Chapter 2: The First Encounter Thebes, Egypt 1325 B.C

Tutankhamun

I stood on the balcony that connected to my office thinking about the past month. I thought back to when my most trust vizier and friend, Abasi, had told me about a young woman named Alexandria. He had said that she would come to me in one month's time. Well, it's been a month and no news of this golden-haired woman has reached my ears. 'When will you be here Alexandria?' I thought to myself. The question had been crossing my mind several times in the past 2 weeks,

"My lord" I mentally cursed the one who interrupted my thoughts as I turned from the balcony. I walked into my office to face the messenger who stood in front of my desk

"What is it?" I demanded

"Ramose is here to see you my lord"

"Thank you let him in" the messenger bowed and let the captain of the guard into my office. Once he was inside, he bowed

"My lord"

"Rise" I commanded as I sat in my seat

"My lord, I have come to inform you that we've caught two thieves trying to steal your throne"

"What time did they arrive?" I asked

"They arrived late last night, and they" he paused, trying to think "And they, uh"

"Interesting, please, tell where they were, and how you found them?"

"Well" Ramose started before hesitating. "We found them in the audience chamber. What they were doing when we found them, well that's a whole other story your majesty"

"How about you tell me how you knew they were in the audience chamber?" I asked, starting to get bored.

"A few of the guards heard a loud thud"

"Hmm interesting, now you must tell me what they were doing when you found them"

"They were standing in the middle of the room, and when we entered one of them feinted"

"Are they in the same cell?" I asked getting impatient.

"No, we separated them, and one claims that he's your vizier, and the other one says that she doesn't know why she's here"

"She" I asked, getting excited

"Yes, my lord, the one that feinted was a female"

"I'm going to pay them a visit" I said as I rose from my chair

"Now sir" Ramose asked

"Yes now, please lead me to the cells" I snapped at him

"Yes, my lord" Ramose said as he stood and led me down to the dungeons. When we arrived, I visited the man first, assuming that he was Abasi. When the cell door opened and I peered in, I saw him sitting in a corner.

Abasi had short, straight black hair and had green eyes. "My lord" he exclaimed as he tried to bow as best as he could in his restraints.

"Abasi, it's wonderful to see you again. Guards you may release this man, I know that he won't cause me harm" I demanded,

"Yes, my lord" one of the guards said as they released Abasi from his restraints.

Alexandria

Over the past few hours I've had to answer the same questions over and over again. I had learned that if did not say what they wanted to hear, then I would get hurt. But that was hours ago, and I was now kneeling in corner of my cell with my hands and feet tied. My throat dry from thirst and my left leg was in unbearable pain due to a fist hitting it. I was about to drift off into sleep when door to my cell opened and my stomach clenched, fearing that it was more guards. But when I saw Mark enter I relaxed, and I was about to speak when he put his finger to his lips and came over. "You need to be calm, I've already convinced him that you're innocent"

"Him" my stomach clenched again.

"Yes, Tutankhamun" I felt my stomach clench again, and my equilibrium get thrown off a little. Then as if on cue a lean young man entered the cell. He was a little buff, but still managed a little to thin for his age. His dark brown doe like eyes were so dark they almost seemed black. The kohl around his was thick, which helped to make his eyes seem dark and mysterious . I felt a rush of anger surge into me; I hoped that Tutankhamun couldn't see the way I scowled at him.

"So, this must be the golden-haired woman that Ramose has told me so much about this morning" he said. His voice deep, and filled with either annoyance or anger

"Yes, my lord" I grunted

"Where did you come from?"

"A far away land" I smirked

"How do you know Abasi?'

'Abasi? Mark could have told me what he goes by here' I thought as I glanced over at him. Getting the feeling that he would explain everything later I returned my gaze to the Pharaoh

"He's an old friend of mine"

"What is your name?" he asked as he stepped closer, and I felt a fresh wave of anger rush through me

"Alexandria" I replied as I glared at him again as took in more of his features. He was very tan; he had a slight square jaw, high cheekbones, and his nose was long and skinny. I noticed hidden behind the white crown of Upper Egypt, a wisp of what seemed to golden earrings.

"Alexandria" he repeated, almost as if remembering it from somewhere

"Yes" I growled and he ignored the remark

"Well, I ask you to stay in the palace till your wounds heal" he motioned towards my many cuts and bruises. "And to recover your strength from your journey"

"Thank you my lord" I said, and he nodded and left.

"Don't worry Alex I'm sure that he'll have a suite prepared for you" Mark said as he untied me

"I don't want anything to do with him" I growled as I rubbed the blood back into my wrists and ankles

"And why is that?" Mark asked as he helped me up. but before I could reply, I felt a sickening pain course through my leg. Giving out a cry of pain I collapsed to the ground "Are you okay?" Mark asked as he leaned over me

"I don't know, my leg feels broken" I replied, then blacked out. When I woke up a few hours later, I found myself lying in a bed of soft pillows and soft, light blankets. Once I had regained my senses, I realized I wasn't in my room making me sit up in panic. But that only made my muscles cramp, and I winced as I slipped back down into the cushions. After a few panicked minutes, I remembered what had happened in the dungeons. I struggled with a slew of feelings, I felt anger at Tutankhamun for letting Mark and I get tortured. It was then followed by homesickness, I was missing my family. Yet I was still comforted that Mark and I had some place to stay for a while. But I didn't know why Mark never told me that he had a completely different life here, and I wanted him to explain. I thought back to when Tutankhamun had first arrived in the dungeon. After it subsided a little I remembered feeling my Eye of Horus ring tingle. So many questions, and only one man who could explain it all.

Since no one was with me, I decided to take look around my room a little. It gave off a very comfortable, feminine feeling. On the limestone walls were many multi-colored flowers, goddesses and different flowers. The floor made of beautiful tiles; set to like the Nile with fish, cows and several other animals. I saw a balcony at far end of the bedroom facing the Nile, and a small garden beneath it. The rest of the room had flowers, a few tables and chairs, and some makeup set up near a mirror on one of the tables. When I heard the door open, I looked over and saw Mark come in "How are you feeling?" he asked

"I'm comfortable that's for sure. But other then that, not very well" I replied noticing the new clothing and jewelry that he wore

"At least it's something" he smiled as he sat next to me

"Mark, you know that I'm very confused as in why Tutankhamun trusts you so much and why you go by Abasi" I said.

"You're a lot like your father you know, always has questions. As for your first question, he trusts me because I helped him with matters that concerned Egypt. Now I go by Abasi because it's more Egyptian then Mark"

"That makes more sense, but why do you look so different here than in our time?"

"Well, that comes with practice. Which is something that you'll learn as you get better with your time traveling ability" he smiled as I leaned back. "Oh, and one more thing Alex, Tutankhamun wants to know if he can come in?" I was about to refuse but thought otherwise,

"I don't see the reason for him to ask since he can do whatever he wants" I huffed

"Okay, I'll go get him" he said as he got up and went to get Tutankhamun, while I sat up and redid my hair. When the doors finally reopened, Tutankhamun strode in with Mark right behind him,

"Alexandria, it's nice to see that you're awake" Tutankhamun sighed.

"Yes, my lord" I smirked. I then noticed that half of the things that he'd worn in the dungeon were now gone. But he was still wearing kohl around his eyes and a few rings. I felt my ring start to tingle again, making me look down at it.

"I'm glad that you're awake. You seem comfortable as well." Tutankhamun said I didn't have anything to say, so I remained silent "Nothing to say? Well no need, I wanted to see how you were doing and see if you needed anything?"

"I don't need anything" I said between my teeth, hoping that he would get the message that I didn't want him in my room. So I lowered my gaze again so he wouldn't see the way that I glared at him. I then saw an Eye of Horus ring on his right hand. Identical to the one I had seen in the Cairo Museum, and that I wore on my own hand. "You have a nice ring" I said motioning towards his hand

"Thank you, my father gave it to me for my 6th birthday"

"Your father was Akhenaten, correct?"

"Yes, the 'Heretic Pharaoh'" Tutankhamun seemed saddened by the name

"Well I thought that it was rude what other people said about him and his religion" I said as honest as I could. I had learned that Akhenaten had been Tutankhamun's father few years ago. I had also read that he'd ruled Egypt for 17 years and his religion had ruined Egypt. Egyptians usually believed in many Gods and Goddesses. But Akhenaten believed in one, the Aten, and he'd forced the people of Egypt to believe in the same thing.

"Me too" Tutankhamun sighed as he sat in a nearby chair

"And he wasn't such a freak either" I saw Tutankhamun smile as I said this

"You think so?" he asked

"Of course, I do now if you please, I must rest" Tutankhamun smiled again as he stood and left.

"You know, I have a hunch that he might like you" Mark said once Tutankhamun had left

"Yeah, well I don't like him" I huffed

"And why is that?"

"Because he is the reason why my leg is the way it is, and why I have these cuts and bruises"

"Oh, come on Alex, give him a break, I'm positive that he didn't cause our arrest and interrogation"

"Says you, I want to hear those words come out of his own mouth" I huffed as I turned from him

"I'll let you cool off" Mark chuckled as he slipped out of the room.

Tutankhamun

At dinner that night I sat in my seat waiting for my half-sister, and wife, Ankhesenamun to enter. I wanted to talk to her about Alexandria. When she finally entered the dining hall I stood till she was next to me and her sweet scent filled my nostrils. "Ankhesenamun, I'm so glad that you're here" I said as I kissed her

"Why wouldn't I be here?" she teased as we sat, "I heard that you helped a woman from the dungeon this morning"

"As a matter of fact, I did and I wanted to talk to you about it"

"Good, tell me everything, start with her name" she exclaimed as her eyes brightened.

"Well, her name is Alexandria, and she's friends with Abasi"

"Alexandria, isn't she the woman that Abasi told you of last month?" she asked and I nodded

"That and she has the exact same Eye of Horus ring that I have, as Abasi had predicted. But for some reason she's upset with me"

"Were they hurt?"

"Yes, they had some cuts and bruises, and Alexandria has a broken leg"

"I bet that she thinks that you allowed her and Abasi to get hurt"

"But Ramose never told me about them till this morning, and he didn't get my permission to interrogate them"

"Then you should tell her that" Ankhesenamun said as she took my hand in hers. This caused a rare public smile as my eyes fell down to her swollen stomach, this was our first child together.

"I'll talk to her about it tomorrow, but I doubt she'll want to listen"

"I'm sure she will, anyways I want to see her after dinner to see what she's like" she smiled as dinner was set in front of us

"That's a good idea, but I fear that I won't be able to join you"

"Let me guess, a late-night meeting with Aye and Horemheb?" she asked as she swallowed a mouthful of roasted duck and I nodded,

"I fear so" I sighed, not wanting to talk to the two men that I hated.

Alexandria

"But why can't I go the dining hall?" I whined

"Because you're hurt and need your rest" Mark growled. As I was about to reply a young man came in "What is it?" Mark barked

"A message from the queen" he said, standing up straighter

"Tell it to me"

"Her majesty says that after dinner, she'll be meeting the golden-haired woman"

"Will Pharaoh be coming with her?" I asked

"She says that he will be in a meeting after dinner" I gave out a sigh of relief. Because we had a friendly conversation, didn't mean that I would forgive him for what happened.

"Thank you" Mark said and the messenger ran off.

When the queen arrived an hour later, I gave out a sigh of relief from having nothing to do. Ankhesenamun had short black hair, dark brown eyes, and was tall and skinny. Save for the large bump on her stomach, which indicated that she was pregnant. Though I couldn't see any of her other features, since it was too dark out, I knew that she must have been stunning. "So this must be the golden-haired woman that my husband has been gossiping about all night"

"I guess so my lady" I replied making her smile, hoping that she wasn't like Tutankhamun.

"As I heard, you are good friends with Abasi, is this true?"

"That is correct"

"I also heard from Pharaoh that you're rather strong willed"

"Well I" I stopped, I was speechless, Tutankhamun thought that I was strong willed? I felt my face heat up as a fresh wave of anger rushed through me as the queen let out a sigh and sat next to me on the bed

"You know, if it wasn't so dark, then we could see each other better, and if it wasn't so late then we would be able to talk more. Anyways, I shouldn't keep you up" she said as she stood

"You don't have to go" I pleaded, not wanting to be alone.

"But I do. I have a busy day tomorrow, and you need your rest" she smiled as she glided out of the room. Mark followed after her once he said good night. Shortly after they left, I fell asleep, that night I dreamed of my family again. When I woke the next morning, I was sweating; I looked around and saw that I still in Thebes and I felt homesick. When I turned my head and saw some flowers and a note. When I picked it up I saw the hieroglyphs on the papyrus, ad smiled. Pleased to know that I could read it as if it was in English, and it read:

'Alexandria, I hope the Gods give you a swift recovery. Along with these flowers I sent you a walking stick to help you walk. When you feel that you are strong enough you may use it. Tutankhamun sends his warmest greetings, and says that he would like to speak with you later on today. Ankhesenamun'

I looked back over to the table and saw the walking stick leaning near by. I gave a quick glance around the room and saw that Mark wasn't around. So I grabbed the walking stick and got out of bed as careful as I could. Then put my weight against the stick with a sigh of relief and wobbled over to the door. When I opened it, I saw that it lead to another room, so I walked through the room, and went through two more rooms. When I emerged from my chambers, I asked one of the guards that stood by the doors if they could lead me to the dining hall. He smiled as he nodded. So, we made our way through several intertwining halls for about 5 minutes making small talk. Till we reached another set of doors, with another pair of guards standing on either side. When the doors opened, I walked in to find many people eating and talking together.