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Post by Marcus Flavius Aquila on Jan 23, 2008 7:12:58 GMT -5
Marcus welcomed her hug with arms wide open, he loved Felicita deeply like the best of sisters anyone could ever have. Though it seemed that she quickly knew this was not entirely good news. He sighed and tried not to sound sad or worried, but he could barely ever hide anything form her.
He was still looking at the horizon before she hugged him, but he turned to look at her and said nothing, it was as if sometimes he needn’t say a thing. As he looked into his sister’s eyes he seemed to confirm her suspicions, the Princess had gone to Rome against her father’s knowledge and was staying with her whole escort, in Marcus’ villa.
He let go of his sister and walked toward the cave. He then placed his right hand on the rock as if he tried to tear it down and then said, “This is not what worries me, my sister. For the king would get to know his sister has been in a royal house with her whole escort free from any harm, if he wished for her to return.” He turned then to look at Felicita and concluded, “the problem is my heart, sister… The woman I love is engaged, to anyone of the King’s choosing.”
So much had already happened between them, he could not back down now and pretend he had never met her. He then stated, “you will be the first to know of my resolution, for there are no secrets between us…I will go to Carthage…” he then emphasised on his safety for he knew his sister loved him much, “…do not worry for I know he would not be foolish as to try and kill me. I will propose to be the candidate to marry her. If accepted then perhaps hostilities between Carthage and Rome will cease…”
He looked at Felicita more sternly as he concluded, “If denied…I will not send her back, and will fight for her if needed.” He did not know what Felicita thought of him know, for perhaps he seemed like a fool, perhaps it was selfish and he was sending Rome to its perish, but was it truly selfish? For he had sacrificed his whle life to serve Rome.
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Post by Felicita on Jan 23, 2008 9:01:15 GMT -5
Looking into her brother's eyes, Felicita already knew in her heart that her suspicions have been correct. The Princess had left Carthage and fled to Rome, where she seemed to have stumbled into Marcus. This meant that the King of Carthage probably will wish for his daughter to return, out of her own decision or forced. Felicita knew that the King only had one legally accepted daughter, although it is said he had other children his wenches gave birth to. From her point of view, not knowing the relationship between Freya and the King, she could not imagine a father giving up on his daughter when she fled. She was sure he would seek for her, and this would lead him to Rome. This was what concerned her in this moment.
She let out a sigh when her brother got up, and she listened when he continued to speak. So it was an arranged marriage the Carthage princess fled from, Felicita thought. This was a topic she knew some things about, seeing that she herself has been put into the role of the bride in an arranged marriage. The bride had the least to decide in an arranged marriage, for it was simply about politics, building alliances by connecting families. "I'm so sorry." Felicita said, almost in a whispering voice. She truly was, for the arranged marriage made it the more obvious that Freya's father will come for her, to marry her, and the bridegroom was very unlikely to become Marcus.
Still, he spoke on, and his words concerned her even more. It seemed implausible that the King would agree to such a marriage between Carthage of Rome, especially after his daughter was promised to another man already. But Felicita did not know much of politics, at least she always pretended to not knowing much. She spoke now at last "Brother, it is an enormous risk you are taking to go to the King of Carthage yourself, asking for the hand of his daughter although she should be married to another. I see why you believe you have to do this, you are in love with her and do not wish to lose her. And fighting for love is the greatest stimulation to fight for. But I do not want you to be harmed..." Felicita did not speak on. She knew, if Marcus truly loved this woman, then it was the right thing to do to fight for her, at least for him it was the right decision then.
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Post by Marcus Flavius Aquila on Jan 23, 2008 9:44:02 GMT -5
He sighed and then went over to Felicita and placed his hands on her shoulders and said looking into her eyes, “I know it is pointless…If only I had known this before, I would have been more guarded, but now…What can I do now but to curse myself for falling in such a way. Truly, it took love for Menelaus to make an open war of ten years to retrieve his beloved wife… It took twenty years for Ulysses to go back to Penelope…But all these were taught as myths, as examples of exceptional heroes…Why then do I feel so connected to any of them Felicita? Why do I feel Achilles’ rage when I think of her married to anyone else? Why do I look for vengeance over the gods like Hercules when his lover died eaten by wolves in the Pyrenean Alps? Why do I feel Anfitrion’s fear in being discovered and yet I love so deeply…”
His eyes were lit with fire, as his glance had always been but now it seemed as if he was in the middle of a battle, one that took all his courage and might and fierceness. He looked at the horizon as if he hated everything in the world but one, his own foolish luck, perhaps. His hands dropped to his sides and he sighed closing his eyes, was it any good to tell her all this? Could he bear to see her as sad and desperate as him now that she was to be wedded to the man she loved, while her brother lingered in the middle of a battle he was most unlikely to win?
Still he needed someone to trust this to, someone that could understand him and present him with a helping hand. But now, as his sister spoke as well he felt the cold reality, he would never be married to Freya by her father’s will. As he looked at the horizon images of defeat and death came to him as cold as the shadows of the night themselves, but that would not make him back down, he would fight for her, for this love…
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Post by Felicita on Jan 24, 2008 4:49:08 GMT -5
"Brother" Felicita began again, seeing how desperate he was for not finding a secure way to be married to the woman he loves. "You know that I do not know much of politics, or politicians. I can only guess how the King of Carthage will react to you wishing to wed his daughter. But if you feel that this is the right way for you, and if you love this woman enough to do anything for her and fight for her, then I advise you to do so, even although it breaks my heart." she spoke in a calm voice, although she felt deeply saddened inside.
Before she had met Marius, she never had known what a strong feeling love could be, but now she knew. For true love people were willing to die, and she never had understood this before now. Love was the only thing so powerful to cause wars. Of course, Felicita did not want war to come upon Rome, it was hardly to avoid. However, she did not advise her brother to start a war, but to fight and to do what his heart told him to do. She thought it more important for her brother to be able to face himself in the mirror and to be proud of himself than thinking himself a coward, someone who had not had the courage to try.
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Post by Marcus Flavius Aquila on Jan 27, 2008 16:26:47 GMT -5
Marcus embraced Felicita, her words were wise and there was no better way for him to reassure her that she would not lose a brother. He held her tight as he then said, “I will be careful, sister. I promise you will not lose me under any circumstances.” He kissed her brow and then smiled at her as he then said, “I want you to be careful too. I do not refer to Marius, but to life itself.”
He then moved a lock of hair from her calmed and beautiful face and then released her from his arms and then added, “I do not fear the pain or grief that will come out of this, for I know I will always have you and Lucius, and her.” It was a different degree of love and affection an man could have for his keen and for the woman he loved, but it was clear there was nothing he would not do for Felicita or Lucius, as well as Freya.
He then turned to smile at Felicita and said, “Would you like to meet her, sister?” If he never ever hid anything form Felicita, he would also show her everything that he ever felt delight or passion for. And Freya was the most precious thing he had. He then asked out of curiosity, “Is it true that Queen Daphne will come to visit?”
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Post by Felicita on Jan 28, 2008 5:48:37 GMT -5
Felicita remained silent for a few moments, during and shortly after Marcus had spoken. She was deep in thoughts, maybe saddened for she had never thought of actually losing one of her dearly beloved brothers before. Now, that the possibility of losing Marcus was right in front of her, it scared her.
In her life, so many changes lately took place that it was difficult for her to keep track. She was going to be married, which meant that a fully new life and family awaited her. Lucius would achieve politically highest ranks through her marriage, which also meant that he probably would have to cope with by far more work in less time. And Marcus, as she got to know, had found the love of his life, and yet had to fight for her. In this moment, Felicita wished she could be back in her childhood when the world seemed to be so far easier to live in, more colourful.
At last, she returned from her thoughts to answer him, although only his questions. “Me and meeting the princess Freya? This would be a great honour for me, brother, especially now that I know how deeply you love her.” She replied, smiling cheerfully at him, suppressing and dark thoughts. “And yes, Daphne has written to us, she will come for a visit, out of political and private reasons. I can’t await seeing her again!” She stated happily, for it had been long since she last had seen her cousin, she hardly could remember this time.
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Post by Marcus Flavius Aquila on Jan 28, 2008 6:59:11 GMT -5
Even when Felicita seemed deep in thought and pondering, Marcus could see grief in her eyes and for a moment regretted ever telling her of his feelings and future plans. But he would not fail, he always did as promised and he would never leave his family, even when they were not truly a family they loved each other as one.
He would bring joy back into Felicita’s heart and then said holding both of her pure and light hands, “I will always be here for you; and so will Lucius. For we will always be kin.” Marcus saw it hard too. The fact that Felicita soon will have a new life of her own and Lucius more power to plan ahead. Marcus for a moment felt Felicita’s solitude, but he knew that no matter what their feelings would not change and they would always be together. The spiritual unions are never broken.
He then said, “You will soon meet her then, my sister. Though I must ask you, for our own secrecy to keep all I have told you in your heart. Don’t even tell Lucius, I will tell him when the time comes. But all this must not come out and when you meet her treat her like any hostess would to a guest for Jupiter’s hospitality’s sake.” He knew that Felicita would not let him down; they were together in life and were each other’s confident.
Listening to the news Felicita received from Athens filled his heart with joy. He knew how much Felicita missed her family and this was a good opportunity to see each other again. He then said, “I would like to see her if I may, sister.”
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Post by Felicita on Jan 29, 2008 9:16:31 GMT -5
"Of course, Marcus, I will not tell anyone, not even Lucius." Felicita promised Marcus. "And when do you plan this meeting? And where?" she asked on. Ror her it was quite obvious that she would treat Princess Freya with all friendliness and hospitality she knew, not only because she was a princess, but most of all because Marcus loved her with all his heart.
"And certainly you can meet her, I'm not sure how it will work when she will arrives. Probably I will have to send you a messenger so that you know, if that would be alright." Felicita informed him.
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