Disclaimer - I don't own Troy or any affiliates, etc. It belongs to...I forget the names but just not to me.
After leaving home in a rush, Ametreus avoided Paris. It was easy, with him being so enthralled with Helen, and with Priam so happy at his son's returns that no affairs that called Ametreus's family to the palace took place. It wasn't until later, when panic took hold of the city, that she caught another glimpse of him.
She was sitting on the balcony reading, when suddenly, the gong rang out, spewing forth the warning. There was screaming in the streets and infants were crying, wives screaming for their husbands and daughters yelling for their fathers. Ametreus's father ran up to the balcony and grabbed her arm, dragging her inside.
"What's going on?" Ametreus asked, startled. Her father shook his head quickly, and brought her to a room where her mother and two younger sisters stood.
"Do not look out the window." her father ordered.
"Father! We must go!" The eldest of Ametreus's brothers called. Her father dashed from the room. Her father and two oldest brothers were archers in the army of Troy. Ametreus was always proud; the city's archers were esteemed and beloved. Her youngest brother was cavalry. He had always loved racing his horse up and down the streets, and being in the cavalry put his skills to good use. The second her father's footsteps had faded, Ametreus ran to the window and pulled back the curtains, to her mother's futile cries. There, on the horizon, where a thousand ships. They stretched as far as her eyes could see, dotting the crystalline water. Ametreus felt her heart catch in her throat. In front of them all, was a ship with black sails. Against her will, she yelped and stumbled backwards. The black sails of Achilles. And her men would face them. Valiant Hector, who had been like a brother to her, and her own brothers, Enimor, Protesys, and Haraya.
"What is it?" Cried Nita, her youngest sister. Ametreus shook her head. Then she picked up her skirts and ran. Down the stairs and into the streets of Troy. Her heart was beating wildly when she finally entered the marble halls of the palace. There was the statue of Apollo, the city's protector. Ametreus quickly dropped to her knees and said a quick prayer, then staggered onto her feet and ran. It wasn't long before she found Paris in his room. Helen thankfully, wasn't there. Ametreus was glad; she was afraid that if she saw the blonde cow again she would strangle her. Paris was on his balcony, his eyes fixed on the black sails that drew nearer by the second.
"Paris, Paris please, give her back! Return Helen to Menelaus!" Ametreus pleaded, running to his side and tugging at his sleeve.
"What are you saying?" Paris asked, holding tightly to her shoulders. Ametreus felt tears of panic slide down her cheeks and she didn't bother wiping them away.
"Don't you see the sails, Paris? Achilles sails to Troy. We will never win." Ametreus sobbed. Paris pulled her towards him and forced her to rest her head on his shoulder.
"The walls of Troy do not let in invaders. We will be safe, Amet. Achilles is no match for my brother." Paris said, pride in his voice.
"Paris, look at all the ships. There are hundreds. Please Paris, is one woman worth thousands of men's lives?" Ametreus pleaded.
"Ametreus, I love Helen." Paris said firmly. "To me, she is worth everything." Ametreus felt her heart harden.
"You have a chance to save many men's lives! Please Paris, my family will be out there!"
"So will Hector."
"Paris!" Ametreus yelled, frustrated and scared. "I will not lost my family because you and that woman acted out of passion and cowardice!"
"Why are you saying this?" Paris yelled back.
"Give her back. Give her back and let the boys of Troy grow to be men!" Ametreus pleaded. She glanced at the sea again. The black sails were coming closer. Paris shook Ametreus gently and locked glances with her.
"I would sooner die than give her back." Paris whispered. Ametreus could find no words to say to that; instead, she did what she had always considered her worst vice, she dropped to her knees and allowed tears to take over. Paris knelt in front of her. "We have strong fighters. This is not the end of Troy. It's another war. We have always fought in the past, Ametreus. And we have always won." Paris said gently, wiping away stray tears.
"Do you love Troy?"
"Yes."
"Do you love your father? And Hector?"
"Yes."
"Do you love me?"
"Yes." Ametreus's heart skipped a beat at hearing that, but she knew it was not meant the way she wished.
"And you love Helen."
"Yes." Ametreus took his hand and squeezed it.
"Then you will let her go back. You will not make her an idol, something to be fought and won. You will give her back to where she belongs and forget this foolishness."
"I cannot do that. She belongs with me!" Paris argued. Ametreus rose once more, and too quickly for Paris to follow, she ran out. As she was leaving the room, she cross paths with Helen, who stood stunned, obviously having overheard the exchange between the friends.
"Your brothers fight for me?" Helen whispered in disbelief. Ametreus choked out a laugh.
"My brothers," she snapped, "fight for Troy." With that, she ran home.
When the battle was over, Haraya lay dead. His faithful horse, Oroyo, had survived, and was given to the family to try and ease their grief. The family mourned for twelve days, as was custom. But after that, her father and two remaining brothers were called back to the wall to fight. It was then that they brought home news. That Paris was going to fight Menelaus, and try to end the war. Ametreus could not find it in her heart to go and try to dissuade him. She knew Hector would try his best, and Helen most likely would try as well. But on the day, Ametreus found herself standing at the top of the wall, with Priam, Helen, Andromache, and the other royals. The two wives were seated with Priam. Tentatively, she approached the wall. Below, Hector and Paris were riding towards Menelaus. After a quick exchange, Hector and Agamemnon backed away, leaving Paris and Menelaus.
"Oh Paris, you aren't a fighter!" Ametreus whispered. Her fingers scrabbled against the top of the wall as she tried to overcome uselessness. The blood was pounding in her ears. There was a first exchange of blows; Paris was clumsy and defenseless. Ametreus moaned and covered her eyes. Upon hearing the next crashes and thuds of metal, her eyes flew open and she leaned forward to see. Paris's shield was knocked away, and so was his helmet. Ametreus couldn't stand it. Leaning forward even farther, she opened her mouth to call out. A hand suddenly went over her mouth. It was Andromache, Hector's wife. Helen had come to the wall and was standing noiselessly, an expression of pain on her face. A jet of hatred shot through Ametreus.
"If you love him, you will not disgrace him by calling for him." Andromache whispered in Ametreus's ear. Ametreus was shivering by now, especially as Menelaus aimed brutal, well aimed blows at him. Ametreus realized that Andromache had watched her husband in battle before, and had to stand by. But Hector was skilled, he was the Jewel of Troy. Paris was down then. Ametreus held back her screams and shuddered again. Andromache hugged her tighter. And then Menelaus neared him, going in for the kill. Ametreus strained against Andromache's tight restrain, and she opened her mouth again but one of the servants had come and placed her hand firmly over her mouth. But Paris was backing away. He was scuffling towards Hector. And then he had latched onto Hector's leg. Menelaus began to yell.
"Is this who you left me for?" he screamed. Helen drew a sharp intake of breath and looked away. Paris would not get up. Menelaus advanced, Hector ran him through. And then the leaders were calling orders, and Paris was riding back into the city walls. Helen returned to her seat. Ametreus wrenched herself out of Andromache's arms and ran down into the streets of the city. Paris was just riding by. He turned his head and saw her just as she came to a halt and watched him. He turned his head as if ashamed and spurred on his horse.
I'M SORRY IT'S BEEN SO LONG! A huge thanks to 'I Stole Brad Pitt' for her reminder to update. And I'd like to add that this story is NOT a mary-sue. That is not my intent at all. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I'll try to update more often! Please review!