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Hector and Priam had a talk, voicing out their opposing views.
It was a cold night, and most of the people opted to bask in the warmth of the palace. Philana, however, headed deep into the gardens to a place she had long been dreaming about.
She followed the path she hasn't walked on for three months. With every step, she felt anxiety and nostalgia. She emerged from the bushes and there it was: the Trojan tree. It stood tall and strong in the middle of a bare clearing. Its large leaves swayed gently with the cool breeze, the soft rustling music to Philana' ears.
She gazed wide-eyed at the huge tree, wondering vaguely how fast it grew. Slowly, she approached the tree and touched its rough bark. It was a wonderful feel. She gazed up and saw specks of white through the dark green leaves.
"It bore flowers!" she whispered. Without hesitation, Philana climbed the huge trunk and onto the thick, strong branches. The cool air felt soothing against her hot cheeks. Carefully, Philana inched closer to a cluster of flowers with delicate white petals and smiled. The flowers were beautiful. She picked one flower and brought it to her nose, smelling the dainty fragrance.
For a long time, she sat there, legs swinging in the air, flower held to her chest. It's been a long time since she last saw these gardens, her favorite part of the palace. It was good to be home.
A twig cracked and Philana snapped out of her reverie. She peered through the leaves and saw an old man making his way to the three, smiling up at her. A golden circlet was in his hands.
"Do you mind sparing an old man of the trouble of climbing and join me on the ground?" asked the old king fondly.
Philana laughed lightly and gracefully descended the branches. She bowed before her father.
"I believe you dropped this," said the king and raised the golden circlet in his hand, "in your haste to go here."
Philana sighed and smiled sheepishly. "I do not like wearing it, father. It tells the people that we are…" she paused and frowned, "… better than the rest."
The king chuckled and gently laid the circlet on his daughter's head. "Do not say that, Philana. It merely says that we, our family, are responsible for the well-being of Troy."
Philana said nothing. She played with the stem of the flower, twirling it between her fingers.
"I see you have discovered our new treasure," said the king as he noticed the white flower in Philana's hand.
"It's beautiful, father," she breathed. "I did not know it could bear flowers."
The king chuckled and sat at a stone bench under the branches. "Sometimes the gods tease us with little surprises."
Philana smiled and sat beside the king. "You've taken good care of the Trojan tree."
The king wrapped an arm around his daughter and pulled her closer to his side. "If the tree meant my love for my children, then I would be a fool to let it wither and die."
Philana sighed and laid her head on her father's chest. "I will never leave your side again, father."
"Why is that?" asked the king.
"It is awful," Philana answered, closing her eyes in remorse. "Everything foreign reminded me of how I longed for home. And Hector and Paris are rarely around to keep me company. I would rather get lost in the gardens forever than go to another voyage away from Troy and away from you, even for one day."
"You were very persistent on going with your brothers," the king pointed out. "I did try to hold you back."
"Hector's exact words," mumbled Philana.
The king chuckled softly and stroke Philana's soft mane. "It was quite lonely to be wandering around the palace and not hearing any mischievous laughter."
Philana glanced at her father's teasing smile. "You know, my dear child, that I love you, don't you?"
"Yes, of course," Philana answered and looked at her father.
"And you know that I have always loved you, with all my heart. And I always, ALWAYS, will."
Philana nodded slowly, frowning at her father's sudden change of behavior.
The king sighed heavily. "The gods have blessed us with such a mighty warrior that is your brother. Troy will be in good hands."
"Father…" Philana muttered uncertainly. "What do you mean?"
The king smiled and shook his head. "My bones, muscles, and sometimes even my mind, do not work as well as they used to. I am not getting any younger, my child."
"But…" Philana stuttered, lost for words. Certainly, the king doesn't mean…
"I have served Troy to my greatest ability," he said, staring into the night sky, "and I believe I could do no more."
"Don't say that, father," Philana whispered sadly. Though she disagreed thoroughly with what her father was saying, she knew what he was implying, and even she couldn't deny that her father's time is nearing its end.
"Philana," sighed the king as he kissed her on the forehead, "you are a brilliant woman. You are barely the young girl I used to chase after through these very gardens. I know you will do well."
"I cannot lose you, father, not now, not ever," Philana whispered, her eyes starting to fill with tears.
"Oh, you will never lose me, my child," the king said soothingly. "When I have left this world, I will eternally be at your side."
"No…" Philana whispered again, having lost the strength to hold back her tears. She shivered slightly, and it was not because of the cool night air. "Why are you saying that all of a sudden?" she demanded weakly.
The king closed his eyes and rested his head on Philana's. "It is not my nature to deny things when it so plainly presents itself to me. I have felt this for a long time, and I thought it better to prepare you than take you by surprise." The king's voice was light, but Philana caught the sad tone.
Philana just sighed and said nothing. Recognizing defeat, she let her tears flow and held her father close.
The king looked down at his daughter. It pained him to see her in tears, and it hurt him even more that he was to leave his daughter at such a young age. "I will always be by your side," he whispered.
This chapter is a bit longer than the last, but still short I think. Oh well. Again, thanks for the reviews! Keep 'em coming! And special thanks to Priestess, whoregularly follows the story :D
