Chapter 3 Forgiveness Thebes, Egypt 1325 BC

Tutankhamun

I was listening to a report from the army saying that they’d recaptured a few towns that my father had lost while he ruled, when the doors to the dining hall opened and in walked Alexandria leaning on the walking stick that Ankhesenamun had lent her. I watched as she slowly walked to where I sat. I noticed that she was fully aware that the whole room had gone silent and was staring at her “My lord” she bowed, and clearly still mad about the dungeon incident.

“Alexandria, I’m glad that you’re finally up, will you have breakfast with us this fine morning?” I asked as I summoned a chair

“I would be honored my lord” she smirked as she briskly sat down on my left.

“Alexandria, it’s wonderful to see you finally out of bed” Ankhesenamun said as she leaned forward

“Yes it is my lady”

“I can see that you’re making good use of the walking stick that I lent you”

“It’s working wonderfully, thank you” Alexandria smiled brightly at my wife.

‘Why does she like my wife more than me? Most likely because of the dungeon incident and everyone loves Ankhesenamun’ I thought to myself. After breakfast I gave Alexandria a tour of the palace, which she seemed eager to do, if only to walk around.

“Alexandria, why are you mad at me?” I asked once we’d reached and empty hallway

“Because, you ordered for Abasi and I to be arrested and tortured” she replied angrily

“My lady, I want you to understand that I would never do such a thing to you or Abasi, especially since that Abasi is my closest friend, and most trusted vizier”

“I don’t believe you” she huffed, so I pushed her up against a nearby wall

“Alexandria, I swear on my own blood, and by Ma’at, that I didn’t order your arrest: I said as I looked deep into her eyes

“I still don’t believe you” she spat in my face and started struggling in my arms

“Alexandria listen to me” I growled and she went still “Alexandria, listen to what I have to say, last month Abasi told me that you were going to arrive here in my audience chamber at around this time. So don’t you see, I was excepting you”

“And what were you going to do with me once I arrived?” she asked

“I was hoping that we could become friends”

“Really” I nodded “And you really didn’t order our arrest and torture?”

“I swear that I didn’t” Alexandria looked at me straight in the eye and saw that I spoke the truth and hugged me tightly

“Thank you” she whispered”. By the time we were done with our tour, it was time for dinner, so we headed back to the dining room, and when we entered Ankhesenamun was all ready sitting in her chair, “She looks gorgeous tonight” Alexandria sighed as she clung to my arm

“Yes she is, isn’t she? And she is pregnant with our first child as well” she smiled as we sat in our seats

“How was your walk?”  Ankhesenamun asked

“Good” I replied

“What did you do?”

“I gave Alexandria a tour of the palace”

“And did you enjoy your tour Alexandria?” Ankhesenamun asked as she carefully leaned forward

“Yes my lady” Alexandria replied happily.

Once dinner was over, I took my leave and slowly wondered to a pool and sat next to it. A few minutes later Ankhesenamun came out and sat next to me, “Alexandria seems nice” she said after a minute,

“Yes she does” I replied, not taking my eyes away from the shimmering pool

“I think that we should get to know her better”

“I agree, but how will we find the time?” I asked

“Well maybe while we eat, right before to bed and right before your meetings and I’m sure that we’ll find the time” Ankhesenamun suggested

“Yes but”

“No buts let me finish. You’re getting to serious these days, even in private. You need to laugh and have fun again, and I think that Alexandria is the one to help with that” she said as carefully rose and left.

Alexandria

A few short months later my leg and various other wounds had finally healed so I decided to return the walking stick to Tutankhamun. When I arrived I knocked “Enter” I heard him say from behind the doors, as I shoved them open. When I walked, I saw Tutankhamun was turned away from me talking to an elderly man, so I waited by the door, so I took a moment to look around. The walls were covered with the usual tile set to look like the land of Egypt. I looked up and saw a balcony with a view of a garden; it included a small pond with fish swimming around. There were trees with birds flying from one branch to another while they chirped to each other. After about half an hour the man finally left, clearly angry. Tutankhamun sighed and walked over to his desk, sat down and took off some of his jewelry and his white crown of Upper Egypt, then rested his head on his desk and put his hands underneath his chin, I noticed how long his head was, and it was cleanly shaven, revealing his smooth coppery skin. I walked to where he sat and leaned over so that I could whisper into his ear

“My lord?” he jumped and turned around making me take a step back

“Alexandria? What in the name of Amun-Re are you doing here?” he asked as he leaned up against his desk.

“Well you see I wanted to return the walking stick, and to say thank you for letting me use it while my leg healed” I muttered, avoiding his dark gaze

“You look beautiful today” he said as he took the walking stick and put it away.

‘Why did he say that? Does he have…no he can’t, and besides I just arrived and we’re just starting to get to know each other’ I thought “My lord?” I asked as I finally looked into his eyes

“Well uh, I mean, how are you doing this fine morning?” he asked as he gave me a seat to sit in

“Wonderful, and how are you doing?” I asked as I plopped down into the chair

“Good” he replied as he got some wine ready

“Have you seen Abasi around lately?” I wondered as he handed me a golden goblet filled with dry white wine then sat behind his desk.

“He said that he had some business to attend to in your home and that he’ll be away for a while

‘Great, he’s left me here all alone’ I thought angrily to myself.

“Well now, down to business” Tutankhamun said straightening up in his chair

“Business”

“Yes, I’ve wanted to ask you a few questions, and I was about to summon you after I was finished with my meeting with Aye”

“Well it definitely seemed like you were going to do something very Pharaoh like before we started talking, and jumping like that was very God like” I teased and he laughed. It was the first time that I’d ever heard him laugh, and I blushed. “Now why were you going to send for me anyways?” I asked when he’d caught his breath

“Well, as I said before I have a few questions, if you don’t mind of course?”

“Ask away”

“Well, there is this cliff that my father showed me when I was younger, that I’ll be going to in the future, and I was wondering if you would like to join me?”

“I would be honored my lord” I smiled

“Good, now I want to ask if you have any education.”

“No” I confessed shamefully

“There is no need to be ashamed my lady, because lucky for you, the teacher that I had when I was still a prince is still alive, and I believe that he is still teaching. So whenever you’re ready, I’ll enroll you in his class”

“Thank you my lord. Now, what was the third thing that you wanted to ask me?” I wondered as I took a small sip of the wine.

“Well, I know that it isn’t normal here, but considering what happened in the past, I was wondering if you would like to learn how to ride chariots and how to shoot the bow and arrow?”

“I think that it would be very fun to learn”

“God, now I must get some work done” I nodded and got up, and headed to the door

“Alexandria wait” I heard him call from behind me, so I turned back around

“Yes?” I asked as I watched him stand and walk over to me. He didn’t stop till I could feel his sweet, warm breath on my face and smell the sweet, musky scent of his bath oils. “My lord” I asked, getting nervous

“Yeah” he asked looking down at me; I opened my mouth to speak, only to have Tutankhamun lean forward and kiss me ever so gently, his lips were soft against mine as they pressed against mine. I wanted to give in, but instead I tightened and pulled away. I then hit him, and making a quick mental note on how soft his cheek was, as I yelled at him

“Don’t ever do that again”

“I, I’m sorry my lady” he whispered as he backed away, I grunted angrily and turned away from him, and opening the door, I scurried away from him. As I ran I felt Tutankhamun watching me. When I reached my chambers I found Ankhesenamun standing by my bed

“My lady” I bowed, hoping that she didn’t notice my flushed face

“We need to talk” she said

“About what” I asked as I sat on my bed

“About your future with us, and I want to be friends.”

Ankhesenamun

I was sitting in my chair in the dining hall waiting for my husband and Alexandria to arrive for breakfast. I knew of the feelings that were quickly growing between them. I also knew that neither of them knew of their growing affection towards each other. I waited for less than half an hour when the doors to the dining hall opened and Tutankhamun strode in standing tall and proud as ever. I rose and watched him walk over and kissed my hand gently, then put his hand on my swollen stomach. I was 4 months pregnant with our first child. “Ankhesenamun, my sweet wife, I have something very important to tell you” he said as he sat in his chair

“Shouldn’t we wait till Alexandria arrives?” I asked

“Yes we should” I noticed to look in his eyes when I said her name, they showed affection and love; it was the same love that he gave me.

“By the way I heard what happened between you two yesterday”

“You did, what did she say about it?” he seemed ashamed

“She said that when she was about to leave your office, you kissed her, and she slapped you”

“I, I just wanted to”

“I know” I put my hand on his and smiled, and he smiled back. I hadn’t told him that Alexandria had wanted to kiss back, and how she wanted him just as much as he wanted her. After a few minutes she came rushing in and slowed down to a walk as she came to her seat.

“I have something of utter importance to tell the two of you” Tutankhamun said as she sat down

“What is it?” I asked

“In one of the towns in Nubia, the people aren’t paying tribute and are starting to rebel, so I have to go and stop it”

“How long will you be gone?” I asked, I could see that Alexandria was as nervous as I was.

“I don’t know, but I will try and get it over with as soon as possible. But I do promise to be back before the baby is born” he reassured us

“When do you set off?” Alexandria asked

“In a few days” he replied, and I thought back to when he had first gone to war

‘Not again’ I thought to myself nervously.

Alexandria

A week and a half later, Tutankhamun had set off to settle the dispute in Nubia while Ankhesenamun and I stayed in Thebes. “So what shall we do while Tutankhamun is away?” she asked as we started walking throughout the palace,

“What would you suggest? I wondered

“Well, I’ve wanted to revisit my grandmother’s old house, and stay there till Tutankhamun returns”

“Well lucky for you, he told me that since he would be worried about our s and the baby’s safety we should go to her house, and I just remembered it when you mentioned that”

“Do you know if it’s set up?”

“Yes it is. There is food, a few servants from the palace, some beds and a birthing chamber has been set up just in the baby comes before Tutankhamun returns. Or he wants to stay here till the baby arrives” I replied as we arrived at the house a few hours later.

A month and a half later I was sleeping in my room in the house when I was lightly shaken awake. I looked up and Ankhesenamun staring down at me with tears in her eyes “What’s the matter?” I asked as I sat up

“It’s too soon” she whimpered as she clutched her stomach, it took me a minute till I realized what she meant, so I quickly sent one of the servants to get the mid-wives.

When they arrived we helped Ankhesenamun give birth to her baby. Several hours later the chief mid-wife finally announced to us “The baby is baby is crowning”

“Just a bit further Ankhesenamun” I said as I held onto my friend’s hand. Soon the baby was out, I heard one of the mid-wives spank the baby, but no cry came out.

“How is my baby?” Ankhesenamun asked as I helped her get cleaned up

“Not well my lady”

“What do you mean?” we both tensed

“Well my lady, it pains me to tell you this, but you see, the is a stillborn and it’s badly deformed” Ankhesenamun gave out a small cry as she buried her face in my shoulder, and I felt tears streaking down both our faces

“Was it a boy or a girl?” I asked

“A girl my lady”

“She would have been so beautiful” I told Ankhesenamun as we went to the bed

“Yes she would have” she whimpered as we lay down. Tutankhamun heard of the baby’s death two weeks before he arrived in Thebes.

Tutankhamun

I’d just arrived home from dealing with the Nubian outburst, and I was rushing back to the palace, lucky for me it was night so no one was in the streets. When I reached Ankhesenamun’s chambers I saw her on her bed and her back was turned to me, I thought she was asleep, but when I padded over, I heard a whimper escape from her still form “Ankhesenamun?” I whispered, she turned around and I could see her smooth, tear stained face “I heard about our little princess” I whispered as I climbed onto the bed and held her close. Ankhesenamun whimpered again and I pulled her closer still and finally letting the hot tears that I’d been holding in for the last two weeks stream down my face.

‘That night I dreamed of Ankhesenamun and she was with a beautiful little girl. My sweet sister smiled as the child started waddling over to me. But every step she took she started shrinking, and eventually started to crawl, and when she reached me I picked her up, but the moment I touched the child, she became deformed. But that’s not what I saw, I still saw a beautiful baby girl in my arms. Just then the baby stopped breathing, and I heard Ankhesenamun cry out in pain, and I cried with her over our lost child.’  I woke with a start; Ankhesenamun was all ready up and gone, so I shuffled back to my chambers to get ready. When I arrived at the dining hall, Ankhesenamun and Alexandria were all ready in their seats talking about Gods know what. My wife looked over and noticed me, and motioned me over. I walked over and sat in between them and saw that Ankhesenamun was still depressed about the death of the baby. “I would’ve named that baby after Kiya” she sighed

“I know, but don’t worry, we can try again” I saw her smile a little as breakfast was served. “So, Alexandria, shall we start your chariot lessons today?” I asked after a minute of silence

“I think that would be a wonderful idea”

“What chariot lessons?” Ankhesenamun asked as she looked over at us

“Well, I was planning on training Alexandria on how to ride chariots and how to shoot the bow and arrow” I replied

“Good luck you two.”

Alexandria

A few hours later Tutankhamun and I were outside in the practice arena. I was going to show Tutankhamun some tricks that I knew about riding horses, but before we started he said that I had to get a good horse from the stables. “All right Alexandria, I believe that we have a good horse for you” he said as he led over a chestnut colored horse. So I mounted it without any help, and took hold of the reins. I started off at a slow walk. After a few minutes Tutankhamun mounted his own horse and trotted after me. Just then my horse bolted, the reason why was unclear. So I quickly grabbed hold of the reins and pulled on them till the horse stopped. I then started stroking its neck to calm it down, then turned it around and trotted back to where everyone had stopped since they had given chase to me and the runaway horse.

“Is all well?” Tutankhamun asked, clearly worried

“Yes, all is well” I smiled as I trotted past him.