Hey once again! Sorry to those who waited for quite some time for me... (are there any anyway... LOL). Been quite caught up with school. Sigh.

Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter! :)

Disclaimer: blah blah blah. Not mine. All not mine for this chapter. :)

Chapter 5

"Father?" The study was empty. Where was the King?

Suddenly, a voice popped out from nowhere. "Who is looking for me?"

Both princes whirled around so quickly the wooden horse almost dropped out of Paris's hand. King Priam stood before them, with a slight smile playing on his lips. "Now what can I do for my two dearest sons?"

"Uh..." Paris began, but soon was tongue-tied. He looked to Hector for help.

"Uh... Actually, father, we came here to find you." Hector answered weakly. It was the best he could do in front of the king.

"Ahh... that much is pretty obvious." Priam had a mischievous glint in his eyes as amusement shone through them. "So, what is the reason behind you two coming all the way to my study?"

"Well... Father, do you think we could sit down first? Because this, um, thing takes a long time to explain." Paris saintence of what he needed – and wanted – to. He bit his lip anxiously while he waited impatiently for his father's response. He had expected an outburst immediately after his story, but there was none, which does not make him feel any better. Paris would rather the king be angry than emotionless, as there would be no guessing of what Priam had going on in his mind.

Beside him, Paris could feel his brother clamming up as well. The atmosphere was tense.

Then Paris thought that the king's hesitation was because he had wanted Paris to hand over the wooden horse. Hastily, Paris added, "And here is the wooden horse." He placed the object on the table. "I am really, really sorry I took it, father. But you must understand where I come from, and that I had no choice. I know I was not supposed to take it, I knew it, but I also knew the consequences if I didn't..."

Paris trailed on, speaking quickly. He did not even stop for a single gasp of breath at all.

Priam raised his hand, signaling Paris to stop his ranting. Immediately and obediently, Paris halted in his words.

The king observed the young prince's face. It showed a mixture of emotions – guilt, sorrow, and disappointment in him. Priam reckoned the boy probably had a lecture good enough from his older brother earlier, even if not, it was obvious that Paris was ashamed and guilty of himself. He decided the young boy needed no more harsh words to harm his little fragile soul. Red puffy eyes and tear streaks were evidence to prove the point that Hector had already done his job as a 'second mother' – in fact, very well done.

Then, suddenly, Priam spoke. "You do know your mistake?"

"Yes, sir."

"And are you willing to accept punishment for it?"

"Yes –"

"But, father, I do believe that Paris needs no more punishment than the humiliation he shall get tomorrow – "Hector tried to defend his little brother and put a good word in for him, but was cut off as the king raised his hand once more. Hector recgonised the signal and he silenced.

Priam turned to Paris. "You know your mistake, and are willing to repent. This theft is a serious one, and I have to be fair, otherwise the people would not trust me as a king. The usual punishment is to give the offender three lashes of the whip..."

"BUT PARIS IS JUST A YOUNG CHILD AND HE ALREADY KNOWS HIS MISTAKE!"

'... and tread on every street of Troy with a stock..."

"BUT HE IS ALREADY GOING TO SUFFER HUMILIATION TOMORROW!"

"... and be humiliated in front of the people."

"DON'T YOU THINK THAT IS A LITTLE TOO MUCH AND UNFAIR?"

Hector, in spite of himself, raised his voice and argued with the king. He knew that was wrong to do so, and that he could very well be punished for it, but he couldn't care less. His brother had suffered enough from his own reproaches and that from both Hector and Priam too, and Hector decided that enough was enough. If he could not move his father to change his decision, he would rather himself suffer the punishment than watch his younger brother do so.

He was now talking and pleading Priam as a son, not a subject. And he strongly believed that the king now had to shed his status and deal with this matter privately and as the position of a father, not a king.

After his outbursts, Hector thought that he would certainly be reprimanded. But Priam was as cool as a cucumber. He did not lose his temper like Hector did. It was as though he knew perfectly well what he was doing.

He sighed, before continuing. "And, like your brother had mentioned, I, too, as a father, feel that you have been through enough and I know that you are already sorry for your theft. But still, I must carry out my duties as a righteous king and you must be punished."

Hector closed his eyes, as though he were in defeat, and bit his lip. He had failed in moving Priam's heart. And there was nothing he could do now, except to support his younger brother throughout his punishment lest he breaks down. "If Paris were to be punished, I shall take it as well, father." He told Priam.

What he did not expect from Priam was for him to smile.

Hector rubbed his eyes and blinked hard. Was he imagining things? Or was there really a small secret smile playing on the king's lips?

"Very well, if you choose to do so." Priam replied. "Your punishment," he told Paris, "is that you are banned from leaving the palace for two whole weeks. In other words, you are grounded."

"What?" Paris looked horrified.

"What 'what'?" Hector, instead, was smiling. He understood the wise king's intentions very well. Had Paris not seen it? "Paris, don't you get it? Being grounded is a good thing!"

"I fail to see how." The younger prince replied glumly.

Priam watched the conversation between the two brothers unfold with fascination, before continuing. "And, to ensure that you will not make such a stupid and unwise deal again, you are not allowed to go to school from now. You shall be home-schooled by one of the tutors we have here in the palace everyday, starting from tomorrow." Paris opened his mouth to protest but Priam did not give him a chance to do so. He added, "And of course, Hector, as his brother you are always welcomed to receive his punishment as well, just like you offered minutes ago. Are my instructions clear and understood?" Priam put on a stern tone for an effect.

"Yes, sir." Both princes replied in unison. However, it was apparent that one was happy and the other was, in fact, the contrary.

"If there is nothing else, father, we take our leave." Hector could not keep himself from grinning. Oh, how much he loved and idolized his father! The king was indeed very wise and calm in situations like this!

Priam nodded, and with a wave of his hand he dismissed the boys. He watched in silence as the older ushered the younger out of the room.

He sighed as he picked up the wooden horse and weighed it in his hand. When will Paris ever grow up?

TBC

Okay so now it's time to review again! Please, please, please do, okay? 'Cause I really wanna know how 'well' I did this time. :P

Jack Sparrow Savvy, Jenmm31, FelsGoddess, darkdestiney2000: Thanks for giving me the support I constantly need (low self-esteem, you see :P) and... continue doing so! ego LOL. You people rock! Ha ha.

Shiny: Hey Shiny, thanks so much for your review... You really left one. Haha. Ums... really have no idea how to thank you, 'cause your review made me so much happier! :P I'm sure you can do the same too... Write, I mean. :) Don't get too stressed by schoolwork and stay cool and pretty, okay? :P