Thanks for all your reviews, and don't worry, she'll have her baby. Not for a little bit, but I won't forget to write that in. Hehe, it wouldn't work if she were fine in this story and then suddenly had a baby in the next fic. So that will be coming soon.
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"I'll only be gone two weeks," Hector promised. "I'll be back in time for our anniversary."
It was the end of their sixth year of marriage and Hector was going on a peace mission. Negotiations for a treaty had begun and Hector was going to solidify the agreement.
Andromache hugged him tightly. "Safe journey, my love."
He tilted her head up for one last kiss, then mounted on the boat and waved goodbye as they sailed away. Andromache wasn't crying, not this time, for she knew he'd return safely, but she still had to work hard to keep her spirits up.
She walked back alone, unadorned with any outward show of her royalty. Her crown she'd not put on today, for she didn't feel like being fancy, and as she passed a shop of flowers, she decided to buy some.
There was a small line but she didn't mind, she took her place and waited for her turn to come. There were four women in front of her, two that looked like they'd come together.
"I have to say," one of them chattered loudly, ignorant of who stood behind them. "I wonder that King Priam has allowed our prince to lead so many armies and take these many trips, especially without an heir."
Andromache bit her lip, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks.
"He's always been this active," the woman's friend protested.
"Yes, but now he's got a wife and she should be providing him with an son, especially by now. They've been married for near seven years."
"The gods timing is best."
"Yes, but after seven years one must wonder… Perhaps the gods have cursed her. After all, her own city was sacked and her family killed."
The woman behind them put in her two cents. "The gods give trials to those who can bear them, the princess is a good, chaste wife. There is no reason for the gods to curse her."
"Then why hasn't she born him a child? She hasn't had even one! Not even a girl! By the time I was into my seventh year of marriage, I'd already born four children, and my fifth was on the way."
"Well, she had many siblings to it can't be a hereditary problem."
"It must be a curse," the woman shrugged. "Why else would she be infertile?"
Andromache prayed to the gods that the women wouldn't notice her, but thankfully they passed out of the shop without seeing her. Finally, it was her turn and she stepped up, thankful that no spark of recognition dawned on the shopkeeper's face.
"How may I help you, dear?"
Andromache spoke, though her voice sounded strained. "A dozen of the most colorful flowers you have, please." Her face felt hot and there was blood pounding in her ears. She could feel tears pricking at her eyes but she blinked them back.
"What?" she asked, startled at the shopkeeper's voice.
"I said, that will be two dinar," the woman patiently replied. "Heavy thoughts, dear?"
"I was just thinking about the words of those women, about the prince's lack of children," Andromache shrugged, trying to look nonchalant.
"Ah yes, our beloved prince. Well, I wouldn't worry too much. The gods will provide them a son; they've no reason to curse them."
"But seven years is a long time," Andromache pointed out.
"It took me five years before I began bearing children, so I wouldn't worry. The princess is a good woman; she respects the gods and brings no shame to her husband. She'll be blessed with a child."
Andromache smiled and thanked her for the flowers, anxious to get back to her quarters without interruption. But that was not to be, for Hecuba came into view in one of the gardens and greeted her.
"Andromache." She smiled warmly, kissing her on the cheek, but paused. "My dear, what is it?"
Andromache shook her head. "It's nothing, I'm just tired."
Hecuba's eyebrows rose. "Since when is tiredness shown by red cheek and bright eyes? What happened?"
Andromache looked down. "I happened to overhear some women talking about Hector's wife and her lack of child," she admitted.
Hecuba clucked her tongue and sat the both of them down on a secluded bench. "And?"
"It's just so hard," Andromache burst out. "Never- not even once- has Hector ever pressured me for an heir, but I know he needs one."
Hecuba smiled. "Dearest, there's still time."
"But after seven years!"
"Not quite," Hecuba pointed out. "Unless something happened that I don't know about," she said teasingly.
Andromache was obliged to smile. "Nearly seven, then," she amended. "But I do so long to give him a child."
"Has he ever judged you for it?"
Andromache shook her head. "No, never."
"Then who judges you?"
"The people," Andromache said, stating the obvious.
"Is it their child you'll be bearing?" Hecuba continued.
"No," Andromache admitted, knowing exactly where her mother-in-law was going with this.
"Who's child is it?"
"Hector's."
"And who else's?"
"Mine."
"Then those are the only two opinions that matter. Hector does not judge you, so do not judge yourself, Andromache. And the people have no right to judge, so pay them no mind."
"You do not resent me?"
"It is through no fault of your own, my dear," Hecuba assured her. "It is all in the gods' timing."
"But what if I am unable to conceive?" Andromache worried.
"Well, you've already proven that to be a non-issue," Hecuba said, smiling sadly.
"Then what if I did something wrong, and when I lost the baby I also lost my ability to bear a child?"
Hecuba closed her eyes, leaning back. "In my experience one does not lose the ability to bear a child simply by not carrying one to term. The gods have their reasons."
Andromache nodded, not quite believing her, but still relieved nonetheless. She then noticed the elderly woman beside her who was resting tiredly. "Are you well?"
Hecuba smiled at her. "Just tired. I think I'll go lie down."
Andromache watched her leave and realized how aged this woman really was. It occurred to her then how often Hecuba had been resting lately. She frowned and tried to get her mind off such negative thoughts, deciding quickly to visit with Polyxena and Laodice in the women's quarters after she'd arranged the flowers in various parts of her room.
She found the two girls lounging in the open room, attended by no servants. They did not notice her for a moment and was permitted to study them for a moment. Just barely turned seventeen, Polyxena had the same dark hair as her brother's, though she had her father's sparkling blue eyes opposed to her mother's chocolate ones. She had the grace and calm of her mother, and she took everything in stride. Already there were talks of her marriage, though it would be another year before any negotiations officially started. She'd have no trouble acquiring a good husband. Laodice, on the other hand, was everything her sister was not. They resembled each other in looks, but that's where the similarities ended. Laodice was as impulsive as her sister was calm, and she always had a mischievous gleam in her eye. Save for her maiden's chastity, she strongly resembled Paris in nearly every way. But she was still young; a few months ago they'd celebrated her thirteenth birthday.
Laodice then raised her head and spotted her sister-in-law. "Andromache!" she cried, jumping up and enveloping her in a hug.
Polyxena followed more calmly, settling for a kiss on the cheek. "It's wonderful to see you."
"You've been away too long," Laodice pointed out.
Andromache smiled. "You're right, I have. Your brother has been keeping me too busy," she said, grinning at Hector's younger sisters.
"I'll have to speak to him about that when he returns," Laodice said seriously, a gleam in her eye.
"Mother said he'd be gone only two weeks this time," Polyxena put in.
Andromache nodded. "He promised to return for our anniversary. But in the meantime, I was wondering if the two of you would like to escort me to the market. I've found I need to buy a few different materials; I'm making a few new dresses. And I think the two of you could both do with a new outfit as well," she said generously.
Polyxena grinned. "How did you know?"
"Your mother let slip the other day that she needed to take the two of you on an outing, but she was too tired. I offered to do it and today seemed like the perfect day."
"Just let me go slip my sandals on," Laodice said excitedly, dashing out of the common room and down the long corridor to her room.
Andromache turned to Polyxena. "You'll be buying material for two dresses, today. Your mother wants you to have another gown and she wants you to start building up your married outfits."
Polyxena blushed. "Already?"
Andromache nodded. "I started making gowns nearly a year and a half before my marriage. After all, you can't wear your maiden's robes after you're married."
Polyxena studied her own outfit and then Andromache's. There was a difference between their two gowns. Maidens wore dresses made of a large piece of fabric, though it could be embroidered with designs. It would rest on the outer part of the shoulders, keeping the neckline high. Once married, the style was much different. The neckline was much lower, usually in the form of a "v," and an outer fabric could be worn over one shoulder. This allowed the wearer to have few dresses, but many out layers, giving the appearance of a large wardrobe. There were a few other differences too. There were usually actual straps that connected at the shoulder, allowing the woman to step into the dress instead of pulling it over her head.
Polyxena smiled shyly as she saw Andromache's dress. "I don't think I'd be comfortable wearing a dress like that."
Andromache smiled. "You become accustomed to it. I'll give you a secret. When you first start to build your married wardrobe, buy a dress that is a basic color, then buy many wraps for it. It's cheaper and you change your look often, instead of being forced to spend money on just a few dresses and being forced to wear the same outfits everyday."
Laodice returned and the three of them set off, one of Andromache's guards in tow. Andromache skillfully led them through the crowded market, smiling at Polyxena's shyness and laughing at Laodice's impertinence. Whereas Polyxena cautiously cast her eyes around, Laodice stared at everything- including people- boldly and with no fear.
Andromache found a nice rose-colored material for herself and an appropriate vanilla fabric for Laodice's dress. After searching for a few more hours, they came upon the perfect fabrics for Polyxena. For her maiden's gown, Andromache chose a dark green that looked wonderful when held up against her face. For her married dress, she picked out a white material and a blue material. "For the embroidery," she explained. "With this dress you can make a wrap of plain blue, blue threaded with white, plain white, white threaded with blue. The possibilities are endless."
Armed with their purchases the two girls returned to the citadel, smiling brightly. "I want to show Mother," Laodice announced.
Andromache agreed to it and escorted the girls through the palace until they came upon the royal quarters. A guard announced them and a servant came to escort them into the bedroom. Hecuba was sitting up on her bed, resting against the pillows.
"My loves," she greeted them, opening her arms and enveloping them each in a hug. She planted a kiss on each of their heads. "Let me see your purchases."
Laodice glowed with pride as she presented the soft, light material to her mother. Hecuba looked it over critically and nodded with approval. "Excellent choice, Laodice."
"Andromache helped me," the girl confessed.
"She liked the color and the material will wear well. It won't inhibit her in any way, either," Andromache explained.
"And you'll look lovely in it," Hecuba agreed. Laodice perched herself at her mother's feet as Hecuba motioned for Polyxena to show her choices.
"Lovely!" Hecuba exclaimed, fingering the green material. "You'll look positively wonderful. Did you buy material for another dress as well?"
Polyxena nodded, pulling out the two long strips of fabric. "Andromache said that if I have a white dress, I can wear any number of wraps over it. She said the blue will be for the embroidery."
"And she was right," Hecuba said, fingering the material. "My first married dress was white, as well. I think you'll have enough blue material left over to make yourself a wrap from this alone, Polyxena."
She smiled and kissed her mother before pulling Laodice to her feet. "Come, Mother's tired."
"I'll come to the quarters tonight," Hecuba promised, smiling at them as they left. "Thank you, Andromache."
"It was no trouble, I enjoyed it," Andromache answered. "Are you still tired?"
"Still," Hecuba admitted. "It seems I'm older than I realized."
"Well, I'll let you rest," Andromache said, standing up. "Sleep well."
Right before she went through the door, she cast one glance back at the Queen of Troy. To many, that title meant grace and elegance, but to Andromache it meant so much more. It meant the woman who offered a shoulder to cry on, who counseled her when she was worried, and who had embraced her as a daughter.
It meant a human being, full of love and kindness, who saw the good in people and responded in kind.