10. The Second slow slide.

Hector ran the 3 mile trek down the hallways and round the corners to Andromache's door. For the first time he realized how large the castle really was. By the time that he reached and rapped on it, he was out of breath trying to slow down his racing heart. When she opened it, black dots swam across his vision. She looked gorgeous. She wore an elaborate gold threaded peplos of swirling navy blue and hunter green silk, with golden fibulae and a train. A matching cloak with a broad border of golden embroidery sat on her shoulders attached by golden pins. Several golden ropelike chains hung about her neck, and were woven into her hair leaving only the back down and letting locks and tendrils escape to frame her face, and brush her neck and shoulders and her eyes were lined with kohl. All in all she looked marvelous, but it was the smile on her face that had taken away what was left of his breath.

"Are you alright Prince Hector?" she asked. He straightened up and nodded.

"Well, I was at least, until you opened the door." He said. "Some times you are so beautiful you hurt my eyes."

"And others?" she teased valiantly fighting a blush.

"You make me stop breathing." He replied kissing her cheek and taking her arm to lead her to the dinning hall.

"Perhaps I should wear a veil?" she suggested and he smirked at her.

"And here I was trying to be gallant." He said shaking his head.

"You don't need to try." She replied sweetly and he smiled in return.

"Thank you. I feel a lot better about that." He said and she grinned. "Were you assigned your maids?"

"Yes they are perfect. Their names are Airlia and Marea. Do you know them?" she asked.

"I believe I do. Is Airlia red headed, with green eyes. Very tall, willowy?"

"Yes."

"And Marea...Marea she is married to Maris. He is one of my best men."

"Yes. How do you know them?"

"There are the only ones who escaped Parris." Hector replied wryly.

"Are you serious?" she asked.

"Yes. But then Marea married Maris and I told him to leave her alone and Airlia just wasn't interested. Alyion has had his eyes on her though."

"Airlia?" Andromache asked and he nodded. "Well she is rather pretty..."

"Yes."

"Does she know he fancies her?" she asked

"Yes."

"And?"

"I don't know. All I know is that he wants her."

"Couldn't he force her?" she asked timidly, not knowing what his reaction would be.

"He probably could, but he won't. He's not that kind of man."

"Have they been here long?" she asked.

"Marea was born her, she is Trojan. But Airlia isn't, she doesn't know where she's from, no one does. She was found wondering around, alone when she was very young. My mother took her in, gave her work in the palace."

"I didn't meet her today." Andromache realized.

"No you didn't; neither her nor my sister, Cassandra." Hector said.

"Where were they?"

"Cassandra was ill, mother was seeing to her. But they should be here tonight even if it is only for a little while."

"When I asked you about your family you never mentioned that you had a sister." She commented.

"I didn't? Hmmmm. Well I do have one. She's the only one of us with blue eyes. Parris wasn't too impressed with that."

"Will Alyion be there?" she asked.

"Why?" Hector asked.

"I'm just asking. Don't worry, I still like you better." She said. He smiled sheepishly and shook his head.

"Just checking." He replied. They reached the dinning hall soon after that and she tried not to widen her eyes too much at the splendor before her. It was a hall of white and black marble, draped with flowers and golden gilding. The table overflowed with meats and fruits and bread. Servants with pitchers of wine stood at the ready, and stuffed chairs were at a remarkable long table. There were so many people, all in their best attire, looking at her. "The trick is not to make eye contact." Hector muttered to her. "That way you look regal and important when in truth you're just nervous and you don't want too much conversation." She smiled at that little bit of information as he led her to their table. He took his seat, one space down from the right hand of his father and she sat at his right in return. Parris sat at Priam's left next to a young woman with black hair and Priam's eyes. She wore a light blue peplos with silver fibulae and her dark curly hair was piled up on top of her head with silver ropes, various locks falling around her face and neck. Her wide eyes were lined with kohl and she wore a flat silver necklace with matching earrings. She was rather lovely, lush and curvy but a bit pale, too pale as if she had been ill... "That is my sister Cassandra." Hector said pointing to her. At the sound of her name her attention snapped to her brother and she smile wearily.

"Hector." She said softly. "When did you come back?"

"Just today. This is Princess Andromache my betrothed."

"Welcome to Troy." She said her smile warm but weak.

"Thank you Cassandra." Andromache replied.

"Where is mother?" he asked just as someone pressed a kiss to his cheek. He turned to be met with an older woman. She had Cassandra's hair although it was streaked with silver and Hector's eyes. She had a small stature and her daughter's curves even if she was a little heavier. "Mother!"

"Hector my dear son." she said as he turned and rose to hug her tightly. "I was so worried." She whispered.

"What for?" he asked pulling away.

"I'm a mother it is my job." She replied. She glanced over at Andromache. "Is this she?" she asked.

"Yes, mother this is Andromache, Andromache this is my mother, Heccuba, Queen of Troy." He said. Andromache rose to her feet smiling kindly and Heccuba strode forward to embrace her warmly. "Welcome my child. May the Gods smile upon you."

"Thank you my Queen."

"My name is Heccuba my girl, I know my station." The elder woman replied sternly but kindly.

"Yes my lady...I mean Heccuba." Heccuba smiled and nodded before taking her seat beside Hector at her husband's immediate right. Priam took her hand in his and kissed it but other than that, they made no other outward signs of affection. "Where is Breseis?" Andromache asked.

"She's too young. Next year is her coming of age celebration." Cassandra said.

"Are you well enough for this Sandra?" Hector asked, concerned.

"Yes. But I won't be able to stay up late." She said. "I feel so tired. But I feel a lot better than I did a week ago."

"I'm sorry I wasn't there." He said, and her smile got a bit broader.

"Don't be. I wasn't that much fun to be around, you missed very little."

"Andromache I have to ask, did you do anything drastic trying to escape our dear brother?" Parris inquired with a smile.

"Parris!" Heccuba remonstrated.

"What? I want to know don't I?" he asked. "You did do a little something didn't you? You have too much passion to go quietly."

"Parris, honestly." Cassandra protested.

"What?" he asked before looking at Andromache expectantly.

"I...I did try to go back." She said, mentally editing the truth.

"She jumped off the side of the ship and tried to swim back." Hector corrected. His family simply laughed and Andromache glared at her. "Damned near killed us both." He added with at smile before kissing her cheek. She rolled her eyes. As the evening wore steadily on, Andromache felt any unease that may have been in her heart melt away. Hector pointed out the foods that were particularly good, the ones that he tended to avoid (nudge, nudge), and the ones that were passable. She felt as if she were among family, calm, comfortable and accepted. Cassandra had a sharp tongue, ill and weak as she was, and a quick sense of humor much like the rest of her family. They were all rather close as well, they laughed and joked and argued much but the love and respect was always there. It was clear that Hector was the protector of not only Troy but his family. He took care of Parris and the both of them took care of Cassandra. Breseis was Parris' accomplice but Hector was her savior. Priam and Heccuba obviously doted on their children and their niece, but their feeling toward Hector was somehow more than the others. As if they doted more on him but she knew that they didn't. There was more pride for him... in the goodness of him. He was such an exceptional person; so much integrity, honor and compassion, so much love and intelligence in him. And in two weeks he would be her husband. When everyone had eaten their fill Priam rose to his feet, silencing everyone.

"My friends tonight we drink to the safe return of my son your Prince and General, and the arrival of his betrothed Princess Andromache of Thebes. May the Gods continue to smile on them and us." A combined shout of agreement sounded from the crowd, followed by cheering and as Priam took his seat, Trojan dancers came out dripping with gold, gleaming and smiling. Parris' eyes lit up so instantly that Hector could only shake his head ruefully and Andromache just laughed. There was no righting him and they both knew it. He glanced over at her smiling face and felt himself fall a little more and for the second time he wanted to kiss her. But this time the feeling was even fiercer, his hands were shaking with it, and his stomach was all but doing summersaults. He leaned over toward her.

"Do you want to go for a walk?" he asked. She looked over at him and smiled a little.

"Alright." She replied.

The gardens of Troy were at their best at night with their paved walkways, exotic colourful plants and marble fountains. Hector led Andromache past large Sycamore tree through the flowers and shrubs and bushes and statues of the gods. She breathed in deeply and then sighed plucking a red rose before looking up at the sky.

"I love nights like these." She said softly and he looked over at her.

"What do you love about them?" he asked. She looked over at him and then shrugged looking back at the moon.

"The moon, how it glows making everything like silver, and the air how it's cool and clean so calming, and the stars... it was nicer on the boat. The stars were brighter, fuller; it was as if you really could touch them."

"You'd like to do that? Touch the stars?" he asked.

"Yes... I'd like to do a great many things Hector." She replied smiling. He watched as she turned to pick more flowers baby's breath, another rose, an orchid. He picked a violet and stuck it in her hair.

"What else would you like to do?" he asked.

"Fly." She said dreamily.

"Where would you go?" he asked handing her an orchid. She shrugged and added a piece of fern to her bouquet.

"Any where, everywhere; across the sea, to far away lands. Mt Olympus, I'd ask the gods my questions. Dance on clouds, play with stars."

"A beautiful thought." He murmured. She smiled and shrugged.

"If you got the chance to leave Troy, would you?" he asked suddenly. She frowned thoughtfully.

"I don't know." She replied. He stared into her eyes for a moment debating whether or not to push the issue but decided not to. There was ample time.

"Tell me something strange about yourself." He said. She stared at him for a moment.

"I peel my grapes." The shocked, disbelieving eyebrow he raised was all the answer she needed. She laughed and shrugged.

"Why?"

"They're sweeter when you peel them." She replied.

"Now you." He frowned thoughtfully and sighed.

"Um... well, people think that I play with my hair when I'm nervous, and I do... but the truth is that I just need something to do with my hands. And... as a result I have been known to do very strange things." She raised her eyebrows, intrigued.

"Like..." she encouraged, gesturing for him to continue.

"Like...rearrange the food on my plate, try to carve the bones of my meat... and um... peel bunches of grapes at a time." He replied. She laughed loudly at the mental picture and he smirked sheepishly.

"Do you normally peel your grapes?" she asked.

"No, of course not I think that it's silly, but when I'm nervous I'll do almost anything. Sometimes I don't even realize that I'm doing it... it's strange." She laughed again and he winced.

"That is odd." She commented.

"Astute observation." He shot back, but he was smiling. She grinned.

"If you could change one thing what would it be?" she asked.

"Only one?"

"Alright two things, but that's it." She replied. He grinned.

"I wouldn't get so nervous all the time."

"You'll grow out of that." She assured him.

"I hope so. And... my hair would be more manageable." She snorted at that before breaking out into giggles, and he glared at her.

"I'm serious a light wind blows by and everything gets shot to Hades." He complained. She shook her head still giggling. "It's not funny Andromache."

"I'm sorry." She managed, straightening her features. "That was wicked of me."

"Yes it was." He shot back. "What would you change?" he asked.

"I wouldn't be so skinny." She said ruefully. He raised both his eyebrows but wisely said nothing.

"What else?" he asked

"The world I would make everything different." His smile broadened at that.

"I should have known." He said and she blushed slightly. "What would you adjust?"

"Everything. There would be no war, no rape, no slavery, no killing. Women wouldn't be slaves to their husbands; daughters could do what they wished. Kings and Queens would act only in the best interest of their people not themselves. Women would be seen for what we are, strong and beautiful and honorable, lovable people who give life. We make life; we deserve to be treated with respect. Everyone would marry for love. Children would know their fathers, and every night would be just like this." He stared at her absolutely riveted. She was so perfect. She looked so confident, and proud, full of strength and fire.

"Sounds good. When will you get started on this world?" he asked.

"I could never do it. That's why it is a dream. You would do it if you could, but you can't." She replied.

"Why not?" he asked. "Why can't you change the world?" She looked over at him and blushed.

"You are teasing me." She said looking down at her feet.

"No, no I'm not. I want to know. I want to know your dreams." He said taking her hand in his. It was so slender, strong, her hands were made for soothing, nurturing.

"Why?" she asked softly peering up at him with those big brown eyes.

"Because, there may be one or two dreams that I could make come true." He said. "Andromache. We are to be married in two weeks and I know nothing of you. I want to know what you want from our marriage." She frowned thoughtfully and stared at him.

"What do you want from it?" she asked. "I want children. I want you to respect me, obey me, love me and listen to me." She raised an eyebrow in response. "But I need to talk with you not to you. I need you to trust me, and not fear me. I need you to challenge me mentally even physically sometimes, I need you to match me, I know that you can I have full faith in you. You will be my wife, the mother of my children, my advisor, my touchstone. I need to know you, I need you to know me; I need us to be a unit. That is what I wish for us." She stared at him her eyes full of tears. She opened her mouth so speak but nothing came out and she looked down at her bouquet. "What do you want Andromache?" She looked up at him, unsure of whether or not to say all of it, everything in her heart. "Don't fear me. Tell me."

"I need to feel needed. I want you to come to me with you troubles, tell me what you feel, what is inside you. I need to be respected, and I need to feel safe. I need you to listen to me, and bear with me when I'm troublesome. I don't want to be bullied or passed over. I want to be considered. I want you to see me as your equal, as someone that you can admire. I... I want... I need to be loved; for who I am, for what is within me. I need to know that I am." She broke off; looking away and closing her eyes. That was her main need, her sole desire, to be love by him. "I need that more than anything else, I'd die without it." She felt him come closer, felt the heat coming from his body. His calloused hands wrapped around her upper arms gently and she looked down biting her lip. She felt his hand on her cheek raising her face up to his and her heart leapt within her just like it did every time he touched her. She felt his lips touch her brow and then her cheek, and then the kiss of his breath on her mouth. She waited silently staring into his mesmerizing eyes. She couldn't look away from him, or move away even if she wanted to... and she really didn't want to move away. His eyes flicked down to her mouth for a moment, only a moment and then he kissed her. It was chaste and soft, just as he had meant it to be but her mouth was so supple and warm that he found that he couldn't pull away and he stayed for another kiss, and another, and another at which point she sighed and the years of uninterest in the opposite sex came back full force to punch him in the stomach. He had meant to pull away, he really had but the need had made it grow from a chaste kiss, to a relatively innocent one, then passion grew until he had drawn her against him, his hand threading through her hair. Her hand touched his arm softly a bit tentative and then with more confidence, sliding up to his shoulder. It was perfect to her, everything that she could have wanted in a first kiss. His other hand slid up her arm, over her shoulder, and up her neck to cradle her face, pulling her closer to him, tilting her head to the side as her lips parted with a soft sigh. He inhaled sharply and slowly pulled away gazing into her face. Her mouth was a bit puffy, her eyes were closed and her cheeks a bit red. Probably from my beard... he thought to himself. Her eyes opened slowly, focused on his and then she smiled softly.

"I'll love you Andromache." He whispered. "You'll never want for love." Her smile broadened and she nodded. "Do you believe me?" he asked.

"Yes." She replied touching his face gently with her hand. "Will you take me back to my room?" she asked quietly. He smiled and nodded. Then he took her hand and they walked back to her room in a comfortable silence.

"Do you like picnics?" he asked she opened her door. He was loathed to part with her somehow.

"I do." She replied turning to face him.

"Would you like to go for one tomorrow?" he asked. Her face lit up and she nodded.

"I should like that very much." She replied and he smiled.

"Good. I'll get you around five. It won't be to hot because there'll be that nice wind, but not too cold since the sun will be up still." He was rambling. He hadn't rambled in years. He needed to stop. "Well um.... Good night then." She smiled and handed him her bouquet and a soft kiss on the mouth.

"Good night." She said before slipping through the open door and closing it behind her. Hector stared at the wood before glancing down at the flowers in his hand. Then it hit him... he'd need something to wear. "Damn..." he muttered.