A/N: Ok everyone, here is the second chapter. Sorry it didn't come sooner but I had a lot of homework lately. I would like to thank Lamminator for taking the time to beta read this chapter. THANKS! ) Well please enjoy chapter 2.

The Dream

I woke up to an aching pain shooting through my whole body. The feeling of the hard and ridged ground below me provided no comfort. I opened my eyes as I slowly sat up and looked around. Even though my sight was blurry, I could make out a large, brown mass with smaller red and tan figures in the distance. An ounce of fear flowed through me as I heard the harsh screams of agony coming from some of the tan figures as they dropped to the ground.

Slowly, I began to stand up while trying to get my vision straight. When I was able to see clearly, I looked back over to the figures to see a man wearing a red cape inflict the final blow to the man in tan that stood before him. The man in red was not alone; now he stood triumphant in front of a band of warriors that shared his colors. To share in his glory, his blonde-haired companion stood beside him. Stelios, I thought to myself though the blonde's facial features were indecipherable. I watched as the first man began to straighten up and move his long, dark hair out of his face. The moment he did, I felt my heart skip a beat as I realized who he was…

"Astinos," shouted a man from the group that I quickly recognized as the Captain. Astinos, the handsome young man, looked over at him and smiled. He stood proudly in front of his father with dignity and pride. Finally, he proved his worth in battle.

Happiness grew within me. The question of how I got here was lost to the sight of my unharmed lover. I smiled widely to myself as I began to step towards him without a second thought. I had only taken a few steps before realizing the silhouette of a horse appeared in the hazy mist to my right. My attention fell upon the shadowy figure as it quickly approached Astinos and Stelios from behind. When it was a few feet from them, the figure came out of the fog. Fear grew within me now. A man dressed in the same clothing as the men lying at the Spartans' feet, sat astride the horse and rode furiously toward Astinos with a sword in this left hand.

I could barely cry out his name before I instinctively began running in his direction. Adrenaline and fear pushed me forward leaving logic behind. I wasn't going to let Astinos die and no form of logic could make me think otherwise. No matter how much I hoped and prayed my frantic dash was useless compared to the horseman's speed. The next few seconds felt like an eternity. I knew that I wouldn't be able to make it to Astinos in time. All hope had failed me. I continued to run forward with blind hope that I would gain a sudden burst of speed to make it to him before the enemy. Within the next second, the enemy had gotten close enough to lean to the right side of his horse, with his sword set firmly in his hand, and…

At that moment my world froze. Tears ran down my face as the head of my beloved Astinos slid right off his shoulders as if in slow motion. The rest of his body fell limply to the ground. Blackness came soon after.

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I woke up sweating and breathing hard. The morning was early and the sun had yet to show its vibrant colors on the landscape. I looked over to see the beautiful face of my love lying beside me, sleeping peacefully. A tear slid down my cheek as I turned over and wrapped my arms around his perfectly smooth torso, kissing him lightly so I would not wake him. I felt his lips tighten into a smile as his eyes opened and stared directly into mine. He then wrapped his arms around me and held me tightly. I smiled softly and thanked the gods that he was still here.

"Sophie, you're shaking," said Astinos with deep concern. I hadn't realized it until he mentioned it. "Are you alright?"

"Yes," I replied, burying my face into his warm chest. "Just a bad dream."

There was a moment of silence before either of us spoke again. I cherished those moments: to feel his heart beat, to feel his body so full of life, and think, that even for a moment, we could stay like this forever. The inevitable doom that lay ahead for my lover grew all the more painful with every second that went by. My heart yearned for him to stay.

Astinos lifted my face to look into my eyes; I could feel him searching my thoughts and feelings. "You know nothing can take me from you," he said. "Remember when I left for the Agoge?"

I stared at him not knowing what he was getting at. "Yes," I replied. "I thought you would never return."

"But I did," he said with a smile. "I promised that I would come back to you."

"And you fulfilled your promise," I smiled widely. "You know, every day of your absence, I sat at the gate for hours on end waiting for you."

As we looked back at the memories of our childhood, we realized that we had a greater bond then we ever knew we had. At that moment, a flood of emotion ran over us as our lips once again touched. Finally, I was able to forget every strand of doubt and hopelessness. Bliss is an extraordinary thing and it works wonders on the soul.

"Sophie," he said softly. "I promise I'll be back for you. Never have a doubt in your mind that we will not be in each other's embrace again."

"I'll be waiting for you, Astinos," I said satisfied.

"When I return," he continued. "I'll be a man worthy of the title of your husband."

We than laid silently, indulging in each other's presence. The sun began to illuminate the room further with its yellow rays of warmth. Our embrace never ceased and our lips stayed interlocked.