A/N: I just heard that my school is going to London with the music department so I'm really excited about that and all, keep in mind that later I will be on a different continent thus incapable of updating. This chapter made me change the rating on the story, read and you will find out why.

Chapter 12 – Absolute Goodbyes

"Given either opportunity which would you choose?" Achilles had taken into note that his newest captive was not very established when she was given wine and as such he made a point to have plenty of it fetched for him. "Either, and keep in mind you have to pick one of them, bed every man on this side of the camp or me. Which one would you choose?"

She crossed her arms in front of her and thought it over; she was sitting opposite the bed where the warlord smiled at his prisoner, no doubt an improvement from the indifferent and depressed Briseis from the night before. "I would pick you." He raised his eyebrows playfully and she shook her head, smiling openly. "Yes I would most definitely pick you,"

"I'm flattered let me assure you, but why?" He was only feigning innocence but it seemed to be working. Achilles was wearing only a black tunic hoping, praying that it would be she that would be making him remove it. He knew that without the help of wine she would never have even dignified his inquiries with an answer but even such a rigorously trained man like him could only stand so much. A single night without his hands on her was enough to make him fully realize, there was no chance she would come out of the Grecian camp with her title of maiden still attached.

Her reply was throaty, a good sign. "Isn't it obvious? Because there's only one of you." The silence that followed was neither awkward nor painful. She met his eyes coyly, invitation playing on her lips and in her alluring blue gaze. He moved toward her and she did not cringe or scurry to the opposite end of the tent, a very good sign. He pressed his lips softly to hers, directing her body to the sandy ground. He would have preferred to be on the bed but so long as it was with her he wasn't going to show favoritism over either.

His strong hand captured the back of her neck, making any attempt at escape impossible. He broke their kiss to speak, his voice husky with lust. "I may only seem like one man, but I make love better than any amount of thousands you may have bedded in your life." This seemed to excite her more; she stood, taking his hand and leading him over to his bed, the Gods had truly blessed him tonight.

She lay, inviting further kisses and running a finger down her smooth body. Her eyebrows were raised mischievously, his thoughts soared as he imagined what she was thinking; what treasures she was waiting for him to uncover. "Gods Briseis," He murmured hoarsely as she kissed lips, his neck, making her way, ever so slowly, towards his bare chest. He groaned and turned them both so that he lay on top of her, she bit her bottom lip and moved to kiss him again.

He pulled away from her and Briseis pouted beautifully. "I thought you were going to make love to me." He grinned at her and discarded what little clothing he had left.

"That will come." She smiled as he returned to his position overtop of her. "Now where were we?" She laughed throatily and took his hand in hers, tracing down her body as she had before. The thought of her warm flesh against his thrilled him and the look in her eyes made him sure that she would not object to anything he chose to do.

Realizing he was now fully in control of both of their bodies he smiled and kissed her lightly on the neck and as his kisses became forceful the sparkle in her indigo eyes shone brighter. She yelped in surprise and delight as his hands brushed her legs, his kisses never ceasing. His coarse skin was in complete contrast to the silky smoothness of her body, he ran his hands over her legs not wanting to leave any part of her unexplored. Her breaths became ragged as he traveled further up towards her thighs.

Achilles knew something had changed in Briseis when she removed her hand from his shoulder and placed it on the side of her head. "Gods, what happened to me?" Her eyes widened at the sight of the warlord. "No, no I could not have." Her eyes were narrowed and anger spread from every part of her, her voice began to rise. "How dare you? How dare you do that? You have absolutely no right to-"

"What?" He shouted back. "I have every right to do what I wish with you, whether you want me to or not. That is the point of slavery." He threw up his hands. "Why did I have to pick the one woman who would refuse me? Over and over again nonetheless. There are a thousand women who would fall over themselves to be bed by me and I pick the one who would rather drown in the sea."

"Well it isn't as though I told you to." She screamed.

He sighed. "Briseis calm down; you'll wake the entire camp." He was still overtop of her; her hair spread on the linen sheets like an exotic fan, her dress creeping dangerously lower.

"Calm down? Calm down? What do you-" Her cries were silenced by a kiss from her captor. The kiss was neither light or in need as those before but fervent and possessive of her being in every way. She struggled under him at first but as he continued her body relaxed and seemed to encourage his touch. "Achilles," His name sounded less like a title and more of a wanton plea coming from the recesses of her throat. "Achilles stop!" She cried and stared him in the eyes. "What are you doing?" She gasped for breath, "I thought I told you to keep yourself away from me." Her chest heaved and her eyes flared.

He climbed off her and she sat up straight as her gaze following him through the tent. "What?" He asked, threatening her to reply. She didn't need to answer him; he already knew the response she would give, had she not known the question was meant to be left hanging. She would say that he had violated her, that her pride compromised and would demand to be taken back to Troy. Then he would have to beat her to show who was in control and she would cry and… He shook his head. Briseis stared at him; her entire life men had tried to tame her spirit by beating her into submission, if he did now she would never respect him. Her beautiful head was held high with dignity, she had not yet caught her breath and the look of stunning fury set into her features made him want to take her at that moment no matter what she would think of him.

"Perhaps we should simply rest for the night." He said; ready to give up this battle with Briseis if only for one more night. He moved towards the bed and she hurried away with the agility of a great cat. "Would you please come sleep in the bed?" He asked, his anger had limits and she was pushing him always closer to those limits.

She laughed less than amused. "When the lightning splits the sea I will sleep in the same bed as you." He caught her wrist as she started away again.

"I demand that you sleep in this bed, with me in it." He grasped her arm tighter and she sighed in displeasure. "Briseis get into that bed now or you will be spending the rest of you days with the ordinary soldiers and let me assure you they will be much less merciful."

"You're despicable, you know that don't you?" She snapped back and stepped back into his divan. He could have let out a gasp as she undressed; she had not asked him to look away so he did not. He had known she had a body that could rival even Helen's but seeing it bathed in moonlight, if only for a second, somehow made it even more tempting. Nor had she asked to sleep between different linens so he had changed nothing from the manner in which he usually slept.

For what seemed like an eternity they lay in the darkness of the tent. Noises from outside in the camp were few and far between, the sound of her slowed; even breathing ensured she had fallen asleep.

Achilles looked towards the ceiling of the dwelling; he had made sure her sleep was not a front and he too fell into a soothing rest. His dreams most always featured battles past or incidents with slave girls but this was different. The dark haired beauty that lay before him in his dream was no ordinary girl; she was that which lay beside him now, the mysterious, captivating, dazzling noble of the white palace on the cliff. There was he and there was Briseis but the Greek camp was gone, the sand and the heat and the smell of roasting meat were all disappeared, replaced by the cool wind from the sea and the ruins where he and Patroclus had sparred before the war stood, lonesome before a magnificent sunset.

But the ruins were the last thought in his mind as the woman that lay beneath him cried out in ecstasy. Her beautiful blue eyes were closed but as they opened his chambers altered into the ruins themselves, faints grassland sprung up everywhere on the remains of a great building. He stood on the path leading towards the ancient stone, Briseis looked at him lovingly her long hair caught in the wind and her dress billowing around her tanned legs. He ran towards her and she smiled without a trace of cold.

"Welcome back," She said adoringly and he kissed her, running his hands through her dark tresses savoring every moment he had with her even if was only a dream.

"Father." Achilles almost jumped in surprise, a child with dark hair and icy blue eyes cam from behind the stone pillar. "You came home, did you bring me anything?" The infant asked eagerly, his eyes wide with expectance.

"Is that anyway to speak to your father when he returns home." Briseis crossed her hands in front of her but the warrior only laughed.

He picked the child up in his strong arms and pulled out a silver necklace. "I brought you this."

The child pouted, "I'm not a girl father why would I want jewelry? That's for little girls." Achilles stared to laugh at the child's mirthful attempt at maturity.

"Fine I'll tell you the truth, this is for one of your sisters but I want it to be a surprise so it'll be our secret." The little boy nodded furiously and he grinned and set the child down. "I got you this," He removed a dagger from his belt and gave it to his son. "You need to learn how to use it to protect your family when I'm not here." The infant handled the knife as though it was going to break, both parents smiled at his naivety.

"And besides," Briseis added. "You already have a gift from your father, a new younger sibling." Achilles felt himself gape as his wife beamed back, biting her lip.

"You must be kidding me?" He grabbed her waist and lifted her into the air, spinning both of them as she shouted in joy. "You aren't playing with me are you?" She shook her head and he kissed her passionately. "How can you tell? You look nothing like you did when you were with a child before."

She nodded. "I know, it won't show for weeks but I am sure. After five children I think I can tell."

"I hope it's a boy this time." The child said darkly. "Having only sisters is boring. Women are boring." He finished resolutely.

"They get less and less boring as you grow." Briseis hit her husband playfully at the comment.

"Don't say things like that, he's only a child." She scolded.

"I'm not a child; I'm the greatest warrior in all of Greece." He swung to miniature sword dangerously close to his parent's. Briseis screamed softly and took a step back, while Achilles stopped his son.

"Not yet you're not, but someday the world will be yours." He repositioned the dagger in his son's hand. "Someday our boundless love for you will make you famous beyond your wildest dreams." The little boy grinned and walked away to show his younger siblings his new possession, a potentially very dangerous act.

"I though you said you would love me forever." Briseis said, feigning hurt as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

He laughed quietly. "Love you forever? You are my forever." She smiled back at him and broke his embrace to run after her son. She turned and began to walk backwards smiling at him all the time.

He woke from the dream unreasonably warm. It was after a few moments that he realized Briseis was lying on him. Her supple body covering a small part of his powerfully built chest. The sun was rising and he would soon be expected to wake and inspect the troops, all that was anticipated from a leader.

He rose from the bed and looked back at her, the linens hardly covering her. He remembered the dream, still so vivid in his mind. She had been so beautiful there, had some of his mothers prophetic power been passed to him? Was he really going to marry this woman, to have children with her? Deciding not to think of it more until that night he banished it from his mind.

"My Lord," Eudorus deep voice broke through the near quiet of the camp. "There is something you must see."

Achilles raised his eyebrows at the warrior. "What could be so important that it requires my attention?"

"A child has come to the camp. The men wish to kill him; they think he is a Trojan spy. I thought it best to consult you first." He led the great warlord towards one of the soldier's tents. "You will understand why when you see him." He cleared the doorway for his lord to go through.

"The child is no older than ten winters. Why bother killing him? He does bear a striking resemblance to-"

"Are the men afraid of me?" Briseis asked her master's cousin honestly, he shrugged lazily.

"I couldn't tell you, I'd be betraying everyone's plot against you if I did." He laughed and dodged her attack.

"That's really funny." She said sardonically. "But really why?"

"I can tell you." A young man's voice came from nearby. The youth walked in front of Patroclus and the noblewoman. "But I don't know if I really want to. How about I tell you if you win a game of chase." The men who, she assumed, were his friends laughed darkly.

"I think you may have to recreate the stake, firstly because I have never touched a whip in my life and secondly because all of you would team up against me, which is not only unfair but exceptionally disturbing." She smile widened when she saw the look of surprise on the men's faces that she already knew the rules of their cruel game. "Very sorry, I'm going to have to decline."

"No reason to apologize, what about if-" The wagers continued and she refused to take part in any of them, always find flaws that made it impossible for her to take part. "Fine, this one you will have to agree to. You must-" He had no time to finish as a myrmidon broke into the crowd and began to speak rapidly to Briseis.

"My Lord Achilles wishes to see you in his tent, it is urgent." The soldiers exchanged knowing looks thinking she did not know why he had requested her presence. She rolled her eyes, she had realized prior that there was only two urgent things in Achilles life, ending life and making love. It was obvious which one he needed her for. She followed the warrior to the warlord's dwelling.

"He is waiting inside; I am not allowed to enter." She could have laughed at his seriousness if she had not known better.

She drew the leather curtain and crossed the threshold into the dankness of her temporary home. Achilles was standing beside a small bound figure with the man identified as Eudorus. "Leave us." The warlord said deeply. The obedient soldier exited the tent and for a moment a look of pity was expressed in his eyes. Briseis' owner was standing, facing away from her.

"My Lord, not to disturb you but your cousin insists he come in." The soldier that had escorted her to the tent said a hint of terror in his voice. The warrior nodded and Patroclus entered, looking as confused as she felt.

"Briseis do not be angry with me. I may be able to save him from a worse fate." His voice was low and his cousin looked transfixed at the bound figure on the floor of the tent. It was squirming in vain to escape, unaware that it would achieve nothing to try and flee with two warriors there.

"Achilles what are you talking about?" The younger of the men asked, he was shot a silencing look form his cousin and fell in speechlessness.

"I'm talking about this." He bent down and unbound the figure that had been working relentlessly towards Briseis. Her heart stopped from the moment she saw the face of the unknown figure.

"Cartanye." She gasped and rushed to embrace her terrified brother, Achilles and Patroclus looked on in quiet. The boy was crying in his sister's arms and she held his dark head to her breast. "Why are you here? I thought Pramadas would explain everything to you. Pramadas. He let you leave the city?" She was almost in tears by now.

"No I left by my own choice." He managed to say through the sobs. "Pramadas and Melanon have been keeping such a close watch over us and I needed to see you again and…" He was overcome by a fresh bought of tears. Her dark hair made a curtain to shield to boy from the gazes of both Grecians and a quiet voice emerged form behind the blind.

Till the end of forever
Is how long spirits may soar
And the waves of the ocean
May crash on to the shores
And dew may dance merrily
On tips of green grass
And long peaceful moments,
May quietly pass.
Till the end of forever
Is how long my love will bear
And never will falter
Never lack in its care
My heart will eternally
Be yours to keep
Even if one of us passes
Into undying sleep
Till the end of forever
Is how long love will last
Some things may disappear
Into times past,
But so long as rivers may run
And trees may grow tall
Into love people
May still fall.

Her brother had stopped crying when he heard the song and looked up at his sister. "That's the song you would sing to Hentayol and I when we were young." She nodded sadly. "I remember that, and when you were gone somewhere and Pramadas couldn't do it and Hentayol cried all night."

"But you took care of him didn't you?" She whispered to him. "And you must do the same now, I will be fine but I know your brothers won't be. Melanon and Pramadas will be hiding behind their disguises of power but bear in mind that they will miss me as well. If you look in my jewelry box at the palace you'll find a bracelet, Give it to your eldest brother; he'll know what I mean." She fought back tears and only barely heard Achilles through her breathing.

"Briseis, I know you would only want the best for your brother," She nodded mutely. "The men want to kill him; they think he is here spying on us for Troy, they would murder him in front of your eyes." She drew breath sharply and tightened her embrace. "I can set him back to Troy, since my power overrules theirs but I have one condition." She let go of her brother and turned towards her captor.

"You must let him free, he's only a child. I'll do anything." Her once hostile eyes were full of desperation.

His voice lowered as to not let Patroclus or her brother hear. "You must end this constant stream of refusal. You must never once deny me anything at any time I desire it. Most importantly of all you must you must let me take your body as often as I want and you will not protest or it is you we will kill in his stead."

A/N: Ooh he's a bastard, I know what it sounds like (that he's a sex-starved asshole) but this is just one part of him, I swear that he won't always be sooooooo bastard-y. Anyways the next chapter will have sex scenes in it (not explicit or whatever but still) so if your easily offended, I wouldn't expect a bunch of lovey dovey crap in the immediate future. Keep reviewing and I'll write more often.