Hello! This is my first story, I don't really like flames but I want constructive critisism. Thanks.

Disclamer: I don't (but wish I did ) own anything you recognize.

I shall tell you a story, the story of my life. Historians from Rome will say I am a liar, but history is written by those who have hanged heroes, as they intend to do to me. And though by their laws I have acted with treason and hate, I honestly tell you I did what I had to with the very best intentions. They may keep me in this cage (for truly that is what it is); chained and held like a common animal but they shall never chain my spirit. They shall never make me lose my heart and the memories in which I hold dear.

There is so much to tell, but I suppose with all the free time I have I can start with the beginning.

I was raised a princess, given the finest of everything. My father was a nobleman, my mother first cousin to the emperor and niece of the pope. I was their only child and they lavished gifts upon me but only to keep me quiet; in all truth they held no love for their daughter with the spirit of the son they never had. Whilst they lived in Rome, I lived in a large villa by the sea; cared for by tutors, nurses and when I could manage it, soldiers.

I had the run of the place, I had power and I could have destroyed those who tried rein in my behavior. But instead (though it took a while) I learned to respect and cherish what they had to say. Through the days I would spent my mornings learning the behavior fitting a lady of my birthright, the afternoons however were the time in which I thrived. Immediately after the midday meal I would rush down to the stable, get onto any available horse and race to the barracks. At first the trainee's disliked me, were it for me being a girl or me being of noble birth I will never know, but they did respect me, a respect that eventually turned into like and then a loyalty and love few commanders received from there soldiers. You see, I trained with them; many of the officers (and their wives) though it was atrocious a lady would train with common men, but their captain Peter found me amusing and allowed it. I fought the best of them and won; I learned healing, I learned to kill and by god I had a knack for it.

So, I grew up with the best of both worlds; friends from all walks of life. My mentor ranged from drunks and bums to generals to ladies and to holy men with holier ideals.

Unfortunately my world was destroyed, mind you it was destroyed tactfully. On the occasion of my sixteenth in front of a roomful of people were I dared not argue it was announced I was to leave and in all probability never return. I had been called to court, it was not a request which I might have respectfully declined, it was a order; emperor to subject. That night I packed and by dawn every trace of my childhood was wiped away.

The first meeting between my parents and I was strained. We had conversed through letters and told of my progress, but they had spies who told them of my wild behavior. My second day back I was presented to the Emperor and offically welcomed.

I was at court for 4 years. The first under the supervision of a cold hearted lady in waiting to the empress. The second year I was made a lady in waiting, and by the third I had won the hearts of Rome. I was in all my glory, parties every night, luncheons and shopping during the day. Through the glamour of court I forgot my old life.

About 11 months into the fourth year I was informed I would be married to a Lord Markus DeCosta. I was horrified at the thought of it; I begged, commanded, pleaded, prayed even, and used all of my skills to try to escape this cruel fate but the decision was final: I marry or would be forced to join a convent. I though for days, seriously considering a life behind walls in the dark rather than marry a man I had never met. In the end I choose marriage.

The wedding was planned for the next month; my time was spent in a whirl wind of planning. I cried at night and I cried just before my trip down the aisle, but as I stepped out from that room you never would have known. My heart bleeding and yet I walked down the aisle like a queen. When my eyes landed on the groom I was surprised, I had expected an old man or even a ugly youth; in their place stood a handsome man. He was young 20, maybe 23; he had dark hair and light blue eyes the colour of the sea by the villa, he was strong and proud but he was gentle at the same time. All this I saw in one glance, and I was curious of what I would find his personality like. For a moment I forgot how apposed I was to this wedding.

After the ceremony and traditional party we went to our chambers, instead of the usual we spent the whole first night talking and shocking I liked him. Not love, but friendship. He was kind and gentle and was just as apposed to the marriage as I was. At dawn just before I fell asleep I remember him saying:

"A strange world where a marriage so unwelcome could bring such unexpected friendship."

With time Mark soothed the hurt in my heart and we became the best of friends. All over Rome people were amazed. The firebrand had been tamed, the rumor ranged on how he had done it; most cruel but I could have cared less. I would tell him everything and he the same for me. Mark was a lord and was in close confidence with many important people ; he was their advisor and I was his.

Six months into our marriage Mark was given a great honor, he became a governor. I was so proud and at the ceremony I stood by his side and became the Governess (in his absence I would have control of the place). It was only after the ceremony that we were informed that the governorship was in Britain, Fort Hadriana to be exact. I was once again devastated at the thought of leaving my home country, even if it was for one of he provinces, and once again abandoned as he went ahead to set up.

He sent word to come 2 months after he arrived.

Please review! Should I continue? If I do it probally wont be till next week.

Thanks,
Ana