These are drabbles what could have been and what might have been during the Trojan War. But this was actually inspired by one of my favorites authors named Noelerin. She inspired my muse to write a scene during the Trojan War. I twisted a lot of things so please don't comment of the authenticity of the story.

Disclaimer: This is purely fictional.

Aeneaus' Resolve

Aeneas was never a man who feared death. With a goddess for a mother, death was never in his mind. Yet he feared for the death of his family and his love ones. For they were not graced with heavenly protection. His concern for his family stems from the Trojan War itself. For he knew that his country would fall. A decade of warring and one slip would lead to ruin. Such was the fate that had befallen Hector, his prince and his general. Now he stands alongside his brother, Paris commanding the remaining army that defends the city. And he knew in his heart that defeat was imminent. It would only be a matter of time when the enemy devises a trap to kill them all. But he prayed to Zeus that he could at least prolong it further just for him to prepare ships to carry the women and children when the city falls.

Day in and out, he would go to battle, often gaining the upper hand then losing it at the end. Sometimes they win, sometimes they lose. It was basically a tag of war between them and the Greeks. And people have long lived with the war outside its walls for ten grueling years. During that time, Aeneas had already met several women in court even the infamous Helen of Troy. And though Helen was the fairest of maidens, he was not enamored by her beauty. He didn't even feel any kinship with her, regardless of their similarity of having one parent as god.

No, from the entire royal household, he was more in tuned with Cassandra than anyone else. Not because of her oracles but her intention to help others regardless of her stature. He often saw the priestess helping the injured during battle. One such incident was when she tended to his wounded arm after a fierce fight against the Greeks. When he asked her why, he was helping him. She merely laughed.

"People might call me insane but I am still capable to help my countrymen," answered Cassandra.

"But you are a princess of Troy, your majesty. Your place is at the palace."

"And do nothing, Lord Aeneas," retorted Cassandra. "No. My place is here with my people. It is my duty to help heal them."

Aeneas smiled before it turned into a frown. He came closer and whispered in her ears. "Even though, you know that the city will eventually fall?"

Cassandra looked into his eyes before giving him a sad smile. "Yes."

Looking at her closely, he now knew why the god of the healing fell in love with the princess. Although she was known as the fairest among King Priam's daughters, Cassandra was blessed not only with a fair face but also the intelligence, grace and maturity that attracted the god to her. No wonder Apollo pursued her. But something happened that made him curse her. And as much as he wanted to ask, propriety made him hesitate to do so. Silence ensued leaving both of them to their thoughts.

Cassandra finished dressing his wounds before she moved on to the next injured soldier. And so it began their unlikely friendship. Aeneas often observed the princess when he visited his injured troops. And though everyone was still wary of her insane visions, no one would deny that she was still an asset within the healing wards. She would often smile and assure others that they would get better and fight another day. But in his opinion, her eyes would always betray her. The very same eyes that showed her sadness, longing and regret to her folly with the god of healing.

One night, when he came from the temple of Aphrodite, he saw her sitting at the edge of the high wall overlooking at the Greek camp. He would never have seen her if not for her golden hair reflected by the light of the torch. He came closer to look at her.

"You can come closer if you like? I won't bite?" chuckled Cassandra, though she did not turn to face him.

"Princess, you shouldn't be sitting at the edge. You might fall."

Cassandra merely chuckled. "Believe me, when I say this lord Aeneas, I won't die here. Just like you, I will survive this massacre but only to die a more gruesome death. While you, honest Aeneas would live on and together with the survivors of Troy, you will create an empire that would surpass any kingdom of Greece."

He was taken aback. Was this one of her prophecies? He heard the rumors but never did he actually believe it until now. So it was true. His mother had not lied. Troy will fall and he was destined to save his remaining people and find them a new home. This led him to prepare the ships. He had to take his wife and son to safety. He needed to take extra supplies and load the ships with as many passengers as much as it can carry. But what about her? His curiosity set propriety aside.

"If you know all of this to happen? Why do you not escape. You have long warned the city of its disastrous fate. Why linger when you know Troy is a lost cause?"

She turned and looked at him right in the eyes. "I should ask you the same thing, my lord? Probably because Troy is my home and I cannot let it fall. I would rather be called insane and not believed by people because of my false prophecies rather than being true in the end." She chuckled once again and turned to look at the Greek camp. She sat at the edge and sighed. "Go home to your wife and child, lord Aeneas. They miss you."

Aeneas wanted to say that she could always change her fate. Instead of dying, she could flee and escape with him out of Troy but he hesitated. Her eyes bore her acceptance of defeat. It was not yet time to talk of such things. But on that night, he vowed to take Cassandra out of Troy when it falls. Even if he had to drag her out to safety.

Yet fate never let them meet. He searched for her while helping his countrymen escape but he could not find her. The ships have long been ready, it was time. With a heavy heart, he went to the ships and set sail to the unknown.