Arrival at Lakedaimon, where Menelaos is throwing a feast to marry off his son Megapenthes and his daughter Hermione to Achilleus's son. A welcome feast, where Menelaos says he regrets the bounty he won while detained in Egypt, and especially over the loss of his greatest companion, Odysseus. Weeping. Helen arrives, recognizes the likeness of Odysseus in Telemachos, and Peisistratos identifies him indeed as Odysseus's son. Weeping. Helen places a potion in the wine to leave sorrow behind.
Storytelling. Helen: "I remember when Odysseus came to Ilion, disguised, on recon mission. I promised to aid him." Menelaos: "I remember when we were in the wooden horse and you, Helen, tried to find us out. Odysseus kept all our mouths shut and saved us." Bed.
Next day, Telemachos asks of any knowledge of Odysseus's whereabouts. Menelaos tells of his endless detainment on island near Egypt. With help of Eidothea, disguised in seal carcass, he captured Proteus (the Old Man of the Sea, Eidothea's father) and questioned him. Told he must return to Egypt, make sacrifces to all gods, then he can return home. Told of Aias being killed by wrath of Poseidon. Told of Aigisthos setting ambush upon return of Agamemnon, and their deaths. Told Odysseus is detained on island of Kalypso, with no ships. Menelaos finally returned home. Now, he bestows gifts on Telemachos for his return.
Meanwhile, the suitors continue feasting, finally notice Telemachos has gone missing. Set up ambush for his return to Ithaka (mirroring the ambush set up for Agamemnon's return). Penelope learns of plan and is distraught over loss of husband and now son. Prays to Athene for help. In dream, Athene sends image of Penelope's sister Iphthime. Tells Penelope that Telemachos is under direct protection of Athene. Will not tell of whereabouts of Odysseus, alive or dead.
The suitors lie in wait on island of Asteris.
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It's interesting to me that the assassination of Agamemnon has been revealed over the course of several books. Little by little, more details are made known, through the recollections of several different characters (each of whom learned their details from someone else, it seems). A similar episode from The Iliad might be the story of how Helen was taken from Menelaos, which also was given piecemeal (but never fully presented at all).
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