Menelaus and Pieris' Possible Stories
This is me dabbling on Menelaus and Pieris' interactions. For now, this is a rough draft on how I'd explore their relationship, and potential AU ideas.
None of their interactions are portrayed to be accurate to the ancient source materials, and are written as interpretations. Again, these are head canons, and have little to nothing to do with the original sources.
The script and dialogues will be edited later on.
Warning: mention of sexual themes, self harm, blood, and death threats (not at Pieris) along with power gap and implied power abuse.
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Before Menelaus went to his grandfather's funeral. Pieris: Master... Menelaus: Pieris, take care of everything while I'm gone. Pieris: I will do my best. Menelaus: Do you wish to impart any last words? Pieris: ... I pray for your safe return, master. [Menelaus smiles.] Menelaus: Wait for me. I'll be back before the next half moon. [Once Menelaus turned to say his goodbyes to everyone else, Pieris looked down to the ground in cold sweat.] Pieris: Your highness, wait! [Menelaus swerved his head to Pieris as he was about to get on his chariot. The servants froze as the most reserved, and well behaved servant dared to speak out of turn. Yet, Menelaus was unbothered.] Menelaus: This is unbecoming of you, Pieris. What has you shaken? Do you miss your master already? Pieris: Make haste before the hawk in one swoop takes the swan to the pond where Aphrodite dipped herself in gleaned, silver stones blessed by Golden Apollon. Please, my lord. [Confusion etched on Menelaus' face.] Menelaus: Pieris, must you doubt the rightful ruler lacks defense in his own palace? I am not aware of this threat you speak of, but I express my gratitude for your quick observation. I shall order for the guards to strengthen security, and eliminate any potential threats. Until then, I bid farewell. [With that, their conversation came to an end. Menelaus kissed his wife one last time before he headed off. Pieris' heart panged with heavy guilt.]
Note:
I think it's possible Pieris cannot tell Menelaus directly Helen is having an affair with Paris, because Helen (or even Paris) may have manipulated Pieris to believe if she were to bring this up that would mean she doubts her master' love and faith to his wife.
Plus Helen is aware of Pieris' strong loyalty to Menelaus, and has to be especially cautious with this slave if she doesn't want to get in trouble. This might include Helen threatening her.
That is a possible scenario if Helen was willing to leave Sparta to be with Paris, or was under Aphrodite's spell.
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After he found his home ransacked. [Servants hurried over to the king to explain the issue, but none of their words reached the ringing in his ears. A spiral of conflicting emotions overwhelmed him, and he needed to take them all out.] Menelaus: WHERE IS SHE!!!??? WHERE'S THAT TWO-TIMING WITCH AND THAT BLASPHEMOUS PRINCE!!!??? FIND THEM!!!! Servant: W-we apologize, your highness. By the time of your arrival, the foreign ambassadors have already departed to Ilion along with all the kingdom's riches, leaving us paralyzed. Prince Paris has already left with your wife, Queen Helen - [Menelaus grabbed the servant's jaw in a tight hold.] Menelaus: Do. Not. Speak. Her. Name. [The servant trembled at the sudden shift in the king's tone.] Menelaus: Do I make myself clear? [The servant nodded as his life depends on it.] Servant: *muffled* Y-y-yes, my lord! [Menelaus released his grasp] Menelaus: The lot of you! All of you!!! Have you known this whole time!!!??? [Stomped over to any leftover objects, and threw them at random in a fit of rage. Once he was out of breath, he used up all of his energy to collide his fist against the wall.] Servant: My king, you're bleeding! We need to get you to the healers - [Menelaus slapped the servant's hand.] Menelaus: DON'T TOUCH ME!!! [Menelaus left a trail of blood on the walls as he continued to walk the halls. The servants are left bewildered.] Menelaus: For shame! Shame!! Shame on all of you!!! Is there no one I can trust! NOT ONE!!!??? [Among the crowd of frightened servants, Pieris was left unshaken.]
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A few nights later after the incident. [The king's bedroom door was left ajar, leaving the mouse to crawl in when she heard the lion's roar. The mouse finds herself with a lion caught in a tangled net.] Pieris: Master. [Pieris opened the door, but found the room in a state of mess. Pieris was careful not to step on any sharp objects.] Menelaus: Go away. [Pieris took another step.] Menelaus: I said go away! Leave at once!!! [Pieris crouched to Menelaus' eye level.] Menelaus: Don't come any closer... [Pieris caressed Menelaus' reddened cheeks, tracing her thumb under his dark circled eye.] Menelaus: What are you doing? [Pieris continued to caress Menelaus' cheek. The silence prolonged, leaving only the two of them to find strange comfort in the wreckage.] Menelaus: ... Pieris: ... [Menelaus leaned into her cool hand, defeated.] Menelaus: Why... why are you here? Hahaha... are you taking pity on your master? Do you look down on me, because no one else would dare? Do you despise the monster - [All of a sudden, Pieris wrapped her arms around Menelaus.] Pieris: I heard you. How can I leave you when you were calling for help? [Menelaus pushed Pieris back until he took a better look at her face.] Menelaus: You are crying... you never cry. Why now? Pieris: Because, I have wronged you, my lord. I knew of their arrangement, and yet I chose not to speak out. I wasn't strong enough to stop them, to stop her from breaking your heart. I am nothing more, but a dishonored coward that only knows how to hide. [Pieris guided Menelaus' hands until she had him wrap his strong palms on her slender neck.] Pieris: Punish me how you see fit. Take all your anger, all of your grief, your great sorrow out on me until you're satisfied. Break my body if you must. Make me feel the pain as you have dealt with as no other knew. Not even from her highness. Please, I am not worthy of anything. [Menelaus latched his lips onto hers as desperate as a man clings for life. They kissed until they're out of breath.] Menelaus: Pieris. You understand once you make a promise to a king, you cannot back down on your word. Pieris: I do. Menelaus: Swear to me on the River of Styx, that there will be no other man you can think of nor touch you the way she has done. Pieris: I was already yours from the beginning, master. *Will edit this section later*
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[Pieris woke up a few hours later to find Menelaus staring at the night view out the window.] Pieris: Master? Menelaus: You don't need to get up. Stay where you are. Pieris: ... Menelaus: ... Pieris: What will happen now? Menelaus: ... we will discuss this matter another time. Rest easy. Pieris: Master, do you have any regrets? [Menelaus' jaw slacked, but immediately closed his mouth.] Menelaus: Go to sleep. [Menelaus swept Pieris' strands of hair from her forehead, and pressed his lips there. Then, he covered her eyes. The king only lifted his hand once he heard her soft snores.] Menelaus: *whispers* Forgive me, Pieris... [For the rest of the night, Menelaus sobbed to himself. A secret, stray tear trickled down Pieris' cheek.]
Note:
I think it's too soon for Menelaus to sleep with another woman after his wife left him. But, I believe it's appropriate in his situation to take Pieris not long after, because he's desperate and vulnerable to want any form of love including physical contact.
As for one of my theories, I believe there was talk among others during his marriage with Helen that the people worry the couple cannot have another heir. To solve this issue, Menelaus was encouraged to take on a mistress to have another child with, preferably a son.
Perhaps Pieris was considered befitting for the role, because she's close to Helen in age, and is the most familiar with the royal family among the other maids. However, my version of Pieris is considered an outcast because she's aloof, and has an unreadable expression. This made many doubt Pieris as a good choice, and believe she's purposely trying to land in Menelaus' good graces so she can replace Helen with herself.
