Sorry this took so long to get up, I was on vacation and then I had a lot of catching up to do when I came back. Had to write another chapter for my other story as well. Anyways, this is short, but after this I'm really going to start updating. The ideas are all bouncing around, and they'd be coming out soon, so enjoy!
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I can still remember the first time I met my husband as though it were yesterday. In reality, it was many years ago, but the memory is as vivid as ever.
Clytemnestra and I arrived and were escorted to our chambers. To my surprise, she was in the women's area of the palace. This was my first real lesson of marriage, the couple didn't sleep in the same room, or even the same area. Of course, I well knew the reason, but the thought had never really occurred to me before.
After freshening up, I was brought down to meet my future husband. He was there, along with Agamemnon, and Clytemnestra took her seat beside him.
"Helen," Menelaus respectfully stood up as I entered, peering through the light veil that covered my face. As a maiden, it was proper for me to cover my face in the presence of men. Clytemnestra only wore a veil over her head, for she was married. It dawned on me then that soon I would gaze at the world with no fabric across my face to hinder me.
That thought wasn't as pleasing as I'd thought it would be.
"Menelaus," I greeted him, sinking down to my seat between him and Agamemnon. I remember being aware of a feeling of being trapped, not having Clytemnestra to turn to for conversation.
"Well, Menelaus, is she as beautiful as they say?" a nearby advisor asked, his eyes roving my face. They spoke of me as if I wasn't there, but it made no difference. I rather liked being forgotten. After all, I'd been used to it all my life.
"The gods have blessed me," Menelaus replied, toasting them with his cup of wine. "Not many men are gifted with a wife of such beauty."
"Ah, but all women lose their beauty," Agamemnon replied coolly. I inwardly bristled, but outwardly my face showed no emotion. Clytemnestra acted as though she hadn't even heard the comment, turning instead to a nearby servant. "That's why the gods have made so many," he continued.
The men all laughed and drank to that, while I tried to keep my cheeks from burning. The rest of the evening is a blur, I can only remember being engaged in conversation to Agamemnon- for a short while- and then with Menelaus before excusing myself.
That was my first meeting and my last until our wedding day, which came just a short seven days later.