Chapter Text
Prologue
Not every story starts with the heroine or the hero. Sometimes, you must travel to the past to understand the present. Our story starts with a woman known as Queen Penelope of Ithaca. But she wasn’t always known as Penelope of Ithaca, no, she was once Penelope of Sparta. Beautiful, smart, kind cousin to Helen of Sparta. And, of course, since Penelope belonged to a wealthy and affluent family in Sparta, she had a servant of her own.
This servant was a beautiful young woman known as Viridian. Now, Viridian was not of Greek descent. She was a slave brought from the northern lands, with milky skin and hair the color of hay in the sun. After being brought to Penelope’s household, she was given her freedom and chose to stay and serve Penelope out of gratitude and loyalty.
And for years, she served Penelope of Sparta, growing close with the other young woman. So when King Odysseus of Ithaca came to Sparta to court Penelope and won her heart in the process, Viridian followed her lady to Ithaca. It was there that she met her two dearest friends; a strong, noble young woman known as Acnologius and a sweet yet feisty girl known as Andres. The three became nearly inseparable as they all served Queen Penelope.
Oh, Acnologius. The older sister Viridian never dreamed of having. She was her confidant, her comforter, her protector. In their spare time, Viridian would spar with the older girl, learning to protect herself.
And Andres, sweet, lovely Andres. Viridian always had a soft spot for her. She would make sure the other was taking care of herself, make sure she was taken care of.
And so the years in Ithaca passed peacefully, almost idly. Viridian flourished, growing ever more confident with the love and support of her dear friends and the rule of her beloved queen. Then, one day, Viridian’s life was forever altered.
It happened one cool spring day, the incident. The air was crisp, with the smell of the sea and spring flowers riding the breeze. The world was turning green again as it always did, signaling that Persephone had once again come to the Overworld. The marketplace was bustling with people as Viridian made her way through the streets, minding her basket and the noise of the crowds. She and the others had been given permission to go to the markets as it was a lovely day.
As she wandered the market, a commotion suddenly caught her attention. A man shoved into her in the chaos, knocking her against the broad chest of a soldier. She looked up, startled, and found herself staring into the most striking green eyes she had ever seen. The soldier looked down at her, his gaze intense through the space in his helmet. Viridian felt frozen in place by his stare, her heart racing in her chest.
“Miss? Are you alright?” The deep voice of the soldier startled Viridian from her chance and she pulled back, a blush across her cheeks. As she turned to face him, the man pulled off his helmet, revealing a face that was both scarred and handsome.
Viridian couldn’t pull her gaze away from him. He was so mesmerizing. Then, she remembered his question and cleared her throat, nodding as she spoke. “Yes sir… Thank you.”
“Glad to hear it. I am Ar- Arion of Sparta.” The man- no, Arion- replied, bowing slightly to Viridian.
Utterly drawn to him, Viridian replied softly, “I am Viridian of Ithaca, sir.”
“Are you a noble lady? You are beautiful enough to be.” Arion tilted his head as he straightened again, a slight smile teasing at his expression.
“Oh- no, sir, I am not.” She laughed, shaking her head. “I am merely a handmaiden to Queen Penelope.”
“A shame then. You would be the desire of all if your presence graced the courts.”
“You flatter me, sir. But I am more than happy exactly as I am.” Viridian smiled, inclining her head. “Now, I hate to run off, but I have errands to run.”
“Of course. Take care, Viridian of Ithaca.” Arion bowed again. However, as Viridian turned to walk away, he called out to her, “Wait!”
“Yes?” Viridian paused, looking back at the soldier. “What is it?”
“Will I see you again?” he asked quietly, a hint of intrigue in his voice. It was his tone that made Viridian actually think about his request for more than a fleeting second.
“Visit the palace gardens in the evening tomorrow.” She smiled, turning again and walking off.
And it was that encounter that sparked a whirlwind romance that had Viridian the happiest she had ever been for nearly a year. Arion was a dream lover- he brought her gifts, met up with her, and loved her with such passion. Viridian thought she had it all, finally. She was fully prepared to agree if he asked for her hand in marriage, she loved him so.
Then one night, that all changed. Arion had snuck in to meet Viridian in her room, and they had spent the hours loving each other with the passion of young lovers. It was bliss to Viridian, and she thought that nothing could possibly go wrong. Oh, how wrong she was. As they lay together in her bed, entwined as they often were after their nights of passion, Viridian could tell that her beloved had something weighing on his mind.
“My love?” Viridian whispered into the quiet darkness, idly tracing shapeless nonsense onto her lover’s skin, “What is on your mind?”
“Viridian.. I have not been truthful with you.” Arion spoke reluctantly, sorrow tinging his voice.
“Then be truthful with me now.” Viridian wasn’t offended, she knew her love was a secretive man. But she was curious.
“I am not from Sparta. I am not Arion.”
“What?” She sat up, confused by his words. Why would he lie to her about that, of all things? “Then who are you?”
“I am known as Ares.” There was something… more to his voice now.
Viridian froze, the name ringing in her ears. Ares. God of War. Violent. Ruthless. And yet... Gentle? It did not make sense to her, and she could tell her thoughts were beginning to spiral. A god. She had fallen in love with and slept with a god- and the god of war no less. Her pulse pounded in her ears, and she stared passed him as she tried to process his words.
“Why wait until now to tell me…?” She finally whispered, the words feeling as if they wanted to catch in her throat. She felt… lost. Confused. Hurt.
“Because I have to leave.” Sorrow filled the war god’s voice. “You carry our child; a child that is half divine. It is too dangerous for me to stay here any longer.”
Viridian felt her eyes flood with tears as she heard his words. He’s leaving… because she’s carrying his child. Because it was dangerous for them if he stayed. Her heart slowly broke as tears slipped down her cheeks. Who was she to argue with a god?
“Will you… Will you still watch over us…?” She whispered, voice breaking. She was desperate for something, anything.
Ares nodded and gently brushed away her tears, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “So long as you live, I will watch over you. And I will watch over our child to the end of their days.”
And with those words, Ares vanished in a small burst of light.
Viridian broke down sobbing, curling up tightly on the bed. What she had been sure would be the best night of her life had turned into the worst... And she was powerless to do a thing about it. Not only had she suddenly been told she was pregnant, it was with a god’s child. The same god she had loved and cherished… and had left her.
Viridian never saw Ares again after that night. He had simply vanished with no trace. Soon enough, however, her sorrow was interrupted by the arrival of her daughter. The child was small, with her mother’s light skin and her father’s dark hair and striking green eyes. The girl was named Fidelia, loyalty. The name was both a blessing and a wish; that she always be loyal, and that she would find a lover that would stay true to her always.
Fidelia grew quickly under the care of her mother and “aunties”. She was a bright child, curious and fiercely independent. She was a mischief-maker, always somehow getting herself into trouble when she wasn’t being watched. Her favorite person above all was Acnologius, her mother’s dear friend. She would cling to the warrior like a baby koala, always eager to be around her.
Having no father, all the women took part in raising Fidelia. She spent the first twelve years of her life happy and loved, carefree and safe. She learned to serve the queen from her mother, to fight from Acnologius, and to sneak and hide from Andres. She was a bright girl, eager to learn and just as eager to learn. Those years for her were bliss.
For Viridian, the time was bittersweet. She watched her darling daughter grow up, served her queen, and laughed with her companions, and yet… she longed for love. And, for a time, she found it again in her dear companion Andres. It wasn't a loud love, no. It was quiet and gentle. Subtle, even. It was soft glances, kisses to cheeks, holding hands hidden in the skirts of chiffons. It was talking late at night, of braiding each other’s hair and laughing over Fidelia’s latest schemes. It wasn’t passionate or physical… but it was more than enough.
And then, twelve years had passed, ten of which were spent without a king, as Odysseus had left for war in Troy after the first two years. It was a peaceful time that saw both Fidelia and Prince Telemachus growing and laughing in the halls. But little did they know that their peace would not last…