I cannot begin to say how totally sorry I am for abandoning you for the past few weeks. The internet had been royally screwed with so I couldn't get online until just now. But how dedicated is that! This is one of the first things I do as soon as it's back on track! Well, that and check the mountain of emails I had stacked up. Can you even have 'stacked emails'? Then all being on the computer an'all.

What the hell am I talking about!Lol. Obviously internet deprivation has seriously affected my very little brain. Anyway, I'm gonna shut up and let you get on with reading the next two chapters I'm posting for you. Drop me a line when you're done and let me know how I can improve. I'll love you forever:)

Chapter 10

Hours later and Paris was still in that tent. He was sat on the ground trying to be as still and silent as possible. Agamemnon was speaking with Menelaus about the coming battle the next day. The two Kings had been extremely amused at finding the Prince of Troy had been captured by the Myrmidons. Menelaus had immediately wanted to kill the boy but Agamemnon had to explain to him the obvious attachment Achilles had displayed toward him. If they killed him now they risked losing her favour and her sword. They needed both. So they kept him captive. After all, it wasn't every day they were given a chance to completely destroy a man's spirit this thoroughly.

Paris listened to them plot and scheme and heard their plans for what they would do to his home once they got within the walls. This was all his fault. Troy would burn to the ground because he couldn't keep his hands to himself. He knew what he had to do and knew what the consequences would be but he knew it was what he deserved.

When the two older men laughed at something Paris neither heard nor cared about he couldn't take it anymore. He got shakily to his feet and said as confidently as he could manage, "There won't be a war." Instantly the Kings were silenced and turned stunned expressions on him. He could see they weren't about to ignore him until he explained so he carried on. "This is not a conflict of nations. It is a dispute between two men. And I don't want to see another Trojan die because of me." The more he spoke the more confidence he gained. And the fact that neither King had turned away or laughed and were obviously listening increased his boldness. "I love Helen. I won't give her up and neither will you. So tomorrow, when you ride to Troy, let's fight our own battle. The winner will take Helen home. And that will be the end of it!" He sounded an awful lot more confident than he felt. He knew that by doing this he was not only condemning himself but Helen as well. But it was the only way. He couldn't take the chance of them getting through the walls and killing every Trojan man woman and child including Helen and his family. This was the only way. He just had to hope Menelaus was as slow as his large build and advancing years would have him believe. Maybe he could win this.

Agamemnon gave a self-important smirk and said patronisingly, "A brave offer. But not enough." He had actually been surprised by Paris' suggestion. He had him pinned as more of a coward than that. But he always knew war could do strange things to a man.

Menelaus grabbed his brother's arm and turned him away, talking in a hushed voice to the waiting Prince wouldn't overhear. "Let me kill this little peacock!" he insisted.

But the older man would hear none of it. "I didn't come here for your pretty wife. I came here for Troy."

"And I came for my honour. His every breath insults me." He paused, knowing this was not the way to win over his brother. "Let me kill him. When he's lying in the dust you give the order to attack. I'll have my revenge, you'll have your city." He waited for Agamemnon's decision and got his answer when he nodded thoughtfully. He felt a stab of satisfaction and turned to give Paris his response. "I accept your challenge," he growled. "And tomorrow I'll drink to your bones."

With that he walked from the tent, confident in the knowledge that by the end of tomorrow at least one of his problems would be dealt with.