17)

'Greeks and Trojans, listen to what Hector, Lord over Troy, has to say!'

Odysseus' introduction could not have been better, both in volume as in choice of words, because now everyone in and around the city knew who was in control at this time.

'King Odysseus did already say it,' Hector began his speech. 'I, Hector of Troy, have reclaimed my beloved city. We have killed Agamemnon of Mycenae and Menelaus of Sparta. I thereby proclaim the war to be over. This means all of you can return home to your families. King Odysseus of Ithaca and Achilles, leader of Myrmidons, already agreed.'

Hector had used two powerful names, Achilles and Odysseus, to convince the Greeks. He hoped it was enough.

First it was silent. Dead silent. Then a high officer of the Spartan army stepped forward. 'If you have spoken truthfully about the faith of my King Menelaus, the Spartan army will accept defeat.'

'I have spoken truthfully,' Hector replied. 'I swear this by Zeus and Apollo.'

Another officer stepped forward, this man had served under Agamemnon. 'Then we also accept your rule of Troy, Lord Hector.'

As a reaction the Trojans made noise, a lot of it. The war was now officially over.


'Paris?'

He had been following Hector inside, but now he stopped for his brother's wife. 'What is it?'

Andromache waited till the dignitaries had gone after Hector into the palace. 'Since Hector is busy and I can't go into the city yet, I need you to do something for me.'


'How do I look?'

Helen inwardly laughed about Briseis, the priestess of Apollo who never had cared about what she looked like. Now this had changed because of someone no one could have imagined. Achilles. Andromache was not amused by this, she considered Achilles to be a brute, but Helen could only be happy for Briseis because, objectively speaking, Achilles was a good catch. He was beautiful, rich and powerful; what more could a woman want? The only thing Helen was a bit worried about was how Hector and Paris would react. It was obvious neither of them had noticed what was going on between Briseis and Achilles, even when she had gone to him for safety Hector had just frowned but not understood.

'You look fantastic honey,' Helen assured her. 'No man will be able to withstand you. Well, maybe Hector.'

This made Andromache smile, which had been the point of this remark anyway. Hector was so monogamous he would not even notice Aphrodite herself.

'Let's go ladies,' Helen encouraged her companions. 'Our men are waiting.'


Personally, Hector was not in the mood for feasting, mainly because he had just been in a war. But he knew everybody else felt differently and it also was a tradition, so he had ordered a big feast to celebrate the end of the Trojan War. Besides the Trojan nobles and his allies Odysseus and Achilles he had also invited the Greek kings and generals that had not been killed. To his surprise they had all showed up.

As soon as they entered the throne room Hector noticed the women. Helen, Andromache and Briseis were together like they had been when he had found them here a little while earlier. Apparently the hardships had brought them together. Now the stole the show. The three of them were just dressed up beautifully. Of course Hector noticed his wife Andromache, but Briseis was the one that really caught his eye. He had never seen her dressed up like this before. She was a real woman now, attracting the attention from the men present. Hector wondered if she had changed her mind about being a priestess of Apollo.

The Ladies took their seats, which was the sign to begin with the official part of the feast. No banquet without speeches.

Unexpected to Hector, it was Paris who rose first to speak. Everybody looked at the young prince to hear what he had to say. 'Ladies and gentlemen, the war is over. Nobody is happier about this than me, since it was me who unintentionally caused it.'

Hector was impressed by his brother's words, and so seemed to be everybody else since they were all paying attention.

'I might have caused the war, although I suspect Agamemnon was very eager to engage in it, it could not have been stopped without my brother Hector.'

Damn Paris! Everybody looked at him now while Hector was not particularly fond of attention. He was having bad luck at this moment.

'No Trojan is as brave as Hector. Our father Priam had always seen this in him, so it would have been also his wish to see hector as his successor.'

All Trojans, but also Achilles, Patroclus and Odysseus applauded to Paris' words. Hector did not know what to say to this important speech. Paris had just made him the King of Troy.

Paris signaled he wanted to continue. 'My brother seems to be speechless,' he said smiling.

Hector grinned shyly, but rose and gave Paris a big hug. 'I am thankful for my brother's kind words,' Hector informed his guests. 'I do not deserve them all.'

The present Trojans protested loudly. Paris smiled. 'Your people disagree with you Hector.'

Paris asked for silence again. 'I have a gift for my brother I wish to present.'

Hector frowned. What was his brother up to?

A servant entered the throne room with a baby. 'I present to you, the future King of Troy: Astyanax!'

Hector burst out laughing. For a change Paris had come with a good surprise. A great surprise. He looked at Andromache. She smiled but did not seem surprised. He then took his son from the servant and carefully hugged him. Next he handed him over to his wife and hugged her too. It was actually the first time he had touched her since he had taken back the palace.

He turned to the guests. 'Paris just came with the best surprise possible. I thank him for this.'


The almighty brave Achilles did not have the nerve to approach Briseis. Patroclus thought it was almost amusing. Briseis sat with a group of women, Helen among them. Maybe Achilles was afraid to look like a fool in front of them.

'You know what,' Patroclus suggested to his cousin, 'I'll go check things out.'

His face showed Achilles had preferred to refuse this, but he just couldn't do that and he knew it. 'Go ahead. Find yourself a nice girl.'

Patroclus smirked. 'I will.' With that said he went to the women. One of them was looking at him and smiled. He smiled back. 'Do you Ladies mind if I sit with you?'

Most of them laughed; some shy and some while glancing at Briseis, showing they understood what he was doing here. 'Of course we don't mind,' Helen answered smiling. 'But why didn't you bring Achilles? Some of us would like that.'

Patroclus admired Helen for answering his questions before he had even had the chance to pose these. 'He is shy around women,' Patroclus replied dryly.

'Oh really?' Helen replied. She was obviously having trouble with holding her laughter. 'Then maybe we must show him we are not that scary at all.'

'I'll go get him,' Briseis said, and she rushed away.

'Don't come back soon,' Helen spoke.

Patroclus grinned. 'She won't.' The women were now all checking him out, which was something he could appreciate. 'So, how are you Ladies doing tonight…'