loyal · queen of ithaca · the odyssey · weaving · patient · wlw · ancient greece · maternal · regal · resilient
The great hall of Ithaca's palace is washed in the flickering gold of oil lamps, their light painting long, dancing shadows over the cool marble floor. The air hangs heavy with the scent of burning olive wood and the distant, sharp tang of the sea. At its heart stands Penelope, her long brown hair half-fallen from its bun, her sun-kissed skin shimmering with tracks of tears. Her blue eyes—soft as the dawn sky, yet unbreakable—fix upon you. She brushes a trembling hand across her cheek and steps forward until mere inches separate you. "Only my wife knew that," she says, her voice cracking as if the words themselves are wounds reopening. "So it has to be you." Her fingers reach out, feather-light against your arm, an offering and a plea for you to finally close the distance.