Thanks to Trickster's-Lulaby for an idea that just came into my mind about the plot of the story! (Not about setting sail, butwell...something came into my mind...) And to Mandylor Mirage for an idea as well!

Thanks to everyone who reviewed the story...Love the reviews!
And another thing: could anyone tell me where Achilles lives...Because I forgot lol!

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Very slowly, Briseis' eyes fluttered close as Achilles threw the towel back into the basin. The night's events had been too much for her. Achilles watched Briseis sleep, noticing the single scar across her nose, and another one above her lips.

Achilles started getting above deck very silently, folding his arms and feeling the sea breeze caressing his face. Troy was no longer visible as far as the eye could see. He pondered upon whether it was the right decision to come to Troy for this war after all. He had not gained what he wanted. Yes, there will be another war, but for now, he had missed his opportunity. It may never come again until a time far beyond his. But I gained Briseis, he thought, comforting himself.

"My Lord, the ship will reach our destination sooner than we thought. The Gods have blessed us with such positive weather. We will reach in two days." Eudorus reported, coming up behind Achilles.

Achilles nodded. He was not totally paying attention to what Eudorus said, but was lost in his own thoughts. He wondered what his mother would say of this. "Are you troubled?" Eudorus asked.

Achilles turned around, and sighed. "Yes, I am. But you are a good warrior, Eudorus, I praise you for that. My worries are no big matter, they will be gone very soon." Achilles replied, placing a strong hand on Eudorus' shoulder. He then proceeded to go below deck again, and looked around in the dark for Briseis. Was she gone? He could not find her in the small compartment.

He lit a lamp hanging nearby, and called out for Briseis. Briseis jumped, alarmed at his arrival. "My Lord?" she asked.

"Why are you awake again?" Achilles asked, folding his arms, and sitting down beside Briseis.

"Nothing. I couldn't get to sleep when you went away for a moment." Briseis replied. "I was so afraid that Paris might take you."

"Paris is far away now. You do not have to fear." Achilles said.

"I know, but I cannot help reliving the memories I had at Troy. I do not dare to close my eyes again, for it brings much pain to recall everything before you came. Troy was such a peaceful and wonderful city. But it now burns with such wild fire, so raging that it hurts my heart. That was where I grew up in..." Briseis said, her voice trembling a little, afraid at what she had just recalled.

Thunder was heard outside the compartment, and Briseis jumped again.

"It will be fine, Briseis, the weather is not going to threaten our path." Achilles assured.

"It is not the weather I am afraid of. It is perhaps a sign from Apollo that I have committed a great sin. And we both know what it is, do we not?" Briseis asked, looking at Achilles. Achilles appeared not to care, as if it was his right to take Briseis away. Briseis closed her eyes and lay on Achilles' lap. "But what is done already is done, we cannot do anything to change what we have committed. It is you I love, and nothing about it will change." Briseis raised her hand, and put her fingers to Achilles' face, feeling its features, feeling the smooth texture of his skin. She marveled at how Achilles did not have rough skin like all the other warriors that she had seen before.

Achilles took her wrist and lowered her hand, then kissed her forehead, before watching her fall asleep again. Before long, he too, fell asleep, with his hand on Briseis' hand.

The next morning, it was Briseis who awoke first. She look up, and saw Achilles in a deep sleep. He seemed to be having a good dream, from the little smile playing on his lips. Briseis slowly got up, careful not to wake Achilles up, but Achilles was faster and more sensitive than she thought. Once she had tried to get up, Achilles had gotten hold of her arms, and Briseis gasped at the pain. She had forgotten how strong Achilles was.

Achilles looked at Briseis, then let go. Briseis rubbed her arms, trying to ease the pain away. "When are we reaching...home?" Briseis asked.

"In two days. We will be home by tomorrow evening. At least, if the weather does not change for the worse." Achilles replied.

"Oh but do you think...something will stop us from ever reaching home?" Briseis asked.

"No." Achilles replied very firmly. He started to stand, making his way towards the ladder.

"Achilles?" Briseis called out.

Achilles stopped in his tracks, and turned towards Briseis. Briseis opened her mouth, but she did not speak. In the end, she simply said, "Nothing."

She did not want him to know. Yet. Perhaps she was wrong... She would not make assumptions until she was sure. No matter how much she believed that Achilles loved her, deep down, she wished that they would never have to reach home. Women adore Achilles. Her jealous heart was betraying her. Briseis slapped herself mentally, but she knew why she was harboring these thoughts...No, she would not tell Achilles yet!