Draft Fic: "Agon"

[amari_z]

Title: Agon
Warnings: None
Notes: For fanfic100 prompt 16 “purple.” The claim is Patroklos. My table is here. Some notes for the extremely curious or the very bored appear at the end. General notes are here.



"Please don't tell Achilleus," Patroklos whispered, and then bit his lip to keep back the whimpers that wanted to come up his throat. Cheiron had made him drink that now familiar, foul-smelling potion to stop the cramping in his muscles, but it had not yet begun to work.

Cheiron rubbed sharp smelling unguent into the boy's tight, trembling muscles, carefully avoiding the purple and black bruises. He asked, reproving, "Why do you persist in this, young one? I have told you many times: this is not good for your man child's body. Achilleus is a goddess's son, you cannot hope to keep up with him. There is no shame in it."

The centaur’s massive, rough looking hands were kind as they massaged the cramping muscles of Patroklos's thigh, but Patroklos had to shut his eyes tight to keep his tears of pain from falling. Cheiron continued, "Why do you hide this from Achilleus? He would wait for you. For no one else, that savage child—but for you he surely would. He would not want to cause you pain."

Patroklos forced his eyes open and stared at Cheiron. Through the sheen of his tears, his look was intent and uncharacteristically ferocious. "But I don't want that. I don't want to ever hold him back."



Notes: Cheiron (Chiron, Kheiron) was a centaur (sired when Kronous took the shape of a horse and impregnated the nymph Philyra), and a great healer, astrologer and oracle. He was the teacher of many heroes, including Herakles, Jason, Theseus and Achilleus, as well as of Asklepios. I've probably taken a liberty here, since I do not know that there is any indication that Patroklos was with Achilleus when Achilleus was Cheiron's student. In fact, the Iliad implies the opposite-- Eurypylos asks Patroklos to tend his wound because Patroklos has learned healing arts from Achilleus, who was taught by Cheiron (XI:829-31).

Comments

[sasha-b.livejournal.com]

Ah - nicely done. I'm very fond of that myth.

We did discuss that some of my ancestors were/are from Argos, right?

[amari-z.livejournal.com]

No, though I think you mentioned you were of Greek descent. An Argive, huh? Land of stallions and lovely woman, according to Homer anyway. : ) Pretty cool. Have you had a chance to go there? Greece is one of the many places I've always wanted to visit and must visit before I drop dead.

Glad you liked the fic. This is actually the second one I've written, but I'm still fiddling with the other.

[sasha-b.livejournal.com]

Yes, I have been to Greece, but not to Argos. I would guess you'd figure I had some Greek blood due to my last name. :p

I went a loooooooooooooooooong time ago (I was a teenager) to Creek, Athens, Mycenae, Delphi, and Santorini. Probably one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.

I've always been very fond of Greek myth. It's a lot of drama and fun.

[amari-z.livejournal.com]

Yes, I really should have made that connection. :p

Mythology is somewhat like the fanfic of past generations I like to think. All about tormenting your favorite heroes, after all. ; )

[far-mountain.livejournal.com]

You're on your way, then, eh?

Looks like a great start.

I'm not that familiar with the true Greek mythology, so I'm especially looking forward to reading your Patroklos stories.

[amari-z.livejournal.com]

One tiny shuffle of a step forward, anyway. *laughs*

If you're interested in the mythology, I'm going to try to write up notes as a I go along, some of which I plan to include as endnotes, some of which are going to go in the post with the table as general notes. We'll see how it goes. But feel free to ask any questons if you're curious about anything and I'll be happy to answer the best I can. I enjoy discussing this stuff. : )

[far-mountain.livejournal.com]

One step at a time.

Yes, I very much appreciate having the notes at the end. I especially liked knowing where in the mythology you took artistic license. Very interesting reading as well.

It appears this is going to be an adventure for me too! And I have a good guide as well. ;-)

[solemnly-swear1.livejournal.com]

For no one else, that savage child—but for you he surely would. He would not want to cause you pain.

This is great!

[amari-z.livejournal.com]

Thanks for reading!