A/N: Alright, this is fun chapter guys! Sit back and enjoy! :D

Chapter VII: Of Germans and Gauls

A summer storm arrived the next day, further blackening the mood of the Fourth Centuria. Dove's punishment had put them in line, but his pained howls and bloody bandages were a constant reminder that though Ruby was a former comrade, she was still their Centurion. The lashing rain did not relieve their unease, riddling the roads with puddles and muddy trenches.

The storms did not let up for an entire week. Each night, Ruby met with Weiss, learning her letters and honing her leadership skills. It was a trying time for her, as she lingered on Dove's punishment, the guilt on her shoulders heavy and obdurate. As she'd hoped, there were no more incidents, and Cardin's stares ended. Yang had done her best to reassure her, which Ruby appreciated immensely. However, even her gregarious older sister had been subdued since the maelstroms began.

On the tenth day after the battle, the worst of the storms ended, leaving the sky grey and overcast, but free of rain. Ruby hopped over a puddle, desperate not to wet her feet once more. These days, her feet had been so cold and clammy, it often felt as though they were about to rot away. Flavia however, did not care, tromping through the puddle and splashing water about her feet. Following the signifer, Yang skipped over the water. She yawned.

At midday, the Fourth Centuria cleared the latest patch of woods, the road stretching across open hills and grassland, and lessening the load on Ruby's burdened mind.

"Another week or so, and we'll be in Lugdunum." Yang sighed wistfully, kicking away a stone.

"Truly? We haven't been able to make good progress lately." Flavia said. "It will be at least three weeks before we see its walls."

"I just wanna see the sun again." Ruby said, stretching her neck. "Blake, water please." The faunus handed it to her, trudging in step with her master. It was old rainwater, stale and earthy, but it served its purpose.

"We're being watched." Blake hissed. Ruby spit out her water.

"Where?" Blake pointed, her finger resting upon a single rider that stood atop a great hill. The distance was too great to make out details, but it set Ruby's mind ablaze. Should I ready the Centuria? It could be an enemy vanguard, or it could just be a local…

The rider descended the hill, rapidly approaching the column. Ruby's hand tightened around the hilt of her gladius, eyes fixed ahead.

"She appears to be roman." Blake said.

"How can you be sure?" Ruby asked. The rider swung around, now parallel with the legion.

"AAAAAVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEE IIIIIIMMMMMMMPPPEEEEEEEEERRRRATTTOOOORRRR!" Ah. Definitely roman. Even at a distance, Ruby could hear the horse's thundering hooves as it raced nearer. Then the woman –it was assuredly a woman; her voice brokered no argument – stood upon her horse, causing Ruby and her command staff's collective jaws to drop.

"GREETINGS, LEGIO PHARUS, TO GAUL PROPER!" She bellowed, hands on her hips. Waving to the marching men, braided orange hair spilled out from underneath an officer's helm. Then, suddenly, her men crested a hill, a veritable tide of horse that spilled over onto the grass, rushing to catch their leader. The grim and dour pallor that had settled over the Legio Pharus died away, crushed under the hooves of the gallic auxiliaries.

Men were whooping and shouting, cheering on their mounted allies.

"ONWARDS, MEN!" The woman cried. "TO HONOR AND GLORY!" Still standing on her horse, she pointed north, posing heroically. Ruby laughed, watching the woman storm down the column, accosting the soldiers with patriotic shouts as they marched along. Her sister nudged her.

"That woman is insane." Yang said, beaming. "And a damn impressive rider." The bulk of the heavy horse rode past, shaking the earth with the weight of their passage. Ruby gave a low whistle.

"Thank the gods they're on our side." She murmured. Flavia nodded, Consul Hirtus bobbing up and down. The auxiliaries were in full armor, heavy mail and hastae accompanying their oval shields, which bore frightening gallic livery. Long swords hung at their waist, slapping against their saddles as they flew past.

Yang bellowed a greeting at the riders, who hefted their spears in response, whistling and hooting at the golden-headed beauty. Ruby laughed again, hiding a wide grin behind her hand. This one woman had certainly improved morale.

Some of her men had stopped to wave at the cavalry. She sighed. Back to being Centurion.

"Enough lollygagging! Pick it up, Fourth Centuria! You can rest later!" She ordered. Her men obliged, grudgingly hoisting their sarcinas once more. Ruby couldn't blame them, she wanted nothing more than to stop and meet with the latest addition to the Legio Pharus.

The last of the horsemen rode past, hammering their hastae against their shields. And for a second, the sun shone through the clouds.

True to Cinder's word, the two envoys were exactly where she'd said they be. It had only been a matter of patience. Emerald tensed, pulling her bowstring tight. Her lime-green hair was streaked with mud and leaves, mocha skin blending in with the dark wood about her.

Mercury was similarly camouflaged, a small smirk playing across his face. Smug ass. She thought. The roman envoys were watchful and wary of their surroundings, but had no hope of spotting their germanic hunters. Their horses' hooves met dirt, crossing the rickety bridge across the Rhodanus River.

That was the signal. With a small hiss of wood on wood, they loosed, grey fletching brushing against Emerald's cheek. The romans gave no sound as they toppled from their horses, arrows jutting from their eyes.

Mercury darted forward, reining in the horses, calming them while their masters died. Emerald kept watch as her partner steered the envoys into the woods, out of sight for any passing travelers. Pulling the corpses off their saddles, one of the envoys, a puma faunus with thick black hair and tusks, jerked and kicked on the forest floor. Emerald drew her curved knives, ready to open his throat. Mercury laughed at her.

"I don't think the corpse will be any more trouble."

"You saw him move." She snapped. He shrugged.

"They tend to twitch around if you shoot 'em in the head." Emerald's red eyes narrowed, examining the body. True enough, besides some final jerks, the roman was well and truly dead. She sheathed her daggers and hauled the smaller body over to the river.

"So how's it feel to finally kill romans?" Mercury asked, still smiling his infernal smile.

"Good." Mercury's tribe had rescued her when she was six, spiriting the former syrian slave away from a sure death in the bowels of a silver mine during a raid. They'd given her a new name and a new purpose, one she'd started to fulfill today.

"Now if you could stop staring at faeries and help me with the bodies, that would be great."

"Don't try your luck." She said, obeying despite her annoyance. Stripping the envoys of their tunics, they dismembered the bodies and threw them in the river before burying the heads in a deep pit. They washed themselves in the river, along with their new tunics. Their aim had been true, and there was little to cleanse.

"I hate this." Emerald said, slipping on the roman garb. "Give me furs any day over these rough-spun shifts."

"Don't let Cinder hear you complaining."

"All the way from Sueba?" She snorted. "Besides, I'm not complaining. I wouldn't trade places with anyone in the tribe."

"'I hate this' sounds like bellyaching to me." Mercury said. Emerald scoffed, buckling on the envoy's belt.

"Dressing like these animals pains me, but it's necessary. You remember your lessons?"

"Do I look like a simpleton?" Mercury asked.

"If you didn't, I wouldn't have asked." She said.

"If I had forgotten, I would have certainly brought it up in the month we spent squatting here." He snapped. Emerald sighed, satisfied.

"Good. And don't forget them. I didn't spend twelve years teaching my adopted brother latin for naught."

"And what twelve years they were." He said, switching to latin to prove his point.

"Don't get snippy." Emerald said, replying in kind. They were almost ready. Now clad in the envoys' uniforms they were, by all appearances, soldiers of the Legio III Germanica. Mercury gave a low whistle as he unsheathed his new gladius.

"That's some nice steel. Free too." He threw Emerald a wink. She rolled her eyes.

"Where's the message they bore?" Mercury hoisted the scroll, smiling. He tore it to shreds before casting the pieces into the river.

"Here's the replacement." Emerald said, drawing the capped scroll from their travel packs.

"Let's get moving." He said. She paused, her bow in hand. "Leave it. For now, we are no longer Cherusci." Huffing, she threw it in the river, and spun on her heel before she could watch it disappear.

Mounting the horses, they left the woods to rejoin the road. Emerald picked through the saddlebags, finding armor and enough provisions to last them a week. Not able to resist, she tore off a few bites of hard bread, savoring the taste of something other than red meat and berries.

"That has to last us awhile, you know."

"I am well aware." He never missed an opportunity to hound her about one thing or another. She was eternally grateful to his family for rescuing her and raising her as a proper Cherusci, but Mercury could be insufferable. "A few bites will do no one any harm."

They rode in silence for a time. After a few hours of endless trees, they came upon a fork in the road.

"Do you hear something?" Emerald shook her head.

"Riders." Mercury hissed. Then, she heard them, a storm of hooves. "Should we scatter?"

"We are romans now. Remember their arrogance. We own these lands." Mercury nodded, his grey hair rustling under his new helmet.

"Your latin is still better. Would you mind dealing with them?" Emerald sighed. Just like Mercury to pass off laziness as practicality. The riders came into view, about thirty men, soldiers all. At their head rode their leader, a young faunus man with impossibly blond hair.

"Ave!" She called out to them, raising her fist.

"Ave!" The leader responded. He gave Emerald a ready grin. "What brings you out in this region of Gallia?" His eyes were the color of rain-laden clouds, and they seemed to dance underneath his white-blond brows.

"We are envoys of General Ironwood, bearing a message bound for General Ozpin of Legio Pharus. And you, soldier?"

"We are the Second Exploratores Detachment of the self-same Legion." The man reached her, pulling his horse alongside her own. A bag at his hip rang with coin, try as he might to muffle it by stuffing it with cloth. Emerald approached him and shook his hand, swiping the roman's purse while she flashed him her most brilliant smile. Within the Cherusci, she was renowned for her nimble fingers. "I am Decurio Sun." He said, not noticing his missing money.

"Well met, Decurio. I am Emerald, and this is my adjutant Mercury." Mercury shot her a dirty look. That's what you get for being lazy! "We must make haste, we carry news of great importance."

"I concur. A few of my scouts were injured in a clash with brigands, and I fear for their well-being."

"Asclepius grant them wellness." Emerald said, secretly wishing their wounds would fester and boil. Sun nodded in thanks, his eyes shifting over his band of scouts.

"Will you let us accompany you?" He asked, patting the flank of his great grey courser. "I fear the roads aren't as safe as they once were." Mercury shot her a contemptuous sneer, but she ignored him.

"A kind offer." She said, wearing a false yet generous smile. "Very well. Lead on, Decurio Sun." The romans bought our ruse without a single reservation. Traveling with them should pose no further danger, she thought. Watching Mercury writhe in annoyance was an additional blessing. All things considered, the chance encounter could have been far worse. Once Sun had gathered his men and rode ahead, she examined the purse she'd stolen. Typical roman, carrying his wealth around with nary a care in the world.

Her haughty thoughts died when she examined the coin. It was one of Cinder's. Fear gripped her heart as she turned it over in her hands.

Just who are these men?

Ren took a deep breath.

"Don't be nervous, Ren! You'll be fine!" Garbed in fine togas, the commanders of the gallic auxiliaries stood outside General Ozpin's tent, ready to meet their new commander. He gave Nora a smile in thanks.

Arm in arm, they entered the tent. Greeting them was a feast, attended by the upper echelon of the Legio Pharus' command. Legatus Ozpin sat at the head of a long table, flanked by his tribunes and their officers.

Nora saw none of this of course, instead choosing to drool over the mountains of food presented. Stuffed capon sat in the center of the table, surrounded by olives and lettuce, accompanied by a ring of emmer bread that flanked a bowl of rich garum. A basket of fruit sat nearest to the two young commanders, filled with every color of plump delicacies.

Ren nudged her.

"Oh right!"

"Ave, Ozpin Legatus!" They cried in unison, saluting.

"Ave, honorable Auxiliaries. I must say I preferred your earlier introduction this afternoon, my Lady." Nora beamed, giving the General a steep bow, her long braids spilling over her face.

"I apologize for my wife's... eccentricities." Ren offered with a smile, choosing his words with care.

"No need." Ozpin said, dismissing the apology. "The Legion as a whole benefitted from the levity. Come, be seated, eat." Nora wasted no time obeying, settling into a couch and gorging herself on the capon. Chuckling, Ozpin turned to Ren. "I am curious as to why you are here, Ren Liennus, and not your honored father."

"My father has fallen ill, and could not attend his posting."

"A great shame. Your father helped Caesar conquer the very land we sit upon." Ren nodded in humility and gratitude. After aiding Caesar in his conquests, Shen Liennus had settled in gaul, founding colonies and towns aplenty. "And your wife is accompanying you? Ren smiled, accepting a cup of wine from a slave.

"She was very insistent that she join me."

"Very!" Nora added, her mouth stuffed with food.

"And with my wife comes one hundred additional riders, sworn shields of the Valkyrie tribe. I am sure they will be useful in the future." A white haired tribune coughed, hammering at her chest.

"We cannot afford to pay a hundred more cavalrymen!" She cried.

"I agree with Tribune Schnee." A blond-haired sentor said from her place at Ozpin's side. "Horses and their riders don't come cheap!"

"Oh unca Audix doesn't want your money!" Nora interrupted. "They'll care for their own horses too. They just heard I was going to war, and they wanted in!" Ren grinned. The union between himself and Nora was a peace offering between the roman conquerors and their gallic subjects. However, the young officers had been friends since they were swaddling babes, playing and talking while their fathers hammered out treaties and trade contacts.

The Valkyrie tribe of central gaul were staunch warriors, and were roman allies even when Vercingetorix called his banners. They loved to fight, and were fierce riders, always thirsting for renown among their neighboring tribes. When Ren announced his intentions to take his father's place, Nora had squealed with glee.

"That's... awfully generous of them." Another tribune said. At his side was none other than Pyrrha Nikos, her green eyes aglow. Stories of her exploits had even managed to reach deep within the forested heart of gaul.

"Ah, my apologies." Ozpin said. "I've completely forgotten my manners. Introductions are in order. You know of me, but this is my second-in-command, Senator Glynda Goodwych." The woman nodded. My tribunes are Weiss Schnee, Petraues Port, Faustinia Strabo, Quintus Paullus, and finally, Jaune Arc. He will be your commanding officer for the duration of your service." Ren nodded, suppressing a grin as the young tribune nearly choked on his wine. Jaune coughed and spluttered, while Pyrrha slapped his back, face strained with worry.

"Me?" Jaune asked.

"Of course." Ozpin answered. Weiss sniffed, looking away while she chewed on a bone that had long ago shed the last of its meat. The tribune named Faustinia gave her a leering grin, which only worsened her gnawing.

"I…" His head hung low, resigned. "Very well, sir."

"Now that has been taken care of, let us enjoy our meal." He raised his cup. "To Rome, and the Legio Pharus!"

"To Rome, and the Legio Pharus!" They echoed.

Ren awoke a few hours past midnight, pink eyes opening groggily. The cot was cold. He sighed. Where has she gone off to now? Their first night as a part of the legion, and she'd disappeared. Rising from the simple bedding, he shuffled over to his discarded clothes. Throwing on his loincloth, he pulled aside the tent flap.

She hadn't gone far. She was sitting alone in her fur-lined shift, staring up at the night sky. The stars tonight were stunning, shining bright upon the legion. Campfires burned below them, but most of the legionaries slept in their tents blind to the beautiful night that befell them.

"Nora?"

"Good evening, Ren!" She said, giving him a wide smile. He yawned, rubbing at his half-lidded eyes.

"You're not in bed."

"I couldn't sleep." She jumped up to embrace him, beaming as she settled her head on his chest. "It's just so exciting!" She spun in his arms, resting her wrist on her forehead and giving him a histrionic sigh. "Truly, I may faint."

"At least you'd sleep." Ren said. Nora giggled. Her heart was far too bold and brash for fainting.

"I mean, I'll miss our nice fancy villa, but come on! Weeks of riding across an unknown frontier… seeing all of Gaul and Germania! We can see things no one else has seen before! And when we meet the enemy in battle… hurrah!" She cried, throwing a fist in the air. Her blue eyes were on fire, alight with glee. "It'll be just like our dads' wars all over again!" Ren smiled, nuzzling Nora.

"I see my barbarian wife still thirsts for blood." Nora leapt forward, posing.

"But of course! When we ride forth, all enemies of Rome shall quake in their boots!" She announced, cackling. Looking up at her, Ren couldn't help but share her enthusiasm. She was his light, his life and luster. After four years of marriage and fourteen years of friendship, he couldn't think of someone else he'd rather have at his side on the battlefield. He yawned once more. Standing, he took Nora's hand in his own. "Aren't you excited?"

"I am." An eyebrow arched skywards. "I am! I just think our 'conquest of the known world' will have to wait until tomorrow."

"Aww, but I want to conquer now!" She pouted.

"Sleep is also important. I think it'd be best if we were well rested for tomorrow." Ren suggested. Nora sighed, following him into their tent. The night disappeared behind them with a small rustling of canvas, sealing them within the warmth of their temporary home.

"But I'm not tired…"

"I am." He replied, once again slipping into the cot's inviting furs. Nora grinned. With a quick shrug of her shoulders, her shift fell to a pile at her feet.

"I'm not." Her lips met his, and Ren felt his fatigue disappear.

A/N: They did the sex. :D

So, thoughts everyone? I really, really enjoyed this chapter, and I hope you guys did too. I actually lied last chapter, we get four 'new' RWBY characters, and two new OCs (the tribunes).

Sorry again for the pace of updates with this one. If you guys really like this story, leave a review! I'll be more motivated to work on it! ;)

Glossary of Terms:

Asclepius: The roman god of healing, another deity appropriated from the greeks.

Garum: A fish-paste condiment that was enormously popular in Roman times. It was made by laying out the daily catch according to the type and part of the fish, allowing garum-makers to pick the exact ingredients they wanted. Then, the selected fish parts were then macerated in salt, and cured in the sun for one to three months. The mixture fermented and liquefied in the dry warmth, with the salt keeping it from rotting. The actual garum was the clear liquid that formed on the top, and was skimmed off with a fine strainer inserted into a fermenting vessel. Icky.

Vercingetorix: A powerful gallic king that was Julius Caeser's final obstacle during the conquest of Gaul. He was eventually defeated in the Battle of Alesia.

Anachronisms, issues to address, and other misc. addendum.

How old and Ren and Nora?: They are the same age as Jaune, Pyrrha, Ruby, and Weiss: eighteen.

Why are Ren and Nora married?: This is an easy one (because best ship), but it requires a little explaining. I've tried to keep all the RWBY characters somewhat in line with their canon counterparts, which meant making Ren and Nora childhood friends. I also really wanted Nora to be gallic, since it fits her enthusiastic, blood-knight personality. Therefore, since Ren has airs of nobility, the only way they could realistically be childhood friends was if they were hangers-on in their father's respective courts, best buds since they were wee little babs. Hopefully this was adequately explained in the story.

Um... if they're eighteen does that mean...?: Yes, they got married when they were fourteen. Welcome to ancient times, people. If you think that's bad, know that normally, a roman woman would have been married off to a middle-aged man... when she was twelve.

Loyalty of the Valkyries: Not wholly unrealistic. Although they were few in number, some gallic tribes were loyal to Rome, even during the conquest.

Does Nora have a warhammer?: Nope. They weren't invented yet, since they were built to combat plated armor, which was not in wide circulation during the time of the story.

Nora's riding skills: Historically accurate. Many gallic riders were show-boats.

REVIEW REPLIES:

OBSERVER01: Well.. not wholly inaccurate! Roman gods were greedy motherfuckers.

metimesthree: Glad you enjoyed it!

George Oswald Dannyson: Thanks for the feedback! I'll try to polish it up when I get the chance. Thanks for being a fan!

Natural Born Flamer: So happy you're enjoying it! :D

Yoshtar: I'm glad the tone's coming across well! I worked hard on keeping it balanced. :) Also, good guess! :D

Ocomfv: Agreed. Poor Ruby, and poor Dove! I'm happy it seems to have gone over quite well (or at least, as well as it could).

Via: I'm pumped you're enjoying yourself! While this chapter may have led you to the contrary, there will be consequences for Ruby's harsh punishment, but that will all come in due time.

Gafgar: Wow, thank you so much for your awesome reviews! Pyrrha wearing a toga was no accident. She's the only greek in a camp full of romans, and while she's very famous, many officers (Weiss included) don't like having her whispering in the ear of a very powerful Tribune. She needs to dress and act like the romans to avoid conflict where she can. Also, she wants Jaune-kouhai to notice her. And very good point about crucifixion. I guess it makes sense that they were nailed then, since Ozpin found the whole crucifixion thing distasteful. Thanks for being a fan!

Whoo! Thanks so much for the reviews! Keep 'em coming, please! I really enjoy writing this story, but I can't justify putting too much time into it if people aren't reading it!

Up next: TROUBLE WITH THE TRIBUNES!