Allison Rood
Chapter 4 ½ -The Odyssey
Telemachus and the nymph
In search of his father, and while the suitors were planning his death, Telemachus left the sunny hills of Lacedaemon and sought help on the green island of Allisco, the great nymph of lovely braids. He landed his boat on shore, in need of sleep and food. Allisco glided, like she was floating on the clouds in the heavens, through the doors of her golden palace and welcomed Telemachus into her home. She said," How hard you have worked and suffered, you must spend time to regain strength and happiness. You mustn't leave now, because your body is so limp and fragile. Please, let my maids pamper you and shower you with gifts." He was then bathed and rubbed with oils and fragrances. As he emerged from his bath, he glowed like the gods of Olympus. Telemachus was fed plentiful wine of divine grapes, only pure enough for the gods and goddesses. Allisco's handmaids offered platters of meat and bread to Telemachus. Telemachus agreed to stay with Allisco in her palace, until he built the strength to travel the short and vigorous journey to Sparta. A gentle sleep drifted upon him. When Dawn shown her rose red fingers again, Telemachus woke up to find Allisco standing nearby in gold and flowing robes and was served a hearty meal. Allisco beautified Telemachus and cast a spell upon him. This spell could only be broken by drinking the sap of a magnificent tree, which gracefully balanced upon the highest peak of the island. No man had ever lived to reach that tree, and when any man got close enough to touch it, thorns would sprout out of the ground, leaving no time to escape instant death. Telemachus was hopelessly in love with the delicate nymph, and resided in her palace for a month. Athena, watching from above, noticed Telemachus's delay, and knew he was helpless without the clear-eyed goddess's help. Athena took the form of a glistening dove and swept past that great sap bearing tree holding a goblet and filled it with the sweet potion. The sparkling bird landed on Telemachus's window sill and placed the golden goblet beside him. Telemachus sipped the thick syrup and felt a sharp pain in his side. Suddenly, his thoughts drifted to those of his father. Immediately, Telemachus dashed to the door, eager to flee, but Allisco's three-headed guard dog, Fluffy, did not let any man through without Allisco's consent. Even though Telemachus was very aware of his lack of fighting skills, he strapped on his armor and sharpened his finely crafted sword to a perfect point. The sword was so polished, that a clear reflection could be shown against the brilliant bronze and gold. With Athena by his side, Telemachus slashed the giant three-headed dog's throat and watched it clumsily tumble to the floor. He then ran to his ship, and quickly set off for Sparta, with guilt weighing his shoulders because he was blinded by the nymph's forever lasting beauty. His goal of finding information about his father was not met, and he painfully left the island of Allisco, leaving all possible truths, information, and stories of his father behind.
Chapter 4 ½ -The Odyssey
Telemachus and the nymph
In search of his father, and while the suitors were planning his death, Telemachus left the sunny hills of Lacedaemon and sought help on the green island of Allisco, the great nymph of lovely braids. He landed his boat on shore, in need of sleep and food. Allisco glided, like she was floating on the clouds in the heavens, through the doors of her golden palace and welcomed Telemachus into her home. She said," How hard you have worked and suffered, you must spend time to regain strength and happiness. You mustn't leave now, because your body is so limp and fragile. Please, let my maids pamper you and shower you with gifts." He was then bathed and rubbed with oils and fragrances. As he emerged from his bath, he glowed like the gods of Olympus. Telemachus was fed plentiful wine of divine grapes, only pure enough for the gods and goddesses. Allisco's handmaids offered platters of meat and bread to Telemachus. Telemachus agreed to stay with Allisco in her palace, until he built the strength to travel the short and vigorous journey to Sparta. A gentle sleep drifted upon him. When Dawn shown her rose red fingers again, Telemachus woke up to find Allisco standing nearby in gold and flowing robes and was served a hearty meal. Allisco beautified Telemachus and cast a spell upon him. This spell could only be broken by drinking the sap of a magnificent tree, which gracefully balanced upon the highest peak of the island. No man had ever lived to reach that tree, and when any man got close enough to touch it, thorns would sprout out of the ground, leaving no time to escape instant death. Telemachus was hopelessly in love with the delicate nymph, and resided in her palace for a month. Athena, watching from above, noticed Telemachus's delay, and knew he was helpless without the clear-eyed goddess's help. Athena took the form of a glistening dove and swept past that great sap bearing tree holding a goblet and filled it with the sweet potion. The sparkling bird landed on Telemachus's window sill and placed the golden goblet beside him. Telemachus sipped the thick syrup and felt a sharp pain in his side. Suddenly, his thoughts drifted to those of his father. Immediately, Telemachus dashed to the door, eager to flee, but Allisco's three-headed guard dog, Fluffy, did not let any man through without Allisco's consent. Even though Telemachus was very aware of his lack of fighting skills, he strapped on his armor and sharpened his finely crafted sword to a perfect point. The sword was so polished, that a clear reflection could be shown against the brilliant bronze and gold. With Athena by his side, Telemachus slashed the giant three-headed dog's throat and watched it clumsily tumble to the floor. He then ran to his ship, and quickly set off for Sparta, with guilt weighing his shoulders because he was blinded by the nymph's forever lasting beauty. His goal of finding information about his father was not met, and he painfully left the island of Allisco, leaving all possible truths, information, and stories of his father behind.