Disclaimer: Only own Alana.
Chapter thirteen.
I had a dream that night.. I was walking on the desert, under the sun, but the sun didn't warm me. I felt cold, and the wind was so strong that I almost couldn't advance. I had to fight against it with short steps. I knew I was going to die, and I had accepted that. Sitting down, I waited for the end. But it never came.. someone came for me. I couldn't see his face, but I felt his arms around me and taking me to a safe place. The storm of sand didn't let me see his face, neither hear his voice. He just carried me in silence. To a safe place.
"Open your eyes" His voice was known to me, but I couldn't believe it was him. I obeyed and met Paris smile. "Now you're at home"
I woke up breathing strongly, confused. The sun was already shinning in the sky, and a soft breeze was coming inside. I sat on the bed, looking at the ground. It had been only a dream, and now I was awake. I had to get ride of those feelings. I went to the bath and filled it with water and a kind of flowers soap. After bathing, I got dressed and waited. After breakfast I would have to talk to Priam. And it was about time to do it.
But that morning the servants didn't come to bring me breakfast, as usual. I opened the door and walked in the halls, wondering what was wrong with them. There was silence in the corridor, and after some seconds I reached the dinning room, where people were already sitting. I was hungry, I couldn't wait for lunch, but at the same time, I wasn't able to come inside. Meeting Paris, Andromache.. that would be too much for me. I sighed. I would starve during morning, but I didn't have more options. I turned around with the intention to leave, but again I met the less expected person. Paris was coming to the dinning room. When he saw me, he stopped, with his mouth half opened. Neither of us moved.
"Good morning" This was the first phrase that came to my head, and as soon as I spoke, I regretted it. I closed my eyes, angry with myself, and murmured a not too polite word. I had promised myself that I would never say a word to Paris again, and I had broken my own pact.
"Good morning" When I heard his voice, I opened my eyes quickly. Did he reply? Or was it my imagination? He was frowning, and then looked at the door , as it opened. Hector showed up, with a smile.
"Breakfast is waiting, do you plan to come in?" After a pause, he observed me, surprised. "Alana.. so today you decided to join us.. "
"No, I was already leaving" I said, walking in the opposite direction, but I felt a hand holding my forearm gently. Paris was holding me, I couldn't believe that.
"You can't skip breakfast every day, you'll get ill" I looked at his dark eyes, but they showed the same anger as always.
"Since when do you care about my health?" I replied, sharply, and he moved his hand away. Hector sighed.
"We can't go on like this.. you two need to talk.. but first, Alana, you'll talk to my father. And now, come in, please" He raised his eyebrows, inviting me to follow them. And I had to do it. I nodded and walked towards him. Paris sat on his usual chair, next to Priam, and I saw a free space in an uncomfortable place. Andromache looked at me sharply, and I sat beside her.
I ate in silence, wishing to leave the room. Priam talked t Paris, Hector to a cheerful soldier, about a battle that took place some time ago. And I heard the female voice.
"You broke your promise, Alana" Andromache spoke, and I looked at her. She was staring at her dish, without eating anything.
"What do you mean? I didn't do anything" I replied, calmly, but inside me, anger was growing up. I didn't know what was wrong with that woman, and her attitude towards me was irritant.
"I asked you to stay away from Hector" Her brown eyes were full of tears. "And not only you didn't do this, but also you took my son"
"What??" I shouted, laughing, and I felt all gazes on me. Priam frowned.
"Is everything all right? "The king asked, and I apologised. After some minutes of silence, I drank a glass of orange juice, took a deep breath and tried to calm myself before speaking to her.
"Andromache.. I don't know why are you acting with me like this.. but I assure you that I kept my promise. Hector was only a good friend of me in difficult times.. our time in Greece was difficult, and you must believe me. If you only knew the whole story.. you would be different with me" I waited for her reaction, and I saw her face blushing in anger.
"How do you dare to ask me what's wrong?" Her voice was shaking. "How do you dare, after stealing Hector away from me?" Now I saw tears in her eyes.
"What are you saying? I didn't steal him away from you! I don't have any kind of romantic feelings for him!" I tried not to shout, but it wasn't easy. I couldn't say if someone had heard us. "Andromache, please, listen to me.. I promise you I'm telling the truth"
"Maybe you don't feel anything for him, Alana." She replied.
"Great! If you believe me, what's wrong then?" I asked, confused.
"What did you do during journey? "Her question surprised me. "On the ship?"
"Nothing.. I slept, ate, and waited.. what else could I do on a ship? "I smiled, but she didn't. Although she looked more calmed, I still felt the anger on her.
"Did you speak with Hector? Often? "I frowned, shrugging.
"Of course.. why?" Her eyes looked at me, then at him.. and again, back at me.
"I don't know what did you tell him, but he's changed. I think he.. he loves you" Now I laughed out loud, and Andromache gave me a warning look.
"Are you crazy, Andromache?" I whispered. But she stood up and left the table, angry. Hector looked at her, and then at me. I wished he would remain sitting there, but he didn't. He sat next to me, with a worried face.
"What happened, Alana?" He asked, staring at me, and I blushed deeply.
"Nothing.. she said she had things to do.." I lied, and Hector frowned.
"Don't lie to me.. what were you talking about?" His whispers made me feel uncomfortable.
"I think it's better if you ask her. After all, she's your wife" I said, looking at my dish, and he didn't reply. He just stood up and left the room, leaving me alone. I felt the breakfast in my stomach as a stone. Some people were already leaving, and I wished I could leave with them.
Priam looked at me, as well as Paris. I wanted to disappear, like a magician, say the magic word and move to another place in one second. But despite of the surrealistic situation, that was real life, and I had to face my problems.
"Alana.. come with me.. we'll talk and we'll discuss your situation" Priam said, standing up. I followed him to a room apart, and to my surprise, Paris walked behind me. I looked at him, but he avoided my gaze.
"What is Paris doing here? I thought only Hector would be with us." I commented, once we were sitting around a small table, by a fountain. Priam observed me.
"Alana.. I thought you had better memory.. I remind you that Paris is as important as you in this strange adventure we're living.. maybe you forgot why did I bring you here? "His blue eyes seemed to come inside my head, reading my mind. I looked at Paris, who sat in front of me. The door opened and Hector came inside. His face showed a shocked expression, and for the first time since we met, he avoided my gaze. I felt so lonely and insecure.
"Where do I start?" I said, and Priam lifted a hand.
"Let me start, Alana. This is not easy for me.. and probably you'll be surprised with my confession.. after all, I lied to you in some parts of this story.." I felt my heart beating fast, scared. "Alana.. maybe this sounds like a tale, but I found a gate that connects future with past.. it happened to me when I was twenty.. I built a small ship, and sailed alone, testing it. Not too far from the beach. I still could see my parents laying on the sand, smiling and greeting me with their hands. "He looked at me, melancholic. "The sea was so calmed that I could see the bottom , the marble sand, fishes.. but something else. I held my breath. There, in the deepness, there was a hole. Not too wide, but it was like a black stain that spoiled the magic of the view. And this hole shone with a kind of attracting light, I couldn't stop watching at it. The depth in that place was ten metres, maybe.. I was a good swimmer.. and I felt the need to dive in the water and check the hole closer. When I realised, I was inside, and one of my arms touched the edges of the strange phenomenon.. and then.. I was swallowed"
We all kept silence. I looked at Paris and Hector, who were astonished, staring at their father. Hector's hand was shaking, and Paris' eyes were narrowed. Priam took a deep breath, and then smiled.
"I can't explain what happened later.. I only know that when I opened my eyes again, I was in a distant land. Woods, rivers and a huge stone castle, so different from our architecture. People there spoke in a strange language, and they looked at me as if I was an insect. And their clothes.. some of them wore armours, riding horses and covering their faces with iron. But the villagers used strange machines I had never seen before.. obviously I had travelled through time"
"The Middle Age.." I murmured, and Priam nodded.
"The Middle Age.. and I didn't know how to come back.. so I ran into the woods. I ran, and ran.. during hours, then days passed.. I was starving, half dead.. I drank the water from rain and slept inside caves.. and it was then, when I was about to die, when I discovered how to return to Troy.. I hadn't realised about that, but I had a new jewel over my neck. The jewel you're wearing now, Alana" I touched it, feeling Paris' gaze on me.
"What does this whole story mean?" I asked, nervously.
"It means that I travelled through time in many occasions.. I even learned about future more than I could imagine.. but I also knew that bringing news from a future to the past could spoil the course of things.. that had been my big mistake. I had to keep a secret that was like carrying a heavy stone.. nobody should know about it.. until today. And now I discovered that no matter what we do in life, Destiny goes on and we can't fight it" He said, with a melancholic voice.
"What do you mean?" I asked again. Priam smiled sadly.
"I read about Troy when I travelled through time and ended in the 21rst century.. I felt so shocked, so terrified about the enormous war that had taken place.. that I made the biggest mistake I could have ever done, Alana. I lied to you. I had to save my people.. my sons.. my city.. I thought that Helen was the only reason of the war, but I was wrong. Agamemnon always wanted more power, and it included having Troy. Helen was just an excuse to give the final step. The war would take place, no mattered what."
"Wait, wait.." I interrupted. "But what do you mean with that you lied to me?" I felt his eyes on mines.
"I thought the war was caused by Helen's kidnapping.."
"You already said so.. but please, tell me everything!"
"I'm explaining you, Alana. Because I thought so,I took a wrong decision. I was walking in Krk and saw a group of young people, visiting the castle and climbing in the rocks. I felt shocked, horrified, I needed a plan to save Troy.. and I thought that if I stopped Paris, the war wouldn't take place.. I had also discovered that I couldn't stay in Croatia for longer, my time there was over.. I needed a girl.. a girl who could make Paris forget about Helen.. a girl who could stop Paris.. and you were there, looking at me, accompanied by your friends.. there were more girls, but.."
"And you chose me? Are you crazy? Have you seen Helen? She's a queen, she's beautiful! And I'm a girl from a different time, I thought I had belonged here, as you had told me.. so it was a lie! I'm not a special kind of messenger, I'm not a former citizen of Troy who was sent to the future? "I was shaking so much.
"No, Alana.. you're just the first girl I found, and I was running out of time. But amazingly, you did your best in your mission.. although it doesn't change destiny" I was too shocked to make the last question, bur Hector did it for me when he spoke for the first time.
"And what is Destiny brining us?" We all looked at Priam.
"The coming war" We kept silence, shocked. My head was spinning. I had been kidnapped from my won world, with a stupid lie.. I had risked so much, thinking that it was my destiny.. but I was just the first person who had the bad luck to walk in front of Priam in the worst moment.
"You spoiled my life!" I shouted, standing up. "You made me leave my world for nothing! You.. You.." I was shaking, and I felt the tears coming. But Priam stood up, calmly.
"Look at your neck" I frowned, and then understood. "Alana.. you can return whenever you'll want. Now you have the jewel. My travelling times are over.. now they're yours.. my only advice is : don't try to change the world. Destiny goes on"
I felt a kind of peace. I could return. Priam had hided this from me since the beginning, but I could return. I held the jewel in my hand with a smile. Then, I looked up at Hector and Paris. I couldn't decipher their expressions, but sure they were even more shocked than me.
"How do you know that the war is coming?" Paris asked.
"The wind has changed.. it's proper to sail.. they will come" Priam replied.
"What do we do, father?" Hector spoke, worried.
"We'll get ready.. and Alana.." Priam looked at me. "I apologise for everything.. I used you, and you were loyal to me without making questions.. this is something I'll always thank you. You're the most amazing girl I had never met before.. few people would have done what you did. This is why I give you freedom to leave. I'll give you a small boat and you'll sail to the exact point, where you'll choose your own destiny. You can go back home"
A hundred emotions crossed my head in that moment. Going back home! That was all what I had wanted in the past days. I had only caused problems.. to Andromache, to Hector.. and even to Paris.. after all, the war would take place anyway.. he could have had Helen because it wouldn't have changed things. I walked towards Paris and gathered forces to speak.
"Paris, I'm so sorry about everything. I just tried to help your father.. although you don't understand my actions and you will hate me for this forever.. I just want you to know that I'm really sorry" His face showed a sweet expression, and he didn't move his eyes from mines. I didn't want to look at him directly so I turned around to meet Hector immediately.
"And Hector.. I'm sorry for everything.. I suppose you already talked to Andromache and she told you what she thinks.." He nodded, and I understood it as an affirmative answer. "I don't know how did she got the idea that you love me, but.."
"What?" Hector looked so surprised that I forgot what I was going to tell him. "Andromache thinks so?" I blushed, feeling Priam's gaze on me, and the shocked expression of Paris too.
"Paris, I think we must leave Hector and Alana alone.." Priam said, and Paris looked at me for the last time, with a different gaze. Then, once alone in the room, Hector took a deep breath.
"This was what you were talking about before, during breakfast?" I nodded, and he covered his face with his hands.
"And I don't know why does she think so.. I tried to convince her that it's not true, but it seems she doesn't believe me.. so please, talk to her and convince her.. this is a big misunderstanding that can't go on.." I said, sitting in front of him. He looked up at me, his dark eyes didn't move from mines.
"I can't talk to her.. it wouldn't be fair.." He said, murmuring.
"Why?" I asked, and soon I was sorry for asking. "Hector, I think we all are confused and shocked after what Priam said, and I think you didn't understand correctly what I told you" I stood up, and walked towards the door.
"Alana" he called me, and I looked back. I waited for his question, but he didn't speak.
"What?" I asked, he stood up and walked towards me.
"We'll miss you. Take care" And he left me alone, in the room, lost in confusion. I could leave in that very moment I only had to take the ship. I went outside, to breath fresh air. I got ready for my return.. wondering where would I meet my friends, how were things there. It all looked so distant. I took the jewel in my hand again, and walked to the beach.
The sun was strong and the sand was too hot. I walked near form the water, and I saw the small boat. "I'm going back home" I murmured to myself. But I didn't look too happy. I looked back at the palace, and saw someone coming. I supposed it was Hector, so I turned around to look in the sea, the blue horizon in the distance. I didn't want to talk to him again. I didn't want to cause more problems to Andromache. I waited, my heart beating so fast. I heard him approaching.
"You forgot your bag" I felt my knees shaking. That voice wasn't Hector's voice. I turned around. Paris was holding my bag with the camera and all my belongings. I took it.
"Than you" I murmured.
"So you will leave now?" He asked, and I nodded, unable to look at him. I hated to admit that, but I didn't want to leave. In that moment, all I wanted was.. no, I couldn't think about those things.. because he hated me, there was nothing to do.
"I'm sorry about war.. but it's something that happened" He looked at me with his dark eyes. The wind moved his hair and the sun made him keep his eyes more closed.
"You know how will it end, right?" He asked, and we stared at each other for a while.
"I'm not sure.. and I can't tell you anything.. I must leave" I needed all my forces to start walking.
"Alana.." I stopped, and looked back. "Do you think that with this jewel you can travel to the past, but to the next past? Few days ago?" His question surprised me.
"I guess so.. why not?" He walked next to me. "No, Paris. I know what do you want to do. You want to go back in time and take Helen, but I won't allow you. Your father gave me this jewel, you can't use it!"
"What makes you think that I want to do so?" He asked, frowning. I walked away from him, but he followed me closer and closer.
"I'm not stupid, Paris." I replied. "You can't go back in time whenever you make a mistake, you have to let things happen!!" I was desperately trying to convince him. He smiled sweetly.
"You really think so? That you have to let things happen?" His dark eyes shone.
"Of course, Destiny has a plan for all of us" I replied, and he stopped walking, as well as me. Then, he lifted his right hand and, to my surprise, he touched my face, caressing my skin. He came closer and closer, and I was so shocked that I couldn't react. Was he going to kiss me? I closed my eyes.
But I awoke from my dreams when he removed the jewel from my neck. I opened my eyes, shocked. I couldn't believe that. It couldn't be happening. He got the jewel, he would get Helen with him. All my efforts for nothing.
"It's not what you think, Alana. I won't go back in time, I won't bring Helen.. I'm just doing what I have to do. It's my time to stop you" He said, calmly.
"Give me it back! You think I'm stupid? Don't bring Helen!!" I shouted, running after him. But he was faster. To my surprise, he didn't run to the boat. He went to the nearest cliffs. After fifteen minutes I reached the place too, breathless, and saw him in the distance. He stood on the edge, and beneath his feet, the strong waves beating against the rocks. He looked at me, with a mysterious expression. "Paris, what are you doing?" I asked breathless, scared of the height of the land.
"Letting things happen" He replied, with a kind voice. I shouted when I saw him throwing the jewel into the stormy sea. Then, with a smile, he walked and stopped beside me. "Now Destiny can go on working" He left, slowly, and I kneeled on the edge of the cliff. Everything was lost. I couldn't go back home. Paris had taken his revenge on me. But.. was that a revenge? I looked at him, and he looked back at me. And his eyes told me something new about him that I was not ready to believe yet.
Chapter thirteen.
I had a dream that night.. I was walking on the desert, under the sun, but the sun didn't warm me. I felt cold, and the wind was so strong that I almost couldn't advance. I had to fight against it with short steps. I knew I was going to die, and I had accepted that. Sitting down, I waited for the end. But it never came.. someone came for me. I couldn't see his face, but I felt his arms around me and taking me to a safe place. The storm of sand didn't let me see his face, neither hear his voice. He just carried me in silence. To a safe place.
"Open your eyes" His voice was known to me, but I couldn't believe it was him. I obeyed and met Paris smile. "Now you're at home"
I woke up breathing strongly, confused. The sun was already shinning in the sky, and a soft breeze was coming inside. I sat on the bed, looking at the ground. It had been only a dream, and now I was awake. I had to get ride of those feelings. I went to the bath and filled it with water and a kind of flowers soap. After bathing, I got dressed and waited. After breakfast I would have to talk to Priam. And it was about time to do it.
But that morning the servants didn't come to bring me breakfast, as usual. I opened the door and walked in the halls, wondering what was wrong with them. There was silence in the corridor, and after some seconds I reached the dinning room, where people were already sitting. I was hungry, I couldn't wait for lunch, but at the same time, I wasn't able to come inside. Meeting Paris, Andromache.. that would be too much for me. I sighed. I would starve during morning, but I didn't have more options. I turned around with the intention to leave, but again I met the less expected person. Paris was coming to the dinning room. When he saw me, he stopped, with his mouth half opened. Neither of us moved.
"Good morning" This was the first phrase that came to my head, and as soon as I spoke, I regretted it. I closed my eyes, angry with myself, and murmured a not too polite word. I had promised myself that I would never say a word to Paris again, and I had broken my own pact.
"Good morning" When I heard his voice, I opened my eyes quickly. Did he reply? Or was it my imagination? He was frowning, and then looked at the door , as it opened. Hector showed up, with a smile.
"Breakfast is waiting, do you plan to come in?" After a pause, he observed me, surprised. "Alana.. so today you decided to join us.. "
"No, I was already leaving" I said, walking in the opposite direction, but I felt a hand holding my forearm gently. Paris was holding me, I couldn't believe that.
"You can't skip breakfast every day, you'll get ill" I looked at his dark eyes, but they showed the same anger as always.
"Since when do you care about my health?" I replied, sharply, and he moved his hand away. Hector sighed.
"We can't go on like this.. you two need to talk.. but first, Alana, you'll talk to my father. And now, come in, please" He raised his eyebrows, inviting me to follow them. And I had to do it. I nodded and walked towards him. Paris sat on his usual chair, next to Priam, and I saw a free space in an uncomfortable place. Andromache looked at me sharply, and I sat beside her.
I ate in silence, wishing to leave the room. Priam talked t Paris, Hector to a cheerful soldier, about a battle that took place some time ago. And I heard the female voice.
"You broke your promise, Alana" Andromache spoke, and I looked at her. She was staring at her dish, without eating anything.
"What do you mean? I didn't do anything" I replied, calmly, but inside me, anger was growing up. I didn't know what was wrong with that woman, and her attitude towards me was irritant.
"I asked you to stay away from Hector" Her brown eyes were full of tears. "And not only you didn't do this, but also you took my son"
"What??" I shouted, laughing, and I felt all gazes on me. Priam frowned.
"Is everything all right? "The king asked, and I apologised. After some minutes of silence, I drank a glass of orange juice, took a deep breath and tried to calm myself before speaking to her.
"Andromache.. I don't know why are you acting with me like this.. but I assure you that I kept my promise. Hector was only a good friend of me in difficult times.. our time in Greece was difficult, and you must believe me. If you only knew the whole story.. you would be different with me" I waited for her reaction, and I saw her face blushing in anger.
"How do you dare to ask me what's wrong?" Her voice was shaking. "How do you dare, after stealing Hector away from me?" Now I saw tears in her eyes.
"What are you saying? I didn't steal him away from you! I don't have any kind of romantic feelings for him!" I tried not to shout, but it wasn't easy. I couldn't say if someone had heard us. "Andromache, please, listen to me.. I promise you I'm telling the truth"
"Maybe you don't feel anything for him, Alana." She replied.
"Great! If you believe me, what's wrong then?" I asked, confused.
"What did you do during journey? "Her question surprised me. "On the ship?"
"Nothing.. I slept, ate, and waited.. what else could I do on a ship? "I smiled, but she didn't. Although she looked more calmed, I still felt the anger on her.
"Did you speak with Hector? Often? "I frowned, shrugging.
"Of course.. why?" Her eyes looked at me, then at him.. and again, back at me.
"I don't know what did you tell him, but he's changed. I think he.. he loves you" Now I laughed out loud, and Andromache gave me a warning look.
"Are you crazy, Andromache?" I whispered. But she stood up and left the table, angry. Hector looked at her, and then at me. I wished he would remain sitting there, but he didn't. He sat next to me, with a worried face.
"What happened, Alana?" He asked, staring at me, and I blushed deeply.
"Nothing.. she said she had things to do.." I lied, and Hector frowned.
"Don't lie to me.. what were you talking about?" His whispers made me feel uncomfortable.
"I think it's better if you ask her. After all, she's your wife" I said, looking at my dish, and he didn't reply. He just stood up and left the room, leaving me alone. I felt the breakfast in my stomach as a stone. Some people were already leaving, and I wished I could leave with them.
Priam looked at me, as well as Paris. I wanted to disappear, like a magician, say the magic word and move to another place in one second. But despite of the surrealistic situation, that was real life, and I had to face my problems.
"Alana.. come with me.. we'll talk and we'll discuss your situation" Priam said, standing up. I followed him to a room apart, and to my surprise, Paris walked behind me. I looked at him, but he avoided my gaze.
"What is Paris doing here? I thought only Hector would be with us." I commented, once we were sitting around a small table, by a fountain. Priam observed me.
"Alana.. I thought you had better memory.. I remind you that Paris is as important as you in this strange adventure we're living.. maybe you forgot why did I bring you here? "His blue eyes seemed to come inside my head, reading my mind. I looked at Paris, who sat in front of me. The door opened and Hector came inside. His face showed a shocked expression, and for the first time since we met, he avoided my gaze. I felt so lonely and insecure.
"Where do I start?" I said, and Priam lifted a hand.
"Let me start, Alana. This is not easy for me.. and probably you'll be surprised with my confession.. after all, I lied to you in some parts of this story.." I felt my heart beating fast, scared. "Alana.. maybe this sounds like a tale, but I found a gate that connects future with past.. it happened to me when I was twenty.. I built a small ship, and sailed alone, testing it. Not too far from the beach. I still could see my parents laying on the sand, smiling and greeting me with their hands. "He looked at me, melancholic. "The sea was so calmed that I could see the bottom , the marble sand, fishes.. but something else. I held my breath. There, in the deepness, there was a hole. Not too wide, but it was like a black stain that spoiled the magic of the view. And this hole shone with a kind of attracting light, I couldn't stop watching at it. The depth in that place was ten metres, maybe.. I was a good swimmer.. and I felt the need to dive in the water and check the hole closer. When I realised, I was inside, and one of my arms touched the edges of the strange phenomenon.. and then.. I was swallowed"
We all kept silence. I looked at Paris and Hector, who were astonished, staring at their father. Hector's hand was shaking, and Paris' eyes were narrowed. Priam took a deep breath, and then smiled.
"I can't explain what happened later.. I only know that when I opened my eyes again, I was in a distant land. Woods, rivers and a huge stone castle, so different from our architecture. People there spoke in a strange language, and they looked at me as if I was an insect. And their clothes.. some of them wore armours, riding horses and covering their faces with iron. But the villagers used strange machines I had never seen before.. obviously I had travelled through time"
"The Middle Age.." I murmured, and Priam nodded.
"The Middle Age.. and I didn't know how to come back.. so I ran into the woods. I ran, and ran.. during hours, then days passed.. I was starving, half dead.. I drank the water from rain and slept inside caves.. and it was then, when I was about to die, when I discovered how to return to Troy.. I hadn't realised about that, but I had a new jewel over my neck. The jewel you're wearing now, Alana" I touched it, feeling Paris' gaze on me.
"What does this whole story mean?" I asked, nervously.
"It means that I travelled through time in many occasions.. I even learned about future more than I could imagine.. but I also knew that bringing news from a future to the past could spoil the course of things.. that had been my big mistake. I had to keep a secret that was like carrying a heavy stone.. nobody should know about it.. until today. And now I discovered that no matter what we do in life, Destiny goes on and we can't fight it" He said, with a melancholic voice.
"What do you mean?" I asked again. Priam smiled sadly.
"I read about Troy when I travelled through time and ended in the 21rst century.. I felt so shocked, so terrified about the enormous war that had taken place.. that I made the biggest mistake I could have ever done, Alana. I lied to you. I had to save my people.. my sons.. my city.. I thought that Helen was the only reason of the war, but I was wrong. Agamemnon always wanted more power, and it included having Troy. Helen was just an excuse to give the final step. The war would take place, no mattered what."
"Wait, wait.." I interrupted. "But what do you mean with that you lied to me?" I felt his eyes on mines.
"I thought the war was caused by Helen's kidnapping.."
"You already said so.. but please, tell me everything!"
"I'm explaining you, Alana. Because I thought so,I took a wrong decision. I was walking in Krk and saw a group of young people, visiting the castle and climbing in the rocks. I felt shocked, horrified, I needed a plan to save Troy.. and I thought that if I stopped Paris, the war wouldn't take place.. I had also discovered that I couldn't stay in Croatia for longer, my time there was over.. I needed a girl.. a girl who could make Paris forget about Helen.. a girl who could stop Paris.. and you were there, looking at me, accompanied by your friends.. there were more girls, but.."
"And you chose me? Are you crazy? Have you seen Helen? She's a queen, she's beautiful! And I'm a girl from a different time, I thought I had belonged here, as you had told me.. so it was a lie! I'm not a special kind of messenger, I'm not a former citizen of Troy who was sent to the future? "I was shaking so much.
"No, Alana.. you're just the first girl I found, and I was running out of time. But amazingly, you did your best in your mission.. although it doesn't change destiny" I was too shocked to make the last question, bur Hector did it for me when he spoke for the first time.
"And what is Destiny brining us?" We all looked at Priam.
"The coming war" We kept silence, shocked. My head was spinning. I had been kidnapped from my won world, with a stupid lie.. I had risked so much, thinking that it was my destiny.. but I was just the first person who had the bad luck to walk in front of Priam in the worst moment.
"You spoiled my life!" I shouted, standing up. "You made me leave my world for nothing! You.. You.." I was shaking, and I felt the tears coming. But Priam stood up, calmly.
"Look at your neck" I frowned, and then understood. "Alana.. you can return whenever you'll want. Now you have the jewel. My travelling times are over.. now they're yours.. my only advice is : don't try to change the world. Destiny goes on"
I felt a kind of peace. I could return. Priam had hided this from me since the beginning, but I could return. I held the jewel in my hand with a smile. Then, I looked up at Hector and Paris. I couldn't decipher their expressions, but sure they were even more shocked than me.
"How do you know that the war is coming?" Paris asked.
"The wind has changed.. it's proper to sail.. they will come" Priam replied.
"What do we do, father?" Hector spoke, worried.
"We'll get ready.. and Alana.." Priam looked at me. "I apologise for everything.. I used you, and you were loyal to me without making questions.. this is something I'll always thank you. You're the most amazing girl I had never met before.. few people would have done what you did. This is why I give you freedom to leave. I'll give you a small boat and you'll sail to the exact point, where you'll choose your own destiny. You can go back home"
A hundred emotions crossed my head in that moment. Going back home! That was all what I had wanted in the past days. I had only caused problems.. to Andromache, to Hector.. and even to Paris.. after all, the war would take place anyway.. he could have had Helen because it wouldn't have changed things. I walked towards Paris and gathered forces to speak.
"Paris, I'm so sorry about everything. I just tried to help your father.. although you don't understand my actions and you will hate me for this forever.. I just want you to know that I'm really sorry" His face showed a sweet expression, and he didn't move his eyes from mines. I didn't want to look at him directly so I turned around to meet Hector immediately.
"And Hector.. I'm sorry for everything.. I suppose you already talked to Andromache and she told you what she thinks.." He nodded, and I understood it as an affirmative answer. "I don't know how did she got the idea that you love me, but.."
"What?" Hector looked so surprised that I forgot what I was going to tell him. "Andromache thinks so?" I blushed, feeling Priam's gaze on me, and the shocked expression of Paris too.
"Paris, I think we must leave Hector and Alana alone.." Priam said, and Paris looked at me for the last time, with a different gaze. Then, once alone in the room, Hector took a deep breath.
"This was what you were talking about before, during breakfast?" I nodded, and he covered his face with his hands.
"And I don't know why does she think so.. I tried to convince her that it's not true, but it seems she doesn't believe me.. so please, talk to her and convince her.. this is a big misunderstanding that can't go on.." I said, sitting in front of him. He looked up at me, his dark eyes didn't move from mines.
"I can't talk to her.. it wouldn't be fair.." He said, murmuring.
"Why?" I asked, and soon I was sorry for asking. "Hector, I think we all are confused and shocked after what Priam said, and I think you didn't understand correctly what I told you" I stood up, and walked towards the door.
"Alana" he called me, and I looked back. I waited for his question, but he didn't speak.
"What?" I asked, he stood up and walked towards me.
"We'll miss you. Take care" And he left me alone, in the room, lost in confusion. I could leave in that very moment I only had to take the ship. I went outside, to breath fresh air. I got ready for my return.. wondering where would I meet my friends, how were things there. It all looked so distant. I took the jewel in my hand again, and walked to the beach.
The sun was strong and the sand was too hot. I walked near form the water, and I saw the small boat. "I'm going back home" I murmured to myself. But I didn't look too happy. I looked back at the palace, and saw someone coming. I supposed it was Hector, so I turned around to look in the sea, the blue horizon in the distance. I didn't want to talk to him again. I didn't want to cause more problems to Andromache. I waited, my heart beating so fast. I heard him approaching.
"You forgot your bag" I felt my knees shaking. That voice wasn't Hector's voice. I turned around. Paris was holding my bag with the camera and all my belongings. I took it.
"Than you" I murmured.
"So you will leave now?" He asked, and I nodded, unable to look at him. I hated to admit that, but I didn't want to leave. In that moment, all I wanted was.. no, I couldn't think about those things.. because he hated me, there was nothing to do.
"I'm sorry about war.. but it's something that happened" He looked at me with his dark eyes. The wind moved his hair and the sun made him keep his eyes more closed.
"You know how will it end, right?" He asked, and we stared at each other for a while.
"I'm not sure.. and I can't tell you anything.. I must leave" I needed all my forces to start walking.
"Alana.." I stopped, and looked back. "Do you think that with this jewel you can travel to the past, but to the next past? Few days ago?" His question surprised me.
"I guess so.. why not?" He walked next to me. "No, Paris. I know what do you want to do. You want to go back in time and take Helen, but I won't allow you. Your father gave me this jewel, you can't use it!"
"What makes you think that I want to do so?" He asked, frowning. I walked away from him, but he followed me closer and closer.
"I'm not stupid, Paris." I replied. "You can't go back in time whenever you make a mistake, you have to let things happen!!" I was desperately trying to convince him. He smiled sweetly.
"You really think so? That you have to let things happen?" His dark eyes shone.
"Of course, Destiny has a plan for all of us" I replied, and he stopped walking, as well as me. Then, he lifted his right hand and, to my surprise, he touched my face, caressing my skin. He came closer and closer, and I was so shocked that I couldn't react. Was he going to kiss me? I closed my eyes.
But I awoke from my dreams when he removed the jewel from my neck. I opened my eyes, shocked. I couldn't believe that. It couldn't be happening. He got the jewel, he would get Helen with him. All my efforts for nothing.
"It's not what you think, Alana. I won't go back in time, I won't bring Helen.. I'm just doing what I have to do. It's my time to stop you" He said, calmly.
"Give me it back! You think I'm stupid? Don't bring Helen!!" I shouted, running after him. But he was faster. To my surprise, he didn't run to the boat. He went to the nearest cliffs. After fifteen minutes I reached the place too, breathless, and saw him in the distance. He stood on the edge, and beneath his feet, the strong waves beating against the rocks. He looked at me, with a mysterious expression. "Paris, what are you doing?" I asked breathless, scared of the height of the land.
"Letting things happen" He replied, with a kind voice. I shouted when I saw him throwing the jewel into the stormy sea. Then, with a smile, he walked and stopped beside me. "Now Destiny can go on working" He left, slowly, and I kneeled on the edge of the cliff. Everything was lost. I couldn't go back home. Paris had taken his revenge on me. But.. was that a revenge? I looked at him, and he looked back at me. And his eyes told me something new about him that I was not ready to believe yet.