After breakfast, Ardeth went to call a meeting of the elders. The elders were responsible for certain decisions of the daily running of the camp and of course they could overrule his decisions if a majority voted against it, although that had never happened to date. He had a feeling however that he would have to use all his persuasive skill in order to convince them that becoming actually related to the O'Connells was a good idea. It was mostly Abbas and Azim for both he knew would probably not agree to the ceremony unless forced and he wasn't too sure about Aziz either as he could vote either way. As for the other three he was sure they would be on his side for one was almost like a grandfather to him and someone he had gone to for advice many times in the past. Faisal had after all, known him as a boy. As for the other two they would go along with Faisal. The only problem was that he needed a majority vote and that meant at least four had to vote in his favor.
Before he went into the meeting Faisal stopped and put a hand on his arm and asked Ardeth gently, "What's this about my boy?"
Ardeth briefly explained what he and Rick had been talking about earlier and Rick's request of him. "And to tell you the truth I've always felt closer to Rick then to some of the Medjai, it's almost like we were very close in the past. That's one of the reasons I look forward to the O'Connells visits so much."
"And why you go into Cairo whenever they are staying at the house there," Faisal suggested with a twinkle in his eye.
"Yes," Ardeth admitted sheepishly.
"You know it is possible that you were either brothers or at least very close friends sometime in the past and that is why you feel this connection to him."
"That is a possibility," Ardeth admitted.
"Alright, I will support you in this, but as for the rest of the votes I don't know how much I can do, but I will try to help you get a majority vote."
"Thank you, Faisal. It is very much appreciated."
"It's my pleasure, Ardeth, for I have rarely seen you this happy as you are every time the O'Connells come to visit. And just because you are leader does not mean that you do not deserve to be happy."
"Yes, seeing my friends makes me very happy, Faisal. Now why don't you take your place and let's get this over with?"
Faisal nodded and headed into the tent and after a couple of minutes Ardeth followed.
~~~Rick and Evie~~~
Ardeth entered the tent and stopped just a couple of feet away from where the six elders sat. "What's this about, Ardeth? I do not appreciate being called like this," growled Abbas.
Ardeth calmly explained his reason for calling this meeting and at least three of the elders gaped at him in disbelief. "You can't be serious! Do a kinship ceremony with an American? Are you absolutely out of your mind," Azim protested venomously.
Ardeth closed his eyes for a moment fighting to control his temper. "Have a care, Azim, Rick O'Connell and his family have done more for the Medjai then most others can claim. All of them risked their lives at Ahm Shere and Rick risked his life to kill the Scorpion King. As for Evelyn, she kept Anck-Su-Namun busy by fighting her while her husband risked his life to kill the evil that Imhotep raised.
"And I suppose it has escaped your notice that the only reason they were there in the first place was because their son had been kidnapped," said Abbas his voice dripping disdain.
"This is true," Ardeth admitted, calmly. "But did you ever think that fate or destiny might be taking a hand? After all, Rick O'Connell is a Medjai and Evelyn is the reincarnation of Princess Nefertiti. As for Alex, his is the way to Ahm Shere. Three sides of the pyramid."
"And how do you know this?" Azim objected. "For all you know, they could be lying to you."
Ardeth growled at this and Azim shut his mouth with a snap realizing he had just gone too far. For to imply the O'Connells were lying was to also insult the chief of the Medjai. In the past such an accusation would be cause for the man to lose his life, and even today that was possible.
"Rick O'Connell is one of the bravest, most courageous and honest men I know," Ardeth practically spat shooting both Abbas and Azim a look that made both men shudder. "Besides, I'm the one who recognized him as Medjai when I saw the tattoo on his wrist. I asked him the proper question and he responded with the proper reply."
Five of the elders gasped at this the only one who didn't was Faisal who already knew this for Ardeth had told him several years ago, when he had gone to visit them at their Cairo home and he had noticed the tattoo on his friends inner wrist. In fact as far as he was aware he was the only one Ardeth had confided in.
"You can't be serious," Abbas protested his voice sounding so shocked that he was practically sputtering.
"I am," Ardeth answered calmly. "It took him a long time to accept it, but he finally has. I know this because of the way he greeted me when they arrived. He called me brother. That and the conversation we just had has told me he has finally accepted that he was a Medjai," Ardeth added before the elder could interrupt.
Most of the elders looked shocked again at this all, except for Faisal who looked pleased.
"As for Alex the Bracelet of Anubis will not work for anyone except the one prophesied which ought to prove that Alex is the bearer of the bracelet."
The elders grumbled but couldn't disagree.
"And as for Evelyn—" Ardeth began. He refused to call her by the affectionate nickname Evie in front of these men who would likely try to insult her or try to see a relationship between her and Ardeth that simply did not exist. The only relationship was one of friendship for one thing he would never betray his friend Rick in that way and for another he didn't have any feelings for her besides friendship. "—How can you argue that she is the reincarnation of Princess Nefertiti? She nearly fell out of the dirigible we were riding to Ahm Shere, because she was seeing memories of her former life. If Rick hadn't been there to grab her she'd be dead and then we probably would have been unable to defeat both Imhotep and the Scorpion King as she was instrumental in both. Besides, we all know that Princess Nefertiti was the protector of the bracelet and so it is only right that she was the one to discover it. So let me call for a vote," Ardeth said while he knew he had the advantage.
All the elders voted yes except for Abbas which Ardeth had expected in any case. What he hadn't expected was for Azim to also vote yes.
"The ceremony will take place day after tomorrow at dawn," Ardeth said his expression unchanged but for his eyes which glowed with victory, but only someone who knew Ardeth well would ever be able to tell.
Ardeth and Faisal walked out of the tent together talking softly. Once out of earshot of anyone else Ardeth said, "I need to talk to you privately."
"Of course, Ardeth," said Faisal. "Meet me in my tent in an hour?"
Ardeth nodded and they parted ways.
~~~Rick and Evie~~~
An hour later, Ardeth stepped into Faisal's tent where Faisal was waiting with tea and food. Ardeth looked at the food then grinned for the man he considered his honorary uncle knew him to well. He had not eaten and it was past lunchtime for the council meeting had taken hours and also he was starving.
"I thought you might not have eaten," said Faisal innocently.
"I have not," said Ardeth. "As I took my horse out for a ride. I needed time alone to think and I did not think to take food with me."
"And to calm your nerves I bet," Faisal added. "The elders tend to have that effect on people or at least Abbas and Azim do."
Ardeth chuckled and agreed. He then sat down at Faisal's invitation and they shared the food in silence. "So what did you want to talk to me about?" Faisal asked finally.
"Well for one thing, I wanted to tell you the full conversation I had with Rick. I only had time to give you a brief outline earlier before the meeting." When Faisal nodded Ardeth preceded to tell him the full contents of the conversation he had had with Rick just hours ago. After he was finished he told him of the conversation he had had with both Evie and Rick on the day they had arrived.
Faisal listened in silence without interrupting and when Ardeth finally fell silent, Faisal didn't say anything for a minute seeming deep in thought. "Let me just say that this just proves to me that the O'Connells are not only your true friends but it also proves that they think of you as family. Not that I doubted they were your friends before mind you, but being friends and thinking of you as family are two totally different things. Also, it takes a certain kind of trust in a person to make such a request as they both did about their son. I can understand the reason for it for as your friend said you never know what could happen, especially with the life some people tend to lead."
"Including the O'Connells?" Ardeth suggested wryly but with a smile, as he thought about his friends. Many of the Medjai did not understand why Ardeth insisted on being friends with the American and his family but then again many people did. What many of his people did not see was that he thought of Rick like a brother and of course it was nice to know Rick felt the same. As for Evie, she was almost like a younger sister and Alex like a nephew. As for Jonathan Ardeth was fond of him as well although he wasn't as close to Evie's brother as he was to the rest of them.
"Yes, including the O'Connells," Faisal agreed with a smile. "Of course people like me realize that without them being there both times the Creature was brought back to life then the world would likely be overtaken by evil and you and I would not be sitting here having this conversation."
"I know," said Ardeth. "I never told anyone this but a few months before I met Rick and Evie that first time I started dreaming of a future where Imhotep was not only raised from the grave but took over the world. The dream itself was always the same and always revolved around Rick and Evie. I soon came to the conclusion that if those two were killed then Imhotep would win. I didn't know how they fit into it, but I didn't want to take the chance of killing them and then not being able to defeat the Creature."
"I see," said Faisal, thoughtfully. "I suppose it's a good thing you listened to your dreams, for when dreams start to repeat over and over again night after night then the gods are probably trying to tell you something important."
"I know," said Ardeth. "Of course I never expected to form a friendship with them, but I'm glad it worked out that way."
"Yes, I've never seen you more relaxed or happy then when you spend time with them," Faisal admitted. "Something I'm glad to see for you really don't relax enough."
Ardeth nodded knowing Faisal was right, but being the Chief was a very stressful job and not to mention hard and complicated so of course he didn't have as much time to relax as he would like. However, he always did look for to his friends visit every year for with them he was able to relax and not be so stressed.
"You know I've been thinking of taking the O'Connells to Hidden City to introduce them to the rest of our people."
Faisal looked shocked for a moment then nodded, "Yes, that's a excellent idea. It is true that no outsider has been in centuries but technically, Rick O'Connell and his family are not outsiders. O'Connell is Medjai and Evie is the reincarnation of an Egyptian princess so it is only right that they see what was most likely O'Connells home in a past life. After all, if he was Medjai then he probably lived there when he wasn't guarding the sacred places. The color of the skin shouldn't matter as much as what's in the heart and the fact that he risked his life to put the Creature back in his grave not once but twice."
"You know some of our people will not feel that way," said Ardeth. "They will only see that they are not Medjai, are not even Egyptian and they will protest."
Faisal though about Ardeth's statement for a moment then nodded. Ardeth was right, most of the people would accept the O'Connells but there were a few that would likely try to cause trouble. The Medjai were just like anybody else some were good, others bad and yet others indifferent. "You're right, some will try to cause trouble," said Faisal. "I mean just look at Abbas and Azim they are two perfect examples right there."
Ardeth chuckled and nodded before he changed the subject to something else. He and Faisal then continued to talk for a few minutes before Ardeth took his leave. "I've got to go tell Rick the news, since I haven't had a chance before now," Ardeth admitted.
"Go then," said Faisal. "And I will see you later."
"Thank you for the advice, Faisal you have given me much to think about."
"You're welcome," said Faisal softly as Ardeth left the tent.
~~~Rick and Evie~~~
Ardeth headed towards the tent the O'Connells were using while they visited. In fact it was the same tent they always used on their twice yearly visits. This was only the second year that they had visited him at his home but he had visited them plenty of times in the last few years at their home in Cairo whenever they were staying there. He had even been to England a few times and to their home there. The O'Connells had always welcomed him like a member of the family and always made him feel right at home. Just last year he'd suggested that they spend a couple of weeks with him and they had all agreed. At first, when they had arrived most of the Medjai had been unsure of what to make of the O'Connells and Jonathan Carnahan but the O'Connells and Evie's brother had soon won most of them over. There were still some of course who objected because they hated all outsiders but they were in the minority and Ardeth had already warned the ones that were likely to cause trouble. He had warned if there was any trouble he would find out who was behind it and deal with them—harshly. Ardeth didn't make threats lightly so most of the troublemakers had decided it was best to stay in the background whenever possible.
He knocked lightly on the tent pole of the O'Connells tent then stepped inside.
"Ah Ardeth how did the council meeting go?" asked Evie getting up a giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"I see Rick told you of our conversation," said Ardeth with a smile.
"Some if it at any rate," said Evie giving her husband a look.
Rick didn't say anything but pretended to ignore the comment.
"Rick did tell me that you two had decided to do a kinship ceremony."
"It's really only a formality," said Ardeth. "I already think of Rick like a brother this will just make it official."
"And it might quiet some of the grumbling?" Evie suggested.
"Exactly," said Ardeth not surprised that Evie understood for Evelyn O'Connell was an extremely intelligent woman. She not only spoke ancient Egyptian, but also Arabic and several other languages as well and she also had the talent of knowing how to connect with people and make friends. That talent didn't always work of course, especially if that person was bent on being a troublemaker but a lot of times it did work and avoided a lot of trouble.
"The ceremony is to take place at dawn tomorrow," said Ardeth. "That is when most such ceremony's take place actually before the heat gets too bad either then or just after sundown when it has cooled off considerably."
Both Evie and Rick nodded in understanding. What Ardeth said was true the desert was an extremely hot place especially during the late afternoon but of course the reverse was also true for the desert could get extremely cold at night. So anybody who lived in the desert knew to drink plenty of water especially doing the greatest heat of the day and eat properly or they didn't survive long for the desert could be a harsh place to live if you weren't careful.
The Medjai of course had had to learn to adapt or their people would not have survived for 5000 years in such a harsh environment.
"Ardeth," Evie told him quietly her face serious. "I know I said this earlier but Rick is not the only one who considers you family. You are one of the gentlest most courageous men I know and if I had had another brother I would want him to be exactly like you."
Ardeth looked stunned all over again as he had the first time Evie had said the words which was just yesterday when they had first arrived in camp. It caught him off guard just like it had when she'd first said these words, not because it was unpleasant to hear but because it was exactly the opposite. He hadn't had anyone to really care about him since his parents died except Faisal and a few of the other Medjai that Ardeth was close to. It was a nice feeling to be so loved and one he had a feeling he had better get used to with the O'Connells in his life.
Ardeth smiled, "Thank you, Evie, and I have always thought of you like a younger sister. Ever since we met I have felt closer to you two then I do to most of my own people," Ardeth hesitated then added, "Ever since we met that first time I have felt like I knew you in another life and that feeling has only grown over the last few years."
"I suppose it's possible," Rick admitted after a moment. "If I'm a reincarnated Medjai and Evie is a reincarnated princess it's possible that you are also a reincarnation of someone. And I also admit that if you had told me this a few years ago I never would have believed you, but after everything that has happened to us over the years…well let's just say it has put a large dent in my unbelief. I mean if bringing a 5000 year old mummy back to life not once but twice is possible what else is?"
"This is true, my friend," said Ardeth soberly but with an inner smile overjoyed that his friend finally believed. Now he and Rick were truly brothers if not of blood then of soul and heart.
~~~Rick and Evie~~~