Chapter 4: The Party
It was another party at Agamemnon's palace and Achilles was invited once again. However, he was going to bring Briseis this time. He began to have feelings for this woman, but he wasn't going to tell her, because he was going to bring her home. However, he couldn't help but bring himself closer to her. Being around her was intoxicating to him.
When they arrived at Agamemnon's castle, Achilles got off the chariot and held his hand out to Briseis. Briseis gladly placed her hand in his and got off the carriage. She was absolutely gorgeous and everyone admired her that saw her.
She was wearing golden colored sandals, a light blue dress, a pearl necklace, and in her hair was a blue carnation. "Good day, Lord Achilles, and who is your lovely companion?" A servant asked.
"This is Briseis," Achilles answered.
Briseis nodded to the servant before walking into the ballroom.
Agamemnon greeted Achilles, but he didn't recognize Briseis. When he last saw her, she was beaten and wore the skirts, shirts, and veils he provided her. Now she was wearing beautiful gowns, her hair shiny and silky feeling, During the party, Briseis felt her eyes water when she saw her friends start dancing like she used to. She remembered that it was only a month ago when Achilles rescued her from her awful fate of being passed around from friend to friend month after month. She felt his hand go on her and smiled at him. She sighed as she tightened her grip on his hand. Achilles leaned forward until his lips was near her ear. "Relax, you're not his slave anymore," he whispered.
"I know, but Adara is," she whispered back.
"Listen, Adara is going to be freed by tonight. I have bought her too," he assured.
Briseis looked at him and hugged him tight. "Thank you," she whispered. Achilles nodded and hugged her back.
Once the dancers left the floor, everyone else began to dance. Agamemnon however had his eye on Briseis. She was laughing as she danced with Achilles. Achilles then placed his hand on Briseis' sides and lifted her off the floor. Going in a circle while looking into her eyes. Her hands were on his shoulders returning he glance. She felt drawn to the soldier, but she wasn't going to admit it. He was a warrior and she was a maiden that was once a slave. She loved staring into his eyes, but she couldn't let herself admit that she was in love with this man. Achilles finally placed her on the floor, they were still staring at each other. He placed a hand on her smooth cheek, and she was unconsciously leaning into his touch. Briseis gasped and pulled away. "We can't do this," she whispered. She then hurried out of the room.
She was sitting near the water fountain with tears in her eyes. She pulled the carnation out of her hair and placed it on the ground. "Briseis?" A voice asked. She lifted her head up and saw a woman standing there.
"Um...do I know you?" She asked.
"No, but I know you," the woman replied.
She sat near Briseis with a gentle smile. "I'm Thetis, Achilles' mother," she added. Briseis felt embarrassed but Thetis lifted the carnation from the ground and saw that Briseis was trying not to think of Achilles. "You don't need to worry about my son. He likes you, Briseis. He's told me so much about you and the promise that he made to you about getting you home," she mentioned. Briseis nodded with tears falling from her eyes.
"I was taken from my home when I was seventeen. All I have ever wanted during the past three years was to go home. I have always to go home. I miss my family, Thetis. I miss them so much that it may kill me," she sobbed.
Thetis let her cry against her shoulder before looking at her. "My son has fallen in love with you, Briseis. He just doesn't want to tell you because of your family," she confessed. Briseis looked at Thetis before standing up.
"He's only known me for a month. He couldn't have fallen in love with me already," she mumbled.
"He has though, my dear. He loves you," Thetis sighed.
"But I can't love him back. My place is with my family, not here in Sparta or anyplace else."
Thetis walked over and placed the carnation into Briseis' hair. "I can't make the decision for you," she hinted. Briseis watched as she left before going back into the banquet room.
Achilles was getting his chariot ready when Briseis exited the building. "Are you ready to go home?" He asked. She nodded before he helped her into the chariot. Then they were off towards his home.
When Briseis got off the chariot and climbed into bed, she couldn't get to sleep, she could only dream about getting home to see Priam, Hector and Paris. when she woke up, tears were on her cheeks. She wiped them away before climbing out of her bed. She stood out on the balcony, but she couldn't hear Achilles coming up from behind her. "I know you miss them, but I can't get you out of here without the chance of Agamemnon coming after us," he insisted. She turned to look at him with tears in her eyes.
"I just miss them, that's all," she sighed.
"I know, I never knew how it felt to be away from my family from so long," he murmured.
He walked over and stood in front of her with a sigh.
"Your mother told me what you said to her. I can never love you back. I can only think of my family. I'm sorry," she whispered. She lowered her head before looking at him. She felt his hands on her arms and felt a shiver go down her spine. She looked at him to see the sincere look in his eyes and the love. "I can't," she whispered.
"Why not?" He asked.
"I can't because I'll have to leave you. I can't stay with you forever," she whispered sadly.
Achilles tried to get her to understand that he would love her even if she would try to push him away. He placed his hands on her waist and lowered his head to hers. Briseis unconsciously wrapped her arms around his neck and felt his lips touch hers.
AN: Will Briseis finally let her heart take control? Or will she keep pushing Achilles away? We'll see in the next chapter.
