Hektōr and Aineíās stood with Ariadnê and Kassandra as they looked on with judgment as Aléxandros pulled forth his kidnapped-bride, Helénē.
The supposed most beautiful mortal woman on earth was pleasing to the eyes, but the cousins of a second generation, Hektōr and Aineíās, knew that the sister of the later had beauty that was so special and distinguished that their poverty of human language could not describe or even adequately praise it as it rival the gods. Not that Ariadnê promoted such blasphemy for she knew that her beauty was only because the gods allowed her to be.
(She cared not that she had the blood of the divine within her as it had been stained with mortality.)
Though as humble as she was about the allegations, she could not deny how pleased she was about the comparisons as she thought there was to be nothing grander than to be as beautiful as the gods whom she worshipped so thoroughly. Yes, she is beautiful. Goddess-like that she is. And as such to see Aléxandros bring forth this wench into her home whose beauty makes her people draw comparisons fills her with the demon envy.
Ariadnê had never cared for Kassandra's tales of the future but as she saw the woman that Aléxandros claimed to be his wife... She secreted a prayer away to the gods that the woman would bring forth his death. Yes, she prayed that Aléxandros would see his end by someone that was as skilled as him with a bow. A fitting end for the coward of Troy.
When god-like Aléxandros gave orders for her— the princess of Dardania!— to care for the woman as if she were her own kin, Ariadnê gave no answer as she turned her back to him. She was so mad that she could not say anything.
Oh, how she wished that he dropped dead for the insult.
Atop of the walls of Troy, Ariadnê caressed the jeweled stones. Hektōr and Aineíās appeared at her sides, both brimming with frustration.
Aléxandros was making way for all to see his new bride.
"He who has gained Aphroditê Philommeidês favor now courts war," she spat. Aineíās ran a comfortable hand over her shoulders. "He dooms us all for a lovely woman linked by marriage to warrior spearmen."
"Do you believe the tales woven by Kassandra, sister?"
"Όχι," Ariadnê scoffed, retrieving katoptron from between the lapels of her chiton. "Why would I care for the words of a false seer that once scorned my lover?" She held the dagger to her eyes, the shine of the metal rippling as images began to show. "But I have seen images within. Aléxandros will plead with Uncle-King Príamos to have me turn katoptron over to Helénē. I have seen foreigners marching towards the walls of Troy. I have seen Aléxandros killing an unbeatable man of great skill."
The three were quiet as she announced her visions.
"Has Helenos foreseen anything," Aineíās asked the crowned prince. Hektōr shook his head as he looked over their beautiful kingdom. "Όχι, at least that 'tis what he proclaims."
"'Tis true he will never waggle his tongue if it not rewards him."
Hektōr looked down at the smiling children running across the land. "Your visions do not always come to pass, right?"
Ariadnê nodded her head, affection dripping from her tongue, "Lord Apollôn said that while Fate may be set in stone; the future is in a constant state of fluidity."
"So, you may be seeing scenes that may not come to pass or will happen when we depart to the realm of Hâides."
"Aye."
Hektōr gave the siblings a small smile, it was filled with hope. It reminded them of why he was so well-loved and respected. "Then we shall no longer worry our hearts over it besides…" He turned to look where the Palladium of the chaste-goddess stood. "The gods watch over us. So long as the Pallidum remains within Ilion, it shall never fall."
| Weeks later, reports came of invading ships. |
Ariadnê smiled to herself as the soldier led her to the barracks. Katoptron was hidden between the lapels of her chiton while the beads on her bracelet swirled with poisons.
The man laid her down onto the bed, eyes filled with satisfaction that he claimed the princess of Dardania. That he won the second most beautiful woman in the world.
But she was not a prize to be won and as he lowered himself over her, her hand gripped around the handle to her dagger. He leaned forward penis hardened, ready to love her as if he were worthy of her. Her hand shot open, and she closed her eyes as blood poured over her.
It took effort to push the idiot off of her, but she did. Her chiton was without saving, but she wore enough of Hektōr and Helenus' clothing growing up to know how to wear men's clothes. She mussed her hair a bit before walking out of the tent.
She smiled immediately when she saw the jugs of wine not too far away. This was almost laughably easy, and she mentally sent gratitude to the gods above. She cracked each bead one by one, pouring the poison into the wines before making her rounds like she had been "ordered".
The men jeered and hooted at her, leering at her breasts and womanhood as she walked around them.
It was she who had the last laugh when they all dropped dead.
It would do good for them to know that there was beauty in death.
Frozen with grief she was when word was brought to her about Hektōr descending to the realm of Haidês. Oh, how she screamed and how she pleaded to be removed from the torment of melas oneiros. No, it was too much. Not her cousin… Hektōr was the best of them. He was supposed to live a long and glorious life.
She could hear Andromákhē immediate and impulsive outburst of goos that began the ritual lamentation. The sound of Andromákhē casting away her various pieces of headdress and leading the women in ritual mourning echoed in her ears.
Ariadnê laid weak in bed, tears of sorrow streamed from her eyes as she echoed the princess consort. Her darling cousin, their wondrous prince. They had dreams to lead Ilion into a new era. Oh, how they dreamed to make Ilion as grand as Sparta and Athens.
She had been his betrothed long before Kassandra had been cursed. She had been his betrothed until it had been prophesied about his marriage to Andromákhē. She loved the girl as if she were her own blood.
Hektōr was the best of them. He protected her as they grew, never failing to leave her out of his adventures even if it were not the role she was to play. He and Aineíās taught her how to field and wield swords as well as any man. When she cried, he cried with her and when she smiled, it was matched by him.
Hektōr was the best of them. He was their prince and their future king. He inspired loyalty and love with every step that he took. He never failed to visit the people, lending his hand to the courtiers. He stood tall as he dueled in words with merchants making sure that everyone was treated fairly. He cleaned the stables if he was in the area. He didn't hesitate to climb atop the walls and scrub them clean. He was beloved by the entire kingdom, and he loved them back in equal terms.
Hektōr was the best of them. He led the worship to the gods, making sure to leave the grandest offerings equal in worth. He learned how to craft and forge his own. He gave worship every day at the same hour, never missing it by a minute. Oh, how she remembered he had been sick almost on his deathbed, but he dragged himself through the palace walls and through the kingdom aided by she and Aineíās and Helenos until he made his way to the temples. He had prayed to them in equal terms on the outside, not wanting to enter such holy land as diseased as he was and by the grace of their glory, he had walked back to the castle in a healed body that he used to bring back lavish gifts.
Hektōr was the best of them; he was the heart of Ilion and now he had fallen.
And Troy would fall with him.
Word Count: 1,434
Words to Know:
1. Aphroditê Philommeidês - Laughter-Loving Aphroditê
2. melas oneiros - black dream | nightmares
Comments from the Author:
1) READ WITH THE ASSUMPTION THAT EVERY CHAPTER IS TRIGGERING. Almost EVERY chapter deals with the following: TRIGGER WARNINGS: Mentions of Child Abuse | Mentions of Child Grooming | Mentions of Sexual Coercion | Mentions of Sexual Assault | Mentions of Pedophilia | Mentions of Rape | Minor Character Death | Panic Attacks | Childhood Trauma
2) Helénē of Sparta and Psykhê are considered two of the most beautiful mortals in Ancient Times. Helénē is from Ancient Greece and Psykhê is from Ancient Rome in a setting that is in Ancient Greece. Psykhê received many comparisons to Venus to the point where people were worshipping her instead of the goddess. And well, an entire war was fought over Helénē and the disrespect that Paris displayed when he stole her away.
3) Ariadnê is a character of my own creation. In this verse, she is the daughter of Kymplomeia and Ankhísēs. Ariadnê is eldest of Ankhísēs' children then its Aineíās then Hippodamia that he has with his wife Eriopis. Ariadnê is the lover of Apollôn and when Aineíās escapes the sacking of Troy, she goes alongside him, by then she's heavily pregnant. Ariadnê gives birth to twins and starts her family lineage in what will one day become Rome.
4) That seventh wheel bullshit does not exist here. Well, not in the same sense. Percy will be the seventh wheel and you'll understand why.
5) If you read Surface Pressure or the Midnight Musings series, some familiar faces may show.
6) This will also be much more mature than the original series. A bunch of traumatized children stuck in one place with tension high between them. Yeah, a lot will be going on.
7) This is not Percabeth, Jiper, Frazel, or Caleo. This is Perpollo, but that's background information.
8) The new Seven of the Prophecy are: Drew - Jason - Leo - Percy - Frank - Octavian - Rue
9) For the sake of this, while Lacy and Drew do attend the same school... Lacy is in another building for middle/intermediate schoolers.
10) This will be in the povs of Drew, Rue, and Octavian.
11) I decided against Annabeth and instead making an oc child of Pluto. I do like Hazel, but I decide to write her out entirely. Well not entirely, like she exists in flashbacks. And personally speaking, Drew would have been the better choice for the Seven and I will die behind this hill. (I'm fond of Piper, but I adore Drew more. Sorry, not sorry.)
12) Despite being the second-oldest member of the Aphrodite's Cabin (only being younger than Silena Beauregard), Drew was never mentioned in the original series. This is most likely because she was created only for Piper to have someone to triumph over. And I personally say fuck that and have since adopted her as my own so please, don't speak to me about anything regarding her in the Riordanverse. She's mine. Mine. Mine. MINE!
13) The Giant War will be stretched out. All that build up just for it to canonically end in one year? The warnings and the doomsday threats? Just for the battle to end in a few hours? Yeah, no. Trauma, how nice to see you again. I mean the Titan War last a few days.
"And everything has changed" - Taylor Swift ft Ed Sheeran 2012