Aristoi Achaion [A the song of Achilles fanfiction] 2

Chapter 38

“Sister, do you wish to know what insane idea your husband has in mind?”
He called him that sometimes, he liked to joke about it.

“It's not as insane as you make it seem” Patroclus argued.

I took a seat, preparing myself for what I was about to hear.

“He wants to march alone to war! To pretend to be me!”

“And why is that?”It was a simple question but it seems daring, seeing how conflicted they were.

“He says he pities our fellow Greeks, because they suffer! What about me and Alcippe?” His gaze focused on him.
“Didn't we suffer when they turned their backs on us while that poor excuse of a leader insulted us?”

“Diomedes and Ajax are injured, if we abandon them now Hector and his army will destroy them!” I always admired him for his empathy but I could clearly understand my brother's point.

“Let him, Hector is an accomplished man who has never caused me harm, he deserves some glory”

“You cannot be serious” Patroclus rolled his eyes, which he didn't do often and so it showed how determined and annoyed he was.

"I am. I will not allow you to risk your life for people who do not deserve it in the slightest! You are very good, great even but to think people will mistake you for me -even in armor- is pure foolishness" he stated.

"I think Achilles is right" I said, quite determined.

"I feel bad for some of them but they are not worth your kindness or your pity, and surely not your sacrifice. Not even a scratch on your body. They chose to put themselves in this position"

"I understand you are concerned for me but I see no reason for worrying. Automedon will be there and I shall be careful, as always. You know I will. Did I ever fail either of you?"

Achilles looked at me for approval and for some reason the fates only know, I gave it.

"Promise me, that you shall only fight at the beach, that you will not get close to the walls"

"I promise"

*

"I failed you, didn't I?"
My sweet boy rested in my arms, gazing at me peacefully. I envied him at such a time, he had no idea what had been happening. He had no idea he would never see his father again, that I am partially to blame for it.
The crying came again, like a river you thought has dried up, but the next time it rained it overflowed. I placed him back in his cradle, he shouldn't have to see me like this.

Before the soil could absorb the flood Briseis appeared at the door, quite worried.

"What happened?" I tried wiping my tears.

She took a breath before answering, her heart ached to see me like this and I appreciated the worry. Especially knowing that she was grieving as well.

"Achilles...He is heading to the beach and he is wearing armour"
 
Armour?

I quickly rushed outside. Turns out my isolation those past few days had not done me any good.

"Brother!" I shout but he does not turn around.
It took for me to run and grab his shoulder for him to actually look at me. All though it was only for a split second as he was trying to get away, ignoring me.

"Where did you even find the armour?"

"Mother brought it" he replied.

"Mother, of course"

"At least she eventually accepted my decision unlike you! Always after me as if I am a child! I am not ruining your sand castles anymore sister, it's others that deserve ruining"
I had never seen him this cruel. I had seen him murderous but not cruel.

"If you kill Hector you know what shall come, you shall be gone. The best of the Myrmidons is gone remember?"

"He is. And without him I can not live as you well know" His sword shined as the sun set it's rays on it, what a tragic occurrence.

"He is a good man, you said it yourself. He thought he was putting an end to you, his aim was not Patroclus you know it!" It was futile, I knew. I've known since I was a child.

"And he succeed, he put an end to me"

And with that he got on his chariot. I didn't have the strength to try to stop him anymore.

*
He came back intact, at least in flesh.

And he is not alone, attached to his chariot is the body of Glorious Hector, being paraded like slayed animal at hunting. I grieve not for only for those I have lost but for Hector as well, as I am sure Cassandra does. Her face is faint in my memory but I see it wet with tears and overcome with fear.

I don't see him, I see my father. I see the sons of Laomedon being slaughtered, I see them,I see the fires that were put up, I see the fires that will be out up soon.
But you won't see this city burn

The kings of Greece are waiting for him.

“You have triumphed today, Achilles,” Agamemnon says. “Bathe and rest yourself, and then we shall feast in your honor.”

“I will have no feast.” He pushes through them, dragging Hector after.