After Troy

Chapter 23 – Land Ahoy

"Captain Hector!" One of the men called from the bow of the boat. His arm stretched out, pointing ahead of the ship. "There is land ahead!"

Aeneas and Hector ran forth and peered out at the horizon. It was only early in the morning yet, but the sea had been calm and the sky clear. Sure enough, ahead of the boat, beach after beach was cropping up, separated by rocky outcrops and grassy plains could vaguely be made out beyond.

"What are the Achaeans doing?" Asked a woman who stood just nearby. Hector and Aeneas, followed by others shortly thereafter, quickly turned their heads to the starboard side. The Trojans were still wary of the Achaeans, whose ship had guided them safely here.

Odysseus' ship was sailing just ahead of the Trojans, and out to the starboard side, but it now turned its path to cross theirs, and was drawing back towards them. Every Trojan tensed their muscles as they watched this activity. Ten years was a lot to forget, after all.

As the great, ominous warship approached, their worry was slightly alleviated as they noted friendly smiles on the faces of Odysseus and Achilles as they conversed.

The Achaean ship, now on the port side of the Trojan boat, drew closer. Oarsmen on both ships attempted to slow the vessels and sails were dropped, as the Achaeans clearly meant no harm. The ships came in, side by side, and the slight swell allowed them to rock gently together for a short time.

Achilles turned to his friend, knowing the parting would be doubly hard for Odysseus, given what he had passed through.

"My old friend." Achilles smiled, embracing Odysseus. "You know we shall meet again, I would not allow this to be our final parting."

"And you think I would?" Odysseus asked, a smile playing on his lips. "I always get what I want, so if I wish to see you again, I shall."

"Odysseus, I know you always get what you want." Achilles grinned. "Even the gods couldn't stop you!"

"You are a god now, my friend." Odysseus offered.

"Ah, well, that changes things, now, doesn't it! You could never get past me." Achilles teased.

"Do not make your head any larger than it already is, Achilles." Odysseus laughed. "Besides, only in strength could you beat me. If it were a matter of wits, you should fail miserably!"

Achilles laughed and turned to leave. As he did, though, he saw Neoptolemus standing just behind Odysseus. After returning from the Underworld Achilles had spent the remainder of the journey on Odysseus' ship. Much of his time he had spent admiring the young man his son had become, fatherly pride washing over him that he had not ever known existed.

"Neoptolemus." He smiled and embraced his son who, as yet, remained oblivious to the placement of this man in his heritage. "I shall see you soon, I hope, to begin your training."

"It would be my honour, sir." Neoptolemus bowed, a smile gracing his face.

"Trained by a god, an honour indeed." Odysseus grinned at his old friend, and placed a hand on the shoulder of the young man. "And one could ask for no greater trainer."

Achilles bowed with a cheeky grin and leapt over to the Trojan ship. The boats pushed away from each other and the Trojans drew their sails to take them into land.

"Odysseus." Neoptolemus drew his attention as they both stood staring at the Trojan ship sail away, eyes fixed on the blond warrior.

"Yes." Odysseus encouraged.

"What is his name, that warrior-god?" He asked.

Odysseus looked down at the young man and smiled, wrapping an arm about his shoulders in a fatherly fashion, as he had come to do.

"Neoptolemus," he began, "what do you remember of your father?"

A/N: I know, it is a rather short chapter. As was the last. But I am still getting back into it, and there's not much happening at this point in time. Just sailing, which they're about to finish. Then onto Carthage!!

Meanwhile: Chapter 21 reviews, and my responses. I daresay you all noted my laziness as far as chapter 22 went. Ah, well, I just wanted to update because I finished exams!!! Woohoo!! I'll make the 21's short. So, Yana! Here's a big hello and you, yet again, managed to be on-the-ball in reviewing almost immediately! I am ever so proud! And he does love Paris! I promise! Just the evil gods, as was explained. bradleigh, lol, you crack me up! Try not to faint! All will be well. Shivagoddess. I like the name, where did you pull that from? And I realise I'm crazy, but you must be nice! I updated, but I do apologise that Paris didn't walk in on them. I'll have some walk-ins at some point, they can be funny! But no mpreg, I don't do that shite, sorry. Again with the amusing names, The! Not one of the trials, though it will come up soon. Writing Muse, Danke. Will do! Goldensong, my friend! And you do, indeed, have a sick mind. But then, don't all fanfictionites have sick minds? I know I do! :) !!! And I hope it was interesting for you. X-shadowcat, you make me laugh!! Keep some rubbish, I'm sure you'll need more later, though perhaps not for Hades... Lol, I've been dubbed, I've been dubbed! Yay for the dubbing!!! Yaoicrazy-chic, you're a new one, aren't you! Woohoo! Sorry for the disappointment, but he's only human, and we're all flawed. Thank you for the review, however, and I promise, I love Achilles/Paris as much as the next person, though perhaps more!!! It will be them in the end! Winterlove4, that was a.... well, a very specific review! Lol, and I did! fERAL iMP, your 'sister' has been reading it, eh? Well, I hope she enjoyed the updates, though I'd rather not get sick just yet, because I'm going to the GoldCoast next week and that's going to be awesome. No sick. Mariella, thank you, I am honoured, that was really nice. And Precise. On Ice. Sorry about the last one, it just fitted.

So now, Chapter 22 reviews. Shite, this is long! But there are less chap 22's. So, Goldensong. Thank you very much. And I know what you mean! I didn't check for yonks, once. Nothing, not even my email. Oh, but the pleasant surprises when I did, though! Updates and reviews and emails from long-lost-friends. That was a good time! If only I had the self-restraint to do it again! bradleigh! I am actually thrilled that you thought it was sad, because I sort of wanted it to be. I mean, aside from being a bit of an annoying prat in the film, in the Iliad Patroclus was actually this good buddy of Achilles' and he was rather sweet. So it would have been sad for him, I'd imagine. Poor children! They'll all see each other again, I'm sure. And I hope the trustingness wasn't too cliché. I was worried about that... Yana5, it is a new chappy! Are you pleased? Because you just read another? Heheheh. Too many new chapters! I'm still working on the whole getting-them-back-together deal, but it will happen, I swear! X-shadowcat. You thought it was sad, too? I am ever so happy! And I shall have to check this surreal-wording. Because if I can pull of sad and surreal, that's two down on the list of emotions-and-attitudes-to-evoke-in-readers! I'm on my way, kids! And yeh, the schoolwork got me down. But it's all gone, now! All gone!!! YAY!!! I am glad you also enjoyed the chapter. Good stuff is still coming, I'm just working on it now. I'm about halfway through the next chapter. And, yes, there will be no more Patroclus to cause trouble and dispute. But he was so cute! So cute! But all gone... :(

Anyhoo, thanks kids, and I promise to update before I go away (which is only a week anyway!) Toodles, and happy reading! (P.S Can anyone recommend me a really good fic. Troy, Harry P, Pirates otC, Final Fantasy 7, LotR, King Arthur(only Tristan, though) or anything that is genuinely genius that you've read lately. I'm bloody bored!) Oh, and HELLO to Lucy and all her friends!