Rhea Silvea's Diary - What Happened Before Romulus and Remus

3rd of May1

Dear Diary,2

The trumpets signaling war were blown today as I sat in the palace gardens with a few of my maids. My Uncle Amulius has been plotting to over throw my father for years, apparently. I’ve never liked him much, but I suppose I should be grateful as he spared my life.3

So my maids and I were laughing and talking in the gardens, the smell of lilacs in the air. Then a five of Uncle Amulius’s followers stormed into the garden. A couple of my bodyguards were slaughtered as they tried to resist, and I screamed. My maids were killed as they ran, all because they were enslaved to my father. That was horrible, and I told the men so.4

Then they dragged me to my father’s palace room, where the unworthy King Amulius sat. My father was being forced into a kneel at his feet. Then King Amulius (I REFUSE to call him Uncle now) told my father that he was to be exiled and never to come back to our city. Then, just to torture my father further, he ordered one of his soldiers to kill me. I felt terror like I’d never before – it was then that I realized how easy my life was.5

But my father pleaded, and I guess King Amulius does have a heart, no matter how black and shrunken it may be, because he spared my life, and he sent me to work in the palace temple.6

4th of May7

Today I was sent to the palace temple, never to leave again. Never would I see the light of day; never would I see the beautiful palace gardens and the great gilded throne room. I stepped into the temple and a great heaviness settled in my heart.8

There I met another priestess named Maea, who was very kind to me and was sympathetic to my plight. However, she was also very stern, and we set right to work worshipping the gods and preparing tributes, when I, still used to my pampered life, longed for a break and a light cup of wine.9

8th of September10

I guess working in the temple for many months has hardened me; because now, instead of the luxury-loving princess I once was, I thirst only for revenge. Day after day I must pray to each god and goddess, but the one I worship most, in an almost obsessive way, is Mars. Mars, the god of War.11

Who knew the gods actually responded to our prayers? No other one has answered them. But today, when I was in my small sleeping quarters consisting of a small bed with itchy covers and one, solitary window, a ray of scarlet light shone through my window. Soon it solidified into a man with golden curls, and a perfect face and a slender figure, and he carried a long glistening sword. Immediately I fell to the floor and kneeled at the god’s feet, because I knew this was Mars. 12

“Stand, dear mortal daughter of Numitor,” said Mars gravely. His voice was more gentle than one would expect of a god of war, and though he spoke my language, there was a subtle hint of bells as he talked.13

I bow my head solemnly, and stand. However, I’m speechless, and my mouth just gapes open and closed like a stranded fish. 14

“I’ve heard your prayers, O daughter of Numitor,” said Mars. “I shall grant your request. In one month you will have two children who will be the ultimate doom of the evil King Amulius.”15

Finally regaining my powers of speech, I nod again and say, “Thank you, O god of War, defender of the powerless.”16

Mars put a hand to my forehead and I fell into a deep slumber.17

20th of October18

I haven’t been able to write much because of the twins. About two weeks ago they were born. I still haven’t been able to figure out a name for them. It’s been hard, because King Amulius comes around twice a day to check on us and to worship the gods. Maea put the word out that I was sick, and that’s why I’ve been staying in my allotted room.19

I’ve been wondering if I’m doing the right thing. What if Mars was wrong? What if my children don’t grow up to defeat Amulius, and they spent their entire lives confined within the temple walls?20

Right now the babies are sleeping, thank Mars, because all they do when they’re awake is cry. What if it was selfish of me to have them? What if I’ve ruined two lives?21

3rd of February22

I write this as my small family floats in a small boat down the river. Here is how we came to be in this predicament:23

This morning, I heard a distant scream and a loud bellowing from down our hallway. “No!” Maea was screaming. “They lie! They lie! There are no children in this temple!”24

Amulius cackled wickedly. “But I have my trusted sources, Maea, and if I find out that you have been lying, you will be killed, and Rhea Silvea and her family will be thrown into the river and left to drown.”25

I stifled my scream and I scooped the two youngsters off of the floor. I looked around desperately and I glanced around my small room. I wrapped the two my bed’s blanket and layed them on the floor under my bed. Mercifully they were still sleeping and didn’t make a noise.26

Within a minute, Amulius was in my sleeping quarters, and I glared at him coolly. “Where are they?” he screamed, looking quite deranged.27

“Who?” I asked, concealing my nervousness.28

“Them!” he yelled. “The babies!”29

“What babies?” Then my heart sank. A pitiful wail came from under my bed. “Oh!” I said, pretending to look surprised. “What are rats eating these days?”30

He roared in his rage, and overturned the bed. Now the other twin woke up, and they both started screaming. Alumius lunged at me and knocked me against the wall, and I head my head against one of the corners and black out.31

I woke up to find myself in this boat.32

I looked up. I heard a queer sound of rushing water, steadily becoming louder until it becomes a deafening roar. I picked up the one basket we were provided with, which contained a small jar of dried plums and one jar of wine. Emptying the basket into the river, I picked up my children and put them in the basket. They wailed, as if they knew they were seeing me for the last time. I put a blanket over them and set it adrift into the river as we passed two rivers that branched off. My boat headed towards the waterfall and the twins floated down the other stream. I thought I heard the howling of wolves coming from the other stream, and I hoped fervently that I did the right thing.33

“Goodbye Remus, goodbye Romulus,” I whispered softly, having figured out their names. Then I faced the waterfall, squaring my shoulders. I was no longer the naďve girl that I was the day my father was exiled. I was a woman.