For the next month Hector was out training almost every day. The army started shaping up and soon Priam gave the order for them to deploy. They were attacking the city that had rebelled against them. The day before they were set to leave, everyone was granted a day off to spend with their loved ones.

Hector took Andromache up to their hill and the two shared another picnic together.

"Much different from our first visit here, isn't it?" Hector asked, smiling. She was comfortably leaning against his chest, his arms wrapped around her, and she tilted her head up to look at him.

"Much different," she agreed.

"This is where you first called me Hector, you know."

"Is it?" she asked, leaning her head against him. "I don't remember."

"Oh yes," he replied. "It made my day."

"Well, then it must not be that difficult to make your day, Hector."

He flicked her head lightly and she smiled.

"Will you miss me?" Hector suddenly changed the conversation.

"Depends on how long you'll be gone," she replied cheekily.

"The city is near and it won't take long to overcome it, I shall be back within a half month."

"Then perhaps I shall miss you," she mused. "Now it's my turn. Do you like fighting?"

Hector paused, a little taken aback. "No," he finally answered.

"Why not?"

"Why should I? Taking the lives of other human beings, separating them from their loved ones, there's nothing likable in that."

"Then why do you do it?"

"Because it's my duty," he shrugged. "I must protect Troy and her people. And I must protect you."

"You fight for me?" Andromache asked, surprised.

"Of course. To keep you safe and free."

"Thank you," she replied, genuinely touched. "I don't think anyone's every fought for me before."

Hector laughed, "You are priceless."

She tilted her head up at him. "I try," she said, smiling coyly.

Her hair was loose- just the way he liked it- and she had on a simple gown. She was not made up or done up and yet she still captivated him. He gently traced the outlines of her lips and then leaned down to kiss her.

She broke off after a second. "Do you want to go tomorrow?"

"I never want to go to war, I'm quite comfortable staying home with you. And right now-" he leaned down to kiss her again. "- I most definitely don't want to go." He kissed her harder and she yielded to him, enjoying their last day before they would be separated.

…

The next came all to soon and Andromache accompanied Hector to the ships where they waited and talked while all the soldiers loaded onto the ships.

"Two weeks isn't so long, after all," Andromache said.

Hector smiled at her, appreciating her efforts to help ease the pain of leaving. "Two weeks can be a lifetime, depending on what one's doing."

Andromache was inwardly struggling, wanting to ask something and yet not knowing if she wanted to know the answer. Hector saw her turmoil.

"Ask," he commanded softly.

"Will you sack the city?" she asked, picturing what would happen.

"No," he shook his head. "We will conquer it and force the king to submit to certain agreements, but we won't sack it. They will be allowed self-rule. Father had instructed me to call for tribute and payment for the damage they inflicted. We will not harm the inhabitants."

"Good," she breathed softly.

"I never have sacked a city, you know," Hector informed her. "Conquered, yes. Sacked, no. I don't quite hold with the idea."

"Nor do I," Andromache smiled at him. Artrides rode over.

"It's time for us to board," he said to Hector, nodding a greeting at Andromache.

Hector kissed her, told her to be good, and just like that was gone, leaving Andromache feeling slightly unhappy. She frowned, puzzled, telling herself that she had no reason to feel sad. A few months ago she would've given anything for him to leave, but now she wasn't quite happy with the situation. And no matter what she told herself, that feeling wouldn't quite go away. She shrugged.

I'm just being moody, she thought. I'll go visit with Cassandra and Briseis.

But that feeling still didn't go away.

…

Three weeks later Hector still hadn't returned, though Andromache watched for him every day from their balcony. The servant girls shook their heads, seeing her pining. She barely touched her food and was very irritable; no one said much to her for fear of provoking.

"My lady," a brave girl finally suggested. Andromache turned to her, a frown between her eyes. "Perhaps time would pass quicker if you spent time with the princesses Cassandra and Briseis."

Andromache sighed. "Forgive me for being irritable. And yes, I think I will." She quickly made her way to the women's quarters, where she found Cassandra alone.

"Briseis is in a bad mood today," Cassandra informed her. "So be careful around her."

"I'm not feeling too well either," Andromache admitted. Cassandra cast a shrewd glance at her, but said nothing. Andromache missed the glance cast her way and continued. "Why is Briseis unhappy?"

"Her stomach aches," Cassandra shrugged. "I gave her a drink to help ease the pain, but she is still irritable. Every month it's the same, it will pass in a few days."

Andromache smiled, then a thought hit her and she jumped up, her eyes wide. Cassandra started from the sudden movement, and looked at her friend as though she'd lost her mind.

"Is something wrong?" she demanded.

Andromache didn't reply, she was furiously doing the math in her head. By the gods! she thought, stunned. I'm with child!

Cassandra raised her eyebrows when she got no response. "Andromache?"

Andromache sat down, dazed. "I-I-I," she stuttered.

Cassandra's face grew worried. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Andromache stammered, standing up again. "I must go." She wasn't quite sure what to do with her new knowledge, but she wanted to think things through first. She hurried to her room and snapped at all the girls to leave her alone. They hurriedly left, exchanging glances.

So much for an afternoon of peace, they were all thinking.

Andromache paced the room, agitated and in turmoil. She did the math over and over again, and each time she came to the same conclusion. A knock on the door sounded, interrupting her thoughts, and she spun around angrily shouting,

"I said I don't want to be disturbed!"

"Andromache?" It was Hecuba. Andromache silently cursed and hurried to open the door.

"I'm sorry," she apologized. "I'm just not in a good mood right now."

Hecuba looked at her, studying her face. "You're with child," she stated shrewdly. Andromache's eyes got huge.

"How-" she began.

"I was the same way when I first got pregnant with Hector," she replied, smiling at the memory. She led Andromache out the balcony and sat her down, calling for two glasses of wine. A servant quickly brought them and left just as quickly, trying to get out of her mistress's way as fast as possible.

"Since you're this agitated, I'm assuming you just found out?" Hecuba asked her.

"With Hector gone I haven't really been paying attention, Cassandra just put me in mind of it, and the timing all adds up," she said helplessly. "What do I do?"

"Do?" Hecuba asked, laughing. "Well you can't do anything. Nature will run its course."

"But what about Hector?"

"You'll tell him when he returns home, of course. He's already overdue, but since we've had no message I'm assuming they were on schedule and got delayed."

"How do I tell him?" Andromache burst out. "Hector welcome home, and by the way I'm carrying your child."

Hecuba shrugged, "How you word it is up to you, love."

Another thought struck her, and Andromache panicked. "What if he thinks it isn't his?!" she screeched. "What if he thinks-"

"Calm down!" Hecuba cried. "He'll be overjoyed when he hears. Andromache, why don't you go to sleep, you'll feel better in the morning." She kissed her on the head and left, extinguishing the candles and quietly closing the door. Andromache followed her advice and quickly drifted off to sleep, still feeling a bit nervous.

…

Three days later Hector returned with good tidings. The city had easily been conquered and an agreement quickly reached. Andromache smiled happily and kissed him, but she seemed a bit distracted. He made a note to talk to her later, but right now he had to speak with his father and his advisors about the past few weeks.

Later on that evening he finally returned to find Andromache weaving at her loom. She didn't hear him when he first came in, and he stood there silently, just watching her.

Her hair was clasped into a bun at her neck and her fingers flew across the shuttle, weaving threads into a beautiful tapestry. Her face was slightly flushed from the heat and as he walked over she looked up and smiled. He reached out his hand and she took it, giving a small gasp when he swept her into his arms and carried her over to the bed. He started to kiss her but she stopped him.

"Hector," she said, leaning away slightly. He stopped.

"What is it, love?" he asked, a smile on his face.

She hesitated, and he raised his eyebrows, waiting. "Will you take me to the hill?" she finally said, averting her gaze.

He was puzzled, but he quickly turned it over in his mind. "Alright. But it's dark so I want you riding on a horse with me."

She nodded her head and ran over to get a light cloak to wear over her dress. He led her down the stables and quickly bridled a horse, setting her up gently and hopping up behind her.

Awhile later they reached the hill and Andromache quickly slid down, without Hector's help. She walked over to the edge of the hill and stared out at the city, it's lights a sharp contrast to the darkness around it.

He came up behind her and slid his arms around her. "What is it?"

She turned around and looked him in the eyes. "Do you remember last time we were here?" she asked, taking a deep breath.

A puzzled look was in his eyes, but he answered, "Yes."

"I'm carrying your child," she blurted out before she lost her nerve. Instantly, she dropped her gaze, not sure how Hector would react.

There was a stunned silence then Hector asked softly, "Are you sure?"

Andromache nodded and looked up, relieved when a slow grin crept onto his face. "You're with child?" Hector asked, dazed.

Andromache nodded again. Hector let out a shout and engulfed her in a hug. "That's wonderful!"

She smiled, "You're happy?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" He kissed her.

"I was afraid you would think- never mind," Andromache finished.

"Three weeks?"

"Three weeks."

Hector suddenly frowned. "I should let you be out in this cold, with only a light cloak to cover you. Come, we're returning to the palace." He forcefully led her back to the horse and gently lifted her up, but she smiled. As they slowly made their way back- for too great a speed my injure the baby, in Hector's mind- she leaned against him gratefully and her hand found his free one. He smiled and squeezed her hand, wanting to shout out to the whole world but knowing it would be inappropriate.

I'm going to be a father, he thought blissfully.