Author Notes: Well, well, well! It indeed appears that my Troy muse has returned after a two year absence! Yay. :) I had originally intended this as a one shot, then considered at least writing Hector's version, then after chatting with a friend decided to turn it into a full fledged, multi chaptered story, then did nothing with it. But inspiration had struck me anew, and I plan on actually going through with the whole story. But for now, we see Hector's response to his little brother's selfless act. Enjoy!
As though waiting precisely for the hour to arrive, the first filtering rays of sunlight fell on the half empty bed inside the stone walls of the palace, creeping closer with every second to the face of Troy's favourite prince. Hector stirred slightly, instinctively turning over to face the other side of his bed, his arms reaching out in sleep for the figure that'd spent the night pressed against the prince's back. When they met only air, it was enough to raise Hector from slumber finally. Blinking open still tired eyes, the elder son of Priam encountered only surprise as he saw the empty bed. Had Paris risen already?
Sitting up in his bed Hector turned to survey the room, expecting Paris to be standing over him, his expression smug as he chastised his brother for sleeping in. But there was no sign of the young man in the room, and as Hector looked further still, his brother's haphazardly strewn clothing was also missing. Perhaps the younger brother had gone for breakfast?
Rising quickly, Hector slipped into clothing of his own, leaving his room to descend toward the dining hall where he expected to find Paris. As he walked the halls of his home, Hector was left wondering as to the waking morning's revelation. It was unlike Paris to leave his bed so suddenly in the morning; even if the younger man rose before his brother, usually Paris would kiss him awake and tell him that he was departing. But this morning his brother had left without completing the routine and Hector worried slightly. When he finally reached the hall and peered inside, he was shocked once more to find no trace of his brother.
Perplexed, Hector returned once more to the hall in which the princes' rooms were, his curiosity now marred with the slightest twinge of fear. Where was Paris? Seated on his balcony, perhaps? Of course, Hector chided himself for his worry, his little brother so loved to sit in the open, preferring the view from his room to Hector's. The elder brother's room faced into the palace courtyard, while the younger's faced to the land that stretched far beyond the palace walls.
How Paris loved the outside land, the freedom of the earth stretching out before him for miles, the sun lighting his way. Paris could not long be contained inside the walls and Hector believed at times that his little brother remained only as long as he did for his sake. If there was one thing the youngest prince of Troy enjoyed as much as the freedom of roaming the land on horseback, it was Hector's company. His thoughts pleasant, Hector opened the door to Paris' room, glancing inward and toward the balcony. His heart dropped when he did not see his sibling. Stepping into the room and glancing about, Hector's eyes at once fell on the letters that rested on his brother's table. Broaching the distance in a few steps Hector immediately picked up the letter addressed to him, his stomach twisting into knots before his eyes took in even a word. This was unlike Paris.
His eyes fell on the contents of the letter and as he read on, he sank to his brother's bed, his knees unable to support the shock his heart was suffering. His brother's neat and smooth writing was easy to read, but the meaning behind his words was a bitter pill for Hector to swallow.
My beloved brother—
It is with deepest regret and sympathy that I am bound to inform you of my decision to leave the palace. This decision is of my own making and the actions of no others have influenced it; my own heart has driven me to this path. You above all others have always known my love of life beyond our palace walls, my brother; you alone have laid witness to the joy my heart feels upon the open plains of our land.
I ask that you accept my decision to leave, my brother, and look to your duties as crown prince and husband to your wife before making any rash decisions. I will be safe; place your trust in the Gods to protect me and no harm will come my way. The chance of my return is slim at best, and though my heart aches at the separation, I fear it would wither if I remained within the stone walls of our home.
I have always admired your strength, devotion, love, and dedication to all around you my brother, be they comrades in arms, farmers who reside outside our palace walls, or family. I have always held you in highest regard and there is naught you could do to influence my decision otherwise—I have made my choice and we must live with it, though I fear the pain will be great for both of us.
Do not come looking for me, Hector. Please accept my apology at this swift parting, but I fear if I were to discuss the matter with any face to face, my resolve would crumble and I would be forced to remain, a captive in this jail of stone. I am of the free land, a spirit meant to wander the whole of our realm, so know that I go now to a life befitting me.
I will be with you always in heart, my brother.
Paris
Hector felt nothing when he first read through the letter, his shocked mind closing off access to his heart in fear that his grief would be too great for him to think rationally. Though the letter appeared as little more than the sorrowful words of a brother departing his family, Hector knew there was more. The reminder of his duty as crown prince, and moreover as husband, had been sharp as the sting of any physical blow. Even though as the elder, the responsibility should have lain with Hector to acknowledge the trouble their bond posed, it had been young Paris, often seen as irresponsible and selfish in the eyes of their people and many of their friends, who had been the one to end it.
The fool! Hector was sliding now past shock, his emotions tumbling all at once into his heart and clouding his mind. He is a prince of Troy; his place is here, at the palace! Hector raced at once to the balcony, flinging open the doors and standing outside, his eyes straining to see into the countryside, hoping for any indication as to where Paris had gone. Though in his mind he knew his brother would have ensured he was well out of view by the time Hector awoke, his heart demanded that he scour the land before him for any sight of his brother.
As expected he saw nothing and with each expanse of empty land, his heart constricted. How could Paris have left him so simply? Had they not shared their love only last night, had Paris not gazed up into his eyes in the aftermath of their passion, proclaiming that his love for his brother would forever go unequalled? And now Paris was gone, with only a letter for all of Hector's worries! As he continued to stare out to the plains Hector's heart filled for the briefest of moments with anger, failing to understand how his brother could be so cruel!
But the moment the thoughts raced through his head, Hector felt ill. If anyone were to blame for this recent turn of events, it was himself, after all. Had he not been the one responsible for their relations in the first place? When they were younger and after their mother had passed, had Hector not sought out every opportunity to hold his sibling close, to assuage both their broken hearts with a closeness not to be understood by any others? Had it not been his own lust for his brother that had driven him to make the first move? But Paris had never flinched, had never backed away from any of Hector's plans. You fool; you gave him no choice but to love you. Now look where your misplaced affection has gotten the both of you!
Barely able to brace himself Hector returned to the room, knowing that his best bet was to go to their father, bring him Paris' letter. Priam would decide what was to be done and though a part of him, deeply protective of his little brother, knew that Paris would be happier living outside the palace walls, another part of him, the part that longed for his brother's fair skin, soft lips, and bright smile, wished that Priam would order his youngest returned to the palace. He knew the second option was highly possible, since the king had a soft spot for his youngest and often forgot that Paris could hold his own quite well.
Picking up the letter, Hector stole down the hall, turning a corner and coming to stop before the door to his father's chamber. He knocked sharply and opened the door at once when the king bade him enter. He strode across the floor, a look of worry crossing his handsome features as he reached his father, thrusting the paper to him.
King Priam was shocked to say the least and slightly fearful when he saw the look on his son's face. Not noticing the offered paper at first as his eyes were still glued on Hector's expression, Priam finally looked down when Hector rattled the paper. Taking it gingerly, Priam at once noticed the writing was his youngest son's.
My dearest father and king—
It is with deepest regret and sympathy that I am bound to inform you of my decision to leave the palace. This decision is of my own making and the actions of no others have influenced it. You must have noticed by now, father, that I have never taken an interest in matters concerning the kingdom, not in the way my dearest brother has. You yourself often found me gazing through the windows during those times when you bade me to sit during your court. Though you often chided me for neglecting my duties, I know that you realized early on that I preferred life outside the city walls and longed to be free of the captive hold of royal responsibilities.
I ask that you accept my decision to leave, father, and look to Hector to fulfill the dreams I could not carry out for you. He is the son you deserve to have reside alongside you, father. I will be safe; place your trust in the Gods to protect me and no harm will come my way. The chance of my return is slim at best, and though my heart aches at the separation from family and from our people, this is a path I must follow.
You have been the epitome of strength, devotion, and dedication to all around you, father. I have always held you in highest regard and there is naught you could do to influence my decision otherwise—I have made my choice and I beg of you to accept it.
Do not send Hector to look for me, father, and please do not allow him to go if he seeks permission. Please accept my apology at this swift parting, but I fear if I were to discuss the matter with any face to face, my resolve would crumble and I would be forced to remain. I am of the free land, a spirit meant to wander the whole of our realm, so know that I go now to a life befitting me.
Though I know you will be sorrowful at our parting, please believe that this is very hard for me and even though I will eventually be happier living on the land, my heart will be heavy, for you and our kin.
Forgive me, father.
Paris
Priam stood rooted to the spot, surprise and shock crippling him. Paris had left? But there had been no warning, no signs of unhappiness and uneasiness! How had this occurred beneath his very nose without any sign? Looking to his eldest son, Priam shook his head. "This does not make any sense, my son." Unaware of the relationship of his boys, Priam could not accept that his youngest son's longing to roam freely across the land was reason enough for him to leave and not return. He had never denied Paris when he asked to take leave for a few days of riding; he had never pressured him to fulfill all his duties as he ought to have done.
Hector watched his father, curiosity eating at him. Well, father? What do you wish? Hector wondered how their letters differed, if Paris had told their father to dissuade his oldest from leaving in search of him. He remained before his father, his features etched with worry, both for his brother, and for his father's decision.
Priam looked to his eldest, confusion clearly evident on his features. "This does not seem right, Hector. Why would he leave for these reasons? It's unlike him." Priam turned to walk to his own balcony, stepping onto the stone and looking out over the courtyard. The city was beginning to stir, soon Paris' departure would be noticed, and what then? "My heart tells me that there is more to this story, my son. Perhaps," Priam turned his eyes to Hector, "perhaps there is something else troubling him, some danger he faces that he wished not to impart. Or perhaps these letters are not from him at all! It's not entirely impossible that someone wishes to stir trouble in our realm, what if he has been taken, Hector?" Priam grabbed the prince's hands, his mind now running wild with worry. If he had stopped to consider everything in the letter, he would have known that Paris was in no danger at all and the choice had been solely his. But the king couldn't bear to believe that his son would leave willingly. He refused the idea.
In a split second, Hector's heart made its decision. Clasping his father's hands strongly, the crown prince met his father's grave look with one of his own. "You speak wise words, father. If I left now I might be able to track him, or track whoever has taken him. Lysander and Aeneas could remain to form other search parties, but perhaps it is best if I were to set out quickly first, we have lost enough time already." Though Hector knew, deep down, that the only danger his brother was in was dabbling in his grief, he could not admit this to the king. Their father didn't know, couldn't know. Though Hector knew Paris had made the ultimate sacrifice for him, he could not allow it. If Paris were not here with him, then Hector could not foresee himself being of much use to the kingdom. It was obvious now to him that even though he had spent his life protecting Paris, forcing the younger royal into needing him, that Hector himself had forged too strong of a bond to his younger sibling, that he was now the one who needed Paris.
To Hector's relief, his father agreed immediately. "Yes, you must set out immediately! I will speak with your captains and spread the word, my son. I fear for Paris if you do not act now. We may already be too late." It was often said that while Hector was obviously the better son, the more worthy of affection and attention, that Priam had always favoured the younger Paris, overlooking the youth's attitude and faults in favour of his son's happiness. While Priam did hold a great deal of affection for the eldest of his sons, it was true that in matters concerning Paris the king had a tendency to overreact. Fear of losing his favourite son always gripped him, but even so he'd allowed Paris the freedom to move about as he pleased. Usually Hector always went with him, and though Priam did not know the true closeness between the brothers, he did know that Hector held Paris in the same esteem that he did, and that so long as he lived, he would die himself before seeing any harm fall to his brother.
Hector nodded his head at once. "Thank you, father; I will prepare my provisions now and set out. Please ensure my wife is told the truth, father. I don't wish to wake her in my haste to set out. She will have faith that I will return unharmed, as must you. I will see you before I depart." Hector left the chamber once Priam nodded to him, quickly gathering his things to set out. His only worry now would be in convincing Paris to return home with him. He knew he would meet resistance, but he also knew that he alone was the only person in all of Troy that Paris had trouble refusing. Could he possibly live with himself if he managed to guilt his brother into returning?
Brushing those thoughts from his mind, Hector finished packing and set off at once for the stables, readying his horse for the mission. I'm coming for you, little brother. I pray only that you find it in your heart to hear me out and return, lest my own heart breaks.
Author Notes: Aww! So Paris has wound up the strong one after all, the unbending steel, while Hector has started to crumble under the pressure. As mentioned above, I will be continuing on with this! Will Paris allow Hector to find him? Will he even have a choice? And what lengths will Hector go to in order to get Paris to return home with him? Ah yes, the angst shall be heavy, that much is promised. :)