Disclaimer: Christianqueenofegypt does not own Yu-Gi-Oh!
Cq: Oh drat, Ah well, I love the plot so far, don't you?
Ankh: Yes, of course, Your Majesty
bows humbly
Shada (mutters):suck up
cq Ankh and Isis glare at Shada
Isis: Leave Ankhare alone!
She tries to slap him, but he grabs her wrist and smirks
Shada: What a pretty girl you are... hehehe
Ankh, cq (gulp): O-O onto the next chappie!
Chapter Summary
When Ankh returns from the village, he sets his plan to tell Lady Isis of his feelings, into motion. Meanwhile, Shada has put the last touches on his plans to make Lady Isis his bride. Meanwhile, Isis has had an interesting visions of a baby born in a manger... she wants to tell Ankhare, but then she might risk her life... what will she do? R&R!
Ankhare returned later in the evening...quite exhausted from the day's work.
Handing Ebony over to the stable boys, he quickly remembered his plan and rushed to his room to ready it.
About an hour later, Ankh had received word that Lady Isis had been summoned to the throne room by Lord Shada and Count Abasi.
What on Jehovah's good green earth could those two want with Isis? Ankh tried his best to keep the growl out of his voice.
Easy Ankh, easy...you won't claim her heart by harming others. Ankh nodded in determination as he headed onto the throne room.
Finding his Lady in a discussion with his enemy, Ankh's blood began to boil.
Stop it! You're acting like a foolish child! The Physician wiggled his copper head, his ebony locks wiggling with him.
Ankh hid out of sight, in a place where he could still keep an eye on Isis and Shada, and also hear the conversation.
"Have you ever been married?" Shada asked, circling around Isis as a jackal hunts its prey.
"No my lord" Isis answered as calmly as she could, her answers were so soft, Shada could barely hear them.
"Have you ever been in love?" Isis' cheeks turned a slight pink color, Ankh noticed. I wonder... he thought.
"Once" Isis answered truthfully, wondering why he was asking all of these questions.
"Hmmm" Shada muttered, wondering why the girl's cheeks were red.
He'd find out later, when they were alone. It was time to ask the Pharaoh for her hand.
Isis gulped slightly at the wolfish look in Shada's eyes. She didn't like that look, not one bit.
"You are dismissed" Shada said waving his hand in an important manner.
Isis nodded, curtsied and walked gracefully out of the room.
As Isis walked out of the room, Ankh grabbed her and put a hand over her mouth.
She tried to scream, but he wouldn't let her go. "Shhh...Isis... it's me" Ankh whispered.
Isis stopped squirming and Ankh let go of her. Resisting the urge to slap the man she loved, Isis instead whirled around and glared at him.
"Ankh! What are you doing here?!" Ankh frowned as he placed a finger to her lips.
"Shhh!" he whispered. "Come with me!" Isis nodded and took his offered hand, following close behind.
She prayed reverently to Jehovah that they wouldn't be found!
Ankh led his desert rose to the garden. The full moon was looming over the horizon, illuminating the flowers and trees, giving them a glow.
A gentle breeze blew, and Isis shivered. Ankh realized that she was wearing another sleeveless Egyptian dress, showing off her savvy curves.
Ankh gulped. Coming to his senses, he took off his black summer cloak, draping it lightly around her.
"Thank you" Isis smiled. Ankh smiled back. "You're welcome" he whispered.
Leading her by the hand to the bench, he motioned for her to be seated, as he himself paced back and forth.
"I have something to tell you" he said finally, sitting down beside her.
She cocked her head, waiting for him to continue.
"Mmmm Lord God help me...hehe" Isis giggled along with Ankh, wondering why he sounded so nervous.
"What is it, Ankhare?" she asked softly. Ankh bit his lip. Looking at her in detail, he realized that the moon cast an unearthly glow upon her.
He studied her in detail as if seeing her as God's work of art for the first time.
Her face was clear and beautiful...her eyes...captivating; one could get lost in those ocean blue orbs of hers... ironically, that was exactly what was happening to Ankh even now.
Isis had a slender, graceful figure all around... Ankh noticed with some amusement that while most Egyptian women sought to show themselves off, Isis chose to hide herself in somewhat modest clothing.
"Isis" Ankh whispered, and without realizing it, his two fingers stroked her cheek. The girl blushed deeply. Ankh smiled, his fingers trailing under her chin as she tried to avoid his gaze. He gently lifted her face to look at him.
"Isis...I-oh dear how do I say this...ahem" Isis smiled a little as Ankh cleared his throat.
"In these past few months I have found myself growing fonder and fonder of you...I-well, I guess since the first time I saw you, asleep... I mean...uh..." Despite himself, the Physician felt himself blushing furiously.
Isis smiled again. "I believe I am in love with you, and I have been, ever since I first saw you." the girl looked at him, her eyes, asking to affirm what he just admitted.
"Yes" he whispered. "It is a common feeling we share, you and I" she whispered. "I love you too, Ankhare" she looked at him, as if unsure of what his reaction would be.
In response however, Ankh gently caressed her silky raven hair, gently pulling her to him.
Nervously the two smiled at each other... this was the very first kiss for both of them.
As if they both felt the Lord bringing them together, closer and closer they went until...
"Ahem!" the moment was shattered into a million pieces. Who was it that stole this precious moment?
Ankh and Isis were about to find out!
Mahado: Gah! NOOOOO! Who DID that?!
Cq (grinning cheekily) you'll just have to find out!
Meanwhile Ankh and Isis are continuing where they left off.
Cq: Oh Lord!
Mahado: O-o that's it! Onto the next chapter!
Ankh gritted his teeth as he and Isis noticed Lord Shada standing behind them, his muscular arms folded sternly over his broad chest.
He glared at them until Ankhare could almost swear a vein was popping out of the man's head.
(A/N: Oops...hehehe (sweat drop))
"Isis...what in the name of Maat are you doing here with HIM?!"
Ankhare looked at Shada curiously. Thinking back a few months before, hadn't Shada himself asked about Jehovah being the One True God?
So why was he still professing to the Egyptian gods? Ankh tried to mule over it in his mind, but could not come up with a reason. He set it aside for later.
Not that Ankhare would be caught dead bowing down to these idols, as the Law called them, but Ankh himself was finally beginning to understand the idols and what they all stood for.
Ammut, part crocodile and part lion, was apparently idealized as a fierce goddess
Amun-Re, part falcon and part human, was apparently the most powerful god of Egypt; pictured as the bringer of life or the sun
Anubis (the god Shada resembeled,) was apparently the jackal-headed human god; the god of the dead and the guardian of tombs and pyramids
Bastet, part cat and part human, was apparently the daughter of Re; known as the goddess of joy
Bes, was apparently the jolly dwarf-god, his occupation is not known
Hathor, the cow-headed goddess was known as the goddess of love, joy, women, childbirth, and music; and was also the protector of the dead
Horus, part falcon, part human, carrying an ankh in his right hand, was the son of Isis and Osiris who defeated his uncle Seth in battle and became ruler over Egypt; sky god, god of light and heaven
(A/N: Huh?)
Isis, Osiris's wife and mother of Horus was apparently the goddess of maternal love-her symbol is a throne
Khnum, part human, part ram, ruled over the dangerous Nile cataracts, or rapids
Maat, known as the daughter of the sun god Re; was known as the goddess of justice and truth
(daughter of Osiris)
Egyptians believed that after you died. Osiris and Maat would meet you to weigh your heart. The heart was placed on one side of a scale and Maat's Feather of Truth on the other side. Forty-two gods or goddesses would interview the heart. They questioned it about crimes it may have committed. If the heart was light with no hate, the person would gain eternal life. If the heart was heavy, the goddess Ammut would eat it.
Ankh did not believe such nonsense. His mind wandered off on the oddity of the other gods and goddesses.
Osiris, the mummy god, was apparently the god of vegetation and the dead
Ptah, another mummy god, was apparently the 'creator god' who invented the arts; aka the local god of the capital Memphis
Seth, (A/N: Hmmm) part camel, part human, was apparently the god of the desert; aka brother and murderer of Osiris
Thoth part ibis (small bird), part human, known for carrying writing tools, was apparently god of the moon, god of the scribes of writing, and god of wisdom
Tauert, wife of Bes, was the hippopotamus goddess, her occupation is not known
Sekhmet, part human, part lioness, was apparently the goddess of war
None of this, Ankh knew was true... it was just rubbish. But still, he wondered, why pray to a bunch of pebbles when the God who made them was so much bigger then that?
Ankh shook his head, and was brought out of his religious reverie by Isis' reply to Shada's question.
"I love him" she replied.
"I'm sorry," Shada said sarcastically. "I didn't hear that last remark... what did you just say?" Shada folded his arms over his chest, glaring at her.
"I love him" Isis said emphasizing those last two words.
Shada growled, grabbing the girl by the wrist. The Millennium Eye suddenly appeared on his forehead.
"You belong to no one but me! You are to be my WIFE!"
Ankh's head snapped up in recognition of that familiar tone of voice. It was the same one that Shada had used with him several months earlier!
Sure enough, when Ankh looked into the man's eyes, they were the same shade of red. (A/N: Shada has a Yami? O-o Actually he sounds a little like Y. Marik)
"Surprised, Ankhare? And you thought I was possessed!"
Perhaps you are! Ankh thought. He daren't say that aloutd for fear of placing his beloved in serious peril.
The Physician watched helplessly as Shada dragged Isis into the palace. The look she gave him as she left pierced his heart.
I will save you my darling! Ankh thought as they left. Quickly he headed inside to Mahado's quarters, hoping to find Khalfani and Karim along the way.
The needed to come up with a plan before it was too late!
Ankh: Aaaaah Noooo!
cq: I'm sorry Ankh! I had no choice!
Ankh (angrily): no choice? NO CHOICE?! Of COURSE you had a CHOICE!!
Mahado: He's right cq... don't worry Ankhare... we'll get her back!
Khalfani and Karim: Right!
cq: I dunno...
Ankh: O-O what do you mean 'You don't know?!'
cq: I already had a plan for the next chapter.
Ankh: Do I get her back?
cq: You'll just have to see -
Ankh: wHaT?!
cq: Onto the next chappie O-o
Disclaimer: Christianqueenofegypt does not own Yu-Gi-Oh, or Ankhare or the lyrics to My Immortal... she's just borrowing them.
Cq: thanks!
Khalfani: hehe you're welcome
cq rolls eyes
Khalfani: Hey!
Cq: hehe
Khalfani: Soo... where's Ankh and Isis?
Cq: Ankh, you, Mahado and Karim are gonna go rescue her
Khalfani: O-k-a...what?! B-but I'm the Prince of Egypt!
Cq: so was Moses
Khalfani: O-o that was lame
cq: Pffft as if you could come up with something better!
Khalfani:I-i...oh wait
cq sniggers
cq: see?
Khalfani: Whatever! Onto the next chappie!
Chapter Summary
Shada has finally gotten permission from the Pharaoh to marry Isis... she is still upset with Ankhare... but then she also has something very important to tell him... the baby in the manger may not just have been another life brought into the world, but the long awaited Messiah! Can she tell him the news and they elope someplace else? Or will she betray his love and marry Shada? R&R!
Isis sat in Lord Shada's chambers, awaiting his return.
She found that she had no tears left, they had all been wasted on Ankhare... she couldn't believe it!
He knew after all this time that Shada was seeking her hand, and still he didn't tell her and let her make the decision for herself?!
Well, apparently my fate has been chosen for me... so now I just have to grin and bear it! The girl thought bitterly.
But then how could I be so heartless to Ankhare that way? Did he not profess his love for me?
Yes, her mind argued, but he also deceived you... he knew what was going on the whole time!
Isis put her head in her hands and groaned. Might as well just go along for the ride... she had always been taught that Jehovah would take care of the rest.
Ankhare, Lord Mahado, Lord Karim, Lord Sekmeth, and Prince Khalfani sat in the flame room, trying to figure out a plan to win Lady Isis from Lord Shada.
"He plans to marry her at sundown" Sekmeth said... curious of Ankhare's reaction.
In reaction, Ankh pounded his fist on the table. "Then that does not give us much time, does it?" he growled.
"Calm yourself Ankhare" Khalfani commanded. "Jehovah is on our side... He will not reward wickedness with goodness"
"Perhaps Shada has persuaded even your god" Karim muttered. All four other men glared at him. "What?" he asked.
"Ankhare?" Khalfani said smiling. "Yes, My Prince?" Ankh asked. "Has Isis told you of her vision?"
Ankhare, puzzled, shook his head. "No my Prince, she hasn't" "Exactly" Khalfani said.
All four turned to him in confusion.
"All of us were present at Lady Isis' endowment" Khalfani continued after seeing the men nod.
"My father stated that she was to tell either Priest Shimon, or Lord Shada if she had a vision."
they nodded again. "Now, the only way to counteract that is if she told me or my father... which she told me"
Karim and Sekmeth seemed confused while Mahado was muling it over. Ankhare smiled at the prince.
"What was her vision?" he asked.
"Baruch HaBah B'Shem Immanuel!"1 Ankhare stared wide eyed at the Prince! At long last, their prayers had been answered! The Messiah had come!
"Baruch Shem Kivod LeOlam Va'ed!"2 he yelled. Khalfani was now grinning from ear to ear. Their Savior had come!
Khalfani yelled out in a loud voice, Ankhare joining him, "Baruch HaBah Avinu SheBaShamayim!"3
All three courtiers were highly confused of what these men were saying!
The two men continued to speak in Hebrew, wondering whether they should tell the good news. "Let us wait" Khalfani said. Ankhare agreed.
"Aba,"4 he whispered. "Azru Li!"5 Khalfani nodded reverently. "Very well, let us go!"
Mana knocked and entered the room upon Isis' calling. "My Lady... It is time"
Mana had tears in her eyes. She'd wanted so badly for her Lady and the Physician to marry, and now she had to marry a man she did not know against her will! It just wasn't fair!
Isis nodded and rose. Finishing her bath, Isis rubbed down her body with fragrant perfume, and glossed her hair with oil. Mana took a silver comb and pinned Isis' hair up.
Placing bangles on her arms and ankles, Isis reached down into the chest and pulled out the Millennium Necklace. "Aba" she whispered, hoping Jehovah would hear her silent prayer.
Little did she know, He did.
Isis stood, hands intertwined with Lord Shada, in front of Priest Shimon, waiting to be wed.
At the moment, the Priest couldn't seem to find his book of vows. Isis looked up nervously at Shada.
Not a trace of the previous night was etched in his eyes. It all confused Isis... Why did this man of important regal status wish to marry her, a low commoner, apprentice to the Physician?
Then it occurred to her... could Shada be jealous of the love between them? Then if that was so, what was the true reason he sought her hand in marriage?
Did it have to do with politics? Or did Shada want her only to bear his children? Thinking of that made Isis shudder.
But then she thought about something. If Ankhare loved her, and had known about Shada's intentions, why did he not ask for her hand?
With this, Isis snapped to attention as Shada finished saying his vows. She in turn, giving the man a demure look, opened her mouth to speak...
My Immortal
I'm so tired of being here
Ankhare sat in his chamber on his cot, his knees pulled up to his chest.
Suppressed by all my childish fears
He'd failed her. His one true love... he had a chance and he had failed.
And if you have to leave
I wish that you would just leave
Isis was gone now, She and her husband had planned to take a short trip to the Lower Lands. They would be back within a week.
'Cause your presence still lingers here
And it won't leave me alone
Ankh sighed. He didn't want to think about it, the ceremony, but his mind pondered over it anyway.
Flashback
Ankhare and the others crept into the throne room as Isis was starting to say her vows.
These wounds won't seem to heal
Hearing her say her oath of fertility to Shada broke Ankhare's heart.
This pain is just too real
He had been so close! He reached into his cloak and retrieved his mother's gold wedding ring.
There's just too much that time cannot erase
It had a single diamond in the center, with two sapphires on each side, and ending with two small rubies on either side of the sapphires.
"Do you have a ring?" Priest Shimon asked. Isis produced her father's wedding ring, and (regretfully) placed it on Shada's left finger.
Shada, in return, gave a mischievously wolfish grin to Isis. "I am afraid I do not have a ring" he answered.
"I do" said a voice. Isis dared not turn... she knew who the voice belonged to.
Shada glared at the Physician. "You dare interrupt a private ceremony?"
Ankh looked pleadingly at Isis. "My Lady?" he asked. She met his gaze, her eyes filled with tears.
"Please Ankhare... just go" she turned and started to cry softly. "As you wish, My Lady" Ankhare whispered, handing the wedding ring to Shimon, who handed it to Shada.
Shada, very pleased with himself, roughly took Isis's wrist and nearly jammed the ring on her finger.
"If no one then has any objections, then by the power vested in me by the gods of Egypt, I now pronounce you man and wife... Shada, you may now kiss the bride."
Ankhare peeked in the doorway just enough to see Shada place a forceful kiss on Isis' lips. But instead of defending her, he walked quietly back to his quarters.
End Flashback
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
The mixture of Ankh's emotions were too much to handle! How dare she betray him that way?! After all he'd done for her, calming her through her grief for her family.
When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
Tears running down his face, he recalled the times Isis had woken up screaming for her grandmother during the night, only to have him rock her gently back to sleep.
And I held your hand through all of these years
Countless times he had supported her, encouraged her through her endowment, and assured her that her grandmother would be fine.
But you still have
All of me
With a sigh, he realized that she still held his heart as well as his heirloom.
You used to captivate me
By your resonating light
He remembered when he'd first met her, her spirit captivated him.
Now I'm bound by the life you left behind
He missed the way she helped him, as his apprentice, such an inspiration to him, always.
Your face it haunts My once pleasant dreams
Her face, her eyes, her brilliant smile, everything about her, had captivated him, he had longed to make her his and had been about to, but now, she was no longer his... nor could she ever be.
Your voice it chased away
All the sanity in me
Her voice was like that of an angel, so soft and light, now it hurt him to remember.
These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase
I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone
She's gone, she's gone, she's gone! You failed!
But though you're still with me
Isis had the ring... technically a sign... but now he was haunted the fact.
I've been alone all along
she would never be his!
Ankh: Nooooo! Isis!
Starts crying
cq: Awww Ankh! I never meant for it to be this way!
Ankh: Yes you DID! You're the AUTHOR!
Cq: true... but that doesn't mean that she's going to be gone forever...
Ankh (in a tiny voice): you mean I get her back?
Cq: we'll see... Meanwhile, reviewers Review please!
Ankh: Yes! We don't want Isis to die now do we?
Cq: Of course not Ankh, don't talk like that! You'll scare them!
Ankh: Oh, sorry! Onto the next chappie!
Hebrew Dictionary
1)"Baruch HaBah B'Shem Immanuel!"- Blessed be the Name of Immanuel!
2)"Baruch Shem Kivod LeOlam Va'ed!"- Blessed be His Glorious Majesty Forever and Ever!
3)"Baruch HaBah Avinu SheBaShamayim!"- Blessed be our Father in Heaven
4) Aba- Father
5) Azru Li- Help me