Thank you all for waiting so patiently! My vacation was great, I got back and fired off another chapter for you all. This chapter jumps around a bit, just because I had to tie up some loose ends and I promised that when I come back I'd have a full-blown plot for you all. So, this chapter is mainly the thread to tie them together, then next chapter it starts. And yes, I'm a lot rough after not having written for over half a month, so give me a little leeway. This chapter is mostly to just get me back into the mode and tie up loose ends. So I apologize, but don't expect anything major. But I hope you manage to enjoy it anyways.

…

The month passed quickly and, once again, Hector departed. Andromache accompanied him down to the docks and said her goodbyes. As she watched him sail away, she was reminded of the many times they'd performed this task.

Too many times, she thought sadly. But Briseis and Cassandra did their best to comfort her, engaging her in tasks and keeping her company. One morning, Cassandra showed up alone and the two of them went for a walk in the gardens.

"How are you baring it?"

"Sadly, I seem to have gotten used to it," Andromache replied. "I suppose we've had to go through it too many times."

"It was like this even before you came," Cassandra said softly. "Hector was always leading the army."

"And he doesn't even like to fight. Sometimes I wonder why the gods gave him such a hard life when he's such a good man."

"Some say the gods give trials to those who can bear them. Hector has always risen to the task, no matter what it was."

"It seems to be a fairly common trait in his family," Andromache said pointedly.

Cassandra smiled. "It appears to have extended to our in-laws, as well."

Andromache grinned but let it pass without comment. "I don't think about it often," she said, suddenly serious. "About what he's doing, I mean. It makes it seem to real- the possibility of losing him."

"You mean the fighting?"

Andromache nodded.

"Well, then I can offer this one small comfort." Cassandra's face was serious and her eyes sad. "He'll not die on foreign soil."

"Have you foreseen all our deaths?"

She shook her head. "Just up to a certain point."

"Will you not tell me?"

She smiled. "No. It's not as relieving as you'd think, Andromache. To know when and how someone is going to die brings no pleasure, I assure you."

"Perhaps it might ease my worrying," Andromache pointed out.

"No, it wouldn't. You'd only start to worry about it more. I speak from experience."

"Do you dread your own death?" Andromache had known that Cassandra knew how she was fated to end her days.

"No, I only dread what will happen after I'm gone."

"Cassandra," Andromache said, locking eyes with her. "It won't happen for a very long time, right?"

Cassandra held her gaze, never blinking or wavering. "Time is relative, Andromache. But rest assured, I'll not leave you before your husband has returned."

"I can't bare to lose you," Andromache murmured.

"You're strong, Andromache. You'll be surprised at what you can bare. But don't fear for me, my passing will be easy. However, now is not the time for such talk. I'll give you my final words on these matters when we say our goodbyes. Until then, let us enjoy each other's company." Cassandra finished with a smile as she led Andromache into the stables. "A picnic seems to be a good way to spend the day."

Andromache grinned and prepared her mount as Briseis was quickly sent for. The three of them spent an enjoyable day up in the hills, roaming the hills and splashing in the streams. And even if she still thought about Hector, the ache of his leaving wasn't as bad as before.

…

Six months later, he returned and was greeted with a screech as a body hurled itself against him. He laughed and squeezed her tight, planting a kiss on the head that was buried in his shoulder.

"You were gone too long," Andromache said, her voice muffled. "It was supposed to be a short campaign."

"There were many problems," he answered, sighing. "I fear the gods did not favor us."

"The gods always favor us," Priam said, smiling as he came over to them. "We won the battle, didn't we?"

"At a great price, Father," replied Hector gravely, his arm about his wife's waist.

Priam nodded. "True. And you shall give me a report later. For now, I think someone requires your attention." He smiled kindly at the pair and they quickly made their way back to their quarters to be alone.

"Tell me everything," Hector commanded, settling down comfortably on the bed and pulling Andromache down with him.

"Well, you're just in time for the feat of Apollo, it starts in seven days," she said, smiling happily. "And Briseis has been persistent in her desire to be a priestess." She chatted animatedly and Hector closed his eyes, listening to the sound of her voice. It wasn't so much the words, just the sound that comforted him. Soon it was his turn, and he related his many adventures as she snuggled next to him.

They talked through the evening and well into night, informing each other of their happenings as they prepared for bed. And they talked each other to sleep, still not running out of things to say. As they'd discovered before, there was always something to talk about together.