Chapter 13: Two Nights

Abish just stared. She had never before touched the king and didn’t move to do so now even though she’d had more healers’ training than any other in the room. She was grateful when Ammon moved so she didn’t feel compelled to. He touched the king’s head and listened to his chest and pronounced, “Lamoni is fine, probably just the shock from all he has learned. He should be taken to his chamber where he can rest comfortably.”

Lemhah issued some orders and in a daze the men carefully hoisted him and carried him into the hallway. Abish followed at a careful distance, with Ammon. She looked at him sideways and whispered, “Have you ever seen such a thing?”

Ammon smiled, “Only once. It was God’s way of redeeming a soul that was headed for almost certain damnation. He will recover.” Almost unwillingly, she trusted the confidence in his voice, wondering if she had sounded the same to Sasha earlier that morning.

“How soon?”

“It is not for me to say.” Abish felt mildly distressed, knowing that somehow she would have to explain all of these happenings to the queen. He caught her expression and said, “You have faith, don’t you?”

“I have faith; but I must relate these events to someone who does not—at least, not yet.”

“The queen?”

Abish nodded. “Queen Zaria is already overwrought emotionally. She has a very new baby, and the birth was difficult.” Abish flushed to be discussing such things with a man. “This will be hard for her to understand.”

Ammon nodded. “Perhaps it is best if I stay away until she wishes to see me.”

“Yes. Knowing that you are involved in these events may increase her distress.”

“Then I will wait.”

“And I will try to help her see.” She smiled slowly, “But I’ll leave the preaching to you. You are very good at it.”

“When the word of God is preached by the Spirit, both those who hear it and those who receive it are edified together. There is no better feeling of comradeship in the world than sharing the gospel.”

Almost without thinking she said quietly, “Then I expect that we will be very good friends.” They parted ways and she hurried her steps to be with the group that entered the queen’s room.


As predicted, the queen did not take the news of her husband’s episode very well. Abish tried to explain, but without Ammon’s preaching the story really didn’t make much sense. Perhaps it had been a mistake to caution him against coming because now the queen was adamant about not sending for him. Despite the testimonies of her servants, Abish thought she seemed fearful of the Nephite, though she was impressed by the presence of mind the queen kept for being a new mother. She maintained her authority very well and ordered Lemhah to not let word of any events leak out. The slaves were ordered to secrecy, though Abish knew how poorly such an admonition was kept among the servants themselves and was sure everyone in the palace would be discussing what had happened in about twenty minutes.

She allowed Abish to examine the king to determine the cause of his unconsciousness. Abish attempted, but she knew it was mostly for show. She trusted Ammon’s promise completely, and tried to reassure the queen. “He is fine; there is no injury or anything to indicate any trauma or damage. He will come out of this in a few days. His heartbeat is faint but steady. He will arise when it is time for him to.”

The queen regarded Abish closely, “I don’t mean to insult you, dear, you are a marvelous midwife, but he is hardly pregnant. I’m calling a healer.”

Abish tried to protest, but it wasn’t her habit to do so, so she decided to wait it out. As feared, the healer’s opinion was much starker. He told the queen that Lamoni had slipped into a coma it was unlikely he’d ever recover from. He suggested the king had been hit or even poisoned. Hearing this libel, Abish found the courage to protest. She argued that she had been there.

The healer glowered at her and answered, “I am not accustomed to being second guessed by slave-girls. I order you to hold your tongue.”

The queen looked exasperated, but whether she was more frustrated by Abish or the healer was hard to say. Not wanting to embarrass the queen or be slapped by the healer—a thing totally within his rights—she closed her mouth, praying with all her heart that he would leave very soon.

Before he left, he added, “I’ve seen this kind of thing before—the coma getting deeper and deeper. You won’t even know when the moment of death arrives until he starts to stink. I will watch him closely through the rest of the week and I would do all you can to find who has caused this to happen to him. This couldn’t have just been spontaneous.”

The queen sank into a nearby chair when he left. Abish quickly found a stool for her and helped her prop her feet. “This is too much decision making for a woman who just had a baby. I am so tired.”

“I’m sure.”

“Let me hear your version of events one more time without a chamber full of dirty shepherds or that nasty little healer.”

“Just relax for a little bit first.” Abish rubbed her feet gently.

“Where is Sariah?” The queen asked after a moment.

“Resting. She’s been with Sasha this afternoon. If you aren’t sleeping when she wakes up then I will have Sasha bring her to you.”

"I like her.”

“The baby or Sasha?”

The queen smiled lightly and leaned back in her chair, “Mmmm. . . Both I think. Well, I know I like the baby; I haven’t fully decided about Sasha yet, but she does come with your recommendation so she is probably wonderful.”

“Ammon comes with my recommendation too.”

"Yes; but perhaps you are just besotted by his blue eyes and fair skin.” In spite of herself, the queen’s grin was mischievous and girlish at the same time.

Abish smiled, trying not to blush and failing miserably, as she massaged. “He is handsome. I will admit that.”

The queen sighed and leaned back. “You know, I never found Nephite men all that handsome. I was actually grateful when I learned my father had promised me to a Lamanite. The alternative seemed too terrible. If you want handsome, a lady need look no further than Lamoni.” Her voice caught slightly as she said his name.

“He will be fine. You will be side by side with him in no time.”

“How can you be so sure?” The queen’s eyes were swimming with tears.

“With mine own ears I heard your husband tell Ammon that he would believe anything he said. I feel the same way. If Ammon tells me that your husband is just working through his salvation, then I know it is the truth.”

The queen nodded slowly, but Abish could see she didn’t understand. Abish continued, “Let tomorrow be a nice quiet day—just you and your baby and your resting husband. If he isn’t awake by tomorrow evening then perhaps you will want to send for Ammon and speak to him yourself.” The queen nodded again.

“It is a good idea. In the meantime, don’t slack off on that foot rub.”


But the next day was not a quiet day. Before Abish could arise and order the doors sealed to outside visitors, the healer returned with Lamoni’s three children close on his heels. Selah, a special favorite to Lamoni, was nearly beside herself with hysterics. They were already dressed in mourning clothes and the procession sent the baby into high-pitched catlike wails for having her morning feeding interrupted. Frustrated, the queen handed the baby to Sasha and began trying to sort through the mess.

The older boys were arguing over whether or not Lamoni had started to stink. The queen broke into their conversation loudly. “He doesn’t smell! His own servants bathed him just last evening and he is not dead.”

"But he’s going to die!” Selah wailed.

The queen looked like she would slap her, but refrained, “Pull yourself together, Selah! Nobody knows anything yet. He is just fine. Until we know more I would appreciate it if you would just pretend that he was sleeping.” Selah sniffed back her tears, knowing from the queen’s tone that it was unwise to be disobedient.

Unwilling to let it drop, the younger of Lamoni’s boys accused, “You wouldn’t tell us if he was dead! Then you could be queen all by yourself and the Amalekites would come and move into our palace.”

Abish couldn’t help but try and interpret the queen’s expression to that comment—it was a mixture of amusement, impatience and exasperation. “Clearly, Helamoni, you don’t know how it works. If your father did die, then your brother, Lemuel, would be the king. I would be nobody. And there are too many Amalekites for this house anyway. Now, it is very evident that neither of you are ready to be king yet, so your father wouldn’t die and leave his kingdom in such disarray, would he?” The brothers looked at each other and finally they both shook their heads.

“Now, please, just go. Your father needs it to be quiet so that he can recover.”

Abish added, “And your stepmother has just had a baby; she also needs it quiet so she can recover.”

The children were not gone more than a minute when the healer started in. This time the queen waved him off. “I will call for you again when you are needed. In the meantime, please do not hang around the palace scaring people with your speculation. I think we will wait this one out a little bit.”

He left, offended by both her tone and her words. But he wasn’t gone ten minutes when others began arriving—courtiers Abish often saw standing around hoping to advance their positions. The priests paraded through next. The noise alone was exhausting with the constant undercurrent of conversation about whether or not the king stank, and if his condition had anything to do with the Nephite in the palace. So, while it was apparent the servants had indeed gossiped, the healer had been no less reserved with his opinion.

“Enough!” The queen finally said aloud just after midday. The latest group of people in the door was headed by an undertaker who’d brought a funeral shroud and a group of six wailing mourners. When she asked him what he was doing he said that he’d been ordered, by someone in the palace, to bring burial clothes because the king was dead and they wanted to lay him in his family’s sepulcher that very day. Without even a reply, she ordered everyone out. The ensuing silence was wonderful. She sank, exhausted into a nearby chair. She was exceptionally pale and Abish quickly ordered a lunch for her. The queen drank a large cup of water. “I’m not feeling all that well.”

“Lunch will help.”

“Getting all this resolved would help more.” She waved her hand toward where Lamoni lay, so peaceful and oblivious to the chaos that had surrounded him that day. “He doesn’t stink, does he?” The queen had begun to even doubt herself.

“No.” Abish reassured her.

“I think maybe it is time I see this Nephite of yours.”

“Lunch first.” The queen agreed. Abish noted that she looked a little bit better after lunch, but she was still very pale. Seeing that the queen had eaten well, Abish stood to go get Ammon. “No, send somebody. I don’t want to be alone. And if anybody else comes, send them away.” Abish stood to follow her directive. “Wait. Send for the shepherds also, but ask them to wait in the hall.”

Ammon arrived within minutes. He was out of breath as if he had sprinted the distance. As he had been with Lamoni, he was supremely cordial with the queen in his manner of address and speaking, but even with the formality, his voice carried warmth and familiarity.

He bowed low, “What would you have me do, My Lady?”

Her words were likewise filled with formality, “Our servants have made it known to me that thou are a prophet of a holy God and that thou hast power to do many mighty works in his name. If you do, go in and see my husband. Thou knows that he has laid for two nights and days.” Her voice quavered slightly and her eyes filled with tears. Unable to stand any longer she sank against Abish’s arm and lowered herself into a chair, “Some are saying that he is dead, and that he stinks and others want to place him in the sepulcher! But he isn’t dead. And he doesn’t stink.”

Ammon smiled winningly at the queen and Abish noted that some of the color returned to her face as he did so. “Of course he isn’t dead, your Majesty. The veil of unbelief is being cast from his eyes so that he can behold the light and glory of God. When he arises his soul will be infused with a joy that surpasses understanding. He will be a new creature, born again by the power of the Lord.”

Abish’s heart burned and she prayed that the queen felt it too. Ammon walked to Lamoni’s bedside and knelt over him in prayer. His words were beautiful and alive. Abish had never heard such a prayer. As his voice faded, Abish heard the barest sniffle from the queen. He stood slowly and came to the queen. He bowed low in front of her again and took her hand. “He is not dead, but he sleepeth in God. On the morrow he shall rise. Bury him not.” He added his last, simple sentence with a gentle smile, knowing the queen had already vehemently decided against that. “Believest thou this?”

She smiled back at him, tears coursing freely down her cheeks. “I have no witness, save thy word, and the word of our servants.” She quietly took Abish’s hand as she said this, but kept her eyes directly on Ammon’s. “Nevertheless, I believe that it shall be according as thou hast said.”

“Blessed art though, because of your exceeding faith. I say unto thee, woman, there has not been such great faith among all the people of the Nephites.” He leaned forward and kissed her hand as he said these words. Abish truly believed that she would burst wide open from happiness in that moment.

The queen asked the shepherds to come in again to tell their story; she assured them that she believed them and asked that they return the next morning, that they might see Lamoni awaken. And then, she asked Ammon if he would teach her the things he had taught Lamoni. Abish heard much of Ammon’s sermon again, trying to commit portions to memory, wondering if she would ever grow tired of hearing him speak.

As supper neared, Abish asked that meals be brought to them. The queen stifled a yawn as they ate. Ammon took note, “Your majesty is tired.”

“You have no idea.”

“So where is this beautiful baby I have heard about?”

The queen smiled. “You are a flatterer, Ammon. But somehow I believe that you mean every word of it.”

Abish retrieved Sasha and the baby. Introductions were made, Ammon was especially differential when he learned that Sasha was Ham’s wife and was thrilled to meet their little son. Food was plentiful and Sasha was invited to join them. The queen startled them all with a sudden comment, “You know what? I am unbelievably happy. I am exhausted and actually feeling a little bit sick, but I’ve never felt so happy. Here I am, a Lamanite queen eating dinner with a Nephite, my midwife and a slave, and it doesn’t even matter. For the first time I feel an overwhelming love toward everyone around me. I would never have guessed that this feeling is the secret to true joy.”

Ammon nearly laughed with happiness at her simple statement and the song in Abish’s heart reflected Zaria’s feelings exactly. Ammon moved to leave after dinner, “You need your rest, Queen. There will be many days for sharing and teaching the gospel. I would not forgive myself readily if you became sick from the strain of these past days.”

“I will rest; I don’t think I could stay awake even if I wanted to. But will you stay and keep vigil with us this night? Abish has not been sleeping much herself for checking on me and Sasha and the babies. I am sure she would love your company.”

Abish felt the blood creep into her face, hoping her skin was dark enough to hide the heat she felt rush to her cheeks. Ammon bowed low, “As your Majesty wishes.”