Thank you all for your reviews. The next few chapters might take awhile to happen, since my days are randomly hectic for the next few weeks. So we'll see how much I manage. Might be a few days between chapters. Enjoy!

…

Andromache had no more problems with Maira and the dress was finished within the week. Maira proudly brought it in, just having finished the last stitch. Andromache was handy with needles, but no one could match Maira's skill with the little details. She'd taken the dress and sewn in silver designs throughout it, to go with the silver material Andromache had used as a border. The effect was stunning and Andromache gasped as she saw it.

"You'll be the most beautiful woman at the festival, Andromache," Maira said happily.

"In this masterpiece, I actually think it possible," she replied, fingering the dress. "It's very soft."

"You chose excellent material," Maira said. "This is your best dress yet; the material is soft yet it will wear a long time."

"For the price I paid, it should," Andromache replied dryly. "Do you wish to attend the festival?"

"Slaves don't attend festivals," Maira reminded her, smiling.

"No one need know you're a slave- we never marked you," Andromache pointed out. "You're welcome to attend; you may come with me if you wish."

"Thank you, but no," Maira said firmly. "I have no desire."

"If you change your mind just let me know. Do you have something suitable to wear?"

"Oh yes, that's not the reason. But I'll shall inform you if I change my mind."

"Alright," Andromache said doubtfully.

"Shall you be needing me for the rest of the day?" Maira asked, standing up.

"No." Andromache shook her head. "Hector's going to try to ride Elpis today, I'm going down to watch."

Maira nodded and left, leaving Andromache slightly miffed. But she shrugged and went off to find her husband, who was leading Elpis into a secluded ring on the outskirts of the royal stables. Andromache fell in line with him, careful not to startle the filly.

"I asked Maira to accompany me to the festival, she refused," she informed him.

"Perhaps she does not enjoy festivals," Hector replied.

"No, she does. She's always accompanied me to them."

"Slaves are not allowed at festivals," he said, confused.

"She's not marked. She's always been more a handmaiden than a slave."

"Ah, well perhaps she has no desire to attend this one."

"But why?"

"If I knew I would tell you," Hector replied dryly. "Perhaps she's not feeling well."

"The festival is a week away," Andromache pointed out.

"Well, I'm sure you'll figure it out soon," Hector said. They had reached the field and he led Elpis into the center, while Andromache leaned against the fence watching them.

Hector just stood beside her head, stroking her gently and allowing her to become accustomed to the surroundings. After a few minutes he gently walked to her side, slowly leaning across her back and gently putting more of his weight on her. As she slowly relaxed, in a swift and certain movement he swung himself onto her back.

Andromache tensed, waiting for Elpis to panic, but she didn't. She was rigid and the slightest movement would send her off, but Hector made no move. He sat there, loose and relaxed, not moving a muscle. In the seven months they'd had her, Elpis had fattened out and she no longer looked starved. Her coat had slowly improved and she'd turned into a beautiful filly, her dark coat gleaming in the sun. The only visible reminders of her ordeal were the scars along her body. But other than that she looked perfectly healthy, though she only let a few strangers deal with her. The stable hand who'd taken care of her, Hector, and Andromache were all allowed to approach her, but no one else.

As the horse and rider stood still, each waiting for the other to make a move, Andromache found her thoughts drifting towards Maira. She'd been acting almost melancholy for the last few weeks, even before she'd gone missing that one afternoon. Perhaps she's homesick, Andromache thought suddenly, and made a mental note to ask her about it. A movement in the ring brought her back to the present and she watched as Hector gently urged the now-relaxed horse into a slow walk. His movements were easy and assured and Elpis was soon calmed by his gentle attitude. After a short while he dismounted and led her out of the ring, Andromache joining him.

"That turned out better than I thought it would," she remarked.

"That's because she's already been broken in. I simply had to teach her to trust; she'd already been taught to respond to a rider's commands," he replied. Leading Elpis in one hand he reached for Andromache with the other, gently encircling her waist. "I'm sure everything with Maira will be resolved," he comforted her.

…

The day of the festival soon arrived and Maira helped Andromache get ready, arranging her hair and helping her dress. Hector came in and watched her administrations, discreetly admiring his wife. They'd done an excellent job on the dress; Andromache looked lovely.

"There," Maira said as she finished by placing a silver headpiece over Andromache's hair. "It's simple enough to allow you freedom and it matches perfectly with the dress."

Andromache turned her head from side to side, marveling how light the piece was. "It's amazing, where did you get it?"

"The marketplace," Maira replied easily. "I was shopping for a few things and I saw it and thought of the dress."

"I swear, between the two of you spending my money I'll be broke by the time the year is out," complained Hector, coming into view. The two women jumped at his sudden entrance but Andromache smiled. "Maira," Hector said after kissing his wife, "you've done an excellent job. My wife looks wonderful."

Maira inclined her head, "Thank you, but it's not difficult to make her look good. Now I must go get myself ready, I'll have a guard escort me and I'll meet you down in the square."

Andromache smiled and nodded, happy that her friend had changed her mind.

Hector gave her arm and led her to where his family was gathered, ready to leave. "Paris will be attending with us," he whispered to her as his brother came in, looking incredibly handsome. "It's my job to keep him out of trouble."

"Just find a beautiful girl for him, she'll keep him busy," Andromache replied mischievously.

"That's the trouble I'm supposed to keep him out of," Hector replied pointedly.

Briseis and Cassandra entered and Andromache ran over to greet them. "You both look lovely," she complimented, admiring their dresses.

"You should look in the mirror," Briseis retorted, smiling at her. "Cassandra and I are to lead the dance," she said excitedly.

"I'll be watching," Andromache promised, slightly regretting that her dancing days were over. Only the maidens would dance; the married women could just watch.

Priam announced that it was time to leave and the royal family all set out and they all departed, soon arriving to the square. The hundred bulls had already been sacrificed and Priam opened the celebration with a toast to the gods. The music started and Cassandra and Briseis went down to dance- as the oldest virgin in the royal household it was Cassandra's job to start the dancing. Briseis was right behind her and the virgins of the city quickly joined the dancing line as Paris led the young men in their part. Andromache smiled, watching the happy looks on their faces.

Cassandra skillfully led the maidens and Briseis laughed as Cassandra said something to her. They weaved around the young men and Paris winked at his sister and cousin when he passed them. Cassandra was smiling- even though she normally didn't enjoy dancing- and Andromache was happy to see her enjoying herself.

She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around to see Maira smiling happily at her. She gave her a hug then gently pushed her in the direction of the dancing. "Go dance!" she commanded, smiling. "If I cannot enjoy something it's almost as good to see you enjoying it."

Maira offered no protest; she'd often danced in Thebe when Andromache was still unmarried. They both had loved dancing and Maira felt a slight pang as she realized that Andromache could no longer do it. She joined the line and swirled around in circles, weaving between the men as the youth skillfully avoided each other in the steps. After awhile she felt a bit dizzy so she decided to return to her mistress.

Andromache had a glass of wine waiting for her and the two gazed down, watching the faces of those still dancing.

"I'd forgotten how much I love it," Maira said. "It-" She stopped suddenly and Andromache turned to her, wondering at the pale shade her face had taken on. Maira was looking at someone and Andromache followed her gaze but couldn't figure out who it was.

"Maira?" Andromache asked, confused. "What is it?"

"Nothing," she stammered, a blush creeping into her cheeks. "I just thought I saw someone."

"Who?"

"No matter," she said, the color quickly returning to her face. "It was just someone I'd met the other day."

Andromache was doubtful but she couldn't pick out who Maira had been looking at, so she shrugged and turned to watch the dancers again. Hector came up beside her and engaged her in conversation and she quickly forgot about Maira's strange behavior.

"Do you miss dancing?" Hector asked her, noticing her gaze.

"Only when I'm watching it," Andromache replied, smiling.

"Well then, I'll attempt to hold your attention away from them," Hector teased. He glanced at the crowd below and a puzzled frown grew on his face. "Is that man waving to you?" he asked, slightly annoyed. Andromache followed his gaze.

"No," she said, just as confused as her husband. "I've never seen him before in my life." A thought dawned on her and she glanced at Maira, who was looking away nonchalantly, though a dark blush had crept into her cheeks.

"Maira? Do you know that man?" Andromache asked, the pieces beginning to come together.

Maira nodded. "He's the man I bought your headpiece from," she replied easily. "I think the shock of seeing that it is you who is wearing it has gotten to him." She glanced at Andromache and held her gaze for only a second, then quickly turned away again.

Andromache was no longer confused. That gaze had held an emotion that had taken her aback, but she knew what Maira wanted. Turning to her husband, she easily dismissed it.

"He's just a merchant in the marketplace," Andromache replied.

"Why's he waving at you?" Hector asked, still frowning down at him.

"Because he is shocked that I am wearing this headpiece, he's the man Maira bought it from."

"Oh," Hector said, still slightly confused at his behavior but willing to forgive him. "It's a bit odd of him, though."

But the man was leaving and so Hector was content to let it rest. The blush was slowly leaving Maira's face and Andromache quickly made sure no one had taken notice of this exchange. No one had and Andromache spent the rest of the evening waiting anxiously for the end of the festivities. Hours later, Hector finally took her home and Maira accompanied them.

Andromache quickly undressed and put on a light robe over her nightgown, making some excuse to Hector about needing to talk to Maira in regards to her dress. Hector nodded, pulling out some maps that he needed to familiar himself with, and Andromache was able to escape unnoticed.

She crept into Maira's room, thankful that her roommate was not there.

"She's still at the festival," Maira said, reading her mind.

"Good," Andromache said, settling herself on the bed and waiting patiently.

Maira smiled at her friend's not-so-subtle hint, but began her story. "A few months ago, I was shopping in the marketplace," she began, fiddling with her hands nervously. "It was late in the day and I was bringing back some fabrics- I was planning on making myself a new dress- and he ran into me. Well, since I was carrying all these fabrics he assumed I was a seamstress and engaged me in conversation- for I had knocked his merchandise out of his arms and he had to pick it up. So I told him that I was only making a dress for myself and he said he'd like to see me wearing it."

Here she paused, then continued. "It was just harmless flirtation and I didn't think anything of it, then a few weeks later I was shopping again because we'd run out of the salts I put in your baths, and I happened to be wearing the dress. By sheer chance I ran into him and he complimented me on it." She blushed at the memory, remembering his teasing words. "Since he sold the bath salts that I needed, I bought them from him and he started to tease me and informed me that the user of the salts would smell very good. I replied that they weren't for me but for you and he looked surprised as he figured that I was your handmaiden. I never told him I was, he assumed it himself," she stated quietly but firmly.

"I never thought you would, though it wouldn't be quite a lie," Andromache smiled. "Go on."

"Well, through various trips the market- sometimes with other servant girls for materials for them- I would see him and we would talk. Last time we met he had silver jewelry and I purchased the silver headpiece, charging it to the palace."

Andromache nodded.

"He asked how long I'd been working as your handmaiden and I told him that I'd traveled with you from Thebe. You see, I didn't want to tell him that I was your slave. Andromache, I've never been ashamed of it- you know that. But I just couldn't tell him, for some reason. And he then stated that he would apply for permission to see me and inquired as to whom he should ask." She stopped, her voice quivering. "I was speechless and I quickly left him. That's why he was waving to me at the festival, he was trying to get my attention."

Andromache was silent, knowing what the problem was. Maira continued, regardless.

"I never thought he meant anything serious, men have flirted with me before. I usually just ignore them but there was something special about him. I shouldn't have encouraged him, but I liked his company," she apologized. "I didn't want to tell you because there's nothing you can do- or anyone for that matter- and I just hoped it would go away."

"Well, I doubt it will just go away," Andromache mused. "He must be told, or at least given a reason to stop pursuing you."

"But if I tell him I'm a slave-"

"Then your secret will be out," Andromache finished, nodding. "I'll think of something, don't worry."

"No one else knows, except you and Hector," Maira told her. "All the other servants just think I chose to come with you from Thebe."

"And it will stay like that," Andromache said firmly. "I must go, Hector will be wondering what's keeping me. Don't worry, I'll think of some excuse. Goodnight." She kissed her and hurried back to her room, quickly climbing into bed and waiting for Hector to blow out the candles.

"The dress all fixed?" he asked, extinguishing the lights and joining her.

"What?" she asked, confused. Then she remembered her excuse. "Oh, it will be. We're working on it."