For The Love of Aten by V. Ann Catherall-Penttila

Author:V. Ann Catherall-Penttila
Format: epub

CHAPTER 20

Thebes became Neferu’s place of permanent residence now, but although it was a bustling and affluent city, Neferu never became attached to it or came to feel it was her home. Thebes was the domain of Tiya and Neferu always felt she was a guest there.

The first two decans after their return to Thebes from Rashid were a kind of honeymoon period for Neferu and Amio. Ay and Tiya kept a tight grip on the reins of power and Amio seemed happy to relinquish his duties to them. In truth, Neferu was grateful to them for this. No demands of an onerous nature were made upon her, so that she felt that there was no real cause for complaint. She was able to spend as much time with Amio as their passion demanded. In return, their presence was demanded at certain formal functions. One of these was the celebration of Nefertiti as official queen to Amenophis IV. Ay and Tiya organised the whole ceremony and Neferu and Amio performed their roles as previsaged. For the first time she wore the blue and gold crown of Upper and Lower Egypt in public, before a large audience of foreign guests and of her own people. It seemed to crystallise the situation for her. She was no longer a private person; she had become the property of Egypt. It was a high price to pay for the man she loved, but in the end, she considered he was worth it.

At court, Neferu became aware from the very beginning that she was a constant source of gossip. The circumstances preceding their marriage were common knowledge now and continued to be whispered around the court. She became aware that she was frequently the target of surreptitious glances and sudden turnings of heads. It came to her knowledge that certain of the court believed that she was an opportunist who had taken advantage of the young pharaoh’s affection for her. On hearing this gossip Neferu was torn between fury and self-pity. She told herself that she did not care what people thought of her, but this particular item cut her deeply, and she knew there was no way she could defend herself from it all.

As soon as a suitable moment occurred Neferu told Amio, but he calmly brushed aside her anger, telling her not to worry about it. ‘I know what is going on,’ he told her. ‘I hear all the rumours that go around this place, and I happen to know for sure that this one is not true and so if it does not worry me nor should it worry you.’ He drew her to him and, as usual in his embrace, she forgot the irritations of the court and its superficialities.

At the beginning of the fourth decan after their return to Thebes, Neferu was violently unwell and Amio, very concerned, insisted upon the court physician attending her. The doctor told her that he suspected pregnancy was the cause of her sickness, but it was still too early to tell for sure.

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