Weeks went by, Amelia allowed herself to be busy and distracted. Tending to her people’s issues as she saw more folks sail away to war in Troy, meanwhile she answered scrollings, attending meetings, and tending to the garden.
When she had time, she would particularly taking time to practice her swordsmanship. But most all, carefully taking care of her 5 month old son Joshua, as she’d carry him on her hip while checking on the halls.
Rochelle was at Troy with Nikolai and Amelia assumed that Michelle would be there too. But she was wrong.
One afternoon, Amelia put 7 months old Joshua on the floor and let him crawl around. She turn her back around for a minute and then he was gone! But the only thing she heard were giggles along with a voice from the dining hall, it was too early for lunch, as she grabbed her sword and entered.
To her surprise, she saw Michelle bouncing her son on her leg while eating a piece of ham. Amelia lowered her sword and squeaked, “Michelle?! What the-how the-?”
Michell looked unfazed and waved her piece of ham, “Hungry?”
Amelia blinked, “No! What are you doing here? Should you be at war or something?”
Michelle raise an eyebrow and giving Joshua a piece of ham to chew on, despite the baby not having any teeth yet, as she answered, “Am I? I don’t remember any war in my schedule—OHH right, Troy! Nahh, I can watch from afar, besides everyone knows i did not start that fight.”
Amelia blinked, “I know Helen and Paris started the war because of a love affair but still. Shouldn’t you be there in support?”
Michelle rolled her eyes, “My dear friend, someone needs to keep you company and protect you. And that person is me! Besides, I don’t trust these men…”
Amelia raise an eyebrow, “But aren’t you the goddess of war?! You’re literally pissed off every single week.”
Michelle grumbles, “Don’t start.”
—
—
Year 3-5 — 🍋
Joshua is 4 years old today, babbling out phrases and chowing on whatever his little teeth can dig into, unless it’s vegetables then he’s spitting it out. His curls were looking more like a golden brown, looking blonde in the sunlight, according to Nikolai’s mother who would oftentimes visit the palace. Amelia’s little boy was being treated like the prince he’s always been.
His eyes filled of wonder and a sense of humor, along with strength that reminded Amelia so much like his father. Amelia sighed, thinking about the weight and pressure of not having her husband home. Waking up some mornings without him were tough rolling over to not see Nikolai fast asleep beside her, but other times she would feel alright to start her day.
She figured that the war in Troy would end soon, she hoped.
At least she had Michelle who would stop by with a firey laugh and a couple of words to keep her spirits high. Even updating her on things have been, as Hermes—Cole—would accomplish a little more detail with messages from what he could overhear from the front lines.
“Dawling! Look who’s here, it’s me.” He’ll say giggling pulling out a scroll and reading it, “It’s from Nik. It says ‘Hello love, I apologize I can’t be there but, blah, blah I miss you and blah blah blah I hope you’re having a nice day. We’re planning on having a meeting this afternoon, my love’—man, he writes a lot.”
Amelia would snicker, rolling her eyes at Cole’s words. Other days, Amelia found Michelle enjoying her time in the dining hall, teaching Joshua little moves—more like Michelle will sing but deny it saying Apollo’s new stupid song is stuck in her head—as the boy will giggles and ask her questions.
—
—
Year 6-7 — 🍴
To say Amelia was still holding onto the ball was an absolute, ridiculous understatement. 7 year of war, waiting, meetings, waking up alone and tending to her world. There were weeks and even months where she would not see Michelle, as she went off to watch over the war, accompanying soldiers and making twists in the direction of the people.
Even joining Rochelle, her beloved lady of Wisdom, in the fight as they watched over Nikolai if they weren’t somewhere else. Meanwhile at home — sailors, vendors, royals, politicians would arrive at the island to speak to Amelia on matters, as she’ll hold up meetings with them.
Sometimes—if not, she’ll usually leave it up to the captain and councilman of the court to deal with it, then report back to her later.
Instead, Amelia would find herself reading in bed to her boy, Joshua. Eating lunch with him, watching him playing with their dog in the yard, and joining him in his studies as well. Sometimes she’d find Joshua writing away in scrolls and crafting sketches filled by ideas of him own.
One afternoon, she got the question she was dreading to answer.
“Mama..” Joshua started, midway through eating dinner.
Amelia was chewing on a piece of chicken as she answered, “Yes, baby?”
“Is father ever going to come back?”
Amelia froze—yes, her now almost 7 year old son would ask for stories about his dad, pondering how he’s like, and listen to messages Hermes would send—but that question hasn’t truly been raise yet.
She took a breath and swallowed the piece of chicken before answer, “Bug, I like to believe that he will. It’s just taking longer than expected.”
“Why? Auntie Michy says they just fight all week.” Joshua asked in confusion, referring to Michelle.
“Well, yes, they do. But it’s more than that, it’s a fight between love and hate…Papa is on the front lines of that battle helping to sort everything out.” She explained, “So it takes time.”
Joshua nods and sighed before mumbling, “Does Papa think about us? I don’t even remember him…”
Amelia cupped his cheek and rubbed his cheekbone with her thumb as she said, “Of course he does, baby. I’m pretty sure you’re father is wondering if you’re doing okay.”
—+—
Years 8-10 — 🏹
Rumors we’re flying over the borders of the war would someday, somehow come to an abrupt ending. But then again, they were rumors. Amelia likes to say how this felt like the homestretch of it all.
She was considerably older now and grimace at the thought of getting older with the side of the bed remaining empty. There were days where she’d awakened to the sound of birds and servants voices, realizing that she on Nikolai’s side of the bed instead of her own. She will never admit it, because it felt wrong to say it, but having a bed all to herself felt pretty good sometimes. She was used to it by now, despite the odd feeling of not having a proper pair of arms wrapped around her in the morning.
Things had their routine by now.
Wake up at a later hour, lying in bed for a bit before crawling out of the bedroom to greet her son and mother in law at the breakfast table. Reading, doing some simple chores—yes, they had servants in the palace but she liked putting her clothes away as well—actives such as darts, entering the garden and taking her time to get her hair done. At some stage in the week, she’ll have a few meetings, taking time to enter the town, participate in a small event of training and greetings folks at the docks.
Sadly, her mother in law, Nikolai’s mother, passed away one night, peacefully in her sleep. Amelia sighed and sniffled, wiping away young Joshua’s tears at his grandmother being gone.
However one afternoon, during year 10, changed things.
Amelia was in the throne room painting, it was a rather strange scene, quiet but pleasant among the chaos of it all. She heard the sound of boots clapping the floor and smiled to see Michelle playfully sitting in her throne, keeping a watchful eye on everything that Amelia didn’t see.
Suddenly the sounds of screams, chatter and the noise of sails came into view—as Amelia put her brush down and gazed out the window. Her eyes doubled in size, seeing the docking of ships slowly approaching the shore. It wasn’t uncommon to have visitors but still.
“Michelle. What’s going on?” Amelia asked, looking between the window and her goddess friend.
Michelle snapped her fingers in realization before saying, “Ah! I knew I needed to tell you something.”
Amelia gestured for her to continue, “Tell me what?”
“That the war ended yesterday afternoon. People are packing up their weapons and crewmen to come back soon.” Michelle explained then pause, “Why are you looking me like that?”
“Because you didn’t say a word.”
“Ohhh right. Well, now you know..”
Michelle stay quietly grumbling about the stupid fact Nikolai and the other soldiers hid in a wooden horse to get the job done. She rolled her eyes in anger and annoyances, knowing she would’ve went in slashing mortals with her sword instead.
Amelia grinned in hope then rushed off to tell Joshua, who was climbing a tree with a few children of servants, in the garden as guards stood by watching the sight. Amelia chuckled at the sight of her son climbing, screaming and laughing with other children his ages.
“Darling, can you come over here for a moment?” She called out, as her gaze followed him jumping down from the branches.
Joshua jumped down and slide over catching him breath, “Yeah, ma?”
Amelia the moment to tell him the news that she just heard, seeing the young boy’s eyes lit up in awe and excitement. He asked if his father was on one of those ships, ready to rush off to the docks to find him.
“Well I don’t know yet but Michelle is here and-”, Amelia started but was cut off rather quickly.
Joshua gasped, “Aunt Michy?!”
Without a second chance to continue her sentence, her son ran off inside to greet the goddess of war, also known as his aunt Michelle.
Amelia smiled to herself that week in anticipation for her husband’s return, only for her smile to slowly fade away as time progressed. It’s been 9 days and he’s still not home?!
“I’mma kill him..” She muttered once in the war room, by Sunday afternoon.
Michelle looked up from chatting with someone when she heard her. She smirked, “You’ll what?”
“What are they doing? Having a party with the people in Troy who didn’t try to kill ‘em?!” Amelia remarked clearly not happy.
Michelle snickered, “Maybe. I usually don’t get to see this side of you. I like it.”
—
—
—
Ahhh I added more! ☺️ Let me know what you think 💭
I’m interested in see what yall come up with hehehe 🎭
Side-note — Hmm I wonder where they could be? 🙄👀
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