I'm sorry for not have written, my friend. I was caught up in activities,
and then the news came: Prince Paris (I need not call him this any longer,
as I am now of his station) has returned with a woman named Helen!
Hector and King Priam were very worried. You see, Helen is already married to Menelaus of Sparta! Forgive me if this offends you, noble Aphrodite, but did you interfere to smooth my brother in law's path?
The worst bit is that Paris was a guest at Menelaus's house. He has breached all the laws of hospitality that we Trojans abide by. Hector was appalled when he heard this news. Prince Paris kept wandering around the bit about stealing Helen from her husband, but everyone in the hall got the message.
Zeus, have mercy on us. Hector and I fear that Menelaus of Sparta will be coming for Helen. Coming soon. It is said that Helen is the most beautiful woman in the world. This very well may be so, as every man in the room stared. Hector seemed strangely immune, yet even he stared and spoke to her with an unusual gentleness.
I do not mean to be jealous. I know that Hector is a very handsome man. But I now doubt his affections, although he told me never to. But that was then, in times of peace. To think I was worried about such petty things!
Yes, it is peaceful now. But I can sense the ships coming towards us. Ships with black sails, coming for Helen.
-Andromache
Oh, Zeus, my suspicions were correct. We have spotted black sails on the horizon, heading toward us. I must admit I am angry at King Priam and Queen Hecuba, who allowed Paris and Helen to stay.
I am ashamed to say that I have not discussed my feelings of doubt with Hector. What if he thinks me a petty child? And he did feel affection for me but does not anymore? And what if he'd hate me if I confronted him?
I will not say I am beautiful. I may be attractive, but I know Helen is considered beautiful. Not I. I understand it is not Helen's fault of her looks...yet it seems that she takes this much too lightly. For Hector's sake, I shall be kind to her. And Paris, although when I see him I want to slap him.
He's brought the ships here with his foolishness. It is said Aphrodite favors the dishonorable prince, and helped him retrieve Helen. I beg your pardon, Aphrodite, but please, remove this. And to Atropos, Lady of the Shears, I turn to you. Protect Troy from death. Make the walls hold strong. I know we mortals often pray not to the Fates, for they are afraid of you. But I must believe in you.
Hear me, great gods of the Pantheon. And minor gods as well. Protect Troy. Protect Hector. Protect my family.
-Andromache
The ships near us. I look out my window, and close my eyes.
I still have not confronted Hector. I am not brave, my friend. I fear Eros's arrows.
Again I beseech you, Atropos, let no youths in Troy die, let no maidens be taken as slaves. I am sorry to say this, but if it involves Paris dying, and Helen for that matter, than so be it.
-Andromache
The Greeks boarded off the ships, and are attacking our walls. It is now that I conversed with Hector.
I found him consulting with his father. When he was done, he faced me. I summoned up my courage, and spoke to him.
"Do you still love me, Hector? Do you love Helen more than me?"
He looked at me as if I knew nothing. "What did I tell you before," he asked gently.
I gulped. "Never to doubt your love," I told him, sobbing.
"That is still true, Andromache. I'll always love you. Helen is beautiful, but I love her not. I love you, Andromache."
We embraced. I bit my lip. "What of the Greeks?" I asked quickly.
Hector sighed. "The walls should hold them off for awhile...until then, we are safe." Seeing the expression on my face, he added hastily, "That may not be for many years. Perhaps we will be dead and gone by that time."
He was then called back into the throne room, and I retired to my chambers. It is now I lie awake, thinking; Will our walls be able to hold off the Greeks?
Hector and King Priam were very worried. You see, Helen is already married to Menelaus of Sparta! Forgive me if this offends you, noble Aphrodite, but did you interfere to smooth my brother in law's path?
The worst bit is that Paris was a guest at Menelaus's house. He has breached all the laws of hospitality that we Trojans abide by. Hector was appalled when he heard this news. Prince Paris kept wandering around the bit about stealing Helen from her husband, but everyone in the hall got the message.
Zeus, have mercy on us. Hector and I fear that Menelaus of Sparta will be coming for Helen. Coming soon. It is said that Helen is the most beautiful woman in the world. This very well may be so, as every man in the room stared. Hector seemed strangely immune, yet even he stared and spoke to her with an unusual gentleness.
I do not mean to be jealous. I know that Hector is a very handsome man. But I now doubt his affections, although he told me never to. But that was then, in times of peace. To think I was worried about such petty things!
Yes, it is peaceful now. But I can sense the ships coming towards us. Ships with black sails, coming for Helen.
-Andromache
Oh, Zeus, my suspicions were correct. We have spotted black sails on the horizon, heading toward us. I must admit I am angry at King Priam and Queen Hecuba, who allowed Paris and Helen to stay.
I am ashamed to say that I have not discussed my feelings of doubt with Hector. What if he thinks me a petty child? And he did feel affection for me but does not anymore? And what if he'd hate me if I confronted him?
I will not say I am beautiful. I may be attractive, but I know Helen is considered beautiful. Not I. I understand it is not Helen's fault of her looks...yet it seems that she takes this much too lightly. For Hector's sake, I shall be kind to her. And Paris, although when I see him I want to slap him.
He's brought the ships here with his foolishness. It is said Aphrodite favors the dishonorable prince, and helped him retrieve Helen. I beg your pardon, Aphrodite, but please, remove this. And to Atropos, Lady of the Shears, I turn to you. Protect Troy from death. Make the walls hold strong. I know we mortals often pray not to the Fates, for they are afraid of you. But I must believe in you.
Hear me, great gods of the Pantheon. And minor gods as well. Protect Troy. Protect Hector. Protect my family.
-Andromache
The ships near us. I look out my window, and close my eyes.
I still have not confronted Hector. I am not brave, my friend. I fear Eros's arrows.
Again I beseech you, Atropos, let no youths in Troy die, let no maidens be taken as slaves. I am sorry to say this, but if it involves Paris dying, and Helen for that matter, than so be it.
-Andromache
The Greeks boarded off the ships, and are attacking our walls. It is now that I conversed with Hector.
I found him consulting with his father. When he was done, he faced me. I summoned up my courage, and spoke to him.
"Do you still love me, Hector? Do you love Helen more than me?"
He looked at me as if I knew nothing. "What did I tell you before," he asked gently.
I gulped. "Never to doubt your love," I told him, sobbing.
"That is still true, Andromache. I'll always love you. Helen is beautiful, but I love her not. I love you, Andromache."
We embraced. I bit my lip. "What of the Greeks?" I asked quickly.
Hector sighed. "The walls should hold them off for awhile...until then, we are safe." Seeing the expression on my face, he added hastily, "That may not be for many years. Perhaps we will be dead and gone by that time."
He was then called back into the throne room, and I retired to my chambers. It is now I lie awake, thinking; Will our walls be able to hold off the Greeks?