SUMMARY: The hour before the film's first scene. A short vignette.



DISCLAIMER: I don't work for Dreamworks. These aren't original characters,
and I am making a whole lotta no money on this.

PROLOGUE
by A. Nonymous

The hairs on the back of his neck rose. Above, the sky was gray, indicating
an oncoming storm. Here in this land, there was no rich wheat, no golden
fields. It was a bleak and muddy environment. The rain was icy, and his
horse often slid. It was noon. There was no sun. Only darkness.
"General!"
His face carried the intensity of youth and the exhaustion of age. He
turned to face his lieutenant, Quintus. The lieutenant stood by Maximus'
horse, gesturing to a young soldier nearby.
"The messenger is ready, Maximus," Quintus said, "he needs only your word."
Maximus nodded and dismounted his horse. A minor injury hindered his
walking, so he limped slightly. He motioned for the young soldier to
approach. The soldier was young and visibly nervous. His teeth chattered
from the cold.
"You have a very important job," Maximus said.
"Yes, sir," he responded.
"Be diplomatic, and don't underestimate them."
"I won't, sir."
"Go, and take Rome's dignity with you."
"Hail Caesar."
The boy mounted and galloped away.  Maximus and Quintus watched him leave.
The latter turned to the former and hesitated.
"Do you think they'll compromise?" Quintus asked.
"No," Maximus responded.
He shifted his weight to his injured leg and winced slightly. They had been
fighting in Germania for months. The recent battle had lasted nearly seven
days, with short interruptions for negotiating. This was one of those
breaks. Although Maximus realized it was a futile effort, he attempted to
negotiate a surrender from the German barbarians. If it worked, they would
surrender and avoid bloodshed. It was more probable they would be insulted.
If so, the Romans would be forced to conquer violently.
"It will be their last, violent gasp," Quintus observed.
Maximus nodded, his thoughts wandering. He had recently been informed of
the emperor's intentions to visit. Marcus Aurelias would come to see Rome's
aggressive seizure of land. Privately, Maximus prayed the emperor would
dismiss his services and allow him to go home. Home...
The thought was interrupted.
"General, shall I begin to place the troops?"
Maximus looked at Quintus.
"Yes," he responded, "we will set up the catapults and archers behind the
infantry. The cavalry will be positioned behind the enemy, so that we shall
surround them. Tell the archers they will set their arrows ablaze, the same
for the catapults."
"Yes, sir," Quintus saluted.
The army was set into motion. The answer from the Germans was not expected
soon, but it was wise to be prepared. Maximus paced, trying to revive his
injured leg. He then mounted and rode to the cavalry commander.
"I will lead the cavalry," he said.
"Yes, sir," the man replied.
"Wait for me, and I will lead you into the forest. We will set up behind
the enemy. It will be a while, though. Perhaps several hours."
Maximus kicked his horse and rode away. Arriving to the top of a slight
hill, he stopped and dismounted. Here he could think. The field was
beginning to crowd with Roman forces. Beyond that, he noticed some movement
within the forest. Both sides were preparing for battle.
Alone, Maximus allowed his thoughts to wander home. He had been away nearly
three years, and his heart ached longingly. Perhaps, this would be the end
of his trials. Perhaps Marcus Aurelias would allow him to go home. One last
battle...
There was a cold, bitter wind. Weary from years of fighting, Maximus
trained himself to escape. He ignored his surroundings, neither seeing the
gray mud nor feeling the wind's harsh bite. Instead, he saw his home,
glistening in the afternoon sun. She brought in the water while their son
played in the courtyard. He giggled and smiled at his father. There was
bright innocence in their son's eyes ... The sun was still and warm ...
Everything was still ... A beautiful moment. It was frozen in time, eternal
... His eyes closed ... no violence, only peace ... running his hand through
the stalks, wheat under his palm, soft and delicate ... he walked peacefully
through the serene, golden field ...


That's it, that's the end. Yes, I realize it is a bit ghetto, and I feel a
bit weird writing this sort of thing. But, it was fun. Hope you and anyone
else enjoys it.