"I have a suggestion," Hector stated, striding into the room one evening.
Andromache looked up from her weaving, a bored look on her face. "What is it?"
"As you know, our fifth anniversary is quickly approaching," Hector began.
"I noticed," Andromache said teasingly. Hector ignored her and continued.
"Because of the recent peace treaties, there is nothing Father has for me to do." He paused dramatically. "And I happen to have a small fortress in the mountains that is ours if we wish it."
Andromache's brown furrowed. "A vacation?"
"An anniversary trip," explained Hector. "I have a month's leave."
Andromache eyes got wide. "You jest."
Hector shook his head, his eyes glinting. "I speak truth, we leave in the morning if you wish it."
Andromache shrieked and jumped up, scattering her loom and thread everywhere. She ignored that and threw herself into Hector's arms. "Of course I want to go!" Then she quickly pulled away. "I must pack!"
Hector laughed as he watched his wife work herself in a frenzy of activity, hurrying here and there around their quarters to prepare. He finally stopped her at midnight, citing the need for sleep. It was a day's journey to the fortress, and they'd start early.
Andromache lay in bed, tense and excited. "I don't think I'll be able to sleep," she said happily.
"Try," Hector said pointedly. "Silence usually helps."
She smiled and rolled over, willing herself to sleep. Morning always comes quicker when a deep slumber precedes it.
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By the end of the next day, Andromache was beginning to doubt whether or not she'd be able to move when they arrived. She was about to request another break- they'd already taken seven- when a break in the trees showed the small fortress, settled deep in a valley in the mountains. Her breath caught in her throat and she gasped. Hector glanced at her, smiling. "Few know of this place. My family has used it for small retreats, not that we get many of them."
The walls surrounding it were overrun with ivory and flowers. A stream flowed through it, entering and exiting under the walls. A small palace was found to be inside, just enough to house two people and a few servants.
The moment she dismounted, Andromache felt a flash of energy surge through her and she quickly ran to explore their dwelling, pausing every so often to call out something to Hector. She quickly became acquainted with the servants who lived there, an old married couple and their two children, a son and daughter, and finally flopped onto the bed, completely out of breath.
"It pleases you?" Hector asked, coming into the room.
"Oh yes," Andromache said happily, rolling over onto her back.
"I'm glad," he replied. A teasing glint came into his eyes and he glanced at her cheekily. "I was hoping we'd arrive before our month is over."
"Easy for you to say," Andromache retorted. "I'm not quite used to whole days in the saddle."
"What, are you out of condition?" He came over and sat on the bed, placing his hands on either side of her head.
"When I'm never expected to ride for more than a few hours, can you doubt it?" she shot back.
"You know, soldiers have a cure for that," Hector teased, leaning in close. She grinned up at him.
"What is it?"
"Another full day of riding," he replied teasingly.
"And if they refuse?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Then we tie them into the saddle," Hector retorted easily, leaning in close to her lips. In one quick move she ducked under his arms and rolled to the other side of the bed, quickly standing to her feet.
"I wonder anyone joins the army, then," she mused, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. "Wives duties are more simple."
"Are they?" Hector asked warningly, grinning.
"Oh yes. We simply organize the household, make sure everyone is properly clothed, and take care that dinner is set on the table."
"And is that all?" Hector asked easily.
"Why yes." Andromache walked around the bed and headed for the door. "Mistresses take care of all the other things," she said airily and then shrieked. In one swift move, Hector had grabbed her waist as she passed him, flipped her over his own body onto the bed, and pinned her wrists above her head, effectively securing her.
"I seem to have forgotten mine," he replied dryly. He leaned in to kiss her lips and she responded passionately, lost in the moment. A sudden knock startled them and Hector raised his head, his hands still pinning hers. "Yes?"
"Dinner is ready, my prince," a voice called out. Andromache started to get up but he held her wrists firmly, once again securing her.
"Keep it warm until we call for it," he replied waiting for the sound of receding footsteps. When he was positive they were alone, he turned back to his wife.
"Dinner is never as good when it's reheated," Andromache complained.
"Oh well," Hector replied, transferring both her wrists into one hand and tracing the outline of her lips. "You're beautiful, you know," he murmured, gazing at her.
"I had heard that," she replied softly. "But it's nice to be reminded."
"Oh really?" he asked teasingly. "And who'd you hear it from?"
"A prince who's used to getting his own way," she retorted softly.
He grinned. "I wouldn't trade you for the world," he said, kissing her gently and then more firmly.
She responded passionately but then broke off for a moment. "A wise choice, the world would keep you too busy."
"You talk too much," he shot back, planting his lips firmly against hers.
Their marriage was constantly interrupted and the two were constantly apart, but for a short, sweet moment- just a blink of time in the expanse of eternity- it was just the two of them. No wars, no duties, and no obligations to occupy their time. For the next month, they tasted a bit of heaven on earth.
And Andromache stored every single moment away in her memory, to be remembered her whole life.