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The Trojan children finally return to Troy to a very exciting welcome.


Hector stood at the balcony, at the end of the long hall lined with marmoreal depictions of the Olympians. He stood there, his hands gripping the rail, deep in thought. Soft footsteps and the rustle of robes broke his meditation.

"It's the will of the gods. Everything is in their hands," said King Priam from behind. Hector turned to look at his wizened father, who continued, "But I am surprised you let him bring her."

Hector hastily walked away from the balcony, his eyebrows furrowed in an attempt to control his temper. "If I'd let him fight Menelaus for her, you'd be burning a son's body instead of welcoming a daughter," he said darkly.

Priam closed his eyes at the thought. He sighed deeply. "We could bring peace envoys to Menelaus."

Hector shook his head. "You know Menelaus, he'd spear your envoy's heads to his gates," he scoffed.

"What would you have me do?" asked the king, completely torn between the right thing to do and the happiness of his son.

Hector took a step closer to his father and said, "Put her on a ship and send her home."
Priam thought for a moment, walking towards the balcony and staring out at the city. "Women have always loved Paris, and he's loved them back," he mused. He glanced over at Hector. "But this is different. Something has changed in him. If we send her back, he will follow."

Hector stood beside his father and gestured to the city, teeming with life. "This is my country. These are my countrymen." Hector held his father by the shoulders and looked deep in his eyes, willing him to understand. "I don't want to see them suffer so my brother could have his prize."

Hector let go, and stared out once again at the city. He had his head down, and spoke firmly. "It's not just the Spartans coming after her. By now Menelaus has gone to Agamemnon, and Agamemnon's wanted to destroy us for years. Once we're out of the way he controls the seas."

The king shook his head and answered equally, "Enemies have been attacking us for centuries. Our walls still stand."

An uneasy silence followed. The tension between father and son grew, and Hector's frustration remained. Why couldn't his father understand? "Father, we can not win this war."

Priam turned and gazed at the statues of the Olympians before him. "Apollo watches over us. Even Agamemnon is no match for the gods."

Hector cast the statues a dark glance. "How many batallions does the sun god command?"

"Do not mock the gods," Priam answered rather forcefully.

Hector opened his mouth to say something, but he held his tongue.

The king's expression softened and paced the long hall. "Perhaps you have forgotten about the impossible birth of a certain princess?"

Hector did not reply, but he knew what his father was about to say.

"Philana was never meant to be born, not when all odds seemed opposed to it. Your mother's age, the war that was happening at the time. It was never meant to be," the king said in a distant voice as if he was replaying the memory in his mind.

Hector sighed. "Father, Philana's birth is a different story," he said softly.

Priam raised an eyebrow. "Do you think so? If the gods had been in favor of the birth of a Trojan, then he would be opposed to its fall. I promised on that day to dedicate my life to the gods. I do not intend to break my promise."

Hector took a deep breath. He knew his father had decided.

"For years, I've worked for peace," his father sighed. "Paris is a fool sometimes. I know that. But I'll fight a thousand wars before I let him die."

Hector looked past his father and out to the sea. His expression was dark, and his jaw set. "Forgive me father," he said stiffly, "but you won't be the one fighting."

He bowed and left the old king alone in the hall.


Sorry it took me a while to update. I've been very busy. Anyway, it seems as if my chapters are really short, but I want to keep each chapter to focus on just one event. I hope you liked this one. :P

Thanks again, as always, for the reviews! I really appreciate it! And Priestess, I'd be looking forward to that "How to Kill Paris" fanfic lol.

Take care y'all!