The sky was an impossible blue, Apollo raced his chariot across the sky, and a strong breeze blew. It was a good day for sailing. That was all that Hector could think. Sailing was probably all the day was good for. He could have been doing many things as of now. Racing his horse across the Trojan beach, teaching his brother swordplay (or at east attempting to.), reading a book...but he was on a ship, on his way to claim Andromache; his bride, his wife to be. He hadn't even given the idea of marriage a second thought until the news had been broken to him a few weeks ago. He didn't want to get married. He hadn't the slightest idea what to do with women in general let alone a wife. On the extremely odd occasion that one of them actually noticed him, he would smile, nod, and let Parris have his fun. He mostly shied away from them. He'd had his fill of them at an early age and had lost interest in bedding women simply for the hell of it. Now an emotion other than lust was imperative and because of it, his nightly numbers had dwindled significantly, almost into non existence. Now he was to claim one for life, produce an heir the whole deal. The code of Troy said 'love your woman', but how could he? He didn't know her, had never even met her and now he had to love, honour, cherish, respect... it made his head spin. Truth be told he was absolutely terrified. He didn't like being afraid. Butterflies swarmed in his stomach and immediately his jaw hardened, his head raised and he squared his shoulders as if to intimidate his emotions into submission. He cut an imposing figure despite his young age of twenty and seven, with his powerful arms and chest and corded limbs. His black eyes, chiseled, faintly bearded face and long unruly, curly, dark brown hair held back with tiny round golden clips made him look stern and hard, cold even. He was taller than most men he knew and more gifted in battle than most of them. It didn't make him feel more confident; it made him feel awkward, too tall, too strong, and too stern. People were terrified of him and he had never even met them. He rolled his shoulders and tugged at the frayed hem of his shirt. It was soft cotton; deep blue, with detail along the edges, and one tie in front. It was loose, with no sleeves, and stopped at mid-stomach. The matching skirt reached just below his knee and rested and tied at his hip. He raised his face to the sea breeze and inhaled deeply, relaxing gradually. It wouldn't do to dwell on it. They still had a ways to go yet a good few hours perhaps. 'Relax' he thought. 'He's just a girl,'

"Prince Hector." A captain of the vessel said.

"Yes?" Hector replied in his gruff, deep, voice.

"We will be arriving shortly." Hector fought down the instinct to panic and gave the man a curt nod. He bowed and left and Hector turned to face the now visible shoreline of Thebes.

'Oh Apollo what am I going to do!!!'

'Just calm yourself.'

'How in the world can I do that?! I'm going to be there in half an hour at most!!'

'Stay calm. It won't do you any good to panic.'

'Well what else am I going to do?!!?'

'Breathe, think of something else.'

'What?'

'Not too sure about that one.'

'Thanks.'

'It's what I'm here for.'

'Go away.' He told himself. It was what he did when he felt threatened or confused. He talked himself into reason. Most time it worked... and then there were others when the mollifying voice in his head actually started to panic. He moved below decks and changed into his formal wear. As he slipped on his gauntlets and tried to salvage his hair as much as was possible he hoped that he wouldn't embarrass himself. He ended up surrendering in about less than five minutes; his hair was not in the mood to be tamed, the bastard. The ship reached the dock and Hector disembarked, took a deep breath, and turned to face the welcoming party. And old yet strong looking man in regal robes came up to him with open arms and a smile. Beside him, a tall, slender, striking woman stood with a welcoming smile, her dark hair was streaked with silver.

"Prince Hector." The man said embracing him warmly. "Welcome to Thebes."

"Thank you. You are King Eetion?"

"I am. This is my beloved wife Ariana,"

"My lady." Hector said bowing respectfully. She inclined her head in turn, her amused and insightful smile still in place, her brown eyes sparkling.

"Prince Hector. We are so glad that you arrived safely. Was the journey pleasant?"

"Yes indeed, quite swift and smooth m'lady. Poseidon blessed us." His eyes drifted as he was introduced to the other members of the party, nodding smiling, and shaking hands when necessary but his mind was elsewhere. Where was she? Did he have to die from suspense?

"She was a bit upset this morning, she refused to come down." Ariana said, correctly guessing his thoughts. "But she will be there for the banquet in your honor."

"Banquet?" before he could stop himself the words were out. Did there have to be a banquet? He was nervous enough as it was.

"Yes. For our honored guest," She replied suppressing a chuckle. "You."

"I...I knew that." Hector replied to their laugh before following them to the chariots that awaited them. As he gripped the reigns he looked around him, taking in the country of Thebes. It was beautiful enough, with it's colourful stalls and buzz of life. As they neared the palace gates he looked up to see a woman, possibly a girl, staring down at him form a high window. There was no malice but quite a bit of hostility in her eyes as she gazed. Her hair was cinnamon brown, very curly and very long and she seemed a bit on the skinny side. Her dress was lavender trimmed with gold embroidery, but he couldn't make out her features.

"Our daughter, Andromache." Eetion said following his gaze and Hector fought down another wave of nerves which caused him to square his shoulders and raise his chin. She stared a minute longer, their eyes locking in a fierce battle before he passed out of her sight and they were forced to look away. A little wisp of a woman was not going to intimidate him he swore to himself. 'Soon I will be her lord and master and not the other way around.' But he knew that if he were to become that way, then he would be no better than a tyrant, and not a husband. He sighed and dismounted his chariot following Eetion into the palace. It was magnificent with it's marble and alabaster halls and golden gilding. The murals and frescos on the walls of great battles passed and legends. He briefly wondered whether or not he would ever be a legend, or live on in great tales. He doubted it somehow; he just didn't think that he had that kind of strength in him. Three young men came up to them and Eetion greeted them warmly. "These are my sons, Euklides, Theseus and Arimedes-" he said gesturing to each one in turn. They all looked like their father except for Theseus who favored Ariana.

"I hope that you enjoy your stay in Thebes, Prince Hector." Euklides said kindly. Hector nodded and smiled fighting down the urge to run his hands through his hair. It was a bad habit, one that led to the constant state of disarray that his hair was always in.

"Thank you Prince Euklides."

"Shall I show you to your room Prince Hector?" Arimedes asked.

Yes please, if it's not too much trouble."

"Not at all, come with me." He replied and Hector followed. Briefly he wondered whether or not anyone would notice if he gave in to his nervous inclination. He wanted to so badly, his hands were itching to but instead he clenched them into fists. He was led to a well sized chamber, about the size of his room back home. It was painted in muted tones of amber and brown and mahogany. Sandalwood incense burned in the corner of an oak dresser. The bed had silken sheets of burgundy and taupe. He walked through a curtain of linen and onto a balcony as a strong wind blew. It was perfect and he could feel his nerves melting away, the cool formality evaporating. "Is it to your liking Prince Hector.?" Arimedes asked coming up to him.

"Yes. Yes it's perfect." He replied and then he turned to face him. "And call me Hector,"

"Why?"

"The title makes me a bit nervous." He admitted and the other man smiled and nodded. "In any event, we are to be brothers soon, and then I wouldn't have you address me so formally."

"As you wish. We dine with the setting of the sun."

"Thank you." Hector replied, forming a liking to him. Arimedes nodded and left closing the door behind him.

'That wasn't so bad was it?' the voice was back again.

'You again.' He sighed and reentered his room sitting down on his bed. He looked up and caught sight of a mirror by a vanity set. His hair was wind ravaged despite his efforts, his eyes were unnaturally dark and his mouth was stern. He was twenty seven, should he be looking like that?

'You are also the eldest son of king Priam, crown prince, the defender of Troy, and as such, all eyes are on you.' He closed his eyes, shutting out the image and buried his face in his hands. He longed for the days when he was just Hector. Not a great warrior, not the defender of a nation or crowned prince; just Hector. Then again, had he ever been that way? Carefree and innocent, like Briseis and Parris? No, not really he gave a short laugh and shook his head wryly. Since he was born everyone had looked to him to make things right, that was his duty, his responsibility.

'No not a duty, you love Troy, you love your people, your family it's not a duty to protect them, it's simply what you must do.'

'I know that but...' he shook his head to clear the thought. 'Go away.'

His head was obediently silent and he sighed again removing his armor and readying himself for the night to come.