Notes: My schedule is random for the next few weeks, so I don't know how often I'll be able to update. Besides that, I'm going on vacation for awhile so there'll be no updates around the middle/end of this month. So up until then it'll just be small little chapters, developing relationships and such. When I come back I'm going to start a full-blown plot again, but I'm not going to tell you what will happen. You'll have to wait a bit. So yah, that was all just for your information.

Enjoy!

…

True to her word, Andromache had Artrides over for a meal the following evening. The servants smiled to hear the trio laughing merrily as they sat out on one of the many balconies in Hector's quarters.

"So you see, Hector wasn't always this easy-going," Artrides said, leaning back into his chair. "He used to have quite the temper."

"Oh, it still comes up every once in awhile." Andromache smiled at her husband who grinned back.

"Only under extreme provocation, though," he protested. "And yours is just as violent, if not more." He turned to his friend. "She threw a platter of food at me, once."

"Just once?" Artrides teased. "I seem to remember that you've had nourishment thrown at your head before."

Andromache raised her eyebrows at her husband and turned to his friend. "Really?"

"Artrides, I honestly don't think she needs to hear about that," Hector protested weakly.

Artrides ignored him. "An ironsmith's daughter. Hector had noticed her and was quite infatuated with her," he informed Andromache. "Pretty little thing, but nothing on you, of course. But naturally, he was shy and he refused to approach her. Then one evening he… partook of a little too much wine. Naturally, men do foolish things when they're drunk, and so he confronted her on his feelings."

"Artrides," Hector protested.

"She was quite perturbed to have a drunk man announcing his feelings in front of all her maiden friends and threatened to have him removed. Hector ignored this and continued with his pledges of love, and was promptly knocked unconscious as a platter of… what was it Hector?"

"Apples," he replied dryly.

"That's right, apples," Artrides agreed. "We had to carry him home and the next morning he had a massive bruise on his temple. I must admit, such a mark caused quite a stir."

"I believe I told everyone that it was the result of a training accident," Hector reminisced. "That's the only time a girl has ever refused me, however."

Artrides snorted. "Considering most of them hang on your every word, I believe it was the only time."

Andromache laughed and Artrides turned to her. "Now for you. Have you ever won a boy's favor?"

Hector raised his eyebrows expectantly and she blushed. "Perhaps," she said modestly.

"Oh come, Andromache, you've been entertained for the past hours of my escapades. Now it's your turn," Hector commanded.

"There was one boy," she reminisced, smiling. "He was the same age as I was. We were both thirteen and he worked in the stables."

"A romantic setting," Artrides commented seriously, but with a twinkle in his eyes.

"He had no parents, you see, and the most soulful eyes I'd ever seen," she continued. "Very handsome."

Hector coughed pointedly and she laughed.

"Very well, on with the story. He would take me for secret rides at night. We never left the walls of Thebe, but it was improper nonetheless. I was just a girl, too young to care about such things."

"What ever happened to him?" Artrides asked.

"Yes," Hector agreed. "I must know if I've any competition."

She smiled but shook her head. "No, Arimedes soon found out- he somehow discovered everything I ever did- and took him to task. I was switched for my immodesty and we were forbidden to see each other again."

"Poor Andromache," Artrides patted her hand. "To be forbidden to see your true love."

"I beg your pardon, but true love?" Hector asked pointedly. "I am forced to remind you, Artrides, you are talking to the wife of your commander."

Artrides laughed at his friend's threat. "Fair enough, your first love, then," he amended.

Hector gave him a warning look, but let it pass. The teasing look in his eyes betrayed any seriousness of the threat, however.

"Yes, but then he fell in love with one of the servant girls. Married her, too, just a bit before I came here with Hector."

"How tragic!" Artrides gasped, mockingly clutching his chest. "I'm sure your heart was broken."

"Yes," Andromache said sarcastically. "I was devastated to find out that a boy whom I'd not seen in years- and who'd gotten me in enough trouble to merit a switching, which is quite painful I assure you- was now married."

"Better a switching than a beating," Hector pointed out. "You've no idea how painful they are."

Artrides nodded in agreement. "Extremely painful, I had my share of them when I was younger."

"Yes, but a switching would leave my legs raw and stinging. And for the next week, whenever my dress would brush against them it felt as though someone had just lit my legs on fire."

"Sounds painful," Hector agreed. "But better raw legs than no way to sit down for the next week. Being seated was always the worst dilemma."

Andromache laughed, conceding the point. "You win. Better a switching than a beating."

Hector and Artrides both look satisfied. "It's not often I win an argument with you," Hector teased her.

Artrides burst into laughter and Andromache smiled. "But only when you choose to capitulate," she pointed out. "Whenever you decide to win, you always do."

Artrides nodded. "Hector's dangerous when he digs his heels in. I've yet to win a fight when he does."

The three spent the next few hours talking and enjoying each other's company, and finally Artrides took his leave. Later, as Andromache and Hector were lying in bed, he turned to her.

"Andromache? Are you still awake?"

"Yes," she responded, rolling over to face him. "What is it?"

"I meant to tell you this earlier, but it escaped my mind. Father's ordered the army to prepare, I leave in a month."

This news quickly chased away all the good feelings Andromache had. "Why?"

"Negotiations have turned hostile; they attacked our messengers."

Andromache bit her lip, but nodded. "How long?"

"A few months," Hector responded, aware of her disappointment. "I'm sorry."

"You can't help it," she replied, rolling back over. There was a pause and then she felt the bed move. Hector scooted over to her and wrapped his arms around her. That was the final straw; she started to cry.

"You've shouldn't have to go," she whispered, tears streaming down her face.

"I know," he answered, knowing there were no words of comfort.

"You hate fighting. Let someone else lead the army."

"I wish I could, love, but I can't."

She was silent, and Hector leaned over to kiss her cheek, wet with tears. "Don't worry, I'll return safely."

She knew this was true, but it didn't ease the pain. "It's just so hard when you go," she said softly. "This past year has been the longest amount of time we've ever spent together."

"I know," he answered quietly. "And I've loved every minute of it."

"So have I," she whispered, closing her eyes. They said no more, knowing it couldn't change what would happen.

On some occasions, no words can offer comfort.