Duty of Lions and Men

He could see the fires through the trunks of the trees, slipping unnoticed by the guards as he took the trail of an obscure ravine. You couldn't see it from any direction, with all the brush surrounding it. Especially in the dark. The only reason Hector knew of it was simply because he had fallen into it once when he was a boy. He timed the movement of the sentries and darted near one of the fires, laying the boy on the ground.

 

They would find him soon enough. The boy had been in and out of it since Hector had stumbled onto him. But the prince was sure he would make it. He had trekked faster than he thought possible to ensure the boy would make it.

 

He stroked the curls from the pained face, knowing he had few precious moments, but was suddenly overcome with paternal instincts. Would his own son grow to this age? With the war, he couldn't be sure.

 

He was just about to rise when a sharp inhale alerted him to the presence of another. Hector's eyes widened as he jumped to his feet, hand instinctively grabbing for his sword.

 

He hadn't even heard the other's approach!

 

When his hand grasped at nothing, Hector realized his sword was indisposed at the moment, as it was being used as cast and tourniquet. The boy wouldn't have made it thus far without it.

 

Those eyes.

 

Hector stilled.

 

He hadn't believed it possible, but those piercing blues flashed more dangerously now in the dark than it had during the day at any battle. His golden locks framed the perfectly chiseled face as though the man himself had stepped out of a painting. But it was those burning eyes that made Hector shiver.

 

"Achilles..." Hector mumbled, the name tumbling out of his mouth without permission.

 

Over the initial shock of a Trojan, much less the prince himself, getting this far into camp undetected, the Myrmidon smirked in greeting, "Hector."

 

His blue eyes drank in the dark prince before him, dark curls gleaming in the moonlight. Achilles was never one for facial hair, but he couldn't help but notice how perfectly Hector's beard embraced his face, almost presenting those lips as an offering. His gaze lowered and he inspected the intricate blue design of the tunics and leathers, all encasing the lean and sculpted body of the Trojan before him. He had never had the time to adequately appreciate the other man's form. A battlefield hardly gave such luxuries.

 

But now at his camp, where he had a definite advantage...

 

Hector took a step back, not comfortable at all with the way the muscled warrior was looking at him. Though devouring would be a more apt definition. That smirk only widened when the other noticed his slight retreat.

 

A groan from the boy wrenched a concerned frown from the usually confident Myrmidon before him, allowing Hector a startling glimpse of the man beneath. Achilles ate up the distance in the blink of an eye, dropping to his knees as he took a hold of his cousin, inspecting him as he murmured, "Patroclus..."

 

Hector had taken two instinctive steps back at the other's approach, once again reaching for the phantom sword at his side.

 

But Achilles seemed absorbed with the boy before him. Realizing now would be the best time for a hasty departure, Hector began backing up, unable to take his eyes off of the scene before him. But more importantly, he had to keep the dangerous man in his sights. He took his steps softly, not wanting to draw any attention to himself.

 

But those icy blues flicked back up at him, not having forgotten for a single moment. They held the prince enthralled, but the approach of more soldiers and the larger threat of the camp made Hector shake his head, clearing his foggy mind.

 

He glanced at the safety of the forest behind him, gaze darting back towards the golden-haired man before him.

 

Those blue eyes narrowed slightly, warning him, commanding him.

 

Don't.

 

Hector took a step back. Then another. Achilles eyes hardened.

 

The Myrmidon's voice suddenly roared, "Eudorus!!"

 

Hector's gaze snapped to the side, noting the hurried approach of several of Achilles deadly men. Spell broken, he glanced one last time at those burning blue orbs, before turning and plunging back into the forest.

 

Branches and leaves whipped at him, though he ignored their slight sting. As dark as it was, he didn't stumble until he heard the deep rumble of Achilles calling for his second in command once more.

 

He didn't know what the warrior planned, only knew he didn't want to risk life and limb to find out.



-o-o-o-



"Eudorus!" Achilles roared once more, angered as he watched his prey escape deeper into the foliage.

 

"Yes, my lord." The dark-eyed man gasped, out of breathe next to the golden-haired warlord.

 

Without a glance at anyone, eyes trained solely through the shrubbery the prince had disappeared into, Achilles growled, "Do not let Patroclus die."

 

That accomplished, Achilles plowed through the sand dunes straight into the forest itself.

 

"Yes, my lord." Eudorus barely got out as the warrior vanished into the trees.

 

He had only seen Achilles so focused and determined a few times. And each he always drove mercilessly forward until he got what he wanted. He only hoped whoever he was chasing knew he didn't stand a prayer.



-o-o-o-



Breathing heavily, Hector paused to listen for sounds of pursuit. He had been running for a good amount of time, and still hadn't caught wind of anyone behind him.

 

A soft neigh perked his ears. He turned slightly and caught sight of a wild horse hiding in the brush. He couldn't shake the feeling running down his spine. The feeling that he was being stalked. Realizing it's capture would greatly increase his chances of escape, Hector turned to it calmly. When he was sure it was acknowledging his presence, though wary, he slowly moved forward.

 

It nickered, stomping one of its hooves nervously as he got within two arm-lengths of it, it's bravery only holding up so far.

 

"Shh shhh, easy girl. I'm not going to hurt you." He said softly, drilling the fear and panic inside as he projected a calm facade through his brown eyes and easy posture.

 

The mare's eyes widened for a moment as his hand made contact with her nose. Hector kept perfectly still, keeping his hand outstretched at the same distance even as she danced back, tail flicking. He merely continued speaking calmly, telling the grey mare how beautiful she was and how he needed her help.

 

Curious, she stepped closer, snout brushing his fingers tentatively before pushing it fully under his palm, nostrils flaring as she breathed in his scent.

 

"That's a good girl." Hector exhaled in relief, inching closer.

 

She snorted as he cupped the bridge of her nose with one hand, the other coming around to stroke her side. His face hidden in the horse's mane, the prince grimaced. The next part was always the most difficult, no matter how much time was taken to tame the animal. Which, under normal circumstances, Hector would have spent at least a fortnight with the beast before even attempting this stage.

 

But he didn't have the luxury of time.

 

The moment he leapt onto the horse's back, it went wild. The night turned into a blur of hooves, dirt, and broken branches. The Trojan just rode it out, fists ensnared in the mare's hair. Sweat clung to both when she finally wore herself out, Hector just that more sore than when he started, but he had succeeded.

 

Patting her soothingly, he had just begun guiding her with his knees when he received the shock of the night.

 

Lounging against the trunk of a tree, as though nothing was out of place, stood Achilles. He looked as if he had been there for some time.

 

Sensing the tension of her speechless rider, the gray mare prances nervously to the side, keeping the new human in front of them.

 

The Myrmidon pushed off from the trunk, bringing his hands before him as he gave a few slow claps, "Prince Hector, Tamer of horses. Never thought I would live to see the day."

 

Hector's eyes narrowed, "Never thought I would be entertaining one of Greece's fiercest

warriors."

 

Achilles gave a brief burst of laughter, taking a few steps closer as he did so. He had seen the entire interaction and couldn't help but be awed by the Trojan's patience and obvious skill. Even now it must be difficult to keep such a newly broken animal under control. His mind instantly shoved it into an advantage within his mind, though not so foolish as to believe Hector wasn't aware of it as well.

 

"What are you doing here? I didn't harm the boy..." Hector couldn't help asking.

 

The Myrmidon cocked his head to the side, eyes piercing Hector's very soul.



 

"..." Achilles circled horse and rider, making both uneasy at his silence.



 

The prince eyed the paths open to him, realizing in the creeping stillness as Achilles came to a halt, that the warlord had effectively found and blocked the best of them.

 

He grimaced as the other smirked.

 

It seemed he had no other choice. With a deep exhale, he swung a leg over and slid off the tall horse.

 

This only made Achilles grin wider, seemingly pleased with Hector's decision.

 

Ever the peace seeker, Hector held out a hand as he implored gruffly, "Look, Achilles, I have no quarrel with you tonight. I just want to get back to the comfort of my bed and wife."

 

For some reason, the last statement irritated the Greek warrior immensely. Something in him snapped, and it showed.

 

"Then you should have run." Was the only growled warning.

 

The leather of Hector's armor groaned as he twisted his torso, barely dodging the thrown spear. He hadn't even-

 

Suddenly Achilles was on him.

 

Hector cursed inaudibly, wrenching this way and that as he dodged, trading blows with the Herculean man before him. Staggering the blonde with a lucky shot across the temple, Hector swiftly kicked the man's feet from under him, attempting to end it as quickly as it had begun.

 

He dropped bodily on top of the Greek warrior, pinning him as he ordered, "Stop this! I only came to deliver the boy. I did not wish to fight you!"

 

"You think," Achilles grunted as he wrenched at the Prince's hold, testing out the weaknesses before continuing, "that you can just waltz into my camp, and then leave?"

 

"Believe me, it would have gone a whole lot smoother if you had stayed out of it." Hector struggled to keep the blonde down, realizing with dawning horror that they were at a stalemate. He couldn't leave without letting Achilles up, and Achilles wouldn't let him leave if he was. His mind spinning like the chariot's wheels, Hector tightened his grip on the Myrmidon as he glanced around, desperately seeking a solution.

 

As if reading his mind, Achilles grunted, "So what exactly is your plan, oh great strategist? To hold me like this all night? Personally, I wouldn't mind, but I would have believed a married man such as yourself would have some qualms against this sort of thing."

 

Hector balked.

 

He hadn't realized their suggestive posturing. What with him practically straddling Achilles' ass while he kept one arm tight around the man's neck, the other preoccupied with twisting the warlord's arm behind his back. And he never would have thought of it in such a manner, if Achilles had just kept his damned mouth shut.

 

This also gave Hector's mind permission to wander on the articles of clothing the blonde wore. Or rather, the single article. Said garment being a deep blue robe that fit the man perfectly, ending slightly lower than the part of the man's autonomy Hector currently sat on.

 

"What does that have anything to do with us?" The Prince demanded, twisting the captive arm a little harder as he attempted to bring his thoughts away from how perfectly toned the body was beneath him. Not the soft pliantness of a woman, but the hard, sculpted lines of a true warrior.

 

Achilles drowned the cry of pain from Hector's movement with a large gravelly grunt, "So there's an us now, is there?" He twisted, hating the vulnerability in this position, the Trojan's muscled thighs gripping his hips as though they were the flanks of an unruly horse. Which was an apt description, seeing as how Achilles kept attempting to buck the Trojan off his back.

 

"What?" Hector growled, distracted as the last movement pressed his groin perfectly against the Greek's-

 

"At least one part of you is paying attention." Achilles said appreciatively after a slight pause, his rich tone a little deeper.

 

Hector couldn't be more glad that Achilles face was pressed into the dirt, as a heated flush colored his own.

 

"What are you-" Hector began to snarl.  But had to clench his jaw shut as the Greek rolled his hips in a very specific manner, making the Trojan struggle to contain a moan.

 

Without thinking, he leapt up off of the heated body, his mind wandering down paths he had closed long ago. He realized the error in his rash action as the lion sprung up a breath behind him, spinning into an attack. Hector ducked, before quickly backpedaling to dodge the next blow.

 

A root made Hector's retreat falter, causing him to slam against the gnarled trunk of a tree behind him, forcing the breath from his chest. Before he could push off and dodge, Achilles was there, body and arms trapping him in.

 

His own arms pinned to his sides, Hector leveled the Trojan with a scathing glare. He expected another blow, a dagger through his throat, or another mocking comment. What he didn't foresee, was the speculative gaze that was settled on him, those icy blues no longer burning with anger.

 

"Well this... this is an interesting development." Achilles practically purred, his thigh between Hector's legs.

 

Hector felt the blush darkening his face, squirming uncomfortably as he threw his gaze to the side. He wasn't really looking at anything. So long as he wasn't making eye contact with him.

 

But the Myrmidon warlord wasn't having any of that.

 

"Look at me." Achilles commanded.

 

Defiance flashed in Hector's eyes, stubbornly keeping his sights elsewhere. It made the warlord's blood boil. Though not in anger. The Myrmidon always enjoyed a challenge.

 

"Look. At. Me, prince." Achilles growled, grinding his thigh at each pause, devouring the strained measure of control Hector had against the rushes of pleasure. At the last word, the warlord pressed more intimately, finally drawing out a low moan from those tightened lips.

 

"Hector..." Achilles voice caressed the name, the tone scolding as the prince's glazed eyes finally made contact.

 

"Hector, I shall give you two options. Either you willingly come back to my camp with me as a guest-"

 

"Or what?" Hector scoffed, interrupting the far too smug man, "You'll kill me?"

 

Achilles frowned, rewarding the Trojan's impertinence with another grind of his hips, enjoying the way Hector bit his own lip to silence himself, "OR... Dear prince, I shall have my way with you until my men inevitably arrive and help drag you back as a prisoner."



 

"What have I done to deserve such charity?" Hector snarled dryly, "Is this how you treat an enemy who has spared the life of your cousin? With threats?"

 

"My little cousin..." Achilles growled and shook the dark-curled man slightly, before continuing, "means the world to me. And I thank you," -Achilles paused to rest forehead against sweaty forehead, suddenly serious- "I thank you, Prince Hector, from the bottom of my heart for bringing him back to me not once, but twice."

 

A skilled warrior such as the Trojan prince could've slain the boy as easily as a horse would swat a fly from it's flanks, in spite of the training Achilles was giving him. Patroclus was still a novice. Inexperienced, and too rash to think before he leaps.

 

While these thoughts ran through the Myrmidon's head, Hector was stunned into silence by the man's sincere tone. Ever since the Greeks had landed on their shores, all Hector had seen was the pure savagery, cruelty, and deadly skill that was Achilles. To think that there was a beating heart underneath all that bronze skin was... too much to take in within one night.

 

Out of the quiet around them, a flash of grey suddenly took them both unawares. A shrill cry and hooves striking the spot both warriors had been moments ago, splintered the wood and made the tree groan as it gave under the mare's weight.

 

Achilles had dodged and rolled away, losing his grip on Hector before he could drag the man out of harm's way. Hector had only enough time to duck, sitting flat on his rump as the mare stood back on all fours, nickering as it shook her head, silver hair glowing in the moonlight.

 

For a moment Hector felt as though it were the moon goddess herself, coming to rescue him.

 

Hector looked to the other man for a moment, wondering... Then the tree hit the ground with a shaking boom, snapping the prince out of thought and straight to the moment. Reaching up he grabbed a hold of her mane, vaulting onto her back even as she began galloping away. He hadn't realized the horse was still there. In all honesty, had even forgot that it had been there at all. Achilles had a way of making everything else in the world disappear the moment his intense gaze just settled on him.

 

Leaning into the sleek form of the beast, Hector glanced behind him, almost afraid to look. He saw the golden-haired man picking himself up off the ground, staring after them, gaze unreadable. Hector felt those eyes burning in his mind, getting the feeling he would see them long after Achilles was gone from his sight. Hector couldn't control the shiver that ran through him. Then he turned and guided the horse home.

 

Achilles couldn't stop the growl that bubbled up from his chest. He had him. He had almost had him. That damned horse...

 

Tamer of horses indeed.

 

"You interest me, Hector..." He answered to the breeze, knowing no one else would hear.

 

With a frustrated growl, he snatched the fallen spear from the ground and stormed his way back to camp. His Myrmidons came to a halt as their leader streaked past them without a word, jaw clenched, muscles tense, and eyes burning a path through the dry foliage. Eudorus silenced one who attempted to speak with a shake of his head.

 

Now was not a good time.

 

This was the first time Eudorus had ever seen his lord fail.

 

Mutely, the group turned and followed a safe distance behind their Myrmidon leader.



-o-o-o-



Hector made love to his wife that night, though she did not question how much rougher he was that night. Nor the look in his eyes when he thought she was asleep afterwards. How he gazed at the night stars through their balcony.

 

She could have chalked it up to his near capture or death that night.

 

But a wife knew better.