Un Readable Love
“Welcome to the National Archaeological Museum,” the tour guide said, “ This extraordinary collection leads you through the Greek art history from 7000 B.C to 300 A.D.Shall we begin?”
The whole class groaned and started following the tour guide, who was excited like a kid who was about to buy his favourite candy. The students’ eyes feasted on the colors of every painting. They stopped in front of the first painting which was labelled The Giver of Wealth.
“Hades is the god of the underworld, he is the oldest male child of Cronus and Rhea., Hades and his brothers, Zeus and Poseidon, defeated their father. The siblings vanquished the Titans to end their reign, claiming rulership over the cosmos” He paused for a while and then continued “ Though hades is the of the dead,he should not be confused with Death itself,who is personified by Thanatos”
We started walking around until we stopped in front of the second painting which was labelled ‘The Face that Launched a Thousand Ships.’
The man in the painting was perfect. His hair was comparable to hand spun gold,,each thread falling perfectly. His strong forearm disappearing under the cloth he was wearing . In is arms was a woman who had large, green eyes that drowned every thought, her gaze was trained on the man .Her long, dark brown hair cascaded down her back accompanied by fresh flowers.
“ ‘The star- crossed lovers’ are what many historians call them, but is it truly love or just lust?” The tour guide said, “ I am about to tell you the story of the most beautiful woman in the world, as Aphrodite called her, but also the woman who started a war that ended one of the most powerful empires in the world.”
“ When Paris, prince of Troy, is out hunting on the island of Crete, he comes across three Goddesses : Aphrodite, ( the Goddess of Love:), Athena (God of Wisdom):, Hera, ( Queen of the Gods.)”
“They made him choose between love, wisdom, and power. He, of course, accepted Aphrodite’s offer of love. Leading him to Helen of Sparta, Paris obtained Helen by abducting her. ,Her Husband, ( King Menelaus of Sparta,) waged a war on Troy which was joined by heroes; such as, Agamemnon, Odysseus, and Achilles. This war lasted for 10 years, Achilles killed Hector of Troy,and Odysseus came up with the idea of a hollow horse that they used to get past Troy’s wall.The Trojans were taken by complete surprise, they sacked Troy and ruined the temples, and they killed Paris., Helen and went home with Menelaus and lived happily ever after,” The tour guide concluded.
“ So any questions? ““ our teacher asked, “yes Maria? “
“My question is why people thought that aris kidnapped Helen, I mean, maybe she really loved him ?” Maria said.
“ The Iliad doesn’t state whether she went willingly, or not, most of the authors condemn her for wantonness suggesting that she have gone willingly, but others suggested that when Aphrodite decreed that paris would be awarded her, she really had no choice in the matter.” The tour guide answered.
“ Can anyone tell me what are the lessons learned from the Trojan War?” Our teacher asked, silence followed, “ well then I will chose , Mr. Carson, tell us one lesson you learned from the Trojan war.,”
“ Women are nothing more than trouble, “ he grinned.
The whole class erupted into laughter and Rebecca raised her hand.
“Thank you Mr. Carson., Yes, Miss Larson,” The teacher said.
“I think that the Trojan War could have been avoided,” Rebecca said.
“ Elaborate more Miss Larson,” the tour guide said
“I mean If the oath of Tyndareus have never taken place, If they didn’t make all of Helen’s suitors to swear an oath to defend whoever become Helen’s Husband against anyone who wished to oppose him, The Trojan War wouldn’t have happened and many people would have survived.”
“ Good point Miss Larson, now students, you have to write a full report about your point of view on the Trojan war” the teacher announced.
We continued walking around looking at the sculptures, paintings, costumes, and traditional things that belonged to the greek gods .
1 Hour Later
As the students were walking toward the exit , Rebecca heard a voice.
“Erica, did you say something,” Rebecca asked her friend who was walking beside her while texting on her phone.
“ No,” she replied and turned back to her phone.
“Help me, please,” the voice whispered.
“Please, anyone, help me, “ the voice said again. Rebecca turned on her heels, running off in the opposite direction. She followed the voice and found herself in front of the painting that belonged to Helen and Paris.
Rebecca leaned toward the painting and made eye contact with the woman in the picture. Rebecca pulled herself away from the painting and turned her back to the art.
“There is no way she looked at me,“ she thought.,Taking a deep breath, she turned around again and saw the woman’s eyes trained on her.
“ Where did you run off? “ She heard Erica say, while catching her breath.
“Erica, you won’t believe this, but her eyes just moved,” Rebecca said.
Erica erupted into laughter , she thought that her friend lost her mind.
“What the hell are you talking about, “ Erica asked her friend.
“ Go to the picture, and you will believe me, “ Rebecca said while pulling her friend by the arm toward the painting .
They leaned towards the painting and soon they saw tears of despondency slowly cascaded down Helen’s cheeks making her seem weak and frail . The girls looked at each other, then looked back at the painting -- not believing what just happened. Erica started leaning her hands toward the painting wanting to touch it, but she was stopped by Rebecca who grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the painting.
“What are you doing?” Rebecca asked her.
“She looks like she is in pain,” Erica said sadly,looking at the painting
“ Whatever let’s get out of here, “ Rebecca said to her friend, but found no one beside her.
She saw Erica walking toward the painting, she reached out and touched the woman’s cheek. She wiped her tears, and then, she vanished into thin air. Rebecca couldn’t believe it. Her logical side is starting to see that this is probably true, but my emotional side is not convinced yet.Her friend just disappeared in front of her eyes.
Rebecca started walking toward the painting and stopped in front of it. “ Oh God, what should I do ? I have to save her.”
“Hey! What are you doing near the painting, Get away now miss!” The guard said while walking to her.
“Here goes nothing” she whispered, and touched the painting. Suddenly the scenery starts to blur., She wasn’t in the museum anymore, she was falling. The colors swirl and blend, the expected thump of the ground doesn’t come . Rebecca eyes slowly slide open to a dim light. She squinted for a second, cringing as her eyes adjusted to the atmosphere., she found herself in a tent. She looked down at herself and found herself wearing an ankle-length, pleated dress fastened at the shoulder with a clasp.
“What the hell,” she thought, she got up and looked at the bed she was sleeping on. It consisted of tapering strips of linen cloth joined at the top to a large wooden ring that was hung from the ceiling to form the tent that she was sleeping in.
“ This is strange,” she thought.
“ Kalimera agapi mou,” she heard from behind her.
She turned around and her eyes gazed into His blue ones. The man was wearing big squares of cloth, held in place by pins at the shoulders and a belt around the waist,His hair seemed to be made of gold, each thread falling perfectly, “He looks like the man in the painting,” she thought.
“ Aisthanesai entaxei Helen. “ The man spoke.
“ Tieipes molis “ she said
“ Did I just speak in greek?” She thought.
“ Eisai Kala Helen” The man spoke again in greek
“Did he just call me Helen “ she thought.
The conversation was interrupted by a man who came inside the tent, He was wearing a linen shirt with metal armour plates on the shoulder, A bronze breastplate covered his chest and stomach and greaves covered his leg.
“ Prinkipas Paris , vasilissa Helen oi stratiotres einai etoimoi na synechisoun to taxidi sto Troy,” the soldier spoke.
“ Did he just call the blonde man Paris, “ she thought.
“Tha pao na vgalota aloga mas kai sti synecheia boroume na pa me spiti mou agapiti Helen,” he kissed her forehead and left with the soldier.
She looked around the tent and found a polished bronze shaped into flat round discs with handle of ivory laying beside her strange-looking bed. She held the strange item and saw her reflection in it and gasped
“ This isn’t my body, “ she started panicking.
The man entered her tent again, He started walking to her, held her hands and kissed them.
“ What’s wrong agape mou” He spoke again
“ What’s my name and who are you,” Rebecca said.
“ You are my Helen and I’m your Paris” He said softly while leaning forward until his forehead touched mine
“ You’re paris of Troy” Rebecca whisper, her heart was pounding rapidly causing a nonstop earthquake in Her chest.
“ Let’s go home agape mou, “ he said. And then he kissed me. It was magic, the way his lips connected with hers. It was right, and somehow, among all the dizziness and the clinging to him like a lifeline, something inside her changed, never to be reversed. This new feeling could be dwelled upon later, because, for now, she was content to feel his breath come and go with hers. He pulled away and smiled at her and intertwined their hands together,they started walking out of the tent and she looked around and she was in awe. The sea was like a rippling blanket of brochure-blue. Squabbling seagulls flew overhead, harassing the beachgoers in their endless hunger. Gannets were dive-bombing the stretched surface of the sea far out from shore. The horizon was edged with a silver tint and a cormorant was flying into that place where sun and water met. His wings were a blur of motion and he soon faded from sight.
They walked until they reached a black horse, Paris got up, and offered her his hand. She hesitated then,she reached, and grabbed his hand and he pulled her on the horse.
“ Hold on tight agape mou,” he whispered , she put her hand around his waist and held him tightly.
“ As pama spiti,” he shouted.
“ Nai prinkipas, “ the soldiers shouted, The horses took off, soon they will reach the kingdom of Troy.
“ Why I am inside the body of Helen and Are the feeling that I am feeling now belongs to Helen, or belongs to me, “ she thought, and she felt tired from all the shock that she went through.
“ I have to find Erica, and I have to find the reason I am inside Helen’s body,” she thought as she continued to hold on tightly onto Paris , she felt her eyes close slightly and darkness consumed her.
The light was fading, creating new shadows and dark patches around me. Eyes glimmered from tree hollows. The wind wailed between distorted trunks, carrying the sickly stink of wood rot. she moved faster, ignoring the briars that caught at my jeans, the damp leaves that gripped my skin
she lifted her face, letting the light and shadow dance across my skin. Bees hummed in and out of the pennyroyal. she inhaled its minty smell and continued on, delighting in the sound of my feet sliding through the leaves.she lifted my face, letting the light and shadow dance across her skin. Bees hummed in and out of the pennyroyal. I inhaled its minty smell and continued on, delighting in the sound of my feet sliding through the leaves. The trees stood utterly still, statues in a living museum where no leaf dared to fall. She paused and looked at the person in front of her, she looked like the woman in the painting. This is Helen of troy
“ Hello Rebecca” Helen said
“ How did you know my name”Rebecca replied, confused
“ I heard your friend call you that “
“ What do you want from me , why I am in your body?” Rebecca asked
“ Everything happens for a reason Rebecca, This is your time to change History,”
“What do you mean?”
“ you know what will happen, you know this will end, you have to change it “
“ I don’t know how”
“ you will figure it out on your own, Now I have to go” she smiled and turned around
“ wait,” rebecca shouted
“ yes?” Helen replied
“ Did paris kidnap you?”
“Yes he kidnapped me “ she smiled “ For he kidnapped my heart and made me fall in love with him”
Rebecca smiled at her and she vanished into thin air
Rebecca opened her eyes again and found herself in a bed chamber. She sat up and looked around the room, Everything wa grand. Murals and painting decorated the wall, A chandelier dangled from the ceiling, There was an ornate fireplace and soft large cream sofas covered in warm colored cushions
“How did I get here?” she whispered
The door opened and in walked a woman who was wearing a dress with collapsed sleeves,low necklines, and fuller skirts.Her silky blonde hair were fit neatly into a stunning chignon and crown was on her head.
“ Hello dear” she said
“ Your majesty “ rebecca said while getting up from her bed and bowing at the queen
The queen erupted into laughter and Rebecca looked at her confused
“ you look uncomfortable becca” The queen said
“ Erica” rebecca said with a shocked expression on her face
The queen or Erica in this case sat on the bed. “ Hey Becca, How did you get here ” she grinned
“ The same way you got here , I touched the painting and here I am inside Helen’s body “ rebecca replied “ But How did you know it’s me ?”
“ Helen told me in my dreams that you are in her body” she replied
“ But why are inside the queen’s body” Rebecca asked
“ Helen told me I will figure it out on my own” she shrugged
They sat in silence and a knock on the door interrupted the silence in the air
“ come in” Erica said, The door opened and in walked paris
“Hello Mother” he said while kissing Erica on her cheek
“ Hello son” Erica replied trying not to laugh
“ Mother, can you leave me with helen” paris asked
“ of course son” erica replied
Paris held her hand , kissed it and bowed to Erica. Erica smiled at him and winked at me, the left
“ How are you now?” he said
“ I am okay” Rebecca replied
Paris sat on the bed and his hand touched her cheeks “ I can’t believe it , we are finally together”
“ yes we are “ she whispered
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation and in walked a man playing the violin
“ Would you do me the honor of dancing with me my Helen “ He said
She smiled at him and took his hands. They stood face to face, chest to chest, they swayed to the music that is playing softly, He averted his eyes from her own and stared at her lips. She saw him lean in ,then she heard the familiar knock.
“ Enter “ paris shouted
A man who looked like on of the soldiers from the uniform that I saw before
“ Didn’t I say no one can interrupt us “ paris said
“ Forgive me my prince but the king of Sparta is here with his army and he wants his queen”
“ you can go”
Paris held both of my hands and looked in my eyes “ No one is going to take you from me “
Rebecca smiled at him and they walked out of the room and reached the terrace of the castle
“ What do you want “ paris shouted
“ Give me back my queen” Menelaus replied
“ She is mine not yours anymore “ paris replied
“Then come fight me or I will destroy troy”
“ Don’t listen to him” Rebecca said
“ I have to fight him for you and to protect my country “
Rebecca looked at him with tears in her eyes and kissed him softly. He smiled and walked out of the terrace, he appeared in the battle ground wearing his armour and walking beside him was his brother hector.
She saw Erica or Queen Hecuba stand beside her,” According to History, paris will run and hector will die, and the queen will ask Menelaus to kill paris”
“ This is what Helen meant by changing history, we have to make sure that paris and hector don’t die”
They looked at the field again, Menelaus and paris were standing in front of each others, swords and shields in their hands.Menelaus charged at paris with the sword upheld. Paris dodged the first and met the second with his broadsword, the weight of the sword sent Menelaus back but not enough to knock the sword free of his hands. swing , swing, The first one missed badly but the second one found paris’s flesh, Menelaus attacked again , making paris drop to his knee. Two soldiers from Sparta held paris
“ Good bye Paris of Troy” he smirked
“ Noooo” Rebecca yelled
Menelaus charged the sword at paris and Hector ran as fast as he can and jumped in front of his brother, The sword went through hector’s stomach and he fell on the ground. Hector looked at paris “ Even if we always fight , you are still my brother” he said talking his last breath and his body went limp. Paris looked at his brother’s pale body. He didn’t cry, He couldn’t cry. He looked at Menelaus with anger in his eyes, “ I am going to kill you “ He said
“ say goodbye to your life paris” he said and striked again
Paris blocks the strike with the forearm crossed , He slides between Menelaus legs and grasps his swords and then spinned around sweeping at Menelaus’s feet, menelaus leaps and paris grabbed his leg bringing him down onto the ground, paris thrust his sword at menelaus throat
“ Please Have Mercy on me “ He begged
Paris smiled in triumph,” This is for my brother” he was about to strike but Rebecca stopped him
“ Helen what are you doing”
“ Don’t kill him please” Rebecca begged
“ He killed my brother”
“ I know but if you kill him, His army will kill your people, Is that what you want, Hector wouldn’t want you to sacrifice your people, so please listen to me “ she said
Paris let the sword fall on the ground and Menelaus stood up, paris looked at him and punched him in the face, “ I never want to see you here again, you hear me “
“ yes I will never come here again” He whispered. Paris looked at him once more and walked away.
“ Go Helen I will make sure His army leave with him” Erica said
“Thanks erica “ she said and ran after him and found him in Hector’s room.
“ He didn’t deserve to die “ He whispered
“ I know “ Rebecca said while walking towards him.
“ you know the last thing I told him that I never want to see him again” he said
“ Hector knows how much you loved him paris”
“ I just want to see him” He said , Few tears escaping his eyes
“ He is in a better place now” She whispered while wiping His tears
“ I made the right choice “ he whispered
“ What choice”
“ the choice when I accepted the offer of Aphrodite”
“ I am glad you chose right”
“ I am glad that I have you My Helen, I love you Helen of sparta”
“ Don’t you mean Helen of Troy “
“ My Helen”
“ I love you too paris “ she closed her eyes and kissed him on his lips
When Rebecca opened her eyes, She found herself back at the museum, She looked at her right and saw Erica standing beside her, They were in front of the painting of Helen and paris, she looked at the label under the painting and read the label The star-crossed lovers
“ When Paris,prince of troy, is out hunting on the island of Crete,He comes across three Goddesses : Aphrodite ( God of Love), Athena (God of Wisdom), Hera ( Queen of the Gods)
They made him choose between love,wisdom,and power. He of course accepted Aphrodite offer which was the most beautiful woman in the world,Helen of Sparta, Paris obtained Helen by abducting her,Her Husband ( King Menelaus of Sparta) waged a war on troy which was joined by heroes such as Agamemnon, Odysseus, and Achilles. Paris and Menelaus battled for Helen’s Heart, When Menelaus was about to kill paris, His brother Hector saved him and died instead, Even though paris was angry at the loss of his brother , he didn’t kill Menelaus, for he thought of his people, If he killed Menelaus, Troy would have fallen. Paris later married Helen and both of them Became King and Queen of Troy and They lived Happily ever after “ The tour guide said
“ Any questions? “ Our teacher asked
“ What happened to Menelaus?” A guy asked
“ Menelaus remarried again and he ended up cheating on his wife, His lover killed him in his sleep , some legend says that Queen Hecuba is the one who sent this woman to avenge the death of her son” The tour guide answered
Rebecca looked at her friend” Did you do that?”
“ He deserved it “ Erica grinned
It was time to go home and the class already left, Erica and Rebecca stood in front of the picture of Helen and paris
“ Do you think we did a good job?” Rebecca asked
“ I mean we changed History , we showed everyone that paris is not as bad as people say he is “ Erica replied
“ Yea you are right “
“ Who do you want to save next” erica said
“ what are you talking about”
“ I say we go to paris this summer and find out if the Mona Lisa is really one of Leonardo da Vinci mistresses “ Erica said
“ No way in hell, I am not going to do that again”
“ I can’t wait, maybe we will fall in love with some Italian boys even though they are ancient” she said “ I have to get my hair done , I heard that Italian boys like blondes “ she said excitedly and started running out of the museum
Rebecca shook her head and smiled at her crazy friend, she looked back at the picture, This experience changed her life, It made her believe that rumors are not always true. You have to see it to believe it . As she started walking away she heard a whisper
“ Thank you “
She stopped in her place and turned towards the picture , “ You’re welcome Queen Helen of Sparta or should I say Helen of troy”
The end