Andromache's brother brought her into the servant's quarters and laid her down on a small couch-like seat at the edge of the room. He sent two handmaidens to get fresh water and a towel. Her father burst into the room and snapped at his son. "Tenious, you've done enough. Go!" Tenious left the room and Eetion sat next to his daughter. "Calm down Andromache. You're marrying Hector. I'm arranging the marriage. Hector wanted you to have a say, but this is the best thing for you. I'm doing this for you."
"No, please. I can't go with him!" she cried.
"You will go with him, and you won't argue about it. Calm down and come to the gardens. Hector will be there." he ordered.
"Father," she argued.
"You will obey me Andromache. I will not say it again." With that the old man stood and left. Andromache did her best to compose herself and washed her face before leaving to go to the gardens.
She was afraid of leaving with Hector. She was afraid of what would become of her life. But now she did not have the option. She arrived quickly and spotted the place where they had first met. "Hector?" she called out. Hector came around the corner and walked up to Andromache.
"I'm so sorry, Andromache." he apologized.
"No, I'm sorry, I shouldn't…" she began. Hector cut her off.
"Please, don't. I didn't want you to be forced to come with me. I thought that if you said no your father would understand, but…" he tried to explain.
"I'm glad it's you, Hector." she admitted, stepping closer. "I don't want it to be anyone else. I'm just afraid of facing my family tomorrow." she rationalized. Hector hesitantly snaked his arm around her waist and he pulled her towards him. When she didn't pull away he hugged her tighter, until her body was leaning up against his. She let her arms creep around his torso, placing her head on his beating chest. He kissed her on the forehead and she sighed.
"Well, what if…" he conjectured. "What if we left tonight?" Andromache lifted her head and her eyes questioned his sincerity. "What if you said goodbye to whoever you need to and had someone collect your things; if we left for Troy, right now?"
"Now?" she asked, stepping away from him. "What would they think?"
"What difference would it make?" he asked. "Andromache, do you want to be with me?" The seriousness in his voice unnerved her. A tear let itself loose from her eye. She stayed silent for a moment before closing her eyes and nodding deeply, biting her lip.
"Then come with me, right now." he demanded. "There is no reason why we should prolong this farewell. Let us go now, and you will need to worry about facing your family no longer."
She let out a small smirk before making eye contact with him again. "Alright." she whispered. "Let me gather my things and say goodbye to my mother. Where shall I find you?" she asked, drying a tear.
"I'll meet you at the docks, an hour before dawn?" he suggested.
"Alright." she agreed. Without another word, she swiftly left the gardens, heading for her parent's chambers.
