The Trojan Princess (26 page)

           
It was a week before Andromache was permitted entrance to the chambers to see
Helen and the news of the death of the unborn heir had spread about the city.
Helen had not left her chambers since, having her food brought to her by her
maid, sick with grief and suspicion.

           
Andromache was shocked by the appearance of the woman who lay upon the pillows
before her, for Helen had lost weight and her hair was lustreless, dark smudges
beneath her eyes.

           
“Helen, what has become of you?” Andromache asked at once, shaking her head
sadly, for only a mother could understand the devastation of such a loss, even
if it were just the thought of such a thing. “You must not allow yourself to
succumb to your grief.”

           
“Someone sought to harm my child,” Helen said, her voice numb. “I do not know
who nor the exact reason, and I do not know who to trust.”

           
“You can trust me,” Andromache insisted.

           
Helen’s lips trembled and she let out a sob.

           
Andromache went to her, arms reaching out to comfort her, but the doors burst
open and two guards entered, swords in hands, and Polites entered between them,
his face sour and registering no pity as he looked upon the bedridden widow.

           
“Helen, you must come with us,” Polites said.

           
“She is grieving,” Andromache protested. “She needs rest!”

           
She eyed the guards uneasily.

           
“Helen, you are under arrest for treason against the king and the city of
Troy,” Polites said solemnly, ignoring the gasps of Andromache and the maid.
Helen alone remained stoical, steadily crying into her hands. “I have come here
with these guards of the palace to escort you to the dungeons where you will
await trial for these named crimes.”

           
“What treason do you speak of?” Andromache demanded.

           
Polites ignored her and nodded to the guards when Helen made no attempt to move
from her bed. The guards moved forwards and Andromache stepped away as they
grabbed Helen about her ankles and dragged her from the bed, the sheets tearing
in their rough handedness. Helen let out a scream and fought against them, but
the two men were far stronger and subdued her with ease. One held her ankles
and the other her wrists and together they hoisted her from the bed and across
the room, though she writhed and cried in their grip.

           
Polites left the room after them, leaving Andromache and Helen’s maid
speechless and alone in the room. Andromache did not know what to think as
Helen’s screams echoed through the corridors as she was dragged to the dungeon.

*
* *

           
The news of Helen’s arrest was met with delight by the majority of the palace,
for she had not been a popular figure, though the charges that had been brought
against the widow were often exaggerated as talk spread throughout the palace
and then beyond to the city at large. Andromache did not know what to think;
from two royal princes wishing to marry her to losing her unborn heir and being
imprisoned in such a short space of time. It was hard for Andromache to
understand and yet nobody seemed forthcoming with explanations.

           
She wondered who had sanctioned Helen's arrest, for she felt sure that the
council could not have condoned such an action – Helenus and Diephobus had both
wished to marry her such a short time ago! – and she could not think what could
have persuaded them to turn against her so. Polites had arrived when she had
been arrested, and she knew this prince to have wished for her return to
Menelaus, but he could not have acted alone.

           
Andromache sensed tension return to the palace, for the arrest of a royal
princess, the widow of a prince – and so recently carrying a royal heir in her
womb – was not something that the household was accustomed to. Even though she
had not been liked, it disconcerted other royals and nobles, for they knew that
if Helen, such a prominent figure, could be sent to the dungeons, then this
could be the fate of anyone.

           
“Now she no longer carries Paris’ heir, what should we care what becomes of
her?” Creusa asked at the high table as they dined. “She is no longer a matter
for our concern.”

           
“The damage has been done,” Cassandra sighed. “Whether she stays or goes, the
war will not be undone.”

           
Queen Hecuba remained silent, staring wistfully at the empty seat where her
husband had once been seated and who now – Andromache suspected – sat by the
window in his chambers, babbling regrets of the past and delusional in his
grief and madness.

           
Was there no hope for this once mighty city, Andromache thought, as she
listened to the princesses discussing Helen’s fate as if it would be so simple
to keep her in the dungeons far beneath them and pray for peace.

*
* *

           
Helenus did not seek power or glory for himself, yet he found himself accused
of such things as Diephobus pointed the finger of accusation upon him before
the council.

           
“You sought to keep secrets from this council,” he cried, “Did you not wish me
to conceal the fact that Helen was carrying a royal heir from these men before
us?”

           
Helenus swallowed his anger down, for he knew that anger would not serve him.

           
“You agreed to such actions until the truth of it could be established,”
Helenus reminded him, voice tight with frustration.

           
“Yet I was the one who informed the council of that which you claim I sought to
hide from them?” Diephobus asked, feigning righteousness. It was enough to make
Helenus want to laugh with the ludicrousness of it all, though he dare not. “Do
you deny this?”

           
“I thought only of protecting Helen until the truth had been established.”

           
“That is to be your confession, then,” Diephobus said.

           
The council exchanged looks, and Helenus shook his head, for he knew that his
brother sought to discredit him and dismiss him from the council. Now that
Priam was confined to his chambers, the councilmen all sought to rule the city
for themselves.

           
“You did not abide the rules of this council,” Diephobus stated, and Helenus
knew that his suspicions had been right. “As such, I vote for his instant
dismissal.”

           
“This is preposterous!” Helenus cried.

           
“Brother, I seek only to dismiss you,” Diephobus said, “And that is only
because you are my dear brother, otherwise I would be demanding your arrest and
imprisonment.”

           
Polites and Laocoon looked disquieted, but Antenor nodded in agreement, and
Helenus wondered if the man was indeed scheming with Diephobus for power.

           
“And you sought to betroth yourself to Helen, did you not?” Diephobus asked.

           
“Only when you suggested marrying her for yourself!”

           
“Alas, I am not the one whose reputation is in question,” Diephobus shrugged,
eyes narrowing. “Did you seek to keep Helen in Troy so that you might marry
her?”

           
“No,” Helenus protested. “Did you?”

           
Diephobus shook his finger in his direction.

           
“These are indeed most grievous accusations,” Polites said, stepping forward
and facing Helenus. Helenus did not like his tone, though he trusted him
slightly more than Diephobus. “Even now, Helen awaits trial for her crimes in
the dungeons.”

           
“I know,” Helenus nodded. “And I do not think she deserves imprisonment. She is
still grieving for her husband, our brother, and for her unborn child.”

           
Diephobus and Antenor exchanged a look, and Helenus wondered if the rumours
that Helen claimed the fall had been caused by someone who sought to harm her
child were true, and if these two men were involved.

           
“I have heard enough,” Antenor said in his rasping tones. “He should be
dismissed from the council, for he has neglected his duty to us and as such
cannot be amongst us.”

           
“I second that,” Diephobus said at once.

           
Polites lowered his head, and Helenus willed him to stand up for him, but
Polites too agreed with the two men before him. Of all the council, only
Laocoon did not offer his thoughts, but it mattered not, for the majority had
spoken and Helenus’ fate had been sealed.

           
“You will no longer attend our meetings,” Diephobus said, feigning
disappointment at delivering such a verdict. “And your title of General shall
be suspended, pending further discussion.”

           
Helenus found himself dismissed from the council chambers. He did not feel
remorse, but frustration overwhelmed him, and fear, too – for without him, how
long could it be before Diephobus took over the council and declared himself as
ruler of Troy?

*
* *

           
Andromache listened to Helenus with a growing sense of dread in her chest.

           
“They cannot dismiss you from the council,” she protested, “It is for your
father to decide who should offer him counsel.”

           
“Yet my father remains hidden away in his chambers,” Helenus sighed.

           
“Diephobus must surely seek power for himself,” Andromache said. It had been a
thought in her mind for a long while now, but now she was convinced of the
fact. “He sought Helen’s hand in marriage and now she does not carry an heir,
he locks her away.”

           
“I do not doubt that he was behind her arrest, in some way or another,” Helenus
conceded. “Yet I do not believe he has put aside thoughts of marriage to her.
He did not only seek to control her heir, but he contemplates her rightful
throne in Sparta with greedy eyes.”

           
“The man has no shame!” Andromache shook her head.

           
Helenus sat across the table from her in her chambers, and Andromache was
pleased that he had come to her, even though the tidings he had brought with
him were not pleasant. It was the first time since he had mentioned marriage
with Helen that he had come to her, and she realised only now how much she had
missed their discussions.

           
“What will become of the council without your presence on it?” Andromache
asked, anxiety gripping her once more. She wished once more that Hector were
still alive, for she was sure he would know how to handle such behaviour from
Diephobus. “If Diephobus rules the council, he rules the city by proxy, and he
will surely seek to proclaim himself king.”

           
“That is so,” Helenus nodded. “And, of course –” He trailed off, bowing his
head.

           
“He will not allow Astyanax to retain his title of Heir Apparent,” Andromache
finished for him, for she had thought of the same consequence when Helenus had
informed her of what had transpired in the council meeting. “What will become
of me?”

           
“I do not know,” Helenus answered honestly. “I will protect you.”

           
“Diephobus surely plots against me and Astyanax, as he plots against you.”

           
“I suppose that if he cannot marry Helen, he will turn his attentions upon
you,” Helenus said, and Andromache wondered if she detected a jealous overtone
to his words, for when she looked at him he looked away, a blush creeping upon
him. “That way he would not have to risk the ire of the people, for he could
rule through Astyanax, as he is still too young to rule in his stead.”

           
“I would not allow such a state of affairs,” Andromache said at once, her skin
crawling at the prospect of marriage to Diephobus.

           
“If Diephobus rules, you may have no alternative,” Helenus said grimly.

           
Andromache shuddered at the thought and she felt tears stinging in her eyes.
She willed herself not to cry, nor show weakness. Helenus hurried from his
chair and knelt before her at once, trying to soothe her. Andromache drew away
and retreated to the balcony, but Helenus followed her. He caught her by the
arm and turned her, lifting his hands to her face. With a gentle thumb, he
wiped her tears away.

           
“You do not have to fear,” he said. “I will not let any harm come to you or
Astyanax.”

           
Andromache tried to smile but found she could not. Helenus opened his arms and
she allowed him to embrace her, and she felt safe as his arms wrapped about her
and held her to him. She could feel the warmth of him through their robes, and
as she thought she heard the rapid beating of his heart, she had to admit to
herself that it could have been her own.

           
He held her for a long moment and when his arms slid from her, the couple
looked at each other for a long moment. His eyes were on hers and Andromache
felt powerless to look away from him. For a moment she thought that Helenus
might kiss her, but then he pulled his gaze from hers and made his excuses to
leave.