Chapter 6 not 7......

6.

The Banquet.

Aurelia was taken to Isis' chambers. They were large and spacious with many worshipping symbols and scrolls spread over a large table. Curtains and drapes hung about the open spaces to section of the outside and the inside worlds. The dry breeze that signalled the on coming cool evening played with the fine fabrics and made the sun light dazzle the floor in an array of colour.

Mana was sitting on the bed watching Isis as she handled the true undergarments of a princess.

Aurelia was naked and dripping wet with a mixture of incense herbs and water. She shivered slightly and her face was slightly reddened but she wasn't worried about the people in the room, she was worried if someone came in unexpected.

Isis gave Aurelia a white cloth and helped her wipe of the main amount of water. Mana made little fire balls flout around her to warm and dry her quicker.

"Aurelia don't look so nervous." said Mana cheerfully.

Aurelia gave a scorning laugh. "You try not to be nervous, the beginning of today I was just an ordinary priestess hoping that I would be able to trick Akunadin to leave me be, now I'm a…" her voice was muffled as Mana threw another white sheet over her. "Princess about to be married to a prince in a matter of hours." she cried.

"Aurelia are you alright with this?" asked Isis removed the sheet from over her head.

"Yes I've never been better. But…."

"But?" asked Mana as she passed Isis a creamy powder to rub over Aurelia.

"But Akunadin is really powerful, even if me and Atem marry; I fear that he will still wish to take me. I don't like his determination, it's oddly scary." sighed Aurelia.

"No fear. If Akunadin wants you he'll have to go through me and Mahado….err….I'm not sure about Seto but hay." smiled Mana.

"It's not me I'm really worried about. It's Atem." breathed Aurelia. "I have read the history of our land, kings and princes are murdered by high priests or by close ones so their rule could end and the murderers begin. But in this case it would be over ownership of me."

"Stop talking about yourself like an object." frowned Mana. "You don't have to still believe what Akunadin told you anymore."

"Atem will not treat you as one." added Isis. "Now hold still and let us dress you in the proper gowning."

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Atem was looking at himself in the mirror. He was now in his finery, a golden crown was placed across his head and on it was the eye of Horus just like his necklace. A blue and white band was along the rim of his robe and gold belt was around his waist. He also had a pair of golden earrings in.

"Atem stop looking at yourself." said Mahado.

The prince came from his trance. "Oh sorry."

"I've never seen you so….so…twitchy."

"Mahado I'm about to get married to the woman of my dreams in a matter of hours. Think about it."

"Yeah but she's a nice girl. I've known her all her life."

"True but your only a couple of years older than me so she's basically known you for all yours too."

Mahado sighed. "Are you worried about her not loving you?"

"No….not really….kinda… but not really." he pause and looked guiltily at Mahado. "Maybe."

"Atem! When I saw you two in the temple I could see she loved you." comforted Mahado.

"Yeah and so did I." sighed Atem, "But when everyone said that the wedding would be tonight. Did you see her face?"

Mahado was quiet.

"I did." said Seto. "I saw her eyes Atem. Do you know what they said?"

Atem shook his head slowly and a small spark of fear began to grow.

"They said that…." began Seto. "I've never seen her eyes like that for years. The last time I saw it was when she had performed her first healing. Excitement and the way she looked at you for reassurance, she never looked at anyone that way before. Aurelia loves you."

"Seto I never knew you had it in you." said Mahado slapping Seto on the back.

"If anyone hears about this I swear I'll kill you." snarled Seto as his cheeks reddened.

"Ok."

In the far distance a gong was sounded.

"The feast is about begin." said Seto.

"Look Atem just relax." smiled Mahado.

"Yeah." Atem took several deep breaths and then left his room followed by the two priests.

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The main hall was alive with chatter and song. A group of topless girls were dancing in the middle of hall and had the attention of most men in the room. Long tables had been set out in front of the thrones and along the walled around the edge of the room. A rich assortment of foods had already begun to appear on the red wood. Drinks were being served but not to extent of people being drunk. It allowed more room for performances in the centre of the hall. Red drapes were hung in bid arches across the room the longest stretched from above the thrones to the far end.

Akunumkanon was sat in his throne and watched the dance. Atem was beside him looking over the crowds to see if he could spot Isis or Mana. He had already pointed out Akunadin so he wasn't a threat. Seto and Mahado where to his left and on the look out too. He was up right and slightly leaning forward, tense and nervous.

"Atem don't look so worried." reassured his father. "I told Isis not to bring Aurelia out until I have quieted the guests. The announcement will go to the people outside too. The wedding will take place in front of me. Hence the red carpet."

The prince nodded and relaxed a little but not to much. Akunumkanon rolled his eyes and the party stayed at a low state.

Isis appeared just beside the Pharaoh and whispered in his ear. Atem watched his father nod. The butterflies in his stomach where beginning to get restless, an excitement was building as well as nerves fraying. Breathing became a little faster and Atem felt slightly sick.

"People of My courts!" bellowed Akunumkanon.

The party went quiet and all eyes turned to their King. Akunadin was wondering at the halt called, he knew of no announcements.

"I have great news. My son, Prince Atem please rise." Atem stood and took his fathers outstretched hand. "With the power given to me by my father I now hand the throne over to you."

Aurelia almost collapsed.

There was a great cheering and Akunumkanon handed Atem the two icons that the Pharaoh held at ceremonies. The new king was speechless beyond belief. He was so stunned he couldn't remember the ceremony that Mahado and Seto did to make sure that the spirits where happy with the new king. All signs where good.

"Just before I denounce my entire authority as your Pharaoh." said Akunumkanon raising his hands to silence the jittery crowd. "I now take the honour to marry my son to Egypt's future Queen."

There were gasps and shocked faces, soon another cheer went through the room and was joined by outsides crowd of commoners.

Mana appeared. She was wearing a long white robe and acted as leading maid while clearing a path directly to Atem from the doors.

Akunadin stood by Seto. "I never heard any of this." he whispered in a deadly tone.

"You're such an old fool!" said Seto walking away from him and to the doors.

Isis came through next and had hold of Aurelia's hand.

Akunumkanon was very impressed with Aurelia. She had defiantly grown since he had last seen her.

Her face was covered in a veil and a ring of white flowers on her head.

"Who's the bride?" Akunadin asked Mahado.

Mahado was quiet and just watched Aurelia float up the isle by Seto's side.

Atem took her all in. Aurelia wore a white and gold outfit. The gown had a long train and a large gold band covered her entire middle. The front of the white gown had a split up to the knees allowing everyone to get a flash of Aurelia's pale thing legs. Golden beads had been woven into the veil and her hair had been allowed to dry without tamper so her true curls where visible.

Seto gave her hand to Atem and they both faced his father. Atem could see Aurelia smiling behind her veil and smiled too squeezing her hand. He didn't want to waist time with the wedding; to him Aurelia was already his wife. He didn't want everyone to still stare at her; a strange tinge of jealousy replaced the feeling of unease. Atem wanted Aurelia all to himself.

'This is what Akunadin must feel.' he thought.

So this part of the unexpected celebration began. Akunadin moved through the crowd to try getting a good view when Atem revealed the face of his bride. Seto and Mahado watched the old priest cautiously. Mana and Isis did too but gave most of their attention to Atem and Aurelia.

Akunumkanon finished the last vow. He smiled at Atem and then turned to Aurelia.

"I remember your father and your mother. They would be proud." Atem heard a little shaky sigh issue from his wife. "You may now kiss your wife." he told Atem.

As the Pharaoh lifted the veil Mana began the joyous shouts and cheers. Everyone was clapping, jumping about and yelling praises….everyone but Akunadin. His eye went dark and then he stormed from the room. Aurelia saw him leave but then focused on her husband.

"We did it." she said to him as he leaned in for the kiss.

"Yes we did." replied Atem and was a little surprise as she met his kiss with equal intent.

Mana's lip trembled. "She did it." she began to playfully cry into Isis' arms.

"Whathas she done?" asked Mahado coming up to them.

"Got married before I have."

Mahado looked suddenly unimpressed. Seto joined them. "What's her problem?"

"Aurelia got married before she did." shrugged Mahado.

"Must be a girl thing." said Seto.

Mahado agreed.

Akunumkanon stopped the two youths in their kiss. "I think you should take the first dance."

Aurelia pulled Atem to the floor. They tried to dance but something always went wrong and they would always end up in tears of laughter. Soon everyone was dancing the same traditional dance that everyone knew.

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It neared midnight. Atem took Aurelia away from the hall and brought her too his room. Aurelia went to the window and looked out towards the Hathor temple.

"It looks so much bigger when you not inside it." she said.

"You spent your entire life there. I'm not surprised you feel that way about it." sighed Atem.

The young Queen waited for her husband to take her in his arms. Atem did.

They kissed again, this time there was a longing lust and passion in it. Aurelia was hesitant as Atem gently guided her to his bed. A fear began to build up with her bosom, she was beginning to panic. Her skin began to tingle as Atem ran his fingers up her spine and she shivered. They ended their kiss and they just embraced for a while.

In his grasp he could feel Aurelia shaking and he tried to comfort her by holding her closer. Atem breathed in her scented hair and began sway from side to side. Aurelia could feel the fear and panic beginning to build to greater heights. She had grown so afraid of Akunadin she was now afraid of Atem.

"Don't make me!" she begged quietly to his ear.

Atem pulled back and looked at her face. He could see years of worry gathered on her forehead and her eyes were pleading for no more.

"I would never do anything with out your consent." he soothed and kissed her again.

"Atem." Aurelia pulled away and stood apart from him. "I have a special ability to make water dance when I sing."

"Wow!" he smiled. "Can I see?"

"Well no, you see I haven't got the right song." she looked sadly away from him.

"Do you need inspiration?" asked her husband.

"Yes and a pure state of heart and mind."

"Try now." said Atem. "Let me be your inspiration."

Aurelia took a breath but no sound came. She lowered her head and gripped at her arms.

Atem glanced at the bed; he looked at the curve in Aurelia's back and sighed. He was now doubting the relationship and he began to wonder if all this had been worth it. Suddenly Aurelia's arms took hold of him and she stared into his face.

"For you to be my inspiration you must love me." she smiled. "and I must trust you."

"Sing." said Atem sitting on the bed and placing Aurelia on his lap.

Smiling softly, Aurelia looked into Atem's eyes with her own Amber one's.

"Ka ra tu a sa ma la
Ka ra tu la
Ka ra tu a sa ma la sa na la
Ka ra tu sa ma la
Ka ra tu sa ma la
Ka ra tu sa ma la sa ma" she began her melody of her strange toungue.

The water in a near by bowl began to tremble.

"Sa ra tu a sa ma la
sa ra coo la
Sa ra tu a sa ma la sa na la
sa ra tu a ma la
sa ra tu a ma la
Sa ra tu a ma la sa ma"

Slowly two figures emerged from the water and they began a graceful display of intricate moves.

"A ra coo sa ma ra
ra ka ra ma ra
A ra coo sa ma ra
ra ka ra ma ka la
A ra coo sa ma ra
ra ka ra sa ma
A ra coo sa ma ra
A ra coo sa ma ra
A ra coo sa ma ra
ra ka ra ma ka la"

Atem watched the joy in Aurelia's eyes as she saw the liquid sway with each piercing note.

"Sa ra tu a sa ma la
sa ra coo la
sa ra tu a sa ma la sa na la
sa ra tu a ma la
sa ra tu a ma la
sa ra tu a ma la sa ma"

Small ball balls of water began to dance around the two lovers.

"A ra coo sa ma ra
ra ka ra ma ra
A ra coo sa ma ra
ra ka ra ma ka la
A ra coo sa ma ra
ra ka ra sa ma
A ra coo sa ma ra
A ra coo sa ma ra
A ra coo sa ma ra
ra ka ra ma ka la"

Aurelia finished the hymn and Atem pulled her under him. She closed her eyesand surrendered herself willingly to his touches.

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Akunadin kicked over a table. His room was already a mess and only a fire raged in the corner to light the place.

"That's why I told you to leave her." said the dark shadow.

"I should have listened Master." bowed Akunadin.

"Do not fear for we shall soon hove our way. You have delayed to long in resurrecting my body and true power. When I have been released she will be yours, the world will be ours." it laughed and its black essence filled Akunadin's eye.

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>Within the Pharaohs room came a soft loving cry.>
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The End>

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not to hot &-&.....hee hee i have better standerds but i'll let you emagine the rest of it 6-9....

Please R&R.

Oh and the funny words that Aurelia sing is actually a song called 'Hymn to the dance'. it's a kinda latin, if anyone has heard of a song called Adiemus its very simillar to that, i sung it at a conert and fell in love with the cool soft hymn like words.

but hay....please R&R but only once even though i've said R&R.........three times now. -"