***It's been one thousand three hundred five years. Astrid looks five. Astrid's POV***
Dad and grandpa left to war. Mom and I sit, wait and watch. We watch the flowers grow, we wait for dad, and we sit for supper and more. Mom's hope grows thinner each day. Somedays I wonder if she even eats. I worry about her, but I also worry about dad. Grandpa and dad have been gone too long. Some wonder if they will ever make it home from the Battle of Apros.
One day while mom and I are in the garden Aphrodite comes over.
"Hello," Aphrodite calls through the house.
"Back here Aph," I yell.
I am the only one she allows to call her that because I couldn't say her name when I was young and the name just kind of stuck.
"Hi Astrid," Aph says.
"Morning Aphrodite," Artemis says.
"Tending the flowers again?" Aph asks.
"Yes," Artemis replies.
"How are you Aph? What is the news today?" I ask.
"I am good," Aph says, "Artemis?"
"Yeah," Artemis replies facing her.
"You need to sit down," Aph says.
Artemis and I take a seat on a bench while Aph sits on the floor. Then I hear footsteps enter and walk through the house. I look towards the door and spot Grandpa Ares. I run to him and give him a hug.
"You are okay," I say.
Artemis's attention turns our way and her hope rises. Ares walks over with me trailing behind. I sit again.
"I am sorry Artemis," Ares says, looking at us sadly, "Ronin disappeared right in front of my eyes."
"No!" Artemis screams.
"I could not do anything. He just disappeared I felt so helpless. I still feel helpless," Ares says sadly.
"Dad," I whisper.
Mom is crying and I grab a hold of her. We hug for awhile and Aph joins the hug. After letting go Aph and Ares leave. Mom goes to Grandpa Zeus and I follow. That is when it all happens. Mom makes the vow, but of course Gramps leaves a loophole. If she finds true love again then the vow will become void from then on.