I keep forgetting to follow your advice, Firien. As to the true story of Andromache's family's deaths, this is how it goes. In reality, the Trojan War lasted ten years. During that time period, the Greeks would sack nearby cities, up and down the coast. This is how Briseis came into Achille's possession, and this is also how he killed her family. He killed her father and brothers but ransomed her mother to them. However, then Artemis slew her and so Andromache was left without a family. I think that being slain by Artemis signified dieing of grief, since that's how I also read it, but I could be wrong. However, that's what I have happening in my story. Anyways, here's the next chapter, enjoy! And don't forget to leave suggestions or critiques, they honestly do make my day.

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The day crept by until finally, late that afternoon, a guard was heard announcing the return of Hector and his party. Andromache had been waiting in the throne room, supporting Hecuba and offering help to Priam when he needed it, and she anxiously stood up.

At the first announcement her heart leapt for joy, which quickly turned to fear. They should not be back this soon, Andromache thought, a feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach. She hurried out onto the terrace that stretched out from the throne room and gasped as the doors to the citadel opened. Artrides was standing there, a deep gash in his arm that was tied off by a dirty rag. But that wasn't the worst of it. Two soldiers came behind him, barely supporting Hector's weight between the two of them. Andromache's heart stopped for a moment as she saw her husband. All thoughts of Briseis vanished from her mind and she gave a cry and rushed forward. Hector's armor had been removed and dirty rags were tightly wrapped around his chest. They were dripping with blood.

She had almost reached them when arms suddenly grabbed her and held her firmly. "No, Andromache, let them take him into his quarters. His wounds need attention now, we've no time to spare." Artrides gave her a little shake for emphasis and she was finally able to gather her thoughts.

Andromache nodded. "You're right, I'm sorry." She hurried into the palace and dashed through the halls until she reached their quarters.

"Niobe! Strip the bed of the blankets. Marcadius, get me warm water, buckets of it. Karia, I need as many clean rags and bandages that we have. Melian, get me my needle and thread. Laniel, have clean sheets ready, we'll need to change them as soon as I'm done." Without breaking a stride she hurried into their quarters and quickly undressed, donning a simple gown that wouldn't get in her way. She heard the soldiers carrying Hector in and wordlessly pointed to the bed. Artrides followed them in, with Hecuba close on his heels. Paris and Priam came in behind her but Andromache ignored them.

"What happened?" she demanded.

"The fortress where we were supposed to recruit a few more soldiers had been taken over by them, we walked into a trap. Hector was downed by a man with a dagger; he leapt onto him from the walls. Hector was distracted trying to fight another. We tried to stop the bleeding, but we weren't completely successful," Artrides answered.

All the while Andromache had been threading her needle and she nodded for the bandages to be removed. To her surprise it was Hecuba and not Niobe who answered her summons.

"Move quickly, dear." Hecuba's breathing was quick but her hands were steady. She removed the filthy rags and gasped when she saw the wound. It was bleeding profusely, but that wasn't the worst of it. The skin around it- what was visible- was bright red and swollen, abnormally so.

Andromache's brow furrowed. "Infection? I wouldn't have thought it would set in so quickly."

Hecuba spun around. "Give me the dagger he was stabbed with," she commanded Artrides. Fortunately, he still carried it with him and he handed it to her.

"Poison?"

Hecuba nodded, biting her lip. The liquid covering the dagger was clear and odorless. She was suddenly aware of the room full of people. "Everyone out except Niobe, now!"

The men obeyed without question and Hecuba turned to Andromache, who was alarmingly pale. "Fear not, there is an antidote, but it must be put into him soon. Do you have an acarius plant?"

"Its roots," Andromache answered, feeling her pulse quicken at the thought of her husband dieing. "I use them for a drink to cure headaches."

"Niobe, fetch it," Hecuba ordered. When the girl left the room she lowered her voice. "The liquid in the roots contains the antidote, but it supposed to be administered within an hour of receiving the poison."

It had been at least three hours since Hector had been wounded.

Andromache swallowed, forcing her heart to quiet. "What if it isn't?"

Hecuba patted her hand reassuringly. "We shall pray to the gods."

Niobe returned with the liquid and Andromache and Hecuba began to work on Hector. He was unconscious but restless and Andromache could feel the heat radiating from his skin.

"He's feverish," she said worriedly, threading the needle through his skin.

"It's the poison," Hecuba muttered. They worked without words, their skilled hands administering the antidote, sewing up the wound, and reapplying the bandages. It took nearly an hour for them to finish and Andromache was exhausted by the end of it.

Hecuba patted her hand and stood up. "Well done, Andromache."

Hector tossed fitfully and Andromache cast a worried glance at her mother-in-law. "What shall I do now?"

"Wait with him and pray. I'll tell Priam to have a priest make sacrifices."

Hecuba started to leave but a thought struck Andromache and she stopped her. "Stay! What of Briseis?"

"If Artrides knows where they are, then he'll lead a group out if he's well enough."

"And if he doesn't?"

Hecuba didn't answer but cast a glance at Hector. Andromache well understood her meaning and began to pray with all her might.

She knelt by the bed, holding his sweaty hand, and gazed at his face. "Hector, please hurry. She needs you; I need you."

There was no answer and Andromache wearily leaned her head against the side of the bed. The trials of the day suddenly overcame her and within moments she was fast asleep, still clutching Hector's hand in her own.

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"My lady." Niobe shook her and Andromache started. "The cook sent you up a small meal."

Andromache shook her head, wearing rubbing her eyes. "I'm not hungry."

Niobe nodded sympathetically. "It'll be kept warm until you are. Summon me if you need anything."

"Stay a moment. Do you know if anyone has gone out to look for Briseis?"

Niobe hesitated, then glanced at Hector. "No one knows where the camp might be, princess."

The implications of that sentence did not fully strike her for a moment. Andromache felt the familiar feeling of dread settling over her. She motioned for Niobe to leave, and leaned back against the bed. "Hector, hurry," she whispered, leaning wearily against the hand that had tenderly held her so many times. It lay there, limp and unresponsive.

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"Behind you!" A loud voice jerked Andromache from her sleep and she looked around to see who it was. "Beware behind you!" Hector was sitting upright in the bed, his eyes wild and his body covered in sweat. Andromache could see blood slowly staining the bandages; the sudden movement had reopened the wound. She desperately tried to calm her husband.

"Hector, hush, no one is there," she whispered, then jumped when her soft voice was answered with another shout to beware. "Yes, I see them, don't worry," she finally said, gently pressing his shoulders down. "I see them and I'm safe, fear not, my love." Hector's eyes cleared and he squinted at her.

"Andromache?" he asked hoarsely. She nodded, smiling through her tears.

"It is I, love."

"I'm so thirsty," he croaked, and she hurried to get him a glass of water. Niobe had kindly set a pitcher on the stand next to her and she quickly poured some and helped him sit up to drink. "Thank you," he sighed, leaning back down against the pillows.

She reached for his hand and brought it to her lips. With her other she felt his forehead. It was still damp and hot, so she quickly wetted a cloth and gently pressed it against his face. "That feels good," he murmured, still awake. "What happened to me?"

"An ambush," Andromache said. He opened his eyes and looked at her.

"How many died?"

Andromache shook her head. "I don't know. Artrides is well, though."

Hector studied her face. "What is it?"

Her breath caught as she debated whether to tell him. "I'm just worried about Briseis."

He smiled wearily and brought a hand up to touch her face before closing his eyes again. "No need, my love. There are no bandits her way, we checked everywhere." His voice trailed off as he slipped into slumber again and Andromache nearly cried out from frustration. Hector did not know of any camp. She started as he sleepily murmured something.

"What, love?"

"The nearest place where they could camp is at the base of Mount Ida, but it's rocky, harsh terrain. Horses wouldn't be able to travel there. Fear no, Briseis is safe." He weakly reached up and lightly flicked her head, then was silent again. Andromache held her breath as she carefully slipped her hand from his and crept out the door. Once it was safely closed she sprinted through the halls, calling out for Priam and Hecuba. She dashed headlong into Paris and only then realized what time it was.

"Andromache! What are you doing?" Paris hissed. "It's the middle of the night!"

She blushed but continued. "I must speak with your father, it's about Briseis."

"Then go to their quarters!" Paris said exasperated, giving her a gently shove in the correct direction. "No need to wake everyone else up!"

She made her way to their quarters and a servant went to awaken them upon her insistence that it was urgent. Priam came out and Andromache was slightly taken aback to see him without his royal robes on. Hecuba accompanied him, wrapped in a light robe. "Andromache, dear, what is it?" she asked.

"Hector awoke for awhile. He said the only place the bandits could be is at the base of Mount Ida, where the terrain is rough and rocky."

Priam frowned. "They cannot be, their horses would be unable to travel there."

"He realized that, but it's the only place," she said firmly, willing them to believe her.

"Are you sure he wasn't feverish?" Priam quizzed her.

"I swear to you, he was fully aware of himself," she promised him. "He flicked my head."

At any other time Priam would have laughed at her words, but he knew her to be speaking the truth. "I'll send a battalion at first light," he said decidedly. "Now go get some rest." He returned to the bedroom but Hecuba lingered for a moment.

"Is he better yet?"

Andromache shook her head. "His fever is still running high."

Hecuba sighed, then kissed her cheek. "Keep praying, and get some rest. Trust in the gods."

Andromache nodded and wearily returned to her room. Once there she gently climbed into the bed, not even bothering to undress. In a moment, she was fast asleep, holding Hector's feverish hand for comfort.