Mars

Chapter 4: The Colosseum

There he lay like a little boy grasping his woman as if his life were dependant upon it. He dreamed he was married to her and every night they confessed their undying love as he held his son and heir in his strong arms. His father had sadly passed away in the company of him with the last words 'I am proud of you' on his lips and when he was proclaimed emperor the people cheered and loved him and he was their father. The wedding followed quickly in which the people rejoiced and his sister wept with joy and jealousy at the loss of her 'beloved' brother.

When Amorina opened her eyes she took a second to realise where she was, then looked down upon the smiling face that drooled on her shoulder like a baby. She slipped out quietly from under him and kissed him upon the head. The sensitivity of her kiss revived him from his slumber and he took her hand and returned the favour.

"Is it morning already?" He enquired with a yawn.

"Yes." She answered. "Unfortunately."

"Kiss me." He commanded with gentility.

"Why?" She asked.

"Because I want you to. It would be a nice way to start the day." He reasoned. She responded with what he asked for. "I have to meet my father."

"I know, would you like me to escort you?" She raised an eyebrow as if secretly mocking him.

"Of course not, my father would hate such a thing!" He exclaimed.

She was slightly hurt, but masked it with joy. "Splendid. Then I shall see you again soon."

"Tonight." He cut in.

"Tonight?" She was taken aback.

"I'll need you tonight." His tone was forceful and she nodded in agreement.

"Tonight." She confirmed. "I shall find you..."

"In the Colosseum." He finished her sentence.

"The Colosseum?" It puzzled her as to why he would want to go there.

"Yes." He sat up and kissed her cheek. "Tonight in the Colosseum. I want to show you something."

"I shall be there." She kissed his cheek. "For now, I must depart for home."

"Of course." He wiped an eyelash off her cheek. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye." She departed as he began to dress.

After a long time reading he decided it was time to leave, so he mounted his horse and rode with his father on the long journey to the Mausoleum of Augustus. His stallion was as black as the night and well built, worthy of a prince. He felt split into two minds as they rode, occasionally staring back at his sister who rode a golden horse behind him. He felt ill with the thought of Gracchus commanding in his father's absence, but he reminded himself that it was merely because he was young and that one day he would rule the Empire and be able to despatch the Senators and their ideals of a republican Rome. Lucilla rode up beside him and examined his concerned face and realised he was deep in thought. She reached out and touched his hand, causing him to jump and turn to face her. He smiled sheepishly then kissed her fingertips.

"What are you thinking?" She didn't really care, she just thought he looked lonely.

"Nothing. Just thinking." He replied. "I wonder when he'll return."

"Maybe he won't." She suggested with a sly tone in her voice.

"Perhaps not, but if he does not, I shall do him proud." His chest swelled up with his own arrogance. "Why are you riding out?"

"I love my father and want to see him make his last journey." She informed him. "Where's your blonde girl?"

"Why do you always ask about her? Are you jealous of my intimacy?" He joked.

"Of course not, I have a son whom I would not trade for all of the people in the world. I just ask because I want to know what my brother is doing with his life." She explained.

"Well, it's naught worth bothering about, it's just nicer to share a bed with someone and wake up in their arms." He said glazy eyed. "And nobody else offers theirs."

"Perhaps that is because you do not offer yours." She teased. "Have you grown up today?"

"I never needed to." He snapped. "I do not act like a child, we've established that."

"Indeed." She mocked. "You're a spoiled brat when you want to be."

"Spoiled?" He almost laughed in her face. "When was the last time father hugged you?"

"Last night." She answered.

"Oh, how nice." His tone was patronising. "The last time I hugged him was when I was eight and he was sleeping and I wondered if he had warm blood."

"Commodus, don't be such a drama queen." She growled, he was about to answer when a higher power interrupted them.

"What is the problem offspring?" Shouted Marcus Aurelius from the front.

"Nothing, it's nothing." Said Commodus fixing a stern glare onto his sibling. "Nothing."

They reached the Mausoleum of Augustus, which was to be where Commodus and Lucilla saw their father off. They kissed each cheek coldly and said their uncomfortable goodbyes and turned to leave for home, where Commodus realised the sun was low in the sky and he needed to get to the Colosseum, so he handed over his horse and ran into the arena. He looked in all of the rows for the flaxen individual he was searching for. He was about to give up when he saw her in the Emperors balcony, so off he went to acknowledge her. They embraced momentarily and sat down to look at the empty games amphitheatre.

"I have some exciting news." He beamed taking her hands. "My father has grown frail and I feel that soon I shall become Caesar, so all of my great plans for Rome can take effect."

"But what does this have to do with the Colosseum?" She was confused as to why she was there.

"Because the Colosseum is where it will begin, with one hundred and fifty days of games, Gladiatorial fights, in the name of my father - to honour him." He was buzzing with excitement at his plan.

"But Caesar hates the games, he disposed of them." She could not see the logic behind this!

"But I do not, and I will reintroduce them - for the people." He was charming her, he had that quality that would always make her succumb to his will.

"It will be glorious!" She agreed.

"I know." He smirked back. "Now for home."