Donna Lynn – Achilles is coming, no worries. I'm just getting Ellen set up before I get things started. I think you can expect some Achilles in chapter 6 at the latest.

Thanks for the reviews guys!

The week had crept by slowly. The days were long, hot and extremely dull. She was forced to watch from her window as the Spartan boys splash around the beach, building castles and rolling around in the sand. The market was busy with men and women who directed their servants around, laughed, talked and purchased overpriced items. Donkeys were braying and goats were bleating. Chickens were crowded in the cobblestone streets and children screamed and laughed as they chased each other around. Ellen couldn't leave her room, as she was hard at work studying. The remainder of her training was now in effect. Instead of the long days of listening, she was now condemned to reading and writing. She studied literature and documents as well as the religious history of Greece. A priest would often pop a question and if she failed to answer correctly, she was penalized. She knew she'd taste some freedom eventually; she had only to be patient.

This evening was no different. She was stuck at her desk, quill and parchment settled in front of her. She studied by candlelight, muttering each word softly to herself over and over again. Her dark eyes shifted quickly, her concentration burning rapidly. She was restless, yet determined. She forced herself to remain focused. Only a soft knock upon her door stirred her from her struggle.

'Yes?'

The door was pushed open a crack and a pair of eyes peered inside. Ellen swallowed and raised her brows curiously. It was then pushed open further and a young man stepped inside. He wasn't very old, perhaps three or four years her senior. He furrowed his brows and fumbled with an envelope in his hands.

'I was asked to give this to you.'

Ellen settled her parchment on the desk and stood up, pulling her nightgown lightly around her slender figure. She grew excited at the sight of the envelope and quickly jumped to conclusions. With high hopes, she reached out and accepted it. She flipped it over and smoothed her hand across the wax seal. Then realization hit her clear in the forehead, forcing her lips to curl in confusion and her brows to fall.

'I don't understand...'

The young man looked down at his now empty palms and sighed, glancing at her with a slight tilt of his head.

'I wrote this. I wrote this a month ago to my family.'

Her voice broke slightly, panic dripping from each word. The young man sighed again and quickly diverted his gaze, as if fearful to meet her eye. She wet her lips softly and winced, taking his assertiveness as a sign.

'You mean none have reached Phtia?'

The young man nodded, gazing at her with shifty eyes. He bowed his head softly and took a step backwards towards the door.

'I am sorry, m'lady.'

With that, he vanished. Ellen was suddenly unable to focus. Her eyes were heavy and rapidly filling with tears. Refusing to shed a single one, she quickly dragged the cuff of her sleeve over them, ignoring the kohl that smudged upon the material. The envelope was dropped to the floor as she sunk upon the edge of her bed. She gazed at the flickering candle, which sent haunting shadows stretching along her walls. She bit her lip and closed her eyes, trying to forget about things. She had to return to her reading, she had to focus.

She sniffled suddenly and scoffed at herself. Her bare feet carried her back to her desk and she sat down, snatching up her parchment sharply and staring at it in misery. Her night would be long, and she only prayed she'd get through it.

She awoke early the next morning to another knock on her door. She groaned and pulled her sheets up over her head. Then, words slightly muffled, she spoke.

'Come in.'

The door opened again and Ellen pulled the sheets away from her face. It was the same young man and he held another letter. With an aggravated scoff, she buried herself back under the blankets and spoke to him.

'If you're here to return another let-'

'No, I'm here to deliver a letter, m'lady.'

Ellen sat up and tucked her blankets around her waist. She frowned, gazing at the young man with heavy, uncertain eyes. Dark bags plagued her features and her hair was tangled and untamed. She was surprised he didn't recoil in disgust for she looked anything but presentable. For a moment, she didn't believe him. He held it out to her patiently, waiting for her to take it. When she did, he waited for him to depart before opening it with a tear of the seal. She unfolded it slowly and bit her tongue, eyes shifting through the contents.

Ellen, You have been summoned for diplomatic duty by the king of Sparta. Your current post shall be suspended until you've fulfilled the task at hand. Please report to the king the day you receive this for further information and instruction.

Karsten,

Advisor to King Menelaus

Ellen blinked rapidly. She read the letter once, twice and three times. For a moment, she felt helpless. It was as if everything she'd worked for was suddenly thrown into the fire and turned to ash. She thought hard, gazing at the fancy writing that adorned the parchment. She bit her lip and closed her eyes. Very well, if this were to be her path, she'd take it without question. If she was truly meant for the task, after all, who was she to deny?

That afternoon, she prepared herself for her a meeting with the king. She was nervous, but held her head high. Her steps were slow, yet held determination. As she approached the appointed room, her stomach fluttered as if she'd swallowed a dozen butterflies. A few other people stood around, shifting anxiously. Ellen halted beside them and frowned a bit. She was the youngest of the four and felt rather out of place amongst them. She was thankful for the sudden summon that followed her swift arrival.

Ellen and the three men stalked into the room. It was elaborately decorated with fine furniture and monstrous tapestries. The king sat in the largest chair, adorned with golden framework and maroon cushions. To his right sat his wife, Helen. Ellen found herself staring at her. She was the most beautiful woman she'd ever seen. Her eyes were heavily laced with kohl and shifted around the room with horrible tension, as if she really didn't want to be there. She wore flowers in her hair and a soft cream gown. Menelaus motioned to the other chairs, each less decorated and comfortable then his.

'As you all are aware, we're negotiating peace with Troy.'

Ellen felt her heart jump at the mention of Troy. He'd just confirmed her curiosity and only question. She bit her tongue and kept quiet, waiting for him to continue.

'For months we've been sending ships of diplomats to their borders. As of recently, we've been notified that our attempts are not in vain. To secure the possibility of peace, I am arranging for a final load of diplomats to visit the city. I expect them to return with Trojan diplomats and the prince of Troy himself...'

Menelaus fell silent and his gaze grew intense. He shifted it amongst the group in front of him and lingered momentarily over Ellen.

'Or not return at all.'

Silence swallowed the occupants of the room. Second thoughts and looks of anxiety spread through each person. The King paid this no heed and nodded, his plump features shifting suddenly in the chair. He waved his hand in dismissal after speaking his final words.

'The ship sails at dawn.'

The filed from the room and went their separate ways. Ellen considered heading to the temple to pray to Aries for success, but felt oddly drawn to the nearest window. She gazed outside and overlooked the ocean, sighing heavily. She suddenly felt homesick, for only the second time since her arrival. She missed her family and the thought of traveling further away racked her heart horribly. She had no way of informing them of her intentions either. Though she felt helpless, she felt hopeful for the new experience that lay before her. She inhaled the soft sea breeze and headed to her bedroom. She needed to gather her necessities and get some rest. She was to awake early the next morning for her trip to Troy.