Visit from Athens

[Stratos]

Interested Stratos listened to the words she said, though worried he got as different his queen seemed. She did not seem well, but still he hoped everything were alright. Curious he watched as she sat down, thought simple followed as he stood beside her in case of need. As she turned look at him from time to time, he gentle smiled back as always her sight were great. However worried his gaze were upon her, though kept it hidden as he did not wish to make it worse by his concerning looks."Very well, altough..may I ask?"He said calm, but went to sit down beside her as tired she seemed.

"Are you alright, my queen? You don't seem well, have something happened to you while I was gone?"He spoke and asked curiously, wondering what it could be that troubled her though hoped nothing serious bad. Stratos loved her with great passion, and so also it made him worried whenever she seemed ill during his stay."Maybe you should lay down for a while yes, I nor your men want you to be sick at your stay in Rome. That would cause bad fortune for you and your people."He said, trying to help as he slowly laid her down on the bed they were upon. Gentle he took the chance in touching her for head, to feel if she was sick or not. Deep he looked into her eyes as he took a blanket over her, in case cold had coughed her with the sickness she seemed to have. With a smile he watched her, touching her cheek as spelled he were by her beauty.

[Daphne]

"I feel a little sick indeed, just for the moment." Daphne explained to Stratos. She still did not wish for him to worry, but she was touched on how caring his eyes looked at at her. She willingly followed his orders to lay down and felt delighted on the cool pillow. "It must be the sea, for sure nothing serious." She tried to joke when Stratos' hand touched her forehead carefully to check on her temperature, to make sure she was not ill, at least not further seriously. She had imagined his hands rougher than they now turned out to be, soft and loving they touched her cheek and pulled the blanket over her.

Although still feeling dizzy, Daphne suddenly knew what she had not understood before in Stratos' behaviour. It was love. She never had seen the rough Athenian so caring for anyone before, at least not for a friend. Was she more than a friend to him, why hadn't she seen this earlier? she asked herself. It now seemed so obvious to her, the perfect explanation for every question and unresolved action that she did not understand about the royal messenger.

Daphne was staring up at him. She thought she did not know him at all in this moment, he was like a stranger to her because she now had a short glimpse into his heart. On the other hand, it was as if she knew him better than ever before, she understood now every action he had taken in the past. "Thank you... Stratos." She spoke, slightly hesitating as she spelled his name. She still was staring up into his eyes, as if caught in a web.

She did not think of her husband in this moment, for her it was sure: Alcander was her one and only love. Whatever else would happen, love would not be involved in her feelings. What she felt, although she did not realise it at the moment, was deep friendship now for Stratos, and pity, for deep within her she began to understand how painful it must be to see her at Alcander's side almost each day, or her talking of Alcander. Unreturned love was painful, therefor she pitied him, and she wished she could ease his pain.

[Stratos]

Kindly Stratos looked at Daphne as laid before him in the bed she owned, it was a nice sight even it worried him with the sickness she seemed to carry. He wanted her to be alright, cause heavily his heart burned for her with passion. Some would say that Alcander loved her the most as she was his wife, but in fact it was Stratos who cared greater love for her then him. Deep he watched her into the eyes as she looked back into his, it made him feel special cause never before had her gaze been so attached to his. Maybe she had started to feel things as well, though he doubted it even a small chance it was.

With a gentle touch he took away the hair that lingered in front of her face, so she possible to better as both wanted to look at each other. When she spoke he listened, thought gladly smiled in return and approached closer. He was nervous cause never before had he been that close to his queen, but strong his wishes was about helping her to get better. His hand hand that were free, slowly moved towards her leg as it touched it by a sudden touch. However he did not go to far, as she still were his queen and himself still a servant under her orders. By the mood and passion that was between them, it made him wish to kiss her. Silent they both stayed, as looking at each other they were. The atmosphere were filled with love, cause greater the mood between them changed. Suddenly in slow moves he went closer, softly he touched her lips as she too seemed to wish the same.

[Daphne]

Daphne was staring into his eyes still, and she continued even when he leaned closer and their lips touched. She was not realising what he was doing at first, and that she did not resist, too many thoughts rushed through her mind. She did not think of Alcander, not even once, all to the contrary she felt closer to Stratos than ever before. She knew that something was between them, even although it was not love from her, but at least friendship.

His lips were rough, his beard scratched her delicate skin. She felt closeness between them and the need to be together, to touch and kiss, but only for one moment. It was different to any of Alcander's kisses that she had ever experienced. She never had kissed another man than Alcander before this moment, and at last his image slipped into her mind, and all comfort and warmth in his kiss was gone.

All of a sudden, her memory of Alcander triggered her knowing it was wrong, completely wrong what they were doing. She did not turn immediately, for now she knew how Stratos had longed for more intimacy between them. However, slowly she turned her head to the other side, feeling utterly guilty in this moment. It should not have happened she told herself. So, she felt that she needed to explain Stratos that it could not work, she could not love him currently. She swallowed hard before she said "I love my husband."

In this one sentence there should be more than enough information for Stratos why she could not let them go any further. She loved someone else, and so could not give her love to Stratos. And she was married, to the king of Athens. It would trigger no good to have the queen in love with another man while being married to Alcander. It could not work between them, there currently was no way. Daphne had not wanted to tell Stratos this so directly, to hurt him, but he needed to know.

[Stratos]

With deep passion Stratos kissed his own queen without not really noticing what he did were wrong, he for long had wished for her to be his but never had he succeeded. Although he hoped the kiss he now gave, would turn her to like him. However as he touched her lips, it seemed she did not enjoy it as much he did cause greatly he loved it. His hand still touched her lap with a soft touch, though further went as more of her naked lap he wished. She were amazing in his eyes, like the goddess Athena herself but better.

After moments of kissing, without her doing much in return she suddenly stopped and spoke. The words she told him hurted like a sword wounding a man, she did not want him as she loved her husband Alcander. It broke Stratos heart, tho still he wanted her greatly even knew all he did was in vain. Always had he been there for her, always had he loved and cared for her but the way she treated him back pained him. Almost in tears he looked back upon her, as calm she seemed in the position she laid on bed. Careful he touched her skin, thought slowly backed away as worried he was."I am sorry my lady."He said and stood up, not really knowing what to do, but spoke on."Maybe I should leave, it probably would be the best."He sighed, thought honored his queen with respect.

[Daphne]

Daphne saw how hurt he was. She was not looking at him, but still noticed it out of the corners of her eyes and his shaking voice. This she had not wanted, to hurt him and to cause him pain. She had considered him a friend, and now after this moment she still considered him a friend, even though a close one. She simply could not return his love for her, she already had promised her heart to another.

Daphne had her eyes closed the moment he touched her skin once more, softly and carefully, but opened them again to look straight at him when he spoke. She was uncertain of what to reply. There was no comfort she could give him, even although she wished she could. "Don't be sorry, Stratos." She began slowly, and she sat up, a bit too quick probably, and she now was feeling another wave of nausea catching her. She found herself a pot, as quickly as she could, when she felt the urge to vomit.

[Stratos]

Stratos who sat beside Daphne listening to what she said and remembering what she had said, made him sad as much he loved and cared for her. He only wished for them to be together, something that seemed impossible as married the woman he loved was with someone else. Silent he sat beside her without doing anything, but thinking if he should leave or not. However as she saw his queen in need, he decided to stay. Her sickness had made him worried, even depressed he was after what had happened.

Careful and carrying he moved over to help her, wanting her to get better instead of staying sick as she now seemed to be. Close he held onto his queen, but not speaking as speechless he were. If only there could be a chance for them to be together, he would be happy..although there were none. Until she was finished, he watched over here."You alright, my queen?"He asked, as he tried to ignore what had happened, although paining him deep inside it did.

[Daphne]

After the wave of nausea had passed, Daphne still was feeling miserable. She was kneeling on the bed, and now changed her position to sit normally, beside Stratos. What horrible situation this was. She had not wished to hurt him, and she wished she could help him in any way to get over her, but most of all she did not want him to watch her in such a moment. Throwing up in his presence just after she told him he could not have her, and so making this dreadful situation to continue. She did not know what was wrong with her and she definitely did not want him to care for her in this moment, all on the contrary she wanted him to hate her for not returning his love.

"Yes, don't worry, I am fine." Daphne spoke, short and simple. "The messengers could return any moment. I believe I need to go upstairs." She stated, switching topic back to their business. Too much was going on and she had no time now to think it through. She would need to do so later on.

[Stratos]

"Very well, my queen. However I have request to ask, I wish to get some time alone. Let me leave the camp for a few days, so my grief over you may be over."He said worried, as angered the woman he knew looked. However she also seemed to feel pity for him, even he did not want her to do so. He understood her decision, as she had a man from before. Alcander the king of Athens, were her husband and nothing could stop them from being together even Stratos wished for something else. He loved Daphne, which he had done from the first moment they meet, but never had she loved him back.

After she had throwed up by the sickness she had, he himself stood up and were ready to leave on her orders. He would not like to stay there much longer, as deep pain rushed threw his body and made his eyes worse as tears wanted to come. His face turned red, as depression fell upon him and almost unable he were to go away cause of all the feelings he kept for her. She rejected him, something he didn't like but had to accept.

[Daphne]

Daphne was not angry, at least not at Stratos. She simply wanted this situation to end, and wanted to make the kiss they had shared undone. She did not want to give him any hope, for there was none. She did not love him, but Alcander, and they were so happy that Daphne had not even thought of the possibility of someone else being in love with her, or also Alcander. It had not come to her mind that Stratos could have wanted her, not until several moments ago. She wished she could ease his pain, but she could not.

"Of course, you may take your leave, Stratos. Take as much time as you need." She told him, although did not look at him. She looked down to the ground, and actually waited for him to leave. She could not think clearly while he now was present, and she needed to get her thoughts in correct order. Soon she would meet her cousins again, she would ask them for alliance to Athens, so much was happening around her that she would need a pause again.

[Stratos]

Stratos looked at Daphne with pity, as sad he saw the friendship they had shared was soon to be lost by love that could not be repaid. With curiosity and understanding he listened to what she said, but when finished he slightly bowed and left to leave the ship. With respect he walked away from her, and out into the open air. As that was done he left the camp and the men, after a heartbreaking farewell he went to see Rome alone. Maybe there he could find peace and time to think, as thoughts of depression had coughed his mind by the answer his queen had given him.

On the road as he left, wagons of royals could been in distance. While they approached, it was more easier to see they belonged to the family of Daphne. A wagon carried by servants lingered a woman inside, outside guards and a man was seen as proud and gentle they road forth. They all seemed to be heading for the camp that the Greeks had made, and so Stratos understood that those who came were the family his love waited for. After their passing he continued to Rome, but did not look back as ruined he felt.

(I am ending my posting with Stratos now, if you wish you could post with Felicitia and then Lucius will post)

[Felicita]

Felicita was at her brother Lucius' house when three men entered, bearing word of her cousin, Daphne. The visit did not come surprisingly, for the siblings have recieved a letter not long ago, foretelling the arrival of Daphne. The long lost cousin had come to visit them because of both personal and political reasons, for she was queen of Athens now and wished to seek an alliance with Rome, as the city was a yet small but steadily growing power.

Now knowing of her arrival at Italy's coast, Felicita and Lucius had prepared their carriages and instantly made their way to the Athenian's camp. Tents already had been built up, and people were gathering in groups, planning on on the construction of the camp or building other kinds of things. Felicita got out of her carriage, and waited for her brother to do so as well. She was not sure where to go, to the tents or to the ship, for it could be Daphne still was in the ship as well, she did not know.

[Lucius Valerius Silvio]

As the news of Daphne, their distant cousin had reached the ears of Lucius and Felicita. They both had decided to leave and see her, as long it had been since they all had meet. When they headed out of Rome, they came on horse and in wagons as guards were brought along. Soon as they could see the camp and ship in distance, they on the road could see a man heading for Rome. He seemed wealthy enough on be high ranked, but as they went by they did not ask for his name and therefor lot him pass.

When they arrived the camp, they stopped and gentle Lucius dismounted his horse that well was taken care of. He then walked to the wagon his sister rested in, and spoke as he helped her out."Here we are, sister."He said with a smile and as that was done, he turned to speak out loud to the Athenians that had arrived."I demand to speak with your queen, I am Lucius. General and pro Consul of Rome, and this my sister Felicita, husband of Marius our Consul."He said and waited.

[Daphne]

Daphne already had moved down to the camp, into a large tent, it clearly could be seen as the Queen's tent. White linens seperated it from the others, pained with red symbols near the top. Two wooden sticks held open an entrance, although the entrance still was covered by white linens and silk so that no one would be able to see into the tent save walking into it.

However, through these thin linen walls she easily could hear people speaking outside. Daphne just was sitting in a chair the servants had brought her from her ship, when she heard a rough man's voice outside, demanding to see her, and telling his and his sister's name. She quickly got up, and stroke smooth her dress before she left her tent. Indeed, a man, roughly over twenty or twentyfive years old, stood there, tall and proud, bearded, dressed in armour. Beside him a slim but tall lady stood, dressed in fine clothes, with her hair hanging down long. It was easy to see that they were siblings, their facial bone structure was quite alike. Yet, Daphne would not have recognized them in the crowd. Too long they have not seen each other.

Daphne smiled brightley and her peach coloured dress waved in the wind while she moved closer to Lucius and Felicita. She wanted to hug them, and yet was kept apart for she did not know if they still were so close as they have been as young children. Instead, she now spoke "Felicita, Lucius... it's been so long. I am so glad you have come here."

[Lucius Valerius Silvio]

Lucius who stood waiting on the respond after the words he had spoken, wondered where Daphne his cousin could be. Long had it been since they had meet and unknown he was on how she now looked, however he hoped to recognize her as they soon were to meet. After a short moment of silence, a woman suddenly stepped out of the huge tent close by. There she was, the queen of Athens, Daphne their cousin. It pleased him as the sight of her could be seen, she had grown beautiful threw the years as just from the past they knew each other. When she approached, he with a smile came to hug her."Cousin, how long have it been since we last saw each other."He laughed out as they embraced each other gentle and kind, cause great it was to see one another again.

"Welcome, welcome to Rome my dear cousin. We have been expecting you, but why you stopped your ship so far distance from Rome itself, why not enter our port?"He spoke and asked, as happy he were about her arrival. Felicita as well seemed glad about what had happened, cause long was it since any of them had met.