look after you ,, hector.

[Princess Aurelia Augustus]

Aurelia gave the reins a gentle flick, before leaning forward, giving the dapple gray mare a gentle pat. Calaini had been a great companion, especially on the long, hard trip from Hadrian's Wall, to Rome. The Roman Princess had been asked to visit Hadrian's Wall, on Arthur's behalf. The Saxon attacks were growing worse, and there was a possibility that he would need soldiers stationed there, Roman soldiers, if they were available. Any other time, Aurelia would have given Arthur her answer then, but Hector had remained in Rome, and she had been unable to talk to him. A few minutes passed before Aurelia glanced over at her guard, Drako, before turning in the saddle, to look back at her convoy. They were all happy to be back in their native land, and away from the snow and cold in Britain.

She pulled both ends up of her lips up into a smile, giving a sigh of content as a warm breeze passed by. It only took a few more minutes before Aurelia had arrived at the royal stables, and pulled the horse to a stop, before dismounting. Reaching up, she gave the horse a loving pat, before handing the reins to a young servant boy, telling him to make sure that she was taken care of. Lifting one hand to her neck, she gently massaged it, before walking out of the stables, through the royal gardens, and into the palace. Everyone had heard that the Princess had arrived, and the corridors were bustling with people scurrying around, going on with their daily lives. Aurelia gave a curt nod to the officials before heading to her quarters.

As soon as she had pushed the silk fabric hanging in the doorway (acting as a door) aside, Aurelia gave a sigh of relief, noting that the room was empty. It was nice to be home, with her family, and Hector. Walking into one of the corner rooms, Aurelia grabbed an royal blue stola, and an gold pala, laying them across her bed. Slipping out of her current stola and pala, Aurelia washed her hair, face, and body, before changing into the clothing that had been laid across her bed. Turning around, Aurelia added some fibulae onto the stola, before pushing the golden bangle up to her left bicep. A few minutes passed, before she slipped some golden ear rings into each ear, and allowed the golden necklace to rest upon her neck.

Aurelia gave her long dark hair a quick brushing, before pinning a few strands back, and placing the golden crown, decorated with golden leaves, on top of her head. She finally felt as if she was presentable. Turning on her heel, she stepped out of her quarters, and found one of her ladies-in-waiting. ”Bring Hector to my quarters.” Aurelia said simply, before walking back inside of her quarters. Stopping by a stone table, Aurelia grabbed a few letters, before walking out onto the stone balcony. Leaning against the balcony, Aurelia stood there reading a letter from her half sister who had remained in Britain, allowing the sun to warm her shoulders while waiting for Hector.

Notes: her outfit. her horse.

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[Hector Tertius]

Hector was in a very foul mood. His men knew that when the Princess was he would be a terror to deal with. His sister had not sent him any good news on what was happening at the wall so he was very upset indeed. His mood changed when he got word on the feild that Aurelia was once again with in Roman territorym he continued to watch his men train paying special attention to those that were new. "No not like that!". He walked over to the young recruit who was having trouble with his sword.

He unseathed his own sword and attacked the elder soldier who was training with the young recruit. The other barely had time to react to his commanders attack. He blocked the blow with his sheild just in time. "you alright Mitus?" The other noded his head as he got back up. Hector looked at his recruit. "you must always be ready for such an attack. Your enemy will not be kind." He gave a silent command to Mitus and watched as he attacked the recruit and the recuit blocked falling back. He nodded in approval as the recruit found a way back up through attacks and made an attack back almost catching his elder off guard. Hector let himself smile giving the two a nod and going back to surveying the others.

He heard the word commander from behind him. One of his men ran up to him informing him that the Priness had sent a lady in waiting for him. He gave a nod and turned back to those training. "Maximus you are in charge for the time being." He headed off to the palace. He entered the hallowed halls following the madien who had been instructed to Aurelia. He entered with a low bow. "You requested me Princess."

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[Princess Aurelia Augustus]

After the long and perilous journey, it was nice to be back in Roman territory. Although Aurelia did enjoy some of her trips to Hadrian's Wall, Rome would always be her ultimate home. She had been born and raised in Rome, not to mention the fact that her mother and Hector were there. Her little sister, Livia, had decided to remain at Hadrian's Wall for the time being. After Aurelia had read the first letter, from one of the Roman officials, she allowed her gaze to wonder. Blinking, Aurelia gazed at the white sand, and the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea in the distance.

Oh, how good it felt to be home! Aurelia slid the letter to the back, before opening the red wax seal of a letter, reading it quietly to herself. Livia, her younger sister, had sent news from Marina and Arthur, about Saxons. Arthur had said that the Saxon attacks were growing stronger, and there was a small army blocking a passage in northern Britain. No one could get out, and no could get in. If Aurelia decided to send some Roman soldiers, they were need some in the north, so they could force the Saxon's out. Before she had even realized it, a sigh of disgust had escaped from her lips. The Saxon's had a way of making her angry, in a proportion that no one else could achieve.

Aurelia slid Livia's letter to the back, before moving on to the next one. She had been half finished with reading it, when Hector's voice had announced his arrival. Glancing the letter over, she tilted her head up, nodding curtly as he bowed. ”Why do you prefer to call me Princess, instead of Aurelia?” She asked softly, shooting a grin in his direction. No, she wasn't mad, she was curious, especially since she had reminded him quite often to call her Aurelia. ”Anyways, I have news from Arthur, or moreso, a request.”

Notes: her outfit. her horse.

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[Hector Tertius]

Hector waited patiently for his beloved Princess to address him. Many of the nobles knew of his affection for the Princess but many knew he'd never exactly admit it out in public. It was just something that was never spoke of just many already knew. He was a Roman Commanding officer and he had an appearance in a sense to keep. One of battlefield authority and home bound humility. In the presence of others he would never called Aurelia but her name. It was not what was proper for the Commanding officer of the Roman army to do. No he would keep things proper as was expected of him. However when they were alone if that time ever came after all he would call her by her rightful given name as she asked him countless times.

She seemed to have been reading something. He noticed her nod almost immediately and stood up right looking around to make sure that no one was standing there. A small smile came over his face as he advanced farther into her chambers but not to far as to not cause any scandel to her or himself. He never wanted to put her in an danger of such trivial things. It was just not right of him. "Aurelia," her named rolled off his tongue with such sweetness he could taste it. "I will forever call you Princess so long as there are others around. When completely to my knowledge alone I will use your name." She of everyone knew how he took his duty. She didn't hesitate to get down to business herself.

He made a nod when Arthur was mentioned. He'd do as he or she asked of him and his men. "So are the rumors true? The Saxon's are becoming a big problem again." He waited for her request to come forward. He would say no more until he had more evidence from her mouth of his beliefs. He would have the men ready in a heart beat if need be. Those that were ready anyways. Those that weren't would not see battle until ready there was no use killing those that could be valuable later on.

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[Princess Aurelia Augustus]

Aurelia traced her sister's neat lettering, feeling her heart sink. Livia had chosen to remain the middle of an great, yet terrible, war. Fabius had perished in war, and Aurelia didn't want to chance it with Livia. She wasn't sure if she could go through another sibling's death, that was the effect of war. Fabius's was hard, extremely hard. Her father and mother had gone into seclusion, and Aurelia was the only one who could handle Rome's people. Even though it was tough, it had also gained her favor in the people's mind. There wasn't anything she could do about it now; anyways, it was Livia's decision. Folding the letter along the creases, Aurelia glanced up as Hector entered her chambers.

Lifting a neatly groomed brow, Aurelia slightly shook her head to the side. Of course he was going to continue calling her Princess, and as bad as she hated to admit it; she wasn't surprised. ”Very well then.” Aurelia said simply, giving her shoulders a slight shrug. He had always been for authority and properness, and that most likely wasn't going to change any time soon. For now, Aurelia would just settle for nagging at him. Taking a step past Hector, Aurelia tossed the letters onto the stone table, before ordering her ladie's and guard outside of the quarters, away from, and out of the palace wing. A few seconds passed before they were completely and utterly alone.

Even though she trusted her servants, she didn't want word to get out about the Saxon attacks. That would only cause the people of Rome to go into a panic, and / or an uproar. ”The rumors are true. The attacks have gotten worse.” Aurelia said, pausing for a second or two, before continuing on, ”A passage in the north has been blocked, and Arthur want's us to send some men up their to defeat them. He also wants some stationed at the wall.” Aurelia said softly, arms folded across her chest, slowly walking back and forth from wall to wall. The talk of the Saxon's made her nervous, and on edge.

Notes: her outfit. her horse.

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[Hector Tertius]

Hector watched patiently for words out of Aurelia's mouth. He knew full well that she would nag him til kindgom come to call her by her name. Sometimes he did want to strip away formality and be a normal person. He was however a warrior and a commander and that was not a luxury that he often got. He watched as the ladies and guards were dismissed from the wing. He knew that Aurelia had choosen to make then go because of the fact that she would not want the people knowing what was going on with the Saxons. It could cause something neither of them felt the need to deal with at the moment. Talk of the Saxons made his blood boil and he knew full well Livia had stayed at Hadrain's wall. Things could not break into all out war with her there. That would be devistating to Aurelia to loose someone else dear to her to war with the Saxons.

His mind travelled but came back when he started to address his concerns once more. The rumors were true. That didn't make him feel any better. His blood began to boil. It wasn't only because that's what the mention of Saxons did to him but the fact that he could tell his beloved wass on edge. He didn't like to see her on edge or unhappy about anything. He waited until she was finished talking formulating a plan within his head faster then most people would. He was good at doing that and he knew what he had. He fought not like a normal Roman Commander before him would. You had to fight a different way if you were to win a battle with the Saxons. It called for formal training and unformal training. You fought baised on instintcs and not always in perfect lines. There was a fatal problem with the line idea at times.

"Then by your leave Aurelia. I will lead men to the North to push the Saxon's back from the passage. As for men to the wall I may have some that can be stationed there as they may learn something more from Arthur. I shall return however before I bring the group I wish to have stationed at the wall." There were many ways he could handle stationing people along the wall for Arthur. Whether he stayed with them or not he could decide later. After all his brother could take over things here for awhile. He waited to be told that he could leave. "Aurelia please do not look so on edge. All will be resolved." He was hoping with not too much force but when it came to Saxons one could never be too careful. His tender side did not come out often and normally only when he was around her would it start too.

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[Princess Aurelia Augustus]

Aurelia stood there quietly, making sure that her servants were well out of hearing range, before directing her attention back to Hector. She took a deep breath, before focusing on the problem at hand: Saxons. Although she knew Hector would do whatever it took to protect them, Aurelia needed reassurance; reassurance from his own tongue. The Saxons was not a subject that Aurelia dealt with lightly. They had taken things that had meant a great deal to her, and there was still the possibility they could take even more. No, they hadn't taken Fabius, her dear brother, but they had taken Cassius. Cassius had been wounded during a squirmish with the Saxons, it became infected, and he died from a fever. Cynric could easily take Livia, Galahad, or as much as she hated to think about it, Hector.

Even though Aurelia did have a soft spot for Galahad, she loved Hector. And when I say loved, I mean truly loved him. He had been there for her when no one else was. Hector always put his country before himself, and was truly loyal to the Roman Empire. Not to mention the fact that Aurelia had always gotten along with his family. Aurelia had nothing but fond thoughts for the Tertius family. As strongly as she felt for Hector though, she was reluctant to show it. For one, she didn't know if he returned the feelings. And for two, if he didn't, then wouldn't that make things a little akward? That was the last thing Aurelia needed, at this point. Once he began to speak, Aurelia slowed her pace, focusing on Hector. Lifting a hand, she gently massaged her neck muscles, as she processed the plan in her mind. That plan, was her reassurance. Everything would eventually be okay, or so she had hoped.

”You always have a plan Hector.” Aurelia murmured softly, moreso to herself, than anyone, looking down at the ground. After a few seconds had passed, Aurelia lifted her head, nodding in agreement to the plan. ”You may leave the city within the next few days.” Giving a soft sigh, Aurelia walked over to Hector, stopping in front of him. Lifting a hand, she gently laid it across his cheek, searching his eyes. ”Be careful.” Aurelia said softly, pulling both ends of her lips up into a sad smile. ”I can't afford to lose to you...” She paused for a moment, before continuing on, ”I can't imagine life without you, Hector.”

Notes: her outfit. her horse.

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