Disclaimer: This fanfiction is based in the era of the Roman Empire to give you all some context. Some practices from this empire may be present in this story. I created a new Empire for this story. The Gotham Empire, totally original right? Wrong! I can't claim DC Universe, or
the Known World like many have done before *cough* Alexander the Great *cough* Napoleon *cough* Your face :B
Rated T: Rough treatment
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
The Changing of a Heart
By: Fanficer21
Chapter 3
o0o
Previously
The sudden tinkling of armor was heard in the front of the shop making John stop dead in his tracks, and turn on his heel.
o0o
"You!" He growled, giving the man a look that could kill. Said man backed up with his hands in the air. He looked frightened by John's outburst as he grabbed the front of his tunic with both hands and spat in the man's face. "How could you!" The man only cowered behind his hands as he cried, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
John growled low in his throat again and was about to choke the man but was stopped when he heard the cries of his wife and son. Turning his head, he saw that two soldiers held Mary by her arms as another held a sword to her throat. Another soldier not far away held a struggling Robin. His arms were pinned to his sides by the soldier's large arms while legs kicked in every direction as he yelled out profane words he'd heard on the street. "You've got some spirit kid. I'll bet you'd sell for a heafty sum."Hearing these word's, John's blood boiled and he kicked the man in the gut before jumping at the soldier holding his son.
"Stop right there!" A deep voice sounded followed by a gasp as the soldier's holding Mary tightened their grip and the sword was pushed harder against her neck. "Surrender, or she dies" a soldier growled, making John stop his attack in an instant. He stood and glared at the soldier before watching his wife and son struggle. Reluctantly, he raised his hands into the air with a defeated look. He wouldn't put his family in greater danger by recklessly attacking the men. Two more soldiers came around him and brought his arms behind his back where they were secured tightly by a rope. The same treatment befell Mary, while Robin was slung over one soldier's shoulder where his ankles and wrists were tightly tied together. His eyes never left his parents. In the background he could hear other citizens being attacked and bound as well.
"Let's move out!" The voice sounded, kicking the other soldiers into gear. John and Mary were pushed forward into walking with the other captives, though they kept their attention on their son in front of them who continued to kick around with bound limbs.
While walking, John remembered the money they earned from their earlier performance. He stopped and tried to turn, hoping to pay for his family's release, but the soldiers just pushed him forward with a sharp growl. "No! Wait we hav-"
"Quiet you!" A sharp slap to his face stunned John causing him to stumble before quickly righting himself. He kept his eyes on the ground for the rest of the walk. Time seemed to go by like molassess with each step until they reached the outside of the city, and what looked like a
hundred other bound citizens huddled together as more soldiers appeared.
Looking to the horizon, John saw endless terrain of nothing. Looking back towards the city that was now becoming smaller and smaller, he knew things would forever change from this point on.
Torn from his musings, he felt Mary brush against his arm, the jingle of her dress sounded in his ears. Quiet sobs caught his attention as he felt her shake beside him. He would wrap his arms around her and comfort her, if he could. Then he found his son, laying across an ass as if he were baggage. He had grown weary from his previous struggles and lay on the donkey pathetically while it slowly followed the lead of its driver who pulled it with a long rope. John ground his teeth at the sight. How dare they treat his son with such disrespect. Walking forward, he ushered for Mary to follow him so they could be closer to Robin. They remained like that for hours. As their home disappeared, their apprehension grew with each step as they traveled farther into unknown territory.
As soon as it grew dark, the soldiers made camp pitching their tents, tying the animals, setting up watches, and gathering their captives into smaller groups. John and Mary's ropes were cut, releasing their cutting hold and allowing the blood to flow normal again. They quicky hugged and kissed each other, until they heard an "ooof". Looking towards the sound, they saw Robin laying on his side on the ground. A soldier pushed him off the donkey making him fall unceremoniously onto the hard ground before cutting him free of his bonds too. He remained where he lay because the position on the donkey caused his body to bruise. Concerned by this, both adults ran to their child where they promptly gathered him into their arms in a sort of group hug. "I'm so sorry, my little Robin! I wish this wasn't real!" Mary whispered into her son's ear while her hands stroked his hair and back. John rested his arms around his family as he laid his head on top of Mary's as they kneeled.
About half an hour later the soldiers began passing food around the small groups of prisoners, bread they raided form Ainamor. The rest of the food was divided among the soldiers where they drank wine, dined on meat, and enjoyed their spoils of conquest. Water was given to all the captives as well. Robin refusing to eat his piece of bread, placed it on his mother's lap before leaning into his father's side. "Robin, please eat. You need to keep up your strength." His mother pleaded as she placed it back into his hands. Shaking his head, he pushed it towards her again and closed his eyes while leaning his head on his father's shoulder. Mary gave John a desperate look of pleading, tears at the corners of her eyes.
"Come on Son. Just take one bite. Please!" Robin was reluctant, but he soon took a nibble of his food. "Good! Now another." John rubbed his son's arm while Mary brushed his bangs out of his face. After much coaxing, the piece of bread was completely comsumed. Both parents hugged their little boy before eating their own pieces.
That night, Robin couldn't sleep for 3 reasons. 1. It all felt like dream that they were in this situation, one he couldn't wake up from. 2. His chest and stomach were still sore from laying atop the donkey for several hours. and 3. because he noticed one soldier looking at his mother with lust in his eyes. She still wore her blue bellydance dress, exposing her stomach and part of her chest. Both his parents were sound asleep at his side, so he took the liberty of giving the soldier a look that could kill. If this man wanted to get to his mother, he would have to go through him and his father first. These were his thoughts before his eyes grew heavier and heavier until they closed on their own.
o0o
Day break arrived, shining it's blinding moring rays into the eyes of every person looking to the east. Robin's eyes moved around beneath the closed lids when the light touched his face. As soon as he saw red he opened his eyes and allowed them to flutter several times as he woke up. The sight that met him made his hopes fall, because in his dream he was back home with his family in their garden having a wonderful picnic and laughing as they played games. What he saw now was huddled groups of people. Their faces expressed their feelings of hopelessness with blood shot and tear stained eyes. How he wished this was all just a dream. Looking to his parents, he saw the same hopelessness. It broke his heart to see their eyes so empty. On the bright side though, he was glad the soldier he stared down did not try anything in the night. Getting up at the command of the soldiers, after a breakfast of more bread and water, Robin and his parents began their second day of being herded toward Gotham City. What fate would befall them when they arrived? Robin only hoped that his family could stay together.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
You like?
