The Forever Friends
by LadiSwan

Summary: Evy's American penpal arrives in Egypt with her young daughter and younger brother.  But as she sets foot on Egyptian soil, she becomes haunted by dreams of a past life, of a handsome prince, a young concubine, and the concubine's best friend. . .a beautiful girl named 'Anck-su-namun.'  As an ancient evil arises once more, Anck-su-namun finds herself in a Place-in-Between, and while there, she also discovers a chance at redemption. . .if she can look past Ardeth Bey's Med-jai markings.

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At first, Rick O'Connell was angry with his friend for the bantering he heard behind him.  Celia's daughter had been kidnapped, that was hardly a laughing matter.  Then Evy murmured, "Excellent work, Ardeth."  Rick looked at his wife, more than a little startled by her observation, and Evy rolled her eyes, adding, "He is distracting her, Rick.  She's frightened out of her mind, and he's keeping her from going into hysterics."

"Evy, honey, I really don't think Celia is the hysterical kind," Rick replied, checking his shotgun once more to make sure he had plenty of ammunition, and to make sure the weapon was clean.  There was a very good reason why he was a walking, talking arsenal; it had kept him alive countless times when he didn't have Ardeth there to watch his back.  Evy shrugged with a quick look in the window, which reflected Celia's worried face.  Okay, maybe Evy had a point.

"I'm sure she's not. . .but Ardeth is trying very hard to keep her calm.  Don't begrudge him that, Rick, not everyone is like us," Evy replied seriously.  Rick muttered a few more choice French phrases under his breath, but didn't argue with his wife.  By now, he had realized that doing that was just plain stupid.  On every point she had raised for Ardeth and Celia since their first meeting, she had been right.

"I know.  I just keep thinking back to when Alex was taken.  Celia just seems too calm to me, Evy.  I know how much that little girl means to her.  We both do," Rick replied, then winced at the not-particularly-subtle jolt from behind him.  Ardeth had just kicked the back of his seat, it seemed.  Rick didn't mean anything against the young woman, but she really was being entirely too calm for someone whose daughter had just been kidnapped.  He remembered himself hanging on the edge of the bridge after Alex's abduction, screaming his son's name.

"That is how she handles things, Rick, just watch.  After everything's all over, and Miranda's safe, that's when she'll collapse.  Oh.  If I'm not mistaken, that's Hamunaptra below us," Evy replied.  Rick shuddered, seeing that all too familiar city.  He had really come to hate that place.  Slowly, Izzy circled around before settling the plane down.  Evy looked over her shoulder with a bright smile, saying, "No wall of anything this time, Ardeth."

"Thank Allah," came the muttered reply.  Rick felt another surge of anger toward Ardeth, but busied himself first with his gun, then with getting off the plane.  Ardeth followed with Celia, quietly saying something to Izzy on the way out.  As he finished speaking, he dropped his hand lightly onto Izzy's shoulder, and the other man nodded soberly.  He didn't look scared now.  And that made Rick even angrier.

He was being unreasonable, he knew that, but during the last few minutes, he had kept seeing Evy's dead body at Ahm Shere in his mind's eye.  What right did Ardeth have to risk Evy's life, again?  When would the Med-jai be satisfied with their penance for raising Imhotep and then awakening the Scorpion King?  And Celia was just as bad.  Miranda was her daughter, what did any of this have to do with Rick or his family?

As Anatol Bey helped his brother with their supplies, Rick said abruptly, "We've brought you to Hamunaptra, you can get the rest of the way on your own."  Celia, Ardeth, and Anatol all turned to look at him.  Somewhere in the back of his mind, Rick was yelling, 'no, no, I didn't say that, I couldn't have just said that.'  But his mouth continued, "I'm through with you putting the lives of my family at risk.  I got Izzy to help you, and now you're on your own."

Evy, Jonathan, and Alex all protested.  The two brothers just looked at each other, but it was Celia who replied, "Then go, Mr. O'Connell.  You don't want to be here?  That's fine.  Go back to Cairo.  You're neither wanted, nor needed, here.  I'd rather go into rescue my daughter with two men whom I can trust, than someone who changes his mind at the last moment, deciding after we've arrived that it isn't his problem.  GO!  We don't need your help!"

With that, she turned her back on him, as if he didn't matter, and drew her hair back into a ponytail.  Rick stared at her, with 'we, what we?' repeating in his mind.  The two brothers fell into step beside her, Anatol evidently getting over the news that not only was his brother marrying Celia, but their two sisters were all for it.  Jonathan gave Rick a searing look, then called out in ancient Egyptian, "Rameses!  Ardath!  I would accompany you!"

Rick found himself extending his arm, blocking Jonathan's path, and asked, "Just what the hell do you think you're doing?"  Jonathan just gave him another glare, his blue eyes burning with a fury Rick couldn't remember ever seeing before.  Hell, he had never done something like this before, and Rick almost felt like someone else was in control of his body.  And his voice cords, because he added, "Get your ass back into that plane, Jonathan."

Jonathan pushed his arm down, even as Ardeth, Anatol, and Celia stopped and turned back.  The Englishman said, reverting back to English as he glared at Rick, "I'm joining my friends."  And that was all that was said, as he joined the trio.

Celia smiled at him as Jonathan drew up alongside her, answering in ancient Egyptian, "You are always welcome at our side, Nassor, you know that."  She gave Rick another cold look, then started walking forward once more.  A stinging slap reverberated against his cheek, and the pain cleared Rick's head.  It also served to return control of his body to him, and Rick realized with a sick feeling in his gut what had just happened.

"Thanks, honey.  I needed that," Rick muttered, looking at his furious wife, who looked ready to hit him again.  Evy's dark eyes changed from enraged to confused, and Rick explained as he started forward to catch up with the brothers, Jonathan, and Celia, "It was Khaldun.  That jackass decided to take over my body." And use me to betray Ardeth, though he didn't say that part out loud.  Not that he really needed to.

Up ahead, Ardeth had caught Celia's sleeve, stopping her once more.  The four ahead waited patiently, and Evy said by way of explanation, "Rick had to kick Khaldun out of his body."  Ardeth merely inclined his head, Celia looked accepting, and Evy said with a smile, "Well, then.  Once more into the breach, my friends, for a little one awaits us." Yeah, Rick thought grimly, and when I get my hands on Khaldun, he'll be in worse shape than Hafez after the Scorpion King was finished with him! Nobody, but nobody, used Rick O'Connell to harm his friends!

.                      .                        .

Ammit take that little bitch, I almost had him! Khaldun seethed after his control over Rick O'Connell was broken.  He wasn't entirely certain which little bitch he meant. . .Celia Ferguson, once known as Lady Ardath, or Evelyn O'Connell, once known as Nefertiri.  Either way, it didn't matter.  Either way, he would make sure those two died.  But first, he wanted Ardeth Bey to die slowly.

He just hadn't decided yet how he would kill the Med-jai, the reincarnation of his DEAR cousin Rameses.  Would he try to make one last ditch effort to ally with Imhotep?  No, his old enemy had chosen his side when he chose to protect the little brat he had taken from her mother's arms.  What about trying to re-inhabit Rick O'Connell, and stab Ardeth Bey in the back?  That would be the most satisfying. . .

But now O'Connell would be on his guard, and Khaldun wouldn't even attempt to control the reincarnation of Nassor.  He was too strong for Khaldun, and part of what had allowed Khaldun to control O'Connell was his own ambivalent feelings toward Bey.  There was a part of O'Connell which blamed the Med-jai for his inability to control his own wife, and that was the part which Khaldun used.

No, it looked like it was up to Khaldun himself to deal with the reincarnation of his cousin.  Well, they did say that if you wanted something done, it was best to do it yourself.  Khaldun had no intention of facing his cousin in hand-to-hand combat.  Rather, there was an ancient part of the city, ancient even when Khaldun and Rameses were children.  They had played there, back before the city was cursed by evil.

That would be an excellent place for his ambush. . .perfect, even.  There were two levels to the chamber, a ground level floor and a balcony, not unlike the one where his pretty cousin Nefertiri had witnessed her father's murder at the hands of Imhotep and the whore Anck-su-namun.  From the balcony, he could launch a dagger, perhaps?  Yes, that would work quite well.  He knew from his possession of Jason Ferguson that there were wonderful little projectile weapons in this time, called 'guns,' but Jason didn't know how to use it.

Khaldun's current host was a rather tiresome boy.  He wasn't as strong as Ardeth Bey, of course, but he kept fighting Khaldun, swearing to do something impossible if Khaldun did anything to hurt Jason's older sister.  Jason really wasn't much more than a nuisance, but he was draining Khaldun's energy.  But that was all right, for that was all the more reason to ambush Ardeth, rather than fight him.

The question then became, how would he lure Ardeth into his little trap?  Well, why would it be necessary?  Rameses could guide Ardeth to the chamber, using his own memories.  And it was a good bet that the rescue party would split up: one or two to retrieve the little brat, wherever she might be, and the remained to deal with Khaldun.  As if it would be that easy.  Khaldun smiled with Jason Ferguson's mouth.

Just you wait, youngling, he taunted his young host, just you wait.  You thought what I did to the Med-jai was horrid?  Wait until you see what I have planned for Ardeth Bey.  Once I finish with him, your precious sister is next. Jason's soul screamed deep within, and Khaldun threw his head back, laughing.  Jason's fear and despair restored the strength which the constant battle for Jason's body had drained.  Fair was fair, after all.

But he wasn't finished having fun with the boy.  He continued in a taunting voice, You should pray to die soon, boy, because I do not doubt that your sister realizes you told me that she was Lady Ardath reborn.  I had not known that, until you came.  I merely sought out her soul.  If you die before I catch her, then you will miss hearing her damn your name, assuming she has not begun doing that already.

YOU BASTARD!  You'll never get your hands on my sister. . .NEVER!  Ardeth Bey won't let you anywhere near her, he'll sacrifice himself before he'll allow you to harm her or my niece.  Enjoy your victory while it lasts, Khaldun.  When Ardeth or my sister get their hands on you, they're gonna kick your ass! Jason retorted, his voice changing from shrill to satisfied.  The reason for this became apparent a moment later as Jason added, After all, my sister remembers being Lady Ardath, and she'll be mighty annoyed with you!

Khaldun froze.  Celia Ferguson truly remembered being Lady Ardath?  He searched his memory desperately, finding the proof in his attempt to destroy Ardeth Bey while in the house of O'Connell.  The American bitch had called upon Mother Isis.  The wording didn't matter; the cry had come from her heart, and Mother Isis had heard her child.  She remembered.  Oh yes, there would still be holes in her memory, but she did remember.  Jason Ferguson added with no small amount of satisfaction, That's right, Khaldun.  She remembers you killing her three thousand years ago.  And now, she'll want payback!

SILENCE! Khaldun roared, desperate to shut out the boy's taunting voice.  He felt himself losing control of the situation, of his body (borrowed though it was), losing control of everything.  When he felt more composed, Khaldun continued, Do you really think I fear your sister, or any other woman?  HA!  She is weak!  She was weak three thousand years ago, when she died in the arms of my dear cousin, and she is weak now!

Yes, I think you are afraid of her.  You fear her, because she completes Ardeth, just as his namesake completed Rameses.  Lady Ardath was the greatest source of strength for Rameses, wasn't she, and that's why you hated her so much.  You say you don't fear my sister?  I say that you're a liar, and if you're not afraid of her, then you should be.  Underestimate Celia at your own risk, Khaldun, Jason taunted.  He sounded stronger, not weaker.

She should have been mine! Khaldun exploded, But Rameses had to have her.  Everything that Rameses had, should have been mine!  I would have taught that little bitch to show me the proper respect! Then, something strange happened.  Khaldun found himself inside the mind of his host, and found himself literally face to face with Jason Ferguson.  The boy was grinning triumphantly, and Khaldun knew fear.

Search your own memories, Khaldun, you know as well as I do, Anck-su-namun would have killed you, the very first time she learned of such a beating.  How many others did she kill, parasite, when she found out that her friend had been attacked?  Anck-su-namun would have killed you, just as Rameses did kill you, for taking the life of his Lady, and then laughing about it.  Make your peace, Khaldun, because you'll finally face justice for what you did to that girl and to her little boy! Jason hissed.

Khaldun swept away from the boy, both physically and in his mind.  He started for the chamber where he and Rameses played as children, but Jason was there, walking backwards.  He continued, You cannot run from me, Khaldun, because while you've taken strength from my self-loathing and despair, I have learned about you.  I have seen into your mind, and into that cesspool which you call a soul.  I betrayed my sister for the likes of you. . .and for that, I'll destroy you myself, even if I have to drive you insane!

Khaldun almost slammed himself into the wall, to get the boy to be silent, until he realized that was exactly what Jason Ferguson wanted.  The pain would give Jason the opportunity to take back his own soul.  And Khaldun's fury exploded.  He hissed right back at the young American, The next time you open your mouth, boy, I will find that niece of yours, and rip out her entrails with your own hands.  Your sister can find you both like that! It was the best threat he had at his disposal.  Unfortunately for him, it didn't work.

That would be very hard to do.  After all, she is under Imhotep's protection, and he has wards surrounding the room where Miranda is, Jason fired back, and now it sounded like he was gloating.  Imhotep!  This was the last time that bastard would interfere!  Khaldun had him brought back from the dead, to use him against the O'Connells and the Med-jai, in the hopes that the two would destroy each other.

But Imhotep, as ever, had to be difficult.  Well.  Khaldun would fix that.  With a cruel smile twisting the lips of his host, Khaldun called upon the dead to walk.  They would defend Hamunaptra from the invaders, and buy Khaldun time.  If Imhotep could not be trusted to act on his ancient hatred of the Med-jai, then Khaldun would simply find another way.  But one way or another, Ardeth Bey would die.

.                     .                       .

The rescuers ran into trouble almost immediately, as soon as they entered the treasure room.  Ardeth knew this would be difficult even before they reached Hamunaptra.  Nothing involving the Creature or Khaldun was ever easy.  The last time he had faced Khaldun, he had almost lost his life, and three of his Med-jai had died.  This time. . .  Ardeth almost groaned at the sense of déjà vu as a bony hand exploded through the sand of the treasure room.

O'Connell growled, "Ohhhh, great, here we go again!"  Ardeth said nothing, merely checked first his Thompson, then his sidearm.  He had given Celia a rapier which Evelyn kept at the O'Connell house.  He should have thought to ask her if she could fire a gun.  However, he knew that she had kept up with her practice during the last week, she and Evelyn.  He had to have faith in her.  And then, there was no more time for thinking, because the skeletons attacked.

Ardeth opened fire with his Thompson, at the same time O'Connell opened fire with his own shotgun.  At Ardeth's back was Celia, fending off the attacks of the skeletons coming up from behind them, and the Med-jai muttered a curse in Arabic under his breath.  He shouted to O'Connell as they cleared a path through the undead warriors, "It is Khaldun doing this!  The Creature only called forth his own priests!"

It was Celia who called back, making a swipe at an attacking skeleton, "Well, that's reassuring!  What exactly does that mean?"  Ardeth didn't answer at first, he was trying to figure out how many more skeletons had to be destroyed.  He felt sick.  These old bones should not have been used by Khaldun.  They were remains of good men, of honorable men.  And Ardeth had no choice but to destroy them, to protect the living.

"Shut up and fight!" O'Connell yelled while reloading his own shotgun.

Ardeth rolled his eyes, then bit back a smile when Evelyn, who was fighting off another skeleton, decapitated it, then reached behind her to smack O'Connell in the back of his head.  O'Connell responded with a string of curses in French, Arabic, English, and a few other languages which Ardeth didn't recognize.  But he did recognize enough to realize that O'Connell was chastising his wife for fighting, when she promised that she would not.

Alex O'Connell was in the middle, safely protected by the adults.  It was awkward, but unfortunately, there was no way around it.  There was no way he could be left at home.  Hanif, Kaphiri, and Garai had gone back to the Med-jai encampment several days earlier.  While he could have stayed with Izzy, the pilot said he wouldn't be remaining.  Besides, knowing Alex and knowing Alex's parents as he did, Ardeth had a feeling the boy would find a way to sneak into the city alone.  This way, someone could keep an eye on him.

"What does it look like I'm doing?" Celia yelled back in response to O'Connell demanding that she shut up and fight.  Another wave of skeletons attacked, and there was no time to talk.  Ardeth had to focus on fighting, as well puzzling out exactly what that did mean.  Celia had a valid point.  What exactly did it mean, that Khaldun had raised these skeletons?  He knew it was possible that the two old enemies were working together, but he didn't think so.  He thought. . .

Silence.  Dead silence.  The skeletons stood frozen.  And then, they just dropped to the ground.  Words spoken before, of him dropping to the ground like a puppet whose strings had been cut, returned to him.  For that was an apt description of what just happened. Behind him, Evelyn whispered, "Someone is helping us.  Someone just read from the Book.  Remember, Jonathan, reading from the book and bringing the mummies of the Guards under your command?"  Ardeth risked a quick glance behind him, to find the Englishman nodding, and Evy repeated, "Someone is helping us!  But who?"

"I can't be sure, but I say we shouldn't look a gift Mummy in the mouth," Jonathan observed.  He looked down at his nephew, saying, "What do you think, Alex?"  Dead silence from the boy.  Concerned, Ardeth glanced behind him, to find Alex staring fixedly at something across the room from them.  The Med-jai followed the boy's gaze to a woman.  A woman, her body painted, and her eyes focused on Celia.  It was Anck-su-namun.

Ardeth watched the silent byplay between the two women for several moments, saw expressions flit across the lovely, painted face.  Love, sorrow, grief, guilt. . .  hope.  Celia said in a soft, breathy voice, "She wants me to follow her.  She knows where Miranda is.  She can take me to my daughter.  But Khaldun is the one causing all this, the one who must be stopped."  She broke eye contact with Anck-su-namun just long enough to look at Ardeth, and said, "I believe her, Ardeth."

O'Connell started to protest, but Ardeth shook his head at his longtime friend.  He told his beloved, "As do I.  But I wish you to have company.  Anatol. . .would you?"  His younger brother nodded, his eyes shifting to Anck-su-namun.  She merely stared at him stoically.  Then her eyes shifted to Ardeth and Celia, and her expression softened.  As if she had spoken directly to him, he heard, I accept your terms, Ardeth Bey of the Med-jai, though I would not hurt my forever friend.  Nor will I harm you.

"It's all right, Rick. . .Evy.  She won't hurt any of us.  Ardeth, she says you should let Rameses guide you.  Rameses knows Khaldun's location, but be careful," Celia added quietly.  Ardeth inclined his head to Anck-su-namun in thanks.  He shouldn't trust her.  He knew he shouldn't, at least not with his own life.  But he trusted her with Celia's, and her life meant more to him than his own.  And so, he turned his back on Anck-su-namun, to face Celia.

Admittedly, it wasn't much of a risk. O'Connell brought his shotgun upright, to bear on Anck-su-namun.  But it was the simple act of trust which he gave Anck-su-namun.  He looked into Celia's eyes, saying softly, "I know of what she speaks, my Celia.  There is an ancient room, ancient even in the times of Rameses and his Ardath.  A chamber where Rameses and Khaldun played as children, and where Rameses later took his concubine.  If something happens, once you have retrieved Miranda. . ."

"Then I will know where to find you," Celia answered calmly.  Her small hands came up to frame his face, and Ardeth planted a gentle kiss in the palm of her hand.  He looked again at Anatol, who had gone from angry to resigned once he realized that Ardeth and Celia did love each other.  He had faith in his brother, and his willingness to protect both Celia and Miranda.  His beloved said softly, "I love you.  Be careful."

She waited quietly for Anatol to join her.  Just as they both started to turn away, Celia turned, looping her fingers through his sash.  Their bodies connected and Celia kissed him hard.  Ardeth returned the kiss passionately, needing this reminder of her touch.  Then he pulled back, still holding her.  At least, he held her until he caught sight of Anck-su-namun watching them with a knowing smirk.  He whispered as he released Celia, "I love you.  Be safe."

She nodded, reluctantly releasing her hold on his waist, then stepped away.  She stared at him for a long moment, then smiled very faintly as she and Anatol moved slowly away, toward the waiting Anck-su-namun.  At the very last moment, she turned back around and quietly followed the ghostly concubine, in what looked to be the general direction of the resurrection chamber.  Ardeth said hoarsely, "This way."

He heard in his mind, as he led his friends toward the ancient chamber, the laughter of two small boys.  Chasing each other through the halls of Hamunaptra, each daring the other to find him.  Rameses and Khaldun.  The realization made his heart hurt.  Once upon a time, those two boys had loved each other as brothers.  Sternly, Ardeth told himself to stop.  Khaldun had already tried to take over O'Connell, to use his fears against him.

And, he had done the same to Ardeth, using the scars of the Mummy Warrior to gain entrance to Ardeth's body.  The Med-jai was determined to give his enemy as few weapons to use against him as possible.  Instead, he focused on leading his friends and allies down the corridors, and deeper into the cursed city.  He heard O'Connell muttering uneasily behind him, and Ardeth understood his friend's worry.  But. . .

Here.  Ardeth vaguely heard gasps from his companions.  Evelyn whispered in a reverent voice, "No one has been here for three thousand years.  I never even knew this place existed!"

"Few ever have.  Even the Med-jai did not know about this place, but Rameses did.  As did Lady Ardath, Anck-su-namun, and Khaldun," Ardeth answered, his voice low and reverent as he looked around.  They were on the ground level of the chamber, a balcony on the other side of the room.  Anck-su-namun returned to his mind, her warning delivered through Celia, and Ardeth understood.  The balcony would be the perfect place for an ambush. 

Even as that thought crossed his mind, and Ardeth scanned the pillars of the balcony for any hint of Khaldun, a familiar voice called out, "Ardeth Bey!  I call upon you. . .to die!"  A half second later, there was a flash of silver, then a pinch in his side, right where Imhotep had kicked him.  Ardeth's hand had already been resting on his scimitar, and as he started to pull it free of its scabbard, he heard gasps behind him.  He didn't quite understand why, or why there were hands on his back and shoulders.

His side felt wet.  Ardeth finally looked down, vaguely aware of Khaldun laughing maniacally in the balcony, and saw the blade sticking out of his body, just above his hip.  Dizziness washed over him, and he started to fall, even as O'Connell and the others caught him.  Ardeth tried to warn the others, but his lips didn't want to work, and his body was afire with pain.  The only thing he could see as he was gently lowered to the ground, was the pure rage in the bright blue eyes of Rick O'Connell.  Then darkness swept in, and Ardeth knew no more.

.                      .                        .

"The resurrection chamber!"

As they followed the gold-painted woman, Celia glanced at Anatol, who obligingly explained, "She is taking us to the resurrection chamber.  According to Med-jai legend, there is a black pool there, the portal between this world and the Underworld.  It's where the Creature took the body of Anck-su-namun to bring her back to life, after she took her own.  But why would Miranda be there?"

"Because that is where my love took her, for her own protection.  He put wards around the room, to ensure none of Khaldun's men could gain access to the room and harm Miranda.  Yes, my love did take her, as a test.  He was told, you see, that Miranda is the reincarnation of Lady Ardath's daughter Miriam, who died before she had a chance to live.  He was also told that she was kidnapped by the O'Connells.  He was incorrectly informed, of course, but Imhotep sought to atone for his inability to save Miriam," came the reply.

Anck-su-namun turned to face her, her eyes solely on Celia.  She studied her face for several moments, whispering, "You are so like my forever friend.  You have her face, her spirit, her memories.  You. . .you do my sister justice."

Anck-su-namun reached out a hand, as if to touch Celia.  The American woman held perfectly still, not wanting to spook the woman, or cause any distress to either of them.  But the concubine dropped her hand with a muffled sound of pain.  She took a deep breath, then continued, "The wards which my love placed around the room cannot harm you, for you are of the same blood as Miranda.  And, you do not seek to harm her."

"You have my thanks, Anck-su-namun. . .Anck.  Is there anything else we need to know?" Celia asked softly.  Anck looked like she would cry, when Celia called her by that ancient nickname, used only by one very special person.  But the woman composed herself, her dark eyes flickering briefly to Anatol.  A quick glance to Celia's companion and guardian told her why.  The young Med-jai was staring at her, as if he wasn't entirely sure what to make of her.

"There is one other thing, a guard to the resurrection chamber.  But Imhotep placed him there, the bodily remains of a man who aided Imhotep during his first rising.  His name is Beni.  Why do you stare at me, Med-jai?  Did you truly think I was. . .no.  No, I must apologize.  Forgive me, young Med-jai, for you are but doing what needs to be done.  Forgive me for forgetting how history has remembered me," Anck replied.

Anatol swallowed hard, and Celia said gently, "He's trying, Anck, but as you say, he is remembering history.  He doesn't have my memories of being Lady Ardath, nor does he know how you protected her.  If the Med-jai elders agree to my wedding to Ardeth, then I will remind the Med-jai of the good and true friend Anck-su-namun was.  You have my word on that.  Will Beni be a problem for us?"

"Niy.  He will not.  He has been instructed to let you pass.  When Imhotep told him to guard Miranda, he left an image of you in Beni's mind.  He knows of your appearance.  He will not trouble you.  I must go. . .I. . .oh, Isis, no!  I must go!  But Celia, know this.  I will eternally be with you.  You have a wonderful child," Anck-su-namun said.  She shimmered for a moment, then disappeared.

Anatol and Celia exchanged a look, and started forth once more, heading for an open doorway, which led down deeper into Hamunaptra.  A doorway, guarded by a strange little skeleton, about Celia's own height, maybe a little taller.  As the pair approached, the skeleton said with an odd accent Celia couldn't place, "So you are the little one's mother.  They told me that you would be here.  My work is done, and my redemption begun."

With that strange speech, the skeleton crumpled to the ground with a clatter of bones.  Once more, Celia and Anatol exchanged a look, then entered the resurrection chamber.  They were immediately greeted with, "MOMMY!"  Celia paused only a moment, as her daughter turned toward her, then raced down the rest of the steps.  Miranda jumped down from the table, and met her halfway, throwing herself into Celia's arms.  The American woman held her daughter tightly, not caring if anyone saw the tears running down her face.  Only hours had passed since Miranda's abduction, but until that moment, Celia truly hadn't been sure if she would ever see her child again. 

And now Miranda was clinging to her, babbling excitedly, "I knew you would come for me, Mommy, hi Anatol, where's Ardeth?  Mommy, how come you never told me that your name used to be Ardath?  Anck stayed and kept me company, I have an aunt who's a mummy!"  Celia didn't answer, didn't even try to answer.  She just wanted to hold her daughter, because if she tried to speak, she would start crying.

She kissed the side of Miranda's head, spinning her daughter around in circles.  Miranda pulled back at last, complaining, "Ow, that hurts!  Mommy, why are you crying?  Did Imhotep hurt you and Ardeth?  I was so scared, Mommy, but Imhotep said you weren't really hurt, and that he didn't mean to hurt you, and that you and Ardeth would come for me.  He said that a bad man named Khaldun wanted to hurt us."

Celia caught her breath, and started to reply, but a savage cry split the air.  The American drew her daughter closer to her own body, her arms closing protectively around Miranda, even as Anatol stepped in front of them both.  Miranda fell silent, burying her face in Celia's neck, then all three cried out at the worlds which followed, "Ardeth Bey!  I call upon you. . .to die!"  A half second after that, someone cried out Ardeth's name, and it sounded like Rick O'Connell.

Anatol spun away from the mother and daughter, screaming his brother's name at the top of his lungs.  He turned back to face Celia, his dark eyes wide and fearful, showing a terror Celia had never seen before in this young man.  She said very quietly, looking at her daughter, "Miranda, honey, I need you to go with Uncle Anatol.  Uncle Rick and Aunt Evy will need your help to take care of Ardeth.  Can you take care of Ardeth for me?"

"Uh-huh.  What are you gonna do, Mommy?" Miranda asked fearfully.  Celia smiled at her daughter, feeling a curious strength creep into her body as she realized what she would have to do.  Miranda asked next, "Mommy?  You are my mommy, aren't you?"  The American kissed her daughter's forehead once more, giving the little girl a sweet smile.  Yes.  Yes, this was what had to be done.

"Yes, sweet girl, I'm your mommy.  And I'll be just fine.  I promise. Your aunt Anck will help take care of me, just as you'll help to take care of Ardeth," Celia replied.  Anck and one other.  Even now, the last of the barriers came crashing down, and in her mind's eye, Celia could see a younger version of herself, dressed in a white tunic-dress.  Lady Ardath.  The young concubine was staring at her anxiously.

Celia switched her gaze from her daughter to Anatol, saying, "Take my daughter to safety.  Trust me, Anatol?"  He nodded, blinking back tears, and for that moment in time, Anatol was no longer a fierce Med-jai warrior, but a frightened young man who faced losing his brother for good this time.  Celia smiled as she carefully transferred her daughter into his arms, lightly kissing Miranda's forehead once more, and said, "Go now.  You take care of your brother, and I shall deal with mine."  It had to be this way, she saw now.

"Aywa," came Anatol's slow response.  He was now staring at her as if he had never seen her before.  Which, Celia supposed, he hadn't. 

After a moment, he touched his fingers to his forehead, to his lips, to his chest, then he said, "If I may not have you as my wife, I would have you as my sister.  Be safe, then, my sister, and may the gods smile upon you."  Celia smiled at him, then Anatol quietly carried a subdued Miranda from the resurrection chamber.  The American woman closed her eyes, calling upon her memories of Lady Ardath.

Only to find that Lady Ardath was right there waiting for her.  A pair of hazel eyes, just like her own, bored into her own as the concubine from faraway said, Are you willing to trust me, Celia Ferguson?  If we are to defeat Khaldun, we must work together.  My skills and your cunning.  Trust me not to let you fall, for Khaldun has hurt my child for the last time.  Hurt our children for the last time.

For the time it takes to defeat Khaldun, there will be no Celia or Ardath.  Just the two of us, fighting as one.  I will trust you.  I will trust myself, Celia answered.  She was rewarded with a bright smile which looked oddly familiar.  But there was no time to think, for the concubine stepped forward and Celia closed her eyes, feeling the change in every part of her body.  She was only thirty, but her previous incarnation had been ten years younger at the time of her death. . .and with the energy of a twenty year old.  Yes.  Ardath's skills and energy, coupled with Celia's mind.

We have little time, my spirit twin.  Even now, my child is bleeding to death, and Khaldun thinks he has won.  Come, we must go, Ardath told Celia, her voice filled with urgency, we can acquire a weapon along the way, or Nassor will provide us with one.  He always was a better man than he thought. Celia merely smiled, now focusing her mind on dealing with Khaldun.  After three thousand years, it was time to pay accounts.

.                     .                         .

It wasn't supposed to happen like this.  How, exactly, it was supposed to happen, Rick wasn't entirely sure, but not like this.  He wasn't supposed to have caught Ardeth as he collapsed to the ground, his face ashen rather than bronzed.  The tattoos on his forehead and cheeks stood out in stark relief because of his pallor.  But everything was all wrong, and Rick didn't know how to make it right.

That was before he saw the knife sticking out of his best friend's body, before the understanding dawned that it had connected with the bruise left by Imhotep's kick.  The pain alone had to be excruciating, and that wasn't even taking into account the blood loss.  Had the knife struck Ardeth's broken ribs?  Rick had no way of knowing, but it was all too likely.  He resisted the temptation to throw his head back and scream out his grief and fear to the heavens, for it would do no good.  None at all.

So, instead, he focused on taking care of Ardeth.  He was vaguely aware that Khaldun was around here somewhere, probably heading down from the balcony to finish off Ardeth, assuming he hadn't headed off to deal with Miranda.  Rick didn't care.  He didn't care about anything right now, except for his family, which included the man whose black robes were even now being soaked with his own blood.

Jonathan was fumbling through the first aid supply bag, the bag filled at Celia's demand.  He kept muttering something which Rick couldn't understand, but the stricken look on his face could not be misinterpreted.  Every few minutes, he would look at Ardeth, pain all too visible in his eyes.  And then the pain would coalesce into rage, and Rick almost found himself afraid of his brother-in-law during those moments.

Ardeth's head rested now in Evy's lap, her eyes stricken.  Now Rick understood why she had insisted on coming with them.  Even though she did break her promise not to fight, but as she stroked Ardeth's hair, tears forming in her brown eyes, Rick understood she couldn't have been anywhere else.  She kept telling him that her brother would need her.  She had been right.  Through a fog of grief, Rick became aware of something else.

Fury.  Pure, unadulterated fury.  The same fury he had felt after Evy had been taken, after Alex had been kidnapped from the double-decker bus.  The same fury which had led him to attack the man who was his best friend.  But now, it was that man who was hurt, and Rick could not lash out at him.  He wanted to, and he hated himself for that desire.  But no.  No, he would save his fury for Khaldun, or for Imhotep, who had started this by taking Miranda in the first place.

And once more, Rick's eyes were drawn to Ardeth's face.  He had lost consciousness almost immediately, and he seemed to be having a hard time breathing.  But Rick didn't know if that was because of the pain or if a lung had been punctured.  He knelt beside his friend, wanting to do something.  He wasn't a healer, and he couldn't take Ardeth's pain away.  He could feel Alex's eyes on him, begging him to do something to save their friend.

All at once, he was back at Ahm Shere, holding Evy in his arms, and looking around for Ardeth.  Ardeth could make this right, he could tell Rick what to do, how to save her.  But the Med-jai chieftain had returned to his own people, to lead them to Ahm Shere and stand against the Army of Anubis.  In the end, all he could do was hold his wife and ask her what did he do now?  She had answered, 'take care of Alex, I love you,' then died.

He should deal with Khaldun, should do something to avenge his friend, but Rick found he couldn't even push himself to his feet.  He could only stare at Ardeth, this man whom even now, even after seeing him through countless injuries, Rick had thought was indestructible.  A man whom Rick wasn't entirely sure at times was human.  Only now, the last of those doubts were washed away.  Ardeth was just a mortal man, as vulnerable and as fragile as Rick himself.

Had he thought Ardeth invincible, because he had survived Hamunaptra and the
dynamite?  Well, yes, he had survived, but Rick now knew that Ardeth would have died without the intervention of his younger brother and one of the Elders.  Wasn't it time to see Ardeth as he was, not as Rick wanted him to be?

"What do we do, Mum?" Alex asked in a small voice.  His hands were grasping Ardeth's robes.  The child's blue eyes swept first to Ardeth's face, then to his mother's, and then finally to Rick's.  The American looked at this child whom he and Evy had raised, and realized what a fool he was.  Alex was living proof that family had nothing to do with blood.  Had the fact that Alex wasn't his son biologically ever stopped Rick from loving him or taking care of him?

Of course not.  So why should the fact that Ardeth was not related to him by blood mean anything?  His eyes met Evy's, and his wife said, "We take care of my brother."  Rick nodded solemnly.  He was in no mood now to deny what he was or what Ardeth was.  Denial had only ever caused himself, and his family, more pain.  How much time had he wasted, denying what he was, when he knew in a corner of his heart that Ardeth spoke the truth?

"We take care of our brother," Rick affirmed, and saw a smile dawning on his wife's lovely face.  And as if called forth by Rick's statement, the American saw Anatol Bey racing toward them, Miranda clutched in his arms.  Anatol's eyes were fixed on something just past Rick, and the American threw himself to the ground.  Even as he rolled toward the others, intent on protecting Ardeth, Anatol spoke in ancient Egyptian.

And as Rick rolled to his knees, he had the distinct pleasure of seeing Khaldun, housed in the body of Jason Ferguson, go flying into one of the stone pillars which held up the balcony.  Excellent.  It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy!  Anatol fell to his knees beside his brother, saying hoarsely, "Celia is on her way.  What happened?"  He evidently couldn't see the knife sticking up from his brother.

But before Rick had a chance to educate him, Evy replied, "Khaldun threw a knife into Ardeth's side.  We think it's where Imhotep kicked him this afternoon.  Miranda, darling, are you all right?  Your mum is on her way, would you like to wait with Uncle Jon?"  The little girl nodded, her dark eyes never leaving Ardeth's pale, still face.  As Anatol handed Miranda to Jonathan, Rick caught sight of Khaldun pushing himself to his feet.

"It looks like it's up to me," Rick said, nodding toward the man.  He pushed himself to his feet, and Anatol caught his wrist.  The young Med-jai shook his head desperately, and Rick asked impatiently, "What do you suggest, Anatol?  I'm all there is!  Jonathan is taking care of Miranda, Evy and Alex are looking after Ardeth, and someone needs to watch over them.  And it's time I started paying off my own debts to your big brother."

"This is not your fight, O'Connell!  By Allah, you have the worst send of timing I have ever met!  The last thing Celia said to me, before I left with Miranda, was that I was to take care of my brother and she would deal with her own.  This is for her to decide," Anatol replied urgently.  Rick blinked, not entirely believing what he was hearing from the young man.  Were they talking about the same Celia here?

"Anatol, I think your worry for Ardeth has warped your brain!  Celia shouldn't be underestimated, but she doesn't have the skills to fight that bastard!  He. . .he'll kill her!  Right in front of her own daughter, I should add!" Rick retorted.  Anatol was shaking his head.

"La!  She is no longer just Celia Ferguson, mother of Miranda.  Her memories of Lady Ardath have fully awakened.  Trust me!  I could see Lady Ardath awakening in her eyes," Anatol replied.  Rick just nodded.  He would think about this later.  But even if Anatol was right, which Rick doubted, there was still the matter of Khaldun.  He was once more approaching the little group, murder in his eyes, and Rick wasn't about to wait around for him to kill them all.

"Stay here and protect your brother.  I have work to do," Rick replied.  He pushed himself to his feet once more and strode out to meet Khaldun.  Only to find himself hurtling toward the wall.  He hit hard, and grunted in pain.  But Rick was immediately on his feet once more, feeling a familiar strength flow through him.  It was the same thing he had felt at Ahm Shere, while fighting for his family.  Maybe Khaldun could beat him, and maybe he would, but Rick wouldn't make it easy for him.  No way in the world.

.                      .                       .

She had enjoyed her time with Miranda Ferguson, more than she could have guessed.  But when she heard Celia's voice at the entrance to Hamunaptra, Anck-su-namun knew it was time to go.  She told the little girl, "It is time for me go, little one.  Your mother comes, as does Ardeth Bey.  They will be home soon, and I must help them find you."  Miranda looked sad, and Anck put her finger under the little girl's chin, tipping her head every so slightly.

"Do not be sad, little one.  I will always watch over you and your mama. I love you, my niece," Anck told the child.  Still, two tears rolled down the small face, and Anck almost fell off the table when Miranda threw her arms around Anck's desiccated body.  But she once more steadied herself, and returned the embrace.  She whispered once more, "I love you, Miranda, and you will never be without me.  I promise you."

"You're gonna help Mommy and Ardeth now?" Miranda asked and Anck nodded.  Yes.  She could not directly interfere in the destinies of Ardeth Bey and Khaldun, but she could help Miranda's mother find her.  Miranda sighed and whispered, "Okay.   But I'll miss you, Aunt Anck."  The concubine couldn't find the words she needed, so she satisfied herself with a gentle kiss to her niece's head, then her spirit left her body for the third time.

Upon reaching the treasure room, Anck felt the distrust, the suspicion, even the fear, from all but Ardeth and Celia.  Those two were wary, but willing to take a chance.  Looking closely at him now, she wondered how she could have ever failed to notice his breathtaking resemblance to Rameses.  Anck's eyes smarted with tears, and she prayed for the strength to forgive herself.  But for now, she had work to do, and once all were ready, Anck led Celia and Anatol Bey to Miranda's sanctuary.

She was somewhat surprised by how quickly he had gotten over his anger with his brother, when he had learned that Ardeth and Celia were informally betrothed.  Anck suspected that it was more a matter of hurt pride for Anatol than anything else.  Though why it was even that, she really didn't know.  How on earth had he missed the passionate kisses exchanged by his older brother and Celia while Celia was still in the encampment?

Perhaps, too, he had realized during the arrangements to leave and during the flight to Hamunaptra, that there were greater things at stake here, far greater than his own hurt pride.   As for those disappointed Med-jai maidens who would not take kindly to losing a chance with their chieftain, Anck had faith in the reincarnation of her forever friend.  Besides, Anck herself would deal with those women if it became necessary.  Not that she really thought it would be necessary.  However, one thing she had learned: it was always good to have a backup plan.

She would have stayed longer; she wanted to stay longer.  Wanted to say more.  But then, it happened.  She heard the cry, long before the knife even entered Ardeth Bey's right side.  The cry which came from Mathayus.  Anck immediately left the pair, to do what had to be done, and returned to the Place In-Between.  It was there that she watched in horror and fury as Khaldun, still using Jason Ferguson's body, threw the knife into Ardeth's body.

NIY! she screamed, almost catapulting herself forward into the world of the living once more.  And once more, Mathayus grabbed her by the waist, even as O'Connell and the other warriors for light surrounded Ardeth Bey protectively.  Anck didn't care.  She had had enough of this monster, harming her forever friend and those who belonged to Ardath, even thirty centuries later.  When she got her hands on that bastard, she'd. . .

Anck-su-namun, that is enough!  There is nothing we can do, it is not in our hands, this is for the mortals!  We may not interfere!  Anck-su-namun! Mathayus cried out, his arms tight around her waist.  But still she fought him, her guilt giving her greater strength.  If only she had realized the truth about Ardeth Bey sooner, if only she had been wiser three thousand years earlier, if only, if only, if only. . .

So many instances of 'if only.'  So many regrets.  And in the end, none of them were worth anything.  At last, worn out by her struggles and the emotional upheaval caused by one revelation after another, Anck calmed down.  But tears continued to pour down her face, and Mathayus said gently, Nothing is lost, my dear girl.  Even now, your forever friend has fully awakened and joined forces with her reincarnation.  Khaldun will pay for what he has done, in more ways than one.  Did you really think he would not pay for cheating?

Anck raised her eyes to Mathayus.  What was he telling her?  She couldn't seem to think at the moment, as grief and guilt impaired her mind.  Mathayus just smiled at her very gently and continued, Khaldun thought he could cheat fate, but he has only sealed his own doom.  He will be made to pay for attempting to end Ardeth's life.  This I swear to you, Anck-su-namun, in the name of my Cassandra.  Even now, Lady Ardath and her reincarnation journey to the ancient room, to challenge Khaldun.  Even now, they seek weapons with which they may fight him.  Anck-su-namun, the fight has only just begun.

Swear to me, Mathayus, swear to me, Anck hissed, swear to me that I will at least have a chance to aid my friend, my sister.  I do not ask to interfere, I know better.  But I want to help her! Because if she didn't get that chance, Anck had decided she would hurt anyone who did hurt her forever friend, be they disappointed Med-jai maidens, or three thousand year old monsters who had killed her in their past lives.

You will have that chance, Anck, so please, do not plan on attacking any disappointed Med-jai maidens when they fail to welcome Celia after her marriage to Ardeth, Mathayus instructed.  Anck pouted, just a little, and Mathayus added with a wicked grin, Besides.  Celia is quite capable of dealing with those young girls herself. Anck raised her eyebrows.  Not because she thought Celia couldn't handle it, but because Mathayus seemed to take an inordinate amount of pleasure in telling her this.

As long as I have the opportunity to make Khaldun pay, if only a little, though I would prefer a lot.  He has three thousand years worth of agony to atone for, Anck replied a bit grimly.  Mathayus just smiled at her, and Anck relaxed.  Though she had found him annoying during these situation, starting with the moment Rameses and Ardeth had found each other once more, Mathayus had never lied to her.

You will have that opportunity, and others, to protect her.  For now, you will be needed to help Lady Ardath and Celia find the weapons they will need to challenge Khaldun.  A weapon, at least, for they will find another once they reach the ancient chamber where the final confrontation will commence, Mathayus explained.  Anck puzzled her way through that field of words, then had an idea.  She remembered coming here once with Ardath, not long after Ardath's first night with Rameses.

She closed her eyes, bringing that memory into sharp focus.  They were fifteen years old, only a few weeks after Ardath had sprained her ankle.  That was why Anck had accompanied her, because Rameses didn't want Ardath to be alone while she was still healing.  They had walked through the City of the Dead, Anck's arm around the waist of her forever friend, quietly telling the young foreign girl about those buried here.

Anck had knelt in the sand beside one wall, digging until she had a good hole.  She removed a dagger from her thigh, for in those days, she was still permitted to wear clothing, and she kept a dagger attached to her person.  Just in case.  She had told her forever friend as she buried both the dagger and its scabbard in the sand, This is our secret, Ardath, just for the two of us.  Should either of us ever find ourselves in a position where we need this knife while we are in the City of the Dead, it is here.

Ardath, who had lived in Egypt for most of her life, didn't question why they would need a dagger in the City of the Dead.  She simply nodded, understanding that this was a sacred secret between the two of them, and that was far more important than the practicality of a dagger for defense among dead people.  Anck opened her eyes, feeling a curious dizziness.  Why had she put it there, all those years ago?  While Ardath never vocalized the question, Anck knew she had to be thinking it, but she couldn't deny it would be useful now, in the fight to come.

Anck, come.  There is something you should see, Mathayus said, holding out his hand to her.  Anck took the offered hand and allowed him to guide her back to where they had been watching the drama unfold over the last mortal month.  He said softly, She remembered as well. Anck swallowed hard as Celia/Ardath knelt beside the place where Anck had buried the dagger, three thousand years earlier.

It took little time to unearth the dagger, and Anck watched as the young woman raised it to the light, whispering, "Anck-su-namun.  Once more, you have been a true friend.  We have little time, so we should go."  The concubine fought back tears, and swore once again that she was through with failing her best friend, her sister.  Whatever she had to do now, she would do.  She watched as Ardath/Celia set out for the ancient chamber where Ardeth Bey fought for his life.  It was almost time.