CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Ardeth just stayed by her side and held Jean's hand. He lost track of time, but he realized it was night and then morning again.

Ardeth was afraid. Jean was going to be lost because of him. He had not felt like that since he saw his brother's slain… there was real fear that he would lose her. 'I should have never left her face that monster and sacrifice for me,' he thought.

He was so angry with himself right then that he almost despised himself. Allah help him, he adored her and would die first before having to deal with her death. How would he be able to face his grandfather, indeed, how would he be able to face anyone knowing that his failing in defending Hamunaptra had cost them Jean's life? He knew her sacrifice had saved his, but he couldn't do other thing besides regretting it, for he would have preferred to die instead of her.

He leaned over to her and whispered softly into her ear.

"Jean, please do not leave me." He could hear her labored breathing as she struggled with life and death. Ardeth picked up a rag, dipped it in the cool water and wiped the sweat from her feverish face. He kissed her forehead and went on talking to her.

"I have not told you this before because I am not very good at telling people these sort of things, but I want you to know how grateful I am for you coming here. I have been able to be with you, and I have had the honor of battling by your side. And I thank Allah for that everyday. You mean more to me than a lot of things out there. And I owe you more than I could ever possibly begin to pay back. The love I have in my heart for you transcends just about all other love I have ever known. You will always have very special place in my heart, and in the heart of the Med-jai."

Jean's eyes begun to open. "Hi", she coughed out. He looked at her, surprised at first and then softly and reached out to stroke her cheek.

"My little chosen one is finally awake," Ardeth spoke tenderly. "Would it be your wish for me to leave?"

"No. Please, stay. I have no inclination to be away from you," she whispered.

Ardeth was delighted to see that, even though she was still very weak, her eyes had regained their twinkle. "Neither do I wish to be away from you." He moved closer to her, looking into her eyes. "Welcome back."

Her eyes filled with tears as she said, "Ardeth, I heard what you told me. It was what brought me back. That was one of the sweetest things I have ever heard. And I can't tell you how much you mean to me. You will always have a special place in my heart." She softly rose and kissed his cheek.

Then she noticed that her right hand was slightly bruised as a result of his tight grip.

"I am sorry about that," Ardeth said sheepishly upon noticing the marks, "I didn't know what to do…so I just held your hand. The only other thing I could do was sit and pray to Allah, because faith was all I had."

"I suppose I can consider myself lucky that these are the only marks I bear after facing Imhotep." She smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry about it…and thank you."

"How are you feeling?"

"Better…" She looked at him…those eyes meeting hers…he was reaching into her soul.

"I thought I had lost you," he whispered as she drew him to her. She held him close for a few moments then let him go.

"Can I have some water?" Jean asked.

"Oh, yes of course," Ardeth jumped up off the bed and poured some water into a cup. He helped her sit up, propping pillows behind her.

"Thank you, Ardeth."

"I am the one who has to thank you, for you have earnt the respect and gratitude of me and my people," he said earnestly.

"Oh, well, it was nothing. Besides, I think I got a lot of help..."

"The Gods were on our side, but only because you fought along with us, little one," he stated.

At that point, they heard Ahmad's voice asking to be let inside the tent. Ardeth authorized him and the boy almost fainted when he saw Jean fully awake and sitting in bed.

"You are… Allah, Jean, you live!" He exclaimed, completely bewildered, as he ran to kneel by her bed.

"Yes, Ahmad, I do. And mostly thanks to the way you took care of my wound."

She reached out a hand and the young man took it softly. Their eyes met and they exchanged a look filled with tenderness and affection.

"Your father would be proud, Ahmad."

"Thank you, Master, but I am more proud of him for taking the time to teach me." He placed his hand in camaraderie on the boy's shoulder.

"Master," said Ahmad, remembering he had a message for him. "Your grandfather requested to see Jean some time ago, and I believe now would be the perfect moment for him to see her."

"Then bring him to us, as long as Jean is not tired."

"I'm not…I'd like to see him."

Ahmad left the tent and returned with Ahmed. The old man had tears in his eyes when he saw Jean. He sat on a pillow next to her bed and took one of her delicate hands.

"Thank you, Ahmad, you are dismissed."

When Ahmad left, the kin looked at his grandson and smiled. "I am very proud of you, Ardeth. You have helped this brave woman battle Imhotep fiercely and I know that your father Ardam'an would be proud of you."

Ardeth was touched and all he could do was nod. "Thank you, grandfather."

"And now you are dismissed too, grandson."

Ardeth looked at his kin puzzled and then smiled.

"Ok, grandfather, but let me warn you about this: you will have to marry Jean if you share a tent."

The three of them laughed as Ardeth left, and Ahmed turned to Jean.

"You have saved his life, Jean," he told her.

She looked at him and frowned, "He is… I don't know, sir, but I would die for him."

He met her direct gaze and nodded. "You honor the Med-jai, Jean. We can never repay you for what you have done."

She smiled at Ahmed kindly, "I don't need to be repaid. Your words are payment enough, but regardless of that, I would not allow Ardeth to die if I could help it."

"Our leader is a very fortunate man to have a woman like you. Allah truly smiled upon him when He brought you into Ardeth's life...and into ours."

"Thank you," she replied with teary eyes.

"While you were unwell, I discussed an issue with the counsel that you may like to know about," started Ahmed.

"What is it?" Asked Jean, feeling great curiosity.

"We want you to be the first woman ever to be acknowledged as a Med-jai."

Jean's eyes widened as her heart begun beating faster. "What are you talking about sir?"

"That, if you are willing to, you will become a Med-jai, and a member of our tribe," stated the old man, smiling benevolently at her.

"I would be most honored…" Tears were clouding her eyes. "But…I can't stay here."

"I know so, my dear. But that does not mean that you can't be one of us."

"How? Why? My religion…" She couldn't even speak coherently.

"Because you deserve it. We are all grateful for what you've done for us, and we are willing to execute a ceremony in which you will become a Med-jai. Your religion does not matter to us, as long as you take our oath. Now, do you accept?"

"Of course I do, sir. How could I refuse?" Replied Jean without a second of hesitation.

"Good, then I shall prepare everything. The ceremony will take place tomorrow, if you are strong enough."

"I am."

"Very well. You will need to choose an 'instructor' among the warriors, excluding me and Ardeth, for we will both lead the ceremony," he informed her.

"I choose Ahmad." Jean said without thinking about it twice. The man nodded and rose to leave the tent. "Does Ardeth know about this?" She asked.

Ahmed turned to her. "No, but I believe he will be most pleased, as well as the whole. Rest now."

The man left Jean alone and she just stared at the ceiling in awe.

***

Outside, the whole camp had heard the good news about Jean's recovery and were asking more about her. Tarek was filling Ardeth in about the developments in the camp while he was staying with Jean. When his younger brother finished, Ardeth placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You have done a fine job as my second in command. Is there anything else I need to know about?"

"No, brother."

"Good. Now that Jean is alright, I will return to my duties tomorrow morning," he informed him with a smile.

The younger brother returned the grin with one of his own, knowing that his leader's happiness was because of Jean's health's improvement.

Ahmed joined them and informed his two grandsons about what he had spoken with Jean. Tarek was not surprised, but Ardeth was simply shocked, of course that in a pleasant way.

"Thank you grandfather, for doing this. Jean really deserves it."

His voice showed how much Jean meant to him. She was beautiful and courageous and Tarek knew that his brother would always have a special place in his heart for her, despite that fact that he could not express his feelings as she was an engaged woman.

After that, the three men dispersed, and the Chieftain returned to Jean's tent. She had fallen asleep and Ardeth softly lay in bed next to her and fell asleep too.