Thank you all for your reviews and Sector Lutter, you are amazingly perceptive. It's great reading your reviews because I feel as if at least someone is getting what I'm trying to portray in my stories, and that makes me feel great. Anyways, here's the next chapter, and I warn you, it takes a BIG leap in time. Well, not as big as my "Gazing in a Mirror" fic, but it's a pretty big one for my H/A series. Another thing, and I'm not sure if any of you will catch this, but according to some versions of mythology there is an incident that happens to Polyxena. This chapter makes a reference to that, though nothing will come of it (since I'm basing this on the events of Troy.)

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"Hector!" Andromache screeched, jumping into his arms.

He laughed. "It's as though I've been gone for two months instead of two weeks," he said, smiling at her.

"Two weeks or two months, it makes no difference. I still missed you," she said, happily accepting a kiss from him.

"I've a surprise for you," he said, motioning for a nearby servant to hand him a small bag he'd personally carried to the palace.

Andromache's eyebrows rose. "You've never brought me a gift before," she said, intrigued.

"The king of this city apparently knew your father, and was happy that at least one of his children was still alive. He gave me this to give to you."

Andromache took the fine fabric and gently untied the strings, gasping when she saw what lay hidden inside. "Theban perfume," she said, smiling at the memories that flooded her mind.

Hector smiled. "Is it better quality than ours?"

"Infinitely," she said haughtily, opening the vial and allowing him to catch a small whiff of it. "It's made of a special flower that grows in the mountains- only found around Thebe- and very little is made each year. It's a treasure in our city."

"I'm glad you're pleased," Hector said, giving her one last kiss before going off to greet his cousin and sisters. Laodice was modeling her new dress and proudly announced that Andromache had helped her pick the fabric. "Excellent choice," Hector said, a smile on his face as he gestured for her to spin around. This she proudly did and Hector grinned at his wife before turning to his sister.

"Do you like it?" Laodice asked happily.

"Very much. I'm relieved to find that I picked a good woman," he said, casting a teasing glance in his wife's direction. He spent some time teasing his sisters before taking his wife's arm and escorting her to their quarters. "I can guess where Paris is, but where is my mother?"

"Resting," Andromache replied. "She's been tired often lately."

"Illness?"

"Just age, she informed me," Andromache said.

Hector frowned but did not pursue the subject. "How have you managed to amuse yourself in my absence, oh wife?" he asked her teasingly.

"Quite well, actually," she said haughtily, playing along. "Your father has been entertaining the most wonderful people from a nearby city, and I must say, the youngest prince is quite well-favored. Very charming, as well. We've had feasts in their honor nearly every night."

"Liar," Hector growled, flicking her head. She laughed.

"I've spent my time with your sisters and family," Andromache admitted.

"Then I'm sure Laodice has managed to keep you amused," he said, laughing.

"She reminds me of your brother," Andromache said, smiling.

At that, Hector groaned. "Oh, not her as well. I've my hands full with one already, I don't need another troublemaker."

"I've already promised to take her to visit the stables. You weren't expected for another few days," Andromache said.

They had reached their quarters. "I'll send a servant canceling the appointment," Hector said.

"Hector!" Andromache chided. "She was looking forward to it."

He grabbed her wrists and pulled her into him for a kiss before releasing her. "You've your wifely duties to attend to," he said, grinning.

Andromache was obliged to smile as Hector led her to their chamber, greeting his servants on the way. He gave her a gentle push into their room and turned to Marcadius, who was standing in attendence. "See that we're not disturbed."

"Yes, my prince," Marcadius answered without so much as a flicker of an eyelid.

"And send a maidservant to inform the princess Laodice that Andromache- regretfully- will be unable to escort her to the stables today. Tell her the outing has been rescheduled to tomorrow due to conflict."

"Of course, my lord."

Hector smiled and shut the door behind him, turning to his wife who was giving him a reproving look. "Honestly, Hector, it would only take a few hours."

"Hush," he said, kissing her hard. "She's had you for the past two weeks."

Andromache pulled back, arching an eyebrow. "Missed me?"

"Very much," Hector retorted, kissing her nose. She smiled.

"Then you must accompany us tomorrow," she bargained.

"My pleasure," he replied, pulling her into his arms again. "Now hush."

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"Happy anniversary," Hector said, wrapping his arms around Andromache's waist. Another year had passed, and they had just celebrated their eighth year of marriage.

"Did you enjoy it?" Andromache asked him, taking a sip of her wine.

"Very much," he replied. "It was kind of Father to grant a pause in Polyxena's marriage negotiations."

"Has he decided yet?" Andromache asked him.

Hector shook his head. "I don't think he'll accept any of these suits. We've no need for a political alliance at the moment and after what happened to Cassandra, he's not too anxious to send another daughter away."

"So nothing will come of it?"

"No, he told me yesterday. Of course, it's not official yet, but it will be in a few days."

"Laodice will be glad," Andromache informed him.

"It continually amazes me how two girls who are so different have managed to be so close."

"Well, Briseis and I are as different as night and day," Andromache pointed out.

"But Cassandra was the balance between the two of you."

"It's most likely because Polyxena and Laodice were the only two companions each other had."

"But age separates them."

"Only four years," Andromache said.

"Yes, but Polyxena is so withdrawn and quite, whereas Laodice is so outgoing and rambunctious."

"But there's a common streak in them, it runs in your entire family."

"Oh please, love, there are absolutely no similarities between myself and Paris."

"Oh yes, there are," she assured him. "It's a trait your entire family shares."

"What is it, then?"

"Fierce loyalty," she pointed out. "You'd kill someone for harming your family, and each one of them would do the same. Yes, even Polyxena."

"She's too shy and easygoing."

"She'd do it, though. If someone hurt her family, she'd turn on them in an instant. Besides, there are ways of killing a person without actually committing the crime."

Hector was silent, considering her words. Then he nodded, accepting her point, before speaking again. "My mother's health is failing."

Andromache studied his face, not saying a word. She didn't need to.

"The past year, she's been spending more and more time in her quarters."

"She is aging, Hector."

"I know, but I never thought of the possibility before. She's been a rock, both for this family and for this country. She is everything my father is not, and they compliment each other so well."

"Don't look so gloomy, my love. She's still far from death."

"Not as far as she used to be."

"Hector, every day is a step closer to our deaths. No one is ever as far as they were in times before."

He smiled and nodded, kissing her forehead. "True words, Andromache. It's nice to have an intelligent wife, you know. Someone to talk to."

She smiled, following him inside. "I try my best," she said humbly, accepting another kiss before climbing into bed. "And it's nice to be married to a man who values my thoughts."

"Your words," Hector corrected her gently.

She grinned in the darkness. "My words, then. It's very comforting."

"There is some value to having conversations with your spouse, then," Hector mused.

"Pity so few people realize it."

"Goodnight, Andromache."

"Goodnight, my love."

And they both soon drifted off to sleep, both of them extremely content with their talks together.