THE PANDAREÏDES THE PANDAREÏDES

"The daughters of Pandareos ... were reared as orphans by Aphrodite and received gifts from other goddesses: from Hera wisdom and beauty of form, from Artemis high stature, from Athena schooling in the works that befit women." - Pausanias, Guide to Greece 10.30.1

"Are you sure you want to do this, Athena?" Apollo asked gently. "I know you adore the girls but perhaps it's too soon for you to see Aphrodite. The two of you have never had a good relationship and if she were to find out about you and Ares…"

Her head was resting on his shoulder as he stroked one of her hands with his. "She won't find out. There's nothing to find out about. I ended it today just before you came."

"Athena, you can't just decide to end something like this. You must know that Ares won't give up so easily," he reminded her as she snuggled closer to him.

"I know, but he'll have to realize sooner or later that we're through. He ruined it. He…"

Apollo gently tilted her chin up so he could look into her eyes. "Do you still love him?"

Athena looked away. "Of course not."

"Look at me," he said sternly. "I'll ask you again. Do you still love him?"

"Yes," she whispered miserably.

"You told him you didn't?"

"Yes."

"How did you get him to believe that?" he asked.

"I…I didn't exactly tell him that you and I…but I implied…well, I let him believe…"

"Tartarus! You know he's going to come after me now. It's not that I can't handle him but I have better things to worry about than your homicidal lover," he said angrily.

"Ex-lover."

He looked down at her again. "Just because you keep repeating it, doesn't mean you can make it true."

She looked up at him sadly. "I have to try."

He smiled. "I know you do. I'll deal with Ares."

"Thank you," she whispered as she laid her head back on his shoulder.

"You know I'd do anything for you, Athena."

OOOO, what do we think? Does Apollo love Athena? Will Ares come around to bust Apollo's head open with a mace? Will Apollo counter and disfigure Ares' pretty face? I can't think of anything else to rhyme but lace. PLEASE REVIEW!!