"Evangelia! Evangelia!"

Evangelia sat bolt upright as her door burst open. "What's happened?"

Bresis' eyes where shinning. "Hector's coming!"

"My Lady."

Evangelia turned. There was a smile on her face that hadn't been there for many a week. "Yes?"

There was a guard standing in the door. He was one of her bodyguards and his face was troubled. "Prince Paris has someone with him."

Slowly Evangelia rose to her feet. She handed Damien to her mother. "Who?"

The guard shifted nervously. "Well…"

"Tell me."

"He has Helen of Sparta with him."

Evangelia's smile slowly faded and her face went cold. "Are you sure?"

"Where Evangelia?" asked Hector after he had thoroughly kissed his wife. He held her close and pressed his cheek to the top of her head. "She's not here to greet me."

"She's on the roof with Briseis," said Andromache. "She's angry with Paris."

"She has every right to be," said Hector as he and his wife walked slowly toward the doors led to the roof. "How did she hear?"

"One of her guards reported it. She said we should stake Helen out on the beach for Menalaus and Agamemnon, when they arrive." Andromache looked at her husband. "She wants to fight, Hector."

"She shall," said Hector evenly. "It's her gift."

"Damien grows more and more each day. And of course, everyone is spoiling him terribly."

"And I'm sure Evangelia is there to give him his every need and want," said Hector dryly.

"Of course."

Hector opened the door that let them out onto the roof.

Two girls where standing at the edge facing out towards the sea, which could be seen clearly. Both where dressed in flowing white dresses.

Hector slammed the door loudly.

Both women turned. Evangelia's face lit up. "Father!"

Hector caught her and spun her around.

"Oh, you're back! At last!"

"You knew good and well I was back."

Evangelia nodded and her smile faded. "I didn't wish to see Paris so I did not come down and greet you."

"We will speak of Paris later. Briseis!" Hector hugged his younger cousin tightly and kissed the top of her head. He looked her over from head to toe. "Look at you! You've grown more beautiful than when I last saw you."

Briseis's whole face was lit up.

"Did you miss me, little one?"

Briseis nodded.

"I never did hear such wailing when the men of Troy discovered Briseis had taken the virgin robes," said Evangelia.

"Virgin robes?" Hector grinned at Briseis. "So you have become a servant to Apollo."

Briseis opened the door. "I must go and see Paris."

Evangelia said nothing but her blue eyes went dark.

When Briseis was gone, Hector looked at his daughter. "Come, let's walk. You are angry with Paris?" asked Hector quietly.

"Angry!" Evangelia stared up at her Father. "He'll say he loves her but how long will this one last? Longer that the last? Or not as long? You and I both know Paris, Father. As soon as a prettier girl comes along, Helen will be forgotten. And left on our hands."

"Paris…Paris made a mistake."

"And now we will pay for it," said Evangelia. "You and I and every man of Troy. Save Paris. Why didn't you take her back?"

"Paris would have stayed as well. And been killed."

Evangelia took a few steps forward and stared once more at the blue sea. She turned to him and he was surprised to see tears in her eyes. "I fear you won't live to see Damien grow up."

Hector forced a smile. "Tonight, there is to be feasting and dancing in honor of our return. We shall speak of war later. Not now."

"I shan't speak to them."

"I can't force you to," said Hector. "But you must learn to forgive. It is the most important gift we have. To be able to forgive is the best thing we will ever have. When was the last time you where in the Temple?" He laughed at the look she gave him. "That long?" He knew his daughter was immortal to a certain extent. No one could have lived through some of the things she had done. But he held no faith in the gods of Olympus.

"Briseis!"

"Paris!"

Briseis threw herself into Paris's arms.

Paris kissed her cheek. "How well you look!" He looked around. "Where's Evangelia?"

Briseis saw the beautiful blond woman who was Helen, standing next to Priam, looking at the floor. "She's here, Paris. But she won't see you. She's furious with you for bringing Helen. She's furious at the war you've cause."

Paris nodded slowly and a flash of regret flashed through his eyes. He loved his niece more than anything else in this world. Or did he? Where did Helen come into that? "I see," he said softly.

"She saw you from the roof as you brought Helen up to Priam. She said we should stake the both of you out of the beach for Menelaus when he comes, bringing his brother, Agamemnon to our shores. You did a foolish thing, cousin," said Briseis. "And now Evangelia says we will all pay for it."

Hector met with Priam in the council room. The room was empty.

Hector told the whole story while Priam stood at a window and looked out over his city.

When his son was finished, Priam turned. "I'm surprised you let him bring her."

"If I'd let him fight Menelaus for her, you'd be burning a son's body instead of welcoming a daughter."

"We could send peace envoys to Menelaus."

"He would spear their heads to his gate."

Priam gazed at Troy. "Women have always loved Paris." He was quiet for a moment. "But this is different. Something has changed in Paris. I can see it in his eyes. Helen…Helen has awakened something within him. If we send her back, he'll follow."

"This is my country. These are my countrymen. I don't want to see them suffer so my brother can have his prize. And it will not be the just the Spartans coming after her. By now, Menelaus has gone to his brother. Agamemnon has wanted to destroy us for years."

"Enemies have been attacking us for centuries," said Priam. "And our walls still stand. For thirty years, I have worked for peace. Thirty years. Paris is a fool sometimes. I know that. But I'll fight a thousand wars before I let him die."

Hector looked past the city and to the thin stream of blue that he knew was the sea. It was empty now but he knew what was coming. "You won't be the one fighting."