Hector had chosen wisely to have his wife and people come here. Achilles even stood still, for a quiet moment, savoring the peacefulness of the land, and he had seen a lot of pretty islands and such through out his life. The land only held his attention for a moment though, as soon he spotted what he had been looking for ever since he left Troy.

He did it.

He'd caught up with the group, and even though his eyes weren't on her at this precise minute, he knew she was with them. His heart bursted in joy, at the thought of seeing her again. It was something that even doubt couldn't penetrate. He had no time to think about how she would react. He was too happy to. He just wanted to see her.

Silently he crept closer to the edge of the woods and scanned the landscape in front of him, searching for the woman with the flowing dark hair and graceful posture. Where is she?

Briseis was picking apples. They smelled so good. She inhaled a lungful of the fragrant air and slowly let it out. She picked up her basket, which was almost full, and started to move towards their tents. A gentle breeze picked up and played with her hair.

Then she had the oddest feeling. It was a gut instinct, she supposed, as it wasn't based on something solid and visible. The back of her neck prickled. She felt like someone was watching. Anxiously she whirled around, but no one paid the least bit of attention to her. They were all working hard. Then why did she feel as if a pair of eyes were spying on her? She looked around again and still she couldn't see anything.

Shaking off the strange feeling she walked over to Helen to help her gather up herbs.

"How are you feeling today?" asked Briseis cheerfully, bending down beside the other princess of Troy. Astyanax was playing nearby, gurgling happily and plucking up grass.

"Hello, big guy," Briseis greeted the boy and patted his head affectionately.

Helen smiled in return, "Just fine, Briseis." She wiped a bead of sweat off her forehead.

Briseis noticed the movement.

"Why don't you go watch Astyanax for a little while, and I'll finish what you started. It is getting warm," she said kindly to the other woman, motionning to the bright sun already high up in the cloudlessly blue sky.

Helen looked grateful, "Oh, would you?"

Briseis nodded. Helen picked up the little boy and together they moved under the cool shade of the trees. After that a few hunters went by and all of them nodded to her, carrying their prey, hares and pidgeons and larger animals like deer. Everyone was busy, and she liked the rhythm created by the productiveness, the hustle and bustle of restless footsteps.

Briseis almost felt content. With the sun shining down her back, she lazily tossed the plants into another basket. After a while, she stretched out and took a break. Selecting a ripe, juicy apple from the basket, she lied back and watched the others work. Andromache, along with several other women, were spreading out the deer meat to dry. The woman caught her gaze and waved. Briseis waved back. Her gaze shifted to another cluster of men, sawing down a gigantic spruce, their heaves and grunts of effort clearly audible. She almost felt like clapping when the large tree fell down with a crash. The men cheered and moved about removing the smaller branches and leaves.

What a beautiful day. She believed, after so many days of witnessing horror, always having to look behind her back, her heart was truly at peace.

There!

"Briseis," he whispered. Achilles had to grip the bark of a tree to steady himself. There she was, all stretched out under those trees, looking so pleased with herself. Achilles had to smile. At least she was happy. The lump rose to his throat again, and the thought that had been bothering him for the past week resurfaced. What if she was just fine without him? His hand reached inside his pocket to feel the necklace. What if she didn't need him any more? Wouldn't all his efforts be wasted?

No, it wouldn't be, he corrected himself. He was happy just to see her again, and he didn't think anyone would stand in the way of that. He had to stop himself from rushing out there to hold her in his arms right at this moment. But the desire was strong. He just wanted to capture her in his arms and never let go.

Involuntarily his gaze shifted to someone else just then. Andromache. The woman was giving out orders around the camp. That much was obvious. He watched as she wandered around from groups of women to men, talking to them, encouraging them probably. He had never thought she was such a strong creature. But then again, Hector wouldn't have been so enthralled with her, if she did not have any unique abilities. Achilles' respect for the woman grew.

That did not mean that she did not harbour hatred for him, however. He was rather certain that if he did anything rash, she would surely be enraged and who knew where he would be then? Yes, he could fight them off, all of them even, but he came in peace and had no intention of killing another Trojan, even when threatened. He wasn't sure if he could bring himself to look into the eyes of another dying man, a man that he himself had slaghtered. Especially her people. He couldn't face Briseis if he hurt another human being in her presence.

I don't want anyone dying for me! She had declared from the beginning.

He would just have to think of a reasonable plan.

It was another clear night. Briseis was exhausted, but so was everyone else. They had worked until the last ray of sunshine disappeared behind the mountains. At this rate, they would be safe and prepared for winter at no time. Then she chided herself for the thought. Who knew if the weather would change? It was too early to let down her guard. That was something she had learned from the Trojan war. She would never forget the cries of her fellow countrymen, betrayal written on their faces, clear as day. She shook her head at the terrible images. She refused have herself dwell on the past. What is past is past, she would not dampen her spirits thinking about such depressing things. That was at least one thing she had learned from Andromache's hurtful words. She had long since forgiven the woman, because the gods cherish forgiveness. Life goes on, whether if you are ready or not.

She undressed and stepped out of her sweaty work clothes, covering herself with a sheet. She snuggled back into her furs but somehow she couldn't get comfortable. Her bed was just too cold, too empty. She brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes and thought about the bed that they'd shared back in his tent. It had been-

Stop it, she told herself. But too late, her mind flooded with images of him, putting on his armour, stroking her face, the look in his eyes as he lowered his sensuous lips to hers. She had not allowed herself to think about him for so long. But what surprised her was not the fact that she so suddenly remembered him, it was the fact that she did not feel the crushing sorrow she had felt the last time she had thought about him. It is a blessing, she thought, to be able to remember his love without feeling sorry for him, her, or both of them as a couple. It was better this way.

With his name on her lips, she soon settled into a deep and relaxing sleep, her arms around herself. One thing that she missed terribly though, was the welcoming feeling of security and carelessness when she was in his arms.

He had it all planned out. He would wait until everyone was asleep in their tents before he did anything. He would then slip into her tent. He knew which one was hers from observing from his cover of trees for the remainder of the day. In fact, he knew where Helen's tent was too, as well as Andromache's. He would have to watch out for both of them.

It was getting real late, and the moon provided little light for any chance of discovery, even though it was full. Achilles quietly slipped out from his cover. He could feel the anticipation already, but he would not allow his feelings to get the better of him, and mess this whole thing up.

Keeping in the shadows, he crept closer and closer to her tent. He felt his natural instincts come alive. It was the very same instincts that had kept him from getting killed in battles. He was very aware of his surroundings, and his senses were alert and sharp. Keeping his eyes trained on his destination, he moved slowly.

After what seemed like an eternity he finally crossed the field and stood outside her tent. Straining his ears, he listened for any sounds of movement from the inside. After checking to make sure that no one had seen him, he carefully lifted the flap of the tent, and slipped in.

A/N: I have decided to let you guys stew for a while over this chapter. I couldn't wait to write this one, in fact, I loved writing this chapter! ... rubs hands together...oh I feel evil, anyways, I should probably get on with the studying though.