AN: Okay, I lied. I apologize profusely for not updating sooner. I don't have any excuse for it, so I'm not even going to try to make one up. But thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed. Just a question to love-shannen and especially Yanlie, out of curiousity, how did you guys find this story? This chapter is a little slow because I'm getting warmed up again, but stick around and I promise that this chapter and the next is building up to something big in chapter 13. Anyway, I'll let you judge for yourself. Sorry I can't reply to everyone's wonderful comments for this chapter, butI'll try to respond to comments for the next -so be sure to review! Enjoy!

xoxo, nat

Chapter 11

Paris stood at the stern of the ship and surveyed the sea before him. His mind constantly replaying the day he left Troy.

The day was dark and gloomy as the crew and a hundred of the finest soldiers from the Trojan army boarded the ships. Helen begged him to the last moment to reconsider his decision. Her hands grasping his arm, tears flowing freely from her eyes mingling with the kohl that had been so carefully applied that morning, and now marking two dark streams down her cheeks.

"Please, my lord, please reexamine your purpose! Your voyage would only lead to death!" She dropped her voice. "Paris, your child grows within me! Do not leave me a widow and our child fatherless."

Paris felt a rush of happiness course through him at the pleasant surprise. "All the more reason for me to go," he declared. "Helen, my love, don't you understand? How can I stand up and be a man and a father that my child can grow up feeling proud of when I do not fight my own battles."

"But this isn't your battle!"

Paris shook his head. "This is my battle. It always has been and will plague me forever lest I confront it. My brother should never have fought my battle. He should never have died."

The captain of the ship approached him and Paris hastily bit back the tears that welled up in his eyes every time he thought of Hector.

"My prince," the captain greeted him courteously.

"How much longer till we reach the shores of Greece?" Paris asked turning to the captain.

"If Aeolus be kind and the winds be favourable, then we should arrive by the next full moon, my prince," the captain replied humbly.

"So long?" Paris asked. "Tell the men to row harder!"

"Yes, Prince Paris."

"And captain?"

"Yes, my prince?"

"When they are not rowing, they shall pray to the gods." Paris returned his gaze to the calming blue of the Aegean Sea that was so opposed to the feelings that he felt in his heart.

"What matter should they appeal to the gods for, Prince?" asked the captain.

"A fair wind, our victory, the return of my cousin, Briseis, and most of all, the death of Achilles!"

-

The glorious splendour of Apollo's golden chariot was disappearing below the horizon to give way to Artemis's pale sheen as Thetis, Achilles and Briseis shared a simple dinner inside the small stone house that they lived. Bread and wine from the market, fresh vegetables from Thetis' garden, and the young doe that Achilles hunted earlier on in the day was roasted to perfection.

Thetis sat and ate and smiled but spoke little. She watched as her son and his wife happily shared the details of their day with one another. She saw the joy in their eyes and knew their secret before they knew it themselves. Thetis heard but was not listening. Her mind was filled with anxiety. She knew she should have expected it, but she had hoped that Achilles' change of heart may change his destiny. Had not stranger things occurred? How much truth lies in the word of a mad prophet?

"Mother," Achilles' voice drew her out of her thoughts, "come walk with me by the sea."

Thetis started, her son's eyes were hard and pensive and she immediately knew that what he requested was far from a casual walk. "Later, Achilles. I must clear the table and wash the dishes."

Briseis smiled at her sweetly. "Mother, allow me to learn what a wife must do. I must learn, else I am afraid that I will never be a good wife. Go enjoy the evening with Achilles."

Thetis agreed reluctantly and parted with her son. Achilles took her hand, and they walked silently together, wading barefoot in the cool water.

Thetis looked at her son, but she could not decipher the look upon his face.

"Achilles," she finally said, exasperated by his muteness, "what troubles you?"

"Mother," he hesitated as if unsure whether he wanted to ask her the question or not.

"Yes, Achilles?"

"Briseis told me that a man approached her in the market today. Who was he?"

Thetis turned away and was silent. She could evade the truth to anyone but her own flesh and blood.

"Mother?" Achilles pressed with urgency, her silence made his mind ill at ease.

"It was Calchus."

"The seer?"

Thetis nodded solemnly.

"But it can't be! Calchus seldom divulges his visions with anyone."

"Just as you have changed much since you parted for Troy, many things have changed since you left. Calchus' wife fell in love with another man and decided to elope with him. Calchus foresaw that the man would drown in a few days, yet he was bitter with envy, and he remained silent about his vision, knowing that if he had voiced the man's fate to his wife, she would try to save her lover. Calchus thought that when the man died, his wife would return to him. A few days later, the man went out to sea and drowned, yet Calchus' wife did not return to him, for she had drowned with her lover. Sometimes, visions are partial. Calchus did not realize that his wife would die with the man as they eloped on a boat. Calchus grew mad after that. He haunts the streets and tells his visions to all who he sees visions for."

Achilles' mind spun wildly. He knew well of Calchus who had foresaw that Troy would not fall, lest Achilles fought. The prophecy had proven true. "Mother, does he speak the truth?"

Thetis sighed. "I cannot say, my son. It has been said that when Calchus grew mad, his visions grew deranged and unreliable."

"You also foresaw this, didn't you, mother? You knew that Briseis would be my downfall. That is what has been on your mind of late, am I not correct?"

"I am not a seer, I do not make prophecies, I have not been to the oracle of late, but yes, you are correct. I am afraid that a woman can change you much. Briseis is a wonderful woman, a kind daughter and a loving wife, but how much are you willing to risk for her? How much is she worth?"

"Everything, mother! Everything! I would give my life for her! I love her with all my heart. I have never felt for anyone the feelings I feel for her. How could you ask me such questions?"

"How could I not, my son? Before Troy, you could easily sacrifice any woman."

"No, mother, I could never sacrifice you."

Thetis smiled solemnly. "Worry not about Calchus, he is but a madman." She quickly continued, wishing to divert his thoughts, "Achilles, did you know that Briseis is carrying your seed?"

Achilles was overjoyed. "No."

"Observe her, my son. Her body changes to bear your fruit. She has bore your child for many months now."

"Why did she not tell me?" Achilles wondered aloud.

"This is her first child. I suspect that she is not aware of this herself. She may think that her body is changing to adapt to this new environment."

They had begun to walk back and Achilles spotted Briseis drawing water from the well. "Briseis!" he yelled as he ran up to her. Startled by his call, Briseis loosen her hold on the rope and the bucket of water that she was drawing up fell back into the well with a hollow splash. Achilles picked her up and spun her.

"What is it, my love?" she asked of his curious behaviour.

He grinned. "We are to have a child." He put a hand on her swelling abdomen. Thetis watched as the lovers came together in a joyous embrace. Achilles drew up the water for Briseis and sat by her as she washed the dinner dishes. Thetis' heart sank. With every passing moment, her son grew more vulnerable.