Author's Note: Just an idea I got in my head after seeing the photograph of two skeletons found embracing after 5,000 or so years in Italy. This is my take on how they died, though it does not really adresses why they were found in that position. All characters presented within are my own creation.

It was hot. Very hot. Indeed, the summer heat was almost oppressive as Jera strode along the path with her male companion. He was not much taller than her, only about one head’s difference. He also had the kindest eyes of any man she had ever seen. That they had found each other at all was a miracle in and of itself. Jera was from a clan that was normally some distance away from Hano’s. The summer gathering had brought them together.

From the moment their eyes had locked across the large campfire, there had been a connection. They kept trying to find each other at events such as the spear-throw and children’s events. In that time, Jera had learned much about him, and he of her.

He was a hunter, as well as a blacksmith. Jera’s craft lay in sewing, crafting elaborate garments with even more elaborate decoration. Indeed, her services had been requested more than once already that day. Hano had asked if he could commission her for a new shirt in return for a new knife and several metal needles, along with three deer skins. She had agreed, and set to work at once on the project. He had wanted to get his familial crest mingled with his own personal symbol, but to leave much of the design unfinished. The task had been tricky, but worth it as Jera crafted what she considered to be her finest work. Hano had provided the fine leather to work with.

When she asked about why he wanted the shirt, he informed her that it was a secret.

“But I’ll tell you eventually.” He promised, and Jera had smiled.

Almost a week later the garment was finished, and Hano tried it on, grinning from ear to ear. His brown eyes twinkled in the mid-day sun as he tested the stretch and feel of the stitching, and then he reached into his leather bag. “As agreed, eight needles, and a knife, the skins were too big to carry, so I’ll bring them by your shelter later.”

Jera nodded and accepted the good, putting them in her own bag. “It’s been wonderful conducting business with you.” She said, smiling broadly. “Now, would may I ask your services?” She asked, feeling suddenly bold.

Those beautiful eyes blinked. “Of course.” He responded, slightly bewildered, and she stepped closer, so that they were only inches apart. His eyes widened slightly, and he smiled before leaning in to seal the kiss she had wanted for that entire week. At that moment, several young men burst out from the overgrowth that was behind them chasing a wild bird. Hano and Jera broke apart in surprise, she with a happy smile, and he with an again puzzled look.

“Boys.” Jera muttered, and pulled Hano closer to her again, this time embracing him and resting her head in the crook of his neck. He smelled so nice. Wonderfully masculine with just a hint of a sweet-smelling plant that some of the men used to help them smell better by rubbing on themselves. She decided that she liked the combination.

“Would you like to know now what the shirt is for?” He asked her. And she nodded against him.

“Mmmhmm.” She hummed in an affirmative. Hano pulled away then for a moment and produced a golden arm band from a pouch on his belt. Jera stared at it, the craftsmanship was exquisite.

“I wanted something to ask you to wed me in, so that you can finish the design.” he told her, and extended the gift to her, “Will you be my bride?” He asked, his eyes still twinkling, though this time there was distinct hint of nervousness in those eyes.

“Why?” She asked, suddenly feeling nervous herself. “We’ve only just met a fortnight ago…”

“Because I’ve been entirely smitten with you since I saw you that first night at the campfire.” He replied easily, and held the bracelet closer to her. Their forheads were almost touching as Jera looked down at it. “And because if I don’t have you now, someone else may find a way to pay your dowry later.” Jera could not help but smile at that. He was so pragmatic about everything.

“Yes.” She finally said, taking the armlet from his hand and sliding to rest on her bicep. It fit her perfectly. She shivered a moment as the metal cooled her skin slightly on such a hot day. Their eyes locked again, this time mere inches from each other, and Hano kissed her again. She felt herself suddenly melt against him and pulled him to her with a ferocity that surprised even her. Hano simply went with the motion, and wrapped his arms around her, his hands roaming over her back over her thin leather summer top.

Some moments later Jera broke apart from him, fighting to stop herself shivering, even though the bracelet had long since warmed to the temperature of her skin. “We should tell my father.” She said, grinning at him. Hano simply smiled back.

They were on their to the campsight now, and Hano had his arm squarely around Jera’s shoulders. She pressed to his side as they walked together along the pathway, now not far from the large clearing that was serving as the temporary gathering of the two clans. First the pair were to pass through Hano’s group, and the pair were received with warm smiles and even an embrace from Hano’s mother. She was a slightly portly woman with eyes that she had clearly given her son. Indeed, even the way they moved was similar sometimes, the way Hano quirked an eyebrow whenever he found something interesting. The only real difference was their size. His mother was very tall for a woman, and Hano was still an inch or so behind her. But he was still growing, there would be time.

“Welcome to the clan, darling.” She said, and bent down to hug the younger girl. “We’ll see you in the ceremony before the gathering is finished.” She declared something that same pleased grin Hano used.

Then it was time to visit Jera’s father and mother. They were decidedly cooler people, often scowling at some secret distaste. Today they seemed to be in better spirits, and were mulling over the skins that Hano had offered as payment when the pair had appeared with them.

“So this is the boy, hm?” Her father asked, looking him over critically.

“Yes father.” Jera said, and Hano stepped forward, his arm extended for the other to take.

“Yes sir.” He said, “And I’ve come to ask for your daughter’s hand in matrimony.” He bowed his head slightly, “For whatever dowry you have.”

“You have that many goats?” He asked incredulously.

“How many goats will I need?” Hano asked, that puzzled look returning to his face.

“Twelve.”

“I have seven, and three pigs.” Hano said, hoping that the man allowed them to substitute.

“Twelve goats, three pigs.” Jera’s father said, glaring at him, “That’s my price.”

“Father!” Jera said, “That’s not what you told me.”

“I also told you I had a marriage arranged for you.” Her father shot back, and her mother huffed and left the shelter to find the company of her peers.

“But Father,” Jera pleaded, “Please, I’m sure he can give you the goats at a later time…”

“Twelve goats, three pigs, now. Or no wedding.”

Hano sighed heavily and left the shelter, his head hanging low. Jera sent her father a look and followed swiftly after him.

“Twelve goats.” Hano muttered, running his hand through his long hair. “Twelve. Three pigs…” He was a blacksmith, not a farmer. He had expected the price to be far lower, her dowry was that of someone of high rank. “Jera, how can I get him twelve goats?” He wondered, “Everything I have with me isn’t worth five more goats.” Jera sighed and pulled the band from her arm. She handed it to him, and he looked at her, afraid to speak.

“This should be worth one or two.” She explained, and he embraced her again.

“I’ll get him his goats. Jupiter himself won’t stand in my way!” Hano said, and the two walked off.

Behind them though, several men were eyeing the pair with dark glares. “Gold.” One of them said.

“Blacksmith’s gotta have more.” Replied another.

“So we’ll have to ‘barter’ for it.” The first said, and stalked after the pair. The other two followed suit, checking their weapons as they went.

Hano and Jera walked up the path again to a clearing holding each other closely and he whispered something very inappropriate in her ear. She giggled at him and kissed his cheek, standing on tip-toe to do so. At that moment, the trio of men chose to strike. Two grabbed Hano from her, and the leader wrapped his filthy arms around her, pressing a wickedly sharp knife against her neck.

“You give me that pretty trinket boy, and I’ll let the little lady run away.” Said the harsh voice to her rear. Jera froze, terrified.

“Please…” Hano pleaded, not at all unlike how Jera had asked her Father’s favor earlier, “Just let her go.”

“Gold first lover-boy.” The voice hissed. The breath that came with the words was fetid and disgusting. Her eyes started to water as the pressed a little deeper into her neck.

Hano nodded and the two men let him go so he could retrieve the band. He extended it forward to the leader, who pushed Jera away and grabbed the wrist band. “Now give us the rest.”

“What rest?” Hano asked, “This is all I have.”

“Fancy shirt then.”

Hano complied, removing the garment, and Jera started to sob in earnest, all of their work for each other was gone in the span of moments. But it appeared that Hano had a plan, because he was looking at her with most serene face she had seen from him yet. His hand traveled slowly to his belt, and pulled free a knife of his own. Now that Jera was released, his hunter’s instinct was kicking in.

But the leader was prepared. The two came at each other in a clash of brute force against brute force, and there was a sickening sound as one blow found a home. It took a moment for the pair to separate, but when they did, the red stain that was steadily running down Hano’s stomach became clearly visible. She cried out in horror and rushed to him while the leader contemplated something. As Hano lay there bleeding he reached out a hand for her, and Jera lay beside him, holding him close. It was then that the leader chose his moment, and his knife found a second home between Jera’s ribs. She exhaled sharply as the pain blossomed throughout her body, and chocked back another sob, but she did not scream.

The three men simply walked away, the leader playing with the gold band, and two of the lackeys mulling over the shirt. “Nice work.” The leader commented, and wiped his blade off on his own shirt, adding to the layers of grime that already covered it.

Hano stared at her, his brown eyes welling with tears as he caressed her face before coughing up blood. “I’m sorry Jera… This is my fault.” He managed to get out, before kissing her softly and pressing their foreheads together. “But now I can always have you. Dowry be damned.”

Jera smiled despite herself. Ever the pragmatist, even now. “I love you Hano.” She said, and he smiled back at her, caressing her face with both of his hands. She resting one hand on his side, curling up into the fetal position and staring deeply into his eyes. She briefly noted that they would likely be the last things she ever saw. He coughed again, and his breathing became heavier and slower. There was no way that they would reach the camp in time, he thought. They were doomed, both of them. Not even the best healers could repair wounds like theirs. Jera was losing blood as quickly as he was. He started to cry then, for the first time in as long as he could remember.

“We did not even get our wedding night.” He said, choking back a cry of pain as his injury bore into his psyche. He did not have much longer for this world. Already his hands and arms were numb, his legs following in the same vein. He had to fight to keep his eyes open. He had to see her with his dying breath. “I…” he fought for the breath required for the next two words. “Love you.” He drew one more strangled breath as his lungs gave way, “Too.” And he stopped breathing. He stopped thinking. He stopped living.

Jera sobbed again and kissed his pale face, noting that she was following him fast. One last look into the eyes that had captivated her so. They were already paling quickly. She used the last ounce of strength in her arms to close those beautiful orbs with her right hand before closing her own and letting the Gods take her.

End Note: A little contrived, to be sure, but the sentiment at of the pair still embracing after 5,000 years is the moving part. Link to the photo will be in my profile. Reviews are my anti-drug.