#//telemakhos trying not to regret everything lmao

[wonderingprince]

@harvestshope

Telemakhos stands tall, straight, chin up. A steady stance, hands clasped tightly behind his back. He's always been good at hiding his fear in a hostile environment; he's always had to be.

He tells himself that he shouldn't be scared. Athena had all but told him directly that she wouldn't let the Trojans hurt him, but she had stayed on the ship in her guise as Mentor, and maybe she's watching anyhow, but maybe she's not. And Telemakhos stands in the lion's den with only Peiraeus for support. He's faced worse obstacles in his life. That doesn't mean fear doesn't flutter in his stomach as he finds himself face to face with the King of Troy.

He lets himself glance around the hall, meeting the gazes of the other Trojans assembled. It's difficult to tell which could be the Princess Polyxena, if she's even present.

"My lord, I apologise for the unannoucned intrusion-" they had sent word ahead of course, but with a journey proven to be so treacherous, it was impossible to know if the messenger had arrived until now. Telemakhos thinks, reading the blank expression of the King in front of him, that the message was not delivered. "I understand that I should have been here some years ago, but I'm afraid I was unaware of my obligation to you until some months ago, and the situation at home made it impossible to make the journey immediately."

Indeed, if his father hadn't returned, Telemakhos might never have made the voyage, even after Nestor informed him of the betrothal. Even with his father back home, the thought of Telemakhos sailing for Troy had unsettled all of them. He thinks that his father hadn't wanted him to come; he knows that his mother hadn't. But Telemakhos thinks he has a duty to at least show up. Whatever happens next is up to the Fates.