Author's Note:

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY BOXING DAY & A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

My sincerest apologies. I'm so very sorry for the delay. It's just been a very hectic week. But in the spirit of the holidays I have decided to update. So this is my present to you. So I wish you all the best and a happy new year. So here is the new chapter and please remember to review and please check out my profile for my other stories and pics. So here is chapter eight. Enjoy & See you all in 2011!

And also thank you to my wonderful betas. EternityInYourArms and deathdaisy.

Chapter VIII

Briseis sat patiently in her room, waiting for Achilles to finish speaking with Priam. Briseis wasn't worried, she knew that Priam had accepted their union, hell he sanctioned it. So she couldn't be happier.

She was however very worried about her 'brothers', Hector and Paris. Hector, her older 'brother' and future king who had always been there for her. He was the one whom, as children, would stay awake with her the rest of the night after a nightmare.

She knew Hector would soon see the man Achilles really was and not the man the world had made him to be and eventually call him brother and fight beside him in battle.

Paris however was another matter entirely. Paris her fun loving cousin, that knew less of war and the cruelty of men than she did. A summer ago he probably would have been very supportive of her union with Achilles.

But now ever since the war started and that poison entered his life he probably would never accept that. The very poison that was responsible for this very war, Helen.

Now personally Briseis didn't have anything against Helen. She was glad that Paris had found love; she just wished it wasn't with another man's wife or should she say widow. She hoped that Paris would just accept the fact that she loved him, as he loved Helen and accept their union as she did theirs.

"Briseis?" Came a voice, knocking her out of her thoughts. Briseis turned around in her seat to see her beloved Achilles standing in her balcony doorway, looking very much like a hero from legend, standing there with the dying light of day at his back, his golden locks dancing about his head in a way that instantly brought to mind the god, Apollo.

At the heels of that thought came another. What was he doing on her balcony? How in the name of Poseidon did he get there? But that thought was washed away as she realized that her love was standing in her room with her.

Finally, a smile full of joy spread across her face as she jumped up from her seat and ran to him. Achilles immediately engulfed her in a hug and kissed her passionately.

The kiss grew deeper and more lustful as Achilles swung Briseis into his arms, bridal style and carried her to the bed, without a care in the world.

THREE DAYS LATER:

Briseis smiled as her laughter brought tears to her eyes as she sat next to Achilles as they enjoyed their wedding feast. Odysseus was in the middle of telling jokes when Paris tapped her on the shoulder.

"May we speak, cousin?" Paris asked. Paris had not spoken to Briseis since the day in the throne room, when Priam had decided on the union. Brieis looked at Achilles, who was looking at Paris as he heard the request.

Achilles looked at Paris and hoped he wanted to make peace with Briseis. Today was to be a special day for them, in fact for all of Troy and he didn't want anything to ruin it.

When the people of Troy were told of union they were ecstatic. They knew with Achilles on their side there was no way they could lose the war against Agamemnon and they were overjoyed to see their beloved princess so happy.

Achilles looked back at Briseis and nodded. Briseis smiled as she stood up without anyone but Achilles and Paris noticing as the other guests' attention was fixed on Odysseus who was still telling jokes.

Briseis walked with Paris to the vacant hallway as the stayed in a comfortable silence. Once they were out of sight and away from prying ears, they stopped. Paris turned to look at his beloved cousin as he saw how beautiful she looked.

Briseis wore a long dress with gold accents as her hair lied in beautiful curls with and sat in a beautiful golden crown, with the customary white veil.

"You look absolutely beautiful. Even Aphrodite is jealous herself. " Paris said with a small smile. Briseis smiled as she pulled her cousin into a hug. Paris hugged her back eagerly as he smiled, but it faded as he pulled back and saw his cousin's expression.

"Paris, Achilles is my husband and no matter how much I love and care for you, I will not stand by while you disrespect him." Briseis said seriously. Paris nodded, but he had to defend his behaviour.

"But how can you say that? I know he is your husband and you love him, why I don't know why but he murder countless Trojans, your people, your kin." Paris said.

"Yes he has, but their blood is not only his hands alone. You know you and Helen are just to blame as he is." Briseis said as he she tried to contain her anger at him insulting her husband. Paris mouth became a gape as the words left her mouth. He finally found his mouth to defend himself and Helen when Briseis cut him off.

"For love of Troy! For once in your life Paris. Be a man! Take responsibility for your actions. This war was started because of her. You took her without thought of the consequences that would follow, forsaking all others in the process, your family, your people...Achilles has taken responsibility for his actions and he admits that he was wrong, now you do the same." Briseis said sternly. Paris stood their shocked, Briseis had never spoken to him like that before. Before he could think about what to say, Briseis turned on her heel and went back to festivities.

AGAMEMNON'S CAMP:

News of Achilles and Briseis union had spread quickly through the camp and the soldiers were soon convinced that Agamemnon had gone mad, when he practically went ran through the camp in a tantrum, cursing the gods.

Of course with the belief they couldn't win without Achilles, Agamemnon's council tried again to convince him to leave the shores of Troy, but being as stubborn as a mule, Agamemnon refused.

BACK AT TROY:

Briseis returned to the table and rejoined Achilles, who couldn't help but look at her with curiosity. Briseis shook her head at him, a silent message that she would inform him of everything that had occurred between Paris and her later. He nodded in understanding and they returned to enjoying the festivities.

The rest of the night went extremely well as the city of Troy celebrated their princess and new prince's wedding. Briseis and Achilles finally returned to their chambers as they made passionate love and they waited for the days to come that they would face together.

The next morning. Briseis and Achilles were jolted awake as they heard warning horn sound. Troy was under attacked.

CLIFFHANGER!

What will be the fate of Troy now? Will Paris ever make peace with Achilles? Will Briseis and Achilles have their happy ending?

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I will try to update as soon as possible.

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- Dark Alana.