Arli's POV

The rest of the day went quickly and all I did was talk to Helen and Paris. I wanted to know how they got away from Sparta, how Hector reacted and if they really did love each other, which they obviously did.

After a few questions Paris gave me a present from Sparta: a dress, the most beautiful dress I had ever seen in my life. It was very dark blue, dark green and had gold threads throughout the whole fabric. I thanked Paris, but he said Helen chose it for me.

"I merely chose it; Paris wanted to get it for you. But now I realise what a great job I did! It will look so pretty with your eyes…" she trailed off, wanting to say something more but did not.

"What is it?" I asked, curious to find out if she stopped because of me.

Helen glanced at Paris, seeking a sort of approval. "It is just that you do not come across gold eyes everyday. Your eyes are the most beautiful I have ever seen."

I blushed. "Well, thank you. Priam thinks that I am a gift from Apollo, which, I must say, I doubt. I believe that my eyes are a mistake. People feel uncomfortable if they see my eyes— it happens quite often that people look away from me."

"They should not. Your eyes are unique and King Priam is right; you are a gift from the gods or they would not mark you so. Be proud of your eyes."

I did not believe what Helen said; it seemed ridiculous, but I thanked her anyway.

After dinner, I went to my room and I sat waiting for Hector to take me to the council. It was around midnight when I heard a knock on my door.

"We must hurry, Arli," Hector whispered, and I got up and put on my cloak, then silently followed Hector out into the garden. I took Hector's hand when we neared the council room and before we entered it he squeezed it gently. When we entered, the whole room was in disarray; old councilmen were shouting at each other.

"…Priam, you know what this means! We can—"

"This may not be what we think it is, it could—"

"It is war and everyone in this room kn—"

"But, if it is not, what will w—"

Hector let go of my hand. He had enough of the bickering and his loud voice boomed in the room. "It is war! Troy's fate was sealed when Paris brought Helen here; to our homeland! By now, Menelaus has asked Agamemnon's help in defeating us and the Greeks should be on their way to Troy right now! War is coming, be certain of that."

Everyone in the room went silent for one moment, and then Priam spoke. "I believe my eldest son and leader of Troy's army is right: war is happening now. Even as we speak, we are at war right at this very moment," Priam paused and looked at me. "Is that you, Arlina?"

I realised that I still had my hood on, which covered my face, and I pulled it back. "Yes, grandfather, it is me; Arlina. I wanted to know if war was going to break out, and now my fears are confirmed."

Priam looked heartbroken once I said that. "Dear, child, do not be fearful; Troy's walls have never been stronger and whatever force the Greeks throw at us, we shall be ready." The councilmen cheered at Priam's words, but Hector and I did not; we knew that the Greeks could annihilate us.

"Alright, everyone, go to bed, we will discuss this more in the morning," Priam ordered and everyone left the council room, everyone except Priam, Hector and Myself.

Priam started walking over to us from the far side of the council room. "Father, we need to place all soldiers on alert—" Hector said, but Priam stopped him.

"Yes, I will tomorrow I shall inform every person in Troy about this war and tomorrow I shall put every soldier on alert."

"But, father, tomorrow may be too late. We were delayed on our trip back to Troy, which means that Agamemnon could already be near."

"Tomorrow is final, now go to bed!" Priam shouted, which was rare.

"Come along, Arli," Hector said, taking my hand again and leading me out the council room. Once we were out of earshot, Hector whispered to me: "Do not worry, Arli. I will station men out to the beach tonight. If anything happens tonight or tomorrow, we will at least have a hundred or so soldiers on the beach."

Once we were walking across the garden, I got up the courage to ask my father a question. "Father?"

"Yes, Arli, what is it?" he asked, his voice tired.

I took in a deep breath. "I need to ask you a question, but do not say one word until I have finished, please? I want to fight in the war. I know that right now you are protesting in your head, but just listen to what I have to say. I am your equal in fighting; you have taught me everything I know about fighting and war. I can fight just like any man, but all I am asking is for you to give me a chance. I will do anything just to fight. I can fight side-by-side with you and you will not have to look out for me because I can look out for myself, just…please…let me fight?"

Hector looked broken, I could tell by his face. "Arlina, my dearest daughter, I cannot let you fight in this war. If anything happened to you when you were fighting, I would never forgive myself and I would never forgive you for asking me. You are the most precious thing in my life: please, do not ask me again because every time you ask, the answer will always be 'no'."

I was not shocked, but I was incredibly angry. "I cannot believe you! I could kill more Greeks than any man in Troy ever could! I am an asset to the Trojan Army!"

Hector let go of my hand and looked at me with wild eyes. "Have you actually had any thought about what it would it mean if you died?"

"Yes, it would mean that I die fighting for Troy!" I yelled back, and I ran to my room with hot, angry tears in my eyes. Who cares if I died? I would not. I wanted to die doing what I loved; fighting.

When I got to my room I just fell onto my bed and cried into my pillows. I cried not only because Hector would not let me fight in the war, but because of all things that went wrong in my life. I cried because I would never know my mother; I cried because I was cursed with eerie eyes; I cried because it was my lot in life to be a woman; and I cried because everything in life that I loved could be gone if the Greeks won this war. When I finally lifted my face out of the pillows it was still early, before the sun came up. I did not know what to do and, since I could not sleep, I called Rosella in to help me with a bath.

I stripped off my clothes and placed myself in the bath. It was so relaxing and I closed my eyes, but closing my eyes gave me no peace. I took a deep breath and I pushed myself underwater. There was no sound underwater, which made it easier to think.

I managed to control my thoughts and all of a sudden I had an epiphany; I would fight in the war. I swiftly sat up in the bath and gasped for breath.

"Leave, now!" I told Rosella, who looked shocked, but did as I said.

Once Rosella had left my room, I got out of the bath and hurriedly wrapped a towel around my body. I ran to my wardrobe, almost slipping in my hurry, and opened the doors. I kneeled down on the floor and ripped open the bottom compartment. A year or so ago, I made a special armour for myself. I had a breastplate, pleated metal skirt, shin guards, and I also put on some arm guards. I made it so that it was lightweight, withstood many blows and I also made it so that a person could not tell I had breasts, which would be a good feature for my masterplan.

I took the armour out of the wardrobe and laid it on my bed. I knew what to do; I would go to war, but I would look like a man and I would not tell anyone—especially Hector. I got everything ready for battle: my sandals, helmet, armour and weapons. As I was doing this the sun rose and it became a sunny day.

I was a little startled when Rosella knocked on my door. "Breakfast, Princess Arlina. May I come in?"

"No, do not come in!" I screamed and composed myself. "I would rather you leave my breakfast outside my door, Rosella, thank you."

Rosella paused and I could hear her put my plate on the floor. "Very well, Princess Arlina."

I waited until I could not hear her footsteps anymore and then retrieved my breakfast from the floor. I sat on my chair with my plate of food in my lap and silently ate the grapes, meat and bread that was on it.

Out of the blue, I heard the warning bells go off…this was it; they were here. I first put on my long, sleeveless tunic, which I put a loin cloth underneath, and then dressed in my armour and sandals. I gathered up my spear in one hand and put my sword in my skirt holster. I also put my hair up with a leather band and then placed my helmet over the top.

I was about to open the door to leave, but then I remembered that it would be suspicious if anyone saw an unknown soldier wandering around the royal sleeping quarters. I had to think fast, and that I did. I ran to my window and found my escape. I jumped from my balcony rail onto the stone column that was outside my room and slid down to the ground.

Next thing I knew I was running to the stables to get a horse. I found a large, brown horse about twice my size. It already had its saddle and reigns on, so I jumped up on the beast and galloped down to outside of the walls. I joined the ranks of the soldiers, and I wanted to hear what Hector was saying to rally the men but I could not, being in the furthest row from him. I just hoped the Greeks had not already done too much damage on the beach.

After Hector stopped talking he charged to the beach and we followed, unsure of the dangers ahead.