Let me be the arms that hold you tight (Odysseus x Polites)

Chapter 2 - Full Speed Ahead

Odysseus doubted he would ever forget the way Astyanax fell. His men had eagerly flocked towards the bundle of cloth expecting to find treasure. How wrong they were. All of them recoiled when the dead body was unwrapped. Six hundred faces stared at him, demanding to know why he had dropped the child. He could feel Polites' gaze on him too and his heart dropped.

Climbing down the wall, he offered no explanation and no one pressed for one. The war was over and he had won. Ten long years away from his family. He wondered what sort of man Telemachus was. Would he recognise his father? Did he know that Odysseus loved him? And what about Penelope? Did she still miss him? Has she moved on?

"Captain?" A hand reached out and tentatively touched Odysseus' shoulder, snapping him out of his thoughts. He turned and was greeted by the sight of Eurylochus staring at him. "We're ready to go now. We're just waiting for you." He could see from Eurylochus' face that he wanted to ask about the infant, who lay broken and bleeding on the ground. Odysseus really wished he wouldn't ask and he didn't.

Walking to his tent to pack the few remaining items he had, Odyseuss hoped to see Polites. He didn't and felt strangely disappointed. Sometimes, the world felt dull and uninviting; then Polites came and everything was bright again.

Odysseus forced those thoughts away. He had a wife, his beautiful Penelope, whom he adored. Even if in his dreams instead of a crown, a red-headband adorned her head.

"Full speed ahead until we arrive at Ithaca." Odysseus, the king of Ithaca and captain of six hundred men, ordered his fleet. The journey would be long and laborious but he would get to see his family again. He could see Penelope waiting for him, ready to greet him with open arms. Content to stand and daydream about his wife, Odysseus stood on the bow of the ship, watching the sun set.

Celebrations continued into the next day; the crew, especially Elphanor, wandered the ship drunk, laughing and talking in joy. Food supplies would last a week at most and wine would be the first to go. Odysseus would have to talk to his second-in-command, Eurylochus, and work out rations. Fish scarcely swam by the fleet but they could catch a few; barely enough for substance but it would have to do. If it came down to it.

Polites often jumped between ships, helping out and tending to the occasional injury. Mostly, it was just splinters and rarely, someone got cut from cutting something. Odysseus had his own tasks to attend to and their paths rarely crossed; when they did the two would engage in idle chatter before being forced to get back onto duty.

"Captain," Eurylochus called out, while Odysseus was talking to Polites about how the tides seemed to be in their favour. "Our supplies aren't enough for six hundred men." Mumbles of agreement come from the rest of the crew. "Captain, what's the plan?"

Tearing himself away from Polites, Odysseus went to stand beside Eurylochus. Pointing towards the birds he spoke, "Watch where the birds fly. They will lead us to food. There we'll hunt for food, my second-in-command."

Polites stood next to Odyseuss, who had to fight the urge to wrap his arm around his waist; reminding himself of Penelope, and pointed to an island with a delighted cry of, "Look!" Spots of the island seemed to glow, most likely fires being lit. There was no doubt about food, however.

"We should raid the place and—" Eurylochus began before being cut off. "No. Me and Polites are going on ahead." Odysseus was beginning to regret interrupting him, especially as his crew had turned to look at him due to him being too loud. "We should try to find a way that no one ends up dead." Gods, he hopes no one questions him. Thankfully no one does.

A/N - Another chapter !!! this one is much longer and We're thinking of updating once or twice  week (mostlikely on weekends) but chapter will be written in advance.

Wordcount : 700