Chapter Text
Egypt - 1499 BC - Eighteenth Dynasty
The people often say the world’s fate depends upon the many moods of the gods. Rey believed it to be true. But now, at this very moment in time, and after all that her life had proven and shown her, she thought that the fate of the world depended upon the stupidity of men.
She lay supine up to her chin in her royal bath of milk. It soaked and soothed away all of her restlessness, listlessness and more importantly, her unwillingness. Rey knew that servants would soon be bringing her raiments and dress her for the day. She, Hatshepsut, Descendant of the Gods in the Flesh, The Divine on Earth, and the Royal Wife of Great Pharaoh Thutmose II of the 18th Dynasty, quietly contemplated the future.
Whispers clung thick to the high scrolled ceilings and the rumors had fast spread throughout every dark hallway and every corner in each chamber. Aware that the Pharaoh’s death was imminent, Rey reconciled there was no way to forestall nor proscribe the inevitable. He was her husband, her half-brother, and her father’s chosen heir. Now, he lay gravely ill and all that remained of his journey was the crossing over - Death, and The Afterlife.
From the moment she awakened, all she truly wanted was to go to the Temple and pray to the Gods. She wanted them to intercede in their lives and ensure a smooth accession.
It would now have to wait.
Twelve servants paraded into the outer chambers of her royal salon. The ritual of readying the wife of Pharaoh was a tedious one. Fragrant oils were lathered liberally over her whole body. Tiny sable brushes flicked along her tanned freckled skin, as three maidens applied the intricate royal markings to her toned arms and legs. Rey raised her arms slowly then stood, making herself still as stone.
Naked, she stood proudly, distinguished and regal.
Rose entered quickly and quietly behind them. Instantly, Rey heard the eager and cheery warblings of the young Prince. She stepped through the archway to the terrace. Peering out at the sprawling Temple of Amun, she dared to smile. As if he felt her from across the large salon, the Prince cooed and giggled. Rey winked and cooed back at him. With her right arm extended, she flitted her fingers, waggling them this way and that to garner his attention and good humor.
Thutmose III grinned, sharing his partial smile with broken spaces and bright pink gums. Although he was the true son of Iset, a second wife to Pharaoh, Rey had raised him as her own. Their destinies were invariably linked and entwined.
She was adorned with her collar and bracelets of pure gold. One anklet and several rings on both her fingers and toes were added. Embellishments of henna characters laced along her shoulders and back. The final touches left her with ruby red painted lips and kohl thickly lining her eyes.
The Prince watched dutifully while Rose fed him little bits of plum which he chewed gratefully, happily. She thought of all that she must accomplish on this day, and quickly declined her wig. Rey glided out onto the terrace and three more servants followed her as they began to brush her hair. She gestured to Paige with the flick of a wrist, and the young servant girl inserted many gold and silver combs, then threaded select gems, beads and adornments in her hair. Once it was all pinned up into a cascade of crisp curls, Rey stepped into her kalasirises. The beautiful linen and silk pleated gown fell softly to the floor barely brushing her instep.
The women tied the silk ties at her hip and at the back of her long neck.
Rose then hoisted the small boy up into the air in front of her. “Your Divine Worship.”
Cheerfully, The Great Royal Wife scooped him up in her arms. “Beautiful, beautiful boy.” Pushing a hand atop the high marble wall, Rey bounced him at her hip. Her eyes carefully inspected all of Thebes below. Soon, she thought, very soon. Then, she smiled once more.
Rey surveyed all the land that stretched out to the very edge of the great river. The mighty Nile, endless and powerful - Giver of Life - rolled past the shores that it touched, blessed and made fertile.
The whole city was a testament to the might of the reigning Dynasty - an enormous sandstone, granite and clay principality, ever growing and constantly evolving. Alive and already bustling with activity. It was a huge expanse that went on for as far as the eye could see. “All this will be yours to rule someday soon, Young Prince.”
She placed a kiss upon his forehead and handed him back to Rose. “Love you, my moon and stars. My mighty little warrior, my Pharaoh.” His fat little hands and arms were already reaching, wanting to have her back.
Fully dressed and made ready for the day, she dismissed all the servants, then turned on her heels and headed for the quarters set aside for the Royal Scribes.
Rey took a long, deep breath and filled her lungs. She needed to have the clearest head.
She was the proud daughter of Thutmose the First and Ahmose. She was the Great Royal Wife of Pharaoh Thutmose II. She was the High Priestess of the Amun Temple in Karnak.
Then, why was she filled with such dread?
//||\\
Finally happy to be alone, she left without attendants or guards. All eyes were on her now and few could be trusted. Her intention was to meet in private and speak in the strictest of confidence.
She glided easily down the hallways of the palace. Frescos of colorful bronze, malachite and lapis lined the high walls of Malkata. The palace was an endless maze, a veritable puzzle of corridors, hallways, secret passages and winding staircases. She well knew it as she knew herself and made her way along swiftly.
A determined countenance and air of anticipation swirled about her. Her feet skated along the alabaster tile with great haste.
Rey was fretful and ill at ease. Before seeking the good counsel of the priests, she wanted to confer with her two favorite, closest scribes. Finding answers from both scribes and priests was necessary for so much was uncertain. She was indeed anxious. After rounding the bend leading to the scribe’s chambers, she heard no sounds of activity nor conversation. The chambers appeared to be empty. Perhaps, they were to be found in conference with the healers or royal surgeons currently in Pharaohs Chambers.
The huge void the death of Pharaoh might leave, may only promote chaos and risk ruin. That would result in more plotting and scheming from nobles, priests and scribes. Worse would be expected of the Grand Vizier. Their young son was not ready. Rey knew it. His father did little to prepare him and now the onus, the responsibility would certainly lay with her. The dynasty, the kingdom, and its future all rested upon her now.
She finally reached the juncture where the one hall split off into three. She stopped short and suddenly stood motionless. Instead of proceeding to the priests’ quarters, she chose to go to her left.
Upon reaching her destination, she silently entered the Temple, wanting only to lay praise, show contrition, and petition each of the Gods on behalf of the young Prince.
//||\\
He watched her cloaked in total darkness from within his Shadowy Realm. Silently, he stalked, pacing back and forth, waiting for his perfect opportunity to approach her.
His jaw dropped as soon as he scented her - and all her humanness. He began to salivate and then licked his lips. She smelled sweetly of balanos oil, coriander and citrus. The air was made rich with her fragrance. But beneath all of that, he smelled her… all of her, and all of who she was meant to become. He took a moment to simply savor it.
She wore the royal henna markings and tattoos of what once could have been a great Pharaoh. Now, here she was breezing through the halls of the Temple effortlessly. Quick, quiet and light on her feet, almost as if a lowly servant girl. As though the weight of the kingdom was not heavily placed upon her shoulders.
With no offerings in hand, her eyes boldly scaled the height of each monument and every statue scaling high up into a round, ornate ceiling. Her gaze lifted high to Ra, to Isis, Amun, to Set, Bastet, to Hathor, Osiris, Nephthys, Thoth, and Horus. He stood in awe, and simply marveled at her.
She tentatively let her fingers run inside the lip of an altar at the feet of his likeness, then sighed deeply.
Within the center of the inlaid tiled, gold and alabaster floor, a large gaseous cloud of smoke billowed up into a funnel. It finally formed and shaped the most mysterious of Gods when he made his presence known. He towered over her, crook and flail clasped firmly in his hands, while ash and soot fell like flakes collecting at his large feet.
His voice boomed, deep, smooth and melodic. “I know you, Sister. Are you not the Wife of Pharaoh?” Though he phrased it in the form of a question, she knew his meaning. It was not.
None need ever ask that of her, she quipped. “Yes, I am.” Her eyes rose up his entire body, assessing his full height and sheer heft of him.
A lone dark brow curved up into his forehead, acting independently of the other. “I am the God Anubis.” His chin jutted and lifted with an air of superiority.
He stood over twenty hands tall, and had the palest skin, with a wide muscular chest and shoulders. He had arms and legs that were thick and sinewy. His long furry face, that of a black jackal, possessed a smooth sharp snout and muzzle. Truly, he was a God of Gods.
Her mouth fought to find words, then she conjured every bit of bravery and courage to meet him as an equal. “I know… I know you as well, Brother.” She knew well enough that revealing himself to her was a very good omen. It must have been. Her lips curled into a slight smile as she lowered her chin to her chest in respect and a reverence he was due.
“You are indeed, Anubis. Guard of Isis, The Embalmer, Protector of Tombs, Lord of the Sacred Land, Guide of Souls, Weigher of Hearts and Protector of Secrets.” Humbly, Rey dropped to one knee in supplication.
Mighty massive hands lifted high into the air above her head. She rose to stand, not of her own doing.
“I came to the Temple to seek your aid.” She whispered when she lifted only her eyes to meet his.
His canid teeth flashed a brilliant white. “Aaaah… your husband, The Great Pharaoh is dead.”
“Dying, O Wise One, he is dying…”
In a dismissive tone and manner, he interjected with nostrils flaring, “It is inevitable. And yet, you seek my help as opposed to sitting at his hand, offering comfort?”
“You are correct. The Pharaoh’s demise is indeed inevitable. And I offer no excuse for my absence. But you know not the deceit that plagues the palace.”
“I know ALL.” He scoffed with a low snort, then threw his head back with shut eyes, licking out a slip of his pink tongue.
“All the more, my concern is Pharaoh’s son who still lives and draws breath. You must realize the Prince is much too young to rule, and - and there are others…”
“He is not meant to rule. Not yet.” His pointed ears flicked in opposite directions. “You are, My Most Treasured Sister.”
Confusion washed over her in subtle waves. “No , no. I will be Regent Queen…” Baffled by the deity’s proclamation, Rey was unsure and visibly shaken.
He noted her hesitation. “No, Rey, you will be Pharaoh.”
She was robbed of her tongue and completely unable to speak.
“And I will see to it.”
Further down the corridor near the Chamber of Scribes, she heard a loud commotion and clutched at her jeweled collar out of concern. They must have returned.
He paid no heed to the ruckus at all. “Go - see to your husband. He needs you and so does the Land and its People.” His head lowered and he slowly moved closer as his golden eyes flickered open, looking at her through thick lashes. “I will come to you, and will make myself known.”
“When?” She blinked up at him, fearful for the first time that her question could be viewed as impertinence.
“Soon, very soon.” His voice seemed to echo and fade while his visage disappeared in a wisp of smoke.
Rey turned back down the hallway, grateful now that she refused attendants. She wanted to prepare herself for the audience with her husband. Once she was halfway down the corridor, she turned back to look for him once more, but he was gone. Cinders, only cinders remained, marking the brilliant white and gold floor with gray black ash.
//||\\
