A/N: I have an excuse to why this didn't get updated as fast as I would have liked- I started writing a chapter, got about halfway in, and then had to completely re-write it. Plus there were all the normal distractions- fencing, stupid math homework, and geology presentations. Yuck.
Anyway, here it is- the wedding! It's as historically accurate as I could possibly make it- I did a ton of research and asked some friends- thanks Lariren- Shadow! So here it is- review and tell me what you think.
Chapter Eleven: Ephemeral Eternity
The day of the wedding, dawn broke over the shadowed mountains in a smooth array of fuchsia, orange, and pale pink. It was beautiful, but I didn't fully appreciate it. I watched the streaks of light seep through the clouds from my bed. I had been awake for hours. The pre-wedding rituals had taken place the night before. Surrounded by the women of my new family, since I had none of my own in Troy, I made the regular bridal sacrifices. A lock of my hair and a childhood dress at the temple of Artemis. A blue beaded belt I received when I left girlhood at Aphrodite's shrine. The priestess of the Goddess of Love presented me with a long ivy vine she had just cut. It was supposed to be a blessing from the goddess, but to me it weighed as heavily as a curse. I could only murmur a weak thanks as I accepted the green vine, the well-known symbol of everlasting love. I quickly relinquished it to Hecuba when she commented on it, dropping it from my hands as if it burned. That night, as I lay in bed, I found myself wiping my palms on the bedclothes, as if that would rid me of Aphrodite's threat.
Now that dawn had come, I could hide no longer. Slowly, I slid out of bed and planted my feet on the cold stone floor. I paced from the bed to the door a few times before the door flew open. Laodice and Ilione struggled in, supporting an enormous two-handled pot between them. Creusa and Briseisfollowed eagerly, and then came Hecuba, leading Polyxena. Cassandra glided in last, closing the heavy door behind her.
"Water from the Scamander!" Polyxena explained, slipping her small hand out of her mother's grasp. She ducked underneath Ilione's arm to push open the door to the bathhouse. The two maidens dumped the contents of the vase into the small bath.
"From the Scamander? Truly?" I asked, genuinely interested. One of the wedding customs was for the bride to bathe in holy water. I expected water from the small Simois River, and I was excited that I received water from the river I loved already.
Few now live to speak of that mighty river. I wish a bard had survived the fall of Troy; he could put a more poetic feel on the description than I can hope to achieve. The Scamander was a wide, fairly deep river, filled with clean, blue-green water that sang as it rushed past. The water was always warm, even in the winter. I have seen it so hot that steam rose off the surface. I was honored to bathe in water from that blessed river, then. It is tainted for me now. I remember how the riverbanks were used as a cheerful spot to picnic or do laundry. Later the river became so cluttered with mutilated bodies that its crystalline water ran red. And not long after that, I washed the broken body of my son in it. I cannot think of the river the way it used to be- pure, strong, and beautiful. It is too hard to forget what grief it holds.
But at the time, in my sweet ignorance, I loved it. I could hear the voices of the others in the guest chamber as I sat in the bath. There was muted chuckling from the other side of the door. I finished rinsing my hair and submerged myself completely in the shallow water, completing the first ritual of the day: purification.
As I stepped out of the bath, the door opened a crack and Briseis' hand dropped a plain blue robe onto the floor, then disappeared. I had barely finished pulling it on before Ilione shoved the door open again.
"Hurry, Andromache! Come on to the balcony so your hair can dry," she said impatiently, beckoning with both hands. I obediently followed her to the balcony. The wind was blowing. I swear by all the gods on Olympus that the wind in Troy never ceased. It was constant, always dancing through the plains. At first I was easily annoyed by it, but eventually it became comforting to hear it howling around the city. Besides, it blew most illnesses out of Troy- it was a blessing no one could be ungrateful for.
The wind does not blow here in Phthia- did you notice that, friend? Never more than a breeze. If you are used to the laughing of the wind, and it is that which lulls you to sleep, I doubt you rest very well here. Then again, I do not know what it is like at your home. I can only tell you how it was at mine.
Ilione wasn't the only impatient one on my wedding day. Hecuba yanked me back inside before my hair was fully dry. "Go put this on," she ordered, taking a pile of red and gold from Creusa. She steered me toward a screen to change behind.
As much as I disliked the wedding events, I had to admit that the dress was gorgeous. It was a bright, fiery red, with delicate embroidery near the throat. It was loose, comfortable, and very soft. It had been thrust at me with two gold pins to secure it at the shoulders, fashioned into the shape of laurel leaves. I tied a gold beaded belt around my waist and walked out, a bit in awe. In Thebe, we had no craftsmanship as fine as that. The jewelers of Troy were clearly much more skilled than any of ours ever were.
"I didn't know gold could be carved like this!" I exclaimed, fingering the bright clasps.
"You should see some of the things men have brought us from farther east," Creusa told me. "Cups, crowns, armbands- you wouldn't believe how detailed they are!"
"Necklaces and bangles," Polyxena added wistfully, gazing at me admiringly. She hopped up onto the bed, and her feet dangled off the edge, nowhere near the ground.
"Sit here, dear," Hecuba addressed me, gesturing to a high school. I did as I was told. She took a bone comb to my damp hair. I bit my lip as I felt her hands working through it- it wasn't painful, just uncomfortable. I silently counted the time before she would give up on my hidden tangles and hurl the comb at me. For my own mother, it took all of about two minutes before I was the one trying to rake through my dark brown mess. Hecuba surprised me by working at it for less than a minute, then passing the comb on.
"Cassandra, you style her hair. Your fingers are more nimble then mine are."
Indeed, Cassandra was gentler. She worked through my river of tangles in half the time it normally took me. Humming almost inaudibly, she applied perfumed oil to my hair to make it shine, then arranged it into long, tame curls. With pins placed so they were almost invisible, she soon had my hair looking naturally perfect.
"Thank you," I said sincerely when she held up a small looking glass so I could see her creation. Her content eyes reflected in the mirror were reply enough for me. By then I had learned that she didn't smile. Cassandra was blatantly excluded. None of her relatives spoke to her except Hecuba.
Then Ilione carefully applied kohl, shimmering powder, and lip stain to my face. It was difficult for me to sit still. Everyone else was getting ready at the same time I was. In the midst of all the activity, I could feel myself on the verge of drowning in nervousness. It made me feel foolish.
When everyone was ready, quite some time later, Laodice made me turn in a slow circle in front of everyone, as they crooned their approval. I'm sure I blushed as brightly as that morning's dawn as they flung out hundreds of undeserved compliments. Even Polyxena hugged my legs. "You look beautiful," she said through a shy smile.
"Thank you," I said awkwardly. Hecuba placed both hands on my shoulders and kissed my cheek.
"May your marriage be blessed," she said, managing to be motherly and queenly at once. I felt so humbled to be wished well by such a powerful woman. I bowed my head as the other voiced gave their blessings. The only voice missing was Cassandra's.
Then there was a horrible banging, muffled, coming from just outside the women's chambers. I froze. Hecuba unfolded a light, thin gold veil and stretched her arms to place it over my head. The corners drifted down, floating on the air. She straightened it deftly, avoiding looking at my eyes.
"Come," she said. They pushed at me from behind and I had to move forward. I stumbled out of the women's quarters, and Hecuba took my hand, leading me like she would lead Polyxena or Troilius. I was only a child, dressed up as a bride, or so I felt.
It was much later than I had guessed; the sun would be setting soon. Briseis, Ilione, Laodice, and Cassandra were already singing wedding hymns, with Polyxena attempting to follow along. We were walking much too fast for my tastes. We rounded a corner to the courtyard near the great hall of Priam's palace. There was already a large crowd gathered there, arranged in a sloppy circle around a brown-streaked altar and a sleek white bull. The sea of people parted to let me through. I walked cautiously to where Hector stood next to the altar, and Cassandra took her place where the priestess should stand.
Hector wore a calf-length chiton of a much deeper red than my gown. The blood-red color complimented his tan skin. In one hand he held a goblet that looked too small for his grip; I looked down and found a goblet had been forced into my hand as well. Through the veil I looked up at his face, studying it carefully in what little time I had. To my dismay, he looked much calmer than I felt- even happy. I think I only saw a flash of nervousness in his eyes because I wanted to.
"For the gods," he stated, tipping his goblet so some of the dark wine spilled onto the ground. I did the same. Cassandra produced a gilded temple knife out of nowhere. She stretched it out to the darkening sky and uttered normal prayers to the gods, adding the request that they bless our marriage. Then she handed the knife to me.
In my mind, I cursed whoever had come up with wedding rituals- they all seemed to revolve around the bride, including the sacrifice. I had seen thousands of sacrifices, of course, and I had little problems with performing one- the bull would feel no pain. But at the wedding I didn't want to have, it was more than I could do alone.
Hector sensed that, somehow, and I was grateful and angry all at the same time. He placed his hand over my pale one, and it was the movement of his hand that slit the bull's throat, not mine. In a way it made me feel better, as if it showed that I was not the one condemning myself to my fate, but he was. It didn't matter to anyone else; to them, it was only a sacrifice.
Two men moved a few huge bowls to the altar, and hurried to catch the blood as it streamed down. With Hecuba as my guide again, we shuffled into the great hall. It was brightly let with many torches. There was a lyre player in the corner, food that smelled wonderful, and serving maidens loaded down with vases of vine. Even I couldn't ignore the festive atmosphere, though I would have loved to. I was ushered to the women's side of the hall- to this day it seems ironic to me that even at the union between a man and woman, both are separate for most of the evening. At the time, I was grateful for the separation, seeing it as my last touch of freedom.
The feast lasted a bit longer than feasts normally would, and I can't say that it bothered me. Maids would come around the room bearing food that would make anyone's mouth water: honey mixed with sesame seeds, cheese, honey cakes stuffed with nuts and raisins, fresh roasted meat, figs, and grapes. Unfortunately, I had little appetite. I managed to choke down a honey cake and gulp some wine, but I think I was still in shock. I had known for months that I would have to marry Hector, but knowing and doing are two different things.
My stomach tied itself into a dozen knots when Priam stood and beckoned to both sides of the room. I did not need to be pushed this time. I didn't want to be a coward. I walked to his and stood still as a statue as Hector joined us. The only part of me that moved was the gauzy veil.
Priam's hand was light on my arm. If I had married in my own city, it would have been my father's hand, but Priam was the obvious substitute. The hall was absolutely silent as the king's voice rang out.
"King Eetion gives this maiden to you, Hector, to be your wife and bear your heirs."
"I accept her," Hector stated, and in that moment I became his wife and his property. Strangely, I didn't know what to feel. I watched dumbly as Aeneas came up to us, walking slowly, nearly doubled over to hold Troilius' hand. The baby was holding a loaf of bread, supported by Aeneas. He held it out in front of himself, and Hector crouched to gently take it from him.
"I fled worse and found better," Aeneas muttered. Troilius tried to repeat the vow.
"Afawwter," he said solemnly. Hector and I repeated it in unison, breaking off hunks of the loaf as we did. I swallowed the dry bread, wishing for something to wash it down with.
Hector took my hand and led me outside. All eyes latched on to us as he helped me into the chariot, then snapped the reins so the horses started to move. One of the horses pulling us was Lampos, which made me feel better.
Hector kept his ceremonial attitude until we had left the Scaean Gate and were completely alone, except for the entire population of the city, standing on the walls and throwing petals. "This is one of the first times I've let Lampos pull the chariot," he admitted. I smiled at his bizarre comment. Of all the things to say at a wedding, he had chosen a good statement.
"He seems to enjoy it," I said. Hector was a skilled charioteer; the ride was fairly smooth, but still I clung cautiously to the front of the chariot. A cloth had been draped over it. I would have recognized it anywhere. It was vibrant green, dyed with a root mixture native to Thebe. I contemplated this as we reentered the city. When we stopped at Hector's palace and saw Priam holding a torch, I felt like I was going to cry.
Someone loosed the horses from the chariot and led them back to the stables. Hector handed me the torch, and I accepted it haltingly. I had forgotten this ritual. The bride was expected to burn a chariot to symbolize that she was leaving her old life forever- that she could never return home.
The Theban cloth waved in the wind. Holding my breath, I set the firebrand on the floor of the chariot, and watched as the flames consumed it. Hector lifted the veil from my hair. The young men and women started dancing to celebrate. The maidens spun in a trance-inducing dance, and the men stomped out the dance of five steps. Hector went to join them, but I found myself surrounded by the same female relatives I had been visited by that morning. Hecuba held a torch. She led our procession into Hector's palace. Cassandra led the others in the wedding songs, and her haunted voice sounded better than any lyre.
"Here," Hecuba said quietly, pressing against a large door. It opened easily, and we walked inside. Hector's bedchamber was much larger than the guestroom I had been staying in. I removed the gold jewelry and the fiery gown, changing into a simple linen nightdress. Ilione cleaned off the cosmetics she had so carefully applied earlier, and Cassandra took the pins out of my hair, leaving it to fall to its normal tangles. I felt defenseless, without the veil and the cosmetics. I didn't want to be seen like that.
There was laughter, growing louder outside, and Hector entered the room in a cloud of smiling friends and brothers. Aeneas shoved him playfully so he stood in front of me. Cassandra, serene by contrast, offered the marriage cup to us. Hector drank from the gold goblet first, then I, shuddering as the bitter liquid flew over my tongue.
Everyone started to clear the room. I turned frantically to catch Cassandra. "Please, sister, give me your blessing," I stuttered, for lack of anything else to say. I couldn't ask her to rescue me.
For the first time since I had known her, Cassandra smiled. It was not only happiness in her sweet face- I cannot explain it. It was as if that beautiful smile barely masked the greatest grief for me.
"May you enjoy your ephemeral eternity together," she said softly, and she left, closing the door. The last of the wedding hymns faded, trapping me in my new life.
Whew, that took forever to type- let me know what you thought!
