Chapter Thirteen
Author's Note: I do not own anything that is related to Troy except the soundtrack, which I own under copyright laws.
Summary: Hector goes to find Paris in Oenone's cave, tells him that Priam has fallen ill, and only he and Paris are left to defend their city. Achilles and Hector have a showdown. Before Achilles goes to battle with Hector, he of course sees Briseis. Meanwhile, the Greeks are planning a siege…
Paris
My brother never scolds me. Only once, when I ran away from home at the age of thirteen, and I was lost in the woods at night, did he yell at me. Even in the toughest of times, Hector seemed to find his composure. Because Hector is so gentle beneath his rough exterior, he is a comfort to be around at times of loneliness. He is the tamer of horses, after all.
He found me in Oenone's cave. I was nearly well now; the fever was gone, and I had to only regain my strength.
"Hello, brother. It is good to see you. How are you feeling?" Hector asked, voice full of concern. "Father is very worried about you. He sent me here."
"I am recovering. Why couldn't Father come with you? How is he?"
Hector frowned. "He's not the same as he used to be, Paris. He's getting older. It would be too hard for him to come."
"I hope he's alright." I sat up on my bed.
Hector gave me a reassuring smile. "I'm sure he will be. He's a very strong man. But we need to fight this war for him."
"I know that."
"As soon as you are well enough, I need you to fight with me."
I gaped at him. Fight was not a word that I was friendly with, unlike Hector. He was born to be a warrior- I didn't have the skill to even train to become one. Hector knew this.
"You know that I am weak with the sword, brother. Besides, you have troops to back you up."
Hector sighed. "Paris, you have never tried in battle, so you do not know of your potential skill. I need another leader on the Trojan lines. I cannot do this alone." His tone was grave and pleading, so I couldn't refuse.
Reluctantly: "I will aid you."
Hector's face lit up. He embraced me tightly like he used to when we were little.
"Thank you. I have to be going; I wanted to stop by before the battle with Achilles."
"What?" I demanded. "But…he's indestructible!"
He sighed. "It's the only way to protect our people. I will fight my hardest. I've been dreaming of this day for weeks. I cannot falter. Honor the Gods, love your woman, and defend your country. Trojan code of honor."
"You don't have to do this. When Helen is sent back to Sparta, the Greeks will leave our shores for good."
"But Paris, they are here for power. And if I don't fight now, who will? If we don't fight, it means giving up our independence. If we lose, they will take over. I cannot let it happen. I won't."
"I would rather lose my freedom than lose you."
"I am glad that you love me, brother, but I will put my life at risk and save the lives of thousands."
I nodded and swallowed what he had said.
"You are the greatest man I've ever known. Hector, I'm proud to be your brother."
Hector smiled sadly. "Goodbye, Paris."
Strong as ever, he walked towards the mouth of the cave. Before he walked away, he turned once more, and, seeing my daughter look curiously at him, gave the all-knowing brotherly smile and marched to his fate.
"Who is he?" Andronea asked.
"He's your uncle." I answered. "Hector."
My heart made the same sound of the drums of battle.
Achilles
"Sorry, my love, it is time for me to go," I said, taking back my arm that Briseis had used as a pillow. Briseis groaned softly and watched me get up. I kissed her goodbye, careful not to grip her fragile hands too tightly.
I caught the scent of her hair. I was intoxicated. Knowing my destination, Briseis started to weep. It was painful to see her fair cheeks with salty tears.
"What is wrong?" I asked.
"I don't want either of you to get hurt! I love you and I can't let you do this…in the end, one of you is going to get killed. Is that what you want? Why are doing this?"
"Briseis," I began, shocked to listen to her words. "We fight to end this war, to spare you more blood that may be shed on your soil. I am doing this for you. If I die, at least you will be safe. You know that I would do anything to protect you, if it means my life."
She gulped. "And if you kill Hector first?"
"The Greeks will win. But you'll have me. The war will be over either way. It's give and take."
"And why can't you surrender?"
"I have a warrior's fate. I will fight till the end; we shall see what happens."
Incapable of doing anything, Briseis hid her face behind her hand and a river of tears. She was too ashamed to face me.
"Look at me, Briseis." I wiped her streaming tears with tender care, stroking her arm in hopes to soothe her.
I lifted her chin and whispered, "I'll never forget you."
I walked out the door, and with a final "I love you," I left her.
My two stallions were tied up at the Trojan Gates. I walked to the dirt field in front of the walls to meet my opponent.
Hector was waiting there, looking furious.
"You seduced my cousin," he spat. "What did you tell her? Tell me, great Achilles! Do your bribing skills match your fighting ability? I demand you to let her go. Leave her out of this!"
"I told her nothing; except that I loved her."
Hector looked ready to snicker.
"Love? You think that
you are so powerful that you can speak of love so freely? Do not lie
to me."
"I love her!" I shouted desperately to make
him believe me.
"Are you willing to fight for it!" Hector had run next to me in no time. He pulled my hair with one hand, tilting my neck back. He placed his sword within striking distance next to my throat. He could kill me before I could scream.
Or so you think, Prince of Troy.
I roared in fury. I pushed him back so that Hector jumped. I charged and cut his wrist. With a small hiss, Hector dodged my next attack.
"You will return her to Troy at once!" he yelled. He then sliced my waist open. I moaned in pain. Clutching my stomach, I aimed for his heart.
"Do you know that she cries for us?"
I hadn't finished my sentence when Hector angrily punched my chest, leaving a nasty bruise.
"She doesn't want
neither of us die…" I gasped.
"What!" Hector roared.
I attempted to reach his heart, but Hector dodged it again and threw my sword out of my hand.
I struggled to get up. I could barely move.
He missed my tendon. He doesn't know about it. I am still alive.
"You deserve to die." Hector spoke menacingly, the meanest I have ever heard him. "Should I show you mercy by quickening your death, or should I leave you hear until your body's blood spills out from your stomach?"
I got up, relieved. He's not going to fight anymore!
"Take me to Briseis." I ordered.
Hector stopped for breath.
A noise in the distance startled me. Hector looked in the same direction, stunned. He had also heard it.
My heart sank.
The
sound of fire burning.
The sound of gregarious war-cries.
The Greeks had come.
