The Other Warriors
Chapter 13: Down, Out and Over
Achilles walked through the halls of the palace silently thinking to himself. His thoughts once again plagued by the unconscious girl in his arms. Who had begun to snore drunkenly? 'Just how much wine did she consume?'
Shaking his head he shifted her slightly as he reached the door to his chambers, enabling him to get the door open without having to put her down. Once inside the safety of the walls of his chambers Achilles came across another dilemma. Due to the fact that the women had been training before the evening meal, Melonius was covered in dirt and sweat.
Achilles entertained the thought of bathing her himself, but for once in his life decided to respect the fact that she was a female, and went to fetch a female servant to perform the task. Now was not the time to have the Princess of a powerful nation angered with him for perversion. Not that it wouldn't have been worth it in his mind.
Placing Melonius on one of his lounging chairs gently, even though he knew she was out for the night. Chuckling to himself quietly he left the room and went in search of a female servant that could take care of Melonius. Not having to look very long he ordered a servant girl who must have only been 17 summers to attend to the women in his chambers.
The young girl bowed deeply before running off to the servants' quarters to seek the aid of an other women in her task. Achilles decided to take a stroll along the walls of Troy, in order to give the servants time to get Melonius freshened up.
"I'm going to have to ride with you?" Rare replied, not liking the idea of having to be that close to Hector for that long of a time period. This was turning out to be a lose-lose situation for the Queen. Hector smiled and turned around beginning to walk in the direction of the stables.
"Yes. Unless you secretly posses Hermes flying sandals, you are going to have to ride with me." Hector said simply. He was doing a very good job at keeping the smirk off his face as the idea of Rare riding with his pressed against his body, while he was in complete control of the beast that she feared the most. This night was going from good to bad to great for him.
"I do not posses such an object, but if you continue to mock me one of my sandals is going to flying up your back end." Rare chimed as she jogged to catch up with the Prince. Hector laughed at her brashness, she truly had a mouth that could give his soldiers a run for their coins. Tonight was going to be a long night.
"It would be wise for you to watch your words Queen, as I am going to be in control of the horse that we are riding. And I can guarantee that his loyalty lies with me." Hector mused. Rare sent a scathing glare Hector's way until a thought popped into her head. A smile slowly bled its way across her lips.
"On second thought…" Hector stopped, giving his full attention to Rare. "…I will simply seek out Eudorus to aid me in this task. So I thank you for you offer your Highness, but it will not be needed." Rare proclaimed, very happy with her own quick thinking. She turned away from Hector, with the full intent to seek out Eudorus, until Hector's voice halted her.
"A wonderful idea indeed, though there is one small..." Hector gestured with his thumb and pointer finger to emphasize his point. "…problem with your plan."
Turning to face Hector Rare didn't like the happy smile that was plastered on his face. This Prince of Troy was really beginning to grate on her. She didn't like it when she was equally matched. "And what would that problem be?" She grounded out between her clenched teeth. Hector slowly walked up to where Rare was standing, leaving about a foot and a half between her chest and his crossed arms.
"Eudorus is one of Achilles' men." Hector stated. Rare just looked at him with a look stating I-know-this-are-you-stupid. Hector bit his lip to keep from smirking. "Therefore he would have to seek out Achilles to gain permission to accompany you, wasting precious time, and…" Hector continued, closing the distance between them. "…they are under orders not to bother him in his chambers unless it is a matter of life or death."
Leaning back, letting the smile dance across his face Hector turned and continued his earlier journey to the stables. As he walked away he heard a loud thud, presumably Rare smashing his fist into a nearby object, followed by a few choice words. Hector kept his face forward as Rare came up beside him, though glancing at her from the corner of his eye he was thrilled to see that she had given into him and would have to trust him.
Achilles stood on the famous Trojan wall facing the sea, to which his connection to he owned to his mother. She was of course a sea nymph, so it was no wonder that the crashing ways or still waters always set him at ease. Their calming effect was very welcomed tonight as he was able to pick apart his own thoughts.
How could it be that only after a short few days he found himself in turmoil over a woman? 'The Gods must be at work again.' He concluded. They all knew of his distaste for them and their meddling. He had a funny feeling that they were at work here from the beginning, but what the purpose was, he wished he knew. He was brought out of his reflections by the presence of one of the palace servants, who had been waiting for the warrior to address him.
"Yes?" Achilles barked. He enjoyed keeping those around him intimidated. The servant jumped before speaking.
"My Lord, the Princess has been bathed and redressed. She now sleeps peacefully in your chambers." The servant sputtered.
"Thank you. You're dismissed." Achilles said. Turning back to the sea before him he let out a sigh before heading out back to his chambers. Back to her.
"As I said before, it will take us three hours to reach the cliff. We need to leave now in order to keep the cover of night." Hector exasperated from his position atop his horse. On the ground a few feet away stood Rare. She was at the moment refusing to get on a horse with him.
"Are you sure this is the only way?" She grumbled, eyeing the horse before her with distrust.
"Yes." Hector confirmed. Rare let her eyes travel across the horse and its rider. Hector's horse was a brilliant white stallion dressed in plain armor and bridle. Hector himself had changed into a simple navy riding toga with minor simply crafted armor and weapons. They had agreed to look as civilians as to avoid any attention. Rare would fully admit that Hector looked like a God on a horse. His powerful arms gripping the reigns, regal posture, even his hair held back with small golden ties all shouted of the power he possessed.
When Rare's eyes finally connected with Hector's she was drawn into them. His silent plea of trust spoke volumes through her. Slowly he let go of the reigns with one hand, Rare's gaze following the motion, and extended it towards her, beckoning her to join him atop his mount. Glancing back to his eyes Rare approached the horse and placed her hand into Hector's. With one strong pull Hector pulled her up onto the horse behind him, making sure she was pressed tightly to his back.
"I would suggest you hold onto my waist if you fear falling." Hector cautioned. Rare rolled her eyes behind Hector's back. So much for avoiding touching him, which had been her plan since their pervious night together. Rare conceded that she was in fact scared of falling, so she reached her arms around Hector's waste securing them around his torso.
Hector smiled to himself as he felt her hold around him tighten as he back to maneuvered the horse out of the stables and out the gates of the palace. 'So the mighty Queen is not so fearless.'
"Once we are outside the walls of the city I will be increasing our pace. Alright?" Hector said.
"I do not have a choice on this do I?" Rare remarked. She peeked over Hector's broad shoulder and saw that they were at the gate to the wall in the rear of the city. Meaning they would be going faster almost immediately.
"Not at all." Hector teased. Rare just groaned in annoyance before gripping Hector even tighter, pressing her body into his back until she was molded to his back like a second skin. Hector took a moment to relish in the feeling of her body against his, before he spurred his horse to a greater speed.
Achilles paused a moment before opening the door to his chamber. He was slightly unnerved about what he may find on the other side. Mind you he wouldn't be the least bit upset if she came flying into his chest again. Pushing the door open he found that the servants had left the night torches lit for him. Glancing around the room he was glad to see things were all in order, and in one piece. Not that Melonius would have been able to do anything in her drunken state.
Looking he found said female on the same chair as he had left only she was much different then when he had left her. Her body had been cleaned of dirt and massaged with oils making it glow in the fire light. Achilles eyes roamed over her body starting from her toes and upward. He scanned over her calves, which were very muscular from battle and carried scattered scars, up to her thighs which were half covered by the sleeping gown the servants had redressed her in.
His burning gaze moved over her stomach and breast, over her neck that carried a minor set of bruises, up to her face. Achilles breathing hitched as he memorized the face of the Goddess before him. The servants had scrubbed Melonius face until it glowed; her hair had been unbound and washed, now it was splayed across the back of the chair behind her head. What ever the servants had used to clean her hair Achilles praised them for it as it now looked to be softer then the Golden Fleece.
Something caught his eye tearing them away from her beautiful face. Just under her gown, upon her thigh was something that Achilles couldn't make out. Letting his curiosity getting the better of him, he approached the side of the lounge chair. Placing his hand on Melonius's knee he took the time to enjoy the feel of her soften skin under his calloused hand. Slowly he began to move his hand up her leg, taking his time he let his fingers slid to part of inner thigh as his hand traveled higher.
In her state of sleep Melonius moved her leg, pushing it into Achilles' waiting palm. Achilles smiled to himself. Even in her sleep she was reacting to him. Oh it was no doubt the Gods was cursing him now, but he wasn't going to complain for once. Instead he let his hand continue higher, pushing her gown up as it went until his fingers came into contact with the thing that originally caught his eye from the start. Pushing the gown out of the way Achilles now knew what had caught his eye. It was a girdle.
Time had flown by as Hector and Rare rode across the Trojan country side. About an hour ago Rare had let her head fall onto the back of Hector's shoulder. She was tired. The last few weeks had taken so much out of her and it was starting to sink into her body. Hector was paying attention to her as he rode, from her head on his back to the slackening of her grip on him. He was concerned because it would be dangerous for her to fall asleep while riding behind him. Thankfully they had reached the cliff.
"Rare." He coaxed, giving her head a little nudge with his shoulder. Catching her confusion as she looked about her he spoke. "We have reached the cliff." He informed her dismounting effortlessly from the horse.
"Oh." Rare started. "That's wonderful. Could you give me a hand down?" She asked. She was too tired to act like she was invincible. Hector smiled up to her, placing his hands on her waist, her hands went to his shoulders as he lifter he from the horse and placed her on the ground in front of him. Once she was steady on the ground Hector didn't remove his hands from her waist, nor her hands from his shoulders. Their eyes locked on each others until Hector realized that they needed to get the job done and get back to the palace.
Clearing his throat he released Rare and moved around to where the cliff was located. "Will this be adequate?" Hector asked. Moving to stand beside him, Rare took inventory of the location. Nodding her head she answered him. "Yes it will."
Reaching to her side Rare grabbed the medium sized pack that Hector had fetched for her from the dungeons before she left. From it she removed a small ornate horn. From the look of it Hector guessed it was crafted from occasions such as this. Taking the horn to her lips Rare blew into it with all she had, since the horn took a lot of air to make it work.
Hector listened as a low almost howling sound was produced from the horn. Rare blew for as long as she could before repeating this twice more. Dropping her arm with the horn to her side.
"Now what occurs?" Hector voiced.
"We wait." Rare responded. Suddenly Rare stretched out her arm, which Hector now noted was covered in leather gauntlets. Out of the star lit sky a bird that Hector did not recognize swooped down, landing onto Rare's out stretched arm.
"How are you Kaljax?" Rare cooed to the bird as she petted the feathers on its breast. Turning to Hector she handed him the horn to empty her other hand. She the reached into her sack again, with drawing a small piece of dried meat and a tiny scroll with a string. Feeding the bird the dried meat she carefully attached the tiny piece of parchment to the leg of the bird. Once it had finished eating she cast him into the sky once again. Turning back to Hector she nodded.
"Your men will be able to follow the instructions set out by my father?" Hector questioned, handing her back her horn. Taking it from him Rare smiled a soft smile a strong indication of how exhausted she was.
"Yes." She whispered. It would begin soon. And for Rare the stakes could not be any higher.
"Let us return to the palace while darkness is still over our heads." Hector insisted as he led the way back to his horse. Rare was confused when they reached it and Hector did not mount the beast. Looking at the Prince with the light the moon gave off Rare raised a question eyebrow.
"You are almost asleep on your feet dear Queen." Hector said. "It would be safer for you to rid in front."
As a last thought Hector added. "And we do not wish you to fall on your face again as you did this morning." He jested. Rare rolled her eyes and blushed as she remembered the event this morning that had landed her on the floor and her dignity out the window.
"As you wish oh tamer of horses." Rare taunted. She squeaked in surprise when Hector suddenly lifted her on to the horse and mounted behind her. He truly was an amazing horseman. Reaching around Rare, Hector grabbed the reigns firmly and rested his forearms on Rare's thighs. It was going to be an interesting ride to the palace.
AN: Well I know that this is couple of years over due, but fear not I have not given up on my fanfictions and I plan on updating all of them within the next few months. Any suggestions are welcome!!!!
Thanks to all of you that have stuck with me, and never gave up hope that I would continue writing. You are my true fans.
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