Spirits Forged in Fire

That evening, there was a magnificent banquet held in honor of the prisoner's return. To provide Briseis with some emotional privacy, Priam merely announced that she had escaped, sparing her the necessary explanation of how it had come to be that their greatest enemy was the one to personally escort her home. That story, the young priestess had told no one. Weary from the day's events, Briseis stood up and excused herself from dinner early, claiming a headache required early sleep. Priam took his nieces hand and kissed it.

"My dear, just seeing your face again gives me the strength that I need to wage war a hundred times over. I cannot express my joy at seeing you back. Tell me though, are you sure you are all right? Would you wish for me to send for a handmaid to stay in your room this evening? Extra guards at your door perhaps?" Briseis smiled at the old mans concern.

"No my dear Uncle, but thank you for your gracious concern. Apollo has blessed me thus far, and will no doubt continue his watch over me. I bid you good night." She dipped low, and then stood to leave the room. Priam turned to the rest of the family and their guests, and begged them to stay and celebrate, for their spirits need not be dampened by the upcoming conflict.

After several minutes, Hector stood and took leave of the King's table.

"Father, I am going to do a walk of the walls briefly, to see that all of the scouts are in place for the night."

"Son, you needn't worry yet. There will be time enough for that later." The king scolded mildly, but Hector insisted on his duty. He kissed his wife on the cheek, and left the table.

A voice at her doorway roused Briseis from her thoughts. She was glad that it was Hector, for she always welcomed his quiet company, and had since she was a young girl.

"Come in cousin." She called, and motioned to a spot on a chaise in front of her bed where she sat. "How did you get out of the banquet so early? I already used the headache excuse." Hector smiled back at her, understanding her ruse.

"Ah, then it was wise that I employed the palace guard check excuse this time, or we might have been found out." His laugh trailed off, and his handsome face grew serious once more. "I know that we havent seen much of eachother these past months cousin, but I beg of you, would you consider telling me what happened? How were you able to be spared, when not one other did?" Briseis looked into his honest face, and took a deep breath, preparing to tell the story. As she went to speak though, Andromache's voice called out into the room.

"I do believe that you are about to be found out" She teased Hector. "Come in." She called to the doorway, and watched as Andromache gracefully swept into the room.

"How did I know that you would come here?" She smiled at Hector, full aware of his concern for the younger woman. Hector had the grace to look somewhat sheepish, but remained seated. "I had stopped in to see if I could offer any comfort tonight, but I see that my husband has already looked into that."

"No, please Andromache. Please sit and join us. I have something to share, and its probably best if you both hear it at once." At Briseis soft command, Andromache took a seat next to Hector on the chaise.

"The day that the temple was attacked, I was lucky enough to still be carrying my dagger under my robe. When one of the Kings soldiers grabbed me, I was able to defend myself, and killed him." Andromache's face went white, but she made no sound. Briseis looked at Hector, whose strong jaw set in anger, yet he too remained silent. Briseis continued. "Two others caught me and rendered me unconscious. The struggle had caught the attention of Achilles, who took me as his prisoner. When I awoke in his tent though, he made no effort to restrain me, and promised me safety as long as I stayed within the tent, away from the other soldiers. I was safe, but planned to kill him by poison, to save Troy. Before I did so though, I was kidnapped from the tent and brought before Agamemnon, who tried to rape me." Hector stood up in anger, but Andromache, understanding there was more to the story, grabbed her husbands hand and kept him from going anywhere. He remained standing though, furious at what he was hearing.

"Achilles heard my cries, and threatened to kill the King if he didnt release me. I was given back to Achilles, who... seemed to care for me. He nursed my wounds, and comforted me." Briseis broke off, tears forming in her eyes. Hector, recognizing the look in her eyes, sat back down next to his wife quickly.

"Briseis," Andromache whispered, "did he...?" Briseis nodded slowly.

"I was willing. May the gods help me, but I love him. He is not who you think he is. He is not heartless, and never cruel. It was his idea to return me to you, so that I would be safe during the war. He knew that life with him was no life for me. There was nothing I could say to convince him otherwise." Briseis began to cry for what felt like the hundredth time that day. Hector moved towards his younger cousin, and pulled her into an embrace, stroking her hair. While she cried, Andromache placed a reassuring hand on her leg. "Please dont tell anyone." She whispered.

"We wont, now sleep little one. You have had a long day." Hector soothed, and helped her crawl under the blankets. After exchanging goodnights, the couple left her alone, and Briseis found herself in darkness.

Back in their room, Andromache sat on the bed while Hector paced the room.

"Do you really think she loves him?" She asked her husband, who knew Briseis better than anyone. Hector ran an agitated hand through his hair and faced his wife.

"Yes." He said, after a moment. "I think I knew the moment that I saw her today. I just dont understand it though, the man is a killer. How could she possibly..." he trailed off, confused.

"The way he looked at her." Andromache stated quietly.

"What?" Hector looked at her quizzically.

"If you had seen the way he looked at her. As she cried, it was like his heart was breaking. He didnt bring her back because he wanted to, but because he had to. I think that she affected him the way that he affected her." Hector began to laugh, and now it was Andromache's turn to look puzzled. "What is so humourous, pray tell?"

"Of all the men in the world, she has to fall in love with the one man besides Agamemnon most dangerous to Troy." Hector reasoned.

"Perhaps he is not so dangerous to Troy anymore..." Andromache said, as Hector grew silent, both wondering the same thing.

When the dawn came the next morning, would Achilles be there?