LALALA! Yes, kiddies! It's another chapter for your viewing enjoyment! Hehe, I've always wanted to say that! There's nothing like a chat at 12 o'clock over the phone from your friends to get your story going again! Shout-outs for that! You guessed it, Gina and Brienna, this chapter is for you! Plus, I'd feel guilty if I didn't start getting out another chapter before I get too preoccupied back in the insane asylum (you might know it better as school?) Since I don't update as often when I'm there, but then again, everyone needs something to think about while in solitary confinement… All things considered, and rambling over, here is:
When the Tables Turn- Chapter 11: Love Is Pain
Shouts could be heard all across the battlefield. The two lovers still stood in an embrace, but one that seemed to have lost its feeling. Achilles eyes narrowed as he tried to concentrate on the commotion happening outside of his tent. Briseis took his hands in her's and looked into his distant eyes. Through the immense noise going on, Briseis caught a few choice phrases and words.
"Arms down!….. Fall back, men." Someone called in the distance.
"Back to the beach!"
"To the city!"
"You heard the man, arms down!"
Achilles and Briseis shared the same genuinely confused look. Achilles locked eyes with her for a brief moment and then turned and left. Briseis opened her mouth to call after him, but could think of nothing to say that would make him stay with her.
…:…Battlefield…:…
All the fighting has ceased, but the battlefield is anything but peaceful. Everyone has turned their attention to Hector standing above a fallen warrior. Odysseus kneels besides the soldier as Hector wedges the hilt of his sword underneath his helmet. Hector reveals the identity of the man to be not the rightful owner of his armor. The man that Hector had thought he was fighting, the soldier that the Greeks had looked to, was none other than Patroclus, in Achilles' armor. Hector's face softened considerably at the sight of the young boy. Odysseus stood with a look of pure sorrow on his face. He and Hector looked at one another for a moment, lost for words. At long last, Hector spoke "I think that's enough fighting for one day." Odysseus nodded in response, clearly still in shock over what has happened. Eudorus hurried over and takes Odysseus' place, kneeling beside the boy. Hector turned away and mounted his horse. He then commanded the army back to the city. Odysseus watched silently until he called to Hector, who was nearly out of earshot. "It was his cousin." He said solemnly. Both sides began moving slowly back to camp. Some in shock, some angry, and some yet with fear in their eyes. Eudorus hurried over and knelt beside the fallen warrior. He reached out slowly, with shaking hands, and closed Patroclus' eyes.
He felt a hand clasp his shoulder and looked up to see that Odysseus stood silently above him. "We were going to sail home at noon."
"I don't think anyone is sailing home now," Odysseus sighed.
..:Greek Camp:..
Eudorus walked up cautiously towards Achilles' tent. The other Myrmidons were beginning to remove their armor behind him, all unable to look in the direction of where their captain abided. "Achilles!" Eudorus called to him finally. Achilles emerged with his blue robe wrapped loosely around him. He looked around until his eyes found Eudorus. Briseis followed him out of the tent and stood near its entrance as Achilles made towards his captain.
Eudorus bowed to his commander who in turn examined him with an unreadable look painting his face. Achilles' eyes traveled from his sweaty, dirt-strewn face to his bloodstained armor. "You've been fighting."
"My lord –" Eudorus started.
"You violated my command."
Eudorus attempted to explain. "No, my lord. There was a mistake."
"A mistake?" Achilles' voice rose slightly. "I ordered the Myrmidons to stand down. You led them into combat?"
"I-I didn't lead them." He stammered.
"Then who did?" He asked Eudorus, his tone getting annoyed.
"We thought…… you did."
The air between them changed instantly. Achilles could tell that something was amiss. He looked around at his Myrmidons. None could look back at him. They were all quiet. "Where's Patroclus?"
"We thought it was you, my lord. We—he wore your armor. Your shield, your grieves, your helmet." Eudorus struggled with the words. Achilles stared at him questioningly with such intensity that he could have bore a hole through the man, but he already knew what was to be said next. "He is dead, my lord."
"Liar! You're lying."
"No! Never, my lord. Never. He looked like you. He even moved like you. We all followed –"
"Lies."
"H-He fought well, my lord. With great courage. But H-Hector came after him." Achilles looked away to the sky. Tears are now visible in his eyes. "If I could have saved him-I—" Eudorus was interrupted by Achilles' fist to the side of his face. The captain fell to the ground and Achilles loomed above him, fists clenched. Eudorus held his mouth as blood began to stream out.
"Liar!" Achilles cries again.
"My lord," Eudorus tried to compose himself, "I saw him fall." Achilles took Eudorus by the hair and pulled him up to his knees. He took Eudorus' sword from its sheath and raised it above his head. Briseis rushed from behind him and took his hand in her's.
"Don't!" she cried.
He turned and snatched her neck with his free hand. Her eyes widened in shock as he lifted her feet from the ground slightly. She gasped for breath and kicked out her feet while desperately clawing at his arm.
As if being broken from a trance, Achilles dropped her. Her body crumpled underneath her and she gasped and sobbed where she lay. Achilles dropped Eudorus' sword to the sand. The captain remained on his knees, watching his commander's every move.
"Dead?" Achilles asked distantly.
Eudorus nodded slowly. "Hector cut his throat."
Achilles picked up Eudorus' sword once more and made his way toward a fire where the Myrmidons where beginning to make their dinner. He reaches his free hand into the soot and blackens his face with it. All anyone could do was stare as he walked to the sea. He continued to walk even when the water slapped against his feet, then his knees, and soon his stomach.
The waves crashed down menacingly, but Achilles simply stared at them as they threatened to crash down on him. He swung the sword through the surf, slicing the tops off the waves. He grunted fiercely as he brought down each new swing of his weapon. The Myrmidons still stared in awe at their commander.
Achilles battles Poseidon.
..:Later:..
Achilles stood, clean now, next to the body of his cousin. Achilles scrubbed away all the dirt and blood of the battlefield. His composure visibly diminishes as he gently wiped around the wound to the boy's throat. Achilles slid the shell necklace over Patroclus' head.
Agamemnon stood with Nestor among the rest of the Greeks. He watched the scene with barely concealed excitement. "That boy just saved the war for us."
Once Patroclus had been cleaned, Achilles pulled two large golden coins from a pouch and placed them over Patroclus' closed eyes. He kissed the boy's brow and stepped back. Eudorus gave him the torch. Achilles hesitated. He took one final look at his beloved cousin and set the pyre ablaze.
..:Later:..
Achilles still stood, watching as the last of the logs burn into embers on the pyre. He began to go to his tent, when he noticed Briseis. She had fallen asleep in the sand. He noticed the dark bruises along her throat where he had grabbed her earlier that day. He looked at her for a moment, and then turned away.
Eudorus is asleep outside Achilles' tent and woke to find his commander standing over him.
"Eudorus."
Eudorus was still groggy and disoriented, but he soon registered his master's voice and rose to his feet.
"My lord."
"I need my armor."
Holy Monkies! Now there's a long chapter if I've ever written one…..LooksNope, haven't. Well, now I have! Alrighty, I guess I can't really think of anything to say, ummm, I had a bit of trouble w/ the verb tenses in this again, so if you noticed anything screwy, let me know….. And now, straight on to the thank you's!
DeathDealerChica: thank you for reviewing Chapters 1-3, I hope you like the next ones just as much! Whoot!
Picklesrawesome: Pickles ARE awesome, haha! You've never seen Troy? I propose a movie marathon, right now! Thanks for the reviews!
Moony's number1: man I just wish I could tell you all what happens, but that wouldn't be any fun! Thanks for the review!
G: Keep reading. In the meantime, I'll talk to the boss and see what I can do…. LoL
Priestess of the Myrmidon: Bad Aphrodite, bad! Haha, sorry I didn't put her more in this, I love the idea that she misused her power, I mean, if you could make anyone fall in love with anyone else, I think it's safe to say that we'd be a little evil….hehehe Thanks!
Coaltrain: You stud! Haha! Gotta love sign language, and making up our own when they don't make one for Sirius….haha, and what do you mean you only read the first 3 chapters! Never Leave Fanfiction Lying around is 45 freakin chapters!
JamieGirl: Well thank you! As for your question, I can't give anything away, but let's just say I love plot twists ;)
Colorguard06: I'm glad I have you hooked! Now here's the update you wanted, sorry it took so long!
Jean: ok….. here ya go!
Update: haha, nice name! Why does everyone ask me this! Don't you want to just read and find out what happens! I still love ya of course! Just keep reading!
Modern Goddess: Josh Groban is a stud! Anyways, glad you liked it, unfortunately, of you've read this far, that means you already know what's going on outside the tent note to self, put thank you's BEFORE the chapter so I can torture everyone because I know what happens and they don't…. thanks for the review!
Pretty Unknown: I know, they're so cute aren't they? Thanks for the review!
Thanks again everybody for all the lovely reviews! Look at all those! That's CWAZY MAN! Also, thanks for waiting so long, and well, I guess sorry for that too… Well, until next time
..:Litakino22:..
