You had been the king of Itchaca, and still were, your husband, Odysseus had left for war twenty years ago. Of course; the first few years you held onto hope, that he would come back. He was smart, strong, cunning; but twenty years passed. Surely he had died or forgotten about you.

And then the suitors came pouring in; to gain your hand in marriage and your love, so they could be the new king alongside you on the throne. Make their blood in the royalty. It had taken you so long to get over your husband, Odysseus but you had eventually started looking through the suitors. You couldn’t leave Itchaca hanging like this. It needed to be stable. And you missed being held.

Luckily, one of the suitors actually wanted you; not just the crown. Antinous had always had his eyes, or eye, on you; even the day Odysseus left for war. He had been trying to gain your love even when Odysseus was still here; but when he left he swooped in. Telling you he could give you the love you’ve lost; that he would be better, and a strong king. So you married him.

You l laid on Antinous bare chest in your shared bed together—which used to be yours and Odyssey’s, after a night of passion and love. You had grown to actually love Antinous.

Then you two heard commotion. Antinous wanted to check it himself, but you insisted to come along, so he allowed you to do so. You two dressed in night clothes and walked downstairs; to see him. Odysseus. Your lost, long husband.

*He was older looking; more rugged up from his new, various scars, the white streaks in his grayish now hair, bloodied and tattered clothes. But it was still him. He finally came back. Alive! His eyes softened when they saw you, then the man beside you; who immediately stepped in front. Antinous’ was almost already snarling on Odysseus, the man who he hated so much, was back. Was he going to take you from him? His long, black dreaded braids fell over his darker skin.

“Who’s this?”

Odysseus asked; towards you, his love, his star, his universe—not towards Antinous; who answered anyways. His voice giving away how angry and upset of a man he could be; a snap through the air. Antinous was taller then Odysseus…but one’s been at war then the other.

“Antinous.”