Chapter 30: Down Will Come Baby

Aislinn was exceedingly glad to have the help of her mother and the other ladies tending to Samson with her. Samson was a happy, but very demanding little prince. She also had the aide of Lucilla after a few days of his being in the castle with them. Lucius absoloutely adored his new cousin, and sang to him every night. Commodus was overwhelmed with happiness and dread, but again, happiness won the battle. He was still very afraid that Falco was hiding and plotting in the highlands not far away, but he had come to trust the strengths of his in-laws. He devoured every possible moment with his son, whether the baby boy was sleeping or not. It positively fascinated Commodus that Samson was so small and yet so real. He himself had been this small once, as had Aislinn. Now they had a little one of their own. Dhiarmid had remarked to him one night at dinner, "One down, ten to go." Everyone had laughed. Dhiarmid explained that Aislinn had initially wanted a dozen children, then marked it down to eleven. He was quite sure that after having one, his daughter would re-think the number significantly. It was beautiful to see his precious daughter with a son of her own. Eoin had decided to try and court Lucilla, as had the other three brothers. Fortunately for Maximus, who truly loved Lucilla, Sorcha was vehemetly against any further union between Rome and the Celts. She forbade any of her sons to spend any unsupervised time with Lucilla. Sorcha found it impossible to resist the charms of the beautiful Samson. He was already a cute little boy and not even a full year yet. Thirty days later, Aislinn and Commodus celebrated his twentieth birthday. Aislinn had been born in late January and had already turned eighteen carrying Samson. Commodus felt truly at peace and content with his new family. Sorcha had all but accepted him. He was now allowed to wear the servant's colours, blue and black. He went on hunts regularly with Aislinn's four brothers and the men that had come with them from Rome. Claude, as it happened, was a very skilled hunter. Commodus had practiced with her brothers in learning how to hunt and fight like a Celt. He had been clumsy and a little weak at first, but the men expected nothing less from a sissy Roman pretty-boy like the rest of the Caesars. He became, in a few months time, just as strong and powerful as the rest of the men.

It was the day of the first night of Samhain. This morning, Commodus was to go with her brothers up to the mountains to help herd all of the sheep and cattle between two ceremonial bonfires. It was a tradition that the earliest Celts believed purified the beasts and ensured prosperity. It was quite an honour. That morning, he rose early and kissed Aislinn deeply. She smiled and woke to his smiling face.

"Rise with the sun, my love.", he whispered.

"Take hold of the day and make it good, my darling.", she replied. He smiled and kissed her again. How wonderful it was to take as many sweet kisses and tender caresses from the lovely Aislinn as he wanted; she was his wife. Aislinn climbed slowly out of the nice, warm bed and into the cold morning. Commodus swept over and covered her with a thick fur cloak. She looked up at him and smiled so brightly. Neither of them had ever imagined so much happiness before. "Are you off with the men this morning, then?"

"Yes. We'll be back as the fires are lit tonight.", he said as he dressed. "You and Samson wait for me beside the largest fire on the hills. Tonight we celebrate our family." The two held one another tightly. Aislinn yawned. Commodus looked down at her. She was a little warm and seemed to be a little pale. "Aislinn, are you feeling alright?"

"I've a little chill, that's all.", she said looking away. He cupped her face in his hands and smiled.

"Little chills create big fevers and even bigger illnesses.", he said and walked her over to the bed. He laid her down on the bed softly and covered her with the thick blankets again. "Stay here for a while. You'll need all of your strength tonight."

She smiled and kissed him one last time. "Tell Mathair that I need medicine for a chill and to have the ladies see to Samson this morning.", she instructed.

"Yes, Aislinn. Go on back to sleep.", he said gently touching both her eyelids. She smiled and got comfortable enough to sleep again. Commodus turned and went into the side room that served as the nursery. The room was equipped with a large, central, fire pit with a heavy grating. This kept the room plenty warm for little Samson. He walked over to the cradle and looked in at the baby. Samson was awake, but entertaining himself with waving his arms slightly and cooing. Commodus laughed and picked up his son. He held him tightly and walked with him around the room. "It was only a year ago, my little boy. Only a year ago that your mother and I faced the hardest trial between us that could have ever been placed between two star-crossed lovers. Just like her stories, though, this one had a happy ending. Yes, yes it did. The handsome and strapping prince fell before the lovely maiden princess and gave his life for her freedom and their love. But, the maiden had very special medicines. She had true love for him. She raced back to the border between their homes and gave him the kiss of undying love. And when she did, he opened his eyes and breathed again, for not even death can stop true love. No, no it can't. Love is the greatest form of courage, Samson."

The baby giggled and shifted in his father's arms. Commodus smiled and gently kissed his son's head. He laid him back in the cradle and held onto the boy's hand. The small strength in the boy's grip melted the young man's heart. He smiled with pride and affection. He touched his cheek to the boy's hand and then left the room to begin the day.

All of the men had waited patiently for Commodus to join them. He smiled brightly and saluted them all. He climbed on to the enormous highland black horse and started off into a full gallop ahead of the men. They followed, touched a little with jealousy for the young man's obvious fortune in love and prosperity. Dhiarmid felt no jealousy, but instead amusement at the fact that his son-in-law was feeling everything that he himself had felt when first arriving at the castle with Sorcha. Sorcha was always wary about this day, all of the strong men leaving to help the shepherds and celebrate on the hills. It left them vulnerable in her eyes. Dhiarmid and the other counselors that she kept tried to soothe her fears with the fact that all peoples of the isle of Brittania felt that it was unsportsmanlike to make war after the nights had grown longer. She was always quick to remind them that the now everpresent Romans did not have the same manners that were common among the peoples of this island. Still, everyone else dismissed this as typical female caution. This year, Sorcha was exceptionally frightened for her people. She kicked herself repeatedly for not dispatching Falco when she had been given the opportunity. In the beginning she had hoped that a battle between Commodus and Falco would end them both, but she had grown tolerant of the little weasel.

The group arrived at the meeting place for the shepherds. The day was half over and they needed to be on their way immediately.

"Round them up and keep to my pace.", Commodus ordered. The men and shepherds didn't argue. Commodus had proven himself to be a master horseman. The group herded in behind Commodus and headed down the hills and into the waiting valley. Piles of wood had already been prepared for the massive bonfires that would grace the hilltops. Commodus led the group proudly as they rode back into the valley near the fortress. The sun began to set and the fires were being lit one by one. Commodus smiled and slowed his horse a little. He wanted to make the entrance into the celebration quite ceremonious. The people began to cheer as the group rode nearer to the twin fires. Commodus rode between the two enormous pillars of heat and flame. He searched the crowds for the royal ladies, Aislinn and Sorcha. He couldn't see them. He began to look around a little more desperately.

"Beloved!", her voice cried from a great distance. He turned to the origin and smiled. There she stood in full white holding the bundle that must've been Samson. He shouted and spurred the horse to ride towards Aislinn. He was stopped by a crowd of young men that wanted to talk with him for a moment. Commodus sent them on their way as gently as possible. He started up towards Aislinn again. This time another man on horseback stopped him for a moment. After this man was gone he turned back up towards the hill. He saw Aislinn turn and scream. She began to run down the hill, away from something. Commodus felt everything in him ignite with anger and terror. As Aislinn ran towards him, five marksman from the legions appeared behind her. The celebration behind him was too loud for him to shout for help. He rode furiously towards his small family. Aislinn was still quite a distance away. The horse tripped on a large stone and threw him several feet in the air. He landed with a terrible 'thud' not far away. Nothing was broken, but that was not his concern at the moment. He rolled over and tried to stand. He had to get to Aislinn and Samson to protect them.

"Fire!", he heard one of the men shout. All at once, the marksman released their bows. Arrows flew through the air. Commodus breathed a quick and frightened prayer. He begged God that all of their arrows were poorly aimed in the dim light. His voice caught in his throat as Aislinn stopped dead. She tumbled forward a little, but was able to catch herself on her knees, saving Samson from a severe injury. Commodus tried again to reach her, but found now that his breath was gone and his back burned with seering pain. He was helpless to do anything, but watch in horror as one of the marksman came forward and wrestled Samson away from Aislinn. He was too hurt to even cry out at this. Aislinn let out a shrill scream as another arrow hit her in the shoulder. She fell forward. The soldiers ran back behind the hills as the music behind them ceased. Commodus heard exclamations behind him. The men had noticed him and came quickly to help him stand.

"Aislinn.", he rasped as best he could. "Aislinn is hurt, help her." The men looked at one another in confusion for a moment. They turned to the direction that Commodus had been facing. They could barely make out the form of their fallen princess. Commodus could barely hear or feel anything as he was carted inside. Aislinn had been taken to different room for tending. The physician that tended to him brought Maximus, Claude, Quintus, Lucilla, and Dhiarmid with him. After a few long, but productive hours, Commodus was able to sit and speak again. The physician explained that the injury was marked mostly with shock, not real harm. The man would be fine. He wished he could've said the same for Aislinn. Aislinn had been injured very seriously. Commodus looked up at Dhiarmid. "The legionaires, they took Samson."

"I know, lad. We've sent what men we could spare after them.", Dhiarmid re-assured.

"Why weren't they dealt with months ago!? Why were they spared while Aislinn and I were chastised for our love!? She dies because of the decision to leave them alone!", he cried. Pain gripped both his body and his spirit. Just then, Sorcha came into the room quietly. She looked at Commodus with tears in her eyes. "You! You hateful old woman! This is your fault! Yours! My son is gone and my wife is dying because you wanted me to suffer! How many must feel this anguish to slake your thirst for justice?!"

Sorcha looked at him angrily and sorrowfully. Commodus was right. No matter what kind of protection she had afforded Commodus while in the castle, she had been more than willing to allow these men to live in the hopes that they would murder him. Now Aislinn and innocent little Samson were at terrible risk. She had behaved more cruelly and foolishly than all of Rome put together. She turned and flew out of the room. Dhiarmid sighed and followed her. Commodus felt a torrent of burning tears course freely from his eyes. This morning he had held a world of happiness in his arms, now he lay in a helpless mass robbed of even the closeness of Aislinn. Lucilla hugged her brother comfortingly. Maximus nodded to Quintus. The two left the room and set out towards the stables. They were going to end this, tonight if possible. Aislinn was strong, and fought the wounds well with fever and bleeding, and both were treated to stopping within a few hours. There was hope that Aislinn would live. Commodus held onto Lucilla, praying and crying, until he fell asleep from exhaustion.