A/N: Thank you for the positive reviews, especially after the last chapter, I was worried about it because I thought I might be writing Hector and Andromache being in love too soon, but I think it was the right decision, so thanks for the reviews!
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Hector and Andromache lay on the sand together; he gently stroked Andromache's hair and looked out to the sea and she rested her head on his chest.
They had laid there for hours, barely taking, instead they breathed in the late afternoon air and watched as the sun set beyond the sea. Neither of them could remember a time when they had felt such peace with the world, so incredibly content and relaxed.
Andromache looked up to Hector and grinned when she saw him, because she remembered the moment when he expressed his love for her. Never would she forget that moment, she would cherish it in her heart until the day she died.
"What?" asked Hector, and laughed when he saw Andromache's expression.
"I love you so much," said Andromache and planted a kiss on Hector's lips.
Hector took Andromache's face in his strong hands and looked deep within her eyes. It astounded him that she was so beautiful, so perfect. "And I love you."
Andromache rested her head on Hector's chest once more. "I feel like this is all a dream and in a few moments I will wake."
"Then we should make this dream one to remember!" smirked Hector and kissed Andromache.
Andromache laughed and ran her fingers along Hector's back as he pressed her against the sand. She then began to kiss him urgently, loving the taste of Hector's lips against her own. Hector groaned and kissed her repeatedly until darkness fell around them.
"We need to ride back," said Hector and withdrew his lips from Andromache's. He then helped her off her feet and they made their way to the horses.
Andromache managed to mount Hermione herself, without the help of Hector, because he tied a rope to her reins and then mounted his own horse. Hector held onto the robe, as well as his own reins as he rode his horse, he wished to have Andromache close to him as they rode in the dark to the palace.
They finally arrived at the palace, Hector had insisted on trotting home, and he escorted Andromache to the women's chambers. Andromache didn't know her way around the palace, so Hector had said he would show her tomorrow.
"Goodnight, my love," said Hector and kissed Andromache goodnight.
"Must we say goodnight?" asked Andromache, she wasn't ready to sleep.
Hector smiled and stroked Andromache's arm, lovingly. "Are you hungry?"
Andromache hadn't thought about food since breakfast, when she had last eaten. She now realised how hungry she was. "Yes."
Hector laughed and took Andromache's arms. "Well then, my dear Princess, let us go to the kitchens so we can cure your hunger."
Andromache laid her head on Hector's arms while he led her to the kitchens. They were turning around another corner; Andromache had lost count of the amount of corners they had turned, when they knocked into Paris.
"Why are you both looking so pleased?" he asked, curious as to why they both wore cheerful expressions.
"None of your business Paris," said Hector and began walking again.
"Very well," replied Paris, slightly annoyed and began walking in the opposite direction.
Hector continued to lead Andromache to the kitchens, and eventually they reached their destination.
"Here we are," he said and opened the door to the kitchen.
The kitchen was almost exactly like the royal kitchen in Thebe, except items were arranged differently and it was slightly larger. Hector began opening cupboards, looking for something to satisfy his appetite.
"What would you like?" asked Hector, and continued to rifle through the cupboards.
"A kiss," Andromache smirked, and immediately blushed. She had never been so bold in all of her life.
Hector laughed, ending his search for food and striding over to Andromache, were he kissed her passionately.
The door slowly creaked open, Andromache and Hector jumped with fright, but relaxed slightly when they saw who it was … it was Paris.
"By the gods!" cried Paris, grinning from ear to ear. He had followed Andromache and Hector to the kitchens to see what they were doing. "Can neither of you wait until you're married?"
"Paris!" grumbled Hector, and withdrew his arms from around Andromache to usher Paris out of the room.
"Goodnight Andromache," called Paris as he was pushed out of the room.
"Goodnight Paris," laughed Andromache, she was always reminded of her brother Podes when she saw him.
"Where was I?" smirked Hector, and grinned cheekily as he wrapped his arms around Andromache.
"I think you were about to find some food," said Andromache, and concealed a grin.
Hector nodded and soon found some food for them both, by raiding the kitchen cupboards and taking some bread and meat from them. They ate in silence and once they had finished, Hector once again escorted Andromache to the women's quarters before returning to his own chamber.
The heart within Hector nearly leapt out of place when he saw a figure moving in his darkened room. He leant over by the door to withdraw his sword, but it wasn't there.
"Looking for this?" asked a voice and lit the wood in the room to give off light.
Hector strode over to the person. "Paris! Why do you insist on tormenting me tonight?" He then held out his hand to receive his sword, Paris willingly returned it to him and Hector placed it by his bed.
"I'm bored," said Paris, simply. "It's too hot to go into the town in search of women, so I thought I would entertain myself by bothering you."
"Oh Paris!" sighed Hector. "You're nearly eighteen, begin acting your age!"
"No thank you," scowled Paris. "You and Andromache seem to be getting along very well."
"We are," Hector grinned.
"And why is that?" asked Paris.
Hector pondered over Paris' question before answering, he decided to answer truthfully. "Andromache and I love one another."
Paris nearly choked on the saliva he had gathered in his mouth, but then his shocked expression rapidly transformed into a smile. "I'm happy for you both, we all knew it would happen, although not this quickly."
"Who is we?" asked Hector, curiously, and looked up from arranging his robes, to look at his brother.
"Mother, father, Polyxena, me and of course Cassandra … but she claims to know everything," answered Paris. "We could see the bond between you and Andromache, you just needed to see it yourselves."
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Andromache stood out on the balcony, dressed in her night robe, and looked out to the sea. Her mind was filled with thoughts of Hector dashing through her mind, so she wasn't able to sleep. The wind breathed cool air onto her face and she sighed happily. Eventually the thoughts in her mind calmed down and she was able to return to her bed, where she slept perfectly.
"Andromache."
Andromache stirred slightly and slowly awoke from her slumber. She was startled to see Xanthe peering over her, and that it was already morning. "What's wrong?"
"Queen Hecuba wishes to have breakfast with you," said Xanthe. "I need to prepare you quickly; she will be expecting you soon."
"Why does she wish to have breakfast with me?" Andromache yawned, and stepped out of her bed and walked over to the chair and mirror, where Xanthe began to tidy Andromache's hair.
"I think she wants to discuss the wedding preparations with you," answered Xanthe, "I think that's what Prince Hector told me."
"Hector was here?" asked Andromache and looked up to Xanthe.
"Well he sent another handmaiden to collect me," said Xanthe, "and he waited outside the women's quarters for me. I don't think he wished to disturb you. I also heard, but by Prince Paris, that you both confessed your love for one another yesterday."
Andromache gasped quietly, but then laughed. "How does Paris know?"
"I didn't ask," replied Xanthe, while she pinned the few remaining curls of Andromache's hair into place.
Xanthe quickly finished Andromache's hair and then helped her into a light blue peplos. Once she had completed her task, she stepped backwards and looked at Andromache, and smiled. "You look fantastic!"
"Thank you Xanthe," said Andromache. "Where will the Queen be?"
"I believe Prince Hector said she would be in her chambers," replied Xanthe. "I'm to escort you there; I know the way because I was shown around the palace yesterday."
Andromache nodded and followed as Xanthe led her out of the women's quarters and down numerous hallways before she halted outside a highly decorated door.
"This is Queen Hecuba's room," said Xanthe, and said goodbye to Andromache before leaving.
Andromache knocked on the door and was instructed to enter. She slowly walked into the room, closing the door quietly behind her. As she stepped deeper into the room, she saw Hecuba already sitting at a table that was filled with food. Hecuba gestured for Andromache to sit down.
"I've no need to ask why you're so happy," said Hecuba, and smiled kindly.
Andromache blushed heavily, and sat down opposite the Queen.
"There's no need to be embarrassed my child," said Hecuba. "I remember when Priam professed his love for me; I couldn't stop smiling for days."
"I just want to laugh every time I recall how Hector told me," said Andromache and laughed. "Your son is a wonderful man."
"Thank you Andromache," said Hecuba and patted Andromache's hand. "I'm very happy that you're marrying Hector."
"I am also," said Andromache, "I couldn't have imagined a better man."
"I thought the same way when I married Priam," said Hecuba. "Well, let us eat this splendid food and then we can discuss the wedding."
They ate in silence, and only once they had finished, Hecuba turned their talk to the wedding.
"In five days you will marry," said Hecuba, "and tomorrow we'll begin making your wedding gown. The wedding gown doesn't usually take too long to make, so it should be completed two days before your wedding."
"Thank you," said Andromache.
Hecuba nodded. "Are you nervous about the wedding night?"
Andromache was silent for a moment while she pondered Hecuba's question. The wedding night hadn't even crossed her mind since she had arrived in Troy, but now that she did think of it, she suddenly grew nervous. "I hadn't thought about it, but now that I do … well yes, I'm terribly nervous."
Hecuba again patted Andromache's hand. "It'll be alright dear. I was so nervous; I was on the verge of tears all day. Hector is a good man Andromache, he'll be gentle."
Andromache nodded slowly, she knew what Hecuba said was true, but nerves still raced around her body. "Of course he will, but I don't know what to do … how will I know?" She felt so panicked that she didn't care how foolish she might appear to her future mother-in-law.
"Hector knows what to do as he's been with other women," said Hecuba, but then immediately wished to retract her words. "I'm sorry Andromache, I said that wrongly."
"No," said Andromache, her mind filling with even more thoughts, "of course Hector has been with other … other women, he'll know what to do."
"Andromache," said Hecuba, sadly, "he may have been with other women, all men have, but he has never loved another woman, never."
Andromache again nodded, knowing that he hadn't loved another woman before was of some comfort to her, but it still didn't remove the flow of thoughts gushing through her mind. She tried to imagine Hector ever being with another woman, ever having kissed another woman and suddenly grew nauseous.
"My Queen, if that's all then may I please retire to my chamber?" asked Andromache, she knew she was overacting, but she could feel sickness swimming up her throat and needed to leave.
"Of course," said Hecuba and stood up to escort her to the door, she was slightly worried because Andromache had suddenly turned very pale.
Andromache fled from the room, running down various hallways, not knowing where she was going. She saw the gardens and knew that by crossing them, she could somehow find her way to the women's quarters.
"Andromache!" yelled Paris, who was walking around the gardens and happened to see his future sister-in-law.
Hearing her name being called, Andromache suddenly stopped running and turned to see Paris, not too far away. She vigorously shook her head, knowing that if she opened her mouth, sickness would flood out.
"Andromache, what's wrong?" asked Paris and walked up to her.
She couldn't contain it any longer, Andromache opened her mouth and sick came gushing out.
Paris quickly darted a step away to avoid being plastered with sick. He then dashed to Andromache's side and pulled a few strands of loose hair from her eyes, and began rubbing her back in gentle motions.
Andromache then straightened her back, and realised tears were slowly trickling down her face. She looked to the sick on the floor and groaned heavily, and then she noticed Paris and smiled gently towards him.
"Thank you," she said, "for comforting me instead of fleeing at the sight of vomit."
"It was nothing," replied Paris, casually and eyed the sick on the ground, "don't worry, I'll call someone to clear this up."
"No," moaned Andromache, "I'll clean it; I was the one who caused it."
Paris laughed. "Oh Andromache, you poor thing, were you never taught to use servants at all times?"
Andromache scowled at Paris, but knew he was merely teasing her.
"Now, I'll escort you to the women's quarters where you can rest in your chamber," said Paris and took Andromache's hand, "and you can tell me, on the way, why you insisted on vomiting in Troy's royal gardens."
Andromache nodded, allowing Paris to take her hand. They made their way into the palace, after Paris instructed for a servant to clean the sick in the gardens.
"So, why were you sick?" inquired Paris, as they walked to the women's quarters.
"I succumbed to nerves," answered Andromache, a ferocious headache brewing in her head.
"What nerves?" asked Paris, curiously.
"Nerves about the wedding night," murmured Andromache, she didn't have enough energy to think of another reason to feed Paris, so told him the truth.
"Ah," said Paris, suddenly understanding perfectly. "You've nothing to worry about; Hector is a kind man and will treat you well."
"I know he will," sighed Andromache, "but still … I can't help but feel nervous, what if I'm not what he's used to?"
Paris groaned inwardly, he had never expected having this type of conversion when he greeted Andromache, but she was a dear friend to him and so decided to aid her with some wisdom he had gained after bedding many women. "Hector loves you; he's never loved another woman and doesn't bed different women every night, he isn't like me. Making love is different for everyone, I've been with countless amounts of women and it was always different. Hector loves you; you love him so your wedding night will be spectacular."