Four weeks had passed since Hector and Paris had left Troy for the East, it seemed like an eternity for Andromache. They had still not returned, which caused fear to arise in the stomachs of those dear to the two Princes and crewmen.
Andromache turned away from looking out of the balcony in her chamber; she had watched the sun rise and watched as the merchants of Troy prepared their stalls in the distant marketplace. For the last week Andromache had risen early and watched the sea for hours, hoping the ship bearing Hector would be caught in her sight.
Polyxena lay on Andromache's bed, sleep still consumed her. For the past few weeks since Andromache had seen Polyxena being kissed by Nickolas, Polyxena had slept in Andromache's chamber. Andromache didn't mind, she enjoyed Polyxena's company and it kept her mind occupied with thoughts other than Hector and why his return to Troy was delayed.
Only a few days after Andromache had seen Polyxena with Nickolas, Polyxena went to Nickolas and broke any attachment they had. Polyxena had spent an entire day with Nickolas; both had left the walls of Troy and rode to a lake they loved. Both had known that they would never be together, they hated their situations in life because of it but nothing could be done about it now. The gods had awarded them such stations in life, or so they thought, and they would not curse them because of it.
Polyxena had made love to Nickolas on the last day she spent with him, she wished to be taken from the path of maidens by a man she truly loved, not some man she would be ordered to marry. She had decided to tell Andromache this; being so heartbroken she wished to confide in someone and only trusted Andromache.
At first Andromache was shocked, she feared that Priam would somehow find out and have Nickolas killed, but Polyxena reassured her that no one would ever know. Andromache admired Polyxena for it, she knew how much she loved Nickolas and this would be an ending to their love, the only ending possible.
Sadness still swept through Polyxena though; night after night she would lie awake and cry. She hated being parted from the man she loved, she had even raced to her father's chamber one afternoon because she wished to confess all to him and persuade him to allow her to marry Nickolas, but Andromache managed to hold her back. Andromache knew, as well as Polyxena, that if Priam ever found out about Polyxena's relationship with Nickolas, then he would be killed and her reputation would be torn apart.
Polyxena stirred and her eyes slowly opened, she looked around the chamber and smiled when she saw Andromache walking towards her. Andromache had been a great comfort to Polyxena; she would always lay awake with Polyxena and comfort her while she cried. It had been Andromache's suggestion for Polyxena to stay in her chamber with her; Andromache knew that Polyxena needed her more now than ever.
"I will need to leave this chamber soon," said Polyxena and sat up. "Hector will soon return and he'll not want me here."
"You are welcome to remain her for as long as you like," said Andromache, "Hector would not mind."
Polyxena laughed at the thought, both she and Andromache knew that he would mind, but it was always enjoyable to tease Hector. "Where would I sleep?"
"You may sleep on this bed with me," smirked Andromache, "and Hector may sleep in a chair."
Both women laughed, but Polyxena soon controlled her laughter and spoke: "No, I must return to my chamber, if I don't go now then I never will. I must learn to live with this pain, it will never ease, there's no such remedy." She bowed her head and looked down to her hands.
Andromache gazed at her friend, turning her head slightly. She had understood Polyxena's words so perfectly, she knew there was no remedy for a broken heart and she wished she would feel the pain her friend did now.
Polyxena embraced her friend and then stood up off the bed. She pulled a cloak around her before speaking: "Thank you Andromache, you've been a great friend to me."
"You're welcome," said Andromache, and smiled sadly. She watched as Polyxena left the room and returned to her own chamber.
As the day was still young, Andromache dressed and decided to ride Hermione. She knew that there was a slight chance she could see Nickolas, but he had no reason to speak with her as she assumed he wasn't aware that she knew about Polyxena and himself.
Andromache quickly walked to the stables, she was surprised that Hermione was already out of her stall and was being brushed by a dark haired man who had his back to Andromache so she couldn't see who he was. She slowly walked to Hermione's side and saw that it was Nickolas who groomed her horse.
Nickolas bowed before Andromache and greeted her formally, before returning to his task of grooming Hermione. He hummed soothingly to Hermione as he brushed her; he blushed slightly when he noticed that Andromache was still watching him intently.
"My Princess, is there anything you wish for?"
Andromache shook her head, still hypnotized by the mans gentle humming that rung in her ears, despite the fact that he had now stopped and had drawn his attention to her. She looked at the man; he was certainly an attractive man with dark brown hair and rich green eyes. For a moment Andromache stood and gazed at Nickolas, imagining what his and Polyxena's children could look like if they were to marry, they would certainly have been beautiful.
"I … I came to prepare Hermione for riding," stuttered Andromache.
Nickolas smiled and unhooked Hermione's reins from the wall he had hooked them in while he had groomed her, and then held them tightly within his hand. "I'll prepare her now if you'd like."
"That would be wonderful," said Andromache and smiled, "thank you."
Nickolas nodded and led Hermione over to her stall; he hooked her reins over a bar outside of it and then began to prepare her for riding. Andromache followed him and rested her back on the wall of Hermione's stall and watched Nickolas.
"How long have you worked at the palace stables?" Andromache asked.
"Since I was a boy," answered Nickolas and smiled at the memory of his first day of working at the stables, "I started when I was eight, so I've been working here for fourteen years."
"That is an awfully long time to be working here," said Andromache, "do you never tire of the same work each day?"
Nickolas grinned and looked at Andromache, he knew the answer to her question but knew it was too bold to reply with, instead he chose to answer more wisely: "I'm fortunate to work here, not many men have a stable income."
Andromache nodded, she was truly fortunate for being a Princess and married to a man she loved, not many women or Princess's had what she did.
"How is Polyxena?" asked Nickolas, suddenly. He bowed his head slightly but continued preparing Hermione.
Andromache's eyes widened, she didn't know how to reply to him and she hadn't expected him to ask her such a question. Silence followed Nickolas' question, Andromache could see his body had tensed during the silent moments that had passed, and she forced herself to reply: "Polyxena is … she is well. I know that she misses you, but knows it will hurt you both more if she were to come and see you."
"I wish I could see her again," said Nickolas, quietly. "I see short glimpses of her as she walks around the palace, but I'll never see more than that now." He finished preparing Hermione and turned to look at Andromache. "Do you think there is any chance that I may continue to see her secretly?"
"Of course there is," said Andromache, "but if you both decide to do that then it will only result in making things harder for you both." She paused before speaking again, knowing how sharply her words would sting Nickolas: "Polyxena is a Princess, she is nearing the age when she is expected to marry … if you both see one another in secret then it will make your parting all the more harder when she has to leave with her husband."
Nickolas bowed his head, and bit his lip; he slowly raised his head and gazed sadly at Andromache. "I must see her, she is everything to me."
Andromache walked over to Nickolas and held his hands within her own, to comfort him. "I know she is …-,"
The heavy sound of footsteps was heard behind Andromache; she released her hands from Nickolas' and smiled broadly when she saw her husband walking towards her. Andromache turned from Nickolas and raced to her husband, incredibly thankful to the gods that he had returned safely to her.
Hector wore a confused and somewhat angered expression; he had seen Andromache holding the hands of a stable hand, a man he recognised. He continued to walk to Andromache who was still jogging towards him.
As Andromache neared her husband, she saw the expression he wore. She halted and gazed at her husband for a second, then abruptly turned to look at Nickolas. It suddenly registered in Andromache's mind; she shook her head vigorously and sprinted to her husband.
"NO!" shouted Andromache and sprinted to her husband. "It's not what you think Hector!"
Hector pushed past Andromache, ignoring her panicked eyes. He walked over to Nickolas, who now looked like a petrified rabbit.
"What is going on Andromache?" asked Hector, his voice rising.
Andromache stepped in front of Nickolas, and faced her husband. "This man has lost the woman he loves, I was merely comforting him Hector."
Hector stepped forward, but Andromache stepped nearer to him which caused him to step back.
"Please Hector," said Andromache, her voice low and desperate, "forget this man, and let us return to our chamber."
Nickolas flashed his eyes across Andromache, and then looked at Hector. He no longer looked petrified, but still held an expression of nervousness. Nickolas, as well as the other people of Troy, grew to know Hector as the greatest warrior in all of Troy. Apollo himself protected Hector, or so young children were told. It was understandable for Nickolas to be tense when faced with Prince Hector.
Hector studied Nickolas carefully, his eyes stern and his appearance intimidating. He soon nodded and left with Andromache, who walked behind him while they walked to their chamber.
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A/N: I'm just going to carry on with this story, and have it with as many chapters as need be. If there comes a time when I reach a limit for the amount of chapters in this fic, then I'll need to do a sequel, but hopefully that won't happen.
Storm Dragoness – Thank you for the review, I'm really glad that you're enjoying this fic!
Kitera-n-Lil – There probably isn't a limit to the amount of chapters you can have, I just wanted to make sure but thanks for answering my question, and thank you for the review!
Donna Lynn – I put Hector in the chapter, lol! Thank you for the review, I'm going to keep Hector home in Troy now, he'll only leave it one more time.
Ms. Selly – Wow! You read the whole story in one sitting!? Gosh that must have taken some time, thank you for reading it! Thank you so much for your review, I'm really flattered, thanks!
Luke Skywalker – Thank you for the review, I really appreciate it!