Dear Athena, today was my wedding day, or at least I thought it was. I awoke a bright-eyed bride, eager to be married to a handsome hero, but now I am a sacrifice, offered up to the gods in the hope of a favourable wind. I have been managed, manipulated, misled.
I suppose I should explain how this has happened. My father is the leader of a great army, preparing to fight a war which they believe will be the stuff of legends. Somehow, before they have even left our shores, they have managed to offend a god and find themselves unable to set sail. According to their soothsayer, the only way of appeasing the aforementioned affronted deity is for my father to sacrifice me.
In order to make this happen, my father sent a message to my mother and me, summoning us with the promise that I was to be married to one of the army’s most admired heroes. We were overjoyed at such a match and set off at once to fulfil his wishes.
Now we know the truth. We are here, surrounded on all sides by men who wish to win glory and gold in this great war. I believe that now that my father has been confronted by me and what he was about to do, it would be possible to change his mind, but even if he can be persuaded, I doubt that a whole army can. Would it be better for me to accept my fate? To go willingly to my death and become a verse in the songs that are yet to be written in celebration of this war? Or should I go kicking and screaming until the very end, fighting against what they have decreed for me?
Either way I worry for those that I will leave behind, I fear that there may be more troubles to come. Is there any way to improve this situation, to make my sacrifice worthwhile? – Oh_deer_what_a_deception
Athena says: I’ve heard some stories about nightmare weddings in my time, but this one has to take the biscuit…What a betrayal! I am so dreadfully sorry that this has happened to you.
First things first, I beg you to put all worries about other people out of your mind. Further tragedy does seem inevitable, but what your parents may or may not do cannot be your concern right now. Even if this had been the wedding day that you imagined and not the nightmarish sham that it has turned out to be, your life and future would have been separate from that of the rest of your family.
I note that you do not ask me if there is any hope of finding a way out. In fact, your general approach to this situation is remarkably sensible, if a little bleak. Personally, I wouldn’t rule escape out completely – I’ve said it before and I have no doubt that I’ll say it again: mortals always forget to consider the possibility of metamorphosis, but I don’t want to get your hopes up.
Mortals always forget to consider the possibility of metamorphosis
For now let us cast this possibility from our minds and accept that you are right. Your father may very well change his mind, but a horde of ambitious ‘heroes’ will not be so easily persuaded. As you say, your choices are to go to your grave with your head held high, or to be dragged to your death by your hair. I hesitate to say ‘willingly’ or ‘unwillingly’, because whatever you decide, you are not chattel to be sacrificed at their whim. You are a woman who, even if she has been denied control over her life and her destiny, can at least dictate the narrative of her own story.
You could become the first hero of this war
These men should be made aware that what they are doing is wrong, and you would be well within your rights to fight them all the way to altar. However, you asked me if there was a way to improve your situation and I think that there just might be. You have been given a chance that is not often bestowed upon young women in our world: you could become the first hero of this war. The woman who made it all possible. These men would owe every victory, every prize, every plaudit to you. You will become much more than a verse in the songs of glory that are yet to be sung. I bet you never imagined such a fate for yourself.
So whatever happens next, whoever they send to carry you off to be sacrificed, do not allow yourself to be intimidated. There is no person more important than you in this camp, no soldier, no general, no king who has more dignity, honour and courage right now. They need you, and don’t let them forget it. You can take your rightful place among the ‘sung’ heroes of this war, and you never know, this may not be the abrupt ending that it seems to be.
Dear Athena 