All Manner of Sins

Disclaimer: All characters belong to the people who made “Troy” and to Homer, but he’s dead. I only own um, well, the other stuff.
A/N If you don’t like slash, don’t read this.


When Hector and Andromache finally got up, Hector put on his armor and went down to the main hall. His brother was waiting there, also in his armor. Hector noticed that his brother was wearing a different sword than usual. It took him a second to realize that it was the sword of Troy. He felt a stab of jealousy. The sword had been passed down from father to eldest son for as long as Troy had been standing. Hector felt betrayed to see his brother wearing it. But then he felt his wife behind him on the stairs and her calming presence washed the jealousy away. He realized the their father had given it to Paris for luck and as a sign of good faith for today's fight. And he needs all the luck he can get, thought Hector. Everyone knew that Hector was the warrior, not Paris. Paris was the lover, the one that made young maids (well, any age and purity level, actually) swoon just by walking past them. The one that could easily convince the most beautiful woman in the world to leave her husband for him. Helen. The one who started this whole mess in the first place. Whom he had caught trying to go back to her husband so as to end the fighting and had ended up crying on his shoulder. But he wouldn't have seen her if he hadn't been on his way to the Greek camp himself. He shook the thoughts from his head and smiled at his brother as he got off of the stairs.
Paris had been watching his brother's slow descent. But Hector was very good at keeping his emotions inside, so Paris had no idea what his brother had been thinking of. But Paris was jealous of his brother. Hector knew how women reacted to his brother, and obviously, Paris noticed too. But Paris also noticed that though women looked on him with desire, they looked on his brother with admiration and, at times, something bordering on worship. Hector was brave, strong and kind. He was also a gentle and caring husband and a devoted father. He never drank to excess and he never slept with servants. Paris knew he could never match this. He also knew that their father favored Hector for all of these reasons. But when his brother smiled at him, all of this was forgotten, and despite himself, Paris smiled back.
When Hector reached Paris, the two brothers embraced. But Hector was quickly serious.
"Are you afraid?" he quietly asked Paris. Paris knew that Hector could tell if he lied.
"Yes, I am."
"There is nothing wrong with fear. It keeps us sharp and alert."
All Paris could do was nod.
Hector then noticed that Andromache was going over to speak with Helen, who was standing alone at the edge of the room. Her eyes met Hector's, and he expected her to quickly look away, ashamed of letting herself go in front of him the previous night. Hector had no problems with crying and letting emotions out every once and awhile, but he hated the way women always seemed ashamed of doing this in front of men. Actually, they didn't have problems doing it, just admitting to it afterwards. But instead she met his eyes squarely, and then looked away to greet his wife. Hector was surprised. But then, that was exactly the way she had looked at him on the boat after Paris revealed her, as if defying him to mock her for her actions. But his thoughts were distracted by the entrance of his father.
Everyone turned to look as Priam entered the room. Though not a young man anymore, Priam still exuded an aura of pride and authority. Hector knew that his father had been quite handsome in his youth and his mother had once told him that he was his father. Yet, Priam had been more like Paris with women. He still was, even after he got married. Hector had innumerable half brothers and sisters that Priam had fathered with other women. But Hector was the oldest of all of Priam's children and everyone in Troy knew that Hector would be a great king when his father died. But Hector now wondered if Paris had jeopardized that by bringing Helen to Troy.
"My son Paris has pledged today to fight Menelaus for the honor of being with Helen," said the Trojan king. Paris paled at these words. "No matter the outcome, I am proud of him, and proud that he will fight for what he believes." He then embraced Paris. "Fight well son." He then went over to Andromache, and led her to the stairs that led to the viewing area.
Helen then came over to Paris and Hector. "Could I have a word with your brother?" she asked Hector. He went and waited for Paris by the door. After a few minutes, the couple embraced. Helen watched as Paris joined Hector. Hector felt her eyes on them all of the way out of the hall.