Laeta sat next to the river, far from the others, as was her way, drinking the cool water from her cupped hands. Her thirst was insatiable. She could only surmise the child had something to do with it, as well as the long hours of walking. Agron was determined to get them to safety, and she believe he would. The landscaped had changed from the dry interiors of the Italian Alps, to lush forests. The temperature had dropped too, making the days comfortable, but the nights cooler than she was used to. Agron had informed her that they would press to the north, to a place within his homeland, east of the Rhine. Laeta had questioned his tactic, since she was fearful it was not far enough from the grip of Rome. Argon had assured her that his people, the Goths, would welcome them as victors when he tells of their tale and Spartacus' victories. She had to trust Argon would not put her or the others in danger. They had become something of an extended family, the thirty-five or so of them, as they traveled. For many of the first few nights after Spartacus' passing, the sharing of word seem inadequate. Most were content to just sit quietly around the fire and contemplate what it meant to be free. Slowly though, the pain started to subside, and it was the remaining children which brought many out of their solemn thoughts.

Too deep in thought of the days that had passed, Laeta did not hear Nasir approached quietly from behind.

"You have been quiet of late." Nasir spoke softly as he knelt beside Laeta, cupping his hands to drink from the river, glazing at the river as it flowed gently by. Laeta smiled a bit from the surprise Nasir had given her, but did not acknowledge his comment. Nasir wiped the water from his chin and glanced at Laeta. He noticed her paler than normal complexion, her weakened state concerned him.

"Are you unwell?" Nasir asked gently, placing a rough hand gently on Laeta's shoulder in concern. Laeta glanced at Nasir, wondering if he could divine her secret just by looking at her. Nasir was no medicos, but he was smart and understanding, he had learned much in the ways of healing while in Spartacus' army.

"I would not have you fall from this life in hopes of joining…..him…. in the afterlife. He would not have wanted that." Nasir spoke solemnly. It was no surprise to himself or Agron regarding Laeta's reaction to Spartacus' death. Agron had told him of their physical bond, both Nasir and Argon had seen the respect, and gentle care both Spartacus and Laeta had shown each other in the final weeks of conflict. Nasir knew it bolstered Argon's heart to know Spartacus knew some comfort in those days, even smiling occasionally at Laeta verbal jousts at him. It lifted all of their spirits to see the Bringer of Rain soul bear the briefest moment of light upon this world.

Laeta watched the emotions play over Nasir's face as he knelt silently, concern clouding his eyes as he waited for Laeta to speak. Laeta knew it would only be a matter of time before they would know. Perhaps it was time to give life to her suspicions.

"No. I am not unwell." Laeta spoke softly as she rearranged the folds of her dress, picking at the worn fabric. So long ago, she had dozens of fine dresses and jewelry. Something she no longer desired, however she would have given all, and including the child, she suspected growing within her, to have Spartacus alive once again. The thought made her pause as she considered the trade she had just voiced in her mind. With a heavy sigh, she looked solemnly at Nasir.

"I am not sure, but, my suspicions tell me that Spartacus' child grows within me during two moons since our parting." Laeta spoke softly as her hand touched her belly in tenderness. Nasir did not have words. He knew it should be a joyous moment, but a feeling of loss overwhelmed him. Nasir's half-smiling lips trembled with emotions as he nodded in acknowledgement of Laeta's admission.

"If only I had suspected sooner, I may have been able to give voice, so he….may have known." Laeta could no longer hold her emotions within her, and she sobbed softly. Nasir rose, his arms wrapped around Laeta's shoulders as she sobbed quietly. It was how Agron, growing concerned for Nasir and Laeta' absence, found them by the river.

Agron paused as he watched Nasir comfort Laeta. His footsteps on the ground gave voice to his approach, and Nasir glanced over his shoulder at his lover, his eyes pleading him for assistance. Agron, growing concern that something had happened, rushed to Nasir and Laeta.

"What has happened?!" Agron exclaimed as he watched Nasir shake his head in denial as Laeta looked up at Agron with tear-stained cheeks. Agron had a growing respect for the Roman woman who continued to support their cause of freedom even after Spartacus' death. She could have easily returned to the arms of Roman, claiming capture by the rebels, and returned to her old life. Yet she had stayed with them, silently mourning the loss of their leader, her lover. As they had traveled north, she had asked him of his homeland and he had described it in great detail. Their conversations had grown friendly and light, the farther they traveled.

"All is well." Nasir spoke kindly, "Laeta has been blessed with a great gift from the gods." Agron looked questioningly at Nasir as Laeta's sobs subsided.

"Spartacus' child grows within her." Nasir announced to Agron, whose face flashed moments of joy and anguish at the knowledge. Agron's eyes filled with emotion; dropping to his knees before Laeta, he softly touched her belly in reverence. Laeta covered Agron's hand in simple acknowledgement as a smile joined the tears on her face.

"Are you sure?" Agron asked. Laeta, finally confident in her suspicions, nodded in the affirmative. "Why did not tell us sooner?" Agron asked as he stared at her now flat abdomen.

"I was fearful it was just wishful thinking on my part. I did not want to give false hopes to any among us, for I did not believe our souls could take such bitter disappointment if it was untrue." Laeta acknowledged.

Agron laughed and sobbed at the same moment as he stood facing both Nasir and Laeta. He looked towards the sky in silent rage.

"Could the gods be so cruel? To take the man from grasp, only to be returned to us as an innocent babe." Agron shook his head in amazement and fear.

"If Rome where to discover Spartacus' child lived, they would move heaven and earth to secure his death." Laeta voiced her deepest fear to Agron and Nasir, gripping both of their hands in silent pleading.

"We must agree to never acknowledge the child as his." Agron announced solemnly. "I will claim the child as my own. Nasir, loving uncle." Agron smiled at Laeta as she nodded in agreement to the plan. Laeta knew she would be safe with these two men, and it would be as Spartacus would have wished for his only child.

The weeks and months passed of the small group of survivors. As promised, they gained entrance into Argon's homeland, and had settled a small grove as their own just outside a medium sized town the Goth's had established. It took many weeks and lots of conversation, but Agron had convinced the town's elders they were of no threat. As they had journeyed towards the north, and was decided it would be better to remain anonymous regarding their involvement with the rebel army. It would grant them time to escape if Rome ventured to the area, and less anyone knew about them, the less likely they could be used as a trade-off to the Romans if they invaded.

Agron had been established as the leader of the group, although the burden of leadership was shared by Nasir who gladly held second in command. The town assumed that Nasir & Sybil were brother and sister to Agron. Given Laeta's condition, many within the town assumed Laeta was wife to Agron, although many noted a lack of physical intimacy between them, only a kind of kinship, although Agron seemed genuinely excited about the birth of Laeta's coming child.

Agron had no knowledge of farming or shepherding, but most of the others had some knowledge and Laeta was good a negotiating. It was hard work in the beginning, establishing a new life, but the joy of freedom and the ever-present fear of Rome's eventual arrival, kept them vigilant and working hard to survive.

Laeta's time came deep in the heart of winter. The birth was long and arduous, and Agron feared for Laeta's life as she struggled. Nasir and Sybil attended and assisted in the birth as well, with Agron nervously providing encouragement. As Laeta struggled, her strength ebbed and flowed as she pushed forth a new life. In a moment of pause, she lay back, heaving with breath, fraught with concern about the life of her child….his child. She prayed for strength to complete the task, even if it meant her life, she would do it for him….for all that he had given, she could do nothing less. The waves of pain gripped her over and over, and she screamed through gritted teeth, determined to give life to Spartacus' child. Drenched in sweat and lagging is strength, Laeta once again feared she would fail. The pain was too much; weakness began to overtake her body and mind. She fell backward into awaiting arms. Laeta's vision blurred and refocused on the face floating before her. It was his face; his arms that held her in that moment of exhaustion. His eyes bright and intense upon her weakened pallor, she reached up a pale, fragile hand to his beard-covered cheek.

"Spartacus." She spoke breathlessly.

"I am here. " His voice echoed as if from a faraway place, his image an apparition of days long past, his eyes filled with concern and joy as he spoke gently and held Laeta.

"I cannot….I cannot do this...any longer." Laeta whispered desperately, clinging to strong arms that held her. "I don't want to survive without you." Laeta pleaded.

"You must, Laeta. You must give life to our child." Spartacus face began to fade from Laeta's vision and she struggled to reach out to him. Spartacus leaned in close to Laeta, and softly kissed her forehead in reverence.

"Survive….so our son may live free." Laeta strength seem to return to her as his image faded from sight.

"Our son…..our son…" Laeta whispered repeatedly. The arms holding her were of the midwife called upon to assist in the birth. She had heard the name Laeta hand whispered in her fevered state. With renewed strength, she pushed forth repeatedly the son she and Spartacus had formed through tragic circumstances. She prayed again and again as the pain increased more and more. Spartacus' words echoed in her mind repeatedly. "Survive…..so our son may live free."

"He will live free." Laeta spoke through gritted teeth as with a final push, the babe came forth from her body and into an uncertain world. Nasir exclaimed in joy "It is a boy!" Agron cried tears of joy as the he listen to the child announce his arrival, loud and strong.

"I know." Laeta whispered as she lay against the midwife watching as the child was cut from its tether within her womb and cleaned gently. Nasir passed the softly crying child to Agron, who was closest to Laeta. Agron examined the child irreverently; bringing him to Laeta's waiting arms. The child's cries quieted almost immediately when he was placed in loving mother's arms. The babe's downy head covered in a dusting of hair, his arms kicking out in protest of being free of mother's womb. Laeta smiled down at her son, suddenly realizing she did not know what she was to name him, for she did not know Spartacus' true name. As her brow furrowed in concern of this seemingly small matter, the others around them rejoiced in the child's successful birth. The midwife gathered her things and moved towards the door, when Agron blocked her way.

"I would speak of what was heard this night." Agron commanded gravely. The midwife nodded in acknowledgement to the fierce warrior. She turned her stoop form to stand squarely to face him, in apparent defiance.

"If you seek to kill me in order to silence what I have gained knowledge of this night, have no fear, your secret is safe." Agron stood silently as the old woman continued. "I knew the woman was not your wife in truth, but in name only. However, the reasons were unclear. It is obvious there is great love for the child borne this night, and it is obvious that love is born from a love for its father, who is not of this world any longer." Agron went to speak, but the woman held up her hand to silence him.

"Speak nothing to me. The less I know, the better it will be for all. The name Spartacus will never be mentioned again in my presence, for it is a curse upon those who speak it." She looked over at Laeta, whose eyes had drifted shut in seemingly prayer as she held her son. "She holds a great gift from the gods which will need to be protected. The child should live free as the father would have wished." The midwife ducked under Agron's outstretched arm and left the building without another word. Agron knew only time would tell if the knowledge she had gained would require action on his part.

Laeta held her son gently as she thanked the gods for this blessing. As she prayed, she felt a glorious emotion sweep through her as a name came forth in her mind on the sound of Spartacus' voice. Laeta's eyes popped open in surprise. She was not sure this was his name, but the feeling of joy and emotion told her it was the right name. She smiled brightly down at the babe in her arms again, finding no greater joy than seeing the babe's eyes drift closed in dreamy slumber in her arms.

Agron returned to Laeta's side, watching the child drift asleep. "You should rest now."

"Lysander." Laeta looked at Agron, then Nasir across the room. "His name is Lysander." Both Nasir and Agron knew it was a statement and a declaration of both the child's name and the true name of his father. Agron stroked the child's downy head in amazement, and nodded.

"Lysander. It is a good name for a free man." Laeta smiled gently as she knew her son would always have loving hands around to guide him through life, even when she was no longer of this world.