Wavering Love

Chapter 12: The Look of Love

You see everything

You see all my light, and you love my dark

The king was right about following his nose. No attendant came to inform Achilles of dinner, but the smell of a large meal tempted him to roam around for its source. His final destination was the dinner hall itself and already filling in. Yet his presence wasn't unnoticed, the king caught sight of the warrior and motioned for him to come and sit at his side. Achilles accepted the welcomed seat without discretion but kept his eyes open for signs of the prince.

The food was brought in trays by trays but Patroclus wasn't found. Achilles almost given up on expecting him tonight until the footsteps of an entering party caught his attention. "I'm sorry father. Got carried away with something." The prince said his apologies to his father in such a rush manner he didn't pay any notice to the stranger next to him. His father nodded, approving his tardiness.

Patroclus settled his seat next to a general under the staring eyes of Achilles. He didn't plan to be so obvious but Achilles had not the strength to tear them away. Royalty didn't change his lover dramatically. Only he wore chunks of gold on his wrists and arms. The clothing was more intact and fashionable and around his neck draped a golden necklace. If Achilles didn't know him, he would have taken Patroclus as some pretty boy prince. Yet there was something in his eyes that told of sadness which Menoetius said about earlier.

They seemed dull to every aspect of the things around him. He only concentrated on his food and sometimes looked up to listen to the court's conversations.

"That Menelaus invited Hector, prince of Troy to discuss a treaty with Sparta. Maybe now he will have an easier time to get his bronze." A court member joked.

"Actually he has both of them with him. Surprisingly Paris, the younger prince accompanied his brother!" added another.

"Well then if it is Paris, Menelaus should keep a close watch over his flawless wife. Unless not even chains will hold her back!" A roar of laughter followed making Patroclus look up.

I wish this Paris would help me out in becoming a prince. Patroclus thought. I don't think I fit right for this regal title. Patroclus was soon bored with the conversational gossip of princes and turned towards his father's conversation.

"What do you think Achilles?" was the first line he got from his father and he could have sworn his heart stopped.

Patroclus used all his skill not to be clear that he was looking at Achilles, but he felt the slightest heat from Patroclus' gaze. He looked straight at him and for a moment they did nothing but stare. He choked a little on the air he breathed in, since there was no food in its place.

"Oh! Patroclus, look who has come to visit. This is Achilles, your friend." Menoetius introduced them, unaware of the strange tone in their eyes. He was waiting for one of them to speak 'hello' to each other, but he was abandoned by that expectation.

Patroclus' jaw was slightly dropped, and his eyes told of horror. What is he doing here? How dare he show his face as a friend! He rudely pulled his chair back and deserted the party without looking back. Achilles felt a sharp pain in his throat making it hard to breathe out of. He didn't say any explanation why that happened or even looked surprised at it.

"Oh, Achilles! Please forgive my son's actions; I have no idea why he just did that?" Menoetius revealed to Achilles of his worries why his son was like this so often were because of his hatred towards him.

"My lord that is not true. I'll go and see what is bothering him really."

"Will you after that? Will he?" questioned the father.

Achilles nodded in response, and followed the direction of the prince's flee.

Okay this chapter was just a for the transition from one place to another. So don't really give a lot of notice how rushed this was written in. Next chapter Achilles and Patroclus will finally talk again after their dramatic break. Please REVIEW!