I'M BACK!

Did you miss me?

Sorry it took me a while to update this. Hopefully it was worth the wait.

Disclaimer: I don't own it.

Listen although I looked for it on Google I didn't find the names of Andromache's brothers so I had to make them up. PLEASE DON'T BITE MY HEAD OFF!

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Andromache's estimations were wrong. It took them a full three months to get to Thebe.

Briseis was now four and a half months pregnant and Helen was six months along.

It was mid afternoon as Andromache stared up at the huge gates that led to a place she had once called home.

"I can't believe that we have to enter the city looking like this. I finally come back and I'm a complete mess," Andromache muttered to her companions.

"We're all like that Andromache. Look at me I have a beard," Paris sighed.

Andromache nodded and chuckled at the facial hair Paris had obtained over the months, he had tried to use a dagger to shave but it hadn't worked. After wearing the same robes for four and a half months the entire pack of survivors looked horrible.

Paris took a deep breath and banged against the heavy wooden doors.

A small section slid open and a set of eyes peered at them.

"What?"

"We come here to ask for shelter. I know the king would be pleased if you let us in," Andromache spoke.

"How many are you?"

"23."

"Are you armed?"

"Some of the men have throwing knives and some have a bow. One has a sword."

"What nation are you from?"

"Troy."

The guards eyes widened and the small opening immediately slid shut.

"They won't let us in. Now what do we do," Paris asked.

However a creaking sound broke into Paris' thoughts as the large doors opened.

"The king requires all refugees to meet him so he can personally help them."

Andromache nodded and followed him.

They came to a large brightly room. Six young men sat in chairs; the chairs were in a line facing the doors they had just entered. Behind the men there was a small platform there a handsome man sat on a throne. He was clearly the oldest of all the men in the room and he looked to be about 30-38 years old.

The man leading them dropped to his knees and the refugees followed him.

"King Lysander these refugees arrived at our gates just minutes ago. I let them in as you told me too and brought them too you."

The king nodded, "Thank you. You may go now."

The man left.

"You may rise."

As Andromache stood up and looked towards the king and the men surrounding them the king gasped with a startled look on his face.

"Andromache. Dear sister is that you?"

Andromache smiled and nodded her head. The king stood rose to his feet and ran towards her. As he swept her in his arms Paris saw the other six men rise to their feet as well although they stayed there.

"What are you doing here and why do you look like you have been to the underworld and back?" Andromache's brother asked as he set her to her feet.

"Have you not heard? Troy has fallen. Priam and Hector are dead and the city lies in ruins. We are the only survivors."

A sharp intake of breath came from the king and his advisors.

"Dearest sister. We had not heard this tragic news. What of Prince Paris? Has he died as well?"

"Actually he is standing right beside me."

Lysander did a double take as he looked at Paris.

"The city was conquered four and a half months ago. We've been traveling for 3 months to get here," Paris stated.

"O by the Gods. You must be exhausted and starving," Lysander clapped his hand together loudly and a maid walked in.

"Tell the cook that we need a great amount of food quickly and send me more maids."

The young girl nodded and hurried out of the room.

"Dearest brother. Two women in our number are with child and are in desperate need of attention. We fear all this traveling might have not been very good for the children they carry."

The King nodded, "I will have a physician brought here at once to take a look at them. How many in your group?"

"23 men and women."

Just then several maids entered the room.

"We have 23 people here. I want each of you to take one and bring them to a room in the palace. Draw them all a bath and then wait on them and bring them whatever they desire. The rest of you go to the kitchen and assist the cook with the food she is making."

With that all of the survivors were whisked away and attended to.

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Achilles and Hector were both relieved.

"Thank Apollo they have reached Thebe," Hector said.

"I was beginning to think that they would never make it," Achilles stated.

"As was I," said Darrius. "I had already started to picture your children growing up in the wild."

Hector shuddered at the thought.

"I think that my mother was guiding them to help them reach Thebe. It is after all her grandchild that Briseis is carrying."

"THAT'S IT!" Darrius cried.

"What?" asked Hector.

"Before Achilles died you said that you didn't believe in curses and I said that I believed the God's curse us. Remember?"

"I think so," Hector said hesitantly.

"So you asked me why Achilles wasn't cursed when he destroyed the statue of Apollo, I didn't know why then."

"And you have the answer to that now?"

"Yes. Achilles' mother is a goddess. And not just any goddess she's Thetis goddess of the sea if Apollo struck her son down then she could cause the sea to destroy the entire temple of Apollo maybe even Troy."

"That does sound like something my mother would do," said Achilles as if it was rather funny.

"Then why didn't she kill Paris? She had plenty of opportunities?"

"Because she didn't want to kill innocent people."

"If she destroyed Troy then she would have killed innocent people."

"I didn't say she would destroy Troy I said she COULD destroy Troy."

"Fine you win," said Hector sourly.

"Can we see my mother?" Achilles asked.

Immediately the pool changed.

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Thetis stood up to her waist in the water. The waves were calm and the water was warm. She was praying to the God's.

"Hades God of Death. We made a bargain all those years ago. I hope you have lived up to it. I know that I am praying to you often but I want to make sure you remember. If you do not uphold your end of the bargain you know what I will do. I am going to keep reminding you with this warning."

With that Thetis continued walking deeper into the water until she had disappeared from view.

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"What did she mean? What bargain did she make with Hades?" Hector asked.

"I don't know. Maybe we'll find out sometime soon," Achilles said.

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Hey people. Just for fun I translated Thetis' prayer into Greek. In case you're interested here is the translation. If you're not then just skip to the end when I respond to reviews.

Hades Θεόs του θάνατος. εμείs φτιαγμένος έναs ευκαιρία όλος εκείνοι χρόνια πριν. εγώ ελπίδα έχειs ζω κοντά αυτό. εγώ γνωρίζω ότι εγώ είμαι προσεύχομαι σε you συχνά μα θέλω να αγοράσω βεβαιώνομαι you θυμάμαι. εάν you κάνω όχι uphold δικό σου τέλοs του ευκαιρία you γνωρίζω what εγώ θα κάνω. εγώ είμαι πρόκειται να κρατώ θυμίζω you με this προειδοποιώ.

To all my reviewers:

Dream Sprite: Thanks for the suggestion but I already have some plans for Briseis.

Priestess of the Myrmidon: Sorry it took so long to update. Hope it was worth the wait.

tankbbg: You'll see when it comes. And I'm glad that is was clearer.

Queen Arwen: I'm glad you liked it. Hope you enjoy this two.

Celebwen Telcontar: I'm glad you liked it.

KC: I'm glad you liked it. I try to add a little humour because I believe all stories should have a little comic relief.

anoymous: I already have the plans for Helen/Paris and Briseis' baby or babies. (Hint Hint)