Title: I Am No Prince

Category: Movies: Troy

Written By: LegolasLover2003

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Action/Adventure/Drama

Summary: Paris is a Prince of Troy, an expert archer, a talented musician, and a lover of the most beautiful woman of all time. But can he fight for her? Can he walk in his brother's shadow? Can he face death and overcome it, or will death catch up to him?

Disclaimer: Refer to the Prologue for this.

I Am No Prince

Chapter 1: Meeting

"Paris of Troy." I say, bowing before the beauty that sits enthroned before me.

The Queen of Sparta smiles softly, "It is a pleasure to meet you both."

Before Hector can say anything, I bow a second time, "The pleasure, fair Helen, is ours."

I can feel my brother's eyes upon me as I straighten.

"Where is King Menelaus?" Hector asks, "We have come to speak with him."

'How rude of you, my brother.' I think, but remain silent.

Peace will not come easy between Sparta and Troy, both myself and Hector know that. I however would rather leave the politics to him. There are more entertaining things to be done on this trip.

Helen stands, "Forgive me, but Menelaus is away for the day. He will return tomorrow, at which time you will be permitted to speak with him."

'A queen who can rule the country in her king's absence. This Helen is a rare woman indeed.' my thoughts wander.

She continues on however, her voice somehow captivating. I find myself hanging upon her every word.

"You will be provided with some of our best rooms, and food and drink whenever it is wanted. You have but to ask, and it shall be yours."

'To ask? Fair Helen, I would ask for nothing more than to gaze upon you for the rest of my days.'

Thoughts of the beautiful Queen of Sparta rush through my mind as Hector and I are escorted through the palace's many halls.

I follow behind my brother quietly. As the servant stops, I nearly run into Hector, so deep my day dreams have become.

'Fair Helen...'

I know not how it happened, but now I find myself within our quarters. Hector stands before me, his hands on my shoulders.

"No." he speaks, shaking his head.

Puzzled, I cock my head slightly. "No?" I say, repeating his words.

"Just no." Hector replies, turning from me and stepping out onto the balcony.

"Brother, I have done nothing nor have I asked any question." I press, following him out into the late afternoon sunshine.

Hector turns to me, leaning against the balcony railing. "Your eyes betray you, little brother." he states simply. "Calm yourself."

"Calm myself?" I say, looking at him in confusion, "About what?"

He smiles at me, "Paris... Helen is a married woman. Calm your racing heart and leave her be."

'Never!' I think, wishing to say the words aloud. "I am not so ignorant as to court the wife of a king."

Hector smiles, "You are young, Paris. You are young and reckless." however, his smile fades, a scowl appearing upon his face. "And if you do anything to jeopardize this treaty, I swear by the gods that I will punish you myself."

I scoff, turning away from my brother and looking back into our lavishly furnished room. "I am not so young." I reply, walking over to sit upon the bed. "I know more than you give me credit for, brother."

My brother nods, following me and stopping when he stands but feet away. "I understand that, Paris. But I also know you. I know how you act and I know of your charms and lust for women. We all know of it. Father as well, and I can not have you doing something so foolish as to day dream about Menelaus' wife."

"What harm is there in a dream?" I ask, looking up at my brother. "What harm is there in wishing for something, even though it is not mine?"

"There is harm." Hector tells me. "Because, as I have said, I know you, Paris. I know what you are capable of and I will not see you set to scheming and plotting something that we both know can never happen."

I shake my head, standing and starring directly into my brother's eyes. "What if I knew it could happen?" I ask, watching his reaction closely.

Hector laughs, "Paris, how could you possibly..."

"Do you trust me, brother? Do you believe that I speak the truth?"

He looks at me as if I have lost my mind, "Of course I trust you, Paris, but what truth do you speak of?"

I have resigned myself that he must know. He has to know of what happened to me many years ago. Though, I wish not to go into the matter in detail, surely if I tell him, Hector will understand that Helen can be mine.

"Before I came to Troy, I lived near Mount Ida." I start, watching my brother.

Hector nods, "Yes, go on."

"One day, I was visited by Zeus himself, asking me to choose between three of the loveliest goddesses in all of Olympus. He wanted me to give a golden apple, brought to them by Eris, to the most beautiful of the three." I stop, realizing that the look on Hector's face means he is not believing a word of my tale.

Hector laughs, "Paris... You expect me to believe that Zeus wanted you to be the judge in a contest of beauty?"

I nod, but it only sends my brother to laughing even harder.

"Do not mock the gods, brother." I warn.

He shakes his head, "I honor the gods, just as you, but I can not be expected to believe that my own little brother has spoken with them."

"I have." I state, "And I choose wisely, for my part. Hector, they offered me gifts, kingly gifts, if I were to choose them."

My brother sighs, deciding I suppose, to play along. "Which goddesses were they? What did they offer?"

"Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite." I answer. "Athena wanted to give me great wisdom and strength in battle, but I did not think I would ever need such a thing, for Troy has not gone to war in years. Hera wanted bestow upon me great power and the wealth and might of kings, but I am a prince and, though I am not father's successor, I am still wealthy and care not for such things. But Aphrodite... Brother, she showed me the most beautiful woman in the world. She told me she would be my wife..." I shake my head, averting my eyes from my brother's gaze. I gather my courage to speak once more, for I know my words will either enrage Hector, or shatter all of the trust and confidence he has in me. "I choose Aphrodite, brother." the words leave my mouth as my eyes lock with his once again, "Because she has promised me Helen."

Author's Note: Well, that was all done in honor of "Troy"'s DVD release in the US on January 4th. But, I decided to actually post it in honor of Orlando Bloom's birthday tomorrow, January 13th!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ORLI!

Review Responses:

Wow... there were 17 reviews for the prologue and, as much as I would like to respond to them all, I'm pressed for time. See, I'm packing because I am moving to New Mexico from Texas (about 5 hours from here to there) and we have to be out in a month, by February 11th. So, as you can imagine, my life is hectic beyond words right now. I wasn't even supposed to be on the computer today, much less typing an update.

So, once again, thanks to all my reviewers! I'll try to respond to the reviews next time, I promise!

Muse Moments:

"Carry this." Nil says, handing a big box to Legolas.

The Elf nearly topples over, "What is in it?"

"My LOTR action figures." Nil answers before handing a box to Aragorn.

The Man nearly falls to the floor, "And what is in this one?"

"My books." Nil says before then giving Paris a box.

The Prince smiles, "I like this box, what is in it?"

"Candles."

Both Legolas and Aragorn look at Paris in disbelief. "Candles?" they say at the same time.

Paris pales and suddenly drops is box, running full out down the hall.

Both Legolas and Aragorn do the same, chasing after him.

Poor Nil is left standing with three boxes and no help, "GUYS! CUT IT OUT! WE'VE GOT WORK TO DO!"

But all she hears is a thud and a strangled cry of, "HELP!"