Title: All The Kings Men
Chapter 1 … Without Warning

Summary: Two enemies must join forces in order to survive an evil about to destroy Greece as they know it. Can Hector and Achilles put aside their mortal vow of vengeance in order to defeat their foe and save themselves?

Disclaimer: The characters of this story don't belong to me…sadly…but any of the other names are mine and if they bear resemblance to anyone living or dead is merely coincidence. (except for the city names which come directly from a map of Ancient Greece). This story is written for pleasure and not for profit.

"Come to me son of Troy," the voice mocked, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. "Come and kneel before me and…kneel before your new master!"
"Don't…" Achilles gasped in agony. "Hector go! Save yourself…"
"Never! As long as I draw breath, I shall never kneel before a monster like you. A human like you!"
"Come and face me. Fight me to the death! Come and kneel…"
"Never!"
"Then prepare yourself…"
"Hector! NO…..."
"I must…"

"Another city burned to the ground…taken at night!" An angry voice boomed in the empty chamber. "What kind of warrior fights at night!"

"Calm yourself my son," the old man said in near soothing tone. "Getting upset won't solve…"

"Father Antandros boasted an army as great as ours, with men as strong and warriors as brave."

"But they didn't have a leader like you Hector," King Priam. "Socoles was a good man but…"

"What is this news of Antandros!" Paris said in a frenzied voice, bursting into the room. He received no word only empty stares from his father and brother. "They say he rides for Assos next."

"This is not our war," Priam said softly.

"It will be in a matter of days father!" Hector shouted in anger as he turned and stormed out of the now silent room. "We're in his path. You think with all his victories he'll simply tire before getting to us? Knowing Troy's reputation for never being defeated!"

"Father will it really come here?" The young son asked, his voice quaking in silent fear.

"If it does," Priam said turning to his anxious son. "We will be ready."

"But will we win?" Paris rushed to asked as his father turned to leave, halting him in his stance.

Priam turned back to his son, his browed deeply furrowed. "When the times come we will make our stand."

"Yes, but will we win?" He half demanded.

"Has anyone yet?"

"What news of this monstrous villain?" Hector asked, pushing his way through the gathering if his closest friends and fighting brethren.

"They say he doesn't eat or sleep…" said one.

"He drinks the blood of men that have fallen but are not dead…" whispered another.

"They say he walks through fire…" quivered another.

"But they also say he's human," one brave voice said walking up to Hector.

"Dionysus. What else do they say about our new enemy?" Hector asked in concern.

"He can be wounded…"

"Dionysus they say those are only fables…stories from men whose own blood he drinks as they lay dying."

"My lord they say he's invincible…they say…"

"They say the same thing about Achilles but even he has lost a war here and there," Hector replied with a small smile.

"Yes but he's never been seriously wounded," Dionysus reminded him.

"The ride to Assos is at least two days by horse, even for soldiers as powerful as theirs. If they are human they'll have to stop and rest. Tell me what is the source of their strength?" Hector demanded.

"We don't know my lord," one of them answered.

"Liar! One man knows," a quiet smug voice said from the shadows. "But it will be a dark day in Hades when he shares any knowledge with us."

"Share you knowledge Sitras," Hector said eyeing his quiet nemesis suspiciously. "And how you came of it."
"Well seeing as my prince doesn't get around very much," he taunted in sarcasm, as he took a step out of the shadows and closer to the small gathering of men. "It would appear that the fine ladies of Troy know more about our enemy then Troy's great defender."

"That's enough Sit…" Dionysus said angrily stepping forward to defend his friend and leader.

"Why just because I know and you don't!"

"Enough you two. Tell me what you know!" Hector demanded.

"Why don't you ask Achilles," Sitras taunted. "I'm sure he'll roll out the red carpet for the first born of Troy."

"Don't listen to him…he's a fool.."

"I have no quandary with Achilles," Hector said firmly. "But if it's a fight you want so badly then why not join me on my quest."

"Quest? What?" Came a hushed calling.

"My lord do not…"

"It's okay my friend," Hector said putting up his hand to silence Dionysus. "I do not have any desire to meet a man such as that. A man that fights for nothing but his own glory, his banner his own pride. I will send word to…"

"Word?" Sitras laughed. "With who a serving girl? Or perhaps your lovely wife could get the answer we seek."

"Enough!" Hector's angry voice boomed as his arm shot out, gripped Sitras' neck firmly and pushed him back up against the wall. "Make ill plight of me all you want but never speak of Andromache in such a way again. If you do I will kill you without warning."

"Your wish is my command my lord," Sitras wheezed shaking off Hector's strong arm. "But if you want to stop this monster before it destroys all of us then you'll have to join forces with the glory god himself."

"Join? Never," Dionysus said firmly. "Troy needs no help from a man such as that."

"Are you so sure?" Sitras taunted.

"Why do you fight with us! You're not even Greek! You're Roman…go back…"

"That's enough," Hector hissed angrily as he turned his back to his men and turned his thoughtful gaze out an open window, letting his eyes rest upon the blue waters of the Mediterranean.

"My lord to join forces with a man such as that would in the end lead to our downfall," Dionysus said in a hushed tone. "I've heard he cannot be killed and can turn on an ally for no reason. He's tried to fight us once before…remember with King Rimnon? If it wasn't for…"

"I know what it was that stopped him," Hector said looking down at his hands. "And I regret killing Rimnon's son everyday hence. But we have…I have no choice!" Hector said firmly, his eyes travelling past his friend and resting on his group of anxious men. "This enemy destroys for no reason…taking life without warning…is that how we want to go down? To a mortal enemy that if we had the knowledge and didn't use it would trample us for no reason!"

"NO!" Came the resounding chorus.

"Burn our women and children and then spit on their ashes!"

"NO!" The men shouted again.

"Shall I send word to Achilles my lord?" Sitras taunted.

"Warn him in any way I'm coming and I'll kill you with my bare hands when I return," Hector shouted turning for the door, Dionysus in tow. "Prepare the men…a battle is coming."

"Yes my lord."

"Two great cities lie between us and that path of destruction," Hector said in a soft tone, his wife's naked body resting on top of his muscular chest, her hair trailing over his chest and arms. "Don't you see I must…"

"But why Achilles?" Andromache asked in a soft tone. "I've heard such horror stories and…"

"And what?" Hector asked, pushing a stray piece of hair off her face. "What is it that makes such a beautiful woman wear such a frown after a beautiful night?"

Andromache felt herself blush at the remembrance of the night of loving making with her powerful husband. But her smile quickly faded as she pondered her thoughts once more. "We are just married and…and this Achilles…he fights for no reason…no banner or city…just to kill…what if he doesn't want to help you? Will I too have to mourn like the wives of the other fallen cities? Like other brave men seeking his help? Their brave husbands taking on an enemy so powerful…so ruthless…"

"I have beseeched the gods for help and have gotten no reply…"

"Then ask again," Andromache insisted, gently sliding off her husband's naked chest and after draping a cover over her ivory skin stood in front of the moon bathed window.

Hector gazed in lust once more at the sight of her silhouette encased in the pale blue light. "I won't let you mourn like the others," he said in a soft tone, gently sliding off the bed and coming up and standing behind her. "The gods want us to use our ingenuity and skills to beat this enemy which suggests to me he can be defeated – he is mortal. I have heard he has taken wounds…he can be killed…I just need to know his weakness. Achilles knows and…"

"What if he won't help you?" Andromache asked turning to him with a frown.

"What if I don't try? Shall I condemn Troy's fate because I am afraid to meet a man that swears himself to no king or god? I must do this…for us…for Troy."

Andromache let silence develop between them before looking up at her handsome husband with a coy smile. "How long will you be gone for?" She asked gently, letting the piece of fabric slid off her shoulders, trail down her body and gather at her feet.

"Too long," Hector replied in a deep husky tone as he gathered her up in his arms and headed back to the bed. "But not long enough for this kiss to grow cold," he said bringing her lips to his. "Never that long."

"But why can't I go as well?" Paris asked in an angry tone. "Father you said you wanted me to learn how to command Troy's great army. How can I do that if I am…"

"Once I have the information I need I will return and you can…"

"I want to go with you," Paris insisted. "I'm not that young."

"My son you might be skilled with women but with a sword and the ways of warfare you have much to learn. Take Dionysus with you Hector."

"I travel alone," Hector said donning a black robe over his armour. "The less attention I draw to myself the safer my journey will be."

"Where is this Achilles anyways?" Paris asked with an obvious pout.

"Two days ride in Colonae. I will seek out Achilles, pay whatever I need to to obtain his knowledge and then ride back and prepare my men," Hector said looking at his father with a serious stare. "But if by some chance I…" his voice faded as Andromache, who stood in the corner, swallowed a large lump and closed her eyes in sorrow.

"Never fear my son, the gods are with you," Priam said firmly gripping his son's arm.

"I fear we are alone this time," Hector said heading for the door. Dionysus greeted him with his readied horse. "Safe ride Hector," he said firmly. "I'll keep the men ready and alert. If you need to…send word and I'll…"

"Your first duty is to Troy and then to my men…" Hector said shaking his friends hand before mounting his horse. "That is all you need to remember. I'll be back in a few days," his loud voice shouted into the early morning air. He turned and caught his wife's eye for what she feared would be the last time, not daring to tell her husband of the terrible nightmare of his suffering she endured while wrapped safely in his strong arms. She let a single tear slide down her cheek and then put on her brave face he knew would be a mere cover. "Come home soon my love," she whispered into the cool air.

"Not soon enough," he whispered back, his words hanging in the clouds before her long after his shadow had disappeared from their view.

"Will he make it?" Paris asked in a dreaded whisper.

"He has to," Andromache replied firmly. "If he fails so do we all."

"Tell me again how you defeated the army at Cyme?" A female voice purred into the ear of the strong man beside her.

"Well if I must," he said with a lazy yawn, draping his arm across her naked thigh and tracing imaginary battle lines on her sweaty flesh. "This army was great…and…"

"Achilles!" A voice called as it banged on the door.

"Not now Theos! I'm busy," his angry voice boomed back.

"But my lord a man rides to take council with you," the young man panted.

"Council?" Achilles asked with an amused stare. "Another brave fool wants to seek the great Achilles council," he said with a yawn, making the young woman beside him laugh lightly. "What kind of council? Who sent word?"

"It was lord Sitras of Troy my lord he…"

"Sitras!" Achilles asked in shock, sitting up and fairly throwing the woman beside him to the side. "Who rides from Troy?"

"It is Prince Hector himself," the boy hissed in a hushed tone, praying his confidential message wouldn't be heard by nosy onlookers.

"The great warrior himself," Achilles said with a smug smile. "Prince Hector rides here to take council wit…ah he's afraid of him. The monster destroying all the towns leading to Troy."

"Only you know this warring madman lord. Surely that's why Troy seeks council. They want to defeat him before…"

"Before the mighty city itself lays in ruins. A city that has never been defeated," Achilles laughed as he pushed his naked body to a standing position and squinted into the rising sun. "How many days rides is he?"

"Left this morning. We got word last night. My lord what will…"

"Why set a trap of course," he said in a cunning tone. "If he wants my council he'll have to do more than just ask," he said turning to the woman looking up at him in admiration. "Leave me," Achilles said suddenly. "I have work to do." And with that he donned a robe and headed for the door. "Now tell me what you know about Hector," his voice faded as he followed his trusty servant back to his main living quarters.

Hector, however, knowing his ill trusted comrade Sitras was bound to have Achilles warned, decided to take the back route to avoid any kind of surprise that he was sure his new found enemy was bound to have waiting. The road was long and hard and by the end of the first day he wondered if this journey would indeed be in vain as he was warned at the onset.

"But if I don't try and Troy falls…" his voice trailed off in misery as he sat alone at his fire. "Then I will surely be blamed for letting it fall. I will die before that happens," he said closing his eyes and letting his mind drift back to the last night he spent with is wife. The same night after their glorious lovemaking, he went beseeching the gods for help and guidance.

"This is your battle and yours alone Hector son of Priam…" he said told by a soft voice. "Only you…by your own hand defeat this enemy…all the skills you need are before you…open your eyes…embrace your enemy and you will have certain success."

"I have to succeed," Hector's voice whispered into the dark night air. "All of Troy's fate rests on the outcome of this journey."

"Remember my husband…when you are alone at night…close your eyes and I will be at your side," Andromache's whispered softly in his ear. Hector felt a small smile of contentment settle upon his tired countenance as he tried to sleep. But even as thoughts of his beautiful wife filled his head, anticipation of what his enemy had planned invaded them still…winning the battle…taunting his will and casting doubt on his strength.

"I have to succeed…" he whispered once more as darkness finally consumed him. Morning came all too soon…too soon to deliver him into the waiting hands of his enemy.

"Father I just heard…" Paris said in a pant as he rushed to his father's side in the throne room. "All the small towns on the way to Assos have fallen."

"I know," Priam said in sorrow. "Many good men lost their lives defending their honor."

"What kind of madman is this! Who's flag does he hold allegiance to?"

"None young prince," Dionysus said walking up to them. "He fights for blood and for his own self glorification."

"Where does he hail from?"

"We are told the south lord," Dionysus answered Priam. "But only one knows his origin."

"How is it this Achilles knows him so much!" Paris demanded.

"Every enemy knows thyne self young prince," Dionysus said softly.

"Maybe he's working with him," Paris offered.

"Achilles works for no one…but this new enemy," Dionysus said looking at Priam. "Could his mission be to destroy the one city that has not seen it's walls breached yet?"

"The very thought has crossed my mind," Priam said firmly. "Are the men ready?"

"They are my King," Dionysus replied. "They stand ready at a moment's notice."

"That might be all we have," Priam told them.

"Hector better be ware," Paris said looking into the rising sun of the second morning. "He is too close to the coming battle. Assos is too close to Colonae."

"I know my son," Priam said with a deep frown. "But there is nothing we can do now except pray for his safe return."

"But will that be enough?" Paris' haunting words echoed in the large room.

Hector cursed the ride on the second day, knowing it would be nightfall by the time he reached his intended destination and his would be foe. His mind raced with thoughts and memories of all the times he heard Achilles name, every time he felt his own bones inside him quiver at the thought of a man that was seemingly immortal, could never be killed and fought for his own glory and profit. Would Achilles put aside his own pride to help a mere human? A mere servant to his crown? He doubted it and that very thought frightened him more than anything. However, Hector knew that to dwell on doubts such as these was to invite his own downfall.

He rode on for a bit more, his eyes darting to every shadow that moved, his ears picking up every whispered taunt and his reflexes ready for whatever fight he knew he must win in order to gain the respect of his foe. He spied Colonae in the distance and immediately felt his tension starting to build once more. It had left him for a few hours but now with his new battle-ground in site it renewed itself. He had been to the city before and knew that Achilles didn't call it home and so thought that by taking a back way in would at least have the peace of mind of the upper hand. He was wrong.

As he neared the first gate into the city he felt the strong animal beneath him suddenly tense and get agitated.

"What's wrong boy?" Hector asked in a hushed tone, the anticipation of not knowing straining in his voice. He took a step closer.

"What is it you sense?" Hector asked again, this time laying his hand on his sword.

"What…" was all he managed before he heard a voice from behind.

"He must sense me," Achilles said in a smooth tone. "Big mistake seeking me out great Prince."

And before Hector could utter a word his world went dark and pain started to seize him. "I need…your…help…" he uttered as unconsciousness claimed him.

"I just helped you," Achilles snided as he walked up and stood over his fallen foe. He bent down and pressed a sword to Hector's slowly moving chest. He tore off his helmet and tossed it aside. "I won't kill you just yet," Achilles said in a soft whisper. "But when he gets here you'll wish I had."

To be continued!

Dear readers…this is the first fanfic ever on a movie. How am I doing so far? Like it? Want more? Please review if you want at least another chapter. Thanks so much!