Love in Rome

The Fall of the Pharoah

        The Romans set fire to the great temple of Apollo and the priests were dragged out and slaughtered in the streets. There was so much bloodshed and the citizens of Alexandria were helpless to the brutality. I quickly gathered my robes and ran to the bedroom of the Pharoah where I would hopefully find a way to get the Queen out of Egypt. They would surely humiliate her in public and then kill her in front of the remaining Alexandrians who would be forced to watch her execution. The servants ran past me in hopes of escaping the palace alive and then I heard " The Queen is dead!" "The Pharoah is dead" "Save yourselves!". My breathe stopped for a moment and I knew that what she did was for the people and her children were now my responsibility.  

Philadephus ran to me and hid in my white linen dress sobbing, closely followed by Selene, Helios and Caesarion. I gently stroked Philadephus's golden hair and he looked at me with sorrowful teary eyes. 

"Shhh..shhh.. don't cry little one," I cooed, "Everything is going to be alright, your mother has gone to the afterlife and will be reunited with you one day", "For now, you must be strong and hold your head up high because from now on, you are a king of Egypt". 

Philadelphus wiped his eyes but still firmly hung onto my skirt. I glanced around quickly to look for a way out but saw Caesarion burning with hatred. He reached for the dagger his father had left him and started walking towards the main doors. I ran after him and blocked his path with my body. 

"Get out of my way you filthy peasant! " screamed Caesarion as he tried to push me away 

"No! You are strong willed but today is not the day to use the violence, do not give them any reason to kill you, look at your brothers and sister. You are the eldest and they need you" . 

Caesarion was a bit taken back by my tone of voice for I was just a court dancer, he hestitantly put his knife back in its sheath and looked at my face with some gratitude. I grabbed Philaelphus's hand and ran to the servants quarters while the others ran behind us with Caesarion constantly looking behind him. There was a small doorway that led from the kitchen to outside the palace where I planned to hide us in the Temple of Athena. 

I wrapped my arm tightly around Selene who silently weeped as we heard loud footsteps roaming outside in the main altar of the temple.

"Take anything and everything of value, if there are any survivors then drag them out and show them to me first!" commanded the Roman commander. 

I heard them rummage outside and the clash of platters and chalices hit the floor, The light of their torches pierced the darkness where we silently held our breaths. I closed my eyes and mumbled a small prayer pleading for us not to be found. 

"There is nothing here Sir," confirmed a solider as he retraced his steps back to the main entrance. 

"Are you sure?" asked the Commander "Let me check for myself"

I could hear his sword clash against his armour and he moved closer to where I and the royal children found refuge. My heart raced and my breath quickened. I felt like throwing up and I knew that it was only a matter of time before we were discovered....... 

"THERE YOU ARE YOU EGYPTIAN WHORE"!!!! 

I was suddenly dragged out of the shadows by an iron fist that grabbed my delicate arm with no mercy. I heard the children screaming and grabbed by the soliders. The Commander roughly threw down on the ground and put the torch near my face for a better look. The heat of the fire illuminated my eyes as I dared not bow my head before this barbarian. This man had dark brown curly hair that slightly covered his piercing blue eyes. His shoulders were broad and his body well built. 

"What are you staring at!" shouted the Commander even though I was less than 6 inches from his eyes. His breath reeked of alcohol and roast pig.

"Let us go!" "We have done you no harm you insolent tyrant !" I dared yell back 

SLAP! 

I hesitantly placed my hand on my stinging red cheek. I looked up at him with fury and rage.

Another strong hand gripped my long matted hair and pulled me up of the ground.

"You do know that you could get executed for talking back to a high ranking officer.." he hissed in my ear.." But a pretty thing like you would sell for a hefty price on the slave market".. 

I could hear the sobs of Cleopatra's children and small tears formed in my eyes knowing that I wasn't able to protect them. 

"Alright men, Take care of the children, the Emperor wants them alive and unharmed. As for her... " his hand tightened on my hair, " Do not touch her, She is Mine".