I own and claim no rights to the motion picture, 'The Mummy,' or 'The Mummy
Returns.' Only characters not featured in either movie are created by me,
as well as the plot, and no similarities to any other fics are intended.
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Medjai Women
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Five and a half years before the time of 'The Mummy Returns'..........
Ardeth Bay paced outside his tent, as the tortured screams of his wife pierced the torch-lit night. Panas, his second in command, and trusted friend of Ardeth's late father sat on a log in front of the fire placed in a pit several feet away from the tribe leader's home. "Come friend. Pacing will not help the labor go faster, it will only make the wait even more unbearable."
Reluctantly Ardeth followed his friend's advice, and joined him in front of the fire. "She has been in there for more than half a day," he muttered worriedly, glancing back at the tent.
Panas slapped him on the back. "When my wife gave birth to our first son, it took more than a day for the boy to be born. Such might be the case here friend."
Ardeth paled, and his friend chuckled. "It is the curse of childbirth. Your wife will be fine, as will be your son."
Ardeth looked hopeful. "I prey for that."
Another scream pierced the air, and then Ardeth heard the blissful sound of an infant's cry. He embraced Panas, a grin on his face. Then a mournful wail came from his tent, and in a panic, Ardeth rushed toward it. The wife of Panas barred him from entering, her expression grim. "What has happened? What is wrong?"
Zemti kept her eyes downcast as she responded, "Nothing is wrong, my leader. Your wife has given birth to a healthy, and beautiful baby," she looked up at him, her eyes sad, "a baby girl."
Ardeth stared at the woman for several moments, than his face relaxed in a smile of relief. "Thank Allah. I feared that Mia and the child were in danger. I will see them now."
Zemti moved to allow Ardeth passed, but before he could enter, another of the midwives, a wife of one of Ardeth's warriors appeared at the door. She whispered something in Zemti's ear, and with a quick nod, Zemti turned to Ardeth. "Forgive me, but you can not enter yet."
Ardeth stood in surprise. "Why not?"
Mia's scream filled the air, and Zemti rushed back into the tent, while Ardeth watched her, then the tribe leader tried to enter, only to be held back by several of his men. It took Panas, and three other warriors to pull Ardeth back. "MIA!" the man yelled.
A child's pitiful wail answered and all five men paused in amazement. Ardeth shook them off and greeted Zemti and the other midwife, Sati, as they came toward him, each holding a bundle in their arms. Zemti smilingly moved the blanket out of the baby she was holding's face. The baby protested angrily with a strong wail. "You have a son. A healthy and handsome son!"
Sati stood back, the infant girl in her arms, as Ardeth spent several moments admiring his son. "Siamun," Ardeth whispered, his voice filled with awe and wonder at the life he had a part of bringing to the world. Ardeth looked up and noticed Sati. He motioned her forward, and the woman showed him the infant in her arms. Groggy unseeing eyes peered up at him with not a sound. Ardeth watched his daughter thrash her arms around in confusion, then yawn. He smiled in approval. "She will be Sithathor." Sati nodded grimly, and returned to the tent, Ardeth following.
Mia, wife of Ardeth lay on several rugs and blankets still bloodied. Zemti and Sati removed the stained sheets, and replaced them with clean ones, while Mia lay quietly, her eyes closed her midnight black hair sticking to her neck that was still slick with sweat. Ardeth came up to her, and kissed her forehead. Mia's eyes flew open, and her eyes filled with tears.
"What is the matter, my wife?" Ardeth murmured.
"I have failed you. I promised you sons, but made your firstborn a daughter. I am not a good wife," Mia cried, tears forming in her eyes.
"Listen Mia," Ardeth told her, "I am pleased with both our children. They are beautiful and healthy, the only things that matter to me. You have fulfilled your duty. I have a son to follow me, and a daughter who will bring us pride among the women of our people. Siamun will be a great leader, and Sithathor will make another tribe leader, or warrior a Medjai wife."
Mia nodded, hoping the smile she gave her husband was sincere. Ardeth seemed satisfied, and left the tent, to announce to his tribe the births of Siamun and his sister, Sithathor.
Mia looked to where Sati and Zemti were bathing her children. Sati finished first, and handed Mia her daughter. Mia took the girl reluctantly, and smiled when Zemti handed her Siamun. She waited until the midwives left the tent to allow her some privacy before she put her son to her breast. She held Sithathor out with her free hand. "The only pride you will ever bring me is when you die. May it be soon, and quick. As you walk the earth you will be living proof of my shame. I promised my husband only sons. For your birth you will feel my wrath as long as I breathe."
Silently, Sati moved away from the tent flap and walked into the night.
...................................................................
Seven years later..........
"Siamun, for Allah sake, hold still!" Zemti cried, as she chased the young boy around her lady's tent. Half clothed in miniature warrior clothing, the seven-year-old boy laughed hysterically as his caretaker chased after him. His three year old brother, Ahmes sat on a small seat, clapping and chuckling. Mia entered the tent and laughed as her son ran into her arms. "Thank you Zemti, I can finish dressing him for you!"
Zemti smiled and let the tent in relief to prepare her family. Siamun allowed his mother to put his small robes on. "Mother," he asked, his voice muffled because his face was underneath the cloth, "Why are we getting dressed up?"
Mia frowned absently. "Your father has invited his friends from London."
Siamun's eyes widened. "The one's who helped him save the world...those two times?"
Mia chuckled. "Yes. The O'Connell's and a relation have traveled here to greet your father, and be celebrated as heroes."
Siamun's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Wow. We have to tell Hathy!" Taking his little brother's hand, Siamun hurried out of the tent, his mother's disapproving gaze following them.
..........................................................
Sithathor watched Sati as she dressed her four year old daughter, Iset. She viewed the younger child more as a sister, and Sati as her mother, and spent more time at their tent than at home. Sati was the daughter-in-law of Panas and Zemti, married to their oldest son, Omari. Iset was the third child of their union, the older two being sons, and both in their teens. Iset had been a surprise the happy family, and embraced her as a gift from Allah. Sithathor's eyes saddened. Yes. Children should be considered a gift from god.
The seven year old girl smiled happily as her brothers entered the tent.
"The Heroes of Ahm Shere and Hamunaptra are going to be here and---" the boy paused as he noticed for the first time that Sati was still dressing her daughter. A flush spread through his face, and he hurried out. Sithathor followed.
"I know that they are here. Sati told me. We are to be shown to them today. That's why I have to wear this!" She told them. She was wearing a miniature traditional black sheath and back veil lined with silver embroidery that covered her waist-length black hair. "I also have to wear this stupid veil." She produced another piece of cloth lined in silver, that had attachments at each end, and demonstrated how she would look to her two younger siblings. The veil covered half of her face, from just below her eyes, and down. She removed the veil when her brothers laughed. "Hey, don't laugh. You two are boys, you don't have to wear all this stuff like girls do."
Sati walked out of the tent, little Iset in her hands. "Come you three. The feast will begin soon, and I am sure your father will want to introduce you to the guests."
They obediently followed, Sithathor quickly putting her veil on. In the center of the village, the main tent rose, higher than all the others, except the tribe leader's, though much more spacious to fit the whole tribe. As the group entered, Siamun noticed Ardeth and Mia sitting beside a man and a woman. Ardeth rose from his seat and motioned his children over, which they did so immediately forming a line. He surveyed them proudly, and turned to his guest, speaking in english. "Rick and Evelyn, may I present my children."
"Sithathor..."
The girl walked forward and bowed appropriately. The O'Connells smiled at her warmly, and she liked them immediately. Mia frowned at her, and waited for the girl to move out of the way.
"Siamun..."
The boy bowed as well, and grinned at the table.
"and Ahmes." The youngest walked shyly forward, and bowed ackwardly. Ardeth smiled and dismissed them. The three children walked to the younger children's table where they were surprised to find an older man, probably in his early thirties sitting there with a boy of ten. Sithathor took the seat next to the older man, who looked at her with a funny grin on his face.
"'ello little girl. I bet you are wondering what I am doing here at the kids table, right?" He asked.
Sithathor eyed him warily, and nodded.
"Ah yes. Well, it seems I am cursed with the eternal humiliation of having to deal with my little sister and her bloody husband's little tantrums. It seems that they don't think I am responsible enough to sit at the 'grown- ups' table. I ask you...you accidentally burn a very small part of the house, does that mean you should be punished for it with such humiliation?"
Siamun and Sithathor's eyebrows raised, while the blonde boy chuckled.
"To be fair Uncle Jon, it was the sitting area you burnt down, and because you were hosting a gambling night without mum and dad's permission."
"'Oye, who's side are you on Alex?" Jonanthan demanded. He turned to the girl. "So what do you all do around here for fun little girl. Do you and the other woman get together to cook and sew and such?"
Sithathor smiled, her English was somewhat accented. "Actually, when we get the chance we like to chase foreigners with sticks or clubs."
Jonathan's smiled faded, while Alex tried his best not to laugh. "Well," Jonathan said faintly, "What's for dinner, ay?"
At Ardeth's table, the O'Connells and Ardeth were in deep conversation. "Rick, Evee. I would like it if you accepted my daughter as wife for your son." Mia looked at her husband sharply.
Rick and Evelyn stared at the man with shock all over their faces. "You can't be serious," Rick told him. Evelyn smiled kindly.
"We understand how some traditions are still put in use here, but we can not arrange a marriage between our son and your daughter. It simply is not done. This is the twentieth century Ardeth after all," Evee supplied. "And she is a little young don't you think?"
"I do not mean now, when they are older of course. Please it would insult my people if you did not consider it."
Evee and Rick looked completely flustered. Rick ran his fingers through his hair.
Ardeth sighed. "How about this. If my daughter is not wed by the time she reaches her eighteenth birthday, she will join your son, and if things progress, perhaps so will marriage." Rick and Evee didn't look convinced. "My friends, I didn't not want to ask you this, but since my people have discovered your unique pasts, they feel a member of the Medjai should be joined to your family. Look, I have already had several offers for her. Unfortunately the men or their children are far to unsuitable for her, but I am sure that she will at least get a decent proposal by the time she is eighteen. I just had to voice the proposal. It is guaranteed that she will at least be betrothed by then."
Rick sighed. "Alright my friend, but you better hope this doesn't come back and bite us on the ass, because our son will never forgive us, and I will be forced to knock you senseless."
Ardeth laughed, while unnoticed, Mia smiled and a twinkle entered her eye. She laughed quietly then looked over to her daughter.
...........................................................
The meal was finally over, and after listening to the older man's incessant chattering about defeating Imhotep and beating men at gambling, Sithathor and Siamun were relieved to hear their father rise to speak.
"Friends and family, I have the pleasure to introduce the O'Connells. Rick, Evelyn..." the two waved to everyone cheerfully, "their son Alex," Ardeth pointed toward the young boy who blushed, "and Jonathan Carnahan."
Jonathan waved enthusiastically at everyone, which had Alex, and Sithathor rolling their eyes. "Now, we are also here to celebrate a momentous occasion. I have recently approved the betrothal," Ardeth began, while Rick and Evee stared at him, "of my son, Siamun and Iset, daughter of Omari. May the future be blessed."
Siamun leaned toward his sister. "What is a betrothal?"
"I don't know," she murmured.
............................................................
The next day the visitors left, but not before Sithathor kept her word to Jonathan and she and her brothers chased the man around the villiage with sticks. The next decade past quickly, and both Iset, betrothed of Siamun, and Sithathor grew into women...Medjai women. Yet with an independence that would both complicate and bring joy to their lives...
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A/N: Okay, that was really long, but I got this idea in my head, and had to put it all down. Now, the next chapter will be a while, since I am separating my time between fics, but if you like it and review, I will definitely work a little faster. Oh, and don't expect the next chapter to be as long!
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Medjai Women
.....................................................................
Five and a half years before the time of 'The Mummy Returns'..........
Ardeth Bay paced outside his tent, as the tortured screams of his wife pierced the torch-lit night. Panas, his second in command, and trusted friend of Ardeth's late father sat on a log in front of the fire placed in a pit several feet away from the tribe leader's home. "Come friend. Pacing will not help the labor go faster, it will only make the wait even more unbearable."
Reluctantly Ardeth followed his friend's advice, and joined him in front of the fire. "She has been in there for more than half a day," he muttered worriedly, glancing back at the tent.
Panas slapped him on the back. "When my wife gave birth to our first son, it took more than a day for the boy to be born. Such might be the case here friend."
Ardeth paled, and his friend chuckled. "It is the curse of childbirth. Your wife will be fine, as will be your son."
Ardeth looked hopeful. "I prey for that."
Another scream pierced the air, and then Ardeth heard the blissful sound of an infant's cry. He embraced Panas, a grin on his face. Then a mournful wail came from his tent, and in a panic, Ardeth rushed toward it. The wife of Panas barred him from entering, her expression grim. "What has happened? What is wrong?"
Zemti kept her eyes downcast as she responded, "Nothing is wrong, my leader. Your wife has given birth to a healthy, and beautiful baby," she looked up at him, her eyes sad, "a baby girl."
Ardeth stared at the woman for several moments, than his face relaxed in a smile of relief. "Thank Allah. I feared that Mia and the child were in danger. I will see them now."
Zemti moved to allow Ardeth passed, but before he could enter, another of the midwives, a wife of one of Ardeth's warriors appeared at the door. She whispered something in Zemti's ear, and with a quick nod, Zemti turned to Ardeth. "Forgive me, but you can not enter yet."
Ardeth stood in surprise. "Why not?"
Mia's scream filled the air, and Zemti rushed back into the tent, while Ardeth watched her, then the tribe leader tried to enter, only to be held back by several of his men. It took Panas, and three other warriors to pull Ardeth back. "MIA!" the man yelled.
A child's pitiful wail answered and all five men paused in amazement. Ardeth shook them off and greeted Zemti and the other midwife, Sati, as they came toward him, each holding a bundle in their arms. Zemti smilingly moved the blanket out of the baby she was holding's face. The baby protested angrily with a strong wail. "You have a son. A healthy and handsome son!"
Sati stood back, the infant girl in her arms, as Ardeth spent several moments admiring his son. "Siamun," Ardeth whispered, his voice filled with awe and wonder at the life he had a part of bringing to the world. Ardeth looked up and noticed Sati. He motioned her forward, and the woman showed him the infant in her arms. Groggy unseeing eyes peered up at him with not a sound. Ardeth watched his daughter thrash her arms around in confusion, then yawn. He smiled in approval. "She will be Sithathor." Sati nodded grimly, and returned to the tent, Ardeth following.
Mia, wife of Ardeth lay on several rugs and blankets still bloodied. Zemti and Sati removed the stained sheets, and replaced them with clean ones, while Mia lay quietly, her eyes closed her midnight black hair sticking to her neck that was still slick with sweat. Ardeth came up to her, and kissed her forehead. Mia's eyes flew open, and her eyes filled with tears.
"What is the matter, my wife?" Ardeth murmured.
"I have failed you. I promised you sons, but made your firstborn a daughter. I am not a good wife," Mia cried, tears forming in her eyes.
"Listen Mia," Ardeth told her, "I am pleased with both our children. They are beautiful and healthy, the only things that matter to me. You have fulfilled your duty. I have a son to follow me, and a daughter who will bring us pride among the women of our people. Siamun will be a great leader, and Sithathor will make another tribe leader, or warrior a Medjai wife."
Mia nodded, hoping the smile she gave her husband was sincere. Ardeth seemed satisfied, and left the tent, to announce to his tribe the births of Siamun and his sister, Sithathor.
Mia looked to where Sati and Zemti were bathing her children. Sati finished first, and handed Mia her daughter. Mia took the girl reluctantly, and smiled when Zemti handed her Siamun. She waited until the midwives left the tent to allow her some privacy before she put her son to her breast. She held Sithathor out with her free hand. "The only pride you will ever bring me is when you die. May it be soon, and quick. As you walk the earth you will be living proof of my shame. I promised my husband only sons. For your birth you will feel my wrath as long as I breathe."
Silently, Sati moved away from the tent flap and walked into the night.
...................................................................
Seven years later..........
"Siamun, for Allah sake, hold still!" Zemti cried, as she chased the young boy around her lady's tent. Half clothed in miniature warrior clothing, the seven-year-old boy laughed hysterically as his caretaker chased after him. His three year old brother, Ahmes sat on a small seat, clapping and chuckling. Mia entered the tent and laughed as her son ran into her arms. "Thank you Zemti, I can finish dressing him for you!"
Zemti smiled and let the tent in relief to prepare her family. Siamun allowed his mother to put his small robes on. "Mother," he asked, his voice muffled because his face was underneath the cloth, "Why are we getting dressed up?"
Mia frowned absently. "Your father has invited his friends from London."
Siamun's eyes widened. "The one's who helped him save the world...those two times?"
Mia chuckled. "Yes. The O'Connell's and a relation have traveled here to greet your father, and be celebrated as heroes."
Siamun's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Wow. We have to tell Hathy!" Taking his little brother's hand, Siamun hurried out of the tent, his mother's disapproving gaze following them.
..........................................................
Sithathor watched Sati as she dressed her four year old daughter, Iset. She viewed the younger child more as a sister, and Sati as her mother, and spent more time at their tent than at home. Sati was the daughter-in-law of Panas and Zemti, married to their oldest son, Omari. Iset was the third child of their union, the older two being sons, and both in their teens. Iset had been a surprise the happy family, and embraced her as a gift from Allah. Sithathor's eyes saddened. Yes. Children should be considered a gift from god.
The seven year old girl smiled happily as her brothers entered the tent.
"The Heroes of Ahm Shere and Hamunaptra are going to be here and---" the boy paused as he noticed for the first time that Sati was still dressing her daughter. A flush spread through his face, and he hurried out. Sithathor followed.
"I know that they are here. Sati told me. We are to be shown to them today. That's why I have to wear this!" She told them. She was wearing a miniature traditional black sheath and back veil lined with silver embroidery that covered her waist-length black hair. "I also have to wear this stupid veil." She produced another piece of cloth lined in silver, that had attachments at each end, and demonstrated how she would look to her two younger siblings. The veil covered half of her face, from just below her eyes, and down. She removed the veil when her brothers laughed. "Hey, don't laugh. You two are boys, you don't have to wear all this stuff like girls do."
Sati walked out of the tent, little Iset in her hands. "Come you three. The feast will begin soon, and I am sure your father will want to introduce you to the guests."
They obediently followed, Sithathor quickly putting her veil on. In the center of the village, the main tent rose, higher than all the others, except the tribe leader's, though much more spacious to fit the whole tribe. As the group entered, Siamun noticed Ardeth and Mia sitting beside a man and a woman. Ardeth rose from his seat and motioned his children over, which they did so immediately forming a line. He surveyed them proudly, and turned to his guest, speaking in english. "Rick and Evelyn, may I present my children."
"Sithathor..."
The girl walked forward and bowed appropriately. The O'Connells smiled at her warmly, and she liked them immediately. Mia frowned at her, and waited for the girl to move out of the way.
"Siamun..."
The boy bowed as well, and grinned at the table.
"and Ahmes." The youngest walked shyly forward, and bowed ackwardly. Ardeth smiled and dismissed them. The three children walked to the younger children's table where they were surprised to find an older man, probably in his early thirties sitting there with a boy of ten. Sithathor took the seat next to the older man, who looked at her with a funny grin on his face.
"'ello little girl. I bet you are wondering what I am doing here at the kids table, right?" He asked.
Sithathor eyed him warily, and nodded.
"Ah yes. Well, it seems I am cursed with the eternal humiliation of having to deal with my little sister and her bloody husband's little tantrums. It seems that they don't think I am responsible enough to sit at the 'grown- ups' table. I ask you...you accidentally burn a very small part of the house, does that mean you should be punished for it with such humiliation?"
Siamun and Sithathor's eyebrows raised, while the blonde boy chuckled.
"To be fair Uncle Jon, it was the sitting area you burnt down, and because you were hosting a gambling night without mum and dad's permission."
"'Oye, who's side are you on Alex?" Jonanthan demanded. He turned to the girl. "So what do you all do around here for fun little girl. Do you and the other woman get together to cook and sew and such?"
Sithathor smiled, her English was somewhat accented. "Actually, when we get the chance we like to chase foreigners with sticks or clubs."
Jonathan's smiled faded, while Alex tried his best not to laugh. "Well," Jonathan said faintly, "What's for dinner, ay?"
At Ardeth's table, the O'Connells and Ardeth were in deep conversation. "Rick, Evee. I would like it if you accepted my daughter as wife for your son." Mia looked at her husband sharply.
Rick and Evelyn stared at the man with shock all over their faces. "You can't be serious," Rick told him. Evelyn smiled kindly.
"We understand how some traditions are still put in use here, but we can not arrange a marriage between our son and your daughter. It simply is not done. This is the twentieth century Ardeth after all," Evee supplied. "And she is a little young don't you think?"
"I do not mean now, when they are older of course. Please it would insult my people if you did not consider it."
Evee and Rick looked completely flustered. Rick ran his fingers through his hair.
Ardeth sighed. "How about this. If my daughter is not wed by the time she reaches her eighteenth birthday, she will join your son, and if things progress, perhaps so will marriage." Rick and Evee didn't look convinced. "My friends, I didn't not want to ask you this, but since my people have discovered your unique pasts, they feel a member of the Medjai should be joined to your family. Look, I have already had several offers for her. Unfortunately the men or their children are far to unsuitable for her, but I am sure that she will at least get a decent proposal by the time she is eighteen. I just had to voice the proposal. It is guaranteed that she will at least be betrothed by then."
Rick sighed. "Alright my friend, but you better hope this doesn't come back and bite us on the ass, because our son will never forgive us, and I will be forced to knock you senseless."
Ardeth laughed, while unnoticed, Mia smiled and a twinkle entered her eye. She laughed quietly then looked over to her daughter.
...........................................................
The meal was finally over, and after listening to the older man's incessant chattering about defeating Imhotep and beating men at gambling, Sithathor and Siamun were relieved to hear their father rise to speak.
"Friends and family, I have the pleasure to introduce the O'Connells. Rick, Evelyn..." the two waved to everyone cheerfully, "their son Alex," Ardeth pointed toward the young boy who blushed, "and Jonathan Carnahan."
Jonathan waved enthusiastically at everyone, which had Alex, and Sithathor rolling their eyes. "Now, we are also here to celebrate a momentous occasion. I have recently approved the betrothal," Ardeth began, while Rick and Evee stared at him, "of my son, Siamun and Iset, daughter of Omari. May the future be blessed."
Siamun leaned toward his sister. "What is a betrothal?"
"I don't know," she murmured.
............................................................
The next day the visitors left, but not before Sithathor kept her word to Jonathan and she and her brothers chased the man around the villiage with sticks. The next decade past quickly, and both Iset, betrothed of Siamun, and Sithathor grew into women...Medjai women. Yet with an independence that would both complicate and bring joy to their lives...
************************************************
A/N: Okay, that was really long, but I got this idea in my head, and had to put it all down. Now, the next chapter will be a while, since I am separating my time between fics, but if you like it and review, I will definitely work a little faster. Oh, and don't expect the next chapter to be as long!