V.E.: I am glad to be able to be writing once more, this time upon the adoption/princess ascension of our lovely heroine! I know you guys have been at the edge of your seats for me two write this. Along with updating the same fic twice in the span of a couple days, I'm also currently dealing with the screams outside my dorm room because my floor volunteered to be the haunted house! By god, they can't go five seconds without someone screaming or screaming/laughing! Not to mention the creepy music they were playing earlier….
(Shudders)
Sorry, I think anyone who knows me well or has read my fics long enough would probably realize I hate scary stuff. That isn't to say I'll be joyfully looking forward to the onslaught of Christmas advertising that's sure to come out as soon as the stores can clear the orange and black merchandise out. But at least that's manageable!
So you can see, I'm glad I don't have to focus on writing on something scary right now. I think the closest of my fics that come to scary is….well even my Mummy Reborn is pretty tame…..
Disclaimer: Despite this not being canon, I do have to admit how surprised I am that people really like this story. The most I can attribute it to, is that this scenario hasn't been done that much before in this fandom and the fact that I flesh Kisara's character out a lot more.
For the first time since entering the palace, Kisara was truly unable to fall asleep tonight. Try as she might and toss and turning in her fresh sheets, she was still unable to quiet her thoughts long enough for her to close her eyes long enough to try and get to sleep.
Finally, she just decided to abandon sleep all together and just got up out of bed, not even bothering to change out of her humble night clothes. The pale girl threw a small look at her faithful kitty to find Neftis still curled up on her place, obviously not going anywhere. It brought a small smile to her face as she slipped on her sandals and muffled her steps as she exited.
With her mind still awake despite only a couple of torches burning in the hallways, she briefly wondered what she was doing outside of her room. If she stayed inside, she could have easily spent the time reading some of her leftover scrolls. But she was restless, after so much time confined to one place she was ready to wander around.
The question was, where to go? At this time of the night, the only ones who would really be up were the guards. Lady Nephthys was a good teacher and advisor, but Kisara had learned enough to know that one should never disturb the priestess when she was asleep (Dendera and Akila's stories sounded exaggerated, but as Femi did confirm some of the details Kisara surmised it was probably true). Going to Atem's room would probably not reflect well and she did not want a repeat of what happened last time. On those same lines, Mahad was out of the question and Mana probably would still be asleep; even if she did know where their rooms were.
Eventually, one thing did pop into her mind and her feet began the journey towards the intended destination. Using previous knowledge she had learned from Atem, she began to navigate the hallways of the palace that were known to have less guards on duty at a time. Still, she often had to check herself as she hadn't been to many of the places in the palace and was trying very hard not to get side track from the room she wanted.
Also, in the darkened hallways Kisara had to listen and feel more than rely on her sight. This wasn't particularly difficult and she was sure she shouldn't be in too much danger with guards on night patrol. Still, as it was night she still felt on alert.
As she went on, navigating the halls wasn't nearly as bad as she recognized most of the paintings from her and she nodded her head to the few guards she did pass. Though startled, they didn't make any moves on stopping her. As it was well known now, she was going to be their princess tomorrow.
Finally, she came to the room she had been to only yesterday with Lady Nephthys. Four guards stood stalwart and stood at more attention as they eyed her before them, nodding their heads in unison.
"My lady."
Kisara nodded to them, it was just as well of a title for her for the time. Then she stood tall as she marched inside the room, ignoring the questioning looks of the three guards as they were schooled back into passive alert by the fourth.
The Royal Treasury Room was just as marvelous and full when she had visited in the daytime with Lady Nephthys. At the time, she had to keep herself from having her jaw drop. She had known Egypt was wealthy, but not like this!
The piles of gold were tremendous, jewels encrusted on that notwithstanding! So many different shiny things, each of those items on their own worth more than it would have cost to take care of her and Amma in her homeland for a year! It may not have bothered Nephthys or probably Atem, but as someone who came from humble beginnings Kisara was one to notice this stuff. There was also fine silks, precious gems on their own, and other things Kisara knew to be expensive.
She still managed to keep through Nephthys' explanation of the room, how some of the stuff was going to be brought out for the banquet to celebrate her adoption/coronation (apparently aside from festivals and other special occasions, the Pharaoh was not the one to have too many parties going on at the palace. It still stunned her how she could be connected to all of this.
But the thing that really made this all seem real for her, was the last thing they stopped by.
Her crown.
Perched on a pedestal on its own and on the brow of an almost faceless bust, the seshat (1) crown of the princess looked regal and proud. But it contrasted all the other items in the room for one thing.
Silver.
Nephthys' words at the time came back to her, the calm pride present in her hawk like eyes.
"Gold is often used to dignify a connection to the royal family, but the council made a big debate about that. Along with other stupid things, but this one was debated more than a few times. It got so bad that the Pharaoh just had a new crown made for you out of silver. In this way, you're still acknowledged as being adopted, but you are also recognized as a princess."
It would also match the rest of the silver accessories she would be wearing in the morning, the silver cobra crown shining like the moon outside her window and embedded with the precious blue of lapis lazuli.
The snake may have been an inanimate object, but the pale haired girl felt just as much terror as if she were facing a real venomous cobra.
Can I do this? Can I really wear this and look like I belong?
Now at the end of the road she had set out on almost six months ago, Kisara felt nothing but absolute fear of what was to come next. Her life had become routine and now that was all about to change. There was still a part of her that felt eventually they would all come to her senses and toss her out back into the real world where she belonged.
She was nothing like Pharaoh Aknamkamon and nothing like Prince Atem. One could tell form a first glance that those two were born to both privilege and responsibility. No one could doubt they were royals.
I wasn't born that way. What got me here was chance….and the choice of a lifetime.
She knew it in her bones and her blood she didn't belong. That many were going to look at her and think the same thing. How was she going to do this?!
I'm not strong like that…I never was….
"Well, somehow I knew I'd find you in here."
Startled out of her thoughts, Kisara turned rapidly around to find Pharaoh Aknamkamon standing there with as much dignity and calmness as when she first saw him when she entered the palace permanently. His purple robes and golden crown with white cloth (that resembled the nemes (2) crown that she had seen once in her studies) left no question to who he was.
She immediately got herself down on her left knee, paying the proper respect.
"My pharaoh."
The purple eyed man shook his head in some amusement as he titled her chin up to look at him directly.
"That will not be necessary, Kisara."
Had it been sixth months ago, Kisara would have probably been calling for the ground to swallow her up whole. Being much more confident than those times however, she simply rose straight and kept her attention fixed on the older man.
In all the time she had been here at the place, this was the first time in six months since that faithful day in the throne room that she had seen the Pharaoh. It didn't bother her so much, as a king of an entire nation he had to be busy. But she did have to admit meeting right now was a surprise.
Almost as if hearing her thoughts, Aknamkamon smiled and turned his attention towards the silver snake crown.
"The night before my coronation, I also came here and stared at my crown for the longest time. At least until Shimon found me and would not leave me until I finally told him what was on my mind."
Kisara looked at the purple robed man curiously, in some ways a stranger and yet not.
"What were you worried for?"
"Oh, I suppose the same that's on your mind right now. 'Can I really do this? Will the people really accept me under this crown? What is I fail?"
Kisara shot a wide eyed look at him as the bearded pharaoh went on with his musings.
"Although, I suppose such fears are normal. When the time comes for Atem to take his place on throne, I suppose he might do the same thing. Though I suppose I cannot plan for that time."
Kisara ventured to speak.
"Sir…."
At that, he turned himself away from the silver crown and towards her.
"My apologies, my dear. As I get older, I find I get more sentimental and I tend to get off topic when I do."
Kisara shook her head.
"Oh, it's not bad. Matter of fact, it's kind of nice. I only know so little about you, it's really interesting to hear about what you're thinking."
Aknamkamon fixed her with a small smile.
"For someone so young, you speak so wisely."
The young girl was confused and eventually settled for a puzzled expression.
"I honestly don't see it."
"Perhaps it's easier for others to see the things we don't often see in ourselves. Some tell me I speak with wisdom and strength of the ages, yet I truthfully don't think so. On the other hand, I knew you possessed something different all those months ago when you saved my life that day."
The pale skinned girl briefly remembered the look that passed between the two as she shouted the warning from the crowd, baffled by it.
"But I was….!"
Aknamkamon simply went on with his peaceful and sure smile of his.
"I've long since prided myself on being a rather good judge of character. Still, even I have to admit I was not expecting you to come this far, so quickly."
"Sir, I…."
He held up his hand, showing he was not done.
"I know that I haven't been to check in on you as I should have, but to be honest I wanted to see what you would do on your own. As a pharaoh, I must think of my country. But as a father, I must also think of my children."
Once more she eyed the older man with great surprise, as the pharaoh continued on and gestured towards the princess crown.
"We will talk more when this day is over Kisara, and trust me there is much to discuss. But I will tell you this, I have never seen anyone that could be better suited to wear that crown than you."
Kisara felt the coming of a smile and it was probably one of her biggest ever. The brown bearded and purple eyed man still looked solemn, but his eyes seemed happy.
"Now it's best we should probably return to each of our rooms and get some rest. Trust me, this is one day you never want to oversleep."
Kisara quirked her blue eyes towards him in curiosity as she fell into step beside him, walking to the door of the golden treasury.
"Past experiences?"
"Let's just say, I wasn't always a morning person. Though I can hardly be criticized as being the worst compared to Lady Nephthys….."
"Wow, Kisara you're beautiful!"
Despite her new confidence, Kisara as she waited outside the throne room with great nervousness, but also great
She brushed a snow white stream of her hair off to the side, subconscious about her looks and her makeup. She had been roused from her newly found sleep only several hours later for Akila and Dendera to begin their work with great enthusiasm. The dark kohl and crushed lapis lazuli for her eyes accented them well along with the perfumes and oils they must have spent hours rubbing on her.
Her new dress was the whitest and finely woven thing she had ever seen, going to the ground and giving her a small sheath for a small cape/shawl for her back. Her sandals were also finer than her everyday ones, but the main difference today was her jewelry. She had put away her golden jewelry for good and was now a vision of white silver. Her neck collar, her bracelets, and her belt glinted like the moon compared to the sun like gold of Pharaoh Aknamkamon and Prince Atem. Her ears were yet to be pierced, but according to Akila and Dendera she would get that done sometime after this celebration was over.
She managed an okay smile.
"You look nice too."
Atem only made an irritated look. He was weighed down with more gold than usual and though his clothes hadn't been changed too much, Kisara could obviously tell he really didn't like being on display during these events. For such a young boy, he honestly didn't like the attention.
"Thanks, I guess."
Pharaoh Aknamkamon replied calmly as he came up to the two almost siblings. He had on his traditional robes and his face was passive, but if looked at closer, one could tell soemthign was different about him today.
"I know you two would like to chat more, but you will have to wait until the banquet later on tonight."
Atem looked at the pharaoh and protested.
"But Father…."
The older man shot his son a look with his royal purple eyes. Though not tinged with crimson like his son's, the gaze still left a deep impression.
"ATEM…..Later."
His son got the point as he almost shrank away from his father, bowing his head solemnly.
"Yes, Father."
Kisara shot a sympathetic look at the young boy and gave a small reassuring smile, perking him up a bit more.
One of the guards came from the main doors of the Great Hall and came up to three and bowed himself in the proper fashion of talking to the pharaoh.
"My pharaoh, the Sacred Guardians have told me they will be ready for your entrance at any moment."
Pharaoh Aknamkamon took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was bound to be a major day ahead.
"Well, I suppose there is no point in keeping them waiting. Are you ready Kisara?"
The girl gave a short nod and assured smile.
"Yes."
The pharaoh only responded with a small smile that disappeared quickly as Atem stood by his right side and Kisara at his left. Then the pharaoh nodded his head towards the gurads on the side of the door as it was pushed open for them to pass through.
The room was just like Kisara remembered it, the long golden like hallway with the throne at the end of it with the great eyes guarding and watching everything that was seen. The difference now was that many people were lined up and were currently on their knees and their faces.
The two royals and the soon to be royal walked by these people looking forward. Though still a little self-conscious about the attention, she couldn't help but feel some awe right now.
I wish you could see me now Amma. Of all your strange ideas, I don't think you would have ever thought this in your mind.
Soon, they came to the step where the Priests were kneeled in respect. First, was Khalid on her side and Rashidi on Atem's side, Mahad also at his Master's side as he kept his position of respect though did give a small smile. Mana was absent from the room, but considering how much trouble she got into and the fact she wasn't the incredibly high ranking at court, Kisara wasn't that surprised. She might see the young girl at the banquet.
The next pair to be passed was Nephthys who gave a great smile to her student, while Thabit kept his composure. Next to him, was a muscled young boy in what seemed to be a nice wig who was watching her out of the corner of his green eyes in some amazement and disbelief. Considering what she had heard, Kisara assumed that he must be Thabit's son Karim. They did share similar features as the older man shot his son a reproving look for staring.
The final pair was Shimon with a bald boy with pupiless blue eyes to his side that must have been Shada (unlike Karim, he was completely facing the ground) and Aknadin. She shared a brief look with Aknadin before resolving herself forward.
She wasn't going to stop now. She wasn't going to stop ever.
Up by the throne, a round priest she had never seen before had on a leopard skin along with some rather fine garment on. His scalp was shaved clean and she was surprised to find glassy blind eyes highlighted with kohl despite many wrinkles and dark spots. It took only a moment after Aknamkamon stopped in front of the priest for her to realize that this must be the high priest of Amun.
The nameless high priest perked up with his ears, gestured to her with an almost placid look in his blank eyes.
"Is this her?"
Pharaoh Aknamkamon nodded slowly.
"Yes. This is Kisara."
The blind priest smiled as his right hand beckoned toward the pale girl.
"Come closer, child. Let me see you."
Kisara stepped forward and stopped by the man as his hand darted around before finding her face. His other hand slowly went through her hair before joining the other in feeling her. Though surprised by the priest's actions, the man only smiled. Suddenly, she felt a lot more in depth observation of herself than Nephthys' had been so long ago. More than anything, she felt this blind man was really seeing her. In a way that no one else had been able to. Without his eyes, he felt only a girl and not a foreign child.
Finally he spoke, his voice tinged with a sort of reverence.
"Kisara….yes, a name with such possibilities. One could say that princess is your very name, but you are not a Hebrew (3). You are something much greater than anyone expects."
She looked up at him as she saw only kindness and something that reminded her very much at Nephthys at times, when she was pondering Kisara so intently like a complicated puzzle. For a moment, she wondered if maybe this man could sense her dragon.
"But, I sense that what is truly in store for you has yet to come. Hold on to your light child, for it has the power chase away great darkness for both you and the ones you love. And it is that light that will soon lead you back to the thing you wish most of all."
The words only confused her, just as Atem looked confused, but he rest of the adults nearby seemed at ease though taking in every word of the old man. She gathered this must have been semi-normal for the high priest.
The old man took off on of his hands from her and gently had the other make its way to the top of her head. Gently, the man placed some pressure on her.
"Kneel."
She did so with her right leg, the left being reserved for the pharaoh and bowed her head. The man held out his hand as a young acolyte dressed in less ornate robes stood beside him, his scalp also shaved bald but his eyes were a dark brown, holding a small jar of something.
Feeling the jar, he poured oil over the girl's star like hair, the acolyte guiding his mentor's hand. The older man chanted dreamily and yet the words carried a ring of power.
"Amun, Osiris, Isis, see thy new daughter and nurture her as you have done all the daughters of the royal line…Horus, Anubis, Hathor, see thy new sister and protect her as you have done for your other sistrs that are now in Aaru (4)…..Ma'at, see thy new servant and judge her by your feather as you would any princess who came before her…."
The priest stopped anointing her and the jar was led away by the acolyte who hurried away to get the royal crown on a royal purple cushion. His Master continued on.
"Every prince of Egypt is a Sun unto their people. They blaze bright and inspire action be it in peace or war. But every princess is a moon unto her brother. Though the moon may never match the sun, it still has its own quiet beauty that captivates many. Even the Sun must bow to the Moon when the time calls for it. Though contrasting the lights, the two balance each other in the order of Ma'at. Never forget this as you live your life."
The old priest guided his hands toward the cushion, seizing the silver cobra crown and lifted up near her head. Slowly, he deposited it upon her brow as her eyes were closed.
"As the voice of Amun, king of all the gods, I anoint you Kisara, Princess of Egypt. First Daughter to Pharaoh Aknamkamon, First Sister to Pharaoh Atem. Rise and face your days as a protector of your people."
Kisara rose slowly, almost feeling the weight of the silver crown upon her head and turned to face the still bowing court. She felt awe as they still remained bowed to her and a small hand slipped into hers. She turned to face Atem's smiling face, encouraging more than anything.
She caught the Pharaoh's eye on her and he nodded curtly as she followed him with Atme by her side.
Bypassing most of the chamber with them still paying their respects to the newly named princess, Kisara followed her Pharaoh, her new father though it was still hard to think of him as such, as the three finally came out into an open balcony.
The crowd of people below almost made Kisara stumble in fright.
So….many….
A squeeze from Atem brought her back and she gave him another smile as she focused herself forward. The pharaoh called out to his people as he stood in front of them.
"My people, six moons ago I was saved from entering the Hall of Judgment early. As I met the person responsible, it came to my attention that this was not chance. This was predestined, meant by all the gods that this girl came to our attention. Amun has accepted her, all of the priests have accepted her, and my son the Crown Prince has accepted her."
"Therefore, in the eyes of all the gods and the officials of court, this girl has been adopted into my household. She shall live in the palace for the rest of her days and she will be given the same rights of any when her time come to leave this world. For the gods know her and now you all will too."
He gestured to the young girl, who slipped out of Atem's hand (the young prince moving to his fathr's other side). He brought the girl forward, the silver and white glinting in the golden sun.
"Citizens of Khemet (5), I give you your princess, Kisara!"
The citizens took up the cry almost reverently and very enthusiastically.
"PRINCESS! PRINCESS!"
"LONG LIVE THE PRINCESS!"
Kisara put on as easy going of a smile as she could and waved weakly.
"Oh boy, this going to take a while to get used to."
Aknamkamon leaned over to her with a whisper.
"You still have to go through the banquet."
Atem whispered quietly to the older girl.
"Think of it this way, at least there will be food!"
"I was talking to you too, Atem."
Atem cringed at the tone but recovered, still looking forward to the many delights of the feast ahead.
"Yes, Father…."
"And don't even think about trying to sneak some of the stronger wine."
At the end of the day, Pharaoh Aknamkamon could appreciate the calmness of night after the tremendous day that had occurred.
The coronation had gone off without a hitch, and the banquet surpassed all expectation. Kisara and Atem had retired before things could get to crazy, but he felt a wave of sympathy for the poor fools that would be no doubt nursing the consequence of their actions when Ra's light had risen.
But right now, it was just the moon. The full beautiful moon that reminded him very much of his adopted daughter, and not just in her hair.
She may not shine and dazzle like the sun, but her calm beauty does glow amongst the darkness. Even overpowering the night's stars.
"Pensive, my Pharaoh?"
Aknamkamon turned to find his trusted Vizier, older him and still wise to whatever was on the pharaoh's mind. He smiled for his old friend and teacher.
"So how do you think the young apprentices will be holding out in the morning?"
Vizier seemed to gain a touch of amusement at the question.
"Mahad seemed to be controlled well enough. Though I'm a little unsure about Karim, I think he'll be fine. However, Shada will not be getting any sympathy from me tomorrow morning."
The purple eyed pharaoh bit back a small chuckle.
"Give your student a break, it was the first time any of them had any real experience with that grade of drink."
The old man's expression didn't change, but the pharaoh knew it was only for show. He doubted someone who had as many drunken hangovers as Shimon could be that unforgiving to a first hangover. Eventually, he resumed speaking.
"Thinking about Issa's words?"
"Partially. Do you really believe that his words have merit?"
Shimon had pondered this long before and gave his honest opinion to the pharaoh.
"Though Issa's words are not like Nephthy's visions, that does not mean they are not to be taken seriously. Though the accident many years may have left him blind, it did give him something almost…unworldly in thoughts."
Aknamkamon replied, remembering his first time meeting with the man after the mentioned incident.
"Yes, I'm well aware of that. What do you suppose we do about it?"
"At the moment, nothing. Prophecy or not, only time can truly tell whether those words will truly mean something. But that's not what you want to talk about tonight, is it?"
The pharaoh nodded, straightening himself up.
"There is something I would like to discuss with you privately."
The old vizier had a severe sense of foreboding.
"This isn't going to be something the court is going to like, isn't it?"
The middle aged pharaoh nodded his head in acknowledgement.
"Probably not, but then again I won't be around to see the after effects. Besides, the less this has to do with them the better."
The royal vizier's eyes widened before schooling back into his previous state.
"Then by all means Pharaoh, you have my full attention."
V.E.: Word….count….
As you can guess, I started writing this chapter on Halloween and finished afterwards. I hope that isn't a problem.
1. Seshat: It's the crown with the snake that princess would wear. The vulture crown is for the Pharaoh's Queen or Chief Wife.
2. Nemes: It's the crown you see on King Tut's headdress.
3. Sarah or Sara, means princess in Hebrew. Of course, Egypt does have a history with these people so language would have rubbed off.
4. Aaru: The Egyptian equivalent of heaven.
5. Khemet: Land of Black Sands, also known as the name for Ancient Egypt
You. Will. Review.
Hopefully, I will also be able to get something started tomorrow.