Sunrise came early the day before I was married. I was so excited, even if my husband was nearly twice my age. His heart was worth my weight in gold, for truly, he was a man of honour, pride, but most of all love.

My eyes opened. I couldn't wait till the day where I would no longer be waking up in my own room. Instead Menelaus and I will share a room, possibly the biggest one in the house. Infact definatly the biggest one in the house, I would be Queen after all! Father has resigned the throne and seeing as I am the only child he has that is going to be married I will take over. Of course there is my sister Clytemnestra, but she moved to Mycenae to marry Agamemnon, and to rule there.

I am glad that because Menelaus is male he will have more responsibility than me, for I no little about such matters. But I know that Menelaus, being the darling that he is, will share important facts with me. We shall have guests over everyday and we will serve them succulent meats and sweet fruits, and when they depart we will bestow on them their weight in jewels, for truly we will be very wealthy. One day all of Greece will say, "The richest, most respectable city every looked upon by the mighty Gods is Sparta, ruled by Menelaus and his fair wife." Ah, yes.

Menelaus is even more excited than me. Whenever we meet, in the gardens, in the town, he runs to me and kisses my rosy cheeks. He is very proud of his fair wife.

I had been saving myself for him. I would not let him touch me like that until we were married, and then we could have all the fun we wanted. Sometimes we almost got carried away but he, being such a sweetheart, always pulled away when I was too lost in ecstasy.

Penelope and Odysseus were just as excited. We were two happy couples made! Being only sixteen at the time I was desperate to learn what married life was like, and I was very lucky to be accompanied by my cousin and best friend.

Then the big day came, and I was woken up by my maids just like any other day. The only difference was the thrill of anxiety in my chest. It was like I was flying. I put on the nicest gown that Sparta could provide and met my cousin in the hallway.

"You look beautiful," I said to her as we went down stairs.

"As do you," she replied. I was glad that she had not plastered herself in make-up that day, like she so often did when she met men. She glowed with natural beauty that day.

Every head turned when we entered the hall. I doubt that the people would look any more shocked if it had been Aphrodite's presence that startled them. Then, as the crowds parted I saw my husband and tears sprung to my eyes. Like I was an angel descending from heaven he stared at me. Then, when the music was played I walked towards him. That was the perfect wedding day. I could not have wished for a more beautifully lit hall, are bigger bundle of guests or a nicer husband. That is what I thought on the day.

We had only been man and wife three seconds when Menelaus whispered to me.

"You have made me the happiest man alive Helen. You bring out the best in an old prince." He smiled at me and through my tears I replied.

"You are a King now. An old king," I laughed as I kissed him.

Our wedding night was blissful. It was passionate and soft, nothing like the animal sex I had prepared myself for. I felt like the luckiest women in the world laying there in his arms, knowing that I had pleased him with my innocence. I was so glad I had waited, unlike Penelope who would now be giving Odysseus what he already knew. My eyes closed and thus was the end of the happiest day of my life. It was depressing that I could never experience it again, but I would be spending the rest of my life with Menelaus, and that thought kept away the nightmares.