vera_sabe | Troy (2004) Fic: Back in Your Arms

Fandom: Troy (2004)

Title: Back in Your Arms

Author: Vera-Sabe

Pairing: Achilles/Briseis

Genre: Romance/Spiritual/Tragedy

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for this wonderful plot. Wolfgang Peterson and Warner Bros. owns the movie Troy while Homer owns the book titled, The Illiad. I'm not making any money off of this fic/plot. No copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: Flames will be laughed at. Constructive criticism will be much appreciated.

Warnings: AU. EWE. Canon-compliant. Major Character Death. Spiritual. Angst. Depression. Heart-break. Tragedy. Suicidal Thoughts. Dying of Heart-break. Greek Gods & Goddesses. Greek Mythology. Greek Afterlife. Romance. Fluff. Happy Ending. True Love. Soulmates. One-shot. Complete.

Summary: Briseis was stricken with grief because of the death of Achilles. She did her best to continue and to live on if only for him. However, should found that she simply could not live without him.

Back in Your Arms

Vera-Sabe

In the wilderness of Asia Minor, Anatolia

She did not know what to do.

Everything had dramatically changed. The life and world that Briseis once knew and loved had ended. Her beloved city, her beloved home had been destroyed. Many people that she once interacted with and loved had died, including… him.

She could never forget what happened. She believed that no one would ever forget what happened.

At the current moment she felt sad, miserable, hurt, angry, but most of all she felt empty, like her life was not worth living anymore. It was sad, but it was the truth. Her beloved, her dear, sweet love, her soul-mate had passed away from this world. He was no longer here… with her.

She had traveled with her cousins for many days and months now. Sometimes it seemed like it had been years. For all she knew, years may have passed. She had stopped keeping track.

They had journeyed from town to town only stopping to replenish their resources, i.e. food, clothing, and other necessities. She could care little to be completely truthful. Sometimes she wondered why she even bothered to escape that day. And sometimes she thought that she should have remained there even though she would have probably become a slave girl, or worse… have been killed. But then she remembered that she did not leave for anybody else, or for herself. She left for only him, for only her beloved Achilles.

She walked on aimlessly during the day without any feeling throughout her whole body as if she did not even have a soul to begin with. She felt drained, empty, hollow, and incomplete. To her, this world she lived in now had no meaning, no purpose anymore. But she felt more than this. It was difficult to express what she felt and how to put it into words. Words could never fully describe her feelings, experiences, her sadness, and her heartache.

During the night, she lied down and stared into the darkness of the wilderness. She stared at the trees, at the light of the slivery moon, at the bright shining stars, and her thoughts were always of him. She reminisced about the moments and words they shared. She reminisced about…about the love they shared and how it all came to a tragic end. And she shed many, many tears; tears of sadness, pain, and longing… for him. Most of the time, she even cried herself to sleep.

She could not help it.

He was not with her anymore, and it pained her so much. It pained her so much because she longed for him, for his touch, for his kindness and gentleness. She longed to look upon his handsome face, and to hear his strong, masculine voice. But she could no longer do those things, could no long her have him because he died.

He died and left her all alone. It was unfair and cruel. That was the tragedy of war. She hated it.

With every fiber in her being, she hated war. That was why she had never worshipped Ares, the God of War. She understood the need for war, to make war for a cause she believed in. But this one that she had experienced and lived through? No, there had been no need.

Paris still had Helen. Andromache had lost Hector, but she still had little Astyanax to live for and to take care of.

But whom did she have? No one.

Oh, yes, I have them, but it is not the same as having a lover, a husband. She thought rather bitterly, and forlornly.

Andromache still lived because her baby needed her. Paris and Helen needed and had each other. However, she needed someone also, but she did not want someone else. The only one that she wanted, needed, that had ever understood her and completed her was Achilles. No one could ever take his place and no one ever will.

Briseis had forgiven Paris for killing Achilles.

It had taken her quite a long time to forgive him, but she did—eventually.

She realized that Paris… needed to do it.

Though, it still broke her heart every time her thoughts drifted to that painful memory. Sometimes she wondered what would have happened if Paris had arrived too late, or if he had never arrived at all. And sometimes she thought that she should have stepped in front of Achilles, so that the arrow would have hit her instead of him. And sometimes she wondered if that action would have made any difference at all and would have made it possible for Achilles and her to have a life together.

Nevertheless, it was all in her mind because there was nothing, nothing that could be done anymore. It was far too late, far too late. The actions and deeds have been done and they could never be altered. Achilles must have known this because the expression on his face had told her everything. He had not been upset that Paris—that Paris had killed him. In fact, he had forgiven Paris right at that moment, at that time.

She had not wanted to leave—leave him. She had told him so.

She had told him no and shook her head.

Though, he had told her to go and she had done so.

Paris had told Briseis to come, but she had only left because Achilles had told her so.

Achilles had known that he would die then, that there had been nothing that anybody would have been able to do for him. He had known that was why he had told her to leave. However, they had shared something that she would never forget. They had shared the most passionate and gentle kiss that she had never before had and never will have again—never. She had known then that he would die and never come back. And it had broken her heart into millions of tiny pieces that could never be put back together.

She knew that she needed to continue on with her life. Achilles would have wanted her to and because she simply needed to. However, the complete truth was, not that it was because she did not want to, that she could not. She simply could not live anymore. Her heart and soul were not in agreement with it. She was like an empty vessel, an empty shell. She wandered aimlessly for many miles without any care in the world, or about the world. She simply could not continue to live without him. She repeated this to herself many times. It was the truth. She knew not how else to describe the pain she feeling inside her mind, chest, heart, and body.

These same thoughts repeated inside her mind like mantra—over and over again.

I know that he would want me to live, but I cannot. Not without him. He completed me. He was my other half, my soul mate, my lover, and my best friend. Now that he was gone… my life means nothing. I cannot be a priestess anymore because Troy is destroyed. If Achilles would have lived, I would have sacrificed that to be with him regardless. Besides, I do not want to be one any longer because my heart is not in it. And I do not want any other man.

I know that I am being arrogant and selfish, but it is the truth. I cannot be with a man that I do not love, that I do not care for, and that I will eventually come to despise and probably hate. I cannot put any man through the pain and torture of unrequited love. It will not be fair to him. And it will not be fair to me because I am in love with Achilles; I only love him. He is my everything and the only man who was ever able to make me think and feel this way.

After the fall of Troy, after the destruction, these thoughts and memories came to the forefront of her mind. They journeyed from town to town for many days, months, and possibly years. They had never stayed and settled, never re-planted any roots. The decision to never re-settle had worn on her mind, heart, body, and soul. Thus, of course, these dark thoughts never left her alone. They came and went, came and went, like a swinging pendulum, and the ringing of a town's bell.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Paris exclaimed, "Briseis, here eat."

She looked at him, shaking her head, "No, thank you, cousin."

"You need to eat something if only to keep your strength," he said encouragingly.

"Perhaps in a little while," she smiled a little wearily at him. Then she stood and left. She leaned on a nearby tree with her arms crossed over her chest.

Briseis could hear them talking, but she did not understand what they were saying. She wasn't near enough to hear their words. However, it sounded to her like Andromache was quite upset with Paris and she knew why.

She took a deep breath to keep herself from crying. Though, it was a very difficult task to accomplish at the moment. She tried to contain her tears, but Paris' tone of voice had cut through her heart like if a sword had cut deep across one's chest.

Achilles had said the exact same words to her. He had said them when she had gone inside his tent. It had been after he had rescued her from quite a few soldiers that had been tossing her back and forth to one another.

After she had stopped being difficult for a few moments, he had said, "Here eat."

He had extended his arm that was holding a plate of food toward her. He had been so kind and generous towards her at that moment. Though, she had been so despicable.

She would give anything now to have behaved more kind to him—more caring.

She closed her eyes because she could not hold them anymore.

And so… she let go.

Tears came, streaming down her face. She did nothing to stop them. She simply let them come.

Briseis felt Andromache coming to stand in front of her. Soon she felt Andromache's arms going around her, and embraced her in a tight hug. Briseis put her arms around her and sobbed uncontrollably into her shoulder.

"Oh. My dear girl. Oh, my dear. It is all right. Hush, hush now," she said soothingly and comfortingly.

She even rubbed one of her hands in a circular motion around her back. Briseis remembered that her mother did the same to her when was a little girl and in pain because of one situation, or another.

Even though Andromache was Briseis' cousin by marriage, she felt more like a sister and mother to Briseis than simply her cousin. They had become closer now than ever before. Their bond had deepened throughout the days that they had journeyed in the wilderness—away from Troy.

Briseis shook her head, "No, it is not all right."

She stepped out of Andromache's arms and slid down to sit on the ground with her back against the tree. Andromache sat next to her, looking at her.

"I cannot live anymore, Andromache," she simply stated.

"Of course, you can— she began but Briseis interjected.

"No, I cannot. Life is nothing to me. It has no meaning, no purpose. That and everything died when Achilles died. I loved him; love him still, Andromache. I love him the way you love Hector. My heart is not in me because he has it, but he is dead and soon I will be as well. He stole my heart the moment he looked at me and asked me my name. He stole my heart from the beginning.

He is the only one for me. The only one who completely understood me and loved me like no other loved me. He is the only one I will ever truly love and there is no other. There can be no other only him. I know that my time is very short on this earth, in this life. My life force is draining from me each and every day. I will die of heartbreak and heartache; I know that. But I am not afraid of death nor of dying." Briseis explained to her.

"I know, Briseis. I know exactly how you are feeling. I feel the same about Hector. I want to die at this moment. I wanted to die the moment Achilles killed him. And, oh how I forced myself to forgive Achilles if only for my baby's sake, and for your sake; and I am grateful that I did.

Astyanax needs me and I have to be strong for him, so that I can raise him to know who his father was. But you are different and I understand this. You will see him again, Briseis, like I will see… like I will see Hector again. But know this: You will be missed. You will be missed and I love you my cousin, my sister." Andromache said all of this to her rather tearfully and emotionally.

They embraced each other very tightly.

"I knew that you would understand. You always do and I am so grateful to you for that. I will miss you as well my cousin, my sister. And I love you, Andromache," she remarked tearfully.

They stood. Andromache asked, "Are you sure that you will be all right, Briseis? Is there any ritual, incantation the needs to be done… performed?"

Briseis nodded, "Yes, I am all right now and it is all thanks to you, Andromache. No. No ritual, no incantation."

Andromache smiled. "I am glad." Her smile quickly vanished, "I have to return to camp."

Briseis shook her head, "I know. But I would like to sit and admire the stars and the moon for a while. I will never join you. You won't see me ever again."

Andromache nodded in understanding. She became emotional; tears started forming and streamed down her face. Her voice cracked as she asked, "Do you want me to stay…?"

"No, no. You go on. Astyanax needs you," she smiled, but it did not reach her eyes. Tears streamed down her own face as well.

"All right…Yes, I suspect that he is giving Helen a difficult time…. Well, Paris more than Helen," Andromache said with a little chuckle. Briseis gave her a small smile.

With one final hug and a long look, Andromache returned to camp. She left Briseis alone.

She sat against the tree once more and looked up at the blue-black night sky, at the bright moon, and the sparkling stars. She thought of Achilles and of what Andromache recently told her. She had told her that she would see Achilles again. Deep in Briseis' heart she knew that she would.

She also felt that this would be her last night here on this earth. She suspected and knew the reason. It was because her heart could not live without him… she could not live without him. Her heart needed to stop grieving… she needed to stop grieving. She needed to return to him and tonight would be the night. She knew this to be true and she knew that the Gods knew that, too. She did not fear death, but she feared of what the next life would bring.

She prayed and hoped to the Gods that it be good and beautiful things.

Her spirit and soul lingered a while longer.

And so, she lingered a while longer simply admiring the stars, the moon, and the nature all around her.

She did not return to camp. She did return to her bedroll. She was selfish and envious; though, she did not want to be. She did not want to see Andromache holding Astyanax as they laid sleeping. And she did not want to see Paris and Helen, sleeping with their arms around each other.

It was too much for her to bear. Too much.

She started to chant and pray to the Gods. She recited certain hymns and poems that were only meant for her and the Gods to hear.

She laid down on her right side, on the bare grass. Tears were threatening to fall down her face again.

She closed her eyes.

Right then and there she did make one final, silent plea to the Gods.

In particular, she prayed and pleaded to Zeus, Hera, Demeter, Hades, Artemis, Athena, Apollo, Aphrodite, Cupid, Hermes, Morpheus, and Hypnos. The Gods she had been a priestess to and worshipped.

Oh, please let my pain go away. I do not want to suffer any more. No more despair. No more heartache. Please take me now. I cannot stay here any longer. Please… please let my suffering end. She prayed, thought and whispered in her mind.

More tears streamed, and flowed down upon her face. She turned on her left side and cried uncontrollably.

It was quite a long time before she closed her eyes once more, drifting into a surprisingly peaceful slumber.

She felt a sense of calm being draped all over her, and she felt that everything would be all right.

She felt the invisible but gentle hands of Hypnos and the steady, but light blankets of his son, Morpheus, soothe her distraught mind, heart, body, and soul.

She felt a deep sense of peace that she has not felt for in a very, very long time. She felt it take over her whole body… and soul. All of her pain, sadness, fears, emptiness, and tears were washed away.

She was simply at peace once more.

Greek afterlife: Elysian Fields

Briseis opened her eyes slowly.

Where she did, she was engulfed in a bright and pure white light. She blinked her eyes many times and the brightness of the light was still engulfing and surrounding her. She slowly walked towards it. Her eyes quickly became adjusted to the pure whiteness of it as she walked deeper and deeper into it.

Soon the whiteness began to fade and she slowly came to a halt.

After the last of the light disappeared, she saw that she stood in the middle of a beautiful, wide forest. The grass, bushes, and trees were rich in the colors of green and brown. The sun was shining so brightly and majestically that it took her breath away. The sky also left her speechless. It was such a deep, light-blue color.

"Beautiful," she whispered out loud to herself.

Then she saw that many men and women were walking all around this beautiful place. They were all dressed in pure white and gold flowing dresses and robes. They were all physically well-groomed as well. She noticed two people standing in front of her.

She was surprised to see who they were.

"Briseis, cousin, welcome. It is wonderful to see you. I have missed you," Hector exclaimed, smiling at her. He quickly came to her, hugging her. Briseis returned the gesture, embracing him tightly.

"I have missed you as well, cousin. It is so good to see you," she replied rather emotionally.

Afterward they hugged, Hector said, "Come. My father also wants to greet you. He has missed you also."

They went to where her uncle, Priam, stood only a few feet away. When he saw me, he smiled widely.

"Briseis, my dear, sweet girl. Oh, let me embrace you, my wonderful niece," he exclaimed joyously.

He took her into his arms, hugging her tightly to him. She eagerly returned the embrace, smiling into his shoulder.

"It is so wonderful to see and be with you once again. I have missed you so much. Having you here with us, it is a comfort and it makes me feel at peace."

They parted.

Briseis' uncle took her by the shoulders and said lovingly, "You will always be at peace with me and with Hector, dear niece. We love you and we will always take care of you, my sweet Briseis. Now come, let me look at how more beautiful you have grown."

Priam smiled and nodded his approval then turned to look at Hector. Hector also nodded in agreement, grinning, "She has grown more beautiful with each new passing day, father. No woman can match her beauty."

Then he winked at me and I smirked playfully at him.

To Hector, he said, "Nor her intelligence and stubbornness, my dear boy. You must not forget those so easily."

Priam turned to her, exclaiming, "Now, my dear. Go to the other who waits for you."

"To the other?" She frowned in confusion.

Priam turned and gestured to the man that she loved with all my heart, mind, might, strength, body, and soul.

She looked at him. Achilles looked right back at her. They locked eyes with each other. "Achilles," I whispered.

Priam smiled, giving a small nod. "Go, my child."

She looked from her uncle to Hector, who smiled at her. He nodded in agreement.

"Go to him, my child," Priam said happily. She smiled at them.

Though, she was nervous on the inside. She knew not why. And so, Briseis turned toward Achilles. She slowly made her way to him.

She walked to him, slowly. She wanted to run to him. She didn't understand why she was so nervous. Her heart was pounding in her chest, her palms became clammy, and it was difficult for her to keep her eyes on him.

When she reached him, she stood before him. She stared as did he. It was so intense. He looked so regal, masculine, and handsome. He made no move to touch, or hug her yet. He eyes scanned her hair and facial features first, taking her beautiful face in. Then his eyes slowly scanned her body—up and down, and more than once.

She didn't know what to do with her hands, so she started playing and fidgeting with them. She looked down and away; still so very nervous. Everything that she wanted to say and do suddenly escaped her.

She was tongued tied.

He took her hands gently into his own, pulling her toward him; she went willingly. She wrapped her arms around him. He hugged her back, pulling her against him, wrapping his strong arms around the small of her back and waist.

She closed her eyes and smiled. She cherished this moment. She relished being in his arms and embrace. She relished feeling his strong and gentle arms encircling her once again.

"Briseis," Achilles breathed tenderly into her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

He pulled his head back a little to look at her. Though, he still kept her tightly in his arms. He touched his forehead to hers, locking eyes with her.

Achilles whispered, "I have missed you. It is good to have you back in my arms."

Briseis smiled, "I have missed you so. It is good to be back in your arms."

He smirked playfully, "It is, is it not?"

She shook her head, smirking as well, "Yes, it is. Oh, how I—

Achilles pressed his lips ever so gently and lightly onto hers, silencing her, silencing her words.

She returned his kiss. She pressed her lips fully but gently onto his. He placed a hand on her cheek, pulling tightly against his chest. Soon the kiss became deeper and more passionate. He gently nibbled on her bottom lip while his tongue silently probed her teeth for entrance.

She compiled. Soon his tongue slowly and expertly massaged her own. She massaged his tongue timidly, but determinedly in return.

They were quickly locked in a dance of passion and love.

Finally, they both ended the kiss, breathing in the fresh air once more. They were both breathing heavily. Her heart was beating rapidly inside her chest. She felt so complete. The kiss they just shared was full of passion, tenderness, and love.

Before he died, Achilles had kissed her in the same manner. He had told her that she had been the one that brought him peace throughout a whole lifetime of war. He had not said love, but she had known that he had meant it then.

She inhaled and exhaled slowly. She looked at him. Then she decided to tell him vocally exactly how she felt about him.

"Achilles, I love you. I always have from the moment I first met you," she told him in a timid but brave voice.

"I got the distinct impression that when we first met, you despised and hated me," he said amusingly, pulling me back into his arms.

"Oh, no! On the contrary, it really was and is true love. I did not want to admit it to myself at the time, least of all to you, but I did. Besides, I was and am stubborn," I said truthfully, wrapping my arms around his neck.

He smiled widely then, "You surely are stubborn and I love that about you. In fact, I love everything about you."

She smiled as well, "I know you do. And I am glad because I love everything about you as well."

He kissed her again, both of them smiling into it. They soon ended it, taking and breathing in the air once again.

He said seriously while looking at her intently, "And I truly do love you, Briseis."

She smiled, closed her eyes for a moment, and then opened them again to find him smiling lovingly at her, "I know because we both belong together. We were destined to be together from the beginning. We complete each other, Achilles."

He nodded, smiling, "I know. We are soul mates, you and I. I would not have it any other way."

They both grinned widely at one another.

They stayed that way for a few moments more, looking deeply into one another's eyes. They did not utter a single word. They only enjoyed this calm, peaceful, and tender moment of being together again—in each other's arms. Then she closed her eyes, placing her head upon his shoulder while he rested his head gently on top of hers.

Suddenly, a memory flooded into the forefront of her mind.

It was after Achilles and Briseis had shared a magical night of love.

They had been lying on their sides, holding and facing each other. She remembered how handsome and beautiful he had looked. And, in that moment, she had never wanted to let him go.

He had looked at her with us tenderness that she had felt that if she would have been standing, she surely would have fallen to the ground.

She had spoken first, "Am I still your captive?"

"You're my guest," he had replied amusingly, lovingly.

"Would you leave this war behind," she had asked him quietly. She had needed to know how he had felt even, though, it had been asked indirectly.

"Would you leave Troy," he had asked her in response. She had realized then that he had loved her in return and in the same manner that she had loved him.

She smiled at the memory.

She had known what her answer would have been. She had known then and she still knew it now. She would have gladly, but tearfully left Troy—with all of her heart.

Briseis lifted her head from his shoulder, which caused Achilles to lift his own as well. She stared into his eyes with love and with un-shed tears. He surprised her by speaking first.

"Briseis, do you remember the moment when I had asked you if you would leave Troy," he asked me in a very serious voice.

"I was just thinking of that moment. How could I ever forget?" She replied very softly, her voice slightly cracking.

He gave her a small smile as his hand came to gently touch and caress her cheek. Then he averted his gaze to the ground. His face was set in a meaningful and thoughtful manner than one who did not know him would have mistaken it for one of anger.

He looked back up at her. There was an endless love and tenderness in his eyes and face. If not for his arms holding her, she could have collapsed to the ground at intensity of his affection and adoration.

"I would have left the war behind… for you. For you only, Briseis. I would have left and never would have fought again," he told her in such a way that she knew that he meant every word.

She touched his cheek with my right hand, staring deeply into his bright blue eyes. Eyes that made her drown in, get lost in, and get captured in: from the beginning. "I know, Achilles. I know," she whispered.

She sighed, closed my eyes for a moment then opened them, "And I would have left Troy. I would have left Troy only for you… only for you," she breathed those last words very softly.

He nodded in understanding. Then he gave her a smile that took her breath away.

Briseis thought to herself: Oh, how I love and adore his smiles. They are always so beautiful and this one was no exception. His smiles are very contagious.

She smiled in return.

She could not help it then… she had to kiss him.

And that was what she did.

She gave him a kiss that was light and gentle, expressing her love for him clearly. He was quite surprised, but as always recovered quickly. He kissed her in return, keeping the kiss slow and steady. He ended it, slowly resting his forehead against hers once more. Cupping the sides of her face gently, he held her face just as tenderly in the palms of his hands. He leaned in, kissing her forehead softly.

They stared lovingly at one another for a very long moment.

He slowly stepped away from their current embrace. Achilles placed an arm around her shoulders, saying, "Come, Briseis. Let us go home."

"We are home," Briseis stated matter-of-factly, smirking playfully at him. He rolled his eyes at me, but grinned nonetheless.

And she truly smiled. There was no more despair, no more darkness, no more pain, no more heartache, no more loneliness, no more dark thoughts.

She silently thanked the Gods for answering her prayers and her pleas.

There was light, peace, harmony, and love.

She was back where she belonged.

She was back in the arms of her soul mate, her lover, her beloved, her best friend, her Achilles.

They remained there in the fields together… forever.

The End

AO3 A/N: Frist published on FF.Net on Tuesday, February 22nd, 2005. Edited on Friday, June 13th, 2025.

06/11/'26 LJ A/N: Posted this on AO3 last year- 2025. But AO3 allows users to select the original date of the fic's post. So, that's what I did.