Wars Of Love

The Spear

"I know..." Achilles grumbled in response, his voice laced with frustration. The weight of his failure hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over his usually confident demeanor. I could see the determination etched into his features, his brow furrowed with a mixture of anger and disappointment.

"Go and get yourself cleaned up." Lord Chiron commanded, his voice firm yet filled with concern. Achilles, his body smeared with dirt and sweat, longed to protest, to continue the arduous training that had pushed him to his limits. But before he could utter a word, Lord Chiron turned away, striding purposefully into the distance.

Achilles stood motionless, a solitary figure with his back turned towards me, his gaze fixed upon the distant horizon. The golden rays of the setting sun bathed his figure in a warm, ethereal glow, casting long shadows that danced around him. As I observed him in that poignant moment, an overwhelming urge surged within me - a longing to reach out, to offer solace, and to assure him that everything would ultimately be alright. I yearned to extend my hand, to hold him tightly in a comforting embrace, and to whisper words of reassurance into his ear.

Yet, as my hand tentatively extended towards him, Achilles abruptly turned his head, his gaze piercing through me with a mixture of determination and vulnerability. His voice, tinged with a hint of sorrow, cut through the silence, rejecting any consolation I might have offered. He demanded solitude, even if just for a fleeting moment. Reluctantly, I withdrew, leaving him standing there, a solitary figure amidst the fading light, grappling with his own inner turmoil. 

I sat perched by the crackling fire, its warm glow casting flickering shadows across the cave walls, as Lord Chiron diligently stirred the pot, the aroma of the simmering meal wafting through the air. The atmosphere hung heavy with unspoken thoughts, both of us yearning to discuss Achilles and his absence, yet words eluding us.

Finally, breaking the silence, Lord Chiron's voice cut through the stillness. "He will return soon, Patroklos. Do not fret."

My leg twitched with anticipation as I anxiously awaited Achilles' arrival. He had not returned home since I left him earlier, and worry gnawed at my heart. I longed to be by his side, to offer my support, but he had ordered me away, demanding solitude. And so, I sat here, restless and impatient, counting the moments until his return.

"You might as well occupy yourself with something productive," Lord Chiron suggested, his voice filled with wisdom. "Perhaps play the lyre or delve deeper into the study of medicine."

Frustration welled within me, and I couldn't help but voice my inner turmoil. "What is my purpose, Lord Chiron?" I asked, my voice tinged with exasperation. "I have accomplished many things alongside Achilles, but never to the extent of his skill. And now, as Achilles faces failure for the first time in his life, I am consumed by the desire to help him instead of trying to compete against him. You told me that I am more than a mere follower, that my purpose extends beyond serving him. Yet, no matter what, my thoughts always gravitate towards him. Even when he frustrates me or surpasses me in every endeavor, I still yearn to be with him, to stand by his side. So, what if my purpose is to serve him? Because I cannot help but want to be there for him, always." The words spilled forth without thought, my heart guiding their path.

Lord Chiron regarded me for a brief moment, a knowing smile slowly spreading across his face. "You have yet to realize it, young one?" he said, his voice resonating with authority. "You are not meant to simply serve him. You are meant to be with him. He is not your Lord, but your friend, your brother, the other half of your very soul." His words struck me with profound force, their truth resonating deep within my being. 

I sat there, stunned by Lord Chiron's words, my mind racing as I tried to process their meaning. He was right. Achilles was more than just a master to me; he was my closest friend, my confidante, and my soulmate. We had been through so much together, our bond unbreakable, forged through shared experiences and a deep understanding of one another.