I own and claim no rights to the motion picture, 'The Mummy,' or 'The Mummy
Returns.' Only characters not featured in either movie are created by me,
as well as the plot, and no similarities to any other fics are intended.
..........................................................................
Blind
................................................................
Sithathor stared up at the statues and carvings that made up the building that her husband worked in. The British Museum smelled old, and she felt a hint of mystery that she recognized. It was the same feeling and sense she had when she had joined her father in a trip to a sacred temple. Except this feeling wasn't coming from the building itself. Instead, it was coming from somewhere within. Sithathor felt a nudge on her side, and looked down. Cleo stared up at her, a questioning look on her face. Sithathor shrugged and followed the young girl as she entered the museum. Cleo walked through the exhibits with a sureness of someone who had spent a lot of time there. Sithathor watched as Cleo turned a corner, and called out, "Cleo, wait a minute."
~Sithathor~
Sithathor stopped in her tracks and turned. Her eyes searched the corridor behind her and saw no one. She looked beside her and saw a closed door, with a 'Do Not Enter,' sign on it. Something within her prompted her to try the door knob, and she felt a rush of relief mixed with fear as it opened effortlessly under her fingers. She pushed the door open and peered into the dark room, her gaze following the trail of light filtering through the door. Waiting for several seconds, Sithathor mentally shook herself, and turned away, scolding herself internally for her paranoia.
~Sithathor~
Whirling, her eyes searched for the origin of the whispery voice that echoed into her mind causing a cold shiver travel down her spine. Sithathor reached for her dagger, and unsheathed it quickly. In the ancient language, she called out, "Who calls for me? Show yourself, or pronounce yourself a coward!"
"Hathy?" a small voice spoke from the doorway.
Sithathor turned and immediately hide the dagger behind her back. "Cleo!" Sithathor's tone was filled with surprised, and she hoped it hid the spark of anxiety she was feeling.
"Hey! I thought you were right behind me." Cleo looked from side to side in the room, noting Sithathor's stiff posture. She watched Sithathor glance around the room. "Are you okay?"
Sithathor looked sharply over at Cleo. Sithathor smiled almost convincingly, and walked toward the younger girl. "Of course I am okay. Why wouldn't I be?"
Cleo eyed her sister-in-law curiously, and shrugged. "Never mind. Now come on. No one but Mr. Lateef can be in here. We might get Alex in trouble."
Sithathor nodded, and followed the nine year-old out of the room. Just outside the door, she paused and peered on last time into the darkened area. A cold breeze fluttered across her cheek, moving her hair gently. Without a word, Sithathor closed the door and put her dagger back in its place.
...................................................................
Alex looked up in surprise. "What are you two doing here?"
Sithathor walked up to her husband and smiled. "Cleo wanted to show me the exhibit you were working on. The renovation of the Ancient Egypt Exhibit. I would love to see the relics of my people's history."
Alex grinned. "Would my two lovely ladies like a tour?"
Cleo laughed. "Please, I have seen the whole thing like a zillion times! No, I am going to visit the Elizabethan Exhibit if you don't mind." Without another word, she tore of toward the corridors and disappeared from site.
Alex watched his sister leave and grinned. "For a nine year old, she sure is smart."
Sithathor agreed. "Yes." Her curiosity overcame her, and she looked the room over. Several pieces of the exhibit were on display, waiting to be moved where they were being placed. "So much history. My history." She walked up to a glass box that held a tablet written in the ancient Egyptian dialect. Her fingers caressed the glass, her eyes mirroring the image.
Alex watched her, a sense of pride in his heart. "Would you like me to show you around?"
Sithathor straightened and dazzled her husband with a smile. "I would love it."
Taking her hand, Alex led her around the large rooms, each holding another part of her people's rich history. Sometimes he told her the story behind the artifact, and to Alex's surprise, sometimes she would tell him facts and histories he himself did not know. They made it to the last room, where an older man stood with his back to them, eyeing a display case. Alex's smile widened. "Professor Lateef!"
The man turned to reveal a kind faced man with glasses and slim body. He looked to be of Egyptian descent, with his skin tone and face shape. "Alex! How are you my friend?"
"I am great Professor." Alex shook hands with him. "Sir, I would like to introduce you to my wife, Sithathor."
Lateef looked down at Sithathor from his rimmed glasses. "The daughter of Hathor! It is a pleasure to meet you. Alex here has said a lot about you! It is a pleasure to meet you."
Sithathor allowed him to take her hand, and he pressed it against his forehead in an unusual salute. Sithathor felt an uneasy feeling creep up her spine, but she suppressed it. Alex trusted this man, it was only right that she did so to. "My husband has shown me around this wonderful place. It is so remarkable how history can seem so alive." Sithathor moved to see what the Professor had been looking at before they had interrupted him. Within a large glass case, two necklaces, both beautiful and ornate. "How lovely."
Lateef came up beside her and smiled. "Yes, very lovely. They were made around 2800 B.C., by an unknown craftsmen. It is said, that these necklaces were created for a magical purpose. They were used to allow a soul from the dead to enter a living being's body, without removing the already ingrained soul within that being. Quite extraordinary."
"Yes," Sithathor replied quietly. "Quite." She watched one of the necklaces, the one decked with blue jewels. Before her eyes, the stones began to glow. She felt her pulse quicken.
~Sithathor~
Her eyes widened. A heat engulfed her body, and she felt lightheaded for a moment then-
"Hathy?"
Sithathor blinked her eyes. Almost as if coming out of a dream, she turned to her husband. "Yes?"
Alex frowned. "Are you okay? You seemed to be miles away a moment ago."
Sithathor smiled. "Was I? Well, I think it is time we found Cleo. I am tired all of a sudden."
"Of course," Alex said. He lead her out of the room. They found Cleo annoying several visitors in the 1600s exhibit, and managed to pry her away from them.
Cleo walked ahead of the couple, skipping and laughing. "Well, that was interesting!"
....................................................................
Iset entered her tent, and moved to the back. Burying her training supplies, she turned to start dinner, and let out a muffled shriek. Siamun sat to the side of the tent opening, his arms crosses over his chest, eyes following her movements. Iset released a relieved sigh. "Husband! You frightened me."
"Did I?" Siamun asked softly. "Forgive me."
Iset edged toward the side of the tent she had hid her things. "I thought you would be out training with your brothers."
"Yes, I know that is what you thought," Siamun replied.
Iset's stomach churned. She felt a sliver of fear run down her spine as her husband closed the tent flap, effectively stopping anyone from trying to enter their tent, should anyone want to. They were alone, and Iset did not get the normal warm feelings coming from her husband. She watched him with her eyes as he walked past her and knelt down next to her things. Slowly, he dug them out from their hole, and held her dagger in his hand. He stared at it for quite some time, Iset searching his face, hoping for some sign in her favor. Instead, her husband stood, the dagger still in his hand and pointed in her direction. Iset tensed.
"You realize that I could beat you for this? That I should beat you? If it were known that you were doing this...training, many would voice out against it and demand your punishment?" Siamun asked angrily.
"Sithathor trained since she was almost eight. I have a right-"
"You have NO right! I am your husband," Siamun roared. "You should have asked me to do this. But not only did you not ask my permission, you got my father involved."
"I did not," Iset defended. "Sithathor left me gifts, evidence that she wanted me taught to be a warrior...like her. Your father agreed to teach me willingly, and it was he that urged me to do it, despite my fears. And I don't regret it."
Siamun advanced on her, the dagger thrown to the ground.
Iset straightened defensively, her chin up. "You may beat me, but I will never be broken. Like it or not husband, I will be a Medjai! Not you, not my father, not even the Medjai Council itself will stop me." She took the remaining steps necessary to be directly in front of her husband, no fear on her face. "I...I care for you husband, but you will not bend me. I am not just a woman, I am your equal. I WILL become a warrior...or I will die trying."
Siamun blinked. His jaw flexed, his temple throbbed in suppressed anger. "Do you realize what could happen if you are found out? You could be shunned by the tribe."
"I don't care. Sithathor managed."
"Very few knew of Sithathor's ability and training. Those who did were not stupid enough to go against our father and denounce her in front of the Council. You are not as protected as she was. She was the daughter of Ardeth. You are merely his son's wife," Siamun told her.
Iset blinked back tears. "His son's wife? Is that all I am to you? Your cook, cleaner? Nothing more than a servant to do your bidding?"
Siamun looked away, and seemed to think a minute before answering. "You are my wife, my lover, the future mother of my children. I have accepted you into my life, though you were forced upon me. But I can not allow you to make me the laughingstock of the tribe. One day I will be leader. I can not have a wife who is disobedient."
Iset forced the grief in her heart down, and approached him, her face mere inches away from his. "It is your thinking that makes me disobedient. But I will not change my mind. I will be a warrior, with your blessing or without."
Siamun stared into her eyes, his face an emotionless mask. "So be it." He muttered, and stalked out of the tent.
Iset feel to her knees, her eyes filled with tears. She hugged her stomach, and moved to sit in a corner, rocking slowly back in forth to hold the tears back.
............................................................................ ...
Siamun burst into his father's tent, not even bothering to announce himself. Ardeth looked up from reading a scroll, and Mia was making clothes for Peyes.
"How dare you!"
Ardeth tensed. "Mia, will you go visit Sati for a while?"
Mia nodded, and wordlessly left the tent.
Ardeth rose to his feet. "So, you know."
"Yes, I know, and you had no right father." Siamun snapped angrily.
"I may be your father, but you will not address me so disrespectfully," Ardeth told him calmly. "Now, as for Iset. She is every much my responsibility as you and your brothers are. Now your sister believed in her enough to want this for her. She has practiced everyday...and you would be surprised how good she is."
"I don't give a damn-" Siamun inserted furiously.
"Once again, you will address me respectfully," Ardeth told him.
Siamun quieted.
"It was your wife's decision, but I choose to offer it to her. She has every right to choose her fate," Ardeth said.
"Like I choose mine in marrying her," Siamun asked softly.
"Do not mistake fate with destiny. It was your destiny to marry Iset, just as it was Sithathor's destiny to marry Alex...I have discovered this now. Allah moves in mysterious ways-"
Siamun snorted rudely.
"-but you must see what is meant for you. I know you love her. That is why you are so angry," Ardeth informed him.
Siamun laughed. "Love her? No."
"Yes, you do."
Siamun shook his head, almost as if convincing himself. "No."
"Tell me this son. Why didn't you beat her, or refuse to allow her to continue in her training. It is what a normal husband would do, one who wants his wife only as a docile figure, nothing more. Haven't you thought to wonder why you care so much?"
Siamun stared at his father, a bewildered look on his face. Ardeth smiled and patted the back of his son's neck. "It is not easy being a man...or for that matter, a man in love." He let the his tent, while his son remained rooted at the spot, the same funny look on his face.
*************************************************
A/N: Thank you everyone who reviewed. I would put more, but I am in a hurry...sorry! Take care everyone.
..........................................................................
Blind
................................................................
Sithathor stared up at the statues and carvings that made up the building that her husband worked in. The British Museum smelled old, and she felt a hint of mystery that she recognized. It was the same feeling and sense she had when she had joined her father in a trip to a sacred temple. Except this feeling wasn't coming from the building itself. Instead, it was coming from somewhere within. Sithathor felt a nudge on her side, and looked down. Cleo stared up at her, a questioning look on her face. Sithathor shrugged and followed the young girl as she entered the museum. Cleo walked through the exhibits with a sureness of someone who had spent a lot of time there. Sithathor watched as Cleo turned a corner, and called out, "Cleo, wait a minute."
~Sithathor~
Sithathor stopped in her tracks and turned. Her eyes searched the corridor behind her and saw no one. She looked beside her and saw a closed door, with a 'Do Not Enter,' sign on it. Something within her prompted her to try the door knob, and she felt a rush of relief mixed with fear as it opened effortlessly under her fingers. She pushed the door open and peered into the dark room, her gaze following the trail of light filtering through the door. Waiting for several seconds, Sithathor mentally shook herself, and turned away, scolding herself internally for her paranoia.
~Sithathor~
Whirling, her eyes searched for the origin of the whispery voice that echoed into her mind causing a cold shiver travel down her spine. Sithathor reached for her dagger, and unsheathed it quickly. In the ancient language, she called out, "Who calls for me? Show yourself, or pronounce yourself a coward!"
"Hathy?" a small voice spoke from the doorway.
Sithathor turned and immediately hide the dagger behind her back. "Cleo!" Sithathor's tone was filled with surprised, and she hoped it hid the spark of anxiety she was feeling.
"Hey! I thought you were right behind me." Cleo looked from side to side in the room, noting Sithathor's stiff posture. She watched Sithathor glance around the room. "Are you okay?"
Sithathor looked sharply over at Cleo. Sithathor smiled almost convincingly, and walked toward the younger girl. "Of course I am okay. Why wouldn't I be?"
Cleo eyed her sister-in-law curiously, and shrugged. "Never mind. Now come on. No one but Mr. Lateef can be in here. We might get Alex in trouble."
Sithathor nodded, and followed the nine year-old out of the room. Just outside the door, she paused and peered on last time into the darkened area. A cold breeze fluttered across her cheek, moving her hair gently. Without a word, Sithathor closed the door and put her dagger back in its place.
...................................................................
Alex looked up in surprise. "What are you two doing here?"
Sithathor walked up to her husband and smiled. "Cleo wanted to show me the exhibit you were working on. The renovation of the Ancient Egypt Exhibit. I would love to see the relics of my people's history."
Alex grinned. "Would my two lovely ladies like a tour?"
Cleo laughed. "Please, I have seen the whole thing like a zillion times! No, I am going to visit the Elizabethan Exhibit if you don't mind." Without another word, she tore of toward the corridors and disappeared from site.
Alex watched his sister leave and grinned. "For a nine year old, she sure is smart."
Sithathor agreed. "Yes." Her curiosity overcame her, and she looked the room over. Several pieces of the exhibit were on display, waiting to be moved where they were being placed. "So much history. My history." She walked up to a glass box that held a tablet written in the ancient Egyptian dialect. Her fingers caressed the glass, her eyes mirroring the image.
Alex watched her, a sense of pride in his heart. "Would you like me to show you around?"
Sithathor straightened and dazzled her husband with a smile. "I would love it."
Taking her hand, Alex led her around the large rooms, each holding another part of her people's rich history. Sometimes he told her the story behind the artifact, and to Alex's surprise, sometimes she would tell him facts and histories he himself did not know. They made it to the last room, where an older man stood with his back to them, eyeing a display case. Alex's smile widened. "Professor Lateef!"
The man turned to reveal a kind faced man with glasses and slim body. He looked to be of Egyptian descent, with his skin tone and face shape. "Alex! How are you my friend?"
"I am great Professor." Alex shook hands with him. "Sir, I would like to introduce you to my wife, Sithathor."
Lateef looked down at Sithathor from his rimmed glasses. "The daughter of Hathor! It is a pleasure to meet you. Alex here has said a lot about you! It is a pleasure to meet you."
Sithathor allowed him to take her hand, and he pressed it against his forehead in an unusual salute. Sithathor felt an uneasy feeling creep up her spine, but she suppressed it. Alex trusted this man, it was only right that she did so to. "My husband has shown me around this wonderful place. It is so remarkable how history can seem so alive." Sithathor moved to see what the Professor had been looking at before they had interrupted him. Within a large glass case, two necklaces, both beautiful and ornate. "How lovely."
Lateef came up beside her and smiled. "Yes, very lovely. They were made around 2800 B.C., by an unknown craftsmen. It is said, that these necklaces were created for a magical purpose. They were used to allow a soul from the dead to enter a living being's body, without removing the already ingrained soul within that being. Quite extraordinary."
"Yes," Sithathor replied quietly. "Quite." She watched one of the necklaces, the one decked with blue jewels. Before her eyes, the stones began to glow. She felt her pulse quicken.
~Sithathor~
Her eyes widened. A heat engulfed her body, and she felt lightheaded for a moment then-
"Hathy?"
Sithathor blinked her eyes. Almost as if coming out of a dream, she turned to her husband. "Yes?"
Alex frowned. "Are you okay? You seemed to be miles away a moment ago."
Sithathor smiled. "Was I? Well, I think it is time we found Cleo. I am tired all of a sudden."
"Of course," Alex said. He lead her out of the room. They found Cleo annoying several visitors in the 1600s exhibit, and managed to pry her away from them.
Cleo walked ahead of the couple, skipping and laughing. "Well, that was interesting!"
....................................................................
Iset entered her tent, and moved to the back. Burying her training supplies, she turned to start dinner, and let out a muffled shriek. Siamun sat to the side of the tent opening, his arms crosses over his chest, eyes following her movements. Iset released a relieved sigh. "Husband! You frightened me."
"Did I?" Siamun asked softly. "Forgive me."
Iset edged toward the side of the tent she had hid her things. "I thought you would be out training with your brothers."
"Yes, I know that is what you thought," Siamun replied.
Iset's stomach churned. She felt a sliver of fear run down her spine as her husband closed the tent flap, effectively stopping anyone from trying to enter their tent, should anyone want to. They were alone, and Iset did not get the normal warm feelings coming from her husband. She watched him with her eyes as he walked past her and knelt down next to her things. Slowly, he dug them out from their hole, and held her dagger in his hand. He stared at it for quite some time, Iset searching his face, hoping for some sign in her favor. Instead, her husband stood, the dagger still in his hand and pointed in her direction. Iset tensed.
"You realize that I could beat you for this? That I should beat you? If it were known that you were doing this...training, many would voice out against it and demand your punishment?" Siamun asked angrily.
"Sithathor trained since she was almost eight. I have a right-"
"You have NO right! I am your husband," Siamun roared. "You should have asked me to do this. But not only did you not ask my permission, you got my father involved."
"I did not," Iset defended. "Sithathor left me gifts, evidence that she wanted me taught to be a warrior...like her. Your father agreed to teach me willingly, and it was he that urged me to do it, despite my fears. And I don't regret it."
Siamun advanced on her, the dagger thrown to the ground.
Iset straightened defensively, her chin up. "You may beat me, but I will never be broken. Like it or not husband, I will be a Medjai! Not you, not my father, not even the Medjai Council itself will stop me." She took the remaining steps necessary to be directly in front of her husband, no fear on her face. "I...I care for you husband, but you will not bend me. I am not just a woman, I am your equal. I WILL become a warrior...or I will die trying."
Siamun blinked. His jaw flexed, his temple throbbed in suppressed anger. "Do you realize what could happen if you are found out? You could be shunned by the tribe."
"I don't care. Sithathor managed."
"Very few knew of Sithathor's ability and training. Those who did were not stupid enough to go against our father and denounce her in front of the Council. You are not as protected as she was. She was the daughter of Ardeth. You are merely his son's wife," Siamun told her.
Iset blinked back tears. "His son's wife? Is that all I am to you? Your cook, cleaner? Nothing more than a servant to do your bidding?"
Siamun looked away, and seemed to think a minute before answering. "You are my wife, my lover, the future mother of my children. I have accepted you into my life, though you were forced upon me. But I can not allow you to make me the laughingstock of the tribe. One day I will be leader. I can not have a wife who is disobedient."
Iset forced the grief in her heart down, and approached him, her face mere inches away from his. "It is your thinking that makes me disobedient. But I will not change my mind. I will be a warrior, with your blessing or without."
Siamun stared into her eyes, his face an emotionless mask. "So be it." He muttered, and stalked out of the tent.
Iset feel to her knees, her eyes filled with tears. She hugged her stomach, and moved to sit in a corner, rocking slowly back in forth to hold the tears back.
............................................................................ ...
Siamun burst into his father's tent, not even bothering to announce himself. Ardeth looked up from reading a scroll, and Mia was making clothes for Peyes.
"How dare you!"
Ardeth tensed. "Mia, will you go visit Sati for a while?"
Mia nodded, and wordlessly left the tent.
Ardeth rose to his feet. "So, you know."
"Yes, I know, and you had no right father." Siamun snapped angrily.
"I may be your father, but you will not address me so disrespectfully," Ardeth told him calmly. "Now, as for Iset. She is every much my responsibility as you and your brothers are. Now your sister believed in her enough to want this for her. She has practiced everyday...and you would be surprised how good she is."
"I don't give a damn-" Siamun inserted furiously.
"Once again, you will address me respectfully," Ardeth told him.
Siamun quieted.
"It was your wife's decision, but I choose to offer it to her. She has every right to choose her fate," Ardeth said.
"Like I choose mine in marrying her," Siamun asked softly.
"Do not mistake fate with destiny. It was your destiny to marry Iset, just as it was Sithathor's destiny to marry Alex...I have discovered this now. Allah moves in mysterious ways-"
Siamun snorted rudely.
"-but you must see what is meant for you. I know you love her. That is why you are so angry," Ardeth informed him.
Siamun laughed. "Love her? No."
"Yes, you do."
Siamun shook his head, almost as if convincing himself. "No."
"Tell me this son. Why didn't you beat her, or refuse to allow her to continue in her training. It is what a normal husband would do, one who wants his wife only as a docile figure, nothing more. Haven't you thought to wonder why you care so much?"
Siamun stared at his father, a bewildered look on his face. Ardeth smiled and patted the back of his son's neck. "It is not easy being a man...or for that matter, a man in love." He let the his tent, while his son remained rooted at the spot, the same funny look on his face.
*************************************************
A/N: Thank you everyone who reviewed. I would put more, but I am in a hurry...sorry! Take care everyone.