Thank you all for your reviews! And to those of you who were specific, thanks extra. It really helps if you tell me exactly what you liked, I'm more than happy to write some more of whatever it is. So if something was extra special, please let me know. Glad you liked the last chapter, hope you like this one as well. And as to those of you who commented on the "loving" as opposed to "falling in love," don't worry. It'll happen. J
…
Andromache was enjoying her time at Percote. Hector was in meetings most of the day but she had companionship in the form of Paris, and the two got along wonderfully. He was the same age as Briseis so there wasn't a significant age gap. And while Paris' maturity level wasn't quite up to hers, when he wasn't chasing after women he was very good company. The two took many strolls together in the gardens- Hector had been right; they were lovely.
"Such a shame Troy doesn't have gardens like this," Andromache complained, fingering a flower plant and stopping to take in its scent.
"Our climate doesn't permit it; it would take up too much water," Paris told her. "That's why we have so few."
"It's funny, Dardius doesn't seem the type of person to like gardens," she observed.
"He doesn't. Methisa did these. They've been her project since their first day of marriage. No doubt wanted many places she could go to get away from him."
"Can you blame her?"
"No," Paris answered. "Though I wonder she doesn't leave him for another man."
"Wives can't just leave their husbands, Paris," Andromache said gently. "First off, she has no place to go. And even if she did, there's a matter of getting there. She could take a horse from the royal stables- and since all the horses there belong to her husband, she could be charged with theft- and ride into the wilderness. Supposing she manages to avoid all the bandits and wild animals, Dardius would just send soldiers to retrieve her. Or she could leave by sea. However, no boatman would give her passage because she's a woman traveling without the consent of her husband. She is his property, just as a slave is, and aiding a runaway slave is a crime."
"It would teach him a lesson, though," Paris argued.
"He'd kill her out of rage, Paris. The lesson would be totally lost on him; that man isn't capable of love."
"Well then, parents shouldn't marry their daughters to men like that. They should protect them and give them to a man that's worthy. Eventually, all the cruel people like him would realize they're missing out on something and so they would have to change their ways," Paris suggested helpfully.
"Sometimes the advantages of a marriage outweigh the woman's happiness, Paris."
"Yours didn't," he argued.
"I wasn't happy," Andromache replied. "It took awhile."
"Yes, but your parents knew that you'd be happy. If they'd thought that Hector would treat you cruelly and make you miserable, they'd never have given you to him."
"Not all parents are as wise as mine, Paris. Or as blessed. Methisa's parents needed the advantages of her marriage; her father rules a small city inland and needed the protection of Percote. Her happiness was outweighed by the benefits for their city. The needs of Thebe weren't as pressing to force my parents into marrying me off to just anyone. We have adequate protection against small forces, we now have aid- should we need it- if a larger foe attacks us. Methisa's city can't even repel small groups of bandits."
Paris looked at her sympathetically. "It must be extremely unpleasant, being a woman. I never knew you had so little freedom."
"Oh, don't feel too bad for us," Andromache said, laughing. "We have a few tricks up our sleeves. Murdering of one's husband is always an option."
"Well, I must ask you not to kill Hector. Besides being an excellent brother- when he's not in a bad mood- his death would mean I would be the crowned prince. Too many responsibilities, I'd hate it. So if he does anger you, just come to me. I'll deal with him." Paris patted her back comfortingly.
"Paris, I might just take you up on that offer," Andromache said seriously. "But I don't think the result would be in your favor."
"Oh, well to be sure, he's much stronger than I am," Paris admitted. "However, I'm more cunning." He wiggled his eyebrows and Andromache laughed.
"I'll remember that," she said, smiling. "Speaking of cunning, I believe Hector is a little suspicious of your activities back in Troy. He's seen you leave and return by the same gate for a few nights in a row, so I'd suggest changing your escape route."
"I'll remember that," Paris said gratefully. "Speaking of which, why don't you chastise me for my actions? Everyone else does."
"If a woman allows herself to be seduced than it's as much her fault as it is yours. It's not as if you're forcing her, Paris. She's allowing you."
"But still, why don't you ever lecture me to change my ways?"
"Because if there were no loose women, then you wouldn't be doing that sort of thing. To be sure, I don't approve of it, but it's none of my business really."
"You're a great sister to have, Andromache." Paris smiled at her. "I was worried you'd nag Hector about my dealings and then he'd be even more strict. But you're very relaxed about that sort of thing."
"That's because you're not hurting anyone. The maidens you seduce are loose and so deserve the shame that come from their actions. And the married women- well, if their husbands were a bit kinder to them then they wouldn't need your embraces. However, I would have more of a problem if you were married."
"Oh, don't worry about that," he reassured her. "The idea of spending my entire life with one woman is too much to stomach. You've no idea how relieved I am that it won't matter to Troy if I don't have an heir. Since I'm not to rule it won't make a difference, whereas it's very important for Hector to have one." His eyes widened and he instantly started apologizing for his careless words. "Andromache, I'm so sorry! I-"
Andromache stopped him, smiling sadly. "It's alright, I know he must have an heir. I'm not a fool."
He rubbed her back. "I'm sure you'll provide him with a son," he said awkwardly, trying to comfort her. "The gods have no reason to dislike you."
"What will be, will be," Andromache smiled. "Come, it's late, the meetings will be ending soon."
…
The meetings with Dardius had been successful; compromises had been made and there was now a treaty of peace between Troy and Percote. The Trojan party departed for Troy and the journey back was calm. On the last day of sailing Hector finally got to speak with Andromache alone, Paris had constantly been with them during their few days of sailing.
"Did you enjoy your stay in Percote?" he asked, leaning on the rail next to her. She'd been in the front of the boat, eager for their first sighting of Troy, but she scooted over to allow him more room.
"It was wonderful!" she exclaimed. "I've never been to another city before. You must enjoy it, being able to travel all the time. Seeing new places, meeting all kinds of new people."
Hector shrugged. "It's alright. After awhile it gets old and one begins to long for home. But this journey was one of my better ones."
"Oh?" Andromache said mischievously. "And why's that?"
"The company was much better," he replied wryly, seeing the laughing look in her eyes.
"Dardius?" Andromache asked, feigning surprise. "I must say, Hector, I find your taste in acquaintances very poor indeed."
"You are a minx, love," he said dryly. "Look, there's Troy."
She turned her eyes back to the horizon but couldn't see anything. "Where?"
"Wait a moment," he said. A tiny flash just above the water caught her eyes. "Is that it?"
Hector nodded. "See up there?" He pointed to a man who'd climbed the sails and was holding a reflecting glass. "He'll catch the sun and a watcher at Troy will flash back. That's our first glimpse, before we can even make out the city."
A few hours later they arrived and Andromache anxiously waited for the plank to be let down. It was and she quickly descended, barely waiting for Hector and Paris before throwing herself on a horse and taking off towards the city.
"Andromache, slow down," he said, laughing.
"I want to greet Cassandra and Briseis," she replied as they reached the gates. She smiled as they passed through, welcoming the sight of the familiar streets and houses. As they rode through the city she kept pressing up against Hector, urging him to go faster. He kindly obliged and the three of them arrived quickly at the citadel.
She quickly relinquished her horse into a servant's hands and skipped along beside Hector. He led them- too slowly for Andromache's taste- up to the throne room, where Priam came out to greet them.
"Hector!" he cried, kissing him on both cheeks. Andromache smiled, feeling a sense of déjà vu. "Andromache, you're looking wonderful. I trust you enjoyed Percote?"
She nodded and Priam finally greeted Paris before ushering the party into the palace.
"Father, the sailors will be arriving shortly with the gifts from King Dardius," Andromache heard Hector say. She was distracted though, looking for Briseis and Cassandra. She spotted them, pushing through the crowds and she smiled and ran towards them, enveloping both of them in a hug.
"Andromache!" they cried, returning the embrace. "How was Percote?" Cassandra asked her.
"Neither of us has ever traveled, what was it like?"
She laughed. "It's not the first time I've been on a ship. Come, let's go to the quarters, I'll tell you all about it there."
They talked for the rest of the afternoon, eating dinner together, and when darkness fell Cassandra finally cut short the happy chatter.
"We must say goodnight," she said pointedly, silencing Briseis who was still going strong on the questions.
"You're right," Andromache said, standing up. "I must return to my husband. I'll come back tomorrow and we can finish our conversation."
"How about an afternoon picnic?" Briseis suggested.
"Perfect," Andromache replied, kissing them both on the cheek. "Goodnight."
Andromache quickly strode through the halls, finally reaching Hector's quarters. She greeted the few servants standing around and went into their bedchamber, pausing as she entered the room.
It was there, familiar and unchanging, and Andromache felt satisfied. The curtains were blowing in the breeze and the torches had been lit. She sighed happily and flopped down onto the bed, lying across the width of it.
"It's the satisfaction you feel when you walk into your room and see all your familiar things in their places."
Andromache started, remembering Hector's words. She sat up suddenly, gazing around, then walked out onto the balcony to look at the familiar view. There was the water in the distance and the wall surrounding all the tiny houses. Turning her gaze to the city, she mentally walked the many streets she could see, picking out the shops she'd visited. She traveled down to the square where she and Briseis often went shopping and spotted the gate they used sneak out at night.
I'm home, she thought, a satisfied feeling coming over her. Just like her mother had said, she experienced the city and created her own special memories in it. I'm finally home.