A/N: I've found some inspiration for this fic now! :) I've actually just finished the third chapter and will probably put that up soon.
Thank you for reviewing Queen Arwen, and yes there are a lot of H/A fics starting at the moment, but that's great. (I can't get enough of Hector and Andromache ) )
Also I mention Podes, Andromache's brother in this chapter because he is the only named brother of Andromache's in the Iliad, and I needed to mention one of her brothers, so I used him :) And I also couldn't find Andromache's mothers name, so I just decided to use the name Sofia.
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Slowly Andromache rode back to the palace, not caring how angry her parent's would undoubtedly be with her because she had not been there to welcome Prince Hector. She presumed they didn't even know that she had left the palace.
Glistening tears escaped from Andromache's eyes as she entered the stables, she hurriedly wiped the droplets away and allowed a young stable boy to help her off Alexandros. Everyone who worked at the stables knew that Andromache rode without an escort, but none of them revealed her secret as she was a kind and gentle Princess towards them all.
Andromache silently entered the entrance hall to the palace and saw her mother standing by her father, King Eetion, and her seven older brothers, some with their wife's.
The king was talking happily to two men; one of the men was Prince Hector whom Andromache had seen earlier. For the first time she was struck by his handsome appearance. He had light brown hair and chocolate coloured eyes accompanied with very light, tanned skin. As Andromache lowered her eyes to examine him more, she noticed that he had a few battle scars on his arms. She had heard that Prince Hector was twenty-six years old, but he seemed almost older, not in appearance, but how he presented himself.
The man or boy rather, beside him, was almost the complete opposite in how he presented himself. He wore a devilish grin that spread widely across his face as he listened attentively to King Eetion's stories of being arranged in marriage. The boy looked no older than seventeen and had silky, brown locks and light brown eyes. When she looked at him she was reminded of her brother Podes, he also wore a mischievous grin at times, especially after he had crept into Andromache's chambers and stolen her perfume so he could give it to a young maiden he was lusting after.
King Eetion, upon hearing Andromache cough slightly, turned to look at her. He bit his lip tightly for a moment when he saw her, and clenched more tightly onto his lips when he saw that she was wearing a cloak, which signaled that she had been out of the palace. After a moment he glided over to Andromache and ushered her over to the Trojan men.
"Prince Hector," said Eetion happily, "please allow me to introduce my daughter … Princess Andromache."
Andromache curtsied and blushed slightly; she had never felt so ridiculous. She then pulled down the hood off her head and revealed her crown. She watched with grim satisfaction as shock flashed across Hector's face.
Hector gasped slightly but quickly composed himself. Not only did he recognise Andromache, but he was also astounded by her beauty.
He had never seen a woman more beautiful than she, in his own eyes, and never would. Long, brown hair swept down her back, with gold clips pinned into her hair at the sides to keep it out of her clear blue eyes. A dark blue robe flowed down her body, accentuating her stunning curves. Hector looked up to her face once more and tried to read her expression, but she wore none. Instead he turned to read her eyes and saw heartache and bitterness glaring back at him, the latter presumably towards him. At that moment Hector only wished to withdraw the pain from within her, it tore at his heart to see such a beautiful creature in so much hidden pain.
Hector stepped forward and kissed Andromache's left hand, then without being seen by anyone other than Andromache, she saw him mouth to her: "I'm sorry."
Andromache slowly allowed her arm to fall down by her side once more and tried to ignore the odd tinkling feeling on her hand, where she had been kissed.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Princess Andromache," said Hector, releasing a gentle smile.
"The pleasure is mine Prince Hector," said Andromache, speaking words she had been informed to say the day before in the event that Hector spoke the words he just had.
King Eetion and his wife, Queen Sofia, smiled happily. Neither one of them could have wished for a better husband for their only daughter.
"Now, please allow me to introduce my younger brother: Paris," said Hector and gestured to the boy who stood next to him.
"Princess Andromache," greeted Paris and gently kissed Andromache's right hand and smiled cheekily.
"It's an honor to meet you, Prince Paris," said Andromache and succeeded in concealing a smile.
"Andromache, would you please show the Princes to their chambers?" asked Andromache's mother, Queen Sofia.
Andromache's jaw clenched tightly, she had forgotten that it was proper for the bride to show her betrothed to his chambers. She was scared of being alone with the Princes, especially Hector. It felt like everything was passing by her too quickly, she had hardly spoken to Prince Hector, yet she would be leaving with him in a few days, never to see her family again.
"Of course, mother," said Andromache stiffly and turned to look at Hector and Paris, "please follow me."
Andromache briskly led the way out of the entrance hall and down many corridors without speaking a word; she strode ahead of the two Princes to avoid conversation with either of them.
"Were you the beautiful goddess we passed on the way to the palace?" Paris asked, and had to leap a step away from his brother to avoid being hit.
Andromache blushed heavily, she had heard of Paris' effect on women, especially on young maidens, but had not thought he would direct her charm towards her. "I don't know about being a beautiful goddess, but yes … I was the maiden you passed by."
"Well then on behalf of my brother and I," said Paris, "I wish to apologise for that imbecile who ordered you off the road."
Andromache laughed inwardly. "Thank you Prince Paris, but it was nothing unusual. Women and maidens are used to being ordered by other men."
Hector looked at Andromache's back, being unable to see her face as she continued to stride ahead of them. He was shocked by her boldness, but was also happily surprised by her spirited confidence as she spoke.
Paris grinned widely, growing to like Andromache more and more, and not only because of her beauty.
Andromache soon halted to a stop outside a patterned door in the guest halls. "These are you chambers, it was thought you would rather share so there are separate beds for you both."
"Thank you Princess Andromache," said Hector, smiling.
Andromache nodded and then hurried away to her own chambers.
