The Trunk of the Olive Tree

I did not hear what had happened to Odysseus after our battling in the great hall and wasn't surprise when I did hear. I'd gone home and returned to my wife Alexa. My daughter had been married in the time I away and I regretted missing that so much. Even my son was soon to be married. I was proud of all of them, sad for the missed time but at least they believed it was me.


It didn't take long for the rumor of Penelope's doubt spread to me. I understood, considering we had looked like homeless and poor beggars, that she did not believe it was her husband but an imposter! She spoke of how she had moved the bed Odysseus had built for her and he was outraged. His angry was ultimately what proved to Penelope his husband had returned. I smiled at the memories of my captain and I that our journey had needed. It was hard to face the families of all the men we had lost and I missed them all very much. But that is where my adventure ended and I was happy about that.

Death in the Great Hall

I was aware this would happen and I'd fight by side of Odysseus one last time. Telemachus helped us and blood splattered everywhere. I prayed to all the gods I would be able to survive this and see my way through. Though it was a 3 to 100 I know with all our practice and experience we had the upper hand. I killed many man and I didn't know if they really deserved it. I did this for Odysseus and maybe its the last thing I would do for him so I swung my sword and fought with all my heart.

I was growing short of breath and saw one man run towards me and look of desperation in his eyes. I quickly turned, ready to defend myself. He was fresh and strong and I felt a wave of uncertainty roll over my body. The man stabbed, closely and I was lucky to have blocked it at the last second. And as he was in a short daze from the strength of my defence I stabbed him in the heart. I felt a surprising guilt fill me, but there were other men to kill and I shoved it to the back of my head. I was loyal to my captain and he needed this to be with his Penelope.

The Test of the Bow

When we arrived to our home land. I was overcome with joy and I was desperate to see my wife and two children but Odysseus insisted I help him with something first. I wasn't sure, I knew he'd gotten me home and we'd been through so much together that I should respect his wishes. Then he told me we had to dress as beggars and approach his home. I was beyond confused and very unhappy but agreed nonetheless. We spoke to his son who had grown so old since the day we had left. Telemachus told us of all the suitors that had been at the house and were waiting for Odysseus' wife's hand in marriage. We planned to spy on them and before long we heard a contest in which the winner would have her hand.

The task was to string Odysseus's bow and shoot in through 12 ax heads. I knew that only Odysseus would be able to. But the suitors were all against him. The looked down on him and although he was a guest of Telemachus, they treated him poorly. When Penelope left he quickly strung the bow and shoot it through. There was a moment of silence as they all waited in awe. Then Odysseus shot the first man.

Sea Perils and Defeat

After we visited the underworld, an experience I don't wish to talk about, we returned to Circe's island but Odysseus assured us it was a short stop before we continue on our journey home. Circe and Odysseus spoke for a long time but we were ordered to prepare the ship to leave. I was curious to find out what they spoke of but I knew that would be so rude and disrespectful so I refrained.

We border our ship and I could tell Odysseus was ill at ease. He started demanding we plug our ears as we pass a part of the ocean. And he was to be tied to a pole. I was confused but agreed. It wasn't before long that I saw the Sirens. I had heard stories about them from sailors but never seen them myself. I hoped Odysseus was okay, the legand said their song was so sweet and it lulled them into the water. I saw him screaming and wrigling, desperate to be free. I felt sorry for him but I knew my orders and I made sure he was never freed.

We finally passed them and I untied him. He immediatly began ordering us about, we had to stay focused and move fast, I liked him better when he was tied up. I was moving about the boat when I first saw the creature, disgusting and hideous! I ran to the captain, "We have to get away from here!" But he just told me to return to whatever it was I'd been doing. He was the captain and chose to sail this way. Then the rest of the crew saw the monster. That was chaos! They were all screaming and pointing. Odysseus quickly got back and control telling us to keep going and so we did.

By the time we had passed the monster we had lost six men and we were hungrier than ever. Our spirits were down despite being so close to home. Odysseus told us we'd dock and so long as we didn't eat the cattle on the island we would be home before we knew it. But hunger was knawing at the mens stomachs, they were angry at Odysseus for losing so many men and decided to disobey him. I knew better than to go against a direct order, turns out the cattle were the god Helios'.

Helios had his revenge. It was only Odysseus and me left now.

The Lovely Goddess, Circe

We arrived at another island and Odysseus sent a few of us to explore. We stumbled through the jungle for a while before we find a large building, it looked something like a castle and it had been a long time since we'd stopped at such a fine place. We climbed up though a few seemed unsure if it was wise. But I admit I was eager to find however was living here. As we made it to the steps I noticed huge lions, they didn't approach or anything, they seemed rather harmless but I decided not to test that theory. Soon we met a beautiful women, she smiled and asked us to sit and drink with her as though she'd been expecting us. We all assumed a women would be harmless to us and sat down. But before, things became strange I'm not sure what was happening but soon my eyes were lower to the ground as if I was sitting and when I tried to speak all I heard were the squeals of a pig. http://thewonderpigs.com/facts.htm

I wasn't sure what was happening to me but I saw Eurylochus running and new he was our only hope. Horror washed through me and I became desperate to escape and return to home. I feared I never would. I would just have to wait, perhaps Odysseus could help us escape from this mess to.

Though it seemed like forever, I could hear a new pair of feet entering the palace and I tried to contain my hope. But then I heard my captain voice and I was joyous. I had faith I'd be in my human body before long. And I was corrected. I wasn't sure how Odysseus managed it but I didn't care. I was human again.

I expected that we'd leave just as soon as we had come but I was wrong. Odysseus seemed please enough to stay but on occasion I mentioned we should be heading home, that our families were waiting. He usually listened and assured me we would be leaving soon but the date was never set and the time only became longer. Finally, I asked a few men to come with me and convince him and eventually he agreed and parted with Circe.