DISCLAIMER: These characters and this world does not belong to me. They still belong to the wonderful Rosemarie Sutcliff and of cause the makers of The Eagle.

XXX

Marcus was sitting in the sun. Watching as the children played in the dirt and some women chatted at the well of the village. He did not understand them, but they where not hostile toward him. It was peaceful and so strange after the wild hunt across the land. And so different from his experience with the seal tribe.

In comparison, this Selgovae where nearly tamed barbarians. Some of the even knew some Latin. In parts that could be expected because some of the men, like Guern, had been Roman legionaries, but also because sometimes they traded with the Romans at the border.

He and Esca had spent some days as guest of the Selgovae, getting their wounds treated and provided with something to eat.

Marcus did not know if he should trust this people, yet no one had made a move against them. But still, he did not dare to stay to long with them. He wanted to go further south into the Roman territories, where he felt safer. He wanted to go home. Marcus realised that when he thought of home, there was the picture of his uncles villa in his head. Not the place where he used to live with his mother while she was still alive or one of the forts where he had been stationed as a legionary. Strange, how the villa had become his home.

Esca was returning to the place just outside the hut they had been given. Marcus smiled at him as a greeting and it was answered. Then Esca sat down at his side.

"I have spoken to one of the elders of this village. They want to support our voyage to the boarder and have offered to give us two pony's." After a moment he continued. "I think they want us to leave, so that their life's can get back to normal."

Marcus nodded. He could understand their wish. And it was what he wanted to do anyway. But he was relived that they where offering some horses. He would not have known how to get back to the boarder without them.

"I am grateful for all they are doing. Can you tell them this?"

Esca just nodded and they stayed outside the hut for some time before going to check on the pony's.

XXX

In the evening, before they went to sleep, one of the men came to speak to Esca. It was one of the Soldiers, who had fought with them against the seal people. Still, the man chose to speak in the tongue of the tribes to Esca. So it was something he thought that Marcus should not understand. Sometimes Marcus hated that he could not understand what was going on around him. But whatever the man was saying, it got Esca thinking. The man left shortly after that.

Marcus looked at Esca. He wanted to know what had been said. Yet if Esca chose to not tell him anything, it would have to do. And he could see that Esca was really thinking about not telling him. Finally Esca spoke in his soft voice.

"They offered me a place to stay with the Selgovae."

That hurt. And he suddenly felt lonely.

Esca would take them up on their offer. He had to.

His own tribe was scattered and most likely no one he had known was there any more. And his old lands where Roman property now. And even if he was a freed man now, there was nothing he could do to support himself, once they reached the border. And nothing Marcus could offer.

So he just said "I would understand if you stayed here. There is not much left for you on the Roman side of the wall. And here you could live the way you used to... I don´t really have anything to offer more than a place to stay... "

He stopped for a moment "But thing about it. Maybe you would like to come back with me."

He had no real hope that Esca would take him upon this offer. Even to him it sounded shallow. It was nothing compared to a new tribe. But Esca had either not made up his mind or wanted to soften the blow.

"At least I will go with you to the wall. When we reach the boarder, I will make my diction."

Marcus had little to say to that. So without a further word he just went to lay down, trying to catch some sleep.

XXX

They had been riding for two days now. The wall should not be to far away by now.

Marcus looked back to Esca, riding this once behind him, seemingly lost in his thoughts. Marcus was getting used to the idea of going further south all by himself.

And then he finally saw the wall. There was the beginning of Rome. This made his heart light up in joy and made it sad at the same time. Marcus stopped his pony and turned to Esca.

"So, Esca. I think this is the place where we will part way´s. Isn´t it?"

He waited for a moment but there was no answer. So he continued.

"Then I have to thank you for helping me on this difficult track, my friend. I would have never made it alive without you... I know when we part, we will never meet again. But you should know that you always will have a place in my heart."

Still Esca said nothing, just gave Marcus a nod. Marcus answered that gesture and made his pony walk again.

That was it then. They had come a long way since he had first laid his eyes on this slave in the arena, who would not fight for the amusement of the crowd. And now it was time to let go.

He was nearing the wall now. He could nearly make out the eyes of the guards who where watching the gate when he heard it. The sound of a galloping horse behind him. He turned his head and watched Esca coming to his side.

Marcus could not help it, he just had to smile.

XXX

The way back had been easier on Marcus then way to the north had been. Maybe it was because it was getting warmer. Or because he could feel the weight of the eagle and the ring of his family.

Or because the danger was gone.

Sometimes he had the feeling as if he where dreaming and he would wake up again any minute in the harsh surrounding of the village of the seal-clan.

He wondered what Esca was feeling, now that they where near Calleva. Still, some things had not changed and one of them was that Esca did not talk much. So Marcus could just speculate on how Esca was faring.

Marcus thought of his uncle and could feel the joyous anticipation of seeing him again. He never would have guessed that he would get so connected to the old man.

Finally they where riding through the gates of the villa. It was a feeling like they where coming home from a hunt. Coming home to rest and and to show of their success. Only that they where a little more grimy than usually.

Suddenly there was a call. Someone had seen them. And then there was a stir. He could see them coming out of the villa. His uncle Aquila, and the slaves Sassticca, old Stefanos and Marcipor. They seemed happy to see them. Smiling and waving at them.

When he where near, he dismounted and went to his uncle. He could see some tears in the eyes of the old man and suddenly he was in his uncles arms. Not something he had expected from his formal uncle.

When he was free again, he looked back to Esca and smiled. And was surprised to see Esca smile too.

They would be leaving in a few days to Londonium again. But here was home. And they would return, because here was their place to stay.

XXX

Authors note: So, it is done. The final chapter of this story. Sorry it took so long, but real life got to me. I want to thank everyone who read this. And also a big thank you to everybody who took the time to leave a review.

So, signing of, Elea