The sun had set behind the ocean, the huts had finally been erected and Arianna used the darkness as her cloak. She had taken her helmet off the second she had arrived in myrmidon territory and now she was dressed in a plain purple dress, one that she had cut to her knees to allow her free movement, Arianna reached up and pulled the combs from her hair, shaking her head in relief as the waves tumbled around her, dropping down to her waist. She padded barefoot out to the water's edge; most of the men were either in a deep slumber or passed out along the sand from drinking.

Arianna allowed the water to lap over her feet, the cold sea a welcome relief, she followed the water to a small area of rocks, she picked a few shells, feeling there smooth texture before letting them fall through her fingers one by one. She leant against the rock side, closing her eyes, the image of prince hector burning into her mind, he was handsome, strong but there was something in his eyes, a kindness that leaked out into his movements.

"How did I know you would be here?" a soft voice asked close behind her, Arianna did not jump she just opened her eyes slowly.

"Odysseus, nothing gets past you does it?" she asked as the man in question came to stand beside her, he laughed his deep male laugh, looking into her enchanting eyes.

"Of course not, im assuming you fought today?" she nodded and he smiled in the darkness "then between you and your brother there never really was a question of not winning this fight"

She giggled and he moved closer "have you thought any more about my proposal?" he asked hope shining in his eyes. Arianna sighed and turned her face away.

"im sorry Odysseus, I still do not know, you know I love you, but more as a friend, I do not know if I am ready to become a wife, let alone a queen" she said sadly, he slipped his hands round her waist and turned her to face him, tilting her head up so her eyes met his, he brought his head down and gently pressed his lips to hers, his hand running over her soft skin and twining into her long hair, he felt her small hands on his forearms, she pulled away, dropping her head, avoiding his eyes, Arianna bit her lip hard enough to draw blood, the coppery taste only serving as a reminder that it was real and she only had herself to blame for this mess.

"I am sorry Odysseus, but I could not make you happy, you deserve someone who can give them self to you fully, I cannot" she moved away from him, making her way up the beach, her arms wrapped around her. She heard the soft thud of his footsteps as he chased after her; he caught her arm and spun her round.

"But I want you Arianna, I have watched you grow into a beautiful young woman, your intelligent, you have a wicked sense of humour, please give me a chance, I know you could grow to love me, as I love you" he said seriously, Arianna could not reply, so she just touched his cheek gently before removing her hand from his grip, she walked away, her legs shaking as she left him stood staring silently after her.

Arianna swept into her hut, punching the wooden wall as the tears fell freely, she slid down the wall to the floor, her head resting on her knees, her hands on in her hair, and she wanted to scream but knew nothing would come out. She thought back to her kiss with Odysseus and how all she had thought about was hector, damn him! Damn him to Hades! She thought bitterly, as her heart protested.

"Are you okay?" a timid voice asked hesitantly, Arianna's head snapped up and looked at the tall figure in the corner, a woman, her dark hair matted with blood, her face bruised, her long dress that of Apollo's servants, with her high cheekbones and slightly haughty air, Arianna guessed her to be royalty.

"I am fine" she said shortly, rubbing the tears from her face, she went to kneel beside the woman "what is your name?" she untied the bonds behind the woman's back and she smiled gratefully.

"Briseaus" the woman said, rubbing her wrists "and yours?"

Arianna laughed, she liked her, she wasn't afraid "Arianna, what are you doing here briseaus?"

"Arianna, that's a pretty name" briseaus smiled before her eyes darkened "I was taken from the temple, some soldiers brought me here, this big brute of a man, well he was kind to me, distant but he gave me water, he should be back soon, he went to see someone called Agamemnon"

"That big brute is my brother" she said angrily, but she wasn't angry at briseaus, far from it, she was angry at her brother. "And I will kill him" she finished evenly; she went to leave the hut when she was roughly pushed back by two guards. Agamemnon's.

"There are two?" one of them said stupidly

"No, we are to take this one, this is Achilles sister, it's worth more than our life to touch her" the other replied hurriedly, grabbing briseaus, she began to fight back and received a winding punch for her troubles.

Arianna picked herself off the floor and flew at the men, she had just managed to free Arianna when another guard grabbed her arms, she want to kick him but he kneed her in the back, she sagged forward catching her breath, she watched briseaus struggle, blood dripping from her nose. Arianna let herself be dragged to Agamemnon's lavish hut; briseaus was dragged in first, Arianna followed, ready to fight once more.

"Brothers I have nothing against you but you will never see home again if you do not let her go" he growled at the men holding briseaus, he had not noticed Arianna yet.

"Stop it! Too many men have died today, I won't let anyone die for me" brisaeus yelled, she looked straight at Achilles "if killing is your only talent then that's your curse"

Arianna smiled, this girl was fierce, she would make a good warrior, she watched through the side panel as her brother put his swords away.

"My lord?" the guard holding her called "I have something for you" he kicked Arianna into the hut, she twisted and smashed her fist into his face, he crumpled under her blow

"That's for kicking me" she spat turning to face the fat man masquerading as a leader.

"Arianna, how lovely to see you" Agamemnon said snidely

"Go to Hades" she snapped moving over to her brother

Agamemnon chuckled "my, now I have seen everything, the mighty Achilles silenced by a slave girl and now you, a girl playing at being a hero"

Arianna's eyes narrowed as the man moved over to brisaeus "first I think I'll have her give me a bath, then who knows? Ah the spoils of war"

He brother moved away his posture displaying his anger "you sack of wine, before my time is done, I'll look down at your corpse and smile!" he threatened "come Arianna" they swept from the tent, Achilles kicking the guard, that had held his sister, hard in the head.

Achilles was shaking with anger as they made their way back to their hut, he stormed in without a backward glance at Arianna, her anger had disappeared, she felt drained, turning on her heel she slipped into the hut that stood beside Achilles, she collapsed into her bed, her arm across her face. What am I doing here? She asked herself and why has the prince affected me so?