Chapter 21: The True Blood of Rome
Avaric approached them dressed in expensive armor and a regal helmet laid on his head. In his right hand, he held a grand crafted sword and in his left a gigantic spiked shield. Avaric stopped only a few feet from them, and he quickly started up a conversion.
"So here we are at last. I admit, I didn't foresee it ending like this, face to face in the arena. I never believed I would step in the arena ever again, but Elphaba you have become too much of a nuisance. You need to die, and by my hand seems like the best solution." Avaric's voice was distorted from the madness that had taken too much control over his mind. Avaric then switched his gaze to Glinda. "And Empress, I assure you, your new life with me will be a glorious one, especially when I become your husband and Emperor."
"You're delirious," Glinda spat, but her voice was clearly nervous. "You cannot have me!"
"True, the green one is still among the living," Avaric grumbled as he shot a disdainful look in Elphaba's direction. "But I'll soon fix that, so you can be courted without interrupts."
Elphaba's top lip curled in pure anger. "Only someone with such dishonor, like yourself, would face me while I'm battered and fatigued."
"I'm merely using your weakness against you," Avaric defended, with smug grin, as he motioned to Elphaba's wounds. "Or would you like me to use your other weakness instead?" He then looked at Glinda, his eyes were filled with lust. "Oh, how my hands long to touch you Empress!"
"Oh, how my hands want to drive a knife in your back," Glinda retorted in a clever tone.
Elphaba cackled at her wife's witty comeback and in turn Avaric frowned. "That's no way to talk to your future husband and father of your future children," he scolded.
The Empress shook her head in the attempts to drive Avaric's words from her head. "Please, stop talking, you're making me ill with such disgusting chatter."
"Let me do the honors of silencing him, my Empress," Elphaba replied, in a charming tone. "I've dreamed about cutting out his tongue since the first day I heard him speak."
Avaric snored as he pointed his sword at the green woman. "Then let's settle, this once and for all, with 50,000 Romans watching!"
The clashing of their swords was the cue to the crowd that the match was not yet over, and they cheered greatly to show much approval for their emerald champion.
To Elphaba's surprise Avaric was a well-trained fighter. Either he had remember his skills from when he was a gladiator, or he had been practicing in secret for the last couple of months.
"Surprise of my fighting skill?" Avaric asked his tone sly.
Elphaba tilted her head slightly to the side, so he could see her smug grin before answering, "I'm more shocked you are able to hold that sword and shield without falling over."
Avaric shook his head. "Even covered with blood, racked with wounds, and at the point of exhaustion you can still be defiant." The green woman answered by whipping her sword downwards. Her aim was true for she hit Avaric in the leg.
Avaric dropped to his knees from the pain, but this armor did protect him somewhat. Elphaba then kicked him between the shoulder blades, and he slammed against the wall. His sword fell from his hand, and when he turned around the green gladiator's sword was pointing mere inches from his throat. The crowd screamed for they knew, without question, Elphaba had defeated Avaric and in record time too.
Avaric's body trembled with anger like a spoiled child who didn't get his way. Even in Elphaba's weary state she was still able to vanquish him.
"It's over," Elphaba whispered, her voice commanding.
"You think you have won, don't you? Well let's see how you like this!" Avaric screamed before letting out a sharp whistle. Then the right gate, leading to the arena, opened and his minions stormed in.
Elphaba didn't look scared at all, and instead of falling back she held her ground. "I also have a trick up my sleeve...NOW!" Within seconds the gate on the left side of the arena opened and a huge group of Animal soldiers entered with the Fiyero leading them.
"I hope we're not too late," Fiyero said, as he eyed Avaric's men.
"Nope, right on time," Elphaba assumed him.
"Good, hear that King Brrr? We made it," Fiyero replied, as he his gaze fell on a giant Lion.
Elphaba grinned when she saw her old ally, from so long ago, who aided her in the gladiator revolt when Sir Chuffery was still ruling. "The King of the Forest has arrived with his army," She whispered proudly.
The Lion let loose a thunderous roar and beat his chest twice before sending his army forward to attack. The great Lion king was dressed in elegant silver armor that laid on his shoulders and the arena from his knees down. In his left hand he held a beautifully designed sword and in his right a large ax.
The two bands of fighters charged one another and under the screams of the masses began to battle. One minion attacked at Elphaba to stall her, so Avaric could get to his number one prize.
Among the chaos of fighting, Avaric rolled away and seized Glinda. "Oh my, Empress, do not fear you're with me now."
"Let me go!" Glinda growled, as she beat upon his chest and tried to flee, but Avaric's iron grip prevented her from escaping.
"Come now, don't struggle," Avaric spat as he flung Glinda over his shoulder and began carrying her away towards the exit gate of the arena.
"Bastard!" Elphaba snarled when she saw what Avaric was doing. Fiyero saw this and ran up behind the green woman and started to fight the minion.
"Get to Glinda! I'll take care of this one!" Fiyero said, as he motioned to the minion. Elphaba nodded then raced off to stop Avaric once and for all.
Glinda was doing a marvelous job at slowing Avaric down by kicking and striking his back with reckless strength as he carried her.
When Avaric got to the exit gate he ordered the slave in charge to open it. The slave looked unconvinced and hesitated.
"I said open the door wretch!" Avaric snarled, but slave just shook his head and backed away. "Don't you understand you, fool, I'm trying to get the Empress to safety."
"Oh, is that what you call it?" Elphaba asked, as she nearly skipped to stop. "I was pretty sure you were taking the Empress against her will to an unknown location."
"Don't try to stop me!" Avaric growled, as he met the green woman's gaze.
"You're kidnaping my wife. I think I have every right to stop you," Elphaba snapped, as she pointed her sword at him.
Avaric suddenly dropped Gkubda and began to attack Elphaba with forceful blows. He was throwing his body into every strike, which was making it hard for the green woman to stay on her feet.
"I will kill you, Elphaba, make certain of that!" Avaric screamed wildly. "And once you're dead and gone I'll personally slaughter your son and daughter for all the Roman people to see. I will splash in their blood and hang their heads on my wall! Oh, and for your granddaughter she will become a child gladiator. She will be fighting beasts by the age of seven! I will train her without mercy. But don't worry about Glinda, for she will have a happy life producing my heirs. You can have the pleasure of watching it all from Tartarus!"
Rage from Avaric's hateful words consumed the emerald warrior, and she started to fight back with amazing strength. Her raw power quickly over took Avaric, and his weapon flew from his hand and out of reach.
Defenseless and unprotected, from an attack, Elphaba drew back her weapon only to plunge it deep into Avaric's gut. She then twisted her sword dreadfully slow as she stared coldly at Avaric before saying, "You have taken much from me, Avaric. My freedom and my dignity, to name a few, but you can never take my family from me. You cannot escape your fate Avaric, and that fate is losing to me...every time."
Elphaba then ripped her sword free. Avaric choked and let loose a desperate cry. His hands instantly covered the open wound that was cascading with blood. His eyes grew dazed and heavy as he crumbled to the ground gagging.
It was another few seconds of low painful grunts before Avaric stopped moving completely and Elphaba breathed a sigh of relief. She was only pulled back to reality when Glinda wrapped her arms around Elphaba's neck for a lengthy embrace. The Empress was beyond relieved to know the love of her life was safe and Avaric was no more.
After a year of heartache, misery, and mental as well physical anguish Avaric's rein was now finally over.
Elphaba glanced over her shoulder to see the Animal army taking over Avaric's minions, and as they tried to retreat they were met by the royal guard. The minions who had not been killed, were quickly rounded up and taken away by the royal guard.
The masses watching shouted and cheered like normal, for they had no idea the battle between Avaric's and minions wasn't part of the act. Once all of Avaric's minions were captured and taken away Brrr, the King of the Forest, gave a bellow of triumph. For Elphaba it was a long awaited victory and she was relieved it was finally here.
...X...
When the two woman were back in the underground, Glinda went to find Liir and Cora. Elphaba on the other hand was met by Lexa and Shenshen who embraced her tightly. "Victory is yours! Avaric is no more!"
"You are free!" Lexa added.
"As are you," Elphaba reminded the Amazon.
"I can find my Amazon sisters and be with my wife and daughter again!" Lexa was beaming with joy.
"Go now to them," the green woman said, as she placed a warm hand on the Amazon's shoulder.
"I will never forget you, Elphaba, you will always be my friend. And make certain I will tell my Amazon sisters of your courage and strength," Lexa embraced her emerald friend one last time before running off out of the underground towards freedom.
"Goodbye my friend," Elphaba whispered.
Shenshen comforted the green warrior by placing a soothing hand on her shoulder before saying, "Let us find your family. Besides I think it's time for your son to know about this." Shenshen then showed Candle's sleeping babe in a sling around her neck.
...X...
That afternoon it was all explained to Liir that he was indeed a father. It shocked the young man to say the least, but it wasn't long before he became attached to the baby girl. Trism also promised he would help raise the little girl with Liir like it was his own. It was soon determined, without a doubt, that someday this little babe would grow up and be the new Empress of Rome.
Sappho, Gongyla, and Cleis stayed a couple of weeks in Rome to catch up with Trism before they decided to take the next ship to Lesbos. Trism was sad to see his parents and sister leave but he promised to visit.
"Goodbye Mama. Goodbye Mother. Goodbye Cleis. I will miss you all," Trism said as he gave them each a long hug.
"Take good care of yourself son," Sappho replied, as she kissed him on the forehead.
"And teach our granddaughter well," Gongyla added.
"I will," Trism assured them.
Sappho then hugged Elphaba and Glinda. "Thank you for all your help Sappho. You really aided us in the defeat of Avaric and Candle. I mean who knows what would have happened if you didn't over hear that Liir was the father of her baby."
"No trouble at all Elphaba. And I must say you are no doubt an amazing woman. Truly an awe-inspiring thing to witness is a person conquering adversity. What can I say more than Elphaba you came, you saw, you conquered." Sappho then turned her attention to her wife. "Now if you excuse me, I have to do some conquering of my own," Sappho then wrapped an arm around Gongyla's waist and pulled her close.
"Oh, is that what you call it now?" Gongyla asked playful.
"Maybe..." Sappho purred before clearing her throat realizing that they weren't alone just yet. "Farewell my friends. Parting brings sadness to my heart, but I guess it makes a reunion that much sweeter." She then bowed to them out of respect before exiting with her wife and daughter.
...X...
Deep in an unknown forest, Lexa jogged and darted between the trees. She had been traveling for at least two weeks now, and she knew she was extremely close to her tribe of Amazon sisters. Her breath quickened from excitement as she passed by a familiar waterfall. She was nearly there, and it warmed her heart to know she was just about home.
Lexa broke through a line of a dense tree line, and area of thick thorn bushes before she saw the familiar sights of huts and the smell of fresh meat cooking. Her smile couldn't get any wider as she saw her tribe once again. Lexa then let out a sharp chirp that her tribe would use to call one another in times of battle. This way they knew where each other was without alerting the enemy.
Once the sound of the familiar chirp was heard, the voices of the Amazons died down and waited. Lexa wasted no time taking off and running into the village. She came to a stop once she had entered the open arena of the village where food from the hunt was prepared. Her presesce clearly shocked the tribe of Amazons who thought for sure she was dead.
No one spoke at first, for they were all still rigid from shock. It was a soft child's voice that broke the gentle silence.
"Mama!" Lexa looked to see a small dark haired girl running up to her. Her breath caught in her throat as the young girl closed in.
"Dessa!" Lexa opened her arms, scooped up her daughter into her arms, and held her tightly. The Amazons watching gave wild shouts of happiness when parent and child were reunited.
But when another familiar voice was heard. Lexa's heart skipped a beat and her body tingled. Lexa lifted her gaze to see, her wife, Aglaia. Lexa let down her daughter and the girl ran over to her mother and led her over.
"Mother look! Mama's back after all this time!" Dessa exclaimed in joy.
"Thank the gods," Aglaia replied, as she embraced Lexa. Tears of joy lingered in her eyes as she held the woman she loved most in all the world. "I thought you were dead. As time passed I feared the worst."
"I've missed you and our daughter so. I love you," Lexa answered, as she kissed her wife and in turn the other Amazons watching let loose a cheers. She then opened up her arms and Dessa joined in on a group hug.
"I love you too," Aglaia whispered. She was clearly relieved that she able to say those simple words to her spouse.
When they parted the crowd of Amazons watching opened up, and the Amazon Queen Melosa was quick to join in on the reunion. She gave a respectful bow to Lexa before embracing her as she said, "Lexa, surely Artemis has watched over you, and rewarded your courage by leading you back to us."
"The goddess watched over me by having, Elphaba, the green skinned gladiator as my ally. It was because of her our enemies were defeated, and I could return home," Lexa then motioned for her Amazon sisters to come closer. "Gather around, so I may tell the story of Elphaba. The grand green skinned gladiator."
...X...
Over the next few weeks many things changed. The gladiatorial games were once again banned, and only circus like events took place in the Colosseum. Glinda also informed the people of Rome about Avaric's true intent, and how he had Rome hostage for a year.
Shenshen was appointed as an advisor. Fiyero was given a new job as a royal guard of Rome but, on the side, took up his old job at being bard and told stories to the masses.
Liir and Trism were quite enjoying being parents and adapted quite well to their new roles. Things were finally getting back to normal.
Glinda was in her bedchambers looking over some political documents when Elphaba entered. Out of respect and love she bowed to the Empress and kissed her hand.
"I thought I would find you here," the green woman said, as she caressed Glinda's golden curls.
"I was wondering when you would get here," the Empress replied, as she placed down the scrolls and took an object out from under her pillow. "I think you deserve this." She then held out the item for Elphaba to take.
"A new Rudis!" Elphaba exclaimed, in delight, as she studied her new wooden sword of freedom. It was even more stunning than her previous one that was destroyed by Avaric. "But how did you know?"
"I have my ways," Glinda answered smugly as she caressed the green woman's cheek. "I love you so very much, and I'm forever grateful what you had to endure for our family's safety."
"I would do it again without question," Elphaba replied, as she placed down her gift and wrapped her arms around the Empress. The green warrior could feel her wife shiver with delight and grinned at this reaction. "Does my Empress desire something?"
Glinda stroked the emerald woman's raven hair as she spoke, "I can give you a suggestion. You came to our bedchamber, you saw me, it looks like you got one more step to complete."
"Conquer?" Elphaba purred, as she nuzzled Glinda's neck.
Glinda moaned. "Aren't you clever. I mean, you wouldn't disobey your Empress would you?"
"Of course not," Elphaba replied, as she escorted her wife to their bed before leaning Glinda down onto the mattress. "I will gladly serve Rome."
"Oh, so you love Rome more than me?" the Empress pointed out as the emerald warrior planted gentle kisses on her neck.
Elphaba let a sly grin for upon her lips as she answered, "Glinda, my sweet, you are Rome."
Glinda blushed and pulled Elphaba down fully on top of her for a passionate kiss. The Empress knew, without a doubt, if she was Rome than her children were the heart, and Elphaba was the blood of Rome.
The End
A/N: A big thanks to all who read this story and left feedback! I hope you enjoyed it.