A/N: This is the last chapter. Thanks for following this story so far…

Chapter 8 - Conclusion

Lucia was not at the city square where thousands had gathered round to pay their last respects to their hero and favorite son, Prince Hector of Troy. Instead she chose to watch from afar as the fire consumed her beloved's body, taking it to the heavens. Pulling on her cloak, she headed straight for the temple of Apollo as she knew that the priests would take his ashes there.

Late in the evening, the priests had brought the prince's ashes back in a golden urn and placed it in the royal family mausoleum. When they had gone, Lucia removed her cowl and walked silently toward the urn. Sculptured statues of the gods stared down at her, cold and monumental as she shivered from the wind that blew through the temple. The moment her fingers touched the icy cold urn, her calm composure cracked as tears began to fall. There was only the two of them now.

She sank to the floor and rested her head against the marble stone.

"I know I shouldn't be here but I had to be near you…just one more time," she muttered between sobs. "This place seems so wrong for you…it's so cold and silent. You were warm and gentle."

She did not hear soft footsteps behind her and jumped when a voice demanded, "Who are you?"

Hastily drying her tears, Lucia looked up to find Princess Andromache, eyes boring into her like needles. Her hair was tangled and her face gaunt and despite her sadness, there was still a regal air about her.

Lucia bowed my head submissively. "Your Highness. I didn't know anyone was here at this time of the night."

Her eyes narrowed. "You're her, aren't you?"

She caught her breath in her throat when the princess reached out and took her chin in her grasp, raising her eyes to hers. Lucia sensed that she was searching for falsehood. Then she released her and sighed. The princess looked sorrowful and drained as she revealed something shocking.

"The night before he died, he told me something that broke my heart -- he told me about a brave woman he had met, a woman whom he loved."

Lucia gasped and lowered her eyes. "I didn't know."

"I refused to believe it but seeing you here now… I know you loved him and you love him still…" she said, gazing at the golden urn.

"Forgive me, my princess but I do," Lucia replied softly.

"Don't worry, I will not harm you. If you agree, I will make arrangements for you to stay at the palace. It would have been what Hector would have wanted – to bestow the honor of royal concubine that you rightly deserve," said Princess Andromache, her voice devoid of emotion.

Titles and honors mean nothing to me…I would gladly forsake them if I could have him again.

Lucia wanted to tell the princess but she had turned and left the temple. "I never wanted any of these," she whispered sadly.

She returned to find Tyr sharpening his sword outside the house. He looked so forlorn, echoing the sentiments of every Trojan in the city. He saw her and put down his sword.

"Lucia, you were gone for a long time. Your mother and I were worried about you," he said.

"I'm all right. I went to the temple."

Tyr caught her hand as she was getting into the house. "I know you loved Prince Hector and probably nobody could replace him in your heart. This may not be the most appropriate time but I want you to know that you still have me. I'm willing to wait until you're ready to accept me."

"Tyr…"

But he quickly added, "Just say you'll think about it."

Lucia looked at the tall captain who clearly had great affection for her. She reached up and gently touched his stubbly cheek. "I will think about it," she replied earnestly.

Tyr gave a sigh of relief as a spark of hope glistened in his blue eyes.

The Trojans had peace for twelve days but on the thirteenth day, a strange thing had happened. Lucia could not believe her ears when the soldiers ran through the streets shouting, "The Greeks have gone! The Greeks have gone!"

At the gates of Troy, she saw this massive wooden structure that looked like a horse. The crowds flocked to it – men, women, soldiers cheering, dancing and singing songs in the square. They said the Greeks had left it behind to appease the gods. Lucia didn't like the look of it but somehow she felt relieved that the war was over. Her mother was already packing their things; they were going back to the country at last.

Carefully she packed her armor, shield and sword – a stark reminder of her past. She won't need it again for a long time. Her thoughts went to her home; the little farmhouse by the Scamander River, the wide fields and plains. There would be lots to do; fencing to mend, fields to clear for planting.

"You're leaving."

She recognized Tyr's voice and looked up. "Yes, my mother and I are returning to the country in the morning," she said.

"If I asked you to stay, would you… stay?" he said, the desperation evident in his voice.

Lucia gazed at the good captain and wondered if she should marry Tyr – she would have a handsome sturdy husband and beautiful children. She would watch them grow up and have children of their own but somehow she knew that it was not a life for her -- she would end up hurting him. Taking a deep breath she shook her head. "You're a good man Tyr… and a good friend but I cannot accept your affections."

Tyr understood and said no more.

"But I'd like very much for you to come and visit at our farm," she offered and was glad to see him smile.

"That will be great. Thank you."

"We're friends and so it shall be," she declared, hugging him.

"Friends…"

The peaceful night was disrupted when Lucia was awakened by women screaming and men shouting. "Run for your lives!"

Suddenly, Tyr banged on her door. He had a haunted look on his face. "Lucia, wake up! The Greeks have breached out city walls…"

Lucia stared in astonishment. "What can I do?"

"I'm going to the armory…save as many as you can!" he said. She stared at the brave captain as he rode off into the chaos and something in her stirred.

Grabbing her sword, she rounded up as many people as she could and led them to safety. The city was dying as the buildings began to burn. The Trojan soldiers turned and ran in blind panic, mowed down by the enemy. She saw the Greeks slaughter the ill-prepared Trojan soldiers. Anger and hatred boiled within her as she turned to the people. "…to the palace! Head for the palace!"

Picking up a little lost girl in her arms, Lucia ran side-stepping the bodies that had fallen. She could hear intense fighting within the palace but her priority was getting all the terrified women and children to the secret passage out of the city.

There she saw Princess Andromache, calm and composed in the face of tribulation. She was giving orders to her trusted servants as they led the refugees through the tunnel. Their eyes met briefly and she nodded with words unspoken, "I'll take it from here."

She felt a hand on her arm and turned to find her mother. "Lucia, aren't you coming?" she asked.

"Mother, you have to go on first."

"Please, please don't leave me," her mother pleaded, her eyes wide with fear.

"Be brave, mother. The Princess will lead you to safety and keep this for me," she said, giving the marble seal to her mother. "Don't worry I will come back for it."

Lucia kissed her mother and ran back into the palace looking for more survivors. The smoke was thick and the walls started to crumble as she ran through the hallway. Suddenly, she noticed King Priam, sprawled on the stairs with a gaping hole in his gut.

"Your Majesty!" she cried as she came to him.

King Priam looked at her sadly and said, "Save your self! It is over. Troy is finished…"

"Your Majesty…" she whispered as she cradled the dead king in her arms.

The Greeks started to pour into the hallway, pillaging and looting. Lucia got up and dived through another door. This door led to the garden and there were several dead men there – one of them caught her eye; the familiar blond hair and muscular build. She stopped and stared at the body of Achilles slumped in the bushes, his sword buried in the soil. All at once, Lucia felt the anger and pain in her heart broke free – the gods had avenged the deaths of her brother and her beloved prince. She no longer felt hatred for the mighty Achilles, only indifference – he was but another mortal.

The Greeks were everywhere by now and she could not fight them all. Lucia ran back to the secret passageway but she heard a woman screaming for help. She looked for the woman along the empty corridors. To her horror, she saw bodies of women and children scattered in front of Apollo's shrine and three Greek soldiers amusing themselves with a woman.

Princess Andromache!

Tearing a spear from a dead corpse with her left hand and gripping a sword in her right, she felled the men with vengeance. The princess was shaken but not harmed.

"Go now, my princess. I will stay and delay them," she told her. "Go!"

Princess Andromache was about to leave when she turned around and hugged her. "Now I know why Hector loved you."

Lucia stifled a sob and nodded. "Please…your people are waiting."

The princess took one last look at her and disappeared into the tunnel. With trembling hands, Lucia stood alone in the garden stared at the statue of Apollo. Silently, she prayed for strength to hold the rampaging horde. Taking a fallen helmet, she put it on and grabbed a battered shield. The rumbling footsteps of the Greek soldiers had told her this was her last stand. She would never see her mother …never see her farm or the mountains she loved again.

Lucia managed to parry the lethal blows of the hurtling soldiers. One of them came at her with a spear – she grabbed it and threw him to the ground. She ran the spear through the soldier and unseated a soldier from his horse. Lucia fought with great passion, refusing to give an inch after the rest of Troy had gone. Left alone, she was confronted by Greek soldiers, hungry for the kill. With a loud battle cry, she launched an attack on the enemy. She felt a stinging pain on her shoulder as a spear ran through her. Staggering back in agony, she snapped the spear leaving the tip embedded in her shoulder and fought on valiantly.

For Hector…my prince…my beloved…

For Troy…

With a broken spear, she blocked the blows as blood poured from her wound. A sword sliced through her torso and she stumbled. Ten soldiers closed in on her like a death trap but Lucia was on the brink losing consciousness. She dropped to one knee and stared at the soldiers who had impaled her with their swords. One of the Greek soldiers lifted her helmet and stepped back in shock. They were surprised that she was a woman. Her gaze was fixed on the faces hovering above her but she did not see them.

The sky had started to brighten with the rays of the sun… it was all over, their darkest hour had passed. Lucia no longer felt any pain -- just peace and quiet as she fell. Looking up, she was drawn to a white light. Then she saw her beloved Hector coming forth shining like the sun god holding out his hand to her. She was enveloped in the warmth of his presence and her heart was filled with joy as he gazed at her.

"I did love you, Lucia," he spoke, his voice washing over her. "I love you still. It's time to leave these shores…Come with me…"

A flash of sunlight bounced off the blade as it came down. She smiled.

The End.