Hey guys, just thought I'd mention that this story is based on the film Troy and not on Homer's Iliad. I am currently reading Black Ships before Troy by Rosemary Sutcliff which is an easier-version-to-read of the Iliad. When I have finished it, I may consider writing a story about that version as well. My maths teacher suggested that I read it and now I suggest it to you. You can find it on Amazon for sure because that is where I got mine from. This may disappoint some people but this story also ends the way the movie Troy does. Enjoy the story!

-Livi X

CHAPTER ONE

Achilles

After dodging the countless attacks from my opponent, I plunged my sword deep into his stomach and watched his motionless body fall to the ground with a tremendous thud. The men behind me cheered at the glorious sight. Across this empty desolate place stood an army lost for words. As I looked down at my defeated adversary, I did not rejoice; nor did I smile. Instead I watched the wind carry dust and dirt across the dead body.

I returned to my army and received more unwanted praise. My gaze was focused on the devastated faces of Thessaly's army. Their King Triopas, shocked at his most skilled soldier's defeat, came to us and faced Agamemnon.

'Your victory was most unexpected,' managed Triopas slowly, 'but I respect your demands and join your impressive army.'

'I look forward to the day we go to battle,' replied Agamemnon with a cruel smile, he offered his hand and Triopas glared at it in despite but finally shook it.

'You fought well today,' complimented Odysseus as he joined me at my side. I sipped my wine quietly before replying.

'I fight well every day,' I muttered as I tossed the golden goblet in my hands. I looked up at Agamemnon on his throne drunk with victory. 'But he claims the victory for himself.' I scooped up a bunch of grapes and glanced at Odysseus.

'Our army grows stronger because of your talents,' replied Odysseus. 'I'm sure he realises that and appreciates it in his own way.'

After chewing a grape, I handed the bunch to Odysseus who took it willingly. He too munched on a couple of groups before returning the bunch to a silver tray. We both watched Agamemnon from a distance. Every few minutes, we took a sip of our wine and helped our selves to the delicious rich food laid across the table.

'This is where I leave you, my friend,' Odysseus began and he finished his wine. 'Tomorrow morning I leave Thessaly and so do you.'

'We will meet again,' I told him with a smile. 'They'll be another war I'm sure of it.'

After grinning, he left the tent silently and I soon followed him. The new mon looked down at us, glistening like a large diamond in the dark sky.

Helen

My eyes full with tears gazed up at the rather large moon; a tear escaped from my eye and rolled down my bright red cheek. Leaning against the stone archway which lead to my balcony, I lowered my gaze and wiped my wet cheeks with the back of my small gently hands. The sound of my bedroom door opening startled me and I spun around to face it.

There stood Paris, his light brown eyes focused on me and only me. After closing the door behind him, he locked it and strolled up to me. I bowed my head and tried not to look at him.

'What is wrong?' he asked and he reached out his hand to stroke my cheek. Without thinking, I grabbed it and kissed it gently.

'Tomorrow you leave,' I gasped through my tears. 'I don't know how I will survive.'

'I may leave in body but you'll never leave my heart.'

'Before you came, my life was worthless. I was nothing to Menelaus apart from a woman in his bed. But then you came and lightened up my life. When you leave, everything will go back to normal.'

Paris stepped closer to me and looked at me with his gleaming eyes. He was young; but old enough to love. And I, at least a couple of years older, had fallen for him.

'Don't let Menelaus hurt you. Don't be afraid of him,' he told me and I sighed sadly as I shook my head.

'I am not afraid of Menelaus,' I admitted, 'I'm afraid of when I see you sail away from me forever.'

'That does not have to happen, come with me.'

Blood pounded in my ears like a never ending banging drum. My heart crashed against my ribcage and the world around me suddenly froze.

'That could never happen,' I whispered, I was now more distraught.

'Anything can happen when we are in love,' he told me with a heart warming smile. That was when I realised that he was deadly serious.

'Menelaus would kill us both.' I sniffled at the dreadful thought.

'We will be safe at Troy,' his eyes were filled with honesty but I only shook my head. 'No army has ever entered Troy's gates.'

'You do not know my husband, my love. He will not stop until he gets what he wants.'

Paris only smiled beautifully and ran his fingers gently through my long golden hair.

'No man can seperate us. Not even the Gods; Menelaus will learn of this,' he spoke with love in his eyes.

Hector

'How dare you!' I yelled at my younger brother, he only stared at me with pathetic innocent eyes which made me want to punch him. 'Why did you bring her on this ship? Do you know what you've done?'

'I love her,' he replied calmly to my angry voice; I rolled my eyes in disgust. He repeated his words and grabbed my arm gently, I shoved his arm of it and narrowed my eyes at him.

'You do not know what love is.'

'I do, I love her as much as I love you and father.'

'What about your father's love? You spat on him when you brought her on this ship!'

'Brother-'

'What about the love for your country? You'll let Troy burn for this woman?'

'May I speak?' He asked, almost interrupting. He assumed my silence meant yes and carried on. 'I admit that I have wronged you but nothing can tear Helen and I apart.'

'She's going back to Sparta,' I growled, ignoring what he had said.

'Then I will go with her!'

'To Sparta? They'll kill you.'

'I'll die fighting.'

After hesitating at his response, I turned and glared at him. His chesnut hair was curlier than usual and his eyes told me he was not joking.

'Does that sound heroic to you, brother?' I asked him without letting my anger be unleashed again. 'To die fighting?'

His gaze dropped to the ground and I dragged him to a corner of the ship.

'Tell me little brother,' I began as I glared down at him. 'Have you ever killed a man?'

'No,' answered Paris with his head bowed.

'Ever seen a man die in battle?'

His response was 'no' once again and I scowled.

'Well I have killed men,' I told him. 'And I have seen men dying and there's nothing glorious about it.' Paris looked up at me and knew what I was saying was true. 'You say you want to die for love when you know nothing about dying and you know nothing about love!'

Our conversation had distracted and interested the men on the ship and they were now staring at us.

'To Troy!' I cried at them angrily, they could see that I was livid and returned to rowing the ship.

'What you say is true,' Paris said and he attracted my attention again. 'But I know enough to know that I love her. I will return to Sparta and kill Menelaus, I won't ask you to fight my war.'

I glanced at the sea and then back at Paris.

'You already have,' I murmured before turning and walking away from him.