Last chapter:
Hector and Philana resolve their conflict. Hector longs for home.
Andromache strolled along the tree-lined path of the royal gardens. It was noon and the sun was shining brightly. She held Scamandrios gently in her arms and hummed him a lullaby – the lullaby that Hector always sang to his son. She hummed the lullaby softly, her soothing voice making her child smile with contentment. Mother and son walked down the path, their hearts silently calling for Hector.
Then, Andromache heard the bells. They weren't warning bells – they were intended for celebration. Instantly, Andromache's heart started to race as she started walking back towards the palace. Could it be? she thought hopefully. She walked as quickly as she could while holding her son in her arms.
She reached the entrance hall and saw that King Priam was already standing at the top of the great stone steps, hopefully anticipating. Andromache gazed out onto the lands beyond the gate, and there they were.
Hector, Philana, Paris, and an entourage of soldiers walked through the gates of Troy. The Royal Children's return was a holiday for the Trojans. Thousands of onlookers lined the roads and stood on the rooftops, cheering and throwing petals of flowers in warm welcome.
But, the attention soon turned to the mystifying woman standing beside the younger prince. People whispered and pointed to the one who was rumored to be the most beautiful in the world. Was that Helen of Sparta? They couldn't tell.
Finally, the children reached the stone steps and walk up to their beaming father. Philana ran into her father's outstretched arms.
"My darling child," the king breathed. He hugged her tightly, trying to make up for all those months they had not seen each other.
"It is so wonderful to see you, father," Philana whispered. She felt so happy and relieved to be back home, she couldn't find her voice that was overpowered by her emotions.
Hector stepped up and bowed in fron of the king. "Father," he greeted.
"My son," the king returned, pulling his heir into a warm embrace.
Hector stepped aside and caught sight of Andromache. He rushed to his wife and held her to his chest, no words enough to express their bliss of being reunited. Andromache closed her eyes and breathed in Hector's scent which she had missed.
Hector and his wife pulled apart and Scamandrios gazed at his father. Hector broke into a wide smile and lifted his son into the air.
"You have grown!" Hector cried happily. "How handsome you've become."
"Just like his father," Andromache said warmly.
Paris and Helen strode up the stone steps, and all attention was on them. The high priests and generals gathered broke into whispers.
"Who is she?"
"Isn't she the Spartan Queen?"
"My, what beauty she beholds!"
"Paris," the Trojan king greeted warmly.
Paris bowed his head to his father and held his hand out to Helen. "Father, this is Helen."
Evryone watched with bated breath as they watched the beautiful Helen gracefully approach the king, her golden hair flowing in the wind. She bowed down in front of the king, paying respect.
The king looked from Paris to Helen and said, "Helen of Sparta?"
"No," Paris countered, his eyes shining. "Helen of Troy."
Hector watched his father. If the king was disturbed by this revelation,he did not show it. Instead, he leaned forward to kiss the former Spartan Queen's cheeks.
"I've heard rumors of your beauty, and for once, the gossips were true." The king spread his arms wide open, showing Helen all of Troy, and said, "Welcome, my princess."
Helen looked flustered and gratified. She did not expect such warm welcome. Troy's hospitality and kindness was far from the abusive leaders of Sparta.
"Come," announced the king, "you must be tired." He led all of them up the stairs and into the palace.
As all of them entered, a young girl, not much older than Philana, came hurrying up to them. She was wearing white robes of a temple acolyte.
"Briseis!" Philana exclaimed and ran to her cousin.
"Philana!" Briseis returned. They hugged each other enthusiastically. "Your long absence definitely made the palace a tad too silent."
"I wish I could say the same for when she was with us on the ships and in Sparta," said Paris and laughed as he apporached them. "There was never a silent moment with Philana around." Philana laughed and hit Paris' arm.
Paris moved forward and hugged Briseis. "Beloved cousin, your beauty grows with each new moon."
Briseis' cheeks flushed and she dipped her knee in deference. Then, Hector came and held his arms wide open. Briseis' face lit up and hugged the eldest prince.
"Did you miss me, little swan?" teased Hector.
Briseis nodded enthusiastically, and Hector noticed her robes. "A servant of Apollo now?" he said in awe.
"The young men of Troy were devasted when she chose the virgin robes," said the king as he joined them. A servant came forward, holding a tray of goblets of wine.
The king handed one to Paris and Hector and said, "I thank the gods for your safe return."
The king and princes raised their goblets and exclaimed, "To the gods!"
Yipee! They finally returned home! Aren't they such a perfect family? Sorry it takes me a long time to update, but I do my best.
Thanks once again for the reviews! I really appreciate them and I love you all for reading my fic. And, sorry, Priestess, as much as I would love to do it, I can't kill Paris. It would really really make the story way different. Maybe in another fanfic? Lol.
Take care, everyone!
