Wavering Love
Chapter 11: The King's House
Achilles raced hard out of his homeland into the kingdom where his mother told him of. He was surprised to hear at first of Patroclus' newly found fortune, yet when the fear of losing him came to mind he discarded the shock only to think about it when summoned. And seeing those tall columns of wealth before the gates of King Menoetius' palace, summoned those same revelations. Image Patroclus being a king! I can't see him comfortable being bowed to, much less being a prince. He thought to himself.
As in every palace Achilles been to, it was always the same procedure in getting in and out of. Two of the watch guards came forth from their posts to speak with his business.
"I am here to see the king on personal business." Achilles answered to the questioning guards.
He knew blurting out his true intentions would only get him to the first five paces past the gate—if he charged of course. But knowing a vast knowledge of royal laws the guards assumed him innocent and let him to speak with the king himself.
He got down his horse and handed it to an attendant to then be lead by a solider to the king's stables. The palace was kept nice as palaces go; a flourishing courtyard with exotic plants that would never be matched by any local's garden. High ceilings and smoothed stone steps ascending him to the entrance hallways which were decked with all the essentials of rich life.
The king occupied in his briefing room where all plans of politics and warfare were decided. Achilles knew this because he could smell the stench of conspiracy and the looks of conceited men. Not that it was true of course, but it was best to be kept on ones toes as Achilles believed in.
"My lord, the great Achilles has come for a personal conference." Reported the attendent. The older man waved his servant to continue his duties and leave, which was done so. Achilles watched the king, measuring him up to Odysseus as a king, and Thetis as a parent.
He walked with confidence in each step as if already knowing him above Achilles, which he sneered at, but in his dark eyes there was a spark of real interest and astonishment for Achilles.
"Please," he motioned to a cushioned chair much like his own. "Sit with me hero and tell me what brings you here." His voice wasn't like Odysseus, which was weathered and untroubled yet more familiar to his mother in some way. He accented when saying nouns or titles describing Achilles as if placing him on the spot like with admiration. Either he could be just doing this to gain favor from Achilles but his eyes were too true and honest to deceit.
"About a month ago I took in a boy name Patroclus who I grew close to. There was a day that I left and came back with him gone."
"Yes! I am his father! My name is Menoetius and Patroclus is my dear son! I am finally at peace to have him with me. And thank you so much for providing him a home after his mother died." There was a new excitement to the king's voice. It seemed the energy level jumped much like a child does when speaking highly of a gift they received.
"Yah...So I've come here to just pay a visit." Achilles' sarcasm went unnoticed by the king.
"That is very friendly of you. You are always welcomed here," he waved for wine and fruit to be brought. "I must bid you to stay as long as you wish until ready to set out again! Until this evening you will see Patroclus at dinner."
"He's not here?!" Achilles asked.
"Oh yes! But I can't keep track of his whereabouts through the entire house. He's young so what do you expect." The king chuckled. Just then Achilles' hopes of seeing Patroclus soon diminished. Now he had to wait out the rest of the day for this dinner to come up.
"May I walk you to your room please?" The king asked.
"Yes! Of course!" Achilles was set back to hear the king ask that so innocently. Like he would say 'no' to the king!
They got up and left the court to themselves heading towards Achilles' rooms. The hall ways were never bare without a subtle rug of some sort spilling over the clean swept floors.
"I want to press a matter about my son." Began the father. "You see, I haven't seen my son for many years and I can't explain his moods yet." Achilles was noticing where this was going. "And you have been with him for a good while so maybe you could explain about him."
"Well what has he been doing that's so weird to you?" Achilles stated bluntly.
"He's been a little down since he got here. Even when I first saw him he seemed very troubled and short. As if something else was troubling him. I asked once but he shunned it away saying he wasn't feeling well, that I think is full of muck!" Achilles tried hard to keep his laughter in of the king's choice of wording.
"So you want me to tell you what is wrong with him?"
"Not so directly. I want you to try spend some time with him and tell me what's wrong with him." Achilles rolled his eyes at the worrisome father. He thanked the gods that he never lived with one in his life, unless the overwhelming presence and annoying antics of a father would drive him over a cliff. Or really pushing his father over one.
"Sure my king. I'll watch for any signs why he's been so depressed." The aged father smiled at Achilles warmly.
"Thank you very much. It means a lot to me...Ah! This is your room and dinner will be held shortly. Just follow your nose to find it." Achilles was left alone to ponder about Patroclus and anticipate their reunion.
Sorry I took so long to update. My computer was hit with a virus. Damn technology virus! Anyway I'm back on track to updating Wavering Love daily. Please, please, please review on what you think!