I apologize for taking so long to write this! Sorry!!! And I LOVE the quote (even though it's kinda long).
Disclaimer: Warner Brothers owns everything and the quote is by The Calling and is kinda used in the story.
Language Note/Summary: This is definitely my GREATEST CHAPTER YET!!! The story starts off with Paris who expresses some sympathy for Briseis. Helen is still a jealous bitch. The opinions then goes to Achilles who does the unexpected (though you might have already guessed this). Also, his opinion is where you see where the title of the story came from (although I'm going to have it occur a lot). We have Briseis' opinion, Achilles' opinion again, then Hector's opinion (where he brings the news to Andromache), and then of course Andromache's opinion (where she brings the news to Briseis) So… hoo-ah!
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Winds of Change
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"So lately, I've been wondering,
who will be there to take my place.
When I'm gone you'll need love to light the shadow on your face,
if a great wave shall fall and fall upon us all,
then between the sand and stone, could you make it on your own?
If I could then I would,
I'll go wherever you will go.
Way up high or down low, I'll go wherever you will go.
And maybe I'll find out
a way to make it back someday
to watch you, to guide you, through the darkest of your days.
If a great wave shall fall and fall upon us all
then I hope there's someone out there
who can bring me back to you.
Run away with my heart;
run away with my hope;
run away with my love.
I know now just quite how
my life and love may still go on
in your heart, in your mind, I'll stay with you for all of time."
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I saw her yesterday. She was staring at the mirror in her room. She looked as if she didn't know who she was.
Does she?
"Do you love him?" I asked suddenly, before I could stop myself. He head jerked up in surprise but didn't look at me.
"Do you love Helen?"
"I asked you first." I soon regretted those words. Don't act like you're being hostile.
"Yes, I love him just as much as he loves me."
"I love Helen in the same way."
Oh! Briseis. You are in love aren't you? You're made in love just like I am. I just hope that your heart won't be broken by that mankiller. I turned around, thinking that there was not anything else to say, and walked down the marble hallway. Now, all of a sudden, I did not hate Achilles.
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My sister, Clytemnestra, once whispered to me about a warrior who was invincible and whom her husband, high king Agamemnon, hated.
"He has eyes bluer than the summer skies and hair more golden than that finely- crafted diadem on your head. And he is the greatest warrior the world will ever see."
At first I had just murmured: "Mm-hmm." It was probably just the ordinary royal gossip.
"Achilles, son of Peleus. He's said to be the daughter of a goddess, Thetis. Agamemnon has called for him to conquer those other countries… I forget what they're called."
"And why would Agamemnon hate him if-"
Clytemnestra cut me off. "Because Achilles listens to no one, and will not even admit that Agamemnon is his king or superior. Though I must admit that he is a far greater warrior."
"Even than Ajax son of Telamon of Salamis?"
"Even he. Like I said, Achilles of the Myrmidons is the greatest warrior the world has ever seen or will ever see. And the most handsome."
Now, I completely believe her. Now, I wish I had been married to him.
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It is the only way. I told Eudoros this morning to tell the men to pack up, that we were sailing at the break of dawn. For home. To Pthia. My mother will be waiting.
Briseis was right. I had achieved glory. I would forever be sung in the songs of the bards and live for eternity. Now, I was immortal.
I had gained wealth in this war. Certainly I would have more if Troy fell, but I had taken twenty-three cities; twelve by land, eleven by sea.
I stood at the edge of an ocean. Silence. A gull. A wave of a wave and the music of dolphins. I am not a man of poetry. Now, perhaps, it was proper. The silence was soon broken by a ruckus in the camp. They must have told the leaders that I am leaving. I sighed inwardly.
I had thought about it, a lot. If I killed Hector, Briseis would hate me for sure. I would avenge Patroclus' death but… what was said was already said. We would sail this morning, and even now I could see the sun rising from behind the edge of the world. Dawn spread it's rosy wings and greeted me. I did not greet it happily nor angrily. In-between.
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For the seventh time, I laid in bed by myself. I missed Achilles. I missed everything about him; that touch, that scent, those dimples which would appear when he smiled. Why do the Gods punish us like this? I cried out silently. Why did they give me such happiness, only to take it away again?
When I was with him, I felt like I was running away with him. With his heart, his hope, his love. Now, I felt alone. I will go wherever you will go. He already owned me. I had given my soul and heart to him, not to mention by body. I felt my cheeks flush even though no one was there. Even though no one could see me or hear me. Or touch me.
Achilles, where are you right now?
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The air tasted salty on the tip of my tongue. Eudoros and the other men were silent. They knew why I had left. Odysseus had been surprised. I remember when he had come for me.
"We need you. Greece needs you." Odysseus son of Laertes was indeed the greatest teller of tales and spinner of words I had ever met.
"Greece got along fine before I was born. And Greece will remain Greece long after I'm gone."
And I had left in search of fame.
"Then fight for me. My wife will feel much better knowing you're riding beside me. I'll feel much better."
The wind of the sea blew through my hair. I walked to the other end of the ship and looked back at the beach, where Greeks were standing and staring in disbelief. Where Troy stood tall and proud in the sun.
Forgive me, Briseis. But I will come for you someday.
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I rushed into the breezy, spacious room where Andromache was sitting chatting and sewing with the other women.
"He's gone," I blurted out breathlessly. Andromache and the others just stared.
"Achilles, he left with his Myrmidons… he's gone!" By the will of the Gods, he's gone!
The entire room exploded in cheers. Andromache ran towards me into my opened arms. Troy will win this war.
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I must go tell Briseis. Hector had frowned when I told him this, but he had nodded and went off to find Astyanax who was with his nurse.
Just before I opened the door to her room, I straightened my hair and ran my hands down the front of my gown. Poor girl. What will she think?
Slipping in quietly, so quietly that she did not even notice, I whispered in a mouse voice, "Briseis?"
"Hmm?"
"I-I have something to tell you."
"Yes?" she asked, looking at me with those beautiful eyes. Achilles has left.
"Achilles… he sailed away this morning. He just left."
For a few moments she sat stony, un-comprehending. Then something clicked.
"He left?" All I could do was nod. Do something! I went forward and hugged her. She laid her head against my shoulder and did not say a word. But my shoulder was soon wet. I found myself weeping as well.
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The end?????
I would just like to thank everyone for their tremendous support through the making of this story, and also my other fic (though not yet completed), A Ripple on the Surface.
REVIEW!!! Tell me what you think an if I should write another chapter, 'cause this seems like a good ending. So go on and push that "GO" button right there. And while you're at it, why not review A Ripple on the Surface too?!!! I'm going to update that story soon, don't worry!