Ariadne sighed as the heat of the sun eased the aches in her back.
Her father was dead, killed for trying to recapture the inventor and
punish him. Her elder brother now ruled Crete, while she and her mother
now lived a quiet life on a neighboring isle.
Their harvest,
thought meager, would suffice in keeping them alive for the next few
months of wanting. As she set the basket of fresh picked vegetables on
the table, she felt a familiar cool touch on the center of her back.
Dionysus appeared beside her,
“Ah, good. I was worried the soil would fail this time too.” he said.
Ariadne turned and kissed the God’s cheek, “Thank you for helping. How’s my brother?”
“Doing well. That’s partially why i came here. He has something he wants to share with you and your mother.”
Ariadne blinked, “Any idea what that could be?”
Dionysus gave a knowing grin, “He asked me not to say anything.”
Ariadne nodded, “Of course he did. I’m guessing the other reason… is because you’d like to know my answer.”
Dionysus shrugged, “It’s been three weeks since i last asked. Can’t say i’ve been bothering you about it.”
Ariadne smiled, “I’ll tell you after we see what my brother wants, okay?”
Dionysus nodded, “Of course. You go find your mother. I’m going to… check the quality of the goods.”
Ariadne laughed as he plucked a pepper from the basket and took a bite.
**********
“Are you sure you can’t even give us a hint, my lord Dionysus?” Pasiphae asked.
Dionysus shook his head, “I gave my word. Afraid i can’t go back on it.”
Pasiphae
sighed; Ariadne held her hand as the god led them into a sprawling
inner courtyard, covered in moss, grass, and filled with heavily laden
fruit trees.
“Hmm… they usually practice out here. Unless it’s nap time…” Dionysus said.
Before
Ariadne or her mother could ask what he meant, they both heard a cow
bellow and a small form tumbled across the field. Dionysus gasped and
ran over to it just as a centauress galloped across the open field.
“Aster! Aster are you okay?” Dionysus asked.
Ariadne
watched the boy sit up and gasped as well; the boy had the body of a
horse, the upper torso of a human and the head and hooves of a bull.
Asterion emerged from the tree line, looking concerned,
“Is he okay?”
The centauress nodded, “Just a tumble. He’ll be alright.”
The calf-colt shook his head, floppy ears flapping against his face. He snorted, and crossed his arms,
“Oh no, it’s alright. You’re getting better at it.” Dionysus said.
Asterion
nodded and patted the boy on his head, “Yeah. Little bit more and
you’ll be able to stop on a dime, just like your mom.”
Aster gave a
soft moo and Asterion picked him up with a sigh, “I know. But i can’t
carry you everywhere, even if i would like too.”
Dionysus shook his head, “Explains why the nymphs were increasing the thickness of the grass and moss. Extra padding.”
Asterion
laughed, “Wait…” he glanced at Dionysus, “if you’re here that
means…” he turned slowly and spotted Ariadne and Pasiphae staring at
the group across the field.
Setting the boy down, who
promptly ran around and hid behind his mother, Asterion crossed the
courtyard and hugged both his sister and mother.
“It’s good to see you both again.”
“You as well,” Ariadne said, “So… care to introduce us?”
Asterion gave a shy smile before clearing his throat and guiding them both across the room.
“I here Minos has passed. I’m sorry for that.” he said.
Ariadne shrugged, “It is what it is.”
As
they reached the others, Ariadne felt her heart lighten as Asterion
stepped close to the Centauress and pressed a kiss to her lips.
“Mother, sister, this is my wife Elysia.” He said.
The Centauress smiled at them, “A pleasure to meet both of you at last. My husbands told me much about both of you.”
Ariadne tilted her head, “And this i assume is your son?”
Elysia nodded and gently scooted, the boy around her, “Aster, this is your aunt and your grandmother.”
“Ardne and Grammie?” He repeated.
Asterion cleared his throat, “He’s six month’s old but i’m told he’s basically a toddler.”
Ariadne watched her brother’s face and how his body relaxed beside his wife. She smiled, then placed her hand on Dionysus’ arm,
“My lord, i believe we have things to discuss?”
**********
She
ran as fast she she could through the halls, the vines rising up to
stop her progress, while others pulled back to allow her past. When she
approached the central courtyard, she gasped.
“STOP!” She shouted.
Her father and mother turned as she joined them, “What’s wrong child?” Dionysus asked.
“I want to see the new baby too!” Their daughter said.
Ariadne smiled and shook her head, “Artemis has this well in hand, sweet-ling. Your cousin is in good hands.”
“Cousins,” the aforementioned goddess said, emerging from the birthing room, “she had twins.”
Ariadne wrapped her arm around Aster, who lay, flabbergasted beside her,
“I got two brothers or sisters?” He asked.
Ariadne nodded, “How’s the mom, Artemis?”
Artemis smiled, “Doing well… for what she went through. Your brother is discussing gelding himself to prevent it.”
Ariadne shook her head, “He always does that.”
She
turned and checked on her niece, born only a year after she’d arrived
here; the girl slept soundly beside her aunt. Dionysus chuckled,
“And Elysia always talks him out of it.” he said.
Artemis
smiled, “Give me a moment or two to clean them and i’ll let him bring
them out. And Dionysus, could you please call Hades and ask if Elysia is
going to end up there anytime soon? Again?”
Dionysus rolled his eyes, “Of course. Be right back.”
Artemis
returned to the birthing room as Ariadne placed her hand on her own
stomach. Their son pressed against her belly and she sighed, smiling.
*************
