Sorry this has taken me so long to get up! School snuck up and then the computer broke. So anyways, my apologies for making you guys wait so long.

Don't worry, I managed to get a hold of the script for Troy, so I won't be writing my third installment after it comes out in January. And just as a notice, that is the extended version, the regular version is coming out in October. If anyone cares. So yes, I will be writing the third installment soon.

Late that night, just two days before the departure of the princess, Tydios requested a private meeting with Priam. Everyone had already retired to their quarters, including the king, so the meeting took place in a small room in the royal apartments.

"King Priam, I thank you for granting me this audience," Tydios said, slightly taken aback at seeing the normally stately king in a simple bed robe.

"It is nothing, prince, what is it you wished to speak with me of?" Priam said warmly, sinking down onto one of the couches. Tydios followed suit.

"I have seen the bond between Polyxena and your youngest daughter, Laodice," Tydios said, getting right to the point. "I cannot in good conscience separate them."

Priam looked sharply at him. "Are you calling off the betrothal?"

"No, it is still my greatest desire to marry your daughter. However, I wish to speak with you of another arrangement."

"Speak it, then."

"It has come to my attention that my brother and your daughter have formed… feelings for each other."

"Your brother has stolen your bride?" Priam asked, raising his eyebrows. "I find that a little hard to believe."

"Your other daughter," Tydios said, watching the king cautiously.

Surprise showed in Priam's eyes, but then he shook his head. "I admire your efforts, prince, but she is too young. I'll not have her rush headlong into a permanent arrangement as a young girl. Nor will I stand to have my name tossed around as someone who marries his daughters off at the earliest convenience. I love them too much to do that to them. She would be ridiculed."

"I would never suggest that, king," Tydios answered. "But I must ask, do you have plans for her marriage?"

"I had not even plans for Polyxena's marriage," Priam answered tiredly. "Cassandra's death took away all interest in that sort of thing. You were chosen because I knew Polyxena would be pleased with you. I will choose Laodice's husband the same way."

"Would you permit her to make her own choice?"

"When she was of age, of course. If he was respectable and fit the requirements, she is free to make a love match."

"Then hear me out. Allow Laodice to accompany her sister to my city. Let her spend the next two years there, and when she is of age she can make her choice. I think I know what it will be, but this way no one would accuse her of rushing into an engagement."

Priam was silent for a moment, deep in thought. "I must admit, it is a bit unprecedented."

"But not dishonorable. Laodice would have chaperones in the form of myself and her sister, and she may bring any servants she wishes."

There was a long pause, then Priam spoke. "Your suggestion is good and kind, prince. However, I will make no decision tonight. You will receive my answer soon."

Tydios rose, acknowledging his words. "Thank you, and I bid you goodnight."

Priam nodded goodbye and a servant showed him out. Priam then returned to his room and went out onto the balcony, looking up at the stars. He sighed, tiredly rubbing his eyes. It was moments like these where he wished with all his heart the gods had not taken his wife.

"You always knew what to do with regards to our children," he murmured softly. "Paris curbed his enthusiasm for women at your request, the girls' futures were safe with you keeping an eye on them. Should I send her away? It seems as though whenever I try to do the right thing, something goes awry."

There was no answer, as usual, but Priam wasn't expecting one. His mind was made up.

"We didn't even go shopping for your married clothes," Andromache said thickly, her throat tight. She pulled Laodice into an embrace and held her there. "You'll have to do it without me."

"I'm not marrying yet," Laodice chided her, tears also in her own eyes. "Not until I'm of age."

"But you might as well be," Andromache answered, finally releasing her. "Be safe."

"I will, and thank you, Andromache," Laodice said, kissing her sister-in-law's hand. "You've been the best role model and surrogate mother a girl could have ever asked for. I'm sorry I won't be there to watch Astyanax grow older." She planted a kiss on her nephew's head and turned to her brother.

"You're leaving us too soon, little swan," he said, pulling her into a brotherly embrace. "I wasn't planning on doing this for another few years."

"I may come to visit whenever I please," she said, holding him tight. "So we'll see each other again. I'll bring Polyxena with me, too."

"She'll have her duties to attend to, so I fear it is only you we'll be seeing. But have a safe journey and enjoy your time there." He kissed the top of her head and gently shoved her towards the awaiting ship, where Isidio was standing nearby. They linked hands and she turned and waved happily at her family, gathered on the shore. They all waved back, calling out goodbyes, and the pair mounted the ship. Laodice joined Polyxena by the railing and Polyxena comfortable wrapped her arm around her younger sister. The four waved to the royal family, who waved back. Neither party moved until the other was just a speck in the distance, then Hector took Astyanax from his wife and with his free hand reached for hers.

"Well, that was surprising," he said amicably as they set out for the palace.

"Only to you," she answered, smiling.

"Wives aren't supposed to keep secrets from their husbands."

"And husbands aren't supposed to know everything their wives do," she retorted. Hector smiled and kissed her. "I wonder what it's like," she continued.

"A love match?"

She nodded.

"According to your father, there is no difference once they're married."

"Perhaps, but I still wonder what it would have been like had we fallen in love before we were married. You saw the look on her face."

"Pure happiness." He cast a sideways glance at her. "Exactly the same look you have now."

She smiled at him, pulling him down for a quick kiss. "I was blessed."

"I do believe my nephew is heartily disapproving of all this romancing in the middle of the streets," a voice broke into their romance and Andromache smiled as she saw who took the baby from her husband's arms.

"What, no woman to attend to, Paris?" she asked teasingly.

"Don't encourage him," Hector said, giving her a look.

"I have given up on women," Paris said dramatically, ignoring his elder brother.

"For how long, a day? Or perhaps you are in earnest, an actual week without the embrace of a fair skinned beauty," Hector said dryly.

"I've grown tired of them," Paris said. "And I have decided to reform. I shall take up sword play again tomorrow."

"Against my wife, perhaps?"

"I would be honored, Paris," Andromache said grinning, glancing at her husband. "You are the best swordsman I know."

"A hit! Acknowledge it, Hector."

Hector bowed his head, conceding the point. "I believe this is a battle I cannot win."

"Well, I shall escort Astyanax to the gardens," Paris offered generously. "When would you like him back?"

"By dinnertime," Andromache answered. "He'll most likely fall asleep during the afternoon, however, so you are welcome to return him before."

"He'll nap under the petals of the flower trees," Paris said solemnly. "The gods forbid he is forced to sleep in a stuffy room."

He set off with Astyanax in his arms and Hector turned to his wife. "Your wish is my command, love."

Andromache tilted her head, thinking. "Will you escort me to the marketplace?" she asked. "I haven't been in such a long time."

"Of course, my dear," Hector said, taking her arm and leading her in that direction. "Is there something you mean to purchase?"

"No, I just like seeing what they have. And you and I haven't been out of the palace together for a long time."

"When was the last time you were out?"

"Brief trips here and there. Astyanax keeps me at home."

"Do you miss your freedom?"

"Only sometimes when the sky is blue and the sun is shining. The beach looks particularly inviting on those days."

"You haven't swam in it in since…"

"Since Cassandra left," she finished, nodding.

"Well, Andromache," he said, turning and facing her. "I would be honored if you would accompany me down to the sand for an afternoon together."

She raised her eyebrows. "You're mad."

"Possibly."

"I'm a grown woman now, I'm a mother. I'm not the girl I was when we first married. It's not proper, Hector."

"And I am the Prince of Troy, heir to the throne of Priam. I say it is perfectly proper."

"I'm not dressed for it."

"And you were before?"

"I'm wearing my crown!"

"So remove it." He gently but firmly placed his hand on her back and guided her through the streets, and soon they were out of the walls heading towards the shores at an easy walk.

"What will people think?"

"Since when has that worried you?"

"Since I took on the responsibilities of queen. I'm not young anymore, Hector, it would be frowned upon now."

"Not if I'm here," he said, leading her behind the dunes of sand and gently removing her crown. "And you are but eight and twenty, my love."

"But with responsibilities; I have a child."

"Who will last for a few hours without you," he said, gently unclasping her outer garment and neatly folding it. "Help me with my armor."

She deftly loosed the small clasps that held it in place and let it drop to the sand. "You'll need to help me with my clasps, Niobe had to fasten it for me this morning."

His fingers clumsily worked at the small hooks and he frowned in concentration. "Why are your dresses so hard to unclasp?"

"Because they're not meant to be," she retorted. He laughed, appreciating her humor, and smiled when he finally finished.

"There," he said, as she stepped out of the heavy garment. He quickly undressed down to his light wrap around his waist and led her into the water. She hissed as the cold water lapped at her body, chilling her and making her light shift cling to her body.

"Past the waves," she said, striking out with small, hesitant strokes. It only took a few moments for her confidence to return and she stroked more confidently, keeping pace with her husband who swam along easily beside her. She ducked under the last of the waves and came up smiling at Hector, who grinned back her. "It's colder than I remember."

"You haven't been in the water for a long time," he pointed out.

She nodded. "Will you help me float?" she asked, leaning back and letting her head sink down into the water. She felt Hector's hands supporting her and she relaxed, gently floating on top of the water.

"Happy?"

"Very much," she answered. "We haven't been together for too long."

"It won't happen again," he promised.

She smiled. "It had better not."

Some things just couldn't be done away with.