Chapter Six – Welcome Home
The sun had barely risen when Hector left his cabin after a short night of restless sleep. It was a chilly early morning, but the prince barely felt the biting cold of the ocean wind as he walked out onto the upper deck. The small number of his men who stayed awake for their shift at the paddles greeted him good morning as he passed to walk to the back of the ship. He crossed his arms over his chest and stared out thoughtfully at the vast blue-green waters that spread out as far as the eye could see.
He slowly drew in a deep breath, allowing the scent of the ocean to soothe his slightly groggy and heavy head. A small sigh escaped his lips and he closed his eyes for a brief minute, the memory of Andromache still etched in his thoughts, as it remained whether by conscious effort or without. His heart felt a sharp twinge of sorrow at the reminder of what they had lost, what they very nearly could have had. But there was nothing more important to Hector than the princess's happiness, even if it cost him his own.
His eyes slowly fluttered open, and beheld the view of the calm ocean again. But something had suddenly changed in it. He squinted and struggled for a better look at the small dark figure that was at level with the water. When he noticed that the figure was moving, growing larger as it drew closer in their direction, he realized at once that it was a ship.
For a moment Hector's defensive instincts took over, and he shouted to his sailors to alert them of impending danger. While his men rushed to prepare their defenses, Hector tried to get a better view of the approaching ship in an attempt to identify it. He focused his attention on the flag that was raised at its mast, and slowly the symbols became perceptible enough for him to recognize. The prince's eyes widened with surprise.
"Hold!" he shouted to his men. "It is one of King Eetion's ships, from Thebes! Hold your oars!"
Hector felt his heart quicken its pace as they waited for the Theban ship to catch up and get close enough to let them know what it is they wanted. What they followed them into the sea for.
The first familiar person Hector saw on deck when the ship pulled up next to theirs was three of King Eetion's sons, one of them Podes. He walked to the starboard side and called out to them.
"My lords, what brings you out here?" he asked, suddenly worried at this strange occurrence. "Is there anything wrong?"
Even from many feet away he could clearly see the smile on Podes's face when he replied. "No, nothing is wrong at all, Prince Hector. There is just someone on board this ship who would very much like to see you."
The prince of Thebes stepped to the side to reveal a smaller cloaked figure that had been standing behind him. In an instant, Hector felt his entire body become rejuvenated with the sudden happiness that swamped his heart. Immediately he turned to his men and started giving more orders.
"Take the ship closer! Bring up the docking plank! Quickly!"
A wide piece of wood was placed in between the two boats. Men from both sides held it steady as Prince Hector swiftly walked across to get to the Theban vessel. The moment he stepped on deck, he was met by the princess who had been hiding behind her older brother. Hector lifted a hand and gently lowered the hood that covered her face. He was met by the sight of tear-filled eyes, and their gazes locked onto each other.
"What are you doing here?" he asked softly, still finding himself unable to believe she was really in front of him at that moment.
Andromache opened her mouth to speak, but it seemed too difficult for her to muster a sound past her trembling lips. She shook her head and closed her eyes, causing the tears to fall faster. She was down on her knees before Hector before he could stop her.
"I could not…." she finally whispered. "I just couldn't!" She inhaled deeply, gathering up her strength. "I couldn't bear the thought of you sailing away. Of not being with you, and not knowing if I would see you again."
She paused and choked back a sob. "I am sorry Hector!" she wept. "I'm sorry I'm not brave enough. I was afraid to love you so much, to love a warrior so dedicated to his country and men." She lowered her head in shame. "I suppose I was just being selfish."
Hector took her gently by the arms and urged her to stand up. He cradled her face between his hands. "Andromache, you have nothing to apologize to me for, do you understand?" he said firmly. He kissed her forehead and held her tightly in his embrace. "I am the one who should be asking for your forgiveness. I have seen how difficult it is for the women who suffer having to watch their husbands go into war. It's wrong of me to ask you to go through the same ordeal."
"No, that's not true." Andromache sniffed, shaking her head. "I was afraid of even just the possibility to losing you on the battlefield, to the kind of life you lead. I knew I would not be able to survive that." She lifted her own hand to his cheek and caressed him lovingly. "But then I came to realize if I refused the chance to be a part of your life, I would lose you anyway. I never would have known true love, and there is no worse pain than that."
"I don't care if you're a warrior Hector, or if your love for Troy is greater than your love for me." she told him. "I just want the chance to love you. Whatever happens, I know with all my heart that the only way I would ever feel truly alive is if I stayed by your side."
The princess clasped his large hand between hers and held it to her lips. "It would bring me such happiness and honor, Hector of Troy, to be your wife. If you would still have me."
"Andromache." Hector sighed, cupping her chin in one hand and using the other to pull her closer to him. "You never had to ask. I love you. There could never be another."
He enclosed her hands in his and looked deep into her eyes. "I cannot guarantee anything in our future when it comes to my commitment as a warrior of Troy." he told her seriously. "But I swear I will do all else that I can to make you happy, keep you safe, and give you everything you've ever wished for. Marry me and I will love you, Andromache. Please believe and accept that promise."
Andromache's beautiful smile shone radiantly through her happy tears. She tilted her head up and kissed Hector's lips lightly. "I do." she whispered into his ear as she pressed her cheek against his, sinking into the comfort of his strong arms. "I love you, Hector. That will never change, no matter what happens."
They shared a passionate kiss while the men on board on both the Theban and Trojan ships burst into lively cheers and applause. Podes chuckled at the blushes on his sister and future brother-in-law's faces. He embraced both of them in congratulations before turning to his sailors.
"We sail for on for Troy!" He grinned and winked at Andromache. "We have a wedding to attend."
88888888888888888
Though both vessels proceeded to the same destination, Andromache chose to sail with Hector and the Trojans for the rest of the trip. Hector gave up his private chamber for her own use, and respected her purity by sleeping with the other sailors at night. During the rest of the day however, the two could hardly be separated from each other. Neither had ever experienced such happiness in all their lives.
The journey passed by swiftly, and one morning the prince and his bride-to-be found themselves standing at the deck staring at the glistening beaches of the land where they would start their life together.
"Oh Hector!" Andromache sighed, staring admiringly at the horizon that sprawled in the distance before them. The great walls of Troy was indeed a magnificent sight to behold, and did justice to the many wonderful tales she's heard about the city since childhood. "It's…it's so beautiful!"
Hector beamed from where he stood behind her, his gaze holding as much pride as hers bore awe. "That it is. It's home." he said simply. "First mine, and then now, yours as well…Princess Andromache."
Andromache blushed then shivered involuntarily at the sound of his husky voice, and the feel of his breath tickling her ear. She smiled and settled against Hector's warm chest as his arms enfolded her from behind, pulling and holding her close.
"I cannot wait to meet your family." she said brightly, tilting her head to one side as Hector placed a loving kiss on her temple. "I'm excited but so nervous at the same time!" She bit her lower lip, suddenly looking worried. "I hope they'll like me…"
"They will love you for the mere fact that you make me so happy." Hector reassured her gently. "When I left Troy to go to Thebes, I was a different man. Now, I return so much better and happier, more alive than I ever was before." His hand moved to the softness of her hair, fingers threading through the silky brown curls. "Because I found you, and I have you with me, here and now. Nothing can be more beautiful than this."
Hector's sweet words alone already stole her breath away, but on top of it, the touch of his lips made her fall further into helpless surrender. One slender hand rested on the back of his neck, the other finding its way into his wind-tousled locks. Andromache kissed Hector back, matching his earnest passion and tenderness, virtually ignoring the human need for air.
It took some time before the lovers became conscious of their very public display in front of the many others onboard the Trojan ship. Andromache's cheeks turned a deep red when she noticed the barely-concealed grins on the sailors' faces. Hector sighed and placed one last kiss on her lips before releasing her and taking a small step back.
"One other thing I look forward to in coming home…" he whispered to Andromache. "Our privacy."
88888888888888888
Though Hector had warned her that all of Troy was sure to be very curious and eager to greet them on their return home, Andromache was amazed at the crowds that had gathered in the streets to cheer as they passed by, riding their chariot through the citadel to the royal palace. Men, women, and children lined the road they took, waving colorful flags and palm branches. There were dancing girls and soldiers on guard, and from the rooftops women showered them with flower petals.
"Prince Hector! Prince Hector! Welcome home!" all the people shouted, waving to the chariot at the head of the procession.
Though bewildered by the Trojans' energy and the enthusiastic, deafening cheers, Andromache smiled at the clear display of love and adoration for their prince. Hector was renowned all across the Aegean, so it was no surprise that his own countrymen would show such great pride in him. Casting a brief glance at the man who rode with her, the princess saw the happiness that shone on his face. She felt a strong surge of admiration and affection for her husband to be. He loved his country so much, and his people as much as they loved him.
Hector turned his gaze to her and their eyes met. He leaned close to be heard over the din as he spoke. "What are you thinking, Princess?"
Andromache smiled. "How happy I am to be with you at this moment." she answered, laying her hand upon his arm. "To share this with you."
Hector slipped his arm around her. He tilted his head, motioning to the crowds that surrounded them. "They are happy to see you. They love you already." he said.
Andromache shook her head and laughed. "But they don't even know me yet!"
"You are the only woman I have taken at my side before the people of Troy." Hector told her. "They must know you mean a great deal to me, that you are the woman I love, and will soon make their new princess."
At last, the procession reached the front steps of the palace. As Andromache allowed Hector to help her off the chariot, a young boy stepped out from the crowd to approach her.
"Oh!" Andromache gasped in delight, accepting the small posy that was offered to her. She laid a gentle hand on the boy's hair and smiled. "Thank you. This is very sweet of you."
The child nodded and then scampered off, giggling with happiness at his close encounter with the beautiful princess from Thebes.
"Come," Hector said gently, taking his fiancé by the elbow and leading her to the long flight of stone steps. "Everyone's waiting."
By the time they reached the top and the entrance of the fine palace, Andromache barely felt her weariness at climbing such a long distance. She had to keep her two hands clasped tightly around Hector's arm to keep them trembling, as she had never felt so nervous about anything before in all her life. It was only the feel of Hector beside her, supporting her, that kept her from turning and running back down the steps like a foolish and frightened maiden
The first person to greet them when they reached the top step was a handsome young man who looked like he was around Andromache's age. His entire face went alight when he saw the two come up, and he came forward to meet Hector at once.
"Good to see you home at last!" he exclaimed, clapping his arms around him in a brotherly embrace. "We were beginning to wonder what's kept you for so long!" His gaze shifted towards the sight of Andromache, and his grin widened. "Now I believe I have my answer."
"Yes, but in spite of my long absence, I can see it was still not enough time for you to grow up!" Hector retorted, shaking his head and chuckling. He turned to Andromache. "This is my brother, Paris. Don't mind his manners. I suspect he has yet to actually learn them."
"And don't mind the falsehoods he tells you about me." Paris interjected, slapping Hector lightly on the back. "He's just jealous of my natural charm, as always." The younger prince bowed to Andromache and flashed a winning smile. "You must be Princess Andromache. Welcome to Troy. It's an honor to finally meet you."
Andromache smiled back and curtsied gracefully. "The honor is mine, Prince Paris." she said sincerely.
Right after Paris followed a much older man, with white-grey hair, astonishingly blue eyes, and the kindest and warmest smile Anrdomache had ever seen. In a moment, she knew and was happy to recognize this regal looking man as her future father-in-law.
"Hector! Welcome home!" King Priam of Troy said, reaching out to embrace his eldest son. "I must say we've been waiting most anxiously for your return. It is good to see you are well."
"Father." Hector said, bowing his head respectfully. He gestured to the beautiful lady that stood next to him. "May I present to you, Princess Andromache of Thebes."
Andromache sank into a low curtsy before the great king of Troy, lowering her head as so not to betray the rapid beating of her heart and the fear in her eyes. A pair of strong and gentle hands urged her back up. Priam's smile banished her nervousness, and his simple kisses on her cheeks gave her the courage to accept his proffered arm. They then entered the palace to meet the rest of Hector's kin.
For over the next hour, Andromache was introduced to the royal family and prominent members of the King's council. Hector's mother, Queen Hecuba, was by far kinder than anything Andromache could have imagined or expected in a mother-in-law—it was clear from whom Hector had inherited his golden heart. Aside from Paris, Andromache was also introduced to a number of Hector's younger brothers and sisters. She counted about twenty of them, but was able to recall only half their names. She was bowled over when she found out that she had not even met half of Priam and Hecuba's children—there were more than she would just have to meet and get to know later on. The King insisted that both she and Hector needed to rest first, after such a long journey. There would be plenty of time for more introductions and familiarizing later on.
"Come, Andromache." Hecuba said gently, taking her by the arm. "I will show you to the quarters that have been prepared for you. There is just enough time for you to freshen up and get a few hours of sleep before dinner this evening."
Andromache hesitated in following the Queen, looking back at Hector who made no move to come with them. The prince just smiled at her and nodded his head encouragingly.
"Go on." he told her. "I shall be there in a while to see you." He placed a light and swift kiss on her cheek. "I just need to have a word with my father. But I won't be long, I promise."
For a long moment, Hector just stood and watched his betrothed as she was led away by his mother. His head swam with happiness and contentment at the success of the day's events. He was confident Andromache would have no problems finding her place in her new home. Even stronger was his certainty that Troy, the city he loved so much, would also fall in love with their new princess as easily and quickly as he had managed to.
88888888888888888
To be continued…