15 Achilles Learns the Truth

CHAPTER 15 Achilles Learns the Truth Menelaus was fighting a few feet from Patroclus and saw him fall. Menelaus let out a terrible cry. He pushed his way through the Trojan army, swinging his sword at every man he saw. He tried to get to Patroclus's body, but there were too many men in the way. But Ajax and Menelaus arrived just in time to shield their friend's body and protect the armor. They vowed not to let any Trojan near. Hector made an announcement to his

men. "Whoever drags Patroclus's body back to Troy will receive the greatest glory. He will have the fame and fortune of a god," he called out. This quickly became an intense competition among the Trojans. Men darted in, trying to steal Patroclus's body and armor from Ajax and Menelaus. The Achaeans fought hard to keep Patroclus with them. Somehow, during the confusion of battle, Hector was able to steal the armor. As Hector ran away with the armor, Ajax called out to him: "Hector, prince of the Trojans! Do you understand that you and your army will soon be overpowered? It is only a matter of time before Achilles learns of Patroclus's death. Then Achilles will return, and you will pay!" Then Ajax prayed to Zeus. "Zeus," he called. "We must find Nestor's son to send word to Achilles. He will bring

the news swiftly. Please help us find him." Zeus pushed the sun through the clouds. It lit up the battlefield. Menelaus spotted Nestor's son not far off. He called out to him. "Run to Achilles! Tell him the news of Patroclus. Tell Achilles that Hector is now wearing his armor." Achilles was on his ship. He was sheltered and safe. But it had been too long since he had heard from Patroclus. Achilles started to worry about his friend. "I told him to fight one battle, move the Trojans from the ships, then come back. But he has been gone too long..." At that moment, Nestor's son arrived with tears in his eyes. "Achilles, my lord. Our beloved Patroclus has died. The Trojans are right now fighting over his body. And Hector now wears your armor!" Achilles stared in disbelief. "No," he said softly. "I do not understand your words.

Patroclus cannot be dead. Hector cannot be wearing my armor. This is not possible." Nestor's son did not say another word. He only wept and shook his head sadly. Achilles suddenly realized the truth. His most beloved friend was dead. The proud warrior was overcome with grief. He leaned against a post and bowed his head. At first, he moaned quietly. As he lifted his head, his cries grew louder until he was screaming. His screams were so loud that they shook the very timbers of his ship. Achilles thrashed and wailed. He fell to the deck. Then he let out a terrible wrenching cry, so loud that all the gods on Mount Olympus heard him. Achilles's mother, Thetis, also heard her son's terrible cry. She was sitting beside her father, Poseidon, down in the sea. She reached his side in moments. "My darling boy, why do you cry? What hurts you? Zeus

has given you everything you want. The Achaeans are suffering terrible losses, all for you. All to show Agamemnon that he should never have disgraced you. What makes you cry?" "My heart is broken," he said. "My dearest friend is dead. Hector has killed Patroclus and stripped the armor off his body. I have lost the will to live. Only ending Hector's life will bring peace to my darkened heart." "My son," Thetis said through her own tears. "You know the prophecy. It has been said that you will die a short time after Hector. Asking for Hector's death only means that yours is closer. The fates have ordered this." "Then let me die now!" Achilles cried. "I let Patroclus go to this death. I did not defend him. I did not fight beside him. I stayed here—protected—on my ship. I let countless men die in battle. Enough is

enough! I will put my anger aside. I will return to battle, and I will face the enemy who put an end to Patroclus's life. As for my death, I will meet it whenever it arrives." "I will not stop you, my son. But you have no armor," Thetis warned. "Hector wears your armor now. Do not leave until I return. I will come back first thing in the morning with armor built by Hephaestus, god of fire!" Meanwhile, the battle over the body of Patroclus continued. The Achaeans realized they had little chance to drag it to safety. The Trojans kept swooping in to try to steal the body. But the Achaeans were able to fight them off for the time being. Back at Achilles's ship, Iris the messenger arrived. She was sent by Hera. "Achilles, you must leave now. You must head back to battle and defend your brothers. It is urgent!" "But I have no armor," he said. "My mother told me to wait. She will bring newly