Sorry the wait has been so long, but I just haven't had the time. Enjoy!

…

A week passed but still Helen did not appear above deck. And Hector never went to her room. As far as the sailors knew, nothing was wrong, though Hector knew otherwise. The sun was shining and he felt bad for the queen locked in her self-imposed arrest. She had not seen the light of day since they'd left Sparta. But no doubt she was severely questioning her actions.

Hector sighed, thinking of his actions. For the thousandth time he questioned his decision and debated of turning the ship around. It was an endless cycle and he grew frustrated as his thoughts chased themselves in circles. He gave orders for his meals to be delivered to his room and went to spend some time in solidarity.

…

Andromache smiled at him, holding out Astyanax for a kiss. He reached for them but she took a step back, always staying out of reach. He frowned and hurried after her always one step behind. They were on top of the walls now, but Andromache wasn't smiling. She was crying as she held their baby over the wall. He yelled for her to stop and tried to reach out but hands grabbed him from behind. He watched as her hands loosened…

Hector sat up, bathed in sweat. He was breathing deeply and his heart was racing. He knew what the dream signified; he'd been in too many battles to not realize the significance of a child being held over the walls. Troy had never been forced to experience such horror and for that he was thankful.

Troy's time will come, a quiet voice in his head warned him. He shook his head, trying to clear his mind, but still the voice persisted. You'll not be able to save them.

He stood up determinedly. His mind was made up. I'm turning this ship around. He barely paused to throw on a shirt over his nightclothes before hurrying to the deck. The captain slept with the men so it would be difficult to distinguish him in the darkness. A silhouette bathed in white stopped him in his tracks. At the front of the ship leaned Helen, dressed in a simple white nightgown. Her hair was loose and it tumbled down her back, gently blowing in the breeze. Hector's mind flashed back to ten years ago when he'd witnessed his wife in that same placed. All women are alike, he thought with amusement. He stepped quietly over to her and leaned against the rail, leaving plenty of room between them.

Helen started when he spoke. "You should not be up here without an escort," he said, concerned.

She gave him a shaky smile. "To protect my reputation?" she asked mockingly. "I have betrayed my husband. I've no reputation left to protect."

He did not deny it. "I make no promises for the men's decorum if they're to find you here."

"They can do nothing to me that hasn't been done already," she murmured, so softly he could barely hear her. But hear her he did and his heart softened.

"Was your life so terrible?" he asked quietly.

She closed her eyes, tears leaking out of the corners of them. She couldn't speak; she only nodded.

"You'll be safe in Troy," he said, awkwardly trying to comfort her.

"But Troy won't be safe with me," she whispered, her voice cracking. "You should do it."

"Do what?"

"Turn the ship around. I often wondered why you didn't."

"My brother would be dead if I had."

"You could've restrained him from following me."

Hector paused, knowing she spoke the truth. "It would've killed him," he finally said.

There was a long pause, then Helen spoke. "Is that the only reason?"

Hector did not answer for a long time and Helen began to wonder if he would. "My wife," he began, but stopped. He took a deep breath before resuming. "She told me about women like you."

"Unfaithful women with no morals and no sense of loyalty?"

"We both know that doesn't describe you," Hector said softly. "And no. She told me of women whose husbands are like yours. Women who are slaves in their own households. I couldn't forgive myself for sending you back to that."

"She described it in such wretched terms?"

Hector nodded affirmatively.

"Had she ever lived it?"

He shook his head. "I promised her I wouldn't."

"But that still does not bind you to me in any way, shape, or form. I am not the one you made a promise to."

"It could have just as easily been her in that predicament," Hector said softly, his eyes holding a faraway look.

Helen was silent then. Hector remained staring out to sea for a time then turned to her. "Let me know when you're finished here and I'll escort you back below."

A light smile flitted across Helen's face. "I am ready now."

They walked in silence back to the room she shared with Paris and he left her at the door with a few parting words. "The sea looks equally brilliant in the daytime, Helen. You should experience it."

She inclined her head and silently entered her room, careful not to wake Paris. Hector closed his eyes and saw his wife smiling at him, holding out their baby.

Forgive me, Andromache, he thought, shaking his head. I couldn't do it.

But he knew she'd never condemn him for it. She of all people would understand.

It was the rest of Troy he'd have to deal with.