Disclaimer: Do not own Greek mythology... Not that old...

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Elusive Love

Chapter 1

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Apollo taking a stroll around the woods. He was now in active search of his true love. None of the gods, except Eros, knew why the sun god was down on the human world very often. Not even his twin sister knew.

He had met many beautiful nymphs and humans alike as he roamed around the land, looking earnestly for his true love. They were beautiful, yes, but he couldn't find what Eros has.

True love grows...

Yes, that's what Eros said. But does that mean that he has to spend time with every single beautiful girl he meets?

Besides, he hasn't found his dream girl yet. So far, not any of the girls he has met resembled his fantasized maiden.

Apollo could picture his perfect lady... beautiful long soft hair... brightly coloured eyes... delicate facial features... milky complexion... a slender yet curvaceous body and a beautiful, musical voice. His only problem now was finding this girl.

Before the god could walk any further, he suddenly heard a sweet, melodious sound. The sun god's eyes suddenly brightened as a smile came upon his lips. This was how he imagined the girl's voice would be. Surely... If he could hear the voice, there is an owner - and that owner might be the one he is looking for!

He quickly rushed towards the direction of the voice. At each and every step, he could hear the beautiful voice more clearly. Apollo was now positive that the voice came from a tower. As he ran, the sun god could not help but feel romantic.

'I am about to whisk her away from that tower and marry her,' he thought with happiness. 'Then we will live happily ever after, just like Eros and Psyche, as the perfect couple.'

Now being so close to the tower, Apollo saw that there was actually a castle with it. The tower, however, was located right outside the wall and was the highest peak. There seemed to be some festivity inside the castle since the gates were locked and there were but a couple of soldiers on watch.

Apollo swiftly climbed the tower. Being a god, he was able to do this in a short amount of time and with no trouble. Apollo was very excited to meet the maiden with the wonderful voice. He was sure she would be just as beautiful as her voice is.

He finally reached the window. He then quickly climbed inside the room, not wanting to waste time. The singing voice immediately stopped. In its' place, Apollo heard a soft voice asking.

"Who's there?"

Apollo quickly looked at the source of the voice and stared in shock - and disappointment.

The only person in the room was a girl... a thin, unhealthy-looking, scraggly girl. She was nowhere near his dream maiden.

The sun god, heart sinking in great disappointment, decided to ignore her and leave quietly. The girl, however, spoke again.

"No! Please don't leave! At least, not without telling me your name."

For some reason, Apollo could not help but turn back to her. She wasn't exquisitely beautiful but she still had a lovely voice.

It was just then that Apollo realized something. The girl's eyes were unfocused; she was blind.

"And lame too," the girl said with a smile, as if she read his mind. She tilted her head to the side, looking thoughtful. "You are a god, yes?"

Apollo looked mildly shocked. "How did you know? I could be a man." The girl, however, merely smiled.

"You were too quiet to be a man," the girl answered knowingly. "Besides, no one has ever dared to climb this tower - not even enemies. The surface is too slippery and the height too great. This tower was built to deter any man from reaching it. But of course, it can never prevent a god from climbing it."

The girl was smarter than she looked, Apollo had to admit. He found two beautiful traits of hers now - a beautiful voice and brains. But she was still so far away from his dream girl. This girl had two disabilities. She cannot see or walk.

"May I please know your name?" the girl asked politely. She had good manners too. "It would really make my day."

Apollo hesitated. "Tell me your name and status first." The girl, instead of being put out or offended, merely smiled.

(A/N: Okay, let us pretend and pretend and pretend... La la la lala...)

"I am a princess, your divinity," the girl answered. "Ebony of Zakynthos."

"A princess?" Apollo echoed. "Of Zakynthos? I have never heard of you. Are you lying to me?"

He saw a brief flash of pain in her eyes before she smiled weakly at him.

"I would not dare lie to a god," Ebony said and for some reason, Apollo quickly believed her. She does seem innocent. Wise but still innocent. "My parents... Well... Let me just say that my older sisters don't have any disabilities."

Apollo instantly knew what she meant. The king of Zakynthos was famous for possessing a number of beautiful daughters. Apollo has seen some of them and can say that the rumors were true. But this girl was different. She possessed no classic beauty and she was both blind and unable to walk. A girl like her, despite being a princess, will be hard to marry off.

Is this why she was alone in this tower? Her parents couldn't be bothered to marry her off so they just locked her up? Apollo remembered how heard some pleading in her voice when she asked him to stay. He knew she was lonely. Who wouldn't be? Any young girl in her place would feel terrible. Some might even be tempted to jump off the tower. But of course, Ebony couldn't do that since she couldn't even probably lift herself from the couch she was in.

The sun god instantly felt pity for the young princess. She seemed like a good sort. He was sure that if she wasn't disabled or was prettied up more, she would be able to scrape up a husband. Sadly, this wasn't the case.

The god finally decided to reveal his identity to her.

"I am the god of the sun, Apollo."

He noticed the shock look on her face. She was probably wondering why such an important and powerful god was in her tower.

Realization suddenly appeared on her face and she closed her eyes for a few seconds before opening them again. When she did, she was looking directly at him. Apollo, however, was sure that she was blind and that looking at him was pure coincidence.

"Are you disappointed, Master Apollo?" Ebony asked with a heart-breaking sad smile that Apollo almost felt like weeping for her. "That the beautiful voice in the tower didn't belong to a beautiful maiden? If so, I am very sorry."

Apollo felt his heart fly out to her. He knew that what she had just said would remain with him for a long time... Ebony's eyes were shining with unshed tears as she gave him a sad yet brave smile.

"I am so very sorry..."

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