Author's PenName: Dysis Nyx
Author's Note: Okay, it is just two to three more chapters left in this fic after this. I really enjoy writing it. Um, remember things are going to be different than the movie, the twist that is coming is not what you are thinking when I say twist, but it is good you will like it, so keep reading. I love getting your reviews they make me happy and are the reason why I keep writing these, because to know that people like to read what I love to write is awesome. Thank you, guys!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the character of "Troy", so no asking to borrow Achilles or Patroclus for a night of fun wink I am not allowed to grant that.
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Leaning against the wall of the ship, Patroclus watched as Achilles exited his happy little hut of love. The man had a smile that he was attempting to hide and his eyes were glowing and shimmering. As mad as Patroclus was and as hurt, the look that Achilles was trying to hide made him happy. Achilles was happy, so thus, Patroclus was regret tingly happy. He watched as Eudorus made it easier for Achilles to conceal his happiness just by talking to him.
Eudorus was that sort of man. One could not help but sober up pretty quick when he was around.
The conversation was short lived as Eudorus began to talk to all the Myrmidons and Achilles went to talk to Odysseus. Perhaps they were going to fight after all. Could Briseis have talked Achilles into it? Then why would she have talked him into fighting her own people unless…
Achilles spotted Patroclus and as he began to smile it faded quickly as he felt the fire burning in his cousin's body. Patroclus was enflamed with fury and whatever had managed to severely anger Patroclus was going to be taken out on him. So, Achilles looked away from meeting Patroclus' angry gaze.
Attempting to control himself Patroclus asked, "We're going home?"
Finally Achilles looked at him and answered, "We sail in the morning."
At least he was answering honestly Patroclus thought. Still! Achilles was leaving Troy, because that woman had asked him. He knew that was the reason why Achilles was leaving why else would Achilles be running away?
Enraged Patroclus almost growled, "Greeks are being slaughtered. We can't just sail away."
To keep himself from saying 'We can't just sail away, because a woman managed to enthrall you' Patroclus bit his tongue.
As soon as he had finished his statement, Achilles said, "If it is fighting you still long for, there will always be another war. I promise you this."
He was honestly choosing this woman over his country, his countrymen, over him. Patroclus was losing his cool as he practically yelled, "These are our countrymen. You betray all of Greece just to see Agamemnon fall."
Patroclus knew why he was upset and he knew the real reason was shining through bright in his eyes. Most of all, he knew Achilles could see the real meaning behind his words. His heart died when Achilles proved that by saying, "Someone has to lose."
Both Patroclus and Achilles knew that Achilles was not just talking about Agamemnon losing the war. He was talking about him, too.
The biting pain that Patroclus was now alone in the world killed him. He had lost Achilles forever. He was completely alone in the world now. He turned and stormed off, holding back the tears. What was the point in even being here at Troy if the only person he cared to impress was Achilles and now that Achilles had all but told him that Patroclus had lost…?
Patroclus could not take it anymore. He ran and he ran; the sand under his sandals the blazing sun, the talk surrounding him, all of it was surrounding him, drowning him. Patroclus needed air. He couldn't take it anymore. All these years holding in the pain, the tears, the wounds, everything, all for a man who hated him now.
Before he knew it, Patroclus was at the once temple of Apollo. He was alone. The ruins and the artifacts thrown everywhere. Blood smeared the walls and the statues were tossed over. The tan stone walls were cold and unfeeling for Patroclus. In the center of the temple, where the largest statue stood, Patroclus fell to his knees and he wept. He held his arms and on his knees he screamed. He roared with anger and pounded his fists into the floor while the tears rolled down his cheeks.
Failure.
Heart-ache.
Death.
Loneliness.
Everything was coming to Patroclus in tenfold. Outside he was alive and raring to go, but on the inside death swept through him like a tidal wave. All those years of training and in Achilles' shadow, all those emotions, all that hope,…all that love, and for what? For a broken heart? For humiliation? No! Looking up Patroclus saw a strange light glowing over the Apollo statue. Then the idea came into his head.
Tomorrow there would be a battle of battles. Tomorrow he would fight as Achilles and prove to Achilles that he was worthy.
-later that night-
As Achilles held Briseis he thought, I have not seen Patroclus all day. I hope the lad did not take my words too hard. He seemed upset. I could have handled that better. I only wish he-
Briseis interrupted his thoughts by saying, "Am I still your captive?"
Even though he had been looking at Briseis in his arms, Achilles was not thinking about her. She was quite amazing though. His words were true, but saying them right now felt a little hollow. There was something missing with Briseis that he thought he felt. Brushing it off Achilles looked deep into Briseis' eyes and cooed, "You're my guest."
So this was what men felt for love. Achilles looked deep into Briseis' eyes and thought, I could live the rest of my life with this woman…
Their late night exchange went on for awhile until he kissed her. As Achilles kissed her his body sang with a need to take her again that night and he thought, I hope Patroclus is all right…
-early dawn-
Strapping the armor in place, Patroclus took a deep breath and grabbed the spear and shield on his way out. The sword on his side clicked and clanged as he skulked into a run like his cousin. The spear and shield did nothing to hurt him from being Achilles. If anything the enviroment, the weapons, the smells, the men cheering all of it added to his act. The Myrmidons saw him and followed. Surrounding soldiers cheered and shouted his name, well Achilles' name.
Patroclus made his way through the dusky smoke and the sweaty, bloodied men to the front of the battle. It was his time.
Trojan men came at him and he fought each of them off with skill. At this moment he was Achilles. At this moment he was great. Tonight he would go to Achilles with the knowledge to say, 'I am your novice.'
Then Hector came. When Patroclus saw Hector a new thought came into his mind. To bring the head of Prince Hector back to Achilles in honor of him. Oh, how proud would Achilles be!
Slowly they began to circle each other like two lions. Patroclus matched Hector step for step. Suddenly it started! Hector came at him first when Hector swung, Patroclus raised his shield and blocked him off then he tried to swing. Both men exchanged weaponry swings.
Patroclus for a split second looked at Hector and saw his fate. He saw the man for what type of fighter he was. Patroclus took to wrong a step and got knocked back by Hector's sword blow. The fight had taken a different turn and no longer were they matched.
Patroclus breathed heavy as he tried to keep up with just blocking alone and occasionally he would attempt to get a hit in, only for it to be turned back against him. Then the final blow came and Patroclus watched as Hector's sword burned across his neck.
For a moment a hush fell across every man as he stayed suspended back for what seemed like centuries.
He had failed.
Then he fell back onto his back. Patroclus stared up into the cloudy sky and knew just what he had done. A cheer fell over the Trojan men as they all rejoiced in the death of 'Achilles', then light shone through as the helmet was removed. Shock rippled through the ranks.
As Patroclus laid there dying he tried to cope with the knowledge of what he had just done. Then the thought of what Achilles would go through. Between the pain screaming through his neck and his breaking heart Patroclus knew not what he was going to do.
-back by Achilles tent-
Roaming about in his hut, Achilles heard the sound of men coming back from battle. The sounds of chatting and sand rustling. Now it was time for Eudorus to get it. Achilles would wait till the man came to him. Better to let him squirm, then end it soon.
"Achilles." called Eudorus' voice from outside the tent.
It was time. Achilles skulked over to the door-flap and pushed it aside as he came out. When he spotted Eudorus he wiped the grin off his face and walked towards him saying, "You violated my command."
Eudorus slowly shook his head. There was clear fear in his eyes and Achilles reveled in it as he said, "I ordered the Myrmidons to stand down and you lead them into combat."
Falling to his knees before him, Achilles looked down at Eudorus as he said with the greatest fear of all, "I didn't lead them, my lord. We thought you did."
-to be continued-