Author's notes:: Mae Govannen, mellyn-nin. Yea... I'm a LotR freak myself and not to mention a linguist fanatic. BAD combination. ANYWAYS just wanted to thank you guys again for the wonderful reviews. They do keep me writing... grin not to mention, put me into a guilt trip if I don't update as I promise. Again, I'm sorry for the bit of delay. I try hard not keep you guys waiting but 'Reality' does beg my presence every now and then. Just know that I'll try to put out a chapter at about once a week. In addition, please REVIEW! And those who have said more than update, you have responses at the end of the chapter.
My Immortal
By BluWine
"Feeling more ready to return, cousin?" Briseis smiled. Acacius was grinning as well but his rank didn't give him the liberty to tease his prince as the young woman did.
"Much so, milady," Paris replied, his own smile irrepressible. "Two days." He held up the same number of fingers and just sighed, impatiently. Acacius then frowned.
"Two days? She'll be visiting in two day time?" Acacius repeated. Briseis looked at him questioningly but Paris did not notice the apprehensive look on his guard's face.
"TWO DAYS! Do you think Father will like her? I mean, you know... approve of her?" Paris began to ramble on through the trip, hoping that all of those in his new life would accept Katriana gladly. Briseis just humored her cousin, reassuring him that no one could possibly not like Katriana.
They arrived at the palace shortly; Paris growing increasingly accustomed to the different way everyone treated him when he was looked at as a prince. It was all bending over backwards and politeness and ridiculous formalities that he grew tired of quite easily. At the grand entrance, Hector was pacing the opening in an agitated manner. As Paris neared, the heir stiffened and acknowledged his brother with what seemed to be a very forced smiled.
"Come, Paris," Hector said, his voice controlled.
"Where to?" Paris' eyes narrowed in suspicion. "I am tired, Hector. I wish to retire to bed." Paris was about to turn away for his chambers when Hector caught his arm.
"My..." Hector stopped himself, needing to correct his words. "I mean, OUR father.... wishes us to train with swords tonight and discuss some things that haven't been brought to light since your stay here." Paris was still suspicious but this new, though forced, civility from Hector was a welcome change.
"All right..." Hector nodded in thanks and started for the training room. His mind was still annoyed when he thought about the words someone shared with him earlier that day.
'This growing rift between you and Paris needs to stop,' Andromache said. Her hands covered his gently, trying to sway him to be nicer to his new blood. 'It is not your choice whom to be related to and, as it is, you are related to your brother and this hostility should stop.'
'It is not my choice to whom I share my blood with but it IS my choice whom I shall treat as FAMILY. This boy is a stranger in my house!' Hector snapped. 'I shall not treat him as family when I know so little of him.'
'Hector...' Andromache sighed. 'You know so little of him for you haven't given yourself a chance to know him.' She put her hands on his shoulders, smiling at Hector. 'He is your brother... Your mother has felt it so.'
'And why aren't you speaking of this to Cassandra as well? You know, at least, I don't want him exiled from our country.' Andromache just smiled again for she knew that her words had the desired effect on Hector.
'Your sister has a mind that shan't be moved. I am sorry that you shall be taking the brunt of what you see as an attack on your response to Paris even when your sister has more ill will but...' Andromache leaned into her lover exasperated. '... You know your sister, Hector. She claims these stories and I believe her way of dealing with the new presence of your brother is by making him out to be a villain in another of her tales.'
'And so I am completely and utterly stuck with him,' Hector muttered under his breath.
'Anyways, I might have some news for you that might... Actually...' At this, Andromache stood up, letting Hector go. Hector bit his lip, frowning. 'I don't know how to tell you this.'
'What is it, Andromache? What ails you?' Hector followed her and took her hands into his again.
'Hector... Do you love me?' Andromache asked, unsure of herself.
'Of course! I love you with all my heart!' Hector grinned. He leaned forward to kiss her lightly on the lips but she turned away.
'Enough to promise yourself to me, and to me ALONE?' Hector paled slightly. This was the last phrase he thought would come out of her mouth.
'Is that what you want? You want to be betrothed... I thought we've spoken of this already, Andromache. I told you already. I'm not sure if I'm ready. I know that I'm allowed my mistresses but I know you. You have monogamous values for your own father loved your mother enough to stay faithful...' Andromache was about to let go but Hector held onto her tighter. '... Stay faithful which I'm quite willing to do! Nevertheless, I don't know if I'm ready to do it... just yet...'
'Well, you better get ready right now or I leave,' Andromache threatened.
'What?! Why?' Hector clasped at her fingers. 'You never had any qualms of this before!'
'I wasn't carrying your child before,' Andromache replied. The rest of the color in Hector's face took away its presence.
'I'm... I'm sorry... Did I hear the word child?' Hector choked.
'Yes...' Andromache nodded, placing his hands on her stomach. Hector's knees buckled and he fell onto the grass of the gardens, unable to speak. 'A son from what the soothsayers have said to me...' She knelt down with him trying to soothe him and reassure herself that the answer she wanted was the one that she'll be given.
'A child... My FIRST child? My first SON?!' Hector couldn't believe it. Was he ready? Could he possibly be any good as a father?! He didn't know... How could he know? But with his hands on the warmth of Andromache womb, his eyes searching the face of the woman carrying his heir... He knew that he'd at the VERY least try.
'So are you ready, Hector?'
'Yes...'
They reached the training room and Paris quickly jogged two laps around the great expanse of the room to warm and loosen up his muscles. As he finished, he picked up a blunt sword, some light armor and grimaced. Paris knew that his skills with the weapon left much to be desired.
"Why are we doing this so late at night, Hector?" Paris asked cringing as he took a few swings through the air to get his arm accustomed to the weight.
"Because our father wishes it. Now take a stance."
Hector stood at a ready position, his sword outstretched. His armor was already on him and he waited impatiently for Paris to get his on as well. When Paris was set, the younger prince mirrored his brother's position. Paris lunged first, his sword thrusting towards his opponent's chest and Hector grinned in amusement as he effortlessly brushed away the attack.
"Never attack on a whim," Hector said. "It makes you seem impatient and reckless. Foolish at best." Paris felt his heart boil in annoyance.
"I have a swordsman to teach me all that," Paris snapped. "You have no need to repeat the sentiments."
"I believe I do if you don't even remember the basics." Hector was the one to attack this time his sword slamming loudly against the chest guard. "I've just killed you."
"I've only been learning for two months! Can't you give me a BIT of leniency?"
"Real enemies will not give you leniency for your short time learning, boy. You're a prince. You need to learn this for there are many who would kill to be in your position... literally... None of them will give leniency. In fact, they'll take advantage of it, so learn!"
Hector attacked again. This time, Paris was ready, his sword blocking the downward thrust of Hector's weapon. Using his anger from the last two month's maltreatment as an energy source, he pushed back. As Hector stumbled, Paris took the offensive, his sword coming at Hector again and again and again. Each time, Hector had to take a step back and each time he was caught off guard. At the fourth attack, Hector twisted to the side his sword outstretched, swinging into a circle. Another clang resounded in the large empty room of metal against metal.
Paris froze. His sword was thrust into the air where Hector was a moment ago. The more experienced warrior, however, had moved to the side facing the opposite direction. His arms were turned to the left, parallel to the floor. If you had traced a line from his shoulder to the tip of his blade, you would have formed a straight line, the same straight line that was formed against the back armor of Paris.
"You've died yet again," Hector almost laughed. He dropped his sword to his side and walked back to where they organized the weapons. "I think we'll stop here. You need to..." His words were cut off when he felt something hard thrown at his back. He turned and he saw the helmet Paris used on the ground. Paris was some distance away heaving with anger.
"You are such a condescending bastard!" Paris shouted. "I cannot BELIEVE you used to captivate me! All the stories of the great and all might Prince Hector of Troy are just lies, aren't they? The bravery, the romance of the hero and his many women... But you've been treating me like a mule since I've been here! Like I were a half-breed of no use except to beat into a bloody pulp. Well, let me tell you something! I won't HAVE it anymore!"
"Stop being so whiny," Hector rolled his eyes. Paris made to lunge at his brother but, just as effortlessly as before, Hector dodged the flying fist and made a punch of his own, leaving Paris clutch his chin on the floor.
"Stupid bastard!" Paris spat out.
"Do shut up, brother," Hector snapped, his patience waning, wanting to get back to Andromache. "Are you so adamant to prove yourself not as useless as you seem?"
Paris scrambled up and nodded, his fingers still gingerly rubbing the throbbing in his face.
"There will be a diplomatic trip being made to Sparta in two days. I shall be leaving with it. Do you find yourself able to learn of the more boring branches of being royalty?"
"What do you mean?"
"When I said this before, it was to spite you. Now I say it as a fact... As a warrior, you are a bit..."
"... inadequate?" Paris supplied.
"It was the diluted version of what I was going for but yes inadequate is good... Maybe your diplomatic skills are where you have your talents. I'm inviting you to leave with me to Sparta... in two days' time, Paris. And if you say yes, you have no way of retracting that agreement as it is if you decline the invitation." Paris thought for a moment. He didn't want to leave... He wanted to stay in Troy but the need to prove himself to his high and mighty brother was stronger.
"I shall accompany you... on the condition that you leave, Katriana alone..." Paris said. He had not meant to negotiate but the thought had completely by passed his brain and went out of his mouth. At first, Hector just stared then began to laugh.
"I have no intentions towards your Katriana," Hector grinned. "And even if I did, the mother of my future son has made it clear that if I showed the slightest interest in any other woman I will never see the face of my child."
"You're child?"
"Andromache is pregnant..." Hector was grinning like an idiot now. "The soothsayers believe it will be a boy."
"Congratulations then," Paris said, sincerely.
The words were never said. No hands were joined in a pact but it was there. That night a truce was called and Hector and Paris finally had the male sibling they had always wished for.
Replies:
babyg2988, Jenny, Lady Bee, RC: Thanks so much for the reviews!
Roselynn Geigel: Does the mention of Sparta answer your question about Helen? hehe. And fluff! I love fluff. What can i say?
Nevasaiel: Aye... understatements. I know too well the burn of the male species... Let's just say I hate 'em. Even Orlando Bloom.. cuz he'll NEVER even know my name... ahh that's depressing! And I'm glad to return the favor of making days. You make mine when you review so i return the favor.
Larrikin: I WISH i could go online before school but I'm too lazy to get up earlier than i already. Thank you for the review as always!
PLEASE REVIEW!!