Hector was waiting by the dock. He watched as servants loaded their possessions and equipment on the ships. The sun was bright and hot; it was a perfect day for sailing.

As Hector looked towards the direction of the palace, he saw a figure in white robes quickly walking towards the ships – it was Philana.

Hector waited for his sister by the dock, but as Philana neared, Hector could see fear and anger in her eyes.

Philana walked straight past Hector, but Hector seized the princess by the arm and said, "What is the matter?"

Philana looked at Hector. She was clearly battling with herself as to what to say. She opened her mouth several times but no words came out.

"Philana," Hector said gently, loosening his grip on his sister, "tell me."

Philana's eyes began to fill with tears. "Hector," she breathed.

"Hector!" someone called.

Hector turned his head and saw that it was Paris. At that moment, Philana escaped from Hector's hands and dashed up the wooden plank and onto the ship.

Hector looked at Philana with a puzzled expression. When Paris approached him, Hector asked, "What troubles her?"

Paris stared hardly at where Philana ran to and said, "Nothing. She just misses father."

Hector was doubtful about the truth in Paris' words, but he let it go for the mean time.

"Get on board. We will be sailing in a short while," Hector told Paris. Paris nodded and boarded the ship.

After another hour, the ship was ready to set sail. Menelaus and his generals were onboard, bidding the Royal Trojans farewell.

"It was a great honor to have you on our lands!" Menelaus bellowed, hugging Hector, Paris, and Philana one by one.

"We shall meet again, my ally," Hector said as he grasped Menelaus' hand.

"If there is anything you need," said one of the generals, "Sparta will answer."

"Thank you," Hector said, shaking the general's hand. "It is the same with Troy."

"Very well, then!" Menelaus said happily. "Sparta shall not keep you away from your home any longer. Farewell my friends! May the gods watch over your journey."

With a final hug, Menelaus and his generals left the ship. Hector signaled to Tecton, his right-hand-man, to move. With one bellow from Tecton, the sailors started to row, and they were on their way to Troy.

Philana leaned against the ship's paling, staring at the deep, blue sea. The wind was strong and nobody needed to row. Behind her, sailors tended the sails or play dice.

Hector stood beside Philana and said, "The winds are unusually strong, don't you think?"

Philana continued to stare at the sea.

"Just a few more days and we shall see Troy again," Hector continued.

There was still no response from Philana.

Hector sighed and rested his hands on the paling. "Will you never speak to me again?"

"Perhaps one day," Philana said blankly.

Hector got hold of Philana's shoulders and turned her to face him. Philana avoided Hector's eyes.

"I did not mean to raise my voice, Philana. I should not have, but I did. And for that, I ask for your forgiveness," Hector said quietly.

Philana shifted her gaze towards Hector's apologetic eyes. Then, she smiled weakly and embraced her brother.

"Forgive me, brother," Philana said into Hector's chest. "I was not thinking last night."

"No need for woes, Philana," Hector said soothingly. "Last night never was."

Philana smiled at her brother and looked at the sea.

"We have been away from home for too long," Philana said sadly. "How do you think is father doing?"

Hector held his sister tighter. "Do not worry about father," he comforted. "I have no doubt in my mind that he is doing well."

"I miss him so much," Philana sighed. "I'll never come with you on your voyages."

Hector just smiled.

There was a moment of silence before Hector spoke again, "Now, do you want to let me know of your little secret?"
Hector felt Philana tense up. For a while, Philana seemed at a loss for words, but quickly got over her panic and said simply, "What do you mean?" She didn't quite meet Hector's eyes.

Hector bent down to Philana's height and said to her seriously, "If there is any trouble, I need to know, do you understand?"

Philana looked worried. He should know, she thought, but… I just can't…

"Hector, I -"

"I see you two have made amends," said Paris from behind.

Philana gasped and quickly turned away from Hector, praying that Hector did not notice her alarm. When she looked up, she saw Paris looking at her pointedly. Their eyes met, and in that single second, they had an understanding. Philana let out a resigned sigh.

Hector pulled out a wooden lion he had been whittling since they arrived in Sparta.

"You still haven't finished?" Philana asked, trying to calm herself down.

"Time escaped me many times," Hector answered lightly. He pulled out a knife and started to carve the lion's mane. "It is almost finished nevertheless."

The three of them stayed silent for a while, Hector whittling the wooden lion while Paris and Philana watched the waves crash into the side of the ship.

"A beautiful morning," Paris said in a far-off voice. "Poseidon has blessed our voyage."

Hector looked at the blue sky for a moment. "Sometimes the gods bless you in the morning and curse you in the afternoon."

Paris watched his brother work the wood. Paris spoke again, only this time, his tone was more somber. "Do you love me, brother?"

Philana glanced at Paris, fearing of what was next to come. Hector rested his knife on the ship's deck and said with a smile, "The last time you asked me that, you were ten years old and had stolen father's horse. What have you done now?"

Paris cast Philana a nervous glance, one that Hector did not fail to notice. Hector's expression darkened, remembering the fear in Philana's eyes before they left Sparta.

"I must show you something," Paris finally said. He walked towards a staircase leading to the bottom deck of the ship. He stopped by the top step and waited for Hector to follow.

Hector hesitated, then followed Paris. Paris then slowly descended the staircase. Philana was only too glad to stay where she was, when Hector turned around.

"Philana, you are not getting away that easily," Hector said seriously.

Reluctantly, Philana strode towards the staircase and dreadfully descended to the bottom deck. Paris was waiting by his cabin door.

Paris took a deep breath before saying, "Before you get angry with me-"

"Open the door," Hector said dangerously.

With a final nod, Paris opened the door. From the shadows in the dark cabin emerged a hooded figure. The figure lowered her hood and revealed the face that was hidden – it was Helen.

Hector stared at Paris in disbelief. Philana, who was fearfully standing behind Hector, could feel her brother's anger emanating from his body.

"If you weren't my brother I'd kill you where you stand," Hector said growled. "Come with me," he said as he grabbed Philana's arm and dragged her up the staircase.

Paris and Helen stood rooted to their spot.

"We'll never have peace," Helen said with fear.

Paris looked into Helen's eyes and said, "I don't want peace. I want you."


Sorry if the chapters are a little short. I think a little at a time :)