| TOTAL WAR ROME |
As the legionnaires tended to the wounded, it was a miracle that none has fallen as of late, a blessing that Cicero and Estelle hoped would last. While Numerius, Justinian, and Magnus simply wished that no ill fate awaited them.
Then there was the work of addressing their prisoners - who were still tied and secured - who tug at their ropes and grunted in frustration to be set free. Numerius planned to set them free, but only subservient to them. Lest, an example had to be set. But before he would see just how subservient these barbarians - uncivilized men - would be. He had to scare them to submission, by taking the largest corpse of an orc and presenting it to them.
"These are our enemies. Your enemies now since these brutes would kill any of us as they would you. These foul beasts are strong, their strength twice our own." Numerius spoke in Latin, as Cicero translated them.
Until it hit Estelle, while others hadn't bothered to stop and think about something so simple and in plain sight. The language they spoke to Thorin and Gandalf was obviously in another tongue, yet it felt natural it was a hard thing to take notice of. But she would bring it up to her circle when they were away from prying eyes and ears.
"But these orcs are rubbish and work alone for their own goal and desire. But not you, pledge yourselves to our legion, serve as our auxiliary and you will be set free." Numerius continued, alongside with Cicero. As he took a short pause, he looked into the eyes of these barbarians. In truth, had their skin been as grotesque as those orcs it would be highly unmistakable for these barbarians to be those orcish brutes.
Then a barbarian spoke among the crowd - the chieftain - as he spoke in his native tongue.
"He said; then what happens if we don't?" Cicero translated before Numerius was quick to give an answer.
"Then you will be set free here, roam these lands as you will, and be devoured and killed by these orcs." He reply as he stood firm with his words. Stoic and cold.
From the side, Numerius can see the dwarves, hobbit, and wizard watching and listening. It would be great to set a display of their authority. But it would also be wise not to, regardless it was a situation that needed to be done in that instant.
When Cicero relays Numerius's words, murmurs erupted from the barbarians before it all fell to silence when he; the chieftain spoke once again after spending a moment weighing the options. When words were uttered, it was Cicero's turn to repeat them in Latin. But instead opted for a short summary of the chieftain's choice.
"He said he and his tribe will pledge themselves to Rome, Tribunus."
TOTAL WAR ROME |
As the moon and stars remained lit in the night skies, inside the legatus's tent, Estelle and her circle of officers; discussed and shared what details and information has been gathered.
"It was the right choice to ally ourselves with the heir to Erebor, despite having only met these dwarves, it looks to be the only reasonable option. We are in unknown lands, and they can be our guide, furthermore, he promises the access to their armory and forges. We can repair and resupply our ammunition and other supplementary."
Magnus spoke up, approved by Numerius, Cicero, and the other praefectus cohortis.
"But I must add that we should still remain cautious around the dwarves, we still know only little about them. It would not hurt to be careful when presented with new things." Numerius added to their discussion until Cicero took the attention.
"Before coming here, the chieftain had a word with me and assured me of the allegiance of his tribe. It may not, or does count for anything. But I am certain the little speech about these orcs unnerved them." Cicero reported, before it finally came down to Estelle.
"Latin. We are speaking in Latin." Estelle initialize, as she let her officers let the thoughts sink in. But there was no reaction. So she continued. "But we have spoken to Thorin and Gandalf without troubles in understanding."
Then it clicked, as if reality was distorted and it shocked them to that extent. "I would have not noticed it if I had been paying any less attention during your speech in addressing the auxiliary. How smooth was it that we could swap our language for another we do not know about." Estelle continued her speculation before the first ray of white sunlight peaked through the clouds and the night ended.
When the sun has already begun to kiss the sky, the legion was already made prepared for the long march ahead; to the Misty Mountain of Erebor.
TOTAL WAR ROME |
"Those wines were great I will say as much! But nothing beat a good taste of beer!" Kili exclaimed as he was joined by Fili who walked with his brother. It was when the legion decided to take a good rest that several legionnaires, and officers began to have a quick bite and gulp before Kili spotted wine. Thirsty for a good alcohol - no matter that it was not dwarven beer - he wanted to take a sip.
With the permission from the officer, who he came to know as Cicero, he took a swing, and before he knew it the rich fruity flavor sated the thirst for alcohol. Then a conversation began between Kili and Cicero, joined later by Fili as the dwarves and Roman talked. The topic only ranged from general knowledge or event that was large to be known, and other than that the dwarves kept to certain things. But Cicero did not mind.
While the other dwarves made conversations with the officers and men. Meanwhile, Thorin, Balin, and Bilbo are at the front of the legion; walking alongside Estelle and Numerius. Despite having horses, it seemed they meant no disrespect - a surprise from a human that had no arrogance - as Estelle began.
"Thorin, or would have me call you by your title?"
He looked to Estelle, and then to Numerius who seemed rather perplexed at the question, but it was logical since it would not be wise for such a leader that led such an army to 'ask' for permission. However, Thorin liked these humans - yet still too early to say any more - especially when they have no arrogance in them like those Elves.
In response, he returned the sentiment and respect.
"Thorin will be just fine, Estelle."
It was a fair and wonderful exchange, as both get to know and respect the other, something that Numerius liked but still felt uncomfortable about how she treated the dwarf so freely.
"This dragon - Smaug - invaded your home?"
Thorin became quiet as he lament about the tragedy that befell Erebor, before he finally gave a response. "Yes."
"It was a beautiful Spring, a normal day like any other, during a much peaceful time. Until that snake came and a breath of fire burnt our kingdom and our people. He forced us from our home...
But it wasn't just Smaug that hurt us that day...
But that vile oath-breaking fairy king!"
An unimaginable rage stirred within Thorin, before he found and collected himself, as well as excused his awful outburst. Estelle said nothing, the same went for Numerius, Bilbo, and Balin as silence engulfed them. That was before an intriguing question beckoned Balin - ever curious - to ask Estelle about their home, their culture, and their kingdom.
"Romans. That is what I have heard your officers call out to your men before your army began its march. I am a curious dwarf - as I am old and considered wise - and I can only assume that it is your origins. Romans. What is the name of your birthplace?"
Balin spoke without false pretense and instead only truth, and because of that - among the dwarves - Numerius could at least put his trust in this specific dwarf.
Meanwhile, it interested Thorin as well to discover more about these men - despite their reclusive nature; since Thrandiul's betrayal, the loss of their home and king - Thorin speculated it would be logical to be open to them and forge a strong alliance. Yet it was still too early to say, and so he would keep his tongue and keep watching.
"Roma. In our language latin it's Roma. But in your tongue, it will be called Rome."
It would have been perfectly fine if Estelle had stopped at that, but an alliance based on oath and promises is not for the long term, it needed a strong foundation - trust - as words were just as destructive as swords. Easy to be broken as iron melts, but never trust and loyalty, at least not as easily as an iron would melt.
"It is a beautiful city, the glorious jewel of our empire, a city that rivals any other with its towering marble state and structures. Statues of past glorious heroes, leaders, and generals on the streets that thrum with the luxuries and goods imported from client states. Roma; the beating heart of our world, where power and culture meet.
Among great structures, our Colosseum presented entertainment and joy for the people, it ranged long, tall, and wide that it stretched far as it housed thousands upon rows of seats."
Estelle said as she began to reminisce about her life in Rome, and she wavers a bit before she got a hold of her emotions.
"Rome, embodies the pinnacle of human achievement. Its grandeur, its history, and its indomitable spirit are a state of facts. But..." her voice quiets before she continued after all she has to say,
"Beyond all that, Rome is my home as she is to my family."
Estelle's last line impacted all the Romans that listened to the story; about their home, as others fought to keep, and save themselves from crying. Even Numerius was speechless and quiet, and the sorrow and yearning for home, it even reached Thorin, Balin, and Bilbo's hearts.
"That was beautiful, Estelle." Balin gave thanks after he took a moment for himself. Until the serene and silent; was interrupted when a shout alarmed them of orcs on wargs, and the trumpets and horns all sounded.
Without the luxury of time to prepare a solid formation, each century formed a square of their own, as each was just as ready as they could be when the snarls of orcs and these wargs thirst for their flesh and blood.
TOTAL WAR ROME |