The air was exceptionally warm as Andromache set off to the marketplace; she took the guard, who still remained outside her room, as her escort. She looked out to the sea and quickly turned away, Andromache didn't wish to be reminded of her troubles when she was out in public.
Andromache decided against wearing her crown, she didn't wish to attract unwanted attention today. She was dressed plainly, and glided through the marketplace, only stopping when she reached her favourite material and robe cart.
The man who worked at the cart, Troilus, smiled broadly when he saw his favourite customer, she was his favourite customer because he always managed to persuade her to purchase more than she intended. Andromache was well aware of this, but she didn't mind.
"Good morning Princess Andromache, you look magnificent as always," greeted Troilus. "How may I serve you on this glorious day?"
Andromache smirked; Troilus certainly had a way with words. "I'd like to buy a white robe."
"Would you like anything else Princess Andromache?" asked Troilus, and smiled sweetly.
"No thank you, Troilus," said Andromache, and smiled, "I don't wish to give my husband a fright by purchasing lots of robes while he's away."
"Oh yes," said Troilus, "I had forgotten that Prince Hector was away, he'll be returning to Troy shortly, won't he?"
"Yes," said Andromache, quietly.
Troilus folded the white robe and handed it to Andromache. "I hope Prince Hector returns safely, and that your family is well."
"Thank you," said Andromache. She left the cart after paying Troilus, and was about to walk back to the palace with her guard, when her eyes caught sight of a ship by the beach. Andromache could see that men were loading the ship with supplies.
Andromache turned to her guard. "Do you know where that ship is destined to?" She pointed to the ship by the beach.
"I believe it's returning to the south," answered the guard.
"The south," whispered Andromache, and she suddenly thought of Alexander. She knew that Alexander intended to return to the south, she presumed he would now be on that ship. Andromache felt a tug within to go to the ship and say goodbye to him, and she succumbed to her desire. "I'm going to the beach, I wish to say goodbye to someone."
Andromache's guard, Eresus, appeared slightly bewildered by her words but said nothing. He accompanied Andromache down to the beaches.
Alexander was there, he stood by the ship that would set sail for the south. Men and women were boarding the ship; Andromache knew it would soon be leaving. She watched Alexander as he looked out to the sea, obviously engrossed within his own thoughts. Andromache was saddened to see that he'd be leaving; she had felt a closeness towards him, something she could only understand now.
"Please remain here," said Andromache to her guard, then walked over to where Alexander stood, and spoke to him. "I hope Poseidon blesses your voyage."
Alexander smiled and turned to greet Andromache. He was grieved to be leaving Troy, and despite betraying the country, he still loved it. "How did you know I'd be leaving today?"
"I simply knew," replied Andromache, and smirked slightly. "I assume you'll not be returning to Troy again after this?"
"You assume correctly," said Alexander, and lowered his head for a moment but then composed himself and looked up to Andromache. "I don't think it'd be wise for me to return again."
Andromache nodded. "I suppose I should say goodbye to you then."
"You should," said Alexander, softly. He stepped nearer to Andromache and took her left hand in his own and kissed it gently. "Goodbye Andromache, it was an honour to have met you."
Andromache breathed in heavily. "Thank you; it was an honour to have met you also." She was silent for a moment, unable to form words with her mouth; she quickly gathered her wits and spoke once more. "Goodbye Alexander."
Alexander nodded politely and boarded the ship. Andromache swiftly turned her head away from the sea and marched up to her guard. She returned to the palace and hurried to her chamber, wishing to see no one.
Slowly, Andromache stepped out onto her balcony and saw the ship sailing away. She bowed her head and felt tears leak from her eyes and run down her cheeks. Andromache had felt no love for Alexander, she had only felt friendship, but she was grieved to see a dear friend leave.
Xanthe appeared by Andromache's side, she embraced her friend and walked with her into the chamber. Andromache sat down on her bed and watched as Xanthe poured some water for her, she hadn't even heard her handmaiden enter the room.
"I saw that Alexander left today," said Xanthe, and watched her friend carefully.
Andromache's eyes widened slightly. "How did you know?"
"Prince Paris told me," answered Xanthe, and then handed the cup to Andromache, who sipped it slowly. "Don't worry, no one else knows what happened but he wished for me to know so I could comfort you if need be."
"Comfort me?" asked Andromache, deeply confused.
"Prince Paris thought you'd be distressed," said Xanthe. "He only worries about you."
Andromache said nothing, but was comforted by Paris' actions.
"Did you love Alexander?" asked Xanthe, suddenly. She had no feeling of fear to ask Andromache such bold questions.
Andromache laughed, weakly. "No, I never felt anything more for him other than friendship." She was silent for a moment, but then obtained courage to speak again. "I felt wanted by Alexander, I almost felt needed."
"Don't you feel such things from Prince Hector?" asked Xanthe, and sat beside her friend on the bed.
"I do not doubt that Hector loves me," replied Andromache, quietly, "but I feel like I don't deserve him. Hector is a Prince of Troy, the greatest warrior in Troy … he could have any woman he wished for."
"He has you," said Xanthe, "he has the woman he loves."
"Hector never chose me," said Andromache, and laughed at herself, "I know it sounds childish, but Hector and I never chose one another. We were arranged in marriage and we've been fortunate to love one another … but is that enough? I don't feel needed by Hector the way I need him because he could have any woman he pleases, but me … all I have in this world is him and I fear losing him, or losing his love.
"I felt wanted by Alexander," continued Andromache, "because he chose me, he may have only chosen my friendship but at least he chose something of me. I fear that I'll never be good enough for Hector."
A knock was heard on Andromache's chamber door; she quickly wiped away her tears and breathed in heavily. She'd control her emotions. Xanthe answered the door and saw that Princess Cassandra stood outside of it.
"It's Princess Cassandra to see you Princess Andromache," said Xanthe, she knew to call Andromache by her full title in front of other members of royalty, excluding Paris and Hector.
Andromache stood up off the bed and walked over to the door. She greeted her sister-in-law and motioned for her to join her in the chamber. Xanthe curtsied in front of both Princesses before leaving the chamber, slowly shutting the door behind her.
Cassandra sat down at the table and Andromache did also, although her attention was drawn by the sea outside. Andromache quickly ripped her eyes away from the spectacular view and focused them on Cassandra.
"Hector will soon return," said Cassandra, having noticed Andromache's eyes gazing at the sea. "I think the journey to Thebe has been blessed for the army."
"You think or know?" asked Andromache, unable to contain herself. She was curious of Cassandra's ability to foresee events in the future.
Cassandra laughed, she had never been asked such a question. "I think. I'm not always blessed with visions from the future, only when deemed appropriate."
"By who?" asked Andromache.
"Apollo," answered Cassandra, and looked at Andromache oddly. "Surely you've heard the tales about me?"
"I've heard that you're a seer," replied Andromache, "but nothing more."
Cassandra was surprised, and took a moment before speaking. "I received the gift from Apollo; he wished to seduce me and offered me the gift of foresight, although I refused his sexual advances towards me. Ever since I was given the gift from Apollo, I've had visions, usually in my sleep."
"Do you know the fate of us all?" asked Andromache, remembering Polyxena's words.
Cassandra was silent for a few moments; she lowered her head and sighed heavily before raising it again. "I do, but don't ask me to reveal your future. Our destinies have already been made; all we can do is follow them."
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A/N: I had two different versions of this chapter, and I've been contemplating over which one to use. So I've gone with this one now. Thank you for the reviews! :)