Archive of Our Own ^beta

It was quiet in the air ship, everyone sleeping besides Rick. Ardeth had settled near the front with Jonathan. Their talk earlier revealing Rick’s supposed destiny as a Medjai played over and over in his mind. Due to this, Rick stayed up manning the wheel until Izzy got up for his turn. 

Given their circumstances, he was tempted to leave his shoulder harnesses on. But weariness won and he settled for having them right next to him. He laid down next to Evy, brushing her dark curls out of her face. They were damp due to the sweat on her forehead, and he wiped it away with a rag. She mumbled in her sleep and he wrapped his arms around her as Evy snuggled into his side. 

She’d frightened him when she went over the edge of the air balloon. His heart had leapt out of his chest at the sight of her boots disappearing. He thanked whatever god was listening for his quick reflexes. He couldn’t lose her and Alex. Having their child taken from them caused the couple great pain. Rick saw Evy and Alex as the only reason he still took a breath and them dying…It’d destroy him. 

Evy gave a small snore and he focused on her. Pressing a kiss to her head, Rick watched as she returned to a deep slumber. There was no use in thinking such dark thoughts , he decided. Pulling a blanket over them, he settled against her and drifted off into a deep, dream laden sleep. 

“You have now been assigned as Princess Nefertiti’s bodyguard per the orders of the Pharaoh,” the Head Medjai said in a booming voice. He handed over an amulet, and tapped the guard’s tattooed wrist. “Guard her with your life.”

“Yes, sir.” He gave a deep bow and exited the room. As he walked down towards the princess’ rooms, he turned the amulet over and over in his hand. The Goddess Hathor was etched on it and he ran his thumb along the image. To be assigned to the royal family, let alone the princess, was an honor an orphan like him never imagined. He put the amulet on and continued.

As he came up to the princess’ rooms, the on duty Medjai bowed and opened the doors for him. As he entered, he noticed the princess laying across pillows, reading a scroll. A servant fanned her with large fans while another one played on a lyre and another held several scrolls in their arms. 

At the opening of the doors, Princess Nefertiti looked up.

She was as beautiful as the rumors said, eyes lined with kohl and silky dark hair adorned with a thick circlet. Adorned in an elaborately embroidered dress with snake-like bands wrapping her upper arms, she appeared to be studying several maps and scrolls. The scroll in her hand was set down on the bed as she sat up, her feet touching the floor. 

Swallowing the hard lump in his throat, the Medjai guard remembered himself. He quickly kneeled and bowed his head. “Greetings, Lady of the Palace, may the Nile bless you.”

“You are?”

“I have been assigned by Pharaoh Seti I as your personal guard.”

She jutted her chin out, narrowing her eyes. “Do you not have a name?”

Resisting the urge to blush, the Medjai guard told her his name. She huffed and crossed her arms. “You are to be my personal guard?”

He lowered his head further. “I will lay my life for you.”

Unseen by him, Princess Nefertiti smiled. “Stand up.”

She held out her hand expectedly and he rose. Taking it, he pressed a kiss to the top of it. “I expect you to be by my side at every turn. Protect me with every minute of your life, warrior.”

Their eyes locked, and the Medjai knew in that instant, he would cross Time and the Afterlife itself for his princess. 

It was his duty to stay by her side day and night. The princess was uncertain of his presence at first, and he did his best to ignore the wary stares from her dark eyes. 

She warmed up to him eventually, asking him for his opinion and advice whenever she could. Their conversations were mostly one sided, the princess going on long winded tangents with him nodding or shaking his head on occasion. 

Others watched disapprovingly but a single look from him silenced their whispers. He made sure their pointed whispers never reached the ears of his princess. His chest puffed out with pride every time the princess asked him anything. He now met her searching gaze with one of his own. 

A few months later, after the ceremony of Hathor, Princess Nefertiti insisted to her father that the concubine Anck-Su-Namun was in love with his trusted advisor, High Priest Imhotep. Forgotten against the wall of the chamber, the Medjai observed as she detailed the looks they had given each other but Seti I dismissed it as the princess overreacting. 

“Father, I know Anck-Su-Namun is not right to be your wife! She has a darkness in her, greed for power that will put the kingdom at risk,” Nefertiti pleaded. She turned to her Medjai for reassurance and he gave her a silent nod. 

He too noticed the exchanged longing glances between high priest and concubine; he'd always had a keen eye. But a lowly guard would be sentenced to death for such an accusation. Even the pharaoh’s daughter had to tread lightly.

“Enough! I have heard enough, Nefertiti. It seems you have been in the sun too long. Where is your Medjai? Ah, there you are. Take the princess to the gardens to swim.”

“Yes, sir.” He came forward to stand next to his princess.

“Father, you must believe me! I saw it with my own eyes.”

The pharaoh sighed, rubbing his temples. “Child, ease the heat from your body to think clearly. You are simply misunderstanding. Take her now.”

“Come, Princess Nefertiti.” 

With an angry huff, the princess left the room. The Medjai bowed to the pharaoh before following after her. Seti I sighed and shook his head, glancing off to where Anck-Su-Namun was standing with her servants near where High Priest Imhotep was with his priests.

He pressed his lips together and turned away from the sight.

After saving Alex, Rick refused to let his family out of his sight. Literally. He kept a firm grasp on his son’s hand and the other around his wife’s waist. Even as they flew away from the disappearing oasis, he kept a tight grip on them. Ardeth and Jonathan noticed, but neither said anything. They understood that their friend and brother-in-law was coping with his trauma in his own way. 

The air ship moved through the night silently, Izzy humming a soothing tune as he piloted them back to civilization. He insisted that Rick and Evy just rest, taking the only room below deck. 

When Evy asked him politely if he could let go so she could freshen up before bed, Rick reluctantly let her out of his sight. Alex stayed curled up next to him on the bed, sleeping away the stressful last few days. Rick would make him see a therapist as soon as possible. It wasn’t good for someone so young to watch their mother die. He knew all too well.

“Rick? He’s not going to disappear; you can loosen your grip,” Evy said softly, breaking through his whirling thoughts. 

He gave her a bittersweet smile, reaching his hand out to her. She settled on the other side of Alex, her head tucked on Rick's shoulder with his hand draped on her hip. “We’re alright, my love. We’re not going anywhere.”

Taking a shaky deep breath, Rick choked out, “You died, Evy. Anck-Su-Namun killed you and in front of our son. You were gone for good.”

“Not for good,” she interrupted. “I’m back and you aren’t getting rid of me so easily, Rick O’Connell.”

“I can’t lose you again, Evy.” He muttered these words against her curly hair. 

“You won’t ,” she insisted fiercely. "You won't lose either of us."

It took some more reassuring kisses and promises from Evy, but Rick finally relaxed into another dream filled sleep.

The Medjai warrior watched, his heart in his throat, as Princess Nefertiti dueled the pharaoh’s concubine, Anck-Su-Namun.

He glanced over at the others watching. Their eyes were full of excitement and greedy for every minute of the dramatic duel. It sickened him. How could they stand such violence for the sake of entertainment? From personal experience, battle was not  something that ended with cheers. Though this display was more technical than the brutal fights he experienced, its purpose was thinly excused with who would guard the Bracelet of Anubis.

After the Pharaoh announced the duel, she was shocked and horrified to be pitted against her father’s intended. That very night, she’d asked her Medjai warrior to train her in order to win. 

He returned to watching Princess Nefertiti as she twisted, turned, kicked, and slashed at the smug concubine. He was incredibly proud of her. Due to his own pride, he did not take it easy on her training, and she matched his stern instruction with eager study. The princess practiced every day until her fingers were calloused and every movement was smooth and well practiced. 

The sound of someone landing on the ground pulled him out of his thoughts. Anck-Su-Namun stood over the princess, a satisfied smile on her face as she held her spear at the princess’ neck. Grabbing his sword, the Medjai lurched forward. He only stopped when the pharaoh shouted out “Bravo! Bravo!”  

He watched as Seti I hugged his daughter and Anck-Su-Namun watched every move High Priest Imhotep made. How anyone could miss it, he didn’t know. But his priority was the quiet Princess Nefertiti. She said nothing but reached out her hand for him. He took it and held it tightly in his own as he led her away from the others. 

Later that evening, he watched as she paced around her rooms. Princess Nefertiti barely spoke since the duel, alternating between sitting and standing before pacing the length of her room. She stopped suddenly and pushed her shoulders back. 

“All of you, leave us!” She ordered, batting away the lingering servants. 

Her oldest servant glanced sideways at him and the princess saw it. 

“I said all of you! Now!”

“Yes, princess!”

The doors of her rooms slammed shut. He didn’t flinch as she walked straight up to him, hands on her hips. 

“What did I do wrong?”

“Princess?”

She was mere inches from him, making him nervous. She wrinkled her nose in a manner he found extremely attractive. “How did that concubine get the upper hand? I did everything you taught me!”

He hesitated and Nefertiti snapped, “Don’t spare my feelings! I can handle it so tell me!”

“You did your very best, your Highness. But the royal concubine was better.” He stared anywhere but her eyes. Her insulted gasp was expected and she crossed her arms, shortening the distance between them even more.

“Are you telling the truth?” She demanded.

“Yes, Princess. I cannot lie to you,” he said, looking at her at last. “You did your very best and I am proud of you for it.”

She stared into his eyes, not moving back. Her anger faded, leaving behind resignation and…something he couldn’t quite identify. Affection? He should back away to a respectable distance. That would be the right, dignified thing to do. It would be incredibly bad if anyone were to walk in and see them so close. But the thought of moving away was unappealing. 

“Yes, of course. I am sorry for my anger. Out of everyone around me, you’ve never lied to me,” Princess Nefertiti said softly. Reaching her hand up to his cheek, she asked, “What is this I feel when I am near you?”

He pressed his cheek into her hand, closing his eyes. “I cannot explain it to you because I feel it myself. But I should not feel such a thing for the Lady of the Palace. You should not feel it either. It is not appropriate, my princess.”

She took in a shaky breath as he spoke. There was no persuasion in his voice, simply fact. Nefertiti whispered, “They’ll kill you if they find out.”

The Medjai warrior turned his head and kissed her palm before returning his cheek to her hand. “I would die happy. The idea of living in a world without you is unbearable. Do not cry; I am content with watching over you for the rest of my life.”

Princess Nefertiti gave him a watery smile and nodded. “I know, however, I cannot live my life without doing this.”

Her other hand reached up and wrapped around the back of his neck. It pulled him down towards her and she pressed their lips together. His arm wrapped around her waist, his other hand hot against the small of her back. 

As they grew lost in each other’s lips, her hands traveled up and down the length of his chest and arms. When they finally pulled apart, they were breathing hard. 

Princess Nefertiti ran her fingers through his hair and the Medjai gripped her hips tighter. 

“My princess, we cannot,” he ground out. 

“We can,” she insisted, pulling him down towards her lips once more.

It was later that evening when he slipped out of her rooms. His deft fingers straightened her hair and his lips left lingering kisses before leaving to conduct his night patrol.  She headed out onto the nearby balcony, well protected under the watch of nearby Medjai guards. 

There was something in the air, a tension he could not place. It gave him goosebumps and he placed his hand on his sword cautiously. He was surprised when he came across one of the Pharaoh’s personal guards as he neared the princess’ rooms. 

“What’s going on?”

“The Pharaoh is angry and looking for the Royal Concubine. Between you and I, he suspects her to be with the High Priest!”

“High Priest Imhotep? Where did he head?”

“I don’t know. He has gone off without us and we are searching for him.” 

Something wasn’t right , he thought grimly.

“Medjai! My father needs your help!”

The princess’ shouts echoed through the area and the Medjai felt his heart drop at the sight of her up on the balcony. The lined up guards rushed up the steps towards where her extended hand pointed. 

Though he could not see what she saw, he watched the horror and anguish on her face as she shouted “No!”. Her whole frame lurched forward as she reached out uselessly and off the balcony. 

His stomach dropped and he ran, ran as fast as he could towards her, shouting out, “Princess Nefertiti!”

It was too late.

Her body lay on the cold tile, eerily still against the flurry of movement around them. His shaking hand grabbed her shoulder and turned her over, and he sobbed at the sight of her. 

 How he wished he could give her false hope, reassurances that she would make it, that the healers were coming. But he could not do that to her and she knew he wouldn’t. Nefertiti gave him a small smile and croaked out, “Find me in our next lives.”

Indifferent to those around them, he drew her into his arms as Princess Nefertiti drew her last breath and he promised, "I will."

Rick watched this all with wide eyes. Was this what Evy had seen? That night she'd almost gone over the edge of the airship, had this been what she had witnessed, experienced even? 

 Seeing the dead princess made his throat tighten uncomfortably. She looked so much like Evy it was a painful sight. He recalled the gut wrenching site of Evy’s body outside the pyramid and wished himself to wake up.

Then the Medjai warrior looked up directly at Rick. He froze.

The chaos of Seti I's murder, Imhotep, Ank-Su-Namun's death, everything around them grew still before fading away into the open desert. Rick looked around at the endless expanse of sand and stars before returning his gaze to the pair in front of him. 

The Medjai rose, cradling the princess’ body in his arms and close to his chest. Though their features were different, Rick knew this was himself. He wasn't quite ready to confront the fact that he was a reincarnation however. Why are you showing me this?

The warrior said nothing, only glancing down at his lost love and back up at him. Did you find her, his eyes seemed to ask. 

Rick understood. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the small photograph he carried of his family. He held it up for the Medjai to see, wondering offhandedly what the man would think of the photograph. I did and we’re happy with our son.

This seemed to break the warrior. Tears streamed down his face as he kissed his beloved’s forehead and whispered something to her Rick couldn’t quite hear. He didn’t think it was for him to know anyway. 

With a deep sigh, the Medjai gave him a grateful smile before falling backwards into the sand. The two of them disappeared and before Rick could reach for them, he found himself falling backwards.

Rick jolted awake, looking around wildly. He was alone on the bed, but not in the room. Evy looked up from the corner chair, her spectacles low on her nose as she poured over on of Izzy's books. 

“Evy? Where’s–”

“Alex is with Jonathan and Ardeth. They’re entertaining him with grand tales of our adventures. Mostly tall tales, but he seems to be enjoying them.” She shut the book and took off her spectacles, her face full of concern. “Rick, what’s wrong? Did you have a bad dream?”

Staring at her, Rick scrambled off the bed and pulled her out of the chair. The book was thrown in one direction and Evy’s protest was swallowed by Rick’s consuming kiss. 

Evy could only hold on as he took her lips and clutched her against him. His hands ran through her hair, tracing her face and mapping her figure. His strong arms lifted her up into a princess carry before he lowered her down onto the bed.

“Rick!” She gasped out as she pulled away from him. Her chest heaved with her breathing, her cheeks bright red in embarrassment. “What in the world do you think you are doing, Mr. O’Connell!”

Beaming at her, Rick cupped her face and answered brightly, “I found you, like I promised.”

Later on, once evening had taken over, they both dressed, and Alex slept peacefully with Johnathan, Rick would recount to Evy the mistimed love of Princess Nefertiti and the Medjai warrior.