I can't believe there is no category for Ben-Hur! O.O This story is based on the 1959 film Ben-Hur, A Tale of the Christ. Please watch it if you haven't! This story is set in first century Jerusalem, around 20-25 A.D. Tirzah is the sister of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince. Nathan is an OC, a young Jew who is waiting eagerly for the Messiah to come to conquer Rome.

The streets were crowded and noisy, as usual. Merchants and money lenders, travelers and animal herders filled the busy marketplace. And everywhere one looked… soldiers. Roman soldiers, glaring disdainfully, stoically, at their conquered people. For the Jews were a conquered people and Jerusalem a conquered city. But in name only. The spirit of that people was unquenchable, unbreakable. In each and every heart burned a fire that could not be put out by any superfluous pagan empire. Someday… someday the Messiah would come. The long-awaited promised One. And then… the conquerors would become the conquered.

But thoughts of such depth were not in the heart of Nathan, son of Jesse, as he pressed his way through the throng. Although he was noted among those who harbored thoughts of rebellion toward the hated Roman empire, he was focused that day on thoughts of a much lighter and happier subject.

Nathan was in love.

Such trite statements have been given since time began. Since Eve was first given to Adam in the first year of the earth and love was born. Time and time again, down through the ages, every day and in every way… a man falls in love with a woman. Sundry difficulties often present themselves then, for fate delights in making trouble for those who would be happy. But often, nothing stands in the way… a marriage takes place… and a happy new life is created.

But something did inevitably stand in the way, for fate had chosen for its victim, Nathan, son of Jesse.

The girl whom he loved was, perhaps a little above him in station. After all, the daughter of a prince of Judah! But that wouldn't really matter. Position was not the trouble here, for he knew that her brother… her father being dead… would approve of their match. No, the problem here was much more elusive. And it drove poor Nathan crazy by way of its elusiveness.

He had a rival. A rival whom he had never before seen. And… of all the cruel and dreadful things… twas a Roman rival. A soldier. A tribune. The girl whom Nathan loved he believed to be the sweetest and loveliest creature in all Judah. But here she had a fault. She had fallen for a Roman. And she was a Jew.

This rival he knew nothing more of than that his name was Messala. Oh, cursed name! Nathan hated the very sound of that heathen name. He knew also that said Messala was the best friend of his lady's brother, Judah Ben-Hur. That they had been friends since the time they first could walk. And he knew that Tirzah… for that was the name of his lady… loved this strange Messala. This… Roman tribune who, for the past five years, had been ravaging the coasts of all the known world. Wreaking havoc in innocent and defenseless countries, killing, burning, slaughtering. Perhaps Tirzah never thought of this. And, it is true, that she did not. She was in love with a shadow. A boy whom she had once known, five long years ago, before he left for Rome.

But he would return. Nathan knew this and grit his teeth angrily. The tribune Messala was to return to Jerusalem within the next few days, bringing with him legions of soldiers… all set to receive the new governor, Valerius Gratus. That was another name to hate, but Nathan felt he could not hate it quite as fiercely as the name of Messala.

He paused now, for he was standing at the door of the palace of Hur. His heart was pounding furiously. He wanted so much to speak, to tell her all his heart, of which she knew nothing. But could he? Would she scorn him for the Roman that she had waited for so long?

At length he knocked, and the door opened. He was standing now in the atrium of the beautiful palace of Hur. The flowers were blooming more vibrantly than ever, the fountain laughing as it danced in the center. And Tirzah was coming forward to welcome him… how beautiful she was! And he forgot Messala, forgot Rome, forgot all his troubles as he took her hand in both of his.

"Dear Nathan, I was so hoping you would be coming today! Mother is quite anxious to see you, you do not come near often enough," she was laughing that light, musical little laugh of hers. She was happier that day than she had seemed in a long time. Her eyes were shining, her cheeks glowing. And he knew why. It was because Messala would soon return and she knew it. If only that beautiful smile was for him! But he knew she saw him only as a friend.