Chapter XIII. Awaiting the Arrival of Father.

So, early afternoon on the following day found us all with Grandmother at the space docks where the troop transports were arriving. Today was the last cohorts of the IX's. The Empress had only allowed five cohorts of the legion to return every two days to avoid congestion in the capital. Naturally, since her spouse was a member of the Lothlórien cohort of the legion, this one was the last to return. Just as Father always said 'first in, last out'. There on the raised landing of the large hanger decks we waited. Mother, Grandmother, Lucia, and I, standing near The Empress, surrounded by a score of red armored legionnaires, eagerly awaiting the return of the men in our lives. But in my memories, I failed to notice the return of the navy who ferried our legions across the vast reaches of space. The navy was at least fifty percent women as they generally made better pilots and navigators than men. Many of the families present were waiting for sons or daughters that were navy members. The demobilization would return the reserves and auxiliaries back to their estates. The active duty troops would have short leaves before returning to run patrols and other routine training matters during peacetime. The auxiliaries were troops from colonized moons or planets that we had joined with but were not Latin's yet, such as Vulcans or Andorians. By joining the military as auxiliaries, they could become citizens of the empire and would be entitled to all rights of a full citizen. It was really just perfunctory, since no one living on any of our worlds was really a non-citizen. Full blooded Vulcans, Andorians, and others did not have as long of life spans as Latins did so their service years were considerably shorter.

As I had stated, Grandmother, Mother, Lucia, and I were standing next to The Empress and surrounded by a number of guards from the I Legion. Fauna Crotus Aquila with Arvi and Drusilla in tow arrived shortly after us. Lucia and I could see them about fifty meters away from us, separated by the Red Guard. Drusilla spied us and waved to get our attention. I nudged Lucia.

"Luci," I said quietly. "Drusilla, her mater, and avum are over to our right."

Lucia looked and replied, "I wonder, should I ask Avum and our Aunt Alivia if it is okay for them to stand here with us? We are quite separate from the others." She looked hesitant and unsure.

I wanted Drusilla with me and seeing that it appeared Lucia would not ask, I decided to act. I approached The Empress and grasped her hand. She looked down at me and smiled, her blue eyes were so intense. I felt she could see into my heart.

"Marcus what is it that you wish?" she asked in a soft low pitch melodious whisper.

"My Empress, we had friends travel with us from Kolir and I wished for them to be with us when our paters arrived. I wish to ask permission for them to cross the guards and stand with my mater, Lucia, and I."

Alivia smiled and caressed my hair, she responded again in a low soft whisper, "Marcus, you do not always need to refer to me as my empress, call me Aunt Alivia or just Alivia when we are in such a personal setting."

I nodded and said, "I will try to remember my Empress."

"Whom do you wish to have stand with us?"

"It is our neighbors, Fauna Crotus Aquila, her daughter-in-law Arvi, and granddaughter Drusilla D'Nare Crotus. They live next to our estate. Drusilla's pater and avus are both in the IX Legion. We are good friends and I thought…"

"Fauna Crotus Aquila," remarked Alivia thoughtfully. "I have not seen her for many years. Arvi D'Nare is the Etosha spouse of Julius and Mistress of the House of Crotus. I have never met her. Drusilla is their only child if I remember correctly." She looked away from me in their direction and mused a moment.

Mother and Grandmother just listened to Alivia and my conversation. Lucia stood quietly back, fuming I supposed. Alivia glanced down at me with a small smile creasing her lovely face. She looked at T'Naa and Livina and then returned to me.

"So this Drusilla is she close to you in age?"

"She is a year older than Lucia and they are best amcitia, Empress," I answered.

Alivia looked at Lucia, who had the look of mortification on her face. Lucia flushed and looked down. Alivia just continued to smile and said, "Lucia come here."

Lucia shyly stepped closer to our aunt, The Empress. Alivia placed her right hand on Lucia's left shoulder and quietly asked, "Please do not be timid, my favorite niece. Did you wish to ask but felt it was not proper?"

"Perhaps Aunt Alivia, actually yes I thought it inappropriate. I did not want to impose on our family group. It is true that Drusilla is my amcitia, but it is not necessary for her and her family to be with us."

Alivia bent close to Lucia's ear and whispered in Vulcan, "Is this Drusilla, the little green ko-tik I see standing and staring at us, your little sa'kai's ashaya?"

"He wishes, Aunt Alivia. He is quite infatuated with her. He does anything she asks and she did ask to meet you," answered Lucia switching from Latin to match the Vulcan used by Alivia.

Alivia gave a soft laugh and turned toward me. She then returned to Lucia and asked quietly switching back to Latin, "Is your frater always so formal?"

"Sic, Aunt Alivia. He is always very respectful of adults and Elders. I am sure that the priest, Pater Theos has instilled this attitude in him."

"Pater Theos," returned Alivia with a knowing smile. "Sic, I had forgotten that he resides in Kolir." She laughed again softly.

I wondered what Alivia and Lucia were conversing about. I soon found out. The Empress smiled at me and said, "Marcus, you are only ten years of age, yet I sense that you have an ashayam in this Drusilla. Am I correct?"

I turned seven shades of red and thought, "I will get even with Luci." Then I replied, "Not really, we are just neighbors and friends, my Empress."

Alivia covered her mouth with her left hand and hid a snicker then she said, "I do not believe you Nephew, I really think she is your ashaya."

I blushed even more and looked down. Alivia placed her hand on my shoulder and said, "Marcus be not embarrassed, I only tease. I so seldom get to see both you and Lucia so I must have some fun. Yet, I feel that at ten years of age, you are very young to have an ashaya."

"Empress, she is only a friend," I responded, really humiliated now. Yet somehow I could not be angry with my aunt, The Empress. I looked at her intense blue eyes and saw humor, love, kindness, and something else that I could not understand. She looked so young yet so wise and my heart was hers. I knew that when I was grown I would serve as my grandfather served, with total loyalty. She gave me a gentle hug and then she softly whispered to me,

"If you call me Alivia instead of Empress then I will allow it."

I looked into her smiling azure eyes and replied, "If you wish my, er Aunt Alivia."

"Go tell you friends to join us, please my little centurion."

Then she looked at the senior centurion of the guard and told him to assist me in getting my friends.

So quickly, with the centurion in tow, I approached our neighbors and told Arvi that The Empress desired their presence with us on the landing dock. Others around them were surprised, especially as I had an escort of the Red Guard. Arvi smiled as did both Fauna and Drusilla. They accompanied me back to The Empress. As we walked, Drusilla leaned close to me, holding my hand and said, "I knew I could count on you Marco, my little love." Then she lightly brushed her lips across my cheek.

I was in heaven again and still could not fully understand why. I felt like a god, a hero after what Drusilla had said. Soon we stood before The Empress. Fauna, Arvi, and Drusilla all kneeled down on their left knees. Formal Latin custom would have the Matron of the House address The Empress, but since Arvi had never met Alivia, Fauna lead the introductions. Fauna said, "My Empress it is an honor to be allowed in your presence."

Alivia approached them smiling and placing her right hand on Fauna's left shoulder said, "Please arise Fauna Aquila I have not seen you in many decades. You look well."

"Thank you my Empress. I am well; and excited is my heart that my spouse returns today." Fauna rose and continued, "I would like to present my daughter-in-law, Mistress Arvi D'Nare, wife of my son Julius. She is the Mulierius of the House of D'Nare-Crotus and my granddaughter, Drusilla."

Each stood as Alivia greeted them with the right hand on the left shoulder. Drusilla was radiant at this moment especially as Alivia smiled at her and said, "Drusilla you are such a lovely young lady, you have your mother's beauty."

Drusilla beamed, as did Arvi. Drusilla replied, "Thank you my Empress and it is a great moment to be able to meet you."

Alivia answered, "The pleasure is mine and perhaps in the future we will meet more often." Then she turned and looked at me with a knowing smile and I became more embarrassed.

With the introductions complete, Alivia then turned and talked to Livina for a few moments. As we waited, the senior centurion came up to The Empress and whispered something in her ear. She nodded, smiled, and quietly answered him and he left. As I watched this interplay, Drusilla stepped over by Lucia and me and said,

"Luci, I am angry with you, if Marco had not said something, I would not have gotten to meet The Empress. I thought we had discussed this yet…"

Lucia interrupted saying, "I was not sure if it would be correct protocol since we were in a family unit."

Drusilla turned a cold shoulder to my sister and draped her left arm around my neck and again kissed me on the cheek, saying, "Thank you, my little ashayam, I can always count on you."

I was overjoyed, yet I sensed Lucia was angered and she moved away from Drusilla and me. We stood together holding hands and waiting. Soon we could see a bright object high in the atmosphere slowing approaching.

Fauna and Arvi moved near Grandmother and Mother. Each greeted one another. Arvi moved nearer to Mother and they started talking about their excitement in the return of their husbands. Fauna warily approached Grandmother Livina and asked,

"Livina, it has been a very long time since I have seen you or spoken."

"True," answered Grandmother coolly.

"Are you excited for the return of Brutus?"

"Of course, what would you expect?"

Fauna fell silent and just watched the sky. I noted that Grandmother moved away from her. I wondered at this since whenever Lucia and I were visiting Drusilla, Fauna was always so kind to us. I mused on this interaction. Adults are so difficult to understand. What could have caused this rancor between Grandmother and Fauna? I felt Drusilla's soft hand tighten on mine. I turned and her luminous coal eyes gazed into mine.

"Our avum do not like each other much."

"No, I do not know why."

Drusilla shrugged and turned back to watching the object in the sky as it neared. I thought for a moment and then noticed that Lucia was frowning and standing away from us. I turned to Drusilla and said,

"Dru, go say you are sorry to Luci. You are such good friends. I would not want you to become like our avum."

Dru thought for a moment and replied, "Marco you are wise." She released my hand and walked over by Lucia. In a few moments they hugged and then returned to stand by me. The space ship was near enough that we could see the insignia of the empire and read its name.

The TES 'Fields of Pelennor' made its way down toward the docking site. I was excited; it had been over five years since we had last seen Father. Lucia and Drusilla looked at me; Lucia could not suppress her tears. Grandmother was busy chatting to Mother and Arvi, pointing at the transport. Fauna came and stood by us children. Livina was sure she could see her General out on the deck of the ship as it leveled near the space dock. Mother, I looked at her, what was she thinking? She did not look excited, her Vulcan reserve holding her emotions in check. Arvi could scarcely contain herself. She fidgeted and talked excitedly. Alivia stood like The Empress she was, serene, calm, regal, and very noble, awaiting for Uncle Aurelius.

Yet when I recall Mother and the others now, my mind dwells upon my mother T'Naa's feelings. She had only been with Father on a strange world for eight years before he left for the war. Being Vulcan and very young at that when they married, only about thirty-five Vulcan years which equated to twenty-two Latin years, I felt it must have been difficult for her. No wonder she often was short with Lucia. Even though I had lighter coloured hair and blue eyes similar to Father's blue-green ones, I so reminded her of Father that she had leaned on me during those five difficult years. Now with Father's return, perhaps Lucia and she would become closer; I hoped so for Lucia's sake.

Then before I knew it Lucia was running across the tarmac toward a tall man with sun bleached golden hair in the black armor of the IX legion. It was Father! At long last he had returned. I barely recognized the tall, bronzed man standing before us, holding Lucia in his arms. I looked at Mother. She trembled very slightly and a single tear escaped and rolled down her left cheek. Father stood before us, patted my head, and put Lucia on the ground. Then he grasped Mother tenderly for a short moment and they performed the ozh'esta. I remember Mother's fingers gently stroking Father's hair in a quick covert manner. In public, her Vulcan decorum always dictated her actions.

She said telepathically, "Gratius, Sa'telsu you are so blond. You have lost the brown of your hair."

"Ko-telsu, it was the sun over Morska. It should return now that I am home, T'hy'la," he returned through their bond.

But it never did, from then on Father was always white haired and seemed older. Mother missed his brown hair so she coloured it monthly using henna.

Grandmother stood back smiling; she knew Grandfather would be the last off. 'Officers always provide for the men, he would state. They are the backbone of the legion.'

Then Julius Crotus and his father Justinus approached. Fauna stood back, tears on her soft cheeks, but Arvi ran to Julius and nearly tackled him in her excitement of his return. Drusilla stood back grasping my hand. She turned and smiled, saying to me, "My mater is very happy."

"Sic, I can see. Are you happy Dru? Your pater and avus are home. Life can return to as it was before."

Drusilla looked at me oddly and then said, "Marco you are so silly sometimes, life can never return to the past, it flows like a river always away and we chase it. Everything changes, you, me, Lucia, and our families."

I wondered at what she said. Her ebony eyes seemed to look through me almost condescending and she continued, "Do you not feel changes in yourself, interests, wonders, questions?"

"I am not sure what you mean?"

She focused on me and leaned closer, her warm breath on my face and said, "Think our parents have been apart for over five cycles, they will couple and we will have rivals for their affection. Sorosis, fraters, younger than us and probably more favored, do you wish that?"

Couple that word again and then it came to me, coupling meant joining in a carnal way like the livestock. I was shocked for a moment and turned red. So that was why Lucia got angry on the train. Drusilla said we would couple, have sex in the future. I felt a strange feeling in my stomach. I know I blushed again. I heard a soft, merry little laugh and felt Drusilla's moist breath against my ear.

"I guess you know what coupling means now," she softly whispered in Kolari.

I nodded and looked at her. Her face was always so beautiful and her smile lit my heart. She turned and left me and approached her family. I was in a daze for another moment and then realized that my father was talking to Justinus and Julius. It was evident that they were leaving since they had greeted The Empress. Arvi gathered her House and they left through the guards. Drusilla hugged Lucia and then quickly came by me again.

"Marco, we leave for our quarters. I will never forget your actions. I love you for this. Meet me tomorrow in the early morning; we are staying at the Centurion Quarters," Drusilla said softly again in Kolari so Lucia could not understand.

I shook my blond head in agreement and she again gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and was gone. I turned and noted that only Lucia had been watching us. She never liked it when Drusilla and I spoke Kolari. Secrets from her she felt and I knew later she would grill me about the conversation. The adults were too busy with themselves. I turned my attention to the returning troops and saw many reunions between families. Then I looked about and saw Father's brother, The Consort of The Empress. He stood by Grandfather and waited with him as the remainder of the legion disembarked the transport. Then as the last members unloaded and greeted their families; Uncle and Grandfather marched off the ship. Grandfather came over to us, kissing Grandmother, he turned to me.

"Marcus, you have grown much in five years, when I left you were a little boy, now you are almost tall enough to be in the IX and wear the dragon's head."

Mother winced as she stood close to Father when she heard Grandfather say that about me. She was not willing or ready for her son to go into the service. Maybe in twenty years after the university and academy training, but she was not sure about her son going into the heavy infantry, better the navy or maybe the intelligence branch of the legion. She would need to think on this for some time, but not now. Gratius, her golden haired husband with the blue-green eyes was home. Home! Pray to the unnamed God that another war was at least a century away. Let Gratius raise cows so the saying goes on Hellenes. And, she blushed, if you can see a Vulcan blush with their green blood and olive coloured skin, perhaps more children.

Alivia and Aurelius approached us. I looked at my uncle so like my father in appearance but so different in demeanor. His face was always boyish. Life seemed like a party to him, yet make no mistake, he appeared carefree but had an iron will and great love for Alivia.

The Empress Alivia spoke, "Brutus it is good to see you. Once your duties are done here, please come to my residence. We need some family time."

My grandfather nodded agreement and then turned to my mother and said, "I am sorry to tear your spouse from you Mistress T'Naa, but I need his aid for about an hour."

Mother nodded.

Livina responded, "Tarry not Virti we will wait at our villa and then go to Alivia's when you and my filius are ready."

We then left.