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Post by Daphne on Jan 14, 2008 9:01:01 GMT -5
When Daphne arrived inside the Throne Hall, she moved away her hand out of Stelios' who had helped her in, and turned towards Gorgo and Alcander, who were following them inside the cool Throne Hall. "Well, it indeed has been a long journey, but we are glad we arrived now and are very gratefull for your hospitality. Of course... if my husband agrees, we might could stay for a couple of days longer, if you wish?" She adressed the Queen, although her gaze moved from her to Alcander, wanting to see his reaction, what he thought of the invitation.
Daphne hoped that Athens and Sparta would come to an agreement, she did wish for these two countries to no longer be in a competition about who is to be the strongest of them. Instead, she wished that they could work out to become allies, and begin to not work against each other, but together.
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Post by Stelios on Jan 15, 2008 15:31:22 GMT -5
Stelios released her hand from his grasp, he hoped that the Athenians King had not misunderstood his geest. He opened the curtains in order to receive sunlight and addressed the Kings to sit on the comfortable sofa as he made himself sit along side of his wife at the opposite sofa in order to face them. "It would be hasty if you left when just arriving, your bodies would not tolerate so many hours of journey the day after."
Even though Spartans were trained to tolerate worse things he knew that the Athenians did not have their same level to embrace endurance, after all, pain is not worshiped by all Greeks as it was for Spartans. "I believe that it would be better if you stayed at least for a week, you would be able to visit this place and meet more of our country and traditions.
Our history is very rich, in the past Athens was one of our worst enemies, your blood plays and important role to the origins of Spartan strength, your blood inspired mine to better tacts to protection and other tacts. We are all Greeks and bothers. I wish to see us as everything but enemies, I trust that two heads are stronger than one....."
He smiled at both Kings and wrapped his wife's hand with his, she was sitting besides him. "Would you like something to drink?", he wondered, he had not asked them before because he had completely forgotten about that tiny detail.
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Post by Alcander on Jan 16, 2008 12:51:53 GMT -5
Alcander who followed the royals inside, watching curiously on the surroundings as worried he were about an ambush. He would not like to be tricked into their net, tho followed and trusted the words his own wife had spoken earlier. The beauty of Sparta surely was a great sight as he entered the halls of kings and queens, it were huge though were not bigger then his own palace at home. However the structure and decorations interested him, as never before had he seen anything like it. Gentle he walked further as beside him the queen of Sparta went by, his arm were linked to hers tho his eyes fixed forward upon his own wife.
When she spoke about their stay he listened, thought said nothing before Daphne went over to answer the question. He slightly nodded as he agreed, but was not fully pleased by his stay even the warm welcome. Alcander were a stubborn man, who not easily were pleased by enemies of old, although he would try it all to make their friendship grow. As the sight of a big package in front of them were seen, he watched curious. What could it be that was wrapped inside a such great gift, it made him wonder though as he were introduced to sit together with his wife he agreed and spoke."We will stay if it pleases you, however its not every day we get to meet another royals."He said with a smile and continued, but watched his wife with a smile as she came to sit down beside him."I will gladly accept something to drink, yes..though curious I am on what you got over there."Alcander said pointing toward the big package, curious about what it could be.
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Post by Queen Gorgo on Jan 16, 2008 13:19:12 GMT -5
The Queen walked along the King of Athens until she gently showed him where to sit. She then went to site near her beloved husband and gave the Queen of Athens a warm and friendly smile. Gorgo was a good and simple woman and for that she could easily tell that King Alcander was acting rather strange, or stil misstrusted them. She tried to let him know they meant no harm and that they were overjoyed with their visit, therfore she smiled warmly at him and then she turned to smile at Stelios as he grabbed her hand with love and tenderness. She squeezed it a bit and smiled, it seemed they would stay after all.
Gorgo then heard the King’s last words and smiled, “That, my Lord, you will see after this meeting. Fear not, it is a gift for Athens to show how truly we wish to make peace not war.” She did not say more since this would clearly spoil the surprise, but she knew the King would understand her words, for Spartans were Greeks too, and that meant that they knew well eough that, to honour Zeus, they had to welcome all visitors and treat them with fondness.
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Post by Daphne on Jan 16, 2008 13:56:21 GMT -5
Daphne sat down beside her husband, and took one of his hands in hers. She was relieved that they would stay for some more days, after all it had been a long and tireing journey and the travel back would not be easier. She rather would prefer to have some more restful, peaceful days before they would return to their home.
With Alcander mentioning the veiled item in one corner of the hall, she first noticed it and began to wonder as well. Was it a present for them? If so then Alcander and Daphne could be sure that the Spartians wished for peace between their countries, with no doubt. Daphne did not doubt Gorgo's and Stelios' honesty, but she believed that Alcander was a little more reserved in giving his trust.
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Post by Alcander on Jan 19, 2008 17:16:27 GMT -5
"Really, well then I am interested to see what that may be. However nothing bad I hope, at least our stay may bring great fortune to our two nations and ourself. Knowing that friendship we might make cant easily break it again."Alcander answered in return to the queen of Sparta, as he curiously wondered what it might be behind the blanket of the huge gift that was close to them. He new the Spartans could be good at tricking people, specially when using items to get what they want. Stories of the Trojan horse in their land was heard by many, but hopefully no one would fall for that trick again after what already had happened.
With a kind touch he held onto his beloved wife hand, as glad he were to have her beside him. She were beautiful and wise, and most of all he loved her the most. For years had they been married, but together had they managed it all. With her beside him he would manage the meeting they now had, though worried he was about an trick were to be lunched upon them.
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Post by Daphne on Jan 26, 2008 5:32:27 GMT -5
(Gorgo, Stelios, shall we continue in this thread?)
"Friendship surely will help our two nations to find more peace again, don't you agree? Though, Queen Gorgo, you sent us an invitation to meet you here, however have not spoken yet of the cause. We can only guess it is for alliance?" Daphne asked curiously, being quite sure she was right but she wanted to hear it from the Queen or her husband themselves. She knew, her husband still felt a little uneasy and not convinced yet that their visit to Sparta was certainly friendly, but she wanted to assure him. The royal couple of Sparta would not treat them with such kindness if they had planned something completely different, an assault maybe, for they had more than enough possibilities for assaults already and yet nothing had happened.
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Post by Stelios on Jan 27, 2008 15:50:29 GMT -5
Stelios was loosing his patience as he saw that the King of Athens still thought of them as enemies. Stelios raised his brow, if they had wanted to attack them they would have done it already and not behind their backs with an ambush, they would have faced them face to face for Spartans did not tolerate to be thought of as cowards, they were cunning but never cowards nor cheaters.
He squeezed gently the hand of his gorgeous wife and heard the queen speak, he was waiting for the precise moment to begin the negotiations as some servants brought food and wine to the guests. Spartans were used to eating only the amount to survive but with their guests they served them with all kinds of fruits.
"We have indeed dated you today for nothing more but allegiance. We don not intend to attack you nor betray you if that is what you may be thinking", he said referring to Daphne's husband as she had shown she did not mistrust them.
"I do not blame you but I believe that we have demonstrated we are not to be trifled with and that we share no bad intentions to wards your nation which is in part of our blood too. Many years have our two nations wasted doing wrath and war and we have not gained anything, we have lost many valuable lives and I wish not to repeat those events."
He concluded and rose from his seat releasing her wife's hand, He walked where the window was and looked at the great views ahead, the horizon which depicted more lands beyond, he smiled. "I want peace to be part of all nations and to defend my lands just if necessary, us, Spartans, love war but we also know when to separate it from hobbies and duties."
He looked at the couple who sat in front of his eyes, he knew they both felt the same way or he wished they did or the reason to their visit would be obsolete.
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Post by Queen Gorgo on Jan 28, 2008 8:08:20 GMT -5
Gorgo looked at her husband lovingly as he spoke of an allegiance between Athens and Sparta, she closed her eyes for a moment to pray that their guests would accept and that finally there would be peace between their countries.
She knew that she did not need to speak now, as she opened her eyes and met Stelios’ she knew he wanted them to accept this union between cities of the same culture and keen, Greek. She then turned to look at Daphne, she had been told of the Queen’s wisdom but now she looked at her as if she asked her to judge them by their noble heart and words and accept the allegiance as a new dawn for the Greeks taking the blessed gods for witnesses.
She knew how much Stelios wished for them to accept, for this wrath to end and for wisdom and peace to coincide in the Greek lands, for they were all children of Zeus and his might. They just had to set aside their differences and know that union was what made nations stand strong. If they accepted, then Queen Gorgo would gladly give them a special gift for them to seal this agreement.
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Post by Alcander on Jan 28, 2008 16:48:09 GMT -5
Alcander who sat silent beside his wife, listened curiously to what his wife and the Spartans spoke about as most of it were great importance for both lands they owned. His worriedness slowly faded as they said they had no attentions in tricking them or killing them, cause all of them were tired of war and peace they wished. He agreed, it surely had been many years of wars and emissary, it was time to stop it and make peace between the two great lands instead of fighting each other. When they were finished speaking, he in return answered with loud voice for them only to hear."I believe you, Spartans. War never causes anything good, but together we can stand strong and learn from each other. I promise from now on to bury the battle axe, so our lands ones again can stand united against one common cause. "Alcander spoke, not wanting war as well cause he were sick of it, specially between them since Greeks they all were.
With a smile he turned to look back at his wife, as curious he were what the Spartans now would answer. Tight but careful he held Daphne`s hand, since he a lot cared for her and if he were possible to stop war from happening, he could gladly do so even glory it gave the men. He just wanted his people and wife safe, cause a lot danger they all had been caused already.
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Post by Daphne on Jan 30, 2008 7:15:32 GMT -5
Daphne knew how much Alcander had wished for final peace between their two countries, because for as long as they both could think of, Athens had been threatened by war, may it be with Sparta, Persia or other countries. To finally end this bloodthirsty period had been one of his highest goals, and it now was so close to achieve that they just had to grab out and shake hands with the Spartan royals.
She caught Gorgo's gaze, and she nodded at her with a slight smile. She could not speak yet, for it was her husband's turn now to agree to the end of war and she did not want to intermit now, it was not her place. Alcander knew what she would advise him with, but she doubted he even needed it. When he finally spoke, agreeing to King Stelios' offer, she gently pressed his hand, telling him that he had made the right decision and that she was proud of him. It did not need more than this hardly noticeable gesture between themto understand each other.
At last now she spoke again. "So let this be the end of the needless war between our two countries then." And she leaned forward to grab one glass which was filled with wine, and brought it up to her lips.
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Post by Stelios on Jan 31, 2008 15:40:50 GMT -5
"Then be it done, may the gods bless this moment and keep it on their mind for its continuous creation as it is held in their thought and not our human power which is naturally abstained of such pleasure, may Zeus, Hera and Heracles feed our souls with the correct burning desire."
He nodded at his wife, the time had come for her to price their trust with that which was wrapped with cloth. Stelios did not know what it was inside but he trusted the good taste of his wife and her wisdom for she always gave what she thought would be of valuable use for their guests. Now he was certain that both majesties would feel more comfortable during their stay in this beloved lands, the lands that had been protected with Spartan blood.
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Post by Queen Gorgo on Feb 12, 2008 7:31:12 GMT -5
Gorgo smiled warmly at her husband when he told her it was time for them to give the Athenian Lords something that would tie the bonds of allegiance once and for all. She Stood up slowly and walked over to the wrapped gift. Her slender figure moved with delicacy as the wind blew against her light-coloured dress. Her hands slowly uncovered the gift and placed the blanket on the back of the arm chair that laid next to it. Finally their eyes would look into that special gift that would show how true their intentions were towards Athens.
As she stood on the left of the gift they could see it consisted on a tall and somewhat wide carved stone where some words in Greek were written long ago. She looked at the Lord of Athens and then said softly, "for years we have kept this, it is a stone where the only survival of the battle of the Gates of Fire wrote down the story of the Spartans who fought bravely for the freedom and welfare of Greece in unison with Athens and the free Greek lands. May this gift be a trustworthy bound between our two Greek cities."
She then smiled at her husband and turned to look at them again. This was to reside now with them, in Athens, for the Glory of the fallen Spartans and the true value of all Greek no matter the city they were from...They were all Greek in the eyes of Gaia and her confinements.
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Post by Daphne on Feb 13, 2008 15:37:37 GMT -5
Daphne had sat silently, still beside Alcander, but her eyes were fixed now on Gorgo and the covered item which Sparta wanted to the Athenians. She still could not think of what it could be and curiosity took her. She squeezed her husband's hand lightly, wanting him to know how proud she was that under his reign the long war had been declared over at last. Also, she wanted to tell him without words to express her anticipation.
At last a tall stone was uncovered before them, filled with inscriptions in greek writing. Daphne instantly knew what monument this was, it bore the story of the men who fought in the war at the Termophylae against the Persian armies. In these battles against the Persian superiority, all greek states: Athenians and Spartans all fought together against this enemy. It was the perfect present to give on a day like that.
Daphne had stood up, she would feel more comfortable as Gorgo and Stelios were standing as well, she did not want to be unpolite. She walked a few steps towards Gorgo and spoke "Queen Gorgo, what an amazing present this is! I am totally in awe of it, it is so worthful!"
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Post by Alcander on Feb 28, 2008 11:52:25 GMT -5
(Wow I have lots to reply, sorry for being so slow. Almost forgot this thread XD)
As many things were spoken between the royals of Athens and Sparta, Alcander curiously watched and listened to everything that was said. The slight squeeze Daphne made to his hand showed easily how she felt and supported him, he was glad to have her beside him since often he trusted her wisdom and when advice was needed. When the alliance between the two nations was secure, as well when the bond of friendship was strengthed more then ever then a surprise was suddenly shown. It seemed like the Spartans wanted to give a gift, when Gorgo stood up and left to unpack the present that were to be given the Athenians, then it truly showed a sight of greatness.
Alcander was shocked by the awesome gift they got, not only was it a mark of history but also great importance to the new alliance that was made. Gracefully he stood up as all others already were standing, when his wife Daphne went to thank the queen of Sparta, he went to look at the present as well."It surely is a great gift you give, this we will set on the mountain of Acropolis as a sign on how great importance this alliance is to us. This shall stay among the temples of gods, visible for every Greek to see."Alcander spoke, turning to look at the Spartans as still happy he were about what had happened thought wondered what to do next.
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