#I feel like Laertes

[absolutelynotararr]

MEMORY (OF HIM)

RAR!

Many of us like canon pairings, such as, obviously, Odysseus/Penelope, but... I'm very sad that one canon pairing is not talked about (at least I have not seen any discussion). The topic of this pairing we have brought up (and more than once) with my dear friend and it is... Laertes/ Anticlea ( Laea?? Antites??? Lanti????) Lanticlea!

Yes, we don't see this relationship in EPIC (God, I hope my memory lapses don't make me look like an idiot right now) , but this doesn't cancel out my headcanons, some of which my friend and I keep for a month/a more, and which I personally keep for a very long time in my head and dusty notes!We have a lot of headcanons and discussions about them, so...

• Once upon a time, when Laertes hadn't completely lost his mind, he tried in every way to remember and pass on his memories to someone he trusted very much. Every day, at every meal, at every moment when he was near his dear son, he told him something that had happened to him, about kings from other lands, about the people, everything that he himself knew. Cause he believed that Odysseus should be the first to know and remember all this, сause he would gain the power of his father. Remember MotH, and it will be logical in any case!

• But he also wrote down everything he could on scrolls. And all of these writings were spontaneous and feverish. Imagine that an idea for a drawing/fanfiction came to you in the middle of the night and you try to draw it or write it as quickly as possible, while panic, fear and this inspiration overwhelm you. It's something like that, but with memories, but more, more disturbing. "I remembered it! Faster!" - and Laertes runs from his bedroom to the scrolls, so as not to forget what he suddenly remembered. There are a lot of ink blots on the scrolls, on the table and on his hands, he mumbles, pronouncing the memory and writes terribly from all the haste. In his notes, out of 100%, maybe...10% could be made out, cause it really looked terrible and illegible, and even Laertes himself had difficulty making out his notes

• But nevertheless, only one person could understand all the horror, kept all the scrolls close to him and kept the memories of Laertes until her death... Yeah, it was Anticlea. She woke up with him, and after the recordings she calmed her husband for a long time when he began to tremble, cry, that he would forget everything, even if write everything down. She was, in fact, the only person in the entire kingdom who truly remembered everything about Laertes. After all, Odysseus had been away from Ithaca for many years, and no one else had left so many memories of such a hero, king, and man as Laertes. Surely after returning Odysseus doesn't remember some things about his father, but... there is no longer that person who could remind him of the events he forgot :)

• In fact, with Anticlea's death, the memory of Laertes died, both literally and figuratively. And imagine: Anticlea remembered her husband all her life, until her death, as well as her beloved son, but Laertes himself remembered nothing about her. For him, she probably became, over time, not his beloved wife, but simply a random woman from the palace that he left, going to live in a quieter place

Long live the couple: man with dementia and the suffering sweet woman who still accepts her husband even though he has forgotten her, yup, @gareleia ? >:D

[edettethegreat]

see there's one specific reading of hamlet that I need and adore, and am always looking for in any production

when hamlet's calling the ghost. by the line "I'll call thee Hamlet, King, father, royal Dane" (usually the "royal dane" part is cut from productions)-- I need each title to be said with increasing uncertainty and desparation

"I'll call thee Hamlet!"

"King!"

"...father?"

and when 'father' is said with infinite softness.

and 'father' is said with yearning and longing and grieving.

and hamlet is reaching out to his father, who is standing right in front of him and won't respond.

[theofficialpresidentofmars]

started watching Death Note yesterday and have come to the conclusion that if Hamlet had access to a death note, literally nothing in the play would change or happen differently in the slightest

[theimpossiblescheme]

Staging concept: Ophelia carries around a book that she uses to press different flowers and plants. At one point we see her actually pressing one of the flowers Hamlet's given her before, and we get the impression that she wouldn't part with this book for the world. During the "Get thee to a nunnery" scene, Hamlet rips the book out of her hands, and she goes diving after it to make sure he didn't damage it. And during her final "mad scene", she starts tearing out the relevant pages (rosemary, pansies, fennel, columbines, etc.) to give to everyone present. Laertes is the only one to get the significance of his sister giving away parts of her prized possession, and it adds an extra layer to his grief.

[inadvisablebutinevitable]

this has probably been said but I truly believe in my heart of hearts that Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, would have loved Cell Block Tango

[cleverclove]

Ghibli Laertes :] tell me which Hamlet character to do next!

[college-cryptids]

thinking about telemachus recently and how odysseus was gone for like. his entire life. strictly speaking, telemachus wasn't the child of a single parent but he may as well have been. do you think that showed through, when odysseus did finally return home?

certainly, he was always a mama's boy. no one doubted that. he had no one else, after all. there was laertes, and the men around the palace (who harbored a disgust for the horde of suitors that almost rivalled penelope's) and he loved them all dearly, but it was not the same. telemachus grew up loving his mother with all of his heart, and defending her with all his strength.

and then this man comes home, and he has telemachus' smile and he knows things that only telemachus' father would know, but he is a stranger. odysseus arrives home as a creature of myth, the misty stuff of fables that you could almost touch if you reached, but never quite grasp. telemachus does not know this man, but seeing him that day in the throne room is the first time in twenty years that penelope has shed tears of joy instead of pain, so he decides there must be something to him. he smiles at this man's jokes and listens raptly to his stories (and he does have so many stories!) but there is always that distance there. a gap in the planks of the bridge, a crevasse that's just too wide to jump across. he tries to know him, but it is not as easy as either of them would like it to be.

it is penelope that finally bridges the gap. telemachus finds her in tears again one day, tucked away somewhere odysseus would not see, and he rushes to his mother's side, but when he reaches her she cups his face the way she did when he was a boy. her hands are thinner now than they were then, and there are lines on her face that had not been there before, but behind the glimmer of tears is that spark. that strong, intelligent spark that first drew odysseus to her; that spark that convinced young telemachus that his mother could rival athena in wisdom if she wished to be so bold.

but these tears, he finds, are not the ones he expected. as penelope takes her son into her arms she whispers, you're just like him. you're so much like your father, and i am so proud.

and that sticks.

telemachus meets the stranger with his father's face and thinks, he's just like me. he watches him laugh the way he himself does, he compares his face and odysseus' in a mirror and the similarities make him smile this time. he hears others in the palace tell of the king's courage and his wit and he thinks, perhaps i can be like him. perhaps he is like me.

telemachus greets odysseus that night and calls him father, and for the first time, the word does not feel strange on his tongue.

it feels right.

[theodysseyofhomer]

odysseus and penelope's slaves: a primer.

eurycleia: odysseus' childhood nurse, as well as telemachus'. her backstory is briefly mentioned (book 1): she is the daughter of ops, bought by odysseus' father laertes when she was young. specific mention is made that laertes never slept with her, in order to keep peace with his wife anticleia. (her name has the opposite meaning of odysseus' mother's.) at the time of the odyssey she is old, and among named slaves has probably been with the family the longest. she is the only character who recognizes odysseus unprompted (and he threatens to kill her about it). they trust her heavily throughout the plot to kill the suitors; afterward, she handpicks the other enslaved women who have slept with the suitors, so that odysseus can execute them. if i were to beg for one thing, it would be that you consider what living in close proximity to her owners for so long might do to her psychologically, and how her experience with laertes might skew her view of the "disloyal" women.

eurynome: another older woman who attends penelope (and eventually odysseus).

hippodameia and autonoe: two younger slave girls who attend penelope.

actoris: a slave penelope mentions once (book 23) as the only person besides her and odysseus who knows the secret of the olive tree bed, because she used to guard their room. actoris was given to penelope by her father. it's possible that she's already dead by the time of the odyssey, as she never appears in person.

the unnamed traitors to penelope: three times in the odyssey, we hear the story of penelope unweaving a shroud for laertes at night to hold off the suitors. two of those times the suitors tell it, and say that a female slave told them the truth of what was going on. later penelope tells the beggar-who-is-odysseus, and she says that they caught her in the act with the help of her slave girls.

dolius, his unnamed sons, and their unnamed mother: dolius is another slave given to penelope by her father (book 4). now an old man, he seems to look after odysseus' father laertes, who no longer lives in the main house. father of melantho, melanthius, and six other sons by a sicilian woman who also cares for laertes. it is unclear whether she is the mother of all dolius' children, or only the six sons present in the farmhouse. dolius' first and last appearance on page is in book 24, when he greets and kisses odysseus; in the text, he never learns that odysseus has executed two of his children.

melantho: the daughter of dolius, who penelope raised "like a daughter" and pampered (book 18), though clearly only to a point. she is sleeping with the suitor eurymachus (also book 18). the text doesn't offer insight into how she actually feels about eurymachus. she has two scenes, and in both insults the beggar. both odysseus and penelope berate her and call her a dog. melantho is often assumed to be the one who betrayed penelope's weaving ruse to the suitors, but this is never stated in the odyssey.

melanthius: the son of dolius and brother of melantho, a goatherd who sides (vehemently) with the suitors. it is said that eurymachus is his favorite (book 17). he insults the beggar and eumaeus multiple times as well. he is present for the bow contest, helping the suitors, and when the slaughter begins, he brings them armor and weapons. odysseus orders the two herdsman on his side to tie him up, hoist him into the rafters, and torture him. they leave him tied until after the fighting, when "the men" (presumably odysseus, telemachus, eumaeus, and philoetius) cut off his nose, ears, and genitals to feed to the dogs, then chop off his hands and feet.

the unnamed hanged women: twelve (out of fifty) enslaved women whom eurycleia handpicks for death, because they were sleeping with the suitors (according to her, book 22). all the enslaved women are hiding during the slaughter; afterward, eurycleia goes to them, calls the twelve, and brings them to odysseus, who has them clean up the corpses and blood. odysseus means to execute them with swords when they're done, but telemachus decides to hang them instead, specifically to deny them a clean death. melantho is presumed to be one of these twelve. like with her, the text offers no insight into how they feel about the suitors.

eumaeus: a swineherd with an extensive backstory told in book 15. his father ctesius was the king of syria, but his enslaved nurse ran away and took him with her, intending to sell him, when he was too young to know better. she died on the ship, and laertes bought him in ithaca. like melantho, he was brought up there by the queen, in proximity to odysseus' younger sister ctimene. when they were older, ctimene was married and eumaeus sent to the country. he is well-off enough to own a slave of his own. in the odyssey, eumaeus personally takes care of the beggar, tells him all about the situation in the palace, and tries to protect him from the suitors, though he is openly skeptical of anything the beggar has to say about odysseus. when telemachus returns to ithaca, it's eumaeus he goes to first, greeting him like a family member. odysseus finally trusts his identity to eumaeus right before he wins the bow contest. he promises to give him a wife, wealth, and a house near the palace (and freedom, implicitly? unsure). eumaeus participates in the slaughter, the torture of melanthius, and possibly the executions. if i were to beg for one thing regarding eumaeus, it would be to consider how often in ancient literature, the only enslaved characters who are portrayed with dignity or sympathy are those who were, at one point, nobility.

mesaulius: a slave who serves and cleans up after eumaeus. eumaeus traded for him while odysseus was away, with his own money (book 14).

philoetius: a cowherd and overseer. like eumaeus, he is kind to the beggar and expresses loyalty to odysseus. he says that he would have run away, except that he still holds out hope for odysseus' return. odysseus reveals himself to philoetius along with eumaeus and promises him the same things (wife, wealth, a house). also participates in the slaughter, torture, and executions.

medon: house slave who has become a favorite of the suitors, but reports on them to penelope (book 4). telemachus tells odysseus to spare him (along with phemius, the bard) due to medon caring for him when he was young. medon then comes out of hiding to corroborate this and profess his loyalty. toward the end, medon hears the people of ithaca assembling to avenge the suitors and tries to discourage them, saying that he personally saw a god helping odysseus.

-

a lot of other unnamed slaves are mentioned in passing. i love the passage in book 20 when odysseus overhears an enslaved woman grinding grain as she prays to zeus for relief from the suitors. to odysseus, this is an omen, but it's also a very human moment which has nothing to do with him. there are more like this; i couldn't include all of them.

i wrote this up because i see a lot of people who are more familiar with retellings of the odyssey than the epic itself getting interested in these characters, often without really understanding a) that they are enslaved and b) how they function in the odyssey. both those things are important to grasp, if you're going to question both the assumptions of the cultural world of the poem and many knee-jerk modern responses to it—including what is, or isn't, deemed suitable in a retelling.

[forthegothicheroine]

I don't know if you do requests for the Great Detectives, but I'd love to see how you think the Great Detectives would handle the murder of King Hamlet of Denmark.

This is a GREAT one! The big question is whether they all talk to the ghost of the dead king; I think I'm going to have to take that on a case-by-case basis, with whatever feels right for any specific detective.

So, in a series I do sometimes, how would various great detectives solve the murder of King Hamlet...

Sherlock Holmes: Well, obviously ghosts don't exist, so jot that down. But in Holmes's experience, living humans often pretend to be ghosts (or even make dogs pretend to be ghosts!) so who could this be? The young prince Hamlet, who everybody says has gone mad? Holmes deduces that he isn't mad at all, and is in fact conducting psychological warfare against his hated uncle; while Holmes disapproves, he concludes that the boy is completely right about Claudius due to his knowledge of the play The Murder of Gonzago, as seen when he's upset about changes in a production. The Murder of Gonzago is a play which premiered in a town in Denmark known for its manufacturing of poisons for pest control!

Hercule Poirot: Poirot is quite sad to hear that the monarch who invited him as a celebrity guest has died; why does this always have to happen when he goes on vacation? Polonius spies on the guy to see what he's up to, but Poirot is much better at snooping on people than he is, and nobody can keep anything hidden for very long. He gives a summation where he reveals Claudius killed his brother. Prince Hamlet immediately goes to attack his uncle and they struggle over a sword. King Claudius falls dead and Poirot bows out, because determining whether Hamlet should suffer consequences or just become king is not his department.

Sam and Peter: Hear me out- if we bump Hamlet down from ambiguously college-aged to ambiguously high school aged, we can replace Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. These two nerdy kids are shipped in to cheer their friend (more like acquaintance) Hamlet up, and to his surprise, they respond to his depressing monologues by taking notes and asking for further details on why the world is so corrupt. Hamlet isn't so happy about them doing an investigation into "What is up with Hamlet's super hot mom?" but when they suggest interviewing Claudius to see if he has the face of a liar, he enlists them to help out with putting on The Murder of Gonzago. The rest of the play mostly goes the same, but they find the letter Claudius planted on them and show it to Hamlet. One of the last lines of the play is when Fortinbras is looking at everyone lying dead, but then Osric points out "Sam and Peter are alive!"

Phryne Fisher: Phryne is a dubious (if genteel) woman Laertes has taken up with, whom Polonius is doing everything in his power to drive away. Phryne doesn't care, but it does bring her attention to the fact that the man is apparently constantly spying on everyone in the castle. On whose behalf is he doing this? King Claudius? Is he afraid someone may assassinate him because of his brother's suspicious death? What was the official story about that, anyway? She exchanges sexy insults with Prince Hamlet, refusing to be cowed, and ultimately agrees to play the queen in his production of The Murder of Gonzago (where she gets a little too into the love scene.) When she turns and looks directly in Claudius's eye in the audience during a crucial line, she can see the answer to everything. Claudius tries to convince Laertes to kill her, saying she corrupted Ophelia into being a whore for a mad prince, but Laertes can't go through with it and kills Claudius instead.

Dale Cooper: King Hamlet's ghost tells him who killed him in a dream, but Cooper doesn't remember. He befriends Horatio and tells him that in order to understand the death of the king, it is crucial for them to study an old Icelanic poem about a man who feigns madness, because the answer to the mystery lies somewhere within. Horatio doesn't totally get it, but he figures Cooper must know what he's doing and goes along with it. When everyone is gathered to watch a production of The Murder of Gonzago, Cooper first steps up onto the stage, guided by a spirit in the form of a snake wearing a crown, to announce that King Claudius killed his brother. Prince Hamlet immediately stabs his uncle. Determining whether Hamlet should suffer consequences or just become king is not Cooper's department.

Philip Marlowe: All I know is, most of this mystery involves him getting thrown off the palace grounds repeatedly and being told that a bum like him better keep away from King Claudius if he knows what's good for him. If he ever gets out of Denmark alive, Marlowe thinks to himself, he's never leaving LA during the winter ever again.

Sam Vimes: Vimes can actually interview the ghost, but that doesn't mean the case is closed. He's not worried about the ghost actually being a deceitful fiend, he just thinks there's a possibility he's wrong. After all, if Vimes was poisoned and his ghost found out some creepy relative immediately married his wife and took his job, he would also jump to conclusions! He spends a lot of time yelling at royal people and getting threatened with execution (Vimes doesn't know how his job ended up involving so many clashes with royalty, but so it goes), and is disrespectful of religion enough to spy on Claudius while he's having his remorseful confession. He can't arrest him, but he spreads the word around, and as the royal court dissolves into backstabbing and finger-pointing, Vetinari walks in with a full retinue (and more importantly, a list of all the debts Denmark owes to Ankh-Morpork) to evaluate the situation and congratulate Claudius on his "excellent decision" to abdicate. Claudius later dies of a totally natural snake bite in his ear.

Columbo:

Your Majesty, King Claudius, forgive My clumsy common nature. I am not A noble gentleman, nor do I live With such great honor as yourself- a thought, However, troubles me this night. For how Should some strange serpent come to bite a king? And why within his ear? It puzzles! Now, I beg that I may ask just one more thing…

[sandersstudies]

Since you can't share top picks for potential baby names, would you be willing to share which ones you considered that didn't quite make the cut? AKA ones you know you won't be using?

YESSSSSS I feel like I’m an influencer for the first time. I have to keep my two top picks each for boys and girls to myself in case I use them in the future but if I don’t and I still have this blog when my family is complete I’ll share.

I won’t be sad if you judge me in the notes! These names all didn’t make the cut for a reason.

Boys

James (My husband and I actually both like this name but my extended family has two James’ already)

Basil

Bates

Geordi (We are Trekkies and love Geordi LaForge but sadly decided that this is a cute little boy’s name but maybe sounds a little juvenile for a grown man.)

Mathi

Ambrose

Anselm

Atticus

Mangan (This was intended to honor a male mentor in my life but my husband knew a kid named Mangan who sucked and ruined this one for him.)

Sheridan (We decided this sounded too feminine.)

Selwyn

Sigrun (We actually liked this for a boy, nicknamed Sig or Siggy, but concluded that the Norse mythology connection made it too feminine.)

Zefram

Amyas/Amias (This was my top pick boy name for a while but my husband didn’t like this one at all.)

Leander

Lemuel

Laertes (Another of my favorites my husband didn’t like.)

Peregrine (This is a saint name that goes well with my second-favorite girl name but obviously most people hear Peregrine Falcon.)

Penton

Delemay (We decided this one sounded to feminine.)

Viggo

Kodiak (I said the mountains. My husband said the camera.)

Silas

Gideon

Pascoe (My husband thinks this is too close to Pascal, which makes him think of Tangled.)

Jude

Jethro (My mom actually vetoed this one.)

Girls

Ronnette/Roni (My family has a lot of Ronalds after a family member who passed away, and I liked this feminine alternative.

Agnes (This was one of the few girl names my husband and I both liked for a while.)

Liesl (Like the Sound of Music.)

Zelpha (Another family name)

Sophronia (Also a family name)

Brontë (For the author sisters.)

Piccarda

Simonetta

Lucretia (Can you tell I read a lot about the Italian Renaissance)

Romy/Roamy

Paget (Like the actor from Criminal Minds.)

Thaïs (This was too similar to another family member’s name)

Tula (Fandom alert this was a character from Dimension 20: Burrow’s End)

Zoah

Bryony

Ardis (I actually have an acquaintance named this but it’s SUCH a cool one, and a shorter alternative to Artemis.)

Wynne (Whoops! My in-laws named their dog this :))

Winona

Etta

Eulalie

Gwynedd (Too similar to the name of a family member)

Nadine

Saryn

[dootznbootz]

Silly Ctimene Headcanon :3

As some of y'all know, my Odysseus has long, curly af auburn hair. It's something he gets from Anticlea (who got it from her dad who got it from Hermes). It's a cute lil thing with Laertes having his beloved 3 tall, red-brown puff balls lol.

But unlike Odysseus and Anticlea who love their luscious locks, Ctimeine HATES it.

It's too hot. It's thick and heavy. It gets messy and frizzy with humidity. It hurts to get combed. Who on earth would purposely keep what feels like a woolen blanket on their head during the warm season?!

Odysseus hears her rants about how much she hates it. Both are tenderheaded but she is more upset about getting it styled than he is. When Odysseus is around 12-14 and she was around 10-12, hearing some more of her rants, he was basically like "…Well…what if your hair got cut by 'accident'? 👀 "

And then he basically has it set up where "oh no, My sister is stuck and all snarled with her hair in this bush! How will I get her out????"

And it's just basically him pulling a "chop chop" for her. Very uneven and in one swoop. like from "Tangled" >:3

And ofc, Anticlea and Euryclea are sad. Probably even crying a lil.

"This was on purpose, I KNOW it was, Odysseus. How could you do this to your poor lil sister?! 😭" "Because I'm a horrible and mean older brother >:3" winks at the camera while Ctimene is bobbing her head side to side and kicking her feet, giggling about her shorter, much lighter hair "You will be punished severely." "…yeh 🥲 "

I know haircutting wasn't really a thing unless grieving BUT they were kiddos and stupid 👀 This may just be a one time thing but I also really love short hair Ctimene. :)

[amitiel-truth]

River Maiden Pt. 8

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11,

🔞Groping, Exhibition, Sexual Innuendos🔞

Odysseus and Telemachus stood on the shore, watching as the fleets of ships approached the shores of Ithaca. They could see the worried and angry expressions on the faces of the families of the murdered suitors.

Odysseus clenched his jaw. Telemachus, sensing his father's tension, placed a hand on his arm, trying to calm him.

"Father, we expected this to happen," Telemachus murmured, his voice low enough that only Odysseus could hear.

Odysseus took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "I know, son," he replied, his voice tight. "But that doesn't make it any easier to face."

Odysseus and Telemachus waited on the shore as the boats began to dock, the families of the murdered suitors disembarking and making their way towards them. It was a tense and volatile atmosphere, with the families all looking angry and confrontational.

Odysseus and Telemachus knew they needed to tread carefully to avoid a full-blown conflict. With 108 families to deal with, they would have to be diplomatic and tactful in their approach.

Odysseus and Telemachus made their way to the palace, where they found Laertes, Odysseus's father, waiting for them. Laertes was a tall and imposing figure, with a stern expression on his face.

"I knew this day would come," Laertes said gruffly, his voice filled with grim resignation. "I only hope that it will not end in bloodshed."

Odysseus placed a hand on his father's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "We'll do our best, Father." he said, his voice steady and confident.

Telemachus stood beside them, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. He knew that his words and actions could either defuse the situation or escalate it to violence.

"Telemachus, go see your Lover and Mother." Laertes orders, dismissing him.

Telemachus hesitated for a moment, but then bowed his head in compliance. He knew better than to argue with his grandfather in serious situations like this.

"Yes, Grandfather," he said, his voice quiet and respectful.

With a final lingering glance at his Father, Telemachus turned and left the room, making his way to the Queen's Quarters, where he knows (Y/N) and Penelope are.

As he entered the room, Telemachus caught sight of (Y/N) and Penelope, who had obviously been discussing the situation. They looked up as he entered, and their expressions of worry softened at the sight of him.

"Telemachus," Penelope said softly, rising from her seat to greet him. "Are you alright?"

Telemachus managed a small, reassuring smile in response. "I'm fine, Mother," he replied, trying to sound calm and unruffled. "But Father and Grandfather are currently in a serious discussion with the families of the dead suitors."

(Y/N) and Penelope exchanged a tense glance, before (Y/N) stepped forward, taking Telemachus's hand. "How are they reacting?" she asked, her voice betraying her own fear and worry.

Telemachus sighed, looking down at his feet for a moment before meeting her gaze again. "They're angry, understandably," he said. "But Father and Grandfather are doing their best to pacify them. They're trying to avoid any bloodshed, but I don't know how successful they'll be."

(Y/N) sighs, shaking her head "blood feuds are long and bitter, they feel humiliated and disrespected for killing their sons, even if they were the ones in the wrong" she mutters, mindlessly playing with his hand

Telemachus nodded in agreement, his brow furrowing in concern. "Yes, I know," he said, his voice quiet. "But what choice did we have? The suitors were a danger to our family and our way of life."

He pulled her into a tight embrace, taking comfort in her presence and her touch. "But we'll have to be careful, love," he murmured, his voice low. "These families are desperate and angry. We'll have to tread lightly."

"I understand, I still have this." (Y/N) showed him the dagger Ioannis, one of her guards in his absence, lent her.

Telemachus's grip on her tightened as he saw the dagger, his expression turning hard and determined.

"Good," he said gruffly, his voice filled with protective affection. "You need to stay safe. These families are unpredictable and dangerous. I don't want anything to happen to you."

"We understand, My Love." (Y/N) nodded, pecking his lips.

"I'll stay here with your Mother, and could you please send in Ioannis and Panagiotis ones more, I don't feel safe on our own." (Y/N) requested the guards Telemachus assigned for her, a small smile on her lips.

Telemachus nodded, his expression softening as he looked at her.

"Of course, love," he said softly, reaching out to cup her cheek with his hand. "I'll go get them right away."

He kissed her forehead gently before leaving the room, going to fetch the guards.

Ioannis and Panagiotis are quickly stationed outside the Queen's Quarters, their expressions serious and alert.

"Guard them with your lives," Telemachus instructed them firmly. "I don't trust these families not to try something."

"Yes, Your Highness!" The guards nodded their understanding, their hands on their weapons. They took up positions outside the doors to Queen's Quarters their eyes watchful and their bodies tensed.

Telemachus made his way back to where the meeting was taking place, mentally preparing himself for the confrontation that was sure to follow.

"Excuse me, sir," Someone calls out as he passed, her voice sweet and soft, with a touch of sadness.

Telemachus turned to look at her, taking in her regal appearance and the grief etched on her face.

Despite her grief, she moves with effortless grace, her flowing chiton catching the light as she walks. Her dark hair is intricately styled, woven with subtle adornments, and her gaze is both commanding and serene.

Telemachus turned to look at her, taking in her regal appearance and the grief etched on her face.

She approached him, her eyes downcast, her body language radiating sadness and vulnerability.

"I'm sorry to trouble you," she said, her voice just above a whisper. "But I recognized you and couldn't help but speak."

She lifted her head, and Telemachus was struck by the depth of sorrow in her gaze. "I am the sister..of one of the suitors you killed."

Telemachus felt a pang of guilt and sorrow at her words, but he held his composure, his expression stoic.

"I am sorry for your loss," he said, his voice sincere but guarded. "But the suitors brought their fate upon themselves. They invaded my home and caused harm and chaos."

She nodded, her shoulders slumped in acceptance. "I know, and I don't blame you for what you did," she said softly. "But I can't help but feel the weight of my brother's death on my shoulders."

She took a step closer to him, her hand reaching out to touch his arm, her fingers ghosting over the fabric of his tunic.

"I was wondering if I could trouble you with a request," she asked, her voice low and melodious, a contrast to her weary demeanor.

Telemachus shifted slightly at her touch, his guard instinctively going up. He could tell that she had something to ask of him, something he might not like.

"What is your request?" he inquired, his voice neutral.

The strange girl looked up at him through long eyelashes, her gaze earnest. "I realize this is a strange request, but I was hoping that you could find some way to compensate me for my brother's death."

She took a step closer, her hand still on his arm, her touch light yet insistent. "Perhaps a favor, a gift, something to ease the pain and the emptiness I feel in his absence."

Telemachus's brows furrowed at her request, his suspicion growing. It wasn't uncommon for families of defeated enemies to seek reparations, but something about her demeanor felt off to him.

"I sympathize with your loss," he said slowly, his voice cautious. "But what, exactly, do you have in mind?"

She took took a deep breath, her hand sliding down his arm to take his hand in hers. "I was hoping you would marry me," she said softly, looking up at him pleadingly. "It would be a way to right the wrong of my brother's death and bring honor and respect to his memory."

Telemachus's eyes widened in shock and disbelief at her request. The very thought of marrying her to appease her family's sense of honor was not only ridiculous but also insulting in some way he can't explain.

"I..." he began, his voice hoarse. "That's...I can't...I'm already betrothed."

Her expression faltered, but she quickly composed herself. "But surely, you could break off your betrothal for me," she persisted, her grip on his hand tightening. "I could make you a good wife, a loyal queen. My family is wealthy and has great influence in several kingdoms. It would be a wise political move for you."

Telemachus shook his head, his irritation growing at her insistence. "No, I cannot and will not break my betrothal," he said firmly, pulling his hand away from hers. "And I'm not interested in a political marriage. I love someone else."

Her eyes narrowed, her desperation becoming more apparent. "You would rather forsake a powerful alliance for a love match?" she asked, her tone almost mocking. "That's foolish and naive."

Telemachus's eyes hardened at her words. "It may be foolish to you, but I won't sacrifice love for power," he retorted, his voice edged with anger. "And I won't be coerced into a marriage I don't want, even if it brings 'honor' to your brother."

Her face flushed with anger and humiliation. "You are an ungrateful fool," she spat, her words filled with venom. "My brother died in your palace, his blood stains your hands and you refuse even to consider my offer? You don't care about honor, or duty, or family. You're just a selfish, lovestru-"

"There you are, My beloved~" Suddenly, familiar arms snaked up from his waist to his chest, hugging him from behind, and a kiss was placed on his neck.

"I was looking for you, how mean of you to drop off the guards and not give me a proper goodbye kiss?" (Y/N) asked over his shoulder, pouting at him.

Telemachus's irritation and frustration melted away at the familiar touch and the sound of (Y/N)'s voice. He relaxed into her embrace, his hand coming up to rest on top of hers.

"Sorry love," he said, his tone softening considerably, as he turned to look at her over his shoulder. "Got into a...discussion with someone."

(Y/N) turns her gaze to the person in front of Telemachus, tilting her head "Who's this?."

The Princess bristled at (Y/N) words, her earlier pleading and sweetness replaced by a cold, hard expression. She shot a glare at Telemachus, before looking up at (Y/N) with a forced smirk.

"I am Princess Cassandra," she said, her voice strained. "And you must be Telemachus's... betrothed."

"Yes, that is I. My, A Princess, you don't look like one." (Y/N) quickly bites back, not bothering to introduce herself, playing with Telemachus's tunic.

Cassandra's eyes narrowed at (Y/N) words, her annoyance growing. She bristled at the insult, her composure faltering for a brief moment.

"And I suppose you're the epitome of a Princess," she retorted, her voice sharp and cutting. "With your disheveled hair and your hand all over his clothes in public."

"Oh, excuse my disheveled appearance, I swear I fix myself up every morning, but the Prince can't help keep his hands off me~." (Y/N) answers with a smirk.

Telemachus's face flushed a bit at Egeria's words, and he tried to suppress a smirk of his own, though he failed miserably.

Cassandra scowled at Egeria's words, her jealousy growing with every passing moment. "I doubt it," she retorted. "I can't imagine someone as...unsightly as you being such an object of desire."

🔞🔞🔞

"Believe it or not, I am~." (Y/N) answered, keeping eye contact as she licked Telemachus's neck.

Telemachus tried to hide a shiver at (Y/N) gesture, but failed miserably, his face turning an even darker shade of red.

Cassandra watched the exchange with growing fury, feeling the sharp sting of jealousy coursing through her veins. She clenched her fist, her knuckles turning white.

"How...vulgar," she gritted out through clenched teeth.

"As vulgar as trying to steal my bethrode using a dead relative?" (Y/N) asked, running her hands all over Telemachus's chest and abdomen, touching every sensitive part she knows excites him, her eyes narrow with a deadly smirk.

Telemachus's breathing hitched as (Y/N) touched him in those spots she knows drive him crazy, and he had to fight back the urge to react to her, to pull her into his arms and kiss her senseless right this second.

Cassandra's eyes widened in shock. She hadn't realized that (Y/N) had been listening the whole time, and the princess was now feeling both embarrassed and humiliated.

"That...that's not..." Cassandra struggled to find the words, her cheeks turning red in a mix of anger and embarrassment.

Telemachus, however, was more amused than annoyed, enjoying the show that (Y/N) was putting on, knowing that it's all for his sake. He couldn't help but find her little display cute, and a small part of him wanted to see how far she would go.

"Not what? 'Oh! I'm a distressed Princess who passed my bethrodal age, since you killed my brother, why don't you marry me in retribution? Oh, what's that? You're already bethrode? Well, I'm a helpless Princess, what else do I have to say? Break it off for me, please?' Is that what your trying to say?" (Y/N) taunted, before sliding her hand down between Telemachus' legs, palming his bulge.

"You don't even look like you know how to touch a man, serves you right, since you can't have a man all by yourself." (Y/N) taunted, her eyes slitted with a wide grin.

Telemachus inhaled sharply at (Y/N)'s unexpected action, his body reacting instantly to her touch. He bit his lip, trying to keep a straight face and not react outwardly, but the sensation was hard to ignore.

Cassandra's face went red with embarrassment and anger, her shame and humiliation mounting with every word that came out of (Y/N) mouth.

"You...you know nothing of what I can do," she snapped back, trying to salvage her dignity. "I could make Telemachus happy, and content. I would be a loving and devoted wife."

"Then your eyes may not be working, look at him." (Y/N) points, smirking at him as she continues her wandering hands.

"He's completely happy with me." (Y/N) points out, before biting his shoulder.

Telemachus's breath hitched again at (Y/N)'s bite, and he couldn't help the soft moan that escaped his lips, his body trembling slightly under her touch.

Cassandra's eyes widened in surprise and annoyance at the sound, and anger flared up in her eyes.

"He's...he's just...he's clearly just in a vulnerable state," she sputtered out, trying to find a way to explain away Telemachus's reaction. "Any...any man would react that way to a woman touching him like that."

"Oh, is that so? Then watch." (Y/N) suddenly stops her hands, hovering in front of him.

Telemachus whimpered audibly as (Y/N) took away her touch, his body craving the sensation of her hands on him again. He had a feeling that (Y/N) was up to something, but he couldn't help his body's natural reaction to her.

"(Y/N)...please," he said, his voice strained with desire. "Don't stop. I need...I need you to touch me."

(Y/N) smirked at the princess, before continuing her intimate touches to the Prince, particularly to in between his legs.

Telemachus let out a relieved sigh as (Y/N)'s hands returned to him, her touch sending ripples of pleasure through his entire body. He leaned into her touch, his eyelids fluttering as she caressed his sensitive areas.

Cassandra's face was now a deep shade of red, her ears burning with the combined humiliation and anger. She bristled at (Y/N)'s actions, her fists clenched at her sides.

"I...how...how dare you," she spluttered, her voice shaking with fury. "You...you...harlot!"

"Think all you want, but this one's mine." (Y/N) declares with a smirk, as she fastens her stroking through his clothes.

"You should be even thanking me, for allowing you to see such a sight that I have the pleasure of seeing everyday." (Y/N) taunted, as Telemachus reached his high, staining his loincloth, falling onto (Y/N) arms, his head on her shoulder with his head tilted towards her as she kisses him passionately.

Cassandra stood there, watching in shocked disbelief as Telemachus came undone in (Y/N)'s arms, a mix of emotions rushing through her mind. Her face was flushed with embarrassment, anger, and a touch of envy, and she couldn't tear her eyes away from the intimate scene before her.

Finally, she shook her head, snapping out of her daze, and spun around, her gown whipping around her. She dashed off, her cheeks burning with humiliation.

As the Princess ran away, (Y/N) drops to her knees with Telemachus, assisting him with his weak knees.

"Are you alright, My Love? Was I too rough?" (Y/N) asked in worry, running a hand on his hair.

Telemachus sagged against (Y/N), his body trembling slightly as he tried to regain his composure. He buried his face against her neck, taking several deep breaths to steady himself, the scent of her calming him down instantly.

"No, no, love," he reassured her, his voice hoarse. "You were...perfect. I just...I got a little overwhelmed there, that's all."

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have touch you like that without your permission." (Y/N) pulls him into her arms, her cheek on his shoulder.

Telemachus shook his head, pulling her to his lap. "You didn't do anything I didn't like," he reassured her, his arms encircling her waist. "In fact, I loved every second of it. I just...it was just a bit intense, that's all. And in front of someone like Cassandra, too..."

"It's just...she was trying to take you from me, so I got..." (Y/N) looks away from him, blushing, she didn't want to admit she was jealous.

Telemachus chuckled, his arms wrapping tightened around her. "I know, my love," he said, his voice gentle and soothing. "And believe me, I would never let anyone take me away from you. I'm yours, and only yours. And I always will be."

(Y/N) sighs, leaning into his arms. "I love you, Telemachus, we may always have sex most of the time, heck, we had sex the second day we met, but regardless, I love you, not just for our intimate pleasures, but for everything, and I'll be damned to let anyone take you away from me." (Y/N) professes while stroking his cheek.

Telemachus's heart swelled at her words, her declaration of love and devotion filling him with a warm, fuzzy sensation. He smiled, turning his head to place a kiss on her palm.

"I love you too, (Y/N)," he replied, his voice filled with sincerity. "Even with our...frequent intimate encounters, I also love you for who you are. You're my partner, my confidante, my best friend, and most importantly, my soulmate. And I would never, ever let anyone take me away from you, either."

"It's such a shame that I...soiled myself." Telemachus blushes, closing his legs as best he could with her on his lap.

(Y/N) smiled, before licking his cheek. "I can clean it up if you want~." She offers with a mischievous grin, making Telemachus blush.

"You can't be saying and doing such things! Especially in the Hall!" Telemachus scolded her as she laughs, her forehead on his shoulder.

She laughed as Telemachus couldn't help but notice that (Y/N)'s hair was a mess, despite the fact that they hadn't engaged in their "routine" yet. He tilted his head, a curious expression on his face.

"Love, your hair looks...disheveled," he noted, running his fingers through her locks. "It's not the usual after-bed head."

"I was running around trying to look for you, I was serious about the goodbye kiss." (Y/N) admits, blushing a bit.

Telemachus chuckled, a warm smile spreading across his face.

"You look adorable when you're blushing, love," he teased, his fingers continuing to comb through her hair.

"But it's good to know that my kisses are that important to you. I'll make sure to give you plenty of them, even when I'm busy."

"You better." (Y/N) pouted up at him, as he fixed up her hair for her.

Telemachus chuckled again, his eyes sparkling with affection as he finished fixing up her hair.

"Don't pout, love," he said, pinching her cheek playfully. "You know I can't resist you when you look at me like that."

He pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her once more, his touch gentle but possessive.

Suddenly, they heard more screaming where Odysseus and Laertes are.

Telemachus groaned, reluctantly breaking away from (Y/N)'s embrace.

"I wonder what's going on now..." he muttered, standing up and offering his hand to (Y/N).

"I suppose we better go see what's happening. Stay close, and don't wander off again, love."

Telemachus and (Y/N) quickly make their way towards the source of the commotion, hand in hand. As they approach, they see that the commotion is centered around Odysseus and Laertes.

Odysseus is locked in a heated argument with a group of men, while Laertes stands nearby, looking torn between anger and exhaustion.

"You killed our brothers, our nephews, our heirs!" one man shouted. "We demand reparations, a sum of gold for each life taken!"

"That's ludicrous!" Laertes retorted. "Your kin were thieves and traitors, attempting to usurp our throne! Odysseus and Telemachus had every right to defend himself and his family's honor!"

The men just scoffed, their lips curling into sneers.

"Honor? You speak of honor after slaughtering our kin?!" one of them spat, his face reddening with fury. "You think money will make up for their loss? We want revenge, justice for our fallen family!"

Odysseus shook his head, his jaw clenched in irritation.

"I'm not giving you a single drachma," he said, his tone firm and unyielding. "Your kin were given a choice, and they chose violence. They knew the consequences of their actions, and they paid the price."

The men bristled at Odysseus's words, their anger growing with each passing moment. Their demands grew more outrageous, demanding not only gold but also land, titles, and even the freedom to wed any woman of their choosing.

Telemachus scowled, shaking his head at the audacity of the men's demands. He stepped forward.

"This is absurd," he said, his voice sharp and cold. "You have no right to make such demands, nor do you deserve any reparation for the lives of your kin. They were enemies, and they were dealt with accordingly. Your outrage is misplaced."

The men took a step closer, their anger now directed towards Telemachus.

"You dare to speak to us like that, you upstart brat?" one of them snarled. "You think you're so high and mighty now that you have your father's throne? Well, let me tell you-"

But Telemachus cut him off, his gaze steely. "I am the next king of Ithaca," he said firmly. "And I will not be intimidated by your empty threats. You have no claim to anything, least of all my compassion or forgiveness."

Odysseus's thoughts turned dark as he listened to the men's demands. He knew all too well that blood feuds were bitter and long-lasting, and that granting the men's demands would only escalate the violence further.

"Enough!" he finally snapped, his voice booming. "You have no right to come into MY home and make demands of ME! You want vengeance for the deaths of your kin? Fine! But I will not give you gold, land, nor shall you marry any of my people. Your kin made their choices, and they paid the price."

(Y/N) frowns, glaring at the Suitors families, her hand twitching, itching, planning, as a storm seemed to brew outside the palace.

Odysseus's voice continued to rise, his anger and frustration palpable. "You speak of honor and justice, but you know nothing of either. Your kin were villains and cowards, unworthy of my mercy or compassion."

The storm outside seemed to reflect Odysseus's mood, the sky darkening and the wind picking up. A few of the men blanched at the sight, clearly unnerved by the weather.

Suddenly, the air around them stilled, the Families stood in place as if stopped in time, with only Odysseus, Telemachus, and Egeria being able to move.

And with a silent gust of wind, Athena appeared, she turned her attention to Odysseus, her gaze softening slightly.

"Odysseus," she began "You have endured much, and I know your patience wears thin. But violence and bloodshed will not bring you or your people lasting peace."

"And for that, I'll give you my help, once more." Athena raises her hand to the Families, a glow flowed from her hand to their heads

"I wiped their memories of their lost families, once this is over, they go back to their ships in a trance like nothing happened." Athena explains, turning to Odysseus.

Odysseus looked at her in shock, before bowing to the Goddess.

"Thank you, Athena," he said, his voice steady once more. "You have my gratitude once again for your aid."

Telemachus follows suit, bowing to Athena, and pulling a reluctant (Y/N) to bow as well.

"Thank you, Athena." Telemachus says, gratefully.

"Yes, Thank you..." (Y/N) mutters reluctantly with a frown, looking onto the ground, Athena notices it, but doesn't speak out about it, given their difficult relationship.

With a snap, the Families grew silent, and with a trance, they began walking back to their ships, one by one, they began sailing off, like they were never here.

Odysseus watched the ships vanish into the horizon and murmured, "With their memories cleansed and their hearts unburdened, the gods have granted me peace at last."

Telemachus approached his father with a smile and said, "Father, after all these years of struggle, it's time we fill this hall with laughter and song again—tonight, we celebrate your return."

Festivities and celebrations erupted throughout The Kingdom as news of Odysseus's return spread. The people of Ithaca were overjoyed to have their king returned to them after his long absence, and they threw a lavish feast in his honor. Nobles, servants, and commoners alike gathered in the palace courtyard, feasting and drinking, dancing and singing.

Odysseus was the center of attention, surrounded by well-wishers and admirers. Telemachus and (Y/N) at a roundtable near him, watching as Odysseus basked in the adulation of his people with Penelope in one arm.

Odysseus recounts the time when he was on the run from Poseidon, the god of the sea, who had cursed him for blinding his son, the monstrous Cyclops. Odysseus describes his harrowing journeys through treacherous seas, battling monstrous creatures and facing deadly storms.

The people listen intently, enthralled by Odysseus's tale of survival and resilience. Telemachus, too, is captivated by his father's story he never truly knew until now.

"And as I neared Ithaca, Poseidon himself emerged from the depths, vowing to drown the entire island unless I threw myself into the sea. Thinking of you and your mother, I didn’t hesitate—I leapt, believing it would be my end. In that instant, I nearly glimpsed your grandmother, my fallen comrades, and the afterlife itself. But then, the windbag intervened, saving me from the abyss. To honor my lost comrades, I delivered 600 strikes with Poseidon's own tridents, a fitting tribute to their sacrifice." Odysseus recounts, lifting his hands as if lifting the trident once more.

Telemachus listened in awe to his father's tale, his eyes wide with amazement. He had heard stories of his father's adventures, but it was another thing to hear it directly from his father's lips.

(Y/N) on the other hand, nearly toppled her goblet, shaking. Telemachus noticed it.

Telemachus reached out a hand to steady her goblet, his gaze concerned.

"Love, are you alright?" he asked quietly, noticing her shaking hand.

"I-I'm fine, I guess I just have too much to drink." (Y/N) smiles sheepishly, before standing up.

"I'm feeling a bit woozy, It's best I retire to your room for the night." (Y/N) says, still stiff.

Telemachus frowned, unconvinced by (Y/N)'s excuses.

"Are you sure you're feeling alright?" he asked, looking at her closely. "You're not your usual self, love. Is there something bothering you?"

(Y/N) takes a deep breath, before hugging him over the shoulder

"Nothing, My Love, don't mind me. enjoy the festivities, you didn't get a chance to bond with your Father, I'll just be in your room." (Y/N) pecked his cheek, before turning to enter the palace, to the Prince's room.

Telemachus watched (Y/N) walk away, unease settling over him. He knew something was bothering her, but he didn't want to push her. He turned his attention back to his father's tales, but his mind kept drifting to (Y/N) and the strange mood she was in.

As (Y/N) enters Telemachus's room, she takes a deep breath, hugging herself, before removing her hair pieces onto Telemachus's desk, and walking to the balcony, a tight frown on her lips.

"Show yourself, I know you're watching me, Athena." (Y/N) calls out, leaning out the balcony.

With the sound of the wind, Athena revealed herself. She appeared next to (Y/N), her expression unreadable.

"Why are you here?." (Y/N) asked, barely looking at her.

"Why else? To check on you," Athena replied, her tone neutral. "You seem distressed, more so than usual when I'm around."

"Gee, I wonder why..." (Y/N) looks at her at the side of her eye.

"Cousin."

"Still bitter at me?" Athena remarked. "It's been years, (Y/N). You can't hold a grudge forever."

"How can I not? When you punished my Mother for being defiled by Poseidon in your temple, which she didn't asked for it...she begged for your help...she was your Priestess...but you cursed her." (Y/N) mutters with a tight frown.

Athena's expression hardened at (Y/N) words, her tone turning cold.

"Your mother was a priestess, a devoted servant to me. Yet, she let herself be defiled in my holy temple. She brought shame upon herself and her station, and I could not just let that go unpunished."

"Then why are you here? To tell me what you did was right?" (Y/N) asked, her temper being tested.

Athena's eyes narrowed at (Y/N) tone, but she remained composed.

"No, I am not here to defend my actions, young one. What's done is done." Athena leans over the balcony.

"Your Father knows you're here."

Egeria's eyes widened, stiffening before looking at the ground where the celebration is taking place, seeing happy faces, seeing Telemachus being able to get to know his father, after so long of waiting, she bit her lip.

"What does he want?"

"He wants to see you, to have a word with you." Athena replies, her expression giving nothing away.

"I highly doubt that." (Y/N) quickly answers with a bite.

"For the past 20 years, he didn't bother to see me, when I was Hera's Student, he didn't even spare me much of a glance, he wants something else." (Y/N) points out, looking at Athena seriously.

Athena nodded, a solemn expression on her face. "You're right, Poseidon is a complicated god."

"But you are just as stubborn as your father," the goddess continued. "And you seem to have developed quite the attachment to Odysseus's son."

"Does Telemachus know of your heritage? That you are Poseidon's daughter?" Athena inquired, her eyes watching.

"That's something he doesn't need to know." (Y/N) answers, glaring at Athena

"And why not?" Athena countered, her tone challenging. "He deserves to know the truth about who you are and where you come from."

"Where I come from? From a God who made sure his Father couldn't come home for 10 years after the war? Or from your Priestess who you, His Mentor, turned into a Gorgon." (Y/N) asked, turning her head towards Athena.

"A child of a God and a Cursed human, face it, Cousin, He'll see me as a monster, and he'll...." (Y/N) trials off, looking at Telemachus's smiling face celebrating with Odysseus like he's the only one keeping her sane.

"He'll leave me, force me out of Ithaca..."

Athena's expression softened, her eyes filled with some sort of pity.

"You're letting your insecurities and fears consume you," Athena said gently. "Telemachus loves you, that much is clear. Do you really think he would leave you simply because you are Poseidon's daughter?"

"Not just Poseidon, My Mother, Medusa." (Y/N) points out, looking out at the sea, where Gibraltar is.

"I don't know what I'll do without him...I'll simply die..."

Athena sighed, looking at (Y/N) with sympathy.

"You need to have more faith in yourself, Cousin," Athena said. "You are stronger than you think. And Telemachus is a good man, he will accept you for who you are, despite your heritage."

"Just out with it with your news." (Y/N) walks into Telemachus's bed, laying down on it, not wanting to hear any encouragement from her perceived tormentor.

Athena rolled her eyes at (Y/N)'s childish behavior, but didn't call her out on it. "Very well," she said, clearing her throat.

"Poseidon has learned of Telemachus and your...dalliances. And he's not exactly pleased with this turn of events."

"Be cautious. Poseidon has not forgotten his hatred for Odysseus. And he will use any means to get back at him, even if it means harming those around him."

Athena continued on. "And you, (Y/N), you carry the blood of Poseidon in your veins. Poseidon may seek to use you as a pawn in his twisted games. You must watch your steps carefully."

"...Just leave..." (Y/N) mutters, her back towards her, hugging herself tightly.

Athena sighed, realizing her words had little effect.

"Very well. But remember, (Y/N), the fates are unpredictable." With that, the goddess of wisdom disappeared, leaving (Y/N) alone with her thoughts.

(Y/N) lays and the bed, before curling in on herself, crying, sobbing heavily, as the festivities goes on just outside the palace.

(A/N: I'm bored, ask me anything you want to know about River Maiden! (Y/N))

[katerinaaqu]

Little question. I don't know if you've already been asked that before but what's your opinion on Penelope and her role in the Odyssey ?

I just hate it when people say she's boring or completely passive to the plot, or just a damsel for Odysseus. She's relevant in her own way too ! She ruled Ithaca in his absence, held off and schemed against suitors, all in respecting the ancient sacred laws. She's strong in her own subtle way.

Nope I haven't and I think it was about time too! Hahahaha! But even if I was, I am not asked by you so I would answer anyways! ^_^

To put it simply I find it straight out ridiculous whenever someone calls her that and whoever said that probably hasn't read the Odyssey or has read the most terrible translation to history of translation! Hahaha! Because there is nothing passive about Penelope's role in Ithaca. Even if on first sight looks like it, in reality it isn't if one thinks about it. Even her own role at the beginning of the Odyssey is either active or causing actions. To name a few:

The suitors waited for HER to choose one of them! Regardless of the way someone sees it and regardless of how they called for Telemachus to "send her to her father", they were sitting there waiting for HER to decide whom she should marry. It was obvious who was the one in charge in many ways.

Penelope calls for the challenge herself. Not only does she decide the way she would choose her future husband but also her wish was respected no matter how bizzare it was heard to their ears

She demands her own wedding gifts. She sends the suitors by manipulation to fetch her "wedding gifts" so that they will pay everything they ate back. And the suitors follow that. No matter what someone says it was Penelope the one to decide and call for it.

She confronts Antinous directly. She calls him a madman and a coward. She brings him before his responsibilities and she is not afraid to speak her mind.

She talks back to her husband. She keeps her posture till the recognition SHE decides is done. Odysseus also respects her wishes. He doesn't force his way on her when she says he should "sleep outside". Penelope obviously has authority on him the same way he has on her through her love for him and their mutual respect.

Odysseus expresses his admiration for Penelope many times over hearing her speak up and play everyone like a lyre to her bidding. He also trusts her with his story and he even comments on her mind knowing he can trust his wife with that.

Penelope is being patronized by goddess Athena herself. She is a goddess of action and activity (either war or craftsmanship as well as wit). Penelope qualifies to have her support even if Athena is mostly associated with heroes of mythology. The few exceptions of women she takes over is obvious that their qualities are as powerful as she herself is.

However the most obvious miss that people have is that they forget how Penelope was not just a queen. She was also regent! She was left in charge of the kingdom by Odysseus till her son was of age to rule!

My wife, it is not certain that all the well-armed Achaeans will return unharmed from Troy for it is said that the Trojans are strong fighters both in spear and at the drawing of the bow, they are excellent riders of swift horses and these are things that quickly will determine the outcome of any war. If a god does not return me home and I get lost at Troy, I leave everything to you to attend to and my mother and father in my place while I am away. And when our son grows a beard you can remarry if you want and leave back to your own house

(Translation by me)

Odysseus clearly leaves Penelope in charge of Ithaca in his place!

I am surprised how many people who ellegedly support "strong female characters" feel like Penelope is too passive and that she des nothing at all and is just sitting there. SHE LITERALLY RULED ITHACA by herself while raising her son AND potentially taking care of her in-laws given how Laertes at the end was emotionally unavailable and Anticlea was depressed and died or killed herself. And on top of that she had to take care of the suitors for almost 4 full years while being constantly pressured.

What a woman!

[messymoonmad]

Y'know what would be hilarious? Laertes and ctimene interacting with the suitors.

I feel like ctimene and telemachus would definitely start pranking them

Laertes would straight up try squaring up with them but telemachus would hold him back

Ctimene would just beat the shiz out of antinous

Anyway, eurymachus would be shocked by just how much telemachus can talk when he usually stays so quiet

Just you wait until i design these two.....

Tonight i wanna give you odypen or beggar ody content and little by little ill be giving you more of ody's family content

Did yall know ody's first thought when he killed the suitors and met with penelope was to prank laerties ? I bet he was an annoying brat when he was a kid

[perlelune]

Hey love! Amazing work for your NDA coriolanus fic, I was wondering if he would ever marry the reader or if she would remain only one of the girls he fucks. How would the wedding be & his son's reaction? Thanks love!

You fidget in the dress, checking your reflection in the mirror for the umpteenth time. No matter how many times you look, you can't help but feel that you're looking at a stranger.

But it's to be expected. The beautiful, pristine white dress wasn't your choice. It was Coriolanus'. Just like everything about this day. Right down to the choice of appetizers, the flower arrangements, the way the guests are seated. The president was adamant. Everything needed to be perfect. Nothing but the best for his lady.

His First Lady...

Dread swirls in your gut. You still cannot believe it is to be your title.

You always knew he meant to have you in every way he could. He makes it clear by the way he holds you beneath him in the bedroom, possessive hands trailing bruises over your hips and thighs.

But this...This is madness.

"Mama! You're so pretty!"

Martius runs towards you, his gummy smile on full display. He recently lost his front tooth and hasn't stopped bragging excitedly about his new "big boy" teeth coming in soon ever since.

You pick him up and hold him on your hip.

"Hey, sweetie," you greet, giving him a warm smile. You force cheerfulness in your tone. "Ready to be the flower boy?"

The little boy nods excitedly. You didn't choose to be a mother, especially so young, but Martius grows on you each day. It also helps that he and Laertes get along like brothers.

Noise erupts from outside the bridal tent, Pandora's frustrated voice reaching your ears, "President, you cannot see the bride before the wedding. It's bad luck-"

"I will see my fiancé whenever I please."

The familiar baritone has your stomach clutching in dreadful expectation.

You send him a feeble smile as he enters the bridal suite.

Bad luck... You almost laugh. You couldn't care less if the President sees you before the wedding. You've already been cursed. Trapped to be his forever. Beaming at the crowd besides your tyrannical husband, which you've slowly come to realize Coriolanus is. A vicious, heartless tyrant.

He approaches you and cradles your face. His blue eyes flare as he drinks you in. Your insides stir in discomfort. You know that look. All too well.

"Perfect, just like I knew you'd be, dove. Everything is just...perfect." He gestures at your little brother. "Laertes, come here, my boy. Doesn't your sister look absolutely stunning?"

Your brother's spine straightens as he gets up, making sure to properly hold the two rings lying on the pillow in his lap. Coriolanus insisted for your brother to be the ring bearer. You despise that. You wish Laertes wasn't a part of this at all.

He grimaces while glancing at you. "Ew...I mean, yes sir."

Your brother's reply draws a hearty chuckle from him. He then lifts Martius from your arms, putting him down before instructing, "Now, boys, why don't you go play outside?" He turns to you, his lids sagging as his fingers begin to trace the side of your white bodice, lingering on your waist. "I'd like some time with my bride before the ceremony."

[nerdasaurus1200]

Some headcanons about Penelope and her ducks because it's my new roman empire

When the ducks found baby Penelope she had floated down to the mouth of the river. The poor girl was cranky because the salt water did NOT feel good for a wee baby naiad like her and they heard her cries

They fashioned a little raft for her out of driftwood and tugged her along down the river all the way back to the city, and after finding her Icarius went "well damn....guess I gotta keep her after all", and thus came her name. Yeah apparently Penelope means 'duck'

As she grew up, Penelope thought up names for her flock of ducks

The ducks moved with her to Ithaca when she married Odysseus

The ducks are actually the reason Odysseus and Penelope met. Odysseus heard them quacking at Penelope and went to investigate, and they spotted him right away

Odysseus carved a duck onto Penelope's throne. He even calls her "ducky" as a petname

When Telemachus was little, Penelope used to call him her little duckling

Every single one of the ducks DESPISE the suitors. If they even try to touch Penelope, at least one of them will bite.

Antinous may or may not have threatened to kill them...multiple times

The ducks love hanging out on Laertes's farm

In his and Penelope's room, Odysseus made a little artificial pond for them