Authors Note, All right. This will probably be the only fic that is not a Hector or Andromache. But I wanted to write this just because. So, enjoy! J
Padme
For a month she remained almost mute, only speaking to Hector and myself, she locked herself in the bedroom and slept all day. She frightened me sometimes, especially since she carried a child. But, she never did anything to harm the child.
I was under strict orders from Hector to be sure she ate.
I made sure she ate, dressed and got out of bed.
One thing I could not get her to do was sleep. She would have horrible dreams. Dreams she would never tell Hector or myself about. But they woke her and her husband. It worried Hector as well. So, it was also my job to be sure she got some rest. Nap or just a relaxing few hours on a sofa doing nothing.
One could imagine my surprise when I walked in her chambers and saw my best friend was not in bed.
I looked around the open room, "Andromache?"
Where could she have gone?
I set the tray of food down upon a corner table and searched the room and balcony.
She was not on the sofa.
I felt something within my stomach. Quickly, I raced through the chambers and looked in every single room. When I could not find her in any room I felt fear. I ran out to the door that left the chambers where Tarus stood guard.
The massive brown man looked at me, "Yes?"
I tried not to panic, "Has…Andromache walked past you?"
His eyebrows shot up in surprise , which answered my question, "You lost the princess?"
Immediately I spat, "I didn't loose her…I just don't know where she is. Do you know where she it?"
Tarus stared at me, "You lost the princess."
I slammed the door behind me, "You are so helpful!"
Tarus looked up and down the hall, "Did she jump off the balcony?"
I began to tell him something rather nasty, when I recalled I never looked over the side of the balcony. While, I didn't think she'd jump off the balcony. She could have slipped or been pushed.
Quickly, I opened the door and ran back in the chambers with Tarus a step behind me.
We ran was fast as we could to the balcony and peered over.
I thanked the Gods and Goddesses that she was not on the ground beneath the balcony. Then I glared at Tarus, "You horrible man!"
Tarus glanced over the side again, "We have to tell Hector."
We had to tell Hector? The man had clearly lost his mind, "What? What we are you referring to? You can feel free to go tell the prince that his beloved pregnant wife is missing. I'll jump off this balcony."
The man just rolled his eyes, "Go tell the prince, I'll alert the staff and have them scour the palace."
…………………………..
I had absolutely no desire to tell Hector that I couldn't find his wife. I would rather jump off the balcony and fly away.
But no, while I made my way through the palace the staff looked as if they were on the hunt for something. It puzzled those who were not employed by the palace. Along with the panicked look upon their faces.
Inwardly, I felt the same.
It was not only fear for my best friend, but also fear of her husband. I had no doubt he wouldn't go through with his threats to me. All of them worse then the one before. Loosing Andromache would surely earn me one of the worst he could think of.
When I came to the guarded doors of the Kings Throne Room. I wished to die then and there.
One of the three guards asked, "What is it now, Padme."
I forced a smile, these guards obviously were not told. "I need to speak to Prince Hector, immediately."
The guard smiled, "Right. As soon as the meeting is over. In about two hours."
I shook my head, Hector needed to know immediately. Even if she were found he would cut my head off and parade around with it on a spear, if he was not told. Which I did not look forward to.
So, I told the guard, "Fine. You need to give him the message."
The guards snickered and shifted beneath their armor.
"And what message is that?"
I pointed at the one in the center, within reach of me, "You can tell Prince Hector that we have lost his pregnant wife, Princess Andromache."
The three guards immedialty became solemn. As if they had been told their children were not theirs, or as if they had found out the Gods were in the palace. If it had not been such horrible news, I would have been amused.
The guard on the left immedialty moved, "Let Padme through, I think she should be the one to tell Prince Hector."
All three guards nodded in unison and let me in the throne room, much to my disappointment.
Slowly, I walked into the room that fell silent at my arrival.
The two rows of men facing one another, with Priam at the head in the center, Hector on his side. I walked to the side with my eyes downcast. Not in respect to the nobles and men.
Not in respect to Hector or King Priam, but because I had absolutely no desire to meet Hectors eyes.
I came within feet of Hector and knelt down on one knee, "Prince Hector…I need to speak to you in private."
King Priam's soft voice filled my ears as the marble floor filled my eyes, "Padme, surely there us no matter pressing enough to interrupt this council."
Still, I refused to even look at Hectors feet.
I felt his eyes on me.
As if he could read my soul.
"It concerns Princess Andromache."
Hector's feet touched the floor, he took my arm in his strong hand and pulled me to my feet. When I finally had the courage to look up, Hector's eyes were on his father, "I'll be back as soon as possible."
My feet refused to work.
Hector drug me through the Throne Room rather roughly. The strength in his hand was frightening and I began to shake in fear.
I heard him close the door to the Throne Room and shove me into the closed door, "What's wrong? Is she ok?"
My mouth grew dry and I couldn't speak.
Hector was aggravated and concerned, "Padme!"
"I I I don't know."
"What do you mean you don't know? Where is she?"
I could not meet his eyes, I looked straight ahead at his chest, "I don't know."
For a moment he was silent.
Deathly silent.
When I looked up his eyes were wide as eggs, "You lost my wife?"
