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Post by Megara15 on Jun 21, 2008 11:42:59 GMT -5
Holy Hera! This is one of the most amazing fics I've ever read! Great job!
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Post by tamga14 on Jun 21, 2008 12:36:51 GMT -5
It is...
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Post by Megara15 on Jun 23, 2008 0:25:27 GMT -5
Well I've read a lot of Herc fics and this one is just very well done! ( cause trust me I have read some bad ones!)
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Post by ~*Denise*~ on Jun 24, 2008 0:08:48 GMT -5
I love Fan Fics they are awesome! Alough as you said there can be some pretty sucky ones.
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Post by megatude on Jun 24, 2008 15:58:36 GMT -5
Which ones are bad?
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Post by ~*Denise*~ on Jun 24, 2008 18:47:41 GMT -5
None that are here. All the fan fics here rock!
But just ever once in a while you can stuble upon someones fan fic thats not that interesting. But at least they gave it a shot!
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Post by tamga14 on Jun 24, 2008 20:42:56 GMT -5
Yeah, like me. I try, but I stink
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Post by Megara15 on Jun 25, 2008 21:01:00 GMT -5
As Denise said, none of the ones here. But some of the ones I've read on FF.net are really suckish!
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Post by tamga14 on Jun 26, 2008 7:20:50 GMT -5
I guess so.
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Post by megatude on Jun 28, 2008 20:10:14 GMT -5
Dang.
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Post by Scooterly on Jun 29, 2008 11:56:33 GMT -5
Please don't attack me . . . I'm sorry this is incredibly late . . . My life has taken a variety of crazy and unexpected turns . . . Thanks for the comments! I've missed writing this so much, I hope I can get back into the groove again!
Part Ten Innocence Lost
Meg took the inner passageways that Tig and her had mapped out as children. She didn’t know why the idea hit her, but going through them again felt like returning to a part of her childhood and it gave her an inner glow of cheerfulness that didn’t feel it would be shook off anytime soon. She had to crawl for a few feet but soon came into a taller chamber that branched off into several other passages, all large enough for her to stand up at least most of the way. Though it was dark, she had little trouble finding her way around, knowing the place well by the touch and feel of the surrounding stone. Following a map in her head, she quietly made her way along the hidden passageways.
And then she saw a faint glow of a candle come around the corner and she skirted off to the side, pressing close against the wall as she tried to see who it was coming down the passageways . . . to her knowledge only her, the other children and a few intelligent servants knew about them. . . so she wasn’t entirely worried about who it could be.
She grinned when Antigone came into view and jumped out to meet her, frightening the half-asleep teen to the point where she almost dropped the candle.
“Gods-jeesh-ah!” Tig muttered incoherently as she stumbled backwards, fighting to keep her balance and keep her hold on the candle and the bucket at her side. “What in the name of Zeus are you doing Meg?”
Meg grinned triumphantly, jutting her hip out to one side. “You scare way to easily Tig,”
“Are you kidding?” she yawned, regaining composure. “I’m still half asleep,”
Meg smirked and looked curiously at the bucket Tig was holding. It seemed to be weighing her down some. “What’s with that?”
Tig grinned impishly. “The perfect way to show my fool brothers who still has the real power,” she lifted it up by its rope handle some, the candlelight flickering off her face in an eerie fashion. “This, dear cousin, is pure, fresh, very cold ice water.”
Meg raised her eyebrows. “Very creative, I don’t suppose they’ve been awakened so lovingly before?”
“Yes, but it’s been years and I doubt they expect it.”
“Well, luck to you then,” said Meg with a short salute. “My brothers don’t get quite the pleasant awakening as yours do. What are you doing up so early anyway?”
“I stayed up all night thinking of ways to make my brothers pay for embarrassing me at the table last night . . . Issy and you crossed my mind but nothing suitable came forward. This just sounded fun, I couldn’t wait.”
“I’m glad I got under your skin enough to get thought of,” Meg smirked. “Well, once you’re finished, inform them that my mother wants an outing with all of us today.”
This seemed to catch Antigone off guard and the weight of the bucket was too much for her. With a grin, she set the bucket down. “Really? Have we ever had one of those?”
Meg didn’t know what she detected in her cousin’s face, but it made her grin encouragingly. “I don’t think so.”
Tig gained composure quickly and picked up her bucket. “Well then what are we standing around for? Kick your brothers into shape and I’ll prod my siblings for life . . . and we’ll all meet down in the main Hall.”
It didn’t take long for Meg to find the nursery where her brothers still slept. Ismene would still be here to until she turned thirteen, but as Meg looked around, the only person she could see was Menoeceus, who was fighting to tie his sandals up. He turned around as she entered through the loose stone in the wall, grinning tiredly.
“Are you about ready to go kid?” she ruffled his hair, noticing how tall he was getting. It wouldn’t take long, she knew, until he would be taller than her. She grinned at the thought. “We are going to go out today with the whole family.” “Even Haemon?” he said excitedly.
She nodded.
“Even dad?”
Meg hesitated and looked at his wishful eyes with a knot in her stomach. Her father hadn’t even been in the mental image of the family group and in all honesty, it had been a long time since he had even crossed her mind as far getting out with the family. A dry, cold pit formed in her heart and she took a deep breath as she felt her cheerfulness begin to dissipate. She thought back to what Polynices had told her, and then to the strange way Antigone had acted the night Meg woke from her injuries . . .
“Meggie?”
She looked down at her little brother and forced a smile. With a sigh she bent down to help him with his sandal. “Where is Haemon, Menoeceus?”
He shrugged. “Dad came to get him. He said he had something important to discuss with him and Eteocles.”
Meg fought the suspicion rising in her mind, hearing Polynices voice echo through her head. “I will rule with my brother by my side.” “Do you think he’s planning something Meg?”
“Meg?” she turned when a voice came behind her and she found Ismene appearing from a back room. “What are you doing here?”
“Ismene, can you take Haemon down in the Hall? Antigone and your brothers should be down there already. We’re going out today.”
“Oh!” she said excitedly. “Where?”
“Countryside, I think.” Meg said curtly. She stood up. “I’ll be down in a minute.”
She quickly stepped out the door, walking swiftly through the dim halls. She was heading towards her father’s study, not entirely sure what she was doing or what she was going to say. She forced thoughts of hesitation from her mind as his door loomed closer and she clenched her fists to keep herself going. She took a deep breath when she approached it, but before she could knock, the door opened slowly, and she stepped back as Haemon and Eteocles came out.
“Morning Meg,” Haemon said cheerfully. The sight of Haemon smiling eased something in Meg’s stomach and she grinned easily at him.
Etecoles however, regarded her silently for a moment and then narrowed his eyes. “What are you doing here? You’re father’s very busy.”
Meg wasn’t sure how to react to the tone in his voice and she looked at him curiously. “I came to find Haemon, my mother wants all the children together today for a family outing. Besides, is a father ever to busy for his daughter?”
The last statement had been added as a defensive punch and she watched Eteocles warily as he walked away, Haemon jogging after him, trying to keep up with his long strides. Meg shook her head and was about to turn when she heard a gruff, deep voice from inside the room.
“Megara!” she turned with surprise as her father appeared before her.
Meg could only stare for a moment as he smiled, actually smiled at her and then wrapped her in an awkward hug. She didn’t hug back for a moment, aware of the brisk, quick beating of her heart. It was then she realized just how long it had been since she had actually ever hugged her father.
“You know, I always have room for my little girl in my plans,”
He let go and spoke over his shoulder. Teiresias sat bent in the room and was rubbing his temples in a circular motion. Her father dragged her in before Meg could make sense of what was happening.
“Creon, I strongly urge you to drop your plans now and rethink them! If you keep on this path, I see a dark future ahead for you and your family!” the old soothsayer looked over at Meg, dying eyes studying her silently before they returned to Creon. “My Lord, I ask that you excuse me for what I’m about to say next- but you have lost track of everything! You are power hungry and selfish- you do not see the result of your actions!”
“Stand down old man!” snapped Creon, raising a threatening fist. “Why do I call you here anyway? All you are after is my money! You’re too old to advise! Enough out of you, old man, speak no more in my presence.”
Meg watch her father’s eyes grow with a strange, fiery anger, and then die as they returned to her again. “Megara, my daughter, my eldest child . . .”
“Father,” she muttered nervously, her eyes flicking to beaten Teiresias, unsure how to feel.
“I have an idea in mind for you, my girl.” He touched her hand gently, smiling. He looked so much older than what she remembered and she found herself speechless. “Antigone has not corrupted you yet, I can still save you from being an unruly disappointment . . . I have raised you wrong so far, I have given you a taste of a commoner’s life and it has hindered you. I heard about your fight Megara . . . young women should never fight . . .”
“Father, I didn’t mean - !”
“Shh,” he said with a grin. “It’s alright. I forgive you for your actions. And just to show how much I still love you, I have arranged a marriage for you.”
Meg felt her face drain of color. “What?”
Creon stood, smiling as he proudly puffed out his chest. “Yes! Genius plan! I have written to the King of Thrace about his son Adonis and he agrees that to join our two Houses would be a great plan!”
Meg thought back to her childhood, vaguely remembering something about a young Prince . . .
“We’ll start the courtship now and when you are sixteen, you’ll be wed and rushed off to Thrace . . . away from the corruption here. Don’t you agree Meg?”
She stared at him dumbly for a moment and then something stubborn and rebellious flared through her. She came to her feet and was about to retaliate when Teiresias came before her, looking at Creon.
“Elder . . .!”
“I must say one last thing, Creon.” He leaned heavily on his walking stick, but his voice seemed to have a dominate power. “You are not King. Your nephews are the heirs to a throne you hold only until they are of age. I advise you to step down, step down, or lose it all. You have lost all that your daughter was to you, and have lost the chance to give your sons all they were born for. Megara is a strong and independent young woman, she is not meant for being an overbearing lord’s wife. Haemon is of Kingly blood, you can see this! And Menoeceus can lead as well, if given the chance to prove himself. Do not overlook your children’s futures for your own gain. Thebes belongs to your nephews and nieces; step down and return to your old home. Keep peace between these two houses.”
“I am King!” bellowed Creon. “I have always been King, and I always will be! Who are you to say what I should do with my children? My eldest son will have power, but Menoeceus is weak, he will never be of Haemon’s greatness. And Megara is simply a woman- she is not born for the throne or for leadership! If she wishes to keep her head in the matter, she will learn her place!”
“Your boys are just that! Boys! Children that still need guidance and nurturing! Do not cast them off so early. And again you fail to see Meg’s strengths!”
“Get out, elder!” Creon snapped. “Get out before I order your execution!”
Teiresias’s white hand gripped his walking stick and he stiffly made his way out the door, catching Meg’s eyes as he did so. She couldn’t make sense of what she saw in them, but she felt her skin prickle as he left. And then she was alone with her father and her heart felt as though it had lodged itself in her throat. She had always known her father was short of temper, but she never knew how brutal he could sound . . . or could be. He was breathing heavily now and she wished nothing more than to run out now and leave him behind, but she felt terrified to move. His face was red and eyes still wild with rage. He looked at her then and grasped her shoulders tightly and lifted her to her feet.
“Make a choice, my daughter,” his voice came in short, ragged gasps, his eyes wild and bright, and their gray-violet color unusually sharp. Graying brown hair fell in his face, and she watched sweat bead down his narrow cheeks. “Make a choice!” he shook her roughly and she flinched in his grasp. “Obey me, or be cast from this home!”
She nodded wordlessly and let go his tight grip. She sagged, and watched him calm gradually before her.
“There’s a good girl Meggie. You are excused from my presence. Run off now, I am very busy.”
Her throat was too tight to say anything and she stumbled from the room. When she made it down the hall, she leaned against a pillar and closed her eyes as tears threatened to consume her. She found her body trembled and her heart was rapidly beating in her chest. That was not her father, that could not be her father . . .
Her thoughts drifted to her childhood, to the gentle man who always had a moment or two to spend in his daughter’s room, playing games of pretend or helping her through her childhood worries or taking her out into the garden so that she could capture the lightening bugs . . .
Her fists clenched as she fought back the tears and she opened her eyes, studying the place on her arms where he had grabbed her. Faint circles were already appearing.
Her ears then caught the sound of laughter, distant but obvious laughter. She looked back at her father’s room. The door was closed now, and down in the Hall they would be waiting for her. They had no idea what had just happened, what she knew . . . and then she thought of Polynices and Eteocles and little Haemon and she felt herself grow nauseas. She had been so ignorant before this.
And now she was terrified and angry . . . this was not was her father. The thought kept running through her head, trying to ease the pain and anguish. This could not be her father.
Pushing herself from the pillar, she made her way down the hall. The laughter sounded so dull now, but it was still there.
She couldn’t help but feel that it was mocking her.
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Post by Megara15 on Jun 29, 2008 13:35:23 GMT -5
Thanx for updating! Luv it like always!
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Post by tamga14 on Jun 29, 2008 15:25:07 GMT -5
thumbs up
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Post by megatude on Jul 1, 2008 14:09:55 GMT -5
I'm so glad you've updated. Glad to have ya back. Uh oh, Adonis is coming into the picture. That's gotta be BAD news.
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Post by Megara15 on Jul 1, 2008 18:53:23 GMT -5
Eeek!
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