Author/Banshee Queen: "And so I present to you Chapter 2 dear readers! I'm well aware that Chapter 1 was a little short, but this one I'm sure you'll like; Hector and Helen finally meet for the first time and its unlikely I'm sure, but what the hell! It's fanfiction and the imagination runs positively wild- and when I say wild, I mean I have a wild untamed look in my eyes right now! Mwhahahahaha!

Okay, down to business, I have (as you read this line) nearly finished Chapter 4 which is pretty long by standards, or maybe even average…okay ranting bug has installed itself within me.

On one last note, and sorry to disappoint you illigitimate luv child but Andromache will be in the story as will all the characters portrayed in the movie, and maybe some who were never brought to the screen/to life as their roles are vital to this story, but I am not making a definite decision on that as of yet.

Anyway on with the story and as always, happy reading!" :)

Disclaimer: "I don't own Troy, the story, the characters etc etc"


Chapter 2: Conversation in the Shadows

The morning passed quickly into evening, and before Hector knew it, a table laden with what the Trojan Prince thought must've been every type of meat there was in Greece, continental dishes and even more wine, was served right before his eyes.

"Princes of Troy, members of my court, guests and dear friends", began Menelaus raising his goblet of wine, "before we dine together this night, let us give thanks to the Gods for the wisdom Paris of Troy has bestowed upon my maps", the entire dining hall erupted with laughter, "and for this fine day. And on another note, please forgive the absence of my wife Helen, she is ill of late and wishes to dine alone for fear of any of you brutes catching her sickness." More laughter erupted in the dining hall, "Please help yourselves and eat, drink and" –Menelaus clapped his hands and in sauntered twenty striking belly dancers– "love these women to your heart's content."

Cheers replaced the laughter from before as the dancers weaved their magic and the men in the dining hall succumbed to their alluring charms.

Helen it is. Thought Hector.

Flickering brown eyes met their brother's as Hector slightly blushed and scraped back his chair.

"Where are you off to?" Teased Paris, shooting his brother an impish grin.

"To my chambers. I'm going to retire for the night.'

"Stay and have some-", Paris' sentence was cut short as a flexible girl cut across his vision, swaying her hips enticingly in front of him, "fun."

"Paris, Paris, Paris", chuckled Hector as he pushed his chair back into its original place, "I have a wife, remember? Andromache?"

"Fair enough", shrugged Paris, "just imagine if she ever found out, she'd bring out a gleaming dagger and they'd rename you, 'Hector, Prince of the Eunuchs'."

Hector simply shook his head and smiled as Paris rocked back and forth in his chair with laughter before being assaulted with smooches from the agile belly-dancer. The Trojan Prince had not gone five steps before a curvy belly-dancer flourished her red and burgundy skirts before his eyes.

"Leaving so soon Prince Hector?"

"Aaah yes, I-

"Stay and have some fun, just as Prince Paris said", the girl said coolly, running her hands up his broad chest and linking her arms around his neck.

Hector couldn't help but look down at the girl's blatant display of generous bosom and shapely hips. No wonder she was one of the King's royal belly-dancers. Probably one of the best- the girl firmly pressed her lips against Hector's and quickly slipped her tongue inside his mouth- and for good reason. She kissed like a professional concubine. No wonder men couldn't resist her charms.

But he was married, and he loved his wife. Andromache was his world and he had never been unfaithful to her in the entirety of their lives and he wasn't about to start now. Hector firmly grabbed her arms and unlinked them from behind his neck.

"Please, I really don't-

"Sssh", the girl cut him off again and pressed herself up against him in another attempt to seduce him, "I'm sure you must be quite tired, let me relieve the tension in your shoulders."

But instead of reaching for his shoulders, the girl's hand wandered towards Hector's belt- and never reached any lower for the Prince's quick reflexes. The Trojan Prince held her firmly by one arm and in the other held her hand.

"Now, listen to me carefully", Hector began in a firm, clear voice, "I am married. I love my wife, and I'm not about to start being unfaithful to her any time soon. So please, I beg of you, leave me be girl, I don't want any of your services."

"I promise I won't tell", the girl laughed.

After a moment the smile on her face vanished when she realized he was serious. Seeing her disheartened expression, Hector eased his grip and looked her straight in the eyes.

"What is your name girl?" He softly inquired.

"Medianner", came the girl's quiet reply.

"Medianner, do you like what you do?" Hector stared deep into her eyes, searching for an answer.

The girl slowly shook her head and looked down at the floor in shame, tears rapidly welling in her eyes.

"I know you must hate what you do, but you only do it to survive, to make a living in this world and you're good at what you do, am I right?"

Medianner swung her teary gaze to Hector's and amid her tears laughed and said; "The best. That's why King Menelaus sent me after you; he wanted you to have me tonight as a token of his hospitality."

"I'll bet he did", breathed Hector, but then smiled after a moment at Medianner when he noticed her strange look at him, "I know you wouldn't like to spend another night with a complete stranger, so how would you like to spend this evening in your own bedchamber?"

Medianner looked at Hector in sheer disbelief as a single tear ran down her cheek, "I'd like that very much Prince Hector", she whispered in incredulity and utter happiness.

"Then I give it to you. Please, retire to your bedchamber and may the gods grant you a good night's sleep." Hector said, gesturing as if letting a child free to choose from a field of horses.

"Thank you Prince Hector", Medianner whispered, scrubbing her tears away, "you're truly not like other lords."

The Trojan Prince simply kissed her gently on the cheek and smiled warmly as he turned away, but turned back as Medianner said one last thing.

"But you're wrong about one thing My Lord."

"And what is that?" Questioned Hector confusedly.

"I would like to spend the night with you, a complete stranger, because I wasn't forced on you nor did you force yourself onto me, I would've slept in your bed willingly."

Hector's smile was even wider than before, and Medianner seeing this, half blushed and half grinned before gathering her skirts and light-footedly scampered down the other end of the hallway.

The Trojan Prince squinted in the darkness as he realized the stand lamps were running low and a draft from somewhere was reducing the flames down to small beads which were about to extinguish any moment soon.

Suddenly a shadow from the left of Hector's eye moved between the pillars of marble and the Trojan Prince jumped back in fright.

"Who's there?"

The shadow moved to a pillar to his right.

"Show yourself! Don't lurk in the shadows, whoever you are! Come into the light!"

Well, whatever light there's still remaining. Hector thought as his eyes darted to and fro in the darkness, searching for the moving shadow.

Suddenly the shadow moved right before Hector's eyes and the Prince stepped back until his back connected with the wall. A cloaked figure stirred from the shadows, and halted before Hector so swiftly -that he couldn't help but wonder whether they wished him ill intent or were simply curious about the Prince of Troy which they'd no doubt heard so much of- and stood staring.

"Speak stranger", Hector commanded, trying to look beneath the figure's cowl.

The figure turned its head to the right and looked away down the hallway which led to the dining hall. The echo of frivolous laughter and lust could be heard from the other end of the hallway, but then so could the small sigh which escaped the figure's cowl.

"You must not hurt me", began the figure whose voice flowed as smooth as honey and as cool as the waters of the River Styx, "when I tell you", the figure lifted back the hood of their mantle gently, "who I am."

The figure flapped back the length of cloak they were wearing, and all at once long velvet cloth suddenly materialized before Hector's eyes into a curvaceous body and astounding beauty.

In the half light of the lamps and shadow, penetrating cerulean orbs met dark benevolent.

Waves of rich gold cascaded down the woman's back, framing an elegantly oval shaped face graced with the presence of piercing sapphire eyes and prominent facial features.

Hector felt the breath in his throat stifle and die right then and there as he drank in every feature the goddess before him seemed to exhibit.

"I am Helen, Queen of Sparta", the girl breathed shyly, bending her knees and head slightly in his direction, "and you are Hector Prince of Troy. At last we meet. I've heard nothing from Menelaus' for days but of your soon-to-be arrival."

Helen…the most beautiful woman in the world…and how your husband spoke true…

"Forgive me for my harsh words beforehand My Queen, I thought only a servant walked the hall in a mere attempt for some fun."

"Oh? Servants are not the only things which walk these halls. I myself walk these halls at night." Helen quietly replied.

"So I see", Hector nodded. "Forgive me for the inquiry, but Menelaus' said you were absent on the account of being ill. Should you not be in your chamber resting?" Hector questioned curiously and with a slight concern.

"No", Helen breathed, "I am not ill, I wished to be excused from the feast for fear of another horde of stranger's eyes on my form. Forgive my poor form Prince Hector, I have not the strength to face another banquet with more strangers to greet warmly as if they were old friends", Helen ended softly.

"Not at all My Queen, I understand perfectly your pain, and envy you your strength to shy away from the gaze of strangers whereas I cannot, though I have tried countless times."

A small smile broke upon Helen's lips as she regarded the Prince with a certain fondness.

"See there now My Queen, I am not such an awful stranger to have met."

"I suppose not", smiled Helen gently, "though I must say in all truth Prince Hector, I have not met many lords who would jest with me as you do now."

The Trojan Prince smiled warmly, shifting his feet slightly as he said; "Really now? That does surprise me."

The Queen of Sparta's brow wrinkled as she frowned in confusion, "Why?"

"I cannot imagine the lords of the court not finding mirth in conversing or jesting with a beauty such as yourself."

"Aaah you are too kind Prince Hector, but I see you have a way with words", Hector unconsciously rose an eyebrow in question, "just as with the dancing girl only a moment ago."

Redness like the flames from a fire set ablaze the Trojan Prince's dark features, and he suddenly felt the blood throbbing and rushing through his ears clearer than usual.

"Forgive me Prince of Troy, I meant not to shame you before me", Helen said with a slight laugh and a twinkle in her eye, "I only took warmly to your words to the girl, and your kindness."

Hector slowly raised his gaze to her eyelevel and blushed again.

"Though thoughtful as King Menelaus' intentions seemed, I kindly declined her offer for her…", Helen raised an eyebrow in mock question and the Prince of Troy blushed again profusely, "services."

"Oh?" Questioned Helen boldly, "You gave me the impression there was another reason Hector, your wife I presume."

"Yes", Hector nodded affirmatively, "though hard to believe as that is, I am faithful to her and have always been through the years we've spent together. Though please My Queen, do not take-

"There is no need to worry Hector", reassured the Spartan Queen comfortingly and stepped closer towards him, "he will not hear it from me."

The Prince nodded firmly and smiled again. A long awkward silence sprung up between the two and Hector it was who broke it with a quick laugh.

"I stand here like a fool in the presence of a Queen and yet I am as silent as the grave."

A brief smile touched Helen's lips, "Then that makes two of us.

Hector smiled again before returning his attention back to the floor.

"Why do you look down as if ashamed Hector?" Helen inquired with a hint of confusion in her voice.

"I was taught never to stare at the beauty of a Queen unless she so wishes it", replied the Prince with his eyes still directed at the ground.

Helen laughed amusedly, thoughtlessly straightening her back, "You may look Prince Hector, for you are not like other men, and would not ravish me with your eyes as other men have done." Helen ended gravely, low voice tainted with earnestness.

At her words, Hector raised his eyes and pinned them against Helen's hard, as if throwing daggers into hers.

"I will look at you", began Hector seriously, his voice low and dangerous, "as other men have done My Queen, if Menelaus' so wishes it and not until then, which I gather will be never."

Hector, Prince of Troy stood before Helen, Queen of Sparta, a towering icon of steely features and hard stares, but Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world stood small and goddess-like against the firelight blazing forth from the end of the hallway, and in her appealing silence it seemed to Hector that the firelight set a shimmering luminosity alive in her eyes of azure.

"My Queen", Hector said softly, inclining his head slightly towards Helen, "I bid you goodnight. May the Gods bless your countenance."

With another bow of his head, Hector strode away down the length of the hallway.

"Prince of Troy", the Queen of Sparta softly called- Hector immediately spun around- "I thank the Gods for this meeting, and hope the time draws near for when we may meet again."

The Trojan Prince smiled fondly and bowed again, then with a ripple of his military-cloak he dissolved into the shadows, heavy and surefooted footsteps echoing into silence.

The Queen of Sparta looked after the Prince of Troy for a moment, and then turning to look back at the firelight flowing from the dining hall, threw her cloak back over her quivering shoulders and melted into the shadows from whence she had came.


Author/Banshee Queen: "Please review! Shining Friendship, you MUST review and tell me what you thought of this chapter, I wrote it with you in mind!" :)