Helen Piper
Helen hated her life, at times. Especially when she was growing up in Sparta, with her three siblings. Castor and Pollux were allowed free reign, while she and Clytemnestra were kept within stone walls, so as to keep safe from the monster's that hunted the children of Zeus
Clytemnestra, as much as she loved her sister, was obedient to a fault. The mortal daughter of Leda was relatively happy with their sheltered existence, and didn't understand why Helen stared at the gates so mournfully.
"Sister, why do you wish to leave? We are safe here, the guards will take care of the monsters." Nestra often asked.
Helen simply shook her head. Not even her sister understood her.
Thankfully for her, their twin brothers did. Hidden from the watchful eyes of their parents, Castor and Pollux secretly taught her to use a knife, the sort easily worn as an ornament. They sympathized with the caged daughter of Zeus, and promised to do their best to minimize the consequences of her heritage.
This distressed the young beauty. "No, that's not what I want." Helen cried out. "I wish to deal with the consequences for myself. I am a daughter of Zeus, I can fight!"
Castor, always the more solemn of the two, gazed at her. "Father will never allow such a thing. Nor will any husband you marry. We love you sister, but the reality is that you are the most beautiful princess in any land we know. It makes you valuable, and vulnerable in ways I hope you will never know."
Pollux nodded. "We will protect you as much as we are able, because you are our sister, and we wish you safe. Clytemnestra and I are mortal, so we do not draw the monsters as you and Castor. I fight them because it is my duty, both as a prince of Sparta and as a brother. She is safe from their notice, except in her role as royalty, but she is eclipsed from the worst of attention by us. She will not need us as you will."
Helen felt tears come to her eyes. He still did not understand. She felt a hand, roughened from sword work, rest on her shoulder. Looking up, her eyes met those of her brother Castor.
"I know it is difficult Cygnet." He said; his voice soft. "But this is the best we can do for you. I wish we could set you free, so that you would roam as free as the air our immortal father commands, but even he could not grant such a thing."
Helen bit her lip and closed her eyes against the tears that wished to fall. If only she wasn't so beautiful, that she could never be anything else. If only someone would look at her and see something other than beauty. If only she could have a say in her own life. If only if only….
Years later, these idle wishes would come true, leading to the destruction of Troy.
