Beautiful War

Chapter 4 Leaving Sparta

"Come back to us Helen... Come back to me," a man's voice called through the darkness. I could still feel myself floating through the darkness of limbo. His voice was like a beacon of light calling to me through the darkness. I spent so long thinking that the god of death would come, to take to Hades, where I would never see my daughter, or even hold her. But he never did. I tried to discern the voice, it was certainly not the voice of my brother. It was deeper, much deeper than Pollux's voice. But I had heard that voice before, just briefly. I tried to force my eyes open to see who that voice belonged to. But they would not. It was then I heard other voices around me. One definitely belonged to Pollux. The other was another voice of a man who I could not recognize. It was then I remembered the Trojan princes; Hector and Paris. They were here in my chambers. But why are they here? What were they doing talking to Pollux? 

"We are leaving tonight, Pollux, we have stayed for too long already. No doubt Agamemnon has already sailed to Troy. You must make the decision for her. Think about your sister, think about your niece. What will happen if they stay here and under Menelaus' tyranny," Hector said. His tone is full of sympathy and full of anger. The Trojan princes were leaving Sparta? Did that mean they would bring my daughter with them on their voyage home? To keep her safe from Menelaus. Menalaus would not care if my daughter went with them. They could keep her both safe and alive. I felt a sudden wave of protectiveness wash over my body. I wanted nothing more than to hold my daughter just once, even if it was just once. I wanted to kiss her small head and told her that I loved her. That her mother loved her with my entire being. I prayed to Zues, prayed to Hera that they would open my eyes. That I would be able to hold my daughter. After what felt like eternity of trying to open my eyes and wake up from this darkness, I slowly opened my eyes. The sun was setting in the west. Casting shadows on the walls of my chambers. The Trojan prince Paris was sitting on a stool beside my bed. I was no longer in my sweaty torn gown. But I was bathed and changed into a white linen shift. My hand was held tightly in his. When he looked up and met my curious gaze he gasped in surprise and relief. He squeezed my hand gently. But his touch still caused me to wince.

"Queen Helen, you are alive and well. Praise the gods," he declared. I heard movement from the other side of the room. I turned my head. Both Pollux and Hector were standing beside a wooden cradle. Pollux was looking down into it. He looked up when he heard Paris gasp. His blue eyes meet my own. A relieved smile crept across his face.

"Helen," Pollux cried. He ran to my side, sitting on the bed beside me. He helped me slowly sit up in my bed. Propping my back up with pillows. I leaned against them. Still feeling weak. What happened? How long had I been unconscious for?

"What happened, Pollux," I asked hoarsely. Pollux took my hand and pressed a kiss on it. He looked up and over to Hector who was still by the cradle. His face was emotionless, he was just taking in the scene.

"Paris, go get something to drink for the queen. She will be thirsty," Hector said from where he was standing. Paris left his stool and walked over to the table where the watered wine was. I turned my gaze back over to my older brother.

"You stopped breathing for a day, Helen, your heart had stopped beating. The physician said that you lost too much blood and that you were dead. Then suddenly your heart began beating again but you were still unconscious, that was three days ago. I knew you were strong and that you would wake up to meet your daughter," he replied. I went to tell him that it was Zues who did that. Zeus brought me back to life. But I held my tongue, I did not wish to tell Pollux about what Zeus told me. That we were his children and that he was looking after us. I had believed that it was nothing but a dream brought on by the stress of the delivery. Paris walked over and handed the cup of wine to Pollux. He then held it to my lips.