writers_muses; Prompt Set 22.6: Mythic
The gods mentioned in this story are not meant to represent any of the gods that may currently exist in the variety of prompt and roleplaying communities on Livejournal or elsewhere. They are gods inside of Athena's universe only, and their actions and personalities have no relation to, or effect upon, any other characters but Athena.
Memory Works Both Ways
Sparta.
She loves Sparta. The Athenians know it, but Cecrops held them true to their word, and by the time he passed the city to his son, it was just understood that they shared her affection with an old rival. The goddess lends her name and her favor to us, but the warriors of the south are hers, too. We are her mind, they are her soul.
True enough. She passes through the fields outside the city, her fingertips brushing the rough grain, as if she is a ghost. She hears the clash of metal against metal and it matches the beat of her heart. She hears the shouts of children on the air, and the promise of the future stretches out before her.
She can even agree on this one thing with Ares: the Spartans are the perfect soldiers. From his warriors who revel in the violence of war, to hers that are the leaders of men, they are all Spartans and they are all the very best.
The Spartan women are the very best as well, a fact which their men recognize and respect. This alone would endear them to her; Athena is not a goddess to bend to the will of any man or god. Parthenos is a name earned and, for now at least, more than merely a metaphor.
But she is in Sparta for a reason, not just to bask in the Spartan way of life. She has been called. At the edge of the fields, a queen rests. “I recognize you, Queen of Sparta.” Her eyes flicker to the queen's belly, swollen slightly beneath her linen garb. “And the queen you carry within you.”
The queen bows her head, showing no surprise at the goddess' comments. “And I stand cowed before you, Athene Keleutheias, and beg your indulgence.”
“Actually, Queen Danae, you're seated before me.” The queen blushes, and Athena lowers herself to the ground to sit across from the woman. “It's all right. I understand the need to do things the way they're always done. Just don't forget to let your mind work with traditions as well as within them. You have asked for me, Danae. Why am I here?”
Danae's eyes are bright and sharp, which Athena appreciates. “I wished for a son, which your words have told me I do not carry. But you say too that I carry a queen. So I am not meant for sons, it seems. I will accept my fate, but I ask that you give favor to my daughter, that she might be a true queen of Sparta.”
Athena is silent for several long moments. Clearly, this is not why Danae called her here. Still, the queen shows wisdom; she can read meanings in words that most would ignore. “I asked why you called me here, Queen of Sparta, and it was not to give your daughter my favor. Answer me that truth and I will consider your request.”
The queen doesn't hesitate in her answer. “I thought I carried a boy child for my husband. I was going to ask you for a daughter when next I conceive.”
“That is not my realm. I have nothing to do with conception and childbirth.”
“As true men come only from the wombs of Spartan women, true women come only by the grace of Athene Parthenos, who is wise and brave. A Spartan woman stands in the light where other women hide in shadows. A Spartan woman knows the meanings within words, and will sacrifice herself for her people. Who else could gift me with such a daughter?”
Athena smiles. “Flattery will get you everywhere.” She presses her hand to the queen's stomach. “There was a woman once who had my favor. One of three sisters. All now know the story of her and her betrayal, but I wear her visage upon my shield in battle to give me strength and to remind others of the burden of a goddess' favor.”
Danae says nothing, but her eyes shine with unshed tears. The goddess stands and offers her hand to the queen. “I'm no oracle, I don't presume to know the future. But there is a queen within your womb, and she will be a Spartan.” When they are both standing, Athena smiles and turned back to the fields.
“I will name her for you, and all will know she is the wisest of queens.”
The goddess turns back to Danae. “No. Name her for the sisters who give me strength, and in turn I will give her wisdom.” The queen presses her hand to her stomach and nods silently.
Athena leaves Sparta. When she returns a generation later, she greets the latest queen as an old friend. “Gorgo. Hestia's blessing upon your home, and Ares' upon your husband's spear. Sparta is well, I presume?”
Word Count: 808
Note: The Danae in this story is unrelated to Perseus' mother. The name was chosen for thematic purposes only. The name of Gorgo's mother is unknown. Gorgo's name may or may not come from the Gorgons, but it is another word for them. I took some license.
Memory Works Both Ways
Sparta.
She loves Sparta. The Athenians know it, but Cecrops held them true to their word, and by the time he passed the city to his son, it was just understood that they shared her affection with an old rival. The goddess lends her name and her favor to us, but the warriors of the south are hers, too. We are her mind, they are her soul.
True enough. She passes through the fields outside the city, her fingertips brushing the rough grain, as if she is a ghost. She hears the clash of metal against metal and it matches the beat of her heart. She hears the shouts of children on the air, and the promise of the future stretches out before her.
She can even agree on this one thing with Ares: the Spartans are the perfect soldiers. From his warriors who revel in the violence of war, to hers that are the leaders of men, they are all Spartans and they are all the very best.
The Spartan women are the very best as well, a fact which their men recognize and respect. This alone would endear them to her; Athena is not a goddess to bend to the will of any man or god. Parthenos is a name earned and, for now at least, more than merely a metaphor.
But she is in Sparta for a reason, not just to bask in the Spartan way of life. She has been called. At the edge of the fields, a queen rests. “I recognize you, Queen of Sparta.” Her eyes flicker to the queen's belly, swollen slightly beneath her linen garb. “And the queen you carry within you.”
The queen bows her head, showing no surprise at the goddess' comments. “And I stand cowed before you, Athene Keleutheias, and beg your indulgence.”
“Actually, Queen Danae, you're seated before me.” The queen blushes, and Athena lowers herself to the ground to sit across from the woman. “It's all right. I understand the need to do things the way they're always done. Just don't forget to let your mind work with traditions as well as within them. You have asked for me, Danae. Why am I here?”
Danae's eyes are bright and sharp, which Athena appreciates. “I wished for a son, which your words have told me I do not carry. But you say too that I carry a queen. So I am not meant for sons, it seems. I will accept my fate, but I ask that you give favor to my daughter, that she might be a true queen of Sparta.”
Athena is silent for several long moments. Clearly, this is not why Danae called her here. Still, the queen shows wisdom; she can read meanings in words that most would ignore. “I asked why you called me here, Queen of Sparta, and it was not to give your daughter my favor. Answer me that truth and I will consider your request.”
The queen doesn't hesitate in her answer. “I thought I carried a boy child for my husband. I was going to ask you for a daughter when next I conceive.”
“That is not my realm. I have nothing to do with conception and childbirth.”
“As true men come only from the wombs of Spartan women, true women come only by the grace of Athene Parthenos, who is wise and brave. A Spartan woman stands in the light where other women hide in shadows. A Spartan woman knows the meanings within words, and will sacrifice herself for her people. Who else could gift me with such a daughter?”
Athena smiles. “Flattery will get you everywhere.” She presses her hand to the queen's stomach. “There was a woman once who had my favor. One of three sisters. All now know the story of her and her betrayal, but I wear her visage upon my shield in battle to give me strength and to remind others of the burden of a goddess' favor.”
Danae says nothing, but her eyes shine with unshed tears. The goddess stands and offers her hand to the queen. “I'm no oracle, I don't presume to know the future. But there is a queen within your womb, and she will be a Spartan.” When they are both standing, Athena smiles and turned back to the fields.
“I will name her for you, and all will know she is the wisest of queens.”
The goddess turns back to Danae. “No. Name her for the sisters who give me strength, and in turn I will give her wisdom.” The queen presses her hand to her stomach and nods silently.
Athena leaves Sparta. When she returns a generation later, she greets the latest queen as an old friend. “Gorgo. Hestia's blessing upon your home, and Ares' upon your husband's spear. Sparta is well, I presume?”
Word Count: 808
Note: The Danae in this story is unrelated to Perseus' mother. The name was chosen for thematic purposes only. The name of Gorgo's mother is unknown. Gorgo's name may or may not come from the Gorgons, but it is another word for them. I took some license.