If any of you have noticed, I've started writing another fic, Gazing in the Mirror. It's a first-person (meaning from the speaker's pov) about Helen and her life. Don't worry, I haven't given up on this one. I'm doing both at once, so yah, just wanted to reassure everyone on that account.

Here's the next chapter, hope you enjoy!

…

Andromache awoke to someone shaking her. She groaned, shielding her eyes from the gentle light that was creeping over the hills.

"I'm awake," she murmured, gently testing out her muscles. Her entire body was stiff and every movement caused an intense pain to shoot through her body.

"We must continue on our way," Cassandra whispered, anxiously glancing around. "They will be searching this area soon."

She stiffly rose to her feet and followed Cassandra who set off at an easy walk. Andromache mentally thanked her for this; she knew that she couldn't run any farther.

The sun slowly rose higher in the sky and the heat steadily increased. Andromache was no longer wearing her cloak; she had draped it across her arm and used the other to wipe sweat from her forehead. Cassandra had also opted to shed her heavy covering, but the sweat still poured from her body. Andromache could see her arms glistening with it and her dress was sticking to her. I probably look the same, Andromache thought wryly. And if I ever do see Hector again, he'll most likely run for cover at the sight of me.

Leaves were stuck in both their hair and they were dirty from sleeping on the ground. Andromache studied her palms. They were scratched and filthy from the previous night's fall. There was a small scratch on her arm- she didn't know how she'd gotten that- and she could feel blisters on her feet. Her sandals were nearly ripped to shreds; they were not made for such heavy traveling. The delicate fabric of their dresses was ripped and torn, and looked nothing like the elegant items they'd put on just a few days ago.

Andromache's stomach growled and she suddenly realized that they had no food. "Cassandra?" she said softly, knowing she'd be heard. "What will we do for food?"

"There are herbs and plants we can eat. I know how to identify them," Cassandra replied, glancing back. "But water is another matter. I do not know if there is a water source near the canyon."

"It just rained," Andromache reminded her.

"The parched ground has quickly soaked it up," Cassandra answered. "We must find a spring or a river, or Hector must come soon."

Andromache suddenly realized how serious their situation was. Though the bandits no longer threatened them, they had no protection and no water. Assuming they could survive everything nature was throwing at them, there were still the animals to be wary of.

A sudden noise caused both of them to freeze, their ears opened for the slightest sound. A loud voice called out and another answered it.

"It's the leader of the bandits!" Cassandra hissed. She took off at a sprint, leaving the almost-hidden path they were following and plunging into the bushes. Andromache was right on her heels, her heart pounding. The voices were growing louder and were soon joined by the sound of sheep and goats. The plunder, Andromache realized. Another sound then caused her blood to freeze. A woman's crying could be heard and a man's harsh yelling. Zeus protect us, she prayed, swallowing hard. Fortunately the noise of the party drowned out their footsteps as they crashed through the underbrush. Suddenly, Cassandra let out a small shriek and plunged downwards. Andromache skidded to a stop, barely managing to stop before the edge of a steep hill.

Cassandra rolled down and landed hard. Andromache stifled a scream as she saw her lying there, still and not moving. She glanced frantically around her. She was still in view of the approaching party. She muttered a quick prayer and slid down after her friend.

The hill was only about twenty feet long, but it was steep. Andromache slid through the thick blanket of leaves, wincing as she hit hidden rocks. She landed on her feet near Cassandra and hurried over.

"Cassandra!" she hissed, nervously glancing up at the hill. The voices could still be heard, but thankfully they were receding.

"I'm fine," Cassandra whispered, her face alarmingly pale. "But I can't feel my leg."

Andromache quickly examined her legs, gasping when she saw the left one. She thanked the gods that Cassandra couldn't feel anything, for the leg was at an odd angle midway down her shin and the broken bone had nearly pierced through the skin. Andromache could see a fairly large bump where the bone was pressed up against it.

"It's broken," she informed her quietly.

Cassandra nodded. "I assumed as much. How badly?"

"It's… not good," Andromache said, letting out a sigh. "The bone has almost pierced through." Andromache's stomach felt queasy at the sight and she closed her eyes, swallowing hard.

"Nothing for it," Cassandra said bravely, setting her jaw. "You'll have to set it."

Andromache shook her head. "I can't. I don't know how to do it properly. We'll have to wait for Hector."

Cassandra wouldn't admit it, but she was slightly relieved that Andromache had refused. Having her leg set was not something she was looking forward to.

"I can drag you back up the hill, then carry you the rest of the way," Andromache said softly, casting a glance at the steep angle.

"You can try," Cassandra said doubtfully. She slowly dragged herself over to the base of the hill and Andromache pause for a moment, trying to figure out the best way to get her up the steep incline.

"Lie down flat, and put your arms above your head," she commanded. Cassandra dutifully obeyed and Andromache grabbed her wrists, pushing herself up the hill. It worked, though they only managed to move the barest distance.

The work was slow- it took them nearly an hour to get up the hill. Sweat poured from her body and stung her eyes as her muscles strained to hold them both. Andromache was using her feet to brace them; if they suddenly gave away then they'd both go plummeting down. Her dress was drenched- the few tatters that still hung on her body- and her hair stuck to her neck. Cassandra tried to help, pushing them with her one good leg, but her aid didn't make much of a difference. They finally reached the top and Andromache stretched herself onto the ground, her lungs burning for air.

Her body felt as though it was on fire and she couldn't breath fast enough. Stars danced before her eyes and she felt dizzy. She was positive she was going to faint and just laid there for the longest time, resting. Cassandra lay beside her, exhausted from the trial. Her leg had very much lost its numbness and the pain made her dizzy. Fire was shooting up her lower half and she bit her lip to keep from crying out.

"I'm ready," Andromache finally gasped, slowly sitting up beside her. Cassandra nodded, not trusting herself to speak but steeling her face so Andromache wouldn't notice the pain she was in. Andromache slowly pulled her up onto her back. She linked her hands under Cassandra's legs, being careful not to jar the broken one, and with faltering steps set off.

The pace was slower than Andromache could have thought possible. Each step was an effort and Andromache's entire body had gone numb from the labor she was forcing it to do. Hours crawled by but still she plodded onward. Cassandra had fainted from the pain and she slumped forward, her head resting on Andromache's shoulder. The sun climbed higher and the heat rose. Bugs flitted around her face and into her eyes, causing them to sting even more. She could not swat them away so she kept going, willing herself to ignore them.

Think of pleasant things, she commanded herself. Think of Hector. She allowed a small smile to creep onto her face as she thought of their many memories together. His face as he slept, the smile in his eyes when he worked with Elpis, and the tender way in which he held her face in his hands. She remembered some of their not-so-nice memories. The arguments they'd had, the everyday things they'd had to learn to tolerate, and their most recent fight. Oh, Hector, forgive me. I was wrong.

She fed herself on these memories and forgot the ache of her muscles and the sweat stinging her eyes. She forgot the bugs and she forgot the heavy burden she was carrying. The memories allowed her to continue, giving her strength as she plodded on towards their destination.

When the sun was near to setting she finally reached the canyon, spotting a small grove of trees nearby. The trees would offer shade from the sun and shelter them for hostile eyes. She gently set Cassandra down and collapsed beside her. In just a few moments she was asleep, finally allowing herself to give into the exhaustion that had been threatening her the entire day.

…

The two girls slept all night and throughout most of the day. Andromache finally awoke to the heat glaring into her face. She felt weak and realized that it had been nearly two full days since they'd had anything to eat. Her mouth was parched and she realized that she needed to find water. Cassandra was still sleeping beside her, so she stole off quietly, not wishing to awaken her.

After an hour of fruitless searching- under the glaring heat of the midday sun- Andromache was forced to admit defeat. She could barely walk now and her vision was wavering. She shook her head, trying to clear the fog in her brain. A low growl sounded near her and she sluggishly turned, at this point not caring what the danger was.

Three wolves were standing near, one closer than the others. His teeth were bared and he was eyeing her hungrily. Andromache stared back, stupefied. In the back of her brain she had the thought that she should run but paid no attention to that. She stood there, not moving.

I am going to die, Andromache realized, stilling watching the wolf calmly. Perhaps it was the lack of food and water, or perhaps the trying past days, but the thought of dying no longer scared her. In fact, she was quite relishing it. Better to die quickly than slowly suffer to death.

The wolf had had enough of this waiting, with a snarl he lunged forward. Andromache closed her eyes, waiting for the bite that would end her life. She felt his paws hit her full on and the impact brought her down. She hit the ground hard and felt herself slipping into unconsciousness.

"I love you, Hector," she murmured softly, her brain refusing to work. "And give the wolf my thanks for ending my life so quickly."

"I'll do no such thing," a voice replied. Andromache felt a weight being lifted on her and felt herself pulled to her feet. "Drink this," the voice commanded, pouring a hot liquid down her throat.

The taste quickly brought her to her senses and she coughed and sputtered, yanking away and finally opening her eyes. Hector stood in front of her, looking worried but relieved at the same time. He smiled at her, looking every bit her husband.

Andromache stared back at him, trying to register all that was happening. "Cassandra is in the grove over there," she said, pointing numbly, then fainted dead away. Hector caught her easily, picking her up his arms and ordering his men to retrieve the other princess. He ordered the rest of the men to set up camp and gently carried Andromache to a pile of blankets that was quickly set out. Setting her down he sat by her, holding her hand as she rested. He would wake her in a bit, to drink some water and hot broth, but for now he let her rest. The men hurried about, setting up blankets for Cassandra who was quickly carried over and quickly building a fire. But Andromache was unaware of all this, resting peacefully as her husband watched. Hector smiled as she softly sighed in her sleep, her hand easily fitting into his.

She finally felt safe again.