Yea! All done! The next story in this series is called 'Priorities,' and
Ardeth's not the one who gets hurt this time. Which doesn't mean I don't
torture him so more. I do. He tortures so beautifully! However, the next
story which I'll be posting is a little different. I took a new theme and
gave it a little twist. You know those Mummy high school fics? I
personally love Hamunaptra High, but rather than redoing another high
school fic, I decided to revisit the years which were my own personal
turning point. . .college! Imagine. . .Imhotep, the great gentleman jewel
thief, has taken refuge at a small university as a professor of art
history. Hot on his tracks are the step-brothers, Rick O'Connell and
Ardeth Bey, searching for something Imhotep took from the Med-jai. All
three men end up entangled with three sophomore roommates. . .Evy, the prim
and proper English girl, studying in the States; Anck-su-namun Cortez, who
was cursed with the name of King Tut's wife after her own mother read about
the ancient queen; and Celia Ferguson, the shy American who finds herself
acting as a bridge between Anck and Evy.
And let's not forget Beni, the janitor in the girl's dorm (yes, Beni fans,
he will be in this, and he'll help save the day); Lock-nah, Imhotep's
brutal enforcer; and Meela, Anck's twin cousin who delights in causing
trouble. It's untitled so far, but that will change, I'm sure.
Onto the reviews:
Sailor Elf: Yeah, they talked! I think this means that Rick won't be shooting his mouth off about Ardeth's personal business, but I wouldn't swear to it. You know Rick, after all. He's unpredictable at times.
Cindy: (grins, pleased) I'm really glad to hear that. I love working with these two, as well. And I do have a lot of fun, having Rick and Celia square off.
Deana: Yes, we do make Ardeth suffer, but in the end, it's all worth it. Hopefully.
Terreis: Yes, I saw the Mummy/Xena fanfic was updated, and I reviewed the new chapter! Great job! And you put me in the same category as Ruse and Deana! I'm flattered. . .I think! Honestly, though, I do torment other characters, aside from Ardeth. Look at what I did to Rick in this story, after all.
Part Ten/Epilogue
*It is done.* Celia looked inquiringly from her task to the speaker. Anck was listening intently to something only she could hear. The ghost returned her attention to the American woman, adding, *The conversation between O'Connell and Ardeth. It is done. You will be very pleased with your husband, my sister. And now, O'Connell begins to understand why things were done in this manner, though Ardeth heard everything that was said while he was between.*
"I wonder who explained it to him," Celia murmured, slicing up the last of the bananas, before placing them in the cereal. She inspected her fingers for any possible damage, then looked at Anck, adding, "It's really pathetic, you know that? I'm the wife of one of the finest swordsmen in the Med-jai nation, if not the finest, and I can't even slice bananas without making sure I didn't slice open any of my fingers."
Anck merely smirked and replied, *But you did not slice your fingers open, therefore, there is no reason for shame. Now, tell me about this custom of putting fruit on that grain.* Celia looked at the ghost, who shrugged and added, *I have been told that this 'cereal' is a form of grain. You put it in milk and then eat it? When did this begin?* Celia eyed her friend, folding her arms over her chest.
"You're changing the subject. Who explained to Rick the necessity of going through that whole thing?" she repeated. The subject of cereal, much less fruit on cereal, was irrelevant at the moment. She knew Rick O'Connell, and knew that he would have a hard time understanding, in the beginning, why it was necessary for him and Ardeth to talk, if Ardeth heard everything that was said while he was unconscious. And Celia knew about that. . .well, because of Anck-su-namun. How else?
*Terumun explained it to him,* Anck replied, *using an example which Evelyn probably would have understood better.* Celia raised an eyebrow questioningly, and Anck explained, *the sword of Damocles. . .forever suspended over his head, hanging by a thread.* Celia blinked. Anck was right. That example probably would have been better for Evy. Anck continued, *However, Terumun made him see that if the conversation did not take place, this incident would have remained between them forever, separating them. . .a sword of Damocles, hanging over his head. O'Connell, I mean.*
"Hmm. . .not bad. Not bad at all. Anck? Would you have told me about the what might have been scenarios, the ones which Rick, Evy, and Jonathan saw?" Celia asked. Anck looked away, then shook her head. That surprised the American. Anck kept few things from her. Celia asked next, her voice very gentle, "Why not? I'm not judging you, Anck, but I am curious. Why wouldn't you have told me?"
*Because it is as O'Connell said. The what might have been is not as important as what is. He was shown what might have been, because the gods were trying to teach him a lesson. He could not understand that lesson, without the proper perspective,* Anck replied. Celia nodded, understanding this. But she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her friend's retience than what she said so far. Anck lowered her eyes, adding in a low voice, *And because in two of those scenarios, I would have been Ardeth's lover until he found you.*
Celia felt her jaw become unhinged as she stared at the ghost, then closed her mouth with a snap. She said, "Well, that makes sense. . .you were afraid I'd be jealous?" Anck gave her a sidelong glance, then nodded very slowly. Celia bit her lower lip, trying to decide if she was, indeed, jealous of those what might have beens. After a moment, however, she let it go. She didn't see those scenarios. . .and really, to her, they weren't real. She said, "I'm not. I didn't see those scenarios, or any other. . .it's not real to me."
Anck sighed with relief, saying, *I am so glad. I can tell you now. Do you remember when I. . .reacted strangely to your mention of Senephra?* Celia nodded, remembering the incident in question rather easily. Anck continued, *There is a reason for that. In one of the scenarios, Senephra was my daughter. My daughter, and Ardeth's. She. . .there was an alternate reality, where Imhotep awoke in 1913. Senephra existed in that timeline.*
Okay, now that was a shocker. Ardeth and Anck as lovers was one thing. . .them having a child together was something else entirely. Celia sat down hard as her friend continued, *He defeated the Med-jai, and resurrected me. You were there, too. . .brought from the United States as a child, to be a house servant. Except. . .I recognized you. You were only ten years old, and you looked just as Ardath did when I first met her.*
Celia bobbed her head numbly. Anck knelt in front of her, whispering, *You told me, my sister, back when we had this conversation the first time, that you had faith in me. That you believed I would find a way to protect you, no matter what. You were right, Celia. And in that timeline, after Senephra was born. . .I gave birth to her, but you were her mother in every way that counted. And while Ardeth was my Med-jai, to do with as I saw fit. . .you held his heart.*
Anck shook her head, sighing, *O'Connell was not the only one who needed to see what might have been. I did as well. It is a good thing, the way things worked out. I see you now, so happy. You were never as happy in any of the other scenarios, not even when you were raising Senephra, much as you loved her. Things turned out as they were meant to turn out. . .as they should have. I would change none of it.*
Celia looked back at the ghost wonderingly. She could truly say that? With everything which happened to her over the last three thousand years? Anck nodded slowly, saying softly, *I would change none of it. I understand now. . .Imhotep and I did not belong together, at least not in that lifetime. And Imhotep's attempts to resurrect me. . .has only led to more misery for us both. Maybe some day that will change. But for you, my friend, the reincarnation of my best friend. . .for you, I gladly sacrifice those years I had Ardeth.*
Celia looked at her friend straight on, coming to a breathtaking conclusion. She said softly, "You loved him, didn't you? In those scenarios. . .you weren't just lovers, but you genuinely loved him." Anck's lips parted, and Celia nodded, thinking it through, "Yes, you must have loved him. You never considered Seti to be your lover, only Imhotep. You were Seti's mistress, his concubine, his wife to be. But never his lover."
*Tiyu. Imhotep. . .after he conquered the world, he became distant. You will be pleased to know, my sister, that your United States never bowed down to him. He was not particularly interested in the United States, however, for he did not consider that country to be important. He took what he wanted from your country. . .namely, you and your brother. . .and killed your parents,* Anck answered. She paused, then added, *Your mother died trying to protect you.*
Another shock, one of many during the last few days. Anck went on, *At the same time, the surviving Med-jai were brought in. Mainly, women and children. Imhotep gave the order to kill the remaining warriors. . .along with their wives. The children were to be enslaved. The Med-jai chieftain. . .Suleiman Bey. . .offered his life in exchange for the freedom of his children. He was a father, as well as a chieftain, after all. He saw most of his warriors killed. He could not save his people, but he had a chance to save his children.*
Anck sighed, remembering that other version of 1913, and said, *Imhotep knew he could not allow that. So long as any of the Med-jai remained free, they would be a source of hope for those who remained behind. So, instead, he killed Suleiman Bey, as well as his wife, but protected the five children in his own way. And on his own terms. He gave the second son, Ardeth, to me. As a gift, to do with as I saw fit. Imhotep knew I would never hurt a child, much less a boy of thirteen. His brother Andreas did not fare so well. When Ardeth was fifteen, Andreas led a revolt against Imhotep. . .and died.*
"There's more to it than what you're telling me, isn't there?" Celia asked, having the uncomfortable sensation that Anck was holding out on her. Anck looked away from her, and Celia thought about what she was hearing. . .and what she wasn't hearing. She asked slowly, "You said that Andreas led the revolt against Imhotep, and died. Where was Ardeth during this revolt, and why didn't he die?"
*Because, my forever friend, Ardeth was fighting for his very life. There was no way he could take part in the revolt. Imhotep rose because of Lock-nah and his men. They successfully raised him. When Imhotep took control, first of Egypt, then most of the world, Lock-nah was made into. . .I believe you call him an 'enforcer.' There was bad blood between Andreas and Lock-nah. From what I learned, Andreas picked a fight with Lock-nah, winning that fight.*
Celia couldn't imagine Lock-nah took that very well. She was right. Anck continued, *Humiliated at his defeat, Lock-nah took it out on Ardeth. He and his men beat Ardeth almost to death. You found him, and brought him to me. Andreas reacted predictably, and died for it. But he was not the only one who paid for the revolt. Imhotep held Lock-nah accountable for what happened, since he attacked Andreas' younger brother. That solidified the bad blood between Ardeth and Lock-nah. Over the years, there were more skirmishes. I finally took Ardeth to my bed when he was seventeen, to protect him.*
"Imhotep gave Ardeth to you, to do with as you saw fit. . .including taking him to your bed. But why would he do that? Ardeth was only thirteen when this happened, just a boy. Why would Imhotep do such a thing?" Celia asked. She frowned thoughtfully as she pushed herself to her feet once more. She still had work to do. Her husband was hungry, and she had to take care of him.
*Celia, in some ways, you are such an innocent. Imhotep was trying to humiliate Ardeth, by giving him to me as a. . .as a toy, as a pet Med- jai. He could not bring himself to physically harm the boy, but there are more than one way of destroying an opponent. He never believed that I could come to love Ardeth. But how could I not? He was so innocent. . .and so very brave. Even at thirteen, he was a protector, and because of your kindness to him at your first meeting, Ardeth appointed himself as your protector,* Anck replied.
Anck was right. That never even occurred to Celia. The ghost went on, *When Ardeth was seventeen, I took him to my bed. I made my mark on him, and let all the world know that anyone who harmed Ardeth would answer to me. By this time, Imhotep was lost in the nightmare that comes from ruling the world. . .or most of it. And I was lonely. Terribly lonely. Imhotep would be gone for several days or weeks, and you and Ardeth were my greatest source of comfort. When I took Ardeth to my bed, you were only fourteen years old.*
Make my mark on him. Celia looked at her friend, asking softly, "Did you realize, when you took Ardeth to your bed, that you were repeating history?" Anck frowned at her, and Celia explained slowly, "Anck. . .you've forgotten the incident which led to Seti using the paint. To you, it was a symbol of your slavery. But in the beginning. . .in the beginning, it was Seti's attempt at protecting you from attacks."
Celia gleaned that information from Lady Ardath's memories. She died before the attempted rape occurred, but it was still something she saw. Anck went very pale, and Celia continued slowly, "Seti was trying to protect you, originally, with the paint. One of Khaldun's disciples attacked you, tried to rape you, after he saw you and Imhotep together. Remember? If a man tried to hurt you again, Seti could find out who did it. He made his mark on you."
Now, there was no color in Anck's face. She whispered, *I. . .never even thought about it. I was. . .almost half-sick after it happened. I wanted to forget about it. Wanted to forget about how helpless I felt, and. . .I wanted to forget how it felt when Seti held me, after the attack. I did not want to feel that way when he held me, so safe and secure, I only wanted to feel that way when Imhotep held me. Oh, Celia, what did I do?*
Anck wiped away a tear with the back of her hand, repeating, *I never even thought about it like that, but you are right! I tried to protect Ardeth, just as Seti tried to protect me. And. . .just like Seti, I drove Ardeth away. Lock-nah's fury could only be diverted for so long. Over the next four years, things grew more and more tense. That night. . .the night which changed everything. . .he had an altercation with you. Rick O'Connell, who escaped slavery by becoming a thief, pushed Lock-nah away from you. Frustrated, Lock-nah decided to go after Ardeth. By this time, everyone but me knew how the two of you felt about each other.*
By now, the tears were flowing freely. She whispered, *Lock-nah found Ardeth alone in the practice room. It. . .amused. . .Imhotep to teach Ardeth how to fight, or rather, finish his training. He was so sure Ardeth would never rise against him, for the fates of his sisters and brother hinged on Ardeth. He knew it. Imhotep knew it. Lock-nah found Ardeth in the practice room. . .then went to find three of his underlings.*
Celia could guess what came next, but Anck rasped out around her tears, *He was almost dead when you found him. O'Connell was with you. . .actually, you were his hostage. O'Connell didn't want to save Ardeth, for he knew that he warmed my bed. And O'Connell was there to kill me. They sent a thief to do the work of an assassin. But seeing Ardeth. . .he couldn't refuse. You brought him to me, and I knew that Ardeth could no longer stay in the palace. I put him in your care, though it broke my heart to say good-bye to you. I loved you so much. I loved both of you so much.*
"Did Imhotep know we were going?" Celia asked softly, and Anck nodded, wiping away her tears. That confused Celia. Why would Imhotep agree to it? Yes, Anck told her that Imhotep became very distant over the years. Simple math told her that by the time O'Connell came on the scene, nearly eight years passed since Imhotep's rising. Ardeth would have been twenty-one, and a genuine threat to Imhotep's power.
*He believed Ardeth was dying. That was what I told him. Ardeth was dying, and I was taking him to his people for burial. Imhotep agreed. But as I planned the escape, I realized I was pregnant. . .and the odds were good the child was Ardeth's. So, I pretended to be a hostage in the hands of the Tuaregs for the next several months, as Ardeth regained his strength, and my pregnancy advanced. When Senephra was born, I rested for a few weeks, before I 'escaped' and returned to the palace,* Anck replied.
"And by this time, Ardeth and I were together," Celia observed. Anck nodded with a watery smile. Going by guesswork alone, the American continued, "So. . .you led O'Connell, Ardeth, and me out. . .there were Med- jai remaining, and it was to them that we went. Probably because you risked your own life to save Ardeth, the Med-jai didn't kill you."
*Tiyu. I took Anatol, Aleta, and Acacia with us. We went to the Med- jai city of Tiri, which was spared Imhotep's wrath, because he did not know about it. You also had something to do with my life being spared. You told the Med-jai that I protected Ardeth to the best of my abilities. You were only eighteen years old, but you were angry and frightened, and you would not back down until my safety was guaranteed,* Anck replied.
She paused to take a breath, then went on, *After Senephra was born, I returned. Things remained quiet for the next twelve years, until your year 1933, the Year of the Scorpion. Imhotep was drawn to the legend of the Scorpion King, and by this time, he decided he did not have enough power. He would take the Bracelet of Anubis, and awaken the Scorpion King, then kill him. Word reached us of a Med-jai stronghold, and Imhotep wanted the Med-jai wiped off the face of the planet. Along with anyone else who stood against him.*
"So. . .Rick, Ardeth, Evy and I decided we would stop him, except things played out much differently during this particular year of the Scorpion?" Celia guessed. She was having a hard time coming to terms with this version of reality, though she didn't doubt that Anck saw exactly what she told Celia about. Probably more, because Anck was utterly dedicated to protecting her, if only from unpleasantness.
*Again, tiyu. Jonathan and Evelyn were sheltered by the Tiri Med- jai, after the fall of Suleiman Bey, and the deaths of your own parents. Their own parents were killed at the same time, you see, sacrificing themselves so the children could escape. Rick and Evelyn fell in love and married. They did have a son named Alex, who was eight years old in that 1933, but he was not the same Alex O'Connell. When we retrieved the Bracelet of Anubis, the four of you set out to stop Imhotep, while Jonathan remained behind with Alex, Senephra, and Miranda. . .who would have existed as Ardeth's own daughter,* Anck explained.
She took another deep breath, then continued, *During the chase, Imhotep's front-man, Hafez, learned of Tiri, and about Senephra. He went to Med-jai lands, and kidnapped Senephra. She would be our insurance against intervention, or so he planned. Imhotep was furious that an innocent child, who could add nothing to the quest, was involved. But not as furious as I was, when I walked into the temple and saw my twelve year old daughter bound on altar of Anpu.*
Celia knew that Anpu was the original name of Anubis, the name by which Imhotep and Anck-su-namun knew the god. Anck looked up, tears rolling down her cheeks, and said, *I made my choice. I would save my little Senephra, or I would die trying. And I did. Lock-nah killed me, for turning against his Lord, and as I died, I watched my daughter run into the arms of the only mother she ever knew. As I died, I saw Ardeth draw his sword to meet Lock-nah.*
Anck wiped away her tears once more, adding, *I died before I could tell you, or Ardeth, or Senephra, how much I loved you. But that was all right, because you three were safe. Imhotep went insane when he saw me fall before Lock-nah's sword. Insane with grief. He. . .he seemed to suddenly realize that everything we fought so hard for, three thousand years ago. . .it was over. It was all for nothing. When Ardeth cut Lock- nah down, Senephra still weeping in your arms. . .Imhotep ordered all of remaining men to throw down their weapons and surrender.*
"I don't imagine that went over real well," Celia murmured and Anck laughed in spite of herself. Celia looked at her friend, saying softly, "You placed your life at risk to save me and Ardeth, and then you sacrificed your own life to save your daughter. Stop doubting yourself, Anck. For all the mistakes you made, and the wrong turns. . .you still have a good heart. It was you who did those things, or would have done those things. . .not Meela."
Anck's lips parted, as she finally came to understand what Celia was saying. Celia smiled at her, herself on the verge of tears, and said, "Don't you see, Anck? That is the reason why Ma'at believed that you deserved a chance at redemption, at atonement! For all the wrong you did, you still have a good heart. You still protect those whom you love, no matter what the circumstances. Believe it now, and for all time. Meela abandoned Imhotep. . .and it was Meela who stabbed Evy. Not Anck-su- namun."
Anck started to take a breath, but Celia wasn't finished. She asked softly, "When Imhotep resurrected you the second time, at Hamunaptra, back in 1926. . .how aware were you? Of what was going on around you, of the people, aside from Imhotep? Focus only on that moment, not what came later." Anck frowned, her eyes narrowing as she concentrated. Celia watched her friend's expression change as she tried to focus on that moment.
*I. . .I remember. . .settling into my body. Taking a breath, as I did the first time. And it hurt. Not just breathing. I was still dead, though my corpse was animated. And. . .the brightness from the girl on the slab next to me. It hurt. It. . .it is like being blind, and then suddenly, you are exposed to light. It hurts. She hurt me. I heard Imhotep tell her that her death would bring me back. She did not want to die. I wanted to live,* Anck replied, her words coming out in stops and starts.
"You didn't know it was Nefertiri reborn, did you? You only knew that this girl, whose life shone from her with such brightness, was your ticket back to life. That was all you knew, that was all you needed to know. You didn't hate Evy. . .Nefertiri reborn. You hated that she was alive, and you were dead. You were lashing out. . .weren't you?" Celia asked softly. Anck lowered her eyes as she processed that.
*I. . .do not know. I resented Nefertiri, yes, but I never hated her. I never really wanted to hurt her. Maybe scratches, or something, so she would understand what life was truly like. She was my student. And she learned so quickly. I. . .I told her that I would have to watch my back. But it was meant as a joke. And a compliment. But. . .* Anck replied softly. She looked at Celia, asking almost pleadingly, *Ardath understood that? That I would never harm Nefertiri? If I wished to do that, I would have never taught her to fight, to defend herself!*
"You've convinced me, Anck. But I've never truly believed that you wanted to hurt Nefertiri, or Evelyn. You're the one who is doubting yourself. Anck, even before I got all of Ardath's memories back, I knew that you couldn't be as bad as you thought you were. Someone who loves with such abandonment, who is willing to sacrifice her life to save her man. . .even though I think you could have both escaped. . .there has to be some good there," Celia replied. She paused, then added softly, "You know, you and Rick O'Connell are a lot alike."
Anck glared at her through her remaining tears, an indignant retort on her lips, but Celia trumped her, saying, "Oh, it's true. Let's see here. You both have good hearts, when you remember to use them, and you both tend to lash out blindly, usually without thinking. Okay, that was redundant. I'll phrase it this way. You lash out blindly, and get yourself into trouble by not thinking first. Is that better?"
*Marginally,* Anck replied, and she was almost pouting. Celia tried not to smile, and Anck continued, still pouting, *You should take that cereal upstairs to your husband, before the whatever-they-are-called get all soggy. I do not think Ardeth would like that very much.* Celia stuck her tongue out at her friend, but picked up the tray and opened the swinging kitchen door with her hip. If she was in luck, Evy was still in bed.
"So I should, but you're avoiding the question. Oh, and here's something else to scare you. The other reason why Imhotep can't stand Rick? Aside from the fact that he keeps foiling your boyfriend's attempts at world domination, of course," Celia replied, walking through the foyer and upstairs to the bedrooms on the second floor. She ignored Anck's muttered, 'I can hardly wait for this,' and continued, "It's because they're also a lot like. They're two sides of the same coin. Opposites."
*You are right,* Anck replied with a shudder as they reached the top step, *that is frightening. Very frightening. Is Lock-nah, then, the diametric opposite to your husband?* Celia was on the point of answering, when Anck added, *Yes, he is. Polar opposites. Ardeth is no angel. . .but he does not inflict pain for the sheer pleasure of it. Lock-nah did. I had access to Meela's thoughts while we were merged in her body. She remembered him saying, when Meela mentioned the Book of the Living takes life away, that he thought that was his job. He enjoyed causing pain. Enjoyed killing. Enjoyed. . .*
She stopped, her eyes flying to Celia's face. The American would have pressed Anck on the issue, but it was then that they arrived at the guest bedroom. Rick was still with her husband, but he rose to his feet and opened the door a little wider for her to enter with the tray. Anck was right. The tension in this room was significantly decreased. Ardeth looked tired, but a little less wary, while Rick looked more. . .at ease. And more hopeful.
She said, "Well, the room's in one piece, and so are you both. I wasn't entirely sure if I should go downstairs and get this ready, leave the two of you alone." Anck snickered at her side, reassuring Celia that her friend would be all right. The battle to remind Anck of whom she was, once upon a time, was ongoing. But they made a lot of progress today. Rick glared at her, while Ardeth covered his smile with his hand. But Celia knew he was laughing, because his eyes were sparkling in that special way she loved so much.
"That isn't funny," Rick grumped. That drew a full-throated laugh from Anck, and he glared at her, grumping further, "Stop laughing, dammit, or I'll. . .I'll. . .I'll. . .!" He glared at her all over again, though Anck refrained from pointing out to him that there wasn't much he COULD do to her, considering she was dead, and didn't have a physical body. Celia, however, had no such scruples.
"Yes, Rick? Just what *are* you planning to do? She doesn't have a corporeal form, it's not like you can do anything to her, aside from stick out your tongue. Which would probably frighten her," Celia replied with a smirk. It was a good thing Anck didn't have a corporeal form. If she did, she would have been sliding down the wall, laughing hysterically by now.
Rick glared at her and whined, "Be nice to me!" Now Anck's ghostly image was lying on the ground, laughing soundlessly. She was laughing so hard, she couldn't even breathe. Wait a minute. . .a ghost. Breathing. Never mind, she didn't want to follow through with that. Instead, Celia contented herself with torturing Rick in any way, shape, or form that she could. It was fun, after all. She had her husband back, and. . .
"AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Anck was on her feet immediately, telling Celia, *I hate to tell you this, but that sounded like Ardath when she went into labor.* She didn't need to tell Celia that. The American had Ardath's memories, after all, plus her own memories of going into labor with Miranda. The trouble was, by the time she was in *that* much pain, she was several hours into labor. Evy wouldn't. . .oh, yes, she would!
"That's because Evy's been in labor for the last few hours, and didn't tell anyone!" Celia retorted grimly. Both men stared at her, wop- jawed, and Ardeth moved forward, as if he meant to get out of bed. Celia and Rick both stopped him, Celia adding, "You stay here!" To Rick, she added, "You, stay with him!" Then she looked at Anck, adding, "And you're coming with me!" She didn't even wait for Anck to nod. . .just flew out of the room.
. . .
"I *hate* it when she throws my own words back in my face!"
O'Connell was pacing back and forth, making Ardeth very tired. The Med-jai said dryly as the other man made another pass across the floor, "You should get used to it. She makes a habit of doing such things. She has done it to me already. Unless you thought you were somehow special. . .?" He lifted his eyebrows at O'Connell, who swore at him in what Ardeth thought was French, but couldn't be sure.
"Annoying little pain in. . .EVY!" O'Connell cried out, stopping dead in his tracks as another scream tore through the house. He started for the door, only to stop once again as Jonathan flung the door open. Right, in fact, into. . .oh, that must have hurt! O'Connell stumbled back, swearing and clutching at his face.
"Oh, I say, old man, I'm sorry! Do you know what that loud screaming is?" Jonathan asked, blissfully unaware of everything which happened during the last few hours. Ardeth wondered if he left the house on errands, as he hadn't seen the Englishman at all since O'Connell first came to his room a few hours earlier. Jonathan looked at Ardeth and beamed, saying, "It's good to see you awake and alert, there, old boy! You had us quite worried!"
"Thank you, Jonathan, for everything you did for my wife. She has told me that you took good care of her," Ardeth replied. Actually, she didn't. . .Ardeth saw it for himself, but Jonathan didn't need to know that right now. He continued after a moment, "And Evelyn has gone into labor, which is where Celia is now, along with Anck-su-namun." However, even as the words were spoken, the black-haired concubine phased into his bedroom.
She looked at O'Connell, then at Ardeth, asking in ancient Egyptian, *What happened to him?* O'Connell scowled at her, which didn't seem to bother her in the least. Anck shrugged, turned her full attention to Ardeth, and said, *The baby is almost here. Celia wanted you to know, so you would keep O'Connell here a little longer. She is afraid he might come into the room while she is helping Evelyn, and end up underfoot.*
*I understand,* Ardeth replied in the same language, *do you require aid from Jonathan? And where is young Alex?* Anck looked at Jonathan with a critical eye, then shook her head. Ardeth wasn't sure if she meant that she didn't need help at all, help from Jonathan, or if she didn't know where Alex O'Connell was. With this woman, it was anyone's guess, and Ardeth preferred not to guess.
*No, Celia wants him to stay here. She thought you could use the help here, keeping O'Connell under control. And Alex is across the street. His mother sent him over to play a few hours ago. Celia believes that Evelyn has been in labor for several hours, but would not tell us. Do you believe she would be that foolish?* Anck asked. Ardeth just looked at her, trying to figure out exactly how he should answer that.
*Foolish, no. Willful, yes. She is willful, and if she believes someone else is in greater need for attention than she. . ." he replied at last. Anck raised her eyebrows, grinning impishly. Ardeth learned to fear that expression in the last six months. When it didn't mean that she was getting ready to play a prank, it meant she was playing verbal chess, and she was preparing to take his king.
*Oh. Just like you, then. Like brother, like sister,* Anck chirped, looking *very* pleased with herself. Ardeth glared at the woman, and Anck added, *Do not look at me like that, not when you collapsed at the train station, because you would not swallow your pride and stay here! You have absolutely no room to talk, and I intend to make sure you never frighten my little sister like that again!*
Before Ardeth had a chance to answer her, Anck froze, murmuring, *I must go. Celia needs my help.* With that, she vanished once more. Leaving Ardeth to wonder exactly *why* his wife needed her. Anck could do nothing physical, as it required too much mental energy.
Besides, Jonathan was sitting at the foot of his bed with a companionable smile. He looked from Ardeth to O'Connell and back again, asking brightly, "SO! Did you boys get everything cleared up between you?" Ardeth looked at the American, who was still rubbing his face, and Jonathan followed his gaze, adding in a stage whisper, "Turnabout is fair play, you know." Ardeth hid a smile and nodded gravely.
O'Connell took up position on the other edge of the bed, saying, "One, I never opened a door in your face, and two, yes, we did. Where the hell have you been?" Ardeth raised his eyebrow at the other man questioningly. O'Connell added, "Sorry, Jonathan. It seems that my previous incarnation has decided to take me in hand and make me behave. I don't like people putting words in my mouth.*
"Literally," Ardeth observed, enjoying this rare opportunity to tease O'Connell. It also gave him a chance to find this new balance he mentioned to the other man. O'Connell now knew how far he could push Ardeth. . .perhaps it was time for Ardeth to learn the same about the other man? Jonathan laughed at Ardeth's comment, while O'Connell muttered under his breath, the same question he always asked. 'Who are you and what have you done with Ardeth?'
"Well. . .I'm glad you two have made up. Rick was getting on everyone's nerves. I say, Ardeth, did Anck tell you what was going on? I know Evy is in labor, but you two had a long conversation while she was in here," Jonathan asked. Ardeth settled against his pillows more comfortably, taking a bite of the cereal his wife prepared for him. He wasn't entirely sure what the small beige discs were, floating atop the milk, but he was willing to trust Celia.
"Yes. . .Celia is with Evelyn, along with Anck-su-namun. They have asked that I keep you both here. Or rather, that I should ask your help in keeping O'Connell under control. The child is almost here, and Celia is afraid O'Connell would only complicate things right now," Ardeth replied, once he swallowed the mouthful. He realized, much to his shock, that the small discs were none other than sliced up bananas. He also discovered he liked that.
O'Connell looked indignant, but didn't protest. Though the air was clear between them (a term Ardeth would ask Celia to explain to him sometime), he looked somewhat uncomfortable. The boundaries changed, and O'Connell seemed unwilling to speak out of turn. That in turn made Ardeth uncomfortable in some ways. He was not a man who gloated. He usually had little reason to gloat, so he did not know how.
"Ah, Celia's afraid old Rick will get underfoot, is she?" Jonathan asked and Ardeth nodded. The Englishman was on the verge of saying more, when Anck phased back into the room, her lovely face wreathed in smiles. It was a genuine, from her heart smile. Not a smirk of malice or of triumph. But she was joyous about the new life which joined them, a new life which Ardeth and the other men heard in the cry of a newborn baby.
However, that did not stop her from saying, first in ancient Egyptian, then in English, "Your daughter has arrived safely, Mr O'Connell. She is healthy and beautiful, and your wife has suffered no ill effects!"
The room erupted in cheers, and all three men left the bed. At least, O'Connell and Jonathan got up from the bed and headed for the door. Ardeth was struggling to sit up properly. Anck cleared her throat rather loudly, and both O'Connell and Jonathan stopped dead. As one, they turned around and Ardeth looked up. . .to find a haunted expression in both pairs of eyes. He knew not what they saw. . .but it wasn't him, trying to ease the breakfast tray to one side.
Jonathan took the breakfast tray and moved it, while O'Connell put his arm around Ardeth's waist and helped him to stand up. As he did in the bathroom earlier that day (was it the same day?), O'Connell murmured, "Easy, let me do all the work." This time, he could do that, for his legs seemed inclined to collapse. As Jonathan took his other side, helping him out the door and down the hall, Ardeth wondered once more what was going on. Later. He would find out later. Now, he had a niece to welcome into this world.
. . .
Anck phased back into the delivery room, where Celia was cleaning up Evelyn. Helping Ardeth would slow the other men down, giving her friend enough time to straighten up the room and return the babe to her mother. Anck heard Ardeth's thoughts, of course, as O'Connell and Carnahan turned to face him. She heard him wondering what they saw, and knowing they didn't see him, as he was.
And he was right. Instead, they saw the same thing Anck did. Him falling to Meela's blade in the shade of the Golden Pyramid. They saw Rick O'Connell leaving him to die inside Ahm Shere, as the pyramid began its slow descent into the sand. She knew, because she saw into their minds. She knew, because she had that same image. . .those same images. . .burned into her own heart and soul.
Now, they made their way down the hallway, the three men. Two supporting the third between them. And in the room, Celia placed the baby in her mother's arms. Anck stared at the child, this reincarnation of her own niece, of Miriam, who never had a chance to live. She vowed to protect this child, as she could not protect her in the past. She still did not know the baby's name, but that was not important.
Inside the room, Celia was seated at the foot of Evelyn's bed. O'Connell kept ahold of Ardeth, while Jonathan Carnahan pushed the door to his sister's room open. Anck almost smiled, seeing the pixie-ish grin now decorating her best friend's face. Celia was sitting cross-legged at the foot of the bed, her elbow resting on one knee, and her face cupped in that hand. She didn't look any older than fourteen or fifteen, and Anck recalled Ardath sitting in that exact position in the days before she came to the attention of Rameses.
O'Connell helped Ardeth to sit down beside Evelyn, before leaning over to kiss his wife. Jonathan rolled his eyes, mouthing 'oh please.' Anck's smile widened, more than a little sympathetic. O'Connell and his wife got on her nerves as well. She was fairly certain that they kissed more often than Ardeth and Celia, and those two could get just as annoying. In a few minutes, Jonathan would leave the room to retrieve little Alex.
For now, O'Connell stepped back and Evelyn placed her daughter in Celia's arms, before leaning forward to wrap Ardeth in a fierce embrace. She whispered against his hair, "We were so afraid we would lose you for good, Ardeth! I'm so sorry for everything. . .we all love you so much." She kissed his cheek, then pulled back. There was a devilish light in her brown eyes, and Anck wasn't entirely sure what was to come. Evelyn still hadn't told them the name of her newborn daughter, the reincarnation of Anck's niece, but. . .
She took her daughter back into her own arms, handling the little girl as if she was a piece of fragile glass. With a bright smile, she said, "Everyone, I would like you to meet our new daughter. . .Nefertiri Ardath O'Connell. That's Ardath with an 'a,' just so you know." If she was capable of such things, Anck knew her eyes would have bugged out of her head. Did. . .did she say 'Ardath,' or was Anck hearing things? Did she. . .was Evelyn naming her daughter after Anck's forever friend?
No. . .she wasn't hearing things. Evelyn named her daughter, in part, after Anck's beloved sister. The proof was in Celia's smug grin. How was it that Jonathan Carnahan put it once? She looked like the cat who ate the canary. What that meant, Anck wasn't entirely certain, but she was used to that. Ninety percent of the time, she had no idea what a particular saying meant.
"Nefertiri Ardath? Evy, you sure you wanna saddle her with that?" Rick asked, then yelped as Jonathan gave him a brain duster. The American gave his brother-in-law a Look, but Jonathan didn't look in the least bit worried. Ignoring them both, Evelyn eased forward, though Anck saw her face tighten in pain. Nefertiri reborn placed this new Nefertiri into the arms of her brother's reincarnation.
Or, at least, she tried. Ardeth pulled back, his dark eyes wide with fear. Evelyn said, "It's all right, Ardeth, you won't hurt her. Rick, not a word out of you, or you'll be sleeping on the floor of the guestroom for a month." Anck snickered. . .she knew just as well as Evelyn did what Rick was about to say. . .he meant to tease Ardeth about being afraid of a helpless baby. That wasn't the case and he knew it.
Again, Evelyn gently nudged her daughter into Ardeth's arms, and this time, hesitantly, he took the child. There were other good reasons for him not to hold Nefertiri. He could be concerned about how weak he would be after being so sick. But he had no reason to fear, because as his arms closed around the infant, Evelyn braced her hands against his elbows, giving her own strength to him. She whispered, "This is your uncle Ardeth, sweet girl. You remember I told you about him?" Nefertiri made an indistinguishable noise. . .she could have had gas, for all Anck knew, but Evelyn said with delight, "You do remember! There's a good girl!"
"She is. . .so beautiful," Ardeth whispered, staring down at the newborn. Anck swallowed hard, feeling a bittersweet emotion swamp over her. Perhaps it was because she told Celia about Senephra, a child who haunted her ever since Anck saw that alternate 1913 and proceeding timeline. But Anck felt suddenly envious of both Evelyn and Ardath, both of whom knew the sweetness of holding her own child.
"Yes, she is. . .and this makes a lovely picture," Celia said, reaching over to rub her husband's shoulder. He flashed her a tired smile, and Evelyn took her daughter back. Ardeth gave up Nefertiri reluctantly. Anck didn't blame him. She wouldn't have wanted to give up that precious little girl for any reason. She didn't know if that was because Anck knew her to be the reincarnation of Miriam, the niece she never had a chance to love, or she was a reminder of what Anck might have had, in that what might have been. Or if there was something else.
She would probably never know. Rick O'Connell said suddenly in a decisive voice, "Okay, enough ogling of the baby. Evy, back to bed. Jonathan, help Ardeth back to his own room. He's still recovering from being sick, and we don't want him relapsing." Anck raised her eyebrows at his authoritative tone, and Ardeth's sharp glance at the other man. So Anck wasn't the only one who noticed that he didn't give Ardeth a say in the matter, then.
She was on the verge of pointing out to O'Connell that Ardeth was a grown man, and perfectly capable of deciding for himself when he would return to his bed. Then she saw the concern in his eyes when he looked at Ardeth, and realized that Rick was being protective of another man in the only way he knew how to be. He would never be what was called 'mushy,' but there were many ways to show affection.
"Celia, would you put Nefertiri into her bassinet? I am sleepy," Evelyn acknowledged. Anck barely held back a grin at that. She was surprised Evelyn even admitted that. A conspiratorial wink from the Englishwoman, however, told Anck that she was trying to get Ardeth to go to bed, without being overt about it. Sneaky. Very sneaky. Ardeth Bey would always put the welfare of others above his own. And Evelyn knew that.
So did Celia. She scooped Nefertiri into her arms, whispering softly to the child in ancient Egyptian. She knew. Celia knew that Nefertiri was the reincarnation of Miriam. Her daughter, her niece. Who else knew? A glance at Evelyn told her that there was a good chance the Englishwoman knew. Did Rameses tell her? Anck didn't know. She never discussed such things with her two friends.
As Celia carried Nefertiri to her bassinet, Jonathan helped Ardeth to his feet. The Med-jai swayed a little on his feet, his face tightening with pain. Pain? Well. . .yes. He would be in pain. His muscles would be paining him. Evelyn looked to her husband expectantly, and O'Connell nodded. He put his arm around Ardeth's waist, allowing the Med-jai to lean against him, then the two able-bodied men helped their still-recovering friend from the room. From her position beside Celia, Anck could see the way Rick O'Connell reacted every time Ardeth even grimaced in pain. Like Celia, she knew that the American cared for Ardeth. But it was time Rick understood that for himself.
The three women were silent for several moments. Looking over Celia's shoulder, Anck could tell that baby Nefertiri was already asleep, and Celia murmured, "She'll sleep, in all, about eighteen hours at this age. That's what I remember from when Miranda was a baby. And my grandmother told me that, when Jason was born." She looked up from the baby, a tiny smile on her face as she added, "I was five years old, and sooooo disappointed that my new brother would sleep so much. I thought he would be able to play immediately."
Anck laughed, as did Evelyn. Celia's smile faded as she murmured her brother's name. She looked at them, asking softly, "Have I been unreasonable with Jason and with Rick? I. . .we, that is, Jason and I, we've made progress since Hamunaptra. But. . .I keep feeling that I should be doing more. Giving more. And Rick. I know he's trying. Would you have done any differently in my position, Evy?"
The Englishwoman held her hand out to Celia, drawing her onto the bed beside her. Once Celia was seated, Evelyn replied in a low voice, "I think, Celia, that you have given so much to your brother over the last twenty-five years, that you're uncomfortable with taking. You don't know how, and that makes you feel like he's doing all the work. . .when the truth is, he's trying to balance the scales. Just as Rick is now."
Evelyn paused, smothering a yawn with the back of her hand, then continued, "As for Rick. . .over the last few months, I've watched things deteriorate between the two of you. I can't imagine what it must be like, to find the other half of your heart after three thousand years. As memories of my previous lives return to me, I'm discovering that Ardeth was right. Again. There's never been a time when Rick didn't protect me, when he wasn't in my life. That's something you and Ardeth haven't had."
Anck rolled her eyes and said, *Translation being, it bothers her, but given the circumstances, she's certainly not complaining.* Evelyn glared at her. Oops. She forgot Evelyn spoke the old tongue. No, she didn't. She did that on purpose. Well, if the silly girl would actually get to the point, there would be no need for Anck to finish her sentences for her! Anck added, just to further annoy Evelyn, *And if you are overly protective of Ardeth, you have good reason to be.* And stuck her tongue out at Evelyn, crossing her eyes at the same time.
"Now, now, children, don't make me separate you," Celia said, laughing. She laughed even harder when Evelyn stuck *her* tongue out at Anck and crossed her eyes. Finding common ground is always necessary when creating something new. She found common ground with Ardeth Bey, for they were united in their determination to protect Celia. She was finding new common ground with Evelyn O'Connell, common ground of a different sort. Celia looked at them both when she brought her laughter under control, and asked in a voice filled with wonderment, "It really will be all right, won't it?" Anck just smiled at her. Yes, it would.
. . .
There were times when it was hard to tell Lady Ardath from Celia Ferguson. . . rather, Celia Ferguson Bey. Though she was now married to Ardeth, there were times Rameses found it difficult to remember. And this was one time when he saw no difference between his beloved and her reincarnation. In part because Rameses now saw the same wondering look on his Ardath's face that was visible on Celia's. And Ardath murmured, at the same time as her reincarnation, *It really will be all right, won't it?*
And just as Anck thought only a moment earlier, Rameses replied, *Yes, my love. It truly will be all right, if only for now. For this situation has been resolved, and Rick O'Connell has turned a corner. When our child next needs him, there will be no hesitation on the part of O'Connell.* Ardath frowned at that. She knew of what he spoke, but she was uncomfortable with their part in this. . .or rather, their lack of a role.
Rameses put his hands on her shoulders, turning her to face him. He cupped her face in his hands, saying softly, *My love, my sweet Ardath. Our role is done here. We were needed to make O'Connell understand, and now he does. Anck-su-namun will remain behind, and she will care for our child. We cannot aid her, for this is something she must do alone, if we want Ardeth to survive the next great crisis.*
She knew all too well what he meant. They knew some of what was to come, they learned of these things after Ardeth returned to his wife. But they were forbidden to tell the others. Especially Anck. That was something else Ardath found difficult. She never could lie to Anck, and rarely tried. Most people thought Ardath simply too honest to lie. . .or too simple-minded. . .but that, as ever, was an oversimplification.
She could lie, and did lie, without hesitation. . .unless the other person, the person to whom she was lying, was someone for whom she cared deeply. Lying to Anck or Rameses was always nearly impossible for her. This lie of omission was as devastating to her as a lie of commission, but Rameses knew it was necessary. Even if Celia was convinced that Anck was essentially a good person who made some terrifically bad judgments, the ancient gods were another story, and Anck was still proving herself to them.
They all knew how far Anck would go, to protect Ardath or Celia. That was made clear in the scenarios. She was prepared to sacrifice her very life, if need be. But the sacrifices she made to protect Ardeth, in the what might have beens, were not great at all. She took him to her bed to protect him, but he was young and handsome, gentle in spirit, and skilled in battle. There was no sacrifice in that. And by the time she took him to her bed, her love for Imhotep was slowly dying. At the same time, Imhotep had what he wanted, and fruit that was no longer forbidden was no longer so sweet.
The question was, what would Anck sacrifice for Ardeth? In the real past, she sacrificed herself for Imhotep, to buy him time. But was it truly a sacrifice, since Imhotep was the only one who could resurrect her? Rameses didn't know. Nor did the gods, and that was why she would be tested once more. Unlike Anck herself, and unlike Thomas and Annabelle, Rameses was not surprised at the alternative realities in which Anck and Ardeth became lovers.
They were so very different, after all. Opposites did attract, and in the alternate reality, beginning in 1913, Imhotep eventually turned away from Anck, though it took many years. He became caught up in power and ruling his new empire. He made the same mistake as always. . .and in the end, it cost him everything. Anck. . .his empire. . .his very life.
In the reality which had Lock-nah missing Horus, Anck lost everything in the Golden Pyramid. When she awoke after being hit with falling rocks, she found that Imhotep was dead. Enraged, she drove Meela out of their shared body for good, destroying the lingering hold Meela had. She spied Ardeth lying on his side, near the edge of the crack in the floor which led to the Underworld. Ardeth, whom Meela killed. He was a Med-jai, a symbol of everything she hated.
But he sacrificed his life for another, and that was something Anck understood well. For the first time in three thousand years, she allowed herself to look past the Med-jai markings, to see a man. An injured, exhausted man who would die, if she did not help him. In memory of the Anck who sacrificed herself so Imhotep could live, Anck ran forward and helped Ardeth to his feet, then guided him out of the temple and up to the safety of the dirigible.
In the days and weeks, the months which followed, he was the one secure thing in her life. The one person to whom she could cling in this world she didn't recognize. The only reason the Med-jai did not kill her outright was because Ardeth clung to her as they disembarked from the dirigible. Then he told them that she saved his life. So long as she stayed with Ardeth, she was safe among the Med-jai.
He was all she had left now, and she protected him with a ferocity which shocked the Med-jai. There was an incident, less than a week after Evelyn's death, when O'Connell saw his son talking to Ardeth. Enraged, the man attacked Ardeth, telling him that he killed Evy, but there was no way O'Connell would allow him to have Alex as well. Still shaky from the last two weeks, Ardeth was badly hurt during the attack.
Anck's fury knew no bounds. The last thing Evelyn told her husband, after telling him to take care of Alex, was to take care of Ardeth, for he would blame himself for her death. By attacking the Med-jai, O'Connell was spitting on the memory of his wife. And Anck was not in the least bit shy about saying so. Anck's reaction shocked O'Connell, but it also made the Med-jai respect her. From that day, she was granted the courtesy of 'Princess.'
As Ardeth grew stronger, so did Anck's desire for him. She saw him powerful and strong, in the final confrontation with Lock-nah in the jungle. Anck watched in fascination, even as Meela demanded to go to her champion. But Imhotep stopped her. He had no love for any Med-jai, but this man showed courage and honor sorely lacking in Lock-nah. No. Imhotep would take no action against Ardeth Bey.
Anck also saw him fragile and vulnerable. There were no secrets between them, not of that sort. He was beautiful, gentle with her, and he needed someone. It was so long since she was needed. She could not resist such a combination, and one night, about four weeks after the attack by O'Connell, Anck went to Ardeth, went to his tent, and lay with him.
Not surprisingly, he was as innocent in that reality as he was in this one, innocent in the ways between a man and a woman. For a time, Anck's life was a happy one. The Med-jai treated her with respect and courtesy during the day, and her nights with Ardeth were filled with magic. For even as she seduced him with her greater experience, he seduced her with his tenderness. But such happiness could not last, for in the end, Anck did not belong with him. Another did. . .and about six months after Evelyn's death, Anck learned the truth.
She wept at first, railing against the gods for taking this man from him. But in the end, Anck could not fight fate. She left the Med-jai, left Ardeth after one passion-filled night. It was the only time she deceived him, for even as her caresses stole his breath away, she drugged his food. He slept for many days after that night, distracting the Med-jai from her disappearance. Her dreams led her to America, and to Evelyn's former penpal, Celia Ferguson. . .the reincarnation of Lady Ardath.
Somehow, no matter what the reality, Fate always found a way to reunite the two lovers. The only exception was the first alternate reality, in which Ardeth died in 1926. But in all other possibilities. . . Ardath said softly, hearing Rameses' thoughts, *It was meant to be, my love, that our reincarnations finally be reunited. They found their way back to each other. They fell in love again. And they will remember everything they have forgotten.*
Rameses looked at his love, his queen, his wife in all the ways which mattered, and smiled. He murmured, *And each of them will learn to balance their duties to the Med-jai people with their duties to each other. I fear Ardeth will need help in that respect. For sixteen years, the Med-jai have been his top priority. Now, he must learn to make his wife an important priority in his life. That will not be so easy, though he loves her greatly.*
*Ardeth will learn. He will have help. . .but that, my love, is another story, for another time. Come. It is time we spent time with our own Ardeth,* his queen told him. Rameses smiled, stealing a kiss before stealing a glance at the reassembled magic circle. Rameses, Nefertiri, Anck-su-namun, Ardath, Nassor, Terumun. The only one missing was Imhotep. . .but that, too, would take time. No matter. Imhotep had forever, and what he failed to accomplish in this lifetime, he would have accomplish in the successive lives of the other members of the magic circle.
Perhaps forever *was* long enough, after all. And in the end, both Anck and O'Connell were wrong. For the what might have beens could still be. Rameses looked down at his queen, then swept her into his arms, drawing giggles of delight. Aye, what might have been could still be. All it would take was a simple twist of fate. To ensure such a thing never took place was up to the mortals. Rameses did his part. . . now it was their turn.
Onto the reviews:
Sailor Elf: Yeah, they talked! I think this means that Rick won't be shooting his mouth off about Ardeth's personal business, but I wouldn't swear to it. You know Rick, after all. He's unpredictable at times.
Cindy: (grins, pleased) I'm really glad to hear that. I love working with these two, as well. And I do have a lot of fun, having Rick and Celia square off.
Deana: Yes, we do make Ardeth suffer, but in the end, it's all worth it. Hopefully.
Terreis: Yes, I saw the Mummy/Xena fanfic was updated, and I reviewed the new chapter! Great job! And you put me in the same category as Ruse and Deana! I'm flattered. . .I think! Honestly, though, I do torment other characters, aside from Ardeth. Look at what I did to Rick in this story, after all.
Part Ten/Epilogue
*It is done.* Celia looked inquiringly from her task to the speaker. Anck was listening intently to something only she could hear. The ghost returned her attention to the American woman, adding, *The conversation between O'Connell and Ardeth. It is done. You will be very pleased with your husband, my sister. And now, O'Connell begins to understand why things were done in this manner, though Ardeth heard everything that was said while he was between.*
"I wonder who explained it to him," Celia murmured, slicing up the last of the bananas, before placing them in the cereal. She inspected her fingers for any possible damage, then looked at Anck, adding, "It's really pathetic, you know that? I'm the wife of one of the finest swordsmen in the Med-jai nation, if not the finest, and I can't even slice bananas without making sure I didn't slice open any of my fingers."
Anck merely smirked and replied, *But you did not slice your fingers open, therefore, there is no reason for shame. Now, tell me about this custom of putting fruit on that grain.* Celia looked at the ghost, who shrugged and added, *I have been told that this 'cereal' is a form of grain. You put it in milk and then eat it? When did this begin?* Celia eyed her friend, folding her arms over her chest.
"You're changing the subject. Who explained to Rick the necessity of going through that whole thing?" she repeated. The subject of cereal, much less fruit on cereal, was irrelevant at the moment. She knew Rick O'Connell, and knew that he would have a hard time understanding, in the beginning, why it was necessary for him and Ardeth to talk, if Ardeth heard everything that was said while he was unconscious. And Celia knew about that. . .well, because of Anck-su-namun. How else?
*Terumun explained it to him,* Anck replied, *using an example which Evelyn probably would have understood better.* Celia raised an eyebrow questioningly, and Anck explained, *the sword of Damocles. . .forever suspended over his head, hanging by a thread.* Celia blinked. Anck was right. That example probably would have been better for Evy. Anck continued, *However, Terumun made him see that if the conversation did not take place, this incident would have remained between them forever, separating them. . .a sword of Damocles, hanging over his head. O'Connell, I mean.*
"Hmm. . .not bad. Not bad at all. Anck? Would you have told me about the what might have been scenarios, the ones which Rick, Evy, and Jonathan saw?" Celia asked. Anck looked away, then shook her head. That surprised the American. Anck kept few things from her. Celia asked next, her voice very gentle, "Why not? I'm not judging you, Anck, but I am curious. Why wouldn't you have told me?"
*Because it is as O'Connell said. The what might have been is not as important as what is. He was shown what might have been, because the gods were trying to teach him a lesson. He could not understand that lesson, without the proper perspective,* Anck replied. Celia nodded, understanding this. But she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her friend's retience than what she said so far. Anck lowered her eyes, adding in a low voice, *And because in two of those scenarios, I would have been Ardeth's lover until he found you.*
Celia felt her jaw become unhinged as she stared at the ghost, then closed her mouth with a snap. She said, "Well, that makes sense. . .you were afraid I'd be jealous?" Anck gave her a sidelong glance, then nodded very slowly. Celia bit her lower lip, trying to decide if she was, indeed, jealous of those what might have beens. After a moment, however, she let it go. She didn't see those scenarios. . .and really, to her, they weren't real. She said, "I'm not. I didn't see those scenarios, or any other. . .it's not real to me."
Anck sighed with relief, saying, *I am so glad. I can tell you now. Do you remember when I. . .reacted strangely to your mention of Senephra?* Celia nodded, remembering the incident in question rather easily. Anck continued, *There is a reason for that. In one of the scenarios, Senephra was my daughter. My daughter, and Ardeth's. She. . .there was an alternate reality, where Imhotep awoke in 1913. Senephra existed in that timeline.*
Okay, now that was a shocker. Ardeth and Anck as lovers was one thing. . .them having a child together was something else entirely. Celia sat down hard as her friend continued, *He defeated the Med-jai, and resurrected me. You were there, too. . .brought from the United States as a child, to be a house servant. Except. . .I recognized you. You were only ten years old, and you looked just as Ardath did when I first met her.*
Celia bobbed her head numbly. Anck knelt in front of her, whispering, *You told me, my sister, back when we had this conversation the first time, that you had faith in me. That you believed I would find a way to protect you, no matter what. You were right, Celia. And in that timeline, after Senephra was born. . .I gave birth to her, but you were her mother in every way that counted. And while Ardeth was my Med-jai, to do with as I saw fit. . .you held his heart.*
Anck shook her head, sighing, *O'Connell was not the only one who needed to see what might have been. I did as well. It is a good thing, the way things worked out. I see you now, so happy. You were never as happy in any of the other scenarios, not even when you were raising Senephra, much as you loved her. Things turned out as they were meant to turn out. . .as they should have. I would change none of it.*
Celia looked back at the ghost wonderingly. She could truly say that? With everything which happened to her over the last three thousand years? Anck nodded slowly, saying softly, *I would change none of it. I understand now. . .Imhotep and I did not belong together, at least not in that lifetime. And Imhotep's attempts to resurrect me. . .has only led to more misery for us both. Maybe some day that will change. But for you, my friend, the reincarnation of my best friend. . .for you, I gladly sacrifice those years I had Ardeth.*
Celia looked at her friend straight on, coming to a breathtaking conclusion. She said softly, "You loved him, didn't you? In those scenarios. . .you weren't just lovers, but you genuinely loved him." Anck's lips parted, and Celia nodded, thinking it through, "Yes, you must have loved him. You never considered Seti to be your lover, only Imhotep. You were Seti's mistress, his concubine, his wife to be. But never his lover."
*Tiyu. Imhotep. . .after he conquered the world, he became distant. You will be pleased to know, my sister, that your United States never bowed down to him. He was not particularly interested in the United States, however, for he did not consider that country to be important. He took what he wanted from your country. . .namely, you and your brother. . .and killed your parents,* Anck answered. She paused, then added, *Your mother died trying to protect you.*
Another shock, one of many during the last few days. Anck went on, *At the same time, the surviving Med-jai were brought in. Mainly, women and children. Imhotep gave the order to kill the remaining warriors. . .along with their wives. The children were to be enslaved. The Med-jai chieftain. . .Suleiman Bey. . .offered his life in exchange for the freedom of his children. He was a father, as well as a chieftain, after all. He saw most of his warriors killed. He could not save his people, but he had a chance to save his children.*
Anck sighed, remembering that other version of 1913, and said, *Imhotep knew he could not allow that. So long as any of the Med-jai remained free, they would be a source of hope for those who remained behind. So, instead, he killed Suleiman Bey, as well as his wife, but protected the five children in his own way. And on his own terms. He gave the second son, Ardeth, to me. As a gift, to do with as I saw fit. Imhotep knew I would never hurt a child, much less a boy of thirteen. His brother Andreas did not fare so well. When Ardeth was fifteen, Andreas led a revolt against Imhotep. . .and died.*
"There's more to it than what you're telling me, isn't there?" Celia asked, having the uncomfortable sensation that Anck was holding out on her. Anck looked away from her, and Celia thought about what she was hearing. . .and what she wasn't hearing. She asked slowly, "You said that Andreas led the revolt against Imhotep, and died. Where was Ardeth during this revolt, and why didn't he die?"
*Because, my forever friend, Ardeth was fighting for his very life. There was no way he could take part in the revolt. Imhotep rose because of Lock-nah and his men. They successfully raised him. When Imhotep took control, first of Egypt, then most of the world, Lock-nah was made into. . .I believe you call him an 'enforcer.' There was bad blood between Andreas and Lock-nah. From what I learned, Andreas picked a fight with Lock-nah, winning that fight.*
Celia couldn't imagine Lock-nah took that very well. She was right. Anck continued, *Humiliated at his defeat, Lock-nah took it out on Ardeth. He and his men beat Ardeth almost to death. You found him, and brought him to me. Andreas reacted predictably, and died for it. But he was not the only one who paid for the revolt. Imhotep held Lock-nah accountable for what happened, since he attacked Andreas' younger brother. That solidified the bad blood between Ardeth and Lock-nah. Over the years, there were more skirmishes. I finally took Ardeth to my bed when he was seventeen, to protect him.*
"Imhotep gave Ardeth to you, to do with as you saw fit. . .including taking him to your bed. But why would he do that? Ardeth was only thirteen when this happened, just a boy. Why would Imhotep do such a thing?" Celia asked. She frowned thoughtfully as she pushed herself to her feet once more. She still had work to do. Her husband was hungry, and she had to take care of him.
*Celia, in some ways, you are such an innocent. Imhotep was trying to humiliate Ardeth, by giving him to me as a. . .as a toy, as a pet Med- jai. He could not bring himself to physically harm the boy, but there are more than one way of destroying an opponent. He never believed that I could come to love Ardeth. But how could I not? He was so innocent. . .and so very brave. Even at thirteen, he was a protector, and because of your kindness to him at your first meeting, Ardeth appointed himself as your protector,* Anck replied.
Anck was right. That never even occurred to Celia. The ghost went on, *When Ardeth was seventeen, I took him to my bed. I made my mark on him, and let all the world know that anyone who harmed Ardeth would answer to me. By this time, Imhotep was lost in the nightmare that comes from ruling the world. . .or most of it. And I was lonely. Terribly lonely. Imhotep would be gone for several days or weeks, and you and Ardeth were my greatest source of comfort. When I took Ardeth to my bed, you were only fourteen years old.*
Make my mark on him. Celia looked at her friend, asking softly, "Did you realize, when you took Ardeth to your bed, that you were repeating history?" Anck frowned at her, and Celia explained slowly, "Anck. . .you've forgotten the incident which led to Seti using the paint. To you, it was a symbol of your slavery. But in the beginning. . .in the beginning, it was Seti's attempt at protecting you from attacks."
Celia gleaned that information from Lady Ardath's memories. She died before the attempted rape occurred, but it was still something she saw. Anck went very pale, and Celia continued slowly, "Seti was trying to protect you, originally, with the paint. One of Khaldun's disciples attacked you, tried to rape you, after he saw you and Imhotep together. Remember? If a man tried to hurt you again, Seti could find out who did it. He made his mark on you."
Now, there was no color in Anck's face. She whispered, *I. . .never even thought about it. I was. . .almost half-sick after it happened. I wanted to forget about it. Wanted to forget about how helpless I felt, and. . .I wanted to forget how it felt when Seti held me, after the attack. I did not want to feel that way when he held me, so safe and secure, I only wanted to feel that way when Imhotep held me. Oh, Celia, what did I do?*
Anck wiped away a tear with the back of her hand, repeating, *I never even thought about it like that, but you are right! I tried to protect Ardeth, just as Seti tried to protect me. And. . .just like Seti, I drove Ardeth away. Lock-nah's fury could only be diverted for so long. Over the next four years, things grew more and more tense. That night. . .the night which changed everything. . .he had an altercation with you. Rick O'Connell, who escaped slavery by becoming a thief, pushed Lock-nah away from you. Frustrated, Lock-nah decided to go after Ardeth. By this time, everyone but me knew how the two of you felt about each other.*
By now, the tears were flowing freely. She whispered, *Lock-nah found Ardeth alone in the practice room. It. . .amused. . .Imhotep to teach Ardeth how to fight, or rather, finish his training. He was so sure Ardeth would never rise against him, for the fates of his sisters and brother hinged on Ardeth. He knew it. Imhotep knew it. Lock-nah found Ardeth in the practice room. . .then went to find three of his underlings.*
Celia could guess what came next, but Anck rasped out around her tears, *He was almost dead when you found him. O'Connell was with you. . .actually, you were his hostage. O'Connell didn't want to save Ardeth, for he knew that he warmed my bed. And O'Connell was there to kill me. They sent a thief to do the work of an assassin. But seeing Ardeth. . .he couldn't refuse. You brought him to me, and I knew that Ardeth could no longer stay in the palace. I put him in your care, though it broke my heart to say good-bye to you. I loved you so much. I loved both of you so much.*
"Did Imhotep know we were going?" Celia asked softly, and Anck nodded, wiping away her tears. That confused Celia. Why would Imhotep agree to it? Yes, Anck told her that Imhotep became very distant over the years. Simple math told her that by the time O'Connell came on the scene, nearly eight years passed since Imhotep's rising. Ardeth would have been twenty-one, and a genuine threat to Imhotep's power.
*He believed Ardeth was dying. That was what I told him. Ardeth was dying, and I was taking him to his people for burial. Imhotep agreed. But as I planned the escape, I realized I was pregnant. . .and the odds were good the child was Ardeth's. So, I pretended to be a hostage in the hands of the Tuaregs for the next several months, as Ardeth regained his strength, and my pregnancy advanced. When Senephra was born, I rested for a few weeks, before I 'escaped' and returned to the palace,* Anck replied.
"And by this time, Ardeth and I were together," Celia observed. Anck nodded with a watery smile. Going by guesswork alone, the American continued, "So. . .you led O'Connell, Ardeth, and me out. . .there were Med- jai remaining, and it was to them that we went. Probably because you risked your own life to save Ardeth, the Med-jai didn't kill you."
*Tiyu. I took Anatol, Aleta, and Acacia with us. We went to the Med- jai city of Tiri, which was spared Imhotep's wrath, because he did not know about it. You also had something to do with my life being spared. You told the Med-jai that I protected Ardeth to the best of my abilities. You were only eighteen years old, but you were angry and frightened, and you would not back down until my safety was guaranteed,* Anck replied.
She paused to take a breath, then went on, *After Senephra was born, I returned. Things remained quiet for the next twelve years, until your year 1933, the Year of the Scorpion. Imhotep was drawn to the legend of the Scorpion King, and by this time, he decided he did not have enough power. He would take the Bracelet of Anubis, and awaken the Scorpion King, then kill him. Word reached us of a Med-jai stronghold, and Imhotep wanted the Med-jai wiped off the face of the planet. Along with anyone else who stood against him.*
"So. . .Rick, Ardeth, Evy and I decided we would stop him, except things played out much differently during this particular year of the Scorpion?" Celia guessed. She was having a hard time coming to terms with this version of reality, though she didn't doubt that Anck saw exactly what she told Celia about. Probably more, because Anck was utterly dedicated to protecting her, if only from unpleasantness.
*Again, tiyu. Jonathan and Evelyn were sheltered by the Tiri Med- jai, after the fall of Suleiman Bey, and the deaths of your own parents. Their own parents were killed at the same time, you see, sacrificing themselves so the children could escape. Rick and Evelyn fell in love and married. They did have a son named Alex, who was eight years old in that 1933, but he was not the same Alex O'Connell. When we retrieved the Bracelet of Anubis, the four of you set out to stop Imhotep, while Jonathan remained behind with Alex, Senephra, and Miranda. . .who would have existed as Ardeth's own daughter,* Anck explained.
She took another deep breath, then continued, *During the chase, Imhotep's front-man, Hafez, learned of Tiri, and about Senephra. He went to Med-jai lands, and kidnapped Senephra. She would be our insurance against intervention, or so he planned. Imhotep was furious that an innocent child, who could add nothing to the quest, was involved. But not as furious as I was, when I walked into the temple and saw my twelve year old daughter bound on altar of Anpu.*
Celia knew that Anpu was the original name of Anubis, the name by which Imhotep and Anck-su-namun knew the god. Anck looked up, tears rolling down her cheeks, and said, *I made my choice. I would save my little Senephra, or I would die trying. And I did. Lock-nah killed me, for turning against his Lord, and as I died, I watched my daughter run into the arms of the only mother she ever knew. As I died, I saw Ardeth draw his sword to meet Lock-nah.*
Anck wiped away her tears once more, adding, *I died before I could tell you, or Ardeth, or Senephra, how much I loved you. But that was all right, because you three were safe. Imhotep went insane when he saw me fall before Lock-nah's sword. Insane with grief. He. . .he seemed to suddenly realize that everything we fought so hard for, three thousand years ago. . .it was over. It was all for nothing. When Ardeth cut Lock- nah down, Senephra still weeping in your arms. . .Imhotep ordered all of remaining men to throw down their weapons and surrender.*
"I don't imagine that went over real well," Celia murmured and Anck laughed in spite of herself. Celia looked at her friend, saying softly, "You placed your life at risk to save me and Ardeth, and then you sacrificed your own life to save your daughter. Stop doubting yourself, Anck. For all the mistakes you made, and the wrong turns. . .you still have a good heart. It was you who did those things, or would have done those things. . .not Meela."
Anck's lips parted, as she finally came to understand what Celia was saying. Celia smiled at her, herself on the verge of tears, and said, "Don't you see, Anck? That is the reason why Ma'at believed that you deserved a chance at redemption, at atonement! For all the wrong you did, you still have a good heart. You still protect those whom you love, no matter what the circumstances. Believe it now, and for all time. Meela abandoned Imhotep. . .and it was Meela who stabbed Evy. Not Anck-su- namun."
Anck started to take a breath, but Celia wasn't finished. She asked softly, "When Imhotep resurrected you the second time, at Hamunaptra, back in 1926. . .how aware were you? Of what was going on around you, of the people, aside from Imhotep? Focus only on that moment, not what came later." Anck frowned, her eyes narrowing as she concentrated. Celia watched her friend's expression change as she tried to focus on that moment.
*I. . .I remember. . .settling into my body. Taking a breath, as I did the first time. And it hurt. Not just breathing. I was still dead, though my corpse was animated. And. . .the brightness from the girl on the slab next to me. It hurt. It. . .it is like being blind, and then suddenly, you are exposed to light. It hurts. She hurt me. I heard Imhotep tell her that her death would bring me back. She did not want to die. I wanted to live,* Anck replied, her words coming out in stops and starts.
"You didn't know it was Nefertiri reborn, did you? You only knew that this girl, whose life shone from her with such brightness, was your ticket back to life. That was all you knew, that was all you needed to know. You didn't hate Evy. . .Nefertiri reborn. You hated that she was alive, and you were dead. You were lashing out. . .weren't you?" Celia asked softly. Anck lowered her eyes as she processed that.
*I. . .do not know. I resented Nefertiri, yes, but I never hated her. I never really wanted to hurt her. Maybe scratches, or something, so she would understand what life was truly like. She was my student. And she learned so quickly. I. . .I told her that I would have to watch my back. But it was meant as a joke. And a compliment. But. . .* Anck replied softly. She looked at Celia, asking almost pleadingly, *Ardath understood that? That I would never harm Nefertiri? If I wished to do that, I would have never taught her to fight, to defend herself!*
"You've convinced me, Anck. But I've never truly believed that you wanted to hurt Nefertiri, or Evelyn. You're the one who is doubting yourself. Anck, even before I got all of Ardath's memories back, I knew that you couldn't be as bad as you thought you were. Someone who loves with such abandonment, who is willing to sacrifice her life to save her man. . .even though I think you could have both escaped. . .there has to be some good there," Celia replied. She paused, then added softly, "You know, you and Rick O'Connell are a lot alike."
Anck glared at her through her remaining tears, an indignant retort on her lips, but Celia trumped her, saying, "Oh, it's true. Let's see here. You both have good hearts, when you remember to use them, and you both tend to lash out blindly, usually without thinking. Okay, that was redundant. I'll phrase it this way. You lash out blindly, and get yourself into trouble by not thinking first. Is that better?"
*Marginally,* Anck replied, and she was almost pouting. Celia tried not to smile, and Anck continued, still pouting, *You should take that cereal upstairs to your husband, before the whatever-they-are-called get all soggy. I do not think Ardeth would like that very much.* Celia stuck her tongue out at her friend, but picked up the tray and opened the swinging kitchen door with her hip. If she was in luck, Evy was still in bed.
"So I should, but you're avoiding the question. Oh, and here's something else to scare you. The other reason why Imhotep can't stand Rick? Aside from the fact that he keeps foiling your boyfriend's attempts at world domination, of course," Celia replied, walking through the foyer and upstairs to the bedrooms on the second floor. She ignored Anck's muttered, 'I can hardly wait for this,' and continued, "It's because they're also a lot like. They're two sides of the same coin. Opposites."
*You are right,* Anck replied with a shudder as they reached the top step, *that is frightening. Very frightening. Is Lock-nah, then, the diametric opposite to your husband?* Celia was on the point of answering, when Anck added, *Yes, he is. Polar opposites. Ardeth is no angel. . .but he does not inflict pain for the sheer pleasure of it. Lock-nah did. I had access to Meela's thoughts while we were merged in her body. She remembered him saying, when Meela mentioned the Book of the Living takes life away, that he thought that was his job. He enjoyed causing pain. Enjoyed killing. Enjoyed. . .*
She stopped, her eyes flying to Celia's face. The American would have pressed Anck on the issue, but it was then that they arrived at the guest bedroom. Rick was still with her husband, but he rose to his feet and opened the door a little wider for her to enter with the tray. Anck was right. The tension in this room was significantly decreased. Ardeth looked tired, but a little less wary, while Rick looked more. . .at ease. And more hopeful.
She said, "Well, the room's in one piece, and so are you both. I wasn't entirely sure if I should go downstairs and get this ready, leave the two of you alone." Anck snickered at her side, reassuring Celia that her friend would be all right. The battle to remind Anck of whom she was, once upon a time, was ongoing. But they made a lot of progress today. Rick glared at her, while Ardeth covered his smile with his hand. But Celia knew he was laughing, because his eyes were sparkling in that special way she loved so much.
"That isn't funny," Rick grumped. That drew a full-throated laugh from Anck, and he glared at her, grumping further, "Stop laughing, dammit, or I'll. . .I'll. . .I'll. . .!" He glared at her all over again, though Anck refrained from pointing out to him that there wasn't much he COULD do to her, considering she was dead, and didn't have a physical body. Celia, however, had no such scruples.
"Yes, Rick? Just what *are* you planning to do? She doesn't have a corporeal form, it's not like you can do anything to her, aside from stick out your tongue. Which would probably frighten her," Celia replied with a smirk. It was a good thing Anck didn't have a corporeal form. If she did, she would have been sliding down the wall, laughing hysterically by now.
Rick glared at her and whined, "Be nice to me!" Now Anck's ghostly image was lying on the ground, laughing soundlessly. She was laughing so hard, she couldn't even breathe. Wait a minute. . .a ghost. Breathing. Never mind, she didn't want to follow through with that. Instead, Celia contented herself with torturing Rick in any way, shape, or form that she could. It was fun, after all. She had her husband back, and. . .
"AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Anck was on her feet immediately, telling Celia, *I hate to tell you this, but that sounded like Ardath when she went into labor.* She didn't need to tell Celia that. The American had Ardath's memories, after all, plus her own memories of going into labor with Miranda. The trouble was, by the time she was in *that* much pain, she was several hours into labor. Evy wouldn't. . .oh, yes, she would!
"That's because Evy's been in labor for the last few hours, and didn't tell anyone!" Celia retorted grimly. Both men stared at her, wop- jawed, and Ardeth moved forward, as if he meant to get out of bed. Celia and Rick both stopped him, Celia adding, "You stay here!" To Rick, she added, "You, stay with him!" Then she looked at Anck, adding, "And you're coming with me!" She didn't even wait for Anck to nod. . .just flew out of the room.
. . .
"I *hate* it when she throws my own words back in my face!"
O'Connell was pacing back and forth, making Ardeth very tired. The Med-jai said dryly as the other man made another pass across the floor, "You should get used to it. She makes a habit of doing such things. She has done it to me already. Unless you thought you were somehow special. . .?" He lifted his eyebrows at O'Connell, who swore at him in what Ardeth thought was French, but couldn't be sure.
"Annoying little pain in. . .EVY!" O'Connell cried out, stopping dead in his tracks as another scream tore through the house. He started for the door, only to stop once again as Jonathan flung the door open. Right, in fact, into. . .oh, that must have hurt! O'Connell stumbled back, swearing and clutching at his face.
"Oh, I say, old man, I'm sorry! Do you know what that loud screaming is?" Jonathan asked, blissfully unaware of everything which happened during the last few hours. Ardeth wondered if he left the house on errands, as he hadn't seen the Englishman at all since O'Connell first came to his room a few hours earlier. Jonathan looked at Ardeth and beamed, saying, "It's good to see you awake and alert, there, old boy! You had us quite worried!"
"Thank you, Jonathan, for everything you did for my wife. She has told me that you took good care of her," Ardeth replied. Actually, she didn't. . .Ardeth saw it for himself, but Jonathan didn't need to know that right now. He continued after a moment, "And Evelyn has gone into labor, which is where Celia is now, along with Anck-su-namun." However, even as the words were spoken, the black-haired concubine phased into his bedroom.
She looked at O'Connell, then at Ardeth, asking in ancient Egyptian, *What happened to him?* O'Connell scowled at her, which didn't seem to bother her in the least. Anck shrugged, turned her full attention to Ardeth, and said, *The baby is almost here. Celia wanted you to know, so you would keep O'Connell here a little longer. She is afraid he might come into the room while she is helping Evelyn, and end up underfoot.*
*I understand,* Ardeth replied in the same language, *do you require aid from Jonathan? And where is young Alex?* Anck looked at Jonathan with a critical eye, then shook her head. Ardeth wasn't sure if she meant that she didn't need help at all, help from Jonathan, or if she didn't know where Alex O'Connell was. With this woman, it was anyone's guess, and Ardeth preferred not to guess.
*No, Celia wants him to stay here. She thought you could use the help here, keeping O'Connell under control. And Alex is across the street. His mother sent him over to play a few hours ago. Celia believes that Evelyn has been in labor for several hours, but would not tell us. Do you believe she would be that foolish?* Anck asked. Ardeth just looked at her, trying to figure out exactly how he should answer that.
*Foolish, no. Willful, yes. She is willful, and if she believes someone else is in greater need for attention than she. . ." he replied at last. Anck raised her eyebrows, grinning impishly. Ardeth learned to fear that expression in the last six months. When it didn't mean that she was getting ready to play a prank, it meant she was playing verbal chess, and she was preparing to take his king.
*Oh. Just like you, then. Like brother, like sister,* Anck chirped, looking *very* pleased with herself. Ardeth glared at the woman, and Anck added, *Do not look at me like that, not when you collapsed at the train station, because you would not swallow your pride and stay here! You have absolutely no room to talk, and I intend to make sure you never frighten my little sister like that again!*
Before Ardeth had a chance to answer her, Anck froze, murmuring, *I must go. Celia needs my help.* With that, she vanished once more. Leaving Ardeth to wonder exactly *why* his wife needed her. Anck could do nothing physical, as it required too much mental energy.
Besides, Jonathan was sitting at the foot of his bed with a companionable smile. He looked from Ardeth to O'Connell and back again, asking brightly, "SO! Did you boys get everything cleared up between you?" Ardeth looked at the American, who was still rubbing his face, and Jonathan followed his gaze, adding in a stage whisper, "Turnabout is fair play, you know." Ardeth hid a smile and nodded gravely.
O'Connell took up position on the other edge of the bed, saying, "One, I never opened a door in your face, and two, yes, we did. Where the hell have you been?" Ardeth raised his eyebrow at the other man questioningly. O'Connell added, "Sorry, Jonathan. It seems that my previous incarnation has decided to take me in hand and make me behave. I don't like people putting words in my mouth.*
"Literally," Ardeth observed, enjoying this rare opportunity to tease O'Connell. It also gave him a chance to find this new balance he mentioned to the other man. O'Connell now knew how far he could push Ardeth. . .perhaps it was time for Ardeth to learn the same about the other man? Jonathan laughed at Ardeth's comment, while O'Connell muttered under his breath, the same question he always asked. 'Who are you and what have you done with Ardeth?'
"Well. . .I'm glad you two have made up. Rick was getting on everyone's nerves. I say, Ardeth, did Anck tell you what was going on? I know Evy is in labor, but you two had a long conversation while she was in here," Jonathan asked. Ardeth settled against his pillows more comfortably, taking a bite of the cereal his wife prepared for him. He wasn't entirely sure what the small beige discs were, floating atop the milk, but he was willing to trust Celia.
"Yes. . .Celia is with Evelyn, along with Anck-su-namun. They have asked that I keep you both here. Or rather, that I should ask your help in keeping O'Connell under control. The child is almost here, and Celia is afraid O'Connell would only complicate things right now," Ardeth replied, once he swallowed the mouthful. He realized, much to his shock, that the small discs were none other than sliced up bananas. He also discovered he liked that.
O'Connell looked indignant, but didn't protest. Though the air was clear between them (a term Ardeth would ask Celia to explain to him sometime), he looked somewhat uncomfortable. The boundaries changed, and O'Connell seemed unwilling to speak out of turn. That in turn made Ardeth uncomfortable in some ways. He was not a man who gloated. He usually had little reason to gloat, so he did not know how.
"Ah, Celia's afraid old Rick will get underfoot, is she?" Jonathan asked and Ardeth nodded. The Englishman was on the verge of saying more, when Anck phased back into the room, her lovely face wreathed in smiles. It was a genuine, from her heart smile. Not a smirk of malice or of triumph. But she was joyous about the new life which joined them, a new life which Ardeth and the other men heard in the cry of a newborn baby.
However, that did not stop her from saying, first in ancient Egyptian, then in English, "Your daughter has arrived safely, Mr O'Connell. She is healthy and beautiful, and your wife has suffered no ill effects!"
The room erupted in cheers, and all three men left the bed. At least, O'Connell and Jonathan got up from the bed and headed for the door. Ardeth was struggling to sit up properly. Anck cleared her throat rather loudly, and both O'Connell and Jonathan stopped dead. As one, they turned around and Ardeth looked up. . .to find a haunted expression in both pairs of eyes. He knew not what they saw. . .but it wasn't him, trying to ease the breakfast tray to one side.
Jonathan took the breakfast tray and moved it, while O'Connell put his arm around Ardeth's waist and helped him to stand up. As he did in the bathroom earlier that day (was it the same day?), O'Connell murmured, "Easy, let me do all the work." This time, he could do that, for his legs seemed inclined to collapse. As Jonathan took his other side, helping him out the door and down the hall, Ardeth wondered once more what was going on. Later. He would find out later. Now, he had a niece to welcome into this world.
. . .
Anck phased back into the delivery room, where Celia was cleaning up Evelyn. Helping Ardeth would slow the other men down, giving her friend enough time to straighten up the room and return the babe to her mother. Anck heard Ardeth's thoughts, of course, as O'Connell and Carnahan turned to face him. She heard him wondering what they saw, and knowing they didn't see him, as he was.
And he was right. Instead, they saw the same thing Anck did. Him falling to Meela's blade in the shade of the Golden Pyramid. They saw Rick O'Connell leaving him to die inside Ahm Shere, as the pyramid began its slow descent into the sand. She knew, because she saw into their minds. She knew, because she had that same image. . .those same images. . .burned into her own heart and soul.
Now, they made their way down the hallway, the three men. Two supporting the third between them. And in the room, Celia placed the baby in her mother's arms. Anck stared at the child, this reincarnation of her own niece, of Miriam, who never had a chance to live. She vowed to protect this child, as she could not protect her in the past. She still did not know the baby's name, but that was not important.
Inside the room, Celia was seated at the foot of Evelyn's bed. O'Connell kept ahold of Ardeth, while Jonathan Carnahan pushed the door to his sister's room open. Anck almost smiled, seeing the pixie-ish grin now decorating her best friend's face. Celia was sitting cross-legged at the foot of the bed, her elbow resting on one knee, and her face cupped in that hand. She didn't look any older than fourteen or fifteen, and Anck recalled Ardath sitting in that exact position in the days before she came to the attention of Rameses.
O'Connell helped Ardeth to sit down beside Evelyn, before leaning over to kiss his wife. Jonathan rolled his eyes, mouthing 'oh please.' Anck's smile widened, more than a little sympathetic. O'Connell and his wife got on her nerves as well. She was fairly certain that they kissed more often than Ardeth and Celia, and those two could get just as annoying. In a few minutes, Jonathan would leave the room to retrieve little Alex.
For now, O'Connell stepped back and Evelyn placed her daughter in Celia's arms, before leaning forward to wrap Ardeth in a fierce embrace. She whispered against his hair, "We were so afraid we would lose you for good, Ardeth! I'm so sorry for everything. . .we all love you so much." She kissed his cheek, then pulled back. There was a devilish light in her brown eyes, and Anck wasn't entirely sure what was to come. Evelyn still hadn't told them the name of her newborn daughter, the reincarnation of Anck's niece, but. . .
She took her daughter back into her own arms, handling the little girl as if she was a piece of fragile glass. With a bright smile, she said, "Everyone, I would like you to meet our new daughter. . .Nefertiri Ardath O'Connell. That's Ardath with an 'a,' just so you know." If she was capable of such things, Anck knew her eyes would have bugged out of her head. Did. . .did she say 'Ardath,' or was Anck hearing things? Did she. . .was Evelyn naming her daughter after Anck's forever friend?
No. . .she wasn't hearing things. Evelyn named her daughter, in part, after Anck's beloved sister. The proof was in Celia's smug grin. How was it that Jonathan Carnahan put it once? She looked like the cat who ate the canary. What that meant, Anck wasn't entirely certain, but she was used to that. Ninety percent of the time, she had no idea what a particular saying meant.
"Nefertiri Ardath? Evy, you sure you wanna saddle her with that?" Rick asked, then yelped as Jonathan gave him a brain duster. The American gave his brother-in-law a Look, but Jonathan didn't look in the least bit worried. Ignoring them both, Evelyn eased forward, though Anck saw her face tighten in pain. Nefertiri reborn placed this new Nefertiri into the arms of her brother's reincarnation.
Or, at least, she tried. Ardeth pulled back, his dark eyes wide with fear. Evelyn said, "It's all right, Ardeth, you won't hurt her. Rick, not a word out of you, or you'll be sleeping on the floor of the guestroom for a month." Anck snickered. . .she knew just as well as Evelyn did what Rick was about to say. . .he meant to tease Ardeth about being afraid of a helpless baby. That wasn't the case and he knew it.
Again, Evelyn gently nudged her daughter into Ardeth's arms, and this time, hesitantly, he took the child. There were other good reasons for him not to hold Nefertiri. He could be concerned about how weak he would be after being so sick. But he had no reason to fear, because as his arms closed around the infant, Evelyn braced her hands against his elbows, giving her own strength to him. She whispered, "This is your uncle Ardeth, sweet girl. You remember I told you about him?" Nefertiri made an indistinguishable noise. . .she could have had gas, for all Anck knew, but Evelyn said with delight, "You do remember! There's a good girl!"
"She is. . .so beautiful," Ardeth whispered, staring down at the newborn. Anck swallowed hard, feeling a bittersweet emotion swamp over her. Perhaps it was because she told Celia about Senephra, a child who haunted her ever since Anck saw that alternate 1913 and proceeding timeline. But Anck felt suddenly envious of both Evelyn and Ardath, both of whom knew the sweetness of holding her own child.
"Yes, she is. . .and this makes a lovely picture," Celia said, reaching over to rub her husband's shoulder. He flashed her a tired smile, and Evelyn took her daughter back. Ardeth gave up Nefertiri reluctantly. Anck didn't blame him. She wouldn't have wanted to give up that precious little girl for any reason. She didn't know if that was because Anck knew her to be the reincarnation of Miriam, the niece she never had a chance to love, or she was a reminder of what Anck might have had, in that what might have been. Or if there was something else.
She would probably never know. Rick O'Connell said suddenly in a decisive voice, "Okay, enough ogling of the baby. Evy, back to bed. Jonathan, help Ardeth back to his own room. He's still recovering from being sick, and we don't want him relapsing." Anck raised her eyebrows at his authoritative tone, and Ardeth's sharp glance at the other man. So Anck wasn't the only one who noticed that he didn't give Ardeth a say in the matter, then.
She was on the verge of pointing out to O'Connell that Ardeth was a grown man, and perfectly capable of deciding for himself when he would return to his bed. Then she saw the concern in his eyes when he looked at Ardeth, and realized that Rick was being protective of another man in the only way he knew how to be. He would never be what was called 'mushy,' but there were many ways to show affection.
"Celia, would you put Nefertiri into her bassinet? I am sleepy," Evelyn acknowledged. Anck barely held back a grin at that. She was surprised Evelyn even admitted that. A conspiratorial wink from the Englishwoman, however, told Anck that she was trying to get Ardeth to go to bed, without being overt about it. Sneaky. Very sneaky. Ardeth Bey would always put the welfare of others above his own. And Evelyn knew that.
So did Celia. She scooped Nefertiri into her arms, whispering softly to the child in ancient Egyptian. She knew. Celia knew that Nefertiri was the reincarnation of Miriam. Her daughter, her niece. Who else knew? A glance at Evelyn told her that there was a good chance the Englishwoman knew. Did Rameses tell her? Anck didn't know. She never discussed such things with her two friends.
As Celia carried Nefertiri to her bassinet, Jonathan helped Ardeth to his feet. The Med-jai swayed a little on his feet, his face tightening with pain. Pain? Well. . .yes. He would be in pain. His muscles would be paining him. Evelyn looked to her husband expectantly, and O'Connell nodded. He put his arm around Ardeth's waist, allowing the Med-jai to lean against him, then the two able-bodied men helped their still-recovering friend from the room. From her position beside Celia, Anck could see the way Rick O'Connell reacted every time Ardeth even grimaced in pain. Like Celia, she knew that the American cared for Ardeth. But it was time Rick understood that for himself.
The three women were silent for several moments. Looking over Celia's shoulder, Anck could tell that baby Nefertiri was already asleep, and Celia murmured, "She'll sleep, in all, about eighteen hours at this age. That's what I remember from when Miranda was a baby. And my grandmother told me that, when Jason was born." She looked up from the baby, a tiny smile on her face as she added, "I was five years old, and sooooo disappointed that my new brother would sleep so much. I thought he would be able to play immediately."
Anck laughed, as did Evelyn. Celia's smile faded as she murmured her brother's name. She looked at them, asking softly, "Have I been unreasonable with Jason and with Rick? I. . .we, that is, Jason and I, we've made progress since Hamunaptra. But. . .I keep feeling that I should be doing more. Giving more. And Rick. I know he's trying. Would you have done any differently in my position, Evy?"
The Englishwoman held her hand out to Celia, drawing her onto the bed beside her. Once Celia was seated, Evelyn replied in a low voice, "I think, Celia, that you have given so much to your brother over the last twenty-five years, that you're uncomfortable with taking. You don't know how, and that makes you feel like he's doing all the work. . .when the truth is, he's trying to balance the scales. Just as Rick is now."
Evelyn paused, smothering a yawn with the back of her hand, then continued, "As for Rick. . .over the last few months, I've watched things deteriorate between the two of you. I can't imagine what it must be like, to find the other half of your heart after three thousand years. As memories of my previous lives return to me, I'm discovering that Ardeth was right. Again. There's never been a time when Rick didn't protect me, when he wasn't in my life. That's something you and Ardeth haven't had."
Anck rolled her eyes and said, *Translation being, it bothers her, but given the circumstances, she's certainly not complaining.* Evelyn glared at her. Oops. She forgot Evelyn spoke the old tongue. No, she didn't. She did that on purpose. Well, if the silly girl would actually get to the point, there would be no need for Anck to finish her sentences for her! Anck added, just to further annoy Evelyn, *And if you are overly protective of Ardeth, you have good reason to be.* And stuck her tongue out at Evelyn, crossing her eyes at the same time.
"Now, now, children, don't make me separate you," Celia said, laughing. She laughed even harder when Evelyn stuck *her* tongue out at Anck and crossed her eyes. Finding common ground is always necessary when creating something new. She found common ground with Ardeth Bey, for they were united in their determination to protect Celia. She was finding new common ground with Evelyn O'Connell, common ground of a different sort. Celia looked at them both when she brought her laughter under control, and asked in a voice filled with wonderment, "It really will be all right, won't it?" Anck just smiled at her. Yes, it would.
. . .
There were times when it was hard to tell Lady Ardath from Celia Ferguson. . . rather, Celia Ferguson Bey. Though she was now married to Ardeth, there were times Rameses found it difficult to remember. And this was one time when he saw no difference between his beloved and her reincarnation. In part because Rameses now saw the same wondering look on his Ardath's face that was visible on Celia's. And Ardath murmured, at the same time as her reincarnation, *It really will be all right, won't it?*
And just as Anck thought only a moment earlier, Rameses replied, *Yes, my love. It truly will be all right, if only for now. For this situation has been resolved, and Rick O'Connell has turned a corner. When our child next needs him, there will be no hesitation on the part of O'Connell.* Ardath frowned at that. She knew of what he spoke, but she was uncomfortable with their part in this. . .or rather, their lack of a role.
Rameses put his hands on her shoulders, turning her to face him. He cupped her face in his hands, saying softly, *My love, my sweet Ardath. Our role is done here. We were needed to make O'Connell understand, and now he does. Anck-su-namun will remain behind, and she will care for our child. We cannot aid her, for this is something she must do alone, if we want Ardeth to survive the next great crisis.*
She knew all too well what he meant. They knew some of what was to come, they learned of these things after Ardeth returned to his wife. But they were forbidden to tell the others. Especially Anck. That was something else Ardath found difficult. She never could lie to Anck, and rarely tried. Most people thought Ardath simply too honest to lie. . .or too simple-minded. . .but that, as ever, was an oversimplification.
She could lie, and did lie, without hesitation. . .unless the other person, the person to whom she was lying, was someone for whom she cared deeply. Lying to Anck or Rameses was always nearly impossible for her. This lie of omission was as devastating to her as a lie of commission, but Rameses knew it was necessary. Even if Celia was convinced that Anck was essentially a good person who made some terrifically bad judgments, the ancient gods were another story, and Anck was still proving herself to them.
They all knew how far Anck would go, to protect Ardath or Celia. That was made clear in the scenarios. She was prepared to sacrifice her very life, if need be. But the sacrifices she made to protect Ardeth, in the what might have beens, were not great at all. She took him to her bed to protect him, but he was young and handsome, gentle in spirit, and skilled in battle. There was no sacrifice in that. And by the time she took him to her bed, her love for Imhotep was slowly dying. At the same time, Imhotep had what he wanted, and fruit that was no longer forbidden was no longer so sweet.
The question was, what would Anck sacrifice for Ardeth? In the real past, she sacrificed herself for Imhotep, to buy him time. But was it truly a sacrifice, since Imhotep was the only one who could resurrect her? Rameses didn't know. Nor did the gods, and that was why she would be tested once more. Unlike Anck herself, and unlike Thomas and Annabelle, Rameses was not surprised at the alternative realities in which Anck and Ardeth became lovers.
They were so very different, after all. Opposites did attract, and in the alternate reality, beginning in 1913, Imhotep eventually turned away from Anck, though it took many years. He became caught up in power and ruling his new empire. He made the same mistake as always. . .and in the end, it cost him everything. Anck. . .his empire. . .his very life.
In the reality which had Lock-nah missing Horus, Anck lost everything in the Golden Pyramid. When she awoke after being hit with falling rocks, she found that Imhotep was dead. Enraged, she drove Meela out of their shared body for good, destroying the lingering hold Meela had. She spied Ardeth lying on his side, near the edge of the crack in the floor which led to the Underworld. Ardeth, whom Meela killed. He was a Med-jai, a symbol of everything she hated.
But he sacrificed his life for another, and that was something Anck understood well. For the first time in three thousand years, she allowed herself to look past the Med-jai markings, to see a man. An injured, exhausted man who would die, if she did not help him. In memory of the Anck who sacrificed herself so Imhotep could live, Anck ran forward and helped Ardeth to his feet, then guided him out of the temple and up to the safety of the dirigible.
In the days and weeks, the months which followed, he was the one secure thing in her life. The one person to whom she could cling in this world she didn't recognize. The only reason the Med-jai did not kill her outright was because Ardeth clung to her as they disembarked from the dirigible. Then he told them that she saved his life. So long as she stayed with Ardeth, she was safe among the Med-jai.
He was all she had left now, and she protected him with a ferocity which shocked the Med-jai. There was an incident, less than a week after Evelyn's death, when O'Connell saw his son talking to Ardeth. Enraged, the man attacked Ardeth, telling him that he killed Evy, but there was no way O'Connell would allow him to have Alex as well. Still shaky from the last two weeks, Ardeth was badly hurt during the attack.
Anck's fury knew no bounds. The last thing Evelyn told her husband, after telling him to take care of Alex, was to take care of Ardeth, for he would blame himself for her death. By attacking the Med-jai, O'Connell was spitting on the memory of his wife. And Anck was not in the least bit shy about saying so. Anck's reaction shocked O'Connell, but it also made the Med-jai respect her. From that day, she was granted the courtesy of 'Princess.'
As Ardeth grew stronger, so did Anck's desire for him. She saw him powerful and strong, in the final confrontation with Lock-nah in the jungle. Anck watched in fascination, even as Meela demanded to go to her champion. But Imhotep stopped her. He had no love for any Med-jai, but this man showed courage and honor sorely lacking in Lock-nah. No. Imhotep would take no action against Ardeth Bey.
Anck also saw him fragile and vulnerable. There were no secrets between them, not of that sort. He was beautiful, gentle with her, and he needed someone. It was so long since she was needed. She could not resist such a combination, and one night, about four weeks after the attack by O'Connell, Anck went to Ardeth, went to his tent, and lay with him.
Not surprisingly, he was as innocent in that reality as he was in this one, innocent in the ways between a man and a woman. For a time, Anck's life was a happy one. The Med-jai treated her with respect and courtesy during the day, and her nights with Ardeth were filled with magic. For even as she seduced him with her greater experience, he seduced her with his tenderness. But such happiness could not last, for in the end, Anck did not belong with him. Another did. . .and about six months after Evelyn's death, Anck learned the truth.
She wept at first, railing against the gods for taking this man from him. But in the end, Anck could not fight fate. She left the Med-jai, left Ardeth after one passion-filled night. It was the only time she deceived him, for even as her caresses stole his breath away, she drugged his food. He slept for many days after that night, distracting the Med-jai from her disappearance. Her dreams led her to America, and to Evelyn's former penpal, Celia Ferguson. . .the reincarnation of Lady Ardath.
Somehow, no matter what the reality, Fate always found a way to reunite the two lovers. The only exception was the first alternate reality, in which Ardeth died in 1926. But in all other possibilities. . . Ardath said softly, hearing Rameses' thoughts, *It was meant to be, my love, that our reincarnations finally be reunited. They found their way back to each other. They fell in love again. And they will remember everything they have forgotten.*
Rameses looked at his love, his queen, his wife in all the ways which mattered, and smiled. He murmured, *And each of them will learn to balance their duties to the Med-jai people with their duties to each other. I fear Ardeth will need help in that respect. For sixteen years, the Med-jai have been his top priority. Now, he must learn to make his wife an important priority in his life. That will not be so easy, though he loves her greatly.*
*Ardeth will learn. He will have help. . .but that, my love, is another story, for another time. Come. It is time we spent time with our own Ardeth,* his queen told him. Rameses smiled, stealing a kiss before stealing a glance at the reassembled magic circle. Rameses, Nefertiri, Anck-su-namun, Ardath, Nassor, Terumun. The only one missing was Imhotep. . .but that, too, would take time. No matter. Imhotep had forever, and what he failed to accomplish in this lifetime, he would have accomplish in the successive lives of the other members of the magic circle.
Perhaps forever *was* long enough, after all. And in the end, both Anck and O'Connell were wrong. For the what might have beens could still be. Rameses looked down at his queen, then swept her into his arms, drawing giggles of delight. Aye, what might have been could still be. All it would take was a simple twist of fate. To ensure such a thing never took place was up to the mortals. Rameses did his part. . . now it was their turn.