Odysseus should have realized that Penelope's father would be trouble from the beginning. And in fact, he had a good idea when Icarius indicated Odysseus was an "enemy" this morning. But Odysseus had been certain that he could charm the man as he did everyone else.
Now, the deadly look on the other man's face when he'd said Penelope didn't need any of Odysseus's wool burned in his mind. King Tyndareus may have been the ruler of Sparta, but Icarius clearly knew how to fight just as well without even any weapons.
But Odysseus couldn't accept defeat. Especially concerning Penelope. So, he took three partridges to the temple and offered them to Athena.
"Athena," he said as he knelt at her statue. "I know I haven't been a great pupil in the last week, as there are so many aspects of these people and their situations I haven't noticed." Such as why Tyndareus didn't simply have Helen wed the strongest man or the man she clearly preferred right away. Or that Agamenon was far more intelligent than he appeared. Or how difficult Icarius might be in allowing Odysseus to wed Penelope. Worst of all, was how he'd overlooked Penelope when he'd first arrived.
"But I am certain you realize how wonderful Penelope is. She's full of wisdom, too, and she also loves to weave, which I know you also love. And she's exactly the kind of woman my father wants me to marry. You must convince her father to let me wed her."
The term "wed" slipped out in his prayer almost before Odysseus thought of it. All he'd planned on doing was becoming Penelope's suitor. But as soon as he heard him say "wed" he knew how right it was. Images flashed through his mind of Penelope standing next to him in her dark, beautiful hair and clear eyes at their wedding. Her journeying with him to Ithaca and meeting his father. Penelope birthing his sons. Penelope whispering in his ear when she noticed something about one of their subjects before he did. Her weaving beautiful clothing and tapestries with all the wool she could ever desire.
Those thoughts filled him with more joy than he'd ever believed possible.
Apparently, however, those thoughts didn't fill Athena with joy. Because Odysseus heard "ARE YOU COMMANDING ME?" in his head.
Odysseus bowed his head even lower towards her statue. "No, my goddess, of course not. I just think if you could help me convince Icarius that I could wed Penelope, I would be able to do so. And Penelope is so full of wisdom herself, she could help me be a better pupil to you."
Athena didn't answer for several moments. In fact, Odysseus thought perhaps the non-answer was her response, as she'd been known to do so that way.
But then he heard "IF PENELOPE IS THAT IMPORTANT TO YOU, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONVINCE HER FATHER YOURSELF. ESPECIALLY IF YOU WANT TO BE A BETTER PUPIL."
OOOOOOOOOOO
Athena was correct, of course. If Penelope was that important, Odysseus needed to find a way for Icarius to allow Odysseus to wed her.
So that evening Odysseus planted himself firmly next to Penelope, despite the look Icarius was giving him felt more deadly than any sword, spear, or arrow. "I went to the temple to pray to Athena this afternoon," Odysseus said as he picked up a piece of ham. "She told me if I wanted to wed you, I would be able to find a way."
Pausing, Odysseus knew she would be impressed that Athena spoke directly to him; everyone always was. He watched as Penelope delicately picked up a piece of her own ham and placed it in her mouth. Somehow her olive-colored skin grew more lovely all the time. "And I know I can find a way," Odysseus said as he gazed into her beautiful brownish eyes. He said that so firmly he may as well have been a god himself.
But of course, Penelope surprised him. She really was clever.
Laughing, she said, "Odysseus, you are moving too fast because of your arrogance. I thought your goal was to become my suitor, not my husband." She sipped her wine.
"You are right," he said, savoring the taste of his own wine. "But as I prayed to Athena, I knew I would only be satisfied with you being my wife. My brain just works faster than most does, you'll have to get used to that."
Penelope's brown eyes narrowed, and she shook her head. "I'll only have to get used to it if we wed, Odysseus. And right now, I'm inclined to think we won't as you sound as if you are simply angry because you cannot have what you want."
He felt as if Athena were chastising him again, and Odysseus's head bowed low, just as he had this afternoon when Athena lectured him for commanding her. His mouth watered as he stared at the ham on his plate, but he didn't touch it until he spoke.
"No, Penelope, that isn't true. I admit, I don't like being told I cannot have what I wish, but you are more than just something I desire. The more I see you, the more I know you'll be the perfect wife. You are everything my father wanted in my wife. A good hosses, great council, and very trustworthy to me. And you are everything I could ever wish for and more. Your beautiful and your cleverness surprises even me sometimes. You are endlessly fascinating." With that, he popped another piece of ham in his mouth.
"Oh, Odysseus," Penelope's voice said, full of awe. Odysseus's heart filled with joy at that sound. "Thank you. I've never had any man speak of me so."
His eyes met hers again, and her face finally looked at him how he'd wished her to do so for the last couple of days. Like she admired him as much as he admired her. "Do you wish me to be your husband, Penelope?" Odysseus said softly.
Penelope deliberately paused to sip her wine, and he groaned in frustration. She knew he hated to wait. But finally, she put the cup down and smiled. "Yes, I do."
Odysseus felt his heart almost explode. "Then we should both work to find a way for that to happen. If we combine our minds, we could achieve anything."
So lost in each other, they once again, they almost didn't see Icarius until his face came between them. "I have spoken to Helen, and she has agreed to dance with you tonight, Odysseus," he said, thundering like Zeus. "After all, you're the only one of her suitors who hasn't done so yet."
OOOOOOOOOO
"I am sorry you have been made to dance with me," Odysseus said as the minstrel began playing music and he and Helen stood next to each other. "I know you would rather dance with Menelaus."
Helen smiled. "Yes, I suppose I would have." Her head moved to look towards where Menelaus was sitting. "He and I have made ourselves rather obvious in the last couple of weeks. But I know I must allow all the suitors to have their chance with me, so I do not mind dancing with others."
She began to move her body effortlessly to the music. As Helen had danced every night, she clearly had a lot of practice. Odysseus liked to think of himself as a good dancer, certainly enough for a wedding dance with Penelope. But he struggled to keep up with Helen.
Smiling, she took his hand in his to help him. And finally, Odysseus answered his question about Helen's skin. It was smoother to the touch than any other woman he'd ever encountered, but Helen would never be endlessly fascinating like Penelope always would be.
"Speaking of preferred dance partners, I suppose I should be sorry you must dance with me instead of Penelope," Helen said with more of a sly smirk than a smile.
"Her father has proven to be a bit of a problem in our courtship," Odysseus said as he tried to move his body to the music the same way Helen did. "But we've decided to work together in order to allow us to wed."
Grinning, Odysseus suddenly realized he could start that process now. "What do you think of me marrying your cousin?"
Helen twirled. Then she smiled genuinely. "I believe it's good for her to have a man interested her. We love each other, but sometimes I think she feels overshadowed by me and Clytemnestra." She glanced over at her sister, who was dancing with Agamemnon.
"I had a feeling you might think that" he said smugly. He loved it when he could judge exactly what someone was going to say before they said it; it showed he truly was becoming the smartest man in the world. "In that case, you should help us convince Icarius."
Helen nodded as she led him through another dance move. "I will, if you help convince my father to marry Menelaus."
Odysseus paused. Diomedes was his closest friend and he expected Odysseus to support his suit of Helen. But if Helen could help him with Icarius… The soothing music in the background calmed his worries. "If the opportunity comes up, I will do so," he said finally.
Helen smiled and Odysseus knew in his bones that the next day would be better.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
OOOOOOOOO
The next day, Father insisted Penelope spend the day practicing for the Games instead of spending time with her cousins. And more importantly, away from all the suitors. She was quite upset at first, but recovered when Helen discretely told her that Odysseus wouldn't be in Sparta anyway, as he and his friend Diomedes had left on another trip early this morning.
No doubt they were looking for more treasures to give both Father and Uncle Tyndareus for both her and Helen's hand. She smiled, but then realized she needed to think of her own idea. Odysseus had said they should work together to allow Father to agree for them to marry. Perhaps she should speak to him about Odysseus's attributes at dinner.
Penelope removed her clothing, wondering if Father would be so eager for her to practice her physical fitness if he'd known Odysseus wouldn't be here. But at least this way she could see more of her younger sister, Iphthime. "Great job," Penelope said as her sister practiced a high jump. "You'll be setting records in the Spartan Women's Olympics yet."
Iphthime beamed brighter than Apollo. "Truly?"
"Truly," Penelope said as her heart filled with love for her sister. Why hadn't she made more time for her lately?
"Now we should practice the discus!" The girl ran quick and easy to pick up the discus. Just like their father, the famous runner. So unlike Penelope.
After Iphthime handed her the discus, Penelope hurled it as hard as she could. But it sank only a few feet away from them. Iphthime on the other hand, threw it several feet. "I did it again, Penelope!" she said as she watched the discuss whizz through the air.
"You did, Iphthime," Penelope said, smiling at her sister again.
"Do you really think I could win the Spartan Women's Olympics someday?" Iphthime said, her brown eyes wide with amazement.
"Yes, I do," Penelope said, wishing she could be as strong and fast as her younger sister.
"Then why don't you ever help me practice anymore?" Iphthime said, her smile fading. "This is the first day you've come out here in forever." Anger seemed to boil over her sister like Ares.
Penelope sighed, knowing her sister was correct. But how could she explain that something that Iphthime found so much pleasure in only brought Penelope frustration? "I'm sorry Iphthime; I never meant to neglect you. But Helen, Clytemnestra, and I are becoming older, and Helen needs assistance with all her suitors."
Here mind drifted to one particular suitor, who had made it clear he'd prefer to be Penelope's…No, not just suitor. Husband. His reddish-brown hair. The adorable smug grin he flashed when he thought he'd outsmarted someone. The way his eyes would grow when he realized Penelope had outsmarted him. The awe in his voice when he spoke to Penelope about why he wished her to become his wife.
How would Odysseus perform in one of the Games? He wasn't a Spartan man, but he didn't look weak, either. She pictured him running or throwing a discus naked with the other men and her face grew warm.
Meanwhile, Iphthime stomped her foot. "That's your best excuse? Helen will always be more important than your own sister?"
Penelope shook her head. This had apparently been bothering Iphthime longer than she'd ever realized. "No, that's not what I meant. As I said, I never meant to neglect you. But Iphthime, it's also harder for me to enjoy practicing for the games like you do. Unlike you, I'm never going to come close to wining the Spartan Women's Olympics."
Her mind flashed to how low her recent high jump was, or how she couldn't throw the discus more than a few feet. Or how she'd never been able to run as far as she should have been to be Icarius's daughter. Lectures about how she'd never birth many, strong sons like a Spartan woman should danced through her head once again.
As always, she longed to lose herself in weaving.
But Iphthime clearly wanted her to help her practice. And she'd promised her father she would do this. "Why don't we practice for the footrace?"
Iphthime grinned and nodded.
OOOOOOOOOO
Though she was younger, Iphthime beat Penelope in the footrace and all the games. But her sister's bright smile made it worth it. Still, Penelope took deep breaths and drank extra wine as they finally sat down for dinner that evening.
So did father and her brothers, who had apparently also spent the day training. "I may be older, but I am still a champion runner," Father said with a large gulp of wine.
"I will win someday, Father," Pollux said sharply. "After all I've spent the last couple of weeks training every day."
"And yet you haven't done so yet," Father said. His smile reminded Penelope of Odysseus when he'd thought he'd outsmarted someone. Speaking of that, how should she start explaining his better traits?
"I am glad I spent the day with Iphthime," Penelope said carefully as she picked up a piece of smoked pork. "She's going to win the Women's Olympics when she's old enough."
Father nodded proudly. "That's my girl."
"But I wonder about Odysseus, too," she said slowly, as if the idea just occurred to her. "Do you think he'd do well in the Games? He appears rather strong." Another image appeared in her mind of Odysseus running naked.
Father almost spit out his wine. "I don't believe so. Big Ajax looks much stronger."
Penelope sighed. This was going to be harder than she'd thought. "I really like Odysseus, though, Father. He's clearly rather smart."
Father shook his head. "We've been through this already, Penelope. He's Helen's suitor, not yours. And that's exactly how it should be." His voice sounded sharp, as if that was the final word on the situation.
Penelope sipped more wine, remembering Odysseus's words about them "combining their minds" to convince her father to allow them to wed. What could she say… "But I wonder if he's fast, too, in addition to being smart, father? A fast man is just as good as one who is strong, don't you think?"
Father paused for several moments. He ate a piece of pork in silence. Then he sipped his wine. "Penelope, I always say you are far too clever for your own good. If Odysseus can beat me in a race, then he can be your suitor. But that is if."
Then he smiled smugly, reminding her that her own brothers still couldn't beat their father, and the pork in her stomach sank to her feet. He can do it. He can do it. There must be a way for Odysseus to win, Penelope said to herself.
OOOOOOOOOOO
Penelope spent the next two days helping Iphthime practice so she would one day win the Spartan Women's Olympics, much to her sister's delight.
Her evenings were filled with more teasing and giggling with Helen and Clytemnestra about the suitors. Her nights were filled with dreams about what life might be like if Penelope did marry Odysseus.
Until that afternoon when Diomedes and Odysseus's ship docked. "Did you find more pearls?" Penelope's heart leaped as he climbed off the ship. She longed to thread her fingers through his hair, just as she would the wool she weaved.
But she didn't. "Did you have to wrestle any more mermaids?" she couldn't help but laugh at that. She still found it amazing that Odysseus had actually believed that everyone thought he'd wrestled a mermaid before.
"No, we have precious oils this time," Diomedes said, climbing off the ship himself with a big grin.
"And you had to fight one of the gods for these oils, I suppose?" Penelope stared at Odysseus, waiting for the subtle signs of his lies to appear.
Odysseus shrugged. "We had to fight a trader just as tough as Ares, does that count? But I truly think these precious oils might impress your father enough." Her heart melted at how hopeful he sounded.
Penelope grinned. "I have news on that as well. He's agreed for you to be my suitor if you can beat him in a footrace."
Eyes widening, Odysseus didn't say anything for a moment. She had a feeling her father's reputation as a champion runner preceded him. "I still say being your suitor isn't good enough. I will be your husband." He stepped closer, so his breathe tickled her chin. "But perhaps the precious oils will change his mind."
"And I think you can beat my father in a race if you try hard enough," Penelope said firmly. Oh, she ached to put her hands in his hair…
OOOOOOOOOOO
Penelope flew into his arms the next evening. She wished she could have seen him run, but of course it was inappropriate for proper women to watch the men perform the Games. But hearing that he'd won was more than enough.
"I knew you could do it if you tried hard enough." Finally, her hands raked through his curly, reddish-brown hair. She found it coarser than her own hair, but softer than the wool she weaved.
Odysseus grinned, his breath tickling her cheeks. "I did run quite fast, if I do say so myself, but that's not the only reason why I beat him. I may have distracted your father a bit at the beginning of the race."
His grin morphed into his trademark smug expression, and Penelope wanted to wipe it right off his face, but he touched his lips to hers first. It was amazing.
"And the best part is that Icarius has agreed that with the precious oils, and me winning the race, he's agreed to let us wed, instead of just being your suitor," Odysseus said when they withdrew. His warm hands grasped her shoulders, and his eyes gazed at hers as if she were a goddess. Maybe even Athena. "I told you if we combined our minds, we could achieve our goal."
"Yes, you did," Penelope said, her hands still playing with the strands of his hair. She couldn't wait to wed him.
OOOOOOOOOOO
Soon after Icarius announced Penelope's wedding, Uncle Tyndareus finally chose Menelaus for Helen. Penelope supposed it helped that Menelaus had finally found his elusive "gold stash", but she liked to think Helen's wishes ultimately the deciding factor. Especially Uncle Tyndareus also agreed for Clytemnestra to wed Agamenon.
"Can you think of anything better than all three of us being married at the same time?" Helen said that night. She practically shrieked with delight.
"Helen, calm down please," Clytemnestra said gently pushing his sister to sit on her bed. "But I admit, it's wonderful for us to all get married at the same time."
"Isn't it though," Penelope said with a wide smile. "And to such wonderful men, too." She flopped down on the bed as she pictured Helen standing next to her Menelaus and Clytemnestra next to Agamenon. And then there was her standing next to Odysseus, with his reddish-brown curly hair and smug grin. Her heart almost exploded at that last thought.
"I still believe you both should be more careful about Aphrodite's spells, though," Clytemnestra said with a sigh. "Her love spells have been known to fade; you know."
Sitting up on the bed, Penelope shook her head, her hair falling all over her face. "Well, I don't think this one will." There was no way what was between her and Odysseus was only one of Aphrodite's love spells; it was so much stronger than that.
"You can be too rational for your own good, sis" Helen said, throwing a pillow at Clytemnestra. "There is nothing wrong with marrying someone we love, whether it's one of Aphrodite's spells or not. We all have to get married; shouldn't it be to someone that makes our hearts expand?"
OOOOOOOOOOO
Agamenon cheered for his brother's marriage plans even more than his own the next morning, proving that Penelope was correct that his own warnings of "Aphrodite's spells" were only reverse psychology.
So, she didn't need to worry about Clytemnestra's warnings, Penelope thought to herself. She watched Odysseus as he dipped his bread in the oil and then took a bite, fascinated by his mouth. Would he give her another kiss? She sighed and nibbled her own bread while Agamenon continued to gush about Helen and Menelaus's pending wedding.
"So, I suppose Agamenon wasn't that worried about Aphrodite's s spells failing after all," Odysseus said, pointing his finger to the happy brothers. He sipped his wine.
"As I said before, Agamenon always says the opposite of what he means," Penelope wondered if Odysseus's smug grin was on her own face, because it did feel wonderful to be proven correct. Especially when Odysseus looked at her like she was a goddess.
Wishing she could wipe the wine off his lips with her own, Penelope sipped her own wine instead. "Do you think Aphrodite has cast a spell on us, though?" she said softly.
Odysseus dipped another piece of bread in oil. "I don't know much about Aphrodite as I've always preferred Athena, but I suppose it's possible." He swallowed the bread, and she ached to touch her lips to his. Then the smug grin she both loved and hated appeared on his face. "If it is a love spell, though, I can promise you, it will never fade."
This man continued to make her heart explode over and over again. "I like to think that it's more than a love spell, but I agree. If it is one of Aphrodite's spells, ours will never fade." With that, Penelope took Odysseus's hand and dragged him to the back of the courtyard where she kissed him. Hard. And it was even more amazing than before.
"I'm afraid I can't see you most of the day," Penelope said when they withdrew, still staring into each other's eyes. "I promised my sister Iphthime I would spend time with her before we leave. Apparently, I've been neglecting her a bit." She stared at her feet, still wishing she hadn't done that.
"Of course," Odysseus's voice said.
"So, we will probably spend the day practicing for the Spartan Women's Olympics. Iphthime is quite talented in that area." Just like a Spartan princess should be, Penelope thought to herself, but she didn't voice it. She didn't want to let her feelings about the Spartan Women's Olympics to interfere with spending time with her sister again.
"Hmmm," Odysseus said in delight, his hands pulling her closer. "I've never understood the appeal of women performing sports, but the image of you practicing…sans clothing is very appealing."
"I think it would be more appealing if I was any good at it," Penelope said with a laugh. "But I know what you mean." An image of him running his footrace against her father sans clothing emerged in her mind.
Things were becoming warmer and warmer between them. Hot, even, especially when Odysseus looked at her like that. Penelope should leave before they burned the courtyard together. "Well, I'd best find Iphthime."
Their wedding couldn't come fast enough.
OOOOOOOOOO
One their wedding day, Penelope stood next to Odysseus, Clytemnestra stood next to Agamemnon, and Helen stood nest to Menelaus. All looked very happy, just as they had in Penelope's daydream.
"Zeus, as the king of the gods, we pray that each man will be a fitting king of his kingdom," the priest said. "Hera as the goddess of marriage and queen of the gods, we pray that thee will bless these marriages and have each young lady become a fitting queen. Aphrodite, as the goddess of love, we ask that you fill each union with passion…"
Penelope smiled extra at that, as it proved there was nothing wrong with Aphrodite's love spells if the priest was encouraging them.
