New Chapter is up! I have so many ideas for this story. I hope everyone enjoys it and the chapters published thus far. Please leave reviews and feedback! Thanks again! Again, any negative comments with profanity will be deleted and you will be blocked. Again, it's a story. Not real life.
"Ha-ha!" A freckle faced, red-haired boy taunted.
"Stop laughing at me!" The black haired, blue eyed boy yelled.
"It's not my fault you suck, Patroclus! You're supposed to be Menoetius's son, son of one of the mighty Argonauts and you can't even win a simple race. Loser." The boy placed his hands on his white toga, holding his belly as he laughed. Patroclus clenched his fist.
"Shut your mouth!" He yelled.
"I mean, what kind of warrior will you be if you can't even run fast?" The boy continued. Patroclus clenched his fist tighter biting his lip.
"Shut up." Patroclus said under his breath.
"Your father must be a loser too." The boy continued. Patroclus bit his lip until he drew blood. Something inside him snapped. He charged over to the boy who insulted him and jumped on him, slamming him to the ground.
"Don't you dare talk about my father!" He yelled as he delivered a punch across the boy's face. He delivered blow after blow causing the boy's nose to bleed. "Don't you ever talk about my father!" The boy wailed in pain from the vicious blows. Just when Patroclus was about to deliver one fatal blow; one strong enough to knock the boy unconscious, he felt someone grasp his arm stopping him from doing so. Patroclus groaned in anger wanting to finish the boy who constantly made fun of him.
"Enough! Patroclus, I demand that you stop! NOW!" A deep voice yelled. Patroclus was struggling to get away from the familiar man's grasp.
"Let me go!" Patroclus yelled. The man pulled Patroclus off the red-haired boy. He then put Patroclus in a head lock. Patroclus was now facing brown dirt.
"Breath son. Breath." Patroclus's breathing was heavy. The red-haired boy laid on the floor groaning in pain. He now knew to never make fun of Patroclus again.
Ever again.
Patroclus sat on a stool as he watched his father bandage his hands. Patroclus resembled his father greatly. They both had black hair and crystal blue eyes. They had the same cheekbones. They even had the same smile. It was like Menoetius had spit a doppelganger out of his mouth. Patroclus sat on the chair scowling, looking at the red blood on his toga
"Look son, this is the 5th fight you've been in this past month. This temper you have, you have to control it and save it for the battlefield or for times when you really need that rage to emerge." Menoetius said as he wrapped the last bandage around his son's hand. Patroclus continued to scowl.
"Well, people shouldn't make fun of me or my family."
"Patroclus, you have to learn that that's people. People will scorn you and talk about you in this life. It doesn't mean we have to pick a fight every time it happens."
"I know but- "
"No 'buts' Patroclus." Menoetius sighed to himself while scratching his black mustache. "Look, I think it would be good if you went to stay with a friend of mine."
"What?! You're sending me away father?" Patroclus yelled with stinging eyes.
"Not forever, only for a while. You are very wise my son. Wiser beyond your years but, this violence and anger needs to be tamed. You remember my friend Peleus, right?"
"Yes. The one who has that bratty son?" Menoetius laughed.
"Yes. Him. He has agreed to take you in and help you tame that anger. In exchange, you will be a mentor to his son."
"What? Do I have to?"
"Yes. You do. Now start getting packed. Peleus and his son, Achilles will arrive here tomorrow morning to fetch you." Patroclus cursed under his breath.
"Damn."
The morning had come, and Patroclus stood with his arms crossed in his usual bad mood. He was 15 years old and that was a common age for children to be moody, especially teenagers.
"Don't worry Menoetius, he's in good hands." The extremely handsome man with green-blonde hair said as he reassured his friend. Beside him, there was a young boy between the ages of 9-10 years old. He resembled the man next to him greatly. He had the same golden eyes and the same colored hair. He was looking at Patroclus. Patroclus was already moody. Achilles staring at him didn't make him feel better.
"What are you looking at shrimp?" Achilles grew angry.
"Who are you calling shrimp?" Achilles yelled at Patroclus.
"I'm calling you a shrimp, shrimp." Achilles approached the boy as if he wanted to fight him.
"I am not a shrimp! I am the son of Peleus and Thetis!"
"So?" Patroclus added. This angered Achilles. Achilles took charged at the taller boy.
"Why you?!- "
"ENOUGH!" Achilles jumped when he heard his father yell. "Halt and stand still Achilles."
"Y-yes father."
"Same with you Patroclus. You are much older than this boy and yet you pick a fight with him?" Patroclus snarled.
"He started it." Patroclus said trying to defend himself.
"This is why I am sending him to you Peleus." Peleus laughed.
"Don't worry. By the end of the month, I'll have him straightened out."
Achilles and Patroclus glared at each other in annoyance. Achilles stuck his tongue out at Patroclus, taunting him. Patroclus growled vowing to get Achilles back.
"Twerp." He said as he passed Achilles to go to the chariot that awaited him outside. Achilles stomped his feet.
"Achoo!" Achilles sneezed loud enough for the whole house to hear him. He sniffed loudly. Merina was outside cleaning the horses. Achilles was gathering the horse's food.
"You don't look so well." Merina said to Achilles.
"I'm fine. Mimi" Achilles said with a nasally voice." Merina hated the new nickname Achilles gave her
"You sure? For the last time, my name is Merina"
"Yup. It's nothing that I can't handle." Achilles's cheeks were flushed red. He placed a bucket of food in front of each horse. He then sneezed again. "Achoo!" Merina dipped her hand in a nearby bucket of water. She dried her hand with a towel and approached Achilles.
"May I?" Achilles sniffled. Merina touched his forehead. "Achilles, you're burning up."
"I am?" He said touching his forehead.
"Yes. You have a fever. You need to rest." Merina demanded.
"It's ok. I'm fine." Achilles said picking up empty buckets. He started to walk towards the exit of the stables in the back of his home. He didn't realize the pillar that was before the door. He slammed his face into the pillar. Merina gasped as Achilles fell on his bottom.
"Are you ok?" She said running over to help him.
"Yea." Achilles groaned holding his nose. "Never better." Merina extended a hand to Achilles. She figured he was slightly delirious due to his fever. Although his body was immortal; somewhat immortal, Achilles was still prone to getting the common cold. It wouldn't kill him but, it had to run its course.
"You need to lie down. Come. Let's take you upstairs." Achilles grabbed hold of Merina's arm as she led the way to his bedroom.
It had been about one week since arriving in Phthia. Merina was becoming accustomed to country life. Since Achilles was giving her room and board in his abode, she figured she'd help with the house work. She still had no recollection on how she arrived in Greece. She thought about it often. Nothing came to mind. Merina's hair was tied in a tight bun with strands of hair hanging from the sides. She wore a light blue dress that was hoisted up with a brown belt. She sat on a stool besides Achilles. She watched as his cheeks continued to burn red as he slumbered. He was getting hotter. She was using a damped cloth with cool water trying to bring his fever down but, it wasn't working. She touched his forehead again. It felt hotter than before. This worried Merina. Achilles was so out of it, he didn't feel the rag against his flesh. Merina decided to send a messenger bird to Patroclus. Patroclus had returned home to visit his family. Merina wasn't familiar with any doctors, so she needed help. Within two hours, Patroclus arrived at Achilles's home with a doctor in hand.
"Lucky thing you sent for me Merina." Patroclus said as he watched the doctor examine Achilles.
"I did everything possibly to break the fever. Nothing worked."
"It's not going to." Patroclus said.
"What do you mean?" Merina said.
"Achilles isn't an ordinary human being. He is the son of a Goddess. Achilles get's these fevers here and there. He always got these fevers as a child. The only thing that can break the fever is a special medicine from the Gods themselves. See." Patroclus said as the doctor opened a golden box. Merina watched as the doctor poured a golden nectar into a bowl. The doctor mixed the nectar with herbs he had freshly cut. He then added a liquid that looked like water to the mixture. The gooey herb mixed nectar soon turned into liquid.
"That there is ambrosia." Patroclus said.
"Ambrosia?" Merina questioned. Patroclus nodded his head.
"Ambrosia is something that is used by the Gods and Goddess's of Greece. It is said that they often use it for ointments and for meals. You see, Achilles's mother, Thetis, who is a Goddess anointed him in that substance before trying to rid him of his mortality."
"So, you're saying Achilles is immortal? I knew he was an amazing warrior but, I didn't think he could never die."
"Oh, he can die."
"But you just said he's immortal."
"He is. Except in one area. After rubbing him in ambrosia, Achilles's mother put him in a pit of fire in the river Styx to burn all his mortality away. The ambrosia protected him from receiving severe burns except in one area."
"That is?" Merina asked.
"His heel. If you look at his ankle, he has a scar there from what his mother did. That is Achilles's most vulnerable spot."
"Why would his mother dip him into a fiery ocean? I don't get it." Merina said as she watched the doctor pour the liquid medicine down Achilles's mouth. The doctor stood up from the chair.
"He will be ok now. I will leave extra medicine here just in case his fever continues through the night." Patroclus bowed to the doctor. Merina didn't know that the doctor was one of the many servants to the God Zeus. The doctor bowed and took his leave. Merina walked over to Achilles to touch his forehead. His fever was still high but, he wasn't as hot as he was before. Merina sighed in relief.
"Thank goodness." Patroclus smiled.
"I see you and Achilles are doing well."
"What do you mean Patroclus?"
"Living with him. Doesn't he get under your skin?" Merina looked at Achilles.
"Of course. When he tries to peep on me while bathing. Or if he calls me that ridiculous nickname he's concocted for me. But," Merina trailed off. "He's kind. All of you are. For him to treat me with such hospitality is overwhelming."
"I wouldn't be surprised if he asked you for payment when it's time for you to depart." Patroclus teased.
"What kind of payment?" Merina said with a raised eyebrow.
"Sex of course." Merina rolled her eyes. "I'm slightly joking. Achilles is a good man. It's amazing to see how he has progressed over the years."
"How long have you known Achilles for?" Merina asked Patroclus.
"Basically, all my life. My father brought me around Achilles when he was an infant. I don't remember much but, the first time I met Achilles, according to my father, was when he was born. A few months later, Achilles was sent to live with Chiron on Mount Pelion. I didn't see Achilles for about 9 years. Achilles and I are six years apart in age. I didn't see Achilles again until I was 15 years old. He was such an annoying child. We used to bicker a lot. Sometimes getting into physical altercations but, he is my brother. Although not by blood, he will always be my brother."
"It sounds like you really love him." Patroclus's male pride kicked in.
"I wouldn't say love." Patroclus giggled. He knew he loved Achilles. He wouldn't say it front of Merina. "In another two weeks, you'll be returning home. Are you excited for your departure?"
"To be honest, Yes and no." Merina replied. "I want to understand how I got here in the first place, so by going home, maybe I can find answers. But, I've become accustomed to Greece and being here with you, Menilos and Achilles. So, I think I'll be a bit sad when I leave." Patroclus smiled.
"Well maiden. You are always welcomed back to Greece and to visit us if you'd like." Merina's eyes grew sad. "Why the gloom look?"
"It's nothing." Merina lied.
"Oh yes. I forgot. I was going to send a message by bird tomorrow but, since I am here, I can tell you. My family and I are having a feast at our corridors. Achilles's father will be in attendance along with some other people we all know. Myrmidons included. We'd love to have you come join us."
"Really?" Merina said smiling.
"Yes. It will be a fun gathering."
"I'll tell Achilles when he awakens."
"Good." Patroclus smiled.
Night time had fallen, and the crescent moon shined through the window of Achilles's bedroom. A lamp was left burning on Achilles's night stand. Achilles's fever had gone down a lot and he was slowly coming around. He felt hot due to the sheets that covered his body. He sat up and placed his face in his hands. He felt dizzy but, better.
"How long was I out for?" Achilles asked himself. He looked to his right and saw a bowl of water with a rag inside of it. He watched as the water rippled. He looked around his room. He saw his lance, his armor, his bookshelf and his desk. Achilles went to stand up but, he couldn't. Something was stopping him from doing so. He looked down and saw Merina. She was fast asleep with her head on the side of his leg. She was on the floor. Achilles saw she had the golden box of ambrosia in her hand that broke his fevers whenever he got them. He looked back at the bowl of water and then looked back at Merina holding the golden box. He chuckled.
"Aw. Mimi." He said to himself. He moved slowly making sure he didn't wake Merina. When he was finally able to stand up, he took the golden box from Merina's hands and placed it on the nightstand where the bowl of water was. He bent over and picked Merina up in his strong arms. She must've been really exhausted. She didn't wake up when he picked her up. He walked towards his bedroom door. He opened it with his feet and walked down the hallway to the room he had given Merina. He pushed the door open with his feet and walked over to the bed positioned in the center of the room. He laid Merina down on the bed and walked over to the closet to get Merina a blanket. He placed the blanket over Merina and watched her as she peacefully slumbered. He couldn't help but smile.
"Thanks Mimi." He said to Merina even though she couldn't hear him. He patted Merina's forehead and he exited Merina's room.
Merina woke up the next morning with rays of sun shining in her face. She rolled over to her side. She assumed Achilles brought her back to her room since Patroclus had departed home. She sat up with messy hair and sand filled eyes. The morning air was cool and crisp. It sent a chill down Merina's spine. Merina stood up wrapping the blanket around her. She exited the room and walked down the hallway to Achilles's room. When she arrived, she knocked on Achilles's door. There was no response. She knocked again. No response. She turned the door knob and peeked in Achilles's room. It was empty. He wasn't there. Merina closed the door behind her and walked down the stairs. The house appeared to be empty. Merina didn't see Achilles in the stables or in any other room in the house. Merina walked to the kitchen and stopped when she saw a pink package on the table. It had a string tied around it with a bow on it. Merina squinted her eyes in confusion. She picked up the card beside the package. She began to read it
"I'm sorry, there was business I had to attend to this morning. I didn't want to awake you from your slumber. Here's something to say, thank you for taking care of me. I hope you like it Mimi."
Merina cringed at that name. She put the card back on the table and gently untied the package before her. There was tissue paper after the wrapping that needed to be undone. She undid the tissue paper wrapping and gasped when she saw what it was. She pulled the pink dress she had saw when she first arrived to Phthia out of the packaging. She couldn't believe Achilles bought her the dress. She was shocked. Her mouth remained opened for a while. She spun around while holding it to herself and smiled. She never had a man buy her a present.
"Thank you, Achilles." Merina said to herself. "Thank you so much."