Blessed by War

When Odysseus sailed to war, Penelope remained steadfast, raising their son Telemachus alone, ruling Ithaca in his absence. But as time went on, things had changed. The war ended, the other men returned home—except for Odysseus. Suitors, hearing of Odysseus’s absence, are greedy and ruthless. They flock to the palace, eager to claim her throne and fortune. They eat her food, drink her wine, and they plot against her son. Trapped, desperate, and powerless, Penelope turns to an unlikely source for salvation. She has prayed to Athena for wisdom, to Zeus for justice—but wisdom and justice have abandoned her. After almost losing hope, she prays to Ares. The god of war, bloodshed, and vengeance. If Ithaca will not protect her son, then war will.(AU in which Ares is Telemachus’s patron god instead)