Carlses: Thank you for reviewing, I am very flattered that you find it interesting. As you will find in this chapter, Andromache's arrival is getting closer and closer.
Priestess of the myrmidons: I am really glad that you like their moments. Especially since I was a little afraid that you would get tired of watching Hector and Lena tongue-tied through the chapters.
Lilycup: You are waiting for catfights between Andromache and Lena, aren't you? Well, I won't reveal anything...
Chapter 7 – The duty of a prince
"We need a physician!" Hector shouted as he reined his horse before the castle gates. Quickly, he dismounted and helped his wounded friend down from his own horse. He managed to gather his powers and held the man up as he staggered. Tecton moaned loudly with pain. During their ride, he had been flung from the saddle and hit his back badly. He couldn't even stand straight.
Fortunately, a physician quickly arrived to attend him. "This doesn't look good," he mumbled, stroking his long grey beard as he inspected the damages.
"We should take him inside," Hector said and prepared to assist his friend, who unfortunately wasn't as light as a feather.
The physician shook his head. "You shouldn't do that, my prince. You are still not completely recovered."
"Don't worry about me. I can do it," Hector insisted, but the physician was stubborn and called for a couple of servants instead. He instructed Hector to get some rest before he followed them.
Hector sighed as they left. As much as he hated when people tried to fuss with him, he had to admit that the physician had probably not been completely wrong. He still felt a little weak and unsteady on his legs. But that didn't mean that he wanted to spend every moment of every day lying in his bed.
He decided to go for a stroll through the gardens of the palace. They were really beautiful in this time of the year. There were no flowers of such beauty to be found anywhere else in Troy. They were his mother's pride and she kept them in excellent shape. Hector settled down on a bench, in the cooling shadow of a great jasmine bush. He breathed deeply and tried to take in the beauty and inhale the scent of the garden.
That was when he heard a young, feminine voice on the other side of the bush. The voice was familiar and Hector smiled when he heard the words and the excitement of her tone.
"My uncle has told me that he was the son of Zeus and that he is the great master of the sun. It's because of him that our walls have never fallen. He protects our city and keeps her safe from harm, he always will."
"Has your uncle told you that Apollo is also the god of the arts?"
Hector couldn't resist peeking from behind the bush. Briseis and her new companion were sitting by the fountain, deeply engaged in their eager conversation. Briseis bare feet splashed through the water as she spoke.
"Of course he has!" she answered. "He plays the lyre better than anyone else. He is also considered the most beautiful man in the world..." She blushed. "But of course, that's not very important."
Lena, whose skirts were perfectly organized and her hands modestly folded over her lap smiled. "Of course it is," she said. "He is considered the perfect man and role-model for the young men. Just like Artemis is for the young women."
Briseis frowned. "Artemis?"
"You haven't heard of her? She is Apollo's twin sister," Lena explained. "She is the goddess of hunting and of dance, but above all, she protects all women. Especially when the time comes for them to bear their children."
"How?" Briseis asked, her eyes round.
Lena laughed with a hint of irony. "She gives them a quick death."
"Oh." Briseis shuddered. "I have never had a child."
"You are much too young. But you probably will some day when you have grown a little older and are married to someone."
Briseis shook her head. "I don't think I will marry."
"Why not?"
"I don't know... I just don't think I will." Briseis looked thoughtful for a moment, before asking: "How come you know so much about this goddess?"
"Artemis? Oh... Well, I knew someone who was close to her. She would always tell me about her. I found her fascinating..." Lena smiled, but her face was distant.
A loud, sharp voice suddenly interrupted their conversation. "Briseis! Briseis! BRI-SEIS!"
"It's my teacher," Briseis sighed dejectedly. "I suppose I should go in. Will you excuse me?"
"Of course, my lady."
"It was nice to talk to you, Lena. Perhaps we could continue later?"
Lena nodded and Briseis smiled quickly before she hurried off. Lena stood with her arms crossed and watched the girl as she ran towards the palace. She flinched slightly when Hector encircled her waist with his arms.
"I am sorry," he said regretfully. "I didn't mean to scare you."
"That's all right," she smiled.
"You and Briseis seem to get along fine," he remarked as he kissed her neck and pulled her closer to his chest.
"It doesn't take much effort to get along with her. She seems to be a very intelligent girl and she has such a lively fantasy."
"I am quite sure she is fond of you too, considering how well informed you seem to be about the gods and goddesses and their ways."
She blushed. "I really don't know that much. Only what others have told me."
"You know enough. Briseis has always been spellbound by the gods. She loves to listen to my father's stories about them. You better watch out or she will start following you like a dog, begging to know more."
"I don't think that would be unpleasant. She is such a lovely child, Hector."
"She is," he agreed. "She is almost like our sister actually."
"What of her parents...?"
"Oh." Hector's smile faded and he cringed. "Her mother was my father's youngest sister. She is dead now." He hesitated, but decided to tell her the whole story. "My father was about to marry her off when she got pregnant by another man. Her betrothed was... well, slightly upset as I am sure you can understand. The whole affair almost brought a war on us and gods should know we had enough enemies to deal with as it was."
"But what about the father of her child?"
"She never revealed his identity to anyone. She died giving birth to Briseis and she made my father promise that he would take care of her child." He shrugged. "And so he did."
"I am sorry," Lena mumbled. "I didn't mean to pry."
"It's not a secret," Hector assured her. "It's just a... sensitive subject, that's all."
"I feel so stupid," Lena said miserably. "I told the poor child about Artemis... That she gives women in child birth a quick death... I was so clumsy."
"You couldn't know," Hector said reassuringly. "And I am sure she didn't take offence."
"Perhaps," Lena mumbled. Then she smiled as she turned around, placing her arms around his neck. "So how are you today... Hector?" she asked him. She was still a little awkward when she addressed him with his first name. "Are you feeling stronger?"
Hector sighed. "I just talked to the physician and he didn't seem to think so. He ordered me to get to bed right away."
"Ah, but of course you refused to, didn't you?" Her voice was low and melodic and her face was very innocent.
"Yes, I did," he admitted, looking deeply into her eyes. "However, I think I might have changed my mind. I think I do need some rest after all."
"Do you?" she asked him in amusement.
"Indeed I do. Perhaps you would be so kind as to escort me? I feel a little faint actually."
"Well, since Briseis seems to be otherwise engaged right now..." They both laughed and she took his arm.
They headed for the castle together, but before they had even reached the gates, a young servant boy ran up to them. "My lord," he gasped breathlessly. "Your presence is requested by his grace, your father."
Hector frowned. "What for?"
"He didn't tell me that, my lord prince."
Hector glanced at Lena. "Can't this wait until tomorrow?"
"I am afraid not, my lord," the boy said, apologizing. "The king insisted that you called on him instantly."
He sighed and gave in. "Very well." Turning to Lena, he said in a low voice: "Wait for me in my chambers. I'll come to you as soon as I can," She nodded and gave his cheek a quick stroke before leaving. Hector followed the young servant, but he couldn't help casting a longing glance after his lover as she walked off in opposite direction.
Priam was standing in his private chapel in front of a great statue of Apollo. His back was turned against his son. Hector respectfully cleared his throat to inform the king of his arrival. "Father?"
Priam didn't answer immediately. Slowly, he turned around and watched his oldest son. "I heard that there was an accident?"
"Yes," Hector said grudgingly. "It was nothing serious. Tecton's horse flung him off, that's all."
"You were racing again, I suppose?"
"Yes," Hector admitted. "But it was down the beach. We were not risking anything..."
"Nothing except your own lives, you mean," Priam said ironically. "You were recently abused and injured in case you don't remember."
"Of course I remember," Hector said in irritation. He hated when his father made him feel like a small and disobedient child. "But I am all right now."
"And the first thing you do is set out on your horse to get yourself killed?"
"I knew what I was doing, father," Hector defended himself. "I won the race and..."
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?"
Hector blushed angrily. "I must ride father!" he stated. "I cannot be inside the castle all the time. I need to be outside the walls, otherwise I would choke. I am the best rider in Troy and..."
"You don't rule a kingdom by riding horses well," Priam stated. He barely raised his voice, but his words and the hard sparkle in his eyes silenced Hector effectively.
"No, father," he said, reluctantly. He realized that he was defeated and added: "I did you wrong by leaving the palace today. It won't happen again. Not until I feel better."
"You are going to be a king some day, my son. And as a monarch you must understand that certain behaviours are simply unacceptable."
Hector nodded. "I understand. If that would be all, father..." He made a move to leave.
"A king must do what is best for his country," Priam continued, like he had not heard him. "He must always bear in mind that he is responsible for the well being of his people. He can't just think about his own personal feelings and wishes. A good king considers the love from his subjects his greatest reward. Furthermore, a king must always put the best of his kingdom before himself. He must always carry out his duty, regardless of the situation."
Priam's eyes were sharp and his tone of voice was knowing. Hector frowned. He had a distinct feeling that his father was trying to reprimand him for something. "Father, if I have done something wrong, can't you just tell me?"
His father's eyes narrowed. "I am talking about the girl, Hector."
Hector stared at him. "The girl?" he repeated, dumbfounded, even though he knew very well who his father was referring to.
"Yes. The one who I assume is waiting in your chambers right now, since you seem so anxious to get away from here," Priam said acidly.
Hector blushed. He knew that it was hardly a secret that he spent his nights with Lena. Neither of them had made any effort to hide it. He had not seen any reason to be ashamed for his actions, but his father's sharp eyes told him something else. Once again, he felt like the little boy he had once been.
Priam suddenly sighed. "My son, you are not a child anymore. You are a prince and it's not my place to tell you who you should consort with or not. You are a man and I well understand that you have certain needs." He momentarily stopped and his tone of voice sharpened. "But this might be a suitable time to remind you that your future wife will arrive in a few weeks."
"It was never my intention to offend Andromache," Hector said. "What happened between me and Lena is... well, I mean, it wasn't planned. It just..."
"Happened," Priam finished dryly. He sighed again. "Hector, I am not blind. She is a pretty girl and I know that you must feel some affection for her since she saved your life and all, but I am afraid that doesn't change anything. You must send her away."
Hector stared at his father. "Why?"
"For the sake of Troy."
"She is not a threat to Troy," Hector protested.
"Are you certain that Andromache would agree with you?"
Hector blushed angrily. "Are you trying to tell me that you have been faithful to mother for all these years?" he spat, forgetting his respect
"I have said nothing of the kind," Priam answered coldly. "However, there is a time and a place for everything. And it would not be a good idea to have this girl within the same walls as your new bride."
Hector glared at his father but he realized that he had a point. He sighed. "When do you want me to send her away?"
"At once." Hector sighed again and Priam continued. "I am not saying that you need to part from her forever. I just don't think it would be advisable for you to keep her in the castle right now. You can send for her again, when the time is more... suited."
"As soon as I have got the Princess of Thebe impregnated you mean," Hector said sarcastically.
Priam raised his eyebrows. "I would advise you to use a little bit more reverence when you are discussing your future wife and queen, my son." He watched his son coolly. "The subject is closed."
He knew that his father was right. He had to send her away, it was for the best. He should never have let things go this far to begin with. He should have kept his distance like he used to. If only he had managed to, this situation wouldn't be half so difficult.
He tried to steel himself. I am the Prince of Troy. I must do what is best for my people. It doesn't matter what I want. It doesn't matter what I need. I must do my duty.
That was what his father had told him and the words had seemed so reasonable. He silently repeated them over and over again as he headed for his chambers. He had to keep them in mind. He couldn't be weak nor could he let his judgement be spotted by emotions he wasn't supposed to have. He was the Prince of Troy.
When he reached the door to his bedroom he had managed to gain some determination. There was no way out. He had to do this, not only for himself but for the sake of his father, Troy and the peace of the realm.
She sat on his bed with her back towards him. When she heard him enter, she turned around. She rose from her sitting position and smiled at him. She had removed her gown and her cloak and wore nothing but a silken shift. The thin material obscured her body from view, but it wasn't enough to hide its slender curves. Her hair fell loosely and unbound over her back and when she smiled, her blue eyes sparkled.
Suddenly, Hector's resolve was torn apart. He could only stop and stare at her. All the gentle, but firm words he had planned to tell her were cleared out of his mind. Forming a sentence was suddenly impossible.
Lena frowned. "Is something wrong?"
Automatically, he shook his head. "No... No, it's not," he said slowly. A sad smile crossed his face as he undid his belt and let it drop to the floor. A clanging sound was heard as his heavy sword hit the stone ground.
Lena still looked slightly confused, but she didn't ask anything as he moved close to her and embraced her tightly. She placed her head against his chest and said nothing. Hector was grateful for her silence. Somehow, she seemed to apprehend his feelings even though he hadn't told her anything.
"Not now," he thought as he held her close. "I will do it, yes, but not now. I can't let her go yet. I just can't."