Mythology with a Twist: Meleager and Atalanta

“I can’t believe you’ve allowed a woman to join our hunt! People are already talking behind your back.” Plexippus said.

“She’s very skilled.” Meleager answered calmly. “You’ve seen her in action.”

“That does not change the fact that she is a woman!” His uncle responded. “She has no place here!”

“I can’t ask her to leave! She was one of the first people to answer my call for help!”

“Who would want a woman on their team?” His uncle pressed. “And if they did, it certainly wouldn’t be because of her skills!”

Meleager felt his blood beginning to boil. He was head of this mission, he would not stand being told what to do.

The boar that Artemis had sent against Calydon was wreaking havoc on his father’s kingdom, so he’d do anything in his power to stop it.

All good hunters were more than welcome; what if one of them happened to be a woman?

“I’ve made up my mind, uncle; she is staying and she’ll be on my team!”

“I won’t then.” Plexippus replied and turned to leave.

Meleager stood and watched his uncle leaving his tent.

Frustrated, he took a deep breath in an attempt to calm down.

How could people be so blind?

Even if they doubted Atalanta’s skills, haven’t they seen her in action over these past few days? She was much more skilled than many of the people present.

He had come to really appreciate her skills over these past few days; he’d also become really protective of her; not that she needed any sort of protection of course. She was more than capable to defend herself and she’d proven so.

On her first day on the camp, Hylaeus and Rhaecus, two of the centaurs who had joined him on this hunt, attempted to rape her, thinking she’d be an easy prey, but she took them down on her own.

He gritted his teeth; why did he care anyway?

He sighed again; he knew what the matter was. He was attracted to her but she showed absolutely no interest in him.

Of course she wouldn’t; she was one of Artemis’s followers, and they had no interest in men.

He needed to vent; as he’d done ever since he was a child, he reached for his spear and headed outside.

***

It was already dark, when Meleager found his way back to the camp.

He had to pass by Atalanta’s tent in order to get to his; but why was he nervous?

As he moved closer, he spotted her right outside her tent; she was sitting near the fire, polishing her arrows.

The light was playing various numbers on her face and hair, making her look even more attractive in his eyes.

He shook his head; he should compose himself.  Back home, he had a wife waiting for him.

He dropped his spear and, cautiously, took a seat next to her. He picked up one of her arrows and inspected it.

“This one is not properly balanced.” He said. “It will never reach its’ target.”

Annoyed, she snatched it out of his hands. “I don’t recall asking for your opinion.”

“I was only trying to help.” Meleager said defensively.

She let out a sigh; Meleager was the only one who was treating her decently and she was taking her frustration out on him. “I am sorry I snapped; it’s just-”

“Just what?”

“Joining you on this hunt was not a good idea.” She admitted. “I am not welcome here.”

“That’s ridiculous.” Meleager responded, rather unconvincingly; she gave him a look.

“You are the only one speaking to me.” She pointed out. “Of course, what do I know about hunting? It’s not like I’ve spent my entire life hunting in the mountains, or anything of the sort.”

“You know a lot more than many of the people present.” Meleager whispered in a conspiratory voice.

Atalanta smiled. “What did you want?”

“Tomorrow, on the hunt, you’ll be on my team.”

“Because no one else wants a woman on their team.” She said bitterly.

“No, because you are one of the best hunters I’ve ever met!” Meleager responded and stood. 

“Don’t stay up late then; well be leaving before dawn.”

She nodded and watched him until he disappeared inside his tent.

She liked Meleager; he was kind and he was the only one treating her as an equal. Of course the fact that he was quite skilled in hunting didn’t go unnoticed by her either; she’d never seen anyone handling the spear in the same way as him before. 

And alright, if she were honest with herself, she found him attractive too, a fact that she was trying really hard to ignore.

She let out a sigh.

She picked up the arrow she had snatched from his arms. He was right; it was not properly balanced.

***

She’s never seen such an aggressive boar before; no wonder Meleager had asked for help.

Currently she and Meleager were hiding behind a thick cluster of blushes, trying to avoid drawing the boar’s attention.

“That boar is a menace!” Atalanta whispered.

“He’s killed two already.” Meleager responded darkly; this hunt was a complete disaster. The boar was frantic and his men were fleeing in all directions.

Atalanta remained silent; determined, she pulled out an arrow from her quiver and stood. Τhe rustle of the branches caught the boar’s attention. Upon spotting her, he started towards their direction.

“Have you lost your mind?”

Atalanta ignored him and focused on the boar; she aimed and her arrow found its’ mark.

“You’ve got him!” Meleager said incredulously; she was even better than he’d originally thought!

He jumped to his feet and watched as she shot a second arrow, and then a third.

The beast fell to the ground, writhing with agony.

“What are you waiting for then? Are you going to finish him or not?” She said impatiently.

He nodded; tightening his grip around his spear, he moved towards the beast.

***

Amongst laughter, praises and cheering, they had decapitated and skinned the animal; after presenting Meleager with the boar’s head and skin, his rightful trophies, a large feast had been set out at the camp.

It had been going on for hours now; most people had already retreated to their tents, but Meleager and Atalanta were still awake; seated by the camp fire, they were admiring Meleager’s prizes.

“I am very glad you were on my team.”

Atalanta smiled. “You were the one who finished it.”

“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you.” He said, and paused. “I’ve been thinking; I want you to have these.”

Surprised, she looked up to meet his eyes. “I-”

“You deserve them just as much.” He cut her off.

She smiled, obviously pleased and flattered. “Thank you.”

***

He had been exhausted but his uncles had thought it would be a good idea to wake him at the crack of dawn and complain about him offering his prizes to Atalanta.

He was well aware that news travelled really fast, but couldn’t they wait a bit longer?

“You gave her your prizes?”

“I did; she was the first to draw blood.”

“Don’t play dump; the prizes go to the one who finishes the prey; or, if he doesn’t want them, to his next of kin!”

“Oh really then? I didn’t see any of you around! You were busy running to save yourselves.”

“You disgust me!” Toxeus said. “Giving up your prizes to a woman! Is she that good?”

“That’s enough! I haven’t touched her!” Meleager roared.

“You’d love to though!”

“You have both stepped out of line! Leave; now!”

***

  

An hour had passed and he was still unable to calm down.

He was seething; how dare they?

The commotion coming from the camp brought his out of his reverie.

He ran outside and listened carefully; it was coming from the direction of Atalanta’s tent.

He didn’t like this at all; he grabbed his bow and quiver and ran to her tent.

The scene before him made him see red.

Apparently, his uncles were not only interested in his prizes but in Atalanta herself as well.

They were manhandling her right in plain view of everyone, and yet no one was stopping her.

Meleager took an arrow out of the quiver and drew his bow.

“Leave her be.” He said severely. “Right this instant!”

Plexippus released Atalanta, who fell to her knees on the ground.

“Would you look at that? He’s come to play hero!” He teased.

“I thought I’ve made myself clear; leave her alone!”

“Pointing an arrow towards your own flesh and blood; what would your mother say?”

“You are no relatives of mine!”

“Lower your bow, Meleager.”

“Not until you leave.” He said calmly, but his eyes were flashing dangerously.

Toxeus reached for the boar’s head and skin, but Meleager’s voice stopped him.

“Don’t you dare! Those are Atalanta’s! You have one hour to leave the camp.”

The two men reluctantly retreated to the respective tents.

Once he made sure they were alone, Meleager lowered his bow and helped Atalanta to her feet.

“Are you all right?”

She nodded.

“Good.”

She looked up and met his eyes. “I want to be alone.”

It was his turn to nod. “If you need anything-”

“I know where to find you.”

***

  

He didn’t have a clue how long he’d been sitting here.

All he remembered was leaving Atalanta’s tent and wandering towards the nearest creek.

He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees.

He sighed. What had he done?

Pointing an arrow at his uncles?

Because of a woman whom he’d met only a couple of weeks ago?

Had he lost his mind?

This is what Eirini saw when she read the story; I think my excitement is justified, no?

“Meleager?”

He looked up and saw Atalanta standing a few feet away.

“I thought you wanted to be alone.” He said harshly.

“I did; but then I realised I hadn’t thanked you properly.”

He gave her a half smile.

“What’s wrong?”

He rose to his feet and moved closer to her.

“I pointed an arrow at my uncles for you; I’ve never done anything like that for anyone else; not my father, not my mother, not even my own wife!”

“Meleager-”

The way he was looking at her was making her weak to the knees.

He took another step towards her, invading her personal space. Her throat went dry; was he going to kiss her?

“Please, just leave; I won’t be held responsible for my actions if you don’t.”

She took a deep breath and nodded.

Meleager just stood there and watched her retreating form.

He sighed; she didn’t have any interest in him, it was plain as day. Otherwise she wouldn’t have left.

***

What was happening to her?

She’d spent a sleepless night all because of Meleager.

Last night she was certain he was going to kiss her; why hadn’t he?

Her eyes widened in surprise; where had that thought come from?

Just brilliant!

Perhaps a walk would help her clear her head; she stood and went outside.

She was surprised to see that Meleager was already packed and set to go.

Was he planning to leave without saying goodbye?

“All packed I see.” Atalanta said, as she moved closer. “I bet you can’t wait to go home.”

“I am not going home.” Meleager replied, without looking at her. “I will be joining Jason in his quest for the Golden Fleece.”

“What? That’s dangerous! Meleager, you have a family!”

“I can’t go back to them!” He said, looking directly at her.

Her heart rate quickened.

“Why?” She whispered.

“You know why.” He responded. “And obviously, you don’t care.”

“What-”

“It was nice meeting you Atalanta.” He said and, without waiting for a reply, he mounted his horse and rode away.

***

  

Iolcos’s port was brimming with life and excitement.

Apparently every citizen was here today. Who could blame them though? After all the preparations, Argo was ready to sail.

Meleager sighed; he should be getting on board.

He had been stalling for the last hour or so; was he having second thoughts?

He lowered his eyes to the ground; he was such a coward.

What would Atalanta say?

Atalanta…

He had agreed to join a death-quest, all because she didn’t return his feelings; and yet here he was, thinking about her!

He felt a hand on his shoulder; he turned around and was surprised to see Atalanta standing at arm’s length.

“What are you doing here?” He asked incredulously.

“Did you really think I was going to let you have all the fun by yourself? I joined the quest too!”

“You can’t!”

“Why? Is it because I am a woman?” She asked, her temper beginning to rise. “Don’t give me that again!”

“It’s dangerous!”

“Why are you going then?” She shot back.

Meleager gave her a scrutinizing look.

“It’s not the same.” He replied.

“You’re right.” She said. “It’s not. I am not running away from anything.”

A flash of anger crossed Meleager’s features. “I am not running away.”

“No?”

He took a deep breath. “What do you want from me Atalanta?”

“I joined this quest because of you.” She replied boldly. “What do you think I want?”

Meleager reached out and pulled her into his arms; before he had time to second-guess himself, he leaned down and captured her mouth in a kiss.

When they pulled apart, they were both light-headed.

Meleager was the first to recover. “Let’s go.” He said. “We’ll be late.”

Unable to find her voice, Atalanta simply nodded. He smiled, enjoying the effect he was having on her.

“Just one more thing.” He said seriously. “Be careful, all right? We still have some unfinished business to attend to.”

The implications of his words made her blush to the roots of her hair, but she wasn’t one to back down from a challenge.

“As long as you don’t go and get yourself killed trying to play hero.”