As Andromache returned from the stables, she entered her chamber and saw that Hector was sitting on their bed, with his head bowed. Only when he heard her enter did he look up, he appeared to be more saddened than angry.

"Where have you been?" he asked.

"I went to the stables," said Andromache, remembering that the stable boy had seen her there. She took off her cloak and hung it over a nearby chair, then stood and waited for Hector to reply.

"Did you ride tonight?" asked Hector, stiffly.

Andromache thought carefully before answering, a part of her wished to prove Alexander wrong, and to tell her husband where she had been. "Yes."

"Alone I presume," said Hector, it wasn't a question.

"No," said Andromache, she couldn't lie to Hector and she didn't wish to.

"No?" said Hector, and stood up off his bed and walked to his wife. "Who were you with?"

"A friend of yours," said Andromache, slowly, "his name is Alexander. He came up to me while I was on the…-,"

Hector looked to his wife in disbelief. "You were with Alexander!?"

"Yes," said Andromache, startled by her husband's behaviour, "he told me is your friend … isn't he?"

"A friend?" cried Hector, and started to pace up and down the room. "He isn't … just stay away from him Andromache."

"Who is he?" asked Andromache.

Hector sighed and brushed a hand through his hair. "He, he was a friend of mine, but our friendship ended … when he betrayed Troy. While at war in the south, he sent word to the enemy of all our plans to attack, he was given money to turn traitor. As a result of him betraying Troy … my best friend Doryclus was killed."

"How did he escape death for betraying Troy?" asked Andromache, she was well aware that traitors to their home country would be sentenced to death.

"His father, who is a great friend of my father," said Hector, "managed to persuade him to pardon Alexander."

"I'm sorry Hector," said Andromache and embraced her husband, "I shouldn't have left, and if I hadn't then I'd never have met him."

"Did he hurt you?" asked Hector, suddenly.

"Hurt me?" said Andromache, slightly confused. "Why would he wish to hurt me?"

"He may wish to avenge himself on me, by hurting you," said Hector. "I was the one who told my father that Alexander had betrayed Troy. Alexander hated me for it." He was silent for a moment, but then spoke again. "I want you to stay inside the palace at all times, especially while I'm away. I'll have Xanthe be with you at all times and have our chamber guarded."

"Do you really think that necessary Hector?" asked Andromache.

"I do," said Hector. "Alexander has probably only come to Troy to see his father, but I'd rather you stay with someone at all times."

Andromache nodded, she understood what Hector had said, but she didn't believe that Alexander would hurt her.

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The few days before Hector was due to leave, passed by quickly. Andromache stayed in the confines of her chamber, worrying about her family. She had failed to convince her husband to allow her to go to Thebe.

Alexander hadn't shown himself, although Hector suspected that he was waiting until he had left. Hector had considered taking Andromache to Thebe with him, but a place of war wasn't where he wanted his wife to be. He knew that his family would look after Andromache, but he was still hesitant about leaving Troy. A guard would stay outside their chamber day and night, and Xanthe would stay with Andromache inside the chamber.

Andromache couldn't bear to say goodbye to her husband in public, she was too distraught and didn't wish to face the world outside of her chamber. She had managed to control her tears and hadn't allowed any to stain her cheeks on the morning of Hector's departure. Andromache would miss Hector, she was so accustomed to waking next to him each day that she couldn't believe him to be anywhere else, but with her.

Hector and Andromache said goodbye to one another in their chamber. Hector kissed his wife passionately before leaving. He made no promises that Thebe would be safe, even though his wife wished to hear them.

"I'll miss you," said Andromache sadly, and kept her tears locked away. She feared she would soon lose the battle to her tears.

"I'll miss you too, my love," said Hector and left their chamber, his armor shinning as it caught the sun.

Andromache stood out on her balcony and watched as Hector and the army rode from the walls of Troy, and then watched as they bordered the ships … and finally watched them sailing away. She only turned away when all she could see of Troy's army was mere specks on the sea.

Xanthe had come into Andromache and Hector's chamber as soon as Hector had left. She worked at the loom, but looked up to her friend regularly. She knew how troubled Andromache felt with her family in Thebe facing attack, and her husband sailing away to protect them.

"Xanthe," said Andromache and turned to face her handmaiden, "you may go now. I'll be fine."

"I was instructed to stay with you," said Xanthe and stopped her work, to look at Andromache.

"I'm instructing you to leave!" said Andromache, angrily. She had never spoken to Xanthe in such a manner, and she immediately felt guilt seep through her body. Andromache wished to be alone though, so she spoke no apologetic words.

Xanthe stood up from the loom and curtsied slightly before Andromache. "Very well, I'll do as you wish Princess Andromache."

Andromache shivered at the cold tone Xanthe had used towards her. She felt terrible in being so horrid to Xanthe, when she was only watching over her.

As soon as Xanthe had left, Andromache collapsed on her bed and burst into tears. She feared for her family in Thebe and for Hector. Stories of the mighty Achilles and his Myrmidons had floated around Thebe for years. Achilles was known for his skill in battle, he was said to be the greatest warrior in all of Greece.

Footsteps could be heard on Andromache's balcony. She looked up from burying her head in the bed's sheets and would have screamed if a hand had not covered her mouth. Her eyes widened with alarm when she was that it was Alexander.

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A/N: A slightly shorter chapter, mainly because I just wanted to leave it with Andromache seeing Alexander. Polyxena, and what's bothering her, won't appear for a couple more chapters (this may change).Also, questions about Hector going to Thebe etc. willall soon be answered in the nextfew chapters :)Thank you for taking the time to review, I really appreciate all the reviews :)