For Monoke. Based off an idea by Monoke and Abrank

***

What am I here for?  Part 2

What was in the chest?  When Lilly had peered in, she had expected to see something like a collection of pictures, or perhaps something that was a personal memento that could help her remember.  But what she saw was completely unexpected.

There was bondage gear inside the chest.

Her first instinct was to slam the chest lid shut and calmly tell the others that there was nothing inside the chest, nothing that was interesting.  But it was too late.  The others came up and peered inside.  Were the ancient Egyptians involved in bondage gear at all?  It wasn't something that was asked in the textbooks, that was for sure. 

Doulen was the first to reach inside and pull out an item.  It was a leather hood, black in color, with lots of straps on it.  "What is this curious device?"  He asked.

"Uhh…I'm afraid I can't remember."  Lilly lied.  One of the priests pulled out a set of steel manacles.

"Why are there manacles in this chest?"  He asked.

"I haven't the faintest idea."  Lilly said, hoping the sweat appearing on her forehead wasn't visible to the others.  For about a minute Doulen and his priests went through the chest, very curious to look at these strange toys (they didn't know that they were toys though).  Then something came out that sparkled in the light of the torches.  The sparkle caught Lilly's attention, drawing her closer to it. 

Dervan was holding the object, which was now attracting everyone else's attention.  "What is this?"  He asked Lilly as she walked up to it.  "Do you remember what this is?" 

Lilly didn't respond.  She simply walked closer.  It was a collar, made out chrome steel that still sparkled, still drew her attention.  There was something about it…something that drew her closer to it.  She wanted to touch it.  Reaching out her hand, she set her finger on the steel.  It was cold to her fingers.

Suddenly she…

***

"Come on sweetie, let's see how it looks on you."  Lilly blushed.

"Aww…I can't."

"Why not?  You're the perfect model for it.  Besides, it would make you look like Cleopatra!"  Laughing, Lilly looked around. 

"Did Cleopatra ever go shopping in a bondage shop with her fiancé?"

"Maybe.  If you ever go back in time, you can ask her.  Now come on, I really would like to see how this looks on you."  He wasn't giving up, that was for sure.  Well…it actually did look rather shiny and sparkly.

"Okay silly.  Give it here."  She took the collar, pulled her hair back, and put it on.  It gripped the throat of her turtle neck tightly, but not uncomfortably so.  Her fiancé clapped his hands. 

"Wow…you look great in that!"

"Really?"

"Yes, really!  Just take a look."  Placing his hands on her shoulders, Joe slowly turned Lilly around so she was looking at the full sized mirror set in the wall.  Against her green turtleneck, the silver collar truly did look remarkable.  It did look like something an Egyptian monarch would wear and it made her feel like one too.

"Wow…"  She whispered, running her hand over the chrome steel, feeling her fingers glide across its surface. 

"You can be my queen in it."  Joe whispered, putting his hands around her waist.  "And together, we shall rule the world!"

"Or at least the bedroom."  Joe laughed softly.  "Let's get it."  Lilly said. 

"Really?  You've made up your mind already?" 

'Of course silly!  It may take time for a lady to decide to marry, but she can never pass up a piece of jewelry this beautiful.  Now the only question is…"  She turned and slowly tapped her fingers up Joe's chest.  "Do they have a King Tut collar?"  Joe laughed again.

"If they have a Cleopatra collar, I'm sure they have a king Tut one.  But for now…"  Leaning forward, Joe kissed Lilly.  "For now…let's just make you a queen."

***

Just as quickly as it had started, the memory ended, leaving Lilly in the underground temple, her finger still on the collar. 

Collar Cleopatra

It was all coming back.  That day, she and Joe had gone to the Sax leather shop to do a little shopping in celebration of becoming engaged.  They had bought several items, including a posture collar, ball gag and a few other items, but the Cleopatra collar they had bought had stayed in Lilly's mind the most.  Being the holding place for many of the other toys was fun, but wearing that collar…it was something else, something different.

It made her feel closer to Joe.  It did make her feel like he was the king and she was the queen, in a position of power and prestige, able to do what she wanted, knowing that the king loved her completely. 

Maybe that was why she had worn that collar non-stop since the day they had bought it.  So that she could remain a queen with a loyal and loving king.

"Lilly?"  Lilly blinked her eyes, snapping out of the hazy fog of remembering. 

"Yes?"

"Do you remember now?  Do you remember how all these items are connected to you?"  Lilly chuckled silently at the joke Doulen had unintentionally made, but kept her silence. 

"Yes, I do…but I don't feel comfortable telling everyone here."

"It is a private manner?" 

"Yes, yes it is.  I can't tell everyone here why."

"Would you tell me if the two of us were alone?"  Lilly looked at the pharaoh, considered it.

"Yes."  Doulen nodded.

"Then we shall retreat to my room."  Turning, Doulen dismissed the priests.  When they left the room, he walked up to the chest and picked it up as if it weighed nothing.  "I will carry your chest."

"Oh no, that's quite all right."

"I insist.  Besides…"  Doulen grunted and shifted his grip.  "It is nothing."

***

Doulen led Lilly back to the throne room, but they didn't stop there.  He led her through another small door in the back, one that led to a large and wonderfully elegant bedroom, complete with a large four poster bed and a ceiling that was dozens of feet above their heads. 

Putting the case on the bed, Doulen went to the doors and locked them to ensure that they would not be disturbed.  He made sure that all the small windows were shut as well, so that no one would be able to listen.  "There."  He said as he latched the last window.  "Do you feel you have enough privacy?"

"Yes, thank you."  Lilly said, though deep down she didn't feel like telling anyone what she knew Doulen was going to inevitably ask.  Already he had opened the chest again and was going through it, looking at the items inside.  His curiosity was almost childlike (but understandable, considering he was only in his twenties).

"Lilly, please tell me what these items are doing in this chest?  Did they come from a dungeon or a prison?  They are clearly used to restrain individuals, yet I cannot fathom why they would be connected to you.  Are you a guard?"

"Ah…no.  I'm involved with the attorney of law."  Doulen looked confused.  "Okay, I do work with the law in a way, just not as a guard."  The pharaoh nodded slowly. 

"But why do you have these then?"  Lilly sighed quietly.  Might as well just tell him and get it over with.

"Doulen, in my society there are people who…who…well," her face blushed.  "There are people who like to tie each other up."  Doulen looked at her with the look of great puzzlement.

"There are people who like to tie each other up?" 

"Yes."

"And they don't do it for punishment?"

"No, they don't."  Pausing, Doulen asked a very logical question.

"Why?"

"It's a complicated thing Doulen.  You see…it's mostly for fun, because…"

"You tie each other up for fun?"

"Yes.  As I said, it's very complicated and very difficult to explain.  Some people just really, really like the feel of being tied up and helpless.  They find it very exciting sexually."  Doulen took in what she said with great fascination and attention, though Lilly could tell he was still having a difficult time swallowing it.  After a moment, he turned his attention back to the chest and pulled out an item.

"This is clearly supposed to go around a head."  He said.  Lilly recognized the second model leather bondage head harness.  Joe had a lot of fun putting that on her, she remembered clearly.  Truth be told, it had been fun to wear as well.

Leather bondage head harness 2

"Yes, it does."  Doulen fiddled with the device, then removed the blindfold, the collar, then the gag.  Laying that down on the bed, he went through the chest and pulled out other collars, cuffs, and miscellaneous equipment.  As he looked over each one, Lilly just knew that he was thinking about how each item was used on an individual.  

After a few moments, he turned his attention back to Lilly.  "Thank you Lilly, for that information.  You may leave now if you wish."

"Can I take my trunk?"

"If you don't mind, I would prefer to study it for a while, have some of my men look at it as well.  This is a very new idea, being tied up because you like it, but I am very intrigued."  Lilly nodded and started to turn, but deep inside her, she felt something.  It felt like…it felt like a warning, that she shouldn't go.  But what was she going to do?  Say no to the most powerful man in Egypt ?  Tell him, sorry sir, but I want my chest back? 

Shaking her head, she went to the large double doors, unlocked them, and left.  Doulen looked over the chest for a few more moments, then walked over, closed and relocked the doors.  "Dervan, you can come out now."  Sliding out from a hidden passage behind a pillar, Doulen's high priest came forward.  "Look at these things."  Doulen said, sounding more excited then he had in months.  "You heard what she said about the people in her time?"

"Yes sire, I did."

"How strange.  The people of the future are a very, very odd bunch indeed."  He chuckled.  "No matter.  This makes things more interesting."

"Did you sense anything about her my sire?"

"Yes.  You said she was engaged to someone else.  This chest and its contents are connected to her, yet she's not a guard.  Apparently, she's one of those people of the future who like being tied up."  He rubbed his chin.  "This could turn out to be an advantage for us."  Doulen snapped his fingers.  "Is that woman from the shipwreck still in the dungeons?"

"Yes sir."

"Still chained up?"

"Yes.  She did try to kill several of our men with that curved sword of hers."  Doulen smiled.

"I think I may have just found a use for her.  Bring her here.  Chained of course."  Dervan nodded, bowed, and walked to the door.  But at that moment, Doulen suddenly doubled over, coughing and gasping for air, spitting blood onto the marble floor.  The priest rushed to Doulen's side, but the young ruler held up his hand, warding him off.  A few seconds later, he slowly stood up again, wiping the excess blood from his face.

"Have you told her about your illness?"  Dervan asked quietly.

"No.  Let her remain ignorant.  If I'm to marry her and bear a son, she mustn't know about my illness.  Now, on with your errands."  Dervan bowed, then got out of the room as quickly and as politely as he could.  As he hurried to the dungeons, the old man shook his head.  Things were going from bad to worse.  The last time the pharaoh had doubled over, there had been no blood.  But with the blood from this latest escapade, what would the next attack be like?

Egypt 's fate hung by a thread.  If a son was not produced to continue the line…Dervan banished the thought.  He could not think such things and hope for his pharaoh to live.

***

With nothing to keep her busy, Lilly decided to head back to her room to see what Weet was doing.  It was still fairly early in the morning and there was a chance she would still be asleep.  Or perhaps she was out for a walk.  Reaching the hallway that led to her room, Lilly went down it and emerged in her room, finding it empty.  The blanket that Weet had been covered with was back on the bed, neatly folded. 

Turning, Lilly left her room and went back to the main hallway.  Maybe she could find out where Weet had gone.  Reaching the main hallway, she went over to the only person she could find, a guard, and talked to him, asking if a woman had left the hallway recently.  The guard gave her directions to another section of the palace. 

Walking for several minutes, Lilly found herself in a section of the palace that was under construction.  Weaving her way through girders and raised platforms, she looked for a familiar face among the busy workers, but could find none.

"Lilly!"  Turning, Lilly saw Weet coming out from behind a large pillar, waving for Lilly to come and join her, which the woman gladly did.  She came up to see that Weet had a crude paintbrush in her hand, a bucket of red paint, and a half-filled in squiggly line on the pillar. 

"I didn't know you could paint!"  Lilly said. 

"Well, I am only an apprentice.  The head painter says that I should stick to filling in the lines that others have chiseled out of the pillar."  Looking at what had already been painted, Lilly gasped at what she saw.

"Weet, this is amazing!  Look at how the colors blend and mix together!  I know a lot of artists from my time who can't paint and mix half as well as this.  And the head painter says you should only focus on filling in lines?!  That's absurd!  Why I should…"  Lilly stepped backwards, but unexpectedly knocked into a shelf of paint.  It wobbled for a moment, then toppled over, spilling a large blob of paint onto the pillar.  Lilly tripped over a fallen bucket and fell, her hand grabbing at whatever was nearby, but all she managed to grab onto was the pillar, and she wasn't able to get a grip on it, landing hard on the floor.

"Hey!"  A foreman ran over.  "What's going on here?"

"Forgive us, please."  Weet said.  "She tripped and fell.  She didn't mean it."  The foreman looked at the pillar, which now had a large gunk of paint on it. 

"Trip or not, you are going to have to clean up that spill.  I want it painted over and made white again before the sun sets, is that clear Weet?"

"Yes sir."  Frowning, the foreman turned and went back to his other duties.  Getting up off the floor, Lilly looked at the pillar, horrified at what she had done.  Red paint had splattered over the tall structure.

"Oh Weet, I'm so sorry!"  But the woman simply smiled.

"It is okay Lilly.  These accidents have happened before.  It will only take a short while to clean it up."  She walked over to the spilled paint, pulled out a rag, soaked it in a bucket of water, then began to scrub.  The paint started to come off, revealing the original white beneath.  A few minutes later, and it was clear.  "There.  The accident has been erased.  It no longer exists.  Now, time to go back to painting."

"I think I'll go and leave you alone."  Weet smiled and nodded, already picking her brush up and starting to paint again.  "Oh Weet?"

"Yes?"

"When are you going to be finished here?"

"I get one hour for the midday meal, and then I will work until sunset." 

"Do you think we can meet up for the midday meal?"  Weet smiled.

"I would like that Lilly.  When you hear a loud bell sounding, that is the signal for us to eat.  Meet me at the dining area then."

***

When midday came, Doulen was waiting for Dervan to come back with his prisoner when another attack hit him.  It felt like someone was punching in the stomach and stabbing him with a knife at the same time.  The pain was agonizing, making him double over, blood trickling from his mouth and nose.  Hissing, he gripped one of the poles on the corner of the bed, almost crushing it beneath his grip.  It took much longer for the pain to go away, and even longer for him to recover to the point where he could see again.

Damn this disease.  It was killing him.  He, the ruler of all Egypt , cursed with a disease that was robbing him of life.  Doulen knew that if a cure was not found soon…then Egypt would no longer have a ruler. 

He had known this was coming.  He had been dreaming for some time, dreaming of a Lilly flower, and that it signaled hope for the entire world, not just Egypt .  And then…a woman named Lilly had come.  Truly, the gods had heard his requests for help.  All that remained was convincing her to marry him, and to sire children.  If he could accomplish that, then the future of his kingdom would be assured. 

But…Lilly had not shown any interest in him.  When he had asked Dervan about this, he reported that Lilly was apparently engaged to another man, one from her own time.  Upon hearing the news, the pharaoh had cursed madly.  Things were not looking good.  They were not looking good at all. 

However, with the discovery of the gear from the chest, Doulen hoped that it just might be enough to win her over.  He had to do this right, and he would only get one shot, so he had to make it good.

"Please," he prayed silently.  "Please let me charm her."

There was a knock at the door.  "Yes?"

"It is Dervan your highness.  I have bought the prisoner."  Doulen quickly took a cloth and wiped the blood from his mouth and nose.

"Come in."  With a loud clang, the doors swung inwards, and Dervan walked in, the prisoner next to him.  Doulen was pleased to see that she was chained, unable to do more then go at a slow walk.  She was resisting, refusing to go a step further.  A gentle tug of the chain connected to her collar suggested that she come along, less she wanted to fall down.  Such a thing would be disastrous, considering that her arms would be unable to break the fall.

"Bring her over here."  Standing to his full height, Doulen waited while the woman was brought before him, her eyes glaring at him.  When she got close enough, she started to talk very quickly in a mean tone of voice.  Her language was very strange to Doulen's ears, almost sounding like gibberish.

"I'm afraid I can't understand you."  Doulen said calmly.  "Can you please tell me what your name is?"  No such luck, as the rapid talking continued, now becoming very annoying and irritating.  "Dervan?"

"Yes my sire?"

"Take this woman to the embalming chambers.  Make it so that she is wrapped up and unable to move a muscle, but don't physically harm her or cut her.  Keep her head unwrapped, I need to experiment with her later.  Bring her back up here when the process is finished."

"Yes my sire."  Turning, Dervan took the woman by the elbow and marched her out, the two leaving just as quickly as they had left.  Smiling, the young pharaoh lay down on his bed, his eyes closed. 

Time to meditate, and to hope that he understood how Lilly's mind worked.

***

"Lilly, can you please tell me more about your world?"  The two were sitting in the eating area for workers, eating the midday meal.  It wasn't much, as it consisted mostly of grain and a few vegetables.  But Lilly relished the opportunity to be with Weet and learn more about her.  But just to be safe, she had chosen their spot to be away from any others who might listen in. 

"Okay.  What do you want to know?"

"Well…I don't know where to start!  Can you tell me some of the technology in your world?"

"Now that's what I'm talking about.  Weet, you wouldn't believe how many things we have in my time.  Machines that do incredibly long mathematical equations in a matter of seconds, ships that can sail around the world in a matter of weeks rather then years, we have ways of communicating with people around the world in an instant, and you don't have to rely on paper to communicate.  Oh, and here's a real kicker.  You know the night sky, how many stars are up there?"

"Yes."

"We have ships that can take us up into that sky to where we can see the earth from far above it!"  Weet gasped.

"That is something I can only dream of.  Are you telling me the truth?"

"Yes I am Weet.  Life is so amazing in my time.  We have so much technology, so much to fill our lives.  Almost everyone owns a house, a car, a…"

"Car?  What is a car?"

"It's something like a metal box you sit it and direct it where to go.  You can get to those pyramids from here in about ten minutes, rather then…say, how long does it take to walk to them?"

"About a day or so.  Shorter if you have a horse or camel to ride.  But people like myself have to walk."

"Well that's the cool thing.  People like you in my time can get to almost anywhere in a matter of hours, or a day or so at most.  You can travel around in the world in less then a week!"

"The world?  How big is it Lilly?  I have always wanted to know!"

"It's huge!  Your country is a small box on the map, smaller then my pinkie finger."  She held up her finger to illustrate.  "And there are so many nations, so many countries that it's amazing all those people can fit on just one planet."  Weet looked at Lilly, her eyes transfixed in amazement at what she was hearing.

"That is amazing Lilly.   Are there bad things in your time as well?"

Lilly was about to speak when she paused, taken back by the question.  She had never thought of telling the people of this time about the problems of her own.  You never heard about that in the books or the movies.  "Well…yes, I'm afraid there are bad things in my time as well.  A lot of people are very poor around the world, and there are just as many going hungry from lack of food.  Crime is a major problem, and there are some people we call terrorists, who want to kill many people."  Weet's face, which had been full of joy and wonder at what she had heard, now was beginning to drop.

"Kill each other?  Why?"

"Well, it's complicated, but the main thing is that they don't agree with what other people say, they don't like what others are doing, and they want to kill those people to stop them."

"That's insane!  Why don't they just come to a common solution to their problems?"

"Well, people don't often listen to what others want to say.  They believe that they are right, and the other side is wrong.  Problem is, the other side thinks that too."

"That is crazy Lilly!  The people of your time sound very foolish and stupid."

"Weet, not all people are like that.  Almost everyone wants to live in peace and harmony.  Only a small percentage want to kill others.  It may sound bad, but...well, things are bad, but there is still good in the world.  Some people want to kill everyone else with nukes, but for every individual who wants to kill, there are a hundred who don't want to kill."

Weet looked sick, and for a moment Lilly thought she was going to throw up.  But slowly, her face went back to normal.  The two ate in silence for a while, slowly going through the grain and the vegetables. 

Had she said too much?  The thought was in her mind.  What if Weet told the others in the palace?  What if she told everyone how there was so much bad in Lilly's time that the future was changed?  A horrible chill went up Lilly's back.  What if she had suddenly changed the course of the future for the worse?

"Lilly?"

Oh no, not again.  "Yes Weet?"  Weet looked up at the woman with a quiet smile.

"Please tell me about art in your time." 

The shivers and chills left Lilly's back, and a smile took their place.  "Sure…I can do that."

***

The woman looked incredible when she was brought into Doulen's chamber.  She was exactly as he had ordered, wrapped up from her chin to her toes in linen wrappings.  Dervan and two guards put her on the bed, then soundlessly walked out, leaving the pharaoh all to himself with his toy.

As she shouted at him in her language, Doulen calmly went to the doors and locked them, ensuring that he wouldn’t be disturbed while he worked.  This had to be done right, and this foreign woman would make a fine test subject. 

Walking back to the bed, he sat down next to the woman.  Aside from biting, there was absolutely nothing she could do to stop the pharaoh from doing what he wished with her.  His first act was to rub her wrappings, testing them and seeing how good a job the embalmers had done.  As per their training and practice, the wrappings were absolutely flawless.  There was some wrinkling of course, but that was to be expected when the wrapped person was still alive.  Other then that, the bandages wove in and out of each other in a fine weave, almost like a basket (only much smoother).

What to try out first?  Oh, there were plenty of things in the chest, but this had to be done carefully, artfully.  A finely wrapped mummy was one thing, but to see a finely wrapped mummy with decorations on top of the wrappings would only add icing onto the already delicious cake.  Should he try the belt first?  No, that could wait.  Right now, the first thing he wanted to do was make the woman shut up, to stop that incessant babbling of hers.

He decided to try out the head thing first.  Reaching into the chest, he pulled out the head harness.  Maybe putting this on her head would make her quiet down enough so she would stop talking.  But deep down, Doulen hoped she wouldn't.  He had seen the gag and he knew that it would be incredibly arousing to see it strapped onto the woman's face.   

Pointing his fingers at the harness, he snapped them.  Rising off the bed, the harness slowly moved towards the woman's face.  Upon seeing it, she started shouting frantically.  Doulen couldn't tell if it was a curse or a plea, but it didn't matter.  Nothing she said was going to make him change his mind anyway.

Another quick snap and the harness went down onto her head, automatically locking itself into position, the straps doing themselves, and the thick collar guard settling into place around her neck.  The eye folds however, remained off.  For the moment. 

The woman did not like the situation and voiced her aggravation, loudly shouting and yelling.  "Oh will you be quiet already?"  Doulen said.  "Shut up, or I'm going to cover your eyes."  She couldn't understand him of course, but why would that stop him from having fun?  The woman continued to yell and shout.  "Oh, very well then.  You leave me with no choice."  Snapping his fingers again, the eye folds instantly pressed down across the woman's eyes.  Surprised, she instinctively closed them an instant before she was artificially blinded. 

She might have gotten the point that she was to be quiet, but if she did, she didn't show it.  If it was possible, her yelling got even louder as she rocked back and forth in her cocoon, as if trying to rub off the harness and the patches that now blinded her.  Her efforts however, were restricted to a pitiful wiggle.  In a way, it was delightful to watch.  Now would be a good time to test out that device that went into the mouth.

Looking at the devices laid out on his bed, Doulen flicked his fingers.    The inflatable gag floated into the air, hovered for a moment, then headed towards the woman.  "You're too loud."  Doulen said.  "You should learn the value of silence."  The woman, unable to see the device coming for her, kept struggling, but she did sense its presence.  Frightened, she tried to wiggle away, but Doulen held her in place with his strong arms.  Another flick of his wrists and the woman's mouth was opened, giving the gag plenty of room to fit in.

Crying and screaming, the woman could do nothing as the gag went into her mouth, the straps going around the back of her skull.  As if pressed by an invisible hand, the gag went in deeper and deeper, already doing its job of muffling her protests.  A quick buckle, a tug on the strap, and the pharaoh was satisfied that the gag was as far in as it would go.  It was doing a good job, that was for sure.  The woman's screams were now barely audible. 

One had to stand a good distance away to get the true effect of seeing a woman bound like this.  Mummified, with a head harness, blindfolded, and gagged.  It was such a delight to see her struggle, squirm, and roll around in a blind panic.  Was this what the people of the future liked to see?  If so…hmm…then they might have good tastes after all.

Doulen enjoyed watching the woman struggle for a few more minutes, but inevitably she grew tired and gave up, lying still, the only movement coming from her slow and labored breathing.  At least she was finally silent.  Doulen was disappointed.  Oh, the fatigue and exhaustion was to be expected, but it was always a disappointment when they came.

The question was…what to do with her?  Oh, he could think of a few ideas.

***

Noon passed into afternoon, which soon became eveining.  Sunset came upon the kingdom of Egypt , the last rays of day spreading across the land, draping themselves across the palace, not far from where Lilly and Weet were standing on a balcony.

"And that's what's become of the world."  From her overlook on a balcony, Weet looked to the horizon, where the sun was starting to set. 

"Your world is so…so…well…I can't make up my mind if I like it, or if I don't like it.  There is so much that sounds fascinating to all the senses, yet there is so much violence and uncertainty in your world, along with fear.  Look at our lives here."  She said, waving her hand over the great capital.  "Our lives here may not be perfect, and they may not be as technologically advanced but…at least there is an order, a way that things go, where things stay certain year after year."

"But doesn't that get boring after a while?" 

"Sometimes that is the price you must pay if things are to remain safe and secure for everyone."

"Well Weet, there's one thing I haven't told you about our country where I come from."

"Yes?"

"There, we don't like to sit still.  We keep moving, keep growing, keep exploring.  Life may be hectic, and it may be uncertain at times, but it is never boring."  Weet looked to the horizon.

"It may never be boring, but are you not afraid of what tomorrow may bring?"  Lilly smiled.

"Sometimes, uncertainty is the price you have to pay if you want things to remain exciting.  Someone before me, but after you said, "The only constant thing in life is change.  Your kingdom won't remain like this forever Weet.  It will change form, change governments, and change rulers.  It won't stay like this for all eternity."  To that information, Weet was silent.  She looked to the horizon.  Then she slowly looked to the colorful banners billowing not far from where the two stood.

"I made some of those banners."  She said.  "I painted three of them.  If I could go to your time Lilly, the one thing I would want to experience more then anything else is your art.  It sounds so exciting and so energized.  Audiences of thousands who come to view your work, instead of hundreds."

"If I knew how to take you back Lilly I would…except that I don't know how I'm going to do that.  I still haven't figured out why I came here in the first place.  I know the clues are all around me, but I can't see them.  Especially that note I apparently came with.  Where is that?"

Weet put a hand on Lilly's.  "I do not know where these notes of yours are, but I do know one thing Lilly."

"Yes?"

"I know that no matter what happens, I'm going to be here with you."

Lilly smiled.  Her hand turned up under Lilly's and gently took hold of it.  Her reply was simple, and heartfelt.  "Thanks."

There was a knock at the door behind them.

***

"You sent the messenger?" 

"Yes my pharaoh."

"Good, very good.  And you altered her drink?"  To that, Dervan hesitated a moment.

"Yes my pharaoh."

"Excellent.  All that remains is to convince her of her true destiny.  I shall take care of that.  After all, I had practice earlier this afternoon.  Dervan…you have a different feel about you this evening.  What is it?"

"Oh, it is nothing my liege." 

"Come now Dervan, I've known you since I was an infant.  Something is troubling you.  Now tell me, what is it?  Do not be shy."

"My pharaoh, I have been thinking…"

"Yes, what is it?"

"Well…I have talked with the woman this morning, and she is already engaged."

"Yes, that is unfortunate, but more pressing matters are at stake here."

"I know that my pharaoh, but…something just doesn't feel right…like we're doing something that is not included in the plan of the gods."  That got Doulen's attention.

"Do you think so?"  He asked quietly, urgently.

"Yes, I think it may be so.  My heart is telling me that we are embarking down a path of great danger, for both our people, and for the people of the future."

"But I don't understand Dervan.  If we are to continue our line, we must secure a son for the throne.  If we do not, then…"  He sighed.  "Then when the time comes and there is no heir, our people will be thrown into chaos.  We may be warding off a civil war by what we are doing here tonight."

"Yes, but…is it worth the cost of altering the life of another against her will?  Apparently wedding vows are sacred in her time, you could be causing her untold harm if you do this."

"Sometimes sacrifices must be made for the good of the majority Dervan."  The young man sighed, stood up, and walked over to his eldest priest.  "Please…trust me Dervan.  I can persuade her.  I can convince her to change her mind, to join our cause, and to save our nation.  Any person with a conscience will sacrifice for the good of many.  We must do this." 

Dervan gave a small, very small, nod.  Doulen quickly saw how it would be best if he left.  "You are released for the eveining."  He said.  "Go and enjoy some time to yourself."  Silently, soundless, Dervan turned and slowly walked out of the room. 

"Lilly."  He thought.  "Please forgive me."

He was walking out of the room as Lilly and the messenger approached.

***

Dervan looked very sad as he walked past Lilly.  Not a good sign.  In her work, gloomy looking people were never, ever a good sign.  Instantly, her internal alarms were sounding warnings.  What was going on?

Doulen was standing in his chamber, arms folded across her chest as he waited patiently for Lilly.  "Ah, greetings Lilly."  He said, motioning for the messenger to leave.  "I am glad you came.  I trust your day was enjoyable?"

She nodded.

"Am I…disturbing something by calling you here?"

"No, no.  Nothing like that."

"Good.  Before we begin…"  Picking up a glass, he offered it to the woman.  The liquid inside looked delicious, considering how she hadn't had a drop to drink all day.  Quickly taking several long sips, Lilly emptied the glass.  Doulen did the same with his. 

"Lilly, you are not doing anything this evening are you?"

"No." 

"That is good, for what I am about to offer you may take some time to consider it."  He walked to the doors, closing them.  And locking them.

Lilly's alarm was getting very loud now.

"Lilly…would you be honored to live with me here, in this palace?"

A smile.  "Well, it seems like I already am."

"No, not as a guest."  He moved close, but not too close.  "But as my queen."  Lilly said the first thing that came to mind.

"You…you're kidding…right?"

"I am afraid I do not follow you."

"This isn't a joke?  It's not some kind of trick?"

"No Lilly, it is not a trick.  What I need to tell you is that I need you right now.  I have been looking for a suitor for the past two years, someone to stand by me, someone I can share my life with.  You…you are a gift from the gods."

"Doulen, I came here for an important reason, and I…"

"What is that reason?"

"What?"

"Do you know why you came here Lilly?"

"I…"  Lilly realized she couldn't answer the question.

"What if…what if you came here to ensure that the kingdom of Egypt continues, thus altering a horrible event in your time?  What if you came here…to be my queen?  But before you answer, think of this…"  He walked over to one of the small windows and opened it, revealing the pyramids, as well as all the towns of the capitol.  "All this…all this can be yours to govern with me."

"Doulen…I…I don't know what to say.  This is all so much and I…it just doesn't feel right."

"Very well then.  May I continue?"

Something wasn't right here.  He seemed sweet…yet something was off.  What was it?

 "Okay…I guess so."

"If you don't want to be the ruler…I can grant you something else."

"What's that?"

"I can grant you the deepest, most secret desires of your heart.  I can give you what you most desire." 

"You haven't answered my question."

"Ah, but I am right now.  Simply wait a while, and you shall see." 

Something was happening.  Lilly's vision was going fuzzy…she felt faint…she…

***

"Oh Joooeee!  I'm waiting!"

"Coming dear!"  Joe quickly closed the lid of the chest, making sure to apply the locks.  "Just have to make sure all the spare toys are put away nice and tight…just like you're going to be any minute."  Lilly giggled.  "Okay, let's see.  I've got the body bag, the blindfold…hmm…I know I'm missing something…but what is it?  Ah, I'll get it later."  Standing up, Joe went to the woman lying on the bed.  Already she looked incredible, dressed in that silver latex suit of hers.  Oh god he wanted to just drop it all, hop on the bed, hold her tight and hug her till dawn.

But there were ways to make this even better…more pleasurable for both of them. 

It took only a few minutes to playfully "capture" Lilly, then to convince her to crawl into the latex body bag.  It was all play of course, as both parties loved nothing more then to be nice and immobilized.  Aside from being wrapped up, what better way to do so then that nice sack of theirs?

Five minutes later, and Lilly was fully immobilized in the black sack.  The belts had been buckled, and Joe was pulling the string tight, like one would pull the laces on a shoe tight before lacing them.  The bag squeezed and gripped Lilly tighter in it's unyielding, yet comforting hold.  She was silent, obediently waiting to see what would happen next as the rope was laced up.  Lilly had captured and bound Joe last time.  What was he going to do to return the favor?

"There we go."  With a final tug, the ropes were laced.  "Now…let's get a good look at you."  Standing up and getting off the bed, Joe took a look at Lilly's form on the bed.  "You look incredible dear."  He whispered, awestruck at looking at her body.  No matter how many times she was tied up like this, she always looked magnificent…those curves, the shape of her breasts pressing against the sack (those would get nice rubs and jiggles later on). 

But something was missing…

"Ah yes, I know."  He said.  Walking over to the head of the bed, he leaned down and pulled out a shiny piece of metal.  "We've forgotten your necklace, high and dear queen of Egypt ."  Grinning, he walked over to the bound queen.  "No queen is complete without a symbol of her power, her position, and the ability to direct others to her will."

Leaning over, Joe gently placed the collar around Lilly's neck, clasping it together to ensure a secure and snug fit.  In contrast to the jet black leather, the silver metal was a sight to behold, a symbol of great beauty.

"Now…"  Joe smiled.  "…the servant can treat his queen to some well earned comforts for all her hard work."  Lilly giggled as Joe leaned down on top of her and began to play.

***

She was still smiling, but the feeling of happiness slowly began to dissipate.  Something wasn't right…didn't feel right.  Her brain…it felt like Lilly was going at three miles an hour.  She…she…she couldn't focus straight.  Her body wasn't moving at all. 

"So…do you like it?"

Like what?

"Open your eyes my dear.  Open them."  But Lilly was so tired, so drowsy that she didn't want to open them.  She wanted to sleep, to go back to her dreams.  "No, no, don't sleep.  You'll miss enjoying your favorite pastime." 

What on earth was he talking about?

"I knew that you would probably be too embarrassed to ask for it yourself."  Doulen said.  "So I went ahead and did it myself while you were sleeping."  Finally opening her eyes, Lilly saw the ceiling of the bed.  And looking down at her chest, she saw strikingly bright white.

"What?"  She asked numbly. 

"I had gone through that chest and seen all the photographs of you like this.  So I decided to give you some memories of home.  I've mummified you Lilly."

Indeed he had.  Lilly's body was completely gone, vanished in layers of white interlacing bandages that now held her tightly, immobilizing her body and stopping any movement.  "Hey…"  She said, still trying to think straight.  "What gives?"

"If you do not wish to be a queen, I can still make you happy."  Doulen said as he came and sat down on the bed.  "That is what I want for you Lilly.  To be happy.  I can give you all the secret things you've only dreamed about in your wildest fantasies, all the situations you…"

Lilly lost interest in what he was saying, turning her attention to her wrappings.  "So this is what it's like…"  She thought, "…being mummified the real Egyptian way."  She squirmed and wiggled, testing to see how much she could move.  As she discovered, not much.  In fact, very little.  Very little at all.

Doulen noticed her wiggling, smiled as he watched it.  She looked very cute, drugged, mummified, and wiggling like that.  Should he make his move now?  No…better to try and warm her up.

"Is this what you enjoy?"  He asked.  "You don't need to be shy.  I saw all the pictures of people wrapped up like this.  It seemed only natural that you would like to be like this as well…though I do find it interesting how our mummification process lasts into your time."

"Doulen, can you please let me out?"  Lilly asked.  "I really don't feel comfortable being like this."  Her words were fuzzy, hazy, and a bit difficult to make out.  The drug was obviously doing its work. 

"I could, but I spent so much time making sure the wrappings were nice and tight.  It would be a shame to remove them now after so much work.  And besides, you look beautiful in them."  Lilly wiggled some more, but her bandages held fast and kept her movements in check.  She knew that it was now going to be useless to try and escape.

Still however, she knew she had to get out of here…

"What do you want?"  She asked, trying to keep her voice calm and focused.  Best not to show any nervousness or unease. 

"I want you to be happy Lilly."  Doulen said.  "And look!  You have gotten one of the things you want!  You are now a beautiful work of art, something that can be loved by everyone.  You are the center of attention, the object that is taken care of day after day.  Doesn't that excite you?"

She wanted to say no…but deep down she knew the answer was yes.  But…well…it would be nice to stay like this as long as she wanted.  Doulen wanted her, that much was obvious.  If he wanted her like this, then hey, it just might work out for everyone's benefit.

But…the voice of responsibility was nagging at her, pushing her onwards, saying that this wasn't what she came here to do, nor could she be distracted by it.  She had to do what she came here to do.  Otherwise…Lilly didn't know what was going to happen, but she knew that it would be horrible beyond her comprehension.

"Yes it does Doulen."  She answered, trying to keep her thoughts straight.  "But I…I can't.  I have to figure out what I came here for, and I have to do it.  Though…though it is nice being wrapped up like this (and in honesty, it was), I can't stay like this."

There was one of two things that could happen in that moment.  One, Doulen would loose his temper and force whatever he wanted on her.  That would be very bad.  Two, Doulen would be sad and reluctantly agree to her requests.

The young pharaoh's face looked like it was between the two…and then it sadly relaxed.

"Very well."  He sighed.  "But may I make an offer instead?"  That sounded suspicious…yet it did not feel like a trick.

"Okay, what is it?"

"I believe I may have found a list that you are looking for." 

That got Lilly's attention very quickly.  "What?!"

"Yes, I found it, saw many things on it, and I think it may be yours."  Lilly's enthusiasm quickly punched through the drug's haze.

"Well, where is it?!"

"Ah, wait.  Remember, this is an offer that we are making here.  I shall give you the list…if you allow me to make love to you."

"Excuse me?"

"Lilly…I have never met someone as beautiful as you.  And I have never had the opportunity to take that someone, wrap her up as one of our mummies, and then make love to her, to show her how I felt for her." 

"Are you fucking nuts?" 

Doulen's face dropped.  "I just knew that you were going to say that.  But Lilly, please, consider my situation.  I need a child.  I need a son to continue my bloodline.  I am not going to live forever, and only a son ensures that this country will continue.  Can you not imagine it?  Imagine what would happen if I died and had no heirs?  Chaos would erupt.  Egypt would break down and collapse."

"I have not found a wife."  He continued.  "And I cannot bring myself to force someone into having my child against their will.  If a woman is going to have children for me, then it must be out of a relationship of love, not resentment."  Doulen looked at Lilly, his eyes silently begging her to say "yes." 

"Please Lilly…please…I…I don't have much time left.  The gods gave me a dream where a Lilly would bring me my son.  You are that Lilly.  Please…"

For the first time in a long time…Lilly did not know what to think.  She did not know what to say.  She was engaged, and to have sex with someone else before that wedlock would be…well, it would horribly improper.  She couldn't betray Joe, and the love he gave to her.  Nothing could change that.

But on the other hand…If Doulen was telling the truth (and Lilly sensed he was) then he might know where a list of her task was.  And if she had the list…then she could at last figure out what she was doing here, what she was trying to prevent.

There was no easy answer here, no convenient black and white solution.  She was going to have to make a choice.  On one hand was her feelings and her sense of honor.  In the other…she just might control the fate of Egypt .  But then again…she didn't.

Doulen watched her…waited. 

Finally, Lilly made her choice.  If it meant saving Joe from whatever she came here to prevent…then she would do it.  Sighing, she took a deep breath.  "Doulen…I'll do it.  But I have to tell you something first…"

It was as if a switch had been flicked on in the young ruler.  Instantly his expression, his demeanor went from depressed to overjoyed.  True, heartfelt joy.  "It can wait."  He said breathlessly as he walked over to the bed and crouched next to wrapped Lilly.  "It can wait for a few minutes…"  He took out a knife.

"Wait, no it can't."  Lilly said urgently.  "You have to…"  With a swift cut, Doulen sliced at Lilly…cutting away the bandages surrounding her groin, exposing it.  "Doulen, you have to know something before you…" 

Instead of responding, Doulen simply slipped his fingers in and began to gently rub back and forth. 

"Dou…Doul….you…"  It was suddenly becoming increasingly difficult to try and protest as pleasure slowly began to creep through Lilly's body.  "Please…list..."  A sudden, involuntary shudder.  "Oh…."  Thoughts of Doulen's crushing disappointment vanished as she began to feel more and more pleasure rushing through her.  Her tightly wrapped body began to quake, shiver, and twitch. 

Involuntarily, she pushed against her wrappings, tried to move away.  It was instinctive measure, one learned after many hours of play.  Struggling simply heightened the pleasure and the satisfaction, giving the play a degree of seriousness and focus beyond normal activities.

The wrappings held fast, and kept the wrapped woman firmly in place.  She began to pant, trying desperately to wiggle free of her restraint.  Doulen smiled, and quickly took off the jeans.  He moved into position. 

Something penetrated deep into Lilly, moving deeply inside her, shifting and wiggling just as she was.  The feeling was indescribable.  Wrapped up, barely able to wiggle, completely helpless…and having sex…it was simply overwhelming, so completely total and euphoric.

Lilly gave up and surrendered, just as she exploded in a scream of pleasure and wonderful, wonderful bliss.

And then…it was over.

***

Doulen, worn out from the experience…collapsed, pulling himself out of the mummified woman before him.  He fell next to her, spread eagle on the sheets.  He was half naked and he was drenched in sweat and grime, but he didn't care.  He was too high to care.  He had been next to live, wrapped up women before (having your orders obeyed without question did have it's uses), but never had he actually had intercourse with one.  Lilly had been the first one to submit, and now he felt…complete. 

And yet…he still wanted her.  He wanted to be with her, to hold her, hug her and never, ever let go.  Let his kingdom die and rot.  He would hold her and simply love her until the day he died, whenever that would be.  That was all he wanted.  Turning slowly, his head swimming through the waves of bliss and utter relaxation, he reached over towards Lilly's wrapped body and placed an arm around her.  "I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did."  He said.  "I can only imagine what it would be like being wrapped up as you are."

Lilly's eyes fluttered.  Slow to move, slow to think, she lay still, overwhelmed by the experience.  She did feel the pharaoh's hand going around her, but it was distant, far away.  The feeling of his lips touching hers too, was far away, a barely recognizable presence. 

The euphoria and bliss lasted for a long time…but it soon began to fade.  The desire for sleep was there too…but soon the thought of the Pharaoh's promise returned.  She had done her part.  It seemed only logical for him to do his.  "Doulen…"  She whispered, slowly becoming fully awake again. 

"Yes Lilly?"  He asked, not entirely out of his stupor. 

"The list you found.  I should like to see it." 

"Yes, I suppose so.  But then again…"  He squeezed her tighter.  "Your situation seems rather ideal, no?"

Oh good grief.  "Yes, it may be Doulen, but I need to see that list now.  My time, my future…heck, maybe even our future, may be on the line.  Let me see it."  It wasn't a request.  Ordinarily, using such a tone on the divine ruler of Egypt was enough to send one to the dungeons for a few years at the minimum…but then again, Lilly wasn't an ordinary visitor.

Her voice and tone told Doulen that playtime was over.  He would have liked to have her wrapped up for just a little bit longer…but she had done the task.  She was now carrying child, and Egypt 's future was secure.  She would have to be kept safe of course, but that would be a simple matter of keeping her…hmm…he smiled.  It would be fun to figure out how to keep her safe and secure.  He couldn't see the harm in letting her go.

Taking his ceremonial knife, Doulen quickly cut Lilly loose.  He hated to destroy such ornate wrappings, but knew that new ones could be put in place later.  Taking a blanket, he offered it to the woman (who noticed that she was naked).  As Lilly wrapped the blanket around herself, Doulen went to the blue jeans and pulled a piece of paper out of the back pocket.

"Here."  He said, offering it to her.  "I found this earlier today."  Seeing it, Lilly's heart jumped as she took it in her hand.  Quickly, overjoyed, she opened it, at long last seeing what she was here for…

*1776:  The declaration of independence.

*1918:  World war one begins

*2001:  Terrorists destroy the world trade center

Lilly's heart sank.

The list went on, but it was immediately clear that this wasn't what the list she was hoping for.  All of this, all the things written down here were nothing, simply notes about various dates from history.

Doulen was looking at her, waiting to see if she was pleased or not.  She didn't notice him.  For at that moment, her hopes were crushed.  At this rate, she would never find out what she was here for.  She would never discover what she had come back in time to stop.

"So…is it what you wanted?"  Doulen asked, still smiling from the sex.

"No…no it isn't." 

Doulen's face suddenly dropped.  "What?" He asked, getting up.  "What do you mean?"

"It's a list, but not the list.  This isn't what I'm looking for."  Doulen looked shocked.  He walked up to her, not sure what to say (And apparently not embarrassed that he was half naked). 

"Lilly…I'm…I'm sorry about this.  I was so sure that was what you were looking for."  Lilly gave a little smile.

"Well…that's nice of you Doulen.  Thank you for trying.  But…"  Lilly gritted her teeth.  This wasn't going to be easy.  "There's something I have to tell you."

"What is it?"

"Do you remember how I kept trying to tell you something earlier?"  Doulen didn't say anything, but his expression showed that he did know what she was talking about…and that he was slightly embarrassed.

"About that."  He said.  "I was caught up in the excitement.  I couldn't…"

"Doulen…I can't have children." 

It was as if all the joy, all the happiness, and all the ecstasy in Doulen had been sucked out of him with a high powered vacuum cleaner.  His face went flat, blank.  His reply was simple, and heartfelt.

"What?"

"Doulen…"  Lilly stammered, trying to figure out how to say it.  "I tried to tell you earlier but…my fiancée and I agreed that we were going to adopt a child once we were married.  We wanted to help someone else out instead of giving birth and leaving another child without a family."

"What does this mean?"  Doulen asked quietly.  He sounded dead.

"It means…I had an operation done to ensure I couldn't have any children.  I'm sorry." 

If the pharaoh was feeling anything, he didn't show it.  Instead, he turned and silently walked towards the small window.  The sun had set, and darkness filled the sky.  It was pitch black outside, save for the small torches going up throughout the capital.  Doulen said nothing.

"Doulen, I…"

"You may go Lilly."  He said quietly.  "Thank you for your time."  She wanted to stay and comfort him, but she knew that to do so would not be a wise choice right now. 

"I'm sorry."  Turning, she quickly walked to the door and went out, the blanket fluttering after her.  Her footsteps vanished, and the young ruler of Egypt was left alone in silence. 

He looked out the window for a long time.  He thought for a long time.  He had failed.  He had not, could not, father a son.  That was one thing he had not told anyone, not even his trusted priest Dervan. 

The dream about the Lilly had come true, in the sense that a Lilly had been sent to him….but the dream also had a second warning.  In it, the plant had drifted down the Nile , vanishing from Doulen's grasp.  And when it was gone, the land around him would turn to dust, turn to ash, and vanish in the wind, leaving nothing behind but a whisper of what had once been.

The plant was gone.  And…and…

He wept as he stumbled to the bed. 

"Please…forgive me."

***

Lilly went quickly from the royal bedroom to the main hall, and from there to the servant's quarters where Weet would be.  Sure enough, she was waiting in the room for Lilly.  "Lilly, it is good to see you again my friend!  If I may ask…"  She giggled, "Why are you wearing that blanket?"

"Doulen and I had a little meeting."  Lilly said.  "But unfortunately, it didn't go as he had hoped." 

Weet looked at Lilly, eyes uncertain.  "What do you mean?"

"I think he wanted me to have children for him, but I can't.  He tied me up and eventually talked me into having sex with him."  Weet nodded slowly, listening to what Lilly said.  "He thought he found the thing I'm looking for, but it wasn't.  It was just a piece of paper."

"He actually succeeded at talking a woman into carrying his child?"  Weet said to herself. 

"No."

"No?"

"I had an operation done in my time Weet.  I can't have children.  I tried to tell Doulen, but he was too excited to listen to what I had to say.  I think it hurt him very badly to hear that." 

"I can only imagine."  Weet muttered.  "He has tried to have children many times, but either the woman did not want to commit to marriage, or they thought he was too young.  Some said that he was very sick when he was near them, and they didn't want to get sick." 

"Uh Weet, can you answer me something?"

"I shall try."

"Does Doulen normally wrap up women like…eh…mummies when they visit him privately?"

"Oh yes he does."  The woman said casually.  "It is a curious thing, but most seem to enjoy it."  She smiled.  "I did when he first invited me into his room.  He…"  She was about to say something when there was a loud shriek from outside the room.  Instantly both women were on their feet.  There was the sound of many feet running outside in the hallway.

Deep down, Lilly got a horrible feeling in her gut.

"Wait here Lilly."  Weet said.  "I shall go and see what is happening."  Moving quickly, she went to the door and went out, closing it behind her.  Lilly stood in the center of the room, watching the door and listening to the feet running outside. 

There was another shriek, one from outside the palace.  Heading over to the door, Lilly heard shrieks coming from the city.  A few at first…but then more and more as the seconds went by.

"Lilly!"  Lilly spun, seeing Weet standing before her, looking horrified. 

"What?  What is it?"

"P…ph…ph…"

"Weet,"  Lilly went up to her friend, putting her hands on Weet's shoulders.  "What is it?!"

Weet finally got it out.  "Pharaoh Doulen…he is dead!"

continues in part three

01.10.06

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