The Harvest Moon

By Calypso

Summary: As the war in Germania, and the life of Marcus Aurelius with it, draws ever closer to an end. Lucilla must make one last attempt to save her brother's soul. (Set Pre-Movie.)

Disclaimer: I do not own gladiator, nor am I an expert on the historical characters involved with it. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental. This story however, is mine and mine alone. If you copy it and post in on the net without asking permission, I will hire a gypsy and have an impotence spell cast on you (should you be male) or lock you in a closet with Jake Fine for a week (should you be female.)

~ Ch1 - Autumn Rains ~

The wind blew into the palace through its large open balconies, carrying with it a few stray droplets of the gentle rain that feel quietly upon the city of Rome outside. In his bed, Commodus breathed in the life it carried with it, drawing deep breathfulls of the early autumn air. Listening carefully for the sound of bare feet against the marble floor. Within heartbeats, the now familiar sound of a young woman's steps could be heard in the soft silence of the early morn.

Commodus closed his eyes, careful to steady his breathing and calm his heartbeat so that he gave every appearance of truly sleeping. The footsteps drew closer; eventually close enough so that he could hear the breathing of the woman to whom they belonged. With his eyes closed, Commodus mentally pictured her movement towards his bed, leaning over him so that her hair nearly brushed his arms. Gently, she drew his blankets up from where he had kicked them and covered him so that he could no longer feel the wind against his skin. She stood there for a few moments, looking down at him, brushing a few stray locks of hair away from his forehead before backing away from him and out of the room.

Commodus waited for her footsteps to retreat, keeping his eyes closed all the while. When at last he was sure she had gone, he opened his eyes again. Once more, he kicked away the sheets and breathed the air into his lungs. Why did she come? It had been this way every day for the last two moon cycles, ever since he had taken sick with the fever.

At first he'd thought she came because of his sickness, but he had gotten better, improved so that his health was again normal. Yet still she came every morning. It was indeed confusing, confusing beyond all logic. For why would a simple slave girl dare to look in upon him?

~

She dared because she was ordered too. She was the slave of Lucius Verus, the seven-year-old son of Lucilla Aruelius who feared daily that he would loose his beloved uncle just as he had lost his father. Since the day that Commodus had taken sick, Lucius asked two questions every morning: Was mother well? Was Uncle? Lucius would not take the word of his nurse, for his nurse stayed with him all day and all night - how would she know? Instead he made sure by sending the slave girl who dressed his mother and served as his nurses assistant to make certain for him.

"Good morning master Lucius." The slave girl showed the diffidence due to Lucius as she knelt beside his bed, briefly bending her head so that eyes were fixed on the floor. As she did every morning, the slave girl answered the child's questions. But unlike most mornings, she did not stay to attend him, moving instead to Lucilla's quarters where she was needed, not having been able to attend her lady earlier as she usually did.

"Pearl, where on earth are my sapphire earrings?" Lucilla's eyebrows were drawn together rather unattractively as she searched for the elusive pieces of jewelry. Annoyed that they evaded her so early in the day.

"Here my lady." The slave girl, who the Romans called Pearl, presented the earrings to her lady with what seemed like an astonishing speed. Without thanking her, Lucilla fixed the jewelry onto her ears, glancing from the side of he eyes at the girl who knelt beside her. Quickly she ordered the girl to bring to her a dress somewhat more formal than her casual morning robes. As Pearl dressed her, Lucilla quietly contemplated the girl who had been a wedding present from her husband.

Lucilla knew very well that the slave had been visiting her brother every morning for past two months. Lucius' nurse informed her of everything that involved her son. What she could not understand was how her brother had failed to notice such a visitor. She knew for a fact that Commodus slept lightly, and while Pearl's movements were graceful and quiet she couldn't see how in two months time Pearl had found Commodus sleeping each time she visited.

"Thank you Pearl." Lucilla glanced down at herself when she had finished dressing; as usual she appeared lovely and elegant. Smoothing out an invisible wrinkle, she hesitated to dismiss the slave girl. For curiosity's sake, she wanted to interrogate the girl. Yet caution warned her against any such action. As she stood there contemplating what to do, another servant solved the problem for her.

"My lady, your brother wishes to see you. He is standing outside as we speak." Behind her, Lucilla felt rather than saw Pearl start.

"Tell him to come in." the slave bowed, but Lucilla had already sat down. "Pearl, I've changed my mind about my hair. I'd rather it be braided. Come help me." Pearl obeyed silently, quickly letting down Lucilla's hair so that she could braid it before putting it back up. As she combed Lucilla's long tresses, Commodus walked in.

"Good morning sister." Commodus smiled broadly at Lucilla as he came in, leaning down carefully to kiss her on the cheek. "I trust all is well this morning." As he backed away from the chair, his eye caught that of the slave girl standing behind his sister. With the slightest bit of surprise he recognized her as the slave girl who had attended him when he was sick and delirious. The very one for whom he pretended to be asleep each morning. Lucilla saw the recognition, and silently filed it away for further use.

As the two chattered as siblings will, Pearl concentrated painfully on Lucilla's hair. Desperate not to hear the conversation or catch Commodus' eye again. She feared him as any sane woman did. Commodus possessed the charms of a man who knew he was handsome. More importantly, he possessed power. Whatever bravery or concern she showed by visiting him each morning while he slept, vanished whenever she happened upon him awake. When Commodus had gone, Lucilla immediately dismissed Pearl as well, sitting still for long moments with her thoughts.

Lucilla realized that if her brother recognized the slave, it was likely that he was not asleep every morning when the slave girl visited. Yet from the girl's obvious shyness, Lucilla guessed that Pearl did not know he was awake. It seemed then that her brother played some manor of a game. What game, she did not know. But that he had not treated Pearl as he had so many other slave girls gave Lucilla hope, hope and the beginnings of a plan.

To be continued....

AN: Loved it, hated it? I know that this first chapter doesn't do all that great a job of exploring any of the characters but at this point I'm just trying to establish the story line. Thanks for reading, and I hope that you'll both review and come back for more!

Also, can anyone name two people for me? The senator who was Maximus' ally and the one who tried to manipulate Commodus. Also, can anyone tell me why this text won't center once it's uploaded?