Warning: Hector dies in this chapter, and I understand some of you may not wish to read this, hence the warning. I'm really sorry that I'm killing Hector, but it's something I need to do because I want to stick to the original story for many key events.
The image of Patroclus haunted Hector's sleep and he suddenly awoke from his light slumber. He was panting heavily and his heart pounded against his ribs ferociously. His eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness of his chamber and he turned to look at Andromache who he thought lay beside him in their bed, but she wasn't there.
Hector slowly looked around the room, searching for his wife, but he couldn't see her. He stepped out of his bed, pulled a thin cloth around his waist, and then walked out onto the balcony, but she wasn't there either.
Fear began to creep into Hector's heart; he quickly dressed in a thick robe and hurried out of the chamber. His first thought was that Andromache may have gone to see Astyanax, where he slept in his nurse's room. Hector knew Andromache had been unwilling to allow Astyanax to sleep anywhere away from her, but he had asked to spend the night alone with her.
Andromache was not to be found in Astyanax's room, or in the royal gardens Hector looked in, or the halls he walked through. He decided to go to the stables and search for her there, and when he saw no sign of her he asked a stable hand, who was nursing a wounded horse.
"Have you seen Princess Andromache?" Hector demanded with a calm, yet authoritive tone.
The stable hand nodded. "I have, my lord. Princess Andromache went to the walls on one of the horses."
"The walls?" Hector whispered to himself. He thanked the boy and then rode to the walls on his own horse.
Moonlight had trickled into the almost silent streets of Troy, and Hector soon reached the walls of Troy. He dismounted his horse and asked one of the many guards patrolling the wall and guarding the gates to watch over it while he went up onto the walls. As he began to climb the stairs to the wall, he saw that there were two horses, his wife's horse and another; his first thought was that she had brought Polyxena with her.
Hector quickly jogged up each of the steps leading to the walls of Troy and only stopped when he stood on them and was gazing across to his wife. He gasped inwardly as he looked at Andromache, for some reason it felt as if he were seeing her beauty for the first time, and walked near to her.
Andromache looked across the plain of Troy, gazing at the sea and longing to swim in it once again. Her hair billowed behind her, as did the long blue peplos at her ankles. She inhaled the fresh air heavily and then suddenly heard the footsteps of her husband. She knew them well, and could usually tell what mood he was in by the sound of his footsteps.
"I was worried about you," said Hector. "You should have told me, I would have come with you. And where's your escort?"
"There," said Andromache simply, after she had turned to face her husband, and she pointed to Xanthe who was standing a few feet behind her.
Hector turned to where Andromache pointed and smiled sheepishly. "I thought you had brought Polyxena."
"It crossed my mind," smirked Andromache. Even though she was growing older as each year passed, her spirit and smile never faded or grew old.
"Will you please leave us, Xanthe?" asked Hector asked. "There are guards at the gates who will wait with you."
Xanthe nodded and quickly walked down the steps from the wall.
"Why did you come here?" asked Hector and rested his palms on the wall and looked across the plains and to the Greek camps. He saw a pyre burning in the distance, its fire was no longer roaring and great, but it still burned. Hector quickly turned away, knowing the pyre must be for Patroclus.
Andromache felt the sudden change in Hector's mood and looked to the burning pyres. She had seen it to, although that wasn't why she had come. "I wanted to feel the air from up here; it's so breathtaking, almost fierce."
"You know that I have to fight tomorrow," said Hector quietly, after a few moments of silence between him and his wife.
"Of course I know," said Andromache, a note of confusion in her voice, "you have fought almost everyday."
"Yes, but tomorrow I may fight … Achilles," replied Hector. He was amazed at how easily he had spoken Achilles' name, many men didn't dare to speak it because of the fear they felt for the owner of that name.
"You don't need to fight him," whispered Andromache, "allow someone else to lead the army into battle."
"I am the commander of Troy's army," said Hector, almost sadly, "I must fight." He was silent for a few moments, while he chose his next words, and then spoke again. "I have to fight Achilles, I have never fought him and I need to now. Somehow our blades have never clashed, but because I … because of what I did … they will."
"Achilles killed my seven brothers and father, he was also the cause of my mother's death," said Andromache, "and he did all that for almost nothing! No blazing revenge was at the end of his sword when he murdered my family. But if you fight Achilles then you will face the revenge, and you don't have to if you don't fight!"
"If I don't fight Andromache," said Hector, "then I will lose all honour! It is better to be dead and to still have some honour, than to be alive with none!"
Andromache shook her head sadly. "It is better to be alive than to die for the sake of honour! For me, your loving wife, and for your son it is better to be alive! We need you Hector!"
Hector went silent, he wanted nothing more than to stay with his wife and son each day, but he knew that a man without honour was little better than a poor man on the streets. He would be faced with ridicule and shame wherever he went, as would Andromache and Astyanax, if he refused to fight. If he fought Achilles, then there was a chance he could keep his life and honour.
"I have to fight, Andromache," Hector finally said. "And I need you to know that I'm not doing this because your love means nothing to me. I love you more than anything and I always will. You and Astyanax will forever be in my heart and mind, never doubt that."
"I love you, Hector," said Andromache rested her head on Hector's chest. "I'll never love another like I love you."
Hector and Andromache had returned to their chamber that night, after standing together on the walls of Troy, but neither of them could sleep properly. Andromache kept drifting off into a light slumber, but she would suddenly wake when she felt Hector move beside him. She feared the time when he would move from their bed and prepare for battle, and then leave her.
The time for Hector to leave finally dawned and the Prince rose from his bed and began to dress into his battle attire. He had done this almost everyday for years, and it never got easier to leave his wife and child behind while he fought, instead it got harder and more painful each time.
Andromache left their chamber briefly to collect Astyanax from his nurse's room. She scooped her darling boy into her arms and kissed him, before standing him onto his feet and walking with him to their chamber.
Astyanax was just beginning to walk and had delighted his father and mother with his first few steps only a few weeks prior to this. He was still somewhat unsteady on his feet, but there were more than enough willing relatives to help him.
As Andromache and Astyanax entered their chamber, Hector turned to them, fully attired except for the helmet that rested on a table beside him – he knew how much Astyanax feared him when he wore the helmet.
An almost silent gasp escaped Hector's mouth when he saw his beautiful wife and child. He ignored the sharp pain within his heart, and bent down with open arms to receive a hug from his son.
"How you have grown in just one night!" chuckled Hector, as he picked Astyanax up into the air and slowly turned around. He then embraced his son and kissed his forehead.
Andromache smiled as she watched her husband and child together; she had never seen a greater sight. She loved them both so much; they were a part of her and were deeply rooted within her heart.
Hector placed Astyanax onto the floor and handed him a few toy wooden horses before turning his attention to his wife. He stepped nearer to his wife, standing so close in front of her that he could feel warm breath against his cold cheeks.
"Remember that I love you, Andromache," Hector said quietly, and he stepped even closer to his wife. He kissed her soft lips, wrapping his arms around her slender waist and clinging onto her.
"You don't have to go," whispered Andromache, her face pale from not eating or sleeping. "You could command from the walls, where you would be safe!"
"I have to lead the men into battle," Hector said quietly.
Andromache bowed her head and clung onto the tears that had gathered in her eyes. A quivering gasp escaped her mouth and she closed her eyes in pain, feeling the sharp sting of the tears that wished to fall down her cheeks.
Hector gently lifted Andromache's head, and when she finally allowed him to, he saw that glistening tears were falling from her eyes. He felt as if a knife had been stabbed into his heart when he saw his wife crying, he had hardly ever seen his wife cry, she was as strong as an ox when it came to holding her emotions in.
Tears began to flood into Hector's eyes, and he quickly bent down to say goodbye to his son. Then looked back to his wife and kissed her ardently, this was their last kiss, the last times their living souls would meet and lock together, the last time…
"I shall come to the walls today," mumbled Andromache as she tried to gain control over her tears.
"No," said Hector quickly, "do not come today … stay with Astyanax, please." He looked into his wife's eyes, and he saw that she knew why he didn't want her to come.
Even though it was never said, both Hector and Andromache knew that this would be the last time they would see each other alive, this was their last goodbye. Neither one of them wished to believe it, but they still felt the truth of it within their hearts.
As Prince Hector left his chamber, leaving his world behind, Achilles slowly and carefully dressed into his glittering new armor, and made sure every part of it was secure on his god-like body. The armor had been newly wrought from the finest gold in the Aegean, and as if by magic, Achilles had become its owner – some even said it was wrought by the god of smiths, Hephaestus, but Achilles never spoke of where it had come from.
Achilles had barely slept during the night; instead his mind had been consumed with the image of Patroclus' death. He had thought over every detail, every step and action Patroclus and Hector must have taken, because it kept the need for revenge alive.
Patroclus had been burnt on a high pyre the previous night, even the Kings Agamemnon, Menelaus, Odysseus, including others, had came to pay their respects to the fallen man. Not a tear had fallen from the cold eyes of Achilles, no emotion was shown, and instead a blank expression had hidden the true feelings of hate and sorrow he felt.
"The army is beginning to march," said Eudorus, as he silently stepped into Achilles's tent. "Do you come with us, my lord?"
Achilles nodded and turned to face his faithful myrmidon. "Tell the myrmidons and Odysseus that I fight alone today, I wish to find him Hector myself."
"I shall, my lord," said Eudorus. He bowed slightly and glanced at his friend sadly for a moment, before quickly leaving the tent.
Achilles picked up his sword and slowly ran a finger along it. He thought, with bitter delight, of the image of him forcing the blade through Hector's chest, or even through his princely neck.
Slowly, as he was enjoying his twisted thoughts, Achilles left his tent. His eyes squinted as they adjusted to the tremendously bright sunlight, and then placed the new helmet on his head.
A harsh wind suddenly passed Achilles, and it was as if he could feel Patroclus urging him to fight. He looked across to the pyre that had held Patroclus the previous night, and was only burning slightly now, and gazed at it for a few moments. He felt as if he had taken Patroclus's friendship for granted, and only now realised the true worth of his dear friend.
Achilles marched into line with his fellow countrymen, across the plain of Troy. He had made this journey countless times before, but he had never felt a fire blazing within him that was so eager for vengeance until now.
The Greek army only halted once they had reached the point they did everyday, the point at which they stopped and faced the Trojans before battle. Achilles sneered with violent disgust when he saw Hector sitting upon his horse; he had almost expected the Prince to hide away within his great walls.
The heart of Hector suddenly skipped a beat, he somehow felt as if the eyes of Achilles were on him, and he slowly searched the front line of the Greeks for Achilles, but couldn't see him.
Hector adjusted his helmet so it was sitting perfectly on his head, and closed his eyes for a few moments as he remembered the painful goodbye with his family, who now watched from the great walls of Troy.
Priam had watched as his son walked towards him on the walls of Troy, and beckoned his dear son closer. "You do not need to fight this day, my son."
Hector shook his head and knelt down before his father. "I must, dear father."
Hecuba suddenly succumbed to the pain she felt and allowed tears to fall down her pale face. She looked upon her son, her first born, and begged him to stay, but again Hector refused to.
"No father has ever had a better son," said Priam proudly. He cupped Hector's face within his frail hands and kissed his son's forehead.
Hector rose to his feet and embraced his mother, while tears continued to rush down her face. He inhaled the sweet scent of her, remembering the smell from when he was a young boy.
After a few moments, Hector turned to his sisters, Cassandra and Polyxena. Polyxena had succumbed to her grief also, but not Cassandra whose eyes were as dry as sand. Cassandra knew all that was to come, and the pain tore her apart inside, but she could not show it as she still prayed all she had seen would not come true.
"If …," Hector began, but stopped as he couldn't bear to speak the words: "If I die, care for Astyanax and Andromache, watch over them."
"We'll care and watch over them both," said Cassandra, sensing Hector's thoughts. She smiled sadly and embraced her brother before he turned to Polyxena, and embraced her also.
The time finally came for Hector, after goodbyes to more relatives and friends, to say goodbye to his brother, Paris.
Helen stood by Paris's side, she had barely aged a day since she had arrived on Troy's shores ten years ago. She stepped away from Paris, and walked across to her handmaiden, as she saw Paris wished to speak to Hector alone.
"I'm sorry for everything I've done," said Paris quietly, as he stared into the eyes of his brother. "I deserve to die for everything I've caused, and if I could turn back the time and change everything then I would."
"I know you would," said Hector, and he believed Paris; he knew that his brother would have changed what had happened if he could. He inhaled deeply and then spoke again. "I've never hated you Paris, I hated what became of what you did, but never you."
Paris embraced his brother tightly, wishing to the gods that Hector would return to them all.
"Make me proud, brother," said Hector as he released from their embrace.
Hector then walked away, turn the steps and to the gates of Troy where he mounted his horse and rode out to the front line of his army.
Cries of war echoed throughout the plain and the Greeks and Trojans suddenly charged at one another. Hector valiantly rode on into the hundreds of Greeks and clashed his sword against theirs.
Achilles had only seen Hector fighting a few times, but he had always been fighting another to watch the Prince carefully. Achilles began to fight alongside the Greeks and waited for the perfect opportunity for him to seek retribution for the death of Patroclus. The Trojans that met Achilles were killed without another thought; to him they were mere obstacles before he faced Hector.
Lysander, a captain of the Trojan army and a friend to Hector, suddenly came into the path of Achilles. He was a great warrior, but no match for Achilles who speared him in the back.
Not too far away from where Achilles and Lysander had briefly fought, stood Hector who had just killed another Greek. He had seen the death of his friend, and saw that it was Achilles who had killed him.
Without another thought, as Lysander fell to the ground, Hector charged towards Achilles. He couldn't bear to fight Greeks, while the Greek he wanted to fight stood only across the plain and waited for him.
Achilles saw Hector charge towards him and sneered grimly. "Today, Prince Hector, you shall feel my revenge!"
"Your words do not frighten me, Achilles," said Hector, his helmet catching the bright sunlight and sparkling. He then brought his spear up into the air and hurled it towards Achilles, but the spear missed its target and fell to the sand only inches away.
Achilles snarled and spat to the ground. He then removed his helmet and threw it to the ground – it was an insult in battle to toss your helmet away, it suggested that your opponent couldn't be respected.
The Greeks moral grew after the death of every Trojan, they charged on towards the Trojans until the Trojans began to flee to their walls for safety.
Hector took his attention off Achilles and saw his fellow Trojans escaping towards the walls, he felt a tug within his heart to join them and run, but then he looked back to Achilles and knew this must be ended.
"You do not flee then, like your pitiful men?" snarled Achilles, as he glanced at the Greeks charging after the Trojans.
"We shall fight, Achilles," said Hector, "and we shall swear to the gods, that whoever dies on this day will receive the proper funeral rituals."
"Don't talk to me of pacts!" spat Achilles. "There are no pacts between men and lions!" With that he hurled his spear at Hector.
Hector quickly dodged the spear hurled at him and narrowly missed its tip. He withdrew the sword from his side and charged towards Achilles.
As Hector charged towards Achilles, Achilles suddenly saw a weakness in the Prince's armor. Hector's throat was exposed as he charged towards Achilles, and Achilles drove his sword through the neck of Prince Hector.
Prince Hector, who had protected his rich city for years, fell onto the dusty, blood-stained plain. Death quickly began to take him, and he struggled for breath but was able to speak one last time. "My death will incur the god's wrath for you, that day when … Paris … when Paris … kills you … at the Scaean Gates!"
Cries of shock and grief erupted through Troy, those on the walls cried out at the sight of their fallen Prince, but there was one who felt the pain the most as she sat in the palace of Troy…
A/N: I sincerely apologise for not updating for so long, I've been really busy but I'll have a lot more time from now on. Thank you for all of the reviews, I greatly appreciate them :)
Queen Arwen – Thank you for the review! I'm really glad that you liked the last chapter and how it was written, thank you :) And I'm sorry that I had to kill Hector :(
Priestess of the Myrmidon – I'm really glad you liked the last chapter, thank you! And thank you for the review :)
Idun03 – Thank you for the review and I'm really glad you like the mix of the events from the film and from the original story in this! What will become of Andromache etc. will be revealed in the coming chapters :)
Miss-Andromache – Thank you for the review and I'm really happy that you think this is brilliant:) I'm really glad you like Andromache's strong character also, and I'm sorry that I killed Hector :(
Topez Grl – Thank you for the review and I'm really glad you enjoyed the last chapter:) Andromache and Astyanax's fate will be revealed in the coming chapters, and I'm sorry that Hector died in this chapter :(
Daleeze – I'm really glad that you like this story, my writing and the characterization of the characters, thank you :) Thank you for the review and updates will probably be more often now.
Anna Jamisen – I'm really sorry, I completely understand that you want a happy ending, but I'm afraid there will be no happy ending in this, I'm sorry :( Thank you for the review!
Kitera – Thank you for the review :) And I'm really glad you liked the last chapter, thank you! I'm sorry that I killed Hector :( , but his death will be avenged.
Lily – I'm really glad you liked the last chapter, especially the scene between Andromache and Hector, thank you :) And thank you for the review!
Myzz princess – Hector and Andromache are my favourite couple too :) I'm really sorry that I killed Hector, but it was something I needed to do. Thank you for the review, and I'm really happy that you love this story, thank you :)