A Deadly Beauty

Chapter 1 - Left Alone

The house was a flurry of activity. The servants fluttering around, gathering dresses and linens, and goodness know what else Clytemnestra would need. Nestra and I had just recently turned fourteen and now she was to being sent to marry King Agamemnon in Mycenae. She is my sister and fight as all sisters do, but I will miss her. But I know that she is not happy here. Since Father made me his heir, making me the future queen of Sparta, she has been neglected. I have always been my father's favorite. I'm sorry, but it is true. He says that I am beautiful and intelligent and headstrong. "A potent combination," he always tells me, but with a smile on his face. Nestra has always been the domestic one, weaving and sewing. I, on the other hand love the outdoors. I think that my mother despairs of me sometimes. My favorite things to do are riding my horse Poseidon, and hunting with my bow.  

A month ago Nestra's courses began, which is when it was decided that she would leave for Agamemnon's court. Only two weeks later mine began also. My mother sat me down and explained that I would have to act like a lady, and the queen of Sparta that I will one day become, now. I was heartbroken. This means no more early morning swims in the spring near the palace or afternoon rides of Poseidon. So, that is why I was now stuck in this gloomy palace on a beautiful summer day. "If your going to sulk, at least do it where you're not in the way," Nestra snapped at me.  

"I'm not sulking!" I growl back. Okay, maybe I was, but I sure wasn't going to admit that to her. 'I should at least try to get along with Clytemnestra today,' I thought to myself, 'It is her last day here, then who knows when I'll see her again?' I huffed and straightened from my undignified slouch.  

"Would you like to do something Nestra?" I asked her hopefully, "I'm sure that the servants can take care of the rest!"  

"Alright," she agreed, "I could use a break. Let's go sit in the orchard." I smiled happily and followed her out of the palace. The orchard had been our favorite place since we were children. It is the perfect spot to cool off during the scorching Grecian summers. And in the fall we would go there to pick the ripe, luscious fruit.  

It took us almost ten minutes to arrive, but the walk was pleasant.  

"Are you nervous?" I asked her hesitantly. 

"A little," she admitted, "I just wish that we weren't getting married so soon after I arrive. I will only have three days to get to know him, and I bet that he won't even be around that much."  

"I don't know much about marriage and all that it includes," I confessed as we came up to a large Pomegranate tree and sat in its cooling shade, " But I do know that you will make the perfect wife. I know that he will love and respect you very much." I smiled at her, "You will be just fine." 

She looked at me, and expression of gratitude on her face. "Thank you, Helen. I needed a bit of reassurance." She glanced towards the palace. "We should probably start walking back, they will be serving supper soon." I nodded in agreement, and we began to walk back our gilded cage. 

~ 

The next morning the whole family rose bright and early. Surprisingly, even my older brother got up as the sun rose. They were both eighteen and never got up until breakfast was about to be served. Nestra and I sat down at the table together, after we got dressed and had our hair done. We were going to make the most of our last couple of hours together.  

Breakfast was a somber affair. Everyone was sad to see Clytemnestra go. She was always the one that my brothers and I went to for advice about our clothes, or how to heal a cut we had gotten. Mother was often busy with Father in the throne room, so Nestra was the one that we went to for household advice. After breakfast, the whole family stood in the courtyard and watched the servants load the last of her belongings. Once they had finished we said our last goodbyes and watches as her was hoisted into the litter. The soldiers accompanying her to Mycenae surrounded the litter and began to march down the long dusty road. 

I missed her already.