A/N: I decided to call Hector's horse Helenus, mainly because I couldn't think of any other name, but I know that Helenus was a son of Priam (he eventually married Andromache). Anyway, I just wanted to add that in case anyone wondered.
Thank you for the reviews! I'm sorry that chapter 12 wasn't viewable to you TroyLives4Ever, hopefully it will be now.
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Hector awoke later than usual, he was naturally an early riser, and saw that Andromache still lay on his chest. She looked so peaceful while she slept. He smiled upon remembering making love to his wife; it now felt so natural to call Andromache his wife … his love.
Usually Hector would rise early and tend to his horses before breakfast, but he looked down at Andromache and decided to remain in bed, and savor this moment.
After an hour or so, Andromache began to wake. She groaned quietly, because the sun was shinning into the chamber and directly into her eyes. She looked up at Hector's face and smiled.
"Good morning, my love," said Hector and kissed Andromache, softly.
"Good morning," beamed Andromache. She suddenly realised that she and Hector were both naked, and she blushed slightly, but then she remembered the previous night and the blush faded. Andromache was now a woman, and a wife, therefore felt no need in blushing at such a fact.
"What would you like for breakfast?" asked Hector, and then stepped out of the bed and quickly dressed in a simple blue robe. Andromache grinned as she watched him; she couldn't help but again remember making love with her husband.
Now all doubt had faded from Andromache's mind, the wedding night had been spectacular, just like Paris had told her, and she couldn't dream of being with any other man but Hector.
"Must we have food now?" smirked Andromache. "It's barely morning."
Hector laughed and walked over to Andromache and kissed her passionately. "What else would you like to do?" They both knew what each other thought, so they made love, once more.
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It wasn't until noon that Hector and Andromache finally emerged from their chambers, looking slightly flushed. Hector went to the stables, he asked Andromache to join him and she happily accepted.
As they made their way to the stables, they both suddenly spotted Paris, who was unaware of his brother and sister-in-law, and that he was with a temple maid. Hector sighed and steered Andromache down another hall, also leading to the stables, so they wouldn't have to go by Paris.
"I doubt he'll ever grow up," Hector sighed.
"I think he will," said Andromache, confidently. "Paris is still young; he'll grow when he's ready."
"You like Paris, don't you?" said Hector and smiled. He knew it was hard to dislike Paris.
"Of course," replied Andromache. "He reminds me of my brother, Podes. Paris may have faults, but we all do."
Hector nodded in agreement. "What is one of your faults?"
"I tend to worry too much," said Andromache, after taking a moment to ponder over Hector's question. "What is one of your faults?"
"I can be very stubborn," said Hector.
"I'm sure I'll notice that trait soon," grinned Andromache, and Hector laughed.
They eventually arrived at the stables, Andromache waited while Hector brought the horses from their stalls.
"You don't have a horse of your own here, yet," said Hector, as he brought Hermione out of her stall, "and seeing as you and Hermione bonded so well when you last rode her, I thought you'd like to have her."
"Oh Hector, thank you!" cried Andromache, happily. She then kissed her husband softly before mounting her new horse. Hector then collected another horse that his wife hadn't seen before, although that was to be expected as there were so many stalls with horses in them.
"This is Helenus," said Hector, and patted the horse he had brought out. Helenus was a gorgeous horse; he was completely black and was untouched by scars. Hector mounted his horse and turned to Andromache. "Where would you like to go?"
"The beach?" suggested Andromache; she knew no other place in Troy at the present time. She would always associate the beach with Hector and herself because that was where they had declared their love for one another.
"An excellent choice," said Hector.
Hector and Andromache left the stables and the walls of Troy. They galloped across the plain and reached their destination quickly. After dismounting their horses, they lay on the sand together.
"Do you know how to swim?" asked Hector.
Andromache nodded. "Yes, my brothers taught me how."
"Would you like to swim now?" asked Hector, and grinned widely.
"Now?" repeated Andromache and lifted her head off her husband's chest, so she could look at him. "Hector it isn't proper, not here at least. If anyone were to come-,"
"If anyone saw us," interrupted Hector, "then all they would see is two people swimming."
"We aren't wearing the correct attire," said Andromache, she didn't wish to be caught swimming, which was considered improper to some people, especially when she had only recently arrived in Troy.
"We are wearing simple robes," said Hector, and then smiled cheekily, "you don't have to wear your robe…"
"Hector!" gasped Andromache, but then laughed.
Hector stood onto his feet and then helped Andromache onto hers. He picked Andromache up into his arms and carried her to the water, only then did he put her down.
Andromache was expecting the water to be freezing cold, the weather wasn't as hot today as it had been on the previous days, but it was fairly warm which contented her. Hector swam over to his wife and wrapped his arms around her waist. She rested her head on his chest and they swayed together with the gentle motion of the sea.
"If I had been told, years ago, that I'd marry a handsome Prince in Troy," said Andromache, "I'd never have believed them."
"If I were told I was going to marry a beautiful Princess from Thebe," smirked Hector, "I wouldn't have believed them."
"Do you think our families knew we would be happy?" asked Andromache, curiously.
"I do," said Hector, and remembered what Paris had told him a few days ago. "My family certainly did, and I'm sure your family did also. Your family wouldn't have parted with you if they knew you wouldn't be happy."
Andromache nodded. "I miss my family, especially my mother. I wish I could see them and tell them how much they mean to me. They were all dear to me, but being apart from them as shown me how dear they were."
"I wish you could see your family too," said Hector, "and if I could take you then I would."
"I know you would Hector," said Andromache and kissed her husband, "but such a voyage is impractical. Many other women have been parted from their families and managed, I will also, especially as I'm married to a wonderful man that I love."
Hector smiled and kissed Andromache.
As the afternoon drew on, the water became colder. Hector and Andromache returned to the sand, and sat on the there while they waited for their robes to dry before returning to the palace.
"Do you often spend time away from Troy, to fight?" asked Andromache.
"The time varies, but yes I'm often away fighting," replied Hector. "However, over recent years I've spent less time away, so hopefully that will continue."
"Do you know when you'll leave again?" asked Andromache, she was slightly saddened at the thought of Hector leaving, especially at the thought of him leaving to go to battle.
Hector shook his head. "I rarely know in advance, but if I ever have to fight away from Troy, you'll be the first to know."
"Thank you," said Andromache, and then cuddled up next to her husband. "Do you think war will ever come to Troy?"
"I hope not," sighed Hector, "but I don't know if war will come to Troy, only time will tell."
Andromache nodded in agreement. "I often heard my brothers talk of battle, they'd always stop when they saw me listening, they thought my ears were too delicate to hear such things."
"Your ears are too delicate," said Hector, "no woman should listen to tales of war. It's getting cold now, lets return to the palace." Hector then stood on his feet, and helped Andromache onto her own. They mounted their horses and returned to the palace.
When they entered their chamber, they saw that a loom had been brought into the room, as well as the rest of Andromache's things. She sighed happily. I'll be very happy here, she thought.