The real reason for the Trojan War:

Paris sat down on a wooden stool. The din of the party echoed through his ears. These Spartans sure have experience with throwing parties. Paris was new to the occupation of prince. Just a few weeks ago he was a Sheppard, now he has the duties of a prince and has people he has never met throwing parties in his honour.

Some of the Spartans jumped up on a table and started singing. Paris turned to his brother Hector. "I need some air."

Hector pulled his face out of his goblet. "Ok, ok." His drunken gaze wandered around the room for a moment. "You know Paris, You’re a pretty good guy. You’ll make a good Prince."

Paris eyed his newfound brother. "You’re also drunk. I could be Aphrodite and you wouldn’t notice the difference."

A drunken smile spread across Hector’s face. "Hey there Aphrodite, I didn’t see you come in."

Paris left the other prince at the table and slunk out to the balcony. He felt a little guilty ducking out of his own party, but this was just too much. A Sheppard wasn’t used to the noise or the alcohol.

He leaned on the balcony and stared into the turbulent water below. The cove that the Spartan’s palace was based seemed to have Poseidan’s personal wrath. Amidst the sea spray on his face and the wind whipping through his hair he heard a woman crying.

He turned and saw that he wasn’t as alone as he thought. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen was lying on the ground at the edge of the balcony. This must be the Queen, the rumours of her beauty are true. Paris stared at her, transfixed by how she lay on the ground, how anyone could be so transfixing when wracked with such grief. She looked at him. A look of hopelessness. "Well?" she asked.

Paris shuffled through his recent experiences, what could she want from him? "Well what?" No no! That’s stupid, she's going to think I’m an idiot now!

Her tears stopped. "What does my husband want? He sent you did he not?"

"No, why should he? I'm not his lackey."

"Then who are you? One of the Trojans?"

Paris puffed out his chest, eager to impress her. "Yes, the newest prince of Troy, Paris Alexander."

"Oh." She sounded relieved. Not exactly what Paris was hoping for. "You don't look like a prince." Paris’ hopes fell. "More like a Sheppard. Maybe a stableboy. Why are you out here then? Shouldn't you be feasting with the rest of those lummoxes?" Paris glanced back inside.

"The music is too loud for my liking. What are you doing out here? Wouldn't you rather be with your king?"

"Menelaus? I hate him. All he does is fight, never think. Just like my father. They think I know nothing! Treat me like I'm cattle! And I can't do anything about it!"

"Couldn't you leave?"

"I suppose I could, but then all of the heros of Greece would be honour bound to come and take me back! I have no way to escape…" She started crying again.

"Well… you could always come to Troy with us." I just can’t stop looking at her, a goddess on earth…

Helen's tears stopped for a moment as she laughed. "You Trojans couldn’t hope to stand against them either. And I doubt I would be any happier with you. I don't think I'd be happy with anyone... yes... I won't be happy with anyone..."

She began to smile. At first it was as if the sun shone from her face. Then it twisted into something different. Something horrible.

She stepped up onto the guard rail and put her arms out to balance herself. She turned her head and her eyes met with his. "Thanks" she said as she jumped off the side.

Paris was frozen to the floor with horror and he couldn't bring himself to look at the rocks below. He needed to get out of here.

He ran back inside to find Hector and King Menelaus singing together. "Hector! We need to go!"

Hector looked at Paris from a drunken haze. "What? Why? I'm enjoying myself."

"Now Hector!"

"Ok ok, thank you or your hospitality good king, I hope we Trojans can someday return the favor."

Menelaus beamed at the princes. "Don't worry. I'm sure we'll find some way to make you pay. Have a safe trip back! Servants! Find me my wife! I want to sing her one of these Trojan's songs!"