Sorry about the delay on this chapter- a pretty nasty mixture of writer's block and internet problems set in this weekend.

Disclaimer: Nope, nothing's mine.

Note: Just a warning- I kind of despise Helen and Achilles, so this is the first chapter where you see my opinions,er, manifesting themselves in my character. I don't know if there will actually be any dialogue from either- it's extremely unlikely Achilles will have a speaking role in this fic- so mostly you will hear/see the characters bad-mouthing them.

My accident with the storm had helped me realize many things that I needed to change in my life. I had taken what I had for granted, and I should have known better, especially with my history. I was no longer friends with Nikkos and Galen, having realized that they enjoyed getting me into trouble, and found new friends in the women's quarters. I learned to use a loom and heal wounds, as well as many other useful skills that I might need when I was older. Most of all, I never disobeyed Hector again- seeing him seething at me once was enough for a lifetime.

Things changed as I grew older. I was no longer the child I had been when I came to the palace, and had grown into a young woman instead. Astyanax was born and replaced me as the youngest in the household, but I was still loved. as much as things changed, things also remained the same. King Priam and Queen Hecuba were as kind as ever. Paris caused as much trouble as he did when he was younger, just in different ways. Andromache and Briseis were still the sweet women I had always known, even though Andromache was now a mother, and Briseis was now a priestess. Hector was still Hector- brave, smart, loyal, gentle, and kind Hector. Life, in my opinion, was perfect.

Perfection, however, is fleeting.

- - - - - -

When I was 17, after many years of war threatening Troy, a loose peace was declared between Sparta and Troy. The whole of Troy was joyous over this peace treaty- the King of Sparta, Menelaus, was brother to Agamemnon, King of Mycene, who was slowly devouring all of Greece. This meant that peace between Agamemnon and Troy could be expected. No one wanted to fight a war, and Priam wished to give Hector his kingdom peacefully. He was, after all, becoming quite old and Hector would become King after his death. In celebration of this newfound peace, Hector and Paris were to be sent as envoys to Menelaus, in order to take part in a feast in their honor. Paris was looking forward to it- a new country meant new women- but Hector was less than enthusiastic.

"He doesn't really want to leave." Andromache whispered to me as we worked on our weaving, side by side, one night. "He doesn't like traveling at all. And this time is especially bad, since he'll be missing Astyanax's first birthday. I suppose at times I wish he didn't have so many duties to perform."

I nodded. Hector was not only the leader of Troy's armies, but also its crown prince, meaning that he had more tasks to perform than anyone in the palace, even Priam.

"Priam said that he might be back in as little as three months." I said, hopefully. "That isn't as bad as last time- he was gone for almost a year when he went to quiet the rebellions at the border."

Andromache sighed. "You're right, of course. I should count my blessings- not only is he going to be gone less time than the last, he's also going to a peace court- not on the way to another war. I'm so sick of war, I'm glad we're finally making peace."

The day Paris and Hector were leaving for Sparta was sweltering. I almost envied them leaving, given the fact that they'd be on a boat, with cool winds rushing at their face, and I had not been able to swim since I'd been declared a maiden. While Hector said goodbye to Andromache and Astyanax, Paris pulled me over to the side, obviously smarting from lack of attention.

"Will you miss me?" He said, grinning mischievously.

"It depends," I said, grinning back.

"On what?"

"On how much trouble you cause." I said wickedly. "If you cause as much trouble there as you do here, I won't have much time to miss you- they'll ship you back without a moment's thought."

"Hey!" he said in mock offense. "I am the very essence of innocence. When have I ever caused trouble?"

I snorted. "Am I to think of only one occasion?"

"That's not funny." Paris muttered. "I'm a prince of Troy and should be respected. Hector is a prince of Troy, too, and no one ever makes fun of Hector."

"Hector hasn't done a thing wrong since he was five, your mother told me so." I pointed out.

"Yes, but he the last thing he did wrong was spook Father's second-in-command's horse at a parade… in front of the whole city. That's enough trouble to last Hector's entire life. Besides, I think that offense is much worse than a few…"- Paris searched for a phrase- "pleasure-seeking excursions."

I laughed. It was obvious why Paris was good with the ladies- his gift with words combined with his natural beauty made him absolutely charming.

"I like the euphemism, but I think it is an equally bad offense, especially when one of those 'pleasure-seeking excursions' finds you in bed with a married woman." I teased.

Paris was about to protest, but Hector strode over to us and we cut off our conversation. Hector loved his little brother, but any mention of his hobby with women would cause him to become sufficiently angry. Just having Hector mad at me once scared me into submission- I could not understand how Paris could stand having Hector angry with him almost every waking moment.

"Paris, we're about ready to sail. You'll have to board soon, so go find mother and father." Paris nodded and headed off to find the King and Queen to say goodbye.

"Charis." Hector said, smiling at me. "I'm going to be gone anywhere from three to six months, so stay out of trouble. I won't be able to stop you from drowning this time."

I rolled my eyes. "Hector! I was ten years old! Besides, I haven't been near the ocean in years."

He winked at me, and I realized he was just teasing.

"You better stay out of trouble, as well." I warned, teasing him back. "Andromache may be across the sea, but she'll know if you misbehave."

"I swear I'll try to abstain." He said in a mock serious tone. "But I can't make you any definite promises. After all, I am Paris' brother."

I laughed. "Watch him, will you? You know how he can be… it is a festival, and I'd hate for him to 'mistake' some poor nobleman's wife for a dancing girl."

Hector sighed. "I'll try, but somehow he always manages to get away from me."

"Hector!" cried Paris, jolting both of us. "We're boarding, come on."

" Goodbye, Hector." I said softly. "May the gods grant you a safe trip- I want you back in Troy in no more than six months, alright?"

"I'll try." He said, nodding. He kissed me on the head. "Watch after Andromache and Astyanax for me."

"I will." I promised. "And you watch after Paris for me."

He nodded. "I will." His second-in-command yelled for him, and he disappeared onto the ship. Paris started to follow him, but a nervous feeling had begun to develop in the pit of my stomach. "Paris, wait!" I called after him. He turned and ran over to me, a questioning look in his eyes. "Please try and stay out of trouble-for me?"

He grinned."Only for you."

I smiled at him as he ran back to the ship, but I could not shake the feeling.

"They'll be fine, stop worrying." I scolded myself, watching as Hector and Paris set sail for Sparta.

- - - - - -

Four and a half months passed without any word from Hector and Paris. Priam assured me this meant that everything was according to plan, and a message would only be sent if something went wrong. I still, however, had been unable to shake the feeling in my gut, and everyday that they were gone was another day I spent in a state of nervous anxiety. I was unable to carry on a conversation and my weaving went to shambles, and I found myself wandering around the palace or going to the temple, praying to Apollo that Paris and Hector's journey home would be swift and without trouble.

A few days before the five-month mark, Andromache and I were sitting in Hector's quarters, talking.

"Charis!" Andromache laughed, watching as I managed to fumble yet another row on my loom. The weaving looked as if a two-year-old had done it. "I haven't seen you this nervous since you first came to the palace and had to meet Priam."

"I can't help it." I whined. "Honestly, I don't know why I'm so nervous- it's not like Hector and Paris haven't been on a thousand trips before."

Andromache frowned. "I hope the gods aren't trying to tell us something."

I sighed. I did not want to think about that. We sat in silence as Andromache completed her weaving and I stared out at the setting sun, wishing Hector and Paris were home.

- - - - - -

It was exactly one day before the six-month mark that the scouts first spotted Hector and Paris' boat on the horizon. I laughed out loud when Briseis rushed in to tell me- even though Hector had only promised to try and return home, he was a man of his word as usual. Briseis helped me dress and do my hair, scolding me several times for being unable to sit still. I couldn't help it-I had to see Hector and Paris, alive and well, with my own eyes before the horrible knot in my stomach would ease.

Together, Briseis and I headed to the entrance of the palace, where we knew Hector and Paris would be arriving as soon as the ship docked. It was customary for the King to welcome the princes back before anyone else, so Priam stood well ahead of everyone else. This meant that we would not be able to see Paris or Hector until they came up the steps to greet their father. Briseis and I stood together, she, the picture of calm, and I, a nervous wreck.

A roar came up from the population of Troy, who had been standing in the streets and on buildings waiting for a glimpse of their princes. My heart leapt into my throat- Hector and Paris must have just entered the city, and it couldn't be long until they came into view. Sure enough, the roaring grew to a deafening level as the people closest to the palace caught sight of Hector and Paris. But there was something else, too, laced among the cheers. I listened hard, trying to identify the sound- a sort of hum, like a buzzing, a low murmur rippling through the crowds.

Is that whispering? I thought to myself, puzzled. I don't think that has ever happened before. Whispering…

Just then, Hector strode up the steps to his father. They embraced, and I felt my heart quiet a little. Hector was smiling- surely nothing could be wrong if Hector was smiling. I waited eagerly for Paris, hoping that he was in as good a state as Hector. As Hector moved to his father's side, I could finally see Paris moving up the stairs toward Priam- but he was not alone.

Walking up the steps arm and arm with Paris was a woman. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen in my entire life. I groaned, my heart sinking like a rock. I had heard rumors of this woman… No beauty like that could possibly have a double. The way her blonde hair shone in the sun… her pure, pale skin that held no blemishes… her blue eyes. She must be…

"Father, I would like you to meet Helen." Paris said proudly, nudging his new infatuation towards Priam.

"Helen of Sparta?" Priam questioned lightly, his eyes darting back and forth from Helen to Paris.

"Helen of Troy." Paris responded firmly.

There were more words exchanged, but I could not hear them. Instead, a sort of ringing had filled my ears in their place. I watched in horror as Priam kissed both of Helen's cheeks.

"Oh, Paris." I moaned quietly to myself, pulling my eyes away from them. "You have burned us all."

- - - - - -

During the feast celebrating the Princes of Troy returning home, I slipped out the back of the dining hall, hoping no one would notice. I could not stand to be in their anymore, with Paris, with Priam, with Her. And all those people, celebrating! Did they not realize that Paris had unleashed war on Troy when he brought that wench back with him? I found my way to the garden and sat on a bench near a fountain, breathing deeply and trying to calm myself. I was so frustrated I wanted to scream. Settling for a sigh instead, I leaned my head back, enjoying the feeling of a cool mist from the fountain brushing my forehead as I gazed out at the stars.

"Charis." I looked up, startled. Hector was standing at the edge of the garden, half hidden in the shadows of the palace. "Charis, I can explain."

"Explain, what Hector?" I said, coolly. "Explain how that wench got on your ship without you noticing? Or how about why she isn't on a boat back to Menelaus? Or-" I said, laughing cruelly, "How about how it feels to break a promise for the first time in your life?"

Hector winced at my tone, and I almost regretted it. Almost. "He's in love." He replied weakly, looking at me with a pleading expression.

"Paris falls in love again every other day, Hector. By this time next week he'll forget all about Helen, queen of Sparta and fall in love with some servant girl or temple maid. You, of all people, should have remembered that."

Hector sighed deeply. "That's what I thought at first. But he was willing to die for her, Charis! Paris hasn't ever been willing to let even a little bit of harm come to him, especially not over a girl. This is the real thing."

I shook my head violently, anger boiling up inside me. "I doubt it. And if it is, so what?!?" I exclaimed. "I personally can not understand how you put the wants of one man over the needs of thousands, Hector. You are supposed to protect Troy, and you let war saunter into its very walls! What were you thinking?"

He shrugged meekly and laughed. "I remember asking you the very same question seven years ago. How does it feel to be the aggressor?"

"Don't change the subject, Hector." I snapped, and he winced again. "Why didn't you send her back to Menelaus?"

Hector looked up at the stars. "The same reason my father didn't send her back. I just want Paris to be happy, to have what Andromache and I or mother and father have. I'm sick of seeing him bed five or six women a week, and never being fulfilled. I'm sick of knowing that he sees what he's missing, but can never find it. This time…" he turned his head to look at me. "I think he's found it."

"So this is what it comes to." I said quietly, my voice pure venom. "Paris will have his love, and Troy will crumble as a price."

Hector ran his hand through his hair. "No one has ever breached our walls, and we have the finest army on this side of the world."

"Agamemnon's is finer, and Menelaus will have sought his help by now. And besides, they have Achilles."

"Achilles." Hector said slowly, sinking down on to the bench next to me. We sat in silence, letting the word sink in. It was, and still is in my opinion, the foulest thing I have ever heard in my life. Just saying that filthy murderer's name made me want to rush into the palace and scrub my mouth with the most coarse soap I could find.

I don't know how long we sat there, but by the time I rose the sky was beginning to lighten, and I knew Apollo was readying his chariot for the drive across the sky.

"We have been here too long- Andromache will be worried, by now." I murmured. Hector didn't say anything. His brow was furrowed and I knew he was deep in thought. "I'm going ."

I was already in the shadow of the palace when he called after me. "Charis, do you think I did the right thing?"

I smiled sadly. "No, Hector. But it was sweet of you to do it." He nodded, accepting this to mean I was no longer mad at him.

"Goodnight, Charis."

"Goodnight, Hector, sweet dreams." This will be the last time any of our dreams are sweet, I fear.

- - - - - -

The very next morning, I awoke to the sounds of swords clashing and horses galloping and knew Hector had begun training the army. Dressing quickly, I went out to the wall to watch. When I was younger, watching Hector train had fascinated me- I loved the graceful way Hector moved when he fought and the sound of his sword clashing against another. Now, every time I heard the swords clash together I winced, and could not bring myself to watch Hector. I had never seen war on Troy's own plains- most battles were fought in other countries, with Hector and the army sailing out, and returning victorious months later. The thought of seeing Trojan blood spilt, seeing my countrymen dying, sickened me. I turned my attention instead to the people on the wall near me.

Paris and Priam were sitting under a pavilion shaded from the sun, watching in rapt attention, talking quietly to each other. Beside Paris was Helen, who looked scared and apprehensive. Scattered around the walls in various places were women and children of Troy- many boys who were too young yet to fight. Briseis, Hecuba, and Andromache were no where to be found- Briseis was most likely in the temple, and Hecuba and Andromache did not like to watch the fighting.

It became apparent very quickly why Helen was looking so apprehensive- many of the women who were on the walls were staring at her, throwing her dirty looks and muttering under their breath. "Serves her right." I said to myself, smiling slightly at her discomfort. "Any woman who runs away from her husband AND creates a war deserves all the dirty looks thrown at her, at the very least."

"I'm sorry, Charis, did you say something?" I turned quickly. Paris was standing behind me, fuming. He was not quite as good as Hector at hiding his emotions- after all; passion is what got him his reputation in the first place.

"Nothing that should interest you." I said icily.

"Oh, but anything about Helen does interest me." He said quietly. "Because I love her, and she is a princess of Troy now."

I shook my head. "If Helen is a princess of Troy, then Hector is a priest and you are a warrior." I said wryly. I tried to turn and walk away, but Paris grabbed my wrist tightly and spun me around again.

"Don't you ever talk about Helen like that again."

I wrenched my hand out of his grasp. "And don't you ever touch me again. In fact, don't ever speak to me again, either." I hissed.

"I wasn't planning on it." He spat back. "I can not love someone who hates the one I love most of all."

"You just met her!" I said, half laughing, half-yelling. "And now she's the love of your life? You really are as foolish as the rumors say."

Paris' face turned bright red in color. "You are not my sister, and I have no obligation to have your approval. Get out of my face."

"I'm already gone." I stormed away from him, still seething.

The war hadn't even started, but Helen had already destroyed something- something more precious than any building or monument in Troy, something I feared could never be rebuilt.

Winding my way through the maze of hallways toward my room, I thought about the conversations I had had with Hector and Paris, as well as the one I had witnessed between Paris and Priam. It was then I knew the lesson that I had learned- Love is a weakness. Whether it is love for a woman, man, brother, sister, father, mother, uncle, aunt, cousin, anyone- it is a weakness. And like any weakness, it can cause a disaster if given the chance.