Journal of Odysseus

by Isrufel Valis

It's something I did for school. This is my first fanfic so I am using this as an expriment. It's basically most of the Odyssey written in the form of a journal. I also know it's not very good writing but I wrote it several years ago. Please R and R.

13. Penelope

Journal XIII: Penelope

I looked back into the room, and on the other side sat Penelope, gazing at me as though she didn't know what to make of me. I knew that she suspected that the whole thing was a trick. My old nurse stood and spoke. "Presenting the Lord Odysseus who has caused the downfall of the suitors." Still Penelope sat there unmoved, and my heart went out to her for she had hardened herself, so as not to be fooled.

Telemachus who still stood at the door burst out. "Mother! Do you have no heart in you, to leave your long-lost husband standing there unwelcomed? Do you not love him anymore?"

"My child, you do not understand, and there are none perhaps who know each other better than Odysseus and I. We have secrets to prove our identity."

I smiled remembering long ago when we had first met, and the sorrowful time of my departure for Troy. I told them that she may question me whatever she wished, but first to allow me to bathe. This she did, and I ordered Telemachus, the swineherd and cowherd to clean themselves as well.

I returned to her clean, and in fresh clothes. She looked up and started, but tried to hide it. I turned to my nurse and bade for her to make me a bed for Penelope would obviously not be moved. My wife took this as a chance to test me and said, "Yes, fix him the bed of the Lord's bed chamber, but first move it out of the room, and put on it the finest rugs, and sheets."

It was my turn to jump for I had made that bed almost immovable. "How could any dare to or even move the bed of mine! It is rooted by the bedpost deep into the depths of Ithaca. None but the gods could move it! I made it of an olive tree, leaving the trunk for one post, and from the branches fashioning the rest. We wove the bed with crimson ox hide thongs, and I inlaid the wood with silver, gold, and ivory from the far reaches of the earth. No! None but the gods could move that bed!" I saw Penelope grow faint, and she looked at me.

"Our sign..." she whispered, and I understood. The bed had not been moved, that was her test, so she would know that it was really me. I calmed down and knelt beside her. "Our sign," she whispered again, and tears flowed from her eyes. "It is you! None have seen the bed, but my servant, and I, and Odysseus." I drew her into my arms and held her close. We did not let go for a long time.