A/N: So yeah I'm still progressing into the war (very slowly I know) and I have Briseis capture in the chapters to come. About the Achilles/ Briseis romance that might be going on, cross your fingers and keep reading.

Chapter 4 - Surprises All 'Round

The Greeks had been sailing as the words exited Briseis lips. Hector had raced back to her palace from the gardens as quickly as he could. Paris and Andromanche were already there. This spy was not in good health, his words were indistinct and out of place and he had obviously been running from the beach to be so out of breath.

Briseis arrived moments after Hector saying that her elder brother was coming back with a surgeon. There was blood soaking onto the rich wooden table where he lay.

"A fleet of ships so large it would take a hundred men to count." The man had said dramatically as Helen laid a wet cloth over his head and a physician entered with Melanon. "And the soldiers. Soldiers that can kill a man in an instant"

"Prince Paris, Prince Hector, Princesses Andromanche and Helen, My lord Melanon. I am afraid I must treat this man as quickly as possible. Perhaps it is wise that you are not here until I am finished." The old physician said sombrely. Hector wanted to yell at him that he was a prince and would not be told what to do by and old man but Andromanche took his hand in hers.

"He knows how important it is that this man stays alive. Let him do his job." She whispered, calming her husband. They walked into another chamber where Pramadas stood with another of his brothers.

"Oh Hector, I assume you remember my younger brother Condanion." The youth looked at the prince and blinked twice showing no other signs of acknowledgement. This was the brother who most resembled Briseis, other than her twin of course. He was an arrogant boy, third youngest in the family and the only of her brothers that Briseis could not control. He would be not fighting but would have to leave the security of the palace, a feat Hector had only seen him accomplish twice at most.

Melanon hit the younger brother over the head at this disrespect. "I'm sorry, he's…" He rolled his eyes and began to speak with Paris.

"Andromanche, can you come over here for just a moment?" Helen said between bouts of laughing. The princess complied and soon was overcome with the same laughter. Pramadas grimaced privately so only Hector could see and he made a noise of amusement, really in no mood for jovialities at this time.

Soon the room went quiet again for what seemed like an eternity. When the physician finally arrived every eye was on him, waiting for news.

"I've tended to his wounds and you may return now." They filed back into the hall silently.

The spy continued his long-winded description of the armies of Greece to them, except Melanon who was speaking in whispered tones with the old man. Hector stepped over towards Melanon and the physician.

"Will he survive?" the prince asked quietly and the doctor laughed mirthlessly.

"I'm surprised he lasted this long my prince." He looked sidelong at the injured man. "There is nothing we can do for him now. A wound to the side is slowly killing him. Any cures I gave you would be purely be to relieve pain."

"Then that is what I want. Anything that makes him more comfortable is what he needs. He may have saved just Troy."

Hector and Paris had ridden back to Troy the moment the man died. He would be burned as a soldier with two coins on his eyes to pay the boatman and a noble death. Priam had called the court together after Hector had told his father of the news.

"We command the finest army in the east. We are cannot be harmed behind the walls of Troy. Let them come!"One man had said powerfully. The high priest rambled about signs from the gods that the Greeks would fall to their knees and Agamemnon's fall would be celebrated throughout Greece and Troy alike.

Hector could see that they were really afraid of what would happen when the Grecian's landed on Troy's sands and the massacre began. The warning bells had been rung and the countrymen were arriving in the masses. Training had already begun with more troops. The already skilled archers and spearmen practiced relentlessly and Paris did as well.

It was no secret that Paris now feared the Greeks and if you looked closely enough you could see the fear in his eyes. Hectors two other brothers, Deiphobus and Helenus, were restless as well, spending less time at feasts and more time sparring. Briseis, Helen and Andromanche were to return the next day. A cold bed and an empty mind were two things Hector would be pleased to be rid of.

"Hector!" The prince was standing on the balcony with his arms resting on the small stone barrier when he heard his father calling him. He sighed and stood fully up as old king Priam entered his son's chambers. This caught Hector off guard, the king of Troy went to no man's side. "My son."

"Father." He mumbled half-heartedly. "Do you wish to speak with me?" The king nodded slowly. "What about? The troops stand at the ready for any attack. The countrymen pour in from all sides. Our own princesses return in less than a day."

"Hector I have fought many wars for Troy, the country I love, the people who live behind these safe walls. But I am old. I was never one to delight in the slaughter of men by the edge of my sword or the point of my spear. You know this?" Hector stood dumbly. "And you are my son. You have a beautiful wife, a loving family and friends, a country that loves you. I am but an old man, a king but still an old man. I cannot lead armies into battle."

Hector's mind began to race and after a short time the bottom seemed to drop out of his stomach.

"Father." He gasped. "What are you saying? You want me to- to lead-" he couldn't finish.

"Yes Hector. Your brothers are men but they have never killed a man. They have never seen the wives of dead soldiers crying in the streets or orphaned children begging for coins. I could not choose any other man I would rather leave my country to than you. You will make a fine commander and you will defeat the Greeks."

Hector could not think of anything to say to his father, who stood patiently by the balcony edge looking at the stars. "I must lead the armies into battle then." the prince said quietly.

"You will make a fine warrior. Worthy of any army to walk the earth." Priam sighed "But the Grecians are fierce soldiers." He caught his son's eye. "Let us not talk of such sombre things. How is Andromanche?"

"She's doing well. She's slowed down lately. She retires early and speaks very little. Except to Helen, they seem to be getting along well."

"Have you spoken to Briseis about Andromanche? You know how close they are, well used to be. Since Helen came they seem to be spending less time together."

"They have but it is not Helen I don't think. Andromanche is becoming more and more removed; I don't know how to help her."

The king thought for a moment. "Perhaps you should not try to. Women are best left to sort out their own problems; your wife is an intelligent woman. She will find a way to fix whatever is making her act strangely." He sighed. "It is getting late; I must retire for the night. Will you be practicing tomorrow?" Hector nodded silently "Then we may speak again there." He walked back into the palace but the prince stayed back.

"What a beautiful night." Hector whispered aloud, there was a small thump behind him. The prince spun around and unsheathed his sword. "Hello." He bellowed into the night air. A loudcrash answered as Hector's sword fell to the ground.

"Briseis I need to speak with you." Andromanche's eyes darted towards her hostess's brothers who were laughing raucously on the opposite side of the table. "Without anyone around."

"You mean without them around? " She raised her eyebrows into the direction of her kin who had begun to curse wildly as Melanon knocked over a candle and the flames began to spread. Briseis stood up. "Melanon this is a dining hall not a street festival." Servants arrived to tame the fire and Briseis toke her seat again.

Andromanche achieved a small laugh. "This is quite urgent. Is there anywhere we could meet…?"

"Privately." The noblewoman thought for a moment. "Wait how about-?"

"-The gardens." Cartanye picked up and took a sip from Pramadas wine. "You really are foolish if you think we won't find you." She shot him a venomous stare.

"I'll think of something. And don't drink wine, you're just a child and it isn't even midday. Of course, Andromanche do you remember where we first met?"

The princess shrugged. "I think so; you were talking with there with Hector that day weren't you?"

"Yes. Meet me there just after midnight and we can talk as much as we wish." She said all of this very quickly and Andromanche felt like she was going to be sick.

"Paris." Hector breathed a sigh of relief. "You scared me halfway to an early death."

"I wanted to speak with you and I couldn't while father was here so I waited until he left and I guess I took you by surprise." He gave his brother the smile that had lured so many unsuspecting women to his bed. How could Hector not forgive his brother?

"Why could you not speak to me with father around?" His eyes grew wide with astonishment. "Is it something about Helen?"

Hector thought about Melanon's words 'No broken hearts yet I hope' If he had forsaken Troy all for a sudden romance he would kill his brother with his own two hands.

Paris shook his head. "No, Helen and I are fine. She'll be coming back tomorrow. It isn't about her." Paris' voice lowered. "It's about you. I know you love Troy with every part of you, and I know you share the same love for your family. If any of us were to be hurt you would stop at nothing to save us. That's how you've always been." The young prince rested his elbows on the stone balcony edge and looked at Troy. "There was never any reason for any of us to fear anything because you would be there for us. But you cannot fight for me in this battle. I wasn't thinking about you or Troy or father when I took her aboard the ship, all I cared about was myself." He looked down as though ashamed. "Would you have her send me back to Menelaus? Back to Sparta?"

Hector went to stand beside his brother. "Paris you love her and she loves you. I know love and I can see it in you whenever she enters a room. Until the day the burn you body you will love her like no other could. Menelaus would not take her back anyways. He's a puppet of his brother, Agamemnon doesn't want Helen he wants Troy. You weren't thinking when you brought her to Troy but you must think now. Seek repeal from the gods and be ready to fight. Don't dwell on the past, brother. It will not get you through another day." He turned back to his chambers "Sleep well Paris."

For the Princess every moment felt like an hour and as she climbed the stairs towards the guest chambers every step made her feel like running back downstairs and riding all of the way back to the city. But she could not, Briseis had to know and she needed to tell someone.

These chambers were reserved for royal guests alone; when Priam and Hecuba came they stayed in these apartments. A servant had extinguished several of the torches leaving half of the room cast in shadow. The royal colors decorated the walls and fine linens were everywhere.

Andromanche looked over to the large 'balcony'. It was not really a balcony but it was the best for viewing the ocean and so that is what it was used as. The moon was reflected in the waters and the princess stepped out cautiously. A single slip and her life could be finished and no one would ever know her secret.

A loose stone made her lose her balance and Andromanche began to fall backwards. She was about to scream before a hand caught her wrist. It pulled her back up onto the roof.

"Not a very good start." The smooth voice said quietly.

"Briseis I thought it was someone else. You frightened me." She began to laugh but her friend put a finger to her lips.

"Quiet or someone will find us and you will not be able to tell me your secret. You know I simply adore secrets." She imitated the drawl of the rich noblewoman and Andromanche laughed silently.

"I've never been up here you know?" She said as the two women sat on the building top. "I can see why you and Hector love being here though. Very quiet, peaceful, beautiful."

"Private? Yes that's why we picked this spot to hide away. After our marriage plans we just sat here. This is where we've secretly talked ever since." She sighed "Remember when you first came here?"

"Of course. When I didn't know that you two we going to be married, and I looked up here and wondered why there were two people sitting on the roof in the middle of the night. I thought you were the most beautiful woman I would ever see. I can still see it in my mind. Hector with his arm around your shoulders talking and laughing and having all the time in the world. We were young then."

"We're young now. There's still time for so much. You want to know something? I still remember what we were talking about. I've never forgotten I'll be lucky if I ever will. This place has so many memories."

"Like what?" Briseis raised her eyebrows. "Don't worry we can take as much time as we want up here. No one will come looking for us. I have so much on my mind right now; I know why Hector always talks with you. It clears your mind to talk with you, do you know that?"

She shrugged. "What can I say; I have a gift for blank mindedness." They both laughed. "So what else happened up here? Well this is where I first met Hector. Where my parents told us we would be marrying each other. Where he spoke to me after my parents died." Her voice faded. She never spoke about her parents.

"Sometimes I feel like you've been married to Hector. You know so much more about him than I do." She rested her head in her hands.

"Only because we've known each other since…forever. That's also why I could be his wife; we know each other too well." She looked at Andromanche "You're much better at being a wife than I ever could be."

"Thank you. Sometimes I think that he would rather be with you than me. That I'm too dull for him."

"Andromanche, if anyone is dull it's me. Hector just likes talking to me, hearing the sound of his own voice." She laughed.

"No he likes talking to you because you challenge him. You don't bore him to death like the rest of us. How do you do it?"

"I don't, it just seems that way." Her shoulders heaved. "I don't know why everyone makes such a big deal out of when we're together." She looked at Andromanche and quickly added "Not together, when we spend time together."

"No I know what you mean. But think about it. He could speak with anyone he wants to about what he speaks of with you but he doesn't choose his brothers or even a man. He chooses a young, beautiful, intelligent, wonderful woman. This beautiful woman is the one he spends a considerable amount of his time with, people talk."

She cocked her head. "Well anything sounds strange when you put it like that." They both laughed weakly and went silent.

The sound of the waves crashing onto the shores soothed Andromanche's soul. This was a perfect moment; the moon was full and high in the night sky. The stars lay scattered like sands on a beach and the wind tugged playfully at her dark hair.

"Briseis," The noble had obviously been lost in thought, she kept her head down and her eyes closed but Andromanche knew she was listening. "Briseis, what do you think about me not having any children?"

"Ever?"

"No, but have you ever wondered why I haven't bore Hector any sons? Or daughters? Or any children at all?"

"I always assumed you were waiting for the right time. You want your children to be happy, to be born at the right time, to have healthy parents. That's all you and Hector would ever want for your children."

Andromanche nodded and drew breath sharply. "Briseis there's something you should know." She waited for a sign of acknowledgement when none came she continued. "Briseis I'm…I'm pregnant."

Her head turned sharply towards the princess. "What?" She almost yelled. "I mean. Wow, how long have you known?"

"Around four new moons. No one has noticed yet and you are the first I've told." Briseis ran a hand threw her long hair and her dark eyes were frozen in shock.

"Wait. You haven't told Helen?" Andromanche shook her head "Paris? Cassandra? Priam?"

"No, none of them know yet. Well they all have their suspicions; I mean how long can I keep it a secret?" She laughed weakly.

"What about Hector? Does he know he's going to have a child?"

"I haven't told anyone. You have to keep this a secret for me. If everyone found out they might start spreading rumours and that's the least Hector needs now. And with the war coming I don't know if…"

"Andromanche he will support you in whatever times, war or no war." They both fell silent. "So how are you going to tell him?"

A/N: This chapter was a little short only because I wanted it to end with Andromanche and Briseis' speech and such and I couldn't think of any more filler. Hope for the new chapter soon, I'm working out chapter plans now and the Achilles part is coming up. Yay! Am I the only one who is way too excited about this?