A/N: I didn't update with a chapter yesterday because I put up two chapters the day before, just in case you were wondering :)
Queen Arwen- Thank you for your review! I wasn't aware that Hector and Podes were friends either. I did some research on Andromache's family last week and read that her brother's were all killed by Achilles. But then I found a different page that does actually mention that Podes died in Troy etc., I really don't know which is right or wrong, unfortunately there is so little on Andromache's family.
Donna Lynn- I didn't read anywhere that it was proper etiquette for the Princess to escort the Prince to his chambers, I just used it to finish up the chapter, so I'm probably wrong :) Thank you for your review, I really appreciate it and I'm glad you liked the fourth chapter :)
Kitera-n-Lil- Wow! Thank you so much for your review, that was very kind of you and I'm glad you like the story!! :)
Lady Hades- Thank you again for reviewing, I'm really happy that you like Andromache and Hector together, thanks :)
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The day had finally come for Andromache to leave with Hector and Paris for Troy. Andromache had not seen Hector often since the night they had rode together, because she had been busy packing her things, with the help of her mother.
Andromache had also not seen much of Xanthe, she presumed that Xanthe was with her father and she felt disgusted by it. She had barely been able to look at Xanthe on the morning after Andromache had seen her and her father kiss, but now she had calmed down and acted normally around Xanthe.
Andromache and her mother quickly packed away a few remaining items in Andromache's room, they knew that Hector had wanted to leave early that day.
"I'll miss you," said Queen Sofia softly, as she folded the violet peplos Andromache had worn on the night of the welcoming feast, and then started on folding another.
"I'll miss you too mother," said Andromache sadly and stopped gathering her jewelry to look at her mother. Over the last few days Andromache had felt like crying every time she had seen a member of her family, she had came to accept that she really would be leaving for Troy, and that this wasn't all a bad dream that she could awake from.
Queen Sofia could feel her daughter's eyes upon her and so stopped folding Andromache's clothes and rushed up to her, enveloping her in a strong embrace. At this Andromache burst into tears and clung onto her mother tightly, never wishing to let go.
"I can't do this mother," cried Andromache, "I don't want to leave you."
"Hush," soothed Queen Sofia and gently stroked Andromache's hair. "You'll be fine my dear, you'll be fine."
Andromache buried her face in her mother's arms and jumped slightly when there was a soft knock on her door. Andromache shook her head and more tears came gushing out. "I'm not ready to go!"
"Come in," shouted Queen Sofia and watched as Xanthe walked into the room.
"Prince Hector wishes to leave now, my queen," said Xanthe, and then bowed before Queen Sofia and Andromache before leaving.
"I can't go," sobbed Andromache, "tell Hector that I don't want to go."
Queen Sofia released a few tears and then wiped away her daughters. "Be brave my darling, please be brave."
Andromache nodded; she knew that her mother was trying hard not to cry also. Queen Sofia called for Xanthe and ordered for the rest of Andromache's clothes to be taken to the ship. Then the Queen took Andromache by her hand and led her to the palace docks, where the rest of Andromache's family would be to say goodbye.
King Eetion stood talking to Hector when Andromache and her mother finally arrived at the docks.
"Ah, at last Andromache," said the King when he saw his daughter. He hurried to her and embraced her in a gentle hug.
Even though her father had many faults, Andromache still loved him and clung onto him tightly, succeeding in locking away her tears. Then it was time for Andromache to say goodbye to each of her brothers and their wife's, she did so quickly as she could feel tears beginning to gather in her eyes. Once more Andromache said goodbye to her mother, and listened to the words of comfort she whispered in her ear.
"Are you ready?" asked Hector, patiently. He finally realised the pain Andromache was feeling, he could never imagine having to leave his family and country behind in exchange for a new one. Hector could also see that although Andromache didn't want to leave, that she wanted to be on the ship quickly so she could surrender to the tears that were springing up in her eyes, and that she didn't wish to cry in front of her relatives.
Andromache nodded silently and allowed Hector to take her arm and lead her to the ship, where Paris, Xanthe and the rest of the men were waiting. Andromache turned to look at her family once more and smiled sadly, once she had turned her head back around she suddenly submitted defeat to her tears which began to gush down her pale face.
Hector noticed and placed his hand over Andromache's and held it kindly, there were no words of comfort that he could ever speak to remove this pain. Hector helped Andromache onto the ship and stood by her side and waved goodbye to her family, as did she.
"Would you like me to show you to your quarters?" asked Hector, lightly.
Andromache shook her head. "I wish to stay here."
Hector nodded and called her handmaiden to watch over her while he talked to the captain of the ship. He saw that as soon as he had left, and Xanthe had come to comfort Andromache, that she burst into tears on Xanthe's shoulder. Hector felt a hand clench around his heart. I should be the one comforting her, thought Hector.
Paris had wisely fled to his own quarters, as much as he loved women, he could not bear to see them cry. Women crying put him on edge, which was a feeling he didn't like.
"It's ok Andromache," said Xanthe and brushed the hair out of Andromache's eyes.
"Please," mumbled Andromache, "please leave me Xanthe."
Xanthe nodded, leaving Andromache to her grief, and went to Andromache's quarters to prepare her bed in case the Princess felt the need to rest.
For hours Andromache stood there and looked out to the sea, the gigantic sea which she had wished to sail across for years, but had never wished to cross it while leaving her family behind. Now no tears trickled from Andromache's eyes, her eyes were perfectly dry but were instead filled with the feeling of pain. Numerous amounts of times Hector had watched Andromache at the other end of the ship, he knew she wished to be alone and so decided to leave her.
Paris, getting restless in his own quarters, stepped onto the deck and looked at Andromache, a wave of pity spreading across his face. He didn't dare to approach her, so instead walked to his brother, at the other end of the ship.
"How is she?" asked Paris, concerned.
Hector didn't need to ask Paris of whom he spoke. "I don't know, she wishes to be alone. She has stopped crying, however, but still continues to look out to the sea, as if she expects to still see Thebe."
Paris nodded and sighed heavily. "Has she eaten anything?"
Hector shook his head. "Xanthe, her handmaiden, took some food to her earlier but Andromache refused to eat it."
"Why don't you go and offer her some food now?" suggested Paris.
"Very well," answered Hector and collected some chilled fruit from the storage room, to take to Andromache.
"I brought you some fruit," said Hector. "May I eat with you or would you rather eat alone?"
"You may eat with me," replied Andromache.
Hector began to eat some fruit, still standing next to Andromache. He offered her a rather juicy plum, which she accepted but didn't eat, instead she held it in her hand, clenching tightly on it.
"It'll be getting dark soon," said Hector, once he had finished a red apple, "would you like to go to your quarters? It must have been a tiring day for you."
Andromache simply nodded and Hector led the way to her quarters, below the deck.
"This is your room," said Hector, opened the door and stepped into it. "Would you like me to leave some food here for you?"
"No thank you," said Andromache.
"Well if you want some food then you only need to ask your handmaiden to find me and I'll be happy to gather some for you," said Hector.
"I'll be fine … thank you Hector," said Andromache.
Hector nodded and left Andromache in her room.
As soon as Andromache was left in the room, she suddenly burst out into tears, but was unaware that Hector listened to her for a moment, from outside the door, before heading to his own quarters. He didn't know how to comfort her, so thought it best for her to be left alone.