Ch. 20~ Stranger In The Desert
They were tracking this man. Somehow, he'd managed to survive two weeks in the harsh desert conditions with nothing but two camels, and only one stop for water at a small town. Whoever he was, Ardeth had to admit, he was strong. Most people traveled in convoys, or at least in twos with a herd of camels for food and water. They never got close enough to see who he was, and he always kept his turban and sash over his face to protect it from the sand and wind. He was smart, too. There was several times when his camels stopped for no apparent reason. Instead of forcing them to continue, he put up a tent and waited to the sandstorms to pass. Eventually, they decided the was just a desert man going on a long journey, and they went home, thinking no more of him.
Until he showed up at the Madji's hidden oasis village.
Ardeth had been in his tent, looking over the messages from the other Commanders across Egypt. Suddenly, one of the men ran in, say something about a stranger asking for him by name. Confused, he followed the warrior to the entrance of their home, where a man in light colored robes stood relaxed, even when faced with a dozen swords pointed at him.
"*Who are you? What are you doing here?*"
The man rolled his eyes under his sash. "When are you people gonna realize, I. Don't. Speak. Arabic. Seriously, I thought you'd have figured it out when I asked to see Ardeth Bay…in English."
"Why are you here?" he said testidly. He was not in the mood for this man's insolence. Ardeth had been sleeping badly ever since the O'Connells left, and he was so very tired.
"I go a little something for you. From one Miss O'Connell." He held up a letter. "She wanted it personally delivered, said to make sure you read it…in private."
Ardeth studied the man suspiciously for a moment, then ordered the men to stand down and motioned for him to follow. Once in the tent, he turned and held out his hand. "Give it to me."
"Oooh, bit demanding, aren't we? You know, she warned me you might get a little testy when you heard she sent you something. Quite honestly, I-"
"Just give it to me. My patience is wearing thin."
"Alright, alright. Don't get your undies in a bunch." The stranger placed it in his hand.
He was nearly frantic as he tore open the envelope, and unfolded the parchment. What? "What kind of trick is this?" The letter was blank.
"She couldn't think of anything to say, so…she just decided to send herself instead."
The Madji was confused. Then, he saw, actually saw, the stranger's eyes. They were a dark grey-green color, a color he had never seen before, or after one person. Moving forward, Ardeth pulled the sash down, revealing the very face that had haunted his dreams for the last few months.
"Jeweliandra."
"Hey," she smiled.
He couldn't help it, he pulled her against him, hoping with every ounce of his soul that she wasn't just a cruel figment of his imagination. He nearly cried when he felt her put her arms around him and hug him close. The memories were nothing compared to this. Everything about it was perfect, even though it was just a simple hug. Ardeth leaned down and kissed her face, every inch of exposed skin. She was so real, so wonderfully soft against his lips. Lips. That was the last thing he kissed, long and deep, trying to express his happiness. Jeweli put her arms around his neck and raised herself on her toes, getting as close as possible. When they finally had to come up for air, he put his forehead against hers.
"I…I thought you had forgotten," he muttered, his breath warm on her face.
"Never."
He leaned back to look at her. "What made you come back?"
Oh, that laugh, like sweet music on his ears. "I was reminded of a deal I made with Jonathan. He reminded me that it's ok to be a little selfish every once in a while, it's ok to do something for myself. Besides, apparently my mood was bringing the rest of the family down. You should have seen Alex go off on me. If was pretty funny actually."
"How…how did you find us?"
"Rick had a general idea of where y'all lived. All I had to do was put up with you spying on me constantly without going to you immediately. I had to put up with finding this place. Kinda like a treasure hunt, and I won."
"You know, the Elders will not be happy with you being here."
"The Elders can kiss my ass. If I really cared what a bunch of griping old men thought anymore, I wouldn't be here right now. All I care about was getting to see you again. And if I have to stay and do hard labor for the rest of my life to prove that I belong here, then so be it."
Ah, there she was. The woman he loved, in all her fiery glory. It was all he could do to not take her then and there (Holy Hell, where did that come from?). How could he ever have let her go in the first place? This woman was surely something else, and maybe that would be enough to convince the Elders to let her stay.
Hessan knocked on the post. "*Nephew, what is going on? What is this I hear about a stranger come to speak with you?*"
"Uncle Hessan, you will never guess who managed to find their way back to us." He pulled his uncle into the tent as Jeweli turned around.
"Jeweliandra, you are back!"
"Hello, Hessan. It's good to see you again."
"And you, my dear," he took her hands in his and kissed them. "How wonderful it is to have you here. But…*What about the Elders?*" he asked his nephew.
"*We will handle them in time.* For now, let us enjoy her company."
"Hey, if we're gonna deal with those asshats, we might as well do it now. That way we don't have to worry about them finding out through the grapevine."
The men nodded, and Ardeth said, "At least put your sash over your face until then."
So, they went to speak with the Elders. Suffice to say, they were none too happy about her having found their home. They questioned how she found it, at which she simply stated, "Faith and perserverance." It took hours on end to answer all their questions, mostly because they had to be translated to English, and her answers to Arabic. She was told that they would discuss the situation, but that she would be allowed to stay until the dicission was made. It was already early evening by the time they left the council tent.
"Where am I gonna sleep, though?" she asked as they walked through the village. "I don't wanna make a bad impression my asking to stay with you."
Ardeth deliberated for a moment. "I know a place. Come." On the far side of the town, a little way from his tent, was a rather large one with an elderly woman sitting at the entrance shelling peas. "*Yaya, I have brought someone for you to meet.*"
The woman looked up from her bowl and studied her closely. "*It this the young woman you told me about, De-De?*"
"*She is. This is Jeweliandra.* This is Yaya."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am." Jeweli smiled and held out her hand.
"My grandmother does not speak English."
"Grandmother? Wow, Ardeth, every time I turn around, you've got another family member. You got a sister you've been hiding in your cloak, too?"
"Not quite his sister, yet." A girl not much younger than Jeweli stepped from the tent. "But, one day soon. I am Analai, Basal's betrothed."
"Oh, hi. Nice to meet you. I'm Jeweli."
"I heard. Ardeth has spoken of little else but you the last tow months. *But, you forgot to mention that she was absolutely gorgeous.*"
Ardeth laughed and shrugged his shoulders. "*There are no words to fully describe her.*"
"*Is she staying for dinner?*" Yaya asked.
"*Longer, hopefully. If the Elders decide such, she will become one of us. Tribe, warrior, and perhaps, one day, family.*"
"*Oh? That's lovely. Does she like roast lamb?*"
"Yaya asks if you like roast lamb."
"Uh…I've never had it. But, I'm willing to try anything once."
Ardeth translated, to which the old woman said, "*That's the spirit. You will help me prepare it for this evening's meal?*"
"I'd love to." Jeweli smiled. Yaya beckoned her forward, and took hold of her face.
"*Then I welcome you.*" The older woman kissed each cheek, then pulled her to help shell peas.