Germania/Rome. The final sack of Rome, by the Goths (or was it the Visigoths).

You know, it looked much longer in my notebook.


Rome would be sacked.

Roma began the fight at the high walls, but when the barbari breached and began pouring in, he broke with the other soldiers and ran into the nearest house. The domus was empty. The family must have fled before the waves of barbarians into Latium. He hoped they were safe, whoever, wherever they were. He kept his sword out, resting beside him on the crude bench that was the only furniture in the room. Outside he heard the sound of the hordes pouring in, but he remained still as a statue.

Suddenly a hostis burst through the door. He was clad in furs, and his helmet was askew over long blonde hair. Roma leapt to his feet, sword at the ready. The fight was quick and decisive. Roma's short gladius was no match for the barbarian's thick shield and longer reach. Soon the skilled adversary pinned Roma to the ground. The last vestige of empire hit him across the face, and the blonde man's helmet went spinning away. Roma was shocked to look up into the familiar face of his former subordinate. Hr ceased his struggle and laid limp, as Germania pushed up his tunic. The blonde stayed that way for a moment, looking intently into Roma's eyes.

"I have to, Roma," he said, voice calculatedly stony. "After all you've done for me, the least I can do is return the favor." Roma didn't smile, but his limbs unfroze and he ran his fingers through those soft blond locks he had always envied.

"I understand, Germania," he replied, gently pushing into the barbarian's touch.

"This will be the last time," said Germania softly, nosing into Roma's neck. "You of all people should know how this goes." Roma nodded, yeilding.

"Rapete et vincete," he whispered, taking great handfuls of that wonderful hair. "Ideam comprehendo."


Latin sprinkled in because I'm pretentious like that. (Also, I take it in school.) Have some translations, in case things are not clear from context:

Barbari - barbarians

domus - house [of the variety that average city people live in - like, not a mansion]

hostis - enemy [singular]

gladius - sword [in particular, that classic Roman kind that you see in all the History Channel reenactments. (Yes, of course I watch those. Why do you ask?)]

rapete et vincete - take and conquer [a command]

ideam comprehendo - I understand the idea

Also, Latium is the region of Italy where Rome (the city) is located.