Disclaimer: Don't own, didn't happen.

Zyra stepped away from her cousin and walked back into the palace. It had been so long ago she had shared that moment with Orestes, but now she regretted it deeply. They were blood. It was often she'd meet women who had married their own cousins, or even brothers, out of desperation or "pure love". She never understood why they'd do it, but she didn't question. That was their mistake; Not hers.

"My daughter!" Menelaus said as she came walking back down into the room, "I must speak with you…" Zyra walked beside her father, who wrapped a warm arm around her cold shoulders. "In order to win the battle against Priam, our army will need the strongest and mightiest men in all of Greece."

Zyra understood where this conversation led, and she wished to go back up it.

"Odysseus has agreed to see Achilles about joining our ranks-"Her father turned her to Odysseus.

"My lady, Achilles may be the finest warrior in all of Greece, but he is also the most stubborn. He will not come quietly. I am asking you, as a favor, to come with me to persuade the man. A woman can do the job just as well as a man…"

She looked at him. It was only the men she knew that would use a woman to do their work. Zyra knew she could persuade Achilles easily, as if she really desired the task, but she would only go for the greater good of Greece. They needed a man like Achilles to fight with them. He was the only man she knew that could match up to Prince Hector of Troy.

"I will go," Zyra said, receiving relieved and pleased sighs. She walked up to Odysseus, "However, if he even think of touching-"

"His heart will meet the end of my sword…" He reassured her, and she nodded.

"Father," Zyra turned to him, "I'll go fetch Desma and we will meet with the guards."

They bowed as she walked out. Before she closed the door, Zyra's ears caught her father's toned voice saying, "I'll never have to worry about my kingdom when I am gone…Zyra will make a good queen."

"Hopefully, with a husband!" Someone said, causing the men to all agree.

A pit of anger and fear surged in the young princess, as she thought of their words. Zyra had never thought of men, or boys, the way her sisters did. They had all married at such young ages to men so much older than them. Zyra did not want that. She did not need a man to make herself worthy. She could care for herself.

Besides, men are such a hassle…Too much pressure for a young thing…She thought as she walked to a small room in the palace.

Young Desma was standing on the balcony, looking out at the city of Mycenae underneath and beyond her. Zyra did not announce herself until the little brunette turned her way.

"Zyra!" Desma ran into her older sister's arms, hugging her tightly.

"I hope your things are packed…We leave soon…"

"They are…" Desma smiled, "I never unpacked!"

Zyra smiled and bent down. Desma was the only sister that Zyra could relate to. Callidora was too posh and snobbish; Adonia was a bookworm and Elene was just a handful to those around her. Desma was carefree and did not let things bother her so easily. Zyra wished so much that she were that way. Then things like marriage, expectations and wars would not be such a problem to her.

"Ugh," Zyra looked closer at her sister, "You're filthy…Were you in the garden?"

"I only played Zyra," Desma's voice muffled as the tunic went over her head.

"We'll just have to bathe you then, won't we?"

Zyra left to find her new clothes, but Desma, completely naked, had hopped onto the bed. She did not stop her younger sister, who was staining the sheets with dirt, since Zyra herself had done that at one age.

"Are you coming home with us big sister?" Desma asked as Zyra led her into the nearby bathroom.

"I am afraid not," Zyra dumped a sitting bucket of warm water into the basin; "Odysseus and I have an old friend to meet. Now, while I am gone, please do not cause father trouble."

Stepping inside Desma agreed and smiled to confirm it. Zyra bathed her sister in silence, thinking to herself. How would she convince Achilles to join her father, whom he hated so much? Would he even accept it? He was a trouble, stubborn man. It would be difficult without a little…extra….persuasion.

Just the thought makes me sick… She thought distastefully.

After her bath, Desma was given a light meal and taken to her horse. The guards watched over the small princess, who was busy playing with the tight braid Zyra had a maid tie. When Menelaus embraced his daughter, he said quietly...

"Good Luck and Good Work..."