CHAPTER 9

The next several weeks flew by. Ali found herself falling into the daily routine of the woman of the village. Basel even taught her some of the intricate stitching that they used on the men's robes.

One day when Basel was washing it dawned on Ali that she must be washing Ardeth's clothes.

"Basel, I should be doing Ardeth's clothes."

With a sly grin on her face Basel turned to her and asked "and why may I ask should you be doing it?"

"Well....."Ali stammered. "I mean...well......I just should".

Basel laughed and handed her the basket.

Sometime later Ardeth came up to the oasis and found Ali, indeed, washing his clothes. "Kalila, what are you doing?"

She had been so lost in her thoughts, she had not heard Ardeth walk up "Oh, good lord Ardeth, you scared me to death" she said as she stood up.

"I am sorry for that, but you did not answer me."

"Oh, well it dawned on me this morning that Basel must be doing your laundry since....well you don't have a wife to do it for you......and well I just thought....that I should......" Ali stopped but not before turning bright red.

Ardeth smiled "Thank you".

"Your welcome"

"I must be finishing my rounds for the day. I will meet you at the evening meal?"

"Yes, I'll see you there." Ali said and then stood watching him walk away.

As she watched him walking off she realized why she had not heard him come up. She had been lost in thought. Lost in thought about what she should do. She had been thinking about it a lot lately. She really had no place to go. She could stay in Cairo, but she only knew a few families that had been her Father's colleagues. It had been years since she lived in America, and that did not feel like home either.

As she walked back toward Ardeth's home she let out a small laugh when she realized that the only place that felt like home was here. But she couldn't really stay here could she? Where would she live? She couldn't live with Ardeth forever. He needed to find a Med-Jai wife and have sons to be his heirs.

Ali stopped. The thought of Ardeth with another woman made her heart hurt. She realized standing there that she wanted to be that woman. Silently she scolded herself. Ardeth cared about her, yes, but he did not love her. She knew nothing of pleasing a husband. She was sure that Ardeth had many of the Med-Jai women willing to be his wife and bear his children.

She could not stop the tears that welled up in her eyes. They freely ran down her face. As she made her way into his home a realization came upon her. She was in love with Ardeth.

When Ardeth arrived at the common area that night he did not see Ali. He sought out Basel to inquire of her whereabouts.

"She helped prepare the meal, Ardeth. But said she was not hungry and that she was going to lie down."

"Is she ill?"

"Not like you mean, no I do not believe so."

"What are you trying to say Grandmother?"

"She seemed very melancholy. Could she be missing her home? Her own kind?"

Basel's question cut right to Ardeth's core. He had known that this might happen. He had hoped that he could make her happy.

"I do not know, Grandmother. But I will try and find out. I just want her to be happy"

Sensing the pain and sadness in his voice, Basel patted his arm "I'm sure it will all work out for the best." Then turning to pick up two bowls of food added "Take some food."

Ardeth only nodded, took the food then turned to make his way to his home.

Pushing back the goatskin Ardeth searched the main area. Not finding her there he slowly walked over the sleeping area. There lay Ali sound asleep. He stood there watching her for what seemed like an eternity. She looked so peaceful. He thought that he had made her happy, but maybe...... maybe he had been wrong. He had questioned before if his simple life could hold any kind of appeal for her. And now he guessed he knew. For why else would she have been crying? He could tell she had been by the puffiness around her eyes. Ardeth's heart ached at thinking of his life without Ali. But he had to do what was right for her. She deserved to be happy. After all she had been through, she deserved to be happy. 'I guess an Anglo would be able to make her happy' Ardeth thought as he stood there watching her sleep. The thought of another man touching her made his blood boil. No man had a right to touch her. No man except him. Then he shook his head and a small smile broke out across his face. Yes, he was indeed showing his cave-man like attitude again. But he could not help how he felt. How he felt...."Allah" he said in a whisper "she has stolen my heart".

As he stood there watching her Ali began to toss and turn in her sleep. She started crying and thrashing about "No, please.....no....stop....please no......"

Ardeth immediately sat down beside her and pulled her to him. "Shhhh kalila I am here. Shhh it is only a dream. Wake up, habibi, please wake up."

Ali's eyes flew open and Ardeth was shocked by the amount of fear in them. For a moment he thought she might even fight him. But as he stroked her hair he could feel her body become less tense and the fear subside in her eyes.

"Oh Ardeth" she sobbed into his robes.

"Shhh kalila it is alright you are safe"

Ardeth held Ali until her sobs subsided. Pulling back to look at her he spoke "Are you okay, habibi?'

"I am now" Ali said wiping at her eyes.

"Well then I have brought us some food. Basel said you were not feeling well?"

"I was just a little tired that's all." Ali did not want to tell him what she had been thinking about. She was sure her voice would betray her true feelings.

"After we finish our meal, you should go back to sleep then" Ardeth said as he stood and walked over to get the food his grandmother had sent them.

"Are you sure you don't mind?"

"Of course not. We shall eat, I'll go make my evening rounds then I will return."

After their meal Ardeth tucked Ali back in and left for his nightly walk around the village.

He had just stepped back into his home when he heard Ali screaming. He quickly ran to her side and realized she was having another nightmare.

Sitting down beside he pulled her to him "Habibi wake up"

"No...please...no.....Ardeth!!!!"

Ardeth was shocked to hear her call his name in her sleep. "Ali, wake up! You're just having a nightmare, wake up"

Suddenly Ali's eyes shot open "Ardeth" she said breathlessly.

"Yes, kalila I am here"

"My dream.....was so real....Hudson had me....and...he shot you...you were laying there in my arms and....and I couldn't do anything" Ali finished in a whisper and putting her head against Ardeth's chest she began to cry.

"Habibi, look at me" he said gently as he pulled her back and raised her face to his. "I am fine. It was just a dream. You are safe. Now try to lay back and sleep again. I'll be right here" Ardeth said as he started to stand. Ali reaching for his hand stopped him. He turned and looked down at her "Kalila?"

"Don't leave Ardeth, stay with me, please."

"Habibi, I'll be right here in the room with you" he said as he sat back down on the bed.

"I need you beside me, please. Hold me" her voice held such a pleading tone.

Ardeth looked into her green eyes and saw the how frightened she still was.

"Alright habibi I will stay with you tonight." Ardeth stood and took off first his scimitar belt and then his robes. Leaving on his black pants he gently lay down beside Ali.

Eagerly she snuggled to his chest. "Thank you"

Ardeth wrapped his arms tightly around Ali "there is no need to thank me. Now sleep, kalila. I will keep you safe"