Disclaimer: You know the drill.
Reviews REVIEW: Wow! Thanks for all of the great comments about the sequel stuff, and thanks for all of your kind comments on my last chapter being sucky.
Chapter Subjects: You guys were waitin' for a loooong time for 'em: Hector and Andromache!!! Also, I have some Briseis in order for the sequels thing to work out. This was a hard chapter for me to write; I hope it's good!!
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.
----
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.
----
A Forgotten Promise
----
"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
----
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 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 did not agree with the elders. 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 would maybe rejoin the war. 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.
----
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. Some of their tents burned to nothing. Good. We have achieved surprise.
From the camp streamed men 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 a swarm like 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. 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. And then, my spear tip found his throat. Blood gurgled out of his mouth.
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?
But here was something strange about him… something strange about the way he breathed, about the way he had fought… And then 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.
"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. Then, I turned to look at Odysseus.
"There's been enough bloodshed for today."
----
I was so frightened, when I hear the commotion outside.
"Achilles, no!"
His grip was iron. It was no longer gentle like the night before. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't speak. All I could feel was his anger, his hatred. I feared his wrath. I knew it would be terrible. 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. Not only has he forgotten me, he has forgotten himself. He has forgotten those words he spoke to me. Don't forget me, Achilles. Please, don't forget me…
----
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 continues support through the creation of this fic. Chapter 11 will be up soon, I promise!!!!!!!! :-)