Thank you all for your reviews, I'm glad you guys are liking the Cassandra scenes. Don't worry, we'll have more Hector/Andromache soon. And once again, I'd like to thank Firien for your critiques, nobody I know are writers so I don't get much pointers and things. It's really helping me, thank you.
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Hector left early the next afternoon to attend the first of the many meetings regarding Cassandra's marriage. Andromache couldn't help but feel a little apprehension, even though Cassandra's words were clear in her mind. She sought her out and found her in the women's quarters, relaxing with Briseis.
"Hector just left to attend the meetings," she announced, sinking onto a large couch.
Cassandra raised her eyebrows, waiting for her to make her point.
"Are you not the least bit nervous?!" Andromache burst out. "What if Apollo was mistaken?!"
Cassandra looked amused. "Are you under the impression that the gods make mistakes, Andromache?"
Andromache grinned ruefully. "No, but still, it is nerve wracking."
"She speaks truth," Briseis pointed out. "I'm a bit nervous as well."
"There's no need to be," Cassandra answered, completely relaxed. "I know what will happen."
"Will you not tell us?" Andromache pleaded.
Cassandra shook her head. "No, I've trained myself to stop foretelling events, I am only scorned."
"We'd never scorn you, Cassandra," Briseis vowed quietly. "And those who do are only fools."
"I know." Cassandra closed her eyes then shook her head. "But no, it's not for you to know."
Her calmness and unconcerned nature soon calmed Andromache, and she found herself forgetting her worries as they spent the afternoon together. Around dinnertime, a servant came to announce that Coroebus had requested Cassandra's presence for a dinner in the gardens, and she left to get ready. Andromache took her leave of Briseis and hurried back to her quarters, anxious to find her husband.
"Well?" she asked impatiently as he took off his formal robes for something simple.
"Well what?" he teased. "It is now your turn to be just the observer."
"Don't you dare," Andromache warned. "I've been waiting all day; don't tease me."
"Coroebus is the wealthier of the two," Hector grew serious. "Though he shows some hesitation at matching the bride price. Othronus has agreed to match it and Coroebus requested time to consider."
"Is that why he dines with Cassandra tonight?"
Hector nodded. "Father will no doubt tell her to charm him, though if she does I'd be surprised. I am under the impression that he's slightly offended at her sharp wit."
"He's too old for her anyways," Andromache said, unconcerned.
"He's only ten years older," Hector argued. "There are seven years separating us, love."
"Yes, but he's already growing gray hair," Andromache shot back. "And he acts older than his age; he's so boring!"
"Acting older than one's age isn't always a bad thing."
"It is when it turns you into a boring old man," Andromache pointed out. "But no matter, continue."
"If he decides to match the price, then negotiations will open between the two men in the form of bridal gifts, treaties, and so on," Hector continued. "When you see Cassandra- for I've no doubt you're off to see her to find out how her dinner with Coroebus went- inquire which of the two she prefers, so that I may know."
"I will," Andromache said as they sat down to partake of supper. "Which do you prefer?"
"I personally like Othronus better than Coroebus."
"He has hairy arms," Andromache protested, her nose wrinkling in disgust.
"Since I am male, I don't notice such things," Hector said dryly, continuing his comparison. "Othronus is a better horseman- Coroebus neither rides nor hunts. Apparently his skills on the battlefield aren't one of his better traits either. Cassandra would most likely become a widow before her first year of marriage is up."
"For some reason, I am under the impression she would enjoy that," Andromache mused. "I also prefer Othronus, however, even though Cassandra wouldn't become a widow so quickly."
Hector ignored her. "However, Coroebus has more to offer Troy in terms of alliances. But if Cassandra prefers Othronus, I shall throw my weight in for him."
"Gallant of you," Andromache replied dryly. She quickly finished eating and stood up. "I'm off to see Cassandra," she announced.
Hector nodded. "I'll be waiting for you. Don't forget to ask her my question."
"I won't," Andromache promised, quickly leaving. She strode towards the women's quarters but as she rounded a corner she came face to face with Othronus. "My lord," she greeted.
"Lady Andromache," he said, inclining his head. "I was just exploring your lovely palace, it really is quite extraordinary."
"It houses many, therefore it must be grand," she answered smoothly.
"We have nothing like this back home, your stables are amazing as well."
"My husband has made a point to keep them well-stocked," she said. "Perhaps the two of you would enjoy a ride sometime tomorrow?"
"That would be wonderful!" he exclaimed, beaming. "Though I don't know if it would be possible, I hear we have more meetings."
"I'll mention it to him," she promised. "I'm sure he'll figure something out." She nodded to him and continued on her way. A nice man, she mused, but too simple. Cassandra couldn't spend more than a day with him without being bored. However, I do think he's better than Coroebus, Cassandra would be bored after only an hour with him.
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Cassandra was waiting up for Andromache; Briseis had already been told how the dinner went and was now in bed.
"Well?" Andromache sat down, kicking her sandals off and curling her feet under her.
"It was fine, we discussed trivialities such as his city or the sites Troy has to offer," Cassandra said dismissively.
"Before it escapes my mind, Hector would like to know which of the two you prefer."
"Planning on throwing his weight in, is he?" A soft smile crept up on her face. "Hector is a kind man." She turned to look directly at Andromache. "It makes no difference who I prefer, nothing will happen, but you may tell Hector that he should lean towards Othronus."
Andromache nodded. "We both prefer him to Coroebus."
"Hector's impressed with his horsemanship?" Cassandra laughed, knowing her brother too well. "I agree, he is a good horseman. But those arms-"
Andromache burst into laughter. "I met him in the hallway and I promised to talk to Hector about taking him riding tomorrow."
"Perhaps a hunt," Cassandra suggested. "We might join them, if you wished."
There was a gleam in Andromache's eyes. "It would be amusing to see Coroebus on a horse," she said wickedly.
Cassandra nodded, a mischievous look on her face. "Wait until you see more of him. Coroebus doesn't like riding, hunting, or any other manly pastime. I promise you, the moment he's married he'll grow fat with laziness."
Andromache shuddered. "It's a relief to know that you will not be his wife, though I pity the poor soul who does marry him. Othronus is a bit simple, though."
"But devoted," Cassandra pointed out. "He actually does care for me. To Coroebus I'm just a prize."
"Then I wouldn't have you marry him for the world," Andromache said loyally. "And I shall learn to like Othronus even with his arms."
Cassandra smiled and Andromache bid her goodnight, quickly returning to her chambers.
"She prefers Othronus," she announced to her husband upon her arrival.
Hector nodded. "I thought she would. She's no fool."
"And I met Othronus in the halls, he wishes to go riding tomorrow. I suggested that you would take him and Cassandra pointed out that we could make a party out of it. Perhaps even a hunt."
Hector was silent, pondering her suggestion. "We could," he said slowly. "I could suggest that Father cancel the meetings so we have the entire afternoon. We would bring Briseis as well, to make it an even party."
"Perhaps Paris would like to join us," Andromache suggested.
"That would make it uneven," Hector pointed out.
"It won't make much of a difference, since most of us are family. It would keep him out of trouble for the day."
"That settles it, then," Hector answered decidedly. "I'll bring it up with Father tomorrow morning and we'll leave right after lunch."