~~~~~~~~~~~Reflections of a Friendship~~~~~~~~~~~~

By Jedi Blu

Disclaimer in the 1st Chapter.

Note: This is my FINAL CHAPTER of my Ardeth romance. As I've said before, there are too few good Ardeth romances out there; I hope I've helped a bit with my story. Thank you again to all my WONDERFUL reviewers, this is the last you'll hear from me until I finish my next fic. I hate posting until they're finished. I'm strongly tempted to do another 'Mummy' story, but haven't been strongly inspired yet. I'm currently working on a piece about my favorite character in the Harry Potter series (Severus Snape).

I hope you all enjoy this. I've done my best.

And I apologize for taking the gambler out of Jonathan, and I do promise if I write another Mummy fic I'll prove he's still a cheeky little scoundrel at heart (despite Bess, who I hope to flesh out a little someday to be his perfect match).

So I'll be seeing you all 'round!

And remember…Death is only the Beginning, and Life is a Daring Adventure.

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CHAPTER FIFTEEN: The Wedding & Epilogue

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The wedding feast was something that none there had ever seen before. Every delicacy imaginable was there, and the entertainment was fantastic. Sword fights, acrobats, dancing girls, and lively music. The English guests could think of nothing so spectacular that they had ever been to. The wedding itself had been marvelous; a Med-jai holy man had done the ceremony with simplicity and ease. Then there was the bride... Evelyn had seen none as beautiful as Adira had been. She wore the purest white silk and French lace that had been made into an elaborate Egyptian gown for her. Her face had been left uncovered, apparently at Ardeth's request, a strange break with tradition.

The delicate tattoos on Adira's face seemed very out of place with her soft smile and deep brown eyes, but the O'Connell's didn't doubt she was as fierce a warrior as any; the day before she had challenged Rick to a fight. After accepting, Rick soon learned what a mess he had gotten himself into Evelyn found the younger woman absolutely delightful, and they became fast friends. Bess had come after all, and Jonathan had actually proposed to her during the wedding feast. The proper English girl had said yes, of course, and then thrown herself at him to deliver a mighty kiss for such a small lady.

As the people watched the festivities, and enjoyed the food, the sight that made most of them smile was that of Ardeth and Adira. The savage Med-jai warrior sat with his arm protectively around his new bride, his head bent so that it rested on her shoulder, his eyes never leaving her face as he had a whispered conversation with her. Her own eyes were soft and full of adoration and love as she spoke to him, her hand clasped in his, her smile sweet and gentle.

Rick had asked Ardeth earlier in the day what the honeymoon plans were, and Ardeth had smiled secretly. "A few nights under the stars, in the private gardens of a small Med-jai home."

Adira did not know yet, it was to be a surprise, and his wedding gift to her. He was taking her to the place where his mother had grown up and lived until she had married his father, a small dwelling in the mountains, where the stars were clearly seen at night, and a gardener had attended the beautiful lands there for years. He had sent servants ahead to prepare the cottage-like place; they would leave almost immediately after the feast to get there.

The O'Connells had been invited to stay in the city until Ardeth and his bride returned, but they had not been able to accept. They were returning to England, but had invited the couple to visit them there soon. Rick was anxious about his wife, who was now five months along in her pregnancy. Ibrahim had done what he could to calm the worried husband, and had even provided Evelyn with a few Med-jai remedies for any ailment she may have.

Evelyn had asked Adira of the story behind she and Ardeth's relationship, and both women had laughed and cried as Adira recounted old stories and her interactions with the man she had fallen in love with.

A time came during the evening that the couple was supposed to depart, but not before the Bride danced for the company to thank them for coming. She had been practicing her dance in secret, much to Ardeth's dismay. He knew she had never learned the art that so many women around her had. He was anxious to see her do well; he could not bare to think that some could find her lacking because of a simple dancing custom.

Bess and Evelyn had both seen the dance, and they had done what they could to assure Ardeth all would be well. But they were English women, what did they know of Med-jai custom?

The time came; Adira arose from her place beside her new husband, and walked to the center of the gathering in the gardens. The music stopped as she bowed before the company. "My dearest friends, both old and new, I thank you for attending my wedding. Before my husband and I take our leave, I would like to show you my appreciation...with a dance." A graceful movement of her hand prompted the music to start, a slow and sensuous sound. Two servants ran forward, each holding a glittering silver sword. They dropped the swords on the ground before Adira, bowed, and then ran back into the crowd.

Swaying herself slightly to the music, Adira walked forward, and lifted the swords. All were curious now, for this was not any traditional dance that they knew of. Ardeth came to his feet and moved forward slightly, his stance tall and proud as ever, his eyes watching his wife carefully.

Then she began, her swords flashing in the torchlight, as she twisted her body to the music, dancing as if she were fighting an unseen enemy with her swords. Applause began at once; she froze for a moment to acknowledge them, smiled, then began her dance again. All became quiet. The movement of her body was smooth, and graceful, as she went about the area, twirling her weapons with ease. Instead of forcing herself to learn an awkward dance, she had only put her fighting techniques to music, again proving to Ardeth how different and amazing she could be.

The flickering firelight made her appear mysterious, her movements enchanted. Then her dance changed, from a dance for the people, to a dance for Ardeth. When he realized that the change had been made, Ardeth could only stand and stare at her hypnotic movements and the mischief in her eyes.

What was she planning?

He understood at last when Bess and Evelyn crept up beside him and thrust the hilts of two swords into his palms. The gathered audience sent up a roar of approval. What better way to join two warriors than have them spar together?

Ardeth smiled, then his face became a mask of concentration. He listened to the music, watched her movements, and nodded when he felt he could follow her. He stepped into the circle formed around her, lifting his swords in traditional battle stance as he came.

Then they danced together, their movements matching the music, their swords flashing in the light, and ringing as they clashed together. They moved as one, each anticipating the others' movements, spinning and twirling their weapons, locking them together.

Were they actually doing battle, the guests wondered? The music began to speed up, becoming rapid, and the two warriors matched it. The appearance it made was of two people, fighting desperately, both trying to unarm the other.

The crowd gasped as one of Ardeth's swords went flying from his hand and into the crowd; one of the warriors present caught it and held it aloft as the people cheered. Ardeth, in his fine dress robes, looked slightly surprised, but pushed ever forward. A few moments later, one of Adira's swords went flying towards the people as well. Another warrior caught it, the cheers grew in volume.

Now, with only a single sword each, Adira and Ardeth's dance became more frantic and beautiful. Their motions were smoother, more calculated, and their swirling robes made the center flicker in opposing colors; his deep blue, and hers a clean white.

Their swords came up one last time, and they locked together, putting the newlyweds face to face. All grew silent, the music slowed once more. For Adira and Ardeth, there was no one else there at that moment, they were alone, and their match had drawn to a close. Ardeth stooped down slightly, clearing the space between them, and captured her lips in his. As they separated, Ardeth asked softly, "Do you yield?"

"Always to you, my lord, but never to those against you," she answered sincerely. They lowered their swords; she backed away and bowed, holding her sword out to him, point down.

The crowd faded back in at last, their cheering loud, as they celebrated this final show of love from the couple. Ardeth tossed his sword at the warrior who had caught his first, then took Adira's from her and threw it as well. He took the smiling warrior woman into his arms, lifted her, and strode out of the crowd-- a way was parted for them. The crowd followed the two out into the courtyard, where an honor guard waited for them, along with Ardeth's finest horse to carry them both into the night. With one last wave at their people, and a smile cast in the direction of their special guests, Adira and Ardeth rode away, leaving the wedding company to continue the celebration without them.

"Well, we know they're happy," Rick commented to his wife, who laughed and nodded.

"Yes, they are. Oh, that was beautiful! To think Adira was so worried about it."

"That's right, you knew about it all along, didn't you?" Rick laughed. He leaned down and kissed his wife. "You know, I wouldn't have minded a ceremony like that for us."

Evelyn sighed and drew him down to whisper in his ear. "How about a private ceremony tonight?"

Rick's answer was a long, passionate kiss.

Alex had run to watch more acrobats who had arrived, and thankfully did not see his parents' rather public display of affection. Jon and Bess had gone back to the tables of food and were feeding each other grapes and sweet meats.

It seemed as if things had ended happily for the group of heroes, and that peace would be with them for a time.

* Epilogue *

Adira Manara Bay stood in her gardens, looking up at the night sky, wondering when her husband would be home. They had been married for nearly three years, which time they had not been separated from each other. But now, she had not seen him in a month, she was keeping the promise she made to him shortly before their marriage.

They had ridden to each and every battle together, until she had discovered a wonderful surprise for them both. Adira was to be a mother at last, and that meant she had to stay at home until the child was safely delivered. Which, she thought with a warm smile as she laid a hand on her growing abdomen, would not be long in coming. She was seven months along, and growing more excited by the day.

{"Ardeth, promise me something," she had said on the night of their wedding, looking deeply into his eyes.

"Anything," he had readily agreed as he kissed her.

"Promise me you will always return to me, if it is within your power," she begged softly, her eyes full of longing and love.

"You know I will, nothing could keep me away save death," he promised softly, looking into her eyes and holding her hands tight. "I love you Adira, I will always come home to you, I swear it by the stars."}

As she walked through the gardens, stooping here and there to inspect a bloom, Adira marveled at the changes in her life. None of her warrior garb was fit for a woman carrying a child, and so she had switched back to the traditional clothing of the women. She had hated it at first, but grew to find it comfortable. She still looked at her sword, hung on the wall in her room, with longing for the day she could lift it again. She would be very much out of practice by the time she was able to fight once more.

She missed Ardeth. Terribly. Her eyes went again to the stars, she sighed, wondering when she had become such an emotional woman rather than an impassive warrior. Pregnancy changed a woman, she had often been told, but she had not thought it would apply to her as well.

Unbeknownst to her, a man had stood within the shadows of a tree, watching her quietly, almost as if he were afraid to disturb her. She was beautiful, bathed in moonlight, wearing a soft gray gown as she moved about. The breeze blew tendrils of her hair into her face; her eyes looked up at the stars as if she were listening to them.

At last he came forward, his step not making a sound, and he came up quietly behind her. His arms went around her; she gasped in surprise and turned. "Ardeth!" she breathed before wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him deeply.

Ardeth responded willingly enough, having missed the sight and touch of his wife incredibly. "I told you I would come home."

"I know, I was just waiting for you," she answered softly, kissing him again. "I love you, Ardeth."

"And I you. My most beautiful wife...." He kissed her again. "And how is the child?"

"Growing, and strong. She has her father's strength, if her kicking is anything to judge by."

The warrior chuckled and stood back to take her all in once more. "She?" His eyebrow raised skeptically. "So you've decided it is to be a girl then?"

"Would it matter if I had?" she asked, chin raised slightly, daring him to nay say her.

"Not at all."

"Good. Because, my lord, I think it is both a he and a she."

He blinked at her. "Twins?"

"According to Ibrahim," she answered, laughter dancing in her eyes. "And I have felt it, when one moves one way and the other moves another. Twins, Ardeth!"

"Allah be praised," Ardeth murmured, holding her close to him. He took in the scent of her hair and felt the soft curls on his cheek. "I have been blessed more than any man that has ever lived."

Adira laughed and pulled away, taking his hand and guiding him inside. "Come! I want to know of your journey, and I would like to give you a proper homecoming." The suggestive smile she sent his way sent his heart into flip-flops, he marveled at what she did to him.

The world slept easily that night, never knowing what happiness the couple shared, or suspecting how many times those two, with the help of others, had made their living possible.

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Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all.

--Helen Keller

(This Helen Keller quote provided me with the inspiration to write this story. Don't ask me how, but it did. :-) Thanks for reading! Over and out--)

-Jedi Blu-