The words of his father, the king, had not fallen away from Leonidas's mind but he had not given much thought to the notion of selecting a wife from a parade of Spartan women. He did not feel interested in the matter, and as his tutors reminded him, there was always another lesson to be learned that would serve him well in his future rule.

Battles new and old, news from the outlands, issues concerning the helots, lessons in philosophy and law…

Leonidas sighed, and thought- not for the first time- that his agoge had been less torturous than the constant reading and lectures. He smiled idly at the thought, and closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the warmth of the sun on his face and chest as he rested on the balcony of his own private chambers.

Here he could relax on his own, without interruption or threat. He had gone into combat training earlier that morning, practicing with small legions, reenacting ancient battle strategies under the ever-watchful eyes of his father and earning high praise when he'd created several tactics of his own.

Leonidas loved battle. Fighting was in the earth and water of Sparta, it was in the air he breathed, in every beat of his heart. Still, there were times when a man would choose to relax and enjoy a bit of peace under Greek's hot sun.

He stretched to feel his muscles unwind and idly ran a hand over his emerging beard. Leonidas knew that he had grown much since returning to Sparta from the wild. He had gained weight now that he did not need to scrounge like an animal for every scrap of food he could find. In custom, he was allowed to grow his hair. Already the top of his head was covered by a short, thick mane of black hair.

Leonidas had become a man.

Every step he'd taken thus far had led him to that realization. As a man, as a young Spartan king, he had quickly learned the truth of his father's words. His responsibilities were infinite; he had been presented with early offers of a wife. Men that lived within the city walls and also those far from Sparta had learned of their new king's need for a bride. Scroll upon scroll of parchment had been delivered to him by palace servants and all of them told of a young, eligible daughter ready for their king's assessment. Some included skilled drawings accompanying the bids. As he had read, images flooded his mind's eye.

Visions of lithe female bodies and long dark hair swarmed his mind. Leonidas had read that some of the women possessed bright green eyes, a blessing of Aphrodite, while others were reported to have lips as red as that of roses. Leonidas had laughed at the very thought, and laughed harder once he'd heard rumors of women with hair as gold as the sun.

Impossible!

Leonidas had never seen such a creature, and refused to believe until one might be presented to his very eyes. Dutifully, he had set the letters aside to be dealt with later. When the time came, he would ask his father for advice in choosing the women to see, and from there choosing the woman that would become Sparta's new queen.

Childish laughter could be heard from down below his balcony, an uncommon sound. Leonidas stood and looked down into the gardens below, surprised and curious at what he found. Unbeknownst to the young king, several friends of his father had returned from abroad, bringing back with them their children. Leonidas remained still as he watched them- two young boys and one young woman- all of them were strangers to his eyes.

Helplessly, his sharp gaze fixated upon the girl. She was the only female of a proper age that Leonidas had ever seen. As custom dictated, he had been kept within the palace, away from all distraction while keeping his focus on the lessons that would lead to his kingship. Now, to see a young woman, so vibrant and alive below, Leonidas felt strange, confused.

This was not one of the little girls or an old, toothless merchant that he had seen upon his return to Sparta. She was younger than him, yes, but if he had to guess, Leonidas assumed her to be perhaps only ten years younger than himself. It was difficult to assume anything of her size as she was far away, but what of her Leonidas could see, he was pleased, though he wasn't sure why.

The girl had long dark hair and deep golden skin, the coloring of any Spartan. Her lanky form was draped in a white linen gown that covered her modestly from neck to knee, but it in no way kept her from running after the two boys in a game of chase. Unknowingly, Leonidas smiled as he watched them play.

"Gorgo, Apollo and Evander."

The young king turned to find his father suddenly beside him. "How did you-?"

Androcles grinned at his son's surprise. "Stealth, of course. Not only useful when hunting game. Would you like me to arrange an introduction?"

"What?"

"To the children, Leonidas. They belong to my longtime friend and advisor, Cadmus. They were born to his wife overseas, but they are as Spartan as you and I. They know of our honor and customs. Time rules us all; when last I saw Gorgo, she was too young even to walk." Androcles remarked, his eyes on the girl.

Leonidas glanced down again to the gardens, where the boys were now chasing the girl. "Her? She is Gorgo?"

The name pleased him, but again, he didn't know why...

"Yes. Newly sixteen years, as of the past month. Spirited child, and very lovely. In time, when she comes upon her full womanhood, she will make a man very happy." There was a hinting tone in his father's voice that Leonidas could easily recognize.

She was older than he had thought. Leonidas asked, "Father, do you mean for me to…?"

"No, no. That decision is for you alone. But they will be with us for some time, and it would only be right that you are introduced. Besides, I have seen you master every lesson presented to you- I believe you've earned the right to a friend." Androcles said, smiling slightly.

Leonidas shrugged to show his indifference, but he still moved to follow his father down to the courtyard.

The presentation was quick, but Leonidas was shrewd and took each moment to absorb what he could about the girl. At the call of Androcles, she moved toward them, unafraid to face two grown Spartan warriors. Once she was close enough, Leonidas dedicated her face to memory.

A perfect oval of deep golden skin, crowned with a long mane of dark braided hair. The braids were threaded with wisps of gold, a thing Leonidas had been told was common among Spartan women- a sort of reminder that as Spartans, they were champions in and of themselves. He was surprised to find that she was taller than he expected- on her flat feet the top of her head met his chin. She was thin as well, but strong.

The girl bowed to them both. "Good afternoon, my kings." She greeted them warmly.

Androcles smiled at her, much more at ease than his son. Leonidas had never so much as seen a suitable woman before, and now here he was coerced into a meeting, told that he had earned the girl's friendship! His mind swam. What could they do? What could they even talk about?

"Good day, Gorgo. Have you yet met my son, Leonidas?" Androcles asked, putting a large hand over his son's shoulder.

The girl's eyes, a deep startling green, turned to him. "I have not, my lord. Good day, king Leonidas," she greeted, and put out her hand to him.

He had been told of certain social practices, but as yet had not had the chance to enact any of them. It appeared his chance had come in the form of Gorgo. Glancing uneasily at his father, Leonidas took her hand as gently as he could manage, and brought his lips over her skin. She was warm, her hands soft and thin; her taste was fleeting, he wanted more, but just as quickly he shook the thought away. The social niceties of meeting women were unfamiliar to him, and Leonidas hated his own sense of awkwardness over the simple action of meeting a girl!

"Good day, Gorgo." He mumbled, his face hot.

Androcles sighed slightly, but his smile remained in place, if a little forced. "Right. I have affairs of state to oversee. Leonidas, Gorgo has only just arrived to Sparta, show her about her new home." He said, moving to leave them.

"Where has she been?" Leonidas demanded.

Androcles turned to him, bemused as ever. "Why not ask her yourself?" He asked, gesturing to the slim girl. "You two have much to talk about. I will leave you now."

As the king departed, Leonidas turned back to Gorgo, fumbling his brain for something to say. "Would you…care to walk with me, and tell me of your journey to Sparta?" He asked, feeling a great fool.

Gorgo smiled at him, showing even white teeth. "Yes, my king, of course."

Together, they began to walk a path through the palace gardens, unknowingly under the eyes of the king.

Hours later, Leonidas felt slightly more at ease. Spending time with Gorgo had not been the beating he'd thought it to be, in fact she was very interesting to him. Besides that he'd never before so much as seen a woman, she had a sharp mind, strong opinions, and a healthy appetite. She had beaten him in a running race and had made him laugh. These were traits he had overheard his soldiers speak of as wonderful traits in either a wife or lover.

Leonidas looked over at Gorgo, and found her facing the setting sun. Her eyes were closed, she was simply enjoying the last of the sun's heat. He still wasn't sure of how to behave with her; he felt uneasy with her and had kept a certain distance between them throughout the day…now, though, as he watched her he felt his hands twitch in want to touch her hair or the soft curve of her cheek. Ridiculous, he knew, as he might frighten her, or worse, enrage her father.

Sighing slightly beside her, Leonidas admitted his own ignorance of women, and resigned himself to learn more of his impending kingship, and also to keep the beautiful young Gorgo simply as the friend his father promised to him.