Stretching out her long, nimble limbs, she yawned loudly, blinking and rubbing her eyes to rid them of the crusts of sleep.

She had not slept so soundly for months, not at least since before the incident back in her homeland. Perhaps her deep rest had been thanks to the gentle rocking of the carriage.

Maybe it was due to the knowledge that she was far out of Mursili's grasp now and in the gentle and caring hands of the Minister and the young Prince of Egypt.

They both had done well to put her mind's turbulent worries at ease. But, alas, that one niggling concern continued to cause her more profound anguish. What if it were all but a ploy to keep her pliable till her arrival in their city? But then, indeed, they would not have gone to such elaborate lengths to do so...

Shaking her head off the thought, she allowed her violet gaze to scan the horizon. Her tent had been set up in the centre of the camp for her protection. However, she was allowed to stroll the outskirts to take in the surrounding scenery.

The air was cool and crisp as she breathed in. Dust swirled from the breezes that swept through the valley where they were now camped, and the tiny groves of Acacias that jutted from the valley side swayed and danced. The jagged rocks of the canyon reached high to the clear skies, their brilliant shades of ocher and golden yellows shimmering as the sun's rays caressed them.

They were within the Sinai now, within the land of Egypt, but still a five-day ride from the Nile Valley where the grand city of the Pharaoh awaited them. This mere thought caused her heart to race suddenly, and she steadied herself from the sudden lightheadedness that it had caused. With the size of the retinue, they would take somewhat more time to arrive, but it would be within the new month, depending on the weather. Praise to all the gods that the weather had been in their favour. At least for the majority of the duration of their journey.

"You have risen earlier than expected, Princess."

"Oh, Minister!" Malawashina gasped as she spun around from the voice behind her. He chuckled as she nearly tripped up on her own feet.

"Good morning! I did not expect you to be awake this early, either!"

"I guess we both wished to see the lovely scenery," he answered with a mischievous grin, but it quickly faded to something more austere.

   She looked at him with genuine surprise. "Is there something the matter?"

"No, not at all. As you know, we are in Egypt and will soon arrive in the capital within the week. Thus, I will ride ahead to notify the city of our impending arrival."

Malawashina's eyes widened at the prospect. "Why do you have to go?

"You do not wish me to go?" He asked casually, observing her sideways.

"Well... I... well... you see... no..." she fumbled, her cheeks burning bright with embarrassment.

"Do not fret, my dear Princess. You will see me again before long."

Her expression remained crestfallen. How could the Minister not pity her with the look she was now giving him?

"It will only be a week. Surely you can wait for that long?" His voice was almost pleading as he turned to face her.

Her arms wrapped around his waist tightly, her soft head nestling against his muscular chest as she embraced him. Immediately he could feel her racing heart against his and the wetness of the tears through his shawl as she wept.

Sighing, he rested his head against hers and returned the embrace in kind, stroking her hair as he did so. To their advantage, there was not a soul about at such an early hour, especially considering the copious amounts of drink the camp had consumed the night before.

"It pains me to see you weep," he admitted softly.

"I have not felt like I've had a true friend in such a long time," she whimpered.

"What about Utati?"

"Besides her," she sniffed, choking back another sob.

"I do not recall when I had a true friend beside her. Most of my so-called friends were only so because they wished to advance in society. But with you, I hope it is - I feel it is different. I feel I can trust you. I feel I can talk to you about everything and anything without judgement. I feel free when I am with you."

"I am truly honoured that you feel at ease with me. I can assure you that you can speak to me about anything, and it will truly stay in confidence. You can always rely on me as your confidant. This I promise," he lifted her chin with his thumb.

"Remember this promise of mine even after we are in the capital."

She frowned ever so slightly, still unsure what the future would hold.

"I can only hope that your brother, the Pharaoh, will be the same."

"You will be surprised at how alike we are," he smiled fondly.

"When I am Pharaoh's wife, will I still be allowed to see you?" She asked curiously.

Before he could hide it, his eyes clouded with sadness, "Not like this, Princess."

"I am aware, but... will I see you?"

"Every single day, if I can help it.."

Nefertari's sweet humming echoed through the expanse of her massive chambers, her song resonating from the capitals of the brightly painted lotus-shaped columns.

"I could never hear a more beautiful sound." So came a familiar voice from behind as she combed her hair. Raising her topaz gaze, the jewels which dangled from her tiara tinkling as she did so, she noticed the reflection of her husband a few feet behind her. She stopped her humming for a moment to look at his reflection, but no sooner did she do so did she continue to comb her hair and hum once more.

"Will you ignore me so, my darling?" The Pharaoh asked, remaining where he stood.

"Where have you been?" Came her forked response.

"Always so demanding," he rolled his eyes as he looked at her through the polished bronze mirror. Still, she did not turn to face him.

"You did not answer my question, Ramses Meryamun."

He strode over to her and placed his hands firmly on her shoulders.

"I can visit some of your other sisters if my Queen has too many unnecessary questions."

Before she could wriggle away, he kissed her rouged cheek to tease her further.

"Oh, you are so impossible!" She turned to him then and punched him playfully.

"Now, where have I heard that before?" He chuckled.

"From my very mouth."

"I know what I would like to do with said mouth."

He did not give her a chance to reply as he swooped down to claim it. Her lips were sweet with the taste of dates and honey. Nefertari melted into their kiss and stroked his cheek with utmost loving affection. Her eyes gazed up at him dreamily when he finally pulled away.

"I have missed you terribly, my beloved star," she admitted.

"Are you sure you missed me, not just my mouth upon you?"

She scoffed at him as she shoved him lightly. "Impossible," she crossed her arms and turned away from him in an apparent huff.

"Oh, come now, my dearest wife, please do not be like that. Admit it. You missed what I can do to you," he teased.

She could not resist the thumping of her heart in her chest or the tumbling of the babe in her womb at sensing the change in their mother's disposition. The changes in her body had recently caused her to hunger desperately for her husband. Who, for the longest of times, had been inconveniently absent.

"Of course I did," she murmured as he leaned down to tease her lips again, his hand sweeping across her plump chiffon-covered breasts. They ached in wanting as his fingertips teased the nipples.

"But I require news first, husband," she gently pushed his hand away, only for him to give a disappointed pout. "The harem is my domain, and these are my rules," she continued, taunting him as her fingertips swept across the evidence of his arousal under his linen shendyt. 

"Now you are impossible, wife," he grumbled.

"Don't be so hasty. Now, what news of the Princess?"

"I know everything is well, and they are on schedule. The retinue will arrive by week's end," Ramses answered truthfully. "Now that I have satisfied your curiosity...."

"What of our son?"

"He is very well," he replied, sighing in defeat. "But his adolescence has been affecting his attitude, or so I have been told."

"That is to be expected. He is his father's son, after all."

Ramses' emerald gaze shot daggers at her slight, yet she simply chuckled at him.

"I always thought he was more like his mother!"

"Oh, he definitely inherited his mother's beauty, charm and ability to win people's hearts. Let us not forget wits, of course," she smiled sweetly.

"He most definitely has an unleashed forked tongue."

"You are flattering me, my dear husband."

"Now allow me to have you flat beneath me, my love."

Nefertari smiled ever more sweetly. "How are they getting along? Our son and the Princess?" She purposely ignored his advances.

Ramses groaned and rolled his eyes. "They are getting along wonderfully. Like brother and sister," he answered. "Are you finally satisfied with my answers, or shall I suffer more before I can satisfy you with my husbandly duties?"

"Is that all I am, Ramses? A duty?" She asked with pretended hurt.

Ramses kissed her cheek softly to retract his words. "The only duty I will never refuse or hesitate to fulfil."

"I would hope not...." She turned her face slightly to take his lips with hers once more.

"Now, I shall allow you to fulfil your husbandly duties."

"Oh, is the Queen now satisfied?"

"Not until her Pharaoh has taken her to bed and satisfied her in other ways."

"And does my Queen have any specific demands?"

"Your talk is as sweet as honeyed wine. I shall make use of your talented tongue."

Before she could say more, he leaned down to kiss her deeply and with all forms of intent. As he did, his hand drew up her skirts to reveal her thighs, whereas he began to stroke and knead them with his delectable touch. She moaned into his mouth in anticipation.

Finally, he took her cue to venture further until his fingertips felt the soft pelt of her womanhood and the warm nectar of her arousal. He knew he had reached her sweet mark when she arched her back against her vanity and sighed passionately.

"Are you well enough for this?" He paused his ministrations, raising his eyes to gaze at the prominent bump of her pregnancy.

"The physicians have said that all is well with my pregnancy, and you and I can be intimate until my waters break!"

Ramses chuckled at her as he caressed her inner thigh. "Perhaps I should go and consult the physicians myself...."

Nefertari shot up, almost knocking Ramses onto his rear with the bulge of her stomach.

"You would not dare tease me now!" She whined at him.

"No, of course not," he answered playfully as he widened her legs again.

Once more, her back arched against the vanity, her hands clasping the edge in ecstasy as he lowered his face between her wanting thighs. He had to hold her steady, for her hips bucked forward at the teasing of his tongue upon her. Once he had her near her peak, he whisked her to the bed before her mind could fully descend from the heavens he had sent her to.

There, they rode together like a stallion and his mare through the wild desert sands. However, it did not take long for her to wish to ride the winds like a turbulent khamsin, fierce, wild and raging. Despite his Queen's eagerness, Ramses was a little more reluctant, for he feared causing her discomfort in her condition. Thus the Queen pushed him to his back and took complete control of the storm raging within.

"I really needed that." Nefertari sighed as she rolled to her back beside her husband.

"Forgive me, for it was a long time coming," Ramses answered. They turned to each other, and he stroked her cheek gently. "I have missed you so."

"As I have missed you, my beloved sweet. I dislike it so much when I cannot travel with you on your endeavours."

"I know, but with the matters I had to deal with, it was too perilous a journey for a Queen of Egypt to endure."

She scoffed and poked his shoulder in protest, making him squirm from her. "I can endure more than you can imagine, Ramses Usermaatre Setepenre," she frowned.

"Oh, I do believe it, my beloved star!" He pulled her closer and embraced her to soften her sudden mood. He understood well how her moods could change as quickly as the weather in her current condition.

"But it is my duty to ensure you do not have to."

Nefertari's lip quivered as she gazed down at him. Ramses leaned up to wipe the droplets in her eyes with his thumb.

"I would walk the Duat and endure all the trials of the gods alone for you. That is how much you mean to me. I would be nothing without you by my side. And so, I will endure whatever it takes to keep you safe so that I can hold you in my arms like this," he nuzzled her cheek gently with his lips.

She sighed with contentment and kissed him in return. "But I wish to endure all with you by your side."

"I know..." He held her tighter, rubbing the top of her rounded belly.

"It is enough that you must endure pregnancy and childbirth for me. You do more than I could ever ask for, Nefertari Meritmut."

She snuggled her head under his chin and rested upon his chest.

"Tell me, my King, how do you feel about the arrival of the Princess? Are you excited?" She asked after a few moments of gentle silence.

"I look to it with anticipation," he replied. Nefertari quirked one of her finely plucked brows at him due to his vagueness. "You can admit the truth to me, Ramses. You know that I am not jealous."

He gazed into her eyes and bent forward to kiss her nose.

"If I may admit it then, then yes, I am excited. Our son likes her very much, which is a positive sign that she is pure of heart."

"Any news as to how far off the retinue is?"

"Another week or so, depending on the weather. The priests believe it will be a good path for their journey so that they may arrive sooner. I am expecting word on their progress again very soon."

"The plans for the celebrations of your union are well underway, as are the preparations for the festival of Min. So, gods are willing, all will be well," Nefertari added with a proud smile.

"Thank you for overseeing it all in my absence, my love. I feel a sense of relief knowing that it has all been in your capable hands."

"Of course," She grinned. "Who else could handle these matters better than your Queen? Certainly not Iset..."            

Ramses frowned slightly. "You should give her more credit, Nefertari."

"Oh, I do!" She retracted. "I believe very strongly in her abilities. But you and I know how jealous she can be of newcomers, especially now under the circumstances."

"Oh, I know it well. But I remember a certain Princess who used to be equally jealous. It was only after she became my Queen that she understood nobody could replace her in my heart, even though she knew I loved her even before we were joined."

Nefertari flushed crimson. "I was so young then. It could not be helped."

  Ramses laughed heartily at her. "You two were impossible. I suggested giving you both my time at the same time, but neither of you would have it."

"Greedy prince you were then."

"I was young, too. It could not be helped," Ramses answered teasingly.

"Impossible," she poked him with a grin. "Anyway, we are sisters now and love each other as such. You know we would do anything for you, even together, if you so willed it."

"Is that a suggestion?"

"Maybe another time." 

He rolled his eyes and tsked at her. "Now you're the impossible one."

She raised her eyebrows at him. "Have I not saked your desires enough?"

"It is not that, my love. You just know well how to tease."

She grinned proudly. "I have to keep you intrigued somehow."

"And you know well how to guilt me too."

"Not at all," she smiled sweetly.  

Muffled voices could be heard from outside her litter. They were excited, or so she could tell from their tone. But, unfortunately, she had been sleeping for the better part of the day, for her red moon had only recently ended, and she was still feeling lethargic.

"What is the cause for all this excitement?" She asked sleepily as she lifted the chiffon curtains to peer outside.

"Oh, Mala!" Prince Amunherkhepershef exclaimed merrily. "Look, the city! We'll be there soon!" 

Stepping out of the litter, she rubbed her eyes to rid them of the fog of sleep.

As she peered into the distance, her eyes were captivated by the sight of gleaming white walls that stretched across the horizon. Even from afar, these towering structures seemed to reach out and touch the sky. Behind the walls, majestic obelisks pierced through the heavens, casting long shadows. Vibrant flags, adorned in shades of gold, purple, blue, green, and red, fluttered proudly atop poles that embraced the walls. As she took in the scene, she couldn't help but notice the giant colossal statues of the Pharaoh, standing vigilant at the gates. Surrounding the city, she could see vast stretches of lush green farmland, a stark contrast to the golden yellows and deep ochres she had traversed through in the desert. The vibrant colors of the city seemed almost blinding to her now. The shimmering of the heat of the rising sun made her eyes water. Never had she seen a city so glorious, even at a distance. Not even her native Hattusa was quite as dazzling. Even Utati's mouth was agape in awe. The Prince grinned at them, a proud expression upon his youthful face.

"What is your impression?" He asked the Princess, his gleaming smile as bright as the walls.

"It... it is... I have never seen anything so grand!" She answered. Then, the unmistakable fluttering engulfed her insides, sending her head spinning. She stumbled, and immediately the Prince and Utati jumped forward to steady her.

"Princess, are you alright? Shall I fetch you a physician?" Utati's eyes were wide with worry.

"No, my dear friend, it is quite alright. I think it is just the realisation that we are finally here. "And soon I will marry the Pharaoh...."

Her stomach whirred at the thought. Oh, by all the gods, I am marrying the great Pharaoh of Egypt...

The Prince grinned and let out a soft chuckle. "Do not worry, Mala. I am very sure, no, I am certain that you will like my father. And he will most definitely like you."

Ancient Egyptian - English

shendyt - Ancient Egyptian pleated kilt-like skirt that men often wore.

khamsin - Arabic word for 'sandstorm.' The Ancient Egyptian word was Rstyw (resetyu)

Ramses Usermaatre Setepenre - His regnal name 'Born of Ra. The Ma'at (goddess Ma'at - basically means spirit) of Ra is powerful, chosen of Ra."

Duat - Ancient Egyptian name for the river of the Underworld