The travel back to the palace was a somber one; nobody felt much like talking. Now I know what my family felt like, Andromache thought as she and Hector returned to their room. A servant brought them lunch and Andromache spoke for the first time.

            "I think I'd like to take a handmaiden again," she ventured cautiously.

            Hector raised his eyes from his plate to look at her. "I'll have one of the servants procure you one, then."

            "I was hoping you'd allow Niobe to attend me, and hire another servant to take her place."

            "You may have her, then. I'll have a servant notify her today," Hector said amiably.

            Andromache smiled. "Thank you."

            "My pleasure, love."

            They would never see eye-to-eye on the events of the past week, but their rift was slowly mending. I've kept my promise, Andromache thought, smiling at her friend's wisdom. Hector's voice broke her out of her thoughts.

            "I'm taking Elpis through some mock-battle training sessions this afternoon, would you like to come?" Hector was doing his part to mend their argument.

            "I'd be happy to."

            Hector smiled and the two of them finished their meal in silence. When he finished, he stood up and flicked her head on the way out. "I'll have a servant come for you when I'm all ready."

            "I'll be waiting," Andromache promised.

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            News came two months later of the ship's demise. Rogue pirates had attacked the ship under the cover of darkness and had killed nearly everyone. The sailors and soldiers were quickly overpowered and Othronus was taken captive- to be ransomed at a later date. The pirates were aware that Othronus was transporting his bride and ransacked the ship in search of her. She was discovered, dressed in white, a dagger driven in her heart by her own two hands. On the bed surrounding here was her crown of laurel leafs, her collected memorabilia of the different members of her family, and a small statue of Apollo.

            Cassandra had kept her promise. She'd died a virgin, pure and untouched.

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            Andromache stood at the funeral pyre, dressed in black with a veil covering her head. She was wearing her crown. Briseis stood beside her, Cassandra's statue of Apollo clutched in her hand. On the other side of Andromache stood Hector, his hand rested comfortingly on her shoulder.

            Hecuba stood nearby, weeping softly. Laodice and Polyxena were holding their mother's hands, also crying. The people had gathered to honor Cassandra, the princess few of them knew.

Her gentleness of spirit and utter devotion to the gods had won her respect, though she was often never believed. Her unshakeable morals had encouraged many, perhaps those close to her most of all. She was loved by her family, although few of them really knew her. That privilege was reserved for two women, so young and yet so old at the same time. Two girls as different as night and day, who shared a common bond through her that would last a lifetime. As they headed back, after watching the flames consume their friend's body, the two women linked hands as they slowly made through the crowds of people.

"She linked us together," Briseis stated quietly.

"I wonder if that wasn't intentional," Andromache mused. "You and I wouldn't have been this close if it wasn't for her."

"True," Briseis agreed.

"I was never so spontaneous before I met her," Andromache continued. "I was calm and obedient. And you were just the opposite."

"Quick to anger and act without thinking," Briseis smiled.

"And now we're both somewhere in the middle," Andromache finished.

"Cassandra was insightful."

"A characteristic you share."

"Not as well as she did, though. And she always saw the other side to something, just like you do."

Andromache ruefully shook her head. "She taught me how to do that, though. Took me awhile."

"But now it comes naturally," Briseis pointed out. Then she smiled sadly. "She died too soon."

"I agree," Andromache replied. "Though she didn't. I suppose it all came down to the gods."

"And her unfailing faith in them."

Andromache smiled. They'd reached the point where they'd separate and go their different ways. "Goodnight, Briseis," she said, kissing her on the cheek.

"Goodnight, Andromache," Briseis replied, returning her affection.

Andromache headed back to her quarters, where Hector was waiting up for her. He was in bed already, a few scrolls laid out around him, but his eyes weren't on them. When she came in he glanced over at her. She smiled and gave him a quick kiss before sitting down in front of her mirror and gently removing her crown and veil.

"I meant to ask you about that," Hector said from across the room.

"About what?"

"Your crown. You rarely wore it before and for the past few months you've nearly always had it on. What made you change your mind?"

She smiled, looking down at the crown on its headstand. "Just something Cassandra told me before she left."

Hector didn't reply for a few moments as she went behind her screen and donned her nightgown. "I'm sorry," he called out softly, just loud enough for her to hear him.

"As Cassandra said, it was the will of the gods." Andromache emerged, a shawl draped around her shoulders. "She knew it was going to happen."

"She told you?"

Andromache nodded, walking out onto the balcony. She heard Hector return the scrolls to their places and felt his arms slide around her waist. They gazed up at the stars, shining brilliantly in the dark sky.

"She told us," Andromache murmured softly. "We expected it."

"That's why you didn't cry?"

She smiled sadly. "We said our goodbyes long ago, knowing it would be for forever."

Hector nodded and they stood there together for awhile, enjoying the soft breeze. "Come to bed," he finally said, gently pulling her inside. "It's late."

They climbed into bed, Andromache's head on Hector's arm as he played with her hair. She sighed, relishing the comforting feeling of being secure in his arms. She felt his hand move towards her eyes and obediently closed them, letting out a small laugh as his hand passed over them.

"Goodnight, Andromache," he said pointedly. She grinned.

"Goodnight, Hector." She suddenly remembered Cassandra's parting words and obediently stored this moment in her memory, never to be forgotten.

After all, life really was too short not to.