Disclaimer: The characters are taken from Homer's Iliad, and also from the
awesome movie Troy! Warner Brothers did an excellent job with all of the
characters. I have added my own creation, Daphnea, for this story.
Paris/OC, Achilles/Briseis
I have now upgraded the rating to PG-13, for 'mature concepts'. Read at your own risk.
Author's note: Let me say that I love each and every one of my reviewers that took time out of their lives to send me a message of encouragement. It means a lot to me!!! 40 reviews, wOOt!
Thanks to: allamericangirl50, Mrs.M, Princess Danielley, Larrikin, Nariel, Shufen, Soccer-Bitch, Amura, Mina, Erica Marie, LadyFeonorGreenleaf, Roselynn Geigel, Lorren, Kelli1, Preciousbabyblue, Jenny
Lady Bee: I'm so glad I've found myself a beta! And we even live close!! How weird is that? You are awesome.
Natalie: Luv ya babe! I'm glad you got a kick out of the kids.
LowRyderBabe69: Yes, Achilles will be in this story. He is there in 'spirit' in this chapter, you'll see what I mean.
Gaslight: Yes indeedly, Helen has left the building. At least in this story. Can't have her getting in Daphnea's way now can we? While I love the character of Helen, I just didn't want to complicate the story more than it has to be. The Trojan war will commence shortly, I can't give too much away, stay tuned.
Helen of Sparta: See above. I'm honored that you check so often for my updates. Seriously, that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. :) Sorry, no LJ here.
Mrs. Captain Mort Lerner: You sound like a JD fan! Nothing wrong with that, he's cool. But I disagree, Orlando is so much more than eye candy. Thanks for reviewing!
Yuhi-thedoerofevildeeds: Cool pen name! Sorry, I couldn't find the actual Troy script. The dialogue is either original or from memory. I apologize for both, lol.
AngelicPirate: I so totally agree!!
Bluesywisdom: Yes, this fandom does rock!!
Ellmarr: Good to see you here, as well as in the PotC fandom.
NomiClawskull: I'm glad someone else thinks so!
Nikki Staggerwall: I'm just going with the age mentioned in the movie. I agree, they don't really count when you are younger! Just bear with me.
Alyx Bradford: I don't want to fall into the hackneyed pit that is Mary- Sue. However, it IS a romance, so I can see why you think I might end up there. All I can say is, I'm trying my best.
Chapter 3: Midnight Musings
While darkness blanketed the land, soon after all the fires save the eternal flame had been extinguished, I stumbled my way into Briseis' chambers. This was one of the benefits of having a best friend; almost every night I would visit her before bed so we could discuss and giggle about the events of the day. I rather looked forward to it, since 'girl time' was rare when you are a priestess; my duties to the Sun God always came first. So when Briseis asked me to see her tonight, I was especially expectant. We always had fun interpreting each other's dreams, and I knew that tonight would be no exception.
My friend was waiting for me. She was lounging on our comfortable divan that faced the open window overlooking the sea. I plopped down beside her and she immediately began spilling secrets.
"I saw Alexandra sneaking out of the temple after the evening meal," she told, her eyes sparkling with delight.
"Ugh, not that bitch again," I groaned.
"Who do you think she was meeting?"
"Who cares?" I responded. After some thought, I added, "It would have to be someone of noble birth, for anyone less wouldn't be good enough for Miss Stuck-Up." Briseis rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"Why did she ever become a priestess?" She snorted, "its not like she ever upholds her vows."
I decided to voice an opinion that had been troubling me for awhile. "Sometimes I feel that we are the only girls in the temple who haven't yet broken them." Briseis smiled wryly at me.
"Don't worry, you haven't been the only one who has noticed the other priestesses' lack of fidelity." Noticing my glum look, she tried to change the subject.
"Hey, I'll bet I know who Alexandra was planning to do it with tonight!"
I grimaced warily. "Who?"
"Paris. She has always lusted after him, and kept badgering me to introduce her to my cousin. Didn't you see her off flirting with him in a corner when we were visiting the palace? Easy Alex probably agreed to rendezvous with him tonight. I swear by Apollo and all that is holy, she is not good enough for my cousin. If he could only see her for the brainless slut that she is..." Briseis continued rambling, but I automatically tuned her out.
My Paris, in bed with that horrible woman who was not worthy to call herself a priestess was unthinkable. A disturbing image creeped into my mind, of Alexandra lying in Paris' strong arms and kissing his pouty lips. I sighed with longing, the pain this subject was giving me was evident in my honey eyes. My friend detected this, and abruptly ended her speech.
"Oh Hades, I forgot!" She turned to me and put her arm around my shoulder. "I should've remembered that you wouldn't want to hear about that." Not wanting to make Briseis feel any worse, I convinced her to give me a detailed description about her most recent dream. She didn't need any more goading.
"Last night I dreamed about a gorgeous man." Glancing at her, we both broke into a loud chorus of giggles. I just knew I would enjoy hearing this, since I could tell this was going to lead into another one of her lusty fantasies.
"So what did he look like? Could you see his face?"
"Well, he was quite tall and well built, with humongous, rippling arm and abdominal muscles," she told me breathily. "His face was to die for, his piercing eyes were similar to the swirling blue Aegean. Long locks of flaxen hair framed his God-like features. He only wore a tight, black leather skirt that clearly defined his firm ass..." Briseis emphasized the last word, and I just shook my head at her, grinning.
"I guess it was a good dream then."
"Definitely," confirmed Briseis, as a dazed look fell over her royal features. "Hey wait a minute. Never in all my winters have I seen a Trojan man wear a leather skirt, theirs are always metal." I teased my friend for having such an imaginative mind.
"Maybe he wasn't from Troy," suggested Briseis. My mind rapidly began to analyze her newest fantasy.
"Perhaps this man is a warrior from a distant land, which is why his style of dress is so unfamiliar. I'll bet that after hearing all of those stories about how the Greek fighter Hercules kidnapped your Aunt Hesione, your mind created a subconscious image of him." Briseis brooded over my statement for a moment.
"It's a interesting explanation, Nea. I'll have to admit, your interpretation goes right along with my dream when he took me captive on our beach." I smirked at her.
"Someone has a thing for being abducted." Briseis blushed, but boldly proclaimed, "The idea of being totally possessed by a man entices me." I inwardly agreed.
"His voice seemed to call to me from across the sky, I was powerless to move. I can't recall the entire dream, but I do know he whispered, 'Remember me' before I woke." Briseis seemed lost in her own world, but then she suddenly jumped, as if jolted by lightening from Zeus himself.
"Oh Nea, I just had an impossible thought. What if the desirable one who appears in my dreams was Apollo?" I howled with laughter. Now this was where our thoughts differed about the Gods. I was of the opinion that the Gods minded their own business and didn't meddle in the affairs of mortals, and that those claiming to have seen the Gods were lying. On the other hand, Briseis believed that the Gods occasionally did visit the earth.
"I think my warrior interpretation was far more logical than your mystery man turning out to be a God."
"Oh you're no fun, Nea," she emphasized, not really meaning it.
"If you ever were to meet such a man, would you go up and talk to him, even if he produced a dangerous aura, Briseis?" Her eyes fixed themselves on mine, and she answered, "If there was even a glimmer of hope that I thought he was the god that we serve, then yes."
"You're insane," I told her, half-amused, half-afraid of her delusional thinking.
"You mean you wouldn't go near him if he appeared to you?" Now she looked at me as if I was the crazy one.
"No, especially not if he was clutching a blood-drenched sword. I've known his kind, your warrior doesn't seem like someone who cares for anything other than killing and his own glory. Don't take this the wrong way, but he doesn't exactly sound like my type." Disbelievingly, she encouraged me to continue.
"Alright then, describe your perfect man." I sighed dreamily and began to talk.
"He would be considerably skinnier, yet still have well defined arms and a smooth chest, that sort of thing." I shifted my weight, trying to sink down into the couch for support and closed my eyes. "It wouldn't matter to me if he were some invincible fighter, I would prefer for him to live on with me until we were old. As long as he was by my side, sensitive to my feelings, and loving me for who I truly am, I would be the happiest girl in all of Troy. I can just glimpse his beautiful face and soft features, his tousled dark curls and brown eyes are penetrating into my soul." My eyelids fluttered open, and Briseis could discern the despair that lurked there. Wordlessly, she pulled me into a hug, as a couple of stray tears trickled down my cheeks.
"I saw P-Paris, it was him," I sobbed desperately into her shoulder.
"Shh, Nea, you are going to be alright," she emphasized. "Don't let my cousin get you down." She brushed my hair away from my face as she attempted to sooth me.
"Briseis, y-you have to help me get over him," I sniffled. "It' s the only way I'll ever survive. We could never be together anyway, even if he did reciprocate my feelings of love." She sighed knowingly, "Now we know why this job is often called Apollo's Curse." I smiled through my tears, but still clutched her back. Briseis offered to let me share her large bed, which I accepted gratefully.
"Try and get some rest, things can't get much worse than this, can they?" I left her rhetorical question unanswered, and she took the hint, quickly falling asleep. Lying awake, I forced myself to think optimistically. Now that I realize that he has completely changed, I won't waste any more of my time on my silly infatuation. My devotion to the Gods shall be my strength, my friendship with Briseis shall be my comfort in this never- ending cycle of night and day. Slipping into dream world, I couldn't fathom that my life was about to become even more complicated.
End Ch. 3
How was it? Did I switch moods too quickly? I hope this chappie wasn't too emotionally laden, I tried to keep most of it light toned. Ladies, who liked my descriptions of Achilles and Paris? Let me say this, our favorite priestesses are incredibly lucky, since I know what they will experience in the chapters to come. Hehe! Did anyone catch my allusions to the Josh Groban song? (which I love so much)
I have now upgraded the rating to PG-13, for 'mature concepts'. Read at your own risk.
Author's note: Let me say that I love each and every one of my reviewers that took time out of their lives to send me a message of encouragement. It means a lot to me!!! 40 reviews, wOOt!
Thanks to: allamericangirl50, Mrs.M, Princess Danielley, Larrikin, Nariel, Shufen, Soccer-Bitch, Amura, Mina, Erica Marie, LadyFeonorGreenleaf, Roselynn Geigel, Lorren, Kelli1, Preciousbabyblue, Jenny
Lady Bee: I'm so glad I've found myself a beta! And we even live close!! How weird is that? You are awesome.
Natalie: Luv ya babe! I'm glad you got a kick out of the kids.
LowRyderBabe69: Yes, Achilles will be in this story. He is there in 'spirit' in this chapter, you'll see what I mean.
Gaslight: Yes indeedly, Helen has left the building. At least in this story. Can't have her getting in Daphnea's way now can we? While I love the character of Helen, I just didn't want to complicate the story more than it has to be. The Trojan war will commence shortly, I can't give too much away, stay tuned.
Helen of Sparta: See above. I'm honored that you check so often for my updates. Seriously, that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. :) Sorry, no LJ here.
Mrs. Captain Mort Lerner: You sound like a JD fan! Nothing wrong with that, he's cool. But I disagree, Orlando is so much more than eye candy. Thanks for reviewing!
Yuhi-thedoerofevildeeds: Cool pen name! Sorry, I couldn't find the actual Troy script. The dialogue is either original or from memory. I apologize for both, lol.
AngelicPirate: I so totally agree!!
Bluesywisdom: Yes, this fandom does rock!!
Ellmarr: Good to see you here, as well as in the PotC fandom.
NomiClawskull: I'm glad someone else thinks so!
Nikki Staggerwall: I'm just going with the age mentioned in the movie. I agree, they don't really count when you are younger! Just bear with me.
Alyx Bradford: I don't want to fall into the hackneyed pit that is Mary- Sue. However, it IS a romance, so I can see why you think I might end up there. All I can say is, I'm trying my best.
Chapter 3: Midnight Musings
While darkness blanketed the land, soon after all the fires save the eternal flame had been extinguished, I stumbled my way into Briseis' chambers. This was one of the benefits of having a best friend; almost every night I would visit her before bed so we could discuss and giggle about the events of the day. I rather looked forward to it, since 'girl time' was rare when you are a priestess; my duties to the Sun God always came first. So when Briseis asked me to see her tonight, I was especially expectant. We always had fun interpreting each other's dreams, and I knew that tonight would be no exception.
My friend was waiting for me. She was lounging on our comfortable divan that faced the open window overlooking the sea. I plopped down beside her and she immediately began spilling secrets.
"I saw Alexandra sneaking out of the temple after the evening meal," she told, her eyes sparkling with delight.
"Ugh, not that bitch again," I groaned.
"Who do you think she was meeting?"
"Who cares?" I responded. After some thought, I added, "It would have to be someone of noble birth, for anyone less wouldn't be good enough for Miss Stuck-Up." Briseis rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"Why did she ever become a priestess?" She snorted, "its not like she ever upholds her vows."
I decided to voice an opinion that had been troubling me for awhile. "Sometimes I feel that we are the only girls in the temple who haven't yet broken them." Briseis smiled wryly at me.
"Don't worry, you haven't been the only one who has noticed the other priestesses' lack of fidelity." Noticing my glum look, she tried to change the subject.
"Hey, I'll bet I know who Alexandra was planning to do it with tonight!"
I grimaced warily. "Who?"
"Paris. She has always lusted after him, and kept badgering me to introduce her to my cousin. Didn't you see her off flirting with him in a corner when we were visiting the palace? Easy Alex probably agreed to rendezvous with him tonight. I swear by Apollo and all that is holy, she is not good enough for my cousin. If he could only see her for the brainless slut that she is..." Briseis continued rambling, but I automatically tuned her out.
My Paris, in bed with that horrible woman who was not worthy to call herself a priestess was unthinkable. A disturbing image creeped into my mind, of Alexandra lying in Paris' strong arms and kissing his pouty lips. I sighed with longing, the pain this subject was giving me was evident in my honey eyes. My friend detected this, and abruptly ended her speech.
"Oh Hades, I forgot!" She turned to me and put her arm around my shoulder. "I should've remembered that you wouldn't want to hear about that." Not wanting to make Briseis feel any worse, I convinced her to give me a detailed description about her most recent dream. She didn't need any more goading.
"Last night I dreamed about a gorgeous man." Glancing at her, we both broke into a loud chorus of giggles. I just knew I would enjoy hearing this, since I could tell this was going to lead into another one of her lusty fantasies.
"So what did he look like? Could you see his face?"
"Well, he was quite tall and well built, with humongous, rippling arm and abdominal muscles," she told me breathily. "His face was to die for, his piercing eyes were similar to the swirling blue Aegean. Long locks of flaxen hair framed his God-like features. He only wore a tight, black leather skirt that clearly defined his firm ass..." Briseis emphasized the last word, and I just shook my head at her, grinning.
"I guess it was a good dream then."
"Definitely," confirmed Briseis, as a dazed look fell over her royal features. "Hey wait a minute. Never in all my winters have I seen a Trojan man wear a leather skirt, theirs are always metal." I teased my friend for having such an imaginative mind.
"Maybe he wasn't from Troy," suggested Briseis. My mind rapidly began to analyze her newest fantasy.
"Perhaps this man is a warrior from a distant land, which is why his style of dress is so unfamiliar. I'll bet that after hearing all of those stories about how the Greek fighter Hercules kidnapped your Aunt Hesione, your mind created a subconscious image of him." Briseis brooded over my statement for a moment.
"It's a interesting explanation, Nea. I'll have to admit, your interpretation goes right along with my dream when he took me captive on our beach." I smirked at her.
"Someone has a thing for being abducted." Briseis blushed, but boldly proclaimed, "The idea of being totally possessed by a man entices me." I inwardly agreed.
"His voice seemed to call to me from across the sky, I was powerless to move. I can't recall the entire dream, but I do know he whispered, 'Remember me' before I woke." Briseis seemed lost in her own world, but then she suddenly jumped, as if jolted by lightening from Zeus himself.
"Oh Nea, I just had an impossible thought. What if the desirable one who appears in my dreams was Apollo?" I howled with laughter. Now this was where our thoughts differed about the Gods. I was of the opinion that the Gods minded their own business and didn't meddle in the affairs of mortals, and that those claiming to have seen the Gods were lying. On the other hand, Briseis believed that the Gods occasionally did visit the earth.
"I think my warrior interpretation was far more logical than your mystery man turning out to be a God."
"Oh you're no fun, Nea," she emphasized, not really meaning it.
"If you ever were to meet such a man, would you go up and talk to him, even if he produced a dangerous aura, Briseis?" Her eyes fixed themselves on mine, and she answered, "If there was even a glimmer of hope that I thought he was the god that we serve, then yes."
"You're insane," I told her, half-amused, half-afraid of her delusional thinking.
"You mean you wouldn't go near him if he appeared to you?" Now she looked at me as if I was the crazy one.
"No, especially not if he was clutching a blood-drenched sword. I've known his kind, your warrior doesn't seem like someone who cares for anything other than killing and his own glory. Don't take this the wrong way, but he doesn't exactly sound like my type." Disbelievingly, she encouraged me to continue.
"Alright then, describe your perfect man." I sighed dreamily and began to talk.
"He would be considerably skinnier, yet still have well defined arms and a smooth chest, that sort of thing." I shifted my weight, trying to sink down into the couch for support and closed my eyes. "It wouldn't matter to me if he were some invincible fighter, I would prefer for him to live on with me until we were old. As long as he was by my side, sensitive to my feelings, and loving me for who I truly am, I would be the happiest girl in all of Troy. I can just glimpse his beautiful face and soft features, his tousled dark curls and brown eyes are penetrating into my soul." My eyelids fluttered open, and Briseis could discern the despair that lurked there. Wordlessly, she pulled me into a hug, as a couple of stray tears trickled down my cheeks.
"I saw P-Paris, it was him," I sobbed desperately into her shoulder.
"Shh, Nea, you are going to be alright," she emphasized. "Don't let my cousin get you down." She brushed my hair away from my face as she attempted to sooth me.
"Briseis, y-you have to help me get over him," I sniffled. "It' s the only way I'll ever survive. We could never be together anyway, even if he did reciprocate my feelings of love." She sighed knowingly, "Now we know why this job is often called Apollo's Curse." I smiled through my tears, but still clutched her back. Briseis offered to let me share her large bed, which I accepted gratefully.
"Try and get some rest, things can't get much worse than this, can they?" I left her rhetorical question unanswered, and she took the hint, quickly falling asleep. Lying awake, I forced myself to think optimistically. Now that I realize that he has completely changed, I won't waste any more of my time on my silly infatuation. My devotion to the Gods shall be my strength, my friendship with Briseis shall be my comfort in this never- ending cycle of night and day. Slipping into dream world, I couldn't fathom that my life was about to become even more complicated.
End Ch. 3
How was it? Did I switch moods too quickly? I hope this chappie wasn't too emotionally laden, I tried to keep most of it light toned. Ladies, who liked my descriptions of Achilles and Paris? Let me say this, our favorite priestesses are incredibly lucky, since I know what they will experience in the chapters to come. Hehe! Did anyone catch my allusions to the Josh Groban song? (which I love so much)