The Other Warriors
Chapter 10: Why you don't Trust Woman
Achilles followed behind Hector still fuming about his earlier comments. Had not Hector also been embarrassed? And also at the hands of a woman? He was going to have to kill a lot of men to regain his dignity, starting with Hector. This brought an unnoticed smile to his lips as he continued to follow the prince into a private garden.
"Give me one reason why I shouldn't kill you right now?" Achilles said once Hector had stopped.
"Because you have questions and you think that I may have the answers." Hector arrogantly told Achilles. It made him feel a bite better that he finally knew Achilles biggest weakness. His emotions. Thankfully they were Hector's strength.
"Is it that easy to tell?" Achilles asked, forgetting all about his previous anger. This was all new to him. How could a woman he had known for such a short time have such an effect on him?
"Only if you know where to look." Hector lightly said. He had learned how to read people from his father at a very young age.
"I can't believe this! Why can't I just bed her and be over with it?" Achilles cried out in frustration.
"Because she is your equal. She does not worship you for your name, for she has one that rivals your own and this has never happened to you." Hector said. A unusual thought came to Hector as he ran over the problems Achilles was having. "You remind me of Paris."
Achilles sent a deadly glare to Hector. There was no way that Achilles would let himself be compared to a boy that couldn't even fight in the war he started, until he was pushed into it by guilt. "Don't ever say that again." His voice held a deadly tone.
"I don't compare your fighting skills, merely your take on women. Both of you had them falling to your every whim, taking which ones you desired and then dropped them the next day. And just like Paris you met the one that holds the power over you." Hector said taking a seat on a stone bench. He watched as the confusion set into his friend's eyes.
"How can this be? I have only known her for a day!" Achilles asked. He hated that Hector had found out and hated even more so that he had found a way to compare him to Paris.
"It took Paris 3 days to bed and fall in love with Helen and a week to set off the biggest war in history. The heart knows no time." Hector said. "And at least Melonius isn't married." He pointed out to him.
"Look at me! I Achilles, the Invincible Warrior falling to pieces over a woman." He shouted to the heavens. He turned his head quickly to Hector, he was laughing at him. "What are you laughing at?" Achilles snapped at him.
"You know so little of love. No armor or weapon can protect you from it, you can't run or hid from it. Eventually every warrior will fall to it, that is why women always have power over us, though they do not know it." Hector told his friend, as he looked right at him. Achilles merely put his head into his hands before he spoke.
"Only we found the only two women that do know it." Achilles heard Hector break out into laughter and couldn't help himself from joining him. They just sat there laughing for some time until they both relized how odd it must look to anyone that might have seen them. A stone cold killer, and depressed Prince laughing together.
"I believe that I am not the only one here with an attraction to one of the sisters." Achilles commented to Hector.
"I will admit she is the most beautiful creature I have ever laid my eyes upon, but I feel as though I am betraying Andromache's memory." Hector said sighing at the complications of the matters at hand.
"You need to move on my friend. It has been almost two years, and I hate to tell you this but Andromache had eyes for another." Achilles said. No one had really ever told Hector flat out that his wife was in love with someone else, so it really sucked to hear it from Achilles.
"I have yet to accept it. I did love Andromache, but I didn't feel the raw emotions that I feel when I am with Rare. Even my son had taken a liking to her." Hector said laughing lightly as he remembered the trouble he caused last night.
"Well you better accept it and soon my friend. I believe that Rare is the type of woman that will not be won over easily." Achilles thought that Melonius might also be that type, but not as strong because she didn't bear the burden her sister does.
"That is another thing that both of you have in common." Achilles spoke in a thoughtful voice. Hector in return gazed at him in confusion. "You both carry many different pains and burdens that are very much a like. She has to fight to protect her people and protects her sister at all costs. You also fight for your people and protect Paris all the time." Achilles finished. He saw that Hector was looking at him with a definite mirth in his eyes. "What?" Achilles asked him.
"When did you become such a philosopher?" Hector laughed at the look of pure annoyance that Achilles gave him. "Well it's not everyday that you hear the Great Achilles preaching wisdom." Hector said continuing to laugh.
"Than I shall preach no more. It is hard to believe what they have been through in their short time." Achilles stated. It was beyond him that they had been through so many challenges and have come out on top each time. It was a hard life to live, imagined Achilles.
"Yes, and too think that we only know a small part of it." Hector said letting out a long breath.
"Do you think your father would let us have a look at the scroll?" Achilles asked thinking that it might be easier if they just read about it instead of trying to drag it out of them.
"Not likely. He hasn't let anyone touch it since he found it. I think that he is still using it to confirm the allegiance of Melonius and Rare." Hector said.
"Do you doubt their sincerity?" Achilles asked. He had never thought that these two women might still be their enemies.
"I believe them, but still I don't want to get to attached in the event that they are just trying to destroy us." Hector sadly said. That was another reason that he didn't want to get to close to Rare. He didn't want to get hurt again.
"That is true. I wish that we knew. It would make things a lot less complicated." Achilles said sighing. Love and Lust had really never mixed with him. He loved war and victory, then took what ever woman he wanted to fulfill himself.
"That is why they say that love is blind." Hector said to him. It was true since he knew what it was to love someone and not have them return it.
"Now who's the philosopher?" Achilles jestingly said. Hector rolled his eyes, something he had found himself doing lately.
"Look the sun had almost set. I had not thought it was this late in the day." Hector said glancing at the setting sun behind them. It was way later then Hector thought it had been.
"That may have to do with the fact that we both over slept. Now I must know how you kept the skilled Queen from escaping." Achilles questioned Hector. He watched as a sly grin broke out across the ever glowing face of Hector.
"I attached an ankle shackle to her and to the wall. When I returned my son was asleep in her arms and would not sleep with out both of us, so I took the shackle from the wall and attached it to my own ankle." Hector said with a shrug, though Achilles could see the mischief shining through his eyes.
"So then she spent the night in your bed?" Achilles said with a wink. He wasn't going to let the Prince get away with this one. Hector was always the one who frowned upon Paris and his bedding random women and now he himself had let a strange woman into his bed.
"Yes, but nothing of that sort took place. We merely shared a bed. That's all." Hector stated firmly. 'Although it may develop.' He thought to himself. Scolding himself after for thinking such thoughts over a woman that had earned his respect as an equal and not some mere object.
"Right." Achilles said dragging out the word, lacing it with sarcasm.
"If I remember correctly I was not the only one who over slept this morning. And I seem to remember Melonius telling Rare something about waking up on a bed of muscles. Would you know anything about that Achilles?" Hector countered. He watched as Achilles face turned up into an arrogant smile.
"She hit her head and needed something soft to sleep on, so naturally I placed her head on my shoulder. Then at some point in the night she rolled on top of and I just didn't push her off." Achilles said displaying a sly smile across his face.
"So it would seem we both spent the might with woman we hardly know. Now I think have been spending to much time around Paris." Hector stated with a light laughter in his voice. But it was true. How many times had Hector caught his younger bother climbing the balcony into his room after one of his nightly escapades? 'Too many.' Hector thought.
"I believe we should get back to our woman before they kill off your entire army." Achilles jested rising to his feet from the bench he had been sitting on.
"I agree, but aren't the Myrmidons also at the training grounds? I believe that I saw Patroclus light up when he saw Melonius enter the room." Achilles stopped dead in the middle of stretching his legs. His mind returned to when he had returned to when he had come back to hid room last night. Her and Patroclus seemed to have developed a bond, but he had no idea what type of bond it was.
"We need to get back there NOW!!" Achilles shouted the last part. There was no way that Achilles would lose this woman to his cousin.
"Is the Mighty Achilles worried that his cousin will steal the desired affections of his chosen woman?" Hector joked. He always loved poking fun at Achilles. Most of the time it was very easy to do.
"Well maybe the Queen will find a warrior worthy of her heart on the Trojan training grounds!" Achilles couldn't help but smile as Hector's face almost hit the floor.
"Let's get going then." Hector said also getting up and he and Achilles began heading back toward the training grounds. They noticed that it was now dark out and the evening torches had been lit.
Meanwhile while Achilles and Hector were talking Rare and Melonius were...................................
"So boys who's first?" Rare said continuing to twirl the sword around her in her hands. She took the time to examine the soldiers before her. The different armies were easy to tell apart, but one set caught her eye. Dressed completely in black and looking like they were sent from Tartarus.
"My dear sister I believe we finally get the honor of meeting the Myrmidons." Rare said watching as each of the Myrmidons moved closer to her upon hearing Rare mention their name.
"And we have the honor of meeting the famous leaders of the Hithuain army, also the woman who is our captains greatest challenge." A man with dark hair and green eyes said coming close to where Rare was still swinging the sword.
"That would have to be my sister Melonius." Rare said nodding her head to her sister who was moving toward a large pile of weapons, selecting two very long daggers. "I am Queen Rare, the one who made a fool of Prince Hector." She finished and then finally stopped twirling the swords.
"A pleasure to meet you. I am Eudorus, second in command of the Myrmidons and I formally accept your challenge to a friendly spar." Eudorus said smiling as he removed his sword from the sheath mounted on his back.
"Finally a man worthy of my time." Rare said taking her fighting stance. Melonius also returned to the fighting pad and stood in the middle, looking around the grounds, willing someone to challenge her. After a moment a young man of about 25 years stepped forward.
"I am Julidor of Troy, leader of the elite fighters section." He said pride showing through his words. Melonius smiled to him. Julidor seemed proud of his accomplishments, but he was not arrogant.
"It is an honor to meet you Julidor. I am Princess Melonius of Hithuain and second in command of the Hithuain army." She announced and then took her fighting stance in front of him. 'This could get interesting.' Melonius thought. She couldn't help but notice how attractive Julidor was. He was not close to Achilles' beauty, but he seemed to be one that wouldn't take a woman then drop her.
"I think we should put a wager on this battle. What do you say to the idea Eudorus?" Rare offered. Sparing was always more fun when their was something to fight for. Or something to lose.
"I believe that is an excellent idea, but what shall the wager be?" Eudorus said looking to the men gathered around the sparing pad. Shouts of ideas came from the men, but most were ignored because they normally dealt with the woman and losing some article of clothing.
"Alright I've got it. If the women lose they will serve us dinner and provide us with entertainment of their choosing." Julidor turned to see if the men agreed with his suggestion. All appeared to be in agreement so he turned back to Melonius.
Melonius turned to look at her sister and nodded her head, agreeing to the wager. "Alright we agree. But if we win you have to wait on us hand and foot until the moon sets this evening." Rare voiced to the group. Eudorus looked to Julidor and shrugged his shoulders.
"I guess it is agreed then. Let the battles begin." Eudorus shouted and then the fights started. Melonius could see why he was second in command, his swipes were strong and fluent, his movement very graceful and fast.
Julidor was very surprised at how good Melonius was. Every attack he sent her way she would block and then retaliate. He couldn't believe how talented she was with only two long daggers. Her movements were like a dance, a perfect and lethal pattern.
Eudorus now understood how Hector could have trouble winning against the Queen. She moved the grace and speed of a dove, but had the power of a lion. The thing that caught his attention was that Rare never broke eye contact with him. Not once did she glance at his sword or check her footing.
"How is it that you never look anywhere other then the eyes of your opponent?" Eudorus breathlessly said as he struggled to block an overhead attack from Rare.
"I can answer that." Eudorus took a quick glance to the side to see that Patroclus had been the one to speak. "The eyes give away every move you will ever make. If you learn to read them right then you never have to guess what your opponent is going to do next, thus the only thing your need continually watch is the eyes." Patroclus declared gazing at Melonius the entire time.
"Where did you learn that?" Eudorus couldn't keep the shock out of his voice. That was certainly not something that Achilles would say, he was never that observant.
"My dear Princess Melonius told me that last night in Achilles room." Melonius sent Patroclus a death glare. He just smiled innocently since he knew that she couldn't hurt him at the moment.
"What did....(SMASH)...I...(CLANG)...... tell.....(SMASH)...you.......(CRASH)...about formal titles?" Melonius shouted between strikes against Julidor. She was angry at that made her even stronger. Julidor was thrown off by the unexpected strength behind her blows that his sword was knocked clean out of his hands and he fell to the ground on his back. Most of the men broke out in cheers and hollering, while the others just stood there amazed that she had won.
"I'm guessing you told him not to use them with you." Rare commented as she back flipped over Eudorus and landing behind him then kicking him square in the back, causing him to fall to the floor and his sword to fly out of his hand.
"It looks as if we have won sister. And what perfect timing." Melonius told the crowd as servants began to appear carrying huge platters piled high with food and large jugs of fine wine.
"Servants of Troy. Leave the food and wine where you stand. The soldiers will be serving dinner tonight." Rare said to a now utterly confused group of servants, but they knew she was a Queen and that they had to obey her. Placing the food and wine on the floor the servants turned to carry on with their other chores. Not the least bite upset that they didn't have to serve dinner tonight.
"Well men the food is not going to walk on its own so get to it." Rare said laughing lightly as many of the men grumbled as they went to retrieve the food and wine. Eudorus moved to Rare's side and offered her his arm.
"Would you allow me the honor of escorting you to the dinning grounds?" He spoke going into a small bow at her side.
"I would be honored to have you escort me. Even though if only to not have to carry anything to the dinning grounds." Rare smirked as Eudorus placed his hand over his heart in a mock hurt fashion.
"I have every intention to carry something." Eudorus chanted mysteriously. Rare sent him an uneasy gaze. He bent down and threw her onto his back. (AN: Think of a piggy-back-ride!) Rare let out a little scream of surprise. She let out a laugh and wrapped her arms around Eudorus neck.
"Would you care for a ride Melonius?" Julidor asked her. Melonius looked at the puppy face that he was giving her and couldn't resist. She could feel a great bond of friendship to come with Julidor.
"I am honored that you be my chariot to dinner." Melonius said jumping onto his back and wrapping her arms around his shoulders. They laughed all the way to the dinning grounds where the men had started to place the food on a stone table that was only a foot off the ground. The table was surrounded by hundreds of cushions and blankets to sit on.
"And where would their majesties wish to sit?" Eudorus asked as he stopped a few feet from the table. Julidor had come up beside him with Melonius moments before he had spoken. He felt Rare lift herself up a bite to look around.
"We wish to sit over there." Melonius said pointing to the far side of the table where Patroclus sat waving to her. She waved back and then kicked her heels in Julidor, much like you do with a horse.
"I'm not your HORSE." He cried as she kicked her heels into him again. She moved her head right beside his ear.
"You're what ever I tell you are until the moon sets, so giddy up!" She said kicking him a finally time. Rolling his eyes Julidor led the way to Patroclus. Once they reached him Eudorus spoke.
"Your ride is officially over my ladies. Now GET OFF!!" He cried jokingly. Both women dropped from the men's back and took their seats on the cushions. The seating was Eudorus, Rare, Julidor, Melonius and then Patroclus. The five of them chatted and ate till the servants came to light the nightly torches.
"Now that the meal is over I wish to know how you plan on keeping us entertained." Rare said. She was sitting between Eudorus legs at the moment with her back to him. Leaning back against him, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders pulling her closer to his chest. Neither of them felt romantically towards the other, they had just developed a close friendship. Not to mention that Rare didn't want to lean on the cold stone behind them.
"What would the Queen wish to be entertained with?" A Spartan soldier named Copiurs asked her, walking into the middle of the now cleared table. Melonius had an idea.
"Are any of you brave enough to play a Hithuain drinking game?" Melonius spoke in a mysterious and playful voice. Watching the men look at each other, each not sure if they wanted to know what this game would include.
"I think I shall except your challenge once again." Julidor said from beside Melonius. She in turn looked back at him and smiled. She found out a great deal about him over the meal they had shared. He was a fearless warrior with a wife and two daughters and had in fact seen 28 summers.
"Well are there any others who think that they can beat me in a drinking game?" She demanded of the men present. More men joined in the game. They all moved into the middle of the table and sat in a circle.
"Do you join many drinking games back in Hithuain?" Eudorus gently said into her ear. She smiled against the side of his cheek before answering.
"Not many. For one I never wanted to be unprepared for an attack and second no one stood a chance against me." Rare said laughing. Her whole body shook as she heard Eudorus mutter something about her being able to do everything known to man.
"Looks as if your sister has taken out almost all of the competition." Rare shifted her gaze to the table again to see that there was only her sister, Julidor and Copiurs left. She watched as both men took another shot of the drink and then forfeit.
"It looks to me like she has taken out ALL of the competition." She said resuming her laughter; her sister was now trying to wrestle the bottle of Fire Wine from Copiurs. But her laughter died suddenly when Hector entered the room along with Achilles.
Melonius noticed her sister's abrupt stop laughing and sat up to follow her sister's gaze. She was sitting on the chest of Copiurs and had one of his arms pinned above his head. She made the mistake of meeting Achilles eyes again. They weren't angry but they held an aura of betrayal.
Rare felt Hector's gaze on her, she could feel those eyes on her from across the ocean. She turned and met his stare evenly. He looked cold. Like the face of a rock. She thought of how she must look sitting in the arms of Eudorus. She gentle removed his arms from around her stood, and then began walking over to Hector.
Melonius followed her sister's lead and got off of Copiurs and walked over to Achilles. He was standing with his arms crossed watching her every move, the way a hawk watches its prey.
"Enjoying yourselves?" Achilles said coldly. His eyes were as ice as he stared down Melonius. She looked up and smiled at him.
"Yes..'Hiccup'..we...'Hiccup'.....did." She said through a fit of hiccups. She burst out laughing after trying to keep a straight face. She just kept on laughing, but they couldn't figure out what the hell was so funny. Achilles leaned in closer to her. The strong smell of wine reached his nostrils.
"Melonius are you drunk?" He asked of her. He got his answer when she started shaking her head no, but lost her balance for the movement and fell into Achilles who wrapped his arms around her to steady her.
"She and some of the men took part in an old Hithuain drinking game with Fire Wine." Rare said answering the unasked question. Achilles couldn't help let a small smile graze his lips as he felt Melonius's whole body shake against his as she continued to laugh.
"I see you both took pleasure in the soldiers company." Hector's voice pierced her like ice. Turning to Hector Rare glared at him. She would not allow someone to imply something like that about her.
"Prince Hector." She used his formal title since she was really mad. "You will refrain from such implications in the future. I am a guest of your father's house for now, but I won't be forever. Remember that the next time you address me." She said standing her ground to him.
"Is that a threat or a promise Queen?" Hector let his words slide across the space between them as he moved so that their bodies where almost touching.
"I recommend that you be careful that it doesn't become either. I always carry out my promises and my threats are never empty." Rare hissed leaning so she was only inches from Hector lips. It was going to be an interesting week.
AN: Hey! Thanx for being patient with this chapter. It took me a bit to figure out how to set everything up. The war will be about 2 chapters away and don't worry this is still a Rare/Hector and Achilles/Melonius fic. I just need them to have some friends on both sides of the war for when the story is going to take a dramatic turn. I want to know if you think that after I finish this story if I should write to sequels. One about Hector and Rare and another about Achilles and Melonius? Let me know what you think.
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