Author: Porthos
Summary: "Do you ever cry for the men you've killed?" A fireside conversation between Achilles and Odysseus.
Author's notes: And now for something completely different! My readers (all what, 5 of them?) have never seen me post anything but SGA stories, but I was watching Troy today and for some reason, this just came to me. I've seen the movie a dozen times, but I was never really impressed with it. I think I just had to get over the fact that it wasn't Homer's Iliad before I could appreciate it for what it is, and now it's one of my favorite movies! Hope you enjoy it. :)
oOo
"Do you ever cry for the men you've killed?"
Achilles looks up from the fire. "Do I cry for them?" he repeats. I nod. "No," he answers simply, then takes another bite of his fruit. "I am sad that they are dead, but they're soldiers. They know the rules of war."
I change my focus from his face to the fire. "Yes. I suppose they do."
There is a long pause before Achilles says lightly, "You don't sound convinced." I don't answer, so he continues. "The great Odysseus at a loss for words? I never thought I'd see this day." I look at him then, but I am still silent. His easy mood becomes more severe. "You are always morose at night, brother. You need to let the others collect the dead."
We are both silent for a time then, Achilles lost in his thoughts and me in mine. I think back to a few short hours ago, to the face of the boy I loaded on the cart…
"Why do you do it?" Achilles' voice breaks the silence. "They are still our enemies in the morning. Why do you help them collect their dead at night?"
I try to shrug off my heavy thoughts. "I suppose it is a sense of duty. And respect. It is an honorable gesture from Prince Hector, and I respect him for it."
Achilles lets loose a snort of disbelief. "I find it difficult to respect any man that is destined to be a ruler. Kings are men of much arrogance and little action." He looks at me with a hint of a smile. "Of course, you are the exception, my old friend."
"Of course." I manage a smile back, feeling some of the weight lift from my shoulders. "I see Hector there sometimes." I notice this piques his interest, as I knew it would. He sits up a little straighter, and he puts down his food.
"Have you spoken with him?" Achilles air of apathy falters for just a moment.
I nod. "Sometimes."
Achilles shakes his head. "Do not become too friendly with him, brother. Agamemnon cannot win this war without me, and as soon as he comes begging for my sword and spear, it will be my blade that cuts down Hector."
"I believe him to be a good man, Achilles." I say it without agenda, because I know it makes no difference to the mind of a warrior.
"All men die, even the good ones."
I hang my head. I know there is something of a soul beneath his armor. I still hold out hope that he is not as cynical about the value of the men's lives he takes. He sees his enemies now as steppingstones on his road to greatness, but someday, he will come to respect his enemies. Someday, he will see them as fathers, as sons, as brothers. Someday, he will cry for them. On that day, he will truly be a great man.
I must simply wait for that day to come.
oOo
Author's notes 2: Anyway, I was really struck by the change in Achilles when he meets Priam, and he suddenly starts to care about something besides himself, so of course, I had to write this. I have a bit of a prologue in my head, involving Hector and Odysseus (my two favorite characters) so if I get a lot of feedback, I might write that as well. Thanks for reading!