One day, about a week before Achilles and Brisies were to be married, Brisies went into the market square to look around. She looked around at pots, woven shawls, exotic foods and many other things she had never seen. Brisies noticed a woman selling beautiful silk robes. Brisies walked up to her. The woman had brown hair that settled in ringlets around her face. Her skin was tan and she had a friendly air about her. She seemed around Brisies' age, maybe a year older, 19 or so. She smiled as Brisies approached.

"Hello." Said Brisies.

"Hello," said the woman pleasantly, "What would you like to buy?" Brisies looked at the robes and finally picked out a dark blue one for Achilles and a pale lavender one for herself.

'So you are the lucky woman marrying Achilles?" asked the woman. Brisies smiled.

"Yes."

"My name is Cassandra, it is a pleasure to meet you," she said shaking Brisies' hand. Brisies shook it and started to talk to Cassandra. They talked and talked, until the sky grew dark. Finally Brisies stood up.

"Achilles will wonder where I am, I must go, but you are welcome into the palace anytime and I would be honored if you would come to my wedding." Cassandra smiled.

"It would be an honor."

In the days after, Brisies went into the market and talked with Cassandra until she had to return to the palace. They became very close and Cassandra was finally introduced to Achilles a day before they were married. Achilles instantly liked Cassandra and was pleased Brisies had found a friend.

It was a warm spring day when Achilles and Brisies were married. Brisies was dressed in a flowing ivory colored robe, with a small ivory crown and a lace veil. Achilles was dressed in the traditional ivory colored tunic and white sandals. Thetis was in the front row, crying the whole time. Brisies had tried to find Andromache, Paris and Helen, and after a lot of false leads and searches, hadn't found them yet. The ceremony was beautiful. Everything went as planned. After the ceremony, Brisies ran to Cassandra and gave her the biggest hug she could. Cassandra laughed.

"I see you are so happy and you look beautiful," she said examining Brisies. Brisies laughed. Thank you. I love it here, this is where I've always belonged." Cassandra beamed.

"You look so happy."

"I am."

Brisies went around greeting guests, talking, eating and drinking. She spotted Achilles talking to Odysseus. She walked over to them and heard a part of the conversation.

"They need you Achilles. Greece needs you. If you don't come, they may attack Phtia."

"No," said Achilles. "I have given that up, you know that." Odysseus sighed.

"I know old friend, but think of your wife, think of what would happen if they came here." Achilles turned and stormed off. Brisies, her eyes wide with shock, ran to Cassandra.

"What is troubling you so?" Cassandra asked seeing the look on Brisies' face. Brisies pulled her into a small room and told her what she heard Odysseus tell Achilles. Cassandra hugged her.

"Everything will be alright, it will be alright," Cassandra said reassuringly while Brisies sobbed into her shoulder.

"I don't want him to go," Brisies sobbed. "He can't leave, he doesn't even know…"Cassandra looked at her. "Know what?" she asked. Brisies looked up.

"I'm carrying his child." Cassandra' face was unreadable. She clung to Brisies tighter and Brisies cried until she could hear people calling out for her. Brisies dried her eyes and asked Cassandra not to tell a soul, and she promised she wouldn't.


Brisies walked into the sun. It was getting ready to set and she looked around for Achilles. She found him at his favorite spot, sitting at the edge of the cliff, looking out over the sea. Brisies sat next to him. There was silence and then Achilles spoke.

"They want me to fight," he said with a sigh. Brisies blinked back tears. Achilles looked into her eyes. "I won't fight, I can't leave you" She swallowed the lump in her throat, and tore her eyes away from him. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. "I won't leave you, I promise," he said. Brisies let a single tear run down her cheek onto his tunic. Achilles looked at her. "Something is wrong, do you want to talk?" Brisies nodded and sat down on the soft grass. Achilles sat next to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Brisies swallowed and looked at the ground.

"You know I love you with all my heart, and I would do anything for you. I heard what Odysseus said to you, and I don't want you to go, but if you have to I thought you should know…" she trailed off and looked over the ocean. Achilles squeezed her closer to him "Know what?" he asked. Brisies sighed. "I…I'm carrying your child." Achilles looked at her, his blue eyes wide with shock and amazement. He stood up, paced back and forth a few times, and then looked at Brisies.

"Where were you going to tell me this?" he asked harshly.

"Tonight," answered Brisies timidly. Achilles kept pacing back and forth.

"How long have you known?"

"About a week"

"A week and you didn't tell me? My own flesh and blood… and you didn't tell me?" Brisies looked at the ground, her eyes stinging with tears.

"I…I wanted to tell you, but I thought today would be a day of happiness and that you would rejoice at the birth of your child."

"Rejoice? Rejoice?" He asked mockingly, "Odysseus wants me to fight in a war, and mind you I might have to go. My own wife doesn't tell me she's carrying my child and you want me to rejoice?" Brisies let the tears fall, never looking into his eyes. Achilles sighed, and ran his hand through his hair. He went and gently helped Brisies stand up.

"Brisies, look at me," he said gently, tilting her chin up so she would look into his eyes. Brisies raised her eyes to meet his.

"I'm sorry," she said meekly. Achilles hugged her close. "I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have talked to you like that." Brisies held onto him as if he was her only lifeline. Achilles would never know that he was the only thing keeping Brisies alive.