Thank you everyone who read the first chapter, hopefully this next part should explain a few things.

I meant to upload it earlier but it took longer than expected to write with juggling work and coursework as well... but hey, life's better when it's busy.

Just a little author's note: Obviously Ariadne grew calling her parents Mother and Father, but I think Jason would be uncomfortable being referred to as "father", which is why Analise calls him "Dad/daddy" even though it isn't very Ancient Greek

Chapter 2

Jason crept into the royal chambers, placing Analise on the floor; the little girl having livened up significantly after being allowed to eat Jason's gingerbread man.

Upon entering the room Jason's eyes immediately found Ariadne, sound asleep and lying tucked under the covers on their double bed with her head resting on her forearm.

She looked peaceful at least.

Melina sat next to the bed, a piece of material in one hand and a needle in the other, presumably mending a dress of some sort.

"How has she been?" Jason whispered, cautious not to wake her. His brow furrowed in concern as he gazed at her, noticing how pale she had become over the last few weeks, as if the life itself had drained out of her.

"She's been sleeping all day. I think she needed it. She woke up around four or five times, but only for a couple of minutes. Each time she managed to drink some water and told me to wake her when you got back... she was very persistent in the matter." She said with a small smile.

Jason nodded. "Has she eaten anything?"

Melina shook her head sadly. "No. I asked but she said she couldn't bear to eat and she was so tired that I thought it would be better if she were just to rest."

"Thank you, you have been unbelievably helpful and I am truly grateful. Have you had any rest yourself?"

Melina nodded. "A couple of hours. Pythagoras came and sat with her earlier and insisted that I had a break to get something to eat.

"Alright. You can take the night off if you wish."

"Are you sure your majesty. Should I fetch you something to eat first."

"No... I'm not hungry. Anyway you have already been so helpful, go home and rest."

"Thank you." Melina said with a half smile. When she reached the door she turned around to face Jason. "She really did want you to wake her up. She's been resting all day- it won't harm her to stay awake for a while, she'll be glad to see you both."

Jason stayed silent.

Melina waved to Analise- who returned the gesture enthusiastically- and then slipped quietly out of the room.

Jason's eyes roamed over Ariadne; taking in every detail and devouring the sight of her. He had missed her so much today. It wasn't the same going to the market without her, all day he had felt like he was missing something vital. Like a part of him was lost, trapped somewhere unreachable. He had missed the shy smile she would give him every time they caught each other's gaze, or the small nudge she would give him when Analise was unknowingly doing something funny, or the way she came alive talking to her people and complementing them on their stalls.

He had missed her so much it hurt. An unrelenting dull ache in his chest.

But should he wake her now? He wanted to but she looked so peaceful and he didn't want to disturb her: however much he wanted to see her beautiful eyes and heart-warming smile.

Jason leaned forwards and pressed his lips to hers in a gentle kiss.

He held his lips there for a moment, relishing in the feel of her deliciously soft lips.

Ariadne's eyelashes fluttered open slowly and she smiled into his lips.

"Good afternoon beautiful." Jason whispered, his warm breath tickling her cheek.

"Afternoon?" She asked sleepily.

"Mmmm hmmmm." Jason said in response while kissing her again.

"What time is it?" She yawned.

"About half past three- I checked Pythagoras' sundial on the way here."

"Really? I didn't realise I had slept for so long."

"How are you feeling?"Jason sat down on the edge of the bed and rested the back of his hand against her forehead to check her temperature.

Jason's voice was calm as he spoke but Ariadne could seen the worry building in his eyes. She knew how reluctant he had been to leave her this morning- and if she was honest she really hadn't wanted him to. But Analise had been looking forward for today for so long; and Ariadne would never do anything to upset her little girl.

"Better," she said with her best attempt at a reassuring smile. "I do not feel as tired."

She could tell by Jason's expression that he didn't believe her, but he stayed silent. He didn't want an argument.

"Jason..." She said quietly.

"Yes?"

"I really am fine."

"Okay." He managed a small smile- as unconvincing as it was- despite his doubts.

Jason watched as her eyelids closed, simply not having enough energy to keep them open any longer. Despite sleeping for the whole day she still seemed as tired as always.

"Where's Analise?" Ariadne mumbled, her eyes staying closed.

"She's wrapping you're present... which is supposed to be secret so act surprised when she shows you." Jason said with a slight laugh.

"Alright." Ariadne smiled. She opened her eyes and gazed up at Jason sitting on the bed beside her. "How was she today; did she enjoy it?"

"She loved it."

"Good. I am glad... I just wish I could have come. You sound tired though."

"You know what, I'm absolutely shattered: she's been rushing around all day and dragging me along with her. But it's not me you need to worry about." Jason found Ariadne's hand and enclosed it in his, giving it a light squeeze.

"I am alright. Honestly Jason."

Jason nodded, his thumb absentmindedly rubbing circles on the back of her delicate hand.

"Tell me about your day." Ariadne asked from behind closed eyelids.

"It would have been better with you there." he sighed, his words meaning to sound lighthearted and loving; instead they let slip the pain he was feeling.

She squeezed his hand back in a reassuring gesture. If she had the energy she would tell him how everything would be okay and that he would never have to go anywhere without her again. That she would always be here with him.

But she was tired and it was unfair on him to keep the charade going any longer.

Everything was not okay.

On the verge of sleep Ariadne heard the small patter of feet and erratic breathing before the whispered: "Is mother awake?"

Ariadne dragged her eyes open and the smile that appeared on her face was not forced in the slightest.

"Yes sweetheart," she said brightly, "and I want to hear all about your day. Tell me everything."

"You'll regret that." Jason whispered as he bent down to kiss Ariadne's forehead. The little girl could talk for years on end and she would indeed tell her mother every tiny detail.

"There were so so so so many people and it was really busy and there were stalls everywhere selling the most lovely things. One lady was selling goats but daddy said I couldn't have one, but I told Hercules he could get one for the new house. Oh and there was a stall with so much pretty material hanging down... ooh ooh I bought you a present mother!" Analise darted off towards the wooden table in the centre of the room, her little hands searching through the piles of clean laundry, scrolls and drawings that Analise had done.

"Daddy I can't remember where I put it!"

Jason pulled a face. "But you only just had it."

"It's disappeared!"

Jason sighed and dragged himself off the bed. "Hold on, I'll help you look."

Jason and Analise both fumbled through the clutter, mumbling to each other about where it could be and that she 'couldn't have lost it already'.

Ariadne smiled to herself as she watched them together. They were so alike. Analise had Jason's clumsiness but also his courage, determination and fearlessness. She was undoubtedly going to be a handful when she was older; already she was constantly getting into trouble.

Grasping onto the side of the bed she pulled herself into a sitting position, pausing for a moment to combat the dizziness that overcame her, before swinging her legs over the side of the bed.

She gasped sharply as her bare feet touched the cold, stone flooring. She pushed herself to her feet wearily and managed a few tentative steps forwards.

She was so weak it felt as if her legs would collapse underneath her. She took a deep breath in an attempt to steady herself.

"It's here! It's here!" Analise cried triumphantly. Jason cheered and ruffled her hair playfully.

It was then that Jason turned around.

As soon as he saw her the smile died on his lips and concern flooded his every feature.

In a fraction of a second his eyes were roaming over her. She looked dangerously unsteady on her feet, teetering on the spot as if she had just got off a teacup ride at the fairs back in London.

Her eyes clenched shut, a deep frown on her forehead.

His eyes then landed on her hands, resting either side of her rounded stomach.

She hadn't been out of bed in weeks. Not even for a second. She wasn't used to the added weight of the large bump and although she was trying to support its weight it was clear she was struggling to stay standing.

Jason rushed across the room towards her. "Ariadne you shouldn't be up. You should be resting." He said in a panicked voice, placing his hands on either of her upper arms.

"I just want to sit by the window. In the sun."

"No, you need to be in bed." Jason tried to keep his voice calm but it was near impossible.

"Please Jason. I will go mad if I spend one more moment in that bed." She smiled reassuringly.

He said nothing, manoeuvring her in his arms so that he was supporting the majority of her weight.

"The whole city of Atlantis has been outside in the sun today, enjoying the market. And I cannot even see the sky."

Jason froze. She really ought to be in bed but surely it wouldn't harm her to sit by the window. She would still be resting. But she already looked so pale and exhausted, she shouldn't be doing anything that used up her energy.

"I found it mother!" Squealed Analise, holding a package above her head in the way a footballer would flaunt a trophy.

Ariadne turned her gaze from Jason to her daughter. "Oh well done 'Lise. Will you just do me a favour and put some pillows on the window seat for me."

Analise nodded enthusiastically in reply, skipped towards the bed and began to drag pillows off and placing them on the long seat that ran across the length of the window.

Ariadne kept her eyes focused on the table, averted from Jason's intense gaze.

"Ariadne..." He began, his hands resting firmly on her upper arms, subconsciously stopping her from moving.

Saying nothing (knowing that anything she said would be met with an argument) Ariadne unpeeled his hands from her arms and started to move with slow, unsteady steps towards the window.

Jason immediately looped his arm around her waist to support her- seeing how much her legs were shaking underneath her as she walked- and guided her to the window.

'Thank you' Ariadne mouthed to him as he helped her to sit down comfortably, propped up by various pillows.

Ariadne patted the space beside her on the seat. "Now sweetheart, tell me all about your day."

"Okay, but first you need to open your present." Analise said, sitting down and cuddling up to Ariadne. She handed her mother a flat package the size of an A4 piece of paper, who then opened it carefully to reveal a folded square of thin, deep blue, chiffon-like material with golden leaves decorating the edges.

"Oh, it is beautiful. Thank you." Ariadne said with a gasp.

Analise beamed. "I thought you could use it to make a dress. We haven't made dresses in ages... not since you got poorly. Daddy saw this material and said you used to have a dress like this a long time ago, when he first met you, but that you threw it out because ripped while I was in your tummy."

Ariadne looked to Jason with a confused expression. "That must have been almost six years ago- how do you even remember that?"

"How could I forget." Jason answered with a smile. "The first time I set eyes on you- the day the tributes were being sent to the minotaur and you came to see me and gave me that ball of thread- you were wearing a dress similar to this and you looked breathtaking. I thought to myself 'I have to survive because I need to see this girl again.' So I did."

Ariadne had a few tears in her eyes listening to him speak so sincerely. "I love you." She said, her voice soft.

"I love you too." He bent down and captured her lips with his before pressing a small kiss to Analise's temple.

"And I brought you some gingerbread too mother." Analise blurted out, oblivious (as usual) to the emotional turn that the conversation had taken.

Analise dived off the seat and rushed to the far end of the room. She darted back and jumped onto the seat, holding out the gingerbread to her mother, the strong aroma of spices and the sickly sweet smell of the icing instantly flooding the air.

Ariadne shook her head erratically, "Jason..." She urged.

"Let's just put that on the table for a moment, mother doesn't want to eat anything right now; her tummy is still poorly." Jason lifted Analise (still clutching the gingerbread) off the seat and gave her a slight push in the direction of the table.

Ariadne gagged, her face scrunched up in nausea.

"Deep breaths. Deep breaths." Jason reminded whilst rubbing her shoulders.

Suddenly Ariadne clamped her hand over her mouth and pushed herself to her feet. She tried to rush across the room but her body was too weak and she kept stumbling.

Jason caught her just as she started to fall.

With a low, guttural, retching noise she vomited over the stone floor.

Jason held one arm around her, the other holding back her hair. But something wasn't right. Somehow she felt limp in his hold.

"Ariadne?" He turned her in his arms so that she was cradled in his lap, facing him.

He watched as the light faced from her eyes and they slowly drifted shut.

"Stay with me Ariadne. Stay with me." He shook her slightly, hoping she would just wake up. "Don't do this. Please don't do this... don't leave me. SOMEONE HELP!" She wasn't responding. He clutched her still body to his, burying his head into her shoulder. "Please, I can't do this without you. I can't! SOMEONE HELP ME!" He yelled, the words muffled by his sobs and the sound of Analise's screams.


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