Y/N'S POV-
The stola i am wearing flows down my body in the breeze. It's such a beautiful dress, made of the purest white material.. it's such a shame I am likely to die in it. They put my mother, Lucilla, in the same and tied her up on the opposite side so our backs are facing. We are standing on some kind of moving wooden podium? No doubt to show us off to the whole of Rome as "Traitors"
Geta told me to trust him and I do- I just never expected to actually be tied up and about to be paraded into the colosseum. I finally pluck up the courage to speak to Lucilla.. our last conversation didn't end that well
Y/N- "Everything is going to be okay.. we aren't going to die out there- not like him"
L- "I should be saying that to you.. I should have protected you, Aelia. I failed you" you could hear the pain in her voice
Y/N- "No.. no. You did protect me in the only way you knew. It made me the person I am today- and I've survived this far" she chuckles
L- "You are exactly like your brother."
Y/N- "If we do die today.." I pause "I want you to know that I'm proud to have you as my mother"
L- "Not as proud of me.. I love you, always. Aelia" I feel the back of her fingers touch mine through the rope. A mothers love is all I ever wanted in life
I don't get a chance to answer her as my body jolts due to the guards pushing the podium into the arena. The same noise hits me like Deja-vu as soon as we go out into the open but the atmosphere is a lot different. It's almost like the people of Rome are finally becoming weary and fed up. This is my chance to get through to them
We stop in the centre of the colosseum and the Senators surround the platform with their wooden swords. This is seriously the breaking point- the people need the senators. What are they thinking? I glance up to where the emperors usually sit but I notice that only Caracalla is there. Where is Geta? Panic start to rise through my body
?- "And to protect them! One lone gladiator.. Hanno!!"
One of the gates rise and Lucius walks out swinging two swords and wearing a chest plate with two horses on.
L- "Maximus.." Lucilla whispers
When he reaches us he gives me a reassuring glance
LV- "Always thought I'd end up being the one tied up, sister" we smile at eachover, even through hell the bond we have could never break
I hear the sound of the instruments marking the start of the game and the circle of guards stood around the edge of the colosseum are now marching towards us. There has to be at least 100- how is Lucius ever going to fight them all? It's rigged, every part of it is..
I take a deep breath and when I exhale I know what i have to do. My body is restricted and my hands tied up but I do have a weapon after all- my voice. I look up into the crowd and just start singing. I don't know where i know it from but it has been at the back of my head for most of my life. It's the most beautiful song, almost like something you would sing to a child to get them to sleep
But it's working, the guards hault in their track confused but they listen to me. I have never heard the arena so silent before, it's almost peaceful. To my surprise i hear another voice join in and sing alongside me. Lucilla? How does she know this song? Lucius looks up at us both and starts singing too. It is the most perfect family harmony
We continue like that and manage to delay the guards for a couple of minutes while also getting our point out to the people that we are no common thieves or traitors. We will not just be silenced.
Macrinus' voice soon pierces the tranquility of the arena
M- "PRAETORIANS.."
Caracalla joins in after
C- "What are you doing?! Get them!"
The guards snap out of whatever state they are in and continue surrounding us. Nothing could have prepared me for what happens next...
I hear the gate rising once again and crane my head to get a look at who or what was coming through
I think an audible gasp actually escapes from my mouth when Geta walks through the gate wearing his golden armour and wielding a sword. He looks so confident and majestic. I actually forget for a moment where I am and how serious the situation is. I was so immersed in his beauty
He nods to Lucius before calling out and raising his sword into the air
G- "FOR ROME"
At his cue the rest of the gladiators charge out into the arena.. If this was his plan all along, we may actually survive this..