Son of the SunLij, the Pharaoh Knefer-Lijedefer- ElijahSen-Adom, the harpist - Dominic Neferura-Ulive, Lij's wife and sister - Liv Menkh, Chief Advisor - Viggo Pen-Nekeb, A eunuch; body slave to Lij - Sean Astin Seti-Hop, a physician - Ian Mckellan Nefer-Aru, Lij's mother - Cate Blanchett Merit-Aton, Liv's mother - Miranda Otto Setep-Aton another royal physician - Chris Lee Orem, a eunuch, Liv's lover - Orli Captains of the Guard, Zeser-Amon - Sean Bean and His brother, Ankh-Aton - David Wenham Imhotep, the Royal architect - Billy Menep-Atifer-Ankh-Ra - Lij's Granny - An old woman with heart. Sennacherib, King of Assyria - Karl Urban Argamus of Kishlan - Hugo Weaving Garmen - Craig Parker Iri-Natjer - Lij's cousin Pretep-Ra - Lij's cousin and Nat's wife Agor - Kishlan captain Soraya - Kishlan healer Lygia - Mistress of the Slaves Leila Khatun - Keeper of Mysteries Ahmose - Lij's chief concubine Peri - Aton - Another concubine Chief Herald Several friends, aquaintances and folks who merit mentioning, but no names, please! Part 31 -Epilogue There had been a month of preparation before the ceremony of the Coming of The God, a yearly ritual dedicated to Lij's father Thothmes the Great. This festival was preceded by fastings and cleansings, and abstinence from sexual contact. Lij was very strict in his adherence to religious matters, and he and Dom had slept apart during this time, as both knew they could not abstain lying next to each other in the same bed. The preparations, however, had been somewhat unceremoniously interrupted one night when Orem rushed into Lij's apartments to say that the baby was about to be born. Menep refused Lij admittance to his wife's bedchamber, as birthing, she said, was a woman's own business. "You've done your part, here, my chick - now let her do the hard work!" Lij, left to pace the floor of the outer chamber and offer prayers to Bes the dwarf-like god of childbirth with an equally anxious Orem, was therefore unprepared when Menep came out later holding one small bundle, and his mother - another. "Two?" he stuttered, astonished. He sat down quickly, and the women put one babe in the crook of each of his arms. That was how Dom found him a short time later, looking like the cat who'd stolen the cream. The babies were named Nefer-titi, because, as Lij said of her, smiling into her thick, dark hair, "the beautiful one is come!" and the boy, Thothmes-Lijedefer, after his father and grandfather. There were no more beautiful children in the whole world...or so their great-grandmother stated, crooning into their cribs. Lij, smiling at his wife resting in her bed, nodded. Everyone at court was inclined to agree with these completely unbiased opinions. *** It was the morning of the final ceremonial - The Ka of the God Thothmes had arrived at his temple with the dawn, and was even now inhabiting the statue made in his image. Dom stared at Lij dressed in cloth of gold, officiating in front of the statue, looking, in his beauty, like the very Son of the Sun that his titles stated. Tonight - if he could wait that long! - he would lie in Lij's arms. A frisson of desire ran through his body at the thought, and Dom moved his arms in front of him in an attempt to hide his burgeoning condition from the rest of the company. The ceremony seemed endless, but at last the assembled courtiers were dismissed, leaving Lij kneeling in front of the statue for his final prayers, whilst Dorsos sang - most beautifully - the paean of praise. As soon as the last note sounded, and Thothmes had been judged to have returned to his heavenly sphere, Dom hurried back to their rooms and swept into the bedchamber. He could not wait until tonight. His need for Lij was as necessary to him as food. More necessary, he thought. Lij would come here to change his garments before the ritual banquet formally ended the period of abstinence. Dom lay on the bed, watching, through the open door as Lij walked along the length of the two rooms. Dom was hard and needed relief. His Lij would provide it. He was as needful as Dom was, he had no doubt. Dom rose and stripped off his clothing as Lij entered the room, revealing his condition. Lij stared at him, and ran his tongue over his lips, his pupils dilating with an answering lust, but made no move towards him. "Later, my Dom. We must hurry, for the feast is about to start and all wait for me there. Later." Lij repeated as Dom prowled sensuously towards him in a welter of sexual heat. Dom growled. Lij had heard friendlier lions than Dom sounded at the moment. His brow was furrowed, his body sweating, his cock thrumming against his flat belly. "Now, Lij. I need you now. Forget the feast; they can wait - I cannot!" Dom grabbed Lij by the shoulders, and kissed him, hard. Lij, although Dom could feel him responding, tried to push him away, smiling. "Later, Dom...my duty..." "Your duty my Lij, in this room, is to me! There" - Dom scowled, gesturing to the outer wall - "you are theirs. In here you are mine...Mine...body and soul!" "Dom..." he began. "No!" Dom groaned. "Mine!" He snatched off Lij's long outer robe and firmly turned Lij to face the wall. Then he took the flesh of Lij's shoulder between his teeth and tugged gently, as he pinned his lover to the wall with his trembling body. Lij gasped into the painted plaster, the feast forgotten. "Take me, my love...mark me as yours! I..." Dom bit gently, then harder as Lij shivered under him. "Mine!" he snarled into the bruised skin. He tore off the golden skirt that fell in soft folds to Lij's ankles. Lij breathed raggedly, his moans interspersed with Dom's name. Dom was so desperate for the joining that his fevered breath burned his throat. " I want to be...please..." he murmured, wetting his fingers, and thrusting them inside his love. Lij groaned and pressed back, trembling into the questing fingers. "Ah! Now, Dom! Oh, gods, I cannot..." Dom, his heart pounding with excitement waited no longer, but let out a frantic yowl and pushed with urgency and heat into the yielding flesh. He reached around Lij's body, fingering taut nipples, and pinching them hard until Lij groaned - then he thrust again, in frantic jerks, unable to hold off any longer, or to wait for Lij's body to accept him. There were scintillating darts of pleasure playing on Dom's spine. The muscles in his thighs trembled as he held himself upright by sheer will alone. Every part of his body was fragmenting with sensation. "Lij! Oh, gods...my love! So good...you are so beautiful..." Lij whimpered with pleasure and turned his head to kiss his lover, his eyes closed, his face damp with sweat... biting into the wet lower lip, and breathing "Dom! Isis - harder! More!" into Dom's mouth. Dom rested his head on Lij's shoulder and gave himself up to him completely. Lij reached back, touching Dom anywhere he could as he felt the nerve endings ignite inside himself, and he spread his legs wider so that Dom could drive in deeper and harder. Pen-Nekeb, bringing fresh clothing for his Lord from the other end of the outer chamber, halted swiftly as he heard the sounds of their ecstacy. Dom's sobbing "Lij! My Lij!" as he came brought tears to Nekeb's eyes, as he thought how near they had all been to losing them both. For he loved his Lord so much, even this part of him was beautiful. The cries of joy Lij gave as he matched his love in completion was nearly as good to Nekeb as if it had been he that felt the climax. Dom is a fortunate man, the eunuch thought, as he quietly left the room. Lij turned, still panting for breath, and kissed Dom tremulously, winding his arms around his lover's neck, and whispered "so beautiful you are, my love!"� Dom, gentled now, and smiling in repletion into Lij's mouth, for once refrained from correcting him.� *** The day had come when the new Great Royal Spouse of God was to be inaugurated at court. Lij had allowed time to elapse so that everyone would get accustomed to the news, and would be anxiously awaiting the revelation of the personage to be thus endowed. He had only informed his close family of his choice, and they had told no-one, despite carefully worded requests for information from some quarters. "Do you mind me doing this, my Dom? Taking these steps?...The Great Royal Spouse?... I would not do it if you did not approve." Lij asked anxiously as he prepared to leave the room for the ceremony. Dom shook his head. "You know I do not mind, Lij. Anything you have to do to prosper the running of your kingdom has my support. I will stand by you, whatever you choose, whether we are in this world or the next!" "Are you content to stay here with me, spouse of my heart? Do you not wish to go home...?" Lij asked quietly. Dom interrupted with a kiss. "In this world and the next, I said, beloved, and I meant it - I am yours. And I am home. Whatever duty drives between us. Whatever fate can throw at our feet, I am content." Lij smiled fondly at his love. He tried for a lighter note, to hide the deep emotion he was feeling. "Are you dressing for the occasion, my Dom - or are you appearing at court in your skin?" Lij, indicating with one sweeping gesture the very evident and highly pleasing nakedness of the man in front of him. Dom laughed. "Menep is bringing my clothing, Lij. She has worked hard, the little dearing, over it. There was a slight problem, I gather, with a seam. She is seeing to it...and it will be revealed in good time. I hope you will approve. You go. I shall be there directly." *** Everyone standing in the Throne Room wondered who the new Spouse could be. There was not space to slip a reed between those gathered there to watch the proceedings. Some whispered that they felt sorry for Sen-Adom, the common slave raised to the position of Chief Harpist because of Pharaoh's great love for him. He should have been chosen, if anyone was, but Court Protocol forbade it. It was rumoured that Iri-Natjer had been richly rewarded for some extraordinary service to the God. Many wondered how such a vapid, colourless, lazy man could render anyone a service, let alone be beneficial to the Lord. Nat's wife had died of the same ailment that had nearly claimed their God. Could it be he? The new mate? He was free now, and closely related by blood to the Pharaoh. And all knew only royal blood could be invested with the title of Great Royal Spouse of God. Only a king or queen, princes or princesses of royal houses could be thus honoured. Pharaoh and God could not just choose where his heart lay. His duty to his House and to his people stood above all personal considerations. Who was this man or woman? Would they recognise him or her? Would they...? ...Their curiosity was about to be satisfied. The doors opened again to the sound of horns. A signal only kings of great nations merited. Menep smiled at her boy, and winked. Lij, for all his considerable self control, took a deep breath and shivered as he got to his feet. The court knew Pharaoh only rose to greet the great and powerful...who was this? Who, in Egypt was worthy of his attention? They craned their necks for a better look. The Chief Herald walked forward and turned to face the company as a solitary figure appeared in the shadow of the great doorway: "The Ard-Ri Sean-Adomnam Coinneach Tireachan Dionhnall Treasach Ui' Manachain the Merciful, High King of Erin - Lord and King of the five kingdoms - of Mumha and Ulster, of Connaicht, of Laighin and of Midhe. High King of Tara. King of Thomond, Leinster and Ossory, Lord of the four septs of Muscraige, Corco Duidne, Corco Baiscind and Dal Riata. Lord of the Sliabh Bloom, Lord of the Eoganhacht and the Ui' Neill, the Dunn Ui' Riagain, the Ui' Failge, the Ui' Fidgente - Lord of all the clans of the Fair Isle and their demesnes. Heir of Fionn mac Cumhaill. Lord of the Mountains, Keeper of Justice, Taioseach of Taioseach and Ollamh of Ollamh. Of all his lands and his demesnes in perpetuity, King and Lord. Lord Payankhi-Ankh-Aton of Thebes. Beloved chosen son and grandson of the Royal Ladies Nefer-Aru and Menep-Atifer-Ankh-Ra. Brother of The God and his Lady. Prince and Guardian of Kishlan and Hivara. Lord of Bislar and Phatkept, of Tolan and Memphis.� Master of Thousands. Lord and Master of� the treasure city of Per-Ramses. Master Harpist Sen-Adom, First Bard of Osian, Beloved of the Gods. Most Beloved Great Royal Spouse of The Mighty Bull of Ma'at, Knefer- Lijedefer, Living Forever." All the company bowed low before Dom as he walked slowly towards the dais. Dressed in royal robes that hinted at the garb of his homeland, he exuded power. And Lij, staring at his love in amazement, smelt the cool blue seas surrounding the Isle of Erin, and saw the verdant rolling green fields in his heart of hearts. The Ard-Ri wore dark blue soft calfskin leggings that moulded closely to his� muscled thighs, and which were tucked into kid boots that rose to the knee. An intricately tooled leather belt decorated with enamel in myriad hues encircled his slim waist. There was a sleeveless tunic of dark blue silk, and around his neck a thick, twisted silver torc studded at each end with nuggets of amber. He wore a long sleeveless coat of a darker hue that fell to his ankles, split up the sides to the waist, and at his left hip a jewelled sword hung, suspended from a magnificent sword belt. There were two hunting knives also, hanging from another belt crossed on the other hip. Flung carelessly over his shoulder a long haired fur cloak of especial beauty brushed the marble floor, and the bulk of his shining fair hair was braided in three plaits, one each side of his face which rested on his chest and one at the back, hanging to his waist. Two shorter, finer braids framing his face stopped at his chin, each decorated at the end with a bright blue bead and a falcon's feather, symbol of royalty. On his head he wore the plain gold band of the Kings of Erin. Across his face painted tribal markings enhanced the brilliance and mastery of his glowing grey eyes, but his mouth was soft and smiling for his love. The decorated muscles in his bare arms rippled, revealing Pharaoh's love-brand as a badge of honour. On his finger he wore the Royal Scarab Ring of Egypt. His corded thighs stretched the leather covering. His step was confident, lithe and serene. The smile on his face lit the room like the sun. Lij had never seen such effortless grace and beauty - or such authority and strength in motion. His heart swelled within him as he took a deep breath, and, stepping off the dais, bowed low to his love. "You gladden my spirit, a stor mo Chroi, " Lij managed, taking Dom's proffered hands in the grasp of fealty. Dom knelt at his lover's feet, and looked up into his face. His voice, already husky with emotion, fractured as he spoke: "Mo anamchara... mo Ghra!" End To be continued in the sequel - Mac Tire - Son of the Earth � 
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