Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: This piece was inspired by, but not based on the 2003 USA mini-series "Helen of Troy." I know my "Helen of Troy" pieces haven't been getting as acknowledged as many of the pieces I wrote in the past, but I just can't seem to stop writing these!
Cursed
Paris lay in bed, Helen asleep in his arms. He looked down at her. She truly was the most beautiful woman in the world. It wasn't just her looks that drew people to her, it was her inner soul. He lightly kissed her forehead; he didn't want to wake her. She was so peaceful when she was asleep.
He had risked so much for her, for them to be together. He had brought war on Troy because of his love for Helen. Aphrodite had promised her to him but what she hadn't told Paris was what pain their love would bring to the citizens of Troy.
Was he really cursed to bring down Troy? Were his actions going to be the undoing of Troy? He wasn't certain. Would his death bring an end to all this destruction? Cassandra had told King Priam and Queen Hecuba, that his death would bring about an end to war. Perhaps it truly was his destiny to destroy Troy, and Helen was the key to that destruction. Perhaps he really was cursed.
Paris couldn't sleep. He hadn't sleep well in weeks, not since his father had had Cassandra imprisoned under the idea that she was going insane. He had her put where no one could hear her cries. Cassandra had predicted that this war would last for ten years. What is true? Paris couldn't help but wonder.
He could have been perfectly happy being a shepherd and knew that Helen would have been happy as a shepherd's wife. At least they wouldn't have to deal with all this war. Death surrounded them but they were still at a draw with the Spartans and their allies. Perhaps it would always remain a draw.
Paris shook the thought from his head, no, they wouldn't always remain a draw. One country would eventually conquer the other, that's all there was to it. Helen stirred and Paris glanced down at her. Still asleep. She too, was plagued by dark thoughts, but at least she could sleep through them.
Helen had been plagued with dark thoughts since her birth. Destruction awaited around every corner where Helen was concerned. Paris tried to shake this thought as well but knew he couldn't, it was the truth, no matter how much he loved her. Helen brought destruction with her wherever she went.
I'm not cursed, Paris thought to himself, we're cursed. Helen and I. She is cursed to be an objected and symbol to thousands, I am cursed to bring destruction to my homeland, and we were cursed to fall in love.
Helen's eyes fluttered, "Paris, are you still awake?"
Paris looked down at her, "Yes,"
"Can you not sleep?" she asked, soundly extremely tired.
"Ssh," Paris said, "Sleep, Helen."
"Only if you sleep with me,"
Paris pulled her tighter and within moments Helen was sleep again. She was finely intoned to his thoughts and emotions, as he was to her. He closed his eyes. Cursed or no, he needed to sleep. There was still a war to fight.
THE END