Ariadne knew she wouldn't see Jason tonight, so she went to the temple. The temple was deserted at this time of night; it was a large hall, mostly comprised of marble, and had a cool, forbidding atmosphere, but Ariadne liked it. She could find peace here. A bunch of lavender in her hand, she stepped forward to the burning copper bowl in which people were to place offerings to the Gods. The hot copper made her think of the braizen bull, but she pushed those thoughts from her head. Placing the lavender into the bowl, Ariadne closed her eyes and began to pray for Jason, hoping that her father would accept him.
Jason nervously paced the main hall of the palace, where he was to wait for the king. His hands were clammy and he knew he was sweating profusely under his clothes. Oh, why hadn't deodorant been invented yet?
After what felt like years of waiting, and pacing, Minos entered the main hall, accompanied by two guards, who stood watch at the door. This made Jason even more uncomfortable, but he couldn't have expected any less considering someone had managed to get into the castle and nearly kill Pasiphae just months earlier. Jason bowed before the king.
'When you rescued Ariadne from being executed, and returned her to me, I told you that you must forget any feelings for her, as you could never be together. I see now that you were unable to do this, and that you clearly feel for my daughter very strongly' said Minos. Jason noticed that when he wasn't addressing people formally, he spoke with a kind voice.
'I do' was all that Jason could utter. He couldn't believe he wasn't being reprimanded for his feelings towards Ariadne.
'I have a proposition for you. After my recent illness, I realised that. I may not have much longer on this earth. As Therus has left Atlantis, Ariadne is in the unlikely position of being next in line for the throne. I believe that you have done enough for our kingdom in order for me to award you the olive wreath. This is a very high honour, and I do not give it lightly.'
'I am honoured. What does this mean in terms of Ariadne and I?' Jason replied, overwhelmed
'It means that, should Ariadne agree, you will be able to marry. I would like you to live here in the palace together, rather than her coming to be kept by you, as is the normal way'
'I cannot thank you enough'
'You must understand that this will mean you will have many duties to fulfil. You will not be able to see you friends often. One day you will ascend the Atlantian throne. I hope you understand the consequences' said Minos, firmly.
'I do. I would like to ask for your blessing for me to propose marriage to Ariadne' Jason asked, heavily unsure whether he should've consulted Pythagoras first, to check if there were any customs he had to follow, rather than just coming out with it in this way. But it appeared he'd done the right thing, as Minos smiled.
'You have my blessing. Please do not abuse my trust'
'Thank you'
Jason felt terrible that he had just agreed to barely seeing his friends anymore. Pythagoras, who had welcomed him with open arms and protected him from the beginning. He was the greatest friend you could ask for. And Hercules, well, he was funny, in his own way. Jason couldn't bear the thought of not seeing them every day, but it was the only way he could be with Ariadne. It was worth it, and they would understand.
Ariande felt sick with worry. She had no idea what her father could've said to Jason that evening, and hoped that he hadn't persuaded him not to see her anymore. She would never forgive him if he had.
A sharp rap on the door dragged Ariadne from her deepest thoughts. She crossed the room swiftly, and opened the heavy door. Her father stood before her. Beaming at her, he said 'I have awarded Jason the olive wreath. This means that you can be together. I'm sure Jason will explain everything to you, and he has requested to meet you in the temple tomorrow evening.' Ariadne couldn't believe what she was hearing. She had imagined many versions of this meeting in her head, and in none of them had her father told her she could be with Jason.
When she father had bayed her goodnight, she closed the door behind him. She then proceeded to dance gleefully around her room to no music. Music wasn't necessary. Her father had just given them his blessing to be together, and nothing could get in the way.
