A little bit of everything Multi Fandom Imagines

Commodus and the Celt

"Gladiator, we are here to take you before the Emperor." One of the guards called out as the maids scampered around trying to push them back out of the door.

"Gladiator or not, she is a lady, and you should never just barge into a lady's room. She will be out when she is good and ready." The older woman told the guards as she pushed them out the door.

"He may very well be the Emperor, but a lady must take her time to look as beautiful as she can for her man." The older woman said, as she looked over at her.

"No.... I mean, the Emperor....... he's not, I mean, he's not......." The women chuckled at the pink glow that took over (Y/n)'s cheeks.

"You may not think so, but the Emperor has not been able to talk about anything other than you since he got back from the games. If I didn't know better, I would say that our young Highness is smitten."

After a few more finishing touches, the older woman threw open the doors and addressed the guards. "Now she is ready to be taken to the emperor." She said as she walked out towards them.

>>---------------------------------<<

The celebration was in full swing as the guards led her to the festivities, all eyes turning to see the emperors guest as she came into the room; she was used to being the centre of attention when she was in the arena, when she was surrounded by blood and death, but this was different, this was personal. Never before had the eyes of the people been so close, close enough that she could read every emotion.

An uncharacteristic nervousness flooded her body as she followed the guards; she had fought in numerous battles, and nearly died more than once, yet none of that had ever made her feel this way. At this very moment in time she would give anything to be back in the arena, sword in hand, facing any opponent imaginable.

"Ah (Y/n), you look utterly breathtaking in that gown, as I knew you would." Said a cool voice from behind her.

As she turned, she came face to face with the young Emperor; shocked momentarily she regained her composure and fell to her knee.

"Please forgive me your Highness" She said as she took his hand and kissed the ring on his finger.

Commodus chuckled softly and pulled her to her feet. "There is no reason for such formality my dear, you are my guest of honour, the way you fought in that arena today was nothing short of spectacular, I don't think I have ever seen another gladiator that could possibly rival you. From now on you will address me as Commodus, and I will address you as mine." He said, just loud enough for her to hear.

Her heart began to beat wildly as he pulled her close. "I told you that I would have a proposition for you (Y/n)." Commodus whispered in her ear.

Before she could say anything, Commodus address the crowd.

"We are all here today to celebrate the victory of Rome's newest, and possibly greatest gladiator, she has not only shown her prowess in the arena but also on the battlefield, and even though we are here to grant her, her manumission , I have a proposition to put to her." He told everyone as he turned to face her.

"(Y/n), daughter of king Ventius of the Brigantes, I wish to appoint you as my personal bodyguard, and protector of the emperor." Commodus said, as once again as all eyes fell on her, waiting for her response.

She could do nothing but look in his eyes. She had been waiting this long to stop killing, but in truth it was the only thing she knew; what else would she do? There was no possibility of her having, what others would see as a normal life, she wouldn't know how; and to be this close to the emperor day in and day out would not be the worst thing she had ever faced. She had never been this close to a man that she wasn't expected to fight, or kill, and for it to be the handsome emperor, filled her with a strange curiosity that had her interested piqued.

"It would be my pleasure to protect the body of the Emperor, your Highness." She said, as he took her hand.

"Oh, you will protect my body (Y/n), and I will worship yours." Commodus said in a hushed tone that sent shivers down her spine.

As he pulled her to sit beside him, the Pileus, that he had given her on her lap, she caught his eye. Freedom was one thing, but the opportunities this new life with the emperor could present were greater than anything she could imagine.

A/N:  Manumissio, which translates as "sending out for the hand" was the freeing of a slave.

A Pileus was a felt cap given to a former slave as a symbol of manumission.

Gladiators rarely fought to the death, as they were expensive and took too long to train to waste them by killing them in the arena.

And finally, the 'We who are about to die salute you' bit is pure Hollywood. It looks good in the movies. 😊