Ancient Love

Chapter 9: Till Death Do Us Part

The following morning, I awoke to an empty bed and Anuktata making sure everything was where it needed to be before I got cleaned up and dressed. "Time to get up and out of bed your highness. Today is going to be a very big and busy day!" she said as she helped me get out of bed. She then made me stand up out of bed so she could escort me to the bathing chambers. After getting washed up, dressed and paying my respects at the temple, it was time for me to start getting ready for the ceremony. I heard a knock at my door. When Anuktata answered it, I saw my family rush in with their guards and servants. After hugging my mother, brothers and father, we were brought snacks and drinks to have while we caught up. "Knock Knock!" I heard someone say. I looked over and I saw Sharifa standing in my doorway. "Sharifa! Where have you been? I have been so worried about you!" I said as I rushed over to hug her tight. "I have been taking care of some things. But that doesn't matter now. All that matters is that you are getting married today!" She said with a slight bit of malice in her voice. But since I was getting married to the love of my life, I didn't really notice. After catching up with my family and Sharifa, it was time for me to get cleaned up once more and dressed. "We want to make sure you look your very best today!" My mother said as she walked into the bathing chambers with me. While I was getting cleaned up, my mother was picking out a scent for me to wear and making sure I had everything for the ceremony that I would need. After I was done, I got the bottom layers of my outfit on. I bid goodbye to my father and brothers so that they could go get ready for the ceremony as well. After they left, the room was filled with noise from my mother getting ready and ordering around the servants as she tried to make sure everything was perfect. As she was getting ready, I got to relax while I got my nails and toenails scrubbed.

After everyone was ready, and I was dressed and had on everything I needed for the ceremony, the high priest came in and lead everyone in prayers and asked the gods to 'bless this sacred marriage'. When the high priest was finished, he left and my mother, Sharifa, and I were escorted to where the ceremony was taking place. Looking around, I saw people carrying flowers, decorations, food, and one person that was heavily guarded carrying my Hedjet and Ahkmenrah's Deshret for the ceremony. As we were walking, I heard the citizens, servants and other guests whisper amongst each other and make comments about how beautiful I looked.

Once we got to the ceremony, I was escorted into a room where my mother was making some final adjustments to my appearance while the guards patrolled the area and made sure no harm would come to me. After my mother was finished, Markata came in and informed me that he had spoken with Shoshan and that everything was ready for the ceremony to begin. I looked out of my window to see the high priest walking to his place, then Ahkmenrah's parents walking while being followed by their guards, then my parents and their guards. Next, came my brothers and then I finally saw my beloved Ahkmenrah all dressed up walking to his place at the altar. "Your highness, it is time." Markata said as he motioned for the guards and servants to start walking to their places. While walking to my place, I felt excited yet nervous at the same time. A part of me wanted to break free of the guards and run into his arms while the other part of me wanted to freeze in my steps. When I finally reached my place at the altar, Ahkmenrah and I looked at eachother and when he looked at me, I could see the same sparkle in his eyes as the first day we met that fateful day ten years ago.

"Ladies and Gentleman! Kings and Queens and esteemed guests. We gather here today in front of the great god Set to witness the unification of Egypt!" The priest began to say. "Prince Ahkmenrah of the South, do you promise to always love, feed, clothe, protect, make her happy and live together peacefully forever and into the afterlife?" the priest said as he turned to Ahkmenrah. "I do solemnly promise." Ahkmenrah responded as the high priest cut a small slit on the palm of Ahkmenrah's hand after he slipped a small golden ring onto my finger. "And do you Princess Irissia of the North, promise to always love, feed, clothe, protect, make him happy and live together peacefully forever and into the afterlife?" he asked me as he turned towards me. "I do solemnly promise." I responded as the priest cut a small slit in the palm of my hand after I put a golden ring onto Ahkmenrah's finger. "You may now join hands." The priest said as he grabbed my hand and then Ahkmenrah's hand and placed them together. While our palmes touched, we turned towards the audience for the crowning. "Prince Ahkmenrah of the South and Princess Irissia of the North, with the passing of the crown, you shall be pronounced King Ahkmenrah and Queen Irissia. May our great kingdom remain unified for the rest of all eternity." The priest said as our crowns were placed upon our heads. After getting crowned, the audience cheered for us and we turned to the priest one last time with our palms touching. "I now pronounce you, King Ahkmenrah and Queen Irissia, husband and wife." The priest said as he turned to both of us. "You may now kiss your bride." The priest said as he turned to Ahkmenrah. Ahkmenrah and I smiled at each other. He pulled me in close and we kissed. "I now present you with King Ahkmenrah and Queen Irissia. Rulers of all Egypt!" The priest said as he addressed the very large crowd. They cheered even louder as Ahkmenrah and I walked down the stairs and to the horse drawn carriage waiting for us. We got into the carriage and as we were driven off, crowds of people gathered to cheer and congratulate us on our union. "So where are we going now?" Ahkmenrah and I heard Craig say as he came out of nowhere. "Were you there the entire time Craig?" Ahkmenrah asked him. "Not the entire time. Just after the priest guy cut your hand. After that, I got bored of just standing there. So, I decided to have a little party of my own and somehow, I ended up here!" He explained as he put his arm around Ahkmenrah's shoulder and the other arm around mine. "So, where are we going?" Craig asked us cluelessly. "Well Ahkmenrah and I are going to go visit Northern Egypt and stay there for a while while my parents and brothers are away" I told Craig as I took his arm off of my shoulder. "Oh neat!" Craig said as he put his other arm over Ahkmenrah's other shoulder. "At least I get to be with my best bro!" Craig added as he hugged Ahkmenrah tight. "Actually Craig, Iris and I will be the active rulers over there while we are there" Ahkmenrah told Craig as he took both of Craig's arms off of him. A while later we arrived at the boat and while my parents and brothers got onto the boat with their guards and serants, Ahkmenrah and I took one last look around to take in the view of our new home one last time before sailing off. Ahkmenrah and I then got onto the boat with our guards and servants following behind us. "Hey guys! Wait for me!" Craig yelled out as he ran onto the boat. When everyone was on the boat, we set sail for my old home. Hours passed and when we finally arrived at the dock, I felt overwhelmed with joy. I remembered all of the memories that I had here and what my life was like before getting betrothed. "Is everything alright?" I heard Ahkmenrah ask me as he wrapped his arms around my waist tight and kiss my neck. "Everything is fine. I am just getting a nostalgic feeling" I replied as he stopped kissing my neck. After the servants got the boat docked and tied down, we were able to walk off of the boat while the servants unloaded the belongings that we had brought with us. "Welcome home my daughter" My father said to me as he held out his hand to help me off of the boat. "Thank you father. It is such a wonderful feeling to be back again" I replied as I jumped off of the boat. "You were always the reckless one Iris" I heard my brother Anhuris say to me as he got off of the boat. "You must be careful Iris. Someone as delicate and fragile such as yourself should not be doing such dangerous things!" Napophsis said as he mocked what my father would say to me growing up. "Oh haha" I said tauntingly as I playfully hit his arm. "Ok you two that's enough! Get in so we can get back to the palace." I heard our mother yell back at us as she got into the carriage. My brothers and I raced off to the carriage and I ended up getting there first. "Ha! Even in this attire, I can still defeat you!" I said tauntingly to my brothers who followed behind me. When everyone was in the carriages, we headed for the palace that I used to call home. "Here it is!" I said excitedly to Ahkmenrah and Craig as our carriage pulled through the palace gate. When the carriage was stopped, the door was unlocked and opened. "Welcome back princess" Rahkorta and Hartatef said as they helped me out of the carriage. After my feet touched the ground, I ran for the palace door and ran inside to the throne room. A few moments later, everyone walked into the throne room where I was still looking around at everything. "Someone's happy to be back" Horusaha said as they entered the room. After taking a deep breath to take everything in, I saw Ahkmenrah enter the room with Craig on his back. Later that day after paying our respects at the temple, I took Ahkmenrah for a tour around the palace and I showed him all of the secret passageways and all of my old hiding spots. When the tour was over, we headed to the dining hall and after eating and getting washed up, we decided to relax in my old room for the rest of the night.