Welcome one, Welcome all.

Thank you all so much for your kind words on the last chapter. Especially regarding Samir.

Enjoy this next chapter.

Chapter 16 - Samir's gift

"It is clear that you weren't thinking at all."

"Please do not start again, akhi. We already discussed this last night, why must you bring it up again? You have made it clear enough how you feel about it."

"And still you refuse to take back your words."

"Because I meant them. A crocodile does not return his food once captured. A monkey does not return a banana once taken. I do not take back my words after having said them." Samir slapped his good hand on top of the blanket he was currently sitting upon.

Last night, after the moon had reached the centre of the sky and the fires had gone out, Ardeth returned to their tent. But the evening was far from over. He accused Samir of being dishonourable and inconsiderate. At first Samir had no idea what his brother was talking about, until it became clear that he had overheard a great deal of his conversation with Elisabeth. Including the part where he'd proposed to her.

"Do you not even care that you put her in a most difficult position?" Ardeth frowned.

"I admit that I crossed a line, akhi,- please, do not give me that look. But I had to know. After everything that happened, what could have happened." Samir shook his head. "I have known her for many years now and how I feel grows stronger the more I am with her."

"That did not give you the right to ask something of her that she doesn't want."

Ardeth's comment caused Samir's expression to turn grim. "You do not know a single thing about her. If the day comes when she refuses me with all her heart, then I shall accept it. But until then I will not give up nor regret what I asked."

The Medjai chieftain scoffed loudly. "You are a fool. I can not believe you are my brother."

"Please, we both know it is not about what I did. All of this, your accusations, your words of anger, it all has to do with how you feel."

"What I feel is because of what you did."

But Samir shook his head calmly. "No. What I mean is your feelings. Not towards me, but towards my friend."

Ardeth blinked and stared at his brother. His mouth shut tightly, chest heaving up and down, inhaling deeply through his nose and a lump forming in his throat. Surely his brother was not implying what he thought he was?

"Let me remind you, that you are the one who recommended her to me. She delivered, just like you said she would. She found the American and even now she is willing to see it through to the end despite having lost him. A very admirable trait. But once we locate him, she will get her payment and live her life as she had before meeting us."

"Do not pretend you don't know what I am talking about. You say one thing, but I see another." Samir replied. "From the minute you met Zahrah you were intrigued. Annoyed, yes. But ultimately you kept doing things which were unlike you. Watching her house, claiming to distrust her. Sending me ahead to Minya on my own instead of accompanying her!" Suddenly Samir flinched and he reached for his chest.

Immediately Ardeth's eyes widened and he dropped down next to Samir.

"I'm sorry." He quickly said as he placed his hands on his brother to gently help him lean back on the pillows behind him.

Samir closed his eyes and breathed through his noise, trying to steady himself. Once his breathing was more even he reopened them and looked up at his akhi.

"I know you are sorry. But I wish you would stop lying to me about this. More importantly to yourself."

"I do not understand why you keep bringing this up. You do this every time I disagree with your behaviour."

"Pah." Samir huffed. "If you truly felt nothing, you would have been happy for me, despite my approach."

Ardeth opened his mouth, ready to protest but then he stopped. This was foolish. He had already said what he wanted to say more than once. Nothing would change what had happened. Besides, Samir was still struggling and the only important thing now was him thinking of his health.

It was then a soft shuffling noise caught both of their attentions. Ardeth leaned a little to the left to see where the sound was coming from. But it soon became clear what the cause of the noise was. The fabric of the tent moved up revealing a slightly tanned hand with thin and long nimble fingers. An arm followed suit and then a mop of shiny golden light brown hair appeared.

Elisabeth looked up and her eyes widened as she caught Ardeth and Samir staring at right at her.

"Oh." Was all she said.

Normally she wouldn't respond this way. Normally Samir would be alone and Elisabeth had been pretty sure that he would have been. Ardeth told her this morning he would be busy arranging for the horses to be ready for her to leave. Automatically she assumed that meant Samir would be alone.

At first she didn't want to come and say goodbye, not after what happened yesterday. But the closer the moment came to actually leaving, the more restless she got. That feeling soon was accompanied by a sense of guilt and that she would forever despise herself if she wasn't going to say goodbye properly.

"Zahrah." Samir smiled, all his fatigue suddenly leaving his body. "Do come in."

Elisabeth's eyes shot towards Ardeth, who looked anything but pleased. He cleared his throat and stood up from his spot, walked around his brother and halted in front of the woman on the floor. He offered her his hand, which she took.

"Does this mean you are ready to leave, Miss Borchardt?" He asked distantly.

"Almost, Chieftain Bay." She replied. "I want to say goodbye to your brother first."

Ardeth nodded. "The horses are ready, as is your travel companion. Do not take too long."

He threw one last look at his brother before walking out of the tent, leaving the two of them alone. As soon as he was gone, Samir turned his head towards Elisabeth and patted the floor next to him.

"I didn't think you would come today." He said the moment she sat down.

"Neither did I." Elisabeth admitted. "But it felt wrong not to. This doesn't mean I've forgiven you for yesterday."

"Of course not. I know you better than that." The medjai grinned, but his smile soon faltered as he reached for the woman's hand.

"I told Ardeth to give you Sawsan."

Elisabeth frowned immediately with surprise as he said that. Sawsan was his horse. A beautiful creature. Elisabeth never really cared for horses, in fact they frightened her and Samir knew this. But his horse was different, enough for her to tolerate it. She had, after all, saved their lives.

"Not to sound ungrateful, Samir. But why? I couldn't take her."

"You can and you will. I'd feel much better knowing you've got her with you. She will protect you during the journey to Cairo."

Elisabeth let out a sigh. "I'd tell you no. But I know that will not work."

"That's not true. It works on many occasions, just not today."

That wasn't true either. Elisabeth knew it and a part of Samir did too. When it came to certain things, her friend didn't take no for an answer. That night in Cairo was a good example, as was Minya and what happened yesterday. If she were to mention those events, an argument would surely follow and that was something that she didn't want.

She squeezed his hand comfortingly. "I'll take good care of her."

Samir nodded. "I want you to keep her in Cairo. Not as a gift, but for safekeeping. Until I can travel again. I'll come pick her up and then..."

His breathing shuddered as he exhaled and he quickly shook his head. "My apologies. I shouldn't say another word about this anymore."

Of course there was much more he wanted to say, but he knew better than that. Although Samir didn't want to give his brother the satisfaction, he might have been a little bit right about his behaviour yesterday, which was exactly the reason why he now swallowed his words.

A part of him thought that he might have scared Elisabeth away, yet here she was. He knew he had to be careful and not say what was actually on his mind. For he couldn't risk the chance of her never wanting to come back to him and that was likely to happen if he kept pushing for that which he wanted.

"Do you know whose coming with me?" She asked him, quickly changing the subject.

Alas Samir shook his head. He knew Ardeth would never let her go alone, she did not know the way to Cairo, but he hadn't told him who'd be joining her either. Though knowing his brother it was most likely someone who he trusted more than anybody else aside from himself.

"Another good reason why you're taking Sawsan with you. At least you'll have someone familiar on this journey." Samir replied reminding her of his gift.

"Yes, yes, I heard you the first time." Elisabeth smiled. "But thank you."

"Be careful out there, Zahrah. Especially in Cairo. I wish you'd wait until I'm well so we can look for the American together."

"You should trust me, Samir. You always did when it came to these things. Don't forget that you're still recovering. At least now I won't have to worry about you while I'm finishing my mission for you brother."

Samir could tell that she wanted to leave for real. It was bound to be an endless discussion anyway if he were to reply. He did trust her or he used to. He was pretty certain this wasn't about trusting her. No, it was about wanting to be there with her. Watch her, protect her.

He inhaled deeply and let out an exhausted sigh. "I guess there is nothing I can do to change your mind and stay here instead?"

"I'm going to kill you myself if you keep on trying." She assured him and that actually caused Samir to smile.

"Goodbye then, Zahrah."

"Goodbye, Samir."

She looked at him for a second and then leaned forward to swiftly plant a kiss near his lips. When she moved back, he could only stare at her feeling slightly confused, but from the look of it that was exactly how Elisabeth felt too.

"I'll take good care of Sawsan." She promised him, her voice sounded heavy.

Samir nodded and rubbed the top of her hand with his thumb. "Please do."

With that said, Elisabeth got up and walked out of the tent. Never looking back at him.

Journey to Cairo

Everything was quiet as could be. The only sounds one could hear was that of the soft breeze blowing or the occasional snorts coming from the horses. If the entire journey was going to be like this, surely Elisabeth was going to lose her mind. She eyed the medjai riding in front of her closely. His broad shoulders and his tall physique swayed with ease from left to right in perfect sync with the dark horse underneath him.

Elisabeth clenched her jaw as she tried to keep herself steady on top of Sawsan. So far she'd managed to stay in her seat. She had to give credit to Samir for giving her his horse, the creature was probably used to her clumsiness. Thankfully, it had no desire so far to throw her off.

Again her eyes drifted and settled on the silent man only a few feet ahead of her. His dark shoulder-length hair, partially hidden underneath a dark turban, shined in the bright light of the hot desert sun,

Elisabeth was thankful for the wardrobe Samir and Ardeth's mother had given her to wear for the trip to Cairo. It was a long beige coloured linen dress, fitted with linen pants beneath for easy travel. And a shawl had been wrapped around her head to cover her golden brown hair from the sunrays. She didn't have to worry about getting sunburned this time.

The only thing she really had to conquer during this two day trip was the silence and slight tension that surrounded her and her medjai travel companion. He hadn't said one word since they'd left the tribe. Actually that wasn't true. He did tell her to, "Stick to his pace and follow his lead."

She had hoped, after a couple of hours had passed, that he was going to open up a bit more. Elisabeth wasn't necessarily looking for someone to talk with throughout the duration of the journey, but a few exchanges of words wasn't too much to ask for, was it?

Finally, as if by a miracle, the man in front of her slowed down and manoeuvred his horse towards her. She watched him quietly as he lowered the shawl from his mouth and reached for the water skin hanging on his saddle.

"We'll stop and make camp in another hour. The sun will be at it's highest point then." He paused and took a big gulp of water, some of it spilled down his chin and drops clung to his short beard.

Ardeth Bay let out a satisfying grunt as he lowered the water skin from his lips. He nodded at the similar looking object hanging behind Elisabeth's left leg. "You should drink."

"I will. Once we stop."

"We have stopped."

"I meant once we stop and set up camp." Elisabeth explained.

The Medjai arched an eyebrow. "That will take a while. You haven't had a drop of water since we left my people."

But the woman shook her head nonetheless. "I assure you, I am fine. I don't want to waste any of the water."

Ardeth pressed his lips together and hung the skin back on his horse's saddle. He knew this journey was going to be a difficult one. But there was no one he completely trusted to accompany the woman towards the grand city, aside from Samir or himself. Even if his little brother had been well enough to travel, which he wasn't, Ardeth still wouldn't have let him.

A part of Ardeth was glad his brother had not been in a position to see the woman off. If Samir knew his older brother was the one going with her to Cairo, chances were he would have done everything within his power to stop it from happening. Ultimately it would have been in vain as Ardeth was the Medjai Chieftain and thus had the authority to make the decisive decision.

"We have plenty of water with us. You do not have to worry about wasting anything. This journey will be an easy one, you have my word." Ardeth said to her, but still that look of concern adorned her features.

"You don't know that, Ardeth." Elisabeth replied as she tugged on the reins, motioning for Sawsan to start moving again.

Stubbornly the horse stayed right where it was, a loud snort came from the back of the creature's throat. Elisabeth gritted her teeth and huffed with frustration as she told the creature to walk on. Nothing happened.

She didn't dare to turn her head and see what sort of look the Medjai Chieftain was currently giving her, but she could feel his eyes burning in the side of her head. Elisabeth tapped her heels against the horse once again and thankfully Sawsan started to walk.

Elisabeth sworn she could hear a chuckle coming from behind her.

::::::...::::::

It seemed Ardeth knew these sands better than Samir did. The sun was currently standing at its highest point in the sky, too warm to keep going or to set up camp in the middle of nowhere. Yet Ardeth insisted they should, only not within the sand. He guided them towards something in the distance.

At first Elisabeth couldn't properly see where he was taking her, but soon the blurry and shimmery image turned sharp and incredibly tall. Eventually she had to tilt her head back in order to have a proper look at the structure around them. A circular rock formation surrounded them and the woman pulled on Sawsan's reins to stop.

"Where are we?" She whispered breathlessly. This was unlike anything she'd ever seen before. Was this a burial ground or perhaps the entrance to a hidden tomb.

"This,-" Ardeth replied as he got off his horse. "Is where we will stay for the next few hours, until the sun sets. After that we will continue our journey."

Elisabeth swung her leg over the saddle and quickly, as well as rather ungracefully, slipped off of Sawsan. She held the reins within her hand and began to walk forward, her gaze never faltering from the view around them.

There was a flat and smooth looking rock formation in the centre of the circle. It almost looked like a resting place where a sheepherder might sit to relax and watch his flock.

"You're amazed by this view?" Ardeth asked suddenly appearing next to her.

She honestly was, but for the life of her had no idea why. She licked her lips and turned to look at him. "There is something about this place. The height of these cliffs, the way they seem to form a perfect circle. Almost as if you are inside a volcanic, only it is more open and a lot safer, obviously."

"This is one of our homes." The Medjai explained as Elisabeth was about to avert her eyes again. Quickly she returned her gaze to him.

"One of your homes?"

Ardeth nodded. "We do not always stay in the same place. It all depends on the season. When it is summer, we tend to stick closer to areas with higher rock formation, to protect the little ones and elders from the sun."

It made perfect sense and Elisabeth had wondered about it before. Samir once told her that his family moved from place to place in the desert. Ardeth's story just confirmed all of that. It seemed this beautiful spot wasn't a tomb or a sacred burial ground for her to roam around in. But somehow, it was better. It held a different kind of story.

"I shall set up camp." Ardeth said and he took the reins from Elisabeth and guided their horses to the large flat stone in the centre.

"I'll start a fire for some shai." She told him as she followed him closely. The medjai chieftain didn't reply, but a frown of surprise did cross his face.

About twenty minutes later, Elisabeth had created a pit of fire in the sand, with a small kettle on top of a couple of small stones to balance the object above the flames. Ardeth had watched her as she gathered the materials needed to create all of it. A couple of times he had to resist the urge to help her out, despite being busy with setting up a small open tent for them to rest under.

"Impressive, Miss Borchardt." He complimented her after everything was done.

"Thank you." She smiled warmly at him. "Your brother taught me this method. After making it clear that my way of doing it was wrong and foolish."

"He'll be pleased to know you took his lesson to heart." Ardeth sat down across from her on the other side of the fire.

"Please don't tell him. I'll never hear the end of it." Elisabeth laughed a little.

The two of them went back to being quiet for a while, silently drinking the shai Elisabeth had prepared. Ardeth couldn't help but find the entire situation sort of thrilling and interesting. When was the last time he had been alone with another person that was not family or a member of his tribe? Even the few occasions he had been alone with the woman before him, more people had been present.

Except for that one time at the museum, right after she had threatened to kill his brother. Or what about the day when he went to the Borchardt residence to ask her what she'd discovered so far. The memory of accidentally frightening that poor older lady was one he hadn't forgotten. If he shut his eyes, he could see it perfectly.

How she had shouted for her danaya and Ardeth had followed her until he entered a study room filled with antiques, where he saw Elisabeth standing all the way at the top of a ladder dangerously holding a box in her hands.

After the older woman had calmed down and gave him the evil eye before leaving, a heated conversation between him and Elisabeth had followed. She'd been withholding information from him. Knowledge that she had learned of Hamunaptra and Amun-Ra. He'd almost cut ties with her over it.

"More shai?"

Ardeth opened his eyes and looked at Elisabeth holding her hand out to him, ready to take his small cup and pour him another drink. He lowered his eyes and then looked back up. Something had changed over the course of the last few months and he wasn't sure what it was.

"Please." He replied placing the cup in the palm of her hand. As she poured his shai, Ardeth could hear his brother's voice in the back of his head. If you truly felt nothing, you would have been happy for me.

Samir has been left behind at the medjai camp. But he's not gone forever, do not worry. You guys have shown this character so much love that now I am actually struggling with leaving him out of the story. As for Ardeth and Elisabeth, they're on their way to Cairo, but what will happen once they arrive?

Let me know what you guys think or what you would love to see happen.

Until next time!