What History Doesn't Know

Troy's Last Peaceful Moments

"IN THE NAME OF ZEUS, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!!" King Priam shouted at Paris.

Paris kept quiet. This was probably the first time I have ever seen him quiet. I stood beside Hector as the room fell silent.

"Dear, the boy just wants to listen to his heart. Can't you just let him do what he wishes?" Queen Hecuba said elegantly.

"My love, this son of yours just marches into Sparta, pretends to be all posh and stuff, sneaks off with THE QUEEN OF SPARTA AND BRINGS HER HERE! I have received news that King Menelaus of Sparta has declared war!"

Again, a silence filled the room. The silence was so much that it was equaled only by the tension in the air.

"Clear the room this instant! I want to speak with my son ALONE." the King of Troy ordered.

We all left the room without hesitation.

Outside, King Priam's children spoke about their sibling's actions.

"He's really done it this time." Hector said with a disappointed tone.

"I always thought he lacked in the brains department." said Mestor.

"What's the point of being just beautiful if you don't have brains to balance the scales like me?" Laodice bragged.

"I didn't need foresight to see that one coming from father, right Cassandra?" Helenus bragged. "Tell me you didn't need predictions for that one."

Cassandra looked sad. "I can't believe all of you would say such unsympathetic words behind Paris' back. Sure, Paris can be a bit reckless but he's still our brother. Think of how he would feel if his own siblings bad-mouthed him."

That kept her siblings' mouths quiet.

After everyone went their separate ways, I talked to Cassandra.

"It's nice to see you sticking up for Paris."

"Anything for my brother's best friend." she smiled.

I looked her straight in the eye and half-smiled. "You know we're more than that right?"

"Hmmm. I'm not sure. Care to refresh my memory?" she said as she giggled.

I kissed her on the lips. Her fine sweet lips. Suddenly, someone cleared their throat behind us. It was Hector.

"Please don't do that here. What if my father sees you with my sister? Kissing, which is worse," he said as he looked at the sky.

Hector was kind enough to keep my relationship a secret from the attention of Cassandra's father. After Paris, Hector was a really good friend. In fact, I looked up to him as if he was my older brother. He was a young man. Yet, he was very mature for his age. A practiced my fighting with him when Cassandra had to stay in the palace due to her father being present.

I tasted ground more than I wanted to. Every time I fell, he would pull me up and continue fighting. I discovered I was a naturally-talented archer and he helped me hone my abilities. He once showed me a secret place where the finest metals could be found to be use as arrowheads . These metals were so excellent in quality that they could easily pierce undamaged armour in one go.

"Ugh, Hector can't you see we're busy?" Cassandra said with annoyance in her voice.

"I completely respect your relationship with my good friend, Menessus here, sister, but don't you think it's not very wise to be so affectionate when father is so close. Plus, he's already in a bad mood with Paris. Do you really want him to catch you with Menessus in bad mood?" Hector said firmly like he always does.

"Try to predict my laughing face when you end up in serious trouble, sister" Hector said with a smile grin.

Cassandra stuck her tongue out at her brother and stomped off.

Hector sighed and shook his head. "What have you done with my sister, Menessus?"

"Well, not much besides giving her the time of her life," I said.

"I suppose I should thank you." Hector said all of a sudden.

"Ummm...for what?" I was confused.

"For giving my sister happiness she has never felt for most of her life. Menessus, there is nothing that warms a man's heart more than seeing his favorite woman be so happy. Once again, Menessus, thank you," he replied.

"You're welcome."

Hector shook his head. We walked to a side of the palace that gave a panoramic view off the city and the sea.

"This war, if it does happen, I suspect that my father will put me in charge of the Trojans. I simple do not approve of this war. War simply brings death and destruction. What drives mankind to reach a conclusion through bloodshed?" Hector said with a worried tone in his voice, something that was new to me. "Helenus has already predicted many tragedies will occur to the royal family of Troy, let alone Troy herself. I fear you, Menessus, and I may never speak in peaceful times ever again."

I shivered with fear. I tried to deny Hector's words but no matter how hard I tried to deny them, an eerie sense of truth lingered in his words.

I just wished King Menelaus could solve his problem with a diplomatic approach instead of starting a war. I looked down at the small figures of the citizens of Troy. Are they aware of their fate?

If King Menelaus had sent his troops already, they would arrive in several weeks depending on the weather conditions.

"We should gather as many Trojans as possible." I took a deep breath to utter the words that sent shivers down my spine in fear. "We must prepare for war."

I could have sworn Hector turned a pale before he gave an affirmative nod.