents were the same way. Or, they wouldn't even bother with, 'you'll understand when you get older.' It was just the way it was, and if I knew what was good for me, I wouldn't ask any more questions. My grandparents. . .they were different. They understood that telling me that they were scared or didn t know wouldn't frighten me. . .it would make me feel better," Auntie Celia replied.
She paused, then said, "And you asked me why I don't get along with your father. There are a lot of reasons. I don't want to insult your intelligence by saying that it's something you can't understand. That's patronizing, and my grandparents raised me better than that. Your dad loves you and your mom more than anything else in this world. He would do anything for you, anything at all, and that's good. That's how it should be."
Auntie Celia stopped, rubbed her hand over her eyes, then went on, "But when your dad thinks that everyone else's first priority should be his family, that's when there's trouble. That's why so many of the Med-jai don t like your dad. Because he only wants my husband around when your father needs something from him. At least, that's the side which he shows to the Med-jai, and to most people. So, they think that's all he really cares about."
Alex started to protest, to defend his father, but Auntie Celia looked at him somberly. She asked very softly, "What did your father do, Alex, when my husband came to your aid in London? Was he happy to see him? Or did he blame him for Evy taking the Bracelet of Anubis? Or rather, for those consequences?" She knew the answer, of course. . .Alex knew that she knew about what happened. All of what happened.
"But Dads didn't really mean it! He was just scared!" Alex exclaimed. He was scared, too. He was scared when that man took his mother, and scared when he heard the alarm in Ardeth's voice. He was scared so many times that night. The little boy repeated, "He didn't really mean it." But Alex could still see the pain which flashed across Ardeth's face when Dads slammed him into the pedestal.
Just as he could see the sadness and disbelief in Auntie Celia's eyes now. She said softly, "If he didn t really mean it, then why did he do it? Your father is supposed to be a grown man, not a little boy. Children do things they don't really mean, Alex. Like when you put the Bracelet of Anubis on your wrist. You did it because you were curious and didn't know what it would do, didn't know what the consequences would be. Sorry, kiddo, 'he didn't mean it' won't cut it with me. That's not an acceptable answer."
Alex started to open his mouth, but Auntie Celia asked, "What if Anck told you that she didn t really mean to kill your mother at Ahm Shere? I know that it wasn't her, that it was Meela. But would it really make a difference to you, Alex?"
The boy closed his mouth quickly as he thought about that. No. . .not really. Anck. . .or Meela. . .hurt his family entirely too much for him to trust her. Even if he didn't watch her kill his mother, he still wouldn't have trusted her. She took too much pleasure in hurting others. Auntie Celia added softly, "Mind you, she has done a lot in the last few weeks for both of our families. But you still wouldn't trust her."
No. No, he wouldn't. He couldn't trust her. And, Alex was starting to understand, that was the core of Auntie Celia's troubled attitude toward his father. She didn't trust him. It's never easy for anyone to realize that their parent is far from perfect. It's hard enough for an adult, but for children, it's a hundred times harder. Especially for little Alex O'Connell, whose father braved both Imhotep and the Scorpion King to rescue Alex and avenge his mother.
But Alex was also a child who could see through the eyes of another, and he was seeing why Celia Ferguson Bey didn't trust his father. She couldn't. Yes, he helped her to rescue her daughter, and he helped Ardeth to rescue Auntie Celia. But just as importantly, she didn't trust Alex's father to be there for Ardeth now, when he needed them all so badly. Ardeth was fighting for his very life, and no one in this house wanted to let him down.
Auntie Celia said softly, "Your father is trying, Alex. I know that. I can see that, with my own eyes. I could see that when he came to the train station for us. But for once. . .just for once. . .I'd like him to think before he opens his mouth. Before he blames my husband because your mother once more awoke something which should have remained sleeping, or because something was disturbed which should have been left alone."
Again, Alex opened his mouth to protest, but Auntie Celia wasn't finished. She gazed at him steadily and said, "I love your mother very much, Alex, like the sister I never had. But it's true. When she took the Necklace of Isis from the Temple, she awoke the Guardians. Not my husband, not any of his people. Those Guardians went after her. . .and my husband risked his life to save her. Only to have your father. . ." Her voice was shaking suddenly, her face tightening with rage.
Alex lowered his eyes. He wanted to be angry with his aunt, for saying all these things. But behind *her* anger, was fear. Auntie Celia was afraid for Ardeth, she was afraid that she would lose him. And that was when the final piece of the puzzle fell into place for Alexander O'Connell. Auntie Celia was behaving exactly as Dads did after Mum was killed at Ahm Shere. She was angry and scared, and too many other things for Alex to fully understand.
But shortly before they returned to England, Anck told Auntie Celia that there were many reasons why Imhotep hated Dads. Because he stood in Imhotep's way, because he had what Imhotep wanted. . .and because in some ways, they were two of a kind. When Alex asked Mum to explain, she said that sometimes, when two people were alike, they didn't get along at all.
That was what he was seeing with Dads and Auntie Celia! They didn t get along, because in some ways, they were too much alike! Auntie Celia was trying to protect her husband, she was trying to protect Ardeth. . .just as Dads tried to protect Mum and Alex and the baby! Alex was so intent on sorting out that puzzle, he almost missed the odd change in the atmosphere of the house.
Almost. Because Auntie Celia whispered, "Alex, do you feel that? It's almost. . ." And then there was nothing more, for both Dads and Mum cried out in alarm. Auntie Celia scrambled to her feet, even before a gold light exploded from Ardeth's room. She cried out in alarm and grabbed Alex's hand. Together, they raced down the hall. Auntie Celia threw open the door with her free hand. . .and they both stared in awe at the sight before them.
"This can't be good!" Auntie Celia muttered under her breath. Alex released her hand long enough to wrap both his arms around her waist. He felt her arm go around his shoulders protectively, and Alex buried his face against her hip. There was a man in Ardeth's room, a man who didn't belong there. He stood tall and proud, a man's body. . .with the head of a falcon. Horus. Horus was in Ardeth's room.
"Stay behind me, Alex," Auntie Celia breathed, her eyes focused solely on the two deities in the room. Two? Yes. . .there were two. Horus and. . .Alex peeked around his aunt at the second figure, feeling his heart jump into his throat. Isis. She was in Ardeth's room, too. Auntie Celia repeated, "Stay behind me. . .I don't know what's going on, but your mother would kill me if anything happened to you."
That was not a problem. The nine year old's customary bravado faded in the face of the two *very* angry gods. And they *were* angry. He could see that. But were they angry with Ardeth for some reason, maybe because Mum got the Necklace of Isis, or were they angry with his father, the way almost everyone seemed to be?
. . .
Ohhh, this just kept getting better and better! When Rick heard his wife call out, he had a feeling things were about to take another bad turn. He didn't think that was possible, not with everything Ardeth went through in the last few days. That was his first mistake. While he was outside, sorting things out with Celia, Ardeth's fever began to rise once more.
Evy needed help. She was scared, and that wasn't good for her, it wasn't good for the baby. When Rick arrived in the room, Ardeth was moaning and thrashing about on the bed. Where he found the reserves of strength, Rick didn't know. But he did know Ardeth couldn't take much more of this. As he did before, the American sat down on the bed beside his friend, trying to soothe him.
What followed was ten of the worst minutes of Rick's life. Instead of soothing him, Rick s touch seemed to enrage the Med-jai, and the moans turned to something far more menacing. Ardeth actively fought him, making animal noises which turned Rick's blood to ice. The American had no idea where Ardeth was now. . .he traveled through his brother's death, his violation at the hands of Lock-nah and his men, through the horrors of Hamunaptra.
What else was there? Rick wondered, as he desperately tried to calm his friend. The delirious Med-jai was making his own life an open book to the American. Rick was discovering things about his friend, but he had a feeling Ardeth didn't want him to know about any of this. Hell, *he* didn't want to know about most of this stuff! Rick repeated to himself that he and the Med-jai chieftain would have a very, very, very long talk when it was over.
It wasn't about the holding things back. Rick could understand that. Sharing things like that, that wasn't either of their styles. Rick also had a feeling that Ardeth would kill him if he ever told Celia about what Lock-nah and his men did to him, over and above the flogging which almost killed the adolescent chieftain. Ardeth decked him for telling Celia that he was a virgin. Rick didn't want to know what he would do to him for letting loose this particular secret.
No, when Ardeth finally came out of this, he and Rick would have a long talk about sharing burdens. Over the last few days, Ardeth told Rick a great deal about the burdens he carried. There were some he had to carry alone, as the chieftain of his people. Some he could share with Celia. And still others, he needed help, but it wouldn't be Celia who could share those burdens. She was a brave, loyal woman, but she wasn't a warrior. Rick and Ardeth were.
Now, Rick O'Connell knew in his heart that he could not afford to ignore what his instincts and his heart told him. He had a chance to do a lot of thinking over the last several days, and he could no longer hide. All hiding places were taken away from him, all excuses. As Ardeth finally started quieting once more, Rick whispered, "You've gotta come back to us, little brother. We can't do this alone, we need you too much."
He wasn't Andreas Bey. But he knew himself to be very much like the late chieftain. They were both bullheaded and willing to move heaven, hell, and earth for their families. They both had vengeful natures and neither really knew how to forgive. While Rick never forgave Beni for leaving him to die at Hamunaptra, he also couldn't leave the little weasel to die. That, he clung to. But several things became clear to him, during this whole ordeal.
His family needed Ardeth Bey, and Ardeth needed them. But Rick couldn't allow things to be so one-sided any more. That wasn't the way family worked, and he now accepted what his wife and brother-in-law knew as truth. Everyone but him. Ardeth was a member of their family, just as his wife was. He realized something else. Rick had it within him, to become a man truly worthy of his wife, of his brother. He had it in him, but he wasn't there yet.
If he didn't stop fighting what he knew to be the truth, he would lose the best friend he ever had. He lost Evy, and got her back. He didn't think he would be lucky enough to get Ardeth back. Rick knew it wouldn't be easy. His instincts were still leading him to lash out, and that had to stop. But it would take time, and meanwhile, the first thing he had to do was win back Ardeth's trust. That, in and of itself, would be hard.
As Ardeth quieted down, Rick patted his shoulder, taking deep breaths. *I dunno how much more of this he can take,* Rick thought, *or any of the rest of us.* He bowed his head, resting his hand on Ardeth's shoulder once more. These bouts with delirium took a lot out of him, and Rick whispered, "I don't know who up there is listening, but he can t do this for much longer. Help him. . .tell me what I m supposed to do to help him."
The folks upstairs chose an interesting way to answer. As the words were spoken, the room lit up in gold. Rick was torn between throwing himself protectively over Ardeth and pulling a gun. His wife already did one. . .throwing herself protectively over Ardeth. . .so Rick did both. He drew his gun, even as he shielded Evy and their brother from the golden light now bathing the room. He didn't realize he cried out until he heard the sound.
The light burned his eyes and Rick looked away, burying his face in Evy's hair. He fumbled, trying to put his gun away, and Rick silently prayed that he didn't shoot himself in the foot. . .literally. As the light died, the American blinked several times to clear his vision. He heard Evy breathe, "Oh. . .my. . .God." Rick tensed, wondering what disaster was upon them now. His wife answered that question a moment later when she added, "Horus. . .Isis?"
Rick blinked again, then finally focused on the two forms in front of him. The features were. . .he couldn't make them out. Evy continued, her voice filled with a mixture of fear, defiance, and awe, "You'll not take him from us. . .I'll fight you for him, if need be!" Rick blinked at his wife again. She was nine months pregnant, due any day, and she was challenging a goddess and a god???
A male voice answered, "There will be no need for you to fight us, Evelyn O'Connell. We do not seek to take Ardeth Bey's life from him. Rather, we have come to return it to him. However. There is a price to be paid. What would you give, Evelyn O'Connell, to ensure that no further harm comes to our child? Ardeth has sacrificed much for you and yours. What sort of sacrifice are you willing to make for him?"
"Whoa. Wait a minute. Now, I appreciate that the two of you are gods, and that the Med-jai belong to you. But there ain't no way my wife is sacrificing anything! She's nine months pregnant. I lost her once. It won't happen again. . .least of all before I get some answers. What do the two of you have to do with what's happening to Ardeth, and what do you want from us to do it?" Rick retorted.
Evy looked at him wildly, and Rick realized with a sinking feeling that he just mouthed off to a pair of deities who could have him, his wife, his unborn child, and his best friend for lunch, if they were so inclined. However, before he could say anything. . .whether to apologize or stick his foot any further into his mouth. . .the female said, "You wish for answers, do you, Rick O'Connell? Very well. But know this. Every moment that we delay, means another moment taken away from Ardeth Bey s life."
Whoa. That did not sound good. The male, Horus, added, "And we care far more for the Med-jai than you, so we will make this, as you say, snappy." Okay, there was something you didn t hear every day. An Egyptian god, using American slang. Worse yet, Rick had a sneaking suspicion that the surprises weren't yet over for him or his family. Any of his family, come to think of it. He was proved correct only a moment later.
Horus continued, gesturing to Evy as she hovered over Ardeth, "The dreams you both had, two nights ago, were no accident. They were arranged by Lady Ardath and Prince Rameses, and aided by Princess Anck-su-namun. We allowed it to go forward, because it coincided with our own plans to get your attention."
Huh? Isis took the narrative, explaining, "You see, all of this happened for a reason. Four months ago, we became aware of Evelyn's dreams. We knew those dreams would lead her to my temple and the necklace. What her dreams did not tell her, for Nefertiri never knew, was that the necklace was protected by my priests and priestesses. Among those priestesses was Nefertiri's mother. Should anyone else touch the necklace, the Guardians would awaken."
"The Guardians?" Evy whispered, "Those men who attacked. . .they called themselves the Guardians." Isis inclined her head, and Evy continued, her voice raw with pain, "Then you took the bodies of those men, after Ardeth and Celia killed them. All but the leader." The leader? That must have been the guy Rick found dead on the floor when he. . . Rick turned his memory away from that. Evy added, "And what happened to his body?"
That's right! Rick was so shaken by the knowledge that he pushed Ardeth too far, he never noticed it until now. The body was gone! Horus replied, "We took his body, Evelyn, while you saw to Ardeth. One of my mother's most faithful Guardians grazed Ardeth's palm with his dagger." Now everything clicked into place. Horus gave a snort of laughter and said, "Now you understand. The tip of the dagger was laced with poison not of this world."
"But why! Ardeth did nothing wrong! He was trying to protect me! And now he's dying?" Evy cried out. Rick was feeling the world shake under his feet. There was something in the back of his mind, something dying to get out. Something which was very important. Evy shook her head, whispering, "Why are you punishing him for simply fulfilling his task, for being whom and what he is?"
"That is true. You brought this upon him, Evelyn O'Connell, with your heedless curiosity. He is unconscious, and suffering. But the true punishment is yours. He suffers for your curiosity, and your husband s selfishness. I ask you now. . .if the price of your curiosity is the agony suffered by your brother, is it worth it?" Horus asked. Rick understood. He knew why all of this took place, and rage bubbled up inside of him.
In a voice trembling with that rage, Rick spat out, "So let me get this straight. . .you had one of your own fall ill, just to teach us a lesson? Ardeth is sick. . .dying. . .because you wanted us to see the consequences of our actions? You set this whole thing up? You did this to him? What kinds of gods are you? You claim to love him and care for him, but you. . .you used him! You made an example of him, for something he didn t even do!"
Isis looked at him steadily, replying, "The O'Connell double standard is at work once more. You may risk the life of Ardeth Bey, but none others are allowed that right?" Rick swallowed hard. That was two. Not good, Ricky-boy. Not good at all. Before he could say anything, Isis looked away and said gently, "Sleep, child. This will not be on your head." Rick turned toward the door. . .the open door. . .just in time to see Celia crumple slowly to the ground.
She took Alex with her, Alex, who was locked in her arms. Alex, who remained awake, even as he struggled to free himself. Isis continued, "And you may remain awake, little one. So you never forget the consequences of your parents' actions. Remember this, Alex O'Connell. Remember this, and know that each action you take, each tomb your parents desecrate, has a consequence. And that is why we are here, Rick O'Connell."
"My mother speaks truly. We did not force you, either of you. You both chose to ignore the warnings issued by Ardeth Bey. You ignored the warnings of the temple. Just as you ignored the warnings at Hamunaptra, at Thebes, and countless other temples over the years. Did you truly believe there would be no consequences, once the line was crossed? The Guardians were fulfilling their task, to retrieve the Necklace of Isis," Horus added.
There was something curiously familiar about his voice. Evy said desperately, "I'll give you the Necklace, it will only take me a moment to retrieve it! I promise I will never go near another tomb, if you ll just save Ardeth! Please. . .we love him so much. Our family wouldn t be complete without him, and his wife needs him." Now Rick was starting to see what was meant by the sacrifice. What was Evy willing to give up for Ardeth?
Isis shook her head, saying softly, "You cannot keep that promise, Evelyn O'Connell. You know that, as do I. No, this is not what we will ask of you." She was right. Even if Rick's wife *could* keep that promise, there might come a day when she would resent Ardeth for it. Evy might not, but Rick might, and the deities obviously knew that. Which, in turn, begged yet another question. One of many.
And Evy asked it, almost begging, "Then what would you have us do?" Rick would have chided his wife for dragging him into this, but a mocking voice rang in his head, 'we, what we?' He held his tongue, realizing they were walking along a very fine line here. If they screwed up even a little bit. . .the consequences would probably shatter Rick's family for good. No. He would keep his mouth shut.
Isis replied, her voice almost gentle, "Think. Just think about the consequences your actions have on people other than yourself. Think about how much anguish it has caused Celia Bey to watch her husband in such pain. Think about the pain it has caused the Med-jai, to lose so many because of your arrogance." Evy lowered her eyes, as if ashamed by what the goddess said. She nodded in acknowledgment.
However, Rick's pledge to keep his mouth shut went right out the window at that point. It was okay for him, and his little voice, to acknowledge that he was arrogant. It was something else entirely for someone else to say it. . .even if that someone *was* a goddess. And no one was allowed to talk that way to Evy, not even a goddess. He took one step forward, his mouth open to respond with some dumb remark about who Isis thought she was to talk that way to Evy.
However, Horus had other ideas. He removed his falcon-head mask. . .it was a mask????? His face looked unnervingly familiar, but Rick had no time to think about that, because Horus lifted his hand, and the American went flying into the wall behind him.
The young god hissed, "You arrogant ass! You arrogant, self-centered ass! Be grateful that my mother and I treat you with more respect than the respect you give to others! There is a reason Ardeth Bey called me his best and most clever friend, Rick O'Connell." Rick stared up at the enraged god. Best and most clever friend? The god continued, his face twisting with a bitter, ironic smile, "Yes, O'Connell. I am Horus, and it was I who watched over Ardeth Bey during the journey to Ahm Shere. I heard every word you said to my Chosen, to my child!"
Oh. . .my. . .gawd. A thousand and one questions ran through Rick s mind. Why didn t Horus allow his body to live, after he was shot out of the sky? Why was Horus even in bird form, and why was he a servant to a Med-jai chieftain? He had the opportunity to ask none of those questions, for Horus continued, his black eyes flashing with a long-suppressed fury, "You have been warned, and warned, and warned, Rick O'Connell. And still you refuse to understand. I will make you understand."
Now *that* did not sound promising. Rick backpedaled. . .or tried to. It wasn t easy, considering he was already against the wall. From the corner of his eye, he saw Celia sitting up in the protective circle of Alex's arms. The other American gave Rick's son a gentle push toward Ardeth's bed, and the little boy scampered up beside the Med-jai. Celia got to her knees and grabbed Evy's wrist, pulling her toward the American woman.
Then Rick's entire attention was on Horus. The god had him by the throat, bringing back memories of having the life choked out of him by Imhotep inside Hamunaptra. That was only the tip of the ice berg, though, for images exploded through his mind. Images, and pain, like he never experienced before. He felt a blast, tossing him to one side, and the smell of rotting mummies burying him.
Ardeth. He was seeing things through Ardeth's eyes. That was the first thing that occurred to him. The second was, how on earth did his friend survive such pain? A very good question, as the agony threatened to explode his chest. He couldn't breathe. Not because of the hand at his throat, but because it felt like an elephant sat on his chest. That pain was replaced with the sensation of knives tearing his flesh, and he prepared to die.
Rick shivered and burned, his chest and shoulders throbbing in time with the beat of his heart. Dimly, he recognized that Horus was forcing him to experience things through Ardeth's eyes. The first and second risings of Imhotep, the injuries he suffered first in Hamunaptra, then in London. Jonathan and his damn double decker bus. How did Ardeth tolerate the agony, during the week-long journey to rescue Alex? How could one person bear such pain?
And yet, Ardeth pretended to be fine. He wasn't fine, he couldn't be. The physical pain was bad enough. Horus was also forcing him to feel Ardeth's anxiety, his frustration, the barely-held back anger with Rick, every time the American dismissed Ardeth's attempts to explain the markings. //You never listen. . .why do you never listen?// Rick didn t know how to listen. . .not to Ardeth at least, but he knew how often Ardeth was wrong. Not often at all.
And yet, Ardeth maintained his patience, perhaps understanding that Rick would accept in his own time. That wasn t the end. The report of the rifle as Horus was blown from the sky. My best and most clever friend. The one being who asked so little from Ardeth. Only what the chieftain could give him. The one being who was allowed to see all sides of Rick's friend, not just what Ardeth wanted his people, his family, to see.
And a grief which turned Rick's blood to ice. Horus, who was the final gift from Andreas Bey to his treasured little brother. Rick saw what might have been, and knew how much Ardeth meant to his older brother. Horus wasn't finished with him, for a crushing sense of guilt swamped over Rick, to accompany the grief. Not his guilt, but Ardeth's. . .Ardeth felt that he failed his brother twice over. Rick closed his eyes, trying to fight back the images.
It did no good. He heard Horus in his mind, growling, *If this is what it takes, then so be it. You will see things through his eyes, Rick O'Connell, and know the pain which you and yours have caused. You will learn of the consequences, if I must kill you and bring you back to life to do it.* More images then. . .the arguments with the Elders, the roadblocks Ardeth found in his path as he tried to prevent Imhotep from rising the first time.
Horus changed tactics, then. No longer satisfied with forcing Rick to experience the agony experienced by his friend through the years. Now he was seeing through Ardeth's eyes in an entirely different way. This was pain of a new kind. A man struggling to keep his family, his people, his world from a curse which backfired. A man who raged against his ancestors, the stupidity, the short-sightedness, the arrogance which led to this.
And again, the only thing Rick could find in his own experience was his utter helplessness when Evy died. That was the best he could do, for he never experienced such frustration. Two kinds of duty threatened to tear Ardeth apart. He was a warrior, not a diplomat, and he was so very young. Twenty-six wasn't young for a warrior, but to the elders, he was hardly more than a child. He warned the elders that the retrieval on the boat wouldn't work.
They didn't listen, and Med-jai blood was spilled. The key remained out of their grasp, and Imhotep awoke. How did they expect him to keep the Creature in his grave if they kept tying his hands? Ardeth lost that battle, but he won a second battle on that topic, when he told them all that the rescue of Celia, who ultimately became his wife, would take place in the open desert, instead of on the barge carrying them away from Cairo.
Frustration. Why were these Westerners so intent on staying? Was the gold really worth that much, was it worth their lives and the lives of all people? What did Ardeth have to do to make them leave? Should he have killed the tall Westerner, three years ago? No. . .no, the other set of Americans would have still come. How much more blood would be spilled, to keep Hamunaptra hidden, and the Creature in his grave?
Success. Finally, the Creature was returned to his grave, and all were safe. The loss of life was not what it could have been. But still, Ardeth's heart hurt. His uncle sacrificed his own life to save Ardeth. Rick shuddered as he saw Ardeth's nightmares in the days and weeks which followed the reburial of Hamunaptra. His father, his brother, his uncle, all died to prevent the Creature from rising. . .and Ardeth failed them. So he believed.
Encounters with the O'Connells, burning pain in his shoulder. *Oh Allah, why can these fools never leave well enough alone? Why are you angry with me, O'Connell, when your wife awakened this evil?* More fevered dreams. A small, gentle hand on his face. *Mother, is that you? Mother, forgive me for not being the son you wanted. Forgive me for leaving the burden to Anatol. I was trying to protect him, truly I was!*
The events leading up to Ardeth leaving the camp near Hamunaptra, to sort out a problem among the tribes. His sense that something was terribly, terribly wrong. Rick wondered briefly to himself if the conflict was simply a way to lure Ardeth away from Hamunaptra, and allow Imhotep's followers to bribe the official into allowing them to dig at the accursed city?
There was no way to be sure, beyond any reasonable doubt. Ardeth himself was very suspicious of the conflict. He knew both parties, and it was entirely unlike them to behave in such a manner. At least Rick and Ardeth were thinking in the same patterns. And like Rick, Ardeth had no idea how Imhotep or any of his followers could have influenced the two parties so powerfully, from such a great distance away.
Ardeth's memories jumped to his return home, only to find that a dig at Hamunaptra was underway, and he could look forward to things starting all over again. The death, the destruction. . .and probably reuniting with the O'Connells. Ardeth sensed there was more going on than he guessed. Surprise, surprise, surprise. . .he was right. Again. And there was the beginning of that frustration and resignation, regarding the O'Connells.
Rick tried to ignore that. He would deal with that later. Instead, he focused his attention on other memories which were flying through Ardeth's brain. He saw his friend learning about the death of the official responsible. His suspicion that some of the other Commanders were responsible for the death, his decision to find out for certain after it was all over. His weeks undercover at the dig, finding the Creature encased in that amber, resin-like material. The flight to London, literally under the noses of Imhotep's disciples.
The rest, Rick recognized. London, the kidnappings of Evy and Alex, the rescue of Evy, and the bus ride from hell. And for the first time, Rick learned that Ardeth was sick while the American chased after the bastards who took his son. He felt Ardeth shudder as spasms tore through his aching body. And still, the Med-jai staggered to his feet and out of the bus to reassure Evy and Rick that for the short term, at least, Alex would be safe.
"Enough!" Rick rasped out around the blockage in his throat, "enough, I get it!" He was released, and slid down the wall. Rick massaged his throat, but while he was free, the images were still there. The images, and the frustration and the grief. Rick said hoarsely, "I get it. Now let me start making things right. . .let me put the balance back. I can't do that if either of us are dead. You've punished me. . .now save Ardeth."
That sounded awfully familiar, and it took Rick only a moment to figure out why. It reminded him of what Ardeth said, just before he went off to fight the mummies alone during Imhotep's first rising. 'Save the girl, kill the Creature.' He could tell, from the way Horus was looking at him, that this particular coincidence didn't escape him, either.
"I shall save our child," Horus replied, "but know this, Rick O'Connell, bearer of the Med-jai named 'Terumun.' We will be watching you. And should you ever forget the lessons learned here today, there will be a second, and far deadlier reckoning. We can, and will, save Ardeth. But even after he recovers, we can still punish you. Never forget that." Rick nodded, still looking at Horus, and the young god moved toward the Med-jai.
. . .
Rick was really in no position to make demands, but time was running out. He knew it. Evy knew it. It was just a question of how much time before they lost Ardeth for good, and if the gods would be willing to accept that Rick understood. They did. Horus replied, glowering at Evy's husband, "I shall save our child, but know this, Rick O'Connell, bearer of the Med-jai named 'Terumun.' We will be watching you. And should you ever forget the lessons learned here today, there will be a second, and far deadlier reckoning. We can, and will, save Ardeth. But even after he recovers, we can still punish you. Never forget that."
Evy knelt on the floor beside Celia, the two women locked in each other s arms. There was a part of Evy which wanted to look away as Horus throttled her husband, but she could not. Nor could she lose the feeling that she had done this to them all. Celia's arms tightened around her protectively, and Evy felt her son's hand on her shoulder. Evy barely managed a smile, knowing that Alex took refuge at Ardeth's side. . .quite possibly the safest place in the area.
She wondered if she was the only one who realized the striking resemblance between Horus unmasked and Rameses. Perhaps that was his choice, to so closely resemble Nefertiri's brother. After all, he was a god, and he could take whatever form he wished. . .as they learned with the revelation that he was with them, all through the journey to Ahm Shere. With that knowledge, Evy began to wonder if Horus actually saved them.
There were many things which she didn't notice at the time, but now realized were odd. They walked away from the dirigible crash with bumps and scrapes and bruises, but no broken bones. Was that his protective hand shielding them? So many possibilities opened up to her, so many potential scenarios that distracted her from having to see Rick's body tremble. Then her husband demanded that the deities save Ardeth. Horus made his answer, but the final words of the mother and son deities was not yet given. Isis had something to say as well, and all who heard her would be wise to heed those words.
"Only time will tell, Rick O'Connell, if you do indeed 'get it,' but your words are heeded," Isis said, moving gracefully to the bed. Celia helped Evy to her feet, her arms wrapped supportively around her. Isis smiled gently at Alex, who put himself protectively in front of Ardeth. Evy couldn't see her son's face, but she could just imagine her son's expression. His small face would be set, his chin jutting out as he dared the goddess to harm Ardeth further.
The goddess said softly, "Fear me not, Alexander O'Connell. I seek to heal my Med-jai child, and return him to those who love him most." Alex looked over his shoulder at Evy and Celia almost worriedly, asking without words if he should, indeed, move. Evy nodded once, unable to shake the feeling that time was running out, even faster than she realized. Alex hesitated, then scampered down from the bed, running to his father.
Horus just gave Rick a contemptuous look and joined his mother at Ardeth's side. The mother and son deities took each other's hands, then placed their joined hands on Ardeth's chest. In unison, they chanted in a language long-forgotten, a language known only to the gods themselves. Evy stared in wonder as something dark and. . .cloudy. . .was drawn from her brother's body. At the same time, he was surrounded with the same golden light which announced the arrival of the deities. Ardeth groaned, but it sounded more like relief than pain.
Isis leaned forward, gently kissing his forehead, and whispered in ancient Egyptian, "Awake, my sweet child. Your beloved ones await your return. They need you, sweet boy. Your wife most of all. Awaken, Ardeth Bey." Ardeth groaned again, and now Evy saw some color return to his face. Yes. His breathing also seemed much, much easier. She almost held her breath, but the tight grip Celia had on her prevented *that* from taking place.
And slowly. . .so slowly. . .his dark lashes moved. He was trying to wake up. Celia breathed, "Ardeth? Sweetheart? Wake up, please wake up." Ardeth's head turned toward her, as if he was trying to find her and Isis looked at Evy. The Englishwoman didn't want to release her friend. Not because she feared for Celia, but because she feared losing her balance. But she had no choice. She released Celia, who made her way to Ardeth's side on unsteady legs.
Evy looked back at the goddess, asking softly, "The poison has been withdrawn from his body. . .will he suffer any aftereffects from that poison?" General translation, what sorts of side effects would Ardeth find it necessary to deal with, over the next few days. Isis looked at her quickly, sharply. Celia was paying no attention to either of them, as her focus was entirely on her husband. Of course.
"There will be side effects, Evelyn. He will be violently ill the next time he awakens, as his body's immune system begins to work once more. Possibly a few times after that. Be ready for it, and you will minimize the amount of suffering he must deal with," Isis replied. Evy made a face. Which meant she could also look forward to sympathetic nausea.
"C'mon, Ardeth, wake up," Celia whispered, and Evy looked back at her friend. The American Med-jai queen was sitting beside her husband on the bed. Celia ran a trembling hand over his black hair, leaning forward to kiss his forehead, his closed eyes, his cheeks, the tip of his nose, his lips. Rick was standing on shaky legs, but Alex was keeping him upright, leading him back to Evy. The Englishwoman felt her husband's arms go around her protectively, both seeking and giving support.
Celia bowed her head, her forehead resting against Ardeth's. She whispered something which Evy couldn't hear, and probably didn't want to hear. A shimmering alerted her to Anck's return to the room. There was nothing she could do. Evy knew that. But she was there, nonetheless, and a quick glance told her that Anck-su-namun looked frightened. She didn't know how this would end. . .and Evy kept forgetting that Anck loved Ardeth as well.
There was a soft moan, then Ardeth rasped out, "Celia?" Evy buried her face in Rick's shirt, weeping in relief. He was awake, and his voice was the most beautiful sound Evy ever heard. Ardeth continued, his voice still rough, "I had such strange dreams, Celia. I dreamed of your grandparents. They love you so much. . . they're so proud of you."
There was a soft gasp from Celia, and Ardeth whispered, "Don't cry, Celia! I am so sorry, my wife, please forgive me." Evy had no idea why Ardeth was apologizing, but it didn't really matter, not right now. Not when Ardeth was awake. But why did he not see Horus and Isis? The answer came a moment later. . .because they didn't want him to see them. Isis merely kissed Celia's hair, took her son's hand once more. . .and then they vanished.
Evy blinked back tears, then returned her attention to Ardeth and Celia. Her friend and sister was saying in a voice made hoarse from crying, "Don't you dare apologize to me, you idiot! I love you so much, Ardeth. . .so much, and I'm so proud to be your wife." Through the tears now rolling down her cheeks, Evy saw that Ardeth drew Celia down to the bed beside him, so that she was lying in his arms.
"And I love you, my Celia. Shhh, don't cry," Ardeth answered, his voice thick with exhaustion. He gave a soft sigh, his cheek resting against Celia's hair, then the only sound was Celia's soft sobbing. Evy moved cautiously from her husband's arms, half-afraid of what she would find. Did the gods come too late? Was Ardeth gone from them for good? She wanted to talk to her brother, wanted to tell him how much she loved him, how important he was.
But now was not the time for that. As she reached Ardeth, she realized that he was asleep. . .asleep, not unconscious. And his wife lay in his arms, quietly crying from relief. There were so many things to be said, so many wrongs to be made right. But as she told Rick several nights earlier, after the dreams. . .that could wait. Isis told her to think, instead of simply act on impulse, as she so often did.
That started now. Isis was right. She could make no promises about other tombs, about her digs. Evy's promise would have been made in desperation, and she could have never kept that promise when her curiosity once more was piqued. And breaking her promise might have led to the forfeit of Ardeth's life. Evy gently tugged on Rick's arm, saying softly, "He needs to sleep right now, Rick. Let him."
Rick didn't want to. She could see that in his eyes. He wanted to shake Ardeth awake, and beg his forgiveness for a thousand little things done and said over the last eight years. Without saying a word, Evy begged him to put Ardeth's welfare first, instead of his own need for forgiveness. He fought it. She could see him fighting it. But something changed in his blue eyes, and Rick bowed his head. A soft sigh was released from him and he nodded.
"Let's go get some rest. . .all of us," Rick replied. Evy looked around, and for the first time, she saw her brother in the doorway behind her. Tears were running down his face as he stared at Ardeth and Celia sleeping in each other's arms. She looked back at Rick, feeling close to tears herself, and her husband added, "They'll be just fine, Evy. They'll be just fine."
Yes, they would. Anck was weeping as well, her brown eyes shining with relief and gratitude. Evy whispered, "Take care of them," and the ghost nodded. Then Evy leaned against her husband as they left Ardeth's room. It wasn't over, she knew that. But it was a beginning. Ardeth awakened, and he would begin to recover. Perhaps it would take him some time, but he and Celia weren't scheduled to be in Scotland until the following week. And it would give Rick and Evy the time they needed to make things right.
No, this wasn't over, not yet. . .but they were getting there. And for the first time in days, Evy O'Connell saw the light at the end of the tunnel. She just hoped that it was daylight, and not an oncoming train.