Glad you all liked the last chapter. I wanted to see the results I'd get if I sandwiched both a blessing and a tragedy in the same moment, so it was awesome to see your responses. And there will end up being 40 chapters, so just as heads up. And this chapter jumps around a bit, in terms of months. I know a few of you want me to slow down, but I've got a lot to cover in the next few chapters. However, I'll try to make the going a bit easier. And I'm sorry you had to wait so long for this one, I was away for a few weeks. Here you go, enjoy!

Andromache was jerked awake by the sound of a wailing scream. She tiredly rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and stepped onto the cold floor, scooping up Astyanax from his cradle. "Shhh," she soothed, holding him against her breast and rocking him gently.

"Bring him over here," a sleepy voice called out from the bed.

"I had hoped you wouldn't be woken," Andromache said, obeying the summons of her husband.

"Well, I am," he said, sitting up in bed. He gently took the four-month-old baby from her and held him in his arms. "Go back to sleep. I've nothing to do tomorrow, I'll put him back to bed."

Andromache snuggled under the blankets, listening to the sound of her husband's voice gently talking Astyanax back into sleep.

"And one day- when you're older- I'll take you out riding with me and we'll visit the hill where your mother first called me by my name," he said softly, rocking the sleeping baby in his arms. "She didn't like me very much, at first, but I think now she's gotten used to me."

Andromache smiled and let out a small laugh.

"And I think she's eavesdropping on our conversation right now but never mind, we'll let her get away with it," Hector continued, smiling down at his son. "Women are very temperamental, so best to humor them when possible. That's your first lesson about the opposite sex. Another thing I've learned is that the majority of them don't take kindly to drugs slipped into their wine to make them fall asleep. Best use that only as a last resort."

Andromache shook her head. "You're hopeless," she murmured, rolling over and drifting back to sleep.

Andromache cradled Astyanax- now six months- in her arms and smiled down at him as he fed. Hector had offered to find a wet nurse, but Andromache had declined the offer, preferring to tend to her own baby. She softly brushed his head, marveling at his innocent perfection.

Hector entered the room and paused, gazing at his wife and child. Andromache didn't see him, so he was allowed to observe them at leisure. His face melted into a tender smile as he watched his wife tend to Astyanax, and his gaze softened even more as he saw his little baby so gently held in her arms. She looked up then and started when she saw him.

"Hector," she chided. "You shouldn't see me like this."

"You've never looked more lovely," he assured her, kissing her head and going over to change into a lighter outfit.

"It isn't seemly," she protested. "Wives are supposed to be romantic and such."

"I wouldn't have you any other way," he answered, smiling at her.

She only shook her head and quickly finished. She rocked Astyanax in her arms until he fell asleep, then gently lay him in his bassinet at the foot of the bed.

"You're home early," she said softly, coming over to where her husband sat. He pulled her into his arms and held her, both of them looking at where their child slept.

"I'm free for the rest of the day," he announced just as quietly, wary of awakening their child. He loved Astyanax with his entire being, but that baby could raise a racket when provoked.

"What would you like to do?" Andromache asked, lightly kissing his lips and gazing up into his eyes.

"How long will he sleep?" Hector asked, jerking his head towards the sleeping child.

"A few hours," Andromache answered, grinning. "Unless someone awakens him."

"I'd hate to be that person," Hector said, kissing her back. "Shall we leave him alone?"

"I'll have Niobe keep watch over him," Andromache promised. "Where are we going?"

"The gardens?" Hector suggested. Andromache smiled and nodded, quietly slipping from the room to summon her handmaiden. A few minutes later, the married couple strolled arm in arm through the luscious haven, stopping in a small clearing hidden by trees and flowers. Hector lay down on the ground and Andromache followed suit, resting her head on his chest.

She smiled. "I can hear your heart beat."

"Good," he replied, closing his eyes and grinning. "I'd be worried if you couldn't."

"Keep breathing," she ordered.

"As if I'd stop," he retorted.

"It's very soothing," she continued, ignoring him. Her head gently moved up and down as his chest rose and fell with each breath. "Almost like being rocked to sleep."

"Our few precious hours together and you only want to sleep?" Hector asked horrified.

"I want to talk," Andromache replied. "Do you realize, you haven't been called away since before Astyanax was born?"

"I meant to talk to you about that," Hector admitted.

Andromache turned to look at him, her eyes narrowed. "You're leaving again?"

Hector shook his head. "No, not yet. Father is allowing me to spend time here, with you and Astyanax. However, a trip will most likely appear soon."

"A battle?" Andromache asked, dismayed.

"No, love, peace reigns for now. We've opened negotiations with Greece, specifically Sparta, and at some point I'll have to go to finalize them."

"I've heard of Sparta," Andromache mused. "Their queen's beauty is legendary."

"She couldn't hold a candle to you, my love," he said, lightly kissing her lips.

"If I remember correctly, the king's brother is he who rules all Greece."

Hector nodded. "Agamemnon, king of Mycenae. His brother is Menelaus."

"Then why are you negotiating with Menelaus? Why not his brother?"

"His brother would never hear of it. His thirst for power and land is legendary. Menelaus has grown weary of war, and if we were able to make a peace treaty with him, it would seal our alliance with Greece. Agamemnon wouldn't dare go against his own brother in war, and all those he commands would have to follow his lead."

"So the outcome is very important," Andromache mused.

"Very important," Hector affirmed. "But it won't be a long trip, and it won't happen for another few months."

"I don't know if I'm quite comfortable with you going to Sparta," Andromache said, a teasing spark in her eye. "I don't think I'd be able to stand the thought of you with the most beautiful woman in the world."

Hector sat up suddenly, causing her head to tumble into his lap, and he looked down at her, smiling. "Jealous?" he asked, kissing her hard. She responded, leaning into him and cradling his head in her hands.

"Very much," she said teasingly, pulling back for a moment.

"I just want to make an observation," Hector said, trailing kisses down her jaw line towards her lips. "I do believe she is not the one in my arms right now."

"Right now," Andromache said pointedly, pulling back and looking at him challengingly. There was a spark in her eyes and a faint smile traced her lips. Hector saw it. The same spark appeared in his eyes; both of them were determined to win.

"A compromise?" Hector asked, leaning towards her. She leaned back even further.

"I'm listening."

Hector sighed impatiently. "Are you really jealous?"

Andromache's face broke into a grin. "Ah love, I'm jesting with you."

"Good," he said, leaning towards her again.

She ducked under his arm and hurriedly scrambled to her feet. "However, we are still in a public garden, and I have a child to attend to." There was a triumphant note in her voice as she passed by him and he bit his lip to keep from laughing.

Andromache was just about to pass through the trees when she heard her husband speak.

"Andromache," Hector said, without turning around.

She paused and looked back at him. He glanced over his shoulder. "Put Astyanax to bed early tonight," he said, a wry grin on his face.

She gave a mock bow, a smile appearing at the corners of her lips. "As you wish, my lord."

Hector listened to her go, shaking his head ruefully. Nearly ten years of marriage and she still manages to outwit me.

"Hector!" a voice called out as he exited the grove of trees. He turned around to see Artrides.

"I've got a few battle strategies we need to go over together. Tonight, perhaps?" his friend suggested.

"Or now?" Hector countered, taking the scrolls from his friend and glancing through them.

"Certainly. You've plans for tonight?"

Hector nodded, smiling. "With my wife."

Hector led Artrides back towards his quarters, showing him into a private room and leaving for a moment to procure them two glasses of wine. He saw his wife down the corridor, talking to one of the servants.

She saw him and raised her eyebrows. "Working? I believe you said you were free for the afternoon."

"Something came up," he said easily. "But we'll be well over by this evening."

"I've spoken with Astyanax, he didn't take to this idea of yours," she said teasingly.

"Well it's a good thing the father is permitted to rule over the son, isn't it?" he said pointedly, taking the glasses of wine that had been brought by a servant. "Until tonight," he said, winking at her. He didn't pause to hear her response but as he turned the corner he heard her laugh, the sound floating musically down the hall. A soft smile came onto his face, and it stayed there as he entered the room.

Artrides took one look at him and shook his head. "Ah, my friend, you bear the look of he who is in love. Will you be able to concentrate or shall I return tomorrow?"

Hector laughed and handed him the glass of wine. "I shall make the heartiest effort to hear you out," he promised.

Artrides smiled teasingly. "Women are the greatest distraction the gods ever created," he observed.

"Especially a certain one," Hector muttered, though his friend heard him and let out a bark of laughter.

"Especially a certain one," he agreed. "Especially when you are that certain one's husband. Ah, you've been struck by the curse of the gods."

"Blessing," Hector corrected, tilting his head thoughtfully. "It is, without a doubt, a blessing."