Get your tissues ready for this one, I even cried writing it, I'm surprised I was able to write this actually considering yesterday I went to the funeral of a good friend who died tragically in a car accident, but on a happier note I added Atem's famous quote in from the anime (& No its not 'Its time to duel)
months had passed since Loretta had found out that she was pregnant & the news had spread rapidly, everyone was so happy & relieved when Atem announced to his Royal court that, not one, but two children were going to be born. The firstborn obviously inheriting the throne from his or her Father.
It was now nearing the time where Loretta was due to give birth so Atem had to sit through the meetings by himself to his displeasure & loneliness, often he would sit in his throne staring longingly over at Loretta's throne wishing that she was sitting by him so he could hold her hand or at least get her second opinion on the matter at hand.
"Excuse me, my King" said Mahad as he knelt before Atem, snapping the Pharaoh out of his thoughts "Oh, Mahad, I'm sorry, what was it that you wanted" Atem said with a long sigh, leaning back down onto the arm of his throne resting his cheek on his fist "Are you alright, your highness...I noticed you were really paying attention during the morning meeting" "Oh...Well no, I'm not, not really" he said sighing again & closing his eyes "Atem..." Seto started "If you are worried about the Queen, go to her, the meeting is actually finished, we were just waiting for you to dismiss us when Mahad noticed you" Seto said with a smile, putting a reassuring hand on Atem's shoulder "I think that is a good idea, to tell you the truth I am worried about Loretta she hasn't been sleeping well & she seems to be sicker now than she was 4-5 months ago" said Atem as he stood up, walking down the steps to his throne.
Rushing into the throne room, guard comes & kneels before Atem "Excuse my interruption you Majesty but Isis sent me to get you" "All is forgiven, has she any word on my Queen?" he says tilting his head to the side & softening his gaze "Yes my Pharaoh, The Queen is in labour..." "Oh! I must get to her immediately, thank you for coming to me".
Walking as quick as he could Atem made his way down the long corridor, the closer he got to the room, the louder the sound of Loretta screaming got "I hope she's ok" Atem thought to himself as he got to the door & slowly opened it "Im here Isis, is Loretta ok" "Im afraid not my Pharaoh, one child has been born safely but the Queen seems to be having problems with this one" said Isis, as she looked down at Loretta whose breathing was very laboured & her eyes were shut, walking over to Loretta & kneeling down next to the bed Atem took Loretta's hand & gave it a small squeeze "Loretta...Can you hear me, don't give up, please keep fighting, I don't want to lose you...I love you"
Hearing Atem talking to her Loretta's eyes started to flutter open very slowly "Atem...Im sorry, I...I cant...do it...I-I'm too...Exhausted" Loretta croaked "You can do it, Loretta, I'm here & I'm not going to leave your side, please try there is one more baby that needs to be born & then you can rest" Atem pleaded as he watched tears streaming from Loretta's eyes "I'm...sorry..." Loretta said as she passed out "No! Loretta, please wake up, speak to me...please, is there anything you can do to help her Isis..." he sniffed with his grip tightened on her hand tears building up in his eyes "Im sorry my Pharaoh, we have to just let her rest until her body tells her that she needs to push again" Isis said sadly as she looked down & away from the saddened look on the Kings face.
"Please Isis..." he said getting up & taking a hold of her shoulder's & shaking her slightly "The Queen's life is at stake & I dont want to see the love of my life die the way my Mother did, there has to be something that you can do" Atem sniffed "Well...There is one thing that we can do...But its very risky" "What is it Isis, tell me...please" "If her Majesty doesnt wake up within the next half hour or so I could use a sleep & numbing potion on her stomach & cut the baby out but..." said Isis looking away again as Atem loosened his grasp on Isis's shoulders & took a step back "But what?" "But in putting her to sleep, there is a chance she may never wake up..." "Exactly what happened to your/my Mother," Isis & Atem said at the same time as tears welled up in both of there eyes in remembrance.
Just as all hope was almost lost & Isis was busy making the potion in the corner of the room Loretta began to cry out in pain, waking Atem who had fallen asleep on his knee's next to the bed "Loretta! That's my girl, well done, you can do it" said Atem now with happy tears in his eyes "Your doing well, your nearly there, keep pushing" said Isis seeing the baby's head & shoulders being forced out "Keep going Loretta, you can do this you I'm right here" he said as he kissed her forehead still holding her hand "Nearly there your Majesty, just one more push & then you are done" letting out one final scream Loretta then passed out again, looking over at Isis Atem saw a concerned look on her face "Isis?" Atem questioned seeing a single tear run down her cheek "Im afraid your son didnt make it, my Pharaoh" "Oh dear, my poor Loretta" said Atem walking over to Isis to look at the baby in her arms who still had his little eyes still closed "I'm so sorry my King, would you like to hold your son for the last time" nodding Atem took off his cape, wrapping it around over top of the cloth that Isis had been holding him in.
Gently cleaning the small boys face with a part of his cape he nuzzled the baby's cheek as he gazed sadly at the resemblance the child had to him. Holding him close to his chest, tears started to stream down his cheeks "Im sorry I never got to meet you, my son, you shall be buried in a special place alongside your grandfather, Aten" he said caressing the baby's small cheek before wrapping the rest of his cape around the rest of the baby's body & face to cover him.
Walking over to the bed Atem gently laid the small wrapped bundle down on the opposite side of the bed to Loretta then walked back around to Loretta's side & sat quietly caressing Loretta's soft cheek as tears welled back up in his eyes all the while Isis stood silently watching the grief-stricken King.
"Isis" Whispered Atem just loud enough for Isis to hear but not loud enough to wake his sleeping Queen "Yes, My Pharaoh" Isis bowed as she came closer "Please inform the rest of the Royal Court about this tragedy, we will need to hold burial ceremony for Aten & then an announcement ceremony to welcome the other child into the Royal family...By the way Isis, what gender is the other baby" "Yes, my King I will do that, um...I do believe your first born child is a girl, your Majesty" said Isis with a small smile as Atem looked up her "Thank you for looking after Loretta Isis, she is going to be devastated when she hears the news but we need to go out of here so she can rest, Isis? It would be a great honour if you would look after our daughter for us while Loretta recovers, I need to be alone for so I can properly mourn for my Son but I will be in my throne if any of you want me, as long as it's important" Atem said as he walked to the door "I will certainly look after you're beloved little Princess my Pharaoh& I will take great care of her until the Queen is well enough" said Isis as Atem opened it for her who bowed before walking past Atem & the down the corridor to the other room, staring lovingly back through the open door Atem stood watching Loretta for a moment before closing it quietly & walking away.
Waking up an hour or so later Loretta turned over in her bed to discover a small lump next to her that was covered by what she believed to be Atem's cape, gently prying away at the fabric Loretta was shocked & saddened when she saw a small ear & a clump of hair that looked strangely like Atem's, unwrapping the small bundle further she found that it was what she feared; It was the body of the baby she had just given birth too not so long ago. "Poor little boy, I'm so sorry your life was so short lived, I don't even know what your name is," Loretta thought to herself as she caressed the baby's cheek then placed a light kiss on his forehead before wrapping him back up, covering him completely over.
After hearing the terrible news from Isis & then Seto, everyone that met Loretta in the hallway bowed exceptionally low seeing & knowing what the small bundle was that was wrapped in the cloak of their King.
Meeting Atem at the door way to the throne room, Loretta embraced him as both began to weep onto each other's shoulders "I'm so sorry Loretta" Atem whispered in her ear, tenderly kissing her cheek "its not your fault Atem, I wasn't strong enough" she whispered back "Dont think that it's your fault, Loretta, you tried the best you could, Aten was a big baby & your body just wasn't ready for you to have twins for the first time", pulling back from Atem & then looking down & then back up to Atem, "Aten, is that the name you chose" nodding Atem looked at Loretta "Yes, it is short for 'Akhenaten' which was the name of my Mother's Father, just a question Loretta, what are we going to name our daughter, I thought you should name her" "Aww that is beautiful Atem, oh I hadn't thought about that, I need some time to clear my head after what has happened" "Ok Loretta, have as much time as you need" said Atem as he placed his hand gently on top of Aten's small wrapped up body.
Letting go of Loretta with one arm, Atem slid his other one down to Loretta's waist "Would you like to come back with me to my throne so we can talk or would my chambers be a better place?" Atem asked "I think our chambers would be the most private place for us to talk" nodding in agreement Atem led Loretta back to their room, still with his arm around her waist as she used both of hers to carry Aten.
As they were near to their room Loretta looked up to see Seto near the end of the hall, spotting the King & Queen Seto came up to the Royal couple & bowed "My King, My Queen, please accept my sincerest sympathies for the loss of your child, I hope that his spirit is cared for in the afterlife there as his body would have been down here" "that was beautiful Seto, thank you" "You are very welcome my Queen, is there anything I can do for you" "Could you please take Prince Aten to the embalmers, we will be holding a burial ceremony for him tomorrow evening..." said Atem as Loretta was now crying on his shoulder "there, there Loretta, I'm here for you" Atem soothed "As am I, my Queen, I live to serve you & Atem" he said placing his hand hesitantly but gently on her back then looking at Atem who surprisingly nodded in approval.
Smiling at Seto, Atem coughed to clear his throat "Thank you Seto, I mean it from the bottom of my heart, I dont know where I would be without a cousin like you, goodbye my Son, I wish safe passage" said Atem as his eyes began to well up as he handed Aten's body over to Seto "I will make sure he gets the best treatment Atem, don't you worry I wont let you down, would you like your cape back?" questioned Seto as cradled the small bundle gently in his arms "No, I wish to have him buried in it, it will be my gift to him as my son, so let it be written, so let it be done!" Atem sniffed "As you wish my Pharaoh".
TBC...