HELEN: The Wine Dark Sea

Andromache returned to her chair and adjusted the folds of her tiered skirt. Made of panels of bright-embroidere

d blue, it was one of her favorites. "Paris is a handsome lad, but he's too shy to even look at me. I've never thought of myself as being so frightening."

Beautifully drawn young dancers circled the clay vase Hecuba had chosen for the red roses she'd picked. "It's more likely Hektor who terrifies him, but he'll grow accustomed to us all in time."

"I doubt I should tell my husband that I've spoken to his new brother."

"That would be very wise, my dear," Hecuba agreed. She placed the vase on the small tripod table beside her chair and sat back to admire the fragrant bouquet.

"Is it wrong for a woman to keep secrets from her husband?" Andromache asked her mother-in-law.

Hecuba laced her fingers in her lap. "So much of our lives doesn't concern them, and why mention something they might misconstrue as overly important? I welcome your questions, and you may be assured whatever you confide in me goes no further."

"I've no real secrets to share," Andromache hastened to explain. "My life is so pleasant here, I'm perfectly content."

Hecuba paused as a serving girl brought them wine and a plate of figs. "You mustn't appear to be too content," she warned, "or Hektor might fear you don't need him. If you choose to appear to be preoccupied occasionally, he'll worry you're unhappy and be inspired to improve your mood in whatever way he can."

Andromache understood perfectly and smiled at the thought. "Thank you. You give such wonderful advice."

"I do my best," Hecuba replied and turned the conversation to the beauty of the season's roses.

* * *

Paris left the palace with the fabric gift for his mother, and a basket of spices, but he'd thought better of taking Oenone a new bow and quiver of arrows. It had been a long while since she'd hunted with him, and he didn't want her to think he still considered her a child. He'd found pretty ribbons she might tie in her hair and hoped she would like those.

As they rode along, Kastros and Orthis regaled him with the colorful stories of past battles warriors loved to tell. Paris's skill with a bow and arrows had impressed them. Orthis had become as friendly as Kastros, and had produced a sword for Paris to use for practice.

Paris was relieved to find everything in order at his parents' home. His mother had baked bread and gave them each a warm slice. The warriors thanked her and took theirs to eat near their mounts while Paris entered the cottage with her.

"I promised to come home with a present for you." He kissed her cheek and handed her the carefully folded fabric. "It's a gift for you from Queen Hecuba, and I've brought a basket of spices, too." He set it aside on the table where she kept her cooking things.

She sat down with the fabric on her lap and ran her hands over the exquisite cloth. "This is far too fine for us, Paris."

He knelt beside her. "You deserve such pretty things. You're a talented seamstress and can make skirts, boleros and tunics for you and father to wear."

Tears glistened in her eyes. "I'll save this until I become accustomed to owning something so fine, but I don't want to make our neighbors so envious they won't speak with us."

Paris hadn't thought of how easily that would happen when no one in the village had clothing made from such finely woven cloth. "Your son is a prince, so you should have beautiful clothes."

She touched his curls. "I'm so proud of you. Are you happy at the royal palace?"

"I miss you and Father," he answered truthfully. "I'll ride out to find him, but before I go, tell me the news of the village. Has anything remarkable happened?"

He listened as his mother mentioned several young girls who'd asked to be remembered to him. "And Oenone," he inquired. "Do you have news of her?"

"I've not seen her. I suppose I would have heard if she had anything to tell."

"Of course." He waited until they could find nothing more to say, and then kissed her good-bye.

Agelaus saw Paris riding toward him laughed and waved. "You've come all this way again?" he asked.

"I brought a present for Mother. How is Red doing, has he fought other bulls?"

Agelaus nodded. "I gave him a good rest after his trip to Troy and back, and he's won again as easily as before. There's been no further sign of the white bull that disappeared in the blink of an eye. Some think it was a trick of the gods."

Paris shook his head as though he couldn't accept it, but after his own breathtaking experience with three goddesses, he wondered about it too. "What can I bring you the next time I come?" he asked.

"Save the gifts for your mother," Agelaus insisted. "If you're going to stop and see Oenone before you return to Troy, you better be on your way."