16th year
Tonight my grandfather, Pittheus, recounted a story of my youth, that had my mother crying. This was a good thing. I'd entered the hall with my men. I dragged behind me a mangled lion carcass and my grandfather laughed.
"It's in your blood, boy!" the old man said. I could barely respond before my mother cried out, her voice ringing through the hall. Her hasty footsteps skitted through the openness as she retired to her solar. Women are such possessed creatures; always crying or screaming and fainting away. She annoys me, or did until she gave me her story- But I was writing of Pittheus's story, wasn't I?
Said he, "When you were a boy, Theseus, Herakles visited us. You know him boy?" My grandfather pulled on his beard with such importance. I approached the tale and sat bespelled. Blessed are the gods. I must have known a secret was being revealed to me.
Said my grandfather, "Yes, the son of Zeus visited my house Theseus. Of Course, you and the other children were at play, so I did not call you in. You would not have known the man anyway. But he graced this very table. He took from his person, his lion's cloak and threw the heavy skins over a chair where it flowed to the floor. He sat and we talked much about his travels. Zeus much blessed our house. Then you and the other boys came running in and took one look at the table. I imagine it must have seemed as if a ferocious lion lay upon this solid wood, for the whole group of you high-tailed it out. All but you went into hiding. You, my little prince Theseus, ran over to one of my warriors and demanded the befuddled man's ax. 'What for, young prince?' To which you replied, 'I am going to kill my first lion. It is attaching the King in the hall. Give me the ax!' I don't think this hall has rung with so much laughter since. But that day, boy, I knew you were destined for greatness. A lone child of seven would take an ax to the cloak of the son of Zeus to prove himself and to save the hide of an old man. Even the great Herakles recognized your greatness. 'He shall bring this land together'.
"Yes it was a day of revelation for all except your mother." My grandfather's line of vision strayed to the large wood double door that had swung shut behind my mother. Aithra had her own story. I shall write of that story later. My scroll is heavy as are my eyes and I've to begin my journey tomorrow...my journey to my father, Aigeus
