Beautiful War

Chapter 24 The Trojan Horse

"Helen... Oh Helen," Andromache called. I was in one of the many gardens in the palace with my children. Enjoying the sunshine, it had been raining the last three days. And today was the first day that the sun was shining. The children were begging to go out into the gardens and play. Hermione, Athena, and Pollux were practicing their archery in the corner of the garden where the servants had set up a target for them. Athena excelling well in archery, being able hit the target with ease. Hermione and Pollux preferred the swords over archery. The younger children were playing with marbles at my feet. I was sewing and enjoying the sunshine. It had been about three weeks since Hector's funeral. Things in the palace were slowly going back to the normal we knew. And we had not had one attack from the Greeks, many of the generals were becoming weary of this, but others were beginning to hope that we coming to the end of this war. Andromache raced into the garden. Her face was flushed with color. A servant was rushing in after her. Both women caught their breaths before they could speak. The older children dropped their bows and stared at us.

"The Greeks... They are gone," Andromache cried. I stood up in shock. The sewing I had in my hands fell to the dirt. Covering the marbles. The younger children cried out in surprise as their game was suddenly halted. The Greek army was gone? How was this even possible? Was this a dream? Had our prayers been answered after all these years?

"How is that possible? Is it true? Is this war over," I cried. Athena, Hermione, and Pollux came rushing over to me. They were staring up at their aunt. Curiosity in their eyes. They had been told for years about the Greeks, and the Greeks camped just outside our walls.

"A group of soldiers were patrolling just outside the city gates. They came upon the abandoned Greek camp. Their ships are on the horizon. They are well and truly gone," Andromache replied. I motioned for another servant to come over.

"Please take the younger children back to my apartments. Hermione, Athena, and Pollux, come with your aunt and I," I said. The servant motioned for the younger children to follow her into the palace toward our apartments. We all made our way down to the throne room where everyone had gathered. No doubt they had heard the news that the Greeks were gone as well.

"Is it true, father? Are the Greeks truly gone," Pollux asked. He ran to Paris, who picked the boy up and pulled him into his arms. The boy giggled and Paris put him down, ruffling his hair. Pollux smiled up at his father. Pollux was extremely close to his father, he looked up to his father. Pollux said he wanted to grow up to exactly like Paris.

"I do not know my son. We will go and see for ourselves," Paris replied. I could not quite believe that the Greeks had gone, left the beaches of Troy. Agamemnon and Achilles had succumbed to defeat and sailed home for Greece. I could feel the hope and apprehension in the throne room. Everyone in their own minds. Trying to comprehend the news we received.

"We will go and see this abandoned camp for ourselves," Priam declared. The room erupted in protests. No one wanted their king to be put in harm's way. That this may be a trap to lure us onto the beach where an ambush was waiting. Priam held up his hand for silence, and it was like a hush fell over the crowd.

"If the Greeks are truly gone, have sailed back to where they came from. Then there is no need to be worried for my safety," Priam called. I felt Paris wrapped his around my waist, Pulling me to his chest. I placed my hand on his chest to steady myself.

"My king... Brother, this could very well be an ambush. A trick to kill us all in one fell swoop," Anchises said. I heard many agree with Anchises. Anchises was a wise and devoted man. Devoted to his city, devoted to his family.

"I hardly doubt that the Greeks are that cunning brother. Trust me and my decision. Now let us all go to the beaches. See for ourselves that our enemy is gone," Priam declared. I looked up at Paris. He had a look of weariness in his eyes. He shared the same weariness as his uncle. I pulled his face down to meet mine.