A Wind Called Fate
Part V: The Palace of Amenutept
A Mummies Alive! Fanfic
I'm not sure how I expected the Pharaoh to react to the tale of our escape from the nobleman's lands - or the reason why. But he only listened in silence, then simply nodded. He then stated that it was late, and we all needed rest. Since his men and his horses needed rest again after the night's occurance, they would stay another day and night. I was to pack and be ready to leave with them the second morning.
His men would see to the horses and chariots. I didn't know whether he didn't want me to lose anymore sleep, or didn't trust me not to run away. Maybe both. I didn't have much in the way of belongings to pack, so the next day I did my chores as usual. Father asked me a dozen times if I was certain if I wanted to do what I was doing. Strangely I was - completely certain. I had no doubts at all.
The Pharaoh had watched me most of the day, and I wondered at that. I still didn't understand WHY he wanted me for his wife. Honestly, I felt someone should pose the question Father kept asking me to him. While I was out doing my work in the field. he approached. I paused to bow to him, then continue harvesting our crops. "Why are you doing these chores?" He finally asked.
"These are my chores...who will help Father with the work when I'm gone?"
"Your father will have much vaster lands than these soon, and plenty of people to assist him...I meant it when I said your class was easy enough to change. He will be a lord, and you a lord's daughter, before you're introduced to my people."
I paused. "You're going to give him lands? Where? How?"
He looked off into the distance. "You will find out soon. But first, we will return to my palace."
"Majesty - " I began.
"Amenutept." He cut me off.
I looked at him, confused. "Pharaoh Amenutept -" I tried again.
He shook his head, cutting me off again. "Amenutept. You are to be my wife, and you are to call me Amenutept."
I hesitated, before speaking. "Amenutept...by Ra, now I can't even remember what I was going to ask!"
To my utter surprise, he burst into laughter. After a moment I joined him. I was vaguely aware of a few of his guards glancing our way, but then they turned away unaffected. A few minutes later I turned back to the crops, still giggling, but I was frozen in place when a hand gently brushed my hair back from my face. I glanced up at him, my heart pounding in my chest, and my question returned to me. "Why?"
"Why what?" He asked.
"Why me?"
He smiled. "You have the spirit of a lioness. I've waited my entire life for a woman who I knew could be a Pharaohess. When you refused to bow to me last night, I knew I'd finally found her."
I wondered if he could see the disappointment in my eyes that was in my heart. What of love? Was there no place for that in his world? "But I don't know how to be a Pharaohess. I don't even know how to be a noble."
"You bowed to me to save your father's life. You came with me to what you thought was your death sentence without a hesitation or plea to be spared. You may not know the manners or ways of the court, but your actions were as noble as any who own the title. More than some I have known."
There was a note in the way he said his final sentence, a weariness. A sadness? Even though it wasn't directed at me, I felt guilty for bringing it up somehow. I reached out a hand timidly to touch his cheek. "I don't think I understand, but I believe you. Don't be sad."
He looked at me in surprise, then a smile came to his face. He placed his hand over mine - trapping it to his cheek. "You're touch is soft as a feather." I blushed, trying to pull it back, but his grip was strong. Suddenly his arm wrapped around my waist, and he pulled me to him, his lips pressing against mine gently but firmly. I could feel my blush deepen, heating my cheeks, and my legs suddenly felt unsteady as he released me. "I'll leave you to your work."
I turned away, my heart hammering inside my chest and my mind a whirlwind of confusion.
The journey across the desert sands to Amenutept's palace had been both exciting and heart-breaking. For the second time I was leaving behind a home, but I was travelling within his chariot again, across lands I'd never had the opportunity to see. It took us into the night to reach Amenutept's Palace. I gazed at the pyramids and buildings surrounding them in awe, and then I began to doubt.
What was I doing here? A simple farm girl in a city of nobles and warriors? Amenutept had said he wanted me to be Pharaohess, that he hadn't found anyone he thought worthy of the title until me. But how could that be? How could I possibly fit in here? How could I truly ever belong to this world?
I gazed into the mirror, still not fully recognizing myself. I was dressed in a simple white gown, and the jewelry wasn't as gaudy as I had glimpsed other noblewoman wearing. Still, I wasn't accustomed to wearing jewelry at all...and the white gown...white was such a silly color to wear. It was so easy to get dirty! Not that I'd be doing farm work here. The servants had raised a complaint when I dared to insist on brushing my own hair!
I glanced over as I took my favorite seat by the window at the two servant girls Amenutept had assigned to me. It still felt strange, I was used to doing everything for myself. Everytime I moved the first couple days one or both had asked if I needed anything. They were slowly adjusting to the fact that I wasn't going to allow them to wait on me hand and foot, but I could tell it wasn't easy for them to understand. I didn't even want to think of how the other noblewoman insisted on being pampered. What did they DO with their lives?
I was a little surprised by it, I suppose, partly because of Amenutept. I couldn't imagine him having the servants see to his every whim. Even if he was the Pharaoh, his clothes weren't as fancy as the nobleman of the court. Not that he needed anything to mark him as being important. It was easy enough to tell by his presence alone. You knew he had power when you looked at him. It was in his very presence. You could probably tell he was a pharaoh even if he wore a peasant garb. I chuckled to myself over that image. Amenutept dressed in clothes of my class, wouldn't that look foolish!
About as foolish as I felt in court dress. I glanced back at the mirror, still not sure if I was the one gazing back or not. The knock at my door interrupted my reverie. I stood, but my servants were too fast. No doubt remembering in horror how I'd answered the door the first day myself, and it had been Amenutept who'd knocked. His jibes during his visit had been meant for me, not them, but they'd taken them to heart anyway. I hadn't answered the door myself once since than - not that I hadn't tried!
"Pharaoh." The servant girl got down on her knees, and the other followed as Amenutept entered.
"Leave us." Amenutept instructed. The two girls stood and hurried out of the room. "Yshta."
"Amenutept." I greeted, not bowing.
He smiled and came over. "I have to leave for a few days. I have some business to attend to."
"Is there trouble?" I asked, not really sure why he'd come to tell me. It wasn't as if I had any say in his comings and goings.
"Only what I intend to cause." He answered with a mysterious smile.
My eyebrows knitted in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"You'll find out in a few days." He promised, then reached out a hand to caress my cheek. "Don't look so worried, it's nothing to be concerned about."
"You intend to cause trouble, but it's nothing to worry about?" I looked at him as if he'd just told me the sky was green.
Amenutept chuckled. "You'll understand when I get back." He lowered his lips to mine, kissing me briefly. "Try not to steal any chariots while I'm away." He was gone a minute later, and my servants reentered.
I turned back to the window. I was still confused over everything, and the few times Amenutept had kissed me only added to that. I suppose he had to be attracted to me to kiss me, but it didn't mean he loved me. In fact, I was certain he didn't - I wasn't even sure if he fully understood what love was. And despite the fact that I had no regrets about agreeing to marry him, I didn't love him. I admired him; I respected him...but it wasn't the same.
My life had become very complicated in such a short time, and I had a feeling it was going to get worse before it became better.
Yshta
To be continued....
So what happens now? Where's Amenutept off to? You'll find out soon! ~-^
Salmon '03
Part V: The Palace of Amenutept
A Mummies Alive! Fanfic
I'm not sure how I expected the Pharaoh to react to the tale of our escape from the nobleman's lands - or the reason why. But he only listened in silence, then simply nodded. He then stated that it was late, and we all needed rest. Since his men and his horses needed rest again after the night's occurance, they would stay another day and night. I was to pack and be ready to leave with them the second morning.
His men would see to the horses and chariots. I didn't know whether he didn't want me to lose anymore sleep, or didn't trust me not to run away. Maybe both. I didn't have much in the way of belongings to pack, so the next day I did my chores as usual. Father asked me a dozen times if I was certain if I wanted to do what I was doing. Strangely I was - completely certain. I had no doubts at all.
The Pharaoh had watched me most of the day, and I wondered at that. I still didn't understand WHY he wanted me for his wife. Honestly, I felt someone should pose the question Father kept asking me to him. While I was out doing my work in the field. he approached. I paused to bow to him, then continue harvesting our crops. "Why are you doing these chores?" He finally asked.
"These are my chores...who will help Father with the work when I'm gone?"
"Your father will have much vaster lands than these soon, and plenty of people to assist him...I meant it when I said your class was easy enough to change. He will be a lord, and you a lord's daughter, before you're introduced to my people."
I paused. "You're going to give him lands? Where? How?"
He looked off into the distance. "You will find out soon. But first, we will return to my palace."
"Majesty - " I began.
"Amenutept." He cut me off.
I looked at him, confused. "Pharaoh Amenutept -" I tried again.
He shook his head, cutting me off again. "Amenutept. You are to be my wife, and you are to call me Amenutept."
I hesitated, before speaking. "Amenutept...by Ra, now I can't even remember what I was going to ask!"
To my utter surprise, he burst into laughter. After a moment I joined him. I was vaguely aware of a few of his guards glancing our way, but then they turned away unaffected. A few minutes later I turned back to the crops, still giggling, but I was frozen in place when a hand gently brushed my hair back from my face. I glanced up at him, my heart pounding in my chest, and my question returned to me. "Why?"
"Why what?" He asked.
"Why me?"
He smiled. "You have the spirit of a lioness. I've waited my entire life for a woman who I knew could be a Pharaohess. When you refused to bow to me last night, I knew I'd finally found her."
I wondered if he could see the disappointment in my eyes that was in my heart. What of love? Was there no place for that in his world? "But I don't know how to be a Pharaohess. I don't even know how to be a noble."
"You bowed to me to save your father's life. You came with me to what you thought was your death sentence without a hesitation or plea to be spared. You may not know the manners or ways of the court, but your actions were as noble as any who own the title. More than some I have known."
There was a note in the way he said his final sentence, a weariness. A sadness? Even though it wasn't directed at me, I felt guilty for bringing it up somehow. I reached out a hand timidly to touch his cheek. "I don't think I understand, but I believe you. Don't be sad."
He looked at me in surprise, then a smile came to his face. He placed his hand over mine - trapping it to his cheek. "You're touch is soft as a feather." I blushed, trying to pull it back, but his grip was strong. Suddenly his arm wrapped around my waist, and he pulled me to him, his lips pressing against mine gently but firmly. I could feel my blush deepen, heating my cheeks, and my legs suddenly felt unsteady as he released me. "I'll leave you to your work."
I turned away, my heart hammering inside my chest and my mind a whirlwind of confusion.
The journey across the desert sands to Amenutept's palace had been both exciting and heart-breaking. For the second time I was leaving behind a home, but I was travelling within his chariot again, across lands I'd never had the opportunity to see. It took us into the night to reach Amenutept's Palace. I gazed at the pyramids and buildings surrounding them in awe, and then I began to doubt.
What was I doing here? A simple farm girl in a city of nobles and warriors? Amenutept had said he wanted me to be Pharaohess, that he hadn't found anyone he thought worthy of the title until me. But how could that be? How could I possibly fit in here? How could I truly ever belong to this world?
I gazed into the mirror, still not fully recognizing myself. I was dressed in a simple white gown, and the jewelry wasn't as gaudy as I had glimpsed other noblewoman wearing. Still, I wasn't accustomed to wearing jewelry at all...and the white gown...white was such a silly color to wear. It was so easy to get dirty! Not that I'd be doing farm work here. The servants had raised a complaint when I dared to insist on brushing my own hair!
I glanced over as I took my favorite seat by the window at the two servant girls Amenutept had assigned to me. It still felt strange, I was used to doing everything for myself. Everytime I moved the first couple days one or both had asked if I needed anything. They were slowly adjusting to the fact that I wasn't going to allow them to wait on me hand and foot, but I could tell it wasn't easy for them to understand. I didn't even want to think of how the other noblewoman insisted on being pampered. What did they DO with their lives?
I was a little surprised by it, I suppose, partly because of Amenutept. I couldn't imagine him having the servants see to his every whim. Even if he was the Pharaoh, his clothes weren't as fancy as the nobleman of the court. Not that he needed anything to mark him as being important. It was easy enough to tell by his presence alone. You knew he had power when you looked at him. It was in his very presence. You could probably tell he was a pharaoh even if he wore a peasant garb. I chuckled to myself over that image. Amenutept dressed in clothes of my class, wouldn't that look foolish!
About as foolish as I felt in court dress. I glanced back at the mirror, still not sure if I was the one gazing back or not. The knock at my door interrupted my reverie. I stood, but my servants were too fast. No doubt remembering in horror how I'd answered the door the first day myself, and it had been Amenutept who'd knocked. His jibes during his visit had been meant for me, not them, but they'd taken them to heart anyway. I hadn't answered the door myself once since than - not that I hadn't tried!
"Pharaoh." The servant girl got down on her knees, and the other followed as Amenutept entered.
"Leave us." Amenutept instructed. The two girls stood and hurried out of the room. "Yshta."
"Amenutept." I greeted, not bowing.
He smiled and came over. "I have to leave for a few days. I have some business to attend to."
"Is there trouble?" I asked, not really sure why he'd come to tell me. It wasn't as if I had any say in his comings and goings.
"Only what I intend to cause." He answered with a mysterious smile.
My eyebrows knitted in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"You'll find out in a few days." He promised, then reached out a hand to caress my cheek. "Don't look so worried, it's nothing to be concerned about."
"You intend to cause trouble, but it's nothing to worry about?" I looked at him as if he'd just told me the sky was green.
Amenutept chuckled. "You'll understand when I get back." He lowered his lips to mine, kissing me briefly. "Try not to steal any chariots while I'm away." He was gone a minute later, and my servants reentered.
I turned back to the window. I was still confused over everything, and the few times Amenutept had kissed me only added to that. I suppose he had to be attracted to me to kiss me, but it didn't mean he loved me. In fact, I was certain he didn't - I wasn't even sure if he fully understood what love was. And despite the fact that I had no regrets about agreeing to marry him, I didn't love him. I admired him; I respected him...but it wasn't the same.
My life had become very complicated in such a short time, and I had a feeling it was going to get worse before it became better.
Yshta
To be continued....
So what happens now? Where's Amenutept off to? You'll find out soon! ~-^
Salmon '03