APOLLONIA

Two

Shining into the room, sunlight fell on Apollonia's face as she woke the next morning. After washing her face, she colored her cheeks and lined her eyes. Choosing a long, grey dress, she dressed herself. Later, she would put on jewelry and go to Nerius' house.

When evening came, they all climbed in a coach and rode to the house. Nerius had his big smile on and he welcomed her in. Her brother, and his wife, were already there and were lounging at the table, chatting with Nerius' parents. They all sat down and laughed as they ate their roast quail and potatoes. When Porticus, Nerius' father, held out his cup for a refill of wine, the slave girl rushed to pour it, but then spilled a bit on the floor. With a cry of surprise and frustration, he ordered her to go back to the kitchen and then clean the mess up. Though it was not said, Apollonia knew that the nameless servant would be punished in some way for her clumsiness.

Soon after, dinner was finished and her brother announced that he and his wife were going to have a baby. Another round of drinks were passed around and then Nerius nudged Apollonia and said, "Walk with me, won't you?" Standing, she followed him to the door. Outside, the sun was getting low and the sky was bright orange. Apollonia loved walking. It was very relaxing and Rome was so beautiful at this time of day.

"Soon it will be autumn, won't it Nerius?" Apollonia said as she picked a leaf off of a low hanging branch of a near-by tree. It was getting yellow at the tip.

"Indeed, it is." He replied. "The games will be starting, shortly. Are you going to watch them, Polly?" He winked at her, teasing. Only the men were allowed in the coliseum for the Olympics. Of course she wouldn't watch them. She shook her head and laughed. Nerius loved to tease her; perhaps a little too much. She did not mind, though. When her brother had gotten married and joined with the Roman legion, she and Nerius had both lost their close companion and so eventually became the very best of friends. If a small bit of taunting was the price for good company, it was well worth it.

Apollonia looked up at the sky, which was darkening, and called out. "Nerius! It's getting rather close to nox time! Shall we return to the domus?" Nerius, walking ahead, turned and replied.

"Give us a few more moments, dear Polly! Come over here! I have found something in the hollow of this tree." He waved to her excitedly, but he had a mischievous grin on his face. Running to his side, she glanced at the almond tree's trunk, which had a little opening in the wood. He pointed into the hole and she stepped closer. Suddenly she got nervous. It was a trick! He had found a hairy spider, or a mouse, or some horrible thing that would scare her. She stepped away and folded her arms. Sticking her nose in the air, she refused to search the hollow.

Chuckling, he asked, "What are you afraid of? Go on! Look." Stubbornly, she stared at him with a face of stone. Finally he reached his hand into the hollow. "Alright, alright... You got me. Here, this is what I found." Holding his fist over her open hand, he dropped something small into her palm. She studied the thing for a second before gasping. A ring! A golden band! She looked at Nerius.

"Someone must have lost it! Is it your mother's?" She watched his face grow serious. His hands went around hers and he explained.

"Yes, it was my mother's before she gave it to me today. I put it in the tree. You see, Polly, I'm giving it to you." He smiled and he added; "I want to marry you!"

It took her a minute to process what he had said. And when she did, the world started spinning.

He wanted to marry her. Nerius, her friend, wanted her to be his wife. It didn't fit together in her mind. He was her friend! And only her friend! They couldn't get married. She couldn't marry him. This was madness!

Nerius was watching her anxiously, awaiting an answer. His face grew more and more worried. "Are you ill, Polly? What's wrong?" He steadied her by holding her shoulders. Shoving his hands away, she began to turn away, rejecting his offer. Nerius followed her, frantically arguing. "Apollonia! What is the matter? Won't you answer me? Will you marry me or not?"

Turning to face him she shouted. "No! I won't!" He grabbed her hand, stopping her.

Looking back, she saw him hold her fist to his chest and beg. "Please?" His eyes were sad and pleading with her. She felt a moment of sadness, for she felt their friendship had been forced to an end. She shook her head and pulled her hand out of his grasp and returned to the house.

Nox is "night"

Domus is "house" or "home"