Chapter 14. New World.
When Andromache awoke the following morning it was to the feeling of being pleasantly crushed. Hector, she realized, was very much accustomed to being in his own bed, but instead of pushing obstacles out of the way, he simply draped himself on top of them, what ever or who ever it was. Presently, his arm was banded tightly around her waist and his thigh was on her hip. His entire torso was half on top of her, his head resting on hers, his nose pressed into her neck. His beard was a bit rough, and he was rather heavy, but his body was hard and warm against the cool morning air, and he smelt of sandalwood. Altogether it was a rather lovely way to wake up and she smiled to her self and sighed opening her eyes to the morning light. She was married to this adorably wonderful man. She stretched out her body, yawning and he shifted, his arm tightening pulling her closer. Then his hand slid from where it was underneath her stomach up to her breast and rested there holding it. She blinked and glanced down at it momentarily before bushing and giggling quietly. It was a bit thrilling, considering that no man had ever touched her there, platonically or otherwise, but it didn't feel dirty or wrong in anyway. It was nice, comforting, like he had found the perfect person to share his bed with and it was her and he was never letting anyone harm her... not even himself. She bit her lip and snuggled back against him and smiled. It wasn't bad at all being married, well being married to Hector at least. The night before she was positive that he would have been livid. But instead he had smiled and kissed her. He had understood her fear and had made her feel special. She felt him jerk slightly and then he sighed. She waited but he didn't move. Briefly she wondered what he looked like asleep. Slowly she turned around in his arms, tucking her hands beneath her chin only to see two sleepy, black orbs staring at her. She smiled slightly and touched his face with her fingertips.
"Morning." She whispered. He smiled and sighed.
"Good morning." He replied, his deep voice rough and husky from sleep. "Did you sleep well?" he asked he asked reaching out to stroke up and down her arm with his hand. She smiled and nodded feeling strangely elated as she tucked her hand back under her chin. She wanted to stretch and purr as his hand moved over her back but instead she closed her eyes and sighed. He stared at her silently, taking in her soft full mouth and thick lashes, her high cheekbones and slight freckles. She was his wife now, she belonged to him. The god's seen him as worthy of her and right then she swore to himself and to her that he would continue to prove himself as worthy of her love as long as there was breath in his body even if it meant giving up his very life.
"What do you have to do today?" she asked. He shrugged tracing patterns on her skin with his fingertips. Her skin was so soft and warm and smooth, he couldn't help but touch. She had never noticed how long and thick his eyelashes were, but now, with her face so close to his, she could notice every detail; the sharp lines of his face, the soft, dark, curls of his hair streaked from time spent in the sun, the fullness of his mouth, the deep golden hue of his skin, the slight, dark, beard. She was staring and she knew it but she couldn't help it and she couldn't care. He was so beautiful. She wanted to reach out and touch his face, feel his smooth skin, trace his features. A slight hue of pink coloured his cheeks and his eyes snapped up to her , now more alert.
"Why are you staring at me?" he asked. She blushed in turn and looked down.
"You're nice to look at." She replied. He rolled his eyes at that comment and rolled onto his back. She stared in silent awe at his chest. The night before she had been too frightened to notice it but it was broad like his shoulders, and well muscled with the faintest sprinkling of dark hair across it. His stomach was sculpted and washboard-flat with a thin line of hair trailing down the center of it. She wanted to touch, to see if it was as hard as it looked. He glanced at her and then rolled his eyes again.
"Stop staring at me!" he cried. She smiled, knowing that he was merely embarrassed and then propped herself up on her elbow resting her head in her palm.
"I can't help it. I've never seen a man without a shirt before... well none with a body like yours that is."
"For the love of Apollo it's just like any other mans. There's nothing spectacular about it." He said his ears now turning red as well. "And exactly who have you seen shirtless?" he asked as an after thought. She rolled her eyes, choosing not to answer that question and then ran them down the length of him deliberately, his nerves removing hers.
"That's not true." She replied. "Some men are fat and others are skinny, some are a mixture of both, others are just a little muscular, and then the others are too muscular and that's disgusting and then they are very hairy... and they smell." He laughed and shook his head. "But you, you have the perfect amount of muscle, and it's lean not bulky, and you aren't very hairy at all... it's nice."
"You sound like an expert." He muttered and she shrugged.
"Well all I know is what I've heard. And you can tell a man's form beneath his clothes. I like your body." She said scooting over to him and snuggling against him, her head on his shoulder. She felt and heard his chuckle and he glanced over at her even as his arms came around her waist to hold her against him.
"Glad to hear it." He replied dryly. She smiled and then sighed as he leaned in to give her a soft kiss. A knock on the door sounded and he groaned pulling away.
"Prince Hector." A voice called. She glanced up at him. His eyes were closed and he wore a look of annoyance on his face. She heard his sigh and then he opened his eyes.
"Yes?" he replied.
"Your father has need of you my lord."
"Thank you. Tell him that I will be there soon." He said. Andromache shifted off of him and he sat up swinging his legs over the side of the bed. His back was thickly muscled as well as his arms, and his hips narrow. He rose to his feet and walked over to the wash room running his hands through his hair tiredly. When he emerged a half an hour later, he was dressed informally in a robe of black linen with golden piping that crossed in the front and fastened with a tie at his side, and a matching knee length skirt. She could still see some of his chest, his hair was back in it's golden clips. He fastened broad golden armlets to his wrists and sat on the bed to lace his sandals. "I'm sorry." He said to her. "I thought that I would have more time but..." he shrugged sheepishly. She just smiled and sat up.
"You can't help it." She replied.
"I will try to return as soon as I can." He said. "I'll take you out somewhere."
"Where?" she asked, crawling over to him.
"Where ever; somewhere where they can't reach me." He replied. She nodded as he stood and then turned to face her. He stared, not quite sure what to do and extremely uncomfortable. She smiled slightly and shrugged and he smiled back. "Well, um..." he muttered and she peered at him expectantly as he thought of something to say. Then he leaned down catching her face in his hands and kissed her firmly and sweetly on the mouth. He pulled away a little to look into her eyes and she smiled, then he kissed her forehead gently and left the room.
When Hector returned to the room, Andromache was weaving. Her hair was mostly bound up and back by a white sash, with only random stubborn locks of hair falling over her shoulders and her ears into her face. She was dressed in a long, pale blue peplos of thin linen that crossed in the front and dipped low in the back. Her brow was slightly furrowed in concentration, her slender fingers moving nimbly to create what looked like a cloak. The sun was at its full height already giving him an idea of how long he had been gone, and a faint sheen of sweat covered her arms. Slowly he walked toward her as she worked admiring her silently. She really was a joy to behold, even if she was bordering on thin. She was strong; he had felt the strength in those arms and legs. She paused briefly to swipe at an annoying lock of hair with her hand before sighing and resuming her task.
"Is that for me or you?" he asked. She sprang to her feet with a loud cry and whirled about her eyes wide with fear, tripping over her skirts and crashing to the ground, falling over her weaving frame and knocking over her stool sprawled out onto her stomach. She rolled over onto her back to look up at him, and as recognition set in she went limp with relief pressing her palm against her heart.
"Hector." She gasped and climbed to her feet glaring at his smiling face, crossing her arms over her chest. "That was a terrible thing to do." He smiled and shrugged.
"I've been here for about fifteen minutes it's not my fault that you didn't notice me." He replied walking over to her. He reached out and slid his hands down her upper arms soothingly still grinning.
"You should have made yourself known." She replied still glaring up at him. It was rather amusing to watch when one considered how tall he was compared to her but still she glowered, her mouth starting to form a pout. He pulled her close and pressed a warm kiss on her vexed lips giving her a quick squeeze before pulling away.
"I'm sorry Andro." He said.
"If you're smirking when you apologize it doesn't count." She replied before walking past him. She was no longer frowning but she was still annoyed.
"I am so sorry." He said. She glared at him over her shoulder as she bent over, righting her frame and stool.
"I'm sure." She said dryly. He chuckled and walked over to her but this time she heard him coming and she hopped out of the way. He raised an eyebrow as she sat back down and went back to her weaving with a self satisfied smirk on her face. He watched her for a moment and then picked her up, practically setting her on his shoulder. She squealed her arms and legs flailing as he walked over to the bed. "Hector put me down!!" She screamed and then he flipped her onto the bed. She leaned none too gracefully, bounced three times and then came to a pause, still glaring at him. He laughed and crawled on top of her on his hands and knees, leaning down to kiss her again longer this time deeper. He heard her tiny whimper followed by a sigh and then her entire form went limp again this time from pleasure. He pulled away, waited until her eyes fluttered open and then smiled at her. This time she smiled back. Suddenly a slightly sad look crossed his face as he brushed back a lock of hair from her cheek, his eyes taking in her face. She frowned , confused at his suddenly somber countenance. "What is it?" she asked softly reaching up to stroke his cheek. His lips twitched into a wry smile and he shook his head.
"Nothing." He replied, smoothing out the lines on her brow gently with his thumb but he wouldn't meet her eyes.
"Hector-" she started but he shook his head and kissed her mouth gently deeply until she forgot what she had been about to say. When he pulled away her eyes were unfocused, and her skin was flushed. He smiled at her and she smiled back her breath a bit shaky.
"How are you at archery?" he asked. She rolled them until she was above him, straddling his legs.
"Better than you." She replied archly. He raised an eyebrow, glancing down at their new position. Frisky are we? He thought to himself.
"Is that so?" he asked. She smiled and rocked back onto her haunches still straddling his legs as he propped himself up onto his elbows.
"It is." She replied.
"I'm afraid that I'm going to have to challenge you to a match wife. I don't think that I believe you." He said. She shrugged, still smiling smugly.
"I cannot refuse you my lord." She replied.
"No but you can send me raving to Tarterus." He grumbled grabbing a pillow and whacking her on the head with it, sending her sprawling on to the bed giggling. He watched her as she stared at him, her eyes twinkling before she slapped him with another pillow. It was about two scream, laugh and shout filled hours later before they emerged from the room, Andromache with her hair completely loose and about her shoulders and Hector with his hair in its typically disheveled state, both of them flushed and grinning like fools their arms about each other. They headed to the training courtyard for their bows and arrows and servants set up targets for them to shot at. They had barely started before Hector realized that his wife was rather brilliant with a bow and arrow. Much to his surprise, she had been right; she was a little better than he was. She would never match him with the sword but at archery she was a rather formidable opponent. Even now as he watched her pull the string back for the fifth time, her eyes focused on the target it amazed him. She looked as proud as an Amazon, all fire and strength, her form prefect and her eyes alert. She released the arrow and it shot forward landing perfectly in the center of the target. She smiled and glanced over at him, smug, proud and terribly beautiful.
"Who taught you?" he asked taking aim with his own bow and arrow.
"My brothers. They taught me to ride and swim as well." She replied.
"Hmmm." He muttered releasing it. It landed rather close to hers and she smirked as a servant removed the two fired arrows. "How good are you with moving targets?" he asked. She shrugged and readied her bow and arrow.
"Alright I suppose." She replied releasing it. It landed in the center as well and she sighed lowering her weapons.
"Hmmm." He muttered again taking aim and firing. It landed on top of hers. He smirked and lifted his head higher. "Hunting?" he asked glancing at her. She grinned at him in reply. Fifteen minutes later they were riding past the gates of Troy, racing past the beaches and on towards the forests he on Hermes and she on Kaia. He spared a glance over towards her and couldn't help but grin. She sat up straight and proud, her entire form relaxed her face glowing. Her hair streamed out behind her, and the skirt of her gown had been pulled up so that she could ride astride more easily showing off long, strong, tanned legs. She looked like Artemis, or a young Athena. When they reached the forest they slowed down a bit, not much but just enough so that they could safely maneuver through the trees. She truly was a marvel on a horse he watched as she skirted around a tree and ducked a branch effortlessly, almost single handedly. "We'll stop here." He said spotting a brook in a clearing and pulling on the reigns. They both skidded to a stop and he swung down to the ground. She sprang from her saddle and landed lightly on her feet before walking her steed over the brook so that it could drink. There was a sheen of sweat on her skin from the heat of the day causing her hair to stick to her flesh and her skin to glow. He watched as she fiddled with her hair for a moment before grabbing it and tying it in two knots down the length of her back missing only a few strands and a stubborn lock behind her ear. "I wish my hair was that submissive." He said leading Hermes over to the brook as well. She glanced over at him and then threw her head back and laughed. Most of the hair around his face had escaped the confines of their clips to fall across his forehead. He gave her wry smile before shoving the locks back with his hand and pulling out their bows and arrows.
"I like your hair the way it is." She said coming up to him. He glanced at her disbelievingly. "I do, it looks rakish and manly."
"Messy hair?" he asked. She rolled her eyes as she brushed some of his hair away from his brow gently tucking it away so that it wouldn't be in his face.
"Not all messy hair just yours." She replied. "You pull it off well. When it's perfectly groomed you look definitely princely without a doubt but... like this it seems more relaxed and charming, more like you somehow." He raised an eyebrow and she kissed his cheek. "Come on then, let's see how good you are." She said grabbing a bow and a slew of arrows from him and striding off past the line of trees. He sighed grabbed his own set of equipment and followed her. "What did your father have to speak to you about?" she asked.
"Just some thing that he needs me to do." He replied looking a bit guilty. She glanced over at him and saw the change.
"What is it?" she asked. He sighed and looked over at her smiling sadly.
"Father is in the process of working out peace treaties as you well now." He said. "Thebe, our marriage: it was all part of that." She nodded. "Agamemnon is taking over all of Greece. We may be able to hold him but we cannot do it alone, we need allies. That's were I come in. As Crowned Prince; I have to go secure and or forge our alliances. Today, this morning, father told me of another place I must go."
"How soon must you go?" she asked quietly. He looked away.
"A fortnight at the very latest, It very well could be within a week." He replied gently walking up to her.
"But... but we just got married." She whispered trying not to sound too whiney. It was silly he was Crown Prince, she knew that he had duties but she had so been looking forward to spending time with him.
"I'm sorry Andro." He said stroking her arms. "But these things must be done quickly and far in advance." She looked down at the bow in her hands and bit her lip trying not to cry. "We can't wait and risk losing valuable allies if we don't start building ties now when Agamemnon comes for Troy we will not have the strength to repel him." He cradled her chin with his fingers and tilted her face up but she looked away cursing the solitary tear that rolled down her cheek. "Andromache it must be done." She bit her lip again and nodded quickly but she wouldn't look at him. "Andromache look at me." He said and she shook her head violently blinking back more tears. She hated crying, she really did. It wasn't his fault that he had to go! It wasn't anyone's fault, it was his responsibility. He was the heir to the throne, he had to learn first hand and grow into a man fit for kingship. He could not do it by staying with her and not handling matters of the state. But we just got married! It's not fair! Part of her mind screamed. That is irrelevant! Just smile for him, you're making him feel bad and it's not even his fault. "Please Andro?" he asked and she looked up at him even managed a shaky smile. "It won't be for long." He said pressing his forehead against hers.
"I know, "she replied. "I'm sorry." He kissed her forehead, her cheeks, her nose and finally her mouth. She pulled away and little and rubbed her nose against his.
"How long will you be gone?" she asked trying not to sniffle too much.
"Three weeks." He replied.
"Three?" she gasped her eyes widening.
"It takes time, Andro." He replied.
"Two weeks." She begged.
"Three." He said.
"Two."
"Three."
"Two and a half?"
"Three."
"Two and three days?" she asked. He looked at her for a moment and then shook his head.
"I promise nothing. But I will try." He said, relenting. She smiled and nodded.
"Thank you." She replied. He pulled her into his arms and she pressed her face into his chest breathing in his scent. Already she missed him.