A/N:
Thank you for the wonderful reviews. I really appreciate 'em. And oh, if you find errors, please tell me (point 'em out please) and I shall gladly change it for you. Don't forge to leave reviews too. Oh, and one more thing, the poem below is mine. I wrote it. Enjoy.

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN TROY –but I do own Desma, Briseis' slave.


BOOK ONE PART ONE: Priam

GODDESSES: War, Love & Marriage

At the age of six I witnessed the sudden illness of my father that led him to his last breath. And the next thing I knew, my mother was lying beside him – and as dead as he. After their death, my three older brothers took care of me. The oldest son of Briseus was the handsome Sphelos. Tall and brawny as a man should. Second was Enops; my e'er so good-humored brother. Although he was not as tall and as brawny as Sphelos, he was never confused about the ways of the sexes. And unlike Sphelos – of course, he preferred women – and women alone, for Sphelos liked men more… and I doubt it if he ever liked women.

And how could I forget my sweetest twin brother, Bienor. He was not tall – shorter and older than I, yet childish as e'er.

"Come, child of Briseus! Do not fear a friend of your father!" said sympathetically of the old man, whom without doubt is the King of Troy. "Now, what is your name, child?" I sank into my knees. "Most gracious son of Laomedon, I am Briseis." I said proudly but kept my head low. "Ah," The old man paused and spread his arms open. "Come and let me share to you my home." He said compassionately. I walked to him and he kissed my forehead. "Welcome to Troy, Briseis." I gave out a smile then the men raised spears in salute.

He led me inside his home. When I saw the interior part of the palace, my swollen eyes gone broader. The place was big. Thrice the size of my home back in Lyrnessos. The old man called two bath attendants. "I will leave you now. If you need anything, don not hesitate to ask." And so the old King left. I followed the two ladies standing in front of me and led me to the bathing area.

It's been 10 years now since I last saw Lyrnessos that I can hardly keep in mind what it looks like. My first day here was truly treasured. Since the day of my arrival, everyone treated me kindly; just how I was treated in Lyrnessos by my people. And with so much compassion, I do not know how I could repay them.

If these walls could talk

Let this path be mine to walk

Should my spirit falter

Let th' black crow take me yonder

Be it heads, Be it tails

Be it by air, Be it by Sail

Should the blood stop flowing through my veins

Then this great end I will meet with fain

If these eyes could breathe

Should the deep blue skies bleed

Then let not this heart of mine beat

And grant me the freedom to take heed

Should these walls break

And melt like snow flake

Then let not this dream break my faith

And leave me with heart ache

"My lady?" Desma, my private slave asked quietly. She must have seen my disturbed face. "I'm sorry to be a bother, my lady." She sank to her knees. "King Priam wants to speak to you. He said he will be waiting in the megaron." She lowered her head when I looked at her. –Desma is the only servant in this palace whom I find attractive. Her skin was fair and her eyes were deep and as dark as the sea at night; lips were plump and red like cherry, and her hair were long and brown just like mine.

The Old king was sitting in his throne when I arrived at the megaron. His two sons, Hector and Paris were standing in front of him as they talk. "Briseis, come." King Priam spoke. He was old, too old, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. I walk to them and sank to my knees. "My lord" His silver hair and beard straggling around a mature face that must have been handsome and now was only leather and bone. "Dear child, daughter of Briseus. I am already old and weakness has already married me." The son Laomedon spoke weakly. "And you are not getting any younger, Briseis. Soon I must leave this place..." He whispered faintly. "My lord…" For an unknown reason, my eyes became soggy. I quickly knelt down and held his hands to kiss them. Is he dying? I know his old and soon he must leave us… but I don't think I could accept it if I am to lose another father… no –not now.

"Let me find a husband for you… a man who would love and care for you… a man who would protect you with his life.." I felt my wet eyes become suddenly dry. "My lord!" I said stridently. I was only five when I asked my father to find me a handsome prince who could defend me and his country. –But when King Priam took me from Lyrnessos and brought me here, marriage never crossed my mind again –Not even once.

"The storm was deep the first time I stepped on the land of Lyrnessos – I heard stories that your grand-father and my mother were cousins –Your parents welcomed us and offered us shelter and food which we gladly accepted. When we were about to leave, I told your father that if we arrive home, I would send resources to Lyrnessos as a token of our gratitude. –But your father told me that he doesn't need those things. --'Just a safe return to your home, my friends', He said to us." The old King paused for a moment. He closed his old eyes and then his lips curved. "As a guest, I felt so much appreciation, so I promised your father that if his pregnant wife is to give birth to a boy, I shall welcome him to my home and treat him as my own. And if she is to give birth to a girl, I, son of Laomedon, will be the one to search for the future queen's husband." He opened his eyes again, and without looking at me he gave out another smile. A pleased one. "And I shall never break that promise to …"

"My lord, a king's promise shall never be broken… but my father would understand. He will." I kissed his hands. "If my father was still alive, I know he would not want to take so much of your time just for his daughter. I—" His eyes grew wide. "Enough," He said. "I will hear no more." He helped his weak body up. "You will do as I say, child." His voice grew. Still kneeling in front of him, I watched him take a deep breath and let it out. "Have I not given you all you wanted, child of Briseus?" He was studying me warily. I lifted my head up and lowered it again. "No, my lord!" I never wanted him to think of it that way. He had given me everything –took care of me and treated me as one of his own. "I owe all the happiness of my life to you, my lord." I began to kiss his hands again. I saw him shaking his head the moment I lifted my head up. "You know what to do." The King said to his sons. I felt the hair on the back of my neck rose.