Chapter 7: Love Declared:
Pearl woke up the next morning at dawn with a start. People around the tent were screaming. She looked and saw Achilles asleep.
"He can actually sleep through all that?" she asked herself. She was about to wake him up, but decided against it. She took a cape and draped it around her and ran out. Running away from the tent and far away from the Myrmidon spot, she gasped at the sight.
Balls of fire were being hurled towards the camp. People were screaming as the balls took them. Pearl looked and saw that that was the last of the incoming balls. The soldiers were all marching towards the front. From her line of sight she could see the Trojan army moving towards the camp site. They advanced on each other and she could hear someone yell.
"Achilles!"
"What?" she asked herself again. The murmurs around her were getting louder. She turned and saw the Myrmidons running towards the battle and their leader was none other than Achilles.
"That's impossible," she told herself. "I just left him snoozing away in his tent." A thought then occurred in her mind. "Patroclus!" she gasped out and started running. She knew she couldn't exactly reach him in time and enter the battle. The only thing left to do was get close enough and say a spell. She propelled her feet forward and the familiar rush of adrenaline that she felt when saving Achilles was back.
As soon as she was close enough, she heard cheers from both sides. Hector and Patroclus were fighting and everyone had stopped to watch.
"No," she said. "Okay, okay. Think." She commanded her mind to start working on a spell.
"Unmask him before the final blow is brought,
From this war, we have all been taught."
Hector slashed Patroclus' knee and the side of his stomach and he fell to the floor gasping. But, before Hector could deliver the final blow, his helmet slid off, miraculously. The spell, thought Pearl.
Murmurs filled the air and from what she could point out Odysseus and Hector agreed to stop fighting for the day.
The soldiers carried Patroclus away to get treated and she ran back towards Achilles tent. He was just exiting when he saw Pearl run up.
"I was wondering where you went," he said smiling. He then noticed the fear and shock on her face. "What is it?" Just as he asked that question, the Myrmidons entered his sight dressed in their battle gear. Eudorus came up to him.
"You violated my command," said Achilles. Eudorus shook his head.
"No, my Lord," he said. "There was a mistake."
"You led the soldiers into battle," said Achilles.
"No," answered Eudorus. "We thought you did." Achilles looked around him realizing something.
"Where's Patroclus?" he asked. "Patroclus!" he yelled expecting an answer.
"He's in a tent with the soldiers tending to him," said Eudorus. "Hector wounded him and the soldiers are worried that he won't survive." Achilles suddenly hit Eudorus.
"No," yelled Pearl running forwards and taking his arm. "Don't." Achilles looked at her than grabbed her arm and dragged her into the tent. He threw her on the bed and came towards her. Pearl gasped as her shoulder wound came in contact with a piece of wood, but ignored the pain.
"You knew didn't you?" he asked.
"I didn't," replied Pearl bringing her legs close to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. "I woke up this morning to the fighting. I saw what we all thought was you lead the Myrmidons into the fight. I then realized you were asleep and couldn't lead them, so I quickly guessed it was Patroclus. I said a spell to reveal him before Hector delivered the final blow, but what I didn't know was that the one before was lethal. It worked, but too late."
Achilles grasped her hand in his.
"You tried to save him," said Achilles. "We still don't know what the outcome is. He might survive, and he might not. Only time will tell. And he will have his revenge." Pearl immediately understood what he meant.
"You can't fight Hector," she said gasping.
"Go stay with Patroclus in the tent."
"No," she said. "I," she hesitated before continuing. "I love you." Achilles looked at her.
"I love you too," he said cupping her face in his hands. He leaned down and placed a kiss on her lips before getting up and leaving the tent. Pearl hesitated before getting up and going towards the tent where Patroclus was being treated.
She saw the other soldiers turn to look at her, most likely wondering why she was wearing a cloak in the weather of summer. Pearl made her way towards the tent where she saw Patroclus laying down. His wounds were wrapped in cloth and he had some sort of ointment on him. Pearl fell to her knees beside him and started sobbing.
"I'm sorry," she kept muttering. "I'm so sorry."
Hector and Andromache walked through the palace. He was leading her into an unknown room.
"Where are we going?" she asked. He opened a latch on a door and pulled it open.
"If Troy falls," he said. She was about to protest, but he held up a hand silencing her. "You must get out of here. This is a secret passage. If you follow it, it will lead you behind the temple of Apollo. From there, go east till you find the river and follow it to Mount Ida. The Greeks won't go that far."
"Don't say that," said Andromache. Hector looked away for a moment then brought his lips to hers, wondering if that would be the last time he kissed his wife.
That night, Hector lay awake in his room, watching his wife and infant son. He couldn't sleep knowing that the blow most likely ended the boy's life, Achilles' cousin. Achilles would most likely come for him. He smiled at his wife and son. Hector made his way towards his armor.
Achilles was pacing around his tent. It was dawn and he was determined to get his revenge. Pearl had fallen asleep in the tent were they kept Patroclus, so he didn't need to worry about her. He saw the sun rising higher in the sky and felt determined to kill the prince that harmed his cousin. Making his way over to the side of his tent, he grasped his armor and slid it on.
The prince looked at his sleeping wife once more than exited the room. Andromache looked up at his exiting form. She had feigned sleep.
Achilles had ordered the men to bring his carriage to the front of his tent. Once on it, he dropped his spear and shield. Eudorus climbed it with him, but Achilles motioned him back.
"No," said Achilles in a commanding tone. He pulled the horse's reigns and it sped away with the carriage.
He arrived at the palace.
"Hector!" yelled an enraged Achilles.
Pearl woke up to find herself still sleeping next to Patroclus' bed. He was still asleep. She got up and pulled her cloak around her tighter. No matter how hot she was, she couldn't risk exposure.
After a while, Patroclus began to stir. Pearl looked up her eyes wide.
"Patroclus?" she asked. He groaned and looked up at her.
"Pearl?" he asked. "What happened?" she laughed softly.
"It's a long story," she said. "I have to go find your cousin." Patroclus moaned and closed his eyes again. Pearl stood up smiling and walked out of the tent. She spotted Eudorus, Achilles' second in command.
"Sir," she said coming up to him. He turned to face her. His eyes were grave. "Where's Achilles?"
"Gone," replied Eudorus. Pearl looked at him for elaboration. "He went to fight Hector." Pearl's fear escalated to just below hysteria.
"No," she gasped. Then she turned to Eudorus. "You must see Patroclus. He's awake." Eudorus nodded and went into the tent. Pearl sighed that he was out of her way and she began running. She easily avoided the guards and began running towards the palace. Praying she would make it in time, Pearl urged her legs to move faster for the third day in a row.
Now I know why all the ancient Greeks were so fit, she thought as she ran. She stopped and took off the heavy cloak. Dumping it in the sand, she made a mental note to come back for it later. Pearl ran as fast as her feet could carry her. Please, she silently begged in her head. Please.
From where she was, she could make out the walls of Troy. Two figures were fighting in front of it, Hector and Achilles.
"NO!" she screamed at the top of her lungs. No one heard her since she was too far away. She began running faster, thanking god that she was the fastest runner in her school. Her grandmother had her play martial arts, sword fighting, gymnastics, shooting, tennis, mountain climbing, archery, and running track when she was younger. That made her extremely fast. She won two state championships, so that made her confident enough. She inched forwards faster than before, ignoring the searing pain in her shoulder. As she made it close enough to be heard, Hector tripped over a rock and fell to the sand.
"Achilles!" she yelled. "Stop!" This time Achilles heard her. He glanced backwards for a second then turned back to the prince who stood up gasping for air. Pearl knew he wouldn't stop until he learned that Patroclus would be alright. She ran forward towards Achilles who had just stabbed the prince's shoulder with a broken spear. He got his blade out and was about to thrust it forward until Pearl put herself between the prince and him.
"Move," he commanded with blazing eyes. Pearl shook her head. "Move, or I'll kill you." Pearl stared at him defiantly.
"Go ahead," she said. He made no move with the blade. He lowered his blade and put it back in his belt. She smiled at him.
"Why are you here?" he asked with anger. "I told you to stay with Patroclus."
"That's why I'm here," she said raising her hands in a surrender position. "Patroclus is alive."
"What?" asked Achilles with a choking voice.
"He just woke up," explained Pearl. "I was with him. Eudorus told me where you went, so I left him with Patroclus and ran to stop before you made a mistake." She looked him in the eyes as she said her next words. "I wouldn't let you give into your monster." Achilles stared at her and strode forward and brought her into a hug. They could both hear a collective gasp from above the walls where the Royal Family most likely gathered to watch the fight.
Helen looked and saw Briseis smiling at the girl with gratitude.
"Who is this woman?" asked king Priam with wonder.
"The bravest of us all," replied Briseis. Everyone turned to stare at her like she had spoken a different language.
"Cousin," said Paris. "Do you know her?" Briseis smiled innocently.
Achilles released her then noticed her shoulder bleeding again.
"I thought we stopped the bleeding," he stated. Pearl shrugged.
"I've had way worse," she answered. She looked up at the royal family and saw Briseis smiling widely at her.
"Thank you," said Briseis. Everyone was silent so she could hear her without the need to shout. Pearl nodded. Achilles stared at her.
"How do you know her?" he asked and Pearl smiled brilliantly at him.
"That's a story for another day," she replied as she got on the carriage and motioned him to start steering.
As Pearl and Achilles rode away, the entire family, healer, and some soldiers came out of the gates to help Hector.
"Son," said Priam. "Are you alright?" Hector got up with much difficulty. The spear was still inside and penetrating his shoulder.
"Come with us, your highness," said a healer as he slowly directed him inside the city.
"Briseis," said Helen. "How do you know this girl?" Briseis took a deep breath before answering.
"When I was in the temple of Apollo, she saved me before the Greeks could enter and capture me. She got captured herself instead. She also showed me an escape if ever needed."
"Where did she come from?" demanded Paris. "She is not a Trojan. That is for sure. Why was she dressed like that?"
"Uh," said Briseis stammering before remembering something Pearl had told her in their first meeting. "She's from America. It's a far away land. That is their manner if dress." They all nodded not entirely believing her. She sighed inaudibly that they dropped the subject. They walked back into the walls where Andromache, Priam, and Helen went to see Hector. Paris grabbed Briseis arm and dragged her into the main garden in the palace.
"I know you're lying," he said. Briseis stared at him challenging. "Who is she?"
"I already told you," answered Briseis yanking her arms free of his grasp. "Now, excuse me, but I have to check on my cousin." She left without another word, hurrying before Paris could grab her again. She ran towards where her family was gathered. Hector was conscious as they were stitching his wounds.
"That girl," he gasped to Andromache. She held him hand tighter. "Who is she?"
"All we know is that she isn't a Trojan or Greek," said Priam. "I do have a feeling that Briseis is not telling us everything."
"I owe her my life," said Hector gasping out as the healer finished his stitching.
"As do we," replied Priam with a smile that his eldest son was alright.
"Thank you," said Achilles. Pearl looked at him with confusion. He had spent the entire ride with her in silence.
"For what?" she asked, confused. He smiled at her.
"For saving me," he responded. "For not letting me give into my monster, as you quoted."
Pearl smiled at him. He looked over at her with a grin; as soon as it appeared though, his grin disappeared and his face was serious again.
"We have to make it seem like Hector is dead," he said. Pearl sighed.
"They'll never believe you unless you have the body, no matter how much you try to tell them that Priam asked to keep it." Achilles sighed.
"I'm going to send the Myrmidons home today," he said. Pearl stared at him.
"And you're going with them?" she guessed. He shook his head.
"I'm staying with you," he said. Pearl stared at him. "Eudorus is more than capable of leading them and training Patroclus. I'm staying to help you since I am certain you won't return with me." Pearl smirked at him.
"My cousins call me Miss Unpredictable," she told him.
"I disagree," he said. "I find you terribly predictable."
"How about the fight?" she asked. Surely he couldn't know, could he?
"I knew you would figure it out," he answered quietly. "That's why I tried to delay the fight and make it last as long as possible, hoping you would come with news of Patroclus before I finished the prince."
"You are the greatest warrior in Greek history," she said nodding and grinning to herself.
"I am known as the greatest warrior?" he asked gaping. She nodded.
"We have a whole lesson dedicated to you in our history book," she answered. "We also have an entire book to read and memorize about you."
"Thank you again," he said. As they neared the camp, they could see a huge object standing there.
"The Trojan horse," she gasped. Achilles stopped the carriage and he turned towards Pearl.
"What do you mean?" he asked. She looked thoughtful for a moment before she responded.
"The Greeks build a horse and leave it outside the Trojan walls. Thinking it's a gift the Trojan's pull it into their city. There, at night when the entire city is sleeping, soldiers pop out of the horse and open the gates allowing the Greek army in."
"Odysseus," said Achilles starting up the carriage again.
"What?" asked Pearl.
"Odysseus, king of Ithaca," elaborated Achilles. "He is the only one smart enough to build it."
"Odysseus," repeated Pearl. "I've read of him. He was the one to build the Horse. He's considered the smartest and wisest among the Greeks. Am I correct?" Achilles nodded. They entered the camp from the back where no one could see them and Pearl remembered the cloak she left.
"Oh," she said smacking her head. "I forgot the cloak." Achilles told her it was okay and snuck her into his tent where he gave her another cloak to wear. "Thanks," she told him gratefully.
"I need to go check on Patroclus," Pearl nodded and Achilles exited the tent. Pearl sat down on the bed and took an apple from the tray and began playing with it. She sighed and closed her eyes wishing that she would go home, back to her grandmother, back to her cousins. But some part of her didn't want to leave Achilles behind. He had shown her so much compassion and love and she returned it. Pearl put her head in her hands and began to think of a way out.
"For the last time, who is she?" asked Paris. Briseis looked him in the eye.
"I told you who she is," replied Briseis. Hector was sitting in a chair and Andromache was standing next to him. Helen and Priam were sitting on two separate chairs. Paris and Briseis were standing face to face.
"No," said Paris. "You just told me she's from 'America'. Where ever that is?"
"I told you the truth," said Briseis. "What more do you want?"
"All of it," said Paris.
"I told you all I can," said Briseis.
"Briseis," said Andromache. "Please."
She sighed. "The only other thing I can tell you is that she will help us. Please. Leave it at that. There are things you do not want to interfere in. Please." She pleaded.
Paris was about to ask, but Priam put up his hand. "If Briseis says it is not our place than we shall leave this to the gods."
"But, father," tried Paris.
"Father's right," said Hector. "We shall leave this." Hector's arm was bandaged as was his shoulder. Paris obeyed his brother and left the room. Helen followed after.
"Do not worry, my love," she said taking his hand. "I have a feeling we will see her again." Paris nodded. A soldier came running into the palace. He ran straight to the room where the king was. Paris and Helen followed the soldier inside.
"My king," said the soldier bowing down. "The Greeks have left."
"What?" asked Hector.
"They left," said the soldier. "And they have left us a gift. It is in front of the city." Priam nodded and stood up. He, Paris, and a wounded Hector made their way to the city gates and crossed the doorway to the gate. They looked up and saw an enormous horse there.
"What is this?" demanded Paris.
"It is a gift to the gods," said a priest.
"They would never leave a gift," said Paris. Priam held up his hand to silence him. He then motioned the priest to continue.
"Apollo destroyed their armies, made them weak. They have retreated and left our lands and this as an offering of peace."
"Father," said Paris and Hector at the same time. "Burn it."
Priam raised his hand to silence his sons. He motioned towards a soldier.
"Take it inside,"
Paris and Hector looked at each other in horror as if knowing it was not going to end well.
"Who will be hiding inside the horse?" asked Achilles as he came up to Odysseus with Pearl not far behind him.
"A few of my men and me," replied Odysseus.
"And me," said Achilles. He had sent the Myrmidons home with Patroclus who was able to walk. The injury wasn't as bad as everyone said.
Odysseus looked at Achilles in surprise. Achilles glanced at Pearl who slightly nodded as a confirmation that she wanted to be in the horse as well.
"As well as Pearl," said Achilles quietly so nobody, but Odysseus could hear. Odysseus was about to protest, but knew it would do him no good and nodded. Achilles nodded and went back to his tent which was in a now secluded part of the shores since the Myrmidons left. Pearl followed after him.
"Thanks," she said. Achilles nodded and stopped her in front of his tent.
"Can you fight?" he asked. She nodded. Achilles raised his eyebrows. "Really? A girl can fight?" Pearl huffed.
"Where I'm from, women have equal rights as men," said Pearl. "I assumed from what I've told you, you would have figured it out." Achilles smiled.
"You'll be in the midst of a battle tomorrow," he said picking up a sword and tossing it to her which she caught with ease. "I prefer to know if you would need my protection." Pearl huffed and got into a battle position. Achilles picked up a sword and mirrored her. Pearl may not have taken sword fighting for long, but she knew the basics. They started circling each other.
If I combine this with my martial arts and speed, she thought. I should be able to last against him for a few minutes at least. With her battle plan set out, she immediately ducked when he swung his sword at her. She aimed for him but he blocked it. He tried to go for her legs, but she jumped over the sword, did a backflip and landed gracefully with her sword carefully balanced. Achilles gave her a look of praise and lunged at her. He grabbed her arm and twisted it around her back. She pushed out with her foot behind her and he released her arm with the impact of her foot with his stomach. Pearl frowned in pain realizing she had hit his armor.
Achilles quickly recovered and went for her neck. She yelped and quickly blocked his sword. He saw this as the opportunity he was waiting for and used his sword to push hers towards the sand. Once it was twisted, he kicked it out of her grasp and it flew across the sand. Her eyes widened and she looked up at him. He smirked.
"You did very well," he said. "No one has ever fought me for that long. Where did you learn?"
"I took a class when I was young. My grandmother signed me in and I stared taking that class, but with all my other classes and my education and fighting demons, I left before I could excel in it, but I still remember the basics."
"You easily best all the soldiers here," he said.
"Though not you," she added with a grin. He let out a snort of laughter.
"I have to get my bag," she said walking towards the edge of the camp.
"What?" asked Achilles.
"My bag," repeated Pearl. "It has all of my things in it. I also want to show you something." He nodded and she led him out of the camp and towards the temple that the Greeks had destroyed. She went behind the big boulder with Achilles watching her silently. She dug a hole and once again pulled out her bag. Achilles knelt next to her as she sat on the sand and opened the bag. She pulled out her history book and the novel about Achilles.
"This," she said indicating the book. "Is about ancient Greek history. The Trojan War takes up almost half of this book. It is our main priority this term." Achilles took the book and started flipping through it. He started reading.
"Wait," she stopped him. "You can understand this." He nodded. She whistled to herself. "Looks like my spell had a few side effects." She thought back to the spell she cast to help her understand their language. Apparently, it also made them understand hers.
"This is about the war," he said astounded. "But I'm not mentioned." Achilles sounded dejected and extremely sad. Pearl looked and saw that he was on the last page of the Trojan War. She quickly scanned the page and realized that history was still the same. She had changed nothing. Noticing Achilles expression, she smiled.
"Turn the page," she commanded. He did and read the title. He gasped.
"Achilles," he read. "That's me." Pearl nodded.
"While we only have to study a few lines about everyone else, you take up three pages." Achilles' smile grew bigger. She handed him the novel. He read the cover and looked at her shocked. "Like I said, you're one of the most important figures in Greek history. You take up half of what's coming on our examination." He looked up at her and brought his lips to hers quickly giving her a peck.
"Thank you again," he said. She nodded and pulled out the contents in her bag. She tossed her class noes to him.
"These are summaries we take in class," She tossed her lipstick, wallet, flash light, camera, and iPod at him. He caught each one with ease and stared at them. She finally pulled out her cell phone. She flipped it open and was surprised to still have half her battery. She opened her picture folder and enlarged a picture of her, Piper, Phoebe, and Paige.
"These are my cousins," she said. "The one in the middle is Piper, on her left in Phoebe, and the one on her right is Paige."
"That's lovely," he said handing her phone back to her. "What is this?"
"It's a way we communicate in the future," she answered. She put everything back in her backpack and slung it on her shoulders getting up.
Achilles mirrored her actions and took the bag from her carrying it despite her protests. They began walking towards the camp enjoying each other's company.
"I love you," said Achilles.
"So do I," said Pearl. They linked hands and stared into each other's eyes
