Friend of Apollo

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Chapter 11: Reconciling

Only one day had passed and I could tell that the ships were coming closer and Helen could too. The damn girl was always babbling to Paris about it and he would comfort her everyday, at the exact same intervals of time, at the exact same garden, which I was always at.

I mean, we get the point already. Helen came here, Menelaus went freakishly insane, called up his brother and now, all the Greek nations are coming to kick our sorry little asses. I think I've heard this bullshit about a thousand times a day. If she didn't want to worry so much, why didn't she just stay in Sparta? No, better yet, why did you leave her kid? Guess it shows that she's just like her parents. Keep in mind, it's that time of the month and in a hot and humid place, you don't exactly feel that cheery and comfortable. Luckily, there were some pads in my beach bag. Good think my make-up bag was in there.

"I can't believe my cousin brought her here. I mean, this is not how things are supposed to be! Tell me you at least badmouthed her, Ariel." Briseis ranted around my room.

I sighed, "I had to be respectful…. But, if you must know, I punched your cousin in the face. I'm sorry, it just slipped."

"Oh, it's quite alright. May the Gods forgive me, but I would have probably done more damage than you." She lay carelessly on my bed, "They will come. I know they will. Menelaus probably has called on Agamemnon already….. That fool has always wanted Troy."

Suddenly, something just hit me. What if Briseis gets killed in the temple? I know she didn't in the movie, but this is different now. I'm here. Just one thing can create a ripple effect. I have to do something. "Things may seem stiff right now, so a little advice: Don't go to the temple."

She looked at me questioningly, "No offence, Ariel, but I think that's the best thing to do now. We need to seek guidance and strength from the gods."

"Death may be upon you. Look to the shrine in the garden for absolute guidance, but not in the temple." I advised.

She looked concerned. "Well, if you're sure…. But, death?"

"Well, it's a possibility," I covered up, "When the ships come, they will be on shore and the temple is only a short ways from the shore. In fact, it's really, really close."

"Well, if you say so. Maybe we should round up all the priestesses."

"Yeah, that would be a good idea." I smiled, relieved.

"Okay, I'll do that right now. I guess I'll see you at dinner now." We hugged and she trotted off to tell the news.

I exited my room as well to the garden. Many people were there socializing and sharing a few laughs.

"Here early?" A familiar voice asked behind me. I turned around and was unfortunately grazed by Paris' presence.

"If you must know, yes and why are you talking to me? I'm not going to have sex with you." I grinned wryly.

He glared at first, but a smirk was placed on his face after. "Still icy as usual. Why don't you give everyone a replay of that vile punch you did to me on the boat?"

"Sure, I'd love that. Also, why don't we also throw in that replay of when I left you? They'll be surprised, I bet. I mean, that is your role. One night stand and leave, except this time there was no sex because I was smart." I shrugged, but gave an ironic laugh.

Leering at me, he continued, "At least I've found love."

"Bravo! And in doing so you'll kill thousand of soldiers on the way. I'm so proud and jealous of you." I patted his shoulder and left him……again. Can't the guy take a hint?

"Ariel." Hector called me. I walked up to a room where he was.

"Yes?"

"This feud with Paris and you has got to stop." He spoke sternly.

"Why? I think our relationship is bringing a new meaning to the word successful, don't you think?" I replied sarcastically.

"Ariel, I'm being serious. A war is about to evoke out of my brothers choices, and if we are planning on winning it, we need to at least be on the same side as each other." He reasoned.

"Okay, okay. At dinner I shall make omens of kindness to Paris, but I'm not going to be happy about it." I folded my arms.

Hector smiled and kissed my forehead, "Thank-you and to inform you, its dinnertime now."

"Hector!" I playfully punched him.

He laughed, "You said dinnertime."

"Fine, fine, fine, let's go." We both walked into the dining room.

As we arrived inside the dining area, I told Briseis about my plans. She giggled endlessly, while I, on the other hand, found this anything but funny.

"Brie, it's not funny," I pouted.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, it is. I can't believe this. I want to hear every word of it when we go to your room tonight. Right now, I have to talk with one of the other priestess'. She says she might be pregnant." She rolled her eyes and I laughed. So much for the vow of celibacy. Good thing they don't have abortions these days…. I think….

"Good luck," I waved her off.

She turned around, "You'll need more luck than me. Remember, in your room." I laughed and we parted our ways.

Paris was with Helen at the corner, and they were talking to what seemed like a couple of Paris' friends. Suddenly, I found that I had good timing when Paris went to the counter to get two drinks. Now was my time to shine, or darken.

"Hey," I greeted him.

He smiled, but it seemed like a cheap, sarcastic one. "Hey to you too. Don't worry, I'm not offering any sex."

I smirked, "Very funny. But, well, I came here to say-"

"-sorry. Yes, I know. Hector told me his little lecture as well." He gulped all of his wine in one swallow.

"Do you agree with it?" I asked.

He shrugged and then looked at me, "I guess. Everything we did was in the past and now we are facing the future. It'd be pointless if we were ad at each other. What's done is done, right?"

"Yeah, you're right……………. Now, that's what I would have said if you didn't put all of Troy at stake. But, since we are at roughest of times, we should stick together. Try and reword your sentences properly." I patted his shoulder.

He looked at me with a warning look, "No matter how many times you say it, or think about it, nothing will change. So, drop it."

I sighed. "I will but I just want to hear this from you. You always seem like this isn't your fault. You make it look so simple. You love her, you get her and everything will be fine, but I can tell you truthfully that nothing will be fine……. Nothing at all."

"I know it won't………….. Perhaps I should listen to my own advice. I always think that when ever I say it, it will happen."

"Paris, bedding a woman and winning a war are two entirely different things." I nudged him.

"What are you talking about?" He asked incredulously.

"I can see behind those words, idiot. I'm not dumb. For you, when you want to bed a particular woman, it will happen…… War is not that simple. Just because you want to win doesn't mean you will." I folded my arms.

"I know everything seems so confusing at the moment……. Well, I must get back to Helen. She looks worrisome. I think it's because she believes you'll punch me again." He grinned slightly.

I laughed, "Well, if things were different now, she would have been right. Anyways, I think I'll head to my room now. I promised I'd meet Briseis." I smiled, "But truce?" I extended my hand up to him.

"Truce……. Does this mean we can still talk?" He shook my hand.

"Sure, I wouldn't mind that. See you, Paris." We both parted our ways. He was off to Helen and I was off to tell Briseis that I was officially friends with Paris again. I can almost guarantee that we would be nothing more……… at least that's what I think.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter and thank you for all your reviews, dudes! Well I have to go do my homework! Grade 8 is so hard! Tests, projects, more assignments and to top it all off the teachers like to get mad at me for stupid things! Anywho, I won't bore you to death with my rant. I just hope that you liked this chapter!

SoHaPPy