This post is a 5-minute freewrite created as a response to @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2120: won’t share in the Freewriters community.
It's the first time I've tried writing with a 5 minute limit, and oh boy is it tough ! I normally spend far too long composing posts, so putting some time pressure on myself is a new experience. I didn't get nearly as much written as I thought I could - more practice needed ! The story itself is quite simple, just a re-telling of an old tale in my own words.
Image by Tatyana Fyodorova from Pixabay
The red ribbon bound the children's hands together, as their father spoke the vows.
"Now you are married, my children. When I die, you'll share the throne. This way, we keep our divine blood pure and stop over-ambitious viziers from acting on their dreams."
The younger Ptolemy pulled away a little, but knew he was constrained by the audience and import of the ceremony.
Years went by. But not many. The older Ptolemy was a sick man, and soon enough he died and the throne passed to his children. That's when the problems started. The younger Ptolemy had no intention of co-ruling with his sister.
"You want to be queen, fine. But when it comes to power, no, that I won't share."
Cleopatra bided her time. Ptolemy saw what she was doing, and sent assassins to have her killed. They failed.
Smuggled out in a carpet, Cleopatra knew exactly what she was doing. She sent assassins in turn, but they succeeded. She presented the foreign general with her brother's head. Then she, in turn, had no need to share.