As Andromache swelled during the last few months of her pregnancy, she thought that Helen grew more beautiful each day, and more appealing, or so she thought, to the eyes of Hector. Although Andromache never had proof that Hector felt anything more for Helen than friendship, other than her paranoid thoughts. She knew that Hector would never betray her, but she also knew that lust sometimes concurred over love.
It seemed to Andromache that Helen grieved more for her daughter, now that Andromache was with child. It was as if each day Helen saw Andromache and her swelling stomach, it reminded her of the child she had left. Andromache was torn between pitying and hating Helen at the same time.
Nine months swiftly passed for Hector and Andromache. They both waited eagerly for the birth of their first child, Hector had even begun counting the days until the physician had predicted the child would be born. Andromache had taken to waddling through the palace, and despite the lack of food she had managed to gain more weight than was common during pregnancies since the war had started.
"You have a warrior in you," beamed Priam, when he saw Andromache enter the feast hall with Hector by her side. Priam had begun asking his children and friends to eat with him in the feast hall each night, and they all accepted.
Andromache succeeded in smiling politely, though she was doing the opposite inside. No, she thought determinedly, my child will never be a warrior. She had watched mothers weep while their sons burnt on the pyres, and was adamant to never be the mother of a warrior.
"The Gods have blessed us," said Hector and rubbed Andromache's stomach affectionately. He had taken to talking to his wife's stomach late into the night, speaking of anything and everything, and would laugh when Andromache told him to be quiet so she could sleep.
Hector spoke briefly to his father before walking with Andromache to their places in the hall. He gently helped his wife into her chair and only sat down in his own when he was certain she was comfortable.
The food was quickly brought out, and everyone noticed how little it was. Hector shoved his food onto Andromache's plate, wishing her to eat as much as possible for herself and their child.
"You must eat Hector!" insisted Andromache and began to return Hector's food to his own plate.
Hector shook his head distractedly, as he saw Paris and Helen enter the hall and that they were giggling madly. His eyes fixed on Paris's gleeful expression, and Hector clenched his knuckles together.
"What is it?" asked Andromache when she saw the sudden change in her husband's mood. She looked to what had caught Hector's attention and frowned, she knew what angered him.
It wasn't uncommon knowledge that there was resentment for Paris by Hector. Hector was visibly annoyed with Paris for bringing Helen here, and starting a war that threatened the entire existence of Troy.
Hector didn't reply to Andromache's words, he instead looked at those around him. He saw the people he knew laughing and talking happily with one another, behaving as if there wasn't a war outside Troy's walls. He hated having to fight each day; he despised the act of killing men more now than ever. Hector was proud to fight for his country, and always would be, but he wasn't proud to fight because his brother had stolen another man's wife.
Without saying anything, Hector rose from his chair quickly and stormed out of the room, attracting puzzled stares from those in the hall – including his father who looked up from talking to Hecuba.
"Hector!" called Priam and watched as Hector ignored him, and left the hall. Priam looked to Andromache for an explanation, but saw she was as confused as he.
Andromache slowly rose from her chair, she was beginning to feel tired and her back ached more than ever, and walked out of the room. Hector wasn't to be seen when she left the hall, and decided to return to their chamber as she presumed him to have gone there.
As Andromache walked through the hall by one of the royal gardens, the very one she and Hector had sat in when she had told him she was with child, she saw that her husband was there. She quickly walked to where he stood and gently brushed up beside him, following his gaze as he looked out across the city of Troy.
"They act as if innocent men are not dying each day," whispered Hector, speaking of the people in the feast hall. "I fight each day, not knowing when this war will end."
"They do know what happens outside Troy's walls," Andromache said gently, "but they choose to ignore it because it hurts them, they don't want to see the truth … not even when it's before their eyes."
Hector nodded in agreement and tore his eyes away from his beloved city and to his wife. He placed a hand on Andromache's stomach and sighed heavily. "I fear what will happen to you and our child, especially if this war carries on much longer."
There was nothing that Andromache could say because she feared for her child and Hector also. Every morning when she watched as Hector left their chamber, she would be surrounded by enormous fear which wouldn't fade until he had returned to her. On the rare occasions Andromache would watch her husband fight, she would grip onto the throne she sat on to restrain herself from running and protecting him.
"You mean more to me than anything or anyone ever will," said Hector suddenly, and took Andromache by her hands. "I love you more than anything in this world, and I always will."
Andromache then clung onto Hector and pressed her head on his chest, even though he was still wearing his breastplate. She felt a tear drip from her eye and down onto the breastplate, she stared at it for a few moments and imagined her life without Hector. Andromache quickly pushed the thought away and looked up to her husband.
"Never leave me Hector," she said quietly. She then looked away from her husband and once again laid her head against his chest.
Hector rested his head on Andromache's as he wrapped his arms around her. He was silent for a few minutes, though it felt like longer for both him and his wife, and then kissed Andromache's head before speaking.
"I'll always be with you," he whispered softly, "always."
The sun rose on the morning Andromache was due to give birth, Hector awoke at the brake of dawn and looked more excited than ever – he looked like an eager child waiting for Christmas to arrive. He wouldn't fight on this day because he didn't wish to miss the birth of his first child.
Hector begun stroking Andromache's arm gently, the way he did when he wanted her to wake. She slowly opened her eyes and groaned when she saw how early it was by looking at the sun.
"What?" groaned Andromache and closed her eyes once more.
"Our child will come today!" exclaimed Hector and smiled broadly.
Andromache smirked and patted her husband's hand lovingly. "It is the due date, but that does not mean our child will come on this day. He or she will come when they're ready, be patient."
A disgruntled expression crossed Hector's face and he rested on his back once more.
"Hector!" laughed Andromache and sat up to look at her husband. "Our child will come, perhaps today and perhaps not. Thais said that because this is my first child, it could take a few days longer than expected."
Thais was Andromache's midwife, and had been chosen almost six months ago. Andromache had chosen Thais not only because of her ability, but because she reminded her so much of her mother, the once Queen Sofia of Thebe. It wasn't in appearance that Andromache was reminded of her mother when she saw Thais; it was her mannerisms and warm smile.
When Andromache had first felt her child kick inside her, she had gasped and immediately called for Thais, as Hector was fighting before the walls of Troy. Thais had laughed when she saw the alarm on Andromache's face, and reassured her that it was normal and would happen often.
It wasn't until a few days after Hector and Andromache's first child was expected, that the latter woke in the middle of the night from severe pains shooting through her body. She rose from her bed and slowly paced through the chamber, and gripped onto objects close by her when the pain blasted through her.
Hector was soon wakened by Andromache's quiet cry of pain and leapt from their bed and to her. "Is it the baby?"
Andromache nodded and clenched her teeth together to keep a cry of pain inside her. She then felt water trickle down her legs, she opened her mouth in shock and looked to Hector who looked even more surprised than she did.
Thais had instructed Hector on what to do if the child should come at any time, day or night. She had told him to help Andromache to their bed and then send a servant for her and any other female relatives that may wish to be present at the birth.
Following the orders Thais had given him, Hector slowly helped Andromache to their bed and made sure she was at ease before leaving the chamber for a few brief moments to send servants to collect Thais and the female relatives and friends Andromache had granted permission to witness the birth. He then returned to her side, after gathering a bowl of water and a thick cloth.
Andromache inhaled and exhaled steadily, while Hector lightly dabbed water across her sweating forehead. She massaged her stomach in smooth motions, although it did little to stifle her pains, while she waited for the midwife and relatives.
It wasn't long before Thais arrived in the chamber, closely followed by Hecuba, Polyxena, and to Andromache's amazement … Cassandra. Andromache had asked Cassandra to help with the birth and she had been unwilling at the time, but now she was here.
"Out!" shouted Hecuba to her son, and began to usher Hector out of the room.
Hector laughed at his mother's attempts to push him out of the room, and he had reached the door before he darted back and kissed Andromache and whispered 'I love you' in her ear, before leaving the chamber and waiting outside of it.
When Hector left his chamber and softly closed the door behind him, he saw that Priam, Paris and Helen had gathered outside – all in their night robes. He smiled nervously at them all, even Paris, because nothing would ruin his mood on this day.
A few more servants gathered in Andromache's chamber, she noticed, to help with the birth. Andromache thought of her mother and wished she could be here now. She missed her mother dearly, especially at this moment when she wished for her more than ever.
"Are you comfortable Princess Andromache?" asked the servant girl who had taken Hector's job of cooling Andromache.
"Yes," replied Andromache. She felt another pain race through her and gritted her teeth. "No I'm not," she added with a light laugh.
Hecuba had taken her place by Andromache's side and was now holding onto her hand and stroking it softly. Polyxena and Cassandra were at the end of the bed and were ordering for more cloth and hot water to be brought. Xanthe, Andromache's handmaiden and dear friend, had now positioned herself on Andromache's other side and was lightly brushing the hair out of her eyes.
Thais looked up from the end of the bed after examining Andromache. "Princess Andromache, let's just start off with a very light push now … very light."
Andromache did as ordered and pushed lightly, while panting heavily.
"Very good," said Thais, "now push again, still lightly this time."
"Remember to breathe," added Hecuba. She felt the blood fade from her hand as Andromache clenched onto it while she pushed again.
Andromache threw her head back on the pillow, sweating pouring from her forehead. She released the severe grip on both her mother-in-law and friend's hands. She was breathing heavily from the effort and the pain hadn't even begun to subside, in fact it was getting worse with each passing minute.
It seemed as if days had passed by, though it was only a few hours, while Andromache pushed when instructed. On more than one occasion Andromache had screamed with pain, which sent shudders through the spine of her anxious husband who waited outside the chamber.
"She's all right," reassured Priam and nodded at his own words. He had waited outside his own chamber each time when Hecuba was giving birth to one of their children, and didn't miss the feeling of fear when he heard his wife scream out in pain.
Hector nodded, breathing heavily.
"Andromache is doing wonderfully," said Helen quietly. "You have no need to fear. I … I screamed much more with … Hermione."
Paris looked to Helen when he heard the name Hermione, he hadn't heard her speak it in years and saw the look of remorse that was steadily washing over her face. He reached out for her hand, which she took, and held it gently within his own.
In Hector and Andromache's chamber, Andromache was beginning to feel as if every drop of energy had left her body. She felt exhausted and threw her head back onto Xanthe's arm in frustration after pushing mightily.
"You're doing brilliantly Princess Andromache," beamed Thais and looked to Polyxena for more water and clean cloth. "Now this next time, I want you to push as hard as you can … harder than ever before!"
Andromache shook her head in protest. "I can't … I'm too tired." She closed her eyes and felt the tears beneath them with her eyelashes.
"You can Andromache," said Cassandra, which startled her sister-in-law. Cassandra went to Andromache's vacant side, after Xanthe had rushed out of the chamber for more water, and crouched down beside her and took her hand.
"Now, when I say push Princess Andromache," said Thais loudly, "I want you to push!"
A few seconds passed and another pain shot through Andromache's spine and through her whole body. She clung onto Cassandra, who remained by her side, and opened her eyes once more. She breathed out heavily and nodded to Thais.
"Push!" demanded Thais, as she knelt down at the end of the bed. She released a cry of joy and called for even more cloth and water as the first born child of Andromache and Hector came out into the world and breathed in its first breath.
A sharp cry erupted out into the night as Thais held the baby in her arms and quickly washed and prepared the child for its mother.
Andromache's eyes widened at the cry and she looked up for her child, holding her arms out for it. She saw Thais walk towards her, with a baby wrapped in a dark blue cloth. Thais handed the child to its mother, and cried happily, as did almost all of the women in the room.
"It's a boy Princess Andromache," said Thais and stepped back and looked at the Princess and her first born son.
Tears spilled from Andromache's eyes as she held her son in her arms. It felt almost unreal to be holding her son now, her son that she had carried in her womb for months. It felt even odder to know that a child was no longer growing within her, and that the child in question was looking at her now.
"I have a son," Andromache laughed happily, "Hector and I have a son!"
Hecuba, still at Andromache's side, was crying happily and blessing the Gods for their kindness. She looked to her first grandchild and smiled broadly.
"He is so beautiful," exclaimed Hecuba, "he looks just like his father."
Andromache nodded; her son was truly beautiful with his thick brown bundle of hair sprouting from his head. She looked down to her son and smiled through the tears of joy that continued to trickle from her.
Polyxena stepped out of the chamber for a few moments, to tell Hector the news and allow him into the room. She smiled at the delight on Hector's face when she told him that his child was waiting for him.
Hector slowly walked into the room, amazed that within minutes he had changed from not being a father, to actually being one. He walked over to his wife's side, after Cassandra quickly moved, and sat down beside Andromache and his son.
"You have a son," said Andromache, and turned slightly so Hector could clearly see their son.
"He's perfect!" cried Hector and held out his arms while Andromache passed their child to him.
Hector stood up with his son securely in his arms and couldn't help but grin widely, he felt so overjoyed that his son and wife were safe. He gently kissed the forehead of his son and grinned.
"He's so small!" said Hector, and gazed down at his son with so much love.
"Yes … it will take some time before he's able to ride horses with you," chuckled Hecuba. She couldn't describe the emotions she felt at seeing her son with his own son in his arms, she felt as if she could swell with all the happiness she felt.
"He's so beautiful," grinned Cassandra as she leaned over Hector's shoulder to see her new-born nephew. A few tears left the confines of her eyes.
Polyxena, who now stood by Cassandra, nodded in agreement. "He'll have all the girls chasing after him."
"Just like his father," said Hecuba proudly.
Andromache looked up to her son and smiled, she supposed she was biased but he was the most beautiful, handsome child she had ever, and would ever see.
A/N: The baby is Astyanax, I just didn't mention his name in this, but it will be mentioned etc in the next chapter. Thank you to all that review, and please keep doing so :)
Queen Arwen – Daddy Hector is certainly sexy and cute! I'm really glad you think this is getting exciting and liked the last chapter, thank you and thank you for the review :)
Donna Lynn – I am straying more towards the Iliad, and I'm glad you like that :) There will be something between Achilles and Polyxena, but I'm not sure what chapter it will come into yet. Thank you for the review:)
Ithil-valon – Thank you for reviewing both chapters 41&42 :) I do paint quite a bleak picture, but there will be a few more happy times yet. I'm really happy that you enjoy my writing and that you're enjoying the story, thank you!
Kitera – Thank you, I'm really glad you enjoyed the last chapter! And thank you for the review :)
Anna Jamisen – Thank you, I'm glad you like this! Thank you for the review :)
Laymisse – I'm really glad that you like this story, thank you! I'll definitely keep writing too :) Thank you for the review!
Priestess of the Myrmidon – I'm sorry you were grounded, and thank you for reviewing:) I do write quickly, but usually I can write one chapter in an hour or two on good days so I usually write two chapters on the weekend, and then post them at different times during the week :) And I'm really glad you like my writing, thank you!