The Old And Forgotten Gods (God Of War)

X

(i do not know who the artist is for this piece but this is not Atreus' confirmed mother, it's a Horizon Zero Dawn crossover, the female's name is Aloy, i just thought because she looked similar to Eir that this image was perfect to pose as his mother ^-^ )

-

Kratos charged through the door with an irritable mood and sour look upon his face. Eir turned from the plank of wood she was carving into and stood, quickly approaching her husband who held their child unconscious in his arms. He laid Atreus onto their bed, then looking to Eir who looked back to him in distraught. "What happened?" she questioned as she kneeled next to the boy on the bed, gently running her tattooed hand over his soft brown hair.

"The boy left the safety of the woods beyond the border—he disobeyed us!" Kratos yelled with rage. And though he didn't say it, Kratos was less worried that the boy disobeyed them and more so because he could have died. He began a pace, back and forth, one hand fiddling with the thick hairs extending from his face. Eir continued to caress Atreus' hair, gazing with worry as she watched his chest draw up and down quickly with each heavy passing breath. The inner corners of her brows curled up as she began to feel more guilty, knowing that this was somehow her fault. She took a deep breath, then released it as she slowly stood to her feet.
"He will be fine, he just needs rest." she speaks softly, which reassures Kratos and eases his mind some. He came to a stop as he stood across from Eir, inches from her and his large presence towering over her.

"The boy must know the consequences of defying our commands. What will we do when he wakes?" he whispered. Eir looked to the floor, avoiding eye contact. She pinched her lips together and shook her head.

"I do not know. But I will take care of it." she said, finally looking up to his aged eyes. Kratos tilted his head in disagreement. "The boy does not know you as well as he does me, he will listen to me. Trust me." she places a hand over his arm which convinces Kratos. He gave a simple nod before walking away, taking his arrow and quiver along as he departed out the door, slamming it behind him and disappearing into the woods yet again. Eir turned back to the child, feeling her heartbeat speed at the sight. The boy was drenched in sweat, his breaths not slowing. She made way to a pot with water sitting still inside. Drenching a piece of cloth in the water, she laid the cold wet rag over his forehead, sitting just on the edge of the bed and placing the back of her hand against his cheeks, feeling the warmth emanating from his face. A sigh blowing from her nose, she walked to the fire and placed a bowl over it, taking herbs and berries, mixing them into the boiling water until it was pure juice. Letting it cool off, she eventually dipped a cup, taking the juice to the sleeping Atreus. She lifted him up, sitting behind him and leaning his body against hers, then pinched his nose closed as she poured the juice down his throat. Atreus, though unconscious, swallowed the juice, even smacking his lips for the taste. She smiled, cuddling the small child in her arms and kissing the top of his head before laying him down again, giving one last glance to him as she returned to her carvings.

hours later, as the sun began to set, Eir peeked her head outside one last time before latching the door closed. As she turned, Atreus wriggled from beneath the covers, pushing himself to the edge of the bed and letting his legs dangle off. His head was lowered as he was overcoming the blood rushing from his head. Eir took notice and walked to him, pressing the back of her hand to his forehead. Atreus looked up to her and gave her an adorable puppy smile, but his sweet smile vanished as he suddenly remembered, and his head lowered again.

"Father..." he spoke quietly.

"You should be lucky he found you." Eir places her finger beneath his chin and gently pushed his head up to face her, giving him a heartwarming smile. Atreus turned his eyes elsewhere, ashamed of his actions. Eir patted his cheek and turned away. "Don't be embarrassed. All children get curious." she reached for Atreus' bow and quiver, turning back to him and giving a teeth-y smile as she held them up. "Let us go on a hunt!"
Atreus looked confused, glancing up to the ceiling where the golden light of the setting sun just barely shined through.