Padme took me back to the room I had woken in, where I lay in bed and wept, it was true! I was barren.

I wept for the children I would never give Hector, while Padme gave me glass after glass of wine.

Until I could remember no more.

I fell into a deep sleep and did not wake till after dinner. Then I felt no better, though my weeping had come to a abrupt end, my head pounded with the fury of Hecuba herself.

Quietly I spoke, "Padme?"

It hurt to simply speak, I opened my eyes to a darkened room, only a simple oil lamp was lit. That dull glow was tolerable. When I tried to sit up I found my head weighed down. Perhaps I would not sit, instead I rolled my head to the side.

Hector sat there holding a glass, softly he told me, "Drink this, love."

I did not argue with my husband, but drank the bitter liquid he gave me. When I could drink no more he set the glass down and I closed my eyes. Rubbing my temples with my fingertips.

"Are you hungry?"

I did not attempt to shake my head, but spoke softly, "No."

Hector ran his fingers across my forehead in soft motions. His fingers hardly touched my skin but I could feel the soft touch. "Does Padme always get you drunk?"

I tried to shake my head, but found the pain unbearable, "Only when I am upset." Then I remembered why I was upset. Wincing I covered my face with my hands. Beside me I felt him move on the bed.

Gently my hands were pulled away from my face. Hector lay at my side, he placed a soft kiss upon my cheek, "I love you."

My eyes met his, he loved me? I knew that. What was he after? I narrowed my eyes at him, "What?"

Hector kissed me again on my cheek.

"Hector?"

Hector simply curled closer to me, wrapping his long legs around my own. Pulling me closer from around my waist. "Is she always so horrible to you?"

His question surprised me. I tried to move but couldn't. He held me too tight, too close. So I told him, "She is not so bad."

"Padme told me what she said."

My heart sunk past my toes.

It apparently appeared on my face because he kissed my temple. "I will never take my mothers side over yours, your're my wife, Andromache. I will love you no matter what she tells me."

"What has she told you?" I asked, rather curious what lies she was telling her son. Though she was his mother and could tell him the sky was green if she wished. It still angered me what she had tried to tell my husband.

He lay his head on the pillow beside my own. Finally I relaxed, sinking into his strong embrace. Which pulled me close till no space remained between us. The pounding in my head was not so terrible any longer. It still hurt like Hades but wasn't sickening.

"She wishes me to take a lover." Hector simply told me, there was no hint of enthusiasm. It brought a smile to my sore head.

"Do you want a lover?"

Hector kissed my forehead, "I have a lover. I do not want some girl or a whore. If I wished to bed a different woman everynight I wouldn't have married."

Unable to hold still, I risked moving. Very slowly I sat up and turned to my husband. He lay still watching me from where I lay a moment before. With a head that scolded me from my afternoon, I inched to his side. Ever so carefully I leaned over and kissed his lips, just once.

Then I asked, "What if I am unable to give you a child?"

Hector reached up and cupped my face. Stroking my cheek with his thumb, but he remained on the bed. "We have not even tried to make a child yet. How can either of us be sure your barren?"

I was confused at his words, it apparently showed upon my face. Gently he pulled me to his lips, placing a soft kiss on them. "It takes more then two weeks together followed by three monthes apart."

I smiled, "What more does it take?"

"According to the army of Troy, it takes more."

That made me laugh, which I immediately regretted. Hector finally sat up and kissed me again. Taking my face between his hands, he lay his forehead to mine, "Many of them are fathers of their own children. Do you realize Andromache, in our whole marriage, we've hardly had two whole monthes together?"

Two whole months? That little, I could hardly believe it, but I knew he spoke the truth. I fell into his arms and lay my face on his chest. "How long will you be home?"

"There are no open threats, no challanges, or anything that looks to be a danger. I may be home for quite a while, my love."

Quickly I lifted my head, it hurt, but I ignored the stabbing pain. "Your serious?"

"I would not lie to you."

I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and kissed him. My head screamed in anger at the abuse I was putting it through. For a moment it became too much, I had to stop. Hector kissed me then spoke softly in my ear, "Perhaps in the morning we'll start?"

I nodded, "Thank you." Even simply nodding was painful.