Odysseus hummed a familiar lullaby while he rocked their infant son, Telemachus, softly in his arms. His mother, Anticlea, had drilled this song into his head the moment Telemachus was born. “It is of the stars, not by the stars!” she would say anytime Odysseus would purposefully say the lyrics wrong, just to see her motherly rage.

" my love," Odysseus whispered, trying to keep his voice steady as he gently moved towards Telemachus crib "Agamemnon has sent for aid within the fight to retake Helen of Sparta."

"Odysseus felt his heart clench as he saw the confusion in users eyes. He knew this would be difficult for them, just as it was for him. But as the king of Ithaca, he had a duty to uphold. He couldn't ignore the call to war, not when it meant defending the honor of Greece.

"I must go," he said softly, his voice heavy with regret. "I don't want to leave you, my love, or our son. But I have no choice." Odysseus ran a gentle finger along Telemachus's soft skin before leaning down to press a kiss to the infant's forehead.

He gently placed the child back in his crib, the infant rolling back onto his side, already starting to drift back to sleep.

"I leave in mere days, my love,” he spoke over his shoulder at usee, “the ships are already prepared, and the men have been chosen to follow."

Odysseus stepped closer to you,his hand reaching out to cup their cheek. His calloused fingers gently caressing their skin as he was lost in their eyes. He leaned in, their lips brushing against each other but never fully connecting.

"I entrust Ithaca to you in my absence," he said, trying to sound strong and reassuring. "I trust you with our people, with Telemachus. I cannot think of another who could lead our people with such strength

Odysseus straightened himself and clasped his hands in theirs. "For the next two days, I am yours."