Hatshepsut: the Forgotten Pharaoh

Prologue

Over 3,000 years ago, in the Eighteenth dynasty of Ancient Egypt, there lived a great pharaoh, King Thutmose I and his queen, Ahmose. Together they bore 4 children: Prince Amenmose, Prince Wadjmose, Princess Neferukheb, and Princess Hatshepsut. Years passed and one by one the royal children died, all except for one. . . Princess Hatshepsut. As Hatshepsut grew up she learned many things from her father. At the age of 12, her father,King Thutmose I died, and Hatshepsut, being the only child of her father with full royal blood, was married off to her half-brother Thutmose II (whose mother was a lesser wife).

During the reign of Thutmose II, Hatshepsut assumed the traditional role of queen and principal wife. For 20 long years Hatshepsut kept her thoughts to herself, until Thutmose II died, making her a widow before the age of 30. While married, the couple had only one child, a daughter, Neferure. The only male heir was an infant , born to one the lesser wives named Isis.

Because Thutmose III was too young to assume the throne unaided , Hatshepsut served as his regent. At long last she was able to claim the throne which was rightfully hers, and once again restore Egypt to its former glory! This is her story. . .

Chapter 1: Goodbye Thutmose II

Egypt mourns the death of my late husband, Thutmose II. It is time of sadness and grief. It all seems so odd to me how even after spending 20 years with a man I did not love, I still mourn his death. Perhaps, I do not grieve for my husband, but for my daughter and only child. This has all been so hard for her, the loss of a father, I too understand this feeling. Though all of this is quite disheartening, I almost feel as if I can see the light at the end of a dark tunnel.

~ Hatshepsut

"Mommy!!!!!!!," came a shrill cry from down the hall.

"I'm coming Neferure," I said as I quickly tucked away my papyrus and quill. A few moments later I entered the her room. "Neferure? Where are you sweetie?" From a corner I heard a sniffle, I looked over and there in the shadows she sat, curled up into a tight ball. She looked up, the tears streaming down her beautiful face shone like the Nile in the moonlight.

"Mommy?," she repeated," I want Daddy to come back home." Once again she began to cry, I reached down and scooped her up into my arms. She was so small, so fragile, I almost felt that if I held to tightly she might break into a million pieces, but I didn't care. I held her closer and swayed as I began to hum a lullaby.

A few minutes passed, and I began to hear soft even breaths, Neferure was finally asleep. Slowly, I began to make my way towards her bed, and then as gently as possible I tucked her in. She looked so peaceful, and content. What she had said earlier flashbacked in my mind," I want Daddy to come back home."

I winced. It pained me to see her like this, it cut into my heart like a knife. I cried, for the first time since my father had passed, I cried. " I love you," I whispered into her ear, then I walked out her room.

After leaving Neferure's room, I began making my way towards the throne room. The walls surrounding me were painted with the soft, dim glow of the moonlight, and as I walked , my shadow danced across the floor. When I entered the throne room, I stepped onto the balcony, which overlooked the river.

The moonlight reflecting off of the Nile, looked almost unreal, I could easily make out every detail in the water. How inviting it looked, I thought to myself, and in this moment of serenity I was suddenly compelled to go to it.

Almost without thinking, I began my descent down the palace steps. I could feel the Nile calling me, beckoning me to swim within its waters. Then I felt it touch the tip of my toes I closed my eyes and ventured further into the river. The water, although warm, felt cool to the touch, it was refreshing. It was now up to my knees, and it lapped against my legs as I continued forward.

Suddenly, the mud and pebbles beneath me gave way, and I was plunged into the murky depths below. I screamed, "HELP!!! HELP!!," I cried. But my pleas were muffled by water as the current grew stronger. I flailed about helplessly, desperate for something to keep me afloat. every muscle in my body ached, and my lungs stung with pain beyond belief. I could no longer hold my breath, the water poured inside of me, swallowing me as I swallowed it. I was losing consciousness quickly, the water had engulfed me completely.

I stopped moving, "I must stay awake," I thought. This is all happened in very short amount of time, but to me. . . it seemed liked a lifetime. It was quiet, warm, almost comforting. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a dim light. It was faint at first, but it grew brighter the closer it came. I was frightened out of my mind but I could not move, I was petrified with fear.

"Do not be afraid," the strange light said in a familiar voice.

I pondered momentarily. . . "Father?," I thought in disbelief.

"Yes my child, it is I, King Thutmose I, your father and protector, sent here from the underworld to help guide you through the journey of your life."

"Bu~"

"It is not yet your time, there are great things destined for you."

Then, I saw above me a shadowy figure, but I no longer had the strength to stay awake. I fell unconscious.