Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"it was my fate to defile my mother’s bed,
      to bring forth to men a human family
      that people could not bear to look upon,
      to murder the father who engendered me" (Sophocles, 951-954)

Oedipus sat in his bed chambers in silent contemplation. The faint taste of wine clung to his mouth as he tossed the goblet to the side among the scattered and empty jugs on the table. Selene shines brightly in the sky, her moonbeans piercing through the palace as her light illuminates his figure.

Just earlier during a banquet Oedipus was chatting with guests, entertaining them with his poetry and knowledge as a spoiled prince would. He wasn't sure what lead to the minor spat with a guest; he himself was slightly drunk upon the wine when a guest told him he was unworthy of the luxuries of Corinth. When he asked why the man would spout such words with tenacity, the drunken man merely told him that Oedipus was not born from Queen Merope's womb.

Oedipus, who was raised of high stature and knew better than to disgrace his parents in front of guests of high esteem, merely scoffed and turned away. He, a mere travelling merchant whom his parents so graciously welcomed into their court dared spout such foolishness to their one and only son. 

Still, even when approaching his parents, and even after they assured him that he was their son, could not help but feel troubled. Oedipus could not deny the small doubt creeping into the back of his head, Eris whispering in his ear that he had no relation to his beloved parents.

To rest his mind, Oedipus decides to take a ship with a few men and set out to Delphi to consult the Oracle.

A young woman wanders the country roads of Crisa. She sighs, re-adjusting her chiffon before beginning once more on the dirt road. "Oh lord Hermes Hodios[1], please watch over me in my travels, lady Artemis Philomeirax, protect me from despicable men who wish to defile my chastity in my journey," she breathes, adjusting her hair out of her face. "great queen of Olympus Hera Teleia, may I find a husband whom I may spend my days in happiness, and my fair lady of the Hearth, Hestia, find me a home which I may spend as a loving mother and wife."

The woman is the one and only daughter of King Triste[2] and Queen Citria of Calydon, younger sister to Crown Prince Kitrin, Princess [Name]. 

Princess [Name] was born into luxury with doting parents and an overprotective older brother. Despite being a famed beauty, [Name] was humble and kind in demeanor. Originally, she planned on living her days as a priestess to Hestia, swearing chastity for her entire life despite having no shortage of suitors.

The night before she were to seek out the temple of Hestia, three magnificent goddesses appeared to her in a dream. Great Hera, beautiful Aphrodite and wondrous Hestia[3] came to her and instructed her to leave the confines of her home and travel to Delphi where she would consult the Oracle of Delphi. There she would find guidance in seeking a husband.

The devout princess immediately approached her parents, telling them of the divine message given to her. While reluctant at first, finally relented comforted by the fact that their daughter would be under the guidance of the divine.

With their blessing, Princess [Name] set of to Delphi to find her husband.

[1] Yeah so I know the bare minimum of epithets and how they were used so please don't flame me if I use the wrong one in the wrong way lol.

[2] Reader's parents and brother are all made up; I just wanted her to be a princess of some place and ended up choosing Calydon because I suddenly remembered Atalanta.

[3] This is more of a personal head cannon of mine, but I've always thought of Hestia being supportive of her priestesses and wanting the best for them, so since she knew [Name] would be happier marrying and having children, she encourages her to search for a husband instead of accepting her vow.

Chapter Text

Beneath the blazing heat of Helios, [Name] covered her head with a white hood. She dressed as inconspicuously as possible, but the quality of her garments and her graceful demeanor set her apart from the common folk.

The crowd was large as usual, but it surprisingly went by fast. As always, Delphians are were first. When they were done, she was directed to the Pythia.[1] [Name] smiled kindly to her, giving some of the other priestesses a handful of drachma, instructing them to gift them to Apollo. She then bows respectfully to the seer, showing her reverence to the woman.

"Greetings great Pythones, I come asking for humble advice hoping that you may interpret Apollo Thearius' will for my troubles." [Name] heard rustling as the Pythia moved towards her.

"Raise your head, proud princess of Calydonia. I have been anticipating your journey; have you properly rested? A lone woman travelling thus far is quite dangerous."

[Name] stood straight up again, still keeping her regal demeanor. "Thank you for your concern, my travels have been tiring but no harm has befallen unto me as the gods have watched over my journey."

"Your faith serves you well. My Lord has revealed unto me that the man you seek is in Delphi at this moment. You two shall meet, and should you journey with him, you shall spend your pilgrimage in happiness." [Name] perked up at the news, already smiling, but the Oracle continued to speak. "This shall not last long however, because your love is destined to a tragic life and end." 

[Name] felt the world crash on her; The man whom she had been looking so hard for, who she would spend the rest of her life with, will end in misery? Oh, why have the Gods forsaken her lover?! [2]

She puts a hand to her mouth in horror, tears filling her eyes. "Great Pythoness, surely you must be mistaken. Has my love angered the gods?"

The pythoness merely looks at her with sorrow. She gently places her hand on her shoulder in an attempt to comfort the distraught princess. 

"It was not your love whom has angered the gods, but rather, his father. Many years ago, King Laius of Thebes forcibly took young Chrysippus of Pisa. In doing so, he angered my lord Apollo Kourotrophos who cursed his death to be by the hands of his son, Oedipus."[3]

"Oedipus' His name reverberated in her head. She vaguely knew of him, as she learned about royalty and people of prestige in other cities. But he was the Prince of Corinth, no? Son to Polybus and Merope.

[Name] shook her head. There clearly was a bigger problem, but she needed to find Oedipus immediately.

"Great Pythoness, please tell me the whereabouts of Oedipus. I must meet him." The pythoness gave her a knowing look, one that warned her of the dangers of her journey.

"Princess of Calydon, you are without a doubt a force to be reckoned with. Carrying with you is the blessings of Great Hera, Aphrodite and Hestia, yet the road to chose to follow may lead to your demise." She turned, silently walking and touching the paintings on the wall. "I have given many prophecies, some which herald great fortune and other unsightly demise. Always, there is somebody who doubts my words; who wishes to go against the divine news of my lord, and always, they have succumbed to their fate."

She then turned back to [Name], giving her an intense look. "You have a bright future. Your dowry is large, you have beauty belonging on Olympus, and a loving family whom would go to war over your tears. Do you still dare risk your life for a man whom is destined to tragedy?" 

[Name] grabbed her the silk cloak she was wearing, palms sweating as she stared at the ground. "I chose to follow Oedipus. My fated one shall not die tragically, not while I live and breathe."

The pythia gave her a mournful look. "Your stubbornness is a blessing and a curse. Go, for he has not left Delphi yet. He sets of to Thebes in and attempt to avoid his fate."

[Name] thanked the woman for her help and immediately dashed out to follow the road to Thebes. She prayed to the gods that she would make it in time. Behind her, the pythoness called out one more piece of advice:

"And do not forget! Oedipus is from the blood whom the gods hate! Do wise in not angering them further!"

[1] I have no clue what the actual procedure is to get an Oracle lmfao

[2] This is what I mean when I say the reader is delulu. She hasn't even met Oedipus yet already calls him her lover.

[3] As far as I'm aware, Apollo didn't actually curse Laius, nor did any other god. The closest thing I could find is that Pelops (Chrysippus' father) cursed him. In my personal headcannon, Pelops is pretty close with the Olympians so when his son got raped, he called them up and Apollo answered \_(ツ)_/¯

Chapter Text

Oedipus sighed and re-adjusted the pack slung over his shoulder. His clothes had been exchanged for something much more cheap, making him seem like a feeble traveller rather than a prince. He walked upon beaten path out of Delphi way from his home.

'Home' he thought wistfully. He had taken to Delphi simply to ease his mind; truly, he believed his parents that he was their one any only child, all he needed was confirmation. And yet Oedipus regretted ever taking a boat to Delphi.

Instead of the comfort he expected, he was given terrible news, one that sickened him to his core.

"You shall kill your father and lie with your mother; From the unholy union you shall bare 4 children, all the while the gods stare upon your misery."

He would never forget the woman's haunting words, speaking Lord Apollo's direct curse upon him.

Disoriented, he did the only thing he could do: run. Oedipus did not want to fulfill any part of the prophecy at all, he loved his parents and may he be struck dead before he lay a hand on either his father or mother.

After leaving the oracle, he didn't even bother going back to the ships where his men waited. Once they realized he was missing, it would be too late. As much as he longed for his palace with his parents, servants and company, he would never defile his parent's honour. They would be heartbroken their only son left without a word, but it was all to protect them.

With nowhere to belong, he decided to set off to Thebes instead. 

He had no idea why the Gods had cursed him to such a fate -he was always pious and humble before them, celebrating their festivals and giving great sacrifice. His parents had done nothing he knew of to warrant their anger either.

Oedipus prepared himself for a lonely life, one filled with anguish and torture, but then a voice called out from behind him.

"Excuse me! Please wait!" He turned around and met eyes with the one of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, second to only his mother, Merope. Aphrodite certainly blessed her well, with the way her eyes sparkled, how her skin glistened under Helios' light, and the bright smile worn on her face.

"Forgive me for disturbing you, but I must ask where you are travelling to?" The woman was slightly panting when she caught up to him, and he could see she was more beautiful up close. He stared at the cloth she wore, noticing that while simple in design, was clean and made out of quality fabric with very diligent embroidery. She clearly was of higher status, so why was she travelling alone?

"I plan on heading to Thebes, why do you ask miss..."

"[Name], my name is [Name]. And I plan on going to Thebes as well, however, I have no one to travel with. Could I trouble you with my presence? I would feel much more at ease in company with a strong man than along."

She gave him such a beautiful smile and fluttered her eyelashes. Oedipus felt his cheeks flush, as Eros struck his heart with his arrows. Many women approached him before, but none have been as lovely as the one before.

"If it's to protect a lovely lady like you, I certainly don't mind. My name is Oedipus."

He held out his arm, which [Name] took. The two turned and began walking down the path to Thebes, connected by arm. For once, Oedipus didn't feel the dread of the prophecy on his shoulder. 

In this moment, it was him and [Name] together.