Chapter 12

Ardeth ran over to her, shoving Eleth off into Nana's arms, and he picked Elizabeth up gently, holding her close to him. "Where is her room?" he demanded of the two women.

Lina's eyes sparkled with joy as she saw the fierce concern in the dark warrior's eyes. "Right this way." She walked off with Ardeth following close behind her, and Nana carrying Eleth brought up the rear. Ardeth's grandfather decided to stay in the lobby and wait for his grandson, wondering what in the world Allah had in store for all of them.

Lina pushed open the bedroom door and let Ardeth enter first. He carried Elizabeth over to the bed and set her down gently, pushing back a stray lock of fiery-gold hair from her face that had so intrigued him when they had first met. Lina got a cool, wet cloth and brought it to Ardeth, holding it out for him to take.

He got up off of the bed quickly and backed away from the proffered cloth. "You can help her...." He started but was cut short by Lina.

"No, YOU can help her best. Take this cloth and gently wipe her face with it. She's had quite a shock and the coolness of it will do her good. She'll come around in a few minutes." She eyed him, silently challenging him to take the cloth.

Ardeth took it and slowly sat back down on the bed. He stared at Elizabeth as Lina and Nana took Eleth out of the room. When the door had closed, he began to wipe Elizabeth's forehead, hardly daring to believe he was actually touching the woman he had been dreaming about for so many years.

She began to come to under his gentle ministrations and she slowly opened her eyes to look directly into the face of her heart's desire. "Ardeth," she whispered, "is it really you? Or am I dreaming this?"

He smiled at her for speaking the thought that had been going through his mind also. "It is really I."

"I can't believe it! You're here, you're really here!" she said as she grasped his hand and brought it to her face.

"And you! Every time I come into Cairo I look for you, never really thinking I would see you, but yet here you are."

"Yes," Elizabeth nodded, "we're here for a short trip."

"And Eleth, he is my son?" he questioned.

Elizabeth smiled shyly. "He is our son."

Ardeth was at a loss for words. The woman he loved had borne him a son! He had an overwhelming feeling of protectiveness for his sudden family and wished they were all back home. He would take Elizabeth and Eleth back to the village, of that he had no doubt, but he knew he would have to battle with the council before he could marry Elizabeth. He put that worry aside and concentrated on her, gazing at her lips longingly, as the desire that had been denied for so long rose up swiftly, threatening to overpower him. He brought his head down to hers and kissed her tentatively at first, then more urgently as his passion for her began to consume him.

Elizabeth felt herself drowning in his kiss, as she relived those nights of love from so long ago, remembering the feel of him, the scent of him, the very heat of his passion, until she remembered that he was married. She dug her hands into his hair and pulled his face away from hers. Ardeth looked at her in surprise. "What is it?"

"We shouldn't be doing this," she replied sadly.

"Why not?" asked Ardeth belligerently.

"Because you are married to Anara."

Ardeth was caught off guard for a moment, and then he smiled at her. "I did not marry Anara. Hamid did."

"You mean, you never married...anyone?" Elizabeth held her breath, hardly daring to hope that he was still single.

"How could I, when all I could do was think of you?"

Elizabeth stared into his eyes, seeing down to his very soul, all the love and desire he had for her. "Oh, Ardeth," she breathed, and she pulled his head back down to hers, winding her arms around his neck possessively. Ardeth stopped kissing her and looked at her. This time, it was Elizabeth's turn to be surprised. "What?" she asked.

"Are you not married?" he asked in disbelief.

Elizabeth smiled. "No, I never married."

"This is good," Ardeth grunted, "for I would have had to kill him if you had been married."

Elizabeth should have been outraged by that remark, but instead she found herself melting at the words. Ardeth's lips fastened mercilessly against hers, as they began rediscovering the taste and feel of each other, having been deprived of the other for too many years. His hands moved eagerly over her body, searching for warm flesh to touch, and happily discovered the string that laced up her front. He deftly undid her blouse and pushed the material aside, not even bothering to remove it completely, as his hands coursed rapidly over her bare skin. His mouth soon followed, and Elizabeth groaned in rapture as he took in one breast, arching her back as she pressed herself closer to his face. A pulsating tremor began pounding between her legs as Ardeth's hands and mouth moved back and forth across her chest in a frenzy of passion. Elizabeth felt like her limbs were on fire, and the heat within her threatened to melt the very core of her inner being. Ardeth sensed the quickness rising within her and tried to climb on top of her, but found his scimitars in the way. He sat up and quickly removed the offending swords, sword belt and over-robe, then he looked down at Elizabeth. She lay on the bed watching his every move, with love and desire shining from her eyes. Her arms lay on the bed by her head, and her hair splayed out across the pillow in a fiery halo around her lovely face. The two halves of her blouse were wide open, exposing her upper body, her dark nipples firmly rising up from the fleshy mounds of her breasts, which moved with every panting breath she took, making the smoldering fire within him suddenly rage to life.

As Elizabeth's eyes traveled lovingly over Ardeth's firm, bare chest, her gaze came across a long scar going from his side to his abdomen. She sat up quickly in alarm, her passion turning to anxiety, as she studied the wicked looking injury.

"Ardeth!" she cried out, "what happened?" Her fingers traced the old wound gingerly, subconsciously fearing she might be hurting him.

Ardeth took her hand and brought it to his lips. "It is nothing, merely a trophy received in honour of a great battle we fought over a year ago." He saw the concern in her eyes as he kissed her fingertips, trying to ease her worry.

"But...," she tried to continue, but Ardeth placed a finger against her lips.

"Sh. Talk later," he growled, his voice low with emotion, and he pushed her gently back down on the bed. Elizabeth smiled shyly as she perceived his blatant intention by the look in his eyes, realizing that his need for her was as great as hers was for him. His mouth came down on hers again as he let go of the years of torment of not having her by his side, and his wantonness took Elizabeth to new heights. At first he tried to check his passion, but he soon gave up, as he feverishly removed the rest of their clothing, wanting to feel only her soft skin underneath him. Elizabeth moaned again, as his fingers explored her body intimately, clutching his hair in response to the pleasure she was receiving as his lust ran ramped. His touch was rough as his hands moved over her, but instead of fearing it, Elizabeth welcomed it, letting go of her own inhibitions and meeting him touch for touch.

Ardeth heard Elizabeth's whimper and it fueled him on to ravage her thoroughly. Finally, he could hold back no longer, so he moved his hands under her back to her shoulder blades, holding her tightly as he plunged his manhood into her, groaning in ecstasy as his hips moved against hers. Elizabeth's hands clawed at his back as every pulse of her heartbeat pounded throughout her body, making her gasp for breath, while the tempo of their unchecked lovemaking increased. Her senses were reeling from Ardeth's frantic movements, as though he was afraid she'd disappear, and her silent reply was to hold him tighter to her. Just when Elizabeth thought she was beyond tolerating any further ecstasy, she felt it come, as every muscle in her body convulsed, making her cry out while she exploded within, leaving her quivering in the aftermath of heavy breathing and sweat. Ardeth also cried out as he released his seed into her, gasping for breath as he slowly descended from the heady plains of delight and came back down to earth. He held her tightly, breathing heavily and burrowing his face into her soft shoulder, lightly nipping the side of her neck, while their bodies slowly returned to normal. Elizabeth stroked his hair as they lie there together on the soft bed, the afternoon sun throwing its rays on the lovers, bathing them in warmth and light. She sighed in utter contentment, as she lay cocooned between Ardeth's body and the mattress.

It was some moments later when Ardeth lifted his head up to gaze at her, seeing the happiness and satisfaction he felt reflected in her eyes. "Do you know how much I longed to hold you all these years?" he asked softly.

Elizabeth played with the silver strands of hair that graced his temples. "Let's not talk about the past Ardeth. We have this moment, and I don't want to waste it with regrets or what-could-have been."

Ardeth's eyebrows drew together. "This moment? We have the rest of our lives."

Elizabeth disentangled herself from his embrace and got off the bed. "Ardeth, we only have this moment. You have your people, and I have mine, remember?"

Ardeth sat up on the bed, the beginnings of a thundercloud showing on his face as he watched her slip her skirt on. "You are coming back to the village with me, you and Eleth."

"We can't Ardeth! Your people might accept Eleth, but they would never accept me, and I refuse to be separated from my son," said Elizabeth as she fumbled with the button of her skirt.

Ardeth got up and put his pants on. "Elizabeth, there is no discussion on this. You and Eleth will ride back with me tonight. The council has been clamoring for me to produce an heir, and I have one through you. You and I will marry, and Eleth will be the next lord of my people."

Elizabeth sighed in frustration as the button refused to catch on her skirt, so she turned her back to Ardeth. "Ardeth, please button me up and let's finish getting dressed, then we'll talk about this later."

Ardeth's fingers nimbly buttoned her skirt, then he slid his arms around her waist and brought his hands up to caress her naked breasts. Elizabeth inhaled sharply as her desire for him came up quickly, thinking to herself that he didn't play fair at all. It didn't help when he lowered his head and brought his mouth to her ear. "No more talk," his low voice rumbled, "we leave in an hour."

Elizabeth fought the passion rising within her, and turned her head sideways to look up at him. "But Ardeth,..." she began.

His lips came down on hers, cutting off any protestation she might have made. Between his intoxicating kiss, and his hands working their charm on the sensitive areas of her body, it was simply too much for Elizabeth to fight. Ardeth felt her relax and slowly broke off the kiss. He looked deeply in to her dark eyes, silently commanding her to obey him, and she sighed. "All right, we'll come with you, for now."

"Forever," he said as he brushed her lips with his, then he bent over to retrieve her blouse and sash.

Elizabeth made no reply to his last remark, inwardly deciding to wait until the newness of seeing each other again wore off and Ardeth was in a clearer frame of mind. Elizabeth finished dressing first, and went to Lina's room to get Eleth.

She walked into Lina's room and found Nana and Eleth playing a game on the floor while Lina sat in a chair, playing with a bit of lace and chatting with the two on the floor. All three of them looked up as Elizabeth entered, and Eleth got off the floor and threw himself into his mother's arms.

"Mummy, that man in black said he'd get me another sticky bun," babbled Eleth.

"Yes darling, we'll get you another one, but first I want to introduce you to someone." Elizabeth paused as she quickly tried to find the best way to explain things to her son. "Eleth, do you remember that I told you your father was a warrior in the desert?"

"Mm-hm," replied Eleth.

"Well, you see, that man in black is a warrior of the desert...and he's also ...your father," she said slowly.

Eleth's eyes went wide open. "You mean, I really do have a daddy?"

"Yes, love. Would you like to meet him properly?"

Eleth didn't say anything, so Elizabeth took his hand and slowly guided him into her room. Ardeth was just putting his scimitars back in place as they walked in, once again becoming the fierce warrior chief. Eleth and Ardeth looked at each other as Elizabeth spoke.

"Eleth, this is your daddy."

Eleth became suddenly shy and clung to Elizabeth's skirts as he stared at his father. Elizabeth looked at Ardeth, not knowing what to do or say to help get her son through this awkward moment. Ardeth smiled at Eleth and got down on one knee.

"Eleth," he said softly, "come to me."

Ardeth held out his hand towards the boy. Eleth looked up at his mother, who gave him a look of encouragement, and slowly let go of her hand and skirt. Ardeth kept the smile on his face as he waited patiently for the boy to walk over to him. Eleth stopped at the end of Ardeth's outstretched arm, still shy about meeting the man who was his father.

"Eleth, it is all right. Come to me," commanded Ardeth gently.

Eleth walked closer to his father. Ardeth carefully reached up and touched Eleth's face, awestruck as it sunk in that this boy was his flesh and blood. Elizabeth watched father and son with tears in her eyes as they discovered each other and bonded together.

"Eleth, I am going to take you and your mother back to my village, where we will live as a family. Would you like that?" asked Ardeth of his son.

"Live in the desert with the warriors?" asked Eleth brightly.

Ardeth smiled. "Yes, and one day you will be a warrior also."

Eleth turned a shining face to Elizabeth. "Mummy! We're going to live in the desert with the warriors!"

Elizabeth gave Ardeth a look. "Well, at least for a visit, Eleth."

As much as he enjoyed Elizabeth's banter, this was one time he wished she wouldn't challenge him. He gave her a harsh look. "Not a visit, you are coming home for good. Get yours and Eleth's things together. We leave soon." Ardeth stood, picked Eleth up, and left the room.

Elizabeth sighed at his command and sat down on the edge of the bed as she contemplated the situation. She refused to leave Eleth with Ardeth, but he would never let his son go now. She knew Ardeth would fight with his people to get her to stay, which would divide them and ruin their unity, but she would never feel accepted. Of course, they could live as a family somewhere else, but Ardeth would never leave his people for her, and she wouldn't ask him to. It was an ugly situation that didn't seem to have a good solution. She looked up as Lina and Nana came in.

"Well, we just passed Ardeth carrying Eleth and he was headed downstairs. Does this mean what I think it means? Are the two of you going with him?"

Elizabeth sighed. "I don't know...I guess, for now, for a visit."

"Elie, the look on Ardeth's face was very possessive. I don't think it's just for a visit," stated Nana.

"Ardeth wants Eleth and I to live with him, forever, of course, but it just wouldn't work out. Our cultures are too different and his people would never accept me."

"You don't know that," said Lina.

"Yes I do," retorted Elizabeth. "It's why he left me the first time. So, we'll go for a short while and meet you back in Alexandria in a few weeks."

"I hope not."

"Lina, what do you mean by that?" asked Elizabeth.

"You and Ardeth need to be together. Both Nana and I saw your face when you came in just a few minutes ago, and we haven't seen you look so satisfied and content in years. Give his people some time, they'll come around."

Elizabeth rubbed her forehead, as her confused thoughts milled around like a whirlwind in her mind. "What about you? I can't just pick up and leave you alone!" exclaimed Elizabeth.

"Nana will stay with me as long as she wants. We've got a lot of traveling left to do and we'll just see how much trouble two old ladies can get themselves into!" smiled Lina. "Now, come on, get busy and pack! That warrior didn't look like he had all day to waste!"

Elizabeth gave Lina and Nana a hug and set about packing their belongings in her satchel. She only packed a few things of necessity for herself, and filled it mostly with Eleth's clothes and toys. It only took her fifteen minutes to gather everything together and then the three women headed downstairs.

Ardeth was still holding Eleth in his arms, and she could see pastry remnants on her son's face as he smiled up at his father. She walked up to Ardeth and his grandfather, and the old warrior took Elizabeth's bags from her and went outside to load them onto a packhorse.

"I see you talked your father into getting you a sticky-bun," Elizabeth said to Eleth, as she took the end of her sash and wiped off the telltale pastry from his mouth.

"I lost my other one," replied Eleth innocently.

Elizabeth smiled at their son, and then looked into Ardeth's eyes. He gazed back at her passionately for a moment, and then spoke. "Are you ready?"

Elizabeth took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes." She gave one last hug each to Lina and Nana, promising to write as often as she could and thanking them profusely for their help over the years. Nana and Lina said their goodbyes with hugs and tears for her and Eleth, while Ardeth looked on anxiously at being separated from his new-found son for the moment. He almost grabbed Eleth from Lina's arms as she handed him back to his father. Lina noted it all with a smile and pointed her finger at him.

"You take good care of these two. They are very precious to me and if any harm comes to them, you'll have me to deal with," she said in mock severity.

Ardeth was taken aback by her words, but inclined his head with respect to her as he gave his reply. "I will protect them with my life." With Eleth in one arm and Elizabeth's hand in his other, he walked them out to where the warriors were waiting patiently on their horses. The packhorses were loaded down completely, and the only place for Elizabeth and Eleth were to ride double with the warriors. Ardeth put Eleth up on his horse in front of the saddle and climbed up behind him. Elizabeth went around to the old warrior's horse, intending to ride with Ardeth's grandfather, but Ardeth stopped her. He reached down to her and kicked his foot out of the stirrup. "You ride with me also."

Elizabeth was going to protest that it would be too much weight for the stout Arabian but one look at Ardeth's face and she knew not to argue with him on this. She stepped into the stirrup as Ardeth pulled her up by the arm, and she swung her right leg over the horse behind Ardeth. She could hear Eleth's excited babble and called out to him.

"Hold on tight, Eleth!"

Ardeth looked back at her over his shoulder. "He will not fall. I have him safe in my arm."

Elizabeth smiled up at him as she put her arms around his waist. "I know you do, but I'm his mother and I have to say things like that."

Ardeth gave her a smile back and turned around to face forward. He gave a yell to his warriors and they took off down the street. Lina and Nana watched them go, waving until the Medjai turned a corner and were out of sight, then headed back into their hotel.

The warriors thundered through the streets of Cairo and out the main gate, into the Sahara desert, not even bothering to notice the Englishman who stared in astonishment at them.