-1PenName: Dysis Nyx
Author's Note: Yeah, so I would love to get reviews from everyone who reads this. I know it seems bothersome and all that lot, but I can't fix what I don't know what is wrong. Although I do love good reviews. It is a very good feeling to know what you guys liked best and what you thought was interesting, or comments on certain situations, things of that sort. To review is a good gift to give me. So, please review, please!
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters of the movie "Troy", but I will own Jared Leto...wait, wrong film. I still don't own "Troy".
-day of arriving on the beaches of Troy-
Patroclus awoke with a start as he knew what Achilles had told him yesterday. Today they would fight on the beaches of the great Troy. His heart began to pound as his pulse beat hard beneath his skin. This was his first battle and he would make everyone proud, especially Achilles.
After his night of disgrace he had to make it up to Achilles. He had shamed himself and his good name as a man under Achilles' tutelage. He was haunted by his behavior that night. He had acted like a child over a mere wound.
Slowly Patroclus readied himself for the attack on the Trojan beach. The wind whipped through his hair as he fastened his armor to his body. His own weapons were in front of him and they called to be used. He would make Achilles so proud!
The thought of seeing that private smile lighting in Achilles mind made Patroclus' entire boy sing. So far every night they had spent in each other's company. They never did anything which surprised Patroclus. Achilles seemed content to just know that he was there and alive. Which in itself was a strange thought since why would the great Achilles care for him so deeply. Why would a man so godly care so deeply for an insignificant little child like him? Today he would be a man for the man he loved. The thought struck him strange.
Patroclus knew if his thoughts made a big deal and he acted strange he would draw attention to himself. So, he continued getting ready why he toyed with the idea. He loved Achilles. He really, honestly loved Achilles. With a smile Patroclus looked out at the sea and knew in his heart it was true.
They were approaching the shores of Troy with great speed. The moment was perfect and it brought a smile to Achilles lips. He would win and today would be glorious. Everything was going perfectly till he looked over and saw Patroclus with a shield and spear in his hands.
By the gods! The boy was preparing to fight. Up and until this day, Achilles and put off telling him he would never see battle. Oh well, it was now or never.
Nausea grew in the pit of Achilles stomach at the thought of disappointment lighting those eyes of Patroclus'. Although the thought of him lying dead at Achilles feet was enough to sober, and anger, him up pretty quick. His teeth gritted as he beckoned, "Patroclus!"
The name was sweeter than any wine or woman on Achilles' lips. When had the boy become so important? As usual, within seconds Patroclus was there. Before he could say anything Achilles ordered nonchalantly, "Put down your spear."
Achilles thought it best to shrug it off as nothing instead of it being a big deal. They did not want to attract attention to themselves. Although it was hard for Achilles as Patroclus pleaded, "But today I am fighting the Trojans, cousin."
Achilles tried to cut in with a strong, "Not today."
But it was useless as Patroclus insisted he was ready. The boy was more than persistent and drawing even more attention from the other soldiers. Achilles almost laughed when Patroclus threw at him his own "This is a war" comment. The boy was clever and very adamant about fighting.
With all the gaining attention Achilles tried to think of some lie for the other men's ears. So, he managed to say something about experienced soldiers and them being ready and blood. While the others around them bought it, Patroclus did not. Achilles was getting aggravated and concerned. They were drawing closer and Patroclus was still insistent. He had spoiled the boy.
Achilles finally in the heat of his frustration grabbed the boy and pulled him close to whisper, "Cousin, I can't fight the Trojans if I'm concerned for you. Guard the ship."
Achilles had told him the truth and while Patroclus knew this. He also knew just how selfish a reason it was. He was depriving the boy of his honor and manhood. The thought of his safety satisfied Achilles enough. He watched reluctantly as Patroclus threw his shield and spear towards the edge of the ship walls. How Achilles would hear it tonight from the lad.
Patroclus stalked off to the other side of the ship. He was not fighting? Patroclus was all in a huff as he mad his way to his quarters. Achilles would not let him fight, because he would worry. When he mad it into the room, he slammed the door and let a curse so hateful it surprised him to silence. What was he going to do now? He was supposed to guard the ship. How childish of a task was that? No man guarded a ship!
Falling back onto the bed, Patroclus looked up at the ceiling. The reasoning behind Achilles' logic did make sense. If he was fighting he would have worried about his cousin and then in turn gotten distracted.
Still, looking up at the ceiling Patroclus heard the door open and close. The weight on the be sunk down as Achilles sat down next to Patroclus. Patroclus tried hard not to look at him, but from the corner of his eye Patroclus saw Achilles lean back onto his elbows. The golden man's words were sincere and came out dead serious, "I also cannot fight with the knowledge you are angry at me, Patroclus. We arrive soon and I should be up there. Now tell me you forgive me."
Still staring at the ceiling, Patroclus answered emotionless, "I forgive you, cousin."
Achilles gave a heavy sigh and said, "At least you tried to appease me. Listen, I promise, you will one day be a Myrmidon, but not today and not at Troy. I will not see you die, Patroclus. Do not ask it of me."
Patroclus now couldn't help, but look at Achilles. He turned his head to look him right in the eyes, "Why? So your conscience does not feel bad for not training me hard enough?"
Achilles shook his head and answered, "No, so I do not see the blood on my hands from the one I love most."
Achilles pushed Patroclus over and rose to his feet. He gave him a hard stare and growled, "Now guard the ship, cousin."
Patroclus watched Achilles walk out of the room reluctantly. He wanted to follow him so bad. He wanted to follow Achilles to Hades and back again. He would have crossed the River Styx for him. For now, he would guard the ship.
The ship lurched under Patroclus' feet as they hit the shore. He could hear the battle cry as Achilles and his men went into battle. From his place in the room he could hear the singing of arrows and the retched screams as they hit his fellow Greeks. Patroclus began to pace uncontrollably as the sounds of war rung in his ears with an unrelenting pace. Men were dying and fighting, Achilles was fighting, and he, Patroclus, sat in the safety of this room guarding the ship. Finally unable to take anymore he threw open the door to the room and stalked into the hall. He made his way up to the deck. When he looked over the side he saw Achilles and his men in the dreaded phalanx position. All the shields huddled together and the occasional archers poking through. There were corpses of the Myrmidons occasional strewn across the sand, but so was the same for Trojans. His fingers itched to toss his spear at the men and leap over the side to fight, but he knew Achilles would be cross.
Still angry, more with himself, Patroclus stormed back down below the deck. He paced in the hall as he waited and waited. Hours passed and finally the sound of victory resounded. Patroclus was like a puppy and ran up the stairs.
When he reached the side of the deck he lept over the side. He crossed the sand with importance. He had to find Achilles, he had to see him. Had to know that Achilles was all right and uninjured. When he spotted him in the distance Achilles was approaching. So, light as Hermes sandals, Patroclus walked over to Achilles. The minute he came into Achilles view, the man opened his arms to him. Clearly, he could not show his excitement to see Patroclus in public, so Patroclus bit down his disappointment. Oh well, as soon as they made it back to Achilles' quarters, they would embrace and Patroclus would tell Achilles just how happy he was that Achilles was alive.
Patroclus bit back the small sense of victory as Achilles put is arm around him as they followed Eudorus. The man said he had something to show Achilles, but what?
As they walked to the small hut Achilles would temporarily call home. Patroclus had a bad feeling about what was inside that tent.
Eudorus lifted the opening for Achilles, but before Patroclus went in Eudorus stopped him. Patroclus heard Eudorus say something to Achilles before he faced Patroclus again. The man led him away and said, "Take a walk. Achilles will want to be alone for this."
Passing him Patroclus stood there in stunned silence. Oh yes, they had found Achilles a woman. This should not have bothered Patroclus. Achilles found woman all the time. After he found them, he lost them all over again. Women were a passing fancy to Achilles. This girl was a passing amusement.
Stationing himself within calling distance Patroclus amused himself with his surroundings. After a awhile Achilles and Eudorus emerged from the tent. There was no girl with them. As Achilles passed he got hold of Patroclus and said, "Watch Briseis, cousin."
She had a name now? Patroclus stared at Achilles' back as it walked away from him. His women never had names.
Now he had to see her! Patroclus went into Achilles' hut and found the girl huddled on the floor. She stared up at him with large doe-like eyes. Her long curly dark brown hair hung around her face and she looked as though she had been slightly beaten. Her clothes which probably were once tasteful and dashing, were now tattered and torn. She looked like a princess who had been dragged through the mud and sold into slavery. And now Patroclus hated her.
Just by looking in her eyes, Patroclus knew she already meant something to Achilles. He grabbed the nearest plate of food he could find and set it in front of her. When she tentatively began to eat, Patroclus sat squatted in front of her. He watched her the entire time.
When he was least expecting she said, "My name is Briseis and I am cousin to Hector. If you release me, then-"
Before anymore could be said, Patroclus snapped dutifully, "I am Patroclus, cousin to Achilles. There will be no escape till he says so."
Briseis began to give him a strange look and before Patroclus knew it he felt little and insignificant. Her lips began to move and sure enough, Patroclus heard the words, "It must be hard to live under that name. If you were to take me back to Troy you would be a revered soldier. Hector would train you himself."
The girl was begging him to escape Achilles and as much as he wanted her gone, Patroclus knew how angry Achilles would be. He shook his head and explained firmly, "I try to impress no one, but Achilles. I care not for my name, but his. I am his soldier…" his eyes met hers with a fire, "It is to him I pledge."
As soon as his words finished Patroclus felt something strike the back of his head. As he slipped into his own oblivion he saw Briseis' feet drag past him and her screams filled the entire hut.
When Patroclus finally woke up he saw the angry eyes of Achilles watching him. As if instinct reaction Patroclus jumped back. Merely by looking at his golden god Patroclus knew what had happened. Agamemnon had taken Briseis for his own. Striking his head, Patroclus looked to Achilles and said, "I am sorry, Achilles. I remember not what happened."
Rising in front of Patroclus, Achilles walked over to his mulled wine and drank directly out of the pitcher. He slammed it down on the table and growled, "It was a simple girl. You were incapable of watching one simple girl."
Throwing the pitcher next to Patroclus' head, Achilles took two long strides till he was directly looming over him, "I would not dare call you my protégé now. You disgrace and disgust me, boy."
Without another word, Patroclus rose and left the room. With a few small words, he had been turned back into that sniveling child who feared Achilles. He had disgraced Achilles by failing him.
Back in the hut, Achilles threw items about the room. It wasn't Patroclus he was mad at. It was himself. It was Agamemnon. It was everything about the situation, but not Patroclus. The boy had done all he could to help and all he wanted was to show himself worthy. Letting out one more angry roar, Achilles barked out, "Eudorus! Eudorus!"
After a few moments the man entered the hut. Achilles seethed at the knowledge that Patroclus was always there within seconds, but it took Eudorus a few minutes. This disgusted him, so when the man came in, he cast him the glare of death as he said, "Find my cousin and bring him to me."
Eudorus bowed and exited with his usual pace until Achilles roared, "Hurry, man, I care not to wait all day."
Patroclus walked the shores of the beaches and felt his heart breaking. He had failed. All these years, all that training. Every single emotion cast away because he couldn't protect the girl. Achilles must have loved her. Patroclus kicked a nearby rock and walked across the sand.
A voice called to him. Patroclus cared not whose voice it was. Then a firm hand gripped at his bicep and Patroclus came face to face with Eudorus. The man seemed tense as he said, "Lord Achilles wishes to speak with you."
Patroclus immediately ran. For some odd reason all the pain went away as he made his way across the sand to Achilles.
When he came to the hut he walked in to a room in shambles. The entire room looked as though it had been ransacked. Patroclus took another step in to do a more in depth analysis. As he started to bend over a pair of strong arms wrapped around his waist. Patroclus panicked and began to fight. Then Achilles whispered in his ear, "It is I, Patroclus. We must talk."
--to be continued--