—Hellene to Desmond, a few days before Zephiel's coming-of-age ceremony.
Hellene is the wife of King Desmond of Bern and the biological mother of his successor, Zephiel. She is the Queen of Bern during the events of Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade, although she originally hails from Etruria.
Profile
Born to a noble family in Etruria, Hellene was betrothed to the future King of Bern, Desmond. Their political marriage was barren of love, especially as Desmond was in love with a commoner woman. Though once kindhearted, their loveless marriage soured Hellene's disposition and thus she sought to sire a child, resulting in the birth of Zephiel. Her ire towards Desmond was further exasperated when he eventually took his original lover as a mistress, resulting in the birth of an illegitimate daughter, Guinivere. To make matters worse for her, Desmond showed preference to his mistress and daughter by allowing them to live in the palace while Hellene and Zephiel lived in the Royal Manse.
Prior to Zephiel's coming-of-age ceremony, Hellene jeeringly reminds his father that it is her own son, a prince of noble Etrurian blood, who is going to ascend Bern's throne. When the prince's attempted assassination takes place shortly afterwards, she expresses concern only for the Fire Emblem that is needed for the ceremony, rather than the well-being of the boy himself. Eliwood, who initially seeks her help to access the Shrine of Seals in return for retrieving the emblem, is appalled by this and takes his leave. Once she realizes that her obsession with securing the throne resulted in the assassination attempt on her son, Hellene realizes the error of her ways and helps Eliwood as thanks for saving Zephiel's life. She is able to reconcile with her son, and reluctantly accepts Guinivere as well.
In Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade, Guinivere mentions Hellene briefly when recollecting Zephiel's tragic past. She reveals that Desmond wanted Hellene assassinated along with Zephiel and Murdock or at least have her and Murdock exiled from Bern. While it is known that his attempt on Zephiel's life had failed yet again and Murdock still lived, it is never mentioned whether or not he succeeded in either plan against Hellene.
Personality
Hellene is noted for her frustration over her loveless marriage with Desmond, which she took out against him directly. She constantly taunted him that their son, Zephiel, would be king by birthright despite his favoritism towards Guinivere, his illegitimate daughter. Unlike Desmond's pure hatred of Zephiel, Hellene does not view Guinivere as anything, not even a threat to Zephiel's ascension, as he has the birthright secured.
She goes into a panic when the Fire Emblem is stolen, thus interfering with her ambitions at which she grovels to Desmond to accept his son, even breaking down to tears over the potential loss. Her prideful demeanor and haughtiness is restored when Eliwood, Hector, and Lyn succeed in recovering the Emblem.
According to Louise, Hellene was much kinder in her youth, but the hostile nature of her marriage turned her bitter. Despite her hatred of Desmond, she does love and care for Zephiel and is willing to make amends when she was forced to reevaluate her role in assassination attempt on her son's life. As such, Hellene vowed to repair their broken family and even include Guinivere in earnest. This is reflected in her character portrait changing to a much softer expression compared to the angry visage prior.
Choose Your Legends Placement History
| Round | Placement | Character Version | Votes |
|---|
| CYL1 | Ineligible | ||||
| CYL2 | Ineligible | ||||
| CYL3 | Ineligible | ||||
| CYL4 | Ineligible | ||||
| CYL5 | 484 |  The Blazing Blade |
20 | ||
| CYL6 | 488 ↓4 |
The Blazing Blade |
25 ↑5 | ||
| CYL7 | 419 ↑69 |
The Blazing Blade |
13 ↓12 | ||
| CYL8 | 428 ↓9 |
The Blazing Blade |
14 ↑1 | ||
| CYL9 | 386 ↑38 |
The Blazing Blade |
13 ↓1 |
Etymology
The name Hellene is a variant of Helen, 'light'. According to Greek Mythology, Helen was the reason behind the Trojan War after being taken from her husband, King Menelaus of Sparta by Paris of Troy. Ironically in the myth, Helen eloped with Paris, while in the game it is Desmond with someone else.
Trivia
- Hellene has two portraits. After Eliwood criticizes her dismissal of Zephiel's assassins as mere trifles, Murdock will arrive and speak with her. In the next scene, there is a subtle difference in her eyebrows. They are now more rounded rather than the spiteful rigid angle from before, a tiny detail revealing her changed priorities.
Gallery
