"Where is Alexa?" asked Achilles to his mother.

"She would not leave her room. She says she does not wish to say goodbye." Achilles looked at the ground for a moment, and then nodded angrily.

"Fine," he said and said goodbye to him mother. He then boarded his ship with Patroclus and the Myrmidons. They were on their way to Troy.

I peered out from under the blanket and felt the rocking of the waves beneath me. I took a deep breath of the think air of the steerage area of the ship. The hatch on the ceiling opened and I covered up beneath the heavy blanket again.

"Alexa?" I sigh in relief as I revealed myself to Patroclus.

"We should be far enough away now. Achilles, will not turn back." I nodded and thanked him for helping me sneak aboard the ship. He knew how important it was for me to be with Achilles. Patroclus was the only one who really understood how much torture I went through whenever Achilles was in a battle. If anything ever happened to him, I don't know what I would do. I would probably curl up and die somewhere of despair.

I came up on deck to the many stares of the Myrmidons. I knew Achilles knew I was there even before he saw me. When I walked up behind him he said simply, "Don't think you will be fighting." I smiled and as he turned around I hugged him. I have to admit, I have hated wars ever since I was little and my father had died in one. I was still not happy about Achilles and Patroclus fighting in the ridiculous war, but I was happy to be there. Maybe I could convince them not to fight. I knew it would not be easy though.

"'Stay on the ship' he says, don't get hurt," scoffed Patroclus, mocking his cousin. "I am just as good of a fighter as those soldiers." I was not listening to him though. I was watching as the Myrmidons fought the Trojans on the beach. Men were dying everywhere and the horror of battle was so clear to me. Achilles and his men desecrated the Temple of Apollo on the shore. I was terrified. As I ran up the beach I prayed to Apollo to forgive Achilles, and I ran to the back of the building. Patroclus was calling after me but I did not listen. I hid in the rocks near the entrance as Trojan horseman charged into Achilles men. I knew Achilles was in the temple and I had to stop this madness. I snuck into the temple and hid among the statues. A few minutes later, Toy's finest soldiers walked into the temple and were attacked by Achilles and his men. One soldier however, got passed the Greeks and followed Achilles deeper into the temple. I rushed after them, staying the shadows. Achilles was standing near Apollo's statue, standing near the bloodied bodies of priests. I was mortified. Apparently, so was the soldier who had followed Achilles.

"These priests were unarmed," he said angrily.

"You are Hector, aren't you?" asked Achilles, ignoring the previous statement. "You are very brave, Prince, facing me alone." Achilles drew his sword.

So this is Prince Hector? I asked myself. But before I had collected my thoughts about the handsome son of the Greeks enemy, I had stepped out of my hiding place and stood between him and my friend.

"Achilles, I said forcefully. Rage burned in his eyes but after a moment, he relaxed. "I have seen enough death today," I continued. I could feel Hector's eyes boring in me, but I kept my gaze on Achilles.

"Go home, Hector, make love to your wife and enjoy your city while you can." Achilles put his arm around my shoulders and led me out to the platform over look the beach. Hector followed us, looking at me all the while, still in shock.
After a few more parting words, Hector rode back to Troy.

"You just let him go?" asked one of the Myrmidon soldiers.

"Its too early in the day to be killing princes," replied Achilles, but he was looking directly at me.

When we finally were back at camp, the rest of the Greek army had arrived and tents were covering the once picturesque beach of Troy. Achilles said nothing to me the whole way to camp. When we met Odysseus on the way, Achilles was very cheerfully with him, despite the fact he had just murdered hundreds of men. It disgusted me.

"Go any slower and the war would be over," he said slapping Odysseus on the back.

"We don't need to be here for the beginning as long as we are here for the end," replied the King, chuckling. Then, he saw me. He looked questioningly at Achilles, but I did not see the look that was given. All I know was that Odysseus was silent, and only nodded slightly. They said goodbye and started to follow Achilles, worrying about what was to come. Odysseus quickly hugged me and I followed my friend. We had almost reached his hut when I finally spoke.

"I am not hurt Achilles. I am fine."

"You deliberately disobeyed me, Alexandra." He turned to me with anger in his face I immediately knew he was angry. He never called me by my full name.

"Do you know how scared I was when I saw you? Just thinking about what could have happened to you out there made me sick!" I looked down at my sandaled feet and mumbled, "I'm sorry Achilles. Please forgive me."

It killed me to think that I had struck fear in the heart of him, the greatest warrior in the world. The last thing I ever wanted to do was to bring him pain. He didn't reply to my apology, but he did bring me in and hugged me tightly.

"Promise me you won't go out on the plain again. Promise you will stay in the camp and not put yourself in any danger."

"I promise Achilles."

I could feel him breathing on my neck. I shut my eyes and sucked in a breathe. I could smell the sweat and blood on his body, but because it was Achilles, the smell didn't bother me.

"My lord…"

We broke apart and turned to look at a soldier.

"My lord," he said again to Achilles. "There is a prize from today's battle in your tent."

I curse the Gods for making me so naïve. I grinned up at my friend and rushed to his tent, ignoring the calls of Achilles. "Alexa! Wait!"

I pulled open the flap to his tent, expecting to see glorious treasures and jewels, but instead, I saw a girl. I stopped in my tracks and stared at her. She was very pretty, despite the fact she was bruised and bloodied. Her top lip was cut and she was covered in dried blood and dirt. Her long brown hair was matted and her once pure white dress was now ripped and gnarled. Rage welled in my gut and I didn't turn to look at Achilles as he entered behind me.

"What is this Achilles?" I spat as I moved toward the woman and untied her hands that were strapped behind her back.

"It is common practice during war to take slaves," he said. I glared at him. I knew that he had many women, but I never thought he would rape one. I undid her gag and she immediately moved away.

"Its OK," I whispered. "I won't hurt you."

She did not seem to afraid of me, but she was staring at Achilles wih fear and hate with her eyes.

"Achilles, maybe it would be better if you left."

"That's fine," he said. "Agamemnon wants to see me anyway." I would soon find out that Achilles was not the only person Agamemnon wanted.