Chapter Two – Someday Has Come
Five years later…
It was a beautiful morning in the great city of Thebes. The sun shone down bright on the busy citizens bustling around the town square just outside the palace walls. So preoccupied were the people with their work that they failed to notice the rare beauty that moved among them that day, her radiance and noble status concealed underneath the hood of her cloak.
Andromache was barely conscious of all the activity going on around her as she wove her way through the crowd, down the main street that would lead her to the freedom she desired. Behind the princess, a young handmaid strove to keep up with her vigorous pace. Eventually, the pair's hasty retreat slowed as they exited the citadel and walked further on until they reached a virtually deserted area, past any chances of being caught or recognized.
As had been earlier planned, a stable hand from the palace was waiting for them at the foot of the hill leading down to the coast. In the young boy's hands were the reins of Aldara, Andromache's beautiful chestnut mare. The princess quickly gave him her thanks as she took over control of her beloved horse.
"Oh, your highness!" Andromache's handmaiden Cithia, gasped out. Her face was taut with worry as she helplessly watched her mistress mount the steed. "What shall I tell your parents when they find out you've run off?"
"Say you had nothing to do with this." Andromache told her firmly, and likewise looked to the stable boy. "Neither of you were involved. I escaped by myself, so I alone shall take the blame when the king learns of my disobedience."
Seeing the both frightened and disapproving look on Cithia's face, she sighed and shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I simply cannot stand going through this frustrating nonsense with my father yet another time. I feel I really must do this."
The characteristic fire of her untamed, youthful spirit burned in Andromache's eyes. "If this new prince really wishes to meet me and see if I am a bride fit to his liking, then let him search for me and work for that chance!"
At that, she gave the two servants a brief smile and nod of reassurance before giving Aldara a swift kick and riding off down the shore in the direction away from the palace.
Hector presented a commanding figure as he sat straight and proud astride a coal-black stallion, riding along the shoreline of Thebes, his keen gaze scanning the vast waters of the sea. In the distance, he could spot the harbor wherein their ships had anchored upon their arrival just that morning. It was from those docks that escorts had led the prince to the city and then into the palace, where he was met enthusiastically by King Eetion, his wife Queen Hecuba, and all seven of their noble sons.
Strangely however, the person who had not been present to greet the Trojan prince upon his arrival was the one he had been most expectant to see—Princess Andromache, the maiden he had heard so much about over the past few months. She was the lady he may soon be bringing home with him to make his wife—if all went well in his dealings with both her and her noble father.
Very much embarrassed by the sudden disappearance of his daughter at such an important time, King Eetion had apologized profusely to Hector and bade the prince to take his rest while soldiers were dispatched to search for the wayward princess. Instead of retiring to his chambers however, Hector had instead requested a horse, so that he may be given a chance to explore the land and spend some time alone to think and collect his thoughts.
The prince sighed to himself as he thought of what he would do once he found himself face to face with Princess Andromache. It was made clear by his father, King Priam of Troy, that he was not obliged to take the maiden as his wife should he choose not to. He was sent to Thebes primarily to discuss a pact with King Eetion, one that would bond their kingdoms as allies who would fight on the same side in any occasion of war.
It was in mere coincidence that the king of Thebes also happened to be searching for a husband for his only daughter. On the other hand, Hector needed a wife to produce for him future heirs to the Trojan crown. An arranged marriage between the two young royals seemed to be a good and wise opportunity to seal the contract between the two cites.
Truthfully told, Hector felt in no way ready to take a spouse. He was so preoccupied with army duties that he barely even had opportunities to spend with his family anymore. He did not see how he could possibly have the time to care for a wife. Would any woman ever agree to a union with a husband who may only neglect her? The last thing Hector wanted was to force or fool a maiden into an unhappy marriage with him.
The prince sighed again and nudged his horse lightly to start trotting along the beach. In spite of these misgivings, he knew how beneficial his union to Princess Andromache could be, for both their kingdoms. Thebes would be guaranteed protection from Troy's armies, one of the most powerful in the known world. Troy would gain a princess for their crown prince, and eventually a successor to the throne. Perhaps this arranged marriage was yet another obligation imposed on him by his crown. But was that fair? To him OR to the Princess of Thebes?
As he contemplated this question, Hector's gaze drifted back to the beautiful view of the sea. Any initial feelings of peace and appreciation flew from his mind quickly however, when his keen eyes noticed a shocking sight.
There was a woman out there, quite far out in the waters, her head barely visible above the growing waves. Hector could not help but shout in alarm when he realized she was waving her arms frantically, as though struggling to stay afloat and signal for help at the same time.
He did not need to think further. He took his horse as close as possible to where the woman was before leaping off the saddle and diving right into the sea. The prince began a frantic but powerful and focused swim towards the figure thrashing in the water, still quite a long distance away from him. As he fought against the current, he sensed fear grip him at the thought of getting to her too late.
He came within reach of the woman just as she finally succumbed to the force of the waves and was swallowed by them. Immediately, he dove underwater and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her back to the surface. She was unconscious, but Hector did not have the time to examine her further, as a long swim still had to be made, and he already his ability to keep them both afloat was diminishing.
He was exhausted by the time they made it to shore. Gathering up the young woman in his arms, he brought her out of the water and laid her down safely on the sandy beach. Only then was he able to get a clearer view of her, and his attention was immediately called to her still form. She was not breathing!
Acting on instinct, Hector pressed his mouth over the maiden's and proceeded to pump air from his lungs into hers. It took only a few breaths for him to successfully resuscitate her, and he backed away as soon as she started gasping for air and coughing out the seawater she had swallowed. Then the lady opened her eyes and looked straight up at him hovering above her, and suddenly it was the prince who found it difficult to breathe.
"Are you all right, my lady?" Hector finally managed to ask in show of proper courtesy.
Andromache blinked hard, trying to get her groggy vision to focus on the face drifting only a few inches away from hers. She looked up and saw a pair of deep brown eyes staring down at her, full of concern.
It took a few moments before she managed to regain control of her senses. Her mind struggled to remember exactly what had happened, and all at once she felt mortified. There she was in the company of a complete stranger, and she must have looked like a lost fool.
"Wha-what happened?" Andromache murmured, shutting her eyes against the glaring sun and lifting a hand to her still woozy head.
The stranger's voice was masculine—deep and warm. The sound of it alone seemed to ease her anxiety and discomfort, like an embrace from a familiar friend.
"You were drowning." he said gently. "I was riding along the beach and saw you calling for help, so I went in to save you."
There was a pause when Andromache struggled to sit up and he placed a hand on her back to help her. "But there is no need to worry any longer my lady. You are safe now."
Andromache opened her eyes again to gaze at her rescuer, her humiliation renewed. A memory flashed in her head, where she had rode her horse down to the beach and then decided to seek refuge from the sun's blazing heat by taking a short swim. She must have been so distracted by her unhappiness over the prospect of facing another suitor that she swam further out sea than she had intended. When large waves started coming, a few of them swamped her, causing her to become disoriented. She panicked upon realized how far out she was, and this was when she started sinking.
The princess was called from her thoughts when she suddenly felt something soft and heavy covering her shoulders. She looked up, startled, and noticed that the kind stranger had removed the deep blue shirt that clothed his upper body, and was wrapping it carefully around her. It was just as wet as her dress was, but at least it added covering to her upper area. A furious blush came to Andromache's fair cheeks when she realized that the soaked, delicate dress clinging to her cold body was leaving very little left for the imagination.
"Thank you." she whispered, pulling the makeshift cloak closer around her. "For saving me." She lowered her gaze, now too overcome with embarrassment to meet his eye as he stared down at her.
"You're most welcome." the stranger said with clear sincerity in his voice. "I'm only relieved that I was able to get to you in time."
He sounded so gentle and reassuring that Andromache could not help but sneak a glance up at his face again. Her stomach did a queer little twist when she beheld the kind smile her rescuer wore–a perfect smile that swept across his lightly bearded cheeks and caused his stunning brown eyes to sparkle. And it was directed at her, only her.
The blush returned to the princess' face as she held onto his gaze for a moment. He was just so handsome!
Just then, the stranger spoke again. "Forgive me my lady, but we have not yet been properly introduced, and I really must remedy that." he said, his grin growing slightly wider and causing her heart to beat a little faster. "My name is Hector."
Hector. The instant recognition of that name hit Andromache so hard she could not help but gasp. She looked at the man through wide eyes, but could not manage to speak, or even move.
"What's yours?" Hector of Troy proceeded to ask, oblivious to the princess' reaction to the discovery of his identity.
Andromache opened her mouth, but no sound could be willed from it. She was too frozen with shock at what was happening, too confused by the conflicting emotions of surprise, dismay, shame, and even anger forming inside her.
Luckily, she was spared from having to give an answer when suddenly they were interrupted by the sound of approaching horses. Both Andromache and Hector looked up and saw a group of riders hastening down the beach straight for them. Andromache gasped and quickly got to her feet when she recognized the colorful raiment of Thebe's soldiers—her father's men!
The rider leading the unit pulled his horse to a stop some meters away from the couple and hurriedly dismounted. He then approached the princess with a mixture of concern and reproach marked on his face.
"Andromache!" he cried out, taking her by the arms. "Where have you been? What happened here? Are you all right?"
Hector's jaw dropped open when he heard that name being spoken. He stared at the rider that approached them, the young man that had earlier been introduced to him as Podes, fourth of the seven sons of King Eetion. There could not possibly be any mistakes then. This maiden he rescued, this beautiful young woman standing next to him, was the princess he had come all the way from Troy to meet.
Hector seemed to be frozen in place as he watched Podes wrap an arm around his sister and pull her next to him. The Theban prince waited for no answers from Andromache but immediately began to check her for any sign of injuries. Though he found not a scratch on her, he shook his head and frowned his displeasure.
"Come. We will return to the palace at once." he said in a stern voice. "I am certain there are quite a number of things Father wishes to discuss with you."
One of the soldiers stepped forward to escort the princess to one of the horses, and Andromache did nothing to protest, did not even look back at her rescuer. Hector opened his mouth to say something, but Podes soon turned towards him and spoke first.
"Please accept my apologies, Prince Hector, on behalf of my father and my sister." he said, bowing his head humbly. "Though it is most unfortunate her first impression on you was displeasing, I can assure you that Andromache did not mean any disrespect. Please do not judge her by what took place here today."
"Prince Podes," Hector began, his voice firm but reassuring. "This encounter with the Princess has not offended me in any way. I saved her from harm, and that is all that happened. It is far too early for me to possibly conclude anything about her."
Podes gave him a smile of relief and gratitude. "Thank you for your understanding." he said. "Now if you would excuse me, I must escort Andromache back home. She has some explaining to do to our father regarding her absence this morning."
He paused before turning to leave. "May we see you again this evening at dinner? I'm sure Andromache will be much better prepared to meet you then."
Hector looked to where Andromache was now seated on the saddle of her brother's horse. Her head was lowered with her eyes still directed at the ground, but not even her meek expression could conceal her noble bearing, or the fact that she was the most beautiful woman the prince had ever laid eyes on. A strange feeling stirred in his heart as he considered the possibility of taking this goddess as his wife.
"Yes." Hector finally said in response to Podes's query. "I shall most certainly be there."
COMING UP: Chapter 3 – Beginning With Friendship