Unforeseen

I wanted to have a chapter with Achilles and Hector dealing with each other, other than fighting. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter. I had a lot of fun writing it.



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Chapter 9



Everything will be alright Briseis…everything will be alright…



Briseis repeated the words over and over in her head as she and Achilles trotted towards the city. She took great comfort in Achilles' arms around her as he held the reigns of the horse. It was a comfort she could not explain with words. There was such power and strength in them, but such tenderness all the same. The world would never know that deep down the great warrior Achilles was a big softy under all his brashness and arrogance. It was the strangest comfort she had ever experienced before and she didn't want to let it go so soon. She never wanted to leave from the very spot she sat but she knew he would make her if she struggled. He would throw her over his shoulder and carry her into the city himself if he must. All because he wanted her safe.



"They see us, " Achilles announced slowing their pace when he saw that archers were being posted on the wall. Very clever of you Hector he thought impressed.



Briseis noticed the archers and the increased guards as well and smiled faintly. "They won't strike, " she informed confidently. Hector would see if there were any immediate dangers before he called for any action. Hector was a great man because he was a peaceful man.



They came to a stop in front of the gate. "Stay, " Achilles whispered then dismounted the horse from behind her with his hands out to his sides to show he was unarmed other than the sword at his side. He took a few steps forward eyeing all the archers and guards. "I wish to speak with Hector!" he yelled peacefully. "I have something he wants!" He put his arms back to his sides and stood like a statue of superiority.



Briseis chewed on the inside of her lip nervously, eyeing all the archers who could kill him at the call of an order. There was a commotion towards the overlook and she saw Glaucus and Priam watching from above. She could see them but they could not see her for it was still before sunrise. Her attention was drawn from the pair as the gate began to slowly open. The horse shuffled a little but she quickly calmed her with a sweep of her hand.



Achilles clasped his arms behind his back as the vision of Hector came into view. He noticed his form go rigid when he saw whom he was about to face. Not out of fear or regret, but anticipation, or a thrill perhaps. Hector held up his arm for the guards behind him to stand down then walked outside the safety of the walls to stand a few feet away from Achilles.



"Achilles, " Hector acknowledged resting the palm of his hand on the handle of his sword.



Achilles bowed vaguely in acknowledgement as well, "Prince Hector."



"Why do you come?" Hector asked getting strait to the point.

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Achilles took a deep breath, "I have something that belongs to you." He turned and looked over to Briseis.



Hector almost gasped when he saw Briseis sitting atop of the mare. "Briseis!" he called out in relief as Achilles headed to help her down from the beautiful mare.



"Hector!" Briseis immediately ran to Hector and wrapped her arms and legs around him as he hugged her tightly to him.



"Thank the Gods we thought we had lost you forever, " he breathed into her hair as he stroked her.

Achilles stayed next to the horse watching the reunion with great comfort. He does care for her as a sister he thought at the emotion they both conveyed. He knew leaving her with Hector was the best course of action…at the moment. "She is a fine treasure Prince, " Achilles complimented softly.



Hector pulled away Briseis and locked his gaze with Achilles. "I can never express how grateful I am for her safe return, " Hector offered.



Achilles shook his head, "Yes there is…" he then looked to Briseis. "…keep her safe for me."



Briseis turned fully to face Achilles. The wind blew her hair away from her face making her look like a Goddess. Achilles smiled at her unasked question and shook his head. "No, " he voiced gently.



Hector watched the unspoken exchange between the two and knew there was something between them. He must have treated her well he imagined. "Briseis?" Hector said softly getting her attention.



She looked to Hector then to Achilles, her heart wrenching. It is too much I can't handle this…she was torn between the two most important men in her life. Hector, her dearest cousin whom had always been there to protect her and love her. And Achilles, the warrior that had protected her without reason or cause and shown her what love really was between a man and woman. Her eyes filled with tears and she faced Hector. "Please…allow me a moment alone with him?" she requested from her dearest cousin.



Hector looked from her to Achilles. He could see the tortured expression upon Achilles' face. He cares for her that much? He wondered as he took Briseis' hand and kissed it with a nod and let her go to Achilles.



She ran to Achilles and embraced him with her arms and legs desperately. He returned theracerace with as much eagerness knowing it could possibly be the last time he ever touched her. He pulled back without breaking the embrace and caressed her tears away.



"Don’t cry, " he kissed her tenderly and rested his forehead against her still stroking her cheek. "I will come back." He tried to reassure her.



She tired to dry up her tears to show him she was strong. "Please promise me…" she looked into his eyes. "…promise me that I will see you again."



"I swear it, " he promised never looking away from her hopeful eyes. "Now go, your family will be pleased at your return." He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek then moved to her ear. "I love you, " he whispered then quickly backed away and mounted the horse. "Go, " he ordered her.



Hector could see she would not move unless someone coaxed her to otherwise. "Briseis, " he offered softly coming up behind her. "Go I will be with you shortly, " he reassured then waved for a few soldiers to come and retrieve her. "It's alright, " he whispered noticing the far off look in her eyes as he handed her off to the soldiers.



Achilles watched as the soldiers guided her within the walls and out of sight. He turned his attention back to the Prince before him. "You are truly a blessed man Prince of Troy, " he complimented.



Hector regarded Achilles skeptically.



"I did no harm to her if that is your concern, " Achilles said answering Hector's unasked question. It was obvious in his expression. It held a caged rage that would be unleashed on any person who did harm to her.



"You have honorable intentions, " Hector said more than asked.



Achilles nodded, "I brought Briseis home because once I am gone she would no longer be safe. As much as I wish to bring her home with me…I could not live with myself if I took her from a family that would obviously mourn if she were taken."



Hector seemed surprised at his words, "You're leaving?"



"This is not my war Prince, " Achilles noted.



Hector shifted on his feet, "What of Agamemnon? Surely you don't think he will leave just because his greatest warrior refuses to fight."



Achilleilediled. Briseis said the same thing…"I imagine my absence will actually improve his mood, for a time. But the men will begin to loose confidence in him over time. The other Kings will see reason and re to to their kingdoms. Without all his armies Agamemnon has no force and will fail to achieve his goal here."



"What makes you so sure?" Hector asked. "And why are you helping against your own people?"

"I thought that much was obvious, " Achilles said knowingly. "I was born for this war, everyone just assumed I would be fighting in it. Glory can be obtained in many ways."



Hector understood now. Achilles would be the cause of the end of the war and he would be remembered for bringing down Agamemnon, the King of K. ". "What if your plan doesn't work?" he asked skeptically. "What if Troy is taken?"



"Then you must think of your own escape plan Prince, but if it does come to that…make a pact with me, " Achilles offered.



"What pact would that be?" Hector asked.



"Assure me that Briseis will be safe." Achilles asked with as much sincerity as he could convey.



"I will always protect Briseis from harm, " Hector informed firmly. "But if hearing the words will put your mind at ease…I promise."



Achilles nodded, "My Myrmidons and I will return to Greece within the hour." He paused for a moment. "Briseis had a vision you were going to attack the camp at sunrise, and that you would have killed my cousin Patroclus, without knowledge of whom he was." He paused to gauge Hector's reaction. "I would advise against such a move." The words were threatening in their own and Hector could hear the unspoken threat.



"You are so sure of yourself, " Hector noted.

Achilles straitened on the horse, "Odysseus and the other Kings find this war as pointless as I. Once they see that Agamemnon has no real power they will withdraw until he has no army left. He will do one or two things. Either he will go completely mad with rage and charge your city or he will tuck tail and run. Personally, I think he will go mad and storm your city. He doesn't take lightly to being told he cannot have something, " Achilles explained with disdain. It made him remember when he had taken Briseis from his tent and he threatened to kill the soldiers that held her captive.



But what he did not inform Hector nor Briseis was that he was staying behind, in the shadows. He was not entirely confident that Agamemnon would give up and leave the Trojans in peace, but to sack the city. If the city were to be sacked he wanted ake ake sure Briseis made it out alive.



"I don't know if I should thank you or not, " Hector admitted. "I guess time will tell."



Achilles said nothing as he nodded to Hector then turned the horse and took off in a gallop.



Hector watched the infamous warrior ride off with a stiff sigh.



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Well? What does everyone think so far? Things have completely turned away from the movie at this point and I hope everyone still enjoys it. I don't have the next chapter even started so it could be a while before I get it posted. Well, I've got like two paragraphs typed up lol! So please read and review and let me know what you think. Suggestions and comments are very welcome!