A/N: I'm so sorry I haven't updated until now, I've been grounded from the computer and can only work on it a little at a time in school. Thank you so much for all of the great reviews, you guys keep me going!

Seeing Double

Chapter 3

The tempting smells from the cooking fires drifted to where the twins were working, teasing their noses and causing their stomachs to rumble. They were attempting to quickly erect their small tent so that they could join in the celebration, but the faster they tried to work, the more trouble they had. Alexandra was furiously untying the many knots that had somehow formed in their rope, while Alexander was trying to convince the support poles that they should stay upright, even in the soft sand of the beach.

Everyone else was finished setting up, but that was because everyone else didn't have to first see to the housing, feeding, and grooming of a pair of uncooperative stallions. It had drained the two of them of their last stores of energy, making the task of setting up their tent seem impossible.

"You look like you could use some help." A blonde-haired boy who didn't look to be much older than them observed with a small smile. "Never set up a tent before?"

"It's not as easy as it looks." Alexander admitted, giving up and letting the pole in his hands fall to the sand. "But we can manage. I don't want to keep you from the celebration."

The boy looked over his shoulder toward the noise coming from the center of the camp, then turned back to the twins. "I doubt I would enjoy myself much over there. I'll help you, and then we can all go."

"Thank you, we greatly appreciate it." Alexandra spoke before her brother could argue. "I'm Asaeus, and this is my brother, Alexander."

"My name is Patroclus, I'm honored to meet you."

The three of them got to work, and under Patroclus' guidance managed to set the tent up in only a few minutes. After placing their few possessions inside and washing themselves up, the twins were ready to join the party. But when Patroclus and they arrived, they found most of the soldiers swapping stories of previous battles and victories, something they couldn't relate to. They ended up taking their food down the beach where they could talk alone.

"So, Patroclus, what made you decide to come to Troy?" Alexandra asked, taking a seat between her brother and their new companion.

"I came with my cousin and his men, but now it seems I have come for nothing because he won't allow me to fight." Anger crept into his voice as he continued. "He treats me like a child when I am older than the two of you, and have been training with him for years."

Alexandra looked to her brother, not knowing how to respond. "If you want to fight so badly, why not join under another commander?" Alexander queried. "I'm sure there are many who would have you."

"I couldn't do that." Patroclus sighed, "It would be a betrayal to my cousin. He has done so much for me in the past; I cannot go against his wishes now."

"He must be a great man to have earned such loyalty from you." Alexandra observed in an attempt to switch the subject. "Who is your cousin? Would we know of him?"

"Yes, you would." Pride was evident in Patroclus' voice. "He is Achilles, leader of the Myrmidons, the greatest fighters in all of the world."

The twins stared at him in stunned silence for several long seconds, until Alexandra recovered her composure enough to speak.

"You must be honored to be related to such a great warrior, and to have been trained by him." She did her best to sound awed, as she knew most would be.

"He did more than train me, he has been a father to me since my parents died. I owe him my loyalty at the very least."

"We have to go, Asaeus." Alexander spoke suddenly in a clipped tone. "The horses need to be watered before we turn in for the night." Alexandra knew it was a lie, but she also knew that her brother wouldn't be able to control his anger for much longer.

"He's right, it's time for us to say goodnight."

"I should be getting back to camp as well." Patroclus agreed, "Perhaps we will get the chance to speak again soon."

"It's a big camp." Alexander stated, turning to leave. "We may never see each other."

"Goodnight Patroclus, we'll see you soon." Alexandra promised, following her brother's retreating form. When they were out of earshot, she pulled him to a stop. "I know you're upset, but you need to learn to control your anger! What are you going to do if we meet Achilles himself?"

"How can you be so calm, dear sister, when our father abandoned us then turned around and cared for his cousin like he was a son?" Alexander whispered harshly, his eyes accusing.

"I can be calm because in my heart I believe that Achilles never knew of our existence, and therefore never had the chance to be a father to us. If he knew, perhaps things would have been different, but that is the past. We were fine without him, and we still are, so why can't you let the past die?" Alexandra kept her voice calm, in an attempt to in turn calm her brother. "Even if you cannot, don't take it out on Patroclus. None of this is his fault."

"You're right, as usual. I'm sorry I got so angry." Alexander put an arm around his sister's shoulder and pulled her close. They walked back to their tent in comfortable silence, until a thought struck Alexander. "You were quick to come to Patroclus' defense, even though we hardly know him. Why is that, Alexandra?"

"You shouldn't call me that, even when we are alone." She admonished shortly, and then stepped into the tent without another word.

"I just know this isn't going to end well." Alexander observed helplessly to the night before following his sister inside.

A/N: I'm still grounded, so I can't promise that the next chapter will be up soon, but it will be coming. (Hint: the more reviews I get, the more motivated I will be to write.)