Hey guys thanx Jessie, and mel and others for reviewing, sorry this
chapter took a little longer, but I hope u like it.
Oxoxo sarah.
Chapter Seven
"Is it love at first sight?"
It was still only a couple of days after Nefertiri's birthday celebration and Imhotep was still captivated by the mysterious dancer. He still did not know her name, but he had sudden impulses to see her face just one more time. Imhotep knew that his thoughts and desires were inappropriate for a High Priest, and regularly prayed to Osiris asking for forgiveness and help.
He decided the one person who would understand and be able to talk to about his feelings was his friend Ashait. Imhotep knew where he would be able to find Ashait. He assumed that he would be somewhere with Nefertiri, as the two were engaged in a forbidden passion. It had become night-time when Imhotep had entered the palace. He walked up to Nefertiri's room, where he found the two embraced in each others arms.
"Ashait, I must speak with you, can we go out-side?"
"Yeah sure thing Imhotep."
And with that the two friends walked out onto the balcony.
"Ashait, I'm in trouble. I desperately need help,"
"What is it Imhotep? You know you can always ask me anything,"
"Ashait, I think I am in love. I cannot stop thinking about this girl, I do not even know who she is, all I can remember the way she moved, the way she smiled, the way she looked.. I can't get it out of my head. I've prayed to Osiris, but I think he has abandoned me, and punishing me for these forbidden thoughts."
Ashait could not contain himself and burst out laughing. "Oh Imhotep, I thought it was something serious, hahahah, you are just infatuated, now you know how I have felt all this time with Nefertiri. Tell me, when you know who this mystery girl is, show me to her, and I will see if she is worth your pain and suffering. Haha, it is only love," and Ashait started to walk away, leaving Imhotep to muse about his feelings.
To clear his mind, Imhotep decided to go for a walk. He walked at a brisk pace along the corridors. As he past an open balcony he suddenly heard the noise of somebody weeping. On the balcony was a fragile figure curled up on the floor whimpering. It was when he approached the figure his heart fluttered and realised it was her..
**********************************
After her performance at the banquet, Anck-su-namun received much attention. Those who knew her and were her friends complemented and congratulated her, those who did not like were overwhelmed with jealously and finally, those who had not previously known her, now where entranced and in love with her.
As she walked down the corridors heads turned where ever she went. The men in the palace gazed upon her, fixated on her body. The looks on their faces was what disturbed Anck-su-namun the most. They all wore the looks of lust and desire, they all wanted to have her, but they could not, as she was a possession of the Pharaoh and still untouched.
Days, weeks and months went by and it was only two weeks until Anck-su- namun's sixteenth birthday, the day she would be officially presented to the Pharaoh and become one of his customary concubines. Anck-su-namun was dreading this day, as she did not want to be a possession and live out the rest of her life in misery. She wanted to have an exciting future with adventure and true love.. But she would never experience true love, and that is what hurt her the most.
As the day neared, Anck-su-namun spent more time with the other concubines, in order that she would be ready on her sixteenth birthday to please the Pharaoh. Although the beautiful women did not want to give out their secrets, the few that were friendly helped her, describing how she must act, what she must say, how she must please the Pharaoh. As this was happening, the favourite, Takharu looked on with jealousy. She knew that Anck-su-namun would be tough competition, and decided to go out of her way to make sure she did not take her place as the favourite.
"Girls, girls, we do not want to give young Anck-su-namun all of our secrets do we? she'll be used more than us, we can not let that happen," Takharu smiled a false smile, trying to make what she had said a joke, though there was truth behind it.
The other concubines laughed at this and one came up and said, still laughing, "Takharu, we won't give away ALL our secrets, just a few. Come on, we were all like this when we first started, frightened and clueless. It is our responsibility to help the new maidens, so the Pharaoh is pleased with our work. Any way, we all know that when a new maiden comes along she receives the most attention, so we are all going to have to get used to that," she paused looking at Takharu, who was now stricken in the face, "Do not stress Takharu, you are the favourite, we all know that, and I do not think you will lose that role... just yet." She said the last bit under her breath and only Anck-su-namun heard it and wondered who would be appointed the role as favourite if it was not Takharu.
After she left the group of beautiful women, she wondered down the hallways to go to her dance practise, as during her presentation, she was to dance. As she wondered down the halls, she thought about what the other concubines had told her. Was she really going to have to please that Pharaoh night after night? Or would she just entertain him by dancing? She hoped all she would have to do is dance, but she knew she was being naïve. She had heard stories of what went on between the Pharaoh and his concubine. She had also seen the bruises and the looks of exhaustion the night after. Most of the women said it was a great honour being chosen by the pharaoh and that they enjoyed it very much. But there were the few that beneath their brave faces looked in pain and miserable. Anck-su-namun found that she was beginning to despise the Pharaoh already, from discovering his acts with the concubines. She was utterly dreading her sixteenth birthday and was desperate to find a way out of it. While deep in thought, Anck-su-namun was not looking where she was going, and walked right into a Medji. The collision gave her a shock, and she realised that some of her paint had smeared and was in horror of what it looked like.
Ashait had just left Nefertiri's room when, BANG. he just collided with a girl. He recognised the girl as the dancer at the banquet and newest concubine to-be, for the Pharaoh. He had thought the girl was composed and confident, almost cocky, just like the other concubines, who he had no respect for, but as he looked into her eyes, he saw fear and slightly adjusted his values.
"I am so sorry," she gushed, "I was not looking where I was going," tears were welling up in her eyes.
"No, no, it was my fault completely," Ashait wondered why the girl was starting to cry and decided that he did not want to create a scene, and tried to comfort the girl as best as he could. Without meaning to, his eyes glanced down at her body and realised that her paint had smudged.
'This must be why she is crying, because it looks like someone has touched her,' he thought to himself and at the same time he realised he had traces of her paint on himself.
'oh no, I must get to a bath to wash the paint off.' Ashait knew how terrible this looked, and also knew the consequences of touching a concubine. Both looked at each other and hurried off in order of fixing their appearance.
Anck-su-namun still had tears steaming down her face when she reached her quarters. She ran in and franticly looked for Kiya or Heber as they would understand what happened. She found Kiya preparing the bath for her, and she rushed over and told Kiya what happened. Kiya kept very calm and comforted Anck-su-namun, telling her everything was to be alright, and that she can just re-apply the paint. Anck-su-namun embraced Kiya. She felt that she needed to be held by someone who cared for her, as there weren't many who did. After having the paint re-applied, Anck-su-namun was content again and went off to her dance practise.
***********************************
The day of Anck-su-namun's birthday had dawned and Anck-su-namun was woken in the early hours of the morning. She was bathed and painted and dressed and was given permission to go out-side the palace to a temple of her choice to pray for the day. As Anck-su-namun had become a devote follower to Isis, she went to the temple of Isis. All the priestesses where all dressed in pure white linen robes with the same pendant of Isis, which Anck- su-namun wore. They all greeted her with love and friendship and lead her to the sacred pool where the main statue of Isis was situated. Anck-su-namun knelt before the stature and began to pray. Not long after, a soft voice called her name.
"Anck-su-namun. Anck-su-namun devoted follower of Isis, Pharaoh's concubine, come to me."
Anck-su-namun stopped in the middle of her prayer and turned around. The voice who had spoken was that of the High Priestess of Isis. The High Priestess of Isis was a beautiful woman in her late twenties with shinny black hair and the deepest intense blue eyes. Her name was Isetnofret, which meant daughter to Isis or Isis is beautiful. Isetnofret led Anck-su-namun away from the statue and to the edge of the sacred pool. She placed the tips of her fingers lightly on Anck-su-namun's face and let them trail down her cheek.
"Anck-su-namun, I know you are unhappy and dreading the night to come. But let me assure you from one negative action will bring about a positive. Just get through tonight, as you will endure pain and heartache, though Isis has told me that in the coming months their will be great joy in your life."
"What kind of joy, High Priestess?"
Isetnofret smiled mysteriously, "That is for you to find out, my child. Here is an amulet that Isis has blessed you to wear, wear it Anck-su-namun and you will be forever blessed with the power of Isis. Now step into the Sacred pool and let Isis calm your mind."
Anck-su-namun looked at the bracelet Isetnofret had given her. The amulet was of Isis holding a phoenix, a very powerful symbol indeed and with that, Anck-su-namun stepped into the pool and laid there till afternoon.
***************************
By the time she returned to the Palace, the sky had started to set and Anck- su-namun was to be bathed and dressed. She walked along the corridors and found an open balcony in the midst of it. She walked towards it and looked out over the kingdom. At sunset, Egypt was beautiful, as the deep gold and red rays of the sun shone out over the kingdom. She sighed as she knew today would be the last day of freedom and that night she would begin her ordeal. Overwhelmed with emotion, Anck-su-namun collapsed to the ground and started to weep. She did not want to be owned, she wanted to have a life. In the midst of her crying she did not hear the person approaching her.
***
She was ingrossed with her tears that she did not hear him approach. Imhotep saw how miserable she was and decided to comfort her, even though he knew he would not be allowed to touch her. She was beautiful, the most beautiful and enchanting of the Pharaoh's concubines. He also knew she was different from the others, who were vain and prided themselves in their actions, yes she was different.
As he came closer he saw that she was not yet painted, but dressed in a tight, golden skirt and shirt with no sleeves. Her skirt was short and was slit at the sides all the way up to her curvaceous hips. She wore no sandals and upon her right arm she wore a golden phoenix amulet, the symbol of immortality, a most intriguing accessory. He also noticed the pendant of Isis around her neck and realised that she was a devotee to the wife of his God. Imhotep also realised that he had seen her before, another time besides the banquet. As he approached he realised he had seen her on her first day at the palace with all the other girls, she had been the one with the look of content on her face.
She was crying on the floor, and Imhotep had to do something. 'Oh to hell with it' he thought and placed his hand on her fragile shoulder and gently asked,
"What's wrong?"
Anck-su-namun jumped up in fright. One she had been touched, two she had been touched by the second most powerful man, three, she had not expected anyone to come up to her.
The fear must have shown in her eyes, because Imhotep smiled gently and tried to soothe the girl.
"now don't be frightened, it's all right, what's wrong?"
"I am not permitted to say sir."
"Do you know who I am?" Imhotep asked,
"Yes sir," she felt slightly intimidated and kept her eyes on the ground, "You are the High Priest of Osiris and Royal Vizier to the Pharaoh."
"My name is Imhotep, and yes you are correct, I am the High Priest of Osiris. Would you care to tell me your name?"
"Sir," Imhotep interrupted, "call me Imhotep," "ok." she said uneasily, "Imhotep, my name is just a name, and is worthless to you."
"Please, I must know your name," as he said so, Imhotep grabbed her wrist with a look of desperation on his face. As he touched her Anck-su-namun jumped away, holding her wrist in her hands and her eyes focused on the ground. She sighed "Alright, if you must know, I am Anck-su-namun, and tonight I will be presented to the Pharaoh."
'anck-su-namun, anck-su-namun, what a beautiful name.' Imhotep thought. A pang of jealousy shot through him as he realised this was to be Anck-su- namun's last moments of freedom. He had also noticed she had stopped crying and was now looking out over the kingdom.
"It's very beautiful isn't it?" she asked.
"You are even more,"
"what?" she asked questionly,
"beautiful"
They stood close together, only a foot apart and looked into the depths of each others eyes, searching for console. They were suddenly interrupted by the calls of Kiya who was to get Anck-su-namun ready for the nights events.
"Anck-su-namun, Anck-su-namun, there you are. Come on we MUST get you ready." Kiya saw Imhotep and bowed her head at him, and pulled Anck-su- namun away to her quarters.
*************** there you go, that took a little longer than expected. Hope you like it, plz review:)
xoxo sarah
Chapter Seven
"Is it love at first sight?"
It was still only a couple of days after Nefertiri's birthday celebration and Imhotep was still captivated by the mysterious dancer. He still did not know her name, but he had sudden impulses to see her face just one more time. Imhotep knew that his thoughts and desires were inappropriate for a High Priest, and regularly prayed to Osiris asking for forgiveness and help.
He decided the one person who would understand and be able to talk to about his feelings was his friend Ashait. Imhotep knew where he would be able to find Ashait. He assumed that he would be somewhere with Nefertiri, as the two were engaged in a forbidden passion. It had become night-time when Imhotep had entered the palace. He walked up to Nefertiri's room, where he found the two embraced in each others arms.
"Ashait, I must speak with you, can we go out-side?"
"Yeah sure thing Imhotep."
And with that the two friends walked out onto the balcony.
"Ashait, I'm in trouble. I desperately need help,"
"What is it Imhotep? You know you can always ask me anything,"
"Ashait, I think I am in love. I cannot stop thinking about this girl, I do not even know who she is, all I can remember the way she moved, the way she smiled, the way she looked.. I can't get it out of my head. I've prayed to Osiris, but I think he has abandoned me, and punishing me for these forbidden thoughts."
Ashait could not contain himself and burst out laughing. "Oh Imhotep, I thought it was something serious, hahahah, you are just infatuated, now you know how I have felt all this time with Nefertiri. Tell me, when you know who this mystery girl is, show me to her, and I will see if she is worth your pain and suffering. Haha, it is only love," and Ashait started to walk away, leaving Imhotep to muse about his feelings.
To clear his mind, Imhotep decided to go for a walk. He walked at a brisk pace along the corridors. As he past an open balcony he suddenly heard the noise of somebody weeping. On the balcony was a fragile figure curled up on the floor whimpering. It was when he approached the figure his heart fluttered and realised it was her..
**********************************
After her performance at the banquet, Anck-su-namun received much attention. Those who knew her and were her friends complemented and congratulated her, those who did not like were overwhelmed with jealously and finally, those who had not previously known her, now where entranced and in love with her.
As she walked down the corridors heads turned where ever she went. The men in the palace gazed upon her, fixated on her body. The looks on their faces was what disturbed Anck-su-namun the most. They all wore the looks of lust and desire, they all wanted to have her, but they could not, as she was a possession of the Pharaoh and still untouched.
Days, weeks and months went by and it was only two weeks until Anck-su- namun's sixteenth birthday, the day she would be officially presented to the Pharaoh and become one of his customary concubines. Anck-su-namun was dreading this day, as she did not want to be a possession and live out the rest of her life in misery. She wanted to have an exciting future with adventure and true love.. But she would never experience true love, and that is what hurt her the most.
As the day neared, Anck-su-namun spent more time with the other concubines, in order that she would be ready on her sixteenth birthday to please the Pharaoh. Although the beautiful women did not want to give out their secrets, the few that were friendly helped her, describing how she must act, what she must say, how she must please the Pharaoh. As this was happening, the favourite, Takharu looked on with jealousy. She knew that Anck-su-namun would be tough competition, and decided to go out of her way to make sure she did not take her place as the favourite.
"Girls, girls, we do not want to give young Anck-su-namun all of our secrets do we? she'll be used more than us, we can not let that happen," Takharu smiled a false smile, trying to make what she had said a joke, though there was truth behind it.
The other concubines laughed at this and one came up and said, still laughing, "Takharu, we won't give away ALL our secrets, just a few. Come on, we were all like this when we first started, frightened and clueless. It is our responsibility to help the new maidens, so the Pharaoh is pleased with our work. Any way, we all know that when a new maiden comes along she receives the most attention, so we are all going to have to get used to that," she paused looking at Takharu, who was now stricken in the face, "Do not stress Takharu, you are the favourite, we all know that, and I do not think you will lose that role... just yet." She said the last bit under her breath and only Anck-su-namun heard it and wondered who would be appointed the role as favourite if it was not Takharu.
After she left the group of beautiful women, she wondered down the hallways to go to her dance practise, as during her presentation, she was to dance. As she wondered down the halls, she thought about what the other concubines had told her. Was she really going to have to please that Pharaoh night after night? Or would she just entertain him by dancing? She hoped all she would have to do is dance, but she knew she was being naïve. She had heard stories of what went on between the Pharaoh and his concubine. She had also seen the bruises and the looks of exhaustion the night after. Most of the women said it was a great honour being chosen by the pharaoh and that they enjoyed it very much. But there were the few that beneath their brave faces looked in pain and miserable. Anck-su-namun found that she was beginning to despise the Pharaoh already, from discovering his acts with the concubines. She was utterly dreading her sixteenth birthday and was desperate to find a way out of it. While deep in thought, Anck-su-namun was not looking where she was going, and walked right into a Medji. The collision gave her a shock, and she realised that some of her paint had smeared and was in horror of what it looked like.
Ashait had just left Nefertiri's room when, BANG. he just collided with a girl. He recognised the girl as the dancer at the banquet and newest concubine to-be, for the Pharaoh. He had thought the girl was composed and confident, almost cocky, just like the other concubines, who he had no respect for, but as he looked into her eyes, he saw fear and slightly adjusted his values.
"I am so sorry," she gushed, "I was not looking where I was going," tears were welling up in her eyes.
"No, no, it was my fault completely," Ashait wondered why the girl was starting to cry and decided that he did not want to create a scene, and tried to comfort the girl as best as he could. Without meaning to, his eyes glanced down at her body and realised that her paint had smudged.
'This must be why she is crying, because it looks like someone has touched her,' he thought to himself and at the same time he realised he had traces of her paint on himself.
'oh no, I must get to a bath to wash the paint off.' Ashait knew how terrible this looked, and also knew the consequences of touching a concubine. Both looked at each other and hurried off in order of fixing their appearance.
Anck-su-namun still had tears steaming down her face when she reached her quarters. She ran in and franticly looked for Kiya or Heber as they would understand what happened. She found Kiya preparing the bath for her, and she rushed over and told Kiya what happened. Kiya kept very calm and comforted Anck-su-namun, telling her everything was to be alright, and that she can just re-apply the paint. Anck-su-namun embraced Kiya. She felt that she needed to be held by someone who cared for her, as there weren't many who did. After having the paint re-applied, Anck-su-namun was content again and went off to her dance practise.
***********************************
The day of Anck-su-namun's birthday had dawned and Anck-su-namun was woken in the early hours of the morning. She was bathed and painted and dressed and was given permission to go out-side the palace to a temple of her choice to pray for the day. As Anck-su-namun had become a devote follower to Isis, she went to the temple of Isis. All the priestesses where all dressed in pure white linen robes with the same pendant of Isis, which Anck- su-namun wore. They all greeted her with love and friendship and lead her to the sacred pool where the main statue of Isis was situated. Anck-su-namun knelt before the stature and began to pray. Not long after, a soft voice called her name.
"Anck-su-namun. Anck-su-namun devoted follower of Isis, Pharaoh's concubine, come to me."
Anck-su-namun stopped in the middle of her prayer and turned around. The voice who had spoken was that of the High Priestess of Isis. The High Priestess of Isis was a beautiful woman in her late twenties with shinny black hair and the deepest intense blue eyes. Her name was Isetnofret, which meant daughter to Isis or Isis is beautiful. Isetnofret led Anck-su-namun away from the statue and to the edge of the sacred pool. She placed the tips of her fingers lightly on Anck-su-namun's face and let them trail down her cheek.
"Anck-su-namun, I know you are unhappy and dreading the night to come. But let me assure you from one negative action will bring about a positive. Just get through tonight, as you will endure pain and heartache, though Isis has told me that in the coming months their will be great joy in your life."
"What kind of joy, High Priestess?"
Isetnofret smiled mysteriously, "That is for you to find out, my child. Here is an amulet that Isis has blessed you to wear, wear it Anck-su-namun and you will be forever blessed with the power of Isis. Now step into the Sacred pool and let Isis calm your mind."
Anck-su-namun looked at the bracelet Isetnofret had given her. The amulet was of Isis holding a phoenix, a very powerful symbol indeed and with that, Anck-su-namun stepped into the pool and laid there till afternoon.
***************************
By the time she returned to the Palace, the sky had started to set and Anck- su-namun was to be bathed and dressed. She walked along the corridors and found an open balcony in the midst of it. She walked towards it and looked out over the kingdom. At sunset, Egypt was beautiful, as the deep gold and red rays of the sun shone out over the kingdom. She sighed as she knew today would be the last day of freedom and that night she would begin her ordeal. Overwhelmed with emotion, Anck-su-namun collapsed to the ground and started to weep. She did not want to be owned, she wanted to have a life. In the midst of her crying she did not hear the person approaching her.
***
She was ingrossed with her tears that she did not hear him approach. Imhotep saw how miserable she was and decided to comfort her, even though he knew he would not be allowed to touch her. She was beautiful, the most beautiful and enchanting of the Pharaoh's concubines. He also knew she was different from the others, who were vain and prided themselves in their actions, yes she was different.
As he came closer he saw that she was not yet painted, but dressed in a tight, golden skirt and shirt with no sleeves. Her skirt was short and was slit at the sides all the way up to her curvaceous hips. She wore no sandals and upon her right arm she wore a golden phoenix amulet, the symbol of immortality, a most intriguing accessory. He also noticed the pendant of Isis around her neck and realised that she was a devotee to the wife of his God. Imhotep also realised that he had seen her before, another time besides the banquet. As he approached he realised he had seen her on her first day at the palace with all the other girls, she had been the one with the look of content on her face.
She was crying on the floor, and Imhotep had to do something. 'Oh to hell with it' he thought and placed his hand on her fragile shoulder and gently asked,
"What's wrong?"
Anck-su-namun jumped up in fright. One she had been touched, two she had been touched by the second most powerful man, three, she had not expected anyone to come up to her.
The fear must have shown in her eyes, because Imhotep smiled gently and tried to soothe the girl.
"now don't be frightened, it's all right, what's wrong?"
"I am not permitted to say sir."
"Do you know who I am?" Imhotep asked,
"Yes sir," she felt slightly intimidated and kept her eyes on the ground, "You are the High Priest of Osiris and Royal Vizier to the Pharaoh."
"My name is Imhotep, and yes you are correct, I am the High Priest of Osiris. Would you care to tell me your name?"
"Sir," Imhotep interrupted, "call me Imhotep," "ok." she said uneasily, "Imhotep, my name is just a name, and is worthless to you."
"Please, I must know your name," as he said so, Imhotep grabbed her wrist with a look of desperation on his face. As he touched her Anck-su-namun jumped away, holding her wrist in her hands and her eyes focused on the ground. She sighed "Alright, if you must know, I am Anck-su-namun, and tonight I will be presented to the Pharaoh."
'anck-su-namun, anck-su-namun, what a beautiful name.' Imhotep thought. A pang of jealousy shot through him as he realised this was to be Anck-su- namun's last moments of freedom. He had also noticed she had stopped crying and was now looking out over the kingdom.
"It's very beautiful isn't it?" she asked.
"You are even more,"
"what?" she asked questionly,
"beautiful"
They stood close together, only a foot apart and looked into the depths of each others eyes, searching for console. They were suddenly interrupted by the calls of Kiya who was to get Anck-su-namun ready for the nights events.
"Anck-su-namun, Anck-su-namun, there you are. Come on we MUST get you ready." Kiya saw Imhotep and bowed her head at him, and pulled Anck-su- namun away to her quarters.
*************** there you go, that took a little longer than expected. Hope you like it, plz review:)
xoxo sarah