Chapter Text
The box lit up showing the words ‘ The Horse and the Infant ’, whatever they’re watching, Odysseus could only think of one night where those words would make sense. The screen then fades to show Odysseus.
Alright my brothers, listen closely
“Why am I singing?” Odysseus questioned, leaning onto Penelope, feeling the most at home since he’s felt since leaving for Troy, as little sense as that makes due to their current situation.
“I don’t know, but you should do it more often” Polites said cheerfully
Tonight we make the Trojans pay
Ten years of war they killed us slowly
“So this was three years ago then…” Penelope said, almost a whisper
“Three years? But it's barely been one” Polites added, confused, causing Odysseus and Eurylochus to wince, which only served to confuse him more.
But now we’ll be the ones who slay
“Is that a wooden horse?” Telemachus commented, eyes wide
Odysseus nodded, “We hid inside it to get past the walls of Troy” he explained simply, leaving out details he likely shouldn’t tell his thirteen year old son. It's been thirteen years already…
“That’s so cool!” Telemachus replied, unknowing of his father’s slight crisis at missing so much of his son’s life
Think of your wives and your children
Your families wondering where you’ve been
“We already knew you were at war, why wonder?” Antinous said, bored
“Who are you again?” Eurylochus queried, which Polites elbowed him for
They’re growing old and yet you’re still here
Odysseus sighed, reminding himself that he will get off Calypso’s island, that is if he ends up back there after this. Maybe the Fates will grant him mercy and let him go home without having to see the goddess again…
Do what I say and you’ll see them again
(Yes sir!)
Diomedes will lead the charge
Agamemnon will flank the guards
“I never liked Agamemnon” Penelope said, giving a slight glare as the on screen Agamemnon flanked the guards
“Liked?” Odysseus questioned
“He was killed by Clytemnestra when he returned home” Penelope supplied
“Poor guy” Polites mumbled
“Polites, he tried to kill Telemachus as an infant just to make me go to war” Odysseus reminded his friend
“HE WHAT?!” Telemachus yelled, making Antinous glare at him, not that Telemachus noticed
Menelaus will let our mates through the gates to take the whole city at large
Teucer will shoot any ambush attack
And Little Ajax will stay back
Nestor, secure Helen and protect her
Penelope smiled at her cousin showing up on the magic picture box.
Neo, avenge your father, kill the brothers of Hector
Find your inner strength now
Use that well of pride
Fight through every pain now
Ask yourself inside
What do you live for?
What do you try for?
What do you wish for?
What do you fight for?
(What do you live for?)
(What do you try for?)
(What do you wish for?)
(What do you fight for?)
Penelope…
Penelope and Odysseus looked at eachother and gave each other a quick kiss, which Telemachus jokingly gagged at.
Penelope and Telemachus
Telemachus beamed at being mentioned. Father thought of him during the war?
Odysseus leans over and ruffles his son’s hair upon seeing that.
I fight for us
I fight for us
(What do you live for?)
Penelope
(What do you try for?)
Telemachus
(What do you wish for?)
I'm on my way
Antinous scoffs at that which causes Odysseus to give him a glare. This guy’s getting on my nerves.
(What do you fight for?)
Attack!
As the sound of battle rang through the music, Odysseus silently thanked the gods, whoever would listen at this point, for the magic picture box not showing anything too graphic. War is bloody, he would rather Telemachus to not witness the brutality of it.
Everyone watched as Odysseus climbed up a wall, and as a spectral warrior came rushing at him.
Ahg!
Penelope flinched as the spectral warrior stabbed her husband and vanished. Antinous leaned forward, suddenly intrigued. Eurylochus and Polites shared a look, when did this part happen?
Who was that?
“Was it a ghost?” Telemachus asked, Odysseus shook his head as an eagle’s cry could be heard and the clouds in the magic picture box took the form of a man, or more accurately, a god.
A vision of what is to come
“Is that Zeus?!”
Cannot be outrun
Can only be dealt with right here and now
Tell me how
I don’t think you’re ready
A mission to kill someone’s son
A foe who won’t run
Unlike anyone you have faced before
Say no more
I know that I'm ready
I don’t think you’re ready
Penelope gasped at the sight of a crib, that could only mean… no…
Telemachus stared at the picture in shock as Odysseus turned away, facing Penelope. Polites put a hand on his friend’s shoulder.
It’s just an infant
It’s just a boy
What sort of imminent threat does he pose that I cannot avoid?
This is the son of none other than Troy’s very own prince Hector
Know that he will grow from a boy to an avenger
One fueled with rage as your consumed by age
If you don’t end him now you’ll have no one left to save
You can say goodbye to (Penelope)
You can say goodbye to (Penelope)
I could raise him as my own!
(He will burn your house and throne)
“Why are you hesitating? If you love your wife as much as you claim, you would have killed the infant by now” Antinous sneered, Odysseus glared at the one-eyed man.
Or send him far away from home!
(He will find you wherever you go)
Make sure his past is never known!
(The gods will make him know)
I’d rather bleed for ya
I'm on my knees for ya
(He’s bringing you down on your knees for ya)
I'm begging, please!
Oh this is the will of the gods
“Ha! The great King of Ithaca, brought down to his knees for the life of a child belonging to the enemy. Never thought I would see such a pathetic sight” Antinous said with a malicious smirk, not looking at Odysseus but rather the Odysseus on the box.
Polites was rethinking his stance on the strange man as Odysseus glared at Antinous enough that if looks could kill, this man would join the sirens.
Please don't make me do this
Don’t make me do this
The blood on your hands is something you won’t lose
All you can choose is whose
Odysseus stared at the box as the scene faded, recent events flashing in his mind, Zeus telling him to choose himself or his cre-
He got pulled out of those thoughts by a kiss on the cheek.
“I'm sure you made the right choice, I'm sorry you had to choose” Penelope said, embracing Odysseus in her arms as Odysseus hugged back.