It felt as if someone was whispering in Polyxena's ears as she stepped closer to the man she saw, entranced by his eyes. She felt as if she were in a dream, she felt as if she was seeing Nickolas but it wasn't him. She raised her hand to caress the man's skin but then she saw Hector's pyre reflecting in his eyes and she stepped back, suddenly alarmed.
Fear swept across Polyxena's face as she stared at the man who stood before her. He was partly concealed by the shadows of the hall in which he stood, and as Polyxena looked at him she felt a tide of emotions overcome her. She looked down to the man's hands, the hands of Achilles, almost expecting the blood of the countless lives he had taken to be forever stained on them.
Achilles stared at Polyxena, transfixed by her simple yet breathtaking beauty. He had never seen a woman more beautiful, not even Helen could compare to her. No desire to flee erupted within Achilles, instead he allowed his eyes to wander over Polyxena's face, and his eyes only stopped when he reached her eyes.
It was almost as if Achilles could see Polyxena reliving Hector's death as he delved into her eyes. He turned away in horror; he had not come to cause even more pain to the citizens of Troy. Achilles had only come to look upon the body of Hector one last time, the body which had caused him more pain than he was ever aware of feeling, the body which had caused him to feel.
Disguised by an old traveling cloak, Achilles had entered Troy that day with the soldiers and countrymen who had collected timber for Hector's pyre. Most Trojans had only seen Achilles at a distance, and as he wore no armor, he was certain he would not be noticed.
"Do not fear me," whispered Achilles. He was not aware of whom Polyxena was, but he knew she was royalty by the laurel-leafed crown she wore and the finery of her robe. It did not even occur to him that she could be the sister of Hector.
Polyxena felt her heart begin to race and felt her breath quicken rapidly. She stepped backwards and turned to run but Achilles grabbed her waist and pulled her into the shadows of the hall with him.
"Please," said Achilles urgently, and he covered Polyxena's mouth with his spare hand so she could not scream, "I don't wish to hurt you." He then moved his hand from her mouth, but continued to hold her waist.
Watching from her throne beside Andromache, Cassandra turned and saw Polyxena and Achilles together. She knew what would happen and was powerless to stop it, and as she looked at her sister she felt the presence of the gods.
Cassandra could not see the gods, but she could feel them now. She stared at Polyxena and felt them whispering into her ears, urging Polyxena to help Achilles away from the palace and urging her to give her heart to Achilles so the end of Troy could begin.
Screaming suddenly erupted in Cassandra's mind as she imagined the end of Troy, she could even hear Andromache's screaming amidst the cries. She felt tears slip away from her eyes and turned away from Polyxena and Achilles, not able to watch anymore.
Polyxena closed her eyes in pain, feeling as if her skin burnt while Achilles's held her. She could hear voices in her mind, voices telling her to help Achilles away from the city because it was the only way the war would begin to end.
"I will let you go," said Achilles slowly, "and you may call the guards if you wish but please know that I did not come here to cause pain." He didn't know why he was explaining himself to this woman, but he felt as if he must because it was the truth.
Polyxena looked across to Andromache and knew that her sister-in-law could not see Achilles now; it would cause her even more pain to see Achilles free and not dead like Hector. "I will help you away from the city."
Achilles slowly released his hold on Polyxena's waist. His eyes were narrowed in confusion as he looked at her. "Why would you help me?"
"You did not come to Troy to be found," said Polyxena and she glared at Achilles, "if you had then you would not be wearing a cloak. If I had called the guards then you would have slaughtered every one of them." She paused for a moment and lowered her head slightly. "Too much blood has been shed, and the people are already consumed with grief."
Achilles said nothing; although he secretly knew what Polyxena had said was true. He was not ready to die yet and because of that he would have fought anyone that challenged him.
"Follow me," said Polyxena firmly. She led the way from the hall, a few steps ahead of Achilles so she could make sure their path was clear. As she passed through the hall she turned to look at her mother and father once more and she released tears at the thought of the betrayal on their faces if they were to ever learn what she had done.
The night air was cold against Polyxena's bare arms and she folded them together as she led Achilles away from the courtyard and to the stables. She was not surprised to find the stables deserted of people because she knew they would be at her brother's funeral, where she should have been.
Polyxena slowly walked towards the stable of her own horse and stepped inside to quickly prepare it for riding. She ordered Achilles to wait outside and she quietly said goodbye to her faithful horse, knowing that she could easily lie to the stable hands about its disappearance because it was hers, and led it out into the night.
"I'll ride with you on this horse towards the gates of Troy," said Polyxena, her voice shivering slightly, "and you must remain concealed by your cloak. Once we near the walls I will dismount the horse and lead you for the rest of the way. Then I'll command the guards to open the gates for you and you will ride out from them and to the hills. Once you reach the hills you will leave the horse and return to the Greek camp by foot. Do you understand?"
"Yes, thank you," said Achilles and he stared at Polyxena with wonder, amazed she had thought of a plan so quickly. She seemed so controlled, yet as he looked into her eyes Achilles could see emotions wishing to pour out of them.
"Do not thank me!" whispered Polyxena, she did not feel worthy of thanks from anyone. She inhaled deeply and wished this were all a dream that she would soon wake from, but she raised her head and saw Achilles staring at her and she knew it was no dream.
Polyxena watched as Achilles mounted her horse and she stepped forward to mount it herself when she saw Achilles outstretch his hand towards her. Instead of pushing Achilles's hand away, Polyxena took it and he helped her onto the horse. She gripped the reins firmly in her hands and they rode off together towards the walls.
As the gates of Troy came into sight, Polyxena dismounted the horse and led the remaining way on foot. She was silent as she walked, as was Achilles as he rode the horse, and she thought only of getting him away from the city without being seen.
Once they reached the gates, Polyxena ordered the guards to open the gates. She could feel her heart beating ferociously against her insides, and felt as if it would explode as she waited for the guards to follow her order. The guards, although confused, opened the gates without question.
Achilles looked down to Polyxena and leaned down to her level, while still sitting on the horse. He did not smile, yet his eyes were kind and gentle. "Thank you for helping me."
"I did not do it to help you," said Polyxena and she avoided Achilles's eyes. She felt what she had said was true, although she could not ignore the sudden feeling that perhaps she had acted to help him.
Achilles nodded and then it occurred to him that he did not know her name. He was about to ask when he suddenly heard a woman shouting.
Lysandra, a niece of Priam and now almost twenty-two years old, walked quickly towards Polyxena. She had seen her cousin leave Hector's funeral and was worried and so followed her. "Polyxena, wait!"
A horrified look washed over Polyxena's face as she looked at Lysandra. She could not allow anyone to see Achilles and so she sharply turned her head to face him once more. "You must go!"
Achilles wore a shocked expression as he looked at Polyxena. His mouth was slightly open and he stared at her as he tried to register what he had heard. "You're … you're Princess Polyxena? You're Hector's sister?"
"Yes," said Polyxena sadly. She couldn't imagine what was going through Achilles's mind as she looked at him. She thought he must think her to be the worst woman in the world to betray and dishonour her family, and for some reason she didn't want him to think ill of her.
Achilles said no more, he straightened up on the horse and looked at Polyxena once more before riding out of the gates and towards the hills.
For a few moments Polyxena stood where she was, looking out through the gates even though Achilles and her horse had ridden from sight. She eventually ordered for the gates to be closed and turned to leave.
"Who was that you were with?" asked Lysandra, slightly out of breath, once she had reached her cousin. "I followed you to make sure you were all right."
"It was no one of importance," answered Polyxena and she continued to walk until she returned to the palace and to her chamber.
A/N: This was the hardest chapter I've ever had to write, and I rewrote it so many times, which is why it has taken me longer to update. Thank you for all of the reviews, they really spurred me on, so thank you :)
Queen Arwen – Thank you, I'm really glad you liked the last chapter and thank you for the review. I'm afraid that I won't be killing Helen in this, however tempting killing people that may be ;)
Priestess of the Myrmidon – I'm really glad you thought the last chapter was one of the better chapters, because I feel the same way, thank you. Thank you for the review too :)
Gaby – I'm finding it hard to believe Hector is dead too, it went by so fast! I'm really glad you liked the last chapter and that it was exciting at the end, thank you and thank you for the review :)
Meitsi – Helen and Paris will definitely have a scene were they are arguing soon and I'm afraid Polyxena will have the same end as in the mythological way. Thank you for the review and I'm really glad you're looking forward to the next fic :)
Kitera – Yep, the guy is Achilles. Thank you for the review and I'm really glad you thought the last chapter was emotional and vivid – that was what I was aiming for :)
Topezgrl – Thank you for reviewing both chapter 48 and 51 :) I'm really glad you like how I use similar themes and ideas from the book and I'm glad you liked both chapters, thank you.
Cozzy – Thank you for the review and I'm really glad you like this story, I'll definitely finish it :) My favourite character is Andromache too, and I'm glad you liked the last chapter.
Lily – Thank you so much for the lovely review and I'm thrilled that you think this is the best Troy fanfic ever, thank you :) And I'm really glad you liked the last chapter, thanks!