***

Three months passed without further word from Ardeth.  Each day Amber's worry and dread grew.  After the first few weeks, she had tried not to let it bother her.  After all, Ardeth had said he had no real idea how long he would be gone.  But as the weeks increased, so did her worry. 

Even the letters she wrote to him remained uncollected in the false bottom of the chest.  Had something happened to him on the journey he was making at the time he disappeared?  It frightened her, but that was the direction her thoughts were taking.

Her distress over what became of Ardeth and her busy school and work schedule left her little time to dwell on her grief.  Of course, that didn't keep her from thinking of her beloved grandfather and parents.  They were always with her, but, somehow, the pain was not so overwhelming.  She was sure it was due to her preoccupation with Ardeth and school.

Since the passing of her grandfather, she had submerged herself into her studies.  She continued to work at the credit union to help pay both household and school expenses.  During one of her many trips to the college library, she had taken the photographs of the carvings on the chest to research the symbols, but had no luck.

She had used the library's resources to hunt down any information on desert tribes from the time period Ardeth lived.  She had run into a brick wall there as well. 

Frustrated, she turned her search toward Rick and Evelyn O'Connell and struck gold, so to speak.  She read of their successful archaeology careers, dozens of their exploits uncovering precious hidden treasures, and Evelyn's appointment as curator of the British Museum. 

Most importantly, she found one tidbit of information that might help answer her questions.  Rick and Evelyn O'Connell's son, Alex, still resided in the O'Connell mansion on the outskirts of London.

--

Amber watched the scenery go by from her vantage point at the rear of the taxi.  She felt the nervous knots forming in her stomach as the vehicle approached the mansion.  It was breathtaking.  The lush green lawns and the colorful gardens combined to create an idea setting. 

As the driver slowed the car to a stop, he turned toward her.  "Here you are, Miss," he announced in his heavy British accent.

"Thank you," she replied as she opened the door.  "You will wait for me?"

"Yes, Miss."

With a nod, Amber excited the taxi and walked to the front door.  Her nerves were getting the better of her, and she felt her hand shaking when she lifted it to knock on the door.  She waited for what seemed forever for the door to be answered.

"May I help you?" the plump, middle-aged housekeeper asked upon opening the door.

"Yes, um...I called earlier to see Mr. O'Connell.  Amber Davis," she stammered anxiously.

The housekeeper nodded.  "Please come in."

Amber followed her to the parlor and wandered the room while the housekeeper went to inform Mr. O'Connell he had a guest.  The room was vaguely familiar and she believed it was a room Ardeth had described in his journal.  The one in which he and Evelyn had battled against Lock-Nah and his men. 

Her attention focused on one door in particular.  It contained a deep gouge in the wood, located about six feet from the floor.  She touched a forefinger to the wood and traced it over the groove.  Could this be the mark left by the blade Lock-Nah tossed at Ardeth's head?

"He was a magnificent warrior," a deep elderly masculine voice stated from behind her.

Amber gasped and turned to see the man as he hobbled into the room.  His tall frame was hunched over slightly, and he walked with a cane, but otherwise he seemed quite healthy.  There was a twinkle in his experienced eyes as he smiled at her and held a hand out in greeting. 

"Miss Davis?" he asked, but shook his head and spoke before she could respond.  "Of course you are.  Please sit down," he insisted. 

"Thank you, Mr. O'Connell."

Alex seated himself across the small room from her, his fingers absently danced over an old, dented tin box.  "You are so like her...it's as if I'm ten years old again," he said absently.

"I...don't understand," Amber stated, perching herself on the edge of her chair. 

"Forgive me," Alex apologized.  "Of course you don't.  Not yet." 

"Not yet?"  This was messing her up.  "Mr. O'Connell...do you know who I am?"

Alex nodded and smiled.  "I do.  I'm possibly the only person who knew of your existence in his life."

"Ar-ardeth's?"  Her voice caught in her throat as she thought about her mystical love. 

Alex took a moment to stand and crossed the distance between them slowly.  He held the small tin box in his hand.  "This is for you.  He asked that it be given to you when you sought me out."  He set the box in her lap and patted her hand lightly.  "I'll be out back in the garden when you're ready."

Her confused eyes locked onto his for a moment before he turned away and left the room.  She stared at the tin box for a long time before touching it, running her hand over each side before opening the lid.  Inside, bundled neatly in her very own indigo ribbon, was a stack of dusty pink envelopes.  Every letter she had ever written Ardeth was contained in that bundle.  Her fingers touched the ribbon tentatively, afraid it would vanish right before her eyes.   

She lifted the bundle and directly underneath it rested the picture she had sent him.  It was faded, dog eared, and wrinkled as if it had been handled many, many times over the years.

Beneath her colored photograph was another black and white picture.  Amber sucked in a startled breath as she held it to get a closer look.  It was her, and yet, not her.  The woman was very similar to Amber in features and height, but it was difficult to ascertain the hair and eye color.  It was uncanny.  Beside her stood a tall, majestic man wearing long flowing dark robes.  He had shoulder length dark hair and a neatly trimmed beard and mustache.  He was superb and he took Amber's breath away. 

Her fingers skimmed over his image, resting on the markings on his handsome face.  "Oh, God!" she cried out quietly.  Each marking on his cheeks and forehead were carved into the lid of that one-time magical chest. 

There was one last item in the box.  A letter.  Placing the other items aside, she lifted it from the box with a shaking hand. 

My Amber,

So much has happened and yet I am at a loss to share any of it with you.  Since my return to the camp, I found that the magical connection between us has somehow been severed and the messages that I have tried to send you are not getting to you. 

When young Alex is at an age that I can entrust him with these items, I shall instruct him to turn them over to you upon your arrival at his door.  How do I know you will seek him out in your time?  Just as I knew you were my heart, Amber...I just know.

What I discovered on that journey when I departed from you was that we were meant to find each other, just not in the way we wished.  We opened ourselves to each other, thereby freeing our hearts to the possibility of love.  Something we both feared or never expected to find.

When I met up with my friends for their journey through the ruins of Egypt, I met you...an earlier version of you.  I believe you are a reincarnated soul, my beautiful Amber. 

In my time, you are known as Miranda.  I pushed her away at first, fearing I would find her just a poor substitute for the woman I truly wanted.  It turned out not to be so.  I truly love her, as I love you. 

Was this what broke our bond?  That I found you in my lifetime?  If that is so, then you are surely to find me in your lifetime.  I pray that by this time you have, and that you are happy and content.  You deserve to be.

No matter the circumstance, through time and space, I shall always remain,

Yours,

Ardeth

It took some time for the tears to subside after reading his letter.  It healed her wounded soul knowing that a terrible fate had not befallen him.  He had found his love and he was happy.  She wouldn't lie to herself and say she wasn't a bit jealous, but their love had been not a physical love, but cosmic and ethereal.  They were never meant to be together.  They were just guides, of sorts, to what the other needed.

--

"Will you be okay?" Alex asked when Amber joined him in the garden.

She smiled wearily as she sat next to him on the wicker bench.  "I'm fine, thank you."

Alex patted her knee and chuckled.  "I remember the day he saw her for the first time.  He nearly fell off his horse, he was so shocked."

The scene unfolded in her mind and she laughed along with Alex.  "Mr. O'Connell, were they happy?  Truly happy?"

"Yes.  Very much so," he admitted easily.  "Miranda was my mother's cousin.  She loved Egypt nearly as much as Mum.  It made things much easier for her...accepting Ardeth's culture.  They had many happy years together."

"Children?"  Amber fought the need to burst into tears.  She was happy for Ardeth, but could not help but feel the emptiness that crept into her heart.

"Three.  Two boys, Jaleel and Zahir,  and a girl...Amber."

"How long were they...together?"

He sighed, remembering that fateful day that Ardeth lost his life.  "Nearly fifteen years."  He took her hand into his and gave it a gentle squeeze.  "Ardeth died in battle as many of his people do.  But he had been a happy, fulfilled man."  He watched as Amber's eyes brimmed with tears.  "And he did love you, my dear.  He truly did."

"Thank you, Mr. O'Connell.  You have been most kind."

***

"And that's how it ends, everyone," Amber said, tweaking the grass from around her grandfather's headstone, before moving over to her parent's to do the same.   "I spent two weeks in England, going to all the various tourists attractions, but I also spent more time with Mr. O'Connell.  You would have liked him, Pap..." 

She stood slowly and stepped back from the graves.  "I'll be back soon, promise."

Her eyes were downcast as she walked the long path through the cemetery.  She wasn't paying attention to her surroundings and didn't see the stranger who stepped from behind a tree onto the path directly in front of her.

"Ooof," she exhaled as she collided with the figure.  "I'm so sorry...I wasn't watching where I was going," she stammered as she looked up into a pair of intense brown eyes.

"No damage done," he assured, smiling softly. 

Amber's eyes widened at the sight of him; short dark hair, sculpted cheekbones, and straight nose.  His full, thick lips were surrounded by a neatly trimmed goatee and mustache.  She closed her eyes and envisioned him with longer hair, a fuller beard, and those odd markings on his face.  "Ardeth?"

The stranger blinked and smiled again.  "Excuse me?"

"N-nothing.  Forgive me for nearly knocking you down," she stammered and made her way around him.  It was impossible.  She shook her head as she walked away.  What if it was possible?  If she didn't turn around and go after him, she may lose the only chance she might have to find her love. 

Before she could turn and go after the stranger, she felt the slight pressure of a hand on her shoulder. 

"It's rather chilly today," the stranger commented.

Amber let his deep, accented voice float over her before she turned to face him.  His voice alone had the power to send goose bumps over her entire body.  "Yes, chilly," she agreed.

"Would you care to join me for a cup of coffee," he suggested. 

Her eyes locked onto his face and she couldn't get past the similarity.  She had never seen a man so genuinely handsome, not even her Ardeth.  His eyes were the same, though.  Dark, penetrating, they held such a haunting quality, as if he had seen hell itself and lived to tell about it. 

"Coffee," he repeated when she didn't answer.

Amber smiled and offered her hand.  "Coffee it is, Mr.?"

His large hand enveloped hers.  He did not let go as he answered, "Donovan...please, call me Frank."

Amber nodded and wondered why he had yet to release her hand.  "Frank," she repeated as she felt his hand squeeze hers gently.  Instead of making the effort to pull away, her hand closed around his.  "Amber."

"Pleased to meet you, Amber," he whispered, releasing her hand only to place his at the small of her back as he walked beside her.  "I know how silly this is going to sound, but..."

"I swear I know you from somewhere," she finished. 

He chuckled and nodded.  "Yes, exactly."

Amber laughed softly.  "Exactly."

~finis~

Thanks for reading, everyone!  I do hope you enjoyed this; and thanks to those who left me feedback, whether through reviews, email, or the FLMB.   Special thanks to Serena for catching me when I fall...and Marie, who came up w/ the title (loved it!) ...and to Cara, who knows why. ;)  Thanks for all your support!