Wait for me, I will come
Patroclus my friend, how you once laughed, unabashed to be bested by a boy who was two years your lesser. You always were the teacher, yet somehow I always led. You were the first to run upon your own two feet and then to throw a spear, but I am the one who will be remembered for it. You too, were the first to murder, but it is me who bears that title now.
It was murder, Patroclus my friend that brought us together as children, and it was murder that tore us apart. If we all must kill and be killed, I will play my part. Wait for me my friend, I will come.
Patroclus my squire, always by my side in battle. You were my fear, Patroclus. I was never afraid for myself as swords and spears flew past me, but for you, I was afraid. I was afraid that any moment you would fall. Yet I could find comfort in knowing that if you did fall, it would be beside me. I could kill your murderer before he had the chance to see the face of his victim.
But once, I let you go. Then you fell far from me. But I will kill your murderer. Hector will die. He wanted to kill me; he should have killed me. And he will kill me. For once my spear passes through his flesh, my life is ended. Wait for me my brother-in-arms, I will come.
Patroclus my lover, how those dull eyes of yours used to gleam so brightly. You taught me how to love, truly love. Not like a man loves his father or his mother. You showed me love, and I gave you passion. Then you would hold me still, and show me how the two might come together. I have never loved any other person, man or woman, like I loved you.
It is because I loved you that I let you go. My love killed you, and I am sorry. I will kill the man who dealt your death blow. Then I may seal my own fate. That is how I will slay myself, and so avenge your death. The sun is rising. Wait for me my love, I will come.
Author's Notes: The relationship of Achilles and Patroclus has been one that had always fascinated me. Whether or not they were lovers is arguable, but many after Homer tended to agree that they were. I myself can go either way, but for the purposes of this story, I have gone with what Aeschylus, Plato and Shakespeare said. As for Achilles' reference to Patroclus being a murderer, it is said that he accidentally killed a boy he was playing with and was forced to leave the country. Unfortunately, I do not have the exact reference for this. For those of you who already know or simply don't care, I am sorry to have bored you with my long explanation.
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