Hey guys, I know this is now a recurring theme but it took me a lot longer than I expected to write this- I'm sure you're not surprised really. I wanted to tie this story up so this is the last chapter. I will probably finish this story as another fic if I get chance, but the likelihood is it'll be after exams so it'll be a while. Anyway hope you like the new and final chapter...

Chapter 11

"I am fine now, honestly."

"It would make everything a lot simpler if you didn't keep saying that. No more pretending you are alright when clearly you are not."

"You sound exactly like Jason."

"Well maybe that's because he is right! We are both worried about you. You need to be honest with us and stop trying to hide when―"

"Alright. Alright. You have my word."

"Complete honestly from now on?"

"Yes."

"Good." Medusa said, finally satisfied. "Then maybe you can tell me more about this letter you received."

In return for his help Jason had bought several yards of material from the merchant, all of Analise's choosing. Now he and Analise were searching the other stalls for matching lace and ribbon and brooches and thread and all mater of things the young girl had convinced Jason were essential in making a dress. There was a small voice in the back of his head, telling him that he was being conned by his 5 year old daughter, but she was bounding excitedly from stall to stall so he just went along with it. It wasn't as if he had to be worried about money troubles anymore.

Hercules however had gone to sample the finest pies that the Atlantean market had to offer, leaving Medusa to scold Ariadne and keep an eye on Sara.

"You told me it was from your brother."

"Did I?" Ariadne asked, trying to act confused.

"Complete honesty," Medusa reminded. "You told me it was from Therus... after I caught you throwing it into the fire last week."

Ariadne said nothing and Medusa could almost see the cogs turning in her head, trying to find a way to talk herself out of this conversation.

"Come on," she sighed. "I spoke with Jason and you haven't mentioned it at all- neither to him or me. But I can tell it's been on your mind; you've been so distracted these past few days, barely paying attention to anything."

"That is simply tiredness."

Medusa raised her eyebrows sceptically.

"Alright," she groaned. "It was from Therus."

"And?"

"And what?" Ariadne asked wearily, rocking Analise on her lap.

"What did he say? Why did you tear up the letter and burn it? I thought you were fond of your brother."

"I am. But that does not mean he cannot be an arrogant and conceited fool. He may be my brother and I do love him as such, but sometimes I hate him equally so."

Sara started to cry at the sound of her mother's raised voice and Ariadne being exhausted and flustered by the heat became more agitated and tried to shush the baby which only made her cry louder. Medusa took Sara from her mother's arms and held her against her own shoulder, rubbing soothing circles on her tiny back. Ariadne buried her face into one palm.

"What did he want?" Medusa asked, quieter this time.

"To see Sara... and Analise of course. To check up on me I suppose. He said he had heard rumours that I was unwell and did not know whether or not he should believe them. He wants to visit, says he is organising a patrol to escort him. He is a Lord you see. No longer a Prince and certainly not a King. He has had to petition for men to go with him so requests to know whether or not he would be welcome in Atlantis."

Medusa frowned. She had never asked much about Ariadne's brother. It was a sore topic- especially since the wedding.

"Would he?"

"Pardon?" This time when Ariadne removed her hand from her face and looked up she looked genuinely confused, in a sort of daze.

"Would Therus be welcome?"

Ariadne frowned, as if considering this for the first time. "I am not sure. I have not replied yet. I think I would like to see him, he tells me he is now married and I would like to meet his wife and of course in turn I want him to meet Sara. But... it is not quite that simple. He and Jason have their... grievances; and I do not believe I can cope with the hassle of that at the moment."

Sara had stopped crying and Medusa went to pass her to Ariadne but she shook her head slightly mumbling that she did not want to upset her daughter again. Medusa nodded and sat down next to the Queen.

"So why did you throw it into the fire? It doesn't seem that bad."

Ariadne sighed and rubbed her forehead. "It was not what he said explicitly, rather the way in which he said it." She exhaled a long breath. "He has always been so sure of himself. Father's first and only son, sure to inherit the throne of Atlantis and rule a powerful army. He thought he deserved it and that it would be handed to him on a golden platter. Knowing my father it probably would have been. Anyway, because of that he never had to fight for anything, never had to earn anything: if he wanted it he got it. It made him a coward- unable to stand up for himself and fight for what he wanted. He ran away. When Pasiphae threatened him he ran away. I did not see him for 10 years and then, when he thought I was in danger, he wanted me to run away also. He did not even consider helping me fight Pasiphae and stand my ground. But I am not like him and I could not leave my people- and so he attempted to abduct me; drugged me like the coward he is. That is why he is now a mere Lord of a small estate in a foreign land. He does not have the guts to fight for anything."

Ariadne sighed and turned to look Medusa in the eye. "You probably know all this already."

"Not from you I don't. And you know I don't trust the courtiers and their gossip."

"I do not want you to think he is a terrible person. He just has his flaws... like everyone else I suppose."

Medusa let out a humourless chuckle. "Do not worry yourself, I am hardly in the position to judge anyone else by their mistakes. We all do things we regret, it is learning from them that matters. Will you tell me why his letter made you so angry?"

Ariadne paused for a moment before nodding. "I could probably attribute all his ill decisions to him being too protective of me. Trying to steal me away from Pasiphae's grip and then the whole wedding fiasco. And of course the time that Jason went to battle and nearly... well that is a little harder to believe as him being protective but maybe he thought his actions were in my best interest. Anyway, he basically said in his letter that if I truly was ill- as he had heard- then it was all Jason's fault for not taking care of me. He foul mouthed Jason a lot, writing that he was an incompetent husband to make me so sick through the births of both my children and that perhaps it was a warning from the Gods, telling me that I should not be 'contaminating the royal bloodline of the throne of Atlantis!' He suggested that I consider divorcing Jason."

Medusa gasped and bit down onto her lip to stop herself from crying out.

"It is not the first time either." Ariadne growled with fury in her eyes, her nails digging into either side of the chair. "Divorce him. Exile him. Kill him in his sleep!"

"He didn't say that surely!" Medusa shouted in horror.

"No, but I do not doubt that he was thinking it. He has always treated me and Analise lovingly and with the utmost care, however he cannot stand Jason. I do not know if it is because of protectiveness towards me; or jealousy and wounded pride over the throne; or the so-called shame that a 'commoner' had replaced my father's position. Whichever it is I do not care. I am just glad that my husband is a better man who can rise above it and still walk with the same dignity that he has always possessed, no matter what Therus may say."

"I cannot believe that―" Medusa began but was interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. Ariadne and Medusa both looked up and saw Jason peek his head around the side of the market stall.

"I am afraid Analise is asking for your opinion on whether or not a certain shawl will match her dress. Apparently my opinion means nothing." He said rather sheepishly, afraid he would be accused of eavesdropping.

Medusa looked rather embarrassed at the prospect of being overheard talking about the King in such terms and Ariadne too would have looked embarrassed had she not been too tired to care.

"That is because you have the worst advice, out of curiosity what exactly did you tell her?"

Jason took Ariadne's hands and helped her stand up from the chair. "I said 'Yes I am sure it will go with anything.' I am told that answer was not sufficient enough to satisfy her."

"Well, she knows exactly how to act like a spoilt Princess." Ariadne said with a smile. "She has you wrapped around her little finger."

"She isn't the only one." Jason said with a smile and Ariadne leant in to place a kiss on his lips. "She's just across the road with Hercules, shall I walk with you?"

"No, I am feeling much better now, I simply needed to sit down a while is all. Take my chair and get something to eat." She gestured to the picnic basket and set off across the road, Jason holding onto her hand as long as possible until she was a good few metres from him and her hand slipped out of his.

Jason sank down into the chair with a deep sigh. "Long day," he mumbled and Medusa made a small noise of assent.

"So, how is my gorgeous baby girl?" Jason cooed and reaches for one of Sara's tiny fists which is being thrown into the air as she gurgles happily.

"Do you want her?" Medusa asks, transferring Sara over to her father when he nodded.

Jason softly tickles Sara's chubby stomach and grins in adoration as he elicits giggles of delight from her. "I can't wait until she's old enough to speak. I'd love to know what's going through her head at times like this when she looks up an me without a care in the world."

Medusa frowned and sat on her hands almost nervously. "Just because someone can speak doesn't guarantee you will ever know what is going on inside their head."

Jason stopped smiling and turned to face her. "What brought that on?"

"What!" Medusa exclaimed, realising that she'd spoken aloud.

"Do you mean Ariadne by that?"

"No, not specifically. I meant people in general, she would be included in that but I wasn't saying it directly about her," Medusa rambled. "I just meant, however well you think you know a person, you never truly know exactly how they are thinking or feeling." Medusa paused, pulling her hands out from under her thighs and fiddling with then agitatedly on her lap. "Like... I always thought Ariadne was fond of her brother. I knew she was sometimes a bit annoyed at him when he visited but I thought that was just the usual sibling bickering. I never thought..." she trailed off, uncertain of how much to say. Ariadne had confided in her and she was unsure of how much Jason knew about all this.

"I don't think all people are like that. But Ariadne... she's spent so much of her life hiding her feelings and building up this wall, trying to put on a show of a ruthless and headstrong queen... sometimes I think she just forgets she doesn't have to hide how she feels anymore. She obviously trusts you to confide in you like that; you're her friend and she loves you dearly. Sometimes you just have to remember that she doesn't deliberately keep secrets from those closest to her... she just forgets that she's allowed to open up and tell people."

Medusa shuffled about on her chair. "How much of our conversation did you hear?"

Now it was Jason's turn to fidget nervously. "More than I care to admit. Although I knew most of it already and I had read the letter as well."

"You read it!" Medusa exclaimed.

Jason nodded grimly and continued to rock Sara in his arms as he remembered being handed the letter, thinking it was from Pasiphae. It had quickly become obvious that it was not intended to be read by him, but he hadn't been able to tear his eyes away from the all too familiar cutting words. "He really is predictable if nothing else."

"Ariadne said that he'd said similar things before but I could scarcely believe it."

Jason narrowed his eyes and gave a scornful chuckle. "Oh yeah. 6 years later and he's still playing the same childish games. Every opportunity he gets he tries to convince her either to divorce me or frame me for treason and have me exiled. You'd think he'd take the hint by now and try a different tactic. I don't think you were around in Atlantis when I rode out to the battle in the Icaria Valley, it must have been when you were... err... travelling." Jason coughed and inwardly cursed himself for mentioning that.

After being cured Medusa had returned to Atlantis for a time and grew close to Ariadne when Minos was dying. It was a friendship in its early stages and although Medusa loved spending time with both Jason and Ariadne (and Pythagoras who had by then moved into the palace) she found it difficult being surrounded by so many people after living alone in a cave for so long. She was guilty about what she had done whilst cursed and was under scrutiny of palace courtiers and former friends- all who had their suspicions about her 'mysterious disappearance.' So, in the time before Analise was born she spent months moving around, convinced that she no longer belonged in Atlantis, but visiting the city every so often.

It was Hercules who persuaded her to stay. Assured her that her friends still loved her no matter what and that they would never judge her.

"The battle was risky. We were ambushed walking through the valley and I was injured; a sword wound to my shoulder which became infected, meaning we had to stop in a village for it to be treated which hindered our journey home. I was about 3 and a half weeks late returning to Atlantis. The majority of the army had returned with news that I had been stabbed." Jason unconsciously rubbed the area around his collarbone where a long, puckered scar lay under his tunic. "When I arrived in the city I found Therus trying to take control and a grieving wife who believed me to be dead. Therus had seized his opportunity and was claiming his 'rightful place'. Ariadne was pregnant with Analise at the time and she was terrified at the prospect of pregnancy and motherhood alone and heartbroken at my assumed death... and there he was, playing the protective big brother who would make everything okay. I will never forgive him for that! For manipulating her and causing her pain and stress whilst pregnant with our child."

"But why? How could he do such a thing to his own sister!" Medusa said outraged.

Sara started to whimper and Medusa clasped a hand over her mouth.

"Who knows," Jason shrugged. "Maybe he thinks he is protecting Ariadne from an awful husband and an awful marriage. I think he just despises me because I am king of Atlantis and he a lowly Lord of a small estate. He still believes the throne belongs to him because he was Minos' first son. What he fails to understand is that he abandoned everything and left: so he is no longer entitled to anything. Besides, he didn't even return for Minos' funeral and I believe it impossible that he could not have heard the news."

"No. Though I do remember the first time he returned from exile. It was the week before your wedding- am I right?"

"Ha, wasn't that just a happy family reunion!" Jason's eyes were burning now and Medusa considered taking Sara from him but she seemed the only thing that was keeping him calm. "In he storms, demanding a private audience with the Queen and all but telling me to piss off, not realising who I was. He wouldn't speak a word to me until Ariadne showed and then he just kept telling her over and over how she would disgrace herself by marrying me."

"Ariadne mentioned this but never properly told me what happened."

"Well Ariadne was furious. I had never seen her so angry. She unleashed hell on him and it actually made me quite proud to hear her defending me like that. Anyway she ordered the guards to make sure he left the city and she walked out with her head held high, like nobody- not even her own brother- could tell her what to do. She was a fine Queen even then. My guess is that Therus had been biding his time after his father's death. It was inevitable that Pasiphae would attack the city (as she soon did) and I think he wanted to let Ariadne struggle a bit and realise how difficult it was being Queen and then he would appear and save the day and he probably hoped that Ariadne would pass the throne to him. But he underestimated her and he certainly didn't expect her to be engaged so quickly. He assumed like the majority of the nobles that Ariadne would invite various royals to the palace to sign treaties and such and then seal it with marriage. That would take quite a while and he would have time for his plan to work. But we had been waiting to marry for years already so I proposed as soon as I could and word of our engagement must have spread to Therus. Oh his face was priceless when he saw me... do you know what he said before he left."

Medusa shook her head.

Jason checked around him and stood from the chair, holding Sara against his shoulder. He peeked his head around the side of the market stall and seemingly satisfied he returned to his seat. "I've never told Ariadne," he began, "But he said that he supposed I was marrying her because I had slept with her and got her pregnant: that it could be the only reason a Queen was marrying someone like me. I told him I loved her and he smirked at me telling me he didn't care but that he would 'take care' of the baby so there would be no need for me to marry her."

"The nerve of the man! What did you say?"

Jason smiled, but it wasn't his usual warm, genuine smile. "I punched him in the face and then held my sword to his neck. I said a few things I won't repeat but I'm sure you get the idea. He certainly did!"

Medusa laughed and between breaths mumbled something about wishing that she had been there and not knowing how she could possibly be civil to him if she ever saw him.

"Just promise me you won't tell Ariadne. She cannot know. It would break her heart." Jason murmured, his laughter gone and replace with a solemn expression which Medusa barely recognised.

"But surely she must already hate him from all the other things."

Sara was sleeping now, ignorant of the heated conversation taking place. Jason stroked the thin layer of black hair on her scalp and watched as her tiny hand fisted and unfisted in her sleep. "He is her brother. The only family she has from before us. The only reminder of her mother and father. She may hate him but it doesn't stop her from loving him. The way she sees it he has never actually done anything other than say horrid things and have questionable intentions. He has never murdered or stolen or physically harmed either of us; and his actions can be attributed to his arrogance and self-importance. The problem is when she was young he was always her protector, especially when Pasiphae crashed into their lives and their father seemed blissfully unaware of how badly his new wife treated his children. Because of that they have this... this bond... and a firm trust and respect which comes from growing up with someone and having to have their back. Maybe all this time he was just being protective of his little sister, not realising that she's matured into a fully capable woman. I don't know," Jason sighed wearily. "Maybe it's because I never had any family growing up. I was never fiercely protective of anyone. Not until I arrived in Atlantis."

Medusa sat in a silent stupor, too astounded to put her thoughts into words.

It all seemed so unlikely, she could never have guessed any of it.

No wonder Ariadne had been reluctant to speak of it- how painful must it be for your own brother to cause so much turmoil?

There was a loud clatter in the distance and a mumble of slurred apologies and angry shouts.

Jason and Medusa both stood from their chairs and walker around the stall so that they could see the rest of the road.

"For the love of the gods," Medusa groaned in exasperation at seeing Hercules lying in the dirt across the street, a tangle of limbs surrounded in pots and bowls from the stall above him, clutching a bottle of wine in one hand and a pie in the other. "It's still the afternoon! I better take him home, the stupid lump."

s§s§s§s§s§s§s§s§s§s§s§s§s§s§s

Despite his initial concerns he had to admit he was having a good day. He had forgotten how wonderful it was to spend the day with his wife and children, surrounded by his friends and his people, warmed by the sun and tickled by the wind. For too long they had been cooped up in the palace and it was only now that he realised that; and knowing that made him immensely glad that Ariadne had stood her ground and argued against him, firmly insisting that she come to the market today. It was good for the both of them.

Breathing the fresh air it felt like a lease of new life. He felt free again. Like a new chapter of his life was beginning; separated from the months of suffering and hardship and fear that they had resigned themselves to. His future had seemed bleak as he faced with a life without Ariadne, alone and miserable with a huge responsibility to single-handedly rule Atlantis, raise his young daughter and also care for a newborn child- whom he was certain he would despise.

Thinking about his future now as he walked through his city, hand in hand with his wife as he cradled his youngest daughter and watched the other skipping ahead, he was filled with nothing but hope.

In this moment his life was perfect, and nothing could change that. His heart was bursting with love and happiness, a contented feeling fluttering around in his stomach which made him lightheaded and break out into a smile for no reason.

Ariadne caught his eye and gave him that look of hers. The one he had grown to love, with the inquisitively raised eyebrows as if asking a question, yet the slight upturn of her lips that told him that she knew exactly what his answer would be anyway.

His smile grew and he looked down at their entwined hands and brushed his thumb over the wedding ring on her left hand. Neither of them said anything but Jason felt the weight of her gaze on him as they continued to walk.

They didn't need to say the words to know the truth of their feelings. It was said in all the small touches and the way their eyes sang to each other. After all these years together they had developed their own language and they no longer needed simple words to convey how they felt.

As they walked further and further out of the city the streets became quieter and the houses sparser. Jason had just finished telling Analise the story of how he, Hercules and Pythagoras came upon Pegasus; and how they flew on his back to escape capture by the Colchian army.

Analise made a comment about how she would love to fly- and how wonderful it would be if she could grow wings and fly over the city, amongst the birds and the clouds.

Jason and Ariadne shared a quick look before rushing to tell her that it was probably not a good idea and that it was obviously not what the gods had intended- otherwise surely she would have been born with wings.

She seemed to accept that explanation easily enough and instead went on to speak about how much she wanted to learn to ride a horse.

That, they could allow.

As they finished descending the steps out of the city and reached flat ground again Analise broke apart from them and hitching up her dress she raced off ahead. Jason felt Ariadne squeeze his hand and turned his head sideways to face her in time to see a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"I know where we are headed," she whispered conspiratorially.

"Oh really?" Jason asked.

"Yep," she said, her smile growing in confidence.

"You think you know," Jason whispered back. "But you won't know for sure until we get there."

Ariadne pressed her lips together to conceal a smug smile and nodded her head in slowly- in a jokingly patronising way- and laid a sympathetic hand on his arm.

"It was mean to be a surprise," Jason muttered irritably. "I suppose I should have blindfolded you."

"And of course that wouldn't have been a disaster at all!" She quipped, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Once the dry earth started to dissolve into tiny grains there was no denying where they were headed. The air tasted of salt and there was a distant sound of waves lapping over golden sand.

Jason supported Ariadne as they climbed over a sand dune, Analise having already disappeared over the other side. Ariadne gritted her teeth and begrudgingly let her weary body rest against the sturdy frame of her husband, annoyed that her body was starting to fail her again.

She mumbled a muttered 'thank-you' and Jason said nothing, knowing how much it had cost her to accept his help in the first place he didn't want to make a big deal out of it- also knowing how patronised she would feel if he said anything along the lines of 'you're welcome' or 'not a problem'.

Jason led Ariadne by the hand to a spot on the beach where they could look up, past the dunes, and see the city in the distance; illuminated by the sun and the light reflected in a way which made the city shine like the precious jewel that it was.

"It just felt right.. to come back here," Jason said softly, as he passed Ariadne a blanket.

She laid it on the ground and smoothed out the creases before sitting down and holding out her arms to take Sara from Jason so that he could sit down next to her. Once he had she snuggled into his side and laid her head on his shoulder. "It is perfect," she whispered into his ear and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "This is the place that brought you to me, and I cannot imagine my life without you." Ariadne un-tucked one arm from around Sara and reached up to cup Jason's cheek, pulling him into a deep kiss.

Jason reached one arm around Ariadne's shoulders, hugging her closer, and threaded the other through her long curls.

6 years ago- in this very spot- he had bent down onto one knee and professed his love to her, offering up a simple golden band with trembling fingers. It seemed like almost yesterday, yet since that moment their lives had changed so much and in so many ways.

Ariadne had accepted with a shaky laugh and flung her arms around him and Jason so overcome with relief had held her tightly and forced himself not to cry.

After a moment of reminiscing they broke apart but neither of them moved, retaining their close proximity. Jason rested his forehead against his wife's. "It seems like a lifetime ago," he breathed, his eyes still shut. "But I would not change a single thing for the world. I didn't know what to expect when I washed up on this shore... but I know I never expected this. It is more that I could ever have dreamt of."

"I love you," Ariadne whispered, breath hot against his cheek.

"I love you too," he mumbled in reply as he pressed his lips to hers once more.

A few seconds later Jason sighed in contentment as Ariadne reluctantly pulled away, Sara having woken up and now painfully tugging a tiny fistful of her mother's hair as she fidgeted. "Don't worry, we haven't forgotten about you," Jason said as Ariadne attempted to prise open her daughter's surprisingly firm grasp.

"She has definitely inherited your strength," Ariadne joked. "Ouch, you little terror."

Sara gurgled in delight and seized another strand of hair which was hanging down. "Ow, ow, ow," Ariadne complained, trying to untangle her hair from around Sara's fingers with one hand whilst holding her in the other arm. "That is connected to my head you know!"

Jason laughed and jumped to aid her, though quite unhelpfully suggesting that it was the price she paid for having long hair. She gave him a glare and he laughed again, moving his hands to remove his pendant from around his neck and pass it to his daughter who promptly snatched it from him.

"Great, now she will have my eyes out," Ariadne said as Sara waved her arms around with Jason's pendant.

Jason ignored her and started to chatter nonsensical things to his baby daughter as Ariadne watched him with a warm look of adoration. She couldn't help herself from thinking how truly lucky she was to have him.

"Mother! Mother!" Analise cried from a nearby where she had apparently given up trying to make a sandcastle. "Can I go in the sea?"

"Lise it will be freezing sweetheart."

"Please?" She implored in her squeaky, little voice.

"Alright, but leave your dress and sandals here; at least then if you go in just your shift you will have something dry to put back on."

Analise beamed and released a string of thank-you's as she fumbled with the straps of her sandals and tugged her dress over her head, leaving her standing in her white shift.

She started running towards the sea before stopping and hesitantly turning around to face her parents. She looked at her mother, cradling Sara in her arms and cooing softly, and then locked eyes with her father. She said nothing but Jason could read the expression in her face just as well as if she'd said the words out loud.

Jason quickly kicked off his shoes and pushed himself off the ground. With a half growl half roar he started to run towards Analise, his hands held up in front of him like claws and teeth bared in a snarl (mortifyingly reminiscent of how he had acted when he had eaten that wretched cursed meat).

Analise let out a high pitched scream and sprinted towards the sea, looking behind every so often to see how close the 'monster' was. Once she hit the water her pace slowed and Jason managed to catch up with her. She splashed water at him in an attempt to keep him away but it didn't do much to stop him and she screamed hysterically as he advanced on her and growled, "I'm going to eat you, little girl!" in a deep, husky voice.

In one rapid movement he jumped forward and grabbed Analise's waist, throwing her over his shoulder so that she was dangling upside down, her feet kicking futilely in the air and her head giggling furiously by his knees.

"Put me down! Put me down!" she laughed breathlessly.

Jason's laughter joined hers as he lifted her up so that she was now being carried bridal style. "A one..." he chanted and Analise started to scream again.

"A two..."

From the beach lifted a hand to her face and groaned in exasperation. "She's going to be soaked," she muttered to herself.

"And a jolly good... THREE!"

There was an almighty big splash as Analise plunged into the water, having been flung into the air by her supposedly 'responsible' father.

Ariadne groaned.

Analise resurfaced, dark hair plastered to her face and eyes squinted as she spluttered, but at least there was still a grin on her face.

"IT'S SO COLD!" Shouted back to the beach and Ariadne raised her eyebrows, as if to say 'what did you expect?'

Instead she settled for an unsympathetic, "I told you it would be," which elicited a smile from Jason, knowing that his wife was probably internally cursing him right now.

Jason pretended not to notice Analise creeping up on him and allowed her to push him into the freezing depths before giving her his best comic 'startled' face and claiming loudly that he didn't hear her behind him. She fell into fits of laughter and they continued to splash each other until the little girl's teeth started to chatter and Ariadne shouted that she had a dry blanket if she wanted it.

Analise nodded enthusiastically and slowly inched herself out of the water, her bedraggled hair stuck to her face and neck and her shift dripping in water. Jason chuckled as he followed her out of the water, watching her waddle like a penguin, one leg at a time and moving as if she were wearing a cardboard dress because her long shift was completely stuck to her legs. It reminded him- strangely enough- of the scene in 'The Sound of Music' where the children had just fallen out of the boat.

Finally feeling sympathy for her daughter- looking pitiful in her sopping dress, shivering and soaked- Ariadne laid Sara down on the blanket and after unfastening her sandals she picked up the spare blanket and made her way towards Analise.

She was still pretty much by the water's edge by the time Ariadne got to her, peeling off the drenched shift and wrapping the blanket tightly around her. She rubbed her hands up and down Analise's arms and assured her that it wouldn't take too long for her to dry off seeing that it was still rather sunny and that the walk back to the palace wouldn't take too long.

Anyway, if worst came to worst they could always stop at Hercules and Medusa's new house. It would be nice to have a look at what they'd done to the place.

Analise nodded solemnly and started walking back to where Sara was laid on the blanket, easier now that she didn't have her shift gluing her legs together.

Ariadne turned her attention to Jason, standing with her hands on her hips and about to ask if that was really necessary (having envisioned that they would only paddle and perhaps get their knees wet at most) before he scooped her off the floor with a grin and began to run towards the sea.

They were only a few meters away to begin with and he moved surprisingly fast, so before she had time to do anything she could feel small splashes from his feet pounding the water landing on her.

"No, no, no, no, no, NO!" She screamed in vain as she watched him run deeper into the water, trapped in his arms. She wriggled around desperately trying to release herself- but it was to no avail.

She tried a different tactic and began to tickle his ribs, knowing full well it was probably his only vulnerability: a chink in the otherwise impenetrable armour.

"Hey! That's cheating," Jason cried out as he started to squirm.

Ariadne only tickled him harder and Jason let out a few whimpers before unconsciously letting go of her. The Queen landed in the water but managed to find her feet before she could fall in completely, managing (to her utmost relief) only to get wet up to her mid thighs.

She glared daggers at her husband and indicated to her wet dress, "Are you happy now?" she cried sarcastically, eyebrows raised and face stony.

"Not quite," Jason said with a sly grin.

Ariadne gasped as a torrent of icy water hit her in the face.

"Right! That's it!" she spluttered and proceeded to splash Jason back.

Jason coughed as the salty water stung his eyes. He rubbed them for a moment and once he brought his hands away from his face Ariadne's insides clenched. There was a wicked glint in his eyes and she suddenly had the thought that she had just (rather unwittingly) given him the wrong idea.

"No, no, no," she mumbled as she started to run towards the shore. Well, run was probably the wrong word to use. She was still wearing her ankle length dress and shift, which were currently fusing her legs together, and in past her knees deep making it unbelievably hard to move.

It seemed Jason didn't have that problem and it occurred to her that this was probably not going to end well.

"Jason!" She screamed as she felt a hand land on her hip. She managed to pull away only for it to be replaced by a hand on either side of her waist. Suddenly strong hands were pulling her back towards him and she was swung around in a circle, feet skimming the water.

"Jason stop!" She shouted, but couldn't quite stop the laugh from edging into her voice.

He took that as permission to carry on and she inwardly cursed herself for it.

He lowered her to the ground- though still keeping a firm grip around her waist- and flashed his wife a wicked grin before holding her over his shoulder in a fireman's lift.

Ariadne's insides started to clench.

"Jason don't you dare!" She said in a voice low with warning. "Jason... Jason!"

She felt his chest rumble as he laughed and she began to bang her fists against his back, where she was now hanging powerlessly.

"Ready?" He asked loudly and Ariadne could hear Analise laugh in the distance.

"Jason I will kill you."

And then she was falling and the next thing she knew there was water in her eyes and the taste of salt in her mouth.

She emerged from the water with a sputtered gasp, scraping away the hair which was now plastered over her eyes, coughing and shivering as she did so. She took another sharp intake of breath and and started to pant, "Ahhhhhhhh... c... c... cold."

She looked across to Jason who was similarly choking up freezing sea water. "You... will... p... pay... for... tha... that," she stuttered, her teeth chattering from the cold. "I... will... m... ma... make... sur... sure... of... i... i... it."

s§s§s§s§s§s§s§s§s§s§s§s§s§s§s

"I think we've worn them both out."

Prompted by his words Ariadne looked to Sara, fast asleep in her arms, and then to Analise- also asleep but slumped against her father's back as he carried her down the empty streets. "Awww bless her, she looks exhausted," Ariadne mumbled, gazing fondly at her eldest daughter.

Jason followed her gaze and twisted his head to look over his shoulder at Analise. "At least they will both sleep well tonight... I can't imagine we will be interrupted."

"Oh?" Ariadne asked with a coy smile. "I suppose not. Why, did you have something in mind?"

"Maybe, it would seem a mistake to waste this opportunity. Especially seeing as you are feeling better."

"Oh I am," Ariadne said quickly and then seemed surprised at her instant reply and a pink tinge started to grow on her cheeks.

Jason smirked slightly at her reaction. "Good because I thought I could... well perhaps not, after all I only said maybe..."

Ariadne stared at him for a long moment, trying to work out the expression on his face. "Why does it feel like you are plotting something?" She waited for an answer but Jason simply shrugged his shoulders and tried to suppress his smile.

"Tell me!" Ariadne demanded cheekily, bumping her hip into his.

"No, I won't let you ruin this surprise as well."

"Then maybe you should do what you suggested earlier."

"What?"

"Blindfold me," Ariadne mouthed, and if Jason had not been looking at her he would not have had any idea of what she had said.

But he was looking and he noticed the glint in her eyes as she gave him a steady gaze; quickly he felt his throat begin to tighten.

Then she broke her gaze and fell into a carefree laugh. It took him a moment to realise she was teasing him.

"Maybe I will," he teased back, his voice sounding more constricted than he would have liked.

She threw him a quick look which told him that she knew exactly what her suggestion was doing to him and he coughed and set about readjusting Analise on his back.

"Thank you," Ariadne said after a while, her gaze fixed on Jason.

"What for?" He asked.

She gave him a 'you know what for' look but answered him nonetheless. "For today. I know at first you were unsure of me coming, but I needed this and I have had a truly wonderful day." She stopped as if finishing and then seemed to remember something else and added, "Especially for not insisting that I return to the palace after becoming so tired earlier. I am very grateful for that."

"Well you're determination never ceases to amaze me. I couldn't make you go back, not whilst knowing how much this meant to you."

"Will you go as far as to agree that I am well enough to spend more days out of the palace." She smiled and Jason knew that she wanted to appear like she was asking for his permission but would do as she pleased regardless.

"I suppose so. You have definitely proven yourself today; I am afraid you are far more resilient than I gave you credit for. I'm sorry for underestimating you."

Ariadne took a moment to gauge his expression before speaking. "Then maybe it is time to write to Pasiphae and set a date for the meeting."

Jason nodded slowly. "I believe we both have letters to write when we return to the palace."

"I do not know if I am quite ready to speak with Therus just yet." She exhaled softly. "Being so close to death has put things into perspective and I know in my heart I want to see him, but I don't feel ready. Not yet."

"Alright, but it was you who convinced me to meet with Pasiphae so don't forget your own advice." Jason tried to prise a smile from her but her face remained pensive. "If you want me to help you write it I will gladly do that for you. I will help in any way I can."

Ariadne smiled sadly and looked down at the sleeping baby in her arms. "Let me think about it," she muttered.

Jason nodded and they continued to walk down the empty street, making idle conversation about anything but their dysfunctional extended family.

As they turned the corner they saw a figure stood by the fountain directly in front of them, luckily with their back facing the little group.

Perhaps it was because it was dark and the streets were deserted but they certainly hadn't expected to happen upon anyone on their way back: especially this far from the palace.

If they had maybe they would have made more of an effort to conceal themselves in the shadows or keep their voices low; but as it was they hadn't and were now stood, still dripping, in the middle of the street with nowhere to hide.

Ariadne inwardly cringed at the rumours that would be spread if it was to be said that they were seen wandering the streets in this state.

It would be highly inappropriate for a King and Queen to be seen in the lower city after dark, without guards or an escort of any sort, especially in such a bedraggled state with soaking clothes and their jewels stuffed into pockets. And yet here they were, all sense of propriety completely forgotten.

Ariadne almost laughed at the thought of what her father would say if he could see her now. His face would be a picture, all fury and incomprehension.

Sensing that there was a presence behind them self the figure started to turn.

Jason's mind whirled, trying desperately to think of an excuse which could possibly begin to explain this situation.

It hadn't rained (although it never really rained in Atlantis) so how else could he explain the trail of watery footprints behind them and the fact that their clothes were dripping wet.

Because of the person's hood obscuring their face (and the dark night) it was difficult to distinguish their face. Then hands reached up to lower the hood and Jason's heart clenched in his chest.

The face is older: lined and gaunt. But those eyes are the same as ever. Burning with an intensity which hasn't been dimmed by age.

He would recognise those eyes anywhere.

Eyes that once filled him with dread and hatred and now... he didn't quite know.

Disorientation? Maybe.

The person parted their lips slightly, made to speak but then thought better of it and instead said nothing.

Pasiphae.

"What are you doing here! You can't be here!" Jason ground out, his voice low and dangerous.

"I had to... I had no choice."

"You are banished!" Ariadne added, holding Sara closer to her chest. "Your return is on pain of death."

Pasiphae eyes were now trained on the bundle in Ariadne's arms, her head quirked slightly to the side as she tried to get a glimpse of the child.

Noticing this, Ariadne gave her a glare and pulled the blanket further over Sara's head, shielding her baby.

"I was informed that you had received my letter, yet I received no reply in return. I had to come."

"No you didn't." Jason bellowed and the noise woke Analise who was hidden from view, still lying against her father's back.

Pasiphae watched the little hands twitch around Jason's neck, her eyes creased with a look of yearning which seemed so misplaced on her face.

It was almost possible to feel pity for this woman, stripped of her fine jewels and embroidered clothes.

She didn't look right in this drab, brown cloak and threadbare dress. It was so bizarre.

"I needed to see you. Them. I needed to, you have to understand that."

Ariadne huffed and sharply turned around and rushed into the shadows, disappearing around the corner of the nearest building.

"Jason, please," Pasiphae implore, reaching one hand out and taking a step towards him.

"I can't do this. I can't, it's too much. Ariadne can't cope with this right now."

"So? I did not come to see her... I came to see you."

Jason glared at her. "You should have waited," he ground out through a clenched jaw before hurrying in the direction of his wife.

And Pasiphae was left standing there... alone.

With only the image of her son's look of despise burned onto her eyelids to accompany her.


And that's it guys. Thank-you to everyone who has read this story to the end, I really hope you liked it and I want you to know how much I appreciate all your support. If you've got a spare moment leave a review and let me know what you think.

Much love and enjoy the last episodes of Atlantis x