To the Ends of the Earth

A/N Wow, three reviews! I am so proud of myself. (And I'm not being sarcastic) I'm actually surprised that many people reviewed. It was kinda short… Anyway, this'll be longer.

Chapter 2: Heartbreak is the Worst

She had never felt pain this great. It was worse than any physical wound she'd ever received. A broken heart was by far the most terrible thing for a person. Right now, Briseis could not see any reason to live anymore. Her mind was blank except for one thing: Achilles was dead.

'Apollo, why must you be so cruel?' She thought desperately.

She was moving along, clinging to Paris, in an almost dreamlike state, her body still racked with sobs. Briseis felt the tears falling down her face, thinking what he would have done he was here.

'He would have wiped my tears away, held me in his arms, telling me everything would be alright,' Briseis thought wretchedly. 'Oh Achilles…'

This was all Paris' fault! Why didn't he listen to her? Didn't he have any idea how much Achilles could have helped them? The best warrior of all time, helping the Trojans? They could've taken the city back.

'And my heart might not be broken beyond repair!' She screamed in her mind. She and Paris had reached the tunnel leading out of the city, and suddenly Briseis was feeling strong. And furious.

"You fool!" She slapped Paris with all her might, breaking away from him. "How could you have done that?" Paris was rubbing his cheek.

"He killed my brother, and your cousin, Briseis!"

"He gave Hector back, did he not? Has Uncle Priam not told you that he cried at your brother's corpse? How he gave us the funeral time?" More tears slipped out of Briseis' eyes. "He regretted it Paris! He was avenging his cousin Patroclus!"

"Regardless, he left a wife without a husband and a child without a father. Me, without a brother! And," Paris paused. "You, without a cousin."

Briseis could see the truth in his words, but chose to ignore them. "How do you know he didn't have people waiting for him back in Greece? They don't even get to give him a proper burial. The Greek army will have to do it."

Paris shrugged. "I can't see how people would like him. He was a mindless killing machine."

That was too much for Briseis. She stopped walking all together, and shrieked at Paris, "HE WAS A PERSON, A CARING PERSON, WITH A MIND, AND I LOVED HIM!" She sank to the floor, crying like there was no tomorrow. Paris stayed back, staring open mouthed at her.

"You were in love with Achilles? The man who has murdered countless people?" He stepped back. "What happened Briseis? What did he do to you?"

Briseis looked up. "He freed me Paris. I was trapped, trapped in the city walls, trapped by Apollo, unable to fly. He helped me spread me wings. I'm free."

Paris simply stood there. Briseis frowned at him.

"You, of all people, Paris, should know about love! At least my affections have not brought about the fall of Troy!" She had hit a soft spot. Paris sighed.

"Well, cousin, since everybody stood behind me and supported me in this, I forgive you." But Briseis shook her head.

"You say it like I should be ashamed of my love, but that is the one thing that I am sure I will never do. Achilles was the best thing that had ever happened to me." She stood up and looked him straight in the eye. "I do not ask for forgiveness, cousin, but acceptance."

And she left her beloved city, where she had grown up, and also the one man she would ever love. The one man she thought she would never see again. But little did she know that on Mount Olympus, a great battle was raging forth, between the goddess of love Aphrodite, and the sun god Apollo.

"Look at her, she is as good as dead!"

Aphrodite had zoomed to Zeus' palace in a towering rage. Never had she seen such a beautiful love ripped apart.

Meanwhile, Apollo was there too, arguing with her and appealing to Zeus that this was nonsense.

"Well, then send Hermes to pick her up as she sleeps," he said in response to Aphrodite's statement. "She abandoned her priesthood and virginity for a man who befouled my temple!"

"But as the mortals would say, it was the will of the gods!" Aphrodite said hysterically. Apollo laughed.

"Ha! That was you! You were just up to your usual tricks."

"And look! It produced the most stunning romance I have ever seen. Eros didn't even have to help them out!"

"Father!" Apollo turned to Zeus, who had been watching the scene with amusement. "Father, you don't seriously believe this do you? This man Achilles even insulted you!"

"Zeus." Aphrodite did not use her charms. "Think about it. Aren't you friends with the sea nymph Thetis, his mother? Think of how you would make her so happy to make her son live. Just stop Hermes now, and I'll do the rest."

Zeus looked thoughtful. Apollo was now starting to give off heat.

"I will not stand for this!"

"Think about it," Aphrodite said. "If we got Achilles on the Trojan's side, you could have your city back." Apollo stopped. He hadn't thought about that.

"Well…"

"Zeus?" Aphrodite said. The god sighed.

"Very well, I will send word for Hermes to not bring Achilles to the Underworld, but Hades is going to be down my throat."

"I will take care of Hades," Aphrodite said confidently. Apollo looked at her.

"You're sure you know what you're doing?"

"Are you trying to insult me, Apollo?" She accused. "It's me, I've handled worse."

"I'm not so sure about that," muttered Zeus. He had a feeling things were going to turn nasty.

A/N Hey look, another chapter. Hang on; there is some really weird person on the radio. You know, you can just call in, and this person sounds kinda, you know, "touched in the head". Anyway, thanks for all three reviews, they all said it was good. Maybe there'll be more after a more interesting chapter. Oh gosh, the radio is acting very embarrassing indeed. The ad just said to always use a condemn. I hope everyone knows to do that. (I wouldn't know much though. I'm only 13) R+R!