(Authors note, ok this is the last chapter in Dutiful Wife. THis is for Es, who's always bitching about my not combining my stuff with Fanfic. Happy now? I've added your fave. Just so y'all know, Demetrius in mine. Reviews welcome, just remember, he's mine and I'm rather protective of my art, review him if you want. No theft! Thanks, hope you like Es.)

Hector carried me home, back to our chambers. He carried me against his chest, he held me close as he possibly could. With my legs wrapped tightly around his waist. I buried my face between his neck and shoulder and remained there.

On the way to our chambers he sent Padme off to find the Healer. Paris gladly went to tell Priam we were back. I could only imagine the tale he would tell.

Hector carried me into our chambers, he never took his hands from me. He opened the door and kicked it shut. Not a word was spoken between us, nor was there need for one. He simply walked down to our bedroom.

I softly kissed his ear. I found it tasted like salt water, from the beach's breeze.

Hector set me down on the bed. With enough care, I was certain he thought he'd break me. I stared up at him in his armor. I was unsure if he was on the verge of tears or a fit, so I took his hands and kissed the palms. "I love you."

He never said a word, but dropped down beside me on the bed. He took me in his arms and hugged me tightly. I never said a word about the armor. Even though it was a touch painful as he clung to me. He kissed my cheek and whispered, "I thought you were dead, Padme found me and was on the verge of hysterics. She didn't know where you were, she just knew you had been taken."

I threaded my fingers in his hair, "Paris found me in time. He saved my life."

Hector kissed my cheek, then took my face in his hands. He kissed my nose, each cheek, each temple, my forehead, and my chin.

A noise in the doorway made us both look up. I expected to see Padme, instead Demetrius stood there. I'd seen him a few other times in our marriage, never so close. He was a good friend of Hector's. I think he was a Gypsy King or some manner of leader of some sort. While he did not act in that way, he was always treated as Priam was by men. Then there were those who didn't, they treated him as if he was Ares himself. It was clear he was or had been a warrior from his frame.

Hector stood and went to his friend. The two men shared a very brief hug, then Demetrius looked at me with his odd black eyes, "I heard what happened, are you unmarred?"

I looked at my bruised and red wrists. Then back to him, "Mostly."

Both men looked me over, it angered Hector, Demetrius's eyes looked almost as angry but more calculating. Demetrius had always reminded me of Hector's dark side. Every man had a darkness but Hector kept it hidden, his temper rarely showed. But Demetrius was a complete seperate story.

"Do you know who did it," Demetrius asked Hector.

Hector shook his head, "But I will soon."

Demetrius ran a hand through his short dark hair, a round black tattoo on the inside of his wrist showed. It always fascinated me. But I never asked. "Do you want me to take care of it?"

Hector looked at his friend. Unsure of his answer.

"Let me correct myself, do you wish them to suffer? Or do you want their blood on your hands? My face is not known at your court. I won't feel for them as you will, whoever it is you will know, and how would it look? To have the future King of Troy responsible for so many deaths?"

I listened to Demetrius's words.

Hector did not answer, not for lack of want, but because voices came from down the hall of our chambers. Demetrius quickly left our bedroom. While Hector and I watched the bedroom door. Sure enough in came Priam, Hecuba, the round woman, Paris, Cassandra, pretty much half of the court.

Hector stood and pointed to the round one, "I want her head!"

Priam seemed surprised, but Cassandra looked to where Demetrius had stood moments before.

Hecuba began to sob, she ran to Hector and clung to his strong arm. "I am so sorry! I never thought she would take my rants to heart! Hector you must believe me, I would never hurt Andromache! She is your wife, would I risk Troy's heir?"

Priam grabbed Hecuba as the round one screeched, "YOU TOLD ME TO KILL THE WENCH!"

Cassandra remained silent. Paris could not hide the smile upon his face.

I remained on the bed and watched the show unfold.

"I Said No Such thing! Hector you must believe me!" Hecuba begged, I think the tears on her wrinkled face were real.

Hector looked to Priam who replied, "It's your choice son. Your mother will be kept from both you and Andromache. Whether I send her to a temple, or to another wing of the palace, I've not yet decided."

Hecuba looked to Priam and screamed, "You'd enjoy sending me away!"

"You tried to have Andromache killed!"

Hecuba ignored her husband and turned to Hector, "Please."

"What do you want from me? Your round friend will die, tell me who you hired to kill my wife." Hector demanded, there was not a drop of pity in his voice. He was beyond mad.

"I'll Tell You Everything! Spare my life!" The round one screamed, held by a few guards. She fought them and at some times she appeared to win. Hector glared at her, the look in his eyes was frightening. He stepped over to the round one, "I will not spare your life. Tell me all the names, every last men and woman."

She looked at him with disgust, "Why? If you won't spare my life."

Hector never moved but held her brown eyes. "Tell me, or I will send Demetrius to your cell. He will get every last name from your mouth. And I'll let him kill you."

Priam's face was surprised at the mention of his name. I swore I saw fear for a moment.

The round one paled considerably. Hecuba screamed for her friend, "Hector No! She did not mean it! Please....no."

Hector would not hear his mother.

The round one trembled, "He has no soul."

"That's not my problem. That's yours, and if you would have kept your treacherous hands to yourself, you would not face such a problem!" Hector spat, his temper was quite impressive. Even I was taken back. But not enough to defend Hecuba or the round one.

Muzari had remained silent so far spoke up, "You associate with murderers?"

Hector turned to Muzari, his temper flared, "I'll associate with whomever I damnwell wish!"

I looked to Priam who remained mute.

The man had wished to see Hector's rage.

Muzari began to speak, but Hector hit him in the face. It sent the man to the floor. I watched from the bed with raised eyebrows. Muzari touched his bleeding mouth. Hector pointed to the door, "Get out of my Chambers, Now!" He looked to Priam, "Get everyone else out, including my mother, I can't look at her right now. And keep her away from me and Andromache, or I will be sure she never see's Andromache again! But leave the round one, I'm not finished with her."

Priam listened to his son, and soon everyone was gone except for the round one. The guards, Hector and I, and Demetrius who stepped in the doorway. When the round one saw him she let out a scream and began to plead for her life. I found it amusing, but hid my smile. She looked to Hector and began to name men and woman. Only eight, but they were all her friends. They were all servents of Hecuba, but she assured us that Hecuba didn't know.

Hector looked to Demetrius, who nodded, "It's the truth."

Hector looked to the guards, "Lock her in the cells."

They listened and drug the screaming woman out of our chambers. Only when they were gone did Demetrius speak, "Let me. I'm the Monster here, not you."

I knew Hector was torn. He came and sat down beside me, "Don't kill her yet. I don't know what to do with her."

Demetrius nodded and was gone. I held Hector close for what remained of the morning. After the cohorts vanished, the threats, poisoned food, and assassins came to a stop. I never knew what happened to the round one, Tarus was found locked in a closet, another victim of the round one. Hecuba died a few monthes later of an illness. The day in the bedroom was the last time I'd seen her alive.

I sat beside Hector at her funeral, I held him while he cried. It seemed to me he wept for more then the mother on the pyre, but for the mother he had once had. Priam and Paris seemed to get along better when he wasn't spoiled. After her death Paris seemed to grow up.