Ancient Love

[taintedsoul]

"it's not especially hard, but it has its standards. The newer you are at dancing, the worse it would be. it's the price to be paid when you live in a palace and are at the Pharaohs beck and call. Most days we spend working in one of the gardens or the staging room. If you have time off, then take time off, because trust me you won't want to dance after that. Until you get used to the training, your feet will probably bleed, but i'll try my best to keep that to a minimum." She saw the girl's eyes fall, signaling she was exhausted.
"Get some sleep, we'll talk in the morning."
Like her other girl's she kissed her cheek and blew out the room's candle.
"Sweet dreams precious light."

[Deleted]

Isis had barely heard her when she said sweet dreams. She laid there barely shifting in the night, She had a dream where the prince's gaze followed her every move and eventually she woke. She needed to clear her mind, it was a few hours before sunrise and she couldn't sleep any more. She found a change of clothes set off to the side of her bed. Isis smiled and changed her clothing into the training outfit. She felt the slight beading she suspected were there if a royal caught them dancing while training.

She slipped out and made her way to the lilly pond that was near their training grounds. She found one of the loose lillys and picked it out and placed it in her hair. She took a deep breath and started to dance. She needed to feel like she was still herself and not let the prince's gaze be all she felt anymore. She danced so freely. She danced as if she hadn't danced in years the way she wanted to.

Keeping her breathing controlled she worked hard and soon danced close to the edge of the pond. She balanced herself on the edge like she was looking for which way to go. She danced on her legs becoming limber as if she had stretched. She closed her eyes and let herself go. She found herself greeting the sun as she danced.

She took a deep breath as the sun rose above the wall that had been beside her. She was startled from her own little dance when she heard the other dancers gasp. She lost her footing and slipped beneath the water. She gasped as she resurfaced. She looked at a few of the girls that had asked questions last night.

"Good morning little ones," she said as she pulled herself out of the waters her clothing pulling closer to her curves. She felt the sun at her back and smiled at the girls who came to her with a arms spred to hug her. She knelt down and smiled to them as she looked up past them and saw the prince slipping through the shadows looking as if he was on his way towards breakfast.

Deciding not to worry about the prince She let the girls lead her to the dancing grounds where they would practice. Luckily it was already filled with sunlight. She smiled and felt the sun starting to dry out her clothing. She waited with the girls for Amu and watched as the ones who had hugged her started their own warm ups and stretches.

[taintedsoul]

Thutmose scowled bitterly as he saw the younger dancers swarm around her, hiding her from his raking sight.
*Probably Amu's doing* he growled to himself.
He wouldn't put it past his former lover to inform the girls that he was looking at their newest addition. And like the good loyal girls they were, they followed her command to the letter.
Yet still part of him yearned to have her again. Not as much as this new one who looked as unspoiled as the day she was born, but he was still a man. He had planned to stay and watch for the dancers to disperse a little so he could see his newest conquest, but Amu came up, a look of knowing in her eyes.
"Your highness. I'm surprised to see you hear. Isn't your father having breakfast with all the generals and lords this morning?"
She knew perfectly well the pharaoh was, just as she knew that thutmose was one of those invited generals. Growling his affirmation, he stalked off.
Making sure he had no intentions to turn around and return, she made her way over to the girls. The tray she carried was overflowing with biscuits, honey, watered down wine, and meat strips...enough to feed an army, but she was sure her family would be able to stuff it all down.
"Breakfast time little piggies." she called out in a sing song voice.
She was prepared for the onslaught, laughing as everyone grabbed something and settled down right there.
"Come on isis, you have to eat." she laughed.
She noticed the girl's clothes her dripping....a lot. She also knew of the near by lily pool, and all the lilys seemed to have floated to the other side.
"Managed an early dip this morning?" her eyes danced with laughter.
Leaning close she spoke with a conspirator's whisper.
"Every one of us has jumped in at some point. and i'm proud to say i willingly go in on a regular basis." she stood tall.
One of the girls called out, a laugh in her voice. "Yeah, but your nuts big sister."
With that they all sat down, enjoying the food and closeness of one big family.

[Deleted]

Isis was greatful to the girls. She smiled and walked with them to where Amu was. She saw the girls decend upon the food like a hawk upon a mouse. After they each got some Amu seemed to turn her eyes to her. She smiled as she said she had to eat. She took a couple of pieces and a cup of the watered down wine. She blushed when Amu talked about falling into the lilly pond.

Isis smiled when they started to tease one another. She took a small bite of the meat then looked at Amu and said "I was just startled, i didn't mean to fall in," she said looking down at her drink. She had never really had wine before since she had lived in a small village, they only had wine when their neighboring villages had excess grapes. She only had a sip on her birthday and it was almost like water with grapes added to it.

Taking a sip she found it quite different. She coughed at the strength being so much stronger then what she had been use to. She put the cup down and blushed feeling embarressed when it happened. She would have to add some extra water and slowly back off the water slowly. Isis prayed they wouldn't think bad of her since it was not something she normally had growing up.

(isis basically had water with a few drops of wine growing up since they hardly had access to wine XD)

[taintedsoul]

Amu tried not to laugh, knowing that the girl was embarressed at being so innocent as to never tried true wine. Then she was also a bit envious. She had started drinking wine the day she turned ten. She was so used to the tart burn that it barely registered at all. The woman nibbled on her beef strip, more as habit than hunger. She watched her girls fiercely, making sure that nothing that wasn't supposed to happen did. When she saw that most of the girls were just talking now, she replaced her cup on the platter and stood, calling attention to herself.
"Alright gossips of mine, it's time to practice. Today we're going to learn the dance of Isis, during her pregnancy." she glanced at Isis. Her eyes glittered with mischief. "As you all know, Isis is an important role in this dance. Now remember, she's heavy with horus, so this is a dance that involves the look of a mother. We also have an even more special treat. As isis is named after the goddess, i think she should play the role. I will play the queen." Her idea was more than throwing Isis head on into the dancing way of life. in the dance the only one that was not diaphonous or a scant piece of cloth was the goddess because of her pregnancy. It was her only way to protect the new girl from the prince for the time being.

[Deleted]

Isis was shocked when Amu said that, She didnt think she was the best choice. "Are you sure amu?" she asked nervously as she finished her food. She was not sure she liked the idea of her having to portray such an important part and her being so new. She could already feel her heart racing as if to tell her she was not going to be ready in time. She tried to calm down and not panic.

Isis looked at the other girls wondering if this was normal. She took a deep breath and tried to find a way to not have so much preasure on her by being the lead.

[taintedsoul]

Amu glared at her. "Of course i'm sure. I wouldn't put an ametuer who's going to ditz up the dance in an important role, no matter how much i would want to tease them about it." She used her eyes to point the girl to the person standing nearby. She hoped she understood why her voice had suddenly gone cold. She saw the stealthy glances of the other girls and their subtle straightening and sudden need to stretch. "We're a professional group, meekness is not tolerated." her heart ached at the words, but if she showed any kind of favor to any of her girls in front of the crown prince or his father, who was conveniently standing next to him, she would all but doom them to a fate worse than...well anything else she could think of.
"Start practicing any dance you know and limber up your bodies. A few of you, take Isis and teach her a simple dance, but make sure it's a trained dance." she ordered. It grated against her to go against her nature like that, but her choices were limited at that point. Painting a smile on her face, she walked over to the royalty.
"Your majesty, your highness," she curtsied, "is there something i can help you with?"
The older man's face crinkled into a smile. "Strict as ever i see. Good, i want my dancers to be good at what they do. I have an important envoy coming tomorrow and i want them to be perfect." he watched them for a moment to assess them before turning back to the woman.
"I assure you pharaoh, my girls will be amazing." she bowed.
"Good, Thutmose, come. We have councils to attend today." his father beckoned.
taking a moment, he walked as close to Amu as he could manage, close enough so their breath mingled.
"i will have her Amu, and you'll be begging to join us." he whispered.
Before she could back away he jerked her head to him and kissed her hard enough to bruise.
"Don't forget my little warning." He smiled and walked away.
Her blood boiled to almost steam. Fury clouded her eyes and a sick taste filled her mouth. Her lips that used to tingle when he kissed her now ached as if she had run into a door.
"That arrogant, sick, stupid-" she cut herself off when she saw the girls looking at her.
"I'm going for a swim. Nebet," she looked to the oldest girl, "You're in charge until i get back. If that man returns tell him practices are private so we can suprise them later. if he refuses to leave, go to that place and practice." she knew that her girl knew where that place was. They had discussed it long ago. it had originally been a place to hide them, but now it was used under desperate needs as a place to practice alone. Satisfied, she stalked off to the largest pool she could find.

[Deleted]

Isis flintched at the words. She saw Amu pass her off to the other girls and go talk to the pharaoh and prince. She didn't know what to think as she was lead away. She wondered if Amu being nice was even real if she could be this cold. She watched the girls and carefully tried to copy them and learn the dances.

I must not be important enough for her to help if she can be that harsh or leave without even caring about what i learn, Isis thought as she didn't know the subtle movements or what happened normally. She just felt abandond and tried to throw herself into her dances. She blocked out her feelings and learned the steps she needed to. Emotions would come later if she could find the right feelings once more and not be crushed by the cold words and actions of Amu.

[taintedsoul]

Amu's guilt refused to leave her. She had yelled at the people she cared for most in the world. She knew her girls would understand, but she didn't have time to notice isis's expression. Trying just one more time, she dunked her head under the water, hoping to wash away whatever it was that she felt...and rid the taste of the prince from her mouth. Deciding that almost drowning herself wasn't going to get her anywhere, the woman left the pool in search of her dancers.

The girls comforted isis, noticing the expression on her face.
"Don't be mad at her, please pretty please Isis. She did it to protect you. We promise. If she hadn't the pharaoh would have been really suspicious and the prince would be able to take you away. He'd say it's to make sure your not a spy or some stupid thing, but he'd take you away and do whatever he wanted to you." They whined.
It was a lesson they all took to heart from Amu. They knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that the head dancer loved them dearly. and they were just as determined to show this to Isis.

[Deleted]

Isis heard them but she didn't know what to feel anymore. She smiled for the girls and said "Alright but hopefully she will be able to explain everything to me later," she said. She wasn't sure if she could trust every word right now since they had grown up around this and were bias towards Amu but she would calm the girls fears of her not trusting Amu for now.

Isis stood there and sighed as she looked up at the sky. She ran a hand through her hair and then braided it back. She took a second and then said "Can we continue working i have a lot to learn," she said as she looked at the girls who had been teaching her and pleading for her to forgive Amu.

[taintedsoul]

"You knew what would have happened...you know what's going to happen by biting back like you did." his voice sent a cold shiver down her spine.
"I know." she clenched her fists.
She left her body limp, knowing if she stiffened the impact would hurt worse. When his hand connected with her cheek, she winced. She could feel the blood in her mouth. The iron taste burned on her tongue. He yanked her closer, close enough that she felt his hot breath on her ear.
"Never defy me Amu. Next time i won't leave my hand open. Next time you won't leave here with just a bruise." he shoved her away and walked off.
She gritted her teeth, refusing to let the tears fall. She would be strong and she would protect isis and the others at all costs....even if the price of protection left her never to dance again. or worse. Taking a moment to make sure that any blood outside of her mouth had been cleaned away, she walked down the steps to the practice. She wanted to smile, but knew if she did the others would surely notice the blood she kept having to swallow, or the swelling which would lead to a nasty bruise on her cheek.
"How's practice?" she mummered, just loud enough for them to hear.
Nebet and most of the other girls went white.
"He hit you again." Nebet whispered.
A light sob escaped her lips, but Amu could see her trying to be strong. Unable to bear it, she gathered the young girl close, holding her fiercely.
"It wasn't that bad. I'll be ok." she whispered.
She couldn't look up, afraid of what she would see if she looked at the other girls. She felt more bodies against her as more girls hugged her, some crying. Others shaking with fury or fear, she didn't know.

[Deleted]

Isis followed the movements of her teacher until they all heard someone sobbing. She stopped and looked to see Amu gathering a girl into her arm. Numbness was still in her about what to think about Amu. She wanted to think that she could still feel that her heart wanted to accept that it was as the girls said and she truly did care but she didn't know.

Isis's eyes caught the subtle changes in her face after seeing so many of the village girls struck by angry men. Her eyes softened and she felt like she had lost the battle she had been fighting since Amu had been so harsh when the royals were here. She took a deep breath and walked over towards the group.

Isis paused by the lilly pond and found a cloth near it and dipped it into the cool waters. She wrang it out and walked over and slipped her hand up and pressed ever so gently the cloth to Amu's cheek. "Its never right," she said softly her eyes showing her remembering her past.

[taintedsoul]

Amu welcomed the cool cloth, but she had to get isis to understand as soon as possible. she stilled the girl's hand, holding it away from her face. Looking her straight in the eye she made her listen.
"No it's not right, but it's needed. it the way things are. there's a price to pay for keeping my girls safe, and i accept it willingly."

[Deleted]

Isis wasn't sure what to think. She took her hand back and said "I still say its not right for anyone to lose their tempers on us," she said as she turned and walked to a corner and worked on what she had been taught. She didn't want to embarressed herself. She worked trying to get better in the short time she had.

She closed her eyes and pushed out all her thoughts and just danced. She danced putting her emotions into the dance again. She put in her love for dancing so that she could prove to herself she wasn't loosing herself as she stayed here.

even if i was losing myself its not like i can just leave, she thought as she danced around trying to lose herself into the movements and meaning of the dance.

[taintedsoul]

amu could be strong when she had to be. She had made it an art....but she had lost her temper in trying to protect Isis. Taking a deep sigh, she sent the girls back to work and walked over to her.
"Isis....i'm sorry for losing my temper but...i'm horrible at these kinds of things." she sighed.
"Isis, please just listen if nothing else.
The crown prince is known for his affairs. He's well known for taking any girl he desires...what people don't know is what happens after that. when he's done with you...so is everything you love. He's violent to his lovers and worse to those who try and get away. Thutmose wants you....If i show any weakness, or you do, he will use it and he will hurt you in ways you can never imagine." she looked away, trying to hold back the tears from her own experience. "You can hate me all you want. but i won't stop trying to protect you...you gave me your trust, and this is all i can return it with." not waiting for an answer she turned and walked away. She was alone, always and she knew it better than any of them. She'd just forgotten for a while.