Chapter 36

A few weeks later, Edward surprised his parents with his first smile, and Lukas finally felt the impact of his own smile, seeing it in full force on his own son's cute chubby face. From that very moment on he had it used on himself regularly, the broad one, emphasising the delicious dent in his lip.

It was indeed irresistible, and Edward got kissed a lot. Fortunately, Lukas' own smile still worked, and he got his equal share, he needed the love as well, after all.

They were all very satisfied with their lives, the days were long, the weather was generally fine, the garden was lovely and John and Hailee were so much in love, they were a joy to behold. They had actually married within the week, in a ceremony led by George, much like Melissa and Paul's on the manor.

Rhoda and Jonathan were also a hot item, they were experimenting with magic together, for Rhoda had indeed found back her will to practice magic, and with Jonathan's personal stash at her disposal she was picking up the particulars of using magic in England pretty fast.

She could see the ley-lines, but didn't dare touch them, yet, she wanted a few months more experience before she tried that.

They all went to the occasional dance together, leaving little Edward and little Peter either with Frances, or, if she wanted to dance too, with Melissa's parents.

Melissa thought that John did still share love with Frances occasionally, and John and Hailee both seemed to share with Lukas, sometimes together, sometimes apart.

Paul and herself never had any desire to share anymore, those days were over, they were perfectly satisfied with each other and whatever love Lukas wanted to bring them. Well, actually Melissa had a secret fancy to put John through his paces once, she had had a weak spot for their small friend ever since she met him in London the first time, but it was not a strong desire, more like a small inclination that she felt from time to time, easily ignored.

After discussing the portal with George, Paul had decided to shield it against anyone but Hermes and Aphrodite, they did not want any more incursions of people or gods from that other world. And one day, when Edward was about four months old, Hermes did indeed come upon them as they were spending their evening with Hailee and John.

Hermes came into the living-room through the cellar door and, after greeting everyone present, asked Paul to remove the shield from the portal, for there was someone who had a request for John. Curious, Paul went down to the cellar and dismissed the shield.

His jaw dropped as a wise old head came straight through the mirror, and Zeus, of all people, started to crawl out.

Paul quickly helped him to get on his feet, and took him to the living-room.

Once seated, both gods were offered a glass of wine, and Zeus didn't even bother to find a private space to talk to his other son, he just begged: 'Dear Dionysus, my boy, your brother here tells me you plan to stay on this world. Please tell me that is not true, please tell me you will return to us, and liven up our lives once more!'

To say that John was surprised is quite an understatement, he was stunned. But slowly, he started to come to life again, and he was not flattered or even pleased to be so addressed.

Hailee saw his face tense, and she quickly took hold of his hand to offer him her silent support.

John said: 'I am called John now, father, and I seem to remember that you voted to have me killed a little less than a year ago.'

Of course Zeus knew this as well as John did, and he replied: 'True, true, but Hermes and Aphrodite tell me you have changed a lot, and are now totally trustworthy in their opinion.'

John let a little resentment show, and said: 'I know exactly how trustworthy I am, father, but that is not the reason I choose to stay here: I also know exactly how far I can trust your lady wife, who hunted me all my youth, then argued loudly to have me executed at my trial, and sent a nasty spell to lie in wait for me at the portal. I thank you for your trust, but I have found love and safety here, and this is where I will stay for the rest of my life.'

Zeus did look guilty at this, he had known about Hera hunting him and had done nothing to protect his son from his jealous wife, and he begged: 'But we need you, my son, your palace stands empty and your people are without love and guidance.'

John shrugged, he actually shrugged at the father of all gods, then observed: 'Then let your lady wife decide who will get it, she must have a grandchild somewhere whom she can deed it to. My future lies here, with Hailee and hopefully a few children, safe and sound in good old England. God save queen Victoria!'

John was getting positively audacious now, and clearly, Zeus wanted him back really badly, for he did not relent: 'But my dear son, things are really bad since you left, there is so much fewer love going around without your jolliness, and the vines are ailing without your blessed presence, and no-one knows how to have fun anymore.'

'Don't be a hypocrite father, I've never been your dear son, you never acknowledged me, you never lifted a finger to save me from your wife, you were as ready as she was to condemn me. And look at me, look well. I am no longer jolly, or funny, or drunk, I have no business being worshipped, none at all.'

Finally, Zeus took a good look at his least-liked son, and observed: 'You are a good deal thinner, are you doing well?'

'I'm fine, father, thanks for caring.' John sounded positively accusing by now, it was clear he had as much anger against his father as Lukas had had, more so, for Hermes had been a good father to Lukas in his youth, whereas Zeus had ignored John as totally as Hermes had Katarina.

Starting to realize that pathos was not going to work, that he had too few claims on his son, that there was no connection at all between them, Zeus started to think. He had actually been glad to see Dionysus leave, to leave the whole matter of his punishment to Hermes, to not have to end the life of one of his own children, and see his wife gloat over it.

Hera had always been so unreasonable about this particular by-blow, she'd never tried to kill either Aphrodite or Hermes, and Zeus had never felt like confronting her over it. The little baby had been a mortal without Gift, why bother?

No, they had been well-rid of the obnoxious god of wine, had been his opinion. Until things started to get totally out of hand, vineyards all over the country were dying, their owners losing heart with their prayers staying unanswered.

Parties were spoiled when celebrants got total silence as a reaction to their sacrifices to Dionysus, and their requests for blessings went unanswered.

Apparently Dionysus had kept up a better connection to his worshippers than to his family, for they were all aware that he was no longer amongst them. His whole following was in disarray, mourning their beloved idol, blaming the other gods, especially Hera.

There was no feasting anywhere, people had stopped making love, even among Zeus' own worshippers. It seemed many of them had paid homage to Dionysus as well, on special occasions, or on the days they generally had fun. They dedicated their joy in life to Dionysus, and without him it didn't seem to be worth much. The situation was even worse than the thing with Katarina and the satyrs, for the insurgence was much more widely spread.

And they didn't threaten to overthrow the gods, they just lost all heart. They didn't demand their favourite god back, they sank into depression and stopped working and playing altogether. The whole Greek society was feeling low, and they all knew Zeus' wife was to blame.

Zeus remembered Dionysus as he had been, and just couldn't believe anyone missing him, the loud, drunk, smelly blob of a man, who used women openly, discarding them whenever a prettier one offered herself to him.

John was still very angry and hurt, and from what Zeus had told him, he could have no idea how bad the situation really was. So Hermes felt called upon to describe it to him: 'John, there are no excuses for what Hera put you through, and for our father's neglect of you.'

Zeus looked insulted, but since what his favourite son said was actually true, and they really needed Dionysus back in his place as jolly god of wine and feasting, he kept his silence and even managed to school his face back to shame and regret.

And it worked, for the small, healthy looking chap that his senses told him was his son, listened to his respected brother, and his face became less angry, and a little more open. He liked Hermes, Zeus could see that easily enough, though his older son had taken Dionysus' magic and left him in London, where apparently, he had lost his weight, his pride, and his trust in people.

But Dionysus didn't seem to hold that against Hermes, nor did he strike Zeus as particularly humble or despondent, he seemed well-content, except with his father's presence.

Hermes told them: 'Things are really bad without you, John. Your worshippers are in mourning, they seem to have your pathos, for they just don't care anymore. It started with them refusing to drink any more wine, and since that doesn't hurt a person much, we thought we'd see what happened and hoped it would pass.

But it didn't, they also stopped feasting, not just local feasts and birthdays, but also religious holidays and worship of other gods, even those people who only asked your blessing when they drank a glass of wine.

Of course the gods felt that, they had less power coming in, and then it got worse. Hera has gotten most of the blame, she's getting pretty weak.

Your own worshippers have stopped caring, they don't work anymore, they eat little, they never make love anymore. They just sit and cry and pray to you and hope to get an answer.

And our worshippers aren't much better, well, actually mine are, because I have recently spent so much time with them, they know me now and trust me, but all the other gods are feeling the disapproval of their worshippers. There are fewer offerings made, and fewer prayers said, and fewer blessings asked. The people don't celebrate anymore, and they have taken to praying for your return, too.

Everyone loves you, John, and they are desperate to have you back.'

Hermes' quiet explanation made a devastating impression on John. Who would have thought that his people would actually miss him? That they had even noticed he was gone was nothing short of a miracle.

Did they truly love him? But why? He had been arrogant, selfish, obnoxious, he had expected humiliating obeisance from his worshippers, how could they have loved Dionysus? He felt his throat burn and his eyes brimmed quietly.

His friends were looking at him with satisfaction, they probably thought he deserved recognition from his family.

Hailee put an arm around him and kissed him, and her support enabled him to speak the two words that were in the front of his mind: 'But why?'

'What do you mean, why?' asked Hermes in a kind, low voice, it was obvious John was very much touched by his report.

'Why do they love me?' was the choked answer, 'I never did anything for them.'

'I suppose you did, John,' Hermes observed, 'maybe you were too drunk to notice, but apparently you blessed their raised glasses, and answered their questions about ailing vines, and gave them inspiration to feast and make love.'

Though very much impressed by the presence of Zeus, Hailee did come to her beloved's defence, and in a clear voice she said: 'You were the sweetest, most loveable god that ever lived. You always had a kind word for everyone, you always treated your girls right, and your staff, and you always answered prayers.'

'I suppose I was nice to people, but that was because I was drunk. When they prayed with problems I said: I am so sorry for your problems, but I'm sure everything will be fine, just take really good care of those vines and all will be well.

Or when they asked for a blessing I called out: Be happy, dear people, I certainly am!

They were just drunken ravings!'

John seemed seriously upset, and Hailee started to show signs of it, too, how could John deny his good qualities so persistently, he had been a very good master, always.

Lukas now sat on John's other side, and instead of trying to calm John down, he offered him his curly head. The distraught little man immediately started to caress the curls, and the horns beneath them, taking care to not work Lukas up too much.

The activity calmed him, and Hailee relaxed as well, still giving her beloved husband little kisses now and then, she loved him so much, and he deserved to finally get some recognition for the good he did, instead of always getting put down for being drunk or selfish.

She was so sure that every one of his girls had always been very pleased to be with him, he had seen to all of their needs, even three at the same time. And even when he had already started to single her out a little, when she had fallen for him personally, she had never been jealous of the other girls, he had so much love to give, to everyone.

'You were always good to people, John,' Lukas echoed her thoughts, 'I remember arriving in your court depressed and lonely, but within a week you had me loving you, yearning to be physical with you, just because you were so incredibly nice and attentive. And so very appealing, with your sunny face and your gorgeous big body.'

It was clear that it pleased John very much to hear that, but it also hurt him: 'And even if I can believe that people love me, I'm no longer who they expect me to be, I can't be jolly or tubby anymore, I was diminished and that will never change.'

'But you can offer them real advice now, John,' Melissa put in her two cents, 'and you can give them serious blessings, you still have so much love to give. You don't need to be drunk all day to be a good god of wine and feasting, do you? You can make wine, and celebrate as you do here, with a few glasses, no more. It would be an excellent example.'

Trust a Victorian to see a moral in everything, John thought, but she was right, he could see godhood as a job with a large responsibility, he could manage his estates, and his realm, and his vineyards. And grow coffee-bushes. And be warm all the time.

But the danger...

'I can never go back,' he said decidedly, 'it is just too dangerous. Hera would let me set things to right, until she had her power back, and then the attacks would start again, and I'd be scared again, all the time, and I'd start to see enemies everywhere, again, and that would lead me to do foolish things again.

I can't do it, I want to lead a small life, and be happy and safe. Another god will take my place, one who is not damaged by fear. I'm not irreplaceable, let someone more worthy have my former duties and the elevation that comes with them, someone who actually wants to be worshipped.'

Now Zeus felt underrated, as if he couldn't control his own wife. She was very vindictive, true, but if the father of the gods ordered her to leave his son alone, she would, and he said so to Dionysus, whose ridiculous new name he could not speak out loud.

But even as he said: 'I will forbid Hera to continue this absurd dislike of you, and she will leave you alone,' his mind automatically tacked 'probably' to it. For in fact, he didn't expect her to let go, and Zeus still didn't care. Dionysus was smarter than her, and he had an incredible following, she could never get a hit on him.

'I will not risk my wife and my future children! If you're not even sure, how could I sleep in peace even one night? Your beloved wife would not hesitate to strike out at any of my loved ones. I'd rather raise them here, in a tiny apartment in London in freedom, than on a huge estate in your world, in constant fear.'

'How did you know what I was thinking?' Zeus demanded to know.

'I have friends here who can read even a god's mind,' John answered, 'they warned me you didn't even care whether she continued her blind vendetta against me, even though I never lifted so much as a finger against her.'

John was sitting on the sofa, with Hailee and Lukas in his arms, and he said with determination: 'I'm done with you, my answer is no. I'm very sorry things are going badly back home, but if you had indeed killed me they would not have been any different. I'm glad to have you visit, Hermes, and I'm glad your people are not suffering. You have taken care of them as your duty demanded.

Please leave now, father, and don't come bothering me again, I'm done with godhood.'

And then Hailee spoke up: 'But John, your people need you! You cannot leave them like this, they trust you and depend on you! I thought you had become a better man here, not a selfish one. You have a duty, and you need to perform it.'

John was crushed. To have his beloved wife criticise him like this, call him selfish. He hid his face in his lap and covered his head with his arms, not with them anymore.

'John, I'm sorry,' she said, seeing how much her reproach had stung him, 'I didn't mean to hurt you even more, I meant, can't you just think about it? There would be compensations, you'd have your own vineyards again, you'd make a lot of people happy, and your family, I don't think you're selfish, John, I know it's for me you want to stay here, you want me to be safe. I was just concerned for all those unhappy people, I was unhappy without you, too.'

He looked up and took her in his arms to console her, for she was crying by now, and he knew she hadn't meant to speak so harshly. She just felt the responsibility, she would make a great wife for a god.

And he did feel the responsibility, too, he even thought he might be able to bear it, Hermes had allowed his people a lot more freedom, and he could do that too, to have more of a life of his own. But that one thing...'

'I would love to go back home, John,' Hailee admitted shamefacedly, 'I'm quite happy here, but it's so cold, and nobody cares, I mean our friends do, but the rest of the people just don't care for others anymore. And they all say it will get worse in winter. I'd rather care and have the power to make a difference.'

'But the danger, love! I can't have Hera murder you in your bed, or whilst we make love, I'd never have a night's sleep, I'd start to become paranoid again,' John was in terrible doubt. He wanted Hailee to be happy, but seeing her in danger would kill him slowly.

Hermes now stepped in, and asked: 'Do I understand you right that you wouldn't mind coming back if you were certain that Hera wouldn't go for you anymore?'

'I would love to go home,' John said softly, 'I do feel bad for my people, and I want to grow coffee and grapes, and I know about delegating now, so the worship wouldn't be that bad. It's like running a factory, just a lot of responsibility. I would so love to be warm again, really hot.

But I want my wife and future children to be safe.

And yes, I want to be safe myself, for I was always alert for danger. I'd rather be cold than paranoid.'

'As would I, love,' Hailee now admitted, 'you can be a better man here because you are not afraid all the time.'

Hermes bowed and said: 'Then father and I know what our task will be. We will talk to Hera, and find out her will on this matter, and if she agrees to let you be we will take her here to meet the new you. Can you accede to that?'

'I can,' John answered, 'for Hailee, and for my people. And for coffee.'

'We will be back within a week,' Hermes said, 'things are really bad, we need help quickly.'

As Hermes took his father's arm to go back to the portal, and Paul followed them down the little stairs to put the shield back on, Paul heard Zeus ask: 'What's coffee?'

A cunning plan shaped itself in Paul's mind, and he left it there to let it grow and ripen, if it were any good.

John was still stunned, and he asked his friends: 'Do you think I should go back, to save my people?'

And it was clear he was starting to doubt himself, but Paul said with determination: 'No, John, I don't. It is not due to your disappearance only that things have started to go wrong, it is also the way that the other gods treat their people.

Apparently even those who were not your worshippers liked you, and Hermes is well-liked since he started to take his people seriously. It is the responsibility of the other gods to treat their people better and let them have some influence over their own lives.

But if you do get guarantees you'll all be safe, and you both have a desire to return, then I think you'll be a very good god, to me, not liking worship is a better trait for a god to have than the opposite.

Ruling a country is hard work, and you seem to realize that, but as Hermes has found out, you do not have to do everything by yourself. Delegate, and you'll have time to spare to grow grapes and coffee.

We'll miss you, though. I hate to think of our lives without you, we've grown so close.'

John loved to hear Paul confirm his own thoughts, it wouldn't be so bad to rule, for one could delegate.

And the very thought of leaving his friends nearly brought him to tears again, they had saved his life and they had loved him better than anyone except Hailee. He would miss them, too. But before he would start to imagine his life on a vineyard, he would wait to hear what Hera had to tell him, and most of all, what the elves would tell him about her thoughts, for she could tell him all she liked, if they warned him she was not entirely truthful, he would stay in London not matter what happened back home.

Paul did not want to see his friends leave, he had come to really appreciate John's quiet kindness, and he would miss him very much indeed, but he also thought his friend would be a perfect ruler. He had the experience, his people loved him, and he had no desire for power or obeisance left in him.

With Hailee supporting him, they would have his worshippers back to happiness in no time, and it would be such a good thing for John to have his own vineyard to experiment with plants.

Though John never ate or drank to excess anymore, and didn't make a flashing figure anywhere, he would certainly be able to throw a good party.

He had gained so much feeling and yes, true self-assurance, not the loud bragging which many people saw as self-confidence, but the quiet knowledge that he was a good man and worth loving, his people wouldn't recognize him at first, but when they did he would prove his devotion to their well-being, and they would come to love him even more, just like Hailee.

Only a lot less physical. They both shared, but Paul guessed that John never had three girls gracing his bed at the same time anymore, nor would he ever again. Probably.

Anyway, Paul knew how to influence Hera's mind towards John, and he took care to have everything he needed ready and waiting the very day after the visit, for he had a feeling it wouldn't take a week before they came, the situation sounded rather desperate, their visitors would be coming earlier rather than later.

And so they did, for the day after that, just after dinner, Hermes came upstairs to ask admittance for Zeus and Hera, his father's spouse.

Paul asked Melissa to make a pot of coffee, using coffee from a small package he handed her, whilst he let their visitors in. She didn't ask any questions, she merely smelled the package and smiled knowingly. He went into the cellar, as Lukas went upstairs to fetch John and Hailee.

The situation was a bit tense, for much was riding on Hera's true thoughts.

Paul assumed Hermes had not told Zeus who had read his thoughts last time he was here, and if the father of most gods were to try to send them out of the room for the conversation, it would be very suspicious but to no avail, for he would not find out the silver statues in the living-room had anything to do with it.

Hera looked about Frances' age, she was not unattractive, but looked very worn down and tired, and she did not seem to have the natural goodness Frances exuded. Paul bowed to her and her husband in greeting, but he couldn't talk to her easily, knowing she had tried to have a helpless boy-child killed, time and time again.

And she had left Rhoda convinced she could never practice magic again, which wasn't true, and the girl had still carried a huge trauma when she came to London, which Hera was supposed to have cured. Paul thought the woman was much like a fraud, but way more powerful.

She did not look powerful now, though. Something was clearly riding her, and when he looked closer, Zeus wasn't looking much better either.

They had not exaggerated, things had clearly been deteriorating rapidly, the goddess who had persecuted his friend without reason and without mercy, was now suffering for it.

That could make her even more dangerous, but if her need to placate her enemy made her hate him even more, it would certainly come out and her thoughts would sign her own doom.

As they arrived in the living-room, the cups and chocolates were already on the table, but Melissa was still in the kitchen and Lukas was not yet back with John and Hailee.

Their guests took the time to admire the room, and soon they heard footsteps on the wrought-iron stairs. Lukas went in front, with Edward on his arm, John was next, and Hailee followed, as if to make sure that John would not turn around and run off.

John was obviously very afraid of Hera, even though she was not a god here and she showed her difficult situation clearly. Still, being hunted by someone from the moment that you were able to walk cannot but damage a person. Their dear friend must be counting the attacks she made on him at this very moment, and how he managed to escape.

He must be picturing Hailee in that situation, or maybe even a little child of his own, for Hera had shown no mercy to himself as a child, so why would she spare his offspring?

A ringing voice in his head said: 'She is not planning to murder you at the spot, John, besides, you are an easy match to her strength, she is much weaker even than she looks, you could squash her like a bug right now.'

So nice of them to let Paul know, too. If John decided to do what they practically advised, at least Paul could throw up a shield to protect Edward and the furniture. For he supposed he wouldn't protect Hera, he couldn't say he liked her much.

The elves' comment somehow put some heart in John, and Paul touched him as he passed him by, knowing that John would feel strengthened by his little gesture. And indeed, his small friend had lost all the fear in his posture, and had even gained some pride.

And so he should, he wasn't the supplicant here, he was the figure with the power.

But he didn't rub it in, John was not like that, he just sat down on the sofa, flanked by Lukas and Hailee, and Paul led their guests to a seat of their own, and helped Melissa bring in the coffee.

The smell would give it away to Hermes and the others instantly, and as Melissa poured everyone a cup, Paul did indeed see some eyebrows raised.

Hermes said: 'Father, Hera, this is the best invention ever, coffee. Is it Victorian?'

'It is not,' Paul replied, 'I believe it has been known for a century at least, but it is ever improving in flavour.'

They all took a sip of the hot coffee, and of course everyone except Zeus and Hera already knew that this was not their regular coffee, but Frances' brew, which Paul had asked her for to make John even less expendable.

The divine couple was totally stunned. They did not speak for a minute, but took another sip, and another.

Then Hera whispered: 'That is just incredible. What is it? And when is Dionysus coming?'

That worried even Zeus. Paul didn't think they loved each other, maybe they never had, but to find your divine mate unable to use sight must be disconcerting to anyone.

Lukas, clearly under instructions, got up and delivered Edward into Hermes outstretched arms, where he settled comfortably, looking around with serious dark eyes, as Lukas, back in his herald's role, answered Hera's questions: 'Mistress, we call it coffee, it is made of beans that grow on a bush in very hot countries. And Dionysus is already here, though he goes by the name of John ever since he was left in this city and deprivations greatly diminished him.'

He did not tell her that John was sitting right next to him, let her do some thinking of her own.

Either the coffee was starting to take effect, or her brain did function a little still, but she looked at John in surprise and shock, and said: 'You're him? But you're half his size, and you haven't said one word.'

And still John didn't speak.

'I expected Dionysus to feel triumph over getting the best of me. You don't look like him, and you don't act like him.' She was still stunned, and frankly, not very well.

Paul looked at Lukas, trying to ask him a question, and Lukas touched his mind and said: 'Neither of them is going to find out if we talk like this, they haven't got the power. She's in a very bad state, she needs love, soon, or she will fade away. But I'm not going to give her love, she repulses me, always has. Either she lives, or she dies.'

Lukas had never refused to heal anyone, even the filthiest beggars he had touched and healed, though not by giving them love. But still, it was clear he felt the same loathing for this once-powerful goddess, who must be totally without humanity.

As if in answer to Lukas' negative feelings, his little son looked at him and smiled, changing Lukas' feelings for the better instantly, and causing Hermes to melt at the spot, hugging and kissing the little charmer.

Now John spoke, softly, surprisingly gently: 'I don't feel a triumph, Mistress, for not so long ago I was as near oblivion as you are now. It taught me humility, feeling for others, and especially love, true love. For the people I had hurt most, saved me, and I have lived with them ever since.'

He looked around at his friends, Paul, Melissa, Lukas, little Edward, he wanted to stay with them so badly, but the possibility of him staying was diminishing rapidly.

'I know you still don't feel the slightest remorse for what you did to me all those years, when all I ever wanted was to live in peace. You made me who I was, you and my uncaring father here. I have been told I could squash you like a bug right now, and I know my friends wouldn't stop me.

Paul here has even let you taste coffee, I am planning to start growing it on my vineyard when I return home. He wants you to realize I am the only one who can give you coffee, that I am no longer expendable.

But I find I don't care anymore. I suddenly realize I can take care of myself. Once I go through the portal, I will become the most powerful god in your realm, and though I have greatly changed, I guess I will stay very powerful.

And I have friends now, Hermes here and Aphrodite are on my side, and I guess their friends as well.

If I return, I will take care of my followers, and of yours. They will find joy again, and they will drink wine again, and make love, and work. You will feel better within days, and maybe your hate against me will start to burn again.

But I warn you, if you try to kill me again even once, or try to act against anyone I love, I will not flee or take it anymore. I will rise up and avenge myself on you, not just for that one time, but for every time you tried to take my life, every time you took someone from me who was dear to me. And my friends will help.

So choose now, do you want me to come and save you? Or do you get rid of me forever and hope the situation will resolve itself?'

John didn't sound gentle anymore, he spoke with great power, and it was clear that his nemesis took him very seriously.

Paul was very proud of him, and so were Hailee, Lukas and Melissa, and even Hermes, holding on to little Edward, who looked at John, when all the others waited what Hera would say.

Hera spoke: 'I choose to live. Please save us.'

The ringing voice said in their heads: 'And so you win, John. May you rule wisely, but also have a lot of fun. We will miss you, though.'

And Zeus said: 'Well said, my son. I hope I still have a chance to become one of your friends. When will you come back?'

'We will come with you straight away, for one week, to save what needs to be saved. Then we go back one week to say goodbyes and arrange for seeds to be sent over, and pick dates for visits.'

Then his face fell and he started to weep openly, embracing all his friends, and saying: 'I don't want to leave you, I love you all so much. Can I give little Edward just one more kiss? I can't wait a whole week. And I'll miss my bicycle so much!'