Snippet #1794105

King Priam of Troy

The wind brought the scent of the sea, the strong smell of salt drifting with the breeze that blew through the open window. The blue hangings twisted with the wind, the fabric brushing gently across Priam’s chest as he stood gazing out the window into the sunlight drenched morning. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, stretching his arms out wide, allowing the sun to bath his naked skin.

For a long moment he stood there, glorying in the warmth that spread across him. A sudden knock at his door interrupted his peace and quiet though he called for whomever it was to enter. He heard the door open and then the voice of the Captain of his Guard.

”Andromache’s galley has been spotted your majesty.”

“Thank you Antenor. Please inform my family and have the honour guard welcome her, and then escort her to us.”

“Your majesty.” He heard the guard say then the door closed again. He stepped from the window and cast a glance about his chambers. They were not gaudy as the Greek’s were want to do but rather they were tasteful and comfortable without being overwhelming.

He stepped to a chest near the wall and opened it, selecting from within it toga of the purest blue, trimmed with gold. Over his shoulder went a pure white sash, finished with a golden chain of office about his neck. Next he selected a pair of fine leather sandals and a then drew from its resting place a thing golden circlet that marked him for king. He placed it gently on his head before stepping to a looking glass and checking his reflection. As he did so his chamber doors opened and a slave bustled in, stopping dead as he saw the King.

“Your majesty! You did not even wait for me to help you!” The slave scolded good naturedly as he hurried over, quickly taking a comb and fixing an imagined flaw with his masters hair.

“I am quite capable of looking after myself, no matter what my family thinks.” Priam responded with a slight frown as he adjusted his crown. Satisfied, he waved the slave away and strode from the room, his escort falling in behind him.

They moved through the palace with ease, the crowds of guests and well wishers for the royal couple parting before him and bowing low. He smiled at those he knew, stopped once to talk to an old soldier, and at last made his entrance to the throne room where the entire gathering stood on command from the Captain of the Guard.

He noted his various children present, resisting the urge to frown and tell Cassandra to act like a princess; he knew his breath would be wasted. It was clear that something was troubling her and he would have to ask her later. He greeted his wife with a kiss then turned to the assembly. They all bowed and he acknowledged them with a tilt of his head before nodding to guards at the door. As one they heaved on the heavy wooden doors which swung open to allow more sunlight to pour into the room.

As if stepping from a golden portal the princess entered. The crowd seemed to draw a collective breath at her beauty and Priam did not stop the smile that formed on his lips as he watched her approach. She bowed low and he in turn bowed slightly. For a long moment he expected Hector to leap forwards at once but he could see that his son, for the first time in his young life, looked nervous. Without waiting another second he stepped forward, opening his arms wide.

“Andromache, Daughter of King Eetion, welcome to Troy!” A cheer went up at once from the watchers. “I can see that my son has been struck speechless by such a beauty so let me be the first to welcome you into our family and our home.”

To the amazement of all the King stepped forward and embraced the Princess.