Disclaimer: I do in no way claim ownership over any of Shakespeare's works or characters, they belong solely to Shakespeare.


He could hear them whisper. He knew what people were saying about him: how he was an unfit ruler, ambitious, and power-hungry. Apparently he was cold, cruel, and abusive. Caesar tried in vain to remember when he had been any of things. Why was everyone suddenly pulling away from him? Whenever he walked through the camp, soldiers who were normally friendly with him, those he had befriended in their martial travels over the past few months drew back, peeking askance at him with guarded, almost curious eyes, as if they were asking the same question Caesar was asking himself. He didn't remember displaying any of these characteristics, but like his men, he too was beginning to distrust himself.

"Antony…" Caesar murmured one quiet day in his tent, casting an sidelong glance over at his general, who was solemnly reviewing reports of the last battle.

"Yes, my lord?" he answered slowly after a moment.

Caesar distractedly played with a feather on his cot. Antony seemed to be the only person not acting differently around him lately, which Caesar was thankful for, but he had to wonder, "Have you heard any… rumors, lately?"

Antony pried his gaze from the parchment, responding to the brooding note in his friend's voice. "Do they bother you?"

He pondered this a moment, then responded, "A bit… Antony, why aren't you more concerned?" Surely, Caesar reasoned, with such things going around, mutiny was evident; nobody would support a possible tyrant.

"Because I know none of it is true. Others see that too; the rest soon will." Caesar didn't look convinced, so Antony sighed and moved to kneel in front of his leader. "I promise, my lord, I will always stand by your side, even if you become all those things you're accused of. Even if the world turns against you, I'll be your mirror: an ever present companion."

Caesar stared down at his friend gravely. "Antony, you don't need to…. We'll be killed, if the country turns on us."

"Then I'll be your sword and shield. I'll fight to my death for you; I'll take every blow to protect you. We'll escape, for sure. You have nothing to worry about," Antony murmured earnestly, raising Caesar's hand to his lips while his eyes never ceased their study of the man's pensive, anxious face. Gradually, his features melted, and a soft smile replaced his scowl.

"Would you swear to that, dear Antonius?" he chuckled softly.

A gentle grin spread across the strategist's face. "On my life."


Inspired by the song Viva la Vida by Coldplay. Pray excuse me if Caesar seems OOC.