Disclaimer: The characters are taken from Homer's Iliad, and also from the
awesome movie Troy! Warner Brothers did an excellent job with all of the
characters. I have added my own creation, Daphnea, for this story.
Enjoy!
Ch. 2 : The Meeting
"They're waiting for us, Daphnea! The high priest has readied our horses, we can't be late to the palace." Briseis' voice resounded in the temple foyer, where I was just finishing the morning rituals. I sighed, jolted out of my reverie.
"I'll be right there," I called, my voice echoing off the marble walls. Sprinting through the temple exit, I found my best friend waiting for me, along with two other priestesses. Briseis and I climbed on to our mares, their brown shiny coats glistening in the bright sun. As we rode adjacent to each other, my friend noticed that I was disturbed.
"Won't you tell me what's bothering you?" she asked, concernedly.
"Let's speed up a bit." She got the hint and we urged our horses to run faster, so that we were out of the earshot of the other priestesses. "Sorry, but I don't want anyone else overhearing me, especially not Alexandra. She is such a gossip." Briseis rolled her eyes at the mention of the priestess who was infamous for her nightly escapades.
"I don't blame you, Nea. I wouldn't want that slut listening in on my private conversations either."
"Briseis!" I said, laughing.
"Well, she is!" she stated, adamantly. The royal priestess looked at me expectantly, and I began to explain my anxiety. I filled her in on my younger days with Paris, mentioning the time we rode on the King's favorite horse to Mt. Ida.
"I never knew you were my cousin's first kiss!? Why didn't you tell me before?" she questioned, glancing at me amusedly. I shrugged.
"I didn't think it was necessary. Besides, we were children then."
"So what happened? I never even thought you knew Paris. How come you stopped being friends with him?"
"Oh I don't know," I replied. "It didn't sit well with my father when he found us asleep together the next morning. He marched us back to the palace and had a confrontation with King Priam. Father was furious that I'd left home to be with a boy. Even though the King pointed out that we were still children and nothing unfavorable could've happened while we were together, it didn't do any good. Remembering the oracle that foretold Paris would be the ruin of Troy, my father forbid the King from ever letting Paris see me again."
"That's awful," emphasized my friend. "What did my uncle do?"
"Since the King didn't want to lose any of my family's profits from our business he agreed to Father's hideous demand. I haven't spoken Paris since that night," I told her, almost wistfully.
"He might surprise you. Maybe he will remember you," she said, optimistically.
I shook my head. "Doubtful." But then I brightened. "You know Paris well, could you introduce me?"
"If it means that much to you, I will." Briseis looked back at me with a stern look. "Just keep in mind that Paris can be," she paused, "very persuasive at times. He's not the little boy that you once knew. I don't want to see you get hurt." Briseis amazed me, for her perception of my feelings was alarmingly accurate.
"Don't worry about me." I grabbed my robe sleeve and said, "I still wear these, remember? I'm not about to break my vows to Apollo. Unlike those riding behind me, who probably broke theirs during their first night at the temple." Briseis grinned. She enjoyed it when I poked fun at the 'temple sluts'. We rode across the Trojan beach, and through the crowded city streets up to the hill upon which the palace stood. Reaching the royal stables, all of the priestesses quickly dismounted and hurried up the many steps of the palace so they could welcome the returning Trojan princes. Briseis dashed over to where King Priam was seated and gave her uncle a warm hug. I hung back near a pillar, content to watch the celebration for now, as I was not part of the royal family.
"My sons!" the old king rasped, leaving his throne and walking over to the approaching men in full Trojan armor. "Hector." I observed the display of affection, smiling as his father hugged his eldest son. Briseis nodded at me, smirking knowingly. I gave her a bewildered look. What was she trying to tell me?
"Paris." King Priam kissed his younger son on his brow, and a twinge of recognition coursed through me. His beauty astounded me, even from such a distance. Since when did his dark eyes become so penetrating? Since when did he develop such toned leg muscles, that were peeking out from underneath his metal skirt? Since when did he move so gracefully? My hand automatically leapt to finger the purple seashell that hung on a gold chain around my neck. I had kept the treasure close to my heart, as it reminded me of him.
"Come, you must be tired." The king motioned for his sons to come inside. Hector immediately embraced his wife Andromache, who eagerly reciprocated. The bond of love between the couple was evident even to me. Briseis then took this opportunity to drag me over to meet her achingly handsome cousin.
"Paris! It's wonderful to see you again!" He beamed at her, and I almost swooned right there. Paris swept up his cousin in a hug, and swung her around. Laughing, she chided him, "Is this the way you treat a priestess of Apollo?"
"I didn't know, dear cousin. Congratulations!" His deep rich voice astounded me, and I boldly stepped forward as if magnetized. "But I am not the only newly appointed priestess of Apollo. This is Daphnea. She serves with me in the temple." Somehow, I found the will to speak.
"Welcome back, the people have missed their prince." Briseis slowly backed away, leaving me to talk with Paris alone.
"Have they now?" His eyes gleamed as they scanned my body appreciatively. "I am glad to return from across the sea. It seems that Apollo now holds quite a beautiful new possession." Paris reached for my hand, but I gracefully moved away.
"Yes. I serve Apollo with complete devotion," I informed him, looking unflinchingly into his brown eyes. What had I expected? Did I really think he was still the sweet little boy that had played with me so long ago? Too bad he had developed into an arrogant prince who was used to getting his every desire.
"Though I doubt the Sun God would mind if you joined me at the palace tonight for dinner." His words carried an implied request, one that I understood all too well.
"I will be departing for the temple at dusk, so I'm afraid that won't be possible." Before Paris could say anything else, Hector tapped him on the shoulder.
"Father and I need to speak to you. Now, in private," his brother insisted. Paris looked guiltily over at his brother. Hector seemed to be retraining himself from reprimanding his brother in public, and threw me a warning glance that seemed to say 'watch out for my brother'. Paris took one last glance at me, and his eyes fixed on my chest. I crossed my arms, as his gaze was making me feel quite uncomfortable. A flicker of recognition seemed to come over him.
"That seashell, it looks so familiar. You almost remind me of someone."
"I must go." I said, looking around for Briseis so we could make a quick exit. He turned to leave with Hector, but stopped suddenly.
"Daphnea. Nea, is that you?" Paris looked at me again, incredulously.
"Yes," I told him with feigned indifference. "Goodbye Paris." I took Briseis aside and asked if we could leave. She told me that we could return to the temple, and I sighed with relief.
"Just let me say goodbye to my cousins." Reluctantly, I followed her down a torch lit corridor that led to the doors where I saw Hector and Paris enter. "It's locked," she confirmed disappointedly after jiggling the handle.
"His irresponsibility has reached a new high, Father. If I hadn't turned the ship around to return the Spartan Queen, an army of united Greeks would now line our shores!" We heard Hector's voice yelling from inside, and decided to eavesdrop.
"You would've risked the safety of our city, all for one woman?" The king softly asked his son, "Do you know how long and hard we have worked for peace with the Spartans, not to mention the Mycenaeans? Would you have destroyed that in one swift action?"
"Father, her husband was mistreating her. Helen wanted to come to Troy with me," Paris proclaimed.
"And that makes it alright to break the laws of hospitality, and steal a King's wife? Paris, I'm surprised at you, I thought you would've had more sense than that," said Priam.
"But I suppose you will overlook it Father, after all it isn't HIS fault that women just constantly throw themselves at him," said Hector, mockingly.
"May I speak?" Paris' voice shook as he tried to defend himself. "I can see now that my actions were indeed reckless. But I thought I was in love with her."
"Love? What would you know about love? You can get any girl that you want Paris. This isn't exactly the definition of love. Has even one woman ever refused you?"
"Yes," replied Paris in a strange voice, he almost sounded remorseful. "It was quite odd, for that has never happened to me before."
I turned wide-eyed to Briseis and tugged on her sleeve. She got the message and we quickly darted away, not stopping until we reached the stables. We were silent on the ride home to the temple, for a certain Trojan prince occupied my thoughts. During our evening meal, Briseis whispered, "meet me in my room before bed, I have to tell you about a dream that I had last night." I nodded back at her, grateful for a distraction that would tear my thoughts away from their current object of infatuation.
End Ch. 2
Thank you everyone for all of your excellent reviews! I'm flattered that you guys are interested. I've gotten a lot, so I'm going to try and update as often as I can. I went back and changed a couple things in the first chapter, see I really do listen to your suggestions! Orlando rocks! Don't worry, Paris will grow up. Eventually. Stay tuned for more! P.S. Writing this is taking me a lot of time, because I want to do it right. Be patient! Also does anyone want to be my beta? I would prefer it if you have a ff.net account. Just email me and we'll discuss it.
Ch. 2 : The Meeting
"They're waiting for us, Daphnea! The high priest has readied our horses, we can't be late to the palace." Briseis' voice resounded in the temple foyer, where I was just finishing the morning rituals. I sighed, jolted out of my reverie.
"I'll be right there," I called, my voice echoing off the marble walls. Sprinting through the temple exit, I found my best friend waiting for me, along with two other priestesses. Briseis and I climbed on to our mares, their brown shiny coats glistening in the bright sun. As we rode adjacent to each other, my friend noticed that I was disturbed.
"Won't you tell me what's bothering you?" she asked, concernedly.
"Let's speed up a bit." She got the hint and we urged our horses to run faster, so that we were out of the earshot of the other priestesses. "Sorry, but I don't want anyone else overhearing me, especially not Alexandra. She is such a gossip." Briseis rolled her eyes at the mention of the priestess who was infamous for her nightly escapades.
"I don't blame you, Nea. I wouldn't want that slut listening in on my private conversations either."
"Briseis!" I said, laughing.
"Well, she is!" she stated, adamantly. The royal priestess looked at me expectantly, and I began to explain my anxiety. I filled her in on my younger days with Paris, mentioning the time we rode on the King's favorite horse to Mt. Ida.
"I never knew you were my cousin's first kiss!? Why didn't you tell me before?" she questioned, glancing at me amusedly. I shrugged.
"I didn't think it was necessary. Besides, we were children then."
"So what happened? I never even thought you knew Paris. How come you stopped being friends with him?"
"Oh I don't know," I replied. "It didn't sit well with my father when he found us asleep together the next morning. He marched us back to the palace and had a confrontation with King Priam. Father was furious that I'd left home to be with a boy. Even though the King pointed out that we were still children and nothing unfavorable could've happened while we were together, it didn't do any good. Remembering the oracle that foretold Paris would be the ruin of Troy, my father forbid the King from ever letting Paris see me again."
"That's awful," emphasized my friend. "What did my uncle do?"
"Since the King didn't want to lose any of my family's profits from our business he agreed to Father's hideous demand. I haven't spoken Paris since that night," I told her, almost wistfully.
"He might surprise you. Maybe he will remember you," she said, optimistically.
I shook my head. "Doubtful." But then I brightened. "You know Paris well, could you introduce me?"
"If it means that much to you, I will." Briseis looked back at me with a stern look. "Just keep in mind that Paris can be," she paused, "very persuasive at times. He's not the little boy that you once knew. I don't want to see you get hurt." Briseis amazed me, for her perception of my feelings was alarmingly accurate.
"Don't worry about me." I grabbed my robe sleeve and said, "I still wear these, remember? I'm not about to break my vows to Apollo. Unlike those riding behind me, who probably broke theirs during their first night at the temple." Briseis grinned. She enjoyed it when I poked fun at the 'temple sluts'. We rode across the Trojan beach, and through the crowded city streets up to the hill upon which the palace stood. Reaching the royal stables, all of the priestesses quickly dismounted and hurried up the many steps of the palace so they could welcome the returning Trojan princes. Briseis dashed over to where King Priam was seated and gave her uncle a warm hug. I hung back near a pillar, content to watch the celebration for now, as I was not part of the royal family.
"My sons!" the old king rasped, leaving his throne and walking over to the approaching men in full Trojan armor. "Hector." I observed the display of affection, smiling as his father hugged his eldest son. Briseis nodded at me, smirking knowingly. I gave her a bewildered look. What was she trying to tell me?
"Paris." King Priam kissed his younger son on his brow, and a twinge of recognition coursed through me. His beauty astounded me, even from such a distance. Since when did his dark eyes become so penetrating? Since when did he develop such toned leg muscles, that were peeking out from underneath his metal skirt? Since when did he move so gracefully? My hand automatically leapt to finger the purple seashell that hung on a gold chain around my neck. I had kept the treasure close to my heart, as it reminded me of him.
"Come, you must be tired." The king motioned for his sons to come inside. Hector immediately embraced his wife Andromache, who eagerly reciprocated. The bond of love between the couple was evident even to me. Briseis then took this opportunity to drag me over to meet her achingly handsome cousin.
"Paris! It's wonderful to see you again!" He beamed at her, and I almost swooned right there. Paris swept up his cousin in a hug, and swung her around. Laughing, she chided him, "Is this the way you treat a priestess of Apollo?"
"I didn't know, dear cousin. Congratulations!" His deep rich voice astounded me, and I boldly stepped forward as if magnetized. "But I am not the only newly appointed priestess of Apollo. This is Daphnea. She serves with me in the temple." Somehow, I found the will to speak.
"Welcome back, the people have missed their prince." Briseis slowly backed away, leaving me to talk with Paris alone.
"Have they now?" His eyes gleamed as they scanned my body appreciatively. "I am glad to return from across the sea. It seems that Apollo now holds quite a beautiful new possession." Paris reached for my hand, but I gracefully moved away.
"Yes. I serve Apollo with complete devotion," I informed him, looking unflinchingly into his brown eyes. What had I expected? Did I really think he was still the sweet little boy that had played with me so long ago? Too bad he had developed into an arrogant prince who was used to getting his every desire.
"Though I doubt the Sun God would mind if you joined me at the palace tonight for dinner." His words carried an implied request, one that I understood all too well.
"I will be departing for the temple at dusk, so I'm afraid that won't be possible." Before Paris could say anything else, Hector tapped him on the shoulder.
"Father and I need to speak to you. Now, in private," his brother insisted. Paris looked guiltily over at his brother. Hector seemed to be retraining himself from reprimanding his brother in public, and threw me a warning glance that seemed to say 'watch out for my brother'. Paris took one last glance at me, and his eyes fixed on my chest. I crossed my arms, as his gaze was making me feel quite uncomfortable. A flicker of recognition seemed to come over him.
"That seashell, it looks so familiar. You almost remind me of someone."
"I must go." I said, looking around for Briseis so we could make a quick exit. He turned to leave with Hector, but stopped suddenly.
"Daphnea. Nea, is that you?" Paris looked at me again, incredulously.
"Yes," I told him with feigned indifference. "Goodbye Paris." I took Briseis aside and asked if we could leave. She told me that we could return to the temple, and I sighed with relief.
"Just let me say goodbye to my cousins." Reluctantly, I followed her down a torch lit corridor that led to the doors where I saw Hector and Paris enter. "It's locked," she confirmed disappointedly after jiggling the handle.
"His irresponsibility has reached a new high, Father. If I hadn't turned the ship around to return the Spartan Queen, an army of united Greeks would now line our shores!" We heard Hector's voice yelling from inside, and decided to eavesdrop.
"You would've risked the safety of our city, all for one woman?" The king softly asked his son, "Do you know how long and hard we have worked for peace with the Spartans, not to mention the Mycenaeans? Would you have destroyed that in one swift action?"
"Father, her husband was mistreating her. Helen wanted to come to Troy with me," Paris proclaimed.
"And that makes it alright to break the laws of hospitality, and steal a King's wife? Paris, I'm surprised at you, I thought you would've had more sense than that," said Priam.
"But I suppose you will overlook it Father, after all it isn't HIS fault that women just constantly throw themselves at him," said Hector, mockingly.
"May I speak?" Paris' voice shook as he tried to defend himself. "I can see now that my actions were indeed reckless. But I thought I was in love with her."
"Love? What would you know about love? You can get any girl that you want Paris. This isn't exactly the definition of love. Has even one woman ever refused you?"
"Yes," replied Paris in a strange voice, he almost sounded remorseful. "It was quite odd, for that has never happened to me before."
I turned wide-eyed to Briseis and tugged on her sleeve. She got the message and we quickly darted away, not stopping until we reached the stables. We were silent on the ride home to the temple, for a certain Trojan prince occupied my thoughts. During our evening meal, Briseis whispered, "meet me in my room before bed, I have to tell you about a dream that I had last night." I nodded back at her, grateful for a distraction that would tear my thoughts away from their current object of infatuation.
End Ch. 2
Thank you everyone for all of your excellent reviews! I'm flattered that you guys are interested. I've gotten a lot, so I'm going to try and update as often as I can. I went back and changed a couple things in the first chapter, see I really do listen to your suggestions! Orlando rocks! Don't worry, Paris will grow up. Eventually. Stay tuned for more! P.S. Writing this is taking me a lot of time, because I want to do it right. Be patient! Also does anyone want to be my beta? I would prefer it if you have a ff.net account. Just email me and we'll discuss it.