Chapter Text
"Ready?"
"Ready!"
With a spear in hand, Athena didn't waste a second and charged towards him. Her knuckles turned white, tightening her grip around the polished wood of her spear as she closed the distance. Blocked by a spear of his own, Odysseus braced his feet against the dirt, the vibration echoing up their arms as their spears clashed, locking them chest to chest.
"Nice reaction time." Athena let out a chuckle, a spark of competitive fire lit up in her eyes as she leaned her weight forward, forcing him to hold the line.
"Learned from the best." Odysseus grinned, sweat stinging his eyes as he struggled to keep himself from stumbling.
In a flash, the goddess vanished backwards, breaking the lock only to strike again. And in a matter of seconds, the silver tip of her spear sliced through the air, inches away from his throat.
SWISH!
Odysseus dodged the attack with a jump, launching himself high into the air. With only a couple of seconds before he lands, he pressed his spear hard against Athena's neck, hooking his legs to her hips to keep her in place.
"Gotcha!" He let out a breathless triumphant laugh, fingers slipping from her shoulders as he tried to keep himself from slipping off.
Athena stilled, dropping her weapon to the ground, making a small thud against the earth.
"Well done," She said, a smirk touched her lips, before she brought her hands up to the spear and—
SNAP!
The wood splintered with a crack, breaking it into two separate halves. With the sudden loss of support, Odysseus landed ignobly into the hard earth.
"AH!" He yelped, groaning as he rolled into his side.
Athena stifled a laugh, watching her pupil stand up to clean himself off. She threw the split halves of the spear to the ground, making a subtle thud as it hit the ground.
"Could have warned me first.." Odysseus mumbled, rubbing his hand behind his neck, the pain of the fall lingering on his behind.
"I did not think that was necessary," Athena said with a grin, keeping her hands behind her back.
Odysseus rolled his eyes at the goddess, a fond smile playing on his lips. He sat down, leaning against the rough surface of the olive tree behind him. He drew out a sigh of relief.
"Did I perform well, Lady Athena?" Odysseus turned his gaze towards the goddess standing at his side, giving her a wide grin as he pushed back his sweat-drenched hair.
"Better than the last time we have sparred, you have greatly improved, King of Ithaca." Athena turned her head to his direction, giving him a small smile. "Well done."
The two was left in a comfortable silence, with only the sounds of the leaves rustling above them being heard. Rays of sunlight peeked through the leaves that shaded them from the sun, the atmosphere warm and breezy. The skies were as clear as day, with not a single cloud in sight—leaving the sky as a bright blue canvas, with only a burning sun painted upon it.
Odysseus' eyes landed on the kingdom in front of him, watching his kingdom from miles away.
"Lady Athena." Odysseus hesitated.
Athena's gaze shifted to the young man beside her. Odysseus dug his fingers into his palm, his hand brushing against the dark and prickly grass beneath him.
Without looking away from the kingdom, he shyly asked. "Do you believe I am a worthy king?"
Athena took a second, her usually sharp gaze softening at the sound of his words. She let out a long sigh.
"If you believe you are a worthy king, then you are—if not, then not." Athena turned her head to the young king beside her, her voice small but soft.
Odysseus' gaze lingered on the kingdom ahead of him. Ithaca was his homeland, his birthplace, the place where he grew up, his everything. For years now, Ithaca was the only place he's ever known, all he's ever known. He's traveled before, yes, but it's never felt the same as exploring the same land over and over again. Ithaca held a very special place in his heart, for it was the only thing his father left him before he eventually passed away.
He snuck a glance at his mentor, who stood tall.
Even after all these years, Odysseus still couldn't believe that he was being mentored by a goddess. She took him as a student when he was still young, reckless, clumsy, standing by his side as she taught him how to be a warrior—but even until now, she teaches him the ways of being a warrior of the mind.
He felt a smile tug at the corners of his mouth, shifting his gaze away from her before settling his eyes on Ithaca. He's come far, he's learned so much, and now all he wants to do is spend some time with his mento—
"Brother!" Oh boy...
"Quick hide!" Odysseus jumped up at the sound of the voice, watching as Athena took a glance at the person approaching.
Without a second wasted, Athena spread out her wings and transformed into her owl form. In a flash, the owl was already perched on the branch of the very same olive tree he rested beneath.
"Hey? Who were you talking with?" As Odysseus feared, his dearest sister Ctimene approached him. She placed a hand on his shoulder as he let out a sigh in exasperation.
"Hello there, Ctimene..." Odysseus groaned, looking back at his sister. His tone annoyed and dry.
"Am I really that annoying?" Ctimene rested a hand on her hip, furrowing her brows at him.
Odysseus let out an echoing laugh, a wide grin on his face as he ruffled his sister's curly brown hair. "Yes you are."
"Oh you little—!" Ctimene sprinted after Odysseus, as he started bolting towards Ithaca, a grin plastered on his face as Athena followed closely behind in the air. "Come back here!"
"You'll have to catch me first, sister!"
"Oh my goodness!" Eurycleia exclaimed behind her hands, her eyes blown wide open. She looked at the two siblings who were drenched in sweat. "Why are you both so sweaty?!"
"Cause he made me chase after him!" Ctimene pointed at her brother, her words being accompanied with pants and huffs as beads of sweat dripped down her forehead, her hands resting on her knees.
"I never asked you to chase me, Ctimene," he said breathlessly. "Perhaps it was you who thought it was necessary," He chuckled, crossing his arms as he watched his sister grumble in response.
The two stood at the entrance of the castle where their loyal maid, Eurycleia, happened to pass by, spotting the two covered in sweat.
Eurycleia let out a sigh. "Alright, that's enough now. Let me clean you two up." Eurycleia began to walk, signalling the two siblings to follow her.
"How do I look, brother?" Ctimene spun around, showing off her flowing blue chiton.
"The same as usual,” Her brother retorted, barely glancing up at her as he continued reading his scroll. The smell of her lavender scented oils stung his nose, as he fought the urge to make her chase him again just so the smell of sweat could overpower the oils.
"Hmph..." Ctimene crossed her arms, shooting him a sharp glare. "Eurylochus would have...." She trailed off before her words became an uncharacteristic mumble.
Odysseus' ears perked up at the mention of his friend, Eurylochus. He looked up from the scroll, his eyes wide as a massive grin began creeping up.
"Eurylochus would have what?" He teased, tossing the scroll aside as he leaned forward.
"Nothing!"
"There is nothing to be ashamed of if you are in love with my second in command!" He laughed.
"I am not in love with your friend!" She turned her head away, but she wasnt fast enough to hide the crimson red spreading to her neck.
"Alright, alright, if that is what you choose to believe.." Odysseus snickered to himself, watching his sister's face get hotter.
Knock knock.
"Oh, that must be Eurycleia." Ctimene turned her head to the bedroom door.
He groaned. "Can you get it?"
"This is your room," Ctimene scoffed, resting a hand on her hip.
"Yes, but you're my younger sister," Odysseus nagged, leaning back against his chair. "And as your older brother, I should tell you what to do."
"But aren't brothers supposed to protect their sisters?" Odysseus paused at her words.
"What if there's danger waiting for me outside that door? Huh?" Ctimene smirked, a smug grin on her face as she watched her brother's smile drop. "What a bad brother."
"Okay, fine!" Odysseus stood up from his chair, raising his hands in the air as he reluctantly walked over to the door. He rolled his eyes at the sound of his sister laughing in the background.
He took the cold metal handle of the door, shooting his sister one last glare before opening it.
"Mother?" He stood confused as he pulled the door open, standing aside as he let his mother—or the former queen of Ithaca—Anticlea inside.
Anticlea stepped inside, the soft fabric of her sapphire chiton sweeping on the stone floor. Her chiton was fastened to her waist with a leather belt, her neck decorated with pearls and jewels. Time had drawn lines and wrinkles on her face, painting dark crescents under her dark eyes, evidence of her hard work during her time as queen.
"Ctimene, darling," She said, turning her head towards her daughter, who was playing with strands of her hair.
Ctimene stilled. "Yes, mother?"
Anticlea drew out a long sigh, her sharp gaze softening as her posture relaxed. "I need to talk with the King."
Odysseus and Ctimene shared a glance.
Ctimene pressed her lips together, widening her eyes. "What did you do?!"
Odysseus shrugged. "I don't know!"
Without another word said, Ctimene took one more look at her brother before exiting the room.
"Mother, what is it that you need?" Odysseus asked, watching as his mother closed the door.
The silence that filled the room after the door closed was tense, heavy, suffocating. Odysseus pressed his lips together, his mind racing with thoughts as the silence became longer. What was she going to say? What is she going to tell me? Is there something going on? Did something happen? Did I do something? Did I neglect my duties as king? Is there a problem that I didn't fix?
He searched for answers, watching his mother carefully as he noticed the way she fidgetted with her hair as she refused to look him in the eye. Did something happen to her? Is something about to happen? Is she going to send me on another diplomatic mission? If so, why would she be nervous? I go on them all of the time? Is she going to tell me something bad?
After a few moments, she let out a long sigh, forcing herself to look him in the eye. After one more second, she finally told him.
"Odysseus, now that you are eighteen summers—I think it is about time you start looking for a wife."
Odysseus froze. A WIFE?!
"W-What?!" He managed to choke out, his grin completely wiped off his face. "What made you think of that?!"
"Odysseus, Ithaca needs a queen. And as it's king, it is your job to find one." Anticlea took a step closer, placing a heavy hand on his shoulder. "And it is your duty to secure offspring to rule after you."
And for a moment, Odysseus stood still, completely rigid beneath her touch.
He took a step back. "Mother, I am completely fine on my own."
Before Anticlea to say a word, Odysseus cut her off. " I am a strong warrior! I can rule and protect this kingdom myself!" He insisted, his voice louder than it should be, his pride refusing to die out. He puffed out his chest, placing a hand against it. "I do not require a queen to make this kingdom prosper."
"I-"
"I am perfectly capable for ruling this kingdom by myself!"
Anticlea opened her mouth to speak, before closing it shut. She shot him a sharp glare, furrowing her brows as she clenched her fists. "Very well."
"Thank you.." A smile returned to his lips, a sigh of relief escaped him.
"I guess I'll have to make you."
"What?!"
"Word from Sparta says that King Tyndareus summons the kings of Achaea." She said, "To seek the hand of his daughter, Helen."
Anticlea took a step towards Odysseus. "And you are going whether you like it or not."
"Mother, must I chase a girl to satisfy your sense of legacy?" Odysseus stepped back, raising his voice as clutched his chest, wrinkling the fabric of his saffron tunic. His laughter came softly and wearily. "Must I stand among every prince and king with no greater gifts to offer but olives and wool?"
"Ithaca is not as small as you make it out to be." Anticlea crossed her arms, shooting him a sharp glare.
Odysseus paced back and forth, his steps echoing across the room. "Helen of Sparta—a prize every hungry wolf will want to hunt and take for themselves!” He raised his hands into the air, his voice becoming louder. “The sons of Atreus will be there for sure, no doubt, with enough gold to buy—"
"Yet Tyndareus calls for suitors, high and low." Anticlea interrupted her son's rambling, making him stop mid-step.
Odysseus crossed his arms over his chest, his expression skeptical. “And if I do not love the girl?”
"You will have to learn how to then."
"How long will we be gone for?" asked Polites, who was hanging upside down from the branch of an olive tree, his glasses nearly slipping off his nose.
"About a month or two.." Odysseus groaned, a gloomy expression loomed over him. He slumped against the trunk, pulling his legs tightly against his chest and wrapping his arms around his shins.
"Cheer up, Odysseus, consider our trip to Sparta as a vacation." Eurylochus said with a grin. He walked over to the tree, reaching up to push Polites' glasses back up the bridge of his nose. "Just the three of us."
And fifteen other crew members... Odysseus thought miserably.
Polites dropped down from the branch, a small thud echoing as his sandals hit the earth. He beamed at his friend. "Eurylochus is right! No need to fret."
"Yes, a vacation where I constantly have to compete with other suitors who are kings and princes from other kingdoms who are incredibly wealthy, all for the hand of the prettiest woman in the world.." Odysseus muttered, burying his face into his knees. "How wonderful.."
"Not compete! More like..." Polites' encouraging voice trailed off into a small, tiny sound. He paused, his smile faltering. "M-More like—"
"Even Polites can't make this sound nice.." Odysseus muttered into his arms, not even bothering to look at them. His friends looked at him with great sympathy in their eyes.
"Think of the bright side, if you manage to win over Helen, Ithaca will benefit from the alliance formed with Sparta." Eurylochus placed a heavy hand on his shoulder, kneeling down to his level. "And if not, you can marry her cousins or sisters."
"Like what? A consolation prize?" Odysseus grumbled, face still buried in his knees.
"Pretty much.." Eurylochus rubbed the back of his neck, his voice guilty.
A long sigh escaped Odysseus' lips. He glanced up at his friends, who were now sitting in front of him. His eyes looked past them, wandering back to the kingdom behind them, the kingdom he loved and cherished. His eyes lingered on the people who lived there, watching them from a distance.
"I trust that you will take good care of Ithaca, I trust you, Odysseus."
Odysseus let out a groan, standing up as he dusted himself off.
"Let's get my ship ready,” Odysseus said. "Cause we are heading to Sparta."
The moment the words left his mouth, a grin spread across Polites and Eurylochus' faces. The two stood up in unison, sprinting after Odysseus who was already walking back to the kingdom.
"Alright! Let's go!" Polites cheered, lifting his hands into the air as the two caught up with the Ithacan king.
"Full speed ahead, captain!" Eurylochus grinned, his pace fast but steady.
"But I am only doing this for the kingdom!" Odysseus grouched, his voice bitter and nagging.
"Whatever you say!"
The three ran off into the distance, heading back towards Ithaca as they prepare for their upcoming journey. Odysseus, decided to neglect his pride and sail off to Sparta, to try and win over the hand of King Tyndareus' daughter, Helen, and bring her back to Ithaca as his wife.