Chapter Four – A Princess' Choice

By the time Hector's third week in Thebes came around, negotiations between representatives of Troy and King Eetion's council finally came to an amiable close. The peace treaty and all its clauses had been settled, and there was nothing left to discuss with regard to political affiliations. Nothing that is, with the exception of the potential marriage to Thebe's beloved princess.

Hector knew well that this was a matter that depends mostly on his action and decisions. As custom dictated, it was his choice as the man whether or not to take Andromache as his bride, depending on whether he pleased her or not. Should he choose to have her, there was virtually no chance King Eetion would refuse to give up his daughter's hand. In the end, it would always be he who holds the power to get what he wants. The only problem that lay before the prince was discerning what his heart truly desired.

The night the peace treaty reached its conclusion, a celebratory banquet was held in honor of the occasion. As usual Hector found himself seated at the head table with the rest of the royal family, but he instantly noticed Andromache's absence. When he asked Podes of her whereabouts, the Theban prince simply smiled.

"Have patience, and you shall see." was the reply.

Time passed by, and the meal was nearly coming to an end. Still the princess did not make an appearance. Courtesy alone was what prevented the impatient Hector from leaving the table to go look for her himself.

At last, the last course had been served and eaten. Hector thought this an opportune moment to take his leave and find Andromache, unsure of why he even felt such an urgency to see her. When Podes saw him rising from the table however, he quickly grabbed his arm to prevent him from going anywhere.

"Wait." Podes said firmly, and then nodded in the direction of the open floor before the banquet table. "Look."

The royal musicians had started to play an upbeat tune, and then seven dancing girls began to glide to the center of the room to entertain the guests present. A strange feeling jerked in Hector's chest when he realized that Andromache was one of them. She was the star of the show and the main event, by far the most radiant and elegant of all the maidens.

The prince sat back in his chair, completely mesmerized as he watched Andromache perform. There was such fire in her eyes, emotion in her face, and grace in every movement and every second his eyes rested unceasingly upon her. He didn't think he would ever see looking her more alive—or more beautiful—than she did during those moments.

When at last the dance ended and the maidens took their bows, the room burst into appreciative applause, particularly for the Andromache's efforts. Hector joined in, and tried to keep a jealous scowl at bay when he noticed the many young men casting overly admiring glances at the beautiful princess. He was immediately appeased however, when her gaze drifted over to where he stood and she smiled brightly, showing him that her participation had been for his benefit more than any other's.

The prince was made even gladder when he was given the opportunity to spend time alone with Andromache later on, when he escorted her to her room for the night, as he did nearly every day since he arrived at the palace. They took the long route to their destination, passing through the central gardens and palace courtyards, which allowed for time to talk, something they both loved to do in each other's company. The ease in which they could converse for hours was what formed the foundation of their friendship.

"You danced well this evening." Hector told Andromache sincerely. "I have never seen such grace on any woman as I did in you."

Andromache smiled modestly. "Thank you." she replied. "I am not one who can boast of numerous talents, but I am happy to possess at least some skill in dance. Perhaps it is because I have such passion for it."

They were silent for a moment after that, and then Andromache decided to speak again. "My father spoke to me again today." she said in a sudden change of subject.

The smile left her face, as it was suddenly marked with seriousness. "He asked me if I had done anything to offend you lately." She lowered her head. "I found that I had no answers or explanations to give."

Upon hearing this, Hector halted in his tracks and turned to face her. "Whatever gave your father or you the idea that I have felt offended?" he asked, completely bewildered.

Andromache lifted her gaze once more to look up at him. Hector felt his very soul get wrenched at the sight of sadness in her eyes.

"Please don't play with me." she said softly. "I have tried to endure it as best as I could, because I know you are a good man with honest intentions. But I cannot ignore it any longer. I cannot go on pretending that we will always be like this, that I have not a clue as to why you are really here. Why you are spending all this time getting to know me."

He saw her chin tremble slightly as she went on, her voice losing strength with each word. "You are not like the others. All those princes and lords who came and showed no respect, and tried to force themselves upon me. When I fought back and refused to give what they could not have, they gave up. They decided they did not want me and they left."

A growl nearly escaped Hector's throat at the thought of any man even touching Andromache. It was a surge of protectiveness that he had never felt for anyone else before, and it startled him.

Andromache sighed, and turned around so she would no longer have to look at the prince, as it was getting more and more difficult for her to continue. "And then here you are." she murmured. "I tried treating you like I did the rest, but you were different. I could not drive you away like I did the others. You offered me your friendship, and I took it, glad only that you were not here to try and conquer me as the others did."

"But you did not come to Thebes seeking a friend. You came for a wife." she whispered. "My father promised you one, if you so desired. He wonders now why you have done nothing to claim what you can have in a whim."

Andromache turned to face once more, and Hector's soul cried out when he saw the tears glistening in her eyes. "And I too wonder now." she said. "We have spent all this time together, and I have let you come closer than any other foreign man ever has. Still you do not know if I am fit to take as your bride?"

Hector stepped forward to close the distance between them. He was silent for a moment as he reached out to place his calloused hand against the princess' cheek. His thumb tenderly brushed away the stray tear that slipped from the corner of her eye.

"No." he said at last. "I am sorry Princess Andromache, but I still do not know."

Her eyes continued to shimmer, yet she looked at him bravely. "Is it so difficult?" she murmured. "Have you or have you not seen in me the things you wish in a wife? Someone who will bear you children, share your bed, keep your house, serve your vanities, and make a good impression on your guests?"

Hector frowned. "Those are not the things hold important when looking for a wife." he said firmly.

At this Andromache smiled, though bitterly. "Then you really are different from the others."

"I want someone who will love me, for who and everything I am, and someone who would let me love her in return." Hector said seriously. "It is as simple as that."

The look on Andromache's face immediately softened. "Then you and I want the same things." she sighed. "Not that my wants will ever be held in consideration."

"Why not?" Hector asked, his brow furrowing.

"Marriage decisions have always been in the hands of the parents and the men. You know this." Andromache said. "Women rarely have the chance to choose who or what they want. More so for princesses, whose marriages can affect the lives of thousands of people."

Hector felt as though a hand was crushing his heart when he saw more tears slide down her face. He reached out to embrace her, but she held onto his arms and just looked up at him.

"Please, Prince Hector." she whispered. "If you plan to take me away with you or not, please let me know. I cannot bear carrying on like this, not knowing what is going to happen, if I am soon going to leave my home and family…"

She was silenced when Hector placed a gentle finger on her lips. He took her hands in his and held them, as tenderly as he gazed upon her though she avoided his eyes.

"You ask me so many questions Princess, yet you do not realize that the answer to all of them lies in you." he said.

Andromache shook her head, but kept her gaze lowered. "I do not understand what you mean." she sniffed.

Hector smiled. He cupped the maiden's chin in his hand and carefully tilted her face up to look at him. "I have already told you. All I seek in a wife is someone who love me."

Andromache's eyes widened as she started at him. Hector felt her delicate hands tighten slightly in his grasp, and he squeezed them in reassurance that he meant what he said.

"And someone you love in return?" Andromache said, her voice softer than a whisper.

Hector nodded and smiled. "Do you love me, Andromache?"

It was the first time he had ever used her name informally, and it felt wonderful. He anxiously studied her face to see the effect of his words.

Andromache looked straight into his eyes. "Do you love me?" she whispered.

He moved his hands up to her cheeks, cradling her delicate face in his strong hands. These hands, which could easily crush a boy's arm or beat a man to the ground, had never been gentler as they caressed her soft skin, wiping away the tears that streaked it.

"I do love you." he said, with all the sincerity in his heart. "More than you can ever imagine."

Andromache burst into happy tears as she threw her arms around him. Hector held her close, cradling her gently to ease the tremors that shook her slender form.

"I love you too." she sobbed breathlessly. "And all this time I had been so afraid to say it. I feared that I had fallen for you, but you did not feel the same, and you would soon leave me, and I would not have any choice but to watch you…"

He cut her off with a kiss, a deeply passionate, earth-shattering kiss that reassured them both this moment was real, and they had indeed found each other in a world where true love was considered a hopeless dream.

"The choice is yours, Princess." Hector whispered when they finally broke apart. He tenderly caressed the thick curls of her hair and smiled. "That much I offer you, because of my love. Would you come with me to Troy, and be my wife?"

Her eyes still glistened with tears but shone with the radiance of true joy. "Nothing would make me happier." she said, wrapping her arms around his neck as he held her close, a gestured promise that she no longer had to worry about him leaving her.

They had found each other, and they both knew there could be no one else.

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COMING UP: Chapter 5 – Courage in Love