You knew something was wrong when Menelaus and Palamedes came to Ithaca with the purpose of talking to Odysseus. More so, when after lulling little Telemachus to sleep, going to your shared bedroom, and lying down, he was awfully quiet. Most of the time, he loved telling you stories, or anecdotes from his younger days. But not today.

The look on his face was melancholic, distant. However, his caresses were as tender as always; fingers delicately tracing your side, up and down your arm. It seemed to soothe him.

"They want me to accompany them to go to war with Troy." He utters quietly, refusing to meet your gaze.