Author/Banshee Queen: "Firstly, lemme say thank you so much for reviewing guys! This really makes it all the worthwhile and really makes me wanna' get this story on the move. I've already written near to three more chapters, but since school is back on again this will be moving at a snail's pace (even though I wish it wouldn't) and it's not that I haven't written more chapters, I'm just spacing them out when I post them up.

This chapter is considerably shorter, with the next having heaps of dialogue between the characters and more 'emotional' input. Andromache also has more of an impact and, (naturally), a bigger role, though I'm wondering whether you guys will like the way I 'characterize' her character in this fic…we'll just have to see.

On one last note, I've been doing a little research whilst writing this fic about Sparta etc and I (saw) on a map that Sparta is in fact inland/a river, slightly Northwest from Yithion, which I'm sure is a fishing village of some sort- I'll maybe look into that. But as far as history goes, I'm trying to keep this as near to the truth as I can and if any of you guys have any helpful info, that'd be really great." :)

Disclaimer: "I don't own Troy, nor the characters, places, etc"


Chapter 3: Lingering Thoughts

"…and give your father my best wishes", said Menelaus' as he clapped Paris on the back.

"As always", smiled Paris.

Hector stood leaning against the bow of the ship they were about to set sail, leaving that morning to return back to Troy. On dock, Menelaus and Paris stood talking and laughing together casually as if old friends, while the Trojan sailors scurried about deck and dock gathering supplies and readying the rigging.

Let them talk awhile, thought Hector smiling, it'll be good for Paris and for the alliance between both countries.

The Trojan Prince exhaled and turned his gaze to the waters lapping at the side of the ship. His dreams last night were wracked with the Spartan Queen he had met the night before in the shadows and the half lamp light.

She was a goddess and truly the greatest beauty he had ever seen, second to Andromache.

Andromache…

How he had forgotten his wife of nearly ten years. But how could he not with all the sweeping skirts presenting themselves before him in unashamed and formal proclamations. Still, he could not push back the rising feeling of guilt he felt towards his wife who loved him dearly than life itself.

A shout from an ignorant Paris signaled the end of the delegation between Menelaus' and themselves and after a few formal words- and a few informal from Paris- were thrown, the ship cast off and set sail down towards the mouth of the Spartan river which lead to the Aegean Sea.

"I sure did enjoy my stay while we were here", began Paris looking back at the looming stone palace, "and to think I was afraid I'd make a fool of myself."

"You did, and are a fool Paris", laughed Hector, playfully ruffling his brother's brown curls, "but you did excellent, and father would've been so proud if he saw you."

Paris smiled proudly, then beside his brother turned around and leant against the railing of the stern of the ship. Hector smiled again and looked up at the palace of Sparta. The sun reflecting off the waves shone brightly in the Trojan Prince's eyes, and shielding them against the blinding light, Hector thought he caught a glimpse of a small figure with waves of flowing gold hair standing against the backdrop of a garden of vibrant blooming flowers.

Farewell Queen of Sparta, I'm sure we'll meet again.

o O o

From within her garden of flowers, Helen forlornly watched the royal Trojan ship sail into the horizon.

Her first meeting with Hector, Prince of Troy had been an interesting and insightful one, and strangely enough, she was sad to see him go. He had treated her with the uttermost respect, but then again so had many other lesser lords, if only because she was Queen of Sparta and Menelaus' wife, but there was something otherworldly about him. He had not –when other lords- stripped her with his eyes and did not in the least make any suggestive comments, rather he had treated her as the dignified Queen as she was crowned, despite her age.

There was compassion in his eyes, and also the sign that he could comprehend empathy unlike the unwavering stance and bearing he seemed to possess, along with the many lords she had met before him.

A deplorable sigh escaped the Spartan Queen's lips before she halfheartedly turned away from the sea cliff and disappeared within the palace's near midday shadow.

o O o

"You seem unusually quiet", Paris said as he walked up behind his brother who was staring down at the waves breaking themselves against the side of the stern.

"I'm just thinking", replied Hector as he rubbed his shoulder slowly.

"About? It must be something important for you to be silent, brother."

The older of the Trojan Prince's kept his stare down at the waves, but after a moment's silence answered his brother's inquiry.

"I met a woman thereafter I left the banquet."

Paris smirked loudly, "Oh I know, I saw. She ran after you as soon as you left."

"I'm not talking about her", Hector said firmly, "I dismissed her soon after that."

"Always the faithful husband", sighed Paris.

"Hey!" Shouted Hector, shoving his brother hard, "you might want to strut around and sleep with every skirt which crosses your path but I will not! I'm a husband now in case you were blind to see pass your own lust, Paris."

A few of the sailors stood gawking at their Prince's sudden outburst, and a look of rejection was painted on Paris' face thickly as he stared at his brother in disbelief and shame.

"I apologize brother", Paris said softly once the sailors had gone about their duties again, "I meant not to offend you, and only meant what I said as a jest, but please, go on."

Hector frowned at his younger brother in discontentment for a moment, but then turned his attention back to the waves.

"I met a woman there", Hector began softly again, "rather a girl actually, she seemed so young for one so grave in character", he continued while Paris listened intently, "and her beauty", Hector sighed deeply and looked to the heavens above, "is like nothing you will ever see in your life again."

"You seem rather taken with her, brother, did she have a name?"

A name.

The thought hit Hector like a monstrous battering ram being slammed into his heart.

She did have a name now didn't she? 'Helen'…said to be the most beautiful woman in the world…but there's no need for Paris to know that.

"Her name has no significance compared to the beauty which she possesses and whirls about like a thin veil of sudden forgetfulness and enchantment."

Paris whipped his head left to look at his brother so fast Hector thought he must've broken something in his neck.

"You speak as though she's a goddess who has died and you've crowned 'most desirable woman ever to walk the earth'."

Hector laughed heartily, "No, she is not that glorious that I would set her above everything else. There's just something mysterious and sad about her that is alluring. She's a walking puzzle to me, and I mean to solve this one."

"Hmmm, maybe even play around with her pieces a bit", Paris replied suggestively as he raised an eyebrow and winked, all at the same.

"You fool!" Laughed Hector as he punched his brother in the arm, "I swear that's all your mind revolves around Paris."

"And I swear you're becoming just as bad as the temple maids which serve Apollo!" Laughed Paris in his turn.

"You forget Briseis is one of those temple maids Paris", said Hector slightly annoyed at his brother's stupidity.

"You know Hector, I'm just go-

"Oh no you don't!" Shouted Hector as he bowled over his brother and wrestled him to the ground.

The two Prince's continued to roll around on the deck, furiously trying to outdo one another in their little wrestling duel with even some of the crew standing by and laughing at the spectacle.

Aaah this is life, Hector smiled once he helped Paris to his feet, and there could not be a single thing in this world to tear it from me.

But how wrong Hector was


Author/Banshee Queen: "So…what'd you think?"