When Odysseus arrives in Sparta as a suitor for Helen, he expects politics and ceremony, not the sharp-witted, fiercely proud Penelope, daughter of Icarius. What begins as rivalry and resentment soon twists into a charged, undeniable attraction neither can ignore, though both will try.
Relationship: Penelope/Odysseus
The last of the figs lay split upon a shallow dish of red-painted clay, the skins curling inward where they had been torn open. Honey clung to the edge of a spoon. A crust of barley bread rested half broken beside a bowl of olives. The scent of cheese and watered wine still lingered in the air as ariston ended, yet no one had risen from their seats.Â
The women reclined upon thick wool cushions dyed in saffron and deep madder, their linen skirts falling in soft pleated folds, embroidered hems brushing the floor. They were surrounded by the warmth and security of the gynaikonitis, the womenâs chambers set deep within the palace.
Summary:Â 1947. It had been nearly four years since she had received a letter from her sister. Now with the end of the war and her impending wedding, Anna Rendelle is more determined than ever to find her sister.
1943. All her life Elsa Rendelle had been told to be good, know her place and to marry well. When an opportunity arises to make something of herself, finding herself in Occupied France as a part of a larger network of secret agents.
The rain had finally subsided, leaving the city streets slick and glistening. Puddles shine under the glow of the Vancouver streetlamps, and the air is thick with the scent of wet pavement and petrichor. It is a quiet Vancouver night, only interrupted by the occasional hiss of a car passing by.
The two walk with their arms linked together down a narrow side street, their steps slow and unhurried as they often were now. They do not need to rush constantly; they have the rest of their lives. However, Honeymaren had a purposeful air about her that night, attempting to mask it behind small talk about their days and pressing Elsa further about her students.
When Odysseus arrives in Sparta as a suitor for Helen, he expects politics and ceremony, not the sharp-witted, fiercely proud Penelope, daughter of Icarius. What begins as rivalry and resentment soon twists into a charged, undeniable attraction neither can ignore, though both will try.
Relationship: Penelope/Odysseus
A faint draft brushed against Odysseusâ cloak as he stepped lightly. The corridors of the Spartan palace were quieter in the eastern halls, far removed from the noise that had filled its courts since Tyndareusâ announcement of the contests at ariston.Â
Odysseus had lingered in the hall only long enough to be polite before slipping away for his appointment. There was little to gain in watching princes and kings posture. It was better to use the morning on something that might last beyond the contests.Â
He stood before the carved cedar doors of Icariusâ chambers, the grain darkened with age and oil. His cloak, dyed a muted olive and edged with a narrow strip of embroidered wool, hung evenly across his shoulders, the folds brushing the knees of his linen tunic beneath. His dark hair was combed back from his forehead, eyes sharp and calculating as ever.
My odypen fic for @erostober is here! I really hope those who read it enjoy it. I've never written a purely smut focused fic before, and while I'm happy with it and had a good time writing it, I'm also a bit nervous as a result!
Thank you so much to anyone that checks it out, and all those that have expressed their excitement for it. <3
sing o muse
There were many moments when Penelope felt as if she had known Odysseus all of her life.Â
It wasnât true, of course, but it was a sentiment he shared, even during their earliest meetings, well before she had experienced the taste of his lips or the lovely spread of his hands along her skin. Â
When she closed her eyes, she could recall the first time he said it, feel the warm presence of him at her side, as if she could sense his need to touch her burning within him, barely contained.
He had laughed, with something like wonder, or disbelief. Looked at her as if she might vanish if he dared to turn away.
I think Iâve always known you, his low voice had been right next to her ear, making her shiver.Â
But she had giggled instead, as if the notion were ridiculous and didnât make her face flush, her heart pound. As if she hadnât been staring at him, hoping that his restraint would crack and he would reach for her, and do all the things she had already been dreaming of doing with him.
As if they both hadnât realized that they each felt the same.Â
In spite of this truth, the first year of their marriage was full of new discoveries: of him, of herself, and who they were together. What joys and hopes and desires they already shared, and what they awoke in one another.
Recently, Penelope had made such a discovery, one she was eager to further explore.
It began due to a busier-than-usual day at court...Â
If you missed the first post I made, you can find it here. These are all just personal recommendations, and there's plenty of great fic out there if you don't see anything on this list that is for you.
Like in the first post, I'll be starting with one-shots, then move into chapter fics (though there are more one-shot recs this time around). Some authors on here are ones featured in the first list, but I tried to find ones that I haven't recommended before as well. One fic per author will be featured, and the ratings will vary.
Links and summaries for all the stories, as well as mentions of specific things in them I really loved, will be found below the cut.
One-Shots:
Empire by percy_with_an_i
Rating: Not Rated
Word Count: 7,918
Summary:
Heâs had three conversations and stolen thrice as many and no oneâs noticed him doing so yet.
Then she steps into view.
Helen.
Of course it's Helen. She looks like the Gods in her divinity, an air around her that makes heads turn but keeps men rooted in their seats still. She moves like someone used to being watched but never stopped moving long enough to be caught in all her years and through her reputation.
or;
Odysseus, while at Sparta, mistakes Penelope for Helen upon first seeing her.
What I really love: I'm a big sucker for the 'Odysseus mistakes Penelope for Helen' trope, it gets me every time. This is a very very cute version of that in my opinion, so if you're looking for young Odypen being adorable look no further than this. And while this is a one shot, it is also part of a longer series of one-shots that explore the Ithacan royal family, so I recommend checking out the other stories as well!
Homebound by Misper
Rating: E
Word Count: 7,661
Summary:
Penelope steadied her hands on his shoulders and turned her face up to the gentle rainfall. She took a deep breath of salty air and smoothed her elegant fingers over his familiar chiton. âItâs a nice day to cool off,â she commented. It wasnât condescending or dismissive or distant; it was just true.
She waited, in all of her statuesque grace, for his shaking to subside and for him to finally accept that the light drizzle wouldnât escalate into a world-shattering disaster, even though she didnât know that it was what she was waiting for. When he got to his feet and took her perfect face in his cracked palms, he decided that it was time to tell her why he couldnât help but fear the water he once loved."
~
Or, Odysseus reacclimates to Ithaca.
(Reunion sex and several well-deserved hugs ensue)
What I really love: I'll take as many fics as I can that focus on the aftermath, of these two finding their way with each other again, and this fic explores that in a really lovely way. It has equal parts sweetness and melancholy, and ends on a hopeful note.
let your fears complain I've got them too (and let me say I'm certain they'll be here for a while) by asha_dasha
Rating: T
Word Count: 2,170
Summary:
She tugs her eyes away from his gaze and looks back at her weaving. âDo you think Telemachus will like this?â
An invitation; he enters. He stands just behind her, resting his chin on the top of her head. Sheâs taller than him so he isnât usually able to do so, but her sitting at the loom allows him to do so.
âItâs lovely. I think heâll love it.â Odysseus says quickly, not leaving a moment for deliberation.
She tsks. âYouâre just saying that.â She pulls the thread through and attaches it to the loom. As she pushes the thread up so itâs tight, Odysseus kisses the crown of her head.
âI donât lie, I trick.
What I really love: I've recommended asha_dasha's fics before (read them!! they're all great!!), so I'll try to not reiterate what I've already said. But for this fic in particular I love the way it tackles Penelope's trauma, and has Odysseus being the one trying to offer her comfort. But the way they are written to interact with each other here is so so sweet, even when they are discussing or reliving really traumatic things.
Cruelty of the Mind by whenthepawnn
Rating: Not Rated
Word Count: 5,982
Summary:
Odysseus has returned, the suitors are dead, and her family is now complete.
Yet, Penelope is still haunted by memories of the wretched men that overtook her halls for years.
One night, after a nightmare, her mind plays a cruel trick on her.
What I really love: I will always enjoy stories that place emphasis on Penelope's trauma and her being the one to receive comfort and care. This was written for Penelope Week so it should be no surprise it fits in well with that, but it does! If you're looking for some Penelope mental health angst but with some really sweet comfort as well, look no further than here!
The Star to Every Wandering Bark by thehouseofblack
Rating: T
Word Count: 10,491
Summary:
The Trojan War nears its end - Hector has been killed, Achilles has fallen, and the tenth year has arrived.
With the capture of Helenus of Troy, all the Achaeans need, is a winning battle strategy that would at last bring down the great walls of Troy. Yet, the Mind of the Achaean army - to whom they all look to now - has grown weary and tired of the constant warring, and has not been able to draw up the final battle of the Trojan War. His patron sees this, and brings him the one thing she knows for certain, that will get him going again.
His wife.
What I really love: If you read odypen fic at all, you've probably read something from this author, and all of it is well worth reading. I wanted to spotlight one of their oneshots that I quite enjoy, though picking one out of all of them was quite a challenge (for real, check out sil's other fics, they're all great)! In any case, for this particular one, I really just love how sweet it is. I also adore any linking of Odysseus coming up with the idea of the Trojan Horse to Penelope or her influence, it's another trope I've come to really like. But this fic is basically just Odysseus and Penelope hugging and making out and missing each other even while they are together.
Chapter Fics:
Under the Olive Trees by firehelpmeforget
Rating: M
Word Count: 22,190
Status: Complete
Summary:
A series of vignettes of Odysseus' time in Sparta from when he meets and woos (and is very much wooed by) the Princess Penelope.
What I really love: All the young Odypen cuteness you could want!!! Seriously, if you're looking for a fic that's just about them falling in love (including another cute trope of Penelope literally falling haha), you'll really enjoy this one. Their dynamic is very cute in this, and it follows from their meeting to when they marry.
Most Ardently by Tamorasky
Rating: M
Word Count: 26,204
Status: Currently Updating
Summary:
When Odysseus arrives in Sparta as a suitor for Helen, he expects politics and ceremony, not the sharp-witted, fiercely proud Penelope, daughter of Icarius. What begins as rivalry and resentment soon twists into a charged, undeniable attraction neither can ignore, though both will try.
What I really love: I recommended Tamorasky's other chapter fic Threads Undone last time (go read that too!!) but this one has been so much fun. Inspired in part by Pride and Prejudice and Bridgerton S2, Odysseus and Penelope's interactions in this have already been a blast. Not to mention, the writing is absolutely stunning and so vivid with its descriptions in particular!
the bottomless blue by Anonymous
Rating: T
Word Count: 36,056
Status: Unfinished
Summary:
Five years ago, the king of Ithaca made the choice to sacrifice himself for his crew. Over 500 men made it back, but Odysseus was not one of them, cursed instead to swim the seas.
At first he could remember, even if he no longer could speak - his tongue removed as part of the punishment, but one incident with the wind bag later and he was alone for far far too long.
But Ithaca will have it's king.
And more importantly; Penelope will have her husband back. No matter how long it takes.
What I really love: I got into the fandom late, so wasn't aware of the way this was apparently a pretty popular AU idea. It's also likely a fic plenty of you have read -- it has a lot of kudos and deserves all of them! While it hasn't updated for a while, it ends off at a spot that works as a stopping point, even if it doesn't feel like a full ending. But I really like how much this fic explores the idea it presents, and when Odysseus is reunited with his family in this one, it feels very satisfying while still being a slow journey.
-
Okay, that's it for this list! I'll make another at some point in the future I'm sure -- there can never be enough attention brought to odypen fanfic as far as I'm concerned. And feel free to reblog with your own recommendations! Please support these writers and leave kudos and comments, and I hope you enjoyed reading them. <3
So Iâve been hyper-focusing on sims these last few weeks and I can tell itâs wearing off. SO! New chapter of âThreads Undoneâ is being edited and next chapter of âMost Ardentlyâ should be following shortly!!
When Odysseus arrives in Sparta as a suitor for Helen, he expects politics and ceremony, not the sharp-witted, fiercely proud Penelope, daughter of Icarius. What begins as rivalry and resentment soon twists into a charged, undeniable attraction neither can ignore, though both will try.
Relationship: Penelope/Odysseus
The morning air still carried the cool bite of the night, clinging in the dampness of the packed earth. The training yard stretched open beneath the eastern wall, its boundaries marked by posts and worn ropes; the ground was furrowed with shallow ruts from years of fighting footwork.Â
Dust rose in slow curls under the twist of Odysseusâ heel, disturbed by the circling steps he barely registered. His sword angled out of guard once more, a slip, wincing as Politesâ wooden blade caught him clean across the ribs with a sharp crack.Â
âYouâre thinking too hard,â Polites said, stepping back with a smirk, his breath not yet quickened.Â
There was to be a marriage bed, a son, and twenty years of waiting. But King Icarius denies Odysseus his daughterâs hand, and the thread begins to fray. Penelope of Spartaâclever, quiet, and promised to no manâis swept from her home on a tide of stolen love and war.
Now a stranger in Troy, Penelope is caught between warring gods, mortal ambition, and a war never meant to be hers. As alliances crumble and empires burn, one womanâs defiance may alter the course of fate itself.
The gods had no need for walls.
Despite that, Athena just stood beyond them, her form cloaked in air and shadow, perched like a watchful hawk above the Scaean Gate. Below, the mortal kings arrived one by one: cloaks of rust-red and oxblood, Â and crested helms catching the sun. They moved like men already doomed, though none would name it yet.
Hector stood, straight-backed with the caution of a soldier raised on knives and honour. Beside him, Aeneas exchanged a glance with his prince, measured, and unreadable. Neither spoke, waiting for the Achaeans to arrive. Hospitality was still custom, even as it soured in their mouths.
When Odysseus arrives in Sparta as a suitor for Helen, he expects politics and ceremony, not the sharp-witted, fiercely proud Penelope, daughter of Icarius. What begins as rivalry and resentment soon twists into a charged, undeniable attraction neither can ignore, though both will try.
Relationship: Penelope/Odysseus
The light in the room was flat, filtered through linen and bronze. It softened nothing in the chamber, showing every pulse beneath the skin, every line of tension in shoulders. Somewhere near the brazier, a slave girl had crushed rose petals into bitter oil; the smell clinging, sweet at first, and then cloying.  Â
There was to be a marriage bed, a son, and twenty years of waiting. But King Icarius denies Odysseus his daughterâs hand, and the thread begins to fray. Penelope of Spartaâclever, quiet, and promised to no manâis swept from her home on a tide of stolen love and war.
Now a stranger in Troy, Penelope is caught between warring gods, mortal ambition, and a war never meant to be hers. As alliances crumble and empires burn, one womanâs defiance may alter the course of fate itself.
The sand map was crude, drawn with a blade-hilt in salt and soot. Someone had carved the ridgeline in too deep; Troy's shape was exaggerated, the coast skewed. But the key things were there: the sea to the west, the river to the north, the Scaean Gate glaring like a single unwinking eye. Â
Agamemnon rapped the flat of his hand against the map's center. "We break east and drive upward toward the gate. No more flanking. No more beach feints. A straight thrust into the belly. If we breach that slope, we can bring the palisade down in days."Â Â
cj brought this up and i could not resist myself because there is no better encapsulation of Penelope than: "I'm yours, I should be spoken of as yours"
When Odysseus arrives in Sparta as a suitor for Helen, he expects politics and ceremony, not the sharp-witted, fiercely proud Penelope, daughter of Icarius. What begins as rivalry and resentment soon twists into a charged, undeniable attraction neither can ignore, though both will try.
Relationship: Penelope/Odysseus
The morning sun had already risen above the rooftops of Sparta, its light falling clean and golden across the marble floors of the Penelopeâs quarters. The shadows were still long, drawn sharp beneath the lintels, and the air carried that early hush peculiar to ceremonial daysâa quiet laced not with peace but with expectation.
Inside, the scent of crushed thyme and warm oils lingered. A bronze mirror, freshly polished, caught the sunlight and flared.
Penelope sat at her dressing stool, spine straight, chin lifted, hands resting lightly on her lap. Her hair was nearly finishedâbraided and pinned in the style of Tiryns, each coil threaded with gold wire and lapis beads. The weight of it made her neck ache, but she didnât move.
Her maidservant, Myrrha, worked with deft hands behind her, sliding the final ivory pin into place and smoothing the last dark strand with oil-slick fingers. âThere,â the maid said softly, stepping back. âA goddess could not outshine you, my lady.â
