Disclaimer: I do not own the Trojan War. No one does. It is, therefore, fair ground for all.
Author's Note: Hello! This is a little fanfic that was inspired when I was writing "Scream". A new twist on Helen of Troy. For all of those people reading Scream who are wondering "What was Helen about to say?", here is...
A Thousand Ships
Chapter One
I drummed my fingernails on the table, impatient for this boring meeting to end. Why had Menelaus dragged me to this one, anyways? It's not like there's anything I can do at a Council. Sure, I'm happy that Menelaus thinks I'm the most beautiful woman in the world and wants to show me off everywhere, but seriously? A Council discussing Troy? What is going on?
I suppose it's just because, in truth, men bore me. They are a violent species, always wrapped up in their petty little wars. They don't understand anyone, they are too dense to care about anything except power and riches.
I looked around at the faces of the men sitting at the round wooden table. Agamemnon is at my husband's left side. Tall and proud, he is the High King of Mycenae, and Menelaus's brother. He is married to my perpetually annoyed sister, Clytemnestra. I don't care for him much. He is too power-hungry to care abot anything else. Maybe that's why Clytemnestra is so ill-tempered--because her husband doesn't really care. In fact, my marriage to Menelaus was arranged as an asset to Agamemnon. It made his ties to Sparta stronger, plus, he had the most beautiful woman in the world in his possesion, essentially. Whatever. Menelaus is a dear, always doting on me like most do. But I am indifferent to him, behind my mask.
Odysseus of Ithaka. He is a charming man, married to my cousin Penelope. Zeus, is there anyone here who isn't related to me in some way or another? Odysseus is the cunning one of the war council. He is the main strategist, always coming up with clever plans and plots to trick their way to victory. Blessed by Athena, his patron goddess--whom he is devoted to, almost as much as Penelope. He is a sly and cunning battle tactitian, but a family man at heart. I can tell he doesn't want to be here.
Ajax the Great. A wonderful warrior. Not very bright though, especially in the ways of women. He has a brusque and blunt personality.
There were others, too, all seated around the table, banging their fists on the table and arguing--rather, screaming their point across the table over and over and over until the loudest one would win. I sighed. Ugh. I am thankful I am a woman.
"We must destroy Troy! It is too powerful, and besides, we must gain control of our rightful seas!" That was Agamemnon, ever searching for power.
"But we have no reason to attack Troy," Odysseus argued, one of the few that were somewhat calm. "With no reason, it wouldn't be a justified attack."
"So?" Ugh. Ajax's roaring boom filled the hall.
"That is not a reason, Ajax," Odysseus said, raising an eyebrow.
The hall roared with laughter. Why? I know not.
"It doesn't matter," Agamemnon stated. "Once we have Achilles on our side, it won't matter that we don't have an adequate reason to destroy Troy. We'll just destroy it."
"It won't be that simple," Odysseus insisted. "It will take a while, and if we just charge it without an adequate reason, they have every right to--"
"Rubbish! We got the best fighters and we'll take 'em on!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"Might I propose," Menelaus started, having to shout above the noise to be heard, "a solution." The room quited down.
"You mean, you will provide us with a reason to attack the city?" Agamemnon said, leaning forward in interest.
"Yes."
"Okay. Enlighten me, dear brother. What's your plan?"
My husband looked over at me, a glint in his eyes that slightly...mischevious? "Helen."
I raised an eyebrow at him, not sure why he had called for me. "Yes, dear?"
"No, I wasn't addressing you. You're the answer. The reason to attack Troy."
Hushed whispers carried through the hall. Everyone was clearly confused. Even me. How would I be a reason to attack Troy?
And then it hit me. I realized it. And I didn't like it.
I was remembering how, in my youth, the king Theseus of Athens had kidnapped me for my legendary beauty. I remembered how it was perfectly fine to declare war on Athens to re-capture me.
They would stage another one. I would run away to Troy with some prince, they would "assume" I had been kidnapped, and therefore have a reason to attack Troy. Meanwhile, I would stay in the city during the siege and weaken it from within.
"Menelaus, seriously?" I asked. "Must I really do this?"
He stroked my hair. "Helen darling, if anyone could pull it off, it would be you. You're perfect, you're the most charming actress, and I'm positive the most beautiful woman in the world can stir up trouble. They always do."
Oh, so now he was flattering me into submission?
Well, we'd see.
I abruptly got up from my chair and left the Council Room. While exiting the room, Odysseus was right in the act of realizing our little plan. He, too, stood up.
"No. I will not be a part of this."
"Menelaus, what does this mean?" Agamemnon demanded.
"The less you know, the better," he replied cryptically. "But soon we shall have a wonderful reason to attack Troy."
Odysseus turned on his heels and left the hall, slamming the door behind him.
"Helen, wait," he called.
I stopped in the middle of the corridor, but did not turn around.
"You can't do this. It's the cleverest of plans, but I will not take part in this war. It is pointless, a pointless war."
"That is my opinion as well."
"Well, consider that opion. Do you really want to participate this actively in a pointless war."
I paused. "It gives me something to do," I finally said. "And it gives me a chance to prove my power. I want to do this, Odysseus of Ithaka. You are not going to stand in my way.
"I am going to destroy Troy. And I will be remembered and glorified for that."
"You won't," he warned. "The men will be credited."
"Well, we'll see."
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