True to Achilles word we were able to leave the Greek camp at first light. As Telemon led us back through the Greek camp, I implored him to return to Troy with us. That the war was coming to an end and if Agamemnon discovers who he was, and who he was working for. It would mean certain death. But Telemon refused my offer, his mission was not complete. But he assured me that we would see one another again. However, after that day. I never saw Telemon again, and never knew his fate. Achilles also had two of his own men escort us as far as the dunes that led to the plains of Troy. Before they left, one walked and grabbed my skirt.
"Lord Achilles wanted me to tell you that he will not give you quarter again. The next time you see one another it will be on the opposite of the battlefield and he will have no qualms about killing you," the man said. I nodded stiffly, knowing that we had received the last of Achilles' mercy. That we would not be spared a second time. As we emerged through the dunes we could make out the walls in the shadows of the rising sun. I spurred the horses faster, wanting nothing more then to be withint the safety of the walls. As we got closer to the walls, the sentries posted on the gates saw us. They shouted for the gates to be opened. Once the gates were opened. Paris, Andromache, and Aeneas raced out. Paris and Aeneas helped Priam and I off from the wagon. Paris quickly pulled me into his arms.
"What were you thinking Helen, putting yourself into danger like that," Paris cried. He pulled away and cupped both my cheeks. I could see the fear and relief in his eyes. I was sure that he was terrified after finding out that I had left. And that I had brought Priam with me. Did he think the worst of me? He would not think I would betray him and our family.
"Your wife is a couragous and noble woman. She managed to convince Achilles to return to Hector's body to us. To allow us to give him a proper funeral," Priam said weakly. He was no doubt exhausted from our excursion to the Greek camp. Upon hearing that we had brought her husband's body back, Andromache collapsed on the sand. I ran to her and pulled her into my arms. Holding her as she shook.
"Thank you Helen, thank you," Andromache sobbed over and over again. Paris came over and embraced us both. I could his tears staining my hair. I knew he had been holding in his grief since his brother's death. And now finally he could allow that grief to come out. We all stood there for a few minutes just embracing one another. Soon enough Paris pulled away from us both.
"Come, let us make the preparations for Hector's funeral and funeral feast," Aeneas said coming over to stand beside us with Priam. I looked up at the three men, the three men who had lost a brother, a son, and a cousin. I then look to Andromache who lost her husband. I knew that we were all thinking the same thing. That it was time for Hector's soul to move on and find peace. Aeneas went over and got into the wagon. Andromache went around and crawled into the back, sobbing over her dead husband. Paris, Priam and I followed the wagon back to the palace.
A few hours later, I was laying in the large stone tub that was in our private room in Paris' and I apartment. The water had already turned brown from the dirt that caked my skin from the journey. My head rested against the stone, my eyes closed. I soon heard the door open. I opened my eyes and looked up Paris was standing in the doorway. His arms were crossed, and his eyes were red from crying. I slowly sat up in the tub. Staring at the man that was my husband. The man I had loved for these past ten years.
"What did you last night was reckless, Helen. What were you thinking," Paris asked sternly. He came over to me and sat on the edge of the tub. I reached out and took his hand. His rough calloused hand, rough from the years of weilding a sword. From sending arrows into the battlefied. He truly had become a warrior prince like his brother before him. Like his father, Priam.
"It may have been reckless Paris. But I could no longer stand by and watch you or Andromache suffer. Watch your mother starve herself to death, watch Priam go mad with grief. My family deserves peace, all of Troy deserves peace. And the only way to get that peace was to bring Hector home," I replied. I planted a soft kiss on his hand.
YOU ARE READING
Beautiful War
Historical Fiction*All Characters are based of off Homer's great work the Illiad You have heard my name before. I am the face that launched a thousand ships. The face that destroyed a city. Many men have told the story of Helen of Troy... That is me. But they never t...
