Chapter 4: Friends Thebes, Egypt 1325 BC

Ankhesenamun

A few weeks later I was sitting in the stands of the practice arena, watching Tutankhamun and Alexandria riding around the arena. Alexandria and I had become very close friends in the past few months and we were constantly talking about our young Pharaoh, and occasionally politics. I noticed me brother-husband riding over to me with Alexandria trailing right behind him. When he'd stopped and Alexandria had pulled up next to him, he asked "And how is my beautiful wife doing?"

"Wonderful my dear husband" I smiled

"That's good to hear my love. Now we have some things to talk about in my office"

"Just the three of us" I asked

"Of course" he smiled as he helped me down from the stadium and led us back to the palace. When we reached his, he sat behind his desk, and pulled out some papers

"What are those?" Alexandria asked curiously

"Documents"

"For what" I asked

"For the Opet festival" he replied sternly as Alexandria and I sat

"I think it'll be a very good idea" I smiled

"I'm glad you think so" he smiled back.

"What do you want us to do?" Alexandria asked

"I was wondering if you two could help with some of the organizing. I have a big meeting today, so you guys will be on your own till tomorrow."

"We'll get started right away" I said

"Thank you" he smiled.

Alexandria

When Ankhesenamun and I walked out of Tutankhamun's office I asked "What will we need to do first?"

"Well luckily we won't get to the hard stuff till tomorrow, so first we'll start with getting the festival day planned, then food." That night I collapsed into my bed, exhausted from the day's events and fell right to sleep.

A week and a half later, it was late, and I couldn't sleep and was staring at a wall when I heard my bedroom door open and someone padding over to my bed "Alexandria, are you sleep?" it was Ankhesenamun.

"No" I whispered as I turned to her.

"Thank goodness, I was afraid that you were. Do you want to go for a swim?" she asked

"I would love to" I whispered back as I got up and got dressed. Soon Ankhesenamun and I were tiptoeing through the palace giggling silently to each other. When we reached the nearest pool we jumped in and swam around happily. After a while I saw a lone figure sitting on the far end of the pool, so I silently swam over to see who it was. When I was close enough I saw it was Tutankhamun, who was silently sitting cross legged he was wearing only his kilt. "What are you doing here?" he asked sternly

"Ankhesenamun and I just wanted a little swim" I smiled nervously as I felt Ankhesenamun swim over next to me.

"Tutankhamun, why are you up so late?" she asked

"That doesn't matter; the question is why are you two swimming this late at night?"

"We couldn't sleep" she replied.

"You two should get to bed, there could be snakes out"

"As you wish" Ankhesenamun said as we silently swam back to the other side of the pool and got out, and scurried back to our chambers.

The next morning I sat quietly in my seat in the dining hall waiting for everyone else to arrive, I hadn't slept well the previous night. After a few minutes of waiting Tutankhamun and Ankhesenamun finally arrived and took their seats, I glanced over at Ankhesenamun, and noticed how tired she seemed to be "Long night?" I asked and she nodded silently.

"Alexandria, you will be starting your education today" Tutankhamun said, clearly still angry about the previous night

"As you wish my lord" I said without question about his dark mood.

A few weeks later the royal couple was out sailing on the Nile in a two person boat, and I was silently jogging behind with some baskets. Tutankhamun and Ankhesenamun's intentions for being out here without a single guard, was that they wanted to be alone and hunt for a little while. Before they'd left, Ankhesenamun had secretly asked if I could come along, and I'd agreed, I'd also told her that I would get the prey that they'd shot down. I now watched as the young couple stop the boat, and watched as a flock of ducks flying near the boat. Ankhesenamun took out a bow and arrow, knocked it, aimed and shot. She repeated this a few times, hitting a duck each time. When she was finished she handed it over to Tutankhamun, so that he could shot. After about an hour, they started testing each other by rocking the boat, Ankhesenamun did very good shooting while he rocked the boat, but when it was Ankhesenamun's turn to rock, she fell out and landed into the waist deep water and started laughing. Just then I saw a pair of scaly, green eyes coming out of the water, and knew it was a crocodile

"Get out of the water, there's a crocodile!" I screamed as I grabbed the bow and arrow that I had brought with me just in case. I knocked an arrow while Tutankhamun tried getting Ankhesenamun out of the muddy water. The crocodile was almost upon them when I let go of the arrow and it struck the crocodile right in the eye, killing it instantly. I looked over and was relieved to see that both Ankhesenamun and Tutankhamun were safely back in their boat. When they'd paddled over to the bank and were safely docked Ankhesenamun came over crying

"Thank you, thank you, I'm so glad that I asked you to come with us"

"You asked her to come when we wanted to be alone" Tutankhamun growled from behind her.

"Yes I did, and she offered to get the ducks that we shot down and you know I'm glad that I disobeyed you because she just saved our lives, and she deserves our gratitude and our lives

"Ankhesenamun, I'm just glad that you two are safe and I don't need anything else" I said

"I know, but I think that we owe it to you for seeing that crocodile and killing him when you did" Ankhesenamun smiled as she hugged me again.

"Ankhesenamun, can I please speak to alone for a minute" Tutankhamun said and she left "Alexandria"

"I'm ready for whatever punishment that you have for me" I tensed

"Why did you follow us?"

"Because Ankhesenamun ordered me too"

"I thought that she asked?"

"She did, after I refused a few times, she ordered me to come, and so I had to" Tutankhamun sighed as he sat down

"Sit" I did. We were silent for a while till he said "Thank you for saving us, I don't know what I would have done if" he stopped and I crawled next to him and held his hand, I saw a small smile crawl onto his mouth. "And I'm sorry for getting mad at you and Ankhesenamun for swimming at night"

"It's okay, you had reason for being mad, you were worried for our safety, and you did the only thing that you could do" I said and he smiled again

"Come on, we should head back home"

"Good idea!" Ankhesenamun called from her hiding place in the reeds, a few feet away

"Does she always do that?" I whispered into Tutankhamun's ear as we stood

"Yeah, sometimes it can really help" he replied as his wife glided over to us

"I'm glad that you've forgiven her"

"I am too" he said as we started searching for the fallen ducks.

Early the next morning I was lightly shaken awake, when I opened my eyes I saw Tutankhamun standing over my bed "Yes?" I asked as I sat up

"Remember when I asked you about showing you the cliff?"

"Yeah, what about it"

"Well I think that we should go this morning"

"All right give me a minute to get dressed" I yawned as I got ready. Soon we were outside by the stables, two horses were all ready prepared for us and I quickly mounted. Soon we were at a shallow part of the Nile

"We'll cross here" Tutankhamun said breaking the silence that had been following us since we left the stables

"After you" I said. Half an hour later we arrived at a tall cliff with a ledge towering to it, "We have to climb that?" I gulped as we dismounted

"Yes, but don't worry I know a safe way up" he replied as he led me to a part of the jagged rock wall. A few minutes later, we reached the top of the cliff breathless, while I collapsed on the edge of the cliff, Tutankhamun sat next to me, and he still seemed to have plenty of energy "My father shoed this to me right before he died. He told me that I should come up here whenever I felt scared or whenever I needed to clear my head, and I should watch the sunset or sunrise, I do both sometimes" I noticed the hint of sadness in his voice and I sat up.

"I bet that your father was a wonderful man, despite what everyone said about him" I reassured him, and he smiled as he leaned back, and closed his eyes. A few minutes of silence passed between us, till I saw the feint beams of light that radiated off of the sun "Sun's coming up" I said as I leaned back on my hands. I watched as Tutankhamun stood and walked over to a small ledge and just stood there watching the sun slowly rise in the horizon. I stood and walked over to him and watched as he closed his eyes, and as if Ra himself knew that Tutankhamun was there hit his rays just right. I stepped back and watched Tutankhamun's copper skin glowed in the early morning light.

"Grandfather, we need you guidance through these hard times" he muttered as he rose his hands to the distant valley, were the long dead Pharaohs now lay. I heard a hiss from behind me, and I whirled around to see a cobra coiled up on the ground. I let out a squeak of fright and scurried as far away from is as possible. Tutankhamun saw the snake and hoped down from the ledge and strode over to the cobra

"Careful" I called after him

"No need to worry my lady" he called back, I watched as knelt in front of the snake, which let out another hiss as Tutankhamun slapped it's scaly face as he yelled "How dare you scare her! I order you to vanish from my kingdom, and never show yourself again!" and to my surprise the snake uncoiled it's self and slithered away.

"That was amazing!" I cried as I ran over to him and gave him a tight hug "Thank you" I whispered as I felt his arms wrap around my wais

"It was my pleasure my lady" he whispered in return as his hand then went underneath my chin, and lifted it so that my emerald eyes were meeting his dark and mysterious eyes. We looked at each other for a few minutes, and when I was about to pull away he kissed me, this time I didn't tighten or pull away like I had before, but let him kiss me, and slowly, I kissed him back as I molded my body to his. After a minute Tutankhamun let go and let me pull away "Sorry" he whispered

"Its okay" I smiled as I rested my hand on his cheek

"It's time to go" he whispered and helped me off the cliff.

Ankhesenamun

I was waiting in the dining hall for Tutankhamun and Alexandria to come in. I was positive that he'd taken her to the cliff that our father had taken him to before he died. When the doors finally opened, my husband walked in with Alexandria's arm wrapped in his. They were laughing, making me feel slightly jealous, but it quickly passed, they were probably just talking as good friends, and when they sat in their seats I asked "How did you two sleep?"

"Wonderful" the said simultaneously

"Will you be helping with the final plans for the festival today?"

"Of course I will, you know that I never go back on a promise" he smiled as breakfast was served. Once we were done eating we headed over to Tutankhamun's office. Once we arrived at the office doors, we found Horemheb and Aye waiting, "What do they want now?" Tutankhamun growled as he walked over to the two men

"Who are they?" Alexandria whispered

"The one on the left is the royal vizier Aye and the other one is the general of the royal armies of the two lands, Horemheb

"Are they good or bad?"

"More bad then good, but they are useful for some things though" once Aye and Horemheb had been chased off, we entered Tutankhamun's office and sat

"So, what do we still have to do?" Tutankhamun asked as he got us each a goblet of sweet white wine.

"Well, we need to get one of the temples priests t grant us the right to use one of their temples" I replied as I was handed my goblet of wine, and glanced over at Alexandria as she was handed her goblet, I saw her fingers brush up against Tutankhamun's, she looked up at him and their eyes meet. I could see the look of affection in my brother's eyes

"Thank you" she blushed as she took the goblet and averted her eyes.

Tutankhamun

Once Ankhesenamun, Alexandria and I had finished talking I had a quick meeting to attend to so I left them to do what they wished. A few hours later, it was time for lunch so I headed to the dining hall. When I arrived, I didn't see Ankhesenamun or Alexandria in their seats, "Where are Alexandria and the queen?" I called out as I took my seat

"We don't know my lord" a guard replied as he bowed

"Well then, someone go and find them" I ordered. A few minutes later a search party had been organized and set out to find the lost women. When they finally arrived I let out a sigh of relief and relaxed in my chair

"Sorry my lord, we got lost on our way here" Ankhesenamun said as she kissed my cheek

"It's all right; I was worried since you two weren't all ready here when I arrived"

"Well, we're okay, oh and Alexandria and I have something to show you after lunch she smiled.

"What is it?"

"It's a surprise" Alexandria replied as she bit into some bread. After lunch they led me down some long hallways, and outside into a small garden.

"We started it while Alexandria was healing, then started planting after her leg had healed" Ankhesenamun said as she sat me on a bench

"It's very beautiful here" I said happily as a bird flew past our heads

"We're glad that you enjoy it my lord" Alexandria smiled; I felt my heart race when our eyes meet, and I smiled back.

Alexandria

The following day I was walking down one of the long hallways to meet Ankhesenamun for a game of Senet in my chambers when I saw a shadowed figure "Whose there?" I asked

"Don't tell Pharaoh that I'm here" I heard a weak, male voice reply

"Please show yourself" I asked

"No, it's too dangerous"

"Please, I won't tell anyone"

"Not even Pharaoh?"

"Not even Pharaoh" I lied

"As you wish my lady" and out of the shadows came a frail looking man, he looked a bit like Tutankhamun.

"Who are you?" I gasped

"A man from the distant past of the Pharaoh" he replied

"Why don't you want him to know of you?"

"Because I'm a shame to the royal family"

"Are you Pharaoh's brother or cousin?" I asked

"I shall not reveal my secrets"

"Why?"

"Only the Pharaoh must now, only the Pharaoh"

"Okay, okay, then tell me what your name is at least?"

"I will not tell" the man then disappeared into the shadows again

'I'll tell Tutankhamun of this later' I thought to myself.

Later on, after I'd freshened up and Ankhesenamun and I were playing Senet, a very hard and confusing game. When I'd lost for the sixth time I gave up, Ankhesenamun told me "Don't worry my friend, it'll get easier" as Tutankhamun entered the room "It seems that our dearest lord is back from his noble hunt, and he brings us his invisible catch" Ankhesenamun teased and I laughed as Tutankhamun walked over and kissed his wife on the cheek, then he noticed the Senet bored, and his eyes brightened

"Are you two playing Senet?' he asked

"Yeah, and I just gave up" I sighed.

"Well, if you don't mind my lady, I would like to play against Ankhesenamun?" he asked

"Be my guest" I said as I scooted over to let Tutankhamun take my spot

"Now watch the master" he said as he glanced over at me.

"Hey Tutankhamun" I said after a while

"Yeah" he said, not taking his eyes of the board

"Do you have any living brothers or cousins?"

"I had a half-brother, his name was Smenkare, after our father and Nefertiti died heroes to the throne along with one of Ankhesenamun's sisters, but she died shortly afterwards. Then Aye called him a murderer and banished him"

"Do you know where he was banished to?"

"Nope" I noticed the relief, and almost anger in his voice

"I'm sorry"

"Its okay, its good he's gone" he smiled.

"What did Smenkare look like?" I asked

"A little like me, but older, and he had more of our father's features" he replied. I thought back to the weak man and how he'd looked like Tutankhamun; it was then that I realized that he'd been hunched over and he did seem a bit older then Tutankhamun, which made me gasp

"What's wrong?" Ankhesenamun asked as she looked up from the Senet game

"Earlier, I found this weak man in the palace, and I just realized that it just might be Smenkare

"Are you sure?" Tutankhamun asked as he sat up

"Yes I'm positive" I replied, and I saw a gleam of anger in Tutankhamun and Ankhesenamun's eyes.