"Harith, I believe our son has found his wife," Zia said to her husband, as they walked about the camp the next morning.
"Matchmaking already, Zia? He brought her here for you to heal her, not make her his wife," Harith said with a deep chuckle.
"They have shared many dreams, my husband. The same as Asima and Edward had. They had never met until they were in Cairo at the same time. Do you remember how fast they united? We do not ignore our destinies," Zia said, looking up to her husband.
Zia was in her fifties and stood only five foot and a few inches. Harith was also in his fifties and was six feet. Zia's hair was mostly gray with a few streaks of black hair mixed in. Harith on the other hand had snow-white hair, which started to turn when he was in his thirties. He was still very much a warrior and very strong. It had surprised Ardeth the day his father had turned down the request to become Chief. Harith thought the Chief should be younger, so he requested they choose Ardeth. He was never more proud of his son as the day he accepted the request.
"If it is as you say, my wife, I will be very proud to see him marry. I would like to have more grandchildren before my time is up," Harith told her.
"We have three grandchildren. I am sure Ghada will be blessed with more. Fahim will return, I feel it," Zia said.
"You have been having this feeling since he disappeared," Harith said. Their son, Fahim, had gone out with other members to look for a rival tribe who had been raiding Medjai camps. Fahim and the others were caught in a terrible sandstorm. It was believed he became separated from the others and had wandered into a quicksand pit they found in the area while searching for him.
"I do not feel he is gone. I still feel him," Zia said, looking up to Harith with tears in her eyes.
"I am sorry I have made you cry. I hope your feeling is true. I would very much like to see him again," Harith said hugging her.
*********
Ardeth was dreaming again. He and Layla were together near a stream; he didn't recognize the place. They were holding and kissing each other. He laid her back on the blanket they were sitting on. Ardeth trailed kisses down her neck following the neckline of her robe. He pulled the front of her robe slightly apart, when he did he could see the top of her breast, he slowly trailed his kisses down further wanting to get to her more he started to untie the belt on her robe. She stopped him by placing her hand over his. Ardeth was suddenly awake; no one was in the tent with him as he looked around to see what could have caused him to awaken so suddenly.
"Ardeth? Are you awake, my child?" Zia asked from outside the tent.
"Yes, Mother. Please enter," Ardeth got up to welcome her. "Good morning, Mother."
"Good morning. Did you sleep well?" Zia set down a plate of food for him.
"Yes. How is Layla this morning?"
"She was waking up as I was coming over here," Zia told him. "She had a very restful night."
"May I go see her?" Ardeth asked.
"You eat first. Give her time to do the same. I will let you know when you can see her," Zia said, leaving him to his breakfast.
********
Ardeth waited for his mother to let him see Layla. He paced in front of the tent for what seemed like hours. Atiya went into the tent with clean clothes. After a few minutes he was allowed to enter.
"Good morning, Layla," Ardeth said, sitting with her.
"Atiya, could you let us talk privately?" Layla asked her.
"Of course, I will see if I am needed elsewhere." Atiya went over with Zia.
"I am sorry I broke our dream this morning, Ardeth. I do not want to dream our first time together. I want it to be real," Layla said.
"You were having the same dream? Do you know the place where we were?" Ardeth wondered.
"I do not. I am sure we could find it but the place is not important. The feelings are," Layla told him.
"The love I was feeling was very strong. It was as if I have known you for many years," Ardeth said as he took her hand in his. "Did it feel that way to you?"
"Yes. But I am worried about Botros. If my owner goes to him, he may come here or possibly attack the camp to get me back. He will expect me to honor his debt," Layla said in a shaky voice.
"You have honored the debt with your blood and sweat. I will not allow him to take you away from here or me," Ardeth pledged to her.
"I do not want to bring harm to you or your family. I should leave here until I am no longer searched for," Layla said, looking away from him.
"You are not going anywhere. I will confront Botros if he comes here. If need be, I will fight for you. You are to be my wife." Ardeth caught himself by surprise as much as he did Layla. Even Atiya and his mother turned around quickly, having heard him.
"I do not believe, Ardeth Bay, you have asked me to be your wife. It was only a dream when you asked me. Even then I did not answer you," Layla reminded him.
"I am sorry. I am getting ahead of myself. We have only known each other for a few hours. I should not expect you to accept a proposal made in a dream," Ardeth said, kissing her hand.
"I will have the have the mark of being Botros' wife removed; then I will answer the proper question if I receive it," Layla said, kissing him on the cheek.