Disclaimer: It's not mine. The characters belong to Homer and the movie rights belong to Wolfgang Peterson and Warner Bros.

SenatorSolo: Thanks! As for Helen's plan, it just goes to show that there is always a gray area when you perceive everything to be in black and white. You shall see who attacked Darius in this chapter! I always love reading your reviews.

Sara: You are so sweet; keep reading.

Drama-Nyka: I'm so glad you don't think it's corny! I'm sure it is, but hey; it's fanfic! I'm glad you like Paris…Yay! Thanks for reviewing both chapters, I really feel loved. Yes, Paris is such an imp saying silly things! You really did make me right faster. :D

Ch. 4: Lovers Apart

"I love Paris…with all my heart," Helen declared once again. She tried not to feel hurt by her cousin's shocked expression.

"I can't believe you fell for him," Penelope muttered, her eyes open wide in disbelief. "Have you not heard the legendary tales about how many girls' hearts he's broken? He's just a selfish womanizer who is using you." Helen shook her head, her magnificent golden curls blowing in the soft breeze that cooled the room.

"I too viewed him as a womanizer incapable of real love before we met. The funny thing is that he had a misconception of me as well. He believed the stories that said I was the ice 'Queen of Sparta' who believed she was better than her inferiors and was obsessed with her looks." Helen reached for the sealed letter that Paris had written.

"I really need your help, Penelope. If you won't help us, then we'll never be together." The Ithacan Queen sighed, broke the seal, and reluctantly read the letter. A magnificent ring bearing the crest of Troy fell out from the parchment. Penelope began to softly read aloud.

Dear Penelope,

I know that you are doubtful that I will return and keep my promise to Helen. But I assure you, those are my intensions. Somehow I will convince my brother to let me sail for Sparta as soon as I can. Here is a token of my sincerity. This ring has been in my family since the founding of my country – I wouldn't part with it unless I knew I had a chance of getting it back. This is the way I feel about Helen. I didn't want to sail home without her, but she convinced me that our love wasn't a just cause to start a war between our countries.

Although it may sound impossible, I have fallen deeply in love with your cousin over the past week. I'd do anything for her; even die for her if it came to that. I swear on my honor that I'll be forever faithful, and give her the wonderful life she deserves. Please, I humbly ask you to hide Helen until I can return for her. We would be eternally grateful for your assistance.

Sincerely,

Paris

She turned to Helen doubtfully. "It sounds like he really loves you and wants you to come home with him…" Wringing her hands, Penelope expressed that she did want Helen to have the happiness that she and Odysseus were blessed with.

"So will you help us?" Helen asked impatiently, biting her lip in nervousness. "My dear Penelope, I've never needed anything more than I need him. If I don't get the chance to see him again…" she trailed off, shuddering. It was too terrible to think about. Penelope knew she couldn't bear to let her cousin's only chance for true love pass her by.

"Against my better judgment, I think I will." Tears of joy ran down Helen's face as she embraced her cousin. Penelope smiled at her encouragingly.

"I can't stand to see you like this, Helen. You deserve to be with someone better than Menelaus." Helen grinned blissfully.

"Oh, I just knew you'd agree to this!" They immediately began to discuss the plan Helen had made earlier with Paris.

"Are you sure you want to go through with this? Menelaus would have you killed if he found out you were planning to leave him by faking your own death," Penelope worried. Helen looked at her determinedly.

"I've never been most sure of anything in my life. We'll just have to make sure that he doesn't find out." The women were silent for a few moments, each lost in their own thoughts.

"You know," said Penelope thoughtfully, "I'm not sure if I could've stayed if I'd been in your place and Odysseus had as me to run away with him. How did you ever manage it?" Helen then explained about the Delphi oracle and her warning. Gasping in horror, Penelope stammered, "You mean if you'd gone there would've been a war?" Helen nodded solemnly.

"I couldn't allow innocent people to die because of me. Luckily, another way that we can be together has presented itself." Penelope looked at her cousin with a new respect. "Now if you don't mind, I'd like to be alone for a little while." Nodding, Penelope stood to leave the room, knowing that Helen needed to deal with adjusting to Paris' absence on her own. As she strode through the doorway, Penelope called over her shoulder,

"I'll see you at dinner!" Helen flopped on her bed that she usually shared with her husband and hugged a pillow to her chest. Paris, please hurry! It hasn't even been a full day since we parted and I'm already missing you terribly. The Spartan Queen quickly fell asleep dreaming of her sweet prince, imagining the life they'd have one they safely reached Troy.

Later that evening, after dinner, Odysseus approached Helen while her husband was busy winning a drinking game. Shaking his head in disgust at Menelaus' antics as he let out a huge belch, the king of Ithaca approached Helen.

"Odysseus, what may I do for you?" Helen was mildly surprised that she'd be asked to watch Telemachus at this hour. He sighed, wondering just how to begin this uncomfortable conversation. Helen misread him. "I know you prefer one Telemachus' family to watch him, but I was planning on going to bed early. Surely one of the servants can –" He cut her off gently.

"That's not what I was going to ask." Helen pressed him further.

"Then what is it? You look ever so worried." He responded vaguely.

"It's best if I discuss this with Penelope as well."

He led Helen into his and Penelope's chambers. Penelope was already waiting for them, lounging in a comfortable ornate chaise. Telemachus was sitting in a corner, playing with his toys. Penelope sensed that this conversation was not for her son's ears.

"Telemachus, dear…"

"Mommy I don't wanna go to bed," he whined trying to fight back a yawn. His mother successfully stifled a smile.

"I know, sweetie, but it's bedtime. Portia will help you get ready and then I'll be in later to give you a goodnight kiss."

"Alright," he grumbled, and left with one of the young servant girls. Her son taken care of, Penelope turned to her husband.

"You said you needed to talk to Helen and I?" she asked her husband, quizzically. Odysseus paced around the room finally coming to a stop in front of the two women.

"I was just wondering if you two had something to tell me," he said carefully.

"What do you mean?" Penelope asked uneasily. "I tell you lots of things." She let out an oddly high-pitched laugh, which made Helen want to smack her forehead. Could she be any more obvious?

"You promised to be true to me when we said our wedding vows," he reminded her. "We promised to always share everything; have you forgotten?" Penelope gulped, then glanced at Helen. Her cousin looked so miserable that Helen decided not to make her have to lie to her husband.

"You know, don't you," Helen said, softly. He nodded. "For how long?"

"Since last night," Odysseus answered, disapprovingly. Helen sighed.

"How did you found out about Paris and I?" Odysseus opened motioned for his bodyguard to bring in a prisoner.

"Darius?" gasped Helen. Menelaus' manservant glared at her but that was all he could do, considering he was bound and gagged. "What is the meaning of all this?" she said angrily. Odysseus tried to explain.

"Apparently he overheard you and the Trojan prince talking about your plan of escape. He said he could hear everything you said up until when you closed your window." Helen winced. How could we've been so careless?

"You're lucky my manservant caught him before he reached his master or else you and the prince would now be long dead," said Odysseus. Helen let out a shaky breath she didn't know she was holding.

"Thank you for stopping him," Helen addressed the manservant meekly. "Why did you stop him?" she asked out of curiosity.

"Because," the man growled. "I do not like your king. He doesn't care about anything but power and authority. His greed is slowly eating away at your kingdom." Then he smiled at her. "I did not wish for you to die. I cannot blame you for wanting to leave that cruel man; I know you didn't choose him." Penelope bravely chose this moment to speak up.

"I did plan on telling you, my love. I just wasn't sure how…as I knew you would disapprove, not only of the plan but that I was putting myself in danger." Odysseus slowly shook his head at his wife. Coming to her cousin's defense, Helen spoke up.

"Odysseus, it was my fault that Penelope was dragged into this plan. I persuaded her to help me even though it was wrong. Do not blame your wife, for she is innocent." Penelope shook her head, not wanting to let her cousin take all the blame.

"Helen, you know that's not true. I was planning on helping you leave; essentially assisting you in committing the crime that is breaking the sacred marriage vows." She looked up at her husband pleadingly. "But only so she could find happiness with the man that she loves." Odysseus frowned at them.

"Women believe they know everything when it comes to marriage and love. They can't see when a marriage for political reasons is a fair and just one." He turned to his wife and sternly admonished, "I cannot believe that you would risk your life for her when you have a son that needs you." Then Odysseus turned to Helen.

"You will not leave Sparta to go off with your so-called lover. I absolutely forbid it." Helen's heart sank – she certainly hadn't counted on Penelope's husband blotching up their plan. Oh Gods, Paris, what are we going to do now?

A few days later on the Aegean Sea

The Trojan ship was making excellent time. Prince Hector was thankful that their voyage had been a smooth one, and that they'd arrive home earlier than expected. He couldn't wait to see his lovely Andromache and their young son. Spotting his younger brother, the future king of troy approached him announcing,

"We should reach home by tomorrow night." Receiving no answer, he tried again. "Paris?" The young prince jumped and whirled around to face his brother.

"Huh? What?" Hector frowned.

"What's wrong, Paris? You've been so distant during this voyage." Paris shrugged.

"I've just been thinking…" About how lucky I am to have Helen's love. He stared out at the vast ocean but Hector could tell by his dreamy look that he wasn't seeing it. "It's high time for me to grow up. I know what people say about me, that I'm a lazy, spoiled prince who woos women while you and father handle all of the politics and governing." Not wanting to hurt his brother's feelings Hector protested,

"That's not true…" Paris smirked. "Don't lie; you are well aware of my reputation, big brother." He swallowed hard. "But now I'm past all that…It's time for me to change. I'm going to take on more responsibilities, eventually settle down when I find the right girl –" Hector interrupted him, his eyes bugged out and his jaw dropped in astonishment.

"Who are you and what have you done with my brother?" Hector couldn't have been more flabbergasted than if Paris had asked to join the front lines of the army. He shook his younger brother's shoulders as if he was making sure he was still solid. "What brought on this sudden change in you? Have you lost your mind completely?" Paris laughed softly remembering the long talks he'd had with his love that caused him to realize that life was more than one big celebration. Now's my chance to secure my way back to Sparta.

"I really enjoyed visiting Sparta. During the peace meetings, I actually was listening when you suggested implementing a foreign exchange program- and I think it's an excellent idea. Not only would both cultures learn from each other, but it would help ensure peace as well."

"Er, good." Hector was still dumbfounded about his brother's impending sudden change in lifestyle. Paris continued,

"So I was wondering; might I be the one in charge of this program?"

"But you'd have to leave home so soon," Hector said, trying to deter him. "You'd have to return to Sparta to deliver our students and bring back theirs as soon as our Trojan boys were ready to leave." Paris gave him a small, clandestine smile.

"I wouldn't mind." Hector eyed him wearily.

"Why do I feel like you are planning something that could result in disaster?" Paris laughed but his insides squirmed guiltily. For some reason he just couldn't tell Hector about Helen. Not right now, when his brother could easily turn back to Sparta and warn her husband. Paris hated lying to his brother, his role model and best friend. "Those days are over. I truly want to keep Troy safe by ensuring the peace between the city-states of Greece." At least that part is true; I do want to help Troy safe by taking on this great responsibility. But my first priority is to bring Helen home. Why can't I kill two birds with one stone?"

"I'll have to think about it, Paris. And then we'd have to have father and the council's permission," Hector reminded him. Paris beamed at his brother.

"Thank you for taking me seriously. If I do get to go, I promise I won't let you down."

Hector smiled, although hesitantly.

"I know you wouldn't…on purpose." Paris feigned anger, which resulted in a wrestling match, which was pointless since Hector was almost twice the size of his younger brother.

"I surrender!" Paris panted as Hector effortlessly caught him in a headlock. Hector immediately released his brother; apparently even their 'fight' hadn't wiped the impish grin of his beautiful face.

"Whatever or whomever changed your mind," Hector raised his eyebrows and Paris gave him an innocent look, "has my gratitude." He gave Paris an encouraging grin.

"Although I just can't picture you finding a girl that you'd settle down with." He turned to go, but stopped as Paris timidly asked him,

"How can you be sure that you've found her?" Hector thought for a moment. "I wasn't sure that Andromache was the one for me. But when I was called away to battle just weeks before our wedding, it was torture being away from her so long. Whenever you are separated from someone and you feel like a part of you is missing, that's when you know she's 'the one'." Hector left his brother to check on the rest of the crew. If he'd looked back over his shoulder he would've noticed Paris broadly grinning to himself and whispering someone's name into the wind.

End Ch. 3