"Mereb!" Mereb turned as Aida ran to him, breathing heavily. Mereb sighed
softly and smiled. Aida was a very fit woman, and he knew she wouldn't get
so easily winded after such a short run. Radames. What other explanation
was there? As she slowed to a stop in front of him, she smiled. "You wanted
to see me?" Mereb nodded.
"Actually, the Nubians wanted to see you. There's a slight situation…" Aida tilted her head curiously. "Just come," Mereb said, gesturing. Aida nodded and followed him.
"I'm sorry I got to you so late, Mereb. I got caught up at the palace and…" Aida trailed off as Mereb shook his head.
"No more pretending, ok, Aida? It's not like I don't know about you and owwww!" Mereb yelped as Aida's sandaled foot rammed on his toes. "Aida! What…" Aida nodded her head to a scene in front of them. They had neared the Nubian site.
"You have a gift of gab, Mereb," Aida said softly. "but don't let it get the best of you." Straightening up, she studied the group. She then realized that some of the Nubians had cleaner faces, looked less worn. "Mereb," she whispered. "Some of these people have just gotten here…" Mereb nodded silently and looked away.
"Princess," one Nubian stepped up, bowed quickly, and stood up. "Princess Aida, once we got word that you and several other Nubians of the village were captured, we set out to find you. Apparently, the Egyptians thought we were trying to escape, and they captured us. The captain of them…what was his name?"
"Radamie..rada.." One Nubian tried.
"right, Radames," the Nubian continued. "He checked us over like he was looking for something. He kept muttering your name, Princess. Perhaps he believed we had taken you away. Anyway," he shrugged. "Here we are. For no good reason!" Aida was shaking by the time he had finished. Shaking with anger, surprise…and betrayal. Mereb took her arm and led her away from everyone else.
"Aida…" he began hesitantly.
"How COULD he?" Aida spat. "After all we've been through! I thought he'd changed! But now I see he is no different than the rest of them!" she trembled unconsciously, and Mereb brought her to a secluded grove, where she sat and just held his hand, dumbfounded.
"Look, Aida," Mereb said quietly. "I…" he was cut off by a twig snapping. He and Aida jumped up defensively, as Radames himself appeared, unaware that he was joined by two others…or vice versa. Aida's heart ached. He looked so handsome…--and so proud of himself—she muttered angrily to herself. Despite herself, she sighed, causing Radames to whirl around.
"Who's there?" Radames called, hand on his sword. Mereb gestured for Aida to move back into the grove, putting a finger to his lips. "Who's there?!" Radames demanded again. Seeing nobody, he sank onto a rock, and buried his face in his hands. "I'm so tired of all we're going though," he mumbled. "I don't want to live like that…." Mereb glanced at Aida, who was staring at Radames with such pain in her eyes, that he touched her arm and walked off.
Aida nodded vaguely as Mereb left, her anger at Radames dissipating. He just…Aida shook her head and crept out, kneeling next to him. He was singing softly under his breath, his voice catching now and then. "Too many choices tear us apart," Aida sang, almost inaudibly. "I don't want to live like that." Radames' head shot up, and his eyes met Aida's in shock.
"Aida!" he gasped, scrambling to his feet. He then began raining kisses on her face, pausing when she resisted. "Aida?" he murmured against her forehead, confused.
"You…" she muttered. Radames glanced down at her. "You…you captured more of my people! For what, Radames? Tell me!"
"I thought they were going to take you away, or they already had. I wouldn't be able to stand that!" Radames said defensively. The look that Aida gave him broke his heart.
"Perhaps that would have been better," Aida said. "I could go back with my people, you could marry Amneris. Just as it should be!" She failed to hold back tears, and they slid down her cheeks. "No problems, no worries…" –no Radames- a voice in the back of her mind reminded her. Radames hastily wiped her tears away, a solemn expression on his face.
"That wouldn't be better," Radames said fervently. "I can't stand the thought of a lifetime without…"
"The grove?" a voice reached Aida and Radames' ears. "Well, Princess, I know Aida likes time alone once and awhile, but I doubt she'd go to a grove!" It was Mereb, and by the sounds of it, Amneris was headed right toward them. Loyal Mereb was obviously stalling her.
"Aida!" Radames whispered. Aida nodded knowingly, and before he knew it, she was gone. Mereb and Amneris appeared, Mereb's eyes were downcast, fearing the worst. He expected to see Radames and Aida wrapped in each others arms. Then Amneris would see and everything would be ruined. But when he looked up, Radames was alone, carelessly examining his sword. Amneris' face split into a grin.
"I expected Aida, but this is so much better!" Amneris exclaimed, smiling. Radames looked up and smiled, but Mereb could see that the smile was not the warm one, complete with eye sparkle that was reserved for Aida. Mereb turned and walked off, his duties for the day completed. Except one, in which only he and Aida could partake in.
~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~**~**~***~*~*~*~~~*
"I don't like it, Mereb," Aida said stubbornly, dark eyes narrowing. "It's cruel, and it's deceiving. Radames is going to be hurt by it. And what will all the other Nubians think about it?" she leapt up from her seat, hands fluttering briefly to her temples, then back to their sides.
"Aida, listen to yourself. Are you being any less cruel and deceiving to Amneris?" Mereb reasoned, ignoring the glare thrown to him by Aida. "Yes, most likely Radames will be hurt, but mind you, he has taken more blows than you could imagine."
"to the heart?" Aida replied.
"Point taken, Aida. As for the other Nubians, I don't think they'd be surprised. I think they kind of expect it."
"Mereb!"
"Not my fault! I swear to the gods, Aida! Like anyone, they need drama to entertain them. So, they are providing it for themselves." Aida scowled.
"So by pretending that we, Aida and Mereb, are in love…" Aida said hesitantly, still not liking the idea. Not that Mereb was repulsive…by the gods, he wasn't…but he was her best friend, her comrade in arms!
"Less attention would be directed toward you and Radames," Mereb pointed out. As though reading her mind, Mereb continued. "Aida, you have to face that Radames will be hurt, confused, and probably angry. But, he will also return to the old Radames, Captain Radames, and future Pharaoh."
"I don't want the old Radames," Aida whispered softly. Mereb touched her shoulder briefly and sighed.
"it's not what YOU want, Aida!" Mereb said. "But think of this, Radames will remember the impact you made on him, and most likely carry that on to the throne. Don't you see, Aida?" Mereb grasped her shoulders. "He will help Nubia!" This brought a smile to Aida's face, and Mereb nodded encouragingly.
"Well, then," Aida gave Mereb a quick, nervous kiss on the cheek. Mereb froze, and Aida sighed. "First off, you and me. Act natural, alright Mereb?" Mereb smiled sheepishly, and nodded.
"Come," Mereb said, smiling at his new **love**. "Captain Radames is waiting in the meeting room." Arm in arm, they strode out to meet Radames.
~*~**~**~*~**~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Radames paced the stone interior of his secret meeting place. Where were Aida and Mereb? They were late. Then as if on cue, they walked in….Aida's hand resting lightly on Mereb's arm, heads bent together intimately. Radames frowned slightly, and as soon as the door slid shut, he rushed forward and scooped Aida into his arms. When she pushed against him and backed up, Radames was confused.
"Aida," he began, reaching a hand out to her and smiling. "Nobody is here to see. Just Mereb, and he knows everything. Come on," he grinned, noticing Mereb scowl slightly, which puzzled him. Aida smiled suddenly, and nodded.
"I'm sorry, Radames," she said softly, avoiding his eyes. "So, Mereb," she made his name slip warmly and softly off her tongue. "What's the latest on myself and Radames?" Aida locked eyes with Mereb, who gave her a slight nod to tell her it would be all right.
" Well, close call with Amneris last night, I can tell you that much," Mereb said thoughtfully. "It was lucky that you got out of there so quickly, Aida. Very impressive." He smiled at her, trying to ignore the bewildered, and shocked face of his master. –that's a good thing—Mereb assured himself. Finally, Radames spoke.
"Usually I'm very quick to catch on, but did I miss something?" Radames asked, his voice quivering, despite his efforts to keep it steady. Aida and Mereb shook their heads quickly. "Fine," he sighed. "Anything else, Mereb?" Aida looked to Mereb, who tilted his head.
"One thing," Mereb said, as though remembering something. "The other night, I passed by Amneris, who was talking to herself. She mentioned something about Aida not being there to talk, and when she summoned people to get you, Radames, you were nowhere to be found. She thought that odd." Mereb cleared his throat. "There are five days until the wedding. five! And Amneris is doubting the man she is going to spend the rest of her life with. Can't you at least show a bit of appreciation?" he pleaded to Radames. Radames nodded shamefacedly.
"I suppose I haven't been the most loyal fiancée," he admitted, casting a glance over to Aida, who, as usual, met his gaze head-on. "Is that all?" Mereb nodded, and gestured to Aida. Before they faded into darkness, Radames watched, stunned, as their hands clasped lightly together.
~*~**~**~*~**~**~**~**~*~**~*~**~~**~~*~**~
The next day, Radames examined Mereb and Aida with vague interest. They went along their tasks, busy, before rejoining each other for a few words. Mereb would laugh, and the two would catch him watching, hastily dropping their hands and turning away. For the first time in his life, Radames felt his heart breaking, and another thing….jealousy. Someone would tap him on the shoulder, spread out a diagram, and speak. Radames fulfilled his tasks half-heartedly, and his thoughts would consume him. Mereb and Aida, together, their wedding, their children. Then, he would shake his head. –Mereb and Aida are slaves—he told himself. –they won't be having a wedding.—it was at that moment that he realized what he had just thought. He had called Aida a slave.
~*~**~*~*~*~*~*`*~*~*~*~*~**~
"I think it's working, princess!" Mereb said softly and excitedly. Aida nodded dully, not reprimanding Mereb for calling her princess in public, as she watched Radames hurry with crisp haste, barking out orders. Pig headed, brisk, selfish, cocky. Aida smiled as the old Radames came back, just as Mereb said he would. She didn't like the old Radames, but for the sake of her people, even Egypt….her thoughts trailed off as Radames, flushed and sweating, demanded a young girl to scrub his back. She sighed wistfully, almost wishing she could trade positions with the girl, to do a task she hated so much. But then he'd look up, eyes full of fire. They would meet her own, and the fire would be kindled. Mereb would touch her shoulder gently, and the blue fire would blaze again.
"Mereb, I'm still in love with him," Aida said quietly as she studied Radames. Mereb nodded.
"I'm not saying this would desensitize you of Radames," Mereb responded. "But look at the good it's doing him," Mereb gestured to Radames, who leaned down suddenly to kiss Amneris' neck. "He's getting closer with his wife-to-be, he's….oh gods, he is going out exploring. Oh gods, no, he's got chains. Aida!" Mereb whirled and grasped her shoulders. "He's going back to capture!"
"NO!" Aida gasped, watching in horror as Radames strode toward the docks, a bag of chains in his hand.
"We've created a monster," Mereb whispered in shocked, not noticing that Aida had turned and flown out the door.
~*~**~**~*~**~*~*~**~~*~~***~*~
Aida had the advantage. She now knew every dip in the ground, each rock, and she was in peak physical condition. She also had no burdens on her. Radames, however, had to walk with his soldiers, laden with the sack of chains. He also had slipped off at one time to collect his thoughts. Another advantage to Aida. He was alone.
"Arrghh!" Radames grunted suddenly, as his feet shot from under him. Scrambling quickly to his feet, he whirled, sword drawn…right at Aida. "Where did you learn that?" he muttered, leaning down to rub his heel.
"My father," Aida replied curtly, eyes glittering angrily. "So, Captain Radames is off to ruin yet another batch of lives."
"Don't you have someplace to be….or someone looking for you, namely Mereb?" Radames said evenly, replacing his sword. Aida stared at him for a moment, before her hands flew to her hands in shock.
"You…this," she gestured at the bag of chains. "This is all because of what's happening with Mereb and me, isn't it?" Radames clenched his jaw and kept eye contact with her. "And….Radames, you're jealous." –gods no—she mumbled to herself. –he wasn't supposed to get jealous!—At that moment, Mereb jogged up.
"Aida! Wha…" Mereb started, before seeing Radames. "Oh, boy…" Radames nodded shortly.
"I'd best be off," Radames muttered, swinging the bag over his shoulder, and casting a pained look, masked by a glare, at Mereb, then at Aida. With that, he started off.
"I love you……" Aida whispered to his retreating form. Radames, thinking she was speaking to Mereb, kept going. Mereb looked from Aida's anguished expression, to Radames' smooth gate. He had to do something.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, 'YOU LOVE ME BUT THIS CAN'T GO ON?'" Mereb yelled, urging Aida with a quick look to follow along.
"I'm in love with someone else," Aida said loudly, sneaking a quick smile at her friend. Mereb grinned back, noticing that Radames had paused, tense with hope.
"You can't tell me you're still in love with Captain Radames!" Mereb exclaimed, sounding shocked. Radames had turned by now, eyes sparkling with the possibility. "You know it could never work!"
"I—we—are just going to have to make it work," Aida said smoothly. "But I'm afraid I've lost him now." With those words, Mereb and Aida grinned as the ground trembled, and Radames flew back and kissed Aida all over her face.
"Sorry, Mereb," Radames said, pausing. Mereb just shrugged.
"Can't be sorry for what never was," Mereb said slyly.
"Wha…" Radames questioned. Aida grinned.
"Well, lets not go into details…but Mereb and I pretended to be in love so you could get back on track as future leader of Egypt…and spend some more time with Amneris," Aida said. Radames squatted and rocked back and forth, contemplating.
"So this was all…"
"A terrible, horrible scheme that affected both of us greatly?" Aida suggested.
"Yes," Mereb and Aida agreed in unison.
"I couldn't have you lose your throne to some slave woman," Aida whispered, touching Radames' cheek gently.
"Some woman," Radames snorted, and smiled. Mereb looked at the two lovers and slipped off, deciding that in some way, something bad was to happen.
"CAPTAIN! THE SHIP IS READY!" One of the soldiers bellowed suddenly. Radames froze, and looked to Aida, who met his gaze steadily. Radames noticed the look of intense pain that lingered in her eyes, and nodded.
"You're going to be Pharaoh, Radames," Aida said softly. "I can't make your decisions for you." Radames nodded again, kissed her cheek, and was off. Aida felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. She had Radames back, but she had still failed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Aida was busy showing Amneris some new fabrics she'd put together for a shawl, when Radames burst in. Amneris broke into a grin, and Aida took this as a time to leave. Radames bit back the plea for her to stay that was rising in his throat. Amneris. He had to think of Amneris. Forget Aida…Erase her name for now…
"Look what Aida made me!" Amneris exclaimed. –someone end this now—Radames groaned to himself. But he smiled.
"It's lovely, Amneris," Radames replied, pretending to inspect it, although he was really breathing in Aida's scent. –STOP RADAMES!—he yelled to himself. "Aida seems to be very talented." As Amneris nodded excitedly, turning to admire the shawl, Radames slapped himself on the head.
"Radames, why did you slap yourself?" Amneris asked innocently, biting back a smile. For all his handsome features, intelligent mind, and impeccable abs, he puzzled her often. A handmaiden slipped beside her, holding out a robe. "Pool time! Want to stay, Radames?"
"No…I've got something to do," Radames lied.
"Oh. Like what?"
"umm…." Radames stalled. Mereb, who'd been lurking in the shadows, appeared.
"I have to talk to you, master," Mereb said. Radames flashed his servant a grateful look, but Mereb just smiled back. They left, and Mereb led him under a shady palm.
"What's wrong, Mereb? Is Aida OK?" Radames asked hastily. Mereb nodded.
"Ask her yourself," Mereb grinned as Aida appeared from the shadows, then he was gone.
"I'm sorry, Radames, about the whole…Mereb thing. I…" Aida began to explain.
"You love me that much?" Radames interrupted suddenly. Aida smiled and nodded, tilting her face to receive a kiss. Radames leaned down to her, while a pair of eyes watched in wistful silence. They blinked, and were gone.
"Actually, the Nubians wanted to see you. There's a slight situation…" Aida tilted her head curiously. "Just come," Mereb said, gesturing. Aida nodded and followed him.
"I'm sorry I got to you so late, Mereb. I got caught up at the palace and…" Aida trailed off as Mereb shook his head.
"No more pretending, ok, Aida? It's not like I don't know about you and owwww!" Mereb yelped as Aida's sandaled foot rammed on his toes. "Aida! What…" Aida nodded her head to a scene in front of them. They had neared the Nubian site.
"You have a gift of gab, Mereb," Aida said softly. "but don't let it get the best of you." Straightening up, she studied the group. She then realized that some of the Nubians had cleaner faces, looked less worn. "Mereb," she whispered. "Some of these people have just gotten here…" Mereb nodded silently and looked away.
"Princess," one Nubian stepped up, bowed quickly, and stood up. "Princess Aida, once we got word that you and several other Nubians of the village were captured, we set out to find you. Apparently, the Egyptians thought we were trying to escape, and they captured us. The captain of them…what was his name?"
"Radamie..rada.." One Nubian tried.
"right, Radames," the Nubian continued. "He checked us over like he was looking for something. He kept muttering your name, Princess. Perhaps he believed we had taken you away. Anyway," he shrugged. "Here we are. For no good reason!" Aida was shaking by the time he had finished. Shaking with anger, surprise…and betrayal. Mereb took her arm and led her away from everyone else.
"Aida…" he began hesitantly.
"How COULD he?" Aida spat. "After all we've been through! I thought he'd changed! But now I see he is no different than the rest of them!" she trembled unconsciously, and Mereb brought her to a secluded grove, where she sat and just held his hand, dumbfounded.
"Look, Aida," Mereb said quietly. "I…" he was cut off by a twig snapping. He and Aida jumped up defensively, as Radames himself appeared, unaware that he was joined by two others…or vice versa. Aida's heart ached. He looked so handsome…--and so proud of himself—she muttered angrily to herself. Despite herself, she sighed, causing Radames to whirl around.
"Who's there?" Radames called, hand on his sword. Mereb gestured for Aida to move back into the grove, putting a finger to his lips. "Who's there?!" Radames demanded again. Seeing nobody, he sank onto a rock, and buried his face in his hands. "I'm so tired of all we're going though," he mumbled. "I don't want to live like that…." Mereb glanced at Aida, who was staring at Radames with such pain in her eyes, that he touched her arm and walked off.
Aida nodded vaguely as Mereb left, her anger at Radames dissipating. He just…Aida shook her head and crept out, kneeling next to him. He was singing softly under his breath, his voice catching now and then. "Too many choices tear us apart," Aida sang, almost inaudibly. "I don't want to live like that." Radames' head shot up, and his eyes met Aida's in shock.
"Aida!" he gasped, scrambling to his feet. He then began raining kisses on her face, pausing when she resisted. "Aida?" he murmured against her forehead, confused.
"You…" she muttered. Radames glanced down at her. "You…you captured more of my people! For what, Radames? Tell me!"
"I thought they were going to take you away, or they already had. I wouldn't be able to stand that!" Radames said defensively. The look that Aida gave him broke his heart.
"Perhaps that would have been better," Aida said. "I could go back with my people, you could marry Amneris. Just as it should be!" She failed to hold back tears, and they slid down her cheeks. "No problems, no worries…" –no Radames- a voice in the back of her mind reminded her. Radames hastily wiped her tears away, a solemn expression on his face.
"That wouldn't be better," Radames said fervently. "I can't stand the thought of a lifetime without…"
"The grove?" a voice reached Aida and Radames' ears. "Well, Princess, I know Aida likes time alone once and awhile, but I doubt she'd go to a grove!" It was Mereb, and by the sounds of it, Amneris was headed right toward them. Loyal Mereb was obviously stalling her.
"Aida!" Radames whispered. Aida nodded knowingly, and before he knew it, she was gone. Mereb and Amneris appeared, Mereb's eyes were downcast, fearing the worst. He expected to see Radames and Aida wrapped in each others arms. Then Amneris would see and everything would be ruined. But when he looked up, Radames was alone, carelessly examining his sword. Amneris' face split into a grin.
"I expected Aida, but this is so much better!" Amneris exclaimed, smiling. Radames looked up and smiled, but Mereb could see that the smile was not the warm one, complete with eye sparkle that was reserved for Aida. Mereb turned and walked off, his duties for the day completed. Except one, in which only he and Aida could partake in.
~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~**~**~***~*~*~*~~~*
"I don't like it, Mereb," Aida said stubbornly, dark eyes narrowing. "It's cruel, and it's deceiving. Radames is going to be hurt by it. And what will all the other Nubians think about it?" she leapt up from her seat, hands fluttering briefly to her temples, then back to their sides.
"Aida, listen to yourself. Are you being any less cruel and deceiving to Amneris?" Mereb reasoned, ignoring the glare thrown to him by Aida. "Yes, most likely Radames will be hurt, but mind you, he has taken more blows than you could imagine."
"to the heart?" Aida replied.
"Point taken, Aida. As for the other Nubians, I don't think they'd be surprised. I think they kind of expect it."
"Mereb!"
"Not my fault! I swear to the gods, Aida! Like anyone, they need drama to entertain them. So, they are providing it for themselves." Aida scowled.
"So by pretending that we, Aida and Mereb, are in love…" Aida said hesitantly, still not liking the idea. Not that Mereb was repulsive…by the gods, he wasn't…but he was her best friend, her comrade in arms!
"Less attention would be directed toward you and Radames," Mereb pointed out. As though reading her mind, Mereb continued. "Aida, you have to face that Radames will be hurt, confused, and probably angry. But, he will also return to the old Radames, Captain Radames, and future Pharaoh."
"I don't want the old Radames," Aida whispered softly. Mereb touched her shoulder briefly and sighed.
"it's not what YOU want, Aida!" Mereb said. "But think of this, Radames will remember the impact you made on him, and most likely carry that on to the throne. Don't you see, Aida?" Mereb grasped her shoulders. "He will help Nubia!" This brought a smile to Aida's face, and Mereb nodded encouragingly.
"Well, then," Aida gave Mereb a quick, nervous kiss on the cheek. Mereb froze, and Aida sighed. "First off, you and me. Act natural, alright Mereb?" Mereb smiled sheepishly, and nodded.
"Come," Mereb said, smiling at his new **love**. "Captain Radames is waiting in the meeting room." Arm in arm, they strode out to meet Radames.
~*~**~**~*~**~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Radames paced the stone interior of his secret meeting place. Where were Aida and Mereb? They were late. Then as if on cue, they walked in….Aida's hand resting lightly on Mereb's arm, heads bent together intimately. Radames frowned slightly, and as soon as the door slid shut, he rushed forward and scooped Aida into his arms. When she pushed against him and backed up, Radames was confused.
"Aida," he began, reaching a hand out to her and smiling. "Nobody is here to see. Just Mereb, and he knows everything. Come on," he grinned, noticing Mereb scowl slightly, which puzzled him. Aida smiled suddenly, and nodded.
"I'm sorry, Radames," she said softly, avoiding his eyes. "So, Mereb," she made his name slip warmly and softly off her tongue. "What's the latest on myself and Radames?" Aida locked eyes with Mereb, who gave her a slight nod to tell her it would be all right.
" Well, close call with Amneris last night, I can tell you that much," Mereb said thoughtfully. "It was lucky that you got out of there so quickly, Aida. Very impressive." He smiled at her, trying to ignore the bewildered, and shocked face of his master. –that's a good thing—Mereb assured himself. Finally, Radames spoke.
"Usually I'm very quick to catch on, but did I miss something?" Radames asked, his voice quivering, despite his efforts to keep it steady. Aida and Mereb shook their heads quickly. "Fine," he sighed. "Anything else, Mereb?" Aida looked to Mereb, who tilted his head.
"One thing," Mereb said, as though remembering something. "The other night, I passed by Amneris, who was talking to herself. She mentioned something about Aida not being there to talk, and when she summoned people to get you, Radames, you were nowhere to be found. She thought that odd." Mereb cleared his throat. "There are five days until the wedding. five! And Amneris is doubting the man she is going to spend the rest of her life with. Can't you at least show a bit of appreciation?" he pleaded to Radames. Radames nodded shamefacedly.
"I suppose I haven't been the most loyal fiancée," he admitted, casting a glance over to Aida, who, as usual, met his gaze head-on. "Is that all?" Mereb nodded, and gestured to Aida. Before they faded into darkness, Radames watched, stunned, as their hands clasped lightly together.
~*~**~**~*~**~**~**~**~*~**~*~**~~**~~*~**~
The next day, Radames examined Mereb and Aida with vague interest. They went along their tasks, busy, before rejoining each other for a few words. Mereb would laugh, and the two would catch him watching, hastily dropping their hands and turning away. For the first time in his life, Radames felt his heart breaking, and another thing….jealousy. Someone would tap him on the shoulder, spread out a diagram, and speak. Radames fulfilled his tasks half-heartedly, and his thoughts would consume him. Mereb and Aida, together, their wedding, their children. Then, he would shake his head. –Mereb and Aida are slaves—he told himself. –they won't be having a wedding.—it was at that moment that he realized what he had just thought. He had called Aida a slave.
~*~**~*~*~*~*~*`*~*~*~*~*~**~
"I think it's working, princess!" Mereb said softly and excitedly. Aida nodded dully, not reprimanding Mereb for calling her princess in public, as she watched Radames hurry with crisp haste, barking out orders. Pig headed, brisk, selfish, cocky. Aida smiled as the old Radames came back, just as Mereb said he would. She didn't like the old Radames, but for the sake of her people, even Egypt….her thoughts trailed off as Radames, flushed and sweating, demanded a young girl to scrub his back. She sighed wistfully, almost wishing she could trade positions with the girl, to do a task she hated so much. But then he'd look up, eyes full of fire. They would meet her own, and the fire would be kindled. Mereb would touch her shoulder gently, and the blue fire would blaze again.
"Mereb, I'm still in love with him," Aida said quietly as she studied Radames. Mereb nodded.
"I'm not saying this would desensitize you of Radames," Mereb responded. "But look at the good it's doing him," Mereb gestured to Radames, who leaned down suddenly to kiss Amneris' neck. "He's getting closer with his wife-to-be, he's….oh gods, he is going out exploring. Oh gods, no, he's got chains. Aida!" Mereb whirled and grasped her shoulders. "He's going back to capture!"
"NO!" Aida gasped, watching in horror as Radames strode toward the docks, a bag of chains in his hand.
"We've created a monster," Mereb whispered in shocked, not noticing that Aida had turned and flown out the door.
~*~**~**~*~**~*~*~**~~*~~***~*~
Aida had the advantage. She now knew every dip in the ground, each rock, and she was in peak physical condition. She also had no burdens on her. Radames, however, had to walk with his soldiers, laden with the sack of chains. He also had slipped off at one time to collect his thoughts. Another advantage to Aida. He was alone.
"Arrghh!" Radames grunted suddenly, as his feet shot from under him. Scrambling quickly to his feet, he whirled, sword drawn…right at Aida. "Where did you learn that?" he muttered, leaning down to rub his heel.
"My father," Aida replied curtly, eyes glittering angrily. "So, Captain Radames is off to ruin yet another batch of lives."
"Don't you have someplace to be….or someone looking for you, namely Mereb?" Radames said evenly, replacing his sword. Aida stared at him for a moment, before her hands flew to her hands in shock.
"You…this," she gestured at the bag of chains. "This is all because of what's happening with Mereb and me, isn't it?" Radames clenched his jaw and kept eye contact with her. "And….Radames, you're jealous." –gods no—she mumbled to herself. –he wasn't supposed to get jealous!—At that moment, Mereb jogged up.
"Aida! Wha…" Mereb started, before seeing Radames. "Oh, boy…" Radames nodded shortly.
"I'd best be off," Radames muttered, swinging the bag over his shoulder, and casting a pained look, masked by a glare, at Mereb, then at Aida. With that, he started off.
"I love you……" Aida whispered to his retreating form. Radames, thinking she was speaking to Mereb, kept going. Mereb looked from Aida's anguished expression, to Radames' smooth gate. He had to do something.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, 'YOU LOVE ME BUT THIS CAN'T GO ON?'" Mereb yelled, urging Aida with a quick look to follow along.
"I'm in love with someone else," Aida said loudly, sneaking a quick smile at her friend. Mereb grinned back, noticing that Radames had paused, tense with hope.
"You can't tell me you're still in love with Captain Radames!" Mereb exclaimed, sounding shocked. Radames had turned by now, eyes sparkling with the possibility. "You know it could never work!"
"I—we—are just going to have to make it work," Aida said smoothly. "But I'm afraid I've lost him now." With those words, Mereb and Aida grinned as the ground trembled, and Radames flew back and kissed Aida all over her face.
"Sorry, Mereb," Radames said, pausing. Mereb just shrugged.
"Can't be sorry for what never was," Mereb said slyly.
"Wha…" Radames questioned. Aida grinned.
"Well, lets not go into details…but Mereb and I pretended to be in love so you could get back on track as future leader of Egypt…and spend some more time with Amneris," Aida said. Radames squatted and rocked back and forth, contemplating.
"So this was all…"
"A terrible, horrible scheme that affected both of us greatly?" Aida suggested.
"Yes," Mereb and Aida agreed in unison.
"I couldn't have you lose your throne to some slave woman," Aida whispered, touching Radames' cheek gently.
"Some woman," Radames snorted, and smiled. Mereb looked at the two lovers and slipped off, deciding that in some way, something bad was to happen.
"CAPTAIN! THE SHIP IS READY!" One of the soldiers bellowed suddenly. Radames froze, and looked to Aida, who met his gaze steadily. Radames noticed the look of intense pain that lingered in her eyes, and nodded.
"You're going to be Pharaoh, Radames," Aida said softly. "I can't make your decisions for you." Radames nodded again, kissed her cheek, and was off. Aida felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. She had Radames back, but she had still failed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Aida was busy showing Amneris some new fabrics she'd put together for a shawl, when Radames burst in. Amneris broke into a grin, and Aida took this as a time to leave. Radames bit back the plea for her to stay that was rising in his throat. Amneris. He had to think of Amneris. Forget Aida…Erase her name for now…
"Look what Aida made me!" Amneris exclaimed. –someone end this now—Radames groaned to himself. But he smiled.
"It's lovely, Amneris," Radames replied, pretending to inspect it, although he was really breathing in Aida's scent. –STOP RADAMES!—he yelled to himself. "Aida seems to be very talented." As Amneris nodded excitedly, turning to admire the shawl, Radames slapped himself on the head.
"Radames, why did you slap yourself?" Amneris asked innocently, biting back a smile. For all his handsome features, intelligent mind, and impeccable abs, he puzzled her often. A handmaiden slipped beside her, holding out a robe. "Pool time! Want to stay, Radames?"
"No…I've got something to do," Radames lied.
"Oh. Like what?"
"umm…." Radames stalled. Mereb, who'd been lurking in the shadows, appeared.
"I have to talk to you, master," Mereb said. Radames flashed his servant a grateful look, but Mereb just smiled back. They left, and Mereb led him under a shady palm.
"What's wrong, Mereb? Is Aida OK?" Radames asked hastily. Mereb nodded.
"Ask her yourself," Mereb grinned as Aida appeared from the shadows, then he was gone.
"I'm sorry, Radames, about the whole…Mereb thing. I…" Aida began to explain.
"You love me that much?" Radames interrupted suddenly. Aida smiled and nodded, tilting her face to receive a kiss. Radames leaned down to her, while a pair of eyes watched in wistful silence. They blinked, and were gone.