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baejax-the-great · 12 hours

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could you tell us more about the versions of ajax's death?

I would love to.

Ajax is an old, old myth that started out as part of an oral tradition, so it stands to reason that there were multiple versions of his death until the canonization of the epic cycle, but even then the story still evolved as various authors wrote their take on it.

I mentioned in a recent post that outside of Homer, Ajax was known to be invulnerable thanks to Heracles blessing him with the Nemean Lion skin. This makes killing him kind of tricky. Even in the Iliad, where Homer doesn't acknowledge the supernatural aspects of his heroes, Ajax is one of the few who doesn't sustain a single injury over the course of the story.

Like the myth of Achilles with the vulnerable heel, Ajax was said to have vulnerable areas. There was a version where he was the one shot in the heel with an arrow by Paris and he died from blood loss when the arrow was removed from his body back in camp, but more commonly he was vulnerable in his side or his throat (I am also very vulnerable to death when being stabbed in these areas). In most versions of his suicide depicted, he falls on his sword somewhere in his torso, so presumably he hits that specific vulnerable area in his side. I'm not sure if any of the suicides depicted have him piercing his own throat with his sword.

There was another pre-Homeric version of his death in which the Trojans killed him by throwing earth at him. I've chosen to interpret this as them attempting to bury him alive given that they cannot stab him to death. Interestingly, Ajax is the only Homeric hero whose dead body is interred rather than cremated, and a lot of theories have been proposed as to why. I think it was Sophocles who put it in his play that being interred was a punishment for his outrage against the other generals, but historians generally discount that interpretation. Interment was at no point considered a dishonorable way of dealing with a body, so it didn't make sense. Some historians hearken it back to other aspects of Ajax being anachronistic compared to his Iliad compatriots-- his shield, for example, is described in the older Mycenean style rather than getting the classical update contemporary with Homer's time like the rest of them. Most recently I read a theory that his interment might have been a nod to this history of invulnerability and the belief that covering an invulnerable person in dirt was the only way to kill them. Basically you give the person a direct route to the Underworld by sticking them... under the world.

Okay, but eventually everyone settled on the version of Ajax's death where he commits suicide. This version underwent substantial evolution over time. The oldest version (so far as I've seen as I wander my way through history books) goes like this: Agamemnon doesn't know what to do with the Arms of Achilles. He's afraid if he gives them to Ajax, the new Greatest of the Greeks, that the other men will lose their shit and start rioting (some may interpret this as a reflection of his piss poor leadership abilities). So, instead of making the call himself, he decides to let Trojans settle the matter. There are two version of this, one in which they ask their Trojan hostages to decide who is the better warrior, Ajax or Odysseus, and one in which they eavesdrop on some Trojan women talking about the warriors.

In both of these versions, Athena intervenes to make sure they declare Odysseus the victor. Two points here-- one is that in this oldest version of the story, Odysseus doesn't do anything to win. There's no trickery on his part. He's just there, and Athena picks him. The second point is that one of the key aspects of Ajax's character throughout all of his stories is that Athena fucking hates him. The feeling is kind of mutual. I could write a whole new post about this, but Odysseus doesn't factor into her decision necessarily--she's not favoring Odysseus, she's fucking over Ajax, who she hates.

After the decision, Ajax goes mad (more on this later), possibly kills some animals, and kills himself with Hector's sword.

It is only much later that we get versions where there is some sort of contest of words going on and complicity of Odysseus with Athena's scheme. This evolves more and more over time until it becomes "Ajax is an idiot who can't string two words together and Odysseus is a wordsmith." Whatever. Ovid's version is pretty hilarious with Ajax killing himself in front of everyone while bellowing something along the lines of "Try winning the war without me, dipshits."

The madness that Ajax suffers also changes over time. In the beginning, it's kind of vague. He goes mad. This could mean he got really super angry. It could also mean... he was put into a headspace where killing himself seemed like a reasonable response. Most people accept that state as a form of madness. It's only later that his madness is attributed to Athena--she made him mad rather than it being a natural consequence of his accomplishments going unacknowledged after ten years of war and also watching his friends die and lugging their corpses around etc etc. This also gets to the animals he slaughtered--in some version, he just does it. Because he's mad. In some versions, it's suggested he kills them because he won them for the Greeks, and if the Greeks don't appreciate him, by god they are not going to get to enjoy the spoils of his labor. Sorry, sheep. And in Sophocles' late version, Athena's madness causes him to imagine the cows are various Greek generals (Agamemnon and Odysseus and others) and he tortures them thinking he's torturing the generals. When he realizes what he's done, he kills himself.

What's interesting to me is that the evolution of Ajax's suicide seems to simplify his motives for doing so and make him a less compelling character. Well, he was driven mad by a goddess. And he wasn't very bright to begin with. And he killed himself to deny the Greeks his service (as if he couldn't have just gone the fuck home with all his cows).

The original suicide story as I understand it is a man who has proved himself ten times over, who everyone knows is the greatest among them, and who still gets passed over and disrespected by his fellow soldiers who all know the truth. There is nothing Ajax can do that will get other people to recognize him, and when he realizes this, that he will never accomplish his goals, this drives him "mad." He loses his purpose for living, and he dies.

#the athena aspect also adds some great dramatic irony #in pursuing your goals you are denied your goals etc etc #long post #ajax the greater #telamonian ajax #tagamemnon #the iliad #suicide mention #death mention #thanks nonnie this was fun #me looking at 5th century bce athenians and whispering for them to take their filthy hands off Ajax

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streets-in-paradise · 4 months

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The Veiled One - Ajax x (Fem) Reader

Troy (2004) Oneshot

Requested by @blackedropedreaper

"Hi!i've read some of your TROY-stories and i love them.

If you're up for it, could you make one for Eudorus, Ajax, Odysseus or Hector?

For Ajax: (Reader is female) Y/n is sister to Helen. And while Helen is beautiful, she is scarred across the face, she is still beautiful, but is insecure because of her scars. Ajax, being scarred himself tries to make her see herself like he sees her "

Hi! As i told you in my answer to the ask, I'm releasing each fic one at the time. I started by this one and I hope you will enjoy it because i feel it's very sweet

Warnings: Hints for a no war AU, Agamemnon doing tasteless comments (as always). Despite events and characters from the myths were added, this fic works in an AU for the 2004 film.

Summary: The best of Greece has arrived to your city seeking to court your sister, the most beautifull woman in the world, but you haven't had any luck finding candidates among the men who accompany her suitors. In a world were a wife's beauty directly represents her husband's status, you feel disqualified for marriage due to your scarred face.

After one of the visitors cruelly reminds you of that through open humilliation your insecurities are so strong that you can't notice someone else had his eyes on you the whole time. Ajax had initially came to meet Helen and when he admits to be considering stop pursuing her, you believe he has been tricked by Odysseus. Hoping to prevent he would be robbed of his chance, you try to convince him of stay in the competition, but he has something else to tell you.

Tags: @blackedropedreaper

The most remarkable men in the country were coming all at once to your city, guided by illusion and desire. Everyone wanted to be the lucky one winning the hand of Helen, your sister, and take her home as their wife. Rumours claiming she was the most beautifull woman in the world were feeding an autentical craze with people coming from every corner. The numbers on her suitors list were going out of hand, a constant growth that challenged the hosting capacity of the palace. Some of the newcomers and their men would have to end up settling camps near the acropolis because the place was overpopulated.

It was an episode with no precedents, they were all ready to step on each other's heads for one smile of your sister. She was leaving her mark in history as the woman Greece had fallen in love with and despite you were happy for her, you were still very worried about the whole thing. Only one would end up victorious and the rest would have to deal with rejectment, what could possibly be a hard challenge for many nobles and heroes used to get what they wanted.

Romance was so far away from your experience that it was understandable you would be thinking of that first, while she was analyzing each prospect from a personal perspective hoping to find one she would fancy. You both have allways been a team, you knew each other better than anyone and that bond could never be ruined even despite of how drastically different you were.

Night and day, mind and heart, uglyness and beauty. In all their wisdown the gods have decided that her flawless face needed a contrasting opposite to keep the balance of the world and it had to be yours. The price to pay for beauty like hers to walk arround mortals that would admire it was your scarred face dooming you to be invisible.

Despite what gossips would indicate, you weren't necesarily jealous of her. The way people acted about your difference was the horrible part. Over the years you got tired of hearing them murmur about how you could have been as beautifull as her, if it wasn't for your scars. The kindest voices would say it out of pitty, while the cruel ones would express genuine dissapointment looking at you.

Used as you were to that during first impressions, you opted for wearing a veil in public whenever the palace would have foreigner visitors. In the context of the massive arrival of suitors for Helen that would sometimes lead to confussions where you would be mistaken for the bride.

The most notorious one of those misunderstandings happened during the comíng of the Atreides. Only King Menelaus was going to make a plead, but his brother Agamemnon was there to make explicit mannifest of the family's political power hoping to twist things in his favor.

So it was thought, untill they found out of your existence.

" Forgive us, Helen. Naturally, we expected the veiled one to be the bride. " The mycenaean king apologized for both about having confused you for her. " I have to admit this has surprised me. I'm travelling here for my brother's wife, but never consider I could find anything for myself. The hundred mouths of Fame are all occupied in you, but fail to mention you have a sister. "

Helen and you were one in your disdain for those men, already famous for being despicable. You frankly hated Agamemnon's entitlement, the way he would speak of Menelaus as if he had already won and how he would speak of you both as a package thing they could get and later split taking one each.

You may have been running short in possible marriage prospects, but you surely didn't want to end up with that self centered old king.

" It would be a waste of time. " You answered for Helen. " There is nothing remarkable in me."

A few more men were awaiting their turns to introduce themselves, others were there simply observing the pompous arrival. You managed to recognize your cousin's husband, King Odysseus of Ithaca, on that crowd. Next to him there were a cocky blond and a rough looking tall man, men that you didn't know at all. However, Agamemnon did seem to know them and their presence was somehow encouraging him to insist.

" Don't be shy, little one. Let me see your face. If I like what i find, I will do my plead. "

What could the mycenaean king possibly want with you? Did he think that offering you marriage would secure the triumph of Menelaus with your sister? Was he expecting to find a woman as beautifull as her that he could keep for himself without interfering with his brother's desires?

You looked at Helen and nodded negatively.

" She doesn't feel comfortable with that. " Your sister defended you. " That's how she presents herself in public and she doesn't feel inclined to change it for anyone."

The clarification confused and annoyed the king.

" I guess exceptions could be made when the most powerfull man in Greece requests it. " He insisted, careless for the negatory. " I can make her the queen of my growing empire, but for that I need to be sure she is worthy. "

" I'm not, so you don't have to. " You simply replicated. " I could never be your wife, a man of your position would feel disgraced being by my side. "

Agamemnon deviated his attention towards the blond man subtly chuckling, convinced that he was laughing of him. Both assumed you were merely trying to politely reject the advances of a man you wouldn't want to marry taking the blame so it wouldn't feel like that.

" That's very clever, but not enough to fool me … and you are making me loose my patience. "

Cornered as you were, there was nothing else you could have done but acceed to his demand. You knew exactly what was going to happen and tried so badly to avoid it in order to protect your honor, but that insensitive man left you no choice but to reveal yourself.

His blatant horror was impossible to dissimulate. The disgust that the contradiction of his expectations caused would make him act as the humilliated one despite he was shaming you.

" What kind of sick joke is this? The most beautifull woman in the world has a deformed sister! "

" Has your father ever neglected the sacrifices for Aphrodite and that's why you ended up like that while your sister is so gorgeous? " Menelaus followed him, presenting his ask with genuine curiosity. " … Just wondering, it's a strange situation. Too ironical, I could understand if you were cursed. Helen is practically perfect and everything else is good on you, but those marks look like if your beauty would have been ruined on purpose. "

" Typical of the sons of Atreus, blaming family curses on everyone else but themselves. You are the ones who should be worried about that. " Was Helen's flawless comeback. " What makes you think my father would want to see me married to the youngest son of the beast that murdered his own nephews to feed their flesh to their father? "

Menelaus didn't see that coming, he couldn't have possibly expected she would talk back like that.

" Where are your brothers, Helen? Lost forever, nobody knows what happened to the twins. " Agamemnon responded for him. " Your father knows your marriage is the last hope of the bloodline and he can't afford reject an alliance with us. After all, he will never get a good deal for her. "

Silent tears began to fall down your cheeks. Helen was holding your hand, gesturally begging you to stay strong, but the cruel man reminded you of your loss and also made you feel horrible.

" She got rid of you. If you ask me, that's an excellent deal. " The blond man interrupted, then smiled at you from afar. " The scars work to keep old pigs away, men who can't handle a flaw because they want to get a perfect wife in order to compensate they are past their prime in the battlefield. "

With your face still wet from the crying he made you chuckle and he seemed satisfied with that.

However, the rage of the king and his humilliation threatened with turning the situation into a scandall.

" Well. Nobody asked you, Achilles! What are you doing here, in the first place? The bride in dispute is far away from your reach, kings are not going to compete for her against soldiers. "

The attempt to shame him was completely pointless.

" Every single one of the suitors claim to be capable of winning Helen on their own, yet all of them have external support. " Achilles mocked the situation while starting to explain himself. " Diomedes counts with the trickery of Odysseus, Menelaus has your political power … I'm lending the fear of my name and the worship it inspires to support Ajax. He is tired of getting the short end of the stick because he comes from a poor island. I understand that, i'm just a soldier … Ríght? "

He looked at the tall man beside him, seeking his support while he finished to taunt Agamemnon, but he seemed quite lost in something.

You didn't noticed untill then that he was looking at you.

" Our brave actions in combat always make the difference, but he is the onlyone getting acknowledged for that. " Ajax concluded when he realized he had lost the focus. " Achilles is making his part in keeping things fair helping me on this. "

" I honestly thought it would be hilarious if he gets the girl and humilliates your brother. He wants vindication and I want to see you loose. " Achilles added, still in a mockfull spirit trying to irritate Agamemnon. " if this do ends in war, like some are already fearing, we will fight as a team … Good luck trying to survive us, all the gold in Mycenae is not going to save you. "

" Let's hope it will not get that far. " Odysseus corrected, severely concerned. " What kind of man gives his wife a bloodbath as wedding present?"

" I would. " Achilles calmly stated. " Disgraced will be the men getting in my way if I fall in love one day, they would all descend to Hades. "

" You forget that may scare the bride and ruin the marriage. " Ajax interrupted him. " Your looks aren't threatening enough to scare women, that's why you don't consider it. If I would kill all my rivals in front of my future wife, she may never overcome the fear. "

For the very first time since the whole thing started, one of the suitors of Helen had personally impressed you. Ajax would be the one better positioned to do threats with fighting for her, but he was choosing not to because he didn't want to scare her away. It made you wonder how many times had he accidentally frightened a woman he wanted in order to learn that lesson. Exactly as you developed the veil strategy to cover your scars seeking to pass as attractive, he attempted to tone down the raw rougheness so the refined ladies wouldn't run away from him.

If he would have arrived for you, it was for sure that you would have promised him you wouldn't. Knowing he was there for Helen made you feel genuinely jealous because you liked him.

It got worse when he approached to formally salute both of you and the closer look allowed you to notice a few sharp lines across one side of his face. Battle scars, the patterns were like a sygn of the gods speaking to you.

That wouldn't matter, even if Helen didn't want him he could never possibly have any interest in you. Underrated compared to others, but Ajax of Salamis was still a famous hero. Often considered the strongest man in Greece, legends claimed he was capable of bringing down a tree with one swing of his axe and the blow of his battle hammer was an inmediate death sentence. However, as days would pass you found out tales failed to mention he was the sweetest tempered of greek heroes. Odysseus underestimated his intelligence, Achilles was critical of his humbleness, but Ajax was still friendly to everyone despite being somewhat aware that he wasn't always as valued as he should be.

At any given chance you would have, you were there to make justice. He could never be yours, but you wanted him to succeed and prove the world his worth even if that meant he would marry your sister. In a short span you became very efficient on his defense, ocassionally team working with Achilles whenever his ego allowed it. It eventually made all the others suspect your loyalties sided with one particular contestant and that was a problem given your closeness with the future bride possibly acting as influence.

Tired as she was of hearing people say that she was playing with the hearts of her suitors, Helen enjoyed of watching you play tricks on them that served her to silently judge the contestants. The unfortunate accident involving the mycenaean king was a hard hit on your crumbling self confidence, but it also gave you the excellent idea of evaluating all the men through his reactions interacting with you. If Helen wanted to see their true colors, there was nothing easier than observing their treatment of a woman they weren't attracted to.

For that night you were preparing a test that would be the ultimate proof of their insulting shallowness. They would have to endure full conversations forced to stare at your clean face. No veils, hair tied up in a beautifull hairstyle that made it impossible for you to use your falling locks as curtains hidding your imperfections. The intention was to determinate which ones were capable of showing genuine respect and separate them from the ones that would try fake attempts of condescending praise or would not tolerate the discomfort.

Even tho you were on board the idea from its conception, she insisted in reassuring you first.

" In a fair world, my dear, you would be already married. " She commented caressing your cheek. " You are beautifull and it's not your fault that the Kings of Greece have such narrowed definition for that. "

You gave her a half smile.

" Your fate is to become a Queen and mine is to remain in our father's house taking care of him untill old age will leave me completely alone … And it's not your fault, what i hate the most of this is that I will miss you. One of those men will take you away and I will see you only when chances would allow it. To meet your children, or maybe in someone else's wedding. "

" Don't say that! " She interrupted you. " I will always be there for you and you won't end your days alone. "

Helen hugged you, sensing that you needed it like if you lives depended of it.

" I'm scared! So scared that you could be given to a horrible man that would separate us. " You admitted ríght away. " … , but i'm also afraid that you could marry a wonderfull man and forget of me. Sister, i don't want to loose you! I will never have the joy of a self made family, you are all i have. "

Helen tried to lift your spirits the best she could. Her words came from her heart.

" You will never loose me, no matter how much our lives may change. Don't deny yourself of the posibility for change. I will always love you, but i don't believe my sibling love is all life has for you. The day will come when a man will want you for wife and you will know it will be for real. The men who currently reject your scars will never be ready to see my wrinkles. Whatever advantage they now think I have over you, time will fade away. I will not be the most beautifull woman in the country forever, but the man choosing you will love you forever. "

Although meaningfull, her advice didn't achieve the cheering effect expected. She didn't know that the only man you wanted was already in the lines of her suitors.

" Let's scare some shallow men away, shall we? "

You presented yourselves together to have the last meal of the day with the guests, arriving to the banquet hall between complicit laughs. Helen took the ríght seat next to your father and you took the left, observing the men i'm front of you and evaluating their reactions. A brief distraction guided you in the ríght direction when Achilles made you a subtle sign to laugh with him knowing it would annoy Agamemnon. It was quite fun, but you stopped caring when your eyes found Ajax alongside him.

He could tell you were staring, but his response was to simply smile at you and the embarrasement made you look down. You didn't notice then how his glance refused to abandon you untill the King stood up to make an annoncement and Achilles nudged him so he would pay attention.

" Noble suitors of my daughter! You have come from every corner of Greece to honor the beauty of Helen with your marriage proposals. No father can be more pleased, but never more concerned!!! " Was the beggining of the king's speech, making you suspect that his confession of his fears would preceed a big announcement for the contestants. " Only one of you can take her to his house, only one shall lay with her in the thalamus. For the rest awaits the bitter end of rejection, outcome no man is prepared to face. Of this wedding depends the unity of the country or its doom, whispers have come to my ears of threats of war from men willing to spill blood if the consecuencies turn out adverse for them."

Achilles admitted his guilt with a self satisfied smile. Even if he was only supporting a suitor, he guessed the callout was for him.

" A blissfull event such as a wedding should not be accompanied of funerals. The blood spilled would be a curse for the marriage itself!!! " Tindareus kept explaining, the words of Odysseus doing echo in his voice." This exceptional circunstancies force us to adopt exceptional solutions, for what I have decided that new requirements will be applied to grant my blessing of this union."

Menelaus and Agamemnon shared subtle looks of dissaprobal, rejecting that any conditions should be impossed to them.

" First, I shall warn you I will not be the one taking the choice, Helen will … And you will swear by unbreakable oath to respect her choice."

Disconcert reigned among the men and your sister had a bright smile. Mixed reactions oscilating between surprise and disgust coming from them were a delight to both of you.

As you were already guesing, Menelaus was the first one raising in protest.

" Nothing would be more insulting than expecting us to let ourselves get choosen by a woman. "

" You won't be and you know it. " Diomedes recalled, starting an argument. " You are doomed if fears of war or the use of political power are out of the calculation. I agree in considering it too atypical, but i can't deny it's fair. "

" Peraphs because you feel so close to winning with the old man out of the way. " Prince Antylochus of Pylos snarked. " But you forget i'm the youngest and … Frankly? Aside from being a formidable warrior, clearly the most handsome "

Each and every suitor was trying to prove why they themselves would be the choosen one, with cassual interventions of Achilles feeding the fire for the sake of making them tear each other apart exactly as they weren't supposed to. You were having a lot of fun with the spectacle, at least untill you noticed one of them was too silent on the matter.

Ajax seemed lost in his own thoughts, so you tried to encourage him to speak with a sweet smile. He raised from his seat to pronunce himself, but what he had to say wasn't what you expected.

" It's no longer my desire to pursue Helen. "

It was the unthinkable, nobody else seemed capable of giving up no matter how hard they were complaining on the conditions.

" Great choice, my friend! It's what i would have done. " Odysseus praised him. " A humble step back for the wellbeing of Greece."

Your eyes were throwing daggers at him. Through Odysseus' trickery Ajax was being scammed, persuaded to abandon the competition because he was too strong to loose in the first place.

Achilles, ubicated in between of both heroes, seemed to share your opinion.

" It's not the best time to be humble, don't damage your honor to spare a few lives. "

You couldn't let that happen to him, even if you would suffer having him as your new brother in law. Helen didn't seem particularly inclined towards him, but you have never told her of your crush fearing it may have ruined his chances with her. He deserved better than being robbed of his oportunity by either your pointless feelings or some scheme of the ithacan king.

As soon as the room got clear after the banquet you rushed to chatch him on his way out and walk with him in order to do your try of persuading him to act for his true interests.

" My lord, you have performed the most impossible of feats tonight. How did you manage to reject her? No one has accomplished that before and i'm confused about the veracity of your claims."

Ajax chuckled to himself, as if he knew something you clearly didn't.

" I was completely serious, i lost interest on courting her. "

That seemed to confuse you even more.

" With the greatest of respects, i have to ask: You don't want to, or feel unable to keep doing so? Because that would be ridículous, you have the same chances as everyone else."

He got your point, but didn't look to affected by the exhortation.

" Your sister didn't look twice at me since my arrival, something that is hard to achieve for most because of my size."

The subtle self mock made you giggle a bit, outlet to release the nervousy caused for being so close to him.

" A woman would always feel protected alongside a man of such impactfull presence. " You twisted his point to sincerely flatter him. " … And I bet that the strongest arms in Greece must give the best hugs. "

He smiled briefly for you and you loved him even more.

" There is no need for you to lift my spirits, sweet princess. I don't regret it and my heart holds no sorrow, since I haven't lost as greatly as you suppose. Helen is not the only beautifull lady in the country, not even in this city … or in this home."

You stared at him in shock.

" There are only two ladies in the palace, unless you temporally count Penelope's visit despite she is already married. "

Your wondering naivety was quite cute to him.

" I was talking of you. " He clarified. " You are the beautifull lady. No matter how famous the beauty of your sister is, when you smile for me with such tenderness you become the most beautifull creature in the room. You have facilitated my choice tonight, by allowing me to look once more at your sweet face in detail. "

" I was trying to make everyone unconfortable to amuse Helen. " You innocently confessed, still in disbelief. " It's no mystery why most men would disagree with you. "

" Only cowards flee from a few scars. " He corrected you. " I carry mines with pride. "

" It's different: you are a warrior. A princess is not supposed to look like this. " You explained, venting your insecurities to show him why you couldn't see things the same way. " People get so excited hearing the divine among women has a sister, only to discover this. "

You pointed at the flawed side of your face, but he took your hand and your glance followed the act.

" I was supposed to be beautifull like her … Who could want me now?"

" I do. " He insisted, his voice going softer for you. " Everything i said, i mean it. Even if you can't see it, is my truth. And if you allow me, i will show it to you. "

He seiled his promise pulling you closer for a strong hug. Once you were secured against him, his hands reached your face and caressed you with unbelievable tenderness. No one would have expected it coming from him and you never imagined you would be worthy of that.

To your consenting awe he responded deepening the contact through a sweet kiss and for the first time in your life, you got to feel beautifull.

The next morning you intended to keep the secret, but the consequencies of your happiness were visible even in the way you choose to present yourself. Your hair was loose, but not in an obstructive way. With the excuse of witnessing the oath you were wearing a fine dress fitting for a celebration and, most importantly, a cosmetic artwork over your scars added beauty to the flaw instead of hidding it.

A new contestant had arrived just in time to replace Ajax and he was the first pointing it out.

" You look so beautifull! It's like if Zeus himself would have painted his lightning bolt across your face. "

You humbly smiled to the compliment, so unused to that sort of praise that you weren't sure of how to respond.

" It was painted over my skin, following the trace of my very real scars."

The handsome young man wasn't dissapointed by the explanation.

" Well, darling, that changes things very little. I'm a worshipper of Aphrodite. Guided by my goddess I acknowledge and cheer beauty in every form presented before my eyes. "

" If you came looking for beauty, i guess you are in the ríght place. " Was all you could answer. " My sister will be ready for your eyes soon … "

" I came from far away, looking for love. " The man corrected you. " And if Helen chooses to reject me, maybe i will not have to leave on empty hands. "

He reinforced the meaning of his words taking your hand to kiss your knuckles.

" I don't see a husband arround … Are you betrothed already? "

You felt the protective grip of Ajax's hand touching your shoulder.

" Soon she will be. " He explained before you could say anything. " To me. "

The stranger observed the huge frame of the hero with an amount of horror that was quite amusing to you despite it was perfectly understandable. The nice lad was small and lanky in comparison, Ajax could easily break him without using any weapons.

" … And I clearly respect that! " He commented, making fun of himself to escape the awkward situation. " I have no intentions of competing against you, my monumental friend … And I have to admit i'm frankly relieved to know I won't have to. "

Another man approached ríght behind him. He was of stronger frame but similar enough to make you suspect they were related.

" Already getting yourself in trouble? Keep eyes on your prize, Paris. "

It all made sense, and you couldn't be happier for your sister.

" You are the princes of Troy! The only ones who can actually compete in fair conditions against the threats of the Atreides!"

The stronger one showed approval of your guessings.

" I came here to support my brother, but I do have heard that Agamemnon has done the same. "

You looked sweetly at Ajax, as if you asked for his permission to say something very unflattering.

" And I wish your brother all the luck in the world, even if it's just to ruin his plans. I want those horrible men far away from us."

It didn't take you long to find the courage to take your sip of ironical vengeance. You kept conversating with the princes for a while, but as soon as you spotted Achilles you rushed to him with the news keeping your own mischievous intentions in mind.

Hatred towards Agamemnon was a bonding point for your accidental friendship. Malice and arrogance were not only unquestioned, but encouraged by him.

" You better pack your things, I believe the wedding will take place in Troy. " You commented him, pretending to act cassual knowing the king would be hearing. " It's not my wish to crush everyone's hopes so soon, but Prince Paris is a new strong candidate. "

" Let me congratulate you first, I have heard of your new suitor. " He responded, then shamelessly approached Agamemnon. " How does it feel to know she will get married and your brother won't? "

He was fulminating him with his stare.

" The last word was not yet said. "

It wasn't enough, not while remembering the way he humilliated you.

" Well, my lord, if my sister's choice will be measured like yours, then your brother is the clear looser. "

" Let's guess who she would pick: the lascivous old king or the pretty boy prince speaking like a poet." Achilles followed you, with killer irony. " I came to see you loose and so far, it hasn't dissapointed. "

" I sincerely hope my deformed face will be for you a reminder of your most epic downfall. " You finished, with a poisonous tone. " Hector seems very nice, i bet he will be a great brother in law. "

The provocation was too much for him.

" Be carefull of who you insult, girl. One more offense and I will burn your city to the grownd. "

You were completely fearless while delivering an important reminder.

" You can't: the oath that your brother is expected to make protects it. Even if it wasn't the case, i would like to see you fight Ajax without Achilles on your side"

You had a point and he hated it, the King of Kings was choking on his own poison. By the time your self declared suitor realized of what was going on, the vengeance was already executed.

The way in which you were standing up for yourself showed that you were feeling confident and that was all that really mattered to him.

#troy 2004 #troy #ajax the great #ajax #tyler mane #ajax x reader #tyler mane x reader

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