Free The Trojan Princess by JJ Hilton Page A

husband and sons alone, so she
set off – almost an orphan - without her mother from the royal palaces, Iliana
and Ilisa trailing behind her in their own finest robes, and with the other
women of the royal household looking elegant and bright in their most elaborate
headdresses and boldest gowns.
    “You
must be excited,” Polyxena whispered, as they climbed atop the litter that
would carry them from the palace to the temple, which stood on a low hill in
the centre of the city, so that from the top of its pillars one would be able
to see all of the city spread out from it in every direction. “I do so long for
a wedding of my own!”
    “You
will not have one before I do,” Laodice said, seemingly affronted that her
sister would say such a thing. “I am older than you, it will be me that marries
first.”
    “Perhaps
neither of you are ready for marriage,” Creusa pointed out, her voice stern and
her lips pursed in disapproval, “If this childish squabbling is what you think
befits two royal princesses on this most important of days.”
    Polyxena
and Laodice fell quiet and still upon the murderous look their elder sister
gave them, but Queen Hecuba put a placatory hand on Creusa’s arm.
    “Today
is a joyous occasion,” she said, giving her daughters, and then Andromache, an
indulgent smile, “It is about none of us, but Princess Andromache.”
    Creusa’s
hard look softened and she too smiled upon the new princess.
    As
the litter made its way towards the temple, the streets were lined with people,
all waving and weeping and calling for their new princess. Andromache waved
from the litter, savouring all the well wishes that were being heaped upon her.
She caught Queen Hecuba watching her, and though she said nothing, Andromache
fancied that she had seem a glimmer of approval in the queen’s eyes.
    The
temple rose above them as they neared and cast them into shadow as they reached
it. The citizens of Troy were not allowed to enter the temple to share in this
ritual, so Andromache led the royal ladies up the smooth, marble steps and into
the cool shadows of the temple alone. Attendants robed in gold stood at the
foot of each mighty pillar, their heads bowed; whether in reverence to the gods
or in greeting to the royals, Andromache did not know and did not ask. She
walked the length of the mighty room and knelt before the altar, bowing her
head and the rest of her party did the same.
    She
prayed then.
    To
Hera, Queen of the Gods and the goddess of marriage and fertility, she prayed
for a long and fruitful marriage, filled with joy and happiness, and for the
power to be a loyal and blessed wife to Hector, the man who would be her
husband and also her king one day.
    To
Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, she prayed for her desire for Hector to continue, and
grow stronger with each passing day, and for the passion of their union to be
blessed with a child.
    To
Athena she prayed for wisdom; and to Demeter she prayed for fruitfulness and
growth as a woman; and to Artemis, she prayed that she would bless her with a
child.
    With
the prayers concluded, Andromache lifted her head, hoping that the goddesses
upon Mount Olympus had heard her prayers and sought fit to answer them.
     
    *
* *
     
               
On the second day of the wedding ceremony, Andromache felt excitement once more
flutter in the depths of her stomach. This day, perhaps more than either of the
others, was the most important of the marriage ceremonies, for it was when she
and Hector would join hands and enter into their marriage.
               
The day began with the nuptial bath; and Andromache slipped naked from her robe
and climbed into the icy cool water in the gold tub, which had been adorned
with flowers, as her attendants and the women of the royal household looked on.
She sank beneath the water and did not feel the cold; for she knew that this
ritual was to purify her, ready her for the marital bonds she was to enter
into, and it would also