Aristoi Achaion|| A "The song of Achilles" Fanfiction

Chapter 7

A.N:this is again from Alcippe's pov.
As we arrived in Pthia the sun was setting and it's rays were playfully shinning behind the mountains. We finally passed the boundary stone that marked the palace grounds. We saw some guards and then heard the sound of a trumpet signaling our arrival.
We got off our horses and the guards welcomed us and took them to the stables. At the threshold of the palace stood my mother and father. I could see my father had aged since we were last here. His hair was grayer and his face looked older. My mother looked beautiful as always,beautiful but cold. Her dark eyes, as black as the abyss of the ocean peering through Patroclus once again. Maybe she expected us to leave him in Pelion. She needed to understand he was not just a boy my brother took pitty in. He was his therapon his sworn protector, his.. Lover and my friend.
“Children of my womb, flesh of my flesh, Achilles, Alcippe,” she said. The words were not spoken loudly but they carried through the courtyard.She said as she drew us into an embrace. “Be welcome home.”
"Thank you mother" , we both said almost simultaneously. I took a look back at Patroclus as were breaking from the hug he was sort of awkwardly standing.
We then went to our father,
"Be welcomed, my children" My father said. Hugging us, one after the other.
"And be welcomed Patroclus" be addressed him after releasing us.
I could see how awkward Patroclus felt at that moment as all eyes were on him. He managed to bow.
"What are the news, father?"Achilles asked. I wanted to ask too but I didn't know if I should. I for once again was the princess of court.
My father looked at guards, there must have been speculation and rumor regarding what the news were about.
" I have not anounced it yet, and I will only when everyone is gathered. I was waiting for you two to return" he informed us.
We then followed into the palace. I noticed Patroclus wanted to speak to my brother but he didn't feel comfortable when my mother was around.
"Achilles" he whisperer but my brother either didnt hear him or ignored him. I suppose Patroclus wanted to ask to not attend the assembly. He perhaps felt he should not.
"Patroclus is my sworn companion, his place is by my side" Achilles spoke and my mother's eyes flickered.
"Very well" my father said in agreement. He then gestured a servant to add an extra sit for Patroclus.
"She'll hate me now" Patroclus said to us.
"She already hates you" I reminded him with a flash of a smile.
"Why has your mother come?" he asked.
"It is quite strange, really" Achilles replied. I have not seen them together since I was a boy"
"Chiron believe the news to be war" Patroclus remembered.
"There will always be war in Mycenae. It isn't anything new" Achilles scoffed but this put me in deep though. I remembered Chiron had adviced us to decide on answer before we left, if we would join the war or not.
My father sat down and the rest of us were then sitted also. My mother was still there too.
My father stood up and the room went quiet.

“I have received word from Mycenae, from the sons of Atreus, Agamemnon and Menelaus.” The final stirrings and murmurs ceased, utterly. Even the servants stopped.

“There has been a crime.” He paused

A/N: a bit of the above is a copy paste from the song of achilles. Not mine.
"Princes Hector and Paris of Troy had visited king Menelaus in Mycenae. Despite the kind hospitality he was offered, prince Paris stole queen Helen" I then understood, a war was indeed, breaking out. King Menelaus was king of a great region,he was a warrior, he would fight for his wife. Besides, not appreciating the kindness of one's host is considered great dishonor.
“They have asked me to send a delegation of men from Phthia, and I have agreed.” The king  waited for the murmuring to settle before adding, “Though I will not take any man who does not wish to go. And I will not lead the army myself.” he informed.
"Who will, then?" a man asked. Probably one of my father's advisors.
"That is yet to be determined"
My father said but I could see his eyes were on us, especially on my brother. Everybody's eyes were on Achilles. Yes,I was given power by the gods, but men, would never accept me, as their leader in war. The truth was, that no one besides perhaps my father cared if I joined the war. To them I was still a girl. I will prove them wrong. I told myself.
"There is more," my father continued.
"King Menelaus has asked for the former suitors of his wife, to fulfill their oaths by joining the war"
He then gestured Lord Phoinix who was his oldest friend and most trusted advisor who passed him a linen sheet. Which then my father gave to the herald to read out loud. It contained the names of queen Helen's suitors. I could see fear in Patroclus' eyes. He has once told me the story of how his father wanted him to get betrothed to queen Helen when he was only a boy.
As the herald read, I didn't recognize most of the names.
Ajax, only that one, he was my cousin, son of Tellamon.
Me, Achilles and Patroclus continued exchanging glances.
Menoitiades. He read. Our mouths dropped simultaneously, Patroclus realized he was bound to that war. He could not refuse. Achlled didn't realize and tried to comfort Patroclus by telling him that we will ask Chiron. I knew though, there was now way out.
After the herald was finished. My father dismissed the men.
"I called you  back home, hoping that you may wish to lead the army" he turned to my brother. We then sat at my father's fireside and he offered us some wine.
"We are not quite done with Chiron" Achilles tried to explain.
"You three have spend more time in Pelion than any hero I've head of"
"There will be others wars" Achilles said.
"This won't be like any other war. It might have happened because of Menelaus but the one leading it is Agamemnon. He sees it as an opportunity to gain more power in term of lands. It would be a great feat for Greeks to conquer Troy. There may be much honor to sail with them. "My father tried to persuade him. Patroclus was somewhat shaken I have him a kind look to make him feel  better.
" What about Patroclus? He is bound to go"my father made a point.
"I do no believe the oath is still relevant, father. Since he was disowned by his father. He is no longer called what was mentioned in the text" I tried to point out.
"I do not wish to go" Patroclus spoke.
I could smell the salty air coming from the ocean outside and then I noticed my mother left a while ago.
"Achilles,Alcippe" my father spoke.
"men are coming here to speak with you, kings sent by Agamemnon.” he continued.
" They will ask us to fight"I said not in a questioning tone.
"They will" he assured us.
"You wish us to give them audience"
"I do"
                                   *
We then left and went to our rooms. I was escorted to mine by an unknown servant girl. I wish it was Kleodore but it wasnt it. I wondered how she was doing. I had not had the chance to  get to know her well but she was my only friend here besides my family and Patroclus. The girl left me at the door of my room. There was the guard that guarded my door.
"Welcome back princess" he said bowing his head.
"Thank you, i would like your help in something sir"
"I would be glad to be of service, your grace"
"I am looking for someone, a servant girl by the name of Kleodore. She used to assist me when I first came here"
"Are you referring to lady Kleodore your grace?" he asked surprised.
"Lady? No, she a servant" Lady? I though it was impossible. Perhaps there must have been coincidence.
"Oh, Lady Kleodore yes. She was first a servant and she was recently appointed a lady" he informed me.
"Has her husband been given such a high position at court? Wasn't he just a soldier?"
"No, sir Erastus died two years ago, your grace, in a training accident."
"He died?"
"Yes, it was a saddening account"
"I see"
"Thank you, for your assistance sir"
"Always at your disposal your grace. The man bowed again and wished me goodnight".
I closed the door behind, changed into my nightgown and lied on my bed.
Could it be possible that Kleodore and my father? Could have something? It seemed to be the only explanation.
But then I once again thought about the war. I always wanted to go but now that I am so close I can't bring myself to decide. If I go my name will never be forgotten, the only woman who fought besides the Greeks, they will say. But my brother, he is destined to die if he joins it....
A/N: I changed my adult Alcippe to Emilia Clarke so enjoy.