Next morning, Achilles stood with his men and they watched as Agamemnon and Menelaus rode out. Then Achilles turned and went back to his tent.
Whispers of fear and defeat where already running rampid through the soldiers. There would be no victory for them today and they all knew it.
"I'll come down when the parly is over and all has been said that needs to be." Evangelia took a deep breath. "Be careful."
Hector kissed her forehead. "Tell your mother I love her."
"I'm sure she knows that," said Evangelia. She was dressed in a simple yellow dress that sparkled in the sun. She looked at the ground for a long moment, then at her Father's face. "Where is he?"
"He's biding Helen goodbye."
"I can't imagine taking his life," said Paris. "But if that is the way I can achieve peace once more, I would take a thousands lives."
He and Helen where standing in a quiet corner of the courtyard.
"Paris."
Paris and Helen both turned. Paris instantly let go of Helen's hands. "Evangelia."
Evangelia looked at Helen for a moment and then at Paris. "I would speak with you when you're done." She turned to go but Helen stopped her.
"Stay. We have said our good-byes." She slipped away.
Evangelia faced Paris. "I hated you…that moment I saw you riding through the gates with her. For the first time in my life, I hated someone that I had, for all my life, loved. I knew what she would bring." She looked at him with her heart in her eyes. "I'm sorry I hated you."
Paris took her hands and kissed them. "Evangelia, the fault was mine and someday I will ask your forgiveness for my foolishness. I cannot do that now because the grievance is still too new. I hope that someday you will be able to forgive truly for what I have done." He looked at her. "But I must ask…beg something from you. Promise me if I loose, you'll not let Menelaus have her back."
"Do you love her, Paris?"
Paris smiled slightly. "Father asked me that and I shall give you the same answer I gave him." He looked deep into her eyes. "You are a great Princess of Troy, Evangelia. The greatest Troy has ever seen. And probably the greatest she will ever see. Because you love Troy. Every blade of grass, every grain of sand, every rock in the river…You love all of Troy. That is the way I love Helen."
"Alright, Paris. I'll fight for your love. Because…I think I've fallen in love. And mine is far worse than yours."
"Who is it?"
"I cannot tell you."
Paris kissed her forehead and stepped back. "I must go."
Evangelia slowly climbed the stairs to the large balcony that overlooked the large plains of Troy. Her maids where waiting on the stairs. When she next left the balcony, they would quickly dress her in her tunic. Her horse was waiting at the bottom of the steps.
Priam smiled at her. "Come, your seat…"
"No, I cannot," said Evangelia. "I will watch from the balcony."
"Will you let Helen sit in your seat?" asked Priam softly.
Evangelia looked at Helen's back. "Whatever you wish."
"Helen."
Helen turned.
"Come, and sit here with me," said Priam.
Helen took one last look over the edge of the balcony. And then went to Priam. She felt Evangelia's eyes on her as she sat down slowly.
Hector's soldiers poured out of the gates and stood in straight neat ranks against the walls of Troy.
At last Hector himself with Paris by his side rode out.
Hector turned and looked up toward the balcony. He could see the tiny figure dressed all in bright yellow standing there and he waved to her.
Evangelia smiled and waved back.
A great silence fell over the Trojans.
And they waited.
Achilles and his men went to a rocky outcropping that over looked the great plain of Troy. There, they would watch and see what would happen.
"Are you better this morning, Patroclus?"
Patroclus sighed. "She was so beautiful, Achilles. I've never seen anyone like her. i…i…"
"I know," Achilles said. "I know. Believe me, I know."
"Here they come, Achilles."
Achilles stood.
Evangelia heard it. It was faint but began growing louder. She knew that sound. It was the sound of a great many feet.
Hector calmly looked off into the distance. And there they where. The sunlight glinted off their shields and spears.
The armies of Agamemnon.