Chapter Text
Things won are done, joy's soul lies in the doing.
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"Troilus, Polyxena" Came Hecuba's voice from the halls of the palace. The evening was soon to fall, the sun outside indicated so. Priam's son's were about to go into battle with the Greeks yet again, and Hecuba didn't want Polyxena & Troilus to worry too much of it. They always did, they were children after all. It was only natural for them to worry for their eldest brothers. Of course Hecuba wanted the children to ease their minds, they were too young yet to worry about the woes of war. "Why don't you both go out and play by the fountain?" She suggested to her children, making them look at her with wide eyes.
"But we want to help get the men ready!" Polyxena protested, looking at her mother with a pleading expression. Crossing her arms in a defiant manner, since when had she been so stubborn? Must be a trait from Priam, Hecuba supposed.
"I don't mind having to go play by the fountain" Troilus's voice chimed in, looking over at his sister as he handed Hector his helmet. "We can play ducks and swans there, Xena" He told his little sister as he began walking over where she was standing. Polyxena furrowed her eyebrows at Troilus, clearly wanting to protest against leaving to play. But she took at one look at her elder brothers, all who were heading out to go command the soldiers into battle, and pouted. She knew that she would look out the windows anxiously while trying to get a glimpse of the battle. She never did. But that didn't stop her from praying like a madwoman, it drove everyone in the palace insane.
"Fine" Polyxena relented, making Hecuba sigh quietly with relief while Troilus grinned. He had always loved to play out in the open where the sun would shine down on him, and it almost always made it seem like he was shining too. "But I want to be back in time to ask about the battle!" She told her brother, who simply chuckled at her words. He knew how impatient his sister was, besides. He'd grow restless too eventually and they would both race back before their brothers returned.
"Be safe you two" Hecuba told them. The Greeks couldn't get inside the walls of Troy, as far as she was aware. There really was no reason for her to worry but..she did. Something in Hecuba's gut was telling her to take back her words and make the children stay today, but she shook the feeling away. "While you're out there, make sure to bring some water back? You can take one of the horses"
"Yes, mother" The children's voices said simultaneously as they began to walk down the halls of the Trojan palace. Their figures slowly disappeared and Hecuba let out a small weary sigh. Why did she worry about them? She knew the children were safe as long as they stayed within the walls of Troy. She should be worrying for her sons who were out there fighting a war. A war they wouldn't be fighting if Paris had left Helen alone, but alas...Hecuba turned over to Cassandra, who was motioning for her to join her in a conversation with Priam. The queen smiled weakly and walked over.
They would be fine, Hecuba assured herself, Her children we're smart.
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"I thought we were going to play first" Troilus whined after Polyxena who skipped happily along the path as they looked for the nearest fountain. He walked more slowly than her, the horse he was guiding seemed a bit tired. He didn't want to waste the horse's energy, he might use it to beat Polyxena on the race back home.
The sun was continuing to set, giving the shadow of the trees a serene look as the orange hues of the sun clashed around the green's of the leaves. Polyxena looked over her shoulder to her brother, still skipping a long the trail, getting a bit of dirt in her dress. "We can play after we get to the fountain, you always get thirsty so easily. Besides, if we don't we might forget to get the water all together and mom will be mad at us" She told him in her matter-of-fact tone, leaving no space for argument.
"I don't-" He huffed and continued following after her, he knew it was pointless to argue with her. Why was she always the one in charge anyway? Troilus wondered as they wandered deeper into the woods. It was quiet for the most part, wild life could be heard around them. The chattering of birds, the clicking of bugs, the soft footsteps of animals. Neither minded much, both were used to those kinds of noises when they went out the play in the woods. However, something felt...off to Troilus.
Do you know those uncomfortable feelings you get when you feel watched? Like someone is burning holes into your skin? Troilus started to get that feeling the more they walked, and he started to feel some sort of dread in his stomach. Almost like there was a threat nearby. He looked around with a small confused frown, all he could see were trees and more grass...some birds here and there but he didn't think he felt dread from a bird.
Polyxena stopped walking once she noticed that Troilus had stopped himself. She raised an eyebrow and walked over to him, looking at the spots he seemed to be staring at. "What's wrong?" She asked him quietly, it was unlike Troilus to do this. Did he see something she didn't?
Troilus gulped and looked over at her again, looking at her feet instead of her face. "Nothing, I thought I saw a bear.." He murmured to her, slowly moving his eyes to make contact with hers. Polyxena could sense and see that he was lying, he was never the best at it anyway. But seeing his unease made her decide to play a long, usually if she played brave Troilus would start to feel brave too.
"If you say so" She told him and they both trudged along. It was darker now, the sun was barely illuminating the sky anymore and they could start to see the dark blues and a few stars as they continued to walk. Finally, they spotted a fountain and headed over to it, both of them sighing in relief as they saw a small candle lighting up the area a bit. "Who decided to put the fountain so far?" Polyxena joked to lighten the mood as Troilus handed her the small jar they brought to get the water.
"Not me" Troilus assured her as he watched her fill the jar with water. He was mesmerized by it, the small hues of the moon and little bit of sun shining down at the water made it look almost magical. This felt nice, just being with his sister in a world where the war wasn't happening. But he could still feel It from a distance, the shouts and commands of men in the far battlefield. But it had been two years since the war started, Troilus had gotten used to those noises and could now tune the noise out.
"Good, I'd never forgive you" Polyxena replied as she stood straighter, the jar now fully filled with water. "Uff..this is heavy" She complained a bit as she handed the jar over to Troilus so he could make the horse carry it. Troilus grunted in agreement and slowly put the jar inside a bag they had put on the horse before they walked over. The horse didn't even blink, it simply continued to eating the nearby grass peacefully.
Troilus hummed and looked over at the water, making his sister tilt her head at him. "What are you thinking about?"
He turned to look at her, smiling brightly "The water looks like it's from the gods. Do you think I'd turn into one if I drank from it?"
Polyxena snorted and laughed at his words "If you think it will then take a sip, it would suck if it was poisoned though"
Her brother laughed along as he stepped over the fountain "It really would because everyone at home will drink from it too" Troilus pointed out as he leaned over the small fountain, he could see his own reflection on it. He could see the way his dark curls fell around his eyes, which were amber but shone almost like gold under the candlelight, the tan of his skin along with the beauty marks he got from his mother. She always said his features resembled his father's though. Slowly, he opened his mouth to take a small sip of the water and just as his lips touched the wet surface- a soldier came bursting out of the bushes, startling him and Polyxena.
As Troilus stumbled back and fell on his rear, he realized that the soldier wasn't a Trojan soldier but a Greek one. Not just any Greek soldier, either. It was Achilles, Aristos Achion. He knew this because his brothers had often seen him in battle and would describe him to them. Blonde hair, lean body, fast on his feet, and cold green eyes. The realization made panic surge through Troilus and he quickly got up, not thinking much. All he knew what that if Achilles was here, it meant his presence promised blood.
His sister was still standing frozen in shock and fear, Troilus didn't even care and he shoved her in order to bring her back to her senses as Achilles began moving towards them. "Run!" He shouted at her as she blinked out of her daze "Don't look back, I'll meet you at the palace!" Troilus watched as she took off in a run the second he finished his sentence and he wasted no time hopping on the horse they had brought, although this proved difficult considering It was in distress from the sudden chaos. "Go go go!" He urged the horse, begging it to run and it did. At first, Troilus thought that it would be safe. That he would make it home along with Polyxena.
Fate works in wondrous ways.
The horse didn't run as fast as it could have. It was still quite tired and the heavy jar of water didn't help matters at all, it didn't take long for Achilles to catch up and yank Troilus by his hair. The prince of Troy yelped in pain as he fell off the horse, who neighed as Achilles seemed to stab it in the leg with his sword in case Troilus tried to mount it again to get away. Troilus felt a splash of water from the fountain hit him as the horse reared angrily, honestly he didn't have time for this. He quickly scrambled onto his feet and began to run like his life depended on it as Achilles chased him.
He wouldn't be fast enough. Troilus knew, he knew it deep in his soul. Achilles was known for his agile speed, Sarpedon had told him so. He knew there was no chance in the world for him to outrun Achilles on foot, but that didn't stop the son of Apollon, he continued to run even as his legs ached and as his lungs wheezed for air. Troilus mentally prayed to whatever Olympian would listen and bolted into random directions in the forest. If he couldn't outrun Achilles, he didn't want to lead him into his home and give him the chance to murder his family. However, it seems like his prayers are answered and Troilus spots one of his father's temples nearby.
Without missing a beat, Troilus bolts towards the temple. Starling Achilles for a split second but he quickly pursued after the boy. If he made it inside he should be safe, right? His father would protect him, he thought as he nearly scattered on the inside, throwing himself on the statue in the middle of the temple in order to catch his breath. He is safe, he is protected, he will be okay he...
Was followed inside.
Troilus's eyes widened as he saw Achilles loom over him, dread and fear pool inside his stomach rapidly as his heart rate quickened again. This can't be. Troilus clutched onto the statue as he looked over at the older man, his death seemed like it was right in front of him. He didn't want to die! He still had so much to live for! The fear had consumed the boy so much, Troilus hadn't realized that tears had started to fall down his face. The worst part? Achilles was simply staring at him.
It was like he wanted to make everything more agonizing by allowing Troilus to have the doubt. But he didn't understand why he would do that. Did he get a kick out of his misery? Was that it? He didn't know. He didn't think he wished to. As more tears decorated his eyes, Troilus flinched violently when he noticed Achilles move his hand. For a split second, Troilus thought Achilles would hit him, punch him, yank his hair. Anything but the surprising light touch that he felt against his cheek, a thumb slowly wiping away his tears.
Surprise and confusion washed over him like a tidal wave, nearly making his fear disappear. But he knew better than to let his guard down, Achilles was often feared among the men for a reason. Troilus didn't even move, still too shocked to even speak. But Achilles spared him the doing and said, almost soothingly "Do not cry" He spoke to Troilus "I have not come here to kill you." If those words were meant to be reassuring, then it didn't work. It made Troilus panic more, actually. If the greatest of the Greeks had not come to end his life then why was he wasting his time here?
Troilus opened his mouth to speak but quickly shut it again, fear wrapping its cold arms around him once more. Achilles must have noticed this and tilted his head slightly to the side. The Trojan prince could see a gleam in his eyes under the helmet. "Speak to me, son of Apollon" He commanded, still making sure to sound gentle. Almost like he was coaxing a wild animal out of it's hiding spot. "Tell me. What is on your mind?"
Finally, Troilus gathered the courage to speak "If you're not here to kill me, then what for?" He asked, his voice sounding small even to him. He should try and at least seem more confident, they were In his father's temple! The one that should be scared is Achilles, but he seemed to show no sign of that. Not on the outside at least. Despite sounding so terrified and timid, the Greek warrior seemed to be satisfied by his fearful question.
Achilles hummed and moved his cold hands down to his shoulder. Troilus didn't pull away because he didn't want to test his luck. "Some of the gods had wanted you dead, of course" He drawled casually. Like he was informing the prince of the weather and not how the gods had tried to determine his life. "Naturally your father had protested. There had been arguments until...The fates decided you could serve a better purpose without dying" Achilles paused and stared intently at Troilus. An intensity to fierce it made him shudder.
"What..?" He whispered, blinking in confusion. A new purpose? What did that even mean?
The other demigod seemed to find his confusion amusing. Achilles suddenly tightened his grip on Troilus, making his amber eyes widen. "A new purpose that will benefit both sides." He murmured and leaned closer, hot breath ghosting against his skin. Troilus regained his sense of self and began struggling. Whatever Achilles had planned for him, his gut told him it wasn't good. He squirmed and kicked as much as he could, but he wasn't a warrior yet, Achilles was. "Don't fight this, you'll only make it harder for yourself" Achilles told him as he grabbed the back of his thighs.
"Let me go!!" Troilus demanded as he was lifted off the ground. But Achilles didn't listen to his cries, he simply threw him over his shoulder like a rag doll and Troilus sobbed again. He looked over at the statue of his father and prayed that he wouldn't let this happen. That he would have some mercy upon his own kin and not permit Achilles to take him away.
His prayer wasn't answered.
He was dragged further and further away from the temple.
The vision of his home, his town, everything he ever knew was disappearing in the distance as Achilles whisked him away.
Away from safety and his family.
Troilus hoped Polyxena made it home safe.