Page:Lovers Legends - The Gay Greek Myths.pdf/45



fter many a day on the road, a weary band of travelers struggled to the gates of king Pelops' palace in Pisa and hailed the guard: "Open up! Laius, prince of Thebes has come," their chief called out. The heavy gates swung open and the men stumbled in, a few battle-hardened warriors and one gangling youth. When they had rested, their chief spun his tale: Usurpers had grabbed the reins of power in Thebes, killed all who stood in their way. Laius, the dead king's son, didn't stand a chance. A few loyal subjects had fled with the boy in dark of night, had saved his life. He needed a protector now, Pelops was their best hope. Would the king grant the prince safe harbor?

Pelops welcomed Laius as one of his own, and made room for him at table next to his sons. The twins, Atreus and Thyestes, he had fathered with his faithful wife, Hippodamia. Handsome little Goldenhorse, however, he had fathered on the sly with a nymph. Pelops kept him close, even though Hippodamia could not stand the sight of the curly blond imp. 31