Well here it is, an AU story that has been brewing in my mind for a while, I hope everyone here enjoys it, as I can't remember the idea being done before, strange that. This is my second fan fiction piece ever, and my first Troy story, so now you know where I stand.
Bringing Achilles to heel
CHAPTER ONE
'And all the world will know…. This is Hector, the fool who thought he killed Achilles…'
The warrior shook as the golden haired warlord's voice rang out with such harsh, challenging words. The hand gripping his spear tightened its crushing hold, threatening to crush even the solid wooden shaft.
Hector shuddered as the mounting rage swelled within him, deep violent anger that the moralistic man could usually have contained, now on the verge of swallowing his entire being.
That this man Achilles would take his life, Hector was certain, but before the arrogant brute plunged his sword through his flesh, he would be sure to unleash the dark unbridled power that had become a part of his psyche, blossoming through years' worth of slaughtering men.
He began to move closer, springing purposefully from foot to foot towards him. Achilles mocking smile remained as he gleeful mirrored his opponent's movements. Hector scowled beneath his helmet. Was the pompous Greek that confident as to scorn the fight that lay ahead?
Taking a bold step forward, Hector lunged with his spear, straight at Achilles. The man side-stepped easily, casually bringing forward his shield to push Hector away. Undeterred, Hector pushed forward the attack again, this time with the spear tip coming closer to Achilles's midriff. Again Achilles brought his shield up and across, knocking Hector's spear away, but for one moment there was a gap and Hector greedily took the full moment of it. Utilising his own shield he thrust roughly at Achilles actually causing the man to stumble backwards.
The smile was slowly fading from the bronze face as Achilles took a firmer grip on his spear even as he took a few steps back to recover from Hector's solid defensive. A niggling doubt had sprouted and festered in the back of his mind, and he found himself fighting off his own doubts as the two warriors circled each other. Perhaps he had underestimated this Trojan…
Achilles's anger flared. The thought that he may at last have found a near- equal filled him competitive fury. With a cry he launched himself into the air, raising his spear above his head and bringing it down swiftly and fiercely, intending to pass above the top rim of Hector's shield and plunge through the Trojan's head.
Hector pulled his shield up and desperately defended himself as best he could against the Greek's astonishingly powerful retaliating attack. Suddenly, the tides were turned and Hector could do nothing but keep his shield up and take the constant blows that were now raining down on him. Sweat dripped freely from his brow as Achilles brought down his spear for yet another hammer-stroke onto Hector's shield; the only defence and object in the way of the Greek's spear and the Trojan prince's face.
Hector felt despair course through his veins, tainting his otherwise perfect battle rage, but though his strength waned along with his anger, his mind grew sharper and he found himself slowly figuring out the masterful deadly pattern Achilles wove in the air with his spear.
Dark eyebrows knitted in intense concentration, Hector watched as Achilles swung his spear around, striking out again and this time instead of bringing his shield up to deflect the blow, he swerved his body sharply to the left and up, closer to Achilles body. Ducking and dodging each of Achilles's spear thrusts, Hector brought his own spear forward… only to have it knocked sharply down to the floor by Achilles's shield. Hector twisted sharply, bringing his spear up from the ground, knowing he was vulnerable. He felt a slight snag on his spear as he lifted it up and glancing down he noticed, with some satisfaction, that the tip had caught the Greek at the back of his leg, ripping through the man's tendon.
Blood dripped down his leg and Achilles face blanked in horror as he realised what the Trojan had unwittingly done. Glancing at Hector he saw in his eyes that the man was waiting for him to continue the fight, waiting for Achilles to recover and retaliate. As it became apparent that the slicing of his Achilles tendon had done more damage than the Trojan realised, Achilles saw the beginnings of confusion cloud Hector's eyes. Then his legs could no longer support him and the Greek fell heavily onto the sandy floor.
Hector stared in dumb amazement at the fallen warlord at his feet. What had happened? Surely, he had not fallen from the ankle wound he had received? This was a Greek trick that Achilles was playing on him, Hector deduced. Yes, that was it.
Cautiously he circled the fallen body, still amazed trick or not. Coming closer, he held the tip of his sword to the man's neck.
'Get up'The command produced no response. Hector put some pressure on his sword and a trickle of blood fell from a slight cut in Achilles's neck.
'I will not hew you down defenceless on the ground!' Hector growled bringing his sword away and awaiting the Greek's response.
Achilles remained silent. Hector held his breath, doubts becoming more prominent in his mind. Coming even closer to inspect the body he noticed Achilles blank glazed-over eyes. Falling to his knees the Trojan quickly felt for the Greek's pulse.
'Dead?' He whispered, hardly daring to believe it, even as he closed Achilles eyes respectively.
Taking his hand away from the dead man, Hector stood up gazing up at the great wall of Troy where he knew his father, brother and beloved Andromache along with the rest of Troy were watching, waiting, staring in disbelief.
Silence hung in the air, the moment of astonishment stretching on, an unbearably long amount of time.
And then Paris lifted his voice high in a wild cheer for his brother. And suddenly the silence was broken as the rest of Troy joined in screaming, singing, chanting Hector's name. The huge doors were swung open and Hector, overwhelmed at the thunderous cheering of his people, strode slowly through the gate into Troy herself, wondering very strongly if this were all a dream.