Authors note, Ok so I have no bloody idea who the hell Briseis's parents are, so I am winging it. If anyone out there knows feel free to lemme know. So I figured since she was a cousin she would have lived in the palace, and her father would have probably been in the army? I'm guessing here. So that's that, enjoy. Also this is the second to last chapter, I will probably post the conclusion today or tomorrow.

Lacia held her singing daughter on her hip and glared at Paris, "Is there anything else you would like to teach my daughter?"

Both Padme and I could not be sure whether he was ashamed or embarrassed.

For the rest of the horribly hot afternoon Briseis had sung the two words and clapped, when she grew tired of that she would stick her tongue out. The little girl found if she stuck it out far enough she could see it, when she grew tired of that she would continue to sing.

While we remained hidden within my chambers, Lacia could be heard screaming through the entire Palace. I finished up the blanket while Padme lay across my bed, we both listened to the screams until Priam came and put an end to them. We then heard Priam scream at Paris wanting to know where Briseis had heard such language.

"What shall we do tomorrow? I am tired of being cooped up in the palace all day, Andromache. Take me somewhere."

I looked up at Padme as she rolled onto her stomach, she put her fists under her chin and swung her feet, "Take me into the market."

"To do what? Shop for some more of your magical potion ingredients? You cannot cast a spell to bring on the rain. Besides, you know Priam doesn't favor the idea of tampering with the Gods wishes. This horrid weather is their doing."

She made a face, "I have not stopped sweating for a week!"

I scrunched my nose, "Padme that's disgusting, go bathe then."

My friend sighed, "You know what I mean. I can tolerate this weather with my eyes closed. You are beginning to bother me. You hardly sleep. You hardly eat and you throw things. Perhaps we could go away into the hills?"

"No. Hector will be home any day and I will stay here until he returns. You can go wherever you please." I told my handmaiden, I wiped the beads of sweat from my brow and found the thin silk I wore was too much! Beads of sweat trickled down my back, the dress clung to my body like a second skin. It was so hot a swim didn't even seem favorable.

Padme sighed, "Fine. But can I at least be allowed to roam around our chambers in the nude?"

I looked up at her, I didn't mind that she called them our chambers, she lived her and it was now her home. "In the nude? You know Paris spends many hours here, do not taunt the young man."

"Your cruel!"

"I didn't say no, I told you not to roam about nude with him about."

"Oh," at that she pushed herself up and began to undress.

I threw a ball of yarn at her, "Not on my bed! Get in your own bedroom!" Padme fell over in an ungraceful heap, "Perhaps you should run about nude! You do when Hector is home and your happier then."

I stood and headed to the bed to collect my yarn, "That's because he hides my clothes."

Padme sat up, "Would you like me to hide your clothes?"

"Give me my yarn," I spat.

She stuck her tongue out and me and kicked the ball of yarn off the bed. It rolled across the room and towards the balcony. It took all I had not to strangle her then and there. With clenched fists I turned and followed my ball of yarn, I prayed to the Gods I wouldn't kill her. The woman was from a nation that was accustomed to the heat, she should have been fine, but I cold hardly tolerate her at the moment.

I could not wait for the damn sun to set, it wasn't so hot during the night. It was hot but tolerable. The day was misery.

Padme then began to sing the song Briseis sang all day. I turned, ready to scream at her until my throat hurt. But stopped, outside a bell rung. My heart filled with hope, suddenly the heat was tolerable. I ran to the balcony and saw the Trojan ships on the water! My face broke out in a wide grin.

"Is it Hector?" Padme asked from her place on my bed.

I ran into the room and nodded with a foolish grin. Padme sat up, "Go welcome your husband home. Get out of here!"

At her encouragement I ran from my chambers, I ran through the palace as it came alive, I ignored Hecuba who yelled after me. I could not wait for the men

to get off the ship and come through the city.

I ran out of the palace and through the city, the city was coming alive at the sound of the bells toll. At the homecoming of their Prince and the Trojan Army, or a good portion of the army.

I ran through the gates of Troy and out on the beach. It had taken me a while to get that far, the ships had already landed and people from the city had run out to help the men. For a moment I feared I wouldn't be able to find my husband in the crowd.

Until he shouted my name, "Andromache!"

I spotted him on the sand, without a second thought I ran down the beach and into the arms of my husband. I jumped into his arms and wrapped my damp and sandy legs around his waist. He held me close and kissed whatever part of me he could. Dressed in his armor for the landing he had to have been hotter then Hades itself! I hugged him tightly and kissed his wet neck. It tasted of sea salt and Hector. His hair was as damp as my own, I didn't care.

Someone tapped Hectors strong arm, "Prince Hector, do not get too carried away. You have to tell Priam of all that has happened before you can enjoy your wife."

I didn't know who the man was, but I didn't like him, so I stuck my tongue out at him.

Hectors hands held me close, he looked back to the ship, "Well I'm not ready to go to the palace yet."