A/N: It's taken me ages to update.... I know. I want to curl up and sleep,
but honor is telling me to update at once and sleep later. (Is honor bad in
that case?) Thanks everyone for the reviews... and yes, The Ever Insane Jamie
K: I love cookies! (Do I get one?)
So, on with the story-ness... LOL!
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''Paris... I think you should hold it there.'' Briseis said, knowing that her demand wouldn't be of any use. Paris had learnt that same night as he tried to approach Helen that she was about to be married to someone who could have been her father. And, even for Paris, that was too bad.
Briseis asked him to stop. She'd been doing so for the past half an hour, when Paris had decided to challenge Pentesilea to a drinking contest. And of course, she'd agreed. Briseis started thinking that it was a big feeling of doom that was taking over her, but how would she be able to stop him now, specially when a young amazon wanted to show her cocky cousin with who you don't mess.
She rose from her seat by Paris and tried to drag him away. He was dizzy by now, Briseis knew it. And his vision must have been blurry too. Paris had never been much of a drinker, and even if he'd been, challenging an amazon to knock him down in any way was very dangerous. Taking his arm, she tried to pull him away from the table where he faced Pentesilea. But he did not flinch...
''You have to help me.'' Briseis pleaded Pentesilea. The amazon just looked up at her standing and shrugged.
''He's too young, I told him. Take him if you want, but he's too stubborn too.'' Briseis found it amazing that the amazon had been drinking so much and she didn't seem changed at all. Surely she knew how to hold her alcohol... unlike Paris.
Paris grabbed another goblet and Briseis made him drop it. She whacked her cousin over the head and Pentesilea laughed. Paris just looked at her cousin oddly as if she'd suddenly gone crazy, but then .... His head fell on the table and he dozed off to sleep. Briseis, with a sudden panic attack, checked on him to make sure he was ok, and when she'd done so she noticed that the people surrounding him and Pentesilea were worried as well. Even the amazon was! With a silent look, the amazon stood up and helped Briseis carry the young prince.
They both disappeared down a corridor leaving the watchers to find some fun somewhere else. It was not too difficult, though: Achilles had just started another drinking contest against Ajax.
''Where do we take him?'' Briseis asked Pentesilea as they walked towards the rooms. ''I don't even know where he sleeps.''
''And should I?'' The amazon answered, resolute, asif that were none of her business. ''Hey, when he comes back from la-la land, I would like you to tell him that he's too impulsive for his own good. Ok?''
''Along with a slap.'' Briseis muttered, and then noticed that the amazon was already leaving. She called out a 'wait' to make her turn around to her again and she did so. ''What's your name?''
''Pentesilea. I am part of the Amazons from the West.'' She answered. ''Why?''
''Thank you.'' Briseis said. ''I don't think any other amazon would have helped me... even less him.''
''Amazons wouldn't have let him drink to start with.'' Pentesilea said with a wink. ''But I needed some fun and he deserved a lesson: when you challenge an amazon, you have to be sure you'll win.''
And without further reply, she headed back to the party, with her bright red hair moving from one side to the other. Briseis made a mental note that she'd make a good friend and ally... and kept that in mind.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
''Excuse me, are you Princess Andromache?'' A voice called behind her. Andromache turned around to face a beautiful brunette with long curly hair and soft dark eyes. She nodded and waited for her to speak. ''I am Cassandra, from Troy. My father spoke to me about you.''
Oh, yes. Andromache remembered. The Trojans were good people, according to her parents, and her father had mentioned that he'd happily make deals and friendship with them. What Andromache didn't suspect, was that one of them would come to her in such a direct way.
''Pleased to finally meet someone from your kin.'' She said, and offered Cassandra a goblet of wine, noticing she didn't carry one. The Trojan took it with a smile, and drank off it. ''I have heard about you as well.''
Good, Cassandra thought. Because I've seen what you will become , we're even there. But they weren't, since Cassandra knew what her fate and future would be... and Andromache only knew about Cassandra in very basic things.
''I think you served Apollo, is that right?'' Andromache asked. She had obviously heard the story... a story that Cassandra didn't usually like to tell, but there was some need of bonding here.
''Yes.'' She said, and nodded. ''I was a servant of Apollo once, but I was fated to leave the temple. My love towards the God opened my eyes and made me see things I didn't want to miss.'' Like who will be my family, she added just in her mind.
The legend said that Cassandra had received the gift of foresight when she served Apollo. She was beautiful and smart, something of high value amongst the Trojans. The God had given her that gift on hopes to win an undying love... but Cassandra rejected him and so she was cursed: she would know what the future would hold, but none would believe her, even when she saw everyone's doom.
And now she was determined to make the best predictions possible, as soon as she could. She observed Andromache... she knew that she'd be part of her family, but knew that the future could be changed as well. What she had seen was just one possible outcome. The rest was in her hands.
''What brings you here? I don't think you will be in the competition, will you?'' Cassandra asked the other woman. Andromache hesitated.
''In fact, no.'' She admitted. '' But my father thought that it was about time I started meeting people and made allies with other lands. I'm not sure why he wanted me here so badly. He could do allies without my help.'' She added with a smile.
Cassandra just flashed a wide grin. This was her chance.
''Well... how about you start making allies with Troy?'' It was a deliberate invitation to friendship. Andromache couldn't help but smile as well, and with a nod they started to chat happily. Soon, the Trojan princess found that she was intelligent and would have been able to set up a battle if needed.
With the plan still in her head, Cassandra decided that it wouldn't be too difficult to feel at home with her. Across the room stood her oldest brother, speaking to Odysseus and the tempestuous and beautiful Penelope.
But Hector was not too interested in the conversation, but on the person her sister was talking to. He couldn't figure out how Cassandra had the guts to quickly meet her if he'd just seen her once and was already chickening out before going to talk to her. But hey, that was Cassandra.
He turned his attention to the two in front of him. They were having an argument about what would be the best way of directing the troops in a beach and how land should be taken. It was rather odd for Hector to see two people who were so different and at the same time so similar. It was a perfect match... but they'd both yell at him if he said it.
With a slight smile, he turned to see if the rest of his relatives were near at all. But, nope. Briseis had gone with Paris, he knew that. But right now none of them was in sight, and nor was Pentesilea- Hector feared that she'd been chewing on Paris after an offense. (Did amazon bites hurt more than usual? Was it like the bite of the werewolf?)
Shaking his head to get rid of the horrible thoughts, he headed to where Cassandra was standing, still with Andromache. Right now they seemed to be making the typical small talk, about the competition, the competitors... and gossip about everyone else in the room. Girls will be girls, Hector thought.
But as he got near and Andromache smiled up to him – and he almost melted in a puddle of goo, needless to say- Pentesilea entered the scene with a playful smile. Not for Hector or for the two women... but to herself. The three turned to her.
''What happens?'' Andromache asked the amazon. It was obvious they had met before and they were friends by now. And noticing that smile and happiness in the red haired woman was a clear sign of mischief. ''What have you done?''
''Me? Nothing.'' A sensation of panic crept over Andromache. That answer was what her friend would say after she'd whooped a barbarian king's butt or something similar to that. ''I just happened to be there when a Trojan prince decided to drink too much wine along with his pride.''
''Hades in Hell, how more stupid can he get?'' Cassandra muttered with a curse.
''Don't worry, her cousin is with him.'' She added with a smile. ''But I think you should go see him.''
Pentesilea started walking away towards the room, and the other three followed. Cassandra kept wondering of men were born this stupid or they developed that ability. Hector was thinking about the lecture Paris would be getting when he reached the room. And Andromache... was noticing Hector for the first time.
And that was when Cassandra stopped swearing and, with a smile, decided that her time had come. The perfect chance! Yay!
So, on with the story-ness... LOL!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
''Paris... I think you should hold it there.'' Briseis said, knowing that her demand wouldn't be of any use. Paris had learnt that same night as he tried to approach Helen that she was about to be married to someone who could have been her father. And, even for Paris, that was too bad.
Briseis asked him to stop. She'd been doing so for the past half an hour, when Paris had decided to challenge Pentesilea to a drinking contest. And of course, she'd agreed. Briseis started thinking that it was a big feeling of doom that was taking over her, but how would she be able to stop him now, specially when a young amazon wanted to show her cocky cousin with who you don't mess.
She rose from her seat by Paris and tried to drag him away. He was dizzy by now, Briseis knew it. And his vision must have been blurry too. Paris had never been much of a drinker, and even if he'd been, challenging an amazon to knock him down in any way was very dangerous. Taking his arm, she tried to pull him away from the table where he faced Pentesilea. But he did not flinch...
''You have to help me.'' Briseis pleaded Pentesilea. The amazon just looked up at her standing and shrugged.
''He's too young, I told him. Take him if you want, but he's too stubborn too.'' Briseis found it amazing that the amazon had been drinking so much and she didn't seem changed at all. Surely she knew how to hold her alcohol... unlike Paris.
Paris grabbed another goblet and Briseis made him drop it. She whacked her cousin over the head and Pentesilea laughed. Paris just looked at her cousin oddly as if she'd suddenly gone crazy, but then .... His head fell on the table and he dozed off to sleep. Briseis, with a sudden panic attack, checked on him to make sure he was ok, and when she'd done so she noticed that the people surrounding him and Pentesilea were worried as well. Even the amazon was! With a silent look, the amazon stood up and helped Briseis carry the young prince.
They both disappeared down a corridor leaving the watchers to find some fun somewhere else. It was not too difficult, though: Achilles had just started another drinking contest against Ajax.
''Where do we take him?'' Briseis asked Pentesilea as they walked towards the rooms. ''I don't even know where he sleeps.''
''And should I?'' The amazon answered, resolute, asif that were none of her business. ''Hey, when he comes back from la-la land, I would like you to tell him that he's too impulsive for his own good. Ok?''
''Along with a slap.'' Briseis muttered, and then noticed that the amazon was already leaving. She called out a 'wait' to make her turn around to her again and she did so. ''What's your name?''
''Pentesilea. I am part of the Amazons from the West.'' She answered. ''Why?''
''Thank you.'' Briseis said. ''I don't think any other amazon would have helped me... even less him.''
''Amazons wouldn't have let him drink to start with.'' Pentesilea said with a wink. ''But I needed some fun and he deserved a lesson: when you challenge an amazon, you have to be sure you'll win.''
And without further reply, she headed back to the party, with her bright red hair moving from one side to the other. Briseis made a mental note that she'd make a good friend and ally... and kept that in mind.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
''Excuse me, are you Princess Andromache?'' A voice called behind her. Andromache turned around to face a beautiful brunette with long curly hair and soft dark eyes. She nodded and waited for her to speak. ''I am Cassandra, from Troy. My father spoke to me about you.''
Oh, yes. Andromache remembered. The Trojans were good people, according to her parents, and her father had mentioned that he'd happily make deals and friendship with them. What Andromache didn't suspect, was that one of them would come to her in such a direct way.
''Pleased to finally meet someone from your kin.'' She said, and offered Cassandra a goblet of wine, noticing she didn't carry one. The Trojan took it with a smile, and drank off it. ''I have heard about you as well.''
Good, Cassandra thought. Because I've seen what you will become , we're even there. But they weren't, since Cassandra knew what her fate and future would be... and Andromache only knew about Cassandra in very basic things.
''I think you served Apollo, is that right?'' Andromache asked. She had obviously heard the story... a story that Cassandra didn't usually like to tell, but there was some need of bonding here.
''Yes.'' She said, and nodded. ''I was a servant of Apollo once, but I was fated to leave the temple. My love towards the God opened my eyes and made me see things I didn't want to miss.'' Like who will be my family, she added just in her mind.
The legend said that Cassandra had received the gift of foresight when she served Apollo. She was beautiful and smart, something of high value amongst the Trojans. The God had given her that gift on hopes to win an undying love... but Cassandra rejected him and so she was cursed: she would know what the future would hold, but none would believe her, even when she saw everyone's doom.
And now she was determined to make the best predictions possible, as soon as she could. She observed Andromache... she knew that she'd be part of her family, but knew that the future could be changed as well. What she had seen was just one possible outcome. The rest was in her hands.
''What brings you here? I don't think you will be in the competition, will you?'' Cassandra asked the other woman. Andromache hesitated.
''In fact, no.'' She admitted. '' But my father thought that it was about time I started meeting people and made allies with other lands. I'm not sure why he wanted me here so badly. He could do allies without my help.'' She added with a smile.
Cassandra just flashed a wide grin. This was her chance.
''Well... how about you start making allies with Troy?'' It was a deliberate invitation to friendship. Andromache couldn't help but smile as well, and with a nod they started to chat happily. Soon, the Trojan princess found that she was intelligent and would have been able to set up a battle if needed.
With the plan still in her head, Cassandra decided that it wouldn't be too difficult to feel at home with her. Across the room stood her oldest brother, speaking to Odysseus and the tempestuous and beautiful Penelope.
But Hector was not too interested in the conversation, but on the person her sister was talking to. He couldn't figure out how Cassandra had the guts to quickly meet her if he'd just seen her once and was already chickening out before going to talk to her. But hey, that was Cassandra.
He turned his attention to the two in front of him. They were having an argument about what would be the best way of directing the troops in a beach and how land should be taken. It was rather odd for Hector to see two people who were so different and at the same time so similar. It was a perfect match... but they'd both yell at him if he said it.
With a slight smile, he turned to see if the rest of his relatives were near at all. But, nope. Briseis had gone with Paris, he knew that. But right now none of them was in sight, and nor was Pentesilea- Hector feared that she'd been chewing on Paris after an offense. (Did amazon bites hurt more than usual? Was it like the bite of the werewolf?)
Shaking his head to get rid of the horrible thoughts, he headed to where Cassandra was standing, still with Andromache. Right now they seemed to be making the typical small talk, about the competition, the competitors... and gossip about everyone else in the room. Girls will be girls, Hector thought.
But as he got near and Andromache smiled up to him – and he almost melted in a puddle of goo, needless to say- Pentesilea entered the scene with a playful smile. Not for Hector or for the two women... but to herself. The three turned to her.
''What happens?'' Andromache asked the amazon. It was obvious they had met before and they were friends by now. And noticing that smile and happiness in the red haired woman was a clear sign of mischief. ''What have you done?''
''Me? Nothing.'' A sensation of panic crept over Andromache. That answer was what her friend would say after she'd whooped a barbarian king's butt or something similar to that. ''I just happened to be there when a Trojan prince decided to drink too much wine along with his pride.''
''Hades in Hell, how more stupid can he get?'' Cassandra muttered with a curse.
''Don't worry, her cousin is with him.'' She added with a smile. ''But I think you should go see him.''
Pentesilea started walking away towards the room, and the other three followed. Cassandra kept wondering of men were born this stupid or they developed that ability. Hector was thinking about the lecture Paris would be getting when he reached the room. And Andromache... was noticing Hector for the first time.
And that was when Cassandra stopped swearing and, with a smile, decided that her time had come. The perfect chance! Yay!