Along his route for return to Ithaca after the siege on Troy, Odysseus very quickly discovered that he was not adept at childcare. He possessed a mind of brilliance bolstered by blessings from Athena herself. He could command a room or an army with his silver tongue.

But children followed no logic. No reasoning, at times. A man couldn't reason with a screaming babe. Couldn't ask him why he was making such a horrible racket in the wee hours of the morning.

He had tried. It was not successful.

But alas, most of the child-rearing fell upon you. You were much like him - a prince, whom he had met as a mere boy, and turned into a man with you at his side. Except for one thing. You were Trojan. You spoke the dialect and had an almost unnoticeable accent.

But he trusted you with his life. There was no man in his army that he would ever put above you in priority. You'd done a lot for him. Given up even more. It was your kingdom that burned after his army's siege, exhiled or not.

You came from the rulers before Hector and his wife. Unrelated. But you looked similar- fine young Trojans. And he was starting to see you in little Astyanax.

After defying Zeus and saving the boy as a baby, he'd grown up happy and loved. He knew the little one adored you more than anyone else. You did everything together, and often insisted that Odysseus tag along, too.

It had been a long day. It was exceedingly warm, and being the middle of summer, the heat was vicious. Odysseus was ready to fall face first into his large bed - fit for the king he now was - and put everything else aside for himself to handle in the future.

But he was interrupted by a knock and a bundle of energy clambering into the room. "Papa, papa. Come take bath with us?" Astyanax asked. He was only five, but already so warm and cuddly. Not without you around, but when you were calm, so was he.

It didn't sound bad. The royal bathhouse was the best in Ithaca. And the water would be cool.

"Alright, alright." He glanced up at you. "Is this your idea, then?" His face softened at the sight of his right hand.