After Troy
Chapter 19 – The Sirens' End
Odysseus' men went about their duties, completely unaware of the Sirens' song. None noticed when Achilles arrived on deck. The cries of their captain did not reach their well-blocked ears
"Let me down!" Odysseus yelled with a blissful smile upon his face. "I wish to go to them!" He stared at the island dreamily. "Turn the ship to that island." He commanded. None heard, bar Achilles.
"What, might I ask," Achilles called, attracting at least part of Odysseus' attention by standing between him and the Sirens, "are you doing tied to the mast of your own ship?"
"Achilles," Odysseus was still entranced by the Sirens' song and Achilles suspected that he would be until they passed the island. "Achilles, my old friend, I tied myself up here to avoid getting all my men killed, but I have changed my mind. I wish to go to them, if I have to swim to those rocks myself. My friend, you must let me down from here."
Achilles laughed. It appeared, as he had hoped, that he was immune to the call of the Sirens, though he still heard their beautiful voices. What amused him was that his friend had not yet noticed his return from the Underworld.
"I shall not untie you." Achilles told Odysseus. "The Sirens are a hazard and they've taken the best of men from this world, I'll not let them have you. If your ship passes unharmed, all Sirens shall perish."
Odysseus screamed. "No, they can not perish!" He cried. "Their voices are so beautiful. They call to me, Achilles. 'Odysseus,' they say, 'ignore the plea of Circe. Come to us Odysseus.'"
"They call to me, too, my friend." Achilles said, with a smile. "But since I returned I can no longer fall victim to their song. They are beautiful, are they not?"
"More beautiful than anything in this world. Even Helen could not compare. If a thousand ships launched for her, then surely ten thousand would launch for these beauteous creatures!"
"You know that they have the top halves of beautiful women, with long, flowing hair."
"I know this. And such voices, are they not truly divine?"
"Divine, certainly. But, my friend, they have the bottom halves of birds."
"Oh, Achilles, it matters not. For the beauty of their songs, I would gladly..." he stopped.
The ship had passed the island and, in that single moment, all Sirens ceased to exist. Odysseus paused, realising all that he had said. At last he realised to whom he had been speaking and looked down in shock.
"Achilles! No," he shook his head, "it could not be." He closed his eyes and looked down. When, again, he opened his eyes there were tears of joy and sadness and all other emotions therein.
Achilles strode forth and untied the bonds that held his friend to the mast. The crew were cheering having survived the Sirens and ridded the world eternally of their evil. Still none noticed or recognized the man risen, conversing with their captain.
A young man of no more than seventeen ran forth and bowed to the Achaean captain. "My lord," he said, "we have passed safely, due to your genius. Thank you, lord."
"Stand up." Odysseus laughed. "As fellow royalty I ask that you do not bow to me, yet still you bow." He smiled and grasped the boy by the shoulders as he stood, turning him to face Achilles. "This is an old friend of mine." Odysseus told the young man, still with tears in his eyes. "If you truly desire to be the worlds greatest swordsman, as your father was, then one day I hope to send you to study under this man." He smiled as Achilles recognized the boy.
"You are Prince Neoptolemus, are you not?" Achilles asked, tears held back as he viewed his son. "You will always be welcome in Italy, in Rome with us."
"I have never heard of such a place." The boy said, and he was well learnt in geography, amongst many other things.
"That is because it does not yet exist." Achilles smiled with a certain degree of pride. "And what on earth are you doing on a ship with this old man?" He asked referring to Odysseus.
"He has taken charge of my training, since my fathers death." The boy said, still not recognizing his father. He had been young when last he saw him, and it was not surprising, as he would not likely assume that his father had returned from death.
"And how is your grandfather?" Achilles asked.
"He was very well when I left him, and I receive letters often."
"That is good to hear." Achilles said relieved that his father was well.
"Alright, Neoptolemus." Odysseus spoke of a mind to speak with his old friend. "Off you run, spend some time with the navigators."
"Of course, Odysseus." He turned to Achilles. "I hope to see this Rome of yours, one day."
"You will." Achilles swore as his son returned to the navigators table below deck.
"Come, my friend. And tell me of your travels." Odysseus said, taking Achilles by the shoulder. "For I do not doubt that they have been otherworldly."