Wavering Love

Chapter 15: Begging On Hands and Knees

Bury it

I won't let you bury it

I won't let you smother it

I won't let you murder it

Patroclus entered his father's private rooms where he found him spilling his head in scrolls of trading routes, uprising rebellions, and future plans of improvement in the poverty quarters. He planned of what he might say, beginning the conversation to lightly touch on staying with Achilles, but all preparations of speech left him when he saw his father's eyes on him.

"Patroclus! Come, come my son!" He beckoned him to sit next at his side. "What brings you to see me?" All imposing topics of his kingdom were literally pushed aside for his son's voice. It made all the more guilt for Patroclus to ask for this vacation. He hesitated for a moment before suddenly slipping on a casual approach.

"Nothing important father, just curious to see what are you doing." An angel couldn't have said any more innocent then Patroclus to bring the king beaming with fatherly love.

"Well at the moment the only subject of importance in the room is you." Patroclus dropped his eyes to scan the piles of scrolls and ledgers. Meanwhile, his father watched him, studying to see his son's true intentions. "What is it you want Patroclus?" he said calmly.

"Nothing at all father! Just an answer for a question."

"Really?" He straightened in his seat to better see Patroclus forthright. "Well ask!"

"Achilles is a very dear friend to me—''

"That's wonderful that you two have mended your ways! Last night you suddenly left when you first saw him. I worried that there was some fight between you two?"

"All is well now my lord! We talked the matter out and found to understand one another again. You know he was my first true friend I've ever had father! We are more like brothers him and I."

"Why yes! It was saintly of his mother to bring you in, so I am not surprised her son is as well stabled as his mother."

"Well, we've been talking, and he's invited me to stay with him and his mother." All of a sudden, Menoetius' grey eyes dropped their present state to a more sadden look. "Only to help me train with my fighting! He's a master in the art of war, and I can learn a lot from him! And both him and his mother will teach me moral values in life. Both virtues are required for princes father."

"What made you think that a prince has to know how to fight and be virtuous?" Patroclus didn't answer right after cue, he was puzzled not at the question but why his father asked it.

"But...But my lord, a prince must be just as strong and wise as his kingly father—''

"Patroclus, you've grown up to fast!!" His eyebrows furrowed at his son. "Take this time to enjoy your youth, not squander it for studies of things that are not required of you at the moment. I'm still alive-and-kicking! I don't look THAT old do I?!!"

"No, never father!"

"So, what gave you the idea that you must sacrifice it all for a position that is far away from now?" Patroclus just shrugged at the question. "And fighting? Virtues? I can get you all the best teachers and philosophers to build you strong in both subjects. You don't need to be sent far away from home to get all that."

"But," His father now pivots to again hear his son. "I really want to stay with Achilles and his mother."

"Why?"

"It's so stuffy in here. I can barely breathe normal without the constent worry of others' opinions."

"Screw the council's opinions!! I've lost your mother because of their foolish judgment; I'm not going to lose you for it! One thing about leadership Patroclus, you must never fear of those that you lead. They will only see it and believe you are weak." Patroclus nodded in agreement. "So what else is troubling you to run away?"

"I'm not running away!"

"Then why do you want to leave me so much?" Patroclus was bewildered at his father's accusations. He jumped from his chair to grab both of his father's weathered hands in his own.

"I will abandon you father. I don't want to leave you. Never to get away from you. You're the only family I have." Menoetius held Patroclus' face by firmly grasping his jaw.

"I love you my son. And I'll do anything to guarantee your happiness and welfare...But please, don't leave me. There have been so many years stolen from us that should not be wasted now."

Patroclus bit down his lip and clasped his hand over his father's palm. "I know father." The king smiled at his son warmly and their conversation ended there. Patroclus left his father, saying that he needed to tell his decision to Achilles. Menoetius agreed, and went back to his scrolls, sightless of Patroclus' tears.

Achilles was already at his horses' side, ready for the journey back home. He was well feed, and this time the horse wasn't exhausted before his long journey. When he caught sight of Patroclus, his heart leaped at the excitement of the journey home.

"How did your father react when he learned that you were to be taught by the greatest warrior of the world?" Achilles boasted, but the glimpse of tears brought him quiet and doubtful. "Patroclus? What happened?"

Patroclus took a deep breath, but the intake of the cold air chocked his lungs making him gargle. "I'm sorry Achilles. I must say no to your offer." His voice was quiet but Achilles heard him well enough.

"What?"

"My father needs me. I need him...It's too soon to part for so long and so far away."

"Really? What about my needs Patroclus!!! What about what I want!!!!!!! I NEVER HAD A FATHER TO NEED FOR, AND LOOK HOW I TURNED OUT!!!!!" Achilles' booming voice shattered Patroclus' glass heart, making him sob chokingly. Achilles couldn't take the picture of Patroclus crying as he did before. He hid his face inside his arms, whispering promises of the future.

"I'm sorry but please come home with me. Together we'll see the riches of the world that not even the gods can offer. But please, please my love, come with me. Your father will understand." Patroclus knew if he'd stayed any longer in Achilles' arms, he would eventually sway under his spell; but it couldn't be so. It would kill his father when he had learned his only son left him for gods know how long. He found his way out of the groping arms of his warrior and apologized of his answer before leaving him.

He didn't dare look back at his broken lover, staring after him like some crazed loyal dog he was. Eventually the distant presence of Patroclus began to cloud his sanity, making Achilles ride away from the palace and on the road back home empty handed.

Uh-oh! They didn't make it! After all that talking, trouble, and sex they still didn't ride away into the sunset like all other happy stories. Well, luckily for you its not entirely over yet. A few more chapters are on the way and someone is going to die in my next chapter. I will be looking forward to REVIEWS of what you are thinking right now and tell me if the story line has been entertaining so far. Thanx!