Thank you all for your wonderful reviews and suggestions. I don't think there were any questions, if I forgot to answer one please forgive me. And thanks for your criticisms, I'm keeping them in mind as I write this chapter.

And actually, the veil was one of the Greek wedding traditions. That much I do know, though accounts vary as to when the veil was removed. So I just chose after the feast, which was one of the few instances it could be removed.

Sorry it took me longer than normal to get this chapter up, I've been having computer problems that I've been trying to fix. I just barely finished this one today, hope you enjoy it.

IMPORTANT NOTE: I have decided that instead of having this story take place during the first ten years of their marriage, it will only go up until the first. Then my sequel will be of the next ten years, and then the sequel after that will be of the events during Troy. So, I hope this doesn't break anyone's heart and that you'll forgive me for this sudden change in plans.

…

The next month of their marriage passed by peacefully with no interruptions. Hector and Andromache- with no great trouble- quickly settled into the routine of living together and they dealt very well together. Hector would rise early- before Andromache had awoken- and train his new filly, which the two had named Elpis after the goddess of hope. The work was slow- Elpis still would not let anyone approach her- but she'd grown used to Hector's presence in her stable and no longer made a fuss. He would sit there for a few hours, whittling away at a piece of wood, and around the time Andromache would rise he would return to her and the two would dine together.

Andromache adjusted well to living with Hector, her decorum and quiet modesty won her favor with Hector's servants, who were happy to see him married to a good woman. They obeyed her without question- unless her orders didn't agree with Hector's, in which case he always won- and treated her with respect. She was kept busy weaving clothes for Hector's household; winter was coming so warmer clothes would be needed. Wool cloaks had to be provided for everyone and the servants were many. Maira was a skilled weaver and hence was a great help to Andromache.

Hector soon grew used to having a woman in his quarters. It had bit odd for him to come home to see gowns hanging in one of the storage rooms, but he soon ceased to notice them and learned to appreciate his wife's taste. She'd changed a few things around- such as the hangings and a few of the rugs, which were dreadfully warn down- and their apartments now had a very comfortable and cozy feel to it. He enjoyed having someone to talk to when he got home, he would tell her how progress was going with Elpis and she in turn would tell him of her doings. They enjoyed each other's company and both would agree that their marriage was doing well.

Andromache made a point to visit the women's quarters often and Briseis and Cassandra often came to visit her when Hector was gone. The three were still close friends, and they were all relieved that Andromache's marriage hadn't driven them apart. Because Hector had not traveled yet, Andromache hadn't been able to join them on their exploits but she still enjoyed hearing about them. The three were chatting one day on the balcony, drinking glasses of wine a servant girl had provided, and having a wonderful time when Hector came in.

He greeted his wife with a kiss and smiled at his sister and cousin, who grinned back. "I must steal my wife for just one moment," he said teasingly, leading her into their bedroom. "I leave now to inspect some of the fortresses in the hills. I won't be back until late tonight. Don't inform Briseis or Cassandra of this, it's a surprise visit and we don't want word to get out ahead of time. Don't wait up for me." He kissed her then left, and Andromache rejoined her friends.

"Hector's leaving for the rest of the day," she whispered, glancing to make sure her husband was out of earshot and leaning in closer. "I can't tell you where, but he won't be back until late."

"Riding?" Briseis asked, her eyes sparkling.

Andromache shook her head. She didn't want to risk running into Hector in the hills. "How about a moonlight swim?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Perfect," said Cassandra in a low voice. Hector suddenly appeared and the three suddenly leaned back, trying to look nonchalant. He glanced suspiciously at them, but let it pass.

"My cloak?" he asked Andromache.

"On the bed, I just finished it this morning," she replied. He left and she made a relieved gesture. Cassandra and Briseis laughed softly and stood up.

"Well, Andromache, we have things to do so we won't be seeing you for the rest of the day," Briseis said loudly.

Cassandra's brow was furrowed next to her, doing the math. Finally she mouthed, "Two hours after sunset."

"Perhaps tomorrow then," Andromache replied to Briseis just as loudly, grinning at the two. They left and Andromache set about to do some more weaving, hoping to finish the next cloak she was making. The afternoon passed slowly and she kept glancing at the sun, being relieved when a servant girl finally brought her dinner on a tray. The sun was just barely above the hills, soon it would disappear behind them.

Only two more hours, Andromache thought, smiling.

…

She put down her weaving with a contented sigh and stood up. "I'm going to the women's quarters," she announced to all the servant girls within earshot, and confidently strode off. Once out of sight, however, she quickly changed direction, heading for the stables. Arriving a few minutes later, she bridled and blanketed Eclipse, and waited for the others. They came soon, carrying an extra bag, which they handed to her.

"Instead of swimming in our under clothes, we have these lightweight dresses. They're dark blue, so they won't stand out as much," Briseis whispered to her.

"Good idea," Andromache replied softly. Cassandra motioned for them to follow and they mounted their horses, falling into line behind her.

The guards were given the same reason as before and the girls passed through, no problems or worries on their minds. Setting off towards the beach once more, they broke into a gallop soon after they'd left the gates.

Cassandra led them over the dunes of sand right up to the waves lapping at the shore. There they dismounted, let the horses loose, and quickly changed into their dark dresses. They ran in, enjoying the coolness of the water. There was no breeze that night and the air was still and hot, so the water refreshed them.

They practiced floating and for the most part managed it, though Briseis still couldn't quite get the hang of it. Andromache and Cassandra both tried to help her, but she couldn't loosen up enough to let her head sink down, just barely above the water.

"I'm hopeless," she said shaking her head. "I'll go lie on the sand for awhile, I think."

Cassandra and Andromache stayed out though.

"The water feel so good," Andromache said, sinking down so the water lapped at her chin. "I could stay out here all night."

"We must have you back by the time Hector returns though," Cassandra warned.

"If he arrives early- which I highly doubt he will- I can just say I've been spending time with you. He'll think nothing of it."

"But when he inquires and finds out that we left to pray to Artemis- which you can't do since you're no longer a virgin- he might get a bit upset when he puts the pieces together."

"He won't be back for a long time," Andromache said. "He told me not to wait up for him, and since I'm not in the habit of retiring early I don't expect him before midnight. He'll most likely arrive some time after that, actually."

"Well, then we've got time," Cassandra amended, checking the position of the moon. "It's barely ten." She stayed in another half hour with Andromache, then shivered and went out onto the sand to dry. Andromache floated around a bit more, wiggling her toes in the sand.

Briseis and Cassandra had decided to strip off their wet clothes- with no sun to dry them it was chilly- and they called out to Andromache that they were going behind the dunes to change. She nodded, deciding to enjoy the water a bit longer. Sinking back onto her back to float, she let her head almost completely submerge, her eyes, nose, and mouth barely above the water. She heard a funny noise under the water, almost like someone hammering onto sand.

Andromache's eyes widened and she stood up quickly and just as fast sunk back down under the water, her nose and eyes the only things above. Two horsemen were thundering down the beach and she could see Cassandra peaking over the dunes at her, her eyes wide.

Andromache shook her head, indicating that they should stay put, and Cassandra nodded, ducking out of sight.

Perhaps they won't see me, she thought desperately. Or perhaps my hair will look like seaweed.

This in mind she carefully arranged her hair around her head, effectively hiding her face but still allowing her to see. They were coming closer now and underneath the full moon Andromache knew she would be easier to spot.

What will Hector think when he finds out, she inwardly screamed. She then almost did scream as the riders approached and the moonlight revealed their identities.

It was Hector's friend, the man who'd been at their wedding, and her husband himself. Andromache fervently prayed to every god she could think of that their eyes would be blinded, but the gods apparently did not favor her tonight.

Hector reined in, pointing out the mass of seaweed. "Artrides, do you see that?"

"Looks like seaweed," Artrides shrugged.

"It's staying in place," Hector pointed out. Andromache tried to correct this and go with the current, but the movement caused her to lose her balance as a small wave tipped her over. Her hair was moved out of the mess she'd so carefully arranged it into, and her features were clearly visible in the moonlight, though a shadow hid her face.

"It's a woman!" Artrides cried out, shock in his voice.

Hector hurriedly dismounted and ran to the water, slowly wading in. Andromache silently cursed and moved out further. There was still roughly ten yards between them and she prayed that he would leave her alone and return home. No such luck.

"Please, I won't hurt you," he said gently, slowly approaching. Artrides had dismounted and was standing close to Hector, also approaching her.

Andromache continued wading out. She knew that soon she wouldn't be able to touch at which point she'd have to either go towards them or drown herself. Right now the latter seemed more desirable.

"Stay back," she cried, disguising her voice and hoping he wouldn't recognize her. The gods finally favored her; no recognition dawned on his face.

"Do you need help?" Hector said softly, hoping to soothe her. She was obviously distraught.

"Careful, Hector," Artrides said in a low voice from behind him. "She looks mad."

Or suicidal, Hector was thinking. The way she moved in the water, he could tell she didn't know how to swim.

"Leave me in peace," Andromache called out. "I will not shame myself by suffering two strange men to look upon me unguarded." She hoped her attempt at chastity would drive them away.

"We are no strangers, lady," Hector replied, steadily moving closer. "I am Prince Hector, son of Priam, and this is my first general Artrides."

I know who you are you idiot! Andromache inwardly screamed. "Still, leave me in peace."

"We only wish to conduct you safely back to the city, it is not safe for a woman to be out unguarded."

Andromache was about to reply when her foot slipped in a sudden drop, and her head plunged under. She came up gasping for air, desperately treading for water. The moment she went under Hector started running towards her, the water only slightly hindering his speed.

She is suicidal, he thought desperately, seeing her head emerge a few feet deeper into the water. She was fervently treading water, trying to stay afloat, and it was obvious she'd never been taught how to swim.

Andromache was kicking with all her might, just barely managing to keep her head above. Hector was coming closer she could see, and she kicked out hard, sending herself further away from him. Hector had now reached the point where he could no longer touch and he struck out, his powerful strokes bringing him quickly towards her.

Curses! Andromache inwardly screamed. She kicked out away from shore, hoping her strength would last long enough for her to be able to return safely, but her inexperienced movements barely gained her any ground.

Hector had almost reached her when she suddenly moved away from him, her feet kicking water into his eyes. He quickly wiped the stinging water out of them and saw her just an arm's length a way. Reaching out quickly he grabbed her ankle and pulled hard, sending her head under but closer to him. He grabbed her arm and forcefully yanked her back up to the surface, satisfied when she gasped for breath. She was struggling with all her might and he spun her around- hoping a hard slap would bring her to her senses- when the sight of her face stopped him cold. She froze, knowing it was useless to fight. He had seen her face and recognized her.

"Andromache?!" he asked incredulously. In his shock his grip loosened and she nearly plunged under, but he grabbed her and held her so her head was well above the water.

She nodded, looking miserable. No words would explain her improper actions and no words could describe her intense feeling of shame.

A sudden sound of laughter made them both start. Artrides had fallen to the sand and was holding his sides, tears running down the side of his face. Hector came to his senses and quickly swam the two of them to shore, draping his cloak around his wife once they reached shore.

She refused to look at him, hating herself and her actions. He didn't know quite what to say to her, and Artrides just kept laughing.

"Will you stop," Hector snapped at him, quickly growing irritated.

Artrides shook his head helplessly. "I'm sorry," he gasped out, trying to quell his mirth. He finally got control of it and opened his mouth to speak, then roared with laughter once again.

Hector glared at him, but then slowly a smile crept onto his face as he watched his friend succumb to laughter. He climbed to his feet, pulling Andromache up with him and Artrides mirth finally subsided, though a smile still remained on his face. Hector set Andromache up on his horse, then climbed up in back of her and slowly led them back to the city. Andromache wished that he would curse her and be done with it; this silence was unbearable. He quickly arrived in the citadel and led her to their quarters, finally leaving her alone in their bedroom with the only words being, "Put on something dry."

He left, and she wordlessly obeyed, putting on her nightgown and miserably crawling into bed. The candles hadn't been lit and in the silence she could hear the waves lapping at the distant shore. That did it; she finally burst into tears but firmly covered her mouth so she made no noise. She heard the door open and she firmly bit her lip, willing herself to make no sound. Andromache felt the bed move as Hector climbed in beside her and lay in silence for a few moments.

He then leaned over, kissed her cheek wet with tears, and tenderly whispered, "I haven't laughed that hard in years, Andromache."

He lay back down, his arms resting comfortably above his head. She slowly turned towards him, not quite believing him.

"You're not angry?" she asked, quite shocked.

"No," he said, gently kissing her nose. "You're a wife in a million, dear."

"But I shamed you," she whispered, feeling tears well up again. "And you've been so good to me."

"You are absolutely adorable when you cry, though I must admit your sniffling sets me quite on edge," he complained. "Pay it no mind, Artrides will take this secret to the grave- as will my sister and her cousin."

Andromache's eyes widened. "You-"

"If you insult my intelligence by attempting to deny that they had any part in this, I will get angry," he warned her, but then kissed her again. "Go to sleep, Andromache."

Andromache leaned up against him, not quite sure why he wasn't mad, but happy nonetheless. She fell asleep as he gently toyed with her long strands of hair, still wet from the sea. Hector twisted the strand around his finger, watching her drift off into slumber. He watched as her breathing became deeper and her body relaxed, then tiredly closed his own eyes and soon joined her in slumber. I must remember to teach her how to swim, Hector thought right before sleep claimed him. Worst swimmer I've ever seen.