A/N: I am so sorry about the delay, but my wretched computer broke down, again, we just got it fixed. I lost all my documents though, what a pity, but thankfully a lot of my things are already on the internet so the damage wasn't that bad. My computer is loads faster though! All right, I won't keep you...on with the story.
"How are you, cousin?" Briseis asked the other woman after they've walked for a while in silence.
"Fair, I suppose, as well as I could be," Helen replied, staring at the dried and crackly leaves on the ground.
"It's a beautiful day," Briseis commented quietly.
"Yes, yes it is."
After that, they made no other efforts to start any conversation. Helen was just grateful for the opportunity to go for a walk, it would give her time to think about...things. Suddenly she stopped walking.
"Briseis," she began with a sense of urgency.
"Yes, Helen?" Briseis seemed to feel her cousin's distress.
"I think I should tell you something."
"By all means."
"But if I should tell you such a thing, would you be obliged not to tell Andromache, and I am not certain if anyone should know." Helen furrowed her brows, and Briseis could almost see the inner struggle inside her friend's mind.
"Helen, I cannot promise until I know what it is you speak of," she spoke solemnly. What if it was something grim? She wasn't sure if she could take anymore bad news. She wasn't sure if anyone could. The joy that she had felt this morning was starting to wear off at the serious look in Helen's eyes. They took small, measured steps forward, none of them wanting to break the silence.
"All right," sighed Helen finally, "Cousin, I think I may be with child." With those words she sank down on the ground, drawing her knees up from underneath her.
Briseis stopped in her tracks. She whirled around to look at her cousin.
"Why, that's wonderful news!" She hadn't realized she had been holding her breath all along, but she let out a long breath in relief. It was wonderful news!
Helen said nothing, but gave her a small smile that did not quite reach her eyes.
"What's wrong?" Briseis was puzzled, was she not happy?
"Briseis, I'm not sure I can handle a child right now, particularly when he'd just, just...left us," Helen whispered these last words.
Briseis suddenly understood.
"Oh, cousin!" She hurried over and pulled Helen into a warm embrace.
"I'm not sure what Andromache would say."
"What would she say? Of course she'd be happy for you!" Briseis brushed a tear from the other woman's face, "Don't you see? This is a gift from the Gods. They've blessed you with this child, Paris' child, Helen, it belongs to the two of you, and all the more reasons to be thankful."
Helen smiled through her tears.
"It is a gift, a great gift, a gift that Paris had left you. Now his memories would never fade, but live through you and through this child." Briseis squeezed Helen's hand encouragingly.
"You are right, perhaps," Helen murmured.
Briseis helped her up and the two walked on. So this was the reason for Helen's illness a few weeks back. It would also explain her silence and reluctance to communicate with anyone. What a heavy piece of information to carry around!
Helen watched as Briseis walked ahead, holding the water buckets. A light breeze caressed her cheek. She reached up and brushed a lock of sun-bleached hair out of her eyes. She smiled faintly. It was a beautiful day.
It was late, but Briseis refused to let her mind go to sleep. She knelt on her bed, sometimes praying, other times just thinking about this new turn of events. First Achilles, now Helen! She knew that they were Gods' people. They would never be abandoned. She did not know what they had done to provoke the Gods to lash such a fate upon them, but lately it seemed that the Gods were smiling down at them once again.
A slight rustle startled her out of her thoughts. She lifted her head and there he stood. A strong and dark silhouette against the brilliance of the moon. She rose gracefully, and in an instant was by his side.
"You came," she said in a hushed whisper.
"I said I would," Achilles cocked his head to the side and smiled.
"For a moment I thought you weren't-"
Achilles raised a finger to her lips, "I don't go back on my word."
Briseis smiled happily. Oh it melted him just to see that smile, that satisfaction on her face, knowing that he was the source of that smile. He shifted and wrapped his arms around her, smelling the sweet scent of her hair. It's been a day that he still couldn't quite believe that he had her back, even though he was indeed holding her at this moment.
Briseis, as if sensing his relief, pulled out of his embrace, and with a toss of her hair, led him to her bed, all the while eyeing him. He had to grin.
She was a treasure.
"Helen is having Paris' child," Briseis said quietly, lying in his arms, a few hours later. Hours of bliss.
"Oh?" Achilles raised an eyebrow, "What does Andromache say?"
"She hasn't told her yet, I'm the only one that knows," Briseis twisted around, "Why is it that all of a sudden everyone is seeking her approval?"
"She is more or less the leader of your people now, although I've never heard of a Queen in charge of a country, but if she has half the charm that you do, I'm sure she would have no problem." Achilles grinned his famous grin down at her.
Briseis scowled and swatted his arm playfully, "I'm being serious here."
"All right, I can tell you that Andromache's got a sense of power, of leadership in her, and she would take care of Troy. I think you know this. Although I don't think Helen ought to be worried. A child is welcoming thing, especially when it is the younger prince that she is carrying." Achilles took her hand, and displayed individual attention to every single finger. Such a delicate hand, roughened with weeks of work. A hand that had done no more than scatter the holy ashes, now skinned animals, cooked and cleaned. All of it results of his war. He could not have prevented this war, but if he had not slain Hector... It all led back to that, it seemed.
"I should like a child," Briseis continued mournfully, unaware of his disturbing thoughts.
"As would I, but I think we should do this one step at a time. I'm supposed to be far away, remember?"
"I know," Briseis sighed.
Achilles let go of her hand and propped himself up.
"You are going already?"
He was pleased to hear the longing in her voice. He wrapped the robe around him, securing it in place before he answered.
"Yes."
"Oh," Briseis sat back, looking thoughtful, "You know, I think you shouldn't creep in and out of my tent like this."
"Would you rather I don't come?" Achilles looked at her, amused.
"No, I just thought it was simply too dangerous."
"What would you have me do?" Achilles bent down to lace up his boots.
"I could come and find you." She looked up into his eyes, determined.
"Not safe for you, I won't have you get caught, or lost for that matter. And there are creatures out there," Achilles said pointedly, pausing as he tucked his dagger back into his belt.
"No, you could come and meet me, say, by the apple trees. Yes, they would offer plenty of privacy. We wouldn't be seen." Her eyes shone with excitement as her plan was beginning to take shape. Achilles frowned.
"What if you were seen?"
"Don't you see? You cannot afford to be seen. But I'm different, if I was spotted, I could say I couldn't sleep, and was coming out to get a breath of fresh air, or some such thing." Briseis rose and came close, taking his hands. Achilles searched her face, but did not find any hesitation in those eager eyes.
"I will be fine, I can take care of myself, Achilles," she said softly, pressing against him.
Finally he sighed, there was no arguing with her.
"Very well, meet me by the apple orchard, as you suggested, when the moon is over the tallest branch. But listen to me," he gazed intently at her, "Don't come if anyone was watching, or you feel like there is danger. Promise me that."
Briseis could understand the urgency in his voice, and it warmed her to know that he cared that much. She nodded.
Achilles flashed her a quick smile, but in an instant he was out of the tent and out of sight.