Hi everyone! This is my firs stab at fiction writing. I hope it doesn't suck as much. Anyway, this is the first chapter that introduces the main characters. The following chapters will have more action in it, I think. So please read it and review please! Thanks!
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, except the ones I created I suppose, parts of the story are taken from the movie. Yada yada yada.
A warm breeze floated into the open and majestic palace. It rustled the leaves of the plants, the ruffles of the elaborate tapestries, and the long, white robes of the king of Troy, Priam. He stared out unto the vast lands littered with bustling markets, wooden houses, and green pastures – Troy.
He rested his palms on the stone balustrade of the balcony and felt its warmth soothing. The king enjoyed waking up every morning for it is his favorite time of the day. He takes pleasure in seeing his kingdom, the place he grew in, fought for, and ruled over, as it starts its day in every household. He is proud of what he made Troy into.
He spent years defending this once frail and diminutive kingdom. Now, he is king of the greatest force in the East. Kings from all around tremble at the sound of his name and the sight of Troy. He took pleasure in the fact that Troy has garnered such power under his sovereignty.
But despite all that, the king remained to be a diplomatic ruler, preferring peace to war. He coursed everything through speech, only resulting to war when absolutely necessary. He was never the cause of conflicts, but Troy always won her battles.
Now, his time as king is nearing its end. The fate of Troy will soon rest in the hands of his eldest son, Hector. Hector was deemed to be one of the greatest warriors, another fact that the king is proud of. Hector is gallant and regal. The people of Troy look at him in awe and deep admiration. Hector has led Troy to thousands of victories; he is an honorable and noble man watched and blessed by the patron of Troy, Apollo.
Paris, his younger son, is much different from Hector. Paris' love is for the arts and, according to rumor, women. The king shook his head slightly at this thought. How many times has he heard of Paris' escapades with the daughters and ladies of different kingdoms? But, nevertheless, Paris has shown great loyalty to Troy. The king is confident that his younger son will be his brother's right-hand man, and, together, they will bring Troy to greater glory.
The king heaved a deep and heavy sigh. The palace feels so empty without his daughter's merry laughter and bright smile. Priam was used to not seeing his sons for long periods of time. As the princes and emissaries of the king, it was their duty to travel to foreign lands. But this was a first for his youngest child, Philana. She had somehow convinced the king and her brothers to let her join the voyage to Sparta. Priam unwillingly let Philana go, and, now, he regrets his decision.
Philana's existence is a whole new story. She was born years after Paris, when the king and queen were at the prime of their lives. Priam considered Philana's birth a curse, for with it came the death of his beloved wife. Never had he felt such sorrow and isolation, a feeling that spread throughout the whole kingdom.But looking at his dear newborn's face, Priam felt a new kind of bliss. The birth of Philana may be a curse, but the king's daughter was a precious gem. She was the gods' gift to Troy, for bearing a child at the queen's age at the time was close to impossible. Nobody thought that Philana would survive, but now she is the apple of everyone's eyes – a little girl who has grown into one of Troy's most beautiful women. Young as she was, Philana already resembles her late mother, all except for those piercing blue eyes – a distinguishing characteristic that only the king and his daughter possess. Philana used to be the king's constant companion during the long absences of his sons. Now, the king has to let go of another beloved one for the fourth time.
It's been three months since the king last saw his children. The king sent them to Sparta where they are to negotiate with its king, Menelaus. Sparta has been Troy's long-time adversary. After years of rivalry, Priam now wishes to draw an alliance and bring peace to both kingdoms.
The king decided to leave his quiet chambers and headed for the royal gardens. The gardens bring fond memories to the king. This is where the whole family spent most of their time, talking and merry-making. Every room in the palace has a direct passage to the garden, something that the residents of the palace enjoy. He leisurely walked from his room, along the short hall, and into the grand circle – a large, circular garden that breaks into small bush or tree-lined pathways that lead to other gardens. The grand circle bathed in the morning sun.
The king took the pathway to his right and walked the familiar path he has walked everyday for three months. It led to a small clearing, where a grand tree, surrounded by grass, stood in the middle – the Trojan tree.
The king approached the tree and touched its rough bark. He remembered the night before his children left for Sparta. Philana had led him through the same path and into the same clearing. Right in the middle was a sapling standing beside freshly dug dirt. Philana was beaming at her father.
"What is this, Philana?" the king had said.
"I want this to be our tree," the princess had answered. "I know you will be by yourself for the first time, and I don't want you to feel lonely."
Together, the two of them planted the sapling - the Trojan tree as Philana fondly called it. Philana made her father swear to take care of the tree personally, for the tree stands for his love for his children and their love for their father. The more the tree grows, the more their love grows. The king kept his promise, and intends to keep it for as long as he lives.
Priam leaned against the trunk and allowed his thoughts to drown him. He closed his eyes thinking of how fast his children grow. He regrets not being able to spend much time with Hector and Paris. It was while the two princes were growing that Troy needed the king the most. The princes grew in the presence of soldiers and high priests training them for battle while the king spent all his time in conference with other kingdoms. He did not see his sons grow into the noble men they are now. When Philana was born, he swore to himself not to make the same mistake. He spent every moment that he could with Philana, especially that his wife has gone, and the king and princess had grown very close. The king witnessed every event in Philana's life and he was proud. Now, Priam is finding it agonizing to let her go.
The king looked up and saw white specks among the green leaves. Our tree has born flowers, the king thought. He smiled to himself knowing how happy it would make his children feel.
