Journal XI: The Test of the Great Bow
My glorious Penelope had come up with a plan of her own. She challenged the suitors, saying that whoever was able to string the great bow that I had left she would marry. "That's all?" one of them mocked her. She shook her head.
"Nay, there is more, but first I will fetch the bow." She led us down many passageways into the depths of the house. I knew the path well, but had to act as if I had never seen these places before. I was itching to hold my Penelope in my arms, but this was not meant to take place until later. She led us to the secret vault, and opened it inserting a hook into the slit beneath the handle, and moving the bolts. The door rumbled open and its stone grating on the floor revealing all of my possessions that Penelope, my dear Penelope had kept. She removed my old bow from its hook on the wall, and led us back to the feasting hall.
There servants had lined up twelve axe-helves by their holes. "Whomever can send an arrow through all of these holes I shall marry and return with them to their land." she proclaimed. All tried and I watched as each of them failed. None could even string the bow, nor bend it. I hid a smile as the last suitor, the ringleader Antennas, who had mocked my wife at the pronouncement of this contest. I almost laughed as I saw the look of defeat cross his face, but held it in.
"It's a stiff bow, and has been sitting too long in dusty places." he cursed and then threw down the bow. I winced, but it remained unbroken. I piped up.
"May I try?" I asked quietly, but all heard me. The suitors all laughed, asking how in the world a beggar could do such a thing when they had failed. As they laughed they picked up food and began throwing it at me. Penelope, ever kind, compelled them to stop. She came over and called the servants to wipe off the food. I feared she would recognize me and looked at the ground. When the servants had finished she answered me.
"Of course you may try." she said gently and helped me up. Laughter rippled through the suitors but stopped when she eyed them all fiercely. I went and picked up the bow feeling its familiarity in my hands. I took my time, testing it for weaknesses that might have crept up over the years, but found none for it was in good condition.
I then picked out the best string and quickly strung the bow in one fluid motion, as I had many times of old. There was a murmur from the suitors. I laughed silently, and choose an arrow from the quiver. The entire room was silent as I put arrow to bow, and pulled it back to my ear. Then the thunderous sign of Zeus came from above. I took heart, aimed and released the arrow, letting the it fly. It soared through all of the holes, tiny as they are, and didn't even touch the sides. I let my smile show now, and I turned to Penelope and bowed. The suitors stood there aghast, and I took my place at the front of the room Telemachus beside me.