I awoke to the heat of Ra's sunlight streaming through when I heard Dalila bustling around my chambers tidying.

"It's time to rise Nefertiri. I've drawn you a bath and Anck-Su-Namun will be waiting in the courtyards for you shortly."

I rolled onto my back and stared at the roof before I spotted Dalila scowling at me.

I only smirked at her before getting out of my bed and heading from my chambers to my bath.

Dalila had drawn it just the way I liked it.

Mildly warm yet cooler than the rays of Ra.

I slid off my nightgown and let it fall to the floor before stepping into the bath.

It was refreshing.

I was a little anxious about actually spending time with this girl.

But I was also fascinated by her.

I'd grown up around the same people my whole life and now I finally had someone new.

Someone close to my age.

Someone to talk to...

I could only hope she likes me.

Despite popular belief I'm not the kind of princess who'll command someone to like me and just accept their friendship would be false.

That's my father's way of doing things.

As I tired of my bath I called for Dalila to hand me a towel.

Once dried I sat un-fidgeting at my vanity table as she adorned my hair and arms after applying my makeup.

I was just about to leave my chambers when I heard Dalila say I was late.

"A princess is never late." I laughed.

...

When I reached the courtyard I could feel the heat of Ra's rays beating down on me but I smiled anyway.

I gracefully walked towards her.

When I reached her she bowed but still didn't smile.

As I began to walk around the court she followed at my side.

I could hear the footsteps of the guards trailing behind us so I turned around startling them and forcing them to bow.

"May we have a moment of privacy?"

They hesitated before stepping back a few paces.

I just walked on with her at my side.

"My name is Nefertiri." I smiled.

"I know." She whispered.

"And yours Anck-Su-Namun?"

"Yes princess."

I stopped and turned to her placing a light hand on her shoulder.

"Call me by my name. We're meant to be friends are we not?"

She only nodded.

After walking slowly around the courts in silence I pulled her to a wooden seat.

"You don't often talk do you?" I questioned.

"I was told not to." She whispers.

I sigh and lift her chin with my hands.

Her deep brown eyes stare directly at my green.

"Speak your mind. You won't get in trouble with me." I smile.

For the first time she smiles back.

"Thank you Nefertiri."

I only laugh and remove my hand.

"So how old are you?"

"I'm 16 and you?"

"15. So Anck-Su-Namun would you like to be my friend?"

She nods and we smile at each other.

"Would you like to retire inside? It's rather hot out here."

"Certainly." She smiles as I take her hand and lead her inside.

I could feel eyes on me as I was entering the palace so I turned back to look outside the courtyard.

I shivered when I saw Imhotep staring at me with his cold eyes.

He only bowed and continued to stare at me until I felt Anck-Su-Namun tug on my hand.

I turned to her and smiled.

"Are you o.k.?"

"Yes. Where shall I show you?"

"Everywhere I guess I've only really seen my room."

"Everywhere it is then."

...

Anck-Su-Namun and I sat lazily in the heat of the courtyard after I showed her the palace.

It'd only been a day and I already felt like I had a friend.

"Nefertiri what do you do for fun?"

This struck me as an odd question really.

When I was a child of course I played games.

Mother and I used to play hide and seek throughout the palace but after she died I kind of grew up.

"I...I don't know. I like to be outside although I'm not allowed for too long as I may ruin my complexion."

She frowns at me.

"You should be allowed to do what you desire. You are the princess of Egypt you know." She smiles.

"Yes and you Anck-Su-Namun are my friend." I smile back as I take her hand.

She squeezes it and we laugh.

"Why were you brought here anyway?" I question.

"Just as your father said. To be your companion."

"But why? Surely you had a life? A family?" I pry although I know I shouldn't.

She begins to look at her feet and I know I've said too much.

"They sold me." She whispers her voice cracking.

Then she is crying.

It hurts.

I wrap my arm around her shoulder and pull her into me.

Despite the stares of the guards no one is around to see.

Usually I'm not meant to be like this with people but if she was going to be my friend I'm determined to do this right.

I'd never really comforted anyone before and I'd never really had anyone comfort me either.

I'd often sit in my chambers at night crying.

So I thought of what I'd want.

I rubbed soothing circles in her back until she calmed down and we were laying on the tiles together.

She looked over at me and squeezed my hand before we both laughed.

Next thing I know a dark shadow looms over us so we both look up.

Imhotep is standing above us and I shiver.

I help Anck-Su-Namun to her feet and we brush ourselves off.

"Anck-Su-Namun you are to retire to your chambers until you are needed."

She gazes at me sadly before obeying.

After watching her leave I turn back to Imhotep.

"And what gives you the right to order her away like that?"

He says nothing just takes my wrist and drags me inside the palace.

His gold covered minions following us.

My guards have been waved off now so I am much more timid.

"Release me!" He just scowled and continued to drag me through the palace.

Before he began to drag me down the stairs I tore my wrist painfully from his grasp.

I looked at the throbbing red mark it had left in its wake.

"I could have you killed for that."

He only laughed and pushed his face up into mine.

"But you wouldn't. I've been watching you princess and you wouldn't hurt a fly."

He was right.

"Now come. Your father wants to speak with you." He growled as he tried to take my wrist again.

"I can walk on my own!" I spat before pushing past him down the stairs.

I could feel the heat from his body as he trailed close behind me.

It was un-nerving, sending shivers down my spine.

"Where are we going?"

I'd never really been down stairs as it was not of nay interest to me.

"My chambers."

My throat became dry but I continued to walk down the steps.

When the stairs ended I stopped, my feet frozen.

He tried to push me a little so I'd continue but I didn't budge.

"Princess we haven't time for this! Your father is waiting!"

"In your chambers?" I question.

"He wanted privacy."

That was all he said before pushing past me and heading through a door.

All that was down here were rooms full of clutter, a room for him to practice with the other priests, their chambers and his.

I took a step, then another until finally I was at his door.

I gulped a little before opening his chamber door.

I instantly relaxed to see my father standing in the corner.

As I shut the door behind me I took a look around Imhotep's chambers.

Adorned with pictures of the gods and on shelves were embalming fluids.

"You wanted to see me father." I bow.

"How are you getting along with the girl? I can always...send her back."

"What?"

"Is that a yes?"

"No...No I'd like her to stay father. What would give you the impression that I'd like her sent away?"

Father didn't say but I saw his eyes shift to Imhotep.

I shot him a glare.

Luckily father didn't see.

"I would very much like her to stay."

Father nodded his head.

"You two must practice duelling for the courts tomorrow. For soon they will want to meet my beautiful teenage daughter and her new friend." He said as he ran his hand along my jaw line.

I smiled and nodded.

"And for the rest of the day?"

"Whatever you wish Nefertiri." He smiled.

With that I left my father and Imhotep talking in chambers.

I headed up the stairs and across the palace to Anck-Su-Namun's room to find her with Dalila who was combing her hair.

"Would you leave us now Dalila."

They both looked up a little startled at me standing in the doorway.

Dalila only nodded and left the chambers.

Still staring at me I walked over to her and picked up the comb.

"May I?"

"As you wish."

I gently combed through her tangles all the while she sat smiling.

"We are to practice duelling tomorrow."

I half whisper.

She only nods as I continue combing.

"My father wants us to compete in the courts soon so that he can show me off."

A small giggle escapes her lips and I laugh also.

In the second I stop combing she looks up at me as I remove the adorned clip from my hair.

She gasps a little as I take her thick black hair and smooth it through my fingers before clipping it.

"It's beautiful..." She whispers.

I smile.

"My mother gave that to me."

All of a sudden the smile leaves her face as she tries to take the clip out.

I place my hand softly on hers.

"It's o.k. We're friends. Wear it. You can borrow it."

I give her hand a reassuring squeeze.

She squeezes back and smiles.

I hold her hand for longer than necessary but she doesn't make any move to let go.

When I hear a knock at her chambers I release her hand and turn around in time to see the door open.

"Sorry to interrupt but I have Anck-Su-Namun's clothes for tomorrow." Dalila says as she places them on her bed.

"Thank you Dalila." I smile.

Dalila then leaves and I go sit on the bed.

"Anck-Su-Namun."

"Yes Nefertiri."

"Do you want to stay?"

She turns in her seat to look at me before getting up and sitting next to me.

"I...I mean you may leave if you want." I whisper.

"And go back to what? Here I have a friend. If it's o.k. with you I'd like to stay."

I look up to see her smile before pulling her into a hug.

"Thank you." I whisper in her ear.

It was then that I realised I'd always have a true friend in her.

Someone to turn to when things got hard.

Someone to have for myself.

Someone to love who might love me back.