As a result of Brutus’ overwhelming concern for Porcia, he rushed to Xanthos, a small journey by most standards. When he arrived at the palace, Brutus sought to find Porcia, but she was not in her room. His heart quaked; if she had heard the news of her father’s death there was no telling how quickly she would soon join him in Pluto’s realm. Collecting his thoughts, Brutus sat down on a elegant chair in Porcia’s room. A slave girl walked in,

“Is there anything the matter?” She inquired. Brutus nodded, and asked somberly,

“Where is the Lady Porcia?” The slave girl bowed and stated,

“The Lady Porcia is in Pompeius Magnus’ room.” Brutus thanked her and the slave girl walked away. Brutus rose and walked to find Porcia sleeping on a couch that was against the wall near the comatose Pompey. He took a moment to absorb the image of an immobilized Pompey. This scene appeared so foreign to him, all his life Pompey seemed immortal, but he now sat at death’s edge.

He now focused on Porcia who did not look refreshed through sleep, but torn with worry and guilt. Brutus shut his eyes delicately and then reopened them. He spotted wetness on Porcia’s cheek and bent down to her face. So she did know of her father’s demise. He kissed her cheek and slowly Porcia roused from sleep. At first she did not register who had awoken her, but then, it was apparent that she was surprised.

“Brutus,” She said quietly though you could hear faint surprise in her voice.

“You need to rest in a more comfortable place, perhaps your own bed. Sitting by his side will make Pompey no better.” A small amount of emotion flickered on Porcia’s face as she stated adamantly,

“I remain by his side for if I had not left Ephesus, none of this would have occurred. The blame is on me, and I cannot put it aside.” Brutus sighed and held her hand lightly,

“You are famished. At least eat.” Porcia saw the concern in his eyes and knew something was the matter. He was avoiding something.

“What else has gone wrong?” She asked, her voice full of dread. Brutus looked incredulously,

“You do not know?” Porcia looked confused and then Brutus felt his heart drop beneath his chest. That he should be the one to tell her this,

“Upon hearing of the shipwreck, your father had taken you for dead, and shortly afterwards, took his own life.” Porcia’s eyes appeared to open as her face turned even paler, and she then said, above a faint whisper,

“This cannot be true…” Brutus observed her hands shake and the rest of her body tremble with a flood of emotion. At this point she looked as fragile as glass and she looked to Brutus,

“If you value my life you will tell me this is a horrid falsehood.” When Brutus did not speak, Porcia stood and looked at the comatose Pompey.

“Promise me you will not to anything drastic.” Porcia looked back at him, her face quirked in an odd smile,

“Like what?” she asked. Her body was unable to hide the reaction her soul received. Brutus rose swiftly and insisted,

“You will not commit suicide, please promise me that.” Porcia, though she appeared near collapse, her voice was stern,

“You will not stop me, Brutus, from doing what needs be done.” Brutus would not let her leave the room and held her to him,

“You must not, for my sake alone, be reasonable Porcia.” She emitted a short laugh and pushed herself away.

“You of all people should know that you cannot stop me from taking my own life.” Porcia said with a straight edged voice, Brutus knew he would not get any sleep for Porcia was a heartbeat away from taking her own life.