Untitled Briseis + Achilles project….for now

Apollo loomed over her, his face seemed angry to her. She had incurred his wrath and now she knew her life would end in this city. Struck down, and how she welcomed it. Her family though they loved her she had no doubt, weren't able to look at her the same way. Most now gazed at her with pity in their eyes. But one looked at her with anger and hatred, and it broke her heart.

Andromeche had struck her, hard, across the face when she has shared her shameful secret. The sting of the blow burned still upon her cheek, and her heart and soul. She had deserved it, and yet, she felt no regret. In fact she now wished that she had stayed upon the shore and had not wandered back to the tent to find her uncle there. At least then she would be with people who did not pity her nor who would walk on eggshells around her. No they were strait with her. Unafraid to speak of 'touchy' subjects. Especially him. How she earned to argue with him, to speak to him sharply and have him retort in kind. To allow every thing to be out in the open, instead of making it boil and fester inside.

There was one how ever who had understood. Who knew the pain of a scorned love that was so wonderful, and yet unbearably painful, bringing disaster at every turn. Helen was the one who had comforted her. She was the only one she felt she could tell, the only one she was not obligated to tell. The only one who wouldn't pass judgment.

"It awakens your soul, and gives birth to you and you feel remade. And you realize that even though you are so different that love between you two seems impossible, it is they ay it was meant to be. Because, Briseis, Aphrodite knows love better than any mortal, and she places people together who's differences complement each other. All the pieces fit together to become one and it's perfect no matter what the world thinks, the goddess is quit adept at matching them. So dear Briseis, never feel ashamed of any lover for it is the will of the gods, no matter the pairing." Helen's cool words had comforted her only a little.

She heard the sound of leaping flames and frightened people all around her, but there was nothing she could do for them now. So accepting her approaching death she knelt at Apollo's feet, seeking not forgiveness or protection, but understanding. Praying that Aphrodite might help him understand why she had forsaken her vows. Should not every mortal at least experience the bitter sweetness of love? Perhaps, it was not something a God could understand, and it was as Achilles had said: they envy us.

Someone came up behind her, and for a moment she had dared to hope that he had found her and that he would whisk her away and she would have a happily ever after. But the fantasy was just that, a fantasy.

A loathsome voice sounded behind her as a callused hand, that held the promise of a fate worse than death, landed on her shoulder. "It's too late for prayers priestess" that hand moved to grip her hair and pull her painfully to her feet.

Fear had been her first reaction, but it soon gave way to anger. She had found herself a changed person, in the past she would have fought back, but not with courage enough to hurt another being. Now, without thought,she slid a dagger, the very one she had barely had the courage to hold not long ago, and plunged it into the neck of the prideful king. The great kind Agamemnon, felled by a would be priestess!

she ran then, but to no avail. Strong arms caught her and she waited for her life to end. She closed her eyes and waited to ask hector his forgiveness; for his was the only person's she felt she needed. But the sword's stroke never came and she found herself upon the ground.

"come with me" a smooth, anxious voice urged, as a much yearned for embrace pulled her up. The moment she was in his arms again, the purest ecstasy took over her being and she praised kind Aphrodite. Once more she thought about a happy ending, but movement from the corner of her eye, and a look of malicious intent brought reality back. As realization dawned on her and an arrow was loosed a scream tore from her throat.

"NO!"

The first was poorly aimed but it struck the target none the less.

Achilles gasped in pain and it took far longer then usual to recover. Another arrow planted it self firmly in his ribs. He barely registered that it was Paris who was attacking, as he yanked out the shaft, raised his sword and moved toward the offender. Behind him Briseis called out to her cousin, but the cry went unheard and another arrow found it way to land just above the wound caused by it predecessor.

"Stop! Paris!!"

He walked forward a few more steps and an arrow land again, near the previous. He slow, dazed as Briseis ran past him, her pleading calls falling on deaf ears. He raised his sword again and was struck. He was going to leave her he realized. Ironic, he thought, leaving had never been a problem before Briseis. She was in front of her now, silently crying. "go," he told her, after all he was leaving down a path he wouldn't allow her to follow him. She could be happy without him there to make things complicated, as she had put it once.

At first she wouldn't leave, she couldn't, he was her world and she wished to join him upon the banks of the river Styx, and they may both ask Hector's forgiveness together, and together they would be for eternity, whether at rest on the far bank or ever wandering forever, at least they would be together. but his eyes, damn them! His eyes would not let her give up, it seemed he willed her to leave, to start a new life and be happy before her end. His eyes made her leave, and his eyes kept her going.

He watched Paris guide her away to safety, she glanced back once more, her face fill with grief and love. Love, her love amazed him to no end. He lost his temper and struck her, and she forgave him. Then he pushed her away and hurt her in a way only he could, and still she had forgiven him. And he knew she would forgive Paris: for her love seemed boundless. He smiled, contently knowing she was safe and would live, and that she loved him. Darkness took hin then and he was greeted by a familiar face beckoning to him. "Welcome brother."

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This could be a one shot I suppose, but I do intend to write more, though I don't make any guarantees, because I have ton's of stories floating around in my head, some are original, some are fan fiction, but I'm a tad bit lazy when it comes to typing them.

So more to come…….I think

OH!….P.S. anyone have a good idea for a title? I can't think of something good.---my muse dosn't like me much