AN: Hi everybody!!!!!! I'm so sorry it has taken me sooo long to update. *Jeanne sinks to her knees and begs for forgiveness*. But it wasn't really my fault, apparently, the 420 dollars I paid to have my laptop fixed weren't enough and I had to send it back to the service. I don't know why, but I get the feeling those guys are trying to trick me into paying more than I should… Anyway, here's chapter five, enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CHAPTER FIVE

The sun hadn't come up over the horizon yet when Ardeth awoke. He got up, letting go of Jean's hand, which he had held all through the night. He went outside and looked over the camp. There was a different warrior on guard and the rest just starting to awaken.

He heard a voice behind him. It was his uncle Kasim.

"Ardeth, I need to speak with you."

"Good morning to you too uncle."

"Looks like someone got up in a good mood. It doesn't surprise me." Ardeth didn't appreciate the tone in which he had voiced the last comment, but he decided to let it pass.

"What was it that you wanted to talk to me?"

"May I speak frankly?"

"Always."

"Do you intend to keep being alone with her in her own tent?"

"Yes, and I know what your concern is."

"Then why are you doing it?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Do I owe you an explanation?"

"No, you do not, but you will have to tell the Counsel of this."

"I have to tell the Counsel that I am guarding a woman while she sleeps in order to help her control her nightmares?"

"Is that all there is to it?"

"Absolutely."

"It can be misunderstood, and are you willing to accept what the consequences there may be by keeping her alone with you?"

"Yes."

"Does SHE understand she may be forced to marry you?"

"She doesn't even know about it. In other countries they don't have this custom. Not even ours does. This rather unintelligent norm belongs only to the Medjai."

"Then you should tell her."

"Fine, I will."

"I hope it is not too late."

"Uncle, There will be no consequences. I haven't touched her, and she can confirm it."

"Why must you be so stubborn?"

Ardeth raised an eyebrow as if to say 'I am, so what?'

"She is a beautiful woman."

"She is, yes, but I am just protecting her."

"You better, because I would not like to have you marrying a foreigner."

"What would be the problem with that?"

"A Medjai should marry a woman who comes from a Medjai family." Ardeth was getting angrier at every word of his uncle.

"Where is that written?"

"Nowhere. But our blood must remain pure."

"Careful, uncle. Hitler said the same thing and he ended up killing six million people."

"I am only saying you should marry someone that belongs to this world."

"We are free to chose our partners."

"Yes, but I would not like this American as yours."

"Hasn't it occurred to you that maybe I would?"

Ardeth glared at his uncle who chuckled and walked away leaving his words echoing in the air.

***

When Jean woke up, looked around her 'room' and saw that Ardeth was gone. She had slept very well with him next to her, holding her hand. She yawned and tossed the covers off of her. She stood and grabbed the clothes he had left her, her black clothes for the journey towards Hamunaptra they were about to begin. After dressing and covering her hair with a turban, she left her tent and went to greet the two brothers.

"Hello, Tarek. Good morning, Ardeth… and thank you for last night's…"

"Good morning Jean, and don't mention it." He almost laughed when he saw the look in Tarek's eyes.

He said something to Ardeth in Arabic. From the way he nearly choked and blushed, Jean guessed what it was about.

"Are you ready, Jean?" Asked the younger brother.

"Yes…"

Ardeth faced her, "You will be riding with me, it is safer."

"Ok, how long will it take?"

"About eight hours, but we will make a stop in an oasis on the way."

"That's great… I've never seen one."

"You will enjoy it very much," promised Ardeth. He turned his attention to his select band of warriors, gave them instructions, and they hastily carried out his orders, preparing for the long journey ahead of them.

Two hours later, they began the journey. Ardeth was riding from behind Jean, in order to watch her back.

"I am glad to see you are wearing the clothes I have given you."

"I like them…"

"When we were younger, my brother hated to wear black."

"You seem to be very close with him," Jean said.

"I am. I love the bastard." They both laughed.

"Do you have any other siblings?"

"I had a brother… younger than me and older than Tarek, he was killed 3 years ago."

"I'm sorry…"

"It is alright. The man who killed him is now long dead, himself."

"I don't have any brothers, but I would kill whoever hurt my friends."

"Would they kill whoever hurt you?"

"In a heartbeat."

Ardeth smiled, "Are you married?"

"Me? Hell, no! I'm just engaged. I mean, I know I'm awfully young, despite your uncle's point of view, but Brian insisted in making long-term plans and well... What about you?"

"No… not even that. How old are you?" he asked, catching her off guard a bit.

"22. You?"

"I have lived for 27 summers."

Silence fell between them and Jean used it to relax for a while, she was a bit dizzy and the sun was extremely hot.

"Just lean on me if you want to sleep," offered Ardeth.

She did so, and fell asleep immediately. Ardeth held her close as he allowed his horse to pick his way through the desert. She was like no other woman he had ever met. Few women could endure what she'd been through the last day. She had been brave when she first faced the Med-jai. Ardeth smiled as he also now knew she had a temper.

Some hours later they arrived the Seinada oasis; it was a small, lush oasis, with a few palm trees and green grass surrounding the clear pool of water. Man and time had built the pool so that the spring bubbled up at one end and flowed eastward, eventually dissipating in the hot sand. The splash of green amid the endless brightness of the sand was a welcome sight. The weary travelers could practically smell the water as it bubbled happily along.

Ardeth decided to stop there for a brief meal and to water the horses. They cantered up to the well and the warriors dismounted. Ardeth tried to dismount also, in an intent to help the men, but he felt Jean immobile leaning on him. He looked at her and found her face flushed and her eyes half closed. He cursed himself for his stupidity. He knew she wasn't used to the desert heat and had pushed her beyond her endurance. He quickly laid her in the horse, dismounted and spoke to her very softly. "Swing your leg over and fall into my arms."

Jean didn't answer him. She was hot, tired, and thirsty, and couldn't seem to concentrate very well. She just wanted to close her eyes and sleep.

"Jean," said Ardeth sharply.

"What?" She mumbled.

"Let me carry you over to the shade where you can rest."

"I can walk myself," she replied, her defiance coming through her delirium.

Ardeth was patient as he answered her. "You have lost your shoes. The sand would burn your bare feet. Swing your legs towards me." Jean didn't argue anymore and brought her legs to one side. "Now, put your arms around my neck." She did that, as she slowly fell off the horse and into his arms. She rested her head on his broad shoulder as he carried her over to a spot of shade, provided by a palm tree. He set her feet down on the sand and held her upright. "Hold on to my shoulders and stand for just a few minutes longer," he said softly.

Jean had no idea what he was doing, and didn't care for the moment; she merely closed her eyes, thankful to be out of the glaring sun. A ripping sound made her eyelids fly open as she felt a yanking on her robe. She looked down and saw that Ardeth had drawn his dagger and was ripping her robe horizontally at the knees, and all the way around her.

"Wha-what are you doing?" She asked in confusion.

"I am reinforcing your turban to keep the sun off your head better," he replied as he finished cutting her robe. He then made her sit down and he wound the fabric around her head, fastening it back into itself. When he finished, he looked at his handiwork and grunted, then walked back to his horse to get his canteen. He brought it back to where she was, squatted down next to her, and opened it. "I want you to drink this slowly."

Jean looked at it, then back to Ardeth. "I want fresh water."

"If you drank the cold water, you would experience terrible pains inside and possibly, the water would come right back up. I want you to sip this warm water like you would sip your tea. Very small amounts."

Jean took the canteen from him and lifted it to her lips, sipping a very small amount of water. He stood up and smiled down at her. "Good. I will bring you a small amount of food in a short while, after you have cooled off some more." He walked over to help his men water their huge pack of horses.

After a few moments, Jean felt a little bit better, and she took the opportunity to observe Ardeth. He had a very commanding presence and he moved with all the gracefulness of a jungle cat, his long legs covering the ground in smooth strides.

Ardeth busied himself with watering his horse and seeing to his men, but he kept thinking about Jean. She was so different than any other woman he had ever encountered before, in personality and looks. She hadn't complained about the heat, or the uncomfortable ride across the desert. She took it all bravely, much more so than any other woman would have done. And her looks… He looked over at her now, observing that her face had lost some of the redness from earlier. She was looking down at the sand, lost in thought. He walked over to his horse and took some food out of his saddlebag, then walked to her.

Jean looked up as Ardeth walked up to her and sat down in front of her. He had something in his hands, and, as she watched him unwrap it, she noticed it was food. Suddenly, she felt hungry, as she realized she hadn't eaten anything since the night before. He held it out to her and noticed some dried fruit, dried meat and a chunk of bread. "I want you to try and eat some of this," he said gently.

She took a piece of the dried fruit and bit into it. It was dry but good, and she washed it down with a sip of water. She reached for a small piece of meat and chewed on it while she watched him eat. She found him watching her too, but in amusement. She looked down, blushing, as she concentrated on finishing her light meal.

"I ought to wring your neck for not telling me the sun was getting to be too much." He scolded lightly.

"I didn't want to slow us down." She finally answered.

"I cannot believe you would rather let the sun kill you than…"

"Ardeth?" She cut him in.

"What is it?"

"You were right…this place is very beautiful…an enjoyable."

"I am glad you like it, sadly we will soon continue our journey."

"I know, we have no time to waste."