As Lee felt consciousness tug at her mind, she groaned with pain. The woman's entire body felt as if she had just finished her first day at boot camp all over again. So Thetis could bring me here but she couldn't be bothered to make sure I didn't feel like I'd been dragged through time? Lee knew that she couldn't deny all the events of her dream. As much as the soldier wanted to write it off as some crazed "dream in a dream" hallucination, she knew she couldn't. It wouldn't help her current situation to act like she was hallucinating either.
With this thought in mind, Lee began to sit up, feeling soft furs tumble from around her shoulders. Chocolate colored eyes snapped open at the feeling of nakedness, but closed in relief at the sight of a soft, thin shift covering her body. It's not that nakedness bothered her, hell she was in the military, but being naked around one Prince Hector would be humiliating. Speaking of...
Lee turned her head to take in the room she had been sleeping in. It was beautiful. It was stone of course, but had a few rich looking rugs tossed around and a intricately carved balcony sat waiting beyond a silk curtained doorway. A vanity sat directly in front of the bed, a small mirror along with a brush and comb sat atop the wood. Directly at the foot of the bed a dark wooded chest sat, no doubt containing some form of clothing. Another doorway caught Lee's attention and she craned her neck to see what was inside, apparently too far. "Oompf!" The woman exclaimed as she tumbled off the bed, furs dropping to cover her face. Well...that was graceful.
As soon as Hector had awoken from that hellish dream, he knew his prisoner had to be moved. Never before had the Gods spoke to him so plainly, and never so directly. The priest were always the ones to interpret the will of the gods, and Hector had never put much faith in their words till now. He would make a sacrifice to Athena, to thank her for this gift. The prince was no fool, he knew war was coming to his land. If this woman had a way to ensure his peoples' safety, he would ensure he gave her every comfort he could. Perhaps then she would be willing to help him.
The prince was approaching the woman's door when he heard a thud. Alarm stabbed his gut. What if she was trying to escape? What if she really was a Greek spy and had just slain a servant? What if she wasn't and a Greek spy had slipped past their guards to kill her? Without thought, Hector barged into the room, expecting the worst as it had been that kind of morning, and was confused at the sight before him. The woman was sprawled on the stone floor next to the bed, covered in sheets and furs. "By the Gods what are you doing?"
"Oh fuck!" Lee shouted in alarm and pulled the bedding from her face. She tilted her head back to find none other than Prince Hector staring at her in irritation and bewilderment simultaneously. Oh god he looked gorgeous. Rich brown curls were twisted and braided away from his face, trailing down his neck to reach the top of his shoulders. Equally dark facial hair trailed across his face, framing his handsome lips and strong jaw. A long sharp nose led up to eyes so black, she felt she was falling as she looked into them. "Um...trying to get up?" Came Lee's hesitant reply and she immediately buried her face in a single hand. 'Smooth Lee...real fucking smooth.' Was all the mental explanation she could give herself.
Hector couldn't help the amusement that bubbled up to show on his face, "That seems an adverse way to complete that task." The prince's dark eyes were alight with humor and Lee gasped in slight shock. Was he fucking sassing her? THE Prince Hector? Sassing her! Well two could play at that game. Lee's eyes narrowed in mock indignation, "Well perhaps this is how we get up in the morning where I am from." The woman crossed her arms and everything, still lying on the floor. A look passed between the two before chuckles started and soon full laughter filled the room.
Hector moved over toward the woman and hoisted her up by her underarms before taking a few steps back, as appropriate. "Thanks," was all she said before turning towards the washroom and darting over, "Oh! So that's what's in here!" Lee exclaimed, finally finding the tub, wash basin, and towels. "Huh," Lee moved back into the main room and held her hand out to Prince Hector, as she would any person she just met, "I'm Lee, well technically Anacleta, but please for the love of everything holy, do not use that name. Just call me Lee."
The prince was utterly startled at this woman. She moved forward to greet him as a man would and held no reservations even though she stood in front of a prince in nothing but her nightclothes. Hector had to respect that. Yet, how was he supposed to greet her? Should he kiss her hand, grasp her forearm? During the ride back into the city, he'd noticed her toned muscles and scars and had guessed that she was a warrior. By the Gods women made his head spin. "I am Prince Hector," the man said as he grasped her forearm in a warrior's greeting, "but I suspect you already knew that."
Immediately a defensive gleam erupted in Lee's brown eyes, "Yes...how-" abruptly the realization hit Lee hard, "Athena visited you, didn't she?" both her eyes and tone were flat. Of course, if they explained things to Lee, why wouldn't they for Hector?
Hector's jaw set and a dark look crossed his features before they smoothed out to neutrality, "Yes. She did not tell me much about you except that you were here to serve some purpose and the completion of that purpose would save Troy." Perhaps this woman would give him a better explanation than he'd previously received.
"Oy...how do I explain this?" Lee ruffled her hair in irritation. Did she rip it off like a band aid? Was she not supposed to say where she was from? What were the repercussions if she did? Fuck this was difficult. "Um...well...I'm sorta...from the future?" The woman's face scrunched, eyes closed as if she was expecting a physical or verbal punch. Yet it was the Prince who felt as if he'd been hit.
The future? Another time? Was such a thing possible? Taking in this woman's appearance, listening to her manner of speech, and considering the clothes Hector found her in, how could he deny her statement. The Gods themselves had told him not to question her. No, Hector did not doubt the truth of Lee's words. How could he?
When no sort of lashing came, Lee popped open one eye, then the other at the stone-faced man in front of her. "Hello? Earth the Prince Hector?" The woman emphatically waved a hand in front of his face before he shook himself and refocused on her.
"Well we can't exactly tell the citizens of Troy that. Perhaps you could be a cousin to Helen, or a visiting dignitary from lands far to the West." Hector held his chin then rubbed his cheek in thought. They had to decide quickly. "However, we could likely tell my father, brother, and Helen the truth. They trust in the gods."
Was this guy for real? Honestly? He didn't think she was insane? No 'back away you foul creature!' bullshit? "Wait, what?" Lee nearly rolled her eyes. She was certainly smooth as fuck today. "I mean, you believe me? I have gotta sound crazy to you!"
Again the prince looked amused, "Indeed you do. If Athena herself had told me not to question you, I would likely be throwing you back in the dungeon now."
Lee's expression settled into flatness again, "Well at least I'm not still in the dungeon. Okay," a quick clap of her hands and Lee was moving over to the chest to look for clothes. "what are we going t-" opening the chest revealed some of the most beautiful silk dresses she'd ever seen, "Holy crap! These can't be for me right? These look too expensive!" the soldier was afraid to even touch the silken material delicately folded inside the wooden compartment.
Hector's eyebrows rose impossibly high before he burst into laughter again. Had she never worn a dress before? Lee was not amused. A mischievous glance at the bed, and the female was armed with a pillow. As hard as she could, she threw it at the prince, consequences be damned. Upon impact, the material burst forth and feathers rained down on Hector. Horror filled both of their eyes. Lee could not believe the mess she'd just made and the pillow she'd accidentally ruined. Were all things so fragile here? Hector himself was surprised that she'd actually thrown something at him.
The pair stood off, staring at each other before a sound forced itself out of Hector's mouth. Was that a chuckle? Lee's eyes narrowed at him, causing the prince to laugh more. At last he couldn't hold back and roared with laughter as he hadn't in weeks. His laughter was so infectious, Lee couldn't help but join in.
"By the Gods you are a wonder." Hector began as his breath returned to him, "Yes those are for you. No we will not take them back." Large muscled arms crossed over a toned and blue-cloth covered chest before he spoke again, "You should get dressed however. My father wants to meet with you. I will wait outside for you." With that, Hector turned to leave and closed the door behind him.
Author's note: Hullo everyone who is still here! And welcome to new readers. It has been a hell of a few years for me but I am back and whipping my muse into shape. Okay, let's be honest I'm showering them with love and begging them to come back. Anyways, I hope this was worth the wait and I will be updating soon! If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to bring them forward! Have a lovely day!