The Libations

I am counting on Electra to say a prayer to Agamemnon on my behalf while she pours the libation offerings (honey and milk, wine, and water). I hope she tells him that they come from a loving wife. Agamemnon, I did love you, but you went too far. You left me alone to tend to the city, you lied to me, and then you killed our daughter. And now you’re dead by my doing. I have no regrets. What’s done cannot be undone. But after the nightmare last night, I realized that I should have given you a proper burial. Is that why you are haunting me in my dreams? Are you the vicious snake that bites me?...Please I beg you, don’t kill me. What do you want from me? I have already sent our daughter to give you libations. Isn’t that enough?

My head hurts. All I hear is your stupid laughter. Get out of my head!!! What is this? That damned spot on my hand won’t go away. The stench of your blood stains my body. Who would have thought that an old man like you would have so much blood? Will these hands ever be cleansed? I hope I am not going crazy. I must go to bed. Yeah, that’s right to bed. Maybe I’ll just lie down for a second.

I closed my eyes for a few minutes, but I couldn’t get any sleep. I could hear from my room the shrieks of Electra and the slave-women (Chorus). Gosh, won’t they just shut up? How long does it take to lament someone? It’s not like Agamemnon is some kind of hero or anything. Yes, I know Agamemnon is Electra’s father, but doesn’t she realize that he killed her sister? Why does she love her father more than me? I guess the only person that truly loves me is Aegisthus. By the way, where is he?

I’m going to go look for him. I’ll write later. Wait, there’s a knocking at the gate. Visitors from Phocis have just come to the gates and are calling for me. I wonder what they are here for.

Dreams of Snakes

I awoke today, drenched in perspiration. Aegisthus held me by his side; and nurses gave me warm liquids and arranged a bath for me. After they had departed, I told Aegisthus everything about my dream.

I had been pregnant with the child of Aegisthus. We had ruled for a little while, and this baby was to be the heir of our union. However when i looked down upon the crying child it had a funny shape and a texture that felt scaly. I could have sworn its tongue almost touched my face. It didn't look anything like the baby I would have imagined it to be. To stop its incessant crying i unclothed my top and allowed this baby to suckle drink from my breast. I screamed for it was so vicious in its blood thirsty appetite, and thus blood poured from my breast to his mouth, staining my blouse a deep crimson red. Immediately the crimson color formed memory in my head and all i could hear was Agamemnon's laughter in revenge.

Aegisthus did not know what to make of my dream. But i did. I immediately sent down Agamemnons daughter Electra and other maids to send libations to Agamemnon's grave...

Without him

This feeling of relief! i feel so joyous today. Free of burden. I slept in comfort, i havn't done that in a while... I thought i would have trouble sleeping because of what happened yesterday, not the killing of course, Oh god no, i don't feel guilty about that at all, but what i did to his body AFTER i took his life away: i left his corpse to rot, i didn't think it was appropriate for me to bury his body or give him a proper burial, after all, he didn't give Iphigenia one either, pft, what a "father". OH! and he dared to bring a barbarian concubine home? HA! On a second thought, i don't feel guilty anymore. scratch that. he deserved that too! i stand by my decisions, for I am the brilliant, noble queen of Argos.

Yesterday all seemed like a dream to me, a great big deja vu that i had planned all along. I couldn't have done it without Aegisthus. Now that Agamemnon's out of the picture, and no one to get in the way between us, Aegisthus and I will rule Argos together righteously like the righteous people we are.

We will be respected by the elders to the House then i expect Electra to treat Aegisthus as if he were her father, with love and respect.

It will be good, a new ruling has come for the people of Argos, where Aegisthus and I will not care about useless "barkings" or any other foolishness coming from anyone, Aegisthus and I will be each other's companion, each other's Bonnie and Clyde. We will rule together and die together.
We will rule for all good things, for justice. Heck, with me and him working together, we can conquer the world if we'd like!

A new beginning. I love it.



*Editor's Note:
“What we call the beginning is often the end...
And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.”

Here's how it happened.

My hatred toward that man has continued to grow. It made itself particularly manifest when he brought that whore war prize home with him. Cassandra he said to call her. I would if I cared. No one believed a word that was coming out of her mouth really, which was for the best. Had they, she could have given away my plan. How she knew, i don't know. It sounded like unintelligent mumbo jumbo if you ask me. But of course, he didn't. He didn't care if he brought someone else into our home. Although I suppose that makes me innocent in regards to my love affair with Aegisthus. We're even.

And you know what else we're even with? The death of a loved one. My manipulative plan worked, and upon his arrival I convinced him to walk on the red carpet. How could he not have seen the dark color represented the blood he shed? Maybe he's become so desensitized from being at war for so long. Just as well. Maybe if he had made the connection, my plan would not have worked.

Agamemnon once told me during an argument that the proper place for a woman was behind a spinning machine, weaving. It's almost as if he wove his own future (pun intended). For so long I sat in the back room, furiously weaving a net that, to the untrained eye, may be used to catch fish in the sea. Instead, I used it to catch the biggest fish of all - Agamemnon. He was so fragile and unprepared, and I seized that moment to take my revenge. He lay there, relaxing in the warm water of his bath, eyes closed. And it was I who did what many and gods alike were unable to do for 10 years. I threw the net over him as he thrashed in the water helplessly. Resistance was completely futile. He thrashed, and I laughed. And I screamed. And I took out the killing object from inside the folds of my clothes, and stabbed him thrice over. Our screams intertwined - both from pain. His from the wounds I inflicted on him, and mine from the years of emotional abuse and loss I suffered from being his wife.

Our house is cursed. He knew this, and he chose to continue the curse. I am not guilty of bloodshed. An eye for an eye. He took my baby girl, and I avenged her death. I am not sorry. The mighty Queen of Argos has nothing to be sorry for. Electra is immersed in grief right now. She keeps moaning something about Orestes. And Aegisthus is relieved for it all to be over. I'm ready to face any consequences may come toward me. But I will remain firm - I am innocent. Agamemnon is dead. And my daughter has been avenged.

*Editor's Note:
Fan Art of Clytemnestra - the kill

Gullible Fools!

I never envisioned myself to be such a good actress, but alas, I have proven myself wrong again! When Agamemnon returned home today, and I laid eyes on him for the first time in years, I was overcome with a sense of fury. I've been fickle ever since Aegisthus and I have decided to kill my husband, but seeing Agamemnon in person "sealed the deal," so to speak for me. It was easy to ensure him that I had been taking care of the home and spending each day in solitude waiting for his return. He wanted to believe that was the case and therefore, it wasn't hard for me to accomplish my goal.

When Agamemnon returned home, all the townspeople surrounded us as if we were two actors on a stage. I did exactly what Aegisthus and I had rehearsed--assured everyone that I had been nothing but a noble queen on the home front while Agamemnon was away. I assured all witnesses that I had missed my husband dearly. I made sure to add in the fact that I had thoughts of suicide because he was away for such a long period of time. It was believable, and I have no doubt that be bought it. It was such an incredible feeling--knowing that I had complete and utter power over the thoughts and beliefs of such a vast amount of people. And no one had a clue of what events were going to be enacted within the hour.

All while this was going on, I couldn't help but notice that barbaric looking woman cowering behind Agamemnon as he spoke to me. She did not look Greek, that's for sure. She was a barbarian if I ever saw one. Apparently a consolation prize given to my husband by the Trojans. Surely they had been intimate and that thought infuriated me to no end. How dare he, my husband and murderer of my child, dare be unfaithful to me all this time? I realized that if I continued to dwell on this fact, my plans would be ruined. Instead, I took the politically correct approach. I treated her well and instructed the slaves let her in the house and gave her water and food. That girl was very strange, she seemed to be deathly afraid of me for some reason. As she should be. She too will pay for all the pain I have burdened for years. Her fate ends with me.

However, despite all the trivial details, it is most important to note that Agamemnon walked on the sacred, red robes in order to enter our home. The home once filled with happiness and joy is now filled with doom and an inevitable demise. I will update later.

Can't Wait to See You My "Darling"

Good news…Troy is in the hands of the Achaeans. That means Agamemnon is coming home and I will be able to carry out my plan. However, the Chorus does not believe me. They think that I am dreaming. How dare they scorn my intelligence! They should be thanking the gods for this reported victory, instead they are asking me to repeat my announcement. Why are they so insistent on having proof?

Anyways, I told him that Hephaestus, the fire god, sent the beacon to beacon. It traveled like this:
1. Ida to the rock of Hermes in Lemnos.
2. Hermes to Zeus’s crag of Athos (Mount Athos).
3. It traveled across the sea to Macistus.
4. Macistus to Messapion.
5. It travels over the waters of Euripes.
6. Over the plain of Asopus to Cithaeron’s rock.
7. Beyond the lake of the Gorgon face (western half of the Saronic Gulf) to the mountain of the wandering goats (the mountain to the island of Aegina).
8. Then it goes to Mount Arachnaion and down to the house of Atreidae.

I repeated again that Troy is in the hands of the Achaens. I told them that the citizens of Troy (those that are alive) mourn for their family. Not only that, they have been kicked out of their houses and suffer from the frost and dew beneath the sky. I expressed my pretended fear that I am afraid that Agamemnon and his army might commit excess in which this might spur divine vengeance. They could be “vanquished by the love of gain” even before they return home.
Oh…this is perfect. I will have the gods support when I kill him. I can hardly wait! All be right back…let me make sure that everything is set and ready to go.

………………………………

Okay everything is set, except we ran out of Jasmine. I had to ask one of my servants to get another bottle. No worries, Agamemnon won’t be here for another hour. Anyways, when he comes home, I will persuade him to walk on the crimson tapestry, another act that will spur the gods of vengeance. He will be “vanquished” by his hubris once he goes inside the house. There he will be allured by the smell of Jasmine in his favorite bath. Then I will make my move. Ha ha ha (Evil laugh).

Wait, who do I see? It’s the Herald (he went to war with Agamemnon). I hope he brings news that Agamemnon is on his way. Be right back. I must first raise a jubilant cry to my people that the city of Troy is conquered and that their king is on his way back (I did what the watchman originally instructed me to do so).

……………………………….

Afterward, I went straight to the Herald. Man, I can’t believe it. The Chorus asked him to repeat the story about the sack of Troy. But I already told them about this news! How much more proof do they want? I feel like the Chorus does not trust me because I am a woman. But I shall prove otherwise soon.

I gave a message to the Herald to tell my husband that I, after all these years, have remained faithful to him. Everything is the same as when he had left and that there are no surprises.

I can't wait! Agamemnon, you'll finally get what you deserve after killing our daughter. Revenge is within my reach. Hurry up already Agamemnon. I am like a lioness waiting for her prey. I hear the chariot approaching. I will go to my room and tell Aegisthus to be silent. May the gods be on our side tonight.

My Vengeance: Child Avenging Fury!

I wanted to kill Agamemnon all on my own as Iphigenia was MY daughter, but after much thought and reflection, I have decided that perhaps it is best that Aegisthus does help me with my plot for murder. He is very crafty and he has so many good ideas.
Because i know my "husband" best, I will appeal to his ego so that he may let his guard down and allow our plans to proceed without suspicion. The curse of this house can be used to my advantage! At the end, with the ideas and help of Ageisthus I will have my vengeance!
The plan that we came up with goes something like this:

• I will have watchman posted strategically in every town to alert me of news of Agamemnon's return.
• I will have an offering planned for him when he returns, so that i may be seen as the loving and caring wife that i am (NOT!!!), and so that I may fool those old men (chorus) too.
• I will coax him into the house by spreading a crimson tapestry that he may step over as he passes onto the house. I will use his bitter rival Priam as bait, by telling him that Priam would do the same, had he been the one to emerge victorious. His pride will force his acceptance which will seal his fate as ONLY such honors can be given and used by the Gods. When he does acquiesce to my request, the Gods will punish him for his insubordination!
• I will then tempt him with a warm bath in his silver cauldron that he love best, as I know he has long been away and he will be craving one. He always did love the scent of Jasmine, such a soft man!
  
• While he is soaking his wounds and scrubbing up, I will bring out my work of art: my net. This net will trap him and restrain him from running away.
• Once trapped I will gore him through like a bull with Aegisthus' sword!
  

ALL of this...A Masterpiece of JUSTICE.

Then Aegisthus and I can rule without interference or threats. I LOVE IT!!!
Of course we must also plan for the unexpected and so this plan is a rough sketch that can be adjusted if need be. However, the plans remain in motion.

As for regrets...there really aren't any. The only thing I regret is allowing my daughter to go with him. Other than that i don't regret my plans for his death, just as I'm sure he does not regret killing my lovely daughter.

I am so excited! How can I ever sleep tonight?

Alright, I must go...I'm gloating!

No turning back.

Who am i kidding? How am i going to carry out a murder? No. Never mind that. I'm going to do it. But how? How am i, a noble queen, supposed to do such a dirty act and put blood on my hands and stain my great name. I cant.. I want to. but i cant. But he deserves it! it surely does. Who is HE to come back and just go on with his life receiving all the praise and glory from the people of Thebes. They are no longer even HIS people anymore. No one would ever respect a war hero who murdered his own child. Oh mighty Zeus! why did you let him get away with this! Now what is a woman to do? I think i need to lay down a bit a think about this a bit further. Think Clytemnesta think... pros and cons..

Pros:
he deserves it
he killed my daughter
he is SO full of himself
i don't ever have to see his face again
i will be able to rule the kingdom with Aegissy

Oh if it wasnt for Aegissy, i think i might have made a huge mistake and let that non derserving man live.. whew..so glad Aegissy is with me every step of the way



*Editor's Note:

Plans set in motion...

It feels like it's been forever since I heard the news of my darling daughter's death. No. MURDER. Lately I've found myself wandering around the palace, and I'll pause in places because I think I hear her calling for me...but she's not. I've been wearing a lot of black lately to emphasize my sorrow...with my husband that man gone, it's been so nice to find comfort with Aegisthus. We've been getting along so well, and I've found myself not really missing what's his face at all now...

I know my last journal entry had me sounding very self conscious about how others are going to perceive my affair. I am, after all, in a position of power. But then something interesting happened...Aegisthus (I haven't really found a cute pet name for him yet...in fact there's not much that actually rhymes with Aegisthus) mentioned to me the other night that he's been so upset about how upset I am regarding my daughter's murder that he's willing to help in my quest for revenge. That's really sweet but um, excuse me, I'm pretty sure it wasn't HIS daughter that was murdered by HIS significant other. Where does he get off trying to steal my moment of revenge? I want to believe that he has the best of intentions, but honestly I'm so sick of trusting men that I just don't really want to deal with him. I've already sent away my son Orestes, Agamemnon completely betrayed our family, and now this? No. Nonononononono.

Here's what I'm going to do: I think it should be ME who avenges her murder. Screw Aegisthus' quest to help me get over my grief. I'm a strong woman who has been forced to become independent as THAT MAN gallops around Troy pretending like he really cares what's going on with Helen, Paris, and that brother of his. Yes, I think I'll do it. I'M going to be the one that kills him...it's really the only way.

Changes and Expectation

The news of Iphigenia’s death nearly killed me. And to be perfectly honest, I still think that it does have the possibility to kill me. Without the companionship of Aegisthus, I know that I would not have made it to this point. Iphigenia’s death was too much to bear for just a relative, let alone a mother. Aegisthus wouldn’t let me dwell on it. He assured me that things would work themselves out in some way…that they always do. Perhaps. Although I really have no idea how I will ever be able to face my husband again. What he did is certainly unforgiveable and the fact that this decision he made was by choice is eating at me. How could a man knowingly sacrifice his own daughter in exchange for something? Pride has always been both a blessing and a curse to him.

Enough about Agamemnon!

I have something to confess. What started off as a platonic relationship based on empathy with Aegisthus, has progressed to a more romantic relationship, I suppose is the best way to describe it. I am only able to talk about this here as it’s a clearly sensitive matter. How would it look to the villagers? The Queen of Argos cheats on her "brave and cunning" husband while he is away at war. I do have a reputation to protect, despite it all. And admittedly, the situation doesn’t look favorable from a third set of eyes.

I honestly don’t think I can even describe the events leading up to this point in time, it just happened so quickly that I didn’t even have time to think about it. Aegisthus has helped me feel again. After such a long time of feeling absolutely nothing, he’s put butterflies in my stomach that feel like they’ve awoken from some sort of seasonal hibernation. I remember feeling like this with Agamemnon several years ago and those feelings have faded drastically over the years. It’s hard to believe that it took something like Iphigenia’s death to make me feel alive. Irony at its finest. Perhaps her death is the catalyst I needed in order to move out of the shade of complacency I've found myself in.

Who am I kidding though, really? I am the Queen of Argos. I have expectations placed upon me. And leaving Agamemnon would only bring myself and my other children shame. I don’t know what will happen in the future, but I know that I refuse to stop seeing Aegisthus. We’ll deal with the unknowns when Agamemnon returns…whenever that may be.

An Unexpected Visitor

It is a cruel thing for wives to be separated from their husbands. Yet, it is even crueler for a mother to have her child pass away before she does. I HATE YOU AGAMEMNON! You are the cause of all my suffering. How dare you kill our daughter Iphigenia in order to receive favorable winds by the god Artemis. I don’t care if you initially were not going to go through with it. Why was there a sudden change in the wind? I bet you were probably afraid of the repercussions from the gods. Don’t you have a mind of your own? Obviously, it appears that I am more of a man than you are. I would never bow down to the gods. Over my dead body!! My children go first, before ANYONE else. Oh, Iphigenia I miss you so much. Not a day goes by that I don’t cry rivers. You were and still are the pride of my house.

I feel like I am suffocating in this Zeus forsaken home. Everyone around me appears unmoved by the news of my daughter. Am I the only one that finds Agamemnon’s actions unjustified? For example, the old men of Argos, the Chorus, pretend that they don’t know anything. Their silence is so loud that it is making me deaf. Oh no…the Chorus is calling for me. They tell me I have a visitor. How can they make me work during my mourning process? I don’t want to attend to the problems of the city at the moment. I just want to be alone.

.............

What a surprise! It was Aegisthus, King of Mycenae and son of Thyestes. Wait…Agamemnon told me never to talk to his enemy. What am I saying? Agamemnon is dead to me or at least not yet…Anyways, Aegisthus showed up and gave me his condolences for Iphigenia. Just to hear her name spoken by someone else made me feel like she was among the living. I couldn’t help it, but a tear drop escaped. He put his hand up to my face and wiped my tear ever so gently. He told me, “Don’t worry everything will be okay. I am here for you.” I am not sure how to explain it…but I felt an instant connection with him.

……….

For the next few days, we met up despite the Chorus’ suspicion. We talked for hours. I told him Iphigenia’s baby stories; about how I miss her calling me mommy; how I was tricked by my husband; and how I felt guilty for sending my daughter to her own death. Suddenly, Aegisthus put his arm around me and reassured me that I was not at fault. I couldn’t move. My cheeks all of a sudden turned a rosy color. My heart was beating so fast. I looked away. But after a long silence I looked at him again. All of his sudden his face grew solemn. I asked him what was the matter. He told me that he understood my grief. He had lost all his brothers to Agamemnon’s father Atreus (his uncle). I couldn’t believe it. Atreus cooked two of Thyestes’ children—Aegisthus’ brothers—and served them to him for dinner. Disgusting! I feel sick just thinking about it. Eating the corpse of your children…now that is going too far. Now I know where Agamemnon gets his BESTIAL behavior from.

Kleenex and Curses

I woke up late today, my eyes heavy from all those tears. I asked the maids to buy me another pillow because the one I have is all wet and ruined! I have no motivation to wake up as my sweet baby girl Iphigenia is no longer with me. I'm so very angry at Agamemnon! Just wait till he gets home.... Anyways, I was reading today's newsletter and it had a phone number for a psychiatrist. I think that perhaps I should call. I don't think it's healthy to harbor feelings of hate towards my husband even though he deserves them. I also don't think the Gods would approve of my feelings of ill intent. Oh how I hate him so! She was my sweet little girl who loved me...not like that Electra. She cares more for her father than for me. How dare she! I gave her life! I nursed her and changed her diapers, and gave her everything her heart desired. Yet, now she is distant from me because she believes that I loved Iphigenia the most. Silly sibling rivalries. Well, I guess I must confess, I do love Iphigenia more and I would do anything to have her back.....

The maids brought me breakfast...it tastes so plain, my Iphigenia would often bring it to me and she would lie in my bed and ask me to tell her stories. How I miss her. My love, my companion, my dearest friend. I cannot believe you were taken from me...My angel, will I never have you back?

It is late at night now, I fell asleep again, I feel so depressed! I think I have started losing weight, my dresses fit so much looser now. Not that I want to be in shape for that horrible husband of mine! Whatever am I going to do? I love my daughter as much as I have come to despise my husband. How can I ever lie asleep with him again? How can I trust him to take care of me if he was willing to sacrifice his own flesh and blood? Forgive me, Gods from above, but my heart is no longer his! I will find someone better...someone who loves me and my children. Someone who won't sacrifice me or my children in order to receive some aid by winds! Someone who will love me and stay by my side...

Rest In Peace my babygirl

Today, is the saddest day that i have ever experienced in my entire life. I dont think i have ever been in such great pain, like a sword pierced right through my heart. I heard the news, the whole truth of why that idiotic husband of mine took my beautiful daughter to Aulis with him. Bonding time my ass! I knew it was a mistake to let her go with him. I knew he and his army were up to no good! What could have possibly gotten into me when i said Yes, she can go? What good can come out of a young beautiful girl going on a trip with hundreds of men who are thirsty for the blood of the "others"? I knew it was too good to be true, all those lies that I've been decieted with! I knew there was something fishy when they told me Iphigenia would be wedded to Achilles. I knew it I knew it! Those liars! See, this is where it all sums up! ALL MEN ARE LIARS!

I can see it, its giving me nightmares, my baby girl Iphigenia, sacrificed at the altar! Shes looking at me with those round and beautiful eyes of hers, asking for help. My poor poor Iphigenia has been killed, murdered by her own father, those "men" are no men are all! each and every one of them, Agamemnon included, are all a bunch of brainless cowards! How can this be? How is this possible? How does that make any sense at all? Taking a young girl into battle, sacrificing her for the sake of calming the winds! What has she done to deserve this? Why must my Iphigenia pay for the mistakes of that Agamemnon! My Gosh i am in such a disaster. No longer am i able to wake up her up in the mornings, dress her, fix her hair, hear her laugh, see her beautiful smile. Oh my poor child. I am so sorry Mommy couldn't help you. I deeply regret sending you there. I am so sorry. Trust me, i will get revenge for this! I will not let this go so easily...

They thought my PMSing was bad? Oh, you just wait and see...



Rest in Peace my darling Iphigenia.
Mommy Loves you.


*Editor's Note

Iphigenia (1977 film)- Clytemnestra Learns Truth
stop at approx: 06:30/10:52 min.

Bonding? I doubt it...

Life has been so hectic lately. I've been so worried about the safety of my husband, and yet at the same time I can't help but be upset. It's so like Agamemnon to rush away to a fight - sometimes he's so cocky it's unbearable (but apparently he has a little more humility than that home wrecker Paris). I wish I could blame all of my ill feelings on Paris, but the more I think about it the more I'm so sure that my darling sister Helen of Troy isn't so innocent after all. Word has it that she willingly left King Menelaus of Sparta. Why on earth would anyone want to leave Sparta? I bet thousands of years from now there will be plays dealing with the Spartans, and all of the women will notice how attractive they are, even if the story itself has no plot.* It seems the only news I've heard is about Helen's beauty - "The face that launched a thousand ships" - yeah right. I was always the better looking sister.

After careful consideration, I refused to let Iphigeneia go with Agamemnon to battle. I'm not sure why he thought NOW would be a great time for father/daughter bonding, but I came to my senses pretty quickly. While I don't regret my decision, I'm a little perplexed as to why the gods have now taken away Iphigeneia from our house. There was absolutely no explanation, and I'm a little worried. If anything ever happens to her - I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to forgive Agamemnon...or any of those barbarians he is fighting for that matter.

I'm including the most recent picture I have of Iphigeneia in this entry...I pray that she comes home safely, and soon!

*Editor's note: It's like she predicted the movie 300!

Best Laid Plans

It's hard to believe that tomorrow I'll be missing both a husband and a daughter. Tomorrow is the day that Agamemnon plans to leave Argos on his mission to Troy. Helen, my sister was captured by one of those barbarians of from that foreign land, Paris. Menelaus has not been the same since. He drifts day in and day out like a piece of him is missing. Therefore, my husband, Agamemnon is going to accompany his brother in the journey of rescuing his bride. I pray for his safety, although I have had ample time to prepare for this occasion. Agamemnon told me days ago that he'd be traveling to Troy on said mission.

Why he insisted on bringing Iphigenia with him however is a bit of a mystery to me. I don't quite understand why such a young maiden's presence is required in all of this. I have spent the day preparing them--making sure they have food, water, and sufficient clothing for the trip. The weather is always unpredictable and I don't want them to lack anything they may need. I don't know when they'll be returning, and that is perhaps the most nerve-wracking thing of them all. But I trust my husband and I am sure he has a good reason for this odd request.

It is hard to predict what will happen when they leave in the morning. The silence of this house will be deafening, that's a give-in. I will be the ruler of Argos in the king's absence...and those are rather large shoes to fill. With only Electra and Chrysothemis by my side, I shall be accountable for an entire civilization of people. The pressure and expectation is undeniable. I am lucky that the people of Argos are as determined, hard-working, and obedient as they are. And because of that, I do have faith that I will make it through this. I will await the return of my king and my daughter, I'm sure it won't take too long. The Greek army is strong and surely the Trojans are no match for us on the battle field.

And I do hope that Helen has not been tarnished in any way since her seizure by those people. You can never trust people who don't call themselves Greeks.