Thank you all for your reviews, you guys are so encouraging and helpful it's wonderful being able write for you. Remember, if something bothers you or you have some suggestion, please post whatever it is. I can't improve my writing if I don't know what's wrong.

And as for kidnappings/injuries, I've been debating about whether or not to put that in. I'll see where the story goes, but if I do decide to, it won't be for awhile. I want to make H/A fall in love as naturally as possible, and I've decided I don't want it to take some big crisis to make them see that. So don't expect anything soon but maybe towards the later chapters.

IMPORTANT NOTE: I forgot to mention this before. Cassandra was blessed/cursed with the gift of prophesy. Apollo gave it to her, but because she refused to sleep with him he turned it into a curse saying no one would ever believe her. So when she states things, if they seem a little off as if she couldn't know what she was talking about, that's why. I don't feel like writing the explanation into my story. So yah, one instance of that happening is at the end of this chapter. So hopefully this way it makes sense.

…

The last day of Andromache's maidenhood dawned bright and clear, and she was shortly woken up by a maidservant who informed her that Hecuba would arrive shortly to make sure all was well with her wedding dress. Andromache hurriedly washed her face and combed her hair, opting for a simple gown. Maira came in and saw she was already ready.

"Well, you don't need my help," she said, smiling. "The maidservant will bring the dress, it should fit perfectly, you must only wear it for a few seconds. We just need to make sure everything is perfect."

"Hopefully it won't take long, Briseis, Cassandra, and I have plans for the day."

Maira raised her eyebrows. "Do tell."

Andromache smiled, "Well, first-" They were interrupted by the sound of the door opening. Hecuba strode in, followed by two servant girls carrying the dress and veil. Andromache cast a warning glance at Maira and she nodded back, understanding.

Andromache was helped into the dress and the women stood back, allowing Andromache to view herself in her looking glass.

"Does it feel alright?" Hecuba asked, critically eyeing the garment.

Andromache nodded, a weird sensation overcoming her. Tomorrow I'll be married, she thought. But oddly enough, she felt no repugnance as she would have expected. Just an odd detachment.

"Andromache, you look wonderful!" Briseis exclaimed, coming into the room and interrupting Andromache's thoughts.

"It's done," Andromache announced to the party and then gestured to Maira to help her out of it. She quickly got it off her and laid it on a chair, while Andromache threw on the light dress she'd worn earlier.

"Well then, I'm off," Hecuba announced. "I need to make sure the servants are preparing everything for the feast, and I must make sure everything's in order." She kissed Andromache and Briseis and left, taking the two servant girls with her.

Briseis turned to Andromache, her eyes glowing. "Ready?" she asked excitedly.

She nodded, then turned to Maira. "I'll be gone until late, don't wait up for me."

"You must rise early tomorrow morning," Maira warned her. "Don't forget to take that into consideration."

"I won't," Andromache promised, then took off with Briseis. The two quickly found Cassandra, who handed each of them a bag, and the three set off.

They went down to the stables, mounted three horses, and set off through the city. Cassandra led them right up to the front gate, which was opened wide- a sign of peace. The three girls treaded their way through the crowd and once through the gates set off at a brisk pace, hoping no one would recognize them.

A few hundred yards out Cassandra broke into a gallop and Andromache and Briseis quickly followed. The horses threw up clouds of sand behind them and the sun shined hot down on their backs. By the time they'd reached the beach, the girls were very anxious to dismount. The horses were let free to roam, for they could be called back at will, and the three girls- with cautious glances around- quickly took off their dresses but left on their light shifts, made of thin fabric which wouldn't drag them under. Shrieking, they ran into the cool waves, heading out as far as they could touch- for none of them knew how to swim. The waves were small and the water clear, so they spent hours hunting for shells and pointing out small fish to each other. When the water had thoroughly chilled them to the bone, they left the water and lay themselves down on the sand, enjoying the sun's warmth.

"I love the water," Andromache murmured softly.

"It's a pity we don't know how to swim," Briseis complained. "I would love to be able to swim out to the small islands." But none of them would be able to learn, for it wasn't proper for women to swim. They might wade out in secluded rivers or bathe themselves in tiny streams, but it was frowned upon for women to swim on an open beach. Fortunately no one was around, since it was still a working day everyone was busy.

When they were completely dry, Cassandra set out a blanket and the three of them partook of lunch. "We must be heading back soon," Cassandra warned them, casting a glance at the sun. "Soon it will be the hottest part of the day, and it wouldn't do for you to appear with a burnt face at your wedding."

They quickly finished the food and packed up, Andromache whistling for the horses. While the horses charged towards them, they changed back into their regular clothes and Andromache draped a small veil over her head, the edge coming down just above her eyes with tassels hanging down, effectively shielding her from the sun. Cassandra led them back to the city as a slow walk, so as to allow the girls to enjoy the fine weather.

When the reached the palace, they were amazed at the bustle of activity. Servants were hanging decorations, preparing food, and cleaning everywhere they looked. The halls were bustling with people running to and fro, calling out instructions to each other, and the girls slowly made their way into the women's quarters, which was peaceful and quiet compared to the rest of the palace.

Suddenly, a voice cried out, "Cassandra! Briseis! I've been looking for you everywhere, where have you two been?" Hecuba strode towards them with a grim look on her face.

"We were-" Cassandra began.

"I was-" Briseis said at the same time.

"Never mind that, I need you two to try on your gowns right away," Hecuba said, herding the girls away. Not breaking a stride, she turned her head to call out, "Andromache, why don't you take a short rest to calm your nerves, dear. I know this day is stressful but don't worry, we'll take care of everything."

Andromache, with an amused smile on her face, called out, "Thank you, I think I will. I'll be in my room if you need me," she said, hoping Briseis and Cassandra would catch the hint. They did, turning around to smile at her as they accompanied Hecuba to their chambers.

Andromache went into her room and stopped dead in her tracks at the emptiness of it. Maira was packing up most of her gowns, only leaving out one and a few other necessary items. She looked up when Andromache came in.

"Most of your things are being taken to Hector's quarters," she informed her, noticing the shocked look.

"Oh, I'd forgotten about that," Andromache said, flopping onto the bed. She was slightly tired from her morning at the beach and soon fell into a restful slumber, Maira finishing her tasks quietly and letting her mistress rest.

…

That evening, after a servant girl had brought Andromache's dinner to her in her room, Cassandra and Briseis appeared.

"Ready?" Briseis asked.

Andromache nodded, but Cassandra spoke up. "The citadel is swarming with servants so we'll have to be extra careful."

But due to Cassandra's skill, the three weren't discovered and the two girls led Andromache to the same hilltop they'd traveled to on her first night in Troy.

"Almost poetic, isn't is?" Briseis asked softly.

Andromache nodded, staring at the same view she'd seen a month ago. It was once again a full moon, and she lost herself in the memories of that night. The water had glowed silver in the light of the moon, just like it did now. The guard towers each had a fire lit, giving Andromache a secure feeling. The citadel was aglow with the torches and she was now familiar enough with the layout to be able to spot the women's quarters. There were the royal stables, a few torches lit here and there but most of it in shadow.

I had just arrived and met my new family, she remembered. I was nervous and scared, but they embraced me and treated me like one of their own.

"Thank you," she said suddenly.

They looked at her, surprised. "For what?" Briseis asked.

"For-" she paused, wondering how to word what she was feeling. "For loving me," she finished.

"You made it easy, Andromache," Cassandra said warmly. "It was no great act on our part."

"She's right," Briseis put in. "We aren't the ones that left our home to live with strangers."

"But you are the ones who embraced that stranger and treated her with love. You showed her your secrets, familiarized her with the city and the people, and showed her more kindness than she ever could have expected."

She'd never had such close friendships as she did with Briseis and Cassandra, friendships that shared everything and loved without condition. The three girls all lay on the grass, staring up at the stars, their heads touching. They lay in silence, enjoying the cool breeze and thinking of what tomorrow would bring.

"You won't be able to do this anymore," Briseis said. "Since you're sharing a room with Hector it won't be as easy to sneak off."

"Well, then that means the few times we do manage it will be even more special," Cassandra mused.

Andromache was silent, enjoying their company. She was reflecting on her new home, family, and marriage. Without my marriage to Hector, I would never have seen Troy or met Briseis and Cassandra, she realized. I wouldn't be lying here on the grass, enjoying one of the most beautiful sights the world has to offer. I would never have swum in the sea or rescued an abused filly. I'd never have experienced the thrill of sneaking out at night or the fun of shopping in the marketplace with no chaperones.

And she realized, thoughts of her marriage no longer were repugnant to her. She no longer felt detached when someone mentioned her marriage. In fact, she'd come to enjoy it in a way. Hector loved her because she would be his wife and she loved him for the kindness he'd shown her. And then another thought occurred to her. If she could change the ways things were and wish herself back to Thebe, she wouldn't. I'm happy, Andromache realized, shocked. Just like everyone told me I would be. My husband and I will be comfortable with one another, which is more than most marriages can claim.

"I do love him," Andromache said out loud, slightly shocking herself at her revelation.

But soon you will fall in love with him, Cassandra thought. And he will do the same, I know it with all my heart.

But she only said, "Of course you do. And he returns that love. Like we said before, it's not hard to love you, Andromache." And before your first year of marriage is up, the two of you will be each other's worlds. And Cassandra knew that out of the three of them, only Andromache would experience that type of love. But she could not resent her for it, she truly was happy for her. For few couples in the world experience it, a gift as priceless as it is rare.

"You are blessed, Andromache," Cassandra said softly. "Never forget it."

"I won't," she whispered softly. Closing her eyes, she silently thanked the gods for blessing her. For she was truly satisfied, more so than she'd ever been. Tomorrow I'll be married, she thought, happy when the idea brought a deep sense of contentment in her. Tomorrow would dawn soon, and she would give herself to a man who had given her so much in return. Thank you, Hector, she thought with a smile. You'll never know what you've given me.