Kindness of Hearts

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story from The Mummy (1999) except for my OCs.

Terms to Know:

Ahket: The inundation season when the Nile flooded and left behind fertile silt. It ran from the months of June to September.

Hieratic: The cursive form of Hieroglyphics used for personal letters, etc.

Sekhmet: Lion-Headed Goddess of War, Protection, Healing, and Chaos.

Set(h): God of Chaos, the Desert, Sandstorms, and Tricksters.

"Take the fare from him who is wealthy, and let pass him who is poor."
-Muata Ashby, Ancient Egyptian Proverbs

Thebes, 1293~

Ancksunamun sat at her bureau while the servant behind her brushed her hair. The woman's name was Yaminiah. She had been assigned as Ancksunamuns personal servant. The woman grunted in annoyance behind her. Ancksunamun paid no mind. It didn't matter to her what she looked like anymore. She was no more than a plaything to the Pharaoh now, a pretty figurine to dress up however he pleased.

Yaminah sighed again. "You should think about shaving this all off," the small woman tutted, dragging the sizeable golden brush through her snarled locks. "All the women are doing it nowadays. It's fashionable."

Ancksunamun looked up and made eye contact with the woman behind her. "And do what? Wear one of those stinky, old wigs?"

Yaminah gasped, "The audacity you have speaking to me this way! You are nothing but a concubine, remember that," the woman said, ripping the brush through her strands.

Ancksunamun rolled her eyes. "Where might I find one of these wigs if I so pleased to wear one?" She grimaced as strands were ripped unceremoniously from her skull.

The servant glared at her through the mirror. "You nasty little viper, so condescending," she spit on the back of her head as she spoke, "If you so desired to? Who do you think you are?"

Ancksunamun shrunk in her seat, but anger brewed in her gut at the woman's coarse words. What would it take to be free? The Priest's face floated through her mind, and she pushed him away. No, he will be of no help. But her heart gave a sputter at the thought anyhow.

The brushing stopped, and Yaminah stood back and put her hands on her hips. "It will have to go, my dear. I do not want to deal with this day in and day out."

Ancksunamun opened her mouth in protest, but the small woman stopped her with a glare.

"You may do as you please if you were a royal wife, but you are not! So what I say goes!" Yaminah said.

Ancksunamun felt tears prick her eyes at the thought of losing her hair. Her long hair was the same shade as her mother's. It was all she had left of her.

"Up! Get up!" The servant huffed. "Go in the bath chamber and strip down. I will send along the water shortly. Wash off and clean that disgusting hair. I will do the shearing myself. Anything to rid me of this rat's nest!" Yaminah said, spitting on her as she walked away.

Ancksunamun swallowed and was slow to move. Finally mustering up the courage, she entered the bath chambers. Ancksunamun marveled at the size of the room. It was ornate and decadent in the way it was designed. The large soaking tub was made of solid gold, and near it ran pools of crystal clear water. Statues of Seth guarded the sides of the tub, and Ancksunamun felt strange as she passed them.

Expansive windows let in the view of Thebes as it bustled and came to life below her. The sunrise was starting to come over the horizon, illuminating her lack of freedom. Ancksunamun turned and began to undress in the middle of the colossal space. Tears ran down her face as she climbed into the tub. It enveloped her in size, and she sat there shivering in the emptiness.

Columns covered in colorful epithets ran throughout the space. Each one detailed a more lascivious sexual act than the next. Ancksunamun felt nauseous as she looked at them. Sitting in the empty tub, she shivered, hating where she found herself. All the food and beer in the world were not worth this. I hope father and mother appreciate it. She would have rather bathed on the banks of the Nile, out under the cold winter sky, than be here. The river trips she had taken so often when she arrived seemed like a distant memory. She wasn't sure if she would ever feel the Nile on her skin again.

She thought of her two younger sisters, Anka and Anta. Ancksunamun had been away from home now for almost two years. She missed getting to know them as they grew from girls to women. Tears sprang to her eyes again as she remembered them on the morning she had left home. Anka had been holding a stick as she ran along the river, taunting the lazy crocodiles in the morning sun. Anta sat on the banks, waving her sister on. The two were inseparable. Ancksunamun didn't even know them anymore.

Curling in on herself, she shivered as she waited for the nasty servant woman to return with water. Ancksunamun thought of her older brother, Apheru, and how hard-working he was. He hadn't even come to say goodbye when she left. Apheru had stayed out in the fields, tilling until dusk. He had been ashamed of her decision to defer to what their parents wanted for her. Ancksunamun wished she had listened to him now.

Creaking roused her from her retrospective daydream. Two young servants came in with buckets, overbrimming with hot water. Without looking in her direction, they poured the boiling water into the massive tub.

"Ouch!" Ancksunamun jumped as the hot water touched her ice-cold skin.

The two servants scoffed at her, "Here, take this and wash off."

Handing her a bar of natron, the two girls left her to her thoughts once more. Ancksunamun stared, puzzled at the hard brick of natron. She had never used it in this form before. Putting it under the water, she saw it fizz and break apart, becoming soapy. Quick, before it was all gone, she scrubbed her skin clean.

She never felt clean anymore. Ever since the Pharaoh had taken her hostage, here in this adobe prison, she no longer felt herself. As she scrubbed away at her skin, she imagined she was washing away that man's hands on her body. She imagined that he had never touched her. When she got to her hair, she stopped. Running her hands through it, her fingers caught on the snarls. Feeling its heavy curled strands, tears flowed down her face as she washed her hair for the last time.

When she was finished, she stared down at her body, not recognizing it. She felt like a stranger in her own skin. Tears continued to fall down her face, and she cried for herself. She cried for her sisters. Her brother. Her parents. She thought of Kesi and all the women that came before her. It left a raw gaping hole of sadness and fear in her chest. A brisk knock at the door startled her, and she schooled her features in a neutral mask. Wiping away her tears, she stood up from the tub and grabbed a soft linen towel.

"If you have not managed to get out all of those tangles from that ratty hair of yours, I will have to do it," the servant said as she entered the room.

Ancksunamun peered at Yaminah's hands and saw a sharp, ceremonial knife used to chop off hair. She swallowed and ran her hands through her curls, praying her fingers didn't catch. The woman put down the knife and approached her, stopping her movements.

"Come, don't try to fix it now," Yaminah tutted.

Ancksunamun looked into Yaminah's eyes and almost cried again. The servant woman ran her hands through Ancksunamuns hair. Thankfully, none of her strands caught in the woman's fingers. Yaminah raised her eyebrows and pursed her lips in surprise.

"You seem to have defied the odds," Yaminah said, almost smirking.

Ancksunamun looked up to the ceiling and held tight to the amulet of Sekhmet on her chest. She thanked whatever Gods had been listening to her tears.

Yaminah's fingers caught on a snarl, and she smiled.

"Well, it seems that you will be getting a shave today. And you'll be wearing one of those nasty, dirty wigs," the woman threw her head back and laughed.

A lone tear streaked down Ancksunamuns face.

Sitting next to Seti in the throne room, Ancksunamun struggled to keep her eyes open. Seti droned on and on next to her, talking with his Medjai and Advisors about something mundane. It had been hours since he had even acknowledged her presence. Her head was beginning to hurt from the added weight on her shoulders.

A bead of sweat fell on her chest, and she huffed. It is boiling in here! Scratching at the large wig on her head, she felt hot and prickly. Frustration gripped her as she was forced to sit there and not move. Not until Seti needed her anyways.

It had become a humiliating routine. To serve her master in front of everyone while he ignored her completely. He asked for Ancksunamun the most out of any of the women sitting beside her. It was a terrible fate. Today at least, he had not asked for her services once. She wasn't sure if she would have been able to, at risk of heat stroke.

The sun was beating down through the small windows at the top of the room. The thick stench of sweat in the air from all of the bodies around her permeated the air. Ancksunamun watched her old friends dance on the far side of the room. Their lives were so different from the one she found herself living. She had thought dancing for the Pharaoh was punishment enough, but she was wrong. She would give anything to have that life back. Now she had been sentenced to a life of servitude and misery.

Safiya twirled into her vision, dancing closer than the other women. Catching her eyes, Safiya stared at her, shock on her features, before continuing her dance. Turning to look at her whenever she could, Safiya mouthed, "What happened?"

Ancksunamun shook her head and shrugged. Safiya continued to make her way around the space, each time getting a bit closer. The look on her face was one of pure disgust.

"He did this to you?" Safiya mouthed again, her eyes wide.

Ancksunamun shrugged again and nodded, not to draw attention.

Safiya's jaw tightened, and she glared at Seti and huffed as she spun her away around the room. Soon the song was over, and the head dancer called the dancers over for a break. Ancksunmaun sighed as her friend was out of sight.

Looking down at her toes, she sat crossed-legged on the floor at Seti's heel. It was worse than being a dog. A hairy ankle next to herself nudged her leg, and she froze. Oh no, she thought. I can't do this right now. The ankle prompted her again, and she looked up, terrified at what she might see.

She was met with the kind eyes of the Medjai who had helped her with Kesi all those moons ago. Ancksunamun felt embarrassed as he looked down at her in her subservient position. The Medjai smiled at her and nudged her again. A piece of papyrus fell onto her leg, and the Medjai shushed her, his eyes twinkling.

Ancksunamun looked at him, puzzled, and then reached for the paper. The Medjai shook his head and motioned for her to wait. Ancksunamun nodded at him and continued her ritual of listening to the Pharaoh drone on and on above her. Slipping the small piece of papyrus into the hem of her dress, she wondered about the Medjai next to her. What was his name again? She wracked her brain, trying to remember. Amenhemti! That was it!

She blushed as she looked at the floor, the Medjais leg still touching her own. She could feel his body heat permeating her own, but somehow she didn't mind it. It felt nice to have human contact other than Seti. His energy felt very soothing. The unbearable heat from the wig did not seem as sweltering now.

She wondered about the note. Was it from him?Is it from Imhotep? The Priest's name left a sour taste in her mouth.Probably not. He's not even here. She peeked out from the wig's bangs and noted that it was midmorning, and the Vizier had not bothered to show. In fact, she seldom saw him. I thought doing the Pharaoh's bidding was his job? She almost snorted out loud.

Sweaty fingers broke her from her train of thought as the Pharaoh rubbed her shoulders. Stiffening, she knew what was coming.

"My jewel…I am feeling a bit…parched here in this heat. Perhaps you can help quench my thirst?" Seti's voice rumbled behind her. His fingers dug into her flesh at the last word. His connotation was clear.

"Yes…my Lord. It would be my pleasure," Ancksunamun said. Tears of humiliation were already pricking the corners of her eyes.

"Good girl," Seti said, relaxing on his throne.

Hours later, Ancksunamun found time to breathe. Her whole body felt hot and sticky. It was nearing the end of Ahket, heralding the coming of the crops. It was growing warmer by the day. Ancksunamun felt dirty. She wanted nothing more than to run down to the river and bathe on its cool banks. But she knew she couldn't. She was not even allowed to clean without the Pharaoh's permission, and often, he had to join her.

Ancksumamun shivered in horror. There was nothing more that she hated in this world than that man. Each time he even so much as looked at her, she pictured Kesi's battered body, and it left her irate. She had not even had time to figure out what had happened to her. But she knew that the Priest was out of the question. Maybe I could ask Amenhemti? He's nice. Deciding against it, she realized that he often hovered over the Pharaoh. It was too risky.

Huddled in an alcove on the balcony across from Seti's bed chambers, she tried to avoid the sun the best she could. She did not have the energy to be around that man right now. Rivulets of sweat dripped down her skin, and she tore off the wig on her head and flung it to the ground.

Glaring at the torture device, she panted for breath. Her head still felt raw from the nasty servant woman shaving off her hair. But the cool breeze across her scalp was welcoming, and she began to calm down. Sliding down the wall, she shielded her body from the sun. Sitting there for a few moments, she reveled in the quiet and the solitude. She knew it wouldn't last long. The note!

In a hurry, she grabbed the hem of her dress and pulled it out. It was wet, and the ink was beginning to run. Squinting her eyes, she thanked her father for forcing her to learn to read hieratic. Most of the other women here couldn't.

Though the ink was smudged, she could make out the words, "Meet me in the…" the last word was intelligible. Ancksunamun almost yelled in annoyance. Squinting harder, she made out the word "kitchen."

"Meet me in the kitchen?" Ancksunamun said aloud, "What?"

"Who are you talking to?" Came a voice from behind her.

Ancksunamun shoved the note into the hem of her dress and spun around.

Ancksunamun straightened up as she saw who it was. She grabbed her wig and placed it on her head in the wrong direction. Spitting out the hairs, she turned it around and quickly bowed.

The Queen stood in the alcove, shielded from the midday sun. Her eyes were hard as she looked Ancksunamun over. Her hair was covered in an intricate scarf, and she stood there as the picture of grace. The Queen was beautiful, the antithesis of herself. Ancksunamun straightened up further and bowed again.

"I'm sorry, your highness, I did not realize who I was in the presence of," Ancksunamun said, her eyes downcast.

Tua-re looked her up and down again before responding. "See to it that you don't forget your place, concubine," she sneered, playing with the sleeves of her long silky dress. "Where might I find the Pharaoh? I'm sure you have not been away from him for long."

Ancksunamun pointed to Seti's bed chambers and watched as the Queen turned to look. Tua-re nodded and opened the Pharaoh's heavy door. She paused in the entryway and turned to look back at the disheveled Ancksunamun.

"If you're going to be a slut, at least look presentable," the Queen said before going through the door. Ancksunamun stood dumbfounded, the Queen's words hanging in the air.

Later that night, Ancksunamun snuck out of Seti's chambers. Her heart was pounding in her chest. Who was the note from? Her thoughts raced as she kept close to the palace walls. She was careful to stay out of sight of the Medjai and other palace goers.

Getting closer to the kitchen, Ancksunamun felt like a criminal. Sneaking around at night, trying to avoid the wrath of the Pharaoh. She wasn't sure what would happen if she was caught, but she didn't want to find out. The stupid wig on her head kept slipping off as she snuck along the hallways. It was almost enough to make her scream.

Finally reaching the palace entrance, Ancksunamun was still in awe at how quiet it was at this hour. It was surreal how different it seemed to her now. It didn't seem as scary or as exciting. In fact, now it felt like the two front doors were beckoning her to her freedom. She stared at them, wishing she had the gumption to run through them and out the palace gates. But she didn't. Ancksunamun knew it would spell out certain death for her family. Paling at the thought, she turned her attention back to the note. Who could have sent it if it hadn't been Amenhemti or Imhotep?

Reaching the kitchen doorway, Ancksunamun hesitated. What if this is a trap set by Seti himself? To see if I'll disobey? The thought jumbled around in her head, and she shook it out. No, I'm not a head wife; there's no risk . She continued forward into the light and then paused again. But maybe it is? He has been doting on me recently…she swallowed and began to turn back when she heard a voice she had sorely missed.

"Ancksunamun!" the voice said before a body tackled her in a hug.

"Oof!" Ancksunamun managed to get out as she was knocked to the floor, a mess of legs and elbows.

"Oh, Ancksunamun, I've been so worried about you!"

Ancksunmaun laughed and shushed her friend. "Safiya, be quiet! We do not want to be caught!"

Safiya sat up on the cold floor, her eyes wide. "There's no worry about that! I have made friends with one of the Medjai. He's a sweetheart. He gave my note to you! He's outside on the other door."

Ancksunamun looked to the back of the kitchen but did not see anyone.

"Are you sure this is a wise idea, Safiya? He is a Medjai…he works intimately with the Pharaoh, you know…." Ancksunamun whispered through her teeth.

"Yes, he and I started a conversation after seeing how upset I was this morning. He's been very willing to help us out. Well…mainly you…" Safiya said, playing with a strand of hair.

Ancksunamun cocked her head to one side, "What do you mean mainly me? I'm owned by the Pharaoh as of now. There's no way this man thinks he has a chance," she said.

Safiya looked at her and smirked, "No, but when has that ever stopped a man? You seem to be very well-liked around here," she laughed.

Ancksunmaun hit her on the shoulder and chuckled, "No one around here likes me enough to get to know me! That's very untrue... Now, let's get off the floor," she laughed.

The two girls stood up and made their way to the small mat at the edge of the room. They were far out of earshot of the Medjai. Or so they hoped.

Settling down, Safiya's face turned serious. "Ancksunamun," she said, grabbing her hands and looking into her eyes, "What has this ghastly man done to you?"

Ancksunamun removed her hands from Safiya's hold and avoided her eyes. "Nothing out of the ordinary."

"What aren't you telling me? Come on! You still wear my Sekhment amulet."

Ancksunamun realized she had been fiddling with her necklace and stopped. Sighing, she replied, "The Gods have done nothing for me, Safiya. It is a token of our friendship, nothing more."

Safiya pouted but did not respond.

"Besides," Ancksunamun said, pointing to the far door. "I don't know what I can tell you with that man listening over there. I don't trust it."

Safiya rolled her eyes, "Ancksunamun, not all government officials are corrupt. Some of them came from good homes."

"Yeah, well, good homes don't take away the evil," Ancksunamun muttered.

"Fair," Safiya said. "If you don't want to talk about Seti or his horrid mistreatment of you..." she reached out and stroked Ancksunamuns wig, the faux strands silky in her fingers, "Then you must tell me of the Vizier! I haven't seen him much as of late…."

Ancksunamun looked to the floor again, her thoughts going haywire. "What is there to tell? There is nothing between us. He is just a puppet of Seti's like the rest of them."

"Woah!" Safiya said. "This is a side of you I have never seen. So cynical."

"It comes with the life I live," Ancksunamun shrugged. "But if you must know. The Priest, Vizier, whatever you wish to call him. He tricked me. He made me believe that he cared for me. Just to take it all back the second he is around his master. It is all a game to him."

Safiya looked at Ancksunamun with wide eyes. She had retaken her hands while Ancksunamun had been speaking and was stroking them. "Are you sure? What happened with him not showing up to escort you to dinner? There must be more to tell…please?"

Ancksuanmun sighed and looked down at their entwined hands, "He never told me why he never showed up. But…" Ancksunamun blushed as she remembered their time together in the garden. "But for a moment…I believed that he cared for me. He made me feel it. And I did feel it! But then he turned his back on me…" she trailed off, lost in her feelings. Her heart beat hard in her chest.

"Ancksunamun… I've never seen you look this way. This man must have treated you terribly," Safiya said kindly. "But you must remember, these men around us answer to the Pharaoh. He is a God. You don't step out of line no matter what. Maybe give that a thought. I'm sure there's more to the Priest than meets the eye."

Ancksunmaun felt a flash of hope go through her at Safiya's words. But it came crumbling down as she remembered his unkind words in the throne room. "No! It is not an act with him," she tightened her hands in Safiya's grip, "It is simply who he is…."

Safiya stared down at their hands and sighed. "You are so obtuse sometimes, Ancksunamun, but I believe you. I shall shun this man as well," Safiya said with a smirk.

Ancksunamun had to smile at that too.

"Yay! That is the first smile I've seen from you in weeks!" Safiya declared a bit too loud.

"Shhhh…." Ancksunamun said with a giggle. "We don't want the Medjai hearing us enjoying ourselves. He may get the wrong idea."

Safiya smirked. "Ah, you mean he'll want to join in?" She waggled her eyebrows.

Ancksunamun pushed her away and laughed. "You're gross, no!"

The two girls laughed for a moment before Ancksunmaun sobered up once more.

"I don't know when I'll be able to see you again…." Ancksuanmun said, her wig sliding on her head. She grimaced and pushed it back on.

Safiya looked at her with empathy. "I know I'm not supposed to mention the wig, but one of the girls I know here makes a good wig paste. I'll send some along to you. Maybe with a note too."

Ancksunamun smiled at her friend. "That would be amazing, Safiya. You are amazing."

Safiya reached out and hugged Ancksunamun. They stayed like that for quite some time until they heard a throat clear in the hallway.

"I guess that's our cue?" Ancksunamun asked, motioning toward the sound.

"Sounds like it…." Safiya said before standing up. She offered Ancksunamun her hand and pulled her up into another hug. "Please, stay safe. I know this is hard, and you're being so brave. But you don't have to hide it from me."Ancksunamun teared up at her words and sniffled her nose. "Thank you, I know…I just don't feel safe with him out there."

Safiya nodded, "Go before it's too late to sneak back in."

Ancksunamun felt another tear drip down her cheek. She squeezed Safiya's hand before letting go. "Goodbye…. I'll be waiting on that wig paste…and that note," she said with a sad smile.

Safiya smiled and waved before slipping out the opposite door. Ancksunamun sighed and put on a brave face. Wiping away her tears, she steadied her resolve and made her way toward the Medjai on the other side of the door.

Anckusnmun peered around the kitchen door, looking for the Medjai on the other side. Not seeing a soul in sight, she sighed in thankfulness and made to make her way back to Seti's chambers. She hoped she would go unnoticed.

Walking out into the serene space, the darkness enveloped her, and she sighed again. It was nice to be alone for once. It was a feeling of complete peace. She could hear her heart begin to slow from the excitement of seeing Safiya again.

Taking a few steps, she heard a throat clear behind her, and she jumped. Not wanting to make a sound, she stayed quiet. The peace of solitude had been nothing but a hopeful dream.

Light footsteps could be heard through the gloom. All of a sudden, Ancksunaun felt the heat of another's body next to hers.

"Trying to sneak off?" a boyish voice said.

Ancksunamun stiffened and was slow to reply. "No, I was unaware that I was not alone," she said, her voice soft.

A light chuckle was heard, and finally, the face of the voice was seen. It is Amenhemti! His face was illuminated by a soft smile. He appeared and stood next to her, awkward in his stance. Though his face and arms bore the mark of the Medjai, he seemed to be close in age with her. Ancksunamun blushed into the darkness. His toned arms led down to thick hands, which twisted nervously.

"Shall I escort you back to your chambers?" he said, pointing toward Seti's rooms.

Ancksunamun was taken aback at his kindness to her and again took too long to answer. "Yes, of course…." she said, dumbfounded by his attitude.

"Great!" Amenhemti smiled at her and gestured for her to walk ahead of him.

Ancksunamuns eyes widened, and she stepped forward. Walking in front of him, he followed close behind. She was confused by the whole thing. No one ever let her walk first. It was a sign of respect. Why would a servant to the King respect her? She was below him, wasn't she?

They walked in silence almost all the way there before he spoke again.

"I'm sure you are wondering why I allowed you to see your friend."

Ancksunamuns step faltered, but she kept going at a slow pace. "Yes…I was," she did not elaborate beyond that. The whole thing unnerved her.

The Medjai sighed and stopped walking. Ancksunamun stopped and turned around to look at him. They were hidden in a shallow alcove in one of the servants' hallways.

"I apologize if you think it is strange…." he started, then laughed. Sobering, he continued, "I think that the way you have been treated is not fair, and I wanted to…. in a small way…. make it right," Amenhemti said, peering up at her through dark lashes, his face earnest.

"Oh…" Ancksunamun said, at a loss for words. "Why would you care for a concubine?" She finally asked without thinking, and she clammed up.

Amenhemti looked shocked. "Why would that matter to me what your position is? I noticed how kind you were to the other concubine, and I knew you had a big heart…" he trailed off, his eyes on hers.

Ancksunamun swallowed and looked into his gentle eyes. Kesi ,Ancksunamun thought to herself. That's what he means! Never mind that now…

"Oh…" was her brilliant answer. She had no idea how to respond to that.

Amenhemti laughed again, uncomfortable with her lack of response. "I just wanted to give back in some way. I have never seen you smile as much as you do with your friend. I did not mean anything weird by it," he said, twisting his hands again. "Now, let us get you back to the Pharaoh's chambers. We've been away long enough, haven't we?" he smiled at her and gestured for her to walk again.

Ancksunamun nodded and smiled back at him. His soul felt kind. Turning around, she felt a bit lighter in her step. It was nice to have a friend.

A/N: Hello, everyone! Thank you for all the kudos/likes! It means so much to me!

I realize that using the name Seth for Set could be confusing. Using the name Set and having the Pharaoh Seti in the same story is too close in spelling, so I will stick with Seth for understanding's sake.

Thank you for reading!