When she felt his battle-roughened hand in her own, she blinked away the tears that were forming in her eyes. It had been so long since she had been close to him, been allowed her to hold him, that she too felt overwhelmed as he hugged her back. Holding onto him for a few moments, she didn't say anything at first, choosing her words carefully when she finally did decide to speak. "Achilles, my son, what brought you to this point?"
Her words were spoken barely above a whisper as she pulled back to look up into his face. "My poor child, there's no need to worry anymore. I'm here, I'll help make everything better." She wasn't sure how, but she would find a way. She didn't want to see Achilles' cry anymore, and would do whatever it took to bring a smile to his face again. Reaching up to rest her hands on his cheeks, she stood on her toes and lightly kissed his forehead.