HELEN: The Wine Dark Sea

He smiled at the memory and with his dying breath whispered her name, "Helen, my Helen..."

Hecuba collapsed in Priam's arms, and he offered what comfort he could find in his ravaged heart. He led her to a bench and sat holding her close as the terrible tragedy of death surged through them yet again.

A servant rushed in with Oenone running behind her. She looked back at the basket-carrying girl. "She says you've called for her."

Helen shook her head. "Oh, Oenone, whatever magic you possess is worthless now. He's gone."

"He's dead?" Oenone gasped. She fell to her knees beside her childhood love and heartbroken, burst into tears. She wept for the peaceful life they should have shared in the shadow of majestic Mount Ida, and cried Paris's name in mumbling sobs.

Kastros bent down meaning to haul the grief-stricken girl away, but Helen raised her hand. "Let her stay. She can do him no harm."

Hearing that Paris had been wounded, Helenus and Deiphobus rushed to the grim scene and drew to an abrupt halt when they found him dead. Helenus went to their parents, while Deiphobus knelt beside Helen and hugged her close. He whispered in her ear, "You'll be my wife now."

She still held Paris's hand fondly in her own to savor his warmth while it lasted, and could not believe he would call her his wife without allowing her even a day to grieve. She shuddered at his heartless demand. "This is no time to speak of marriage."

"There will be no argument," Deiphobus emphasized firmly.

Helenus frowned at his brother, perhaps he had overheard, and had she been forced to choose, Helenus would have become her husband. Sick of war, she would not set one brother on the other, however. With Hektor gone, Deiphobus was now the eldest of King Priam's sons, and he would have his way. She closed her eyes and remained with Paris until all too soon, Deiphobus lifted her to her feet and led her away. She looked back at Priam and Hecuba, but they were grieving too deeply to notice she was leaving with Deiphobus and Helenus refused to meet her gaze.

* * *

Aphrodite wept bitter tears for her beloved prince, and Apollo patted her back with a soothing rhythm as he offered his sympathy. "Mortals are such fragile creatures, and their lives so very brief. You loved Paris when he was at his best, when he was young, strong and almost as handsome as I am. Would you still grieve over him had he lived to be a frail old man?"

The distraught goddess wiped away her tears. "You offer very little comfort, Apollo. I loved Paris because he had such an innocent heart, and he chose me as the most beautiful goddess."

"As I recall, he chose you because you offered him the most beautiful woman in the world. Helen is the one he loved, not you."

"Liar! He showed his love with many offerings in my temple, and he loved me as I loved him."

"Go home and ask Hephaestus to make you something pretty to ease your sorrow. He loves to serve you in every possible way."

"Yes, he is a fine husband," Aphrodite agreed with a final choked sob, but she went instead to find Ares whose passions more closely matched her own.

* * *

Cassandra entered Helenus' room, but her twin turned away, unable to face her. "Alexandros should have died as a babe," she said. "He would never have met Helen, and we'd never have had to suffer through years of this catastrophic war."

"We did what we could when he was born," Helenus argued. "Father believed your prophecy and thought the boy dead. When he appeared fully grown, Father couldn't condemn him to death after the guilt he'd carried for so many years."

She circled him slowly. "While that may be true, there is an unusual darkness about you. What is it you intend to do?"

He drew in a deep breath and released it in an anguished sigh. "I can't bear to see Helen with Deiphobus, and I mean to go to Mount Ida to pray and think until my way becomes clear."

"Helen?" she mocked. "Your only concern is who lies with the bitch? If you want her for yourself, fight for her."

"I'd rather spare our parents the loss of another son."

"Are you afraid of Deiphobus? Is that what stays your hand?" she asked, a brow gently raised in question.

Insulted, he turned toward the window. "I've not wasted a thought on him. It's only Helen who matters to me."

Cassandra sat upon the end of his bed and smoothed her

skirt. "She has bewitched you as she does all men."

"She may have, but have you never wanted a man so badly you could neither eat nor sleep for the painful longing for their love?"

Dismayed, she rose and went to the door. "When I look at a man, I see into his future, Helenus, and it never includes me. So I've not lain awake longing for a man to come to me who never will. Helen isn't meant to be yours. You may remain on Mount Ida until you're a withered old man, but it won't change what must be."