Thank you all for your reviews and critiques, they really make my day. It's great when someone takes time to read your story and offer suggestions, thank you all SO much. Anyways, here's the next chapter, enjoy!
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A few months later, Hector and Andromache celebrated their sixth year of marriage. It was a quiet affair, for Andromache was still grieving for her loss, but the realization that they were still passionately in love even after so long cheered her.
"They knew I'd be happy with you," Andromache whispered, raising her eyes to her husband's face. "Even before I myself knew it." She was facing him, her arms and head resting on his chest as he toyed with a strand of her hair.
"I was honored to have known them, even for such a short time."
"They'd say the same about you," Andromache smiled.
"Arimedes told me of your habit of hiding in haystacks."
She grinned. "Secret meetings with my family to talk of me? For shame, Hector."
They were silent then, enjoying each other's company. Andromache lay her head back down, reassured at the gentle beat of his heart. He marveled at how soft her skin was against his own, which was coarse and rough from the life he'd led. His eyes traveled down her body, barely covered by the sheet, and he was amazed at the simple beauty she possessed.
"Briseis turns one and twenty soon." Andromache once again raised her head to look at him and his eyes snapped back up to her face. In the moonlight, her skin glowed and her eyes glinted in the soft light of the few torches still lit.
"And?"
"She'll start her way to becoming a priestess."
Hector smiled thoughtfully. "It's a hard process."
"It takes four years, she told me. We'll have been married for ten years by the time she finishes."
Hector tucked the strand of hair behind her ear and reached his arm around her neck, letting his thumb trace the line of her jaw. "It's hard to believe we've been married for six already."
She grinned. "It seems like just yesterday you were taking me away from Thebe."
"Much to your hatred," he said dryly.
She laughed softly, then grew somber. "I suppose it was a blessing."
"Our marriage?" he teased.
She smiled but shook her head. "Not having to see it fall. I'll forever remember it standing tall and proud, its walls towering up from the plains."
He nodded. "That truly is a blessing."
She laid her head back down. "Now I know how Cassandra felt," she murmured quietly, so quietly that Hector couldn't make out the words.
"I'm sorry?"
She shook her head. "Nothing. Do you realize that out of the six years we've been married, over a year of it has been spent apart?"
Hector's eyes widened. "Has it really?"
Andromache nodded and listed off the many journeys he'd had to take. "So you see?"
"So in terms of time, we've only really been together for five years."
Andromache smiled. "It feels as if I've been here a lifetime, though. So many memories," she mused, as she gazed around the room.
"In this room?"
"In this city." She smiled cheekily. "And outside of it."
"Your first night here."
"Here?" she asked, grinning. He flicked her head.
"In this city."
"Our wedding."
"Our moonlight swim."
"My moonlight swim."
"No, my moonlight swim. It was your near drowning," Hector pointed out, then wincing as she put her weight on her elbows, digging into his sides. "Ouch," he protested.
"I'm sorry, am I injuring you?" she said, still keeping the pressure. Her eyes widened as Hector suddenly flipped her, reversing their positions and leaning over her.
"Not at all," he replied amiably.
Her smile suddenly grew soft. "I've enjoyed being married to you."
"I hope that enjoyment isn't yet over," he replied wryly, but lay down beside her. "Goodnight, my love."
"Goodnight, Hector."
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"Happy birthday, Briseis," Andromache said warmly, kissing her cheek. Briseis beamed.
"Thank you, everyone." The whole family had gathered to celebrate it, and Priam's eyes twinkled.
"I suppose we'll see less of you now," he said teasingly.
"I'll still live here," Briseis protested. "My studies won't take up too much time."
Slowly the congratulations drew to an end and the family slowly wandered out, until finally only Andromache and Hector were left with Briseis.
"Coming?" Hector asked her.
"Not for awhile, don't wait up for me."
"Alright then." He took his exit and Andromache grinned at her friend.
"Help me take these gifts to my room, then we'll talk," Briseis ordered. Andromache gladly complied and a little while later they were curled up on two opposite couches in the women's quarters.
"It seems like so long since I've been here," Andromache reminisced.
"We always used to entertain each other here," Briseis agreed. "Late, after everyone else was in bed."
"Why did we stop?"
"I don't know," Briseis sighed. "We shouldn't have."
"Let's make a promise," Andromache suggested. "At least once a week."
"Done," Briseis replied. "We'll start tonight."
Andromache shook her head. "It's already late, I mustn't stay too long."
"Why? Hector won't mind."
"No, he won't, but he'll not get enough sleep."
"You said not to wait up for you."
Andromache smiled. "But he always does. He'll be reading in bed, waiting for me to return."
Briseis grinned at the look on her friend's face. "Poor Andromache, still hopelessly in love."
Andromache laughed. "I wouldn't trade it for the world." She turned a teasing eye on her friend. "Your turn will come someday," she said, grinning.
Briseis shook her head vehemently. "I'm to become a priestess, I've waited my whole life for it."
"I do not care what profession you enter in, everyone falls in love at least once in their lifetime. And you're not a priestess yet, there's still time."
Briseis smiled but shook her head. "It's been awhile since we've had an excursion," she said, changing the subject.
Andromache grinned but respected her wishes. "I regularly go up into the hills to gather plants, would you like to join me? Priestesses must know the arts of healing, after all."
"That's one area I am unskilled in," Briseis admitted. "I've never needed to know it."
"I'd be happy to teach you," Andromache offered.
"And I'd be happy to learn from you," Briseis answered.
Andromache grinned and stood up. "I'll let you know when I plan to go next," she promised, kissing her cheek and heading back to her own quarters. "Happy birthday."
"Goodnight," Briseis answered, smiling happily. Andromache felt a warm feeling in the pit of her stomach, as though she was finally settling down. Things had been so hectic in the last year, with the many deaths and unexpected trips. Now, it seemed as though everything was the way it should be.
And sure enough, Hector was waiting for her when she returned.