Chapter Fourteen
Note: I do not own anything related to Troy except for the soundtrack, which I own under copyright laws.
Summary: The final fight for Troy begins! Will Paris finally prove himself to be a son of Troy, and will Briseis ever forgive Hector for dueling her lover?
Hector's P.O.V.
I was about to kill Achilles. I really was. Why were the Gods delaying the one moment I had been dreaming of? Instead they have to send our enemies to us now, when with one strike I would have killed him. The only man that can stand up to Zeus himself. Truthfully, I had feared Achilles. But fear is sometimes good; it drives us to excel, to perform our deeds to our best. The Greeks were coming; there was no denying it. With every second that passed, they were getting closer.
How much time will they allow? I thought.
Giving Achilles one last look of pity and disgust, I released him from the sword. Was I doing the right thing? At least it would make Briseis happy. As long as he wasn't on the other side.
Achilles managed a weak smile- but it was grim. There would almost be no point in living anyway; he would die from his serious wounds. I marveled at his strength, however, because despite his failing body he stood up straight on his two feet, and marched towards his fate with the spirit of a soldier. This was the end. I could feel it. I was born a warrior, but I am a son, husband and father first.
Andromache. Father. I must go warn the others. Mouthing a brief prayer to Apollo, I raced on my horse back to the castle walls.
"Father!" I yelled, for I couldn't stand seeing my father sitting there to watch our city be pillaged. "You must hide underground immediately. The Greeks are advancing. They will be here as soon as darkness falls. We do not have much time."
"The Gods have sent a message to me. The Greeks have left a wooden horse as an offering to Poseidon for a safe journey back home. They have surrendered. We have wheeled the horse back into Troy. It is a symbol of peace, Hector."
"No, Father. I cannot let them kill you. Troy is under attack! The Gods even send ill omens! This is not the time to believe it. I have heard them coming! I must gather troops, or we do not stand a chance…"
"And the women and children?"
"Briseis will lead them underground with you. Hurry, Father."
"I am old and weary, Hector. You must take my place. I would like to enjoy the last moments of my city as it remains. I choose not to go, Hector."
Frustrated, I stormed out of the room and to Andromache.
She was in the bedchamber, looking worried. "What is it?"
"The Greeks are coming. I want you to take Astyanax, and Briseis along with you, along with as many women and children you can possibly gather. You will be safe underground. Remember what I showed you?"
"Yes."
I kissed her forehead and headed out the door, where Paris stood.
"Is that… blood you have on your hands?"
"Yes. I killed her. I killed Helen."
At the training camp, thankfully the soldiers were warming up. I told them that the Greeks were coming, and that they were the only hope of the city's survival. In a hurry I led them, Paris at my side. We were ready.
Achilles' P.O.V.
I couldn't believe it. I was free! I had to find Briseis- was she safe? I had to get her outof Troy. We would escape, find a deserted island somewhere, where no one would find us, and we would live in bliss…it seemed too good to be true, but I could still hope.
The Greeks came faster than I hoped for. Briseis was nowhere to be seen. Panicking, I searched the chaotic streets, but I couldn't find Briseis. Would we be separated forever in space and time?
"Briseis!" A name lost among so many others searching for their loved ones. No, I couldn't lose her. I called her name, hoping, praying that she would answer. The city was nearly in ruin…and…
There she was, struggling to escape the clutches of Agamemnon. I cursed his name, then plunged forward to kill him, when he fell suddenly, rocking the earth beneath him.
"Briseis!" She turned, crying at the sight of my wounds, but she was happy to see that I was safe. It soothed me just to see her face again. "I'll take you out of here." I lifted her in my arms, running…forever running from my fate…
"No!"
"Briseis, what…." I couldn't breathe before I could ask her what was wrong. My heart sank, for I knew all too well what had happened behind my back. A sharp pain hurt me at my tendon. Turning, I saw Paris, the cowardly Paris, smiling in triumph. Clutching her wrist to keep my balance, I realized that I was dying. Briseis cried, holding me in her arms. I ripped off the necklace that my mother had given me.
"Shhhh, my love, it'll be all right. Take it. My mother made this necklace. It is all yours. From my heart."
"No…"
"I love you, Briseis…whenever you look at the seashells, each one on that necklace, remember me…Briseis…hold me…"
Gasping now, I shivered. Then she gave me what could only exist between man and woman, what had always been since there was a thing called love- a kiss.
"You gave me peace in a lifetime of war."
