When Sabra arrived at the barracks she didn't expect to see anyone, let alone practically the entire army that had been situated in the King's palace. They had become her friends and in a sense her family. Here they all were, grinning like maniacs.

"Well, if it isn't her highness Queen Sabra. It is an honour." Sobek bowed to her, his every movement exaggerated to the point of ridicule which sent the barracks chuckling.

"I'm not Queen yet Sobek," she said.

"You're leaving us though aren't you?" Asked a younger recruit by the name of Gebnut. He had joined up during the war, he was only thirteen.

"I don't want to." She admitted. She wanted to say more, but she found if she opened her mouth she might burst into tears.

"Of course you do." Said Sobek grinning. "The King is handsome and you'll have the honour of seeing his royal co-"

He cut off with a sharp jab to his stomach from Ahmose.

"Sorry," he said. "What he means to say is that you no doubt love our King, a woman like you wouldn't tie herself to a man if she didn't want to leave her old life behind."

"I may love Ahk but that doesn't mean I love you all any less." She said. "I am sure I can still play an active role in the army. Left to you own devices you would all be hopeless."

"Let us hope our King keeps you busy." Said Sobek grinning.

"Your training exercises are like walking through hell!" Exclaimed Nefrahmet.

"All the more reason for me to stay." She said grinning. "I'm not married yet, I can still have you pissing blood during our training exercises for the next few weeks."

"You have a crass mouth for someone who's going to be Queen." Retorted Sobek.

"It'll only get crasser." She said. "Don't you all have places to be, today is a holiday, there's no training."

"We know," said an older man, Aahtopre. "We all came to congratulate you and to present you with this."

He drew a pouch from his kilt and brought out a beautiful silver necklace inlaid with a mother of pearl, as well as a dagger of the same materials.

"We all pooled our money to buy you this." Said Sobek. "As a gift for all you done for us, and a vow to protect you as our future Queen and our Commander."

"We know you're perfectly capable of looking after yourself." Added Ahmose. "They don't call you the Guardian of Egypt for nothing. Consider us guardians of the Guardian."

"I can't..."

"Come on Sabra." Said Sobek. "We each lost a handful of tenets for this gift."

When she took the necklace and dagger in her hands, Sabra for the first time, burst into tears in front of her soldiers.

—————

Ahkmenrah saw her finally walk out of the barracks, he felt his features break out into a grin when she looked his way.

"Didn't expect you to be up so early." She said, when she was near enough.

Despite her smile, Ahkmenrah could see that she had been crying.

"Walk with me." He said simply offering his hand, it surprised him that when she took it that his heart would still beat furiously.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"I'm going to miss it." She told him, her eyes wandering to soldier's barracks. "They were almost like family."

"I apologise." He said softly squeezing her hand. "If have seconds thoughts about this...about us I won't hold it against you...I..."

"Nonsense!" She scolded. "I agreed to marry you, knowing full well what I will leave behind."

He felt guilty as his heart warm at those words.

"If it makes you happy," he said stopping, taking her other hand in his as he studied the blue of her eyes. "I am handing over my duties as warrior Pharaoh to you. It is not like my leg will let me do much fighting."

"For shame Ahk!" Sabra exclaimed jokingly. "Burdening all your duties on me."

"I'll take on some of yours." He offered.

"What will those be?"

"Standing by and looking pretty while you smite the enemy." He declared.

She laughed "You're already doing a wonderful job at that."

He chuckled slightly, and leaned towards her, his lips feverish for hers. Before they could meet they were interrupted by a messenger.

"Your majesty I..." the messenger paused, abashed, taking in the situation. "Was I interrupting?"

Yes, yes you were! Ahkmenrah wanted to say, instead he smiled graciously. "Not at all Djoser, what seems to be the problem?"

"Emissaries of King Sargon of Sumer have arrived." Said Djoser. "They bear gifts and peace offerings for your marriage ceremony."

"Word travels quickly." Muttered Ahkmenrah, he turned to Sabra. "Will you come with me?"

"Not today." She said apologetically. "My aunt is waiting for me. I must go."

Before Ahkmenrah could say goodbye Sabra pressed her lips against his. This kiss was stronger than their last one, more passionate, it seemed to be forged from blood and fire. It was desperate kiss and he found he was at the mercy of her body's holding. He didn't mind. She could have taken him then and there, ripped both their clothes off and then....but the damned messenger was still here. So he was left with a certain aching in the heart when she pulled away.

"I'll see you tomorrow morning," she said and walked off towards the palace gate to the streets of Ineb-Hedg, leaving Ahkmenrah an inarticulate mess.

If the palace had been burning at that moment, he probably would not have noticed and perhaps would have remained transfixed on that spot staring as she walked off.

"Your majesty..." Djoser was losing his patience.

Ahkmenrah turned to his messenger and offered an apologetic smile.

"Where are they?" He asked.

"Right this way, your Majesty." Answered the messenger.

So Ahkmenrah followed him to the throne where two men stood, garbed in richly dyed fabric of blue and red. Their hair was long black and flowed down their shoulders in shining ringlets, a far cry from the desperate warriors during the battle many months ago. Looking at their simple, yet vibrant garb, Ahkmenrah felt underdressed in his own simple white kilt. He wasn't even wearing his crown.

They bowed deeply before him.

"Rise." Commanded Ahkmenrah, thoroughly embarrassed. "Tell me your purpose."

"I am Anbir," said the man in blue. "My companion is Marduk. We have come to offer you gifts for your upcoming marriage and peace offerings on behalf of Sargon and the nation of Sumer in hopes of a continuation of peaceful relations between Sumer and Egypt. We have also heard of your brothers demise, and we have come to pay respects to his newborn son and offer our sympathies. Kahmunrah was a fine and brave warrior, much loved by the Sumerians."

Kahmunrah. Sometimes hearing his brother's name, killed Ahkmenrah a little on the inside. This was one of those times. Gods, what he wouldn't give to have him by his side right now. He gave the men a smile.

Before he could respond the two Sumerian men opened up the cedar wood chests and brought out many gifts, of gold, jewels, perfumes, spices and beautifully woven cloth. They brought a beautiful sword for Ahkmenrah and for little Ramses a series of wheeled toys and figurines. They offered Sabra a large shield, beautifully carved with scenes from the battle of the Sumerians and Egyptians.

"We have heard of Egypt's food shortages." Answered Marduk. "We offer grain from Sumer, to provide for the people."

"Your gifts are welcome." Ahkmenrah told them. "Truly you have done much for my country. Ask me of anything."

Marduk nodded towards Anbir, urging him forward.

"If it befits you," he started. "We only ask that we see your nephew Ramses. His mother Ismara was under my protection when we conquered and his father Kahmunrah is considered legend in Sumer."

Ahkmenrah smiled at them. "I see my nephew is already destined be a great King."

"Perhaps as great as you." Replied Marduk deftly.

Ahkmenrah laughed. "No need for flattery, I've brought my country to ruin and I know it. Come this way to the nursery, if we're lucky he might be awake."

Like that Ahkmenrah lead, those who used to be his enemies, to the very place his nephew was sleeping. And when Ramses smiled up at them exuberantly, Ahkmenrah felt that his whole world was complete.

—————

A bit of a filler but I hope you enjoyed it. Brace yourselves for the next chapter. You're going to want to kill me.