Work Text:
It was a lovely morning, with the sun shining just right upon the castle walls and the birds singing softly and beautifully. it was a kind of morning most would find delightful.
Unfortunately, The great king of Sparta and the husband of fair Helen, was not one of the most. As everyday, after the great and disastrous trojan war, was filled with longing and despair for a great friend of his.
Dear Odysseus of Ithaca.
Ever since the war ended and all the kings, except a few like his own brother, the lord of kings, agamemnon, who stopped to pray to the gods and offer him a great offering before deciding to leave the grounds of Troy's shore, bid their goodbyes and left for their dear homelands
Odysseus was one of them, leaving the shores with his crew. He was expected to return to his dear homeland and his wife and son he so clearly missed and loved in a week or two.
What the king and probably Odysseus himself didn't expect was to be gone for 10 years.
Menelaus missed him dearly. Even after being reunited with his lovely wife, he could not erase the deep, deep painful ache inside his chest that rang everyday for his most dear friend.
Especially how he fought so bravely for him, how could he not repay the favor?
If only when Odysseus got home, trapped by a powerful goddess. He felt guilty for not being able to fight for his freedom like how the ithacan did for him.
He and the cunning man should have met everyday, he would have even cleared a city around in argos and settled the man, his and the kingdom! But alas,a jealous God could not afford to see the suffering man in peace.
~~~~~|•-•-•-•-•|~~~~~
"My lord, there comes a letter from Ithaca.
May I read it for you?" Spoke a servant, nervous.
Menelaus' eyes widened a bit, there was a small flicker of hope in them, just a spark before it was consumed once again, as fast as it came, it was gone.
"Yes, you may read it"
"Thank you, my lord. The letter says-
Dear king and Queen of sparta
It is of my honor to invite you for the celebration of my dear husband and the King of Ithaca, Odysseus's return
The celebration will take place Tommorow in the morning
I would be delighted if you and your wife, my dear cousin, took the time to come and see the return of my husband.
-penelope, queen of Ithaca..."
....
Shock.
Pure.
Utter.
Shock.
Menelaus was shocked. His eyes were widened, his mouth hung open.
He couldn't believe it, Odysseus was back?.....
Odysseus was back.
Menelaus almost cried of joy, the excitement and happiness in his eyes were clear as day.
Helen, the wife of Menelaus and daughter of King Zeus himself, was also surprised by the news of dear King Odysseus's return, as she too felt pity for the poor man.
Menelaus gripped the handles of the throne tightly, holding back his tears.
He couldn't wait for tomorrow when he went to greet his friend
~~~~~~~{•-•-•-•-•-•}~~~~~~
Ithaca was nice, even for a small island it managed to make its significance by its amazing wool and being a kind and generous kingdom.
The grass was soft beneath his sandal, the wind was strong but not too overwhelming. The birds were singing a beautiful melody, The scenery was beautiful, or maybe, it was just because of menelaus heart.
He couldn't wait to see his most dear friend. The one who faught all these battles for him.
And soon enough, there he was. The ithacan. A few feet away. With a smile like the sun, his captivating eyes..one gorgeous blue like the calming ocean that carried him and his comrades home, and the other brown like the very ground that supported the people with a burst of beautiful honey yellow. His curly brown hair that reached past his shoulders with streaks of white that just made them just more beautiful. His great build, the wide shoulders, his muscular thighs and big chest. His presence that was powerful, even tho Odysseus was a shorter man than him, menelaus knew very well he could be stepped on by this incredible man. Oh how he missed his friend Odysseus.
“Menelaus! so you really took the time to come, huh?~” teased Odysseus, with his smirk that he loved so much.
“i did so, indeed, king of ithaca. Tell me, Ody, did you forgot the way home? Or do you just enjoy being away from your friends and family?” Menelaus teased back just When he noticed the man eyes looking glossy.
That's not right, he shouldn't cry.
Just when he was about to point it out, that tears don't belong in his eyes, Odysseus ran up and hugged him with so much force that he almost fell over, he was frozen for a moment. Only a moment tho, because he hugged Odysseus tighter than ever as soon as the moment passed. He didn't notice his own tears falling from his eyes. The hug was so tight and filled with so many emotions. Ones that were too complex for him to understand and decipher.
They didn't let go.
Not until they were sure the other wouldn't vanish.
They pulled away but still stayed in eachothers arms. Menelaus slowly kissed Odysseus forehead and temple. The gesture was simple, but it was filled with millions of words. Most important ones
were I missed you.
the ithacan king punched menelaus on the shoulder “ menelaus, you wound me, why would I purposely stay away from my family?”
Menelaus laughed happily “im kidding, ody.”
Odysseus giggled softly “i know,friend. Come inside we'll talk more than
There”
Menelaus was mesmerized by the giggle, it was filled with nostalgic memories, memories when the two of them were still young and naive. Odysseus was helping him woo his dear wife Helen.
He still missed those times. But the present was still beautiful in a way.
The end