35Part I-The Search for Aeneas-Chapter I
The lustrous sun was high overhead as Dido sipped her refined Roman wine nervously, clutching the glass tightly.
Her clear blue eyes were clouded with worry as she gazed at the sea longingly, her lips pursed in a standstill grimace.
Her normally scarlet stained cheeks, were wan and drawn as the Egyptian galena markings along her eyes, ran down her face with sorrow filled tears, her eyebrows furrowed deeply.
Dido had been one of my dearest friends ever since I had started working at the Royal Palace and she had always been the one to comfort me when scolded by my superiors. For she was the one who could determine the fate of her kingdom, for she was Queen Dido of Carthage.
Ever since I had been by her side she had always been the one I poured out my fears and concerns to, likewise for her.
Dido was a strange creature at that as well. She would tell me the oddest things and never mention it again, her blue eyes dancing with laughter and merriment anytime she talked.
I recalled a time when I was working in the kitchens, scrubbing the pots and emptying out the excess dishwater, as she tore in from her lessons and told me of strange beings, hypnotizing plants, and brave souls all in one epic tale.
"Tarpeia, promise me that if I ever fall in love and that if my lover deserts me to let me do as I please. Even if it means torturing myself, I couldn't bear the heart wrenching thought of the one I love so much."
I always respected her word and did my best to follow it, as any loyal subject would do for her Queen. The Queen that I loved and respected most, the Queen who I called Dido.
The warm sunny breeze came out of its way to ruffle my fawn colored hair and place a rosy glow upon my drab cheeks; my hazel eyes sparkled as I looked into the mirror placed between Dido and I.
Tears still cascaded heavily down her sodden cheeks as she sipped nervously from the wine glass.
"Tarpeia." She whispered hoarsely. "Yes?" I replied solemnly, bowing my head like a respectful servant. "May I tell you something you may object to?" Her soft voice quivered. "Of course your Majesty. Isn't that what we always do?" A faint smile spread across her face. "Yes I suppose. But, my woes are more than breaking into the kitchen honey jar." A stiff laugh escaping her pursed lips. "Your Majesty, what is bothering you?" "Well Tarpeia." She paused and thought for a moment. "You're the only one in this entire palace I can trust with this kind of secret." A serious look over coming her face. "Tarpeia I really need to know if I can trust you. If word gets out I'm pregnant than-." "You're pregnant!" I whispered back sharply. "Who's the father?" "Well his name is Aeneas, one of the Trojan soldiers who left yesterday," tears poured heavily again as she buried her face into my shoulder, "I don't know what I was thinking Tarpeia, just please, please don't abandon me please! Not like him Tarpeia." Her sobs drenching my stola, "Don't leave me." "It's fine Your Majesty, calm down, I promise I will never leave you." I wooed gently, "Why should I ever abandon you? My truest friend?"
Whimpering like a lost child she clutched her hand on my shoulder, "Even if I abandon you?" "Of course Your Majesty." She looked up at me as I smiled warmly, "Of course." "Very well then." She said shakily as she released my shoulder from her firm grasp. "Please Tarpeia retrieve the sword Aeneas left me. Afterwards please leave me be." Her voice quivering at every motion, "Please."
Nodding my head solemnly I headed for her private apartments, her steady gaze watching me as the slap of my sandals on the elegant marble floor kept time to my worried thoughts.
On my prior to my return, Dido was seated gracefully on the silk divan, her gaze to the hypnotizing sea.
"I see you have the sword. Thank you very much Tarpeia, I shall be eternally grateful. Now please leave." Her gaze steady on the glistening blade, her hands caressing the smooth metal hilt.
I left quietly as she examined the sword and felt the sun's welcoming rays upon her face. Keeping the door open slightly ajar, I peered out into the lavish courtyard; Dido still perched upon the divan.
Her face streaming with tears she looked out towards the sea and whispered something to it and held up the blade in the sunlight. Realizing what she was about to do I was ready to jump at her when something bound me back. I remembered Dido's words when we were children,
"Tarpeia, promise me that if I ever fall in love and that if my lover deserts me to let me do as I please. Even if it means torturing myself, I couldn't bear the heart wrenching thought of the one I love so much."
I then watched her carefully as tears streamed down my face as well, watching my friend die and suffer, watching in agony.
She raised up the sword to her breast and plunged the glistening blade into her heart. I heard a scream and then realized it was my own as I started for Dido, lying in a puddle of blood, at this point I didn't really care what she had said before, I just didn't want her to die like this.
As I reached for her she whispered faintly, "Tarpeia, no don't help me. Just do me one last favor." "Yes anything!" "Just go find Aeneas wherever he is and tell him my sacrifice and how much I loved him, just tell him that please. Go to Rome and you'll find him there and take this for your boat passage." She motion to the gold necklace around her neck, "Just do this for me." Her voice faded away as the breeze carried her last breath away. I cried, crumpled upon her, blood covering my stola.
"But you said you wouldn't abandon me." I cried, my voice racking violently, "You promised me and I promised you! But I will find this Aeneas and I will tell him, tell him how much your love stretched, just please don't leave me!" I sobbed recklessly as I held her now cold hand. "Don't leave me Dido I need you here."