Chapter 5: Meddling with People's Business

Eight months have passed and they found out that Briseis was with child, Achilles' child. Paris couldn't believe that his cousin, his beloved cousin was carrying the child of the man that killed his brother. When Paris first found out, he was in a total rage.

"WHAT!?" Paris roared. Helen nodded while trying to calm Briseis.

"It is true, Paris. Within me I carry the child of Achilles," Briseis answered.

Paris closed his eyes and tried his best not to scare his son more than his wife and cousin. "How could you do this, Briseis? You have given your word to the gods that you would stay a virgin forever," Paris pointed out.

"I couldn't help it all right? I fell in love," she hesitated.

"Yes, you did fall in love. You fell in love with Achilles," Paris snarled.

Helen got up and decided to leave them alone so they could talk it out. "What I do with my life is my choice. You made a choice too, Paris, son of Priam. You fell in love with a woman that was already married. Why am I not allowed to be in love with a man that fought?" She asked.

"He killed Hector, does that mean anything to you at all?" Paris asked softly.

He walked over and touched her face. "If you wish to punish me, please do so immediately," she whispered. Paris gently took Briseis' hand and sat down.

"You of all people should know that I would never hurt a woman. I am still disappointed, Briseis and if I knew the first day you came home that you loved Achilles, I wouldn't have killed him. I'm the one that should be struck down by the gods," he explained.

"Why should the gods punish you?" She asked.

"I committed a terrible crime. I made the crime of taking a woman from her husband."

Briseis touched Paris' face. "Paris, Helen is your wife now. You killed Menelaus for her," she pointed out. Paris hugged Briseis before looking at Helen. Helen smiled and walked back into the room.

When the time came for Briseis to give birth, she gave birth to a daughter and named her Adonia. While Briseis was playing with Adonia outside with Attis, Paris was watching her with a smile. Helen walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I see that you love Adonia," she murmured.

"She is my cousin's daughter," he pointed out.

"Would you love her even more if the child was conceived by Achilles?" She asked.

Paris knew that Helen's words were true, he didn't love Adonia as much as he could because she was the daughter of Achilles. He nodded and felt Helen's hand tighten on his shoulder. Paris turned around and saw that Calisto was watching Helen again. He pulled Helen into his arms to show Calisto that they were deeply in love. Basil stepped forward with a smile. "It is wonderful to see a new child born in Lampsacus once again in this kingdom," he commented. Paris and Helen smiled at Basil at his comment.

"Who is that stunning young woman if I may ask?" Basil asked.

"That is my cousin, my lord, Briseis," Paris answered.

"She is a very beautiful young woman. Was her husband killed in Troy?" He questioned.

"Not exactly, milord. Briseis wasn't married. Adonia's father was the enemy, he was a Greek."

"The poor girl."

"Oh, no! Milord, my cousin fell in love with the Greek. Even though, the day that I killed him, I had no idea."

"Who was the father of Adonia?" A voice asked.

Calisto stood next to his father, awaiting for the answer. Briseis stood up with Adonia in her arms and she stood next to Paris. "My child's father's name was Achilles," Briseis answered for him.

"Achilles, the undefeatable warrior that killed hundreds of men? You killed the almighty Achilles?" Calisto asked.

"Calisto," Basil scolded.

"No, it's all right milord. Yes, I did kill Achilles. It was a mistake though," Paris replied.

"A mistake? He was your enemy was he not?"

"Yes, but he was deeply in love with my cousin. I didn't know that until the night I killed him."

Helen could see the pain in her husband's eyes as he spoke of that painful night. Briseis walked inside with Adonia in her arms and Paris went after her. Helen bowed to Basil and Calisto before following her husband.

Paris found Briseis in the temple praying with Adonia in her lap. He walked over and sat next to her. "Briseis, would you ever forgive me for what I have done?" He asked. Briseis stood up and handed Adonia to one of her maidens.

"Take her to my room and put her into her cradle. I will be there shortly," she demanded.

"Yes, milady," the maiden answered.

She took Adonia upstairs when Briseis turned around and looked at her cousin. Paris stood there, waiting for another blow to be placed upon him, but none came. He saw her crying once again. "I may have broken my vow to the gods, and I feel ashamed. You made me feel more ashamed the day that I found out that I was carrying the enemy's child. I should be asking forgiveness as well," she sobbed. Paris walked over and hugged her tight.

"There's nothing to forgive on your part," he whispered.

"Yes there is, I had bedded with the man that had killed Hector, my cousin, and your brother. I feel so ashamed to fall in love with such a man," she sobbed.

Paris lifted her head up and stared at her. "Briseis, I will not allow you to punish yourself for doing what your heart desired. I am the one that should be struck down by the gods. I have taken a woman from her husband a woman that I love so dearly. I was planning to give everything up because I love her. I didn't know that I was going to destroy my city. I didn't know it was going to kill my brother or kidnap my cousin until it was too late," he explained. Briseis placed a hand on his face and sighed.

"Paris, you were acting on impulse. You fell in love with Helen and you want to spend the rest of your life with her. Me, I wanted to become a temporal maiden. I have done a terrible wrong," she whispered.

Paris looked outside to see children playing around the city streets and felt Briseis standing next to him. "Look at the children, Paris. Think of Hector when he gets older, watching him play with the other boys and girls that he'll get to meet when he's older. When he's a grown man like yourself, he'll meet a wonderful woman, marry her, and they'll have children. My daughter will grow into a beautiful woman and follow the same path if she wants to. You have chosen your path, Paris. You can't turn back from it. Even though, I will miss Achilles and will never love again. He changed me from wanting to become a priestess. He showed me how to live. He gave me a child that I will love and take care of forever. I love Adonia just as much as I have loved Achilles," she explained. She looked at Paris to see him deep in thought. "You have given Helen a son and maybe you'll have more children if you desire to have more. You'll love each child just as much as you have loved Helen from the day you met her," she added. Paris smiled at the thought of having more children, then they heard someone enter the room. They turned and saw Helen standing there. Helen walked over and stood next to Paris. He wrapped an arm around Helen and smiled at Briseis.

"You don't need to be forgiven of anything. I have been praying to the gods for forgiveness for so long, but now I have been praying to the gods to take care of Andromache, Attis, Helen, Hector, Adonia, and you. I have been praying to the gods to let Hector's soul rest in peace. I can see that bringing his people here was the best choice I have ever made," he explained.

"The gods may forgive you in time, Paris. I will forgive you for taking Achilles' life in time. Time must heal the wounds in my heart first," she added.

Paris nodded and smiled at Helen. Then Andromache entered the temple. They all sat together watching the people in the city walk around. Helen leaned against Paris with a smile. Paris held all three women that held his heart close and sighed. He was happy to have the people that he loved that were left were by his side still. He kissed the side of Helen's head before looking out over the lands once again.