The moment that I have feared is at hand.  Nestor’s words have taken root within poor Patroklos.  Overcome by his feelings watching the Achaeans fall, Patroklos does as Nestor had suggested and begs Achilles to either return to battle himself or at least let Patroklos lead the Myrmidons into battle.  Neither the degraded state of the Achaeans, nor the desperation in Patroklos’ voice is lost on my son.  I believe that if it were not for his pride, Achilles would have returned to battle with Patroklos. 

Wearing Achilles armor, Patroklos and the Myrmidons enter the chaos of battle.  Patroklos fights bravely until but this is not in keeping with Zeus’ plan.  Apollo knocks off the armor Patroklos wears.  With that, Euphorbos spears Patroklos in the back and Hektor spills his insides.  Patroklos is finished, as is my Achilles. 

When Achilles learns of Patroklos’ fate, he is beside himself with sorrow and his anger, his mηνις, is redirect to Hektor and indeed Troy.  I hear him.  He wants to go to battle but he has no armor now. 

I go to Hephaistos, I helped him once when his mother, Hera, threw him off a balcony.  He is happy to help and he forges a magnificent shield depicting all the events of life.  

It feels like Achilles life is passing before my eyes.  I loathe taking this to him. I know the outcome of this and I can do nothing to stop fate now.  Zeus has done what I asked, perhaps I asked for the wrong thing.  Now all I can do is see that Achilles dies with his timh.  

http://www.hellenicaworld.com/Greece/Mythology/en/AchillesShield.html