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Chapter Subjects: Hector and Andromache
Language Note/Summary: This is when Hector goes in the morning and launches a surprise attack on the Greek camp. More importantly, Patroclus dies, thus sealing Hector and Achilles' fate. Meanwhile, Andromache is worrying… again. This goes on to Achilles finding out, his tantrum, and Briseis' opinion and thoughts on all of this. The quote is from 3 Doors Down (whom I love), and I can hear Hector saying it. The quote is said by Andromache to Hector, though with some different language. First up is Andromache, then Hector, then Briseis. Yes, you hear me correctly, there is no Achilles. The poem could be said by either Andromache or Briseis. This story is pretty short…
Announcements: REVIEW, read the NOTE, and if you have any help that you can give me with the SCRIPT, it will be much appreciated.
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Wind blows over
the abandoned plain.
The hard, brown dirt
is dusted with blood.
A lone bird flies,
backed by the flaming sunset.
The rain comes down
in thundering torrents.
A drop falls into a puddle.
Ripples form on the surface.
I turn around and walk
towards a bright light.
The plain is now mud.
The lone bird has flown away.
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A Forgotten Promise
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"This could be the last time, you will
stand by my side.
I can feel my soul it's bleeding."
- By My Side by 3 Doors Down
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I didn't want him to leave.
"They need me," he had said.
"I need you. Astyanax needs you." But he left anyway. He had put his arms around me, and whispered;
"This could be the last time I hold you. I can feel my soul, it's bleeding."
I knew that he would not stay. He was too noble to stay behind and watch others fight his battle… or, rather, Paris' battle.
They were to catch the Greeks by surprise, and rouse them and fight, and hopefully force them to retreat. That was what the elders thought. Apollo would punish the Greeks for desecrating his tempt, slaughtering his priests and--.
But I was among those who did not believe that Briseis was dead. She couldn't be. But if she isn't what is she doing? I was not sure if I wanted to know.
Hector told me of his fustration towards the elders, whom he did not agree with. He knew that Achilles had not been fighting earlier that day because of a dispute of some sort. If they attacked the Greek camp, he might rejoin the war if threatened. And that would be disastrous.
But he left anyway. And when he left, I had a sinking feeling deep down in my stomach. It was not a good feeling. Be safe, husband.
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We did catch them by surprise. The balls of hay and dried grass which we had tied together caught fire and rolled into the Greek camp quickly. Pillars of smoke rose into the early morning sky, the cackling and crackling of flames singing a low, uneven song. Some of their tents burned to nothing.
Good. We have achieved surprise.
From the camp men streamed like water, some still attaching their armour, spear and shields ready. But they were struck with fear as they saw us, us Trojans. We were like the swarm that they had been yesterday. We had surrounded them. And they would have to kill many, or lose many, in order for us to retreat.
I smashed my spear against my shield. It made them fear more, I knew. My men did also, and it was a horrible sound. We were acting as Hades' trumpets, sounding his arrival.
Pray for me, Andromache. Pray, Trojans.
It was going well at first. Until I saw a brilliant flash of light. A great cheer rose among the Greek ranks. What I had feared was now happening. Achilles.
He cut down a good many men, but I would not let him drive us back. We had come so far; we could not retreat now. So I went forward to meet him.
When my spear met his shield, he fell back a little. He is weak from disease? I thrusted at him again and again and again. He blocked, but his movements were clumsy, nothing like the flowing, smooth strokes I had witnessed a few days ago. And then, my spear tip found his throat. Blood gurgled out of his mouth. Dead!
There was a haunting silence around me. All soldiers, Greek and Trojan, did not breathe nor move at all. They all thought one thing; the legendary son of Peleus… is dead? The man whom they all worshiped, the supposed son of a goddess, the warrior who was invincible… dead? His life ended so quickly?
But here was something strange about him… something strange about the way he breathed, about the way he had fought… and then all of a sudden, I knew. Reaching down, I tore away his helmet. I would later wish that I never had.
It was not Achilles. It was someone else, a boy to young to have fought in this battle. He looked a little like him; same blonde hair, blue eyes.
"Patroclus," whispered someone at my elbow. I turned to see Odysseus. "Achilles' cousin."
I could not bear to see him in pain like that. So, I unsheathed my sword and plunged it into his chest with a cry of anguish. Then, I turned to look at Odysseus. There was worry and fear in his eyes. but not fear of me. fear of the son of Peleus.
"A truce. There's been enough bloodshed for today."
He nodded his agreement, and the Greeks turned back to their damaged camp.
Achilles' cousin? By the will of the Gods…
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I was so frightened, when I hear the commotion outside.
"Achilles, no!"
His grip was iron. hard. His fingers, cold, no longer warm as they had been the nights before. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't speak. All I could feel was his anger, his hatred. It burned inside of him, a raging forest fire, unstop-able. Now, I saw the son of a goddess, the greatest of all the Greeks. Now, I saw the man with the most famous temper in the world. I feared his wrath. Everyone did.
Don't you see me, Achilles? Don't you see who I am? Have you forgotten me?
It seemed as if he heard me, for he released me quickly, and I barely was able to break my fall. But the expression on his face did not change.
Not only has he forgotten me, he has forgotten himself. He has forgotten those words he spoke to me. He has forgotten his promise. Don't forget me, Achilles. Please, don't forget me…
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NOTE: My sequel At the Edge of an Ocean, will have it's first chapter posted right after I post this. So go ahead and review this, and then R&R that fic!!! And thanks to you guys for your continued support through the creation of this fic. Chapter 11 will be up soon, I promise!!! :-)