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
To all Homer Purists: Back off. I'm writing fic based on the movie, and it's posted in the Troy section. If I was writing a story that was true to the Iliad, it would be posted in the books/Homer section. I KNOW Achilles and Patroclus were lovers and not cousins in the Iliad; I've read it, thank you very much.
On a nicer note. Beaucoup Thanks to my awesome reviewers: Orlilover15, Some Random Girl, LowRyderBabe69, Tropicalstar91, Captain America, Austin B, Tennis Taters, Preciousbabyblue, All American Girl 50, Mystery, Baphomet, yuhi-thedoerofevildeeds, Helen of Sparta, Mrs. M, Veronica, darkbitch, soccer-bitch, and Starangel Caelum SunSoar.
Wishmistress81 and Larrikin: You win...ding ding ding! The ancient song was indeed 'Is this Love' by Whitesnake. Go 80s songs, you rock for knowing the challenge.
Is it just me or do a lot of my reviewers have ADD? Its okay, I love you for it. It's just really amusing reading all of the random stuff that people post under reviews. Did my writing do that to you? LOL.
Author's Note: Well, I'm back from (Paris) France and it was an awesome trip! Just to let you know, I'm working as a camp counselor this summer and I can only post on the weekends. So, the updates won't be quite as frequent, I'm sad to say. But... here it is, Achilles fans, the long awaited chapter! I hope I captured the essence of his character correctly. Please let me know, if you have any suggestions or places where I need to improve. I was really tired from the time change so I hope this chapter turned out okay. You might notice some of the Briseis/Achilles lines are directly from the movie. I kept the ones that I liked or could remember, and added my own little twists. This story is 'loosely based' on the movie. Enjoy!
Priestess of Apollo
CH. 5: Achilles' Arrival
The two priestesses glanced at each other in mutual terror; their beloved city was about to be invaded! Looking outside, they glimpsed the hundreds of approaching ships, and the sunlight reflecting off their sails, dotting the Aegean.
"Nea, we'll never make it back to the city in time, it's too far!" Briseis assessed the situation as calmly as possible.
"Then we'll have to make a stand in the temple," Nea bravely replied.
"You don't think the man leading the attack could be..." Briseis trailed off uncertainly. Grimly, Nea answered, "I have no doubt the treachery of Agamemnon is behind this."
"But what cause do the Greeks have to go to war with us? My cousin returned the Spartan Queen, it cannot be that," Briseis pondered aloud as they rushed into the main area for worship. The temple staff continued to stream into the vast hall as the high priest called for silence.
"We shall greet the enemy in peace and with open arms. Not even the Greeks would dare lay siege to a temple of Apollo." Praying for a swift victory and for the Sun God to shine favorably upon their city, the priestesses formed a circle and joined hands. Daphnea felt the prayers would offer little protection from the invaders, but she participated wholeheartedly. As soon as the prayer was complete, she dragged Briseis over to a small opening between the slate columns. Pressing their eyes to the crack of sunlight, they watched helplessly as the first of the offending vessels land on the beach. Briseis gasped, "What kind of ship has black sails?" Daphnea felt an intense stab of foreboding as the first warrior leapt out onto the sand, brandishing his spear. Although the Greeks were too far away from the temple to be seen as anything larger than beetles scuttling across the sand, Daphnea knew it would be only minutes before the attackers reached her. Briseis seemed to read her thoughts.
"Don't worry, I'm sure Hector will come with his army to protect us." Daphnea had her doubts, for already she could see that the leader of the Greek army was an efficient killer. She also feared that Hector's army would be too busy fighting to remember them.
"I hope so." They shared a grim smile. Both knew that the temple staff wouldn't be able to repel the attackers, because weapons weren't permitted within Apollo's sacred walls.
"Prisetesses of Apollo," the high priest delivered, "I ask for you to wait here while the men negotiate your safe passage. May the Gods watch over you." He seemed confident in his speech, but Daphnea and Briseis could tell he was putting up a brave front as not to scare the women. Briseis squeezed her best friend's hand reassuringly as the temple women filed into the innermost sanctuary. It was unusually quiet, even Alexandra and her gossiping friends seemed to understand the seriousness of their situation.
The minutes crawled by, and Daphnea could hear the low murmuring of the priests. Then there was an absence of noise, and the startling clang of swords. The realization of what must've transpired stunned the priestesses, for the men whom they'd worked with each day had just passed into the land of Hades.
Suddenly, a loud BANG sounded from outside the barricaded doors. "The Greeks are breaking in!" cried Alexandra, hysterically. "They'll kill us all!"
"Wait, please don't panic," said Daphnea in an authoritative manner. "We need to leave this room in order to successfully escape." Briseis spoke up.
"Besides, they won't kill you; the Greeks will take you captive and turn you all into slaves." The priestesses gasped in horror. She continued, "but these doors are strong, and will hold for awhile. Let's go out through the side door, and hide ourselves." Stupidly, Alexandra disagreed.
"But the high priest said we should stay here..." Daphnea cut in, "Do you want to be taken captive?"
"No, but..."
"Then we must hide." Daphnea and Briseis led the way out via the emergency side door.
"Spread out," they instructed. "Hide in places free from gold and valuable items, since that is what the Greeks will want to steal." Daphnea pulled her friend away from the others. She whispered, "I know the prefect secret hiding spot." Briseis quickly followed her into the small temple storeroom, where grain, flower, fruits, and water were kept, in preparation for a crisis.
"Good thinking, Nea." Briseis told her after they were safely inside. The sound of loud girly shrieks penetrated the room, for the Greeks had indeed found Alexandra. Daphnea and Briseis exchanged a sad look; while they weren't exactly fond of Alexandra, they certainly didn't wish for her to be captured by the enemy.
"Nea, the Greeks will find us here eventually. Perhaps now is the time we should unseal the ancient door." Its bronze splendor had long since been hidden behind stacks of surplus grain.
"You're right. Maybe it will lead us out of the temple and we can escape to the city unscathed. Apollo would want us to open it today," she rationalized. So the girls moved the grain, finally unblocking the great mysterious door.
"You first," said Daphnea.
Briseis frowned, "Do you hear yelling?" Her friend listened closely.
"Yes, it's coming from the other side." Briseis looked afraid.
"It's the Greeks coming to take us!" But just as they were about to run away, Daphnea stopped.
"Wait. He's speaking Trojan!" The sound of yelling wasn't as muffled as before.
"Maybe it's Hector come to rescue us after all!" The unknown man knocked on the door, and the echo reverberated off the walls. Briseis slowly opened it. "By the Gods – Paris!" She gave her cousin a quick hug. Daphnea was completely astounded. I can't believe that he is here, standing right in front of me! But this is no time to be shy, she thought.
"Paris, how did you get in here?" He looked mildly surprised to see her. Motioning to the door he explained, "From the tunnel. It is one of the oldest secrets of Troy; it runs underground all the way from the Palace.
"Cousin, where is Hector?"
"He's busy leading the cavalry right now, so my father sent me instead to bring all of Apollo's priestesses to safety. Where are the rest of you?" Briseis replied, "They are hiding, because we are currently under siege. Come, let's take the tunnel to the Palace."
Paris looked ready to go back, but instead he determinedly told them, "No. I must save the others". He left the storeroom, his bow and arrows drawn.
"Be careful!" Daphnea called after him, worried for his safety. The two priestesses watched nervously as Paris successfully shot down three of the enemy soldiers. But then they witnessed his back stiffen; he began to back away slowly into the storeroom. Daphnea could understand why he was afraid; in front of Paris stood a menacing, golden-haired warrior. It was the leader that she'd glimpsed earlier on the beach.
The young Trojan prince retreated back into the storeroom and said, "Come, we must go to the palace! It's not safe here." He grabbed Daphnea's hand and they moved towards the entrance to the tunnel. But Briseis was instead intently walking out toward the temple.
"Cousin, what do you think you're doing?!" Paris asked her frantically. "We have to go. Now!"
"I just want another peek," she told him offhandedly. "I'll need to give an accurate description of the leader of the Greek army to Uncle Priam." Daphnea knew Briseis had other reasons for her rash actions.
"Briseis, don't! It doesn't matter if he's exceedingly handsome, he is dangerous!" But the royal priestess persisted, continuing on out the door. In an instant, two Greek soldiers grabbed and forced her to come with them.
"Let me go!" she shrieked, struggling to no avail. Daphnea was terrified for her best friend, and called out, "Bri—mmmph!" Paris had covered her mouth with his hand, stifling her cry. While she inwardly savored the sweet contact, Daphnea glared angrily at him. Paris whispered an explanation, his warm breath tickling her ears.
"We can't let them hear you. We must flee."
"But what about Briseis? We can't just let the Greeks take her." He glared back.
"I can't battle the Greek leader alone."
"Fine." Daphnea crossed her arms and taunted, "You never did learn to fight that well, did you?" Paris retorted, "I'm the best archer in all of Troy. What does it matter (A/N: he says it matt-a, with that beautiful 'Trojan' accent) if my skills with the sword are not comparable to those of my older brother's." He carefully reopened the heavy door and they began the long trek to the palace.
As soon as they were safely a ways down the shadowy passageway, Daphnea spoke. "Actually, I thought your skills with a sword are quite renowned throughout our city. After all, you did steal the Spartan King's wife for a day." He smirked at the double entendre.
"And you want to find out if the stories are true?" Paris goaded her in a low voice. Daphnea shivered a bit when she realized what he was implying.
"No. Unlike some priestesses, I happen to take my Apollonian vows very seriously," she emphasized.
"I'll bet you do." He smoothed her hair away from her face and moved in for a kiss, but she pushed him away.
"I can't," she whispered. He looked at her knowingly.
"You can't, or you won't?" Daphnea didn't answer. They fell silent for awhile; their footsteps echoed and reverberated in the long tunnel. The silence was deafening, and a question was gnawing at her.
"Do you think we're going to have a full scale war with the Greeks?"
Paris sighed, "I don't know. I presume that my father, Hector, and the elders will discuss the possibilities of war tonight. I really don't prefer to fight, but..." Daphnea was so intent on listening to his voice that she didn't see a rock that lay directly in their path. She stumbled and fell into the prince's strong arms.
"Sorry, I really can't see very well down here." Daphnea managed to keep her voice from trembling, as he slowly released her.
"Here. Hold my hand; I know this tunnel well. Nea, I promise I won't try anything." She took his hand gratefully. They kept pressing on, hand in hand down the seemingly endless passageway. While Daphnea had outwardly rejected his advances, she was enjoying the closeness. She secretly never wanted to let go of Paris' hand.
Meanwhile
Two scruffy Myrmidons were now dragging Briseis down the now Greek-occupied beach. She'd landed a couple of well-placed kicks on her captors, but they had retaliated, giving her a bloody lip and some facial bruises. For now, she'd decided that the wisest course of action was to keep still. The frightened priestess was brought into a small hut, tied firmly to a wooden post, and left alone.
Oh why did I have to look at that Greek again; I'm too impetuous, she inwardly castigated herself. Because he greatly resembled the ruggedly gorgeous man from her dream, her mind argued. It was true, for his dirty blonde locks, light blue eyes, and defining leather skirt was exactly as she'd remembered from the dream. I don't understand my attraction to this foreigner, it has only led me to disaster, she thought despairingly. What if I'm treated as the lowest of concubines, and given over to the Greek army to be their plaything? In my fantasy of a dream, it was very exciting and romantic to be captured by my mystery man, since he'd loved me. But now that I've allowed this to happen to me, the reality is quite the opposite. I'm scared, I miss Nea and my family, and...
Someone burst unexpectedly through the animal skin flaps and entered the tent. Briseis tensed as she prepared herself for the worst possible outcome of the encounter.
"What's your name, girl?" Recognizing the voice, she spun around to see the golden-haired Greek before her. "I must not answer," she inwardly coached herself. Even though Briseis didn't speak, it made no difference to the warrior.
"I'm Achilles, in case you wanted to know." Achilles strode over to the water-filled urn and splashed the clear liquid on his sweaty face. Briseis' eyes were following his every move. But when he began to strip down to cleanse his demigod-esque body, she abashedly averted her gaze. "And believe me, you'll need to remember my name, since I am your master and you are now my property." His words struck a nerve.
"I belong to no one," she informed him quietly, yet with malice. Before he could respond, Briseis continued, "And why did you cut down three defenseless priests? They were good men, and wouldn't have posed a threat to your army." Achilles sneered at her.
"As a warrior, I could not allow them to live; I needed to uphold my reputation as the fiercest fighter in all of Greece! But you wouldn't understand about winning glory, would you priestess?" He said the last word mockingly.
"And a dumb brute like you wouldn't know anything about giving their life to the Gods," Briseis retorted.
"I fear no man nor God, especially not Apollo. Why you dedicate your life to the Sun God, I'll never understand. He smirked, "The romance must be completely one-sided." Briseis glared at Achilles.
"I pity men like you, whose only talent in life is killing." The Greek found a spare cloth, wetted it, and approached the bound Trojan girl.
"I'm told that killing isn't my only talent." Their eyes met and he started to wipe away the dried blood from her pretty face. She thought anxiously, I can't like the man who killed my priests, it would be so wrong! So she batted the cloth away, meaning to toss it across the tent. Instead, it hit an astonished Achilles square in the face.
That was how Eudorus found them, Briseis with her arms folded across her chest, Achilles with water dripping off his chin.
"Milord, King Agamemnon wishes to see you now."
"Tell him I'll come when I'm ready," Achilles flippantly told his Myrmidon friend. Eudorus hesitated, then reluctantly replied, "Yes, Lord Achilles." He departed, and Achilles immediately wiped off the excess water.
"You are brave, young priestess. Not many would dare challenge the great Achilles." He moved closer to where she was tied and took hold of her clammy hands. "You don't have to fear me, girl. You're the only Trojan that I can say that to." Briseis couldn't bring herself to pull away; she was transfixed by his commanding presence. As Achilles turned to leave, she softly called, "My name's Briseis." He walked out, turned and faced her, and sincerely said, "Briseis. I'll remember the name."
Alone again, Briseis' thoughts swirled like the Aegean on a particularly stormy day. I hope that Achilles won't turn me over to his king. No, he'd never do that. Besides, he wants me for himself; I just know it. But I don't like being his captive. I'm not cut out to be a slave, and I refuse to sink to a whore's level. Then why, by Apollo, did I take pleasure in the sweet tingling in my hands when he subtly caressed them? Oh no, I'm falling for this Achilles! She realized this, not all unhappily.
End CH. 5: The plot is moving! Woot. I have some new ideas for the next chapter, and I have the French Versailles castle gardens to thank for them. You'll see! Also, the 'Remember' song from Troy convinced me to get Josh Groban's CD, and it's wonderful. He has the BEST voice; I totally recommend it! He even sings in Italian.
New Challenge: You guys seemed to like the last one. So, here's another. If you took out Daphnea from my title, what movie/book could the acronym stand for?
To all Homer Purists: Back off. I'm writing fic based on the movie, and it's posted in the Troy section. If I was writing a story that was true to the Iliad, it would be posted in the books/Homer section. I KNOW Achilles and Patroclus were lovers and not cousins in the Iliad; I've read it, thank you very much.
On a nicer note. Beaucoup Thanks to my awesome reviewers: Orlilover15, Some Random Girl, LowRyderBabe69, Tropicalstar91, Captain America, Austin B, Tennis Taters, Preciousbabyblue, All American Girl 50, Mystery, Baphomet, yuhi-thedoerofevildeeds, Helen of Sparta, Mrs. M, Veronica, darkbitch, soccer-bitch, and Starangel Caelum SunSoar.
Wishmistress81 and Larrikin: You win...ding ding ding! The ancient song was indeed 'Is this Love' by Whitesnake. Go 80s songs, you rock for knowing the challenge.
Is it just me or do a lot of my reviewers have ADD? Its okay, I love you for it. It's just really amusing reading all of the random stuff that people post under reviews. Did my writing do that to you? LOL.
Author's Note: Well, I'm back from (Paris) France and it was an awesome trip! Just to let you know, I'm working as a camp counselor this summer and I can only post on the weekends. So, the updates won't be quite as frequent, I'm sad to say. But... here it is, Achilles fans, the long awaited chapter! I hope I captured the essence of his character correctly. Please let me know, if you have any suggestions or places where I need to improve. I was really tired from the time change so I hope this chapter turned out okay. You might notice some of the Briseis/Achilles lines are directly from the movie. I kept the ones that I liked or could remember, and added my own little twists. This story is 'loosely based' on the movie. Enjoy!
Priestess of Apollo
CH. 5: Achilles' Arrival
The two priestesses glanced at each other in mutual terror; their beloved city was about to be invaded! Looking outside, they glimpsed the hundreds of approaching ships, and the sunlight reflecting off their sails, dotting the Aegean.
"Nea, we'll never make it back to the city in time, it's too far!" Briseis assessed the situation as calmly as possible.
"Then we'll have to make a stand in the temple," Nea bravely replied.
"You don't think the man leading the attack could be..." Briseis trailed off uncertainly. Grimly, Nea answered, "I have no doubt the treachery of Agamemnon is behind this."
"But what cause do the Greeks have to go to war with us? My cousin returned the Spartan Queen, it cannot be that," Briseis pondered aloud as they rushed into the main area for worship. The temple staff continued to stream into the vast hall as the high priest called for silence.
"We shall greet the enemy in peace and with open arms. Not even the Greeks would dare lay siege to a temple of Apollo." Praying for a swift victory and for the Sun God to shine favorably upon their city, the priestesses formed a circle and joined hands. Daphnea felt the prayers would offer little protection from the invaders, but she participated wholeheartedly. As soon as the prayer was complete, she dragged Briseis over to a small opening between the slate columns. Pressing their eyes to the crack of sunlight, they watched helplessly as the first of the offending vessels land on the beach. Briseis gasped, "What kind of ship has black sails?" Daphnea felt an intense stab of foreboding as the first warrior leapt out onto the sand, brandishing his spear. Although the Greeks were too far away from the temple to be seen as anything larger than beetles scuttling across the sand, Daphnea knew it would be only minutes before the attackers reached her. Briseis seemed to read her thoughts.
"Don't worry, I'm sure Hector will come with his army to protect us." Daphnea had her doubts, for already she could see that the leader of the Greek army was an efficient killer. She also feared that Hector's army would be too busy fighting to remember them.
"I hope so." They shared a grim smile. Both knew that the temple staff wouldn't be able to repel the attackers, because weapons weren't permitted within Apollo's sacred walls.
"Prisetesses of Apollo," the high priest delivered, "I ask for you to wait here while the men negotiate your safe passage. May the Gods watch over you." He seemed confident in his speech, but Daphnea and Briseis could tell he was putting up a brave front as not to scare the women. Briseis squeezed her best friend's hand reassuringly as the temple women filed into the innermost sanctuary. It was unusually quiet, even Alexandra and her gossiping friends seemed to understand the seriousness of their situation.
The minutes crawled by, and Daphnea could hear the low murmuring of the priests. Then there was an absence of noise, and the startling clang of swords. The realization of what must've transpired stunned the priestesses, for the men whom they'd worked with each day had just passed into the land of Hades.
Suddenly, a loud BANG sounded from outside the barricaded doors. "The Greeks are breaking in!" cried Alexandra, hysterically. "They'll kill us all!"
"Wait, please don't panic," said Daphnea in an authoritative manner. "We need to leave this room in order to successfully escape." Briseis spoke up.
"Besides, they won't kill you; the Greeks will take you captive and turn you all into slaves." The priestesses gasped in horror. She continued, "but these doors are strong, and will hold for awhile. Let's go out through the side door, and hide ourselves." Stupidly, Alexandra disagreed.
"But the high priest said we should stay here..." Daphnea cut in, "Do you want to be taken captive?"
"No, but..."
"Then we must hide." Daphnea and Briseis led the way out via the emergency side door.
"Spread out," they instructed. "Hide in places free from gold and valuable items, since that is what the Greeks will want to steal." Daphnea pulled her friend away from the others. She whispered, "I know the prefect secret hiding spot." Briseis quickly followed her into the small temple storeroom, where grain, flower, fruits, and water were kept, in preparation for a crisis.
"Good thinking, Nea." Briseis told her after they were safely inside. The sound of loud girly shrieks penetrated the room, for the Greeks had indeed found Alexandra. Daphnea and Briseis exchanged a sad look; while they weren't exactly fond of Alexandra, they certainly didn't wish for her to be captured by the enemy.
"Nea, the Greeks will find us here eventually. Perhaps now is the time we should unseal the ancient door." Its bronze splendor had long since been hidden behind stacks of surplus grain.
"You're right. Maybe it will lead us out of the temple and we can escape to the city unscathed. Apollo would want us to open it today," she rationalized. So the girls moved the grain, finally unblocking the great mysterious door.
"You first," said Daphnea.
Briseis frowned, "Do you hear yelling?" Her friend listened closely.
"Yes, it's coming from the other side." Briseis looked afraid.
"It's the Greeks coming to take us!" But just as they were about to run away, Daphnea stopped.
"Wait. He's speaking Trojan!" The sound of yelling wasn't as muffled as before.
"Maybe it's Hector come to rescue us after all!" The unknown man knocked on the door, and the echo reverberated off the walls. Briseis slowly opened it. "By the Gods – Paris!" She gave her cousin a quick hug. Daphnea was completely astounded. I can't believe that he is here, standing right in front of me! But this is no time to be shy, she thought.
"Paris, how did you get in here?" He looked mildly surprised to see her. Motioning to the door he explained, "From the tunnel. It is one of the oldest secrets of Troy; it runs underground all the way from the Palace.
"Cousin, where is Hector?"
"He's busy leading the cavalry right now, so my father sent me instead to bring all of Apollo's priestesses to safety. Where are the rest of you?" Briseis replied, "They are hiding, because we are currently under siege. Come, let's take the tunnel to the Palace."
Paris looked ready to go back, but instead he determinedly told them, "No. I must save the others". He left the storeroom, his bow and arrows drawn.
"Be careful!" Daphnea called after him, worried for his safety. The two priestesses watched nervously as Paris successfully shot down three of the enemy soldiers. But then they witnessed his back stiffen; he began to back away slowly into the storeroom. Daphnea could understand why he was afraid; in front of Paris stood a menacing, golden-haired warrior. It was the leader that she'd glimpsed earlier on the beach.
The young Trojan prince retreated back into the storeroom and said, "Come, we must go to the palace! It's not safe here." He grabbed Daphnea's hand and they moved towards the entrance to the tunnel. But Briseis was instead intently walking out toward the temple.
"Cousin, what do you think you're doing?!" Paris asked her frantically. "We have to go. Now!"
"I just want another peek," she told him offhandedly. "I'll need to give an accurate description of the leader of the Greek army to Uncle Priam." Daphnea knew Briseis had other reasons for her rash actions.
"Briseis, don't! It doesn't matter if he's exceedingly handsome, he is dangerous!" But the royal priestess persisted, continuing on out the door. In an instant, two Greek soldiers grabbed and forced her to come with them.
"Let me go!" she shrieked, struggling to no avail. Daphnea was terrified for her best friend, and called out, "Bri—mmmph!" Paris had covered her mouth with his hand, stifling her cry. While she inwardly savored the sweet contact, Daphnea glared angrily at him. Paris whispered an explanation, his warm breath tickling her ears.
"We can't let them hear you. We must flee."
"But what about Briseis? We can't just let the Greeks take her." He glared back.
"I can't battle the Greek leader alone."
"Fine." Daphnea crossed her arms and taunted, "You never did learn to fight that well, did you?" Paris retorted, "I'm the best archer in all of Troy. What does it matter (A/N: he says it matt-a, with that beautiful 'Trojan' accent) if my skills with the sword are not comparable to those of my older brother's." He carefully reopened the heavy door and they began the long trek to the palace.
As soon as they were safely a ways down the shadowy passageway, Daphnea spoke. "Actually, I thought your skills with a sword are quite renowned throughout our city. After all, you did steal the Spartan King's wife for a day." He smirked at the double entendre.
"And you want to find out if the stories are true?" Paris goaded her in a low voice. Daphnea shivered a bit when she realized what he was implying.
"No. Unlike some priestesses, I happen to take my Apollonian vows very seriously," she emphasized.
"I'll bet you do." He smoothed her hair away from her face and moved in for a kiss, but she pushed him away.
"I can't," she whispered. He looked at her knowingly.
"You can't, or you won't?" Daphnea didn't answer. They fell silent for awhile; their footsteps echoed and reverberated in the long tunnel. The silence was deafening, and a question was gnawing at her.
"Do you think we're going to have a full scale war with the Greeks?"
Paris sighed, "I don't know. I presume that my father, Hector, and the elders will discuss the possibilities of war tonight. I really don't prefer to fight, but..." Daphnea was so intent on listening to his voice that she didn't see a rock that lay directly in their path. She stumbled and fell into the prince's strong arms.
"Sorry, I really can't see very well down here." Daphnea managed to keep her voice from trembling, as he slowly released her.
"Here. Hold my hand; I know this tunnel well. Nea, I promise I won't try anything." She took his hand gratefully. They kept pressing on, hand in hand down the seemingly endless passageway. While Daphnea had outwardly rejected his advances, she was enjoying the closeness. She secretly never wanted to let go of Paris' hand.
Meanwhile
Two scruffy Myrmidons were now dragging Briseis down the now Greek-occupied beach. She'd landed a couple of well-placed kicks on her captors, but they had retaliated, giving her a bloody lip and some facial bruises. For now, she'd decided that the wisest course of action was to keep still. The frightened priestess was brought into a small hut, tied firmly to a wooden post, and left alone.
Oh why did I have to look at that Greek again; I'm too impetuous, she inwardly castigated herself. Because he greatly resembled the ruggedly gorgeous man from her dream, her mind argued. It was true, for his dirty blonde locks, light blue eyes, and defining leather skirt was exactly as she'd remembered from the dream. I don't understand my attraction to this foreigner, it has only led me to disaster, she thought despairingly. What if I'm treated as the lowest of concubines, and given over to the Greek army to be their plaything? In my fantasy of a dream, it was very exciting and romantic to be captured by my mystery man, since he'd loved me. But now that I've allowed this to happen to me, the reality is quite the opposite. I'm scared, I miss Nea and my family, and...
Someone burst unexpectedly through the animal skin flaps and entered the tent. Briseis tensed as she prepared herself for the worst possible outcome of the encounter.
"What's your name, girl?" Recognizing the voice, she spun around to see the golden-haired Greek before her. "I must not answer," she inwardly coached herself. Even though Briseis didn't speak, it made no difference to the warrior.
"I'm Achilles, in case you wanted to know." Achilles strode over to the water-filled urn and splashed the clear liquid on his sweaty face. Briseis' eyes were following his every move. But when he began to strip down to cleanse his demigod-esque body, she abashedly averted her gaze. "And believe me, you'll need to remember my name, since I am your master and you are now my property." His words struck a nerve.
"I belong to no one," she informed him quietly, yet with malice. Before he could respond, Briseis continued, "And why did you cut down three defenseless priests? They were good men, and wouldn't have posed a threat to your army." Achilles sneered at her.
"As a warrior, I could not allow them to live; I needed to uphold my reputation as the fiercest fighter in all of Greece! But you wouldn't understand about winning glory, would you priestess?" He said the last word mockingly.
"And a dumb brute like you wouldn't know anything about giving their life to the Gods," Briseis retorted.
"I fear no man nor God, especially not Apollo. Why you dedicate your life to the Sun God, I'll never understand. He smirked, "The romance must be completely one-sided." Briseis glared at Achilles.
"I pity men like you, whose only talent in life is killing." The Greek found a spare cloth, wetted it, and approached the bound Trojan girl.
"I'm told that killing isn't my only talent." Their eyes met and he started to wipe away the dried blood from her pretty face. She thought anxiously, I can't like the man who killed my priests, it would be so wrong! So she batted the cloth away, meaning to toss it across the tent. Instead, it hit an astonished Achilles square in the face.
That was how Eudorus found them, Briseis with her arms folded across her chest, Achilles with water dripping off his chin.
"Milord, King Agamemnon wishes to see you now."
"Tell him I'll come when I'm ready," Achilles flippantly told his Myrmidon friend. Eudorus hesitated, then reluctantly replied, "Yes, Lord Achilles." He departed, and Achilles immediately wiped off the excess water.
"You are brave, young priestess. Not many would dare challenge the great Achilles." He moved closer to where she was tied and took hold of her clammy hands. "You don't have to fear me, girl. You're the only Trojan that I can say that to." Briseis couldn't bring herself to pull away; she was transfixed by his commanding presence. As Achilles turned to leave, she softly called, "My name's Briseis." He walked out, turned and faced her, and sincerely said, "Briseis. I'll remember the name."
Alone again, Briseis' thoughts swirled like the Aegean on a particularly stormy day. I hope that Achilles won't turn me over to his king. No, he'd never do that. Besides, he wants me for himself; I just know it. But I don't like being his captive. I'm not cut out to be a slave, and I refuse to sink to a whore's level. Then why, by Apollo, did I take pleasure in the sweet tingling in my hands when he subtly caressed them? Oh no, I'm falling for this Achilles! She realized this, not all unhappily.
End CH. 5: The plot is moving! Woot. I have some new ideas for the next chapter, and I have the French Versailles castle gardens to thank for them. You'll see! Also, the 'Remember' song from Troy convinced me to get Josh Groban's CD, and it's wonderful. He has the BEST voice; I totally recommend it! He even sings in Italian.
New Challenge: You guys seemed to like the last one. So, here's another. If you took out Daphnea from my title, what movie/book could the acronym stand for?