Andromache

I was sick for most of the morning. Sick until noon when Padme brought me some water and bread. Something that had no smell and little taste. I drank the water but threw the bread at her and was sick again.

Padme took a seat beside me on the floor, she held my hair and ate the bread I had thrown at her. "You know Andromache, we have missed our lunch with the women of Troy."

I could not answer her.

Padme rubbed my back and spoke rather calmly, "Shall I send for a Healer?"

"No," I gasped.

I held the bucket with both hands, unsure if I were still sick or not. If a healer were called then Hector would find out. And I was not quite ready for him to find out that I was with child.

Padme sighed, "Darling, call me a cynic. But you may need to tell him sometime before the child is born."

At that I lifted my head and glared at her.

She shrugged, "All I am saying is it will be difficult to conceal your pregnancy as time continues. Now it's not a problem. But when you begin to grow round he may become suspicious."

Well I had time before that, another wave of sickness came over me.

"Very well, if you wish to be difficult. Be my guest." Padme spat each word out.

I sighed at her but did not dare lift my head.

We remained in silence for what was too long for her. Padme finally asked, "May I suggest something?"

Inwardly I sighed, last time she had suggested something I had broken an arm and almost drown. Padme quickly added, "You'll not have to jump from anything again. You must admit it was fun…..and you would think Hector would have been used to seeing broken arms before, after all he is in the Army."

I lifted my head, "Padme."

She rolled her eyes, "Fine. But this is a far better idea."

While I was not entirely convinced, I lifted my eyebrows to encourage her along. Which she needed to encouragement for.

"Well there is a special brew of tea that one can take to prevent sickness. It is three separate leaves but they are quite expensive and…..not all shops carry the plant."

Trouble would ensue, I could tell by her tone alone. But I listened, "And?"

"And…..they work. I have brewed this tea for women before and they no longer suffered from sickness in the morn."

Doubtfully I asked, "You have treated women of Troy with this tea?"

Padme nodded, "Indeed. However there is a small problem."

I knew there would be. So I asked, "Exactly how small, Padme?"

Padme jerked her head towards the door, "Hector has posted that savage outside your door at all hours."

"Tarus."

She shrugged, "Fine, whatever you wish to call him. He will not allow us to go to the shop. It is in area of Troy's city."

That did not surprise me in the least. So I asked, "And we'll need to sneak out I take it?"

Padme held a hand to her chest, "My dear Andromache! I am shocked you would suggest such a heinous thing!"

I cocked an eyebrow, then turned around to see Hector's cousin in the doorway, a smile upon her young face. She was of marriageable age, a young woman. I could not help but smile, "Good afternoon Briseis."

She smiled and came to me, she took a seat beside me and put her hand over my forehead, "You were not at lunch. I was worried….are you sick?"

Her dark eyes glanced at the bucket then my face, I nodded, "Unfortunately."

Briseis looked to Padme, "If you would like I could go into the city and get whatever you need so there would be no need for Andromache to sneak out?"

I smiled and shook my head, "No, that is quite all right. Padme has to inspect the plant."

Padme however quickly spoke up, "Andromache! Do not be so quick to speak! Of course we could use your help! Tell me, what size robe do you wear?"

My suspicion was only surpassed by my shock, "Padme! What ever heinous thoughts are in that mad mind of yours you may as well forget! Briseis will not take part in any of your trickery."

Hector's young cousin looked to me, "But I wish to help!"

Of course she did, but Padme was nothing but trouble. As if on queue she added, "Of course you do dear sweet girl. Tell me, Andromache, do you believe if she wore your robe and her hair down she could pass for you?"

I stared at Padme in shock. When I realized she was serious I looked to Briseis, "No. Absolutely not. I will simply loose Tarus in the crowd, I was raised among brothers if you have not forgotten."

Briseis looked from Padme to me and then to the bucket, "What is it you two are on the hunt for?"

"Tea," Padme and I both said, to which she added, "Special tea."

Briseis lifted an eyebrow, "Would you mind terribly if I came? I wish to get out once more before the storm comes, it's so dark outside it looks as if all the Gods have unleashed their furies. Word has it the storm will be upon us in hours."