Disclaimer: Don't own anything.

…

Andromache sat at her mirror, slowly brushing her hair. The citadel was eagerly awaiting the envoy from Troy, who would arrive shortly. Her seven brothers were all waiting down at the docks to escort the party up to the palace. Suddenly the door to her chamber opened, and her closest handmaiden, Maira, walked in.

"Andromache, their boat has been sighted. Your father requests you to join him in waiting for them." Maira took the brush from Andromache's hand and critically studied her complexion. Taking two gold combs, she clipped the princess' hair back and nodded. "You're ready."

"Am I?" Andromache quipped back. "I am about to meet my future husband- the man who will take me away from my home to make me his wife, a man I've never met- and by placing two combs into my hair I'm now ready?"

Maira laughed. "Well, I can only prepare you physically. Your mind and emotions, you're the only one who can conquer those."

"I don't seem to be very good at it."

"Then perhaps your betrothed can help."

"No man will ever conquer me," Andromache quietly stated.

"You will learn to love him, Andromache. Every woman does," Maira stated simply. "Your mother did it, and her mother before her."

"They did not learn to love. They learned to give up their dreams and their desires, and convince themselves that they were better off without them. They allowed themselves to become nothing more than slaves with nice clothes, convincing themselves they were really free."

Maira turned to her friend, looking deep into her eyes. "Look at me, Andromache. When you look at me, does slavery really seem that bad? I am well fed, kindly treated, and looked at with respect."

"But you're still a slave, Maira," Andromache frowned. "Your life is easy and simple, and you're happy to live it, but you have no freedom."

"But what is freedom? A free person can make their own choices, most often foolish choices that cause unhappiness. They can call themselves free and yet they are often poorer and unhappier than many slaves I know. Andromache, you must look at what you do have. I am a slave, I freely admit it, but my life is a happy one. I could be scrubbing the floors and sharing the bed of a cruel master, one who uses me for his own pleasure. Instead I am waiting upon the princess of Thebe, sharing thoughts and dreams with her and following her wherever she goes. Freedom is not everything."

Andromache looked down. "But you admit it yourself. You could be the slave of a cruel master and have a horrible life. It all depends on who your master is."

"See for yourself before you judge him. I've heard he is a good man."

"Men can be good leaders and beloved by their people, and yet hated by their wives. Marriage without love is no different than slavery to the cruelest master, Maira, and I shall not know until after we have taken our vows." She smiled at her friend, then quickly left to join her father.

…

Eetion smiled as Andromache came into the room, and led her over to a seat on his left. Her mother smiled at her from across the room as she gave instructions to a slave about a domestic matter, then came over to kiss her daughter.

"You look wonderful, Hector will be pleased," she whispered in her daughter's ear.

"But shall I be pleased, Mother?" Andromache asked quietly.

"You will learn to be, love. He is a good man and you will share a happy life together."

"One away from you, and father, and my brothers. One without the people of my city rejoicing for me and sharing in the joy of my children."

"They will always love you, Andromache, as will we. The distance does not matter. Sacrifice is necessary for happiness." She sat down to the right of her husband, and far off they heard the shouting of the people as the procession moved through the city towards the citadel.

Andromache sat there, thankful for the silence of her parents. She knew this was difficult for them; they were going to have to greet the man who was taking away their only daughter. But the alliance was needed, especially now with the growing rumors of war with Greece. Time seemed to crawl as the shouting grew louder. Andromache forced herself to sit still. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Maira come into the throne room and stand off to the side. Thank you, Andromache thought quietly. Maira had been her handmaiden since the two were girls, they'd grown up together. Maira was a prisoner of war, she'd been captured when Andromache's brothers had been conquering the neighboring lands years ago.

A particularly loud shout when up and Andromache knew they were near the citadel. I cannot do this! she thought desperately. She rose quickly and strode over to the doors, which were open in anticipation of the arrival of her betrothed. Walking quickly, she came to the platform around the palace, and watched the citadel gates, waiting for them to open. She didn't have to wait long, she saw the attendants straining to open them and suddenly felt like hiding her face.

"Andromache." She heard her name spoken and turned. Her mother gently pulled her next to her, and Eetion stood in front of them. It would be grossly improper for her to greet the Trojan party first, as king of Thebe her father must do that. She was grateful for his robes, which hid her from the party.

"Father! We bring Prince Hector of Troy, our beloved sister's betrothed, to taste your hospitality!" her oldest brother shouted. Obviously they've lost no time in becoming familiar with my betrothed, Andromache thought wryly.

"Prince Hector, welcome to Thebe. My wife, Queen Ariana-" her mother stepped forward next to her father and Andromache felt panicked. "- and my precious daughter, Andromache." Her parents parted and she was given the first glimpse of her future husband. The moment she made eye contact, she froze, feeling like a rabbit caught in the deadly gaze of a cobra.

…

Hector stood at the front of the ship, watching the land become closer. He could see eight horses being held by servants, and seven men were gather at the harbor. As the ship approached, men tossed out ropes to secure it to the dock.

"Prince Hector, welcome to Thebe!" The oldest man strode forward and clasped Hector's hand in a greeting of friendship. "I hope your journey was an easy one. I am Prince Arimedes, eldest son of Eetion."

"It is an honor to be received by you. We were blessed by Poseidon, the journey was peaceful," Hector replied easily.

"I'm glad to hear it. We have horses waiting, come." He led the procession to the group of horses Hector has spotted earlier, and the men mounted. As Arimedes led Hector through the streets, crowds of people swarmed to get a glimpse of him. Dances were led in the city squares and the cheers were almost deafening.

"Andromache is beloved by the people, they are pleased to have you joined to our city in marriage," Arimedes informed him.

"I should have thought they would not be pleased with me since I am taking your sister away from them." Hector smiled ruefully.

Arimedes smiled. "They've heard stories of your kindness; they could not have asked for a better husband for Andromache. Your reputation has given you forgiveness for whatever losses we will have to endure."

"But does Andromache feel the same way?" Hector asked curiously.

"You will soon learn, Andromache is very good at keeping her opinions to herself. She will make you a good wife," Arimedes said dismissively. "However, if you really want to know, ask my youngest brother. There are only five years separating the two of them, between Andromache and myself there are over twenty, so I'm not the best person to ask. Euklides!" he called out.

A young man rode over, his looks showing him in her early twenties. "Yes?"

"Our guest would like to know about his future bride, strive to enlighten him more than I am able to," Arimedes said laughingly.

"Well, Prince Hector, what is it you wish to know?" he said easily.

"Whatever you can tell me. We won't have much time to become acquainted with each other before the wedding so I'd like to make it easier on her. And we are to become brothers soon, address me as Hector please."

Euklides brow wrinkled as he thought about what to say. Hector was reminded of his own brother, Paris. Both of them possessed the same inexperienced, mischievous look.

"Well, she's normally quiet until you get to know her. Once she opens up she's wonderful to talk to. She likes horses and will lose her temper if she finds a snake under her pillow. Especially if it slithers onto her neck in the middle of the night," he said sheepishly.

"I'll strive to remember it," Hector said seriously, fighting the urge to smile. Yes, he is just like Paris, he thought, amused. Out loud he asked, "Does she have any close companions?" He silently worried about taking her away from the relationships she'd developed.

"Her handmaiden, Maira. However, she'll be accompanying you to Troy, so you don't have to worry about that. She follows Andromache everywhere."

Hector silently breathed a word of thanks to the gods. He wanted to make this as easy as possible for his bride. Arimedes then rode between them, ending the conversation.

"We're approaching the citadel." He pointed it out to Hector, and the group rode through the main gates. "There is my father, waiting to greet you," he said, gesturing to the king.

The party dismounted and made their way over to Eetion. "Father! We bring Prince Hector of Troy, our beloved sister's betrothed, to taste your hospitality!" Arimedes introduced the prince to his parents. Hector responded graciously to Eetion and his wife, but his mind was on someone else. He couldn't see his bride anywhere, however, so he assumed she hadn't come to greet him.

"-and my precious daughter, Andromache." Hector started, then stood stunned as Eetion stepped aside to reveal his future bride. Her figure was becomingly set off in a light blue dress with gold combs contrasting in her warm brown hair. His eyes caught hers, and he saw a panicked look in them. His heart sank, realizing how she felt about the marriage. However, he couldn't change the circumstances so he tried to put her at ease.

"It is an honor to meet you, princess," he said warmly, slightly taken aback when the panicked look left her eyes to be replaced by misery.

"The honor is mine, Prince Hector," she correctly replied, lowering her eyes.

"Well, someone will show you to your chambers, Prince Hector. Tonight we feast in honor of your safe arrival," Eetion said, watching the exchange between the two of them.

Hector was led to his room, wondering when he would be able to talk to Andromache alone.

…

Andromache watched him as he was led away, then strode quickly to her room, knowing Maira would follow. When she reached her chambers, she quickly shut the door, then burst into tears. She knelt down by her bed, silently sobbing into the blankets. She heard the door creak open and then felt a hand on her back. But it wasn't Maira.

"Shhh." Her mother's soft voice comforted her. "You'll be fine," Ariana soothed. "Every bride cries when she first meets her husband, I sobbed for hours when I first met your father."

Andromache's sobs slowly abated, and she finally sat up and wiped her eyes. Her mother pulled her into a hug, and Andromache let herself be soothed by her mother's comforting arms around her. "It became so real when I met him," she whispered miserably. "I'll have to leave you, Mother. In just a few short days."

"You'll be happy again, my love. Hector is a good man, he will treat you kindly."

"But he isn't my family," Andromache replied. "And I'll never see you again."

"He will become your family, love. And you'll have duties as his wife so you won't have time to miss us. Andromache, I promise you, you will be happy with him. I thought my heart would break when I had to leave my family, but I am truly happy here. You'll have children, and watch them grow up into beautiful men and women. You will learn to love him, and he will learn to love you. It's the way of the world, my daughter." She wiped the tears from Andromache's face and stood up. "The feast will begin in an hour's time, I must go help with preparations. Forget about your sadness, we shall enjoy the few remaining days we have together."

She left, and Andromache closed her eyes. Maira came in, holding a wet cloth.

"Put this on your eyes, it will help the redness go away." She handed it to Andromache and then left the room, giving her friend some privacy. Andromache placed it over her entire face and stayed that way until Maira came back in.

"The feast begins in a half hour, I've come to help you get ready." Maira pulled out a fancy headpiece. "Your dress you can leave on, we'll just do something fancy with your hair."

Andromache slowly got up from the bed and sat in front of her mirror. Her eyes were no longer red, but there was a dullness in them. She watched wordlessly as Maira styled her hair and placed the headpiece on. "Thank you," she finally said, when all was finished. "Don't bother waiting up for me, I'll take care of myself tonight." Maira nodded and Andromache left to spend time with a man she could never imagine herself loving.