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Chapter 4: Alone

'Apollo, give me strength.' The words had run through my head countless times over the last hour. In all actuality I had no idea of the time that had gone by. I only knew that my imprisonment in Agamemnon's tent was proceeding longer than I would have cared for. The image of Achilles watching me being carried away, and the thoughts of what would happen to me when Agamemnon returned kept flashing in my mind's eye.

The soldiers had dragged me bodily into a dark room near the rear of the ship. They clumsily bound my hands and feet as I sat uncomfortably on the hard wood floor. They laughed to themselves at my dispense as one gagged me with a dirty rag. The taste of strong vinegar burnt my lips and tongue. I began to choke, but it only pained my throat more.

"That's only a small taste of what the Trojan army 's gonna get tomorrow." The bigger of the two said. With a sick grin he took out his knife and advanced towards me. For a moment I thought he was going to slit my throat. Fear engulfed my entire body as I watched him put the tip of the blade to the bridge of my nose. A trail of blood ran down my nose over my lips as he removed his dagger. Both soldiers left, and once again I was left to deal with the dangerous thoughts that lurked in the shadows of my mind.

Now, I wish the soldier had taken mercy on me and slit my throat. It would have been an easier, less stressful death than that which was to be mine in time. Until then, I was forced to sit in the dark, awaiting the tyrant that had brought terror to my city and my people.

Tears flowed like streams down my cheeks now. Alone, I let all my fear and hatred drain out of me. I sobbed bitterly as I remembered every dirty Greek face I had seen since my capture. I swore on my life that before my time on earth was done I would watch them fall. I gasped as I realized what I had just done. I was a priestess of Apollo! I could not feel hatred for these men, I was supposed to pity them! But I found no such emotion in my heart as I remembered the way they had dragged me, touched me, and destroyed the temple in which I had pledged to find that pity for them!

I closed my eyes in an effort to control myself. I would not think of those pigs anymore. They wasted my time and my energy. I...I would think of...of, Paris! Yes, my dear cousin! I remembered the days when Paris and I, close in age, would explore the palace together and engage in other sorts of trouble that would ultimately get us caught by Hector. We would steady ourselves for the reprimand we were sure to receive for our misbehavior, but most of the time he would just laugh at our predicament and then send us on our way. I laughed to myself at the memory, but it was not happy enough to lighten the constant flow of salty water that now covered my face and dampened the rag in my mouth.

Faintly, I could hear Paris' laugh, and see his bright smile. I could see Hectors loving eyes as he held baby Astynax in his strong warrior arms. At times it was almost comical to see such a precious babe in the arms of such a brutal fighter. I heard Andromache's soothing voice as she pacified Astynax in his crib. I would never get to watch him grow into the man he was sure to become.

Slowly, I felt myself slipping into the arms of sleep. I was exhausted from my worry and knew it was better for me to sleep than stay awake, dreading what was to come. I returned to remembering how things used to be, for it was more comforting than anything else I could think of. I could see Uncle Priam, even in his old age, sitting high above his city with admiration painted on his face. I felt myself slipping into blackness, the dark cover of sleep. I even saw Helen. Her beautiful face smiling as she watched Paris practice his archery. She loved him, I knew, but I could not help but let a part of me blame her for all that had happened. All that would happen, I thought as my mind finally fell silent.

A/N: Thanks to all those who reviewed! I love getting you guys' feedback! I know this one was short and that it took a long time to get on here but I've been on vacation. I'm very sorry! Hopefully the next chapter will come soon!

Thanks, LR