Chapter 12: Troy

Sunlight was streaming through the open window slowly waking me up. Smiling with the memory of the previous night's activities I slowly turned over only to find the bed was not only empty - it was cold. Frowning I sat up thinking it might have just been an amazing dream. Looking around at my garments strewn across the room and noticing my nakedness there could be no doubt my dreams had come true. Feeling a tad bit sore I got dressed, cautiously I left my former room not wishing to seen by anyone. Grabbing a bite to eat I went outside to walk, the hospital could wait today. I did not want to be around the ugliness of the world right now, I want to be free and do as I pleased. I did not like the fact that I was going about alone for I wanted to be with the one person who made my heart feel like it could sing as well as the Graces. However, I knew I had slept in much later than normal for it was nearly noon and Achilles had things that needed to be done.

I walked along the shoreline successfully avoiding everyone. I only started to walk back when the sun started to sink in the west. Upon entering the fallen city I ran into Patroclus and asked if he knew where I might find Achilles. Smiling he pointed back to the beach. Sighing I turned back looking for my love.

Walking towards the general area that Patroclus had pointed trying to think of something to say to Achilles once I found him, up to now I just wanted to be near him but felt as if I should say something about last night. Walking forward I spotted an extremely beautiful woman, wearing an amazingly elegant yet simple navy dress her long auburn hair softly blowing in the breeze. She was laughing at something as she walked. Stopping she turned around looking at that something. Following her gaze I noticed Achilles walking towards her wearing a sheepishly shy smile, one that I never had seen before. Then the lady was hugging him and than to make matters worse she kissed him on the cheek. I did not think I just felt nothing but jealousy. Spotting me the woman pulled away glancing over to Achilles than back at me. Both of them started to walk towards me. Standing my ground I waited.

"You must be Briseis." The woman said with lovely rich voice. Her skin was smooth and on the paler side and she had crystal blue eyes. "My son was just telling me all about you."

"Thetis?" I asked feeling stupid for feeling jealous if this was truly Achilles' mother.

"Yes, and you are just as lovely as my son was describing a few moments ago."

"It is an honor to meet your high...god...sea...goddess." I stated unsure if she was like the stories said a sea nymph or goddess, or if they were just stories.

Thetis laughed softly, saying, "You don't need to become formal nor flustered around me."

"I just...are you really a sea nymph?" I blurted out, my cheeks blushing a deep scarlet. It is hard to describe the aura surrounding her, it was powerful and somewhat frightening although perfectly calming.

"Yes I am, although most consider me a goddess. It is your first time meeting an immortal isn't it?"

I could only nod in response. Glancing at Achilles hoping he could help me out with the proper things to do. Not only was I meeting his mother but she was a goddess – I was at a totally loss. My mind racing with the fastest of winds yet nothing was happening.

"My mother comes to visit when ever she senses something is up." Achilles said.

"You seemed to have made my son very happy." Thetis replied looking at her son, who almost looked as old as she. "I must say I have never gotten such a strong sense of happiness and contentment from him until last night, although I have know his mood has been good for a while now."

"Oh." I choked out. My cheeks were about to catch fire. I also noticed Achilles' cheeks were just slightly pink, if I had not been so aware of my own I would have never had noticed his.

"So we were going to sail back to Troy tomorrow." Achilles changed the subject with probably a harsher voice than he had intended it to be.

I noticed his mother frown slightly before she softly said, "happiness is all to fleeting."

"That's what is good about being mortal. We get to enjoy things more because it will not last." He said in a slightly teasing tone, but the look in his eyes expressed that he knew the price for being mortal all to well.

"When are we sailing?" I asked. Not too excited about the prospect of going into a 'big-time' war zone, where my love would be called onto fight. But I had never sailed before in my life, and wondered what it would be like out on the open ocean.

"First light. It should take us about two days to get to Troy."

"Than what happens?"

"The spoils of war are divided up."

Before anything else could be said an owl flow up to Thetis, after it hooted a couple of times took off again. Puzzled I stood wondering what exactly had happened.

"Athena wants you?" Achilles asked.

"Yes, it appears so."

"I'll see you later than."

"Yes you will, and hopefully Briseis we can meet again soon, I was happy to have meet you."

"Yes, it was an honor meeting you."

Before my eyes she disappeared. Still looking at where she had been I stood still slightly shocked. Achilles' laughing brought me back to reality. "Gods tend to do that."

"Disappear into thin air?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

"So she is back in the ocean now or what?"

"Oh yeah she is long gone – where ever Athena is."

"Wow, I never meet an immortal before."

"How was your sleep?"

"Very relaxing, once I finally got to sleep."

"I'm sorry I was not there when you woke up, but finally arrangements for sailing had to be made."

"What is sailing like?"

"Fun. I enjoy it so much that I feel like I could spend the rest of my life sailing the seas." He said gazing out across the sea with adventurous eyes.

"Than I will probably love it also."

"You should go sailing to different parts of the world, and explore the mountains that seem to have a mind of their own, or valleys that do not change year round. The world has some locations that you would find amazing."

"Would you mind taking me?"

"I would..." he stop short looking concerned. "However, war is calling me."

"I know, but after you have defeated the Trojans."

"After I have defeated the Trojans?" He said with amusement in his voice, "We shall see." He stopped me from saying anything further by kissing me. Then taking my hand and slowly turning back to the city he asked if I would like to accompany him to dinner, and than to bed.

"Briseis. Wake up. Briseis, come on wake up." A voice came drifting to me through the haze of sleep.

"What?" I asked rather grumpy at being interrupted from a deep peaceful sleep. Opening my eyes I saw Achilles looking down at me with a smile on his face.

"Good morning beautiful."

"It's too early." I growled before rolling over.

"Its just after sunrise..."

"It's too early." I interrupted.

"And time to get up," he finished.

Rolling back over to look at him I asked, "Why don't we leave later in the day?"

"Because we have been here too long already. Agamemnon was excepting me around a week ago."

"So why didn't you send a messenger."

"I did. Anyway, come on get up."

"Fine." Swinging my legs out of bed I stood up, only than realizing that I was not with clothes on. Grabbing the sheets I covered myself up quickly, blushing.

Laughing Achilles turned to walk out saying that breakfast would be sent in for me.

Within one hour we were sailing towards Troy. The waves were bigger than I expected, but the weather was gorgeous with strong winds sending us quickly on our way. The next day around mid-afternoon the watchmen shout out that he had spotted Troy. I went to the bow of the boat looking at the city. There she was, Troy, the city made by the gods, proudly standing tall in the distance.