Well...I have a bit of bad news: I'm going to be going to China for vacation from July 11th to August 5th...so I won't be able to update, unless they have computers in China where I'm going [which I highly doubt.] I'm so sorry, but this is the only vacation we're having for the summer!! And then, straight after that, it's high school!! ::shudder:: So I don't think I can update very much after summer is over, because I seriously have to do well in high school...I have hopes for Yale, people! So yeah...I'm sorry, I'll try to update every weekend, and make the chapters so totally long, it's like you've read 4 chapters!!
I'll write about 3 more chapters in the next few days, so that you won't get a cliffhanger while I'm gone. I'm not THAT mean::snicker::
Chapter 10
The night spent was a rough one. Briseis' sorrow turned once more into anger, and she lay on the bed tossing fitfully, occasionally waking up and staring at the wall. Achilles lay on the other side of the bed, careful not to touch her, trying to ignore her tossing and turning. And so it was that the pair woke up the next morning both grumpy and sleep deprived.
Achilles was the first one to rise from the bed. He shuffled into the washroom, and minutes later, came out clean and awake. Briseis sat up on the bed and brushed her hair with her hand. Neither of them could ignore the awkward silence.
Achilles finally broke it. "Er," he grunted. "Did you sleep well?"
Briseis nodded, straightening out her nightgown. She was doing a bit of hard thinking. Over the night, she'd been reasoning with herself whether or not she could forgive Achilles. "He didn't know." She thought, biting her lip. "But also, he did not feel any remorse." Finally, she decided on just being polite to him.
Suddenly, the ship lurched forward. Achilles grabbed the wall for support, while Briseis was shunted along with the bed. Both could hear the waves crashing below them.
"Cursed ship," Achilles muttered, letting go of the wall. He walked over to Briseis. "I expect we'll be in Sparta soon. Do not forget that you are my guest."
Briseis, hearing the word 'guest', jogged to her senses, and as regally as she could, stood up. "I'll just refresh myself, then." She said, walking to the washroom.
The door of their cabin opened. A small boy, not much older than the boy Trios in Troy, came in. He eyed Achilles nervously, and spoke.
"I'm to inform you that we have reached Sparta." He stuttered, bowing.
Achilles nodded, and the boy left. He walked to the washroom, thinking how relieved he was that Briseis seemed to be kinder toward him, and opened the door.
For a second, his eyes did not register what he saw, but then, things became clear...very clear. Briseis was stark naked, dabbing a washcloth at her body, humming to herself, apparently unaware of the intruder. Achilles' eyes widened, and he quickly shut the door.
Breathing heavily, he sat down and rushed to pour himself wine as Briseis came out again.
"We've arrived in Sparta." He said gruffly, trying to avoid her gaze.
Briseis nodded, came up to him, and placed a hand on his knee, unaware of the action. This sudden act made Achilles stiffen, and he narrowed his eyes. Briseis, innocent, and completely oblivious, spoke to him in a matter-of- factly tone.
"I am your guest." She said, smiling. "Are there garments I can wear to bear the disposition?"
Achilles quickly stood up and pulled out a beautiful dress adorned with flower designs. It was made out of a sheer white material, and there were beads at the tail that made a twinkling sound when it moved.
Briseis gasped with pleasure and quickly ran to put it on. She came out again, her face glowing with glee. Achilles eyed her satisfactorily, nodding to himself. She fit the dress very well; the shoulders were flawlessly fit, and the length was perfect. It couldn't have suited anyone else.
Achilles held out his hand. "Well, Briseis." He said, smiling. "Come."
Briseis took his hand, and stepped out from the cabin into the bright sunlight.
Her eyes took a while to adjust to the sunlight and the sight that lay before her, but when they did, Briseis was taken with astonishment. Sparta was beautiful; it was like a place that princesses dwelled. The buildings were white and clean, and the streets were filled with homely huts that looked quite cozy. Briseis grinned to herself as she saw little children playing every now and then. Achilles saw her delight, and squeezed her hand.
"Welcome to Sparta." He murmured, leading them through the throng.
Every inhabitant there seemed to know Achilles. As they climbed into a golden chariot, Briseis could see many people pointing at her and whispering. She did her best to compose herself, but could not help gazing in awe at the environment. Troy had always been so peaceful; Sparta was busy and very noisy.
As the chariot rolled through the road, Achilles nodded toward the crowd that lined the streets. Many girls of all ages giggled and threw flowers at Achilles, but he ignored them, and looked straight ahead. Briseis felt slightly uncomfortable to all the staring the older people were giving her.
Finally, the chariot stopped in front of a particularly white and grand building.
Achilles led Briseis off the chariot, and looked fondly at the building. "Welcome to my home." He said, gesturing at the building.
Briseis' eyes widened at the sight, and she gasped. The building was the most spectacular yet. It was much larger than anything she'd ever seen, and instead of being made out of stone; it was made out of marble. The whiteness of it reflected the bright sunlight, and made the building emit a sort of glow. There was a faint sound of fountains and birds chirping that came from behind it. Briseis clasped Achilles hand in excitement, and followed him into his home.
As soon as they entered, Briseis looked around. The inside was even better than the outside. It had a faint cool breeze blowing about, and the smell was lovely. The floor was polished, and the walls gleamed. Achilles led her down some stairs into a room filled with noise.
He opened the door, and led Briseis in. The noise immediately stopped, and everyone looked at her.
"This is Briseis." He said, gesturing toward the said person. "She will be with us for quite some time."
The people nodded.
Achilles motioned for one of the nearest men to come over. "Piques, I would like for you to show Briseis about. When you have finished, please show her to her room."
The man named Piques stepped forward and bowed. "Yes my lord." He said, straightening up again. "May I inquire as to why you are home so early?"
Achilles ignored him, and shoved Briseis to Piques. "I will see you at dinner."
Briseis glanced nervously about the room. Everyone there seemed to be a servant of Achilles house, and she felt so out of place in her white dress.
Piques ignored her anxiety, and cheerfully introduced her to everyone. Soon after, he led Briseis out of the room, back up the stairs, and to her room.
"You are to be a servant," he whispered, leading her to a door. "But my lord Achilles says you are a guest as well." He laughed, looking at her.
Briseis smiled at him. She felt comfortable with Piques, more comfortable than when she was with Achilles. He had a sort of ease about him, and she felt as though she could talk freely to him. "He is quite handsome as well." Briseis thought, contemplating Piques. Indeed, Piques had beautiful golden hair, although not nearly as beautiful as Achilles'. However, instead of Achilles' piercing blue eyes, Piques had emerald eyes. He also had a sort of stubble.
Piques opened the door. "Your room, my lady." He said sarcastically.
Briseis looked at her new home with wonder. It was most likely the greatest room in her life. True, there was only a bed and bureau, along with a window overlooking the garden, but for Briseis, it was heaven. The walls were also painted a sea-foam green. She smiled.
"Thank you Piques." Briseis walked over to her bed and sat down. The mattress sank and shaped around her form. "When is supper served?" she questioned, gazing out the window.
"I will come and collect you." He replied, winking at her. "My lord requested that you dress appropriately for dinner, so our seamstress Lese has kindly taken upon the demand." He nodded toward a closet by her bureau. "Call me if you need me, Briseis."
Briseis ran to her closet, anticipating what was inside. For the fifth time in her life, she was surprised and thrilled. There were breathtaking dresses of all colours inside, dresses that she'd only seen before worn on princesses and queens. She fingered the materials on each dress lovingly, and sat back down on her bed.
"I could learn to love it." She thought, and smiled.
I hope this wasn't boring; it's mostly descriptions of Sparta and what not. Now, I highly recommend you look up the definition of piques or pique on dictionary.com because it has to do with his character [foreshadowing cough cough]. Don't worry, this is still an Achilles Briseis fanfiction...I'd never split them up because of some shananagan called Piques. Pffft. Thanks to the reviewers:
dizzy izzy: lol...there is something sexy about furious men like brad pitt
polydora: oh I know...I've got to stop making her cry...
Child of Morning
Naru Kami
Natalie Hudson
Sunny
cai
orliNkeira
jaylis
nienna elenstar: I'm glad you liked it!
baphomet: hmm...I don't know if I'ma make him come back or something...maybe [evil grin]
Trojans
Donna Lynn: especially....brad...pitts....muscles.....
Thanks loads you guys! Until next time...
-enjorli