AN: It occured to me that maybe not all of you are familiar with the Roman mythology discussed in this chapter. So I decided to include some basic information. If you're already an expert on the topic, just skip this part and enjoy the chapter.;)

If not:

Metamorphoses: written by the Roman poet Ovid, a collection of stories from the beginning of the world to the deification of Julius Ceasar. Basically, people always get transformed by the gods for one reason or the other in those.

Jupiter: supreme god in Roman mythology. Famous for is complete inablity to remain faithful to his wife.

Juno: wife of Jupiter. Known to be very jealous and angry because of her husband's inabilty to remain faithful.

Vulcanus: son of Jupiter and Juno. Something like the Aule of Roman gods.

Venus: goddess of love, and wife of Vulcanus. You probably heard of her.;)

I hope you didn't give up on our story during this rather long introduction. If you're still with us, we're very glad and hope you enjoy the next chapter!

Chapter VII

They were sitting on a bank near the Colosseum. Well, Maglor was sitting. The Silmaril was hidden in the wrinkles of his tunic. They had just watched one of the famous shows that took place in the Colosseum on a regular basis. Wild beasts, gladiators – the people in the Roman Empire loved all that. Apparently, the wars they fought against ever new foreign peoples did not satisfy their desire for violence. Of course, the Colosseum had certain advantages to a real war. The spectators were safe there, and it was for free.

"Those humans are getting more and more barbaric. And they call that civilization." The jewel sounded disgusted. "Why did we even go there again?"

Maglor sighed. They had had this discussion before. "Because everybody does. People will get suspicious if I live here and have not been to the Colosseum at least once. Especially since it is for free." If he had hoped that the Silmaril was going to be satisfied with this answer he had hoped in vain.

"I still do not understand why we have to stay in this city at all." His companion complained. "I liked it better when we were travelling."

"Of course you did." Maglor was getting annoyed. "You did not have to walk all these miles."

"As if it's my fault that I do not have legs."

"Are you trying to pretend that you are not quite capable of moving by yourself if you want to?" Maglor exclaimed in disbelief. "You are just too lazy, and you like being carried around, that's all!"

The Silmaril chose to simply ignore the elf's accusations. "You could have at least picked a place that is a little quieter than this city."

Maglor shrugged. He really did not care much. "Maybe next time."

"And you really do not have to leave me alone all day. I am bored."

"Well, excuse me if I have to earn a little money so I can pay the rent and food." Maglor replied sarcastically. "Any other complaints? Why don't you write a list?"

"Excuse me?" Their rather pointless discussion was interrupted by a man with a concerned look on his face. "Who are you talking to, milord?"

"I…" Maglor did not know what to say. He had to come up with something, and fast. It was then that he caught a glimpse of the title of the book the man was holding. Metamorphoses. Maglor smiled. It was worth a try. He bid the stranger to come closer.

"If you promise not to tell anyone I will show you." He whispered secretively. The stranger nodded, and Maglor revealed the Silmaril.

The man gasped at the beauty of the jewel. At the same time, he seemed to be confused. "It is marvelous – but why are you talking to a jewel?"

"Aye, milord." Maglor replied sadly. "This is not merely a precious stone. Its story is tragic, and not unlike the ones the poet Ovid has recorded in that book you are carrying with you. For this jewel has once been a very fair maiden who was much sought-after. But alas, her beauty and vanity greatly angered the goddess Juno who feared that the maiden was simply one more girl her husband might chase after, forgetting about his marriage vows. Therefore she asked her son, Vulcanus, to transform the maiden into a stone – for a stone would certainly not attract Jupiter's attention. Now Venus, Vulcanus' wife, begged her husband not to fulfill Juno's wish and destroy the maiden's beauty forever. Since he neither wanted to anger his wife more than necessary, nor dared to deny his mother's wish, however, Vulcanus turned the maiden into this."

The man glanced at Maglor skeptically. "Is that really true?"

"Of course it is." Maglor insisted. "Do you doubt the might of the gods?"

"What? Why, of course not…" The stranger suddenly looked quite uncomfortable. That was probably why he took his leave very fast after Maglor's last question.

The elf let go of a breath he did not know he had been holding. They had to be more careful in the future. Someday they might find themselves among people who he could not distract so easily with stories like that.

Of course, Maglor was only allowed to take a deep breath for a very short time. As soon as the stranger was out of sight and they were alone again, the Silmaril's screams disrupted any peace Maglor might have found otherwise.

"Are you completely out of your mind? You just turned me into some vain, little victim of the gods!"

"I know."