"My lady." Andromache felt hands shaking her gently and she rolled over, squinting in the soft light that streamed in through the windows.

"Niobe?"

"Artrides is leading a battalion out, he wishes to speak with you himself before he leaves."

Andromache nodded. "Tell them I'll be there promptly." A sudden voice made her jump.

"Where is he going?"

"Hector?" she asked, feeling his forehead. Hector opened his eyes and looked at her.

"Where is Artrides going?" he repeated firmly.

"Your fever broke!" she said softly, immense relief washing over her.

"Don't change the subject." His voice was weak but the sense of humor was still there.

Andromache hesitated and he looked at her sternly. "Andromache."

"Bandits attacked the Briseis' party," she admitted. Hector sat upright and stared at her incredulously.

"What?!"

"Eight girls made it back, they managed to capture the other eight and the priestesses. Briseis was one of them."

"Is that why you asked me where the camp could be?" Hector demanded. When he said Andromache's guilty nod he threw off the covers and stood up.

"Where are you going?" she demanded. "Don't reopen your wound!"

"I'm going with them," Hector said as though the answer was obvious.

"No, you're not," Andromache replied firmly, climbing out of bed and moving to stop her husband's efforts to dress himself.

In one quick movement Hector had seized both of her hands in his without disturbing his wound. His grip wasn't painful but the power behind it was unmistakable. "Do not try to stop me, Andromache." His voice was quiet but it left no room for questioning. "Now you may either help me or leave, but you will not stop me."

There was a pause as he gripped her wrists firmly and she nodded, relenting. "Then I'm coming with you."

"No, you're not. It's too dangerous."

"Yes, I am. You're injured and I'm the only one who knows how to dress those wounds properly. You should've seen the state your soldiers had you in when you were brought in yesterday."

Hector was silent, still not giving in, but planning on arguing with her on his way to the stables. She helped him dress and quickly donned a light dress that- under normal circumstances- she'd never wear outside their quarters.

Understandably, Artrides was slightly shocked to see his friend storm into the courtyard a moment later, leading a horse.

"Hector?" he asked incredulously.

"Hector!" Priam and Hecuba cried at the same time.

"I had no idea everyone was so fascinated with my name," he remarked sarcastically.

"Hector, you're not well," Hecuba pleaded with him.

"She's right, Hector," Artrides pointed out. "You'll be an added burden to us, my friend."

"Hector, I forbid it," Priam said sternly.

"Then Father, I am forced to disobey a direct command. I'm coming, if I have to travel alone and on foot."

Andromache was right behind him, leading her own horse and carrying many extra bandages in a saddlebag. "And I'm coming to keep an eye on him," she announced to all.

"No, you're not," both Hector and Artrides said at the same time.

"If Hector travels, then I do also. I'll not leave him to your pathetic administrations if he's injured again," she snapped.

"There's no need, Hector's not coming," Artrides repeated. "We're going to have a hard enough time as it is."

Hector stubbornly raised his jaw. "You would suggest stopping me?" he asked in the same tone he used when Paris was guilty of some act.

Artrides hesitated; he'd be a fool to cross Hector in this mood. "I cannot have the men forced to look after you."

"I will not fight," Hector promised. "I may be stubborn but I'm no fool. I'll stay to the back of the party, well out of harm's way."

Artrides relented, he should've already been on his way by now and Hector's knowledge of the terrain would come in handy. "You'll not raise a weapon?"

"I swear to the gods," Hector said firmly.

Priam relented, though Hecuba still looked upset. "Bring her back, my son."

"Andromache, there's no need for you to come. Hector's promised not to fight," Artrides said.

"I made my case clear," she replied, her eyes flashing. "If Hector goes, I attend him."

Artrides raised up his hands in defeat. "You two are made for each other," he snapped, irritated at the delays. "An invalid and a woman, a sad army we're becoming."

"Andromache," Hector said softly, his eyes glinting dangerously. "I forbid it."

Andromache stared defiantly at him and saw the resolution in his face. Her stubbornness melted and she gazed at him pleadingly. "Please, Hector, I cannot bear it any longer. I almost lost you yesterday and I'm still so close to losing Briseis. I cannot face another loss. Please, my love, I swear to the gods I'll stay out of harm's way," she whispered to him, tears starting in her eyes.

His heart melted at seeing her so pitiful. "You swear it?" he asked, relenting.

She nodded and her face broke into a grin and he shook his head mournfully. "I've a heart as weak as a woman's," he teased her, kissing her forehead and mounting his horse. Despite his injury, the grace by which he mounted was incredible.

Artrides snapped the command to start and headed the party, Hector and Andromache bringing up the rear. Andromache's face was serious and she was silent, lost in the different possibilities of Briseis' fate. Hector saw it and tried to distract her.

"What would you have done had I refused?" he teased her gently.

She smiled, though it didn't reach to her eyes. "Obeyed, of course."

"Would you have?"

"It's the way I was raised," she explained.

"You've crossed me many times, though."

"Your family's influence."

"My sister's and cousin's, you mean," he retorted gently.

She laughed. "I suppose it started with them, yes."

Hector shook his head, smiling. "I'm only teasing you, love. I truly do not mind it."

"Many husbands would."

"Many husbands do not have control over their wife, they only pretend and so they are constantly fearful. If one is truly in control then one has no need for fear."

She cast a glance at him. "Do you control me?"

"Would you say I do?" he retorted.

She laughed, but nodded. "I'd be a fool not to."

"Do you mind so much?"

She turned to him, a loving look in her eyes. "I told you many years ago I didn't mind so much. You've forgotten?"

"And I told you once, I remember every word you've ever spoken to me." He reached for her hand and held it comfortably in his own. "I just wondered if your mind had been changed through time."

She smiled but was soon lost in her thoughts again. Hector tried to think of another subject to distract her but couldn't think of any. Finally, he decided to give her advice.

"It won't help, you know."

"What won't help?"

"Thinking about it. What will be will be, thinking of things never changes the outcome."

"She's so innocent."

"And she'll stay that way. I'd give my life for her, as I would for you or any other I love."

"You're only human, my love."

"Love enables humans to perform incredible feats. You'd be amazed at what we can accomplish," he gently replied.

She gave his hand a squeeze and smiled at him. "I already am."