Hello All! A little something about Melitta and Gannicus, who as you all know, are my favorite couple. Set in Canon, so Melitta is dead. Quite short, because I really cannot write sad stuff. But this begged to be written so here we are.
Disclaimer: As always, Spartacus and all assorted characters do not belong to me. They are the property of Starz and history. Read and Review!
Inter somnia: Between dreams
After Gannicus is freed, he dreams of Melitta. Initially, Oenomaus is there, gaze boring into him silently, judgment heavy in his eyes. But soon, Melitta dominates his thoughts. She comes to him in wine soaked dreams, beautiful and alive. Laughter trails in her wake as she moves around him. In his imaginings, Melitta's eyes are radiant, filled with the love he only had a glimpse of that last night, before she perished in his arms.
Why do you mourn so deeply, my champion? Her specter asks him often, you who have achieved the pinnacle of what every slave dreams of?
Because you are not here Gannicus always replies. And Melitta sighs in dissatisfaction and disappears, leaves him to wake heaving, begging silently for her to come back. The same dream haunts him for five years, but it is the only way he sees Melitta. Gannicus will take the torment that follows the dream, if only for the brief glimpse of her.
The night he leaves Oenomaus and his foolish rebellion, the dream is different. This time there is urgency in her gaze as she demands her answer.
Why do you mourn so deeply, champion? She begs him. In the world of his imagination, Gannicus pauses, then sighs.
I mourn the loss of the brother I held so deeply, he replies truthfully. I mourn the love I had for him that I betrayed.
Do you regret what was done that night? Melitta asks, cool hands on his chest, gaze unsettling him with its intensity.
I would become a slave a thousand times over; suffer the lash, the indignities again and again, if it meant you would live.
That, she smiles wryly, is not an answer.
I love you, Gannicus thinks, and since this is a dream, Melitta hears him. She tilts her head in question, inviting him to elaborate. He does.
I love you, Gannicus repeats, No matter how many women come after, no one will take your place in my heart. When you died, it burned to ashes along with you. No woman will take your place. I regret that I caused you death. I regret that you came that night. I would rather you had lived Melitta. Knowing you loved me was not worth the cost.
The decision was mine, the blame was mine. Melitta whispers. And soon another will come, who will be a companion to you, will walk the difficult path alongside you.
She will not be you.
No. She will not. Melitta smiles, mouth curving invitingly. No one will take my place Gannicus. You will love others, but none as you love me.
I will never love another. Gannicus frowns. Melitta laughs at him.
I know how this ends, she says, Oenomaus and you will make amends, and you will comfort yourself with another. But Gannicus, she adds, stopping his objections, I will always be first in your heart.
Melitta, he whispers, what is happening? For he can feel the dream fading as he awakens.
Listen to what Lucretia says, and seek Spartacus out. Oenomaus will come before you, but I will wait for you. We shall cross the shores of the afterlife together. I promise.
Gannicus closes his eyes at the news. Will I remember?
Melitta tilts her head again. Impressions mostly. But you will know that you love me, and that I am waiting. That is all that matters.
I wanted to save you.
Her smile is heartbreaking. You did. She reaches you and places a lingering kiss on his lips.
Wake, beloved.
Gannicus awakens, and wishes for the oblivion of the afterlife.
Then he shakes himself, and makes ready to return to Capua.
He has to finish all his tasks before he meets with Melitta again, after all.