7DeadlySins: Like always, I enjoy your analysis. I can perfectly understand your frustration with Delphina's stubborness. She is having an inside conflict between her pride and her desires. It is such a pity that Apollo has to suffer for it (and yes, I understood he was your favourite god!XD). To be fair, the war is having a huge effect on her mind and will continue in the next chapters. Also, she is still bound to Achilles because of her oath and with Apollo on the opposite side, it makes their situation very tricky! For your question, I can answer it. She was asleep but not completely. She experimented what we call sleep paralysis (or something close to it). So she was aware of Apollo's presence but she couldn't move or wake up until Patroclus came to help her. I hope it helped.
Thank you for your review!
Chapter 25: Patroclus
Patroclus was beginning to be fed up with Achilles! Of course, his lover was stubborn and he totally supported his refusal to go to war in retribution for the insult done to him.
The problem was that the Trojan's side was truly gaining a lot of advantages. To the point that it may threaten them. After all, what if the Trojans managed to advance to the camp and attacked them while they were totally unprepared?
It was a possibility since they were still technically living in the war's zone and remained a part of the Greek army even if inactive.
In conclusion, the Trojans still represented a menace for them. And Patroclus didn't like it one bit.
It was late in the night. From the entrance of his tent, Patroclus stared at the medical area situated far away in another part of the camp, but still very visible from his emplacement.
He thought about all the harmed soldiers from the battlefield. So numerous because the Trojans were winning against them. And the only reason the enemies were getting the upper hand was because of Achilles' decision.
Although their own men were spared, he couldn't stop thinking of the others. Some of them were still great allies, in particular Odysseus, King of Ithaca. It must be so hard for him to see a lot of his loyal men fall painfully every day.
Suddenly, he felt Achilles behind him, his mouth approaching his ear whispering. "It is late. Come to the bed."
Always so seductive. Knowing how to awake the desire. But this time, he chose to resist. "Not now." He dared to say.
"Something is bothering you? You can share your concerns with me."
"I can but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't interest you."
Achilles' hand grabbed furiously his belly and quickly push it closer to his own body while he replied with more gravity in his voice. "Everything that concerns you interests me. Now, would you care to explain to me why you are more distant with me?"
"How long will you refuse to go to the battlefield?"
He could feel the hand hold him more tightly with the tension in it. "You know the answer." His lover responded with annoyance.
"If it is simply because of Briseis, then, I can understand. We can prepare a plan to kidnap her and give her back her freedom soon after just like we did with Chryseis."
Achilles made him turn around so they could directly face each other. Staring at him, the demigod angrily said. "You know that Agamemnon will not be stupid enough to let himself be outsmarted twice! He clearly put more security around his tent, this time! And even if I could, I would pass for a coward who cannot hold it against this man. I would not let my honor be tainted like this."
"So, if I understand, this is more about your honor than her fate! Great! Now, I would be curious to know where the importance of your honor can go."
"What do you mean?"
"Have you seen out there? The wounded soldiers, the burned corpses, the desperate cries? Have you not seen how much the Trojans are winning and hurting our side?"
"Yes. And it is beautiful. They now know that they are nothing without me."
"You find that beautiful? You do realise that Odysseus is one of them? I thought that he was your friend!"
"Odysseus is a smart guy. He can handle himself. "
"That's all you have to say?"
Achilles began to be annoyed. He asked him. "When did you begin to care for them? I thought you were on my side."
"I have compassion, you know! And also, I have some common sense! We are still the enemy for the Trojans! What if they decide to attack us at the first opportunity?"
"They would never dare to go after me."
"And why? Because you are too strong and invincible? There is a price that comes with too much arrogance!"
Finally, Achilles snapped.
"Enough! I don't want to hear anything more! I don't want to fight with you! I'm tired! Just come to the bed, already!"
Patroclus sighed. He knew his lover enough to understand it would be counterproductive to argue with him in this state. And yet…
He approached him and without warning, kissed him passionately while had the perfect effect of calming him down. Then, he felt the left hand of his beloved holding his hips while his other one seized his head to bring him closer and deepen the kiss.
Patroclus was perfectly willed to give him all the control while would allow to evacuate the tension. However, he broke the kiss just to say. "I want to be clear. We will have to finish this conversation, tomorrow."
"Tomorrow." He whispered before closing once again the distance between their mouths.
…
A tall man with a thick beard, short dark hair and deep brown eyes held his helmet while would complete his armor. He had well organised the plan of this operation and was ready to lead it.
But before to finish preparing, Hector wanted to look at his family. First, his wife, Andromache. The light of his life who had almost extinguished itself recently. This wonderful woman with her long hair black like the night, her skin creamy like the sand, her eyes blue as the sea.
She had lost her father, her brothers and her birthplace through this war.
And now, she held their baby son, Astyanax, in her arms, trying to stay strong as her husband was once again going to leave her, putting his own life in danger. She should have been used to it for ten years, but since the birth of her child, she had met a new fear: the fear of having her son growing up without a father.
Hector took her chin and brought her to look at him. She shivered under the intense expression of his love. He told him with his smooth voice. "I'll be back. I will always come back for you."
She nodded her head. She wanted to be supportive of him like a good spouse. But she couldn't quiet her deep warning voice that blocked any hope needed, only to be occupied by the expectation of another tragedy that will befall in her life.
She prayed to be wrong and just smiled sadly to her husband to tell him she would always be on his side.
Then, the prince moved his attention toward his parents. The old king whose hair had blanched but still maintained a lot of wisdom accompanied of his consort who aged graciously with her curly long hair covered with a white hood and her face still well shaped with her shining smile despite the fear that haunted her mother's heart.
Hector approached and inclined himself before Priam and Hecuba, beloved king and queen of Troy and best parents he could dream to have.
"Father, Mother, I am glad to have your support and blessing for this mission."
"You always have our blessing, My Son." The monarch said. "You have led our army and defended our city with a lot of bravery, strength and honor. You have no idea how proud I am to be able to call you my son. It's now up to you to make that ultimate move that may convince the Greeks to go back where they come from, we hope so."
"Thank you. I promise to not deceive you." Then, he turned to the queen. "Mother. I know you are worried for me. I promise to come back like I always do."
He could understand her fear. She had lost a son already. And Hector's heart broke each time he thought of Troilus, his youngest brother. May his soul rest peacefully in the Elysium fields.
"I prayed once again this morning for Apollo to protect you. Our dear Patron God is good and will continue to shield you from any harm. You are among his favourites. I am sure of that."
"I have no doubt about it. If our city has managed to resist for ten years, I am sure it is because we have Apollo on our side. But we cannot always trust our fate in the hands of the gods. We need to act and this is why I have to accomplish this mission. For the safety of Troy."
"Yes. I understand. Just be careful."
"I will." He said before kissing her hand.
Then, he turned to go back to his wife one last time. He looked at her with adoration and gave her a short kiss before saying. "I love you, my dear wife. Take care of our little prince."
"I love you too. And I will pray for your victory, my dear husband."
He smiled. Now, he couldn't lose more time. He had to go.
He had to surprise the Greeks and weaken them once for all.
…
Patroclus slept blissfully in the arms of his lover who lied down in his back keeping him in a spoon position.
To be honest, Patroclus was only half-asleep, but he liked when he could lividly enjoy those moments.
His Achilles… Although he had many flaws, he couldn't stop loving him.
But growing to love him had been difficult. Since he was a little boy, he had grown in the shadow of Achilles. They had been good friends, had been educated together. They had shared so many important memories of their childhood.
Since the beginning, Patroclus could feel that his companion was fated to be greater than him. No matter how much training he did, Achilles was always faster, stronger, smarter, tougher. He never managed to beat him in a fight and to be honest, he didn't remember anybody who succeeded to make him taste the dirt of the ground.
After all, he wasn't ordinary.
His mother was a goddess. His father, an ancient Argonaut.
He never felt sick. Any weapon had difficulty to pierce his skin. And if it did, he would heal very fast, unlike most men. He was invincible.
He never stole his reputation. He was Achilles, the greatest warrior of his era, and maybe of all time.
And Patroclus had learnt that no matter what, his Fate was to live in his shadow. The demigod could run after glory but the simple mortal couldn't dream to achieve the same goal.
Jealousy could have easily consumed him in this context. However, they have always been too close. And that day came when their friendship died to be reborn as a new feeling.
For the others, he may be reduced to the role of a sidekick, but to Achilles' eyes, he occupied the spotlight. He was a jewel in a land full of coal. He was the first flower to blossom after a harsh winter.
And with all of his possessive attentions he provided him, he never made him feel less than the most precious treasure of his life.
Patroclus was happy with him.
All of a sudden, he heard screams from outside. He opened his eyes. He could hear men screaming from so far, warning about an attack from the Trojans.
The information hit him like a stone. Usually, they never fought in the nighttime, mainly because the darkness had the default to prevent them to see with clarity what was happening, while it could be dangerous since they could easily hurt their own allies by mistake.
The Trojans took that risk for a reason: to have the element of surprise.
Patroclus understood they were in danger!
He tried to get up quickly but he felt Achilles' arms hold him tighter. "Please… Stay." He grumbled.
"This is no time to sleep!" He suddenly heard another soldier outside screaming that the Trojans were attacking the ships. He almost lost his breath. What he feared was happening.
"We must intervene!" He said, trying to get up.
Achilles was quick at taking his shoulder to hold him back. "No, we are staying here. This is their problem, not ours!"
Patroclus didn't want to go back so soon on their argument…but he had no other choice!
"How can you say that?!" He yelled, forcing him to let him go so he could get up and put on some clothes. "If the Trojans manage to destroy our ships, we are stuck here! And even if they only do succeed to damage some of them, we will have less transport for the provisions. Since we are in their soil, they will get the advantage and be able to destroy us! We are in danger!"
"What do you intend to do?!" Achilles replied as he got up himself.
"I'm going to fight!" He said with a sense of evidence.
The mortal was about to take his armor when the demigod caught his left wrist forcibly and forced him to look at him. The attentive lover had been replaced by the authoritative commander. And he was more than displeased.
"You are not going anywhere!"
Patroclus would not so be so easily afraid. He riposted with confidence. "You think you can stop me?"
"In case you forgot, you are still one of my men and under my commandment. Lover or not, you still owe me obedience."
"You think this argument will convince me? Well, bad news for you. I am not afraid to defy you! You may punish me as much as you want, I am still going to follow my instincts."
Achilles worked really hard to remain calm. He replied. "I could tie you up to my bed. I could chain you here, under my watch, and no one would ever dare to deliver you by fear to go against me. What would you think of that?"
"Then, go ahead." Patroclus dared to answer. "I prefer to be kept here against my own will than be a coward and letting my brothers be killed because of your stupid sense of pride over rightfulness!"
A silence passed. Both men maintained their gazes against each other. Over love, their strong opinions were prevailing.
And after a while, Achilles finally said. "Put your armor down."
Patroclus was ready to fight once again but the demigod suddenly added. "Take mine instead."
That stunned Patroclus who clearly didn't expect that. Achilles, still serious, explained. "I allow you to disguise yourself as me so you can lead our men. But you are only going to defend the ships. I don't want you to pursue the Trojans. Is that understood?"
Surprised but relieved, Patroclus nodded. He donned Achilles' armor as advised and before achieving the disguise with the helmet, he told him. "I promise to come back very soon." Then, he left.
Achilles sighed. He prayed to not regret it.
And for Patroclus, it was an opportunity… An opportunity to be a hero.
…
Delphina brought her head at the surface of the water. It was nighttime and yet, despite being usually the quietest moment of the day circle, she ended up welcomed by chaos.
The Greek were attacked by the Trojans in their own camp.
In front of her, she witnessed the fire burning, the sound of the sword hitting each other, the screams of people dying.
She closed her eyes. It was difficult to bear. She usually avoided to approach the battlefield, but this time, the bloodshed came on the shore.
She was worried and hoped that Achilles would not be affected.
One of her dolphins joined her. It watched the scene and got terrorized. It turned to her and she sadly said. "No! We must stay here. We cannot intervene."
The dolphin stared at her, not understanding.
"I know it is hard, but there is nothing we can do. Even if we go save the men who fall in the water, they would instantly get killed on the shore. And it would put you in danger. I cannot allow any harm to be done on you."
The marine mammal resigned, very disappointed. Delphina was often surprised how her children could be a mirror of her own personality…including her own reactions and disillusions.
She watched the battle. The worst of humanity displayed under her eyes. Men killed and died. And for what? The Greeks had no choice because of the Oath of Tyndareus and the Trojans had to defend their city.
Still, men usually always fought. For lust, for wealth, for power, for glory, for honor…
"I know how you would like for me to explain to you how mortals work." She told her dolphin. "To be honest, there is still holes that I'm missing in order to fully understand them. You are yourself the descendants of mortal humans. How ironic! But your ancestors were slaves… Slaves are not even considered as people. Based on which criteria? By birth or by being captured by the enemy mostly… So cruel. But then, how mortals should describe mankind? Honestly…not so different than gods when you think about it. Only the powers differ."
And she stayed there, frustrated. Powerless in front of the massacre. So many lives wasted. So much pain produced. So much hope broken.
She couldn't bear it anymore and was ready to leave when suddenly…
"The Myrmidons are coming!" Screamed a man whom she didn't know which side he belonged.
She jolted. The Myrmidons were the army of Achilles! She paid attention and through the darkness and chaos, she managed to spot a group of warriors screaming and running bravely in direction of the battlefield.
And she recognized the armor of the leader!
She didn't expect Achilles to be back on the battlefield yet! Maybe the emergency of the situation made him change his mind! Well, one thing for sure was that now she had to hurry and keep a watch on him!
"Please, stay here!" She told her dolphin.
And she plunged in the water. She went under the ships and used echolocation to guide herself. The tide was getting less deep. Carefully, she tried to avoid to be noticed. The soldiers were fighting very close of the water.
Anxiety menaced to dominate her. She had a bad feeling. A very bad one. Delicately, she brought her head at the surface, but not too much, to not be seen. Just enough to catch what was happening.
She saw Achilles fighting the Greeks fiercely. He killed many of them and defended himself pretty well.
The Trojans seemed aware that the return of the demigod meant very bad news for them. This might be why their leader suddenly ordered a retreat.
And yet… Achilles decided to pursue them.
Intensively worried, she plunged in the water and followed them. Thanks Zeus, they were running alongside the sea, making her task easier. Because she needed to be up to her task!
She feared that her adoptive nephew was in great danger! And she had to keep her promise to Thetis.
The warriors ended their path on a cliff. The Myrmidons had been clever to block the Trojans and force them to seek refuge to a cul-de-sac.
She was truly impressed by Achilles, but no less worried.
She came closer, at the bottom of the cliff. She used her hand to make levitate some amount of water. She hoped that she would not have to use it! But she had to protect him!
The leader of the Trojans seemed ready to defend himself. He approached Achilles and engaged a fight.
Delphina was pretty nervous. For once, she was so unsure about what she should do. Thetis asked her to watch over her son but to which limits? She knew about the prophecy. Could she truly prevent this to happen? Could she truly defy the Fates? Would he be mad if she dared to interfere?
Fortunately, Achilles seemed to handle the situation pretty well.
But she got distracted from the fight by the sudden apparition of a light. Not too far from the fight. She turned her attention to discover what it was. Strangely, nobody around reacted to that light like if she was the only one who could see it.
And it was the case!
She became quite shocked when she recognized the figure reveled by the light.
It was Apollo.
It was transparent. In a form that would be make him invisible to humans but visible to immortals.
She melted down. He was beautiful just like in her memories. Even if she only saw him from so far. In the middle of the bloodshed, he shined with purity and splendor. She would never admit it but she was drowned of happiness at seeing him once again since a long time.
And her emotions were strong enough to make her forget what was happening.
Until she saw the god raising his hand. She knew that move. He was about to use his powers. She got shaken. What was he going to do?
He just moved his hand and she heard a sound.
She turned her head. Her eye captured the silhouette of the legendary warrior losing his concentration, appearing dizzy while gave the Trojan the perfect opportunity to hit him making him loose his shield.
Taken by the panic, she managed to remember the water and used her powers to levitate it high toward the sky…
Only to realise how slow she was.
She let the water fall and return to the sea in a splash. Then it was followed by another splash…provoked by a body falling from the cliff.
"No!"
She plunged! Quick enough to reach the body before it sank deeper. Blood was spreading in the water from the wound on his torso. She couldn't stop the alarming rhythm of the beating of her heart and the increasing amount of anxiety in her brain.
Once she embraced the body, she could feel more coldly the reality as she realised it wasn't moving at all.
"No! No! He cannot be dead!" She thought.
She solicited all of her strength to lift him at the surface. Once she reached the air, she gave a look to the cliff. Trojans were gone and the solider were dispersing.
Apollo had disappeared.
But this wasn't her priority!
Holding the body of her nephew, she swam to reach a safe spot where to bring him on the shore. With the armor, it was pretty heavy to carry him, but she didn't give up. She had seen worse.
But never once with someone she cared for.
"No! There is still hope! He is technically invincible! This stab cannot have achieved him!" She tried to convince herself.
She found a very small grotto, not deep but enough to offer a shelter from the cold wind. A wave gave a powerful pulse to send them to the land to the point she didn't need to change her form as they were finally safe on the seaboard.
The body still hadn't moved.
Delphina trembled. She needed to take off the armor. Maybe she still had time to give him first aid. First, she went for the helmet.
And once done, the truth hit her like a thunderbolt.
She carefully approached his face. Her palm touched a cold and wet cheek. She lowered her hand until her fingers would attain the neck where she pressed the skin to find no pulse.
"I was too late… I'm sorry Patroclus!" She cried within.
She failed. Lamentably failed. She should have intervened, but she had been distracted. On the other side, why did he have to be a part of this? Of this war, of this chaos, of this zone of danger, of this inviting cemetery?
How old he was already? Certainly not more than thirty. He didn't even get a chance to have a marriage and a family! She was prepared to the fate of Achilles but not that Patroclus would face the same.
And yes, this was war. Somehow, she should have always been reminded that death spared no one. At the sea, she could fight it and free the victims from the wrath of Poseidon. But on the battlefield, not even Ares or Athena could manage to perfectly control the power of hatred, violence and madness that could consume the humans. And they always masked the horrors with the concepts of glory and honor.
Why Patroclus had to fall like that as well?
She silently cried. She had lost a precious friend and a boy she had seen grow up!
Suddenly, she felt mad at Apollo. He clearly intervened to provoke a breach into Patroclus' concentration and brought him to his demise!
"No! I cannot blame him! He only wanted to protect the Trojans. He did what he thought was the best thing to do to keep them safe. I was going to do the same to protect my friend. I was just too late and too hesitant to act!"
Her tears intensified. The guilt didn't let go of her. As she contemplated the corpse, the memories of Asclepius came back to haunt her. She had been once again a witness of the downfall of someone she cherished! Why? Why the Fates had to show her how weak she was?!
And even if she had managed to save him, it would have been at which price? Helping Patroclus kill many Trojans who were certainly young as well and had families?! Would she have felt better?
Damn war! With nothing white or black! And she continued to cry.
She suddenly heard some steps. She turned around ready to protect the body.
"I think she went there." Said the voice of a man who showed up.
With only his voice and a portion of his face visible despite the helmet, she recognized him instantly! It was Odysseus!
The king of Ithaca appeared surprised to see her. Then, she remembered she was still in her mermaid form! He had never known about her real identity until now.
He brought his index finger to his mouth in a sign that meant that he would keep her secret. She nodded to thank him.
She moved carefully backward sliding her body on the ground in order to return to the water. She looked one more time at Patroclus and finally sighed before going back into her element.
Odysseus knelt in front of the body. He touched carefully the last standing of an old friend who had just fought with honor and courage.
"So, did you find something?!" Screamed one of his man.
"Yes! I found him… But not exactly him." He mentioned with gloom.
…
Achilles was still inside his tent when he heard the sounds of many steps approaching. The army was returning.
He was tired but nervous as well. He hoped that the defense had been a success.
He exited his tent, clothed in his night blue cloak.
He got surprised to fall face to face with Odysseus surrounded by his own men and the Myrmidons.
But he was looking for one face in particular. Where it was?
Odysseus had a face full of compassion. No smile but no hate. Just pity.
Hard to deny how much Achilles didn't like it.
The men now dispersed and formed an alley for the demigod to walk. The legendary warrior looked far in the distance and his eyes caught the sight of a body lying down on a chariot.
He ran quickly to reach it. His calm demeanour on the edge of the collapse. His heart hitting the walls of his flesh. The sweat wetting his body submitted to his nerves.
Once he arrived… He took the face in his hands. He caressed the cheeks once pale but now taunted by blood and dirt. He contemplated the eyelids that covered the hazel irises he would never see again.
He lowered his head and with pure tenderness, he gave a kiss on the lips of his soulmate. Those lips were now cold and never again would they respond back.
The body he had learned to worship remained but the soul he had fallen in love with since his childhood had left him for the Underworld.
When he finally accepted the fact, he began to tremble. Rarely he showed his emotions but his own mind couldn't bear them all for once or else he would become insane.
He mourned. He cursed. He raged. He swore. He sobbed. He screamed.
He hugged the body. His only source of light during these last ten years of war gone in a single night. His heart plunged into the darkness and ate his capacity for mercy.
Why did he let this happen?!
Definitely mad, he stood up and began to yell, hitting and destroying every single object he managed to grab. All the men around stepped back, too terrified to approach.
There was no man left, but only a dangerous beast unleashed. The most feared warrior in the world had now lost his reason. Just like he had lost his reason to live.
Now, he needed a new life's purpose. That would go beyond his desire for glory.
He had only one option left… Revenge.
Thank you for reading!
So I changed some things for this chapter.
First, Patroclus didn't fight Hector on a cliff neither he fell from it in the water but eh! I wanted Delphina to be involved.
Also, sadly, Apollo was truly in part responsible of Patroclus' death! So sorry if it messed up the things even more but I had to stay faithful to this fact.
I hope you enjoyed it!
See you soon!