Chapter 1

It was the early morning in Atlantis. Everything was perfectly still and not a sound could be heard; it was almost as if the entire city had been frozen in time. Sunlight was just beginning to seep through the curtains of the royal chambers, bathing the room in a soft, golden glow.

Two figures lay entwined on the bed, rays of golden sunlight dancing across their exposed skin. Their deep, rhythmical breathing indicated that they were both sound asleep; dreaming of blue skies and the gentle crash of waves washing up over Atlantean sand.

Suddenly a high pitched squeal erupted from somewhere in the palace, accompanied by the patter of little feet- the noise growing louder and louder.

The door to the royal chambers flew open and in burst an energetic little girl with long, dark, curly hair.

"Wake up! Wake up!" She squealed excitedly. "It's market day, wake up!"

She jumped onto the bed, landing squarely on Jason's stomach.

"Urgggggh." He groaned. "It's too early. The sun isn't even up yet."

"Come on daddy, it's market day!" She said in her familiar squeaky, high pitched voice.

"I told you she wouldn't forget." Breathed Ariadne, her eyelids still closed.

"Come on, come on." The little girl repeated eagerly, her big, brown eyes bright with excitement.

Jason sighed and allowed her tiny fists to pull him up into a sitting position.

"Analise, we talked about this. I need to stay here with your mother, you know that she's poorly at the moment."

Her little lip started to quiver and all the enthusiasm drained out of her voice. "But you promised."

"I know sweetheart and I really am sorry. We'll go next time."

She said nothing in reply, simply looking at him with those same big, brown eyes now brimming with disappointment.

"Please take her," Ariadne mumbled sleepily, her eyes remaining closed and a small crease appearing on her forehead.

"But I need to stay here and look after you." Jason whispered, stroking wisps of dark hair away from her face and gently tucking them behind her ear.

"I can ask Melina to stay with me."

"But what if something happens, what if I am not here and you—"

"I will be fine Jason. You worry too much." She said, placing her hand on his cheek reassuringly.

Jason was torn. He wanted to be there for both of his girls: but it seemed that was not an option.

"I already have my shoes on daddy." Analise burst out in her squeaky voice.

Ariadne squeezed her eyes shut, cringing at how the shrill noise reverberated around and around her head, like the echo of a train thundering through a tunnel.

"Please take her Jason, she has been looking forward to it for so long."

"Ariadne—"

"Besides... I fear if you do not take her I will never get any rest." She said with a weak smile, her eyelids closing, succumbing to her exhaustion.

"Are you absolutely sure, because I will stay if you want me to."

Ariadne nodded tiredly.

Jason sighed and gently stroked his fingers through her curls, the same way he always did to calm his nerves.

"Alright Analise, find Melina for me and then we'll go."

The little girl let out a squeal of excitement followed by a stream of 'thank you's and was out of the doors in a flash.

"I'll be fine Jason. I promise." Ariadne said in reassurance, seeing the worry in his eyes as he gazed down at her.

He sighed.

"Okay. But if you need anything- anything at all- send someone to get me and I'll come straight back."

Ariadne nodded, unable to keep her eyes open any longer.

The patter of little feet could be heard again and Jason turned his attention to the chamber doors to see Analise completely out of breath and with flushed cheeks. Behind her stood Melina, dishcloth in hand and soap bubbles between her fingers. It would not surprise him at all to find out that Analise has literally dragged her here whilst she was in the middle of washing the dishes.

"I'm ready." Analise said, skipping towards the bed.

As soon as she reached the side of the bed she took a long look at Ariadne and the excitement quickly drained out of her face. Ariadne was half asleep, her eyes closed, her face as pale as snow and her delicate features drawn into a pained expression.

"Will mother be alright?" Analise asked in a whisper, the fear unmistakable in her voice.

"Of course she will," Jason said softly, one arm wrapping around the small girl and hugging her to him.

Ariadne's eyes flickered open, a crease in her forehead appearing with the strain of forcing herself awake.

"Have a... lovely day sweetheart... and I want you... to tell me all about it... when you get back." She stumbled weakly.

"Okay." Analise said with a half smile.

"Try to get some rest." Jason said softly, bending to kiss her forehead. "I love you so very much."

'Love you too' Ariadne mouthed, unable to keep herself awake any longer.

s§s§s§s§s§s§s§s

The streets of Atlantis were alive with vibrant colours and exotic smells, bustling with people from all over the city. Row upon row of stalls lined the streets, selling everything from ornately crafted jewellery that glinted in the golden sunlight to restless goats tied to posts with lengths of string.

Analise paused opposite the animals, her eyes wide with excitement and her mouth open in a perfect 'O' shape. Jason gave her hand a little tug to pull her along but she stayed rooted to the spot. Jason followed her gaze to see what she was fascinated with.

Jason chuckled to himself. "You're not having one!"

"Oh but―"

"No buts. We are not getting a goat."

"But they're so lovely." Analise almost pleaded.

"When you are old enough to look after one yourself you can get any pet you want." He replied casually, managing to drag her away.

"Mother would let me have one." His daughter mumbled grumpily as she was pulled through the crowd.

"I very much doubt that." Jason said with a laugh.

The pair continued to wander the brightly decorated streets of Atlantis, admiring stall after stall and paying each merchant the appreciation they deserved for such astounding displays. They paid particular attention to the jewellery and material stands; picking out hair ribbons and glittering bangles for Analise and choosing material to buy for Ariadne.

Walking down the street again, the small girl's attention was caught by another stall.

"Daddy, daddy, look! Gingerbread men!" Analise squealed, her eyes wide with awe.

Jason looked at her little face, scrunched up with anticipation, her lips pulled into a wide smile, showing off several of her pearly white teeth.

"Where?" Jason said in mock confusion, putting his hand against his brow line and looking all around him.

"There! There!" she jumped up and down, pointing to a wooden stall.

"No, I can't see any gingerbread anywhere." Jason concluded, turning around in a circle and pretending to search the street.

"Here daddy!" Her tiny fist grabbed his arm and dragged him towards the stall, on which lay dozens of beautifully decorated biscuits.

Jason chuckled, realising his defeat.

"Go on then, you can choose one since you've been well behaved."

A broad smile broke out on her face and it warmed Jason's heart to see her genuinely happy after such a long time. She and Ariadne had always been as close as possible and little Analise had not been the same since Ariadne had become ill. It had affected her badly and for such a young child she was trying to cope with a lot.

"Good morning." she addressed the old man stood behind the stall.

"It is indeed." he replied, slightly taken aback by the politeness of the little girl. He had seen the Princess of Atlantis on various occasions- stood beside her parents at important announcements or accompanied to her mother to the market- but he had never encountered her before.

"How will I choose one? They all look so lovely."

The merchant beamed. "What's your favourite colour child?"

"Purple." she responded without the slightest hesitation.

"Then why not choose a purple one." he suggested, indicating a few. "May I ask how old she is, your majesty."

"She's―"

"I'm five years old." Analise piped up.

Jason and the old man both let out soft chuckles.

"Wow, you are a big girl." Analise straightened her back and puffed her chest out slightly, as if to support what he had said.

"I think I'll have... this one. Shall I choose you one too?" she asked Jason.

"Yeah, why not."

"Okayyyyy... you can have... this one!" She selected another gingerbread man from the display. "We should get some for mother too."

There was a silence before Jason spoke.

"Sure." he said half-heartedly, the word catching in his throat.

He couldn't tell her the truth.

Ariadne hadn't eaten anything in weeks. She could manage soup most of the time, but she rarely finished the whole bowl and she never had enough energy to hold the spoon herself for more than 10 minutes. Besides, whatever she ate always ended up on the floor (or in the basin if she could make it that far). She was becoming thinner and thinner and there was nothing Jason could do to stop it, no matter what he tried. Melina had been the one to help feed her for the last couple of weeks: having volunteered after seeing Jason fall apart while attempting to help her eat dinner one night. He couldn't do it anymore. He couldn't force the food into her mouth, watching as she struggled to swallow each spoonful- knowing that all she wanted to do was sleep but that she was trying to stay strong for him- and then to see it all thrown up on the floor anyway.

"I think she'll like that one. It matches her dresses."

Analise's voice pulled him out of his thoughts and back to the present. She was pointing to a gingerbread man with blue sweets as his buttons and deep blue waves iced across the end of his arms and legs.

"I'm sure she'll love it." Jason replied with forced enthusiasm and a smile to match.

"I'll take these three please," he told the merchant whilst handing over some gold coins.

The merchant counted the coins with shaking hands. When finished he looked up at Jason with astonishment.
"Sir, this is too much. I cannot accept it."

"Nonsense." Jason replied with a smile. "You must have just miscounted them." His eyebrows were raised slightly. A glint in his eyes.

The old man seemed to understand and he returned the smile.

"Thank-you your majesty. I am grateful for your kindness."

Jason nodded before taking Analise's hand and walking down the street, admiring each stall as they went. It was busier now, the streets even more crowded than they had been earlier.

Ariadne should be here, Jason couldn't help thinking. It should be the three of them here; walking with her soft hand enclosed in his, chatting away, enjoying the beautiful day and soaking up the atmosphere. Instead his hand hung cold and empty by his side, with Ariadne lying exhausted in bed, a shadow of her former self.

She loved bringing Analise to market day. Normally he would simply watch as they got carried away (separated from the rest of the world in their own private bubble) picking out pieces of material and excitedly planning what dresses they could make with it. Jason would just stand and admire them both- the two most precious things to him in all of Atlantis.

As he watched Analise now, nibbling away at her gingerbread man, she reminded him so much of his wife. Long, dark, curly hair, big brown eyes and thick black lashes: she was the spitting image of Ariadne. She even held herself with the same poise as her mother; determined to be every bit as elegant and graceful as Ariadne.

It touched his heart on days such as this when Ariadne would pass from stall to stall trying on necklaces and bracelets, to see Analise's eyes gazing up at her mother with such overwhelming adoration.

But then, everyone loved Ariadne. How could they not?

A familiar, excited laugh erupted from behind Jason and as he turned to see what was happening he saw a flurry of curly hair and tiny limbs disappear into the crowd of Atlantians.

"Analise!" Jason yelled after her, sprinting to catch up with her.

She was quick- having inherited Ariadne's looks but Jason's athletic ability- and soon she was completely immersed in the mass of bustling people. Squeezing his way through gaps in the crowd and weaving around everyone in his path Jason started to panic, not seeing her anywhere.

This couldn't be happening.

This could not be happening.

He shouldn't have taken his eyes off her- not even for a second. Now she had disappeared and it was all his fault.

What would he tell Ariadne? He couldn't put her under any stress, she was far too weak to cope.

As he reached one of the side streets he saw a recognisable bald head amongst the sea of people.

"Hercules!" He yelled. If Hercules was here it meant Medusa would be nearby and between the three of them they would be able to cover a lot more distance.

"Hercules!" Breaking out of the crowd Jason saw Hercules standing with his arms open by a cheese stall: only 50 meters from where they had bought the gingerbread earlier.

"Hercules!" Jason panted, out of breath from rushing madly through the crowd.

Just then a little blur ran straight into Hercules' open arms.

"Hello trouble!" Hercules said, swinging the child up onto his hip and tickling her mercilessly.

Streams of giggles poured from her lips as she squirmed around, trying to escape his fingers.

Jason ran his hand through his hair. "Analise don't ever run off like that ever again." His words not coming out as sharply as intended as he was overwhelmed by relief.

"Sorry. I saw Hercules. I wanted to say hello." Her voice was low- the guilty tone children always used when they knew they had done something wrong.

"No harm done, hey." Hercules said, his words meant for Analise but his eyes focused on Jason.

Jason sighed. He knew there was no point telling her off, it was an innocent mistake and she would only get upset- and the whole point of today was to try and cheer her up.

"I won't lie, it's a shock to see you out here. You've barely left the palace in months." Hercules stated in his usual blunt manner.

"I've been busy."

He and Hercules had never been good at having heart-to-hearts. He was sure Hercules knew the real reason so there was no need to speak it out loud. Jason had been desperately reluctant to leave Ariadne's side; and so had spent every minute of every single day for the past months at her bedside, tending to her and telling her stories of his life in the modern world. There were no secrets between them: he told her everything and she accepted it all with an open mind, even though she often struggled with the concepts of things such as cars and mobile phones.

"Jason! What a lovely surprise. I wasn't sure if you would be coming today." Medusa spotted him from a nearby jewellery stand and rushed over. "Hello gorgeous." she said, stroking the top of Analise's head. "Are you having a nice day."

"Oh yes, we've had gingerbread!"

"Really!" Medusa replied enthusiastically, which was met by a fierce nod from Analise.

"Where's mine then?" Hercules asked, bouncing the little girl on his hip.

"We didn't get you any."

"None at all!" He said with mock outrage.

"No." Analise laughed.

"But I'm hungry."

Analise simply responded by sticking her tongue out at him, a cheeky glint in her eyes.

"Well... I guess I'll have to eat you then! Ommmmm nom nom nom nom nom nom nom nom..."

Analise erupted into a torrent of giggles as Hercules pretended to nibble at her ears and neck, his fingers tickling her stomach at the same time.

Medusa and Jason both burst into laughter watching the pair, but Medusa noticed that the smile didn't quite reach his eyes as it used to.

Medusa walked over towards him and laid her hand on his arm.

"How is Ariadne?" She asked softly.

Jason gulped, his throat suddenly dry, the words catching and tangling around themselves.

"Fine. Yeah she's urm... doing really well" He managed to force out.

Medusa nodded and patted his arm slightly.

"There is still hope Jason. There is always hope."

"She'll be fine. She's strong. Stronger than people think."

"Of course she is." Medusa took a deep breath and turned her gaze to the ground. She could not bear to look into those pain filled eyes any longer, shadowed and bleak from months of sleep deprivation. He could try to put on a brave face as much as he wanted but those eyes revealed everything. "How long did the Physician say―"

"Four weeks." His voice cracked in despair as he choked the words out. "Hell. It feels so real saying it out loud."

"Oh Jason," Medusa wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a tight hug. "Then we make the most of whatever time is left."

Jason sniffed, blinking back tears. "I told myself I wouldn't do this today. That I would be strong for Analise."

"We can't be strong all the time Jason. Not even you." Medusa soothed, her hand rubbing circles on his back.

"They could be wrong though: the physicians. I don't believe anything they say. They still think it's all because her humours are unbalanced; they wanted to cut a hole in her side and let her blood drain out."

Medusa said nothing, simply squeezing him a little bit tighter.

"This is supposed to be one of the happiest times of my life. Why is this happening? To Ariadne of all people, not a day in her life has she done anything to deserve this. Why?"

Medusa paused for a moment, thinking of something to say which could possibly console him. But nothing would. Only his wife's recovery would mend the cracks in his heart and soul.

"I cannot answer that."

Jason pulled back slightly, his eyelashes blinking rapidly to stop the tears that had welled up in his eyes from falling.

"She told me to give you this," he sniffed, reaching into his pocket and retrieving a folded piece of parchment and a small wrapped box.

"What is it?" Medusa questioned as Jason passed them both to her.

"I don't really know. She said you have to read the letter first."

Medusa looked up at Jason, the confusion written evidently in her features and unfolding the letter she read the first line of the delicately formed writing.

"Dear Medusa and Hercules," she spun around to face Hercules. "Hercules, come read this, it's addressed to both of us."

Hercules walked over, Analise still sat on his hip chatting endlessly. He passed her over to Jason- who took her graciously, softly kissing her forehead- and went to stand as close as possible to Medusa with his arm wrapped around her waist, so that they could silently read the letter together.

Dear Medusa and Hercules
I hope you are both well and that all the wedding arrangements are coming along well. Analise tells me you have chosen some material for your dress, so if you need any help with it Melina will gladly help you- as you know I am not notorious for my dress making skills. Thank-you so much for asking Analise to be a bridesmaid, she is ever so excited and I fear she needs something to look forward to; these past months have not been easy on her and she is still so young.
Your wedding present from me and Jason is inside the box; I know it's early but it felt like the right time to give it to you. Don't say that you cannot accept it because I will not listen and everything is already settled.
I hope you like it.
Love Ariadne x

Medusa chuckled slightly on finishing the letter. Trust Ariadne to worry about things such as someone else's dress at a time when she was seriously ill.

"Is that the box?" Hercules indicated to the neatly wrapped box, which was small enough to fit inside Medusa's palm.

"I suppose so."

"Open it!" Squealed Analise.

"Why," Medusa said with a curious smile, "Do you know what it is?"

"I certainly don't," Jason stated in confusion. "The last time we spoke about wedding presents we still hadn't decided what to get you both. It's not as if you're in to the same things."

"Why are we getting it now? We're not even married yet." Hercules' face was a picture of pure bewilderment.

"Open it!" Analise repeated in her signature high-pitched voice.

Medusa's fingers found the folds in the wrapping and slowly ripped them open. Carefully she teared off all the paper until a plain, brown box could be seen. Opening the lid of the box she emptied the contents onto the palm of her hand.

"Oh Ariadne," Medusa gasped. "Jason, you must tell her we can't possibly accept this."

Jason attempted a small laugh. "You know she wouldn't listen if I did."

Medusa looked pack down at the palm of her hand. In it sat an ornate, bronze key with a label attached reading: The house opposite the Well of Dionysus. You'll know it when you see it x

Medusa let out a squeal of excitement and flung her arms around Hercules' neck. He laughed loudly and lifted her from the ground, spinning her round in a circle. Their lips crashed together and they laughed against each other's mouths.

"I can finally move out of that old bat's house!"

"I can move out of that dingy flat!"

Six years ago Jason had married Ariadne and moved into the palace, leaving Hercules and Pythagoras in the house that they had shared. Two years later and the house had burnt down as a result of one of Hercules' drunken accidents (something to do with a candle falling off the table onto a pool of ale on the floor, Hercules himself not really remembering how it happened having been completely inebriated at the time).

Pythagoras- after persuasion from Jason- had moved into a spare room in the palace. At first he had been reluctant as he didn't want to intrude, but Ariadne had given Jason the idea to employ him as the palace 'Mathematician' (basically an excuse to allow him to focus on his theorems and getting paid for it, so that he didn't have to worry about finding money) which delighted Pythagoras as he got his own chambers, private study and a large experimental room with all the equipment he could possibly need.

Hercules- however- rented a small two roomed house (if you could call it that) near to where Medusa was living, being too proud and too stubborn to accept help from anyone. When Jason first saw the house his initial reaction was "You're renting a flat?" which amused both Pythagoras and Hercules because apparently people didn't use the word 'flat' in ancient Greece. So that became the nickname for Hercules' house.

Medusa had been living with an old woman for the past seven years; after being cured by a witch seeking absolution from the gods (for a wicked deed she had performed) by healing as many people as she could. The old woman was generally short tempered and ill mannered, but she let Medusa reside with her free of charge, in exchange for help with cooking and cleaning.

Hercules placed Medusa back on the ground and kissed her again. He then let go of her and flung his arms around Jason.

"Thank you Jason. I am truly grateful. So much that I could kiss you right now!"

"Please don't." Jason grimaced whilst Analise pulled a disgusted face. Hercules gave a hearty laugh and patted Jason on the back, detaching himself he turned around to face Medusa.

"It looks like you've got no choice now, you'll have to marry me." Hercules said with a smirk, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Oh really?" Medusa draped her arms over Hercules' shoulders and raised herself on to her tiptoes, so that her face was level with his.

"Yes really. You're stuck with me now." His smirk turning into a wide grin.

"I could think of nothing better." She replied, and with those words she pressed her lips to his, a far-away, dreamy look on her face.

Analise yawned, her tiny eyelashes fluttering.

"Are you tired sweetheart?" Jason whispered softly into her ear, tucking a stray curl behind her ear.

She nodded sleepily, her eyelids becoming heavy and drooping closed.

"Do you want to go to bed?"

"No," She replied quickly, "...I want to see mother." She rubbed her eyes, trying to stay awake. "I miss her daddy."

"Me too." Jason said in a small voice, his breath catching in his throat.

"Can I see her before I go to bed. I want to check she's okay."

"She will be sweetheart, I promise."

Analise laid her head on Jason's shoulder, her little fingers grasping hold of his linen top as he turned to face Medusa and Hercules.

Hercules was stood slightly behind Medusa with his arms wrapped around her stomach, she with her back pressed against him, her head resting in the crook of his neck and her hands holding Hercules's against her midriff.

"We're heading back up to the palace. And I almost forgot: this is for you Medusa."

Jason took a step closer to her and handed her a letter out of his pocket. It was similar to the one before, but this one was sealed and slightly larger.

Medusa nodded, instantly recognising the familiar delicate writing on the front, spelling out her name. She took a shaky breath and tried not to shed the tears that were welling up in her eyes. "I'll see you soon gorgeous." She told Analise with a kiss on the forehead. She looked to Jason, opening her mouth to say something but not finding any words, simply seeing the pain and worry she felt reflected in his eyes.

As soon as Jason was out of sight Medusa slipped her finger under the seal on the letter, breaking it open.

"Should you read it now?" Hercules asked warily.

"I have to." Medusa unfolded the letter with great care and held it with shaking hands as she read the swirly writing.

Dearest Medusa,
I hope you like the house, as soon as I saw it I just knew it would be perfect for you two. You are both going to be so happy together and you deserve it more than anyone.
I just wanted to say thank-you for everything you have done for me. You have been there with me through the hardest parts of my life and I will be forever grateful for the support and kindness you have shown me. You helped me through my father's death even though we barely knew each other back then. Gosh it must have been around six and a half years ago now but it seems like only yesterday. You were there for me at Analise's birth and both you and Hercules have both been so helpful in looking after her whenever I was ill or busy with regal duties. Please give my thanks to Hercules and tell him how much I appreciate everything he has done for her, I can see in the way he cares for her that he loves her dearly and she is truly lucky to have him. He will make a great father one day. Do not give up hope of that Medusa, nothing is impossible and I should know.
I ask just one thing of you now. Please take care of Jason and Analise for me. I know Jason is certain that everything will be alright but I doubt that very much. He is struggling and all I wish is that there will be someone there to help him through what is to come, as you have done for me in the past. I actually found myself thinking the other day that I almost wished he loved me less; perhaps then it wouldn't be so painful for him.
Until I see you again my dear friend.
All my love, Ariadne x

"Oh Hercules," Medusa gasped, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Don't you see what this is. This is her goodbye."

Thank you sooooo much for reading!

I know this was a long chapter but I didn't know how to split it up so I just left it whole. Please review and tell me what you think, if you've ever written anything yourself you'll know how important and appreciated feedback is. The next chapter should be up within the week :)