Disclaimer: Only own Alana
Chapter fourteen
Paris came inside the palace, his heart was beating so fast. He couldn't believe what he had done, he couldn't find a reasonable explanation for that. Walking in the hall, slowly, touching his head and murmuring.. this is how Hector found him. His brother seemed to be completely mad at something.
"Paris, are you feeling well?" Paris started when he heard his brother's voice. Turning around, their gazes met. Hector frowned. "What's wrong?"
"I don't know, Hector.. I'm acting strange" Hector looked at him, surprised.
"What do you mean? "Paris looked around, making sure they were alone. Taking Hector's arm, he led him to a corner, next to a window.
"It's Alana.. she was leaving" Paris felt his brother tensing.
"What? Did she already leave, without saying good bye? "His dark eyes opened in shock.
"No, no, in the end she couldn't leave.. she needed the jewel to do that, remember?" Hector nodded, and Paris took a deep breath. "Well, so when she was about to take the boat, I.. I.." Paris frowned.
"What did you do?" Hector crossed his arms over the chest. Paris covered his face with his hands.
"I stole the jewel from her neck.. escaped.. and threw it to the sea.. " Silence came. Paris looked at his brother, but Hector didn't seem to react. His mouth was half opened, his expression impossible to decipher.
"I understand.." Murmured Hector, nodding. Then, still shocked, looked through the window. "And now.. how do you plan to explain it to our father? And how do you plan to explain it to Alana?" Hector's voice was reaching a dangerous tone. "And the most important thing.. how could you condemn her to a war that is coming, a war that will destroy everything?" Now he was shouting, with anger. He took a deep breath and looked at his brother again. After some seconds, he expression changed again. "Now I understand.. you wanted to take a revenge on her, am I right? How can you be so cruel, so..? If you weren't my brother I would have killed you!"
"I didn't want to take a revenge on her!" Paris shouted back. "I just.. I just had to do it!!"
"Why?!" Their shouts could be heard form the whole palace, and servants were coming to check what was going on. Paris shook his head. "Why are you trying to make such a stupid things lately? What's wrong with you? "
"I don't know, Hector.. I don't know.." He murmured, walking towards the main door.
"Where is she now?" Hector asked, and Paris looked back at him. Both brothers stared at each other for a while, and then the same thought came to their heads. "We have to go to the beach!" Shouted Hector, running outside with Paris.
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It was impossible. I could never recuperate the jewel. The waves were so strong in that part of the cliff, and more than fifty metres separated me from the water. Jumping would be a suicide. I was kneeling on the edge, staring at the blue sea. I couldn't go back home.. and what had Paris done? Why? Was that a revenge? This was the first thought, but there was something more I couldn't understand..
But I was too shocked to think clearly. The wind was becoming stronger, the Greek ships would arrive in no time. The unstoppable war. We can't fight Destiny. Things just happen.. and we have to let them happen.. as Paris had said. But the war was coming to me too, and it was a scary thought. I didn't know anything about fighting, about pain or death. And Helen would order to look for me directly. No, it couldn't be happening.
But suddenly I remembered Priam's story about his first journey through time. He didn't have the jewel when he first fell into the hole.. so maybe I could try.. and see what happened.. I had to do something, I wouldn't sit and wait for the end. I stood up and ran to the beach again, carefully avoiding the rocks and the edges. It wasn't too late, I still could get it.
The small boat was tied to a wooden stick in the sand. I stood there, thinking. I didn't know the exact place where the hole was, but I supposed that Priam left the ship in the right direction. I looked at the horizon, and calculated a point drawing, mentally, a straight line. But the waves were too high, and the wind too strong, it would be impossible to keep the route. But my fears were stronger than I thought.. war, pain and death.. definitely, I had to try it, I had to try to find the place.
I untied the rope and stepped into the boat. It moved so much that I almost couldn't keep the balance. With a big effort I took the oars and sailed against the stormy sea. Soon I had pain in my arms, and I almost couldn't breath. The thing I most feared was to fall into the sea. I was a good swimmer, but anybody would die among those waves. It was a miracle that I had passed the barrel, and now the sea was more calmed. It even looked as if it was leading me. The sun was still high in the sky, and I already could see the sandy bottom.
Minutes passed, but I still hadn't find the hole. And I regretted what I had done. The beach seemed to be so far away, and nobody knew where I was.. if something bad happened.. nobody would come to help me. That thought made me shake. I wished I hadn't done that. I wished I had returned to palace. But it was too late. I had looked for my own death and found it.
I didn't know if it was my imagination, but there, in the distance, I could see the shape of two persons. I moved slowly, trying not to fall, and placed myself in the prow. Yes, there were two people running.. I wished it wasn't a mirage. But it seemed that Hector and Paris were coming. I couldn't believe my eyes.
A strong wave moved the ship so hard, I tried to keep the balance, but I couldn't. Horrified, I realised that I was falling directly to the sea, where I wouldn't survive. Everything happened too fast. I shouted as I saw the beach disappear. My ears were filled with water, and I saw the bubbles in front of my eyes, inside the blue sea. I fell and fell.. my lungs were burning, and suddenly my feet touched the bottom.
I knew I had to keep myself calmed, because with nerves I would need more oxygen. I closed my eyes, and tried to think about something nice. But how the hell would I do that? The waves brought a new movement of water that led me to an unknown direction. I was already feeling dizzy. But it seemed that it was the day of the miracles, because I felt a hand touching my arm . Opening my eyes, I saw Paris. Maybe it was just a dream. He had dived into the water and was holding the jewel in one hand. Then, he pointed at the bottom. The hole.. it had been there since the first moment. Our eyes met in the deepness, and he put the jewel in my hand, nodding with his head.
I was running out of oxygen, I was dizzy.. and I saw Paris staring at me before leaving. There was something strange on his eyes that made me react in a surprising way. I had the jewel, I had found the gate.. I could go back home. But I threw the jewel inside the hole. It swallowed it and a bright light filled the zone. Paris was so shocked as I was. I could see his dark eyes looking at me. We both swam to the surface, and I realised we were so near from the beach. The waves had threw me many metres away from the boat. I coughed, taking air and trying to breath again. Paris swam in front of me, and when we reached the sand, Hector and Andromache were standing there.
"Are you both feeling well?" Hector asked, kneeling in front of us. We had threw on the sand. "Alana, why didn't you come to the surface? You were so close to the beach!" I opened my eyes and looked at Hector.
"I.. didn't.. know.. I was so close.." I was breathless. I looked at Andromache, who seemed to be worried.
"Hector wanted to dive inside.. but I told him that someone should stay here in the case that you needed help.. "Andromache explained, and Hector looked at her angry.
"You followed me with an excuse! How could you lie to me like that?" They were arguing, and I looked at Paris, who was already sitting, with a shocked expression on his face. His dark eyes observed me.
"Why?" He asked, and I blushed deeply. Hector and Andromache went on shouting at each other.
"You didn't let me come into the water! You told me that our son was ill! How could you do that? They could have died!!" Hector was so mad at her, and she was crying.
"You're always worried about her! You.. I hate you!" She left running.
"Andromache!" Shouted Hector. He looked at us, then at his wife. "Are you sure you feel well?" He asked me, kneeling beside me. It seemed he had decided to stay.
"I had to try it.. I had to leave.." I murmured.
"You're free to leave, my father told you so.." Hector spoke , with a kind voice. "But I already know what Paris did.. "He looked at his brother. Paris frowned.
"I gave her the jewel back, Hector. We were exactly over the hole.." Hector looked at us surprised.
"But.. why are you still here then?" He asked, with surprised voice. I watched Paris, who was looking at me as well. "Alana, is it true what Paris said? "I nodded, slowly, and Hector became pale. "But.. if he gave you the jewel.. and you found the hole.. "
"She threw it" Paris explained. Both brothers looked so shocked.
"Why?" Asked Hector, but I couldn't find a reply.
"In that moment, this was what I wanted to do.. I felt I was dying.. and I didn't think.. I just let.. things happen.." I murmured, feeling their gazes on me.
"I can't believe it.. a war is coming.. you almost don't know us, this is not your time.. and you decided to stay?" Hector went on asking. Paris stood up, and walked towards me. Hector helped me to stand up too, and we three walked back to palace.
"We're still waiting for your explanation" Said Paris. Hector looked at us.
"If you both don't need me, I have to talk to Andromache.. "He excused himself, and left running. Paris and I stayed on the beach, stopped.
"So..?" He asked. "Alana, what did you do there? I couldn't believe my eyes, are you crazy?" His dark eyes were staring at me in disbelief.
"First, tell me why did you steal the jewel away from me" I said, and he frowned. Looking at the sea, he sighed.
"I don't know, is this what you want to hear? I don't know! I did it because I wanted" He replied.
"You're so childish, so selfish.. you wanted to take a revenge on me, right? Because you couldn't bring your beloved Helen" He became angry with my words.
"Don't say those things because they're not true!"
"Oh, they aren't? So now you don't want Helen to come? What about all the love you suddenly felt for her in only two days? Come on, nobody falls in love in two days!" If someone had seen us in that moment , he would have thought we were crazy, shouting at each other angrily.
"Don't start again with the same, Alana.. why are you always repeating the same things? Does it bother you, that I love Helen?" He said, with a half ironical smile.
"Ha! Bother me? Who do you think you are ? The god of love? You think that all girls fall for you?" I replied, blushing, hating the feelings I was developing in that moment.
"Yes, it bothers you! Since the first moment we arrived in Greece you were upset!" He pointed at me with his finger, and then turned around. "Leave me alone, Alana. "
"It can't bother me because.. because.." I had to find a reason, a fast reason. Paris stared at me, raising his eyebrows. I needed a reason.. then, I smiled evilly. "Because I love Hector" No, no, no! How could I have said that? It would only bring me more problems. Paris looked at me with a funny expression. "Yes, I love him and this is why nothing that you do bothers me" He laughed, and walked towards me. "What are you doing?" I said, walking back.
"Look at me" He ordered, stopping and holding my arms.
"What? No! I told you the truth, so now leave me alone" I avoided his gaze and tried to leave, but he stopped me gently.
"Look at me, Alana" My legs were shaking, and I looked up at him. His dark eyes searched mines, and after what it seemed a century, he smiled. "You don't love Hector" He left my arms and walked away from me. I sat on the sand, covering my face with my hands. Things were getting too complicated.
After one hour I decided to go to the palace. On the way back I found my bag, and picked it up. I sighed. Priam would be waiting for more explanations.. everybody would be wondering why did I do that.. and the wind was becoming stronger, bringing the enemy from Greece.
Inside the hall, Hector was waiting for me. He looked sad and tired, but smiled when I walked towards him. His kind eyes comforted me.
"You should take a bath, you're full of sand" He commented, with a smile.
"Hector, is everything all right with Andromache? What's going on with her?" I asked, and Hector sighed.
"When you'll feel better, after resting, we have to talk about what we'll do. About the war. We need a plan, now that you decided to stay" He said, ignoring my question. But I was too tired and I wanted explanations.
"Hector, please, answer me.." He looked at me, in silence.
"Andromache wants to talk to me later... I'm afraid she's leaving.."
"Why?" I asked, shocked. "Is it my fault? "
"Alana.. don't' speak. Don't say those things. It's not your fault, it's all mine. "He smiled sadly, and I frowned.
"What do you mean?" I asked. The door of the dinning room opened and Priam came.
"I already heard about your adventure, Alana.. and I'm glad that you decided to stay with us" He took my hands, smiling. "I knew you would do it. Destiny brought you here" Hector looked at me and smiled too. "Hector, take care of her.. she will need all your help in the coming days" Hector nodded. "Paris will also take care of you" Said Priam to me. "We all will".
Chapter fourteen
Paris came inside the palace, his heart was beating so fast. He couldn't believe what he had done, he couldn't find a reasonable explanation for that. Walking in the hall, slowly, touching his head and murmuring.. this is how Hector found him. His brother seemed to be completely mad at something.
"Paris, are you feeling well?" Paris started when he heard his brother's voice. Turning around, their gazes met. Hector frowned. "What's wrong?"
"I don't know, Hector.. I'm acting strange" Hector looked at him, surprised.
"What do you mean? "Paris looked around, making sure they were alone. Taking Hector's arm, he led him to a corner, next to a window.
"It's Alana.. she was leaving" Paris felt his brother tensing.
"What? Did she already leave, without saying good bye? "His dark eyes opened in shock.
"No, no, in the end she couldn't leave.. she needed the jewel to do that, remember?" Hector nodded, and Paris took a deep breath. "Well, so when she was about to take the boat, I.. I.." Paris frowned.
"What did you do?" Hector crossed his arms over the chest. Paris covered his face with his hands.
"I stole the jewel from her neck.. escaped.. and threw it to the sea.. " Silence came. Paris looked at his brother, but Hector didn't seem to react. His mouth was half opened, his expression impossible to decipher.
"I understand.." Murmured Hector, nodding. Then, still shocked, looked through the window. "And now.. how do you plan to explain it to our father? And how do you plan to explain it to Alana?" Hector's voice was reaching a dangerous tone. "And the most important thing.. how could you condemn her to a war that is coming, a war that will destroy everything?" Now he was shouting, with anger. He took a deep breath and looked at his brother again. After some seconds, he expression changed again. "Now I understand.. you wanted to take a revenge on her, am I right? How can you be so cruel, so..? If you weren't my brother I would have killed you!"
"I didn't want to take a revenge on her!" Paris shouted back. "I just.. I just had to do it!!"
"Why?!" Their shouts could be heard form the whole palace, and servants were coming to check what was going on. Paris shook his head. "Why are you trying to make such a stupid things lately? What's wrong with you? "
"I don't know, Hector.. I don't know.." He murmured, walking towards the main door.
"Where is she now?" Hector asked, and Paris looked back at him. Both brothers stared at each other for a while, and then the same thought came to their heads. "We have to go to the beach!" Shouted Hector, running outside with Paris.
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------------------- ------------------ --------
It was impossible. I could never recuperate the jewel. The waves were so strong in that part of the cliff, and more than fifty metres separated me from the water. Jumping would be a suicide. I was kneeling on the edge, staring at the blue sea. I couldn't go back home.. and what had Paris done? Why? Was that a revenge? This was the first thought, but there was something more I couldn't understand..
But I was too shocked to think clearly. The wind was becoming stronger, the Greek ships would arrive in no time. The unstoppable war. We can't fight Destiny. Things just happen.. and we have to let them happen.. as Paris had said. But the war was coming to me too, and it was a scary thought. I didn't know anything about fighting, about pain or death. And Helen would order to look for me directly. No, it couldn't be happening.
But suddenly I remembered Priam's story about his first journey through time. He didn't have the jewel when he first fell into the hole.. so maybe I could try.. and see what happened.. I had to do something, I wouldn't sit and wait for the end. I stood up and ran to the beach again, carefully avoiding the rocks and the edges. It wasn't too late, I still could get it.
The small boat was tied to a wooden stick in the sand. I stood there, thinking. I didn't know the exact place where the hole was, but I supposed that Priam left the ship in the right direction. I looked at the horizon, and calculated a point drawing, mentally, a straight line. But the waves were too high, and the wind too strong, it would be impossible to keep the route. But my fears were stronger than I thought.. war, pain and death.. definitely, I had to try it, I had to try to find the place.
I untied the rope and stepped into the boat. It moved so much that I almost couldn't keep the balance. With a big effort I took the oars and sailed against the stormy sea. Soon I had pain in my arms, and I almost couldn't breath. The thing I most feared was to fall into the sea. I was a good swimmer, but anybody would die among those waves. It was a miracle that I had passed the barrel, and now the sea was more calmed. It even looked as if it was leading me. The sun was still high in the sky, and I already could see the sandy bottom.
Minutes passed, but I still hadn't find the hole. And I regretted what I had done. The beach seemed to be so far away, and nobody knew where I was.. if something bad happened.. nobody would come to help me. That thought made me shake. I wished I hadn't done that. I wished I had returned to palace. But it was too late. I had looked for my own death and found it.
I didn't know if it was my imagination, but there, in the distance, I could see the shape of two persons. I moved slowly, trying not to fall, and placed myself in the prow. Yes, there were two people running.. I wished it wasn't a mirage. But it seemed that Hector and Paris were coming. I couldn't believe my eyes.
A strong wave moved the ship so hard, I tried to keep the balance, but I couldn't. Horrified, I realised that I was falling directly to the sea, where I wouldn't survive. Everything happened too fast. I shouted as I saw the beach disappear. My ears were filled with water, and I saw the bubbles in front of my eyes, inside the blue sea. I fell and fell.. my lungs were burning, and suddenly my feet touched the bottom.
I knew I had to keep myself calmed, because with nerves I would need more oxygen. I closed my eyes, and tried to think about something nice. But how the hell would I do that? The waves brought a new movement of water that led me to an unknown direction. I was already feeling dizzy. But it seemed that it was the day of the miracles, because I felt a hand touching my arm . Opening my eyes, I saw Paris. Maybe it was just a dream. He had dived into the water and was holding the jewel in one hand. Then, he pointed at the bottom. The hole.. it had been there since the first moment. Our eyes met in the deepness, and he put the jewel in my hand, nodding with his head.
I was running out of oxygen, I was dizzy.. and I saw Paris staring at me before leaving. There was something strange on his eyes that made me react in a surprising way. I had the jewel, I had found the gate.. I could go back home. But I threw the jewel inside the hole. It swallowed it and a bright light filled the zone. Paris was so shocked as I was. I could see his dark eyes looking at me. We both swam to the surface, and I realised we were so near from the beach. The waves had threw me many metres away from the boat. I coughed, taking air and trying to breath again. Paris swam in front of me, and when we reached the sand, Hector and Andromache were standing there.
"Are you both feeling well?" Hector asked, kneeling in front of us. We had threw on the sand. "Alana, why didn't you come to the surface? You were so close to the beach!" I opened my eyes and looked at Hector.
"I.. didn't.. know.. I was so close.." I was breathless. I looked at Andromache, who seemed to be worried.
"Hector wanted to dive inside.. but I told him that someone should stay here in the case that you needed help.. "Andromache explained, and Hector looked at her angry.
"You followed me with an excuse! How could you lie to me like that?" They were arguing, and I looked at Paris, who was already sitting, with a shocked expression on his face. His dark eyes observed me.
"Why?" He asked, and I blushed deeply. Hector and Andromache went on shouting at each other.
"You didn't let me come into the water! You told me that our son was ill! How could you do that? They could have died!!" Hector was so mad at her, and she was crying.
"You're always worried about her! You.. I hate you!" She left running.
"Andromache!" Shouted Hector. He looked at us, then at his wife. "Are you sure you feel well?" He asked me, kneeling beside me. It seemed he had decided to stay.
"I had to try it.. I had to leave.." I murmured.
"You're free to leave, my father told you so.." Hector spoke , with a kind voice. "But I already know what Paris did.. "He looked at his brother. Paris frowned.
"I gave her the jewel back, Hector. We were exactly over the hole.." Hector looked at us surprised.
"But.. why are you still here then?" He asked, with surprised voice. I watched Paris, who was looking at me as well. "Alana, is it true what Paris said? "I nodded, slowly, and Hector became pale. "But.. if he gave you the jewel.. and you found the hole.. "
"She threw it" Paris explained. Both brothers looked so shocked.
"Why?" Asked Hector, but I couldn't find a reply.
"In that moment, this was what I wanted to do.. I felt I was dying.. and I didn't think.. I just let.. things happen.." I murmured, feeling their gazes on me.
"I can't believe it.. a war is coming.. you almost don't know us, this is not your time.. and you decided to stay?" Hector went on asking. Paris stood up, and walked towards me. Hector helped me to stand up too, and we three walked back to palace.
"We're still waiting for your explanation" Said Paris. Hector looked at us.
"If you both don't need me, I have to talk to Andromache.. "He excused himself, and left running. Paris and I stayed on the beach, stopped.
"So..?" He asked. "Alana, what did you do there? I couldn't believe my eyes, are you crazy?" His dark eyes were staring at me in disbelief.
"First, tell me why did you steal the jewel away from me" I said, and he frowned. Looking at the sea, he sighed.
"I don't know, is this what you want to hear? I don't know! I did it because I wanted" He replied.
"You're so childish, so selfish.. you wanted to take a revenge on me, right? Because you couldn't bring your beloved Helen" He became angry with my words.
"Don't say those things because they're not true!"
"Oh, they aren't? So now you don't want Helen to come? What about all the love you suddenly felt for her in only two days? Come on, nobody falls in love in two days!" If someone had seen us in that moment , he would have thought we were crazy, shouting at each other angrily.
"Don't start again with the same, Alana.. why are you always repeating the same things? Does it bother you, that I love Helen?" He said, with a half ironical smile.
"Ha! Bother me? Who do you think you are ? The god of love? You think that all girls fall for you?" I replied, blushing, hating the feelings I was developing in that moment.
"Yes, it bothers you! Since the first moment we arrived in Greece you were upset!" He pointed at me with his finger, and then turned around. "Leave me alone, Alana. "
"It can't bother me because.. because.." I had to find a reason, a fast reason. Paris stared at me, raising his eyebrows. I needed a reason.. then, I smiled evilly. "Because I love Hector" No, no, no! How could I have said that? It would only bring me more problems. Paris looked at me with a funny expression. "Yes, I love him and this is why nothing that you do bothers me" He laughed, and walked towards me. "What are you doing?" I said, walking back.
"Look at me" He ordered, stopping and holding my arms.
"What? No! I told you the truth, so now leave me alone" I avoided his gaze and tried to leave, but he stopped me gently.
"Look at me, Alana" My legs were shaking, and I looked up at him. His dark eyes searched mines, and after what it seemed a century, he smiled. "You don't love Hector" He left my arms and walked away from me. I sat on the sand, covering my face with my hands. Things were getting too complicated.
After one hour I decided to go to the palace. On the way back I found my bag, and picked it up. I sighed. Priam would be waiting for more explanations.. everybody would be wondering why did I do that.. and the wind was becoming stronger, bringing the enemy from Greece.
Inside the hall, Hector was waiting for me. He looked sad and tired, but smiled when I walked towards him. His kind eyes comforted me.
"You should take a bath, you're full of sand" He commented, with a smile.
"Hector, is everything all right with Andromache? What's going on with her?" I asked, and Hector sighed.
"When you'll feel better, after resting, we have to talk about what we'll do. About the war. We need a plan, now that you decided to stay" He said, ignoring my question. But I was too tired and I wanted explanations.
"Hector, please, answer me.." He looked at me, in silence.
"Andromache wants to talk to me later... I'm afraid she's leaving.."
"Why?" I asked, shocked. "Is it my fault? "
"Alana.. don't' speak. Don't say those things. It's not your fault, it's all mine. "He smiled sadly, and I frowned.
"What do you mean?" I asked. The door of the dinning room opened and Priam came.
"I already heard about your adventure, Alana.. and I'm glad that you decided to stay with us" He took my hands, smiling. "I knew you would do it. Destiny brought you here" Hector looked at me and smiled too. "Hector, take care of her.. she will need all your help in the coming days" Hector nodded. "Paris will also take care of you" Said Priam to me. "We all will".