River of Dreams

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

Terms to Know:

Anubis: The jackal-headed God who was the conductor of souls and the judge of the pure of heart in the Temple of Two Truths. He was the original lord of the underworld. He is said to have created mummification to resurrect Osiris when he was killed by his brother Set (or Seth). God of death, embalming, and transformation. Protector of graves.

Field of Reeds: Ancient Egyptian afterlife. It was where Anubis led the souls to live in their own personal version of heavenly paradise.

Isis: Goddess of healing, protection, and magic. She was the wife of Osiris and the mother of Horus.

Osiris: Egypt's first pharaoh (according to myths) and the God of the world. Once his brother, Set, killed him, he became the God of the Underworld. Represents death, rebirth, and transmutation.

The love of my beloved is there,
on the other side,
The river swallows my body.

It is her love that makes me strong,
So she will cast a water-spell for me.
And I will see the one whom my heart loves,
Standing right before me.
-Ostracon CGC 25218, Egyptian Museum, Cairo

Each day became a monotonous routine. Eat, dance, sleep, repeat. Her only break from the tedium was the days she slipped away to go for a swim. It was not often, but to her, it was her only sense of normalcy. Tonight, more than ever, she yearned to feel the cool Nile waters on her skin. So, after the other girls had gone to bed, Ancksunmaun slipped away unnoticed. Grabbing a thin towel and sandals, she left for the palace garden.

Ancksunamun had stumbled upon the gardens one night by happenstance. She had been wandering the streets before sundown when she spotted the Temple of Osiris. She thought back to the High Priest and how his piercing eyes made her feel when he looked at her. Blushing, she had climbed halfway up the steps to the Temple when she turned around and looked behind her. She could see the entire city of Thebes from here. It spanned out before her, a patchwork of houses and shops. It all appeared so small from up there. Thinking back to when she had first arrived in Thebes, it did not seem so scary and expansive to her anymore. It was just an ordinary city. Turning back to continue her way, she caught a glimpse of a rickety gate beside the Temple walls. I've never seen that before, she thought. Scaling back down, she went to investigate. Coming upon it, she pushed open the gate and stepped inside. It was there she had found the secret pathway leading to the river.

Tonight, she could not wait to get away from the palace. Though it was no longer intimidating, the city of Thebes felt too fast-paced for her. She craved the intimacy of the riverside. To hear the murmuring of the river as it flowed downstream. And the Ibis calling to one another as they fished on the banks, catching their dinner. She longed to hear the palm trees rustle as the wind blew past. And to see the moon dip below the horizon as the river swallowed it up. It was her home, her closest thing to a family. It made her heart ache.

Sneaking past the Medjai, Ancksunamun took the servant's tunnels out to the back alley. Breathing the fresh air, Ancksunamun sighed in relief. She was halfway to freedom.

Looking up at the Temple of Osiris once again, she felt curious. The walls were a canvas of colorful murals. Depictions of Osiris, Isis, and Anubis scaled the walls. Paintings of Osiris descending into the Underworld covered the façade. Anubis outstretched his hand, gifting his father the throne. From this act, he allowed Osiris to take over as ruler. On the other side was Anubis leading the dead into the eternal afterlife, into the Field of Reeds. Isis shone above them, looking over and protecting humanity with her loving light. Ancksunamun had never seen such beautiful artistry. Though she did not particularly believe in any of it either. How could there be Gods and Goddesses on the side of humanity if they left them on earth to suffer? It confused her. If they loved humanity, why would they make Seti a God amongst men? Why did these God-humans get to pillage and destroy whomever they wished without repercussion? It made her sick. The Gods did not help her family when they were destitute, so she had no time for them.

Shaking her head as she walked past, she huffed and puffed her way up the hill. Following the narrow pathway, she marveled at her body's strength. The journey to Thebes had worn on her, but now she felt more than capable. The soft grass around the Temple walls caressed her feet as she walked. The moon above lit up the sky with its pure white glow. The flimsy gate that led to the garden had been left ajar. Looking around to ensure no one was watching, she opened the gate and slipped inside.

Breathing out a sigh of relief, Ancksunamun relaxed. The tranquil garden was bathed in moonlight. Stone paths led in all directions. It was a labyrinth of exotic trees and flowers she had never laid eyes on before. A heavy orange flower piqued her interest, and Ancksunamun gently cupped it. Its sweet scent washed over her as she closed her eyes. Drooping the flower back down, Ancksunamun continued in awe at the garden around her.

The moonlight emitted a hazy glow, making the garden seem surreal. Up ahead, she spotted a dark grove of trees and was drawn toward it. Something seemed to be whispering in the light breeze, "Come here, darling…." Her heart began to beat harder in her chest. Excitement gripped her insides as she made her way toward the grove of trees. Each step felt momentous, and her breath was coming out in gasps. Coming closer, she noticed the trees were pomegranates. Blinking, she faltered in step. She had only seen the wealthier families in her village grow and sell these. They had never been used as a commodity in a fancy garden.

Her mind felt hazy as she entered the abyss beneath the trees. She could not see a thing for a moment. But as her eyes adjusted, she was filled with a sense of wonder. The ground beneath her feet seemed to illuminate and sparkle with each step. Her heart was pounding, and she felt as if she was walking on air. It felt like something was here, something important.

A hand came down upon her shoulder, and she whipped around in a silent scream. A small, hunched-over older man stared back at her with watery kind eyes. He held up his hands in surrender.

"I'm sorry, my dear! I did not mean to scare you!" The man said, distressed.

Catching her breath, she responded, "It is alright!" She panted. "That was a bit of a fright. I was not expecting anyone else to be out here…." She trailed off, feeling sheepish. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! You should have stayed in bed!

The old man smiled, and it took years off of his face. "I'm sorry, my dear, but you are of no consequence to me. What is your name?"

"I am Ancksunamun, Daughter of Nassor." Ancksunamun bowed, feeling awkward.

"Hmmm, I see, I see." The old man said, circling around her. He looked her up and down and scratched his chin. He muttered to himself, "Yes, yes, this could be the answer."

Something about the old man did not seem dangerous, eccentric, maybe. "What does that mean?" Ancksunamun said, following the old man with her eyes. "And who might you be?"

The old man stopped and looked ashamed. "Oh, I apologize! I am Kher-heb. One of the Priests here at the Temple. I did not mean to be so rude. It is lovely to make your acquaintance." Kher-heb said, taking her hand and kissing the back of it.

Blushing, Ancksunamun replied. "It is an honor to meet you, Master Kher-heb." As he released her hand, she bowed again. I noticed he didn't answer my question, she thought.

"There is no need for the formalities, lovely Ancksunamun. I was merely out on a walk here in the garden, as I often do at night. You may come here as often as you like." He said with a twinkle in his eye. "But I assume you wanted to go for a swim instead?" Kher-heb said, eyeing her linen towel.

"Oh! Yes, I was hoping to go for a swim, but I do not think it is allowed …." Ancksunamun said. "And I would never dream of intruding on your time here in the garden, though the offer is very nice!" She said, wringing her hands.

Lowering his thick eyebrows at her, Kher-heb said. "You may come here anytime. Only my son and I use this garden. And now… you. I will not take no for an answer!" He said, holding up his hand to stop any further words from Ancksunamun.

"Now," he said, pointing to a hole in the vine-covered wall. "The trail to the river is through there. A midnight swim is in order." He said, his eyes sparkling in the darkness. "Goodnight, my dear. I hope to see you here again soon."

Blinking at what had occurred, Ancksunamun went to respond and found herself to be alone. "Strange…" She said, searching through the dark grove of trees. "Kher-heb?" She called out, waiting for a response. There was none. Shaking her head, she laughed out loud.

"What a strange little man!"

Smiling to herself, she headed toward the back wall of the garden. The moonlight snaked through the trees, illuminating her pathway. Ancksunamun pulled back the vines that covered the hole in the wall. Slipping through, she exited the garden.

The path was steep and overgrown with weeds. The moon's radiance was all she could use to find her way. Stones sticking into her feet and leaves in her hair, Ancksunamun, at last, reached the banks of the Nile. The moon floated above the horizon, sinking into the water. A light breeze tickled her ears as it brushed past. Ancksunamun…

She shivered. There was that voice again! It lured her forward towards the water, keeping her under its spell. Dipping her toe in the water, she smiled. It was perfect. Ripping off her dress in a hurry, she dove in. The cool water rushed past her, leaving her rejuvenated.

"Oh, how free I feel !" She excalimed to no one.

Giggling with glee, she dove down again and came up for air, floating onto her back. The entire sky was awash with stars, seeming to span on forever. Grasshoppers and crickets chirped, filling her ears with their symphony. Everything felt peaceful and right in her world for the first time in a while. If she couldn't go home, this would keep her sane.

She floated there, eyes trained on the sky, for a long time. Filling her heart with the essence of nature. Her bare breasts were exposed to the night air, and her nipples began to feel cold. Diving back down to warm up, Ancksunamun decided that she should return to the palace. Making her way back to shore, she dreaded each step she took. She felt more at home here than she had in months. If she could, she would run away. But she knew she was honor bound to stay. Groaning in frustration, she lay down on her linen towel and stared back at the sky. If there were Gods up there, she hoped they would let her go home soon. Tears sprang to her eyes, and she allowed them to fall. Here she didn't need to hide her pain. Here, she could be free.

Ancksunamun lay there feeling wistful. As the moon descended in the inky black sky, it began to lighten in shades of purple. The sun rose over the horizon, bringing the call of the hippos and other wildlife. Laying on her towel, cool droplets of water seeped into her skin. She inhaled, savoring the crisp air. The sweet scent of blue lotus blossoms floated on the light breeze. She never wanted to leave. Her eyes slipped closed as she took in the sounds of the Nile. The reeds whispered in the wind, and the lap of the water against the shore began to lull her to sleep. She felt so at peace, for she was truly alone out here. Just her and nature.

Slipping into a dream-like state, she allowed the music of the river to fill her heart. She smiled slightly, and her body relaxed into the sand, like a hug from the earth. The palm trees behind her began to rustle, and her eyes shot open. Oh no! Scrambling for her beaded dress, her heart threatened to beat out of her chest. I'm going to be caught, and I'm naked!

"Hello? Who's there?" She called out in a meek tone. There was no answer as her eyes searched the palm trees behind her. Hmmmm…

Another rustle of the palm trees made her jump, and she finished dressing as quickly as possible. The shadows under the grove made it hard to see, and she didn't know what was in there!

Her heart thudded louder, and she felt a sense of foreboding. Something about this feels dangerous… Grabbing the rest of her stuff, she ran off toward the garden, not passing through the palm grove. Her semi-wet hair clung to her back, and she jogged up the trail, holding onto her breasts as she went. The morning sky was approaching quickly, and she did not want to be caught.

Imhotep tossed and turned all night. Try as he might, he could not relax. The full moon streamed in through the window, illuminating the entire room. To him, it felt like daylight. Groaning, Imhotep sat up and dragged his hand across his face. Muttering to himself, he stood up. He wanted to investigate the scroll that Kher-heb had left in their chamber. He could not stop thinking about it for the life of him.

"Its energy reminds me of you." Kher-heb had said.

"What does that even mean?" Imhotep grumbled to himself. Making his way to the table, the scroll lay there, innocent in the moonlight.

Looking behind him, he was startled. Kher-heb actually made it to bed tonight. Normally he would have slept out in the gardens in that pomegranate grove he liked so much. Kher-heb said that the grove was special and that it had magical powers. Imhotep had no idea what that meant. Kher-heb had a tendency toward fantasy anyhow.

Not wanting to wake his father, he grabbed his robes and the scroll and left the room in a hurry. Going to a small antechamber in the Temple, Imhotep struck his bow drill and lit the torches on the wall. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, he pulled the scroll from his robes, studying it. The words made no sense to him still! They jumbled around the page. The symbols and letters switched places before his very eyes.

Rubbing his tired eyes, he had failed to notice the sting as he held the scroll in his hands. It felt electric. The words seemed to change from red to black ink and back again. Sighing, he put his head in his hands and calmed his mind. Breathing in, he opened his eyes again and looked at the scroll.

Squinting, some words came into view. They were a mash of some kind. A mixture of modern hieratic and ancient jargon.

"Za damnd al frvr b wizhld his glry. H w rids upn z wings awf sris al b min. H al b z bringr awf daz. H al b z cipr awf z livng. H al bcm wn wiz my ba. His ca frvr tu b z undad. His wn ba tu b incinratd upn brz. H is my wn. My slav tu d my bidng nzng mr. Marc him nw as za cratur. Za wn w wil brng upn z sucs awf st and dstry mancind fr al its ws."

"This makes no sense." He said, a headache brewing in his temples.

He stared at it long enough that words began to swim into view. "Damned." and "The One who Rides the Horns of Osiris" were all he could make out. Rubbing his neck, Imhotep began to feel strange. Why would this have reminded Kher-heb of his energy? Imhotep, all of a sudden, had a strong desire to go for a swim. Packing up his things, he returned the scroll to his room and headed for the river. He did not want to look at the scroll anymore tonight.

Imhotep was a mess of nerves by the time he reached the river. What could that scroll mean? It could not have simply come into existence, not with the ancient writings upon it. It was something of supernatural origin.

Inhaling the fresh air, Imhotep's headache had still not abated. He gritted his teeth. Will they ever go away? Sighing, he followed the trail down to the river banks and looked out across the water.

The stars reflected in the glassy surface of the river. The reeds swished in the breeze, bringing with them the musky smell of the river oxen. A loud splash spooked him, and he froze. His first thought was that it was a hippo. Imhotep thought back to when he had been charged by the hippo and shivered. A late-night swim was a bad idea.

Don't be a baby; it's fine. He thought to himself, shuddering.

As he stood there, the headache began to grow in strength, and he decided the cold water would help. Walking forward, he began to feel intoxicated, drunk even. Each step felt more brutal than the last. Wafting up from the river banks, the scent of Myrrh and Frankincense washed over him. It left his head feeling woozy. Finally, he reached the grove of palm trees and stopped to slump against a tree.

There it was! Movement in the water. Crouching down, Imhotep watched something as something came to the surface. Swallowing, he tried to look away when he noticed it was a woman. Her face was too far away to make out, but she was naked. I shouldn't be here, he thought. Tearing his eyes away, he looked down at his feet. Hearing the woman sigh, he looked back up.

The woman murmured in pleasure as she floated in the water, her perky breasts exposed to the cool night air. Growing uncomfortable, Imhotep swallowed again. He really shouldn't be here, but if he left now, she would notice him. Even so, his legs felt frozen to the spot.

His eyes widened as she began to make her way back to shore, her lithe body glistening in the moonlight. Imhotep's mind flashed back to his dream in the pomegranate grove, and he began to sweat. The way she moves… A strange feeling came over him, a powerful aura of danger and sensuality. Why am I feeling this way? I feel as if I know her…but that's crazy. ….Right?

Tendrils of dark hair obscured the woman's face. Sitting down on the sand, the woman lay there as she dried off, looking to the sky. Tears fell onto her soft cheeks, glistening in the moonlight. Imhotep sat there, frozen in time. His headache pounded in time with his heart. Swallowing harshly, he tried to move again, finding his legs useless. Cursing his luck, he squeezed his eyes shut, images of the night goddess surfacing in his mind. Could this be her? Is she real? Imhotep thought. Something about this woman here…feels so familiar.

Imhotep opened his eyes, trying in vain to make out the girl's face. This is so creepy. You're being creepy! He thought, angry with himself. This is a private moment. You need to leave! Silent tears moved down his cheeks as he sat there, unable to move. With a final push, he forced back against whatever curse held him imprisoned there. He crashed loudly into the tree behind him. Swearing up at Osiris, Imhotep was hushed when he saw the girl stiffen.

"Hello? Who's there?" The woman called, her soft voice carrying on the breeze.

Imhotep gritted his teeth against the onslaught of emotions he felt. That voice! It was unmistakable.

The woman gulped in fear, pulled her dress over her head, and gathered her things. Rushing past his hiding place, the girl ran up the trail leading to the garden. The intoxicating smell of Myrrh and fresh night air rushed past him. The further away the woman got, the more his head began to feel better until he felt normal again. The painfulness of her aura was shocking.

Shaky, Imhotep got to his knees, looked after the girl, and then looked back to the water. The sky turned a light orange as the sun rose over the horizon. There's no point in swimming now, he thought, and he sighed out loud. His head was reeling from what had occurred. Who was that woman? Was she the cause of all the feelings he'd been having? And why did she invoke the same feelings in him as the mystery goddess?

A/N: Hi! Thank you for your continued support as I update and revise this story! Please reread chapters 1-9 if you haven't already! This chapter introduces new plot points that need to be included. (As of January 20, 2023). I will be done revising soon and begin writing new chapters!