The two days journey back to Athens felt like a dream. It was amazing how the euphoria seemed to permeate everything. She couldn't even be bothered by the fact that most of the crew looked at her like she was Medusa. Having Sirius there with her made all their fear a bit easier to swallow. Sirius was proof not everyone would feel that way about her.
She stood with Sirius' arms wrapped around her waist as the crew prepared to dock in Athens port. There was a crowd gathered, and King Aegeus of Athens stood at its front.
"What do you say," she looked up at Sirius with a sly smile, "that once we get everything sorted out with the Aegeus down there, we go find an inn or something for a couple of days before making our way back to Dion and Olympus?"
Sirius chuckled and pulled her tighter. "I thought the couple was supposed to escape away after the ceremony."
"For being a son of Dionysus, you have a strong streak of conventionalism." She laughed at him as he pinched her side.
"We all lose something to our mortal nature," Sirius whispered into her ear before placing his lips against her neck.
"I'm calling that answer a yes," She arched back into him and sighed.
Sirius went to say something, but he was interrupted by the captain's trembling voice.
"Dreadful Daughter, Son of Dionysus, we're ready to lower the gangplank."
"Wonderful news!" Sirius smacked the man on the back. "Let's get everyone on dry land!"
The captain looked at Sirius with almost as much apprehension as he did Marlene, for very different reasons. Marlene chuckled as the twelve eagerly lined up, calling out to family members who had heard the black ship had returned. It brought tears to her eyes to see the youthful faces reunited with their parents and loved ones. She and Sirius took their time to make their way off the ship. When they finally stepped foot on the dock, King Aegeus was waiting for them.
"Daughter of Fate and Son of Dionysus, our kingdom is forever in your debt!" He was nervous, but he seemed bolstered by the fact that that Fate had favored his kingdom this day.
"The feud between your Kingdom and the Kingdom of Crete is at an end, Aegeus. The Minotaur is dead. No longer will you send tributes, in lives or monetary means, to Minos." Marlene tried to give a softer display than the one she had in Crete. Aegeus would do whatever she commanded right now, he didn't need to also fear her entirely.
"Our deepest gratitude to you!" Aegeus cried. "My palace will always be a home to you both! Forever will the Kingdom of Athens make space for the Daughter of Fate and the Son of Dionysus!"
"Really old boy, Sirius and Marlene are fine. You'll get tongue tied if you keep trying to call us that way, plus I don't think Father even knows how many sons he has, so…" Sirius smirked and Aegeus seemed to relax a bit.
"I would be honored," he inclined his head to them. "Please," he gestured towards his palace, "Stay this day with me. I will prepare a feast and wine and we will celebrate your heroic journey!"
Sirius perked up at the word wine and Marlene was about to accept the invitation when she saw Helios touch down on the water.
"There you two are!" He yelled. "Moira said you'll be needing a ride home. She said she'd have Dionysus there when we reach Olympus."
Marlene sighed, "We will have to postpone our stay, Aegeus. Fate has called."
Aegeus looked very nervous, "Of course, of course, our door is always open to you both."
Marlene took Sirius' hand and walked towards the water.
"Helios, I am not wading into the ocean for this," Marlene gave Helios a pointed look.
The god sighed and rolled his eyes, "Only because I have a schedule to keep." Marlene felt herself lifted into the air with Sirius and set gently down on the bench of Helios' chariot.
Marlene sighed as they flew over Athens, "At least we don't have to figure our own way back to Olympus."
"I could have really done with that wine though," Sirius lounged idly on the bench, much as he had when they traveled down to Athens.
"How was mine, by the way?" Marlene leaned into him.
Sirius played with her curls, "Impressive, but it had a bit of a kick to it. Was that intentional?"
Marlene chuckled, "No, but like I said, the fruit doesn't grow far from the vine. Let's just say, never accept a goblet from my mother."
Sirius chuckled, "Noted, any reason why?"
"It knocked Zeus on his rear," Marlene laughed. "He suggested to Mother that she might feel better about her parting of ways with my father if she found someone new. Mother handed him a goblet and said it was by way of thanks for his advice. He coughed so hard he caused a wind storm."
Sirius laughed and pulled her closer. "That's my new favorite Zeus story!"
"Because it involves wine?" Marlene chuckled.
"Because it involves my family making a fool of him," Sirius whispered against her cheek.
Marlene turned to kiss him soundly. She was quite content to kiss him for longer, but the chariot went into a dive and they looked down to see her parents and Dionysus standing near the entrance to Zeus' palace.
"To be continued," Sirius placed one last kiss against her lips before sitting up.
"Welcome home, my beloved daughter," her mother's voice sounded in her foresight as the chariot touched down.
"You lived!" Dionysus flailed his arms around Sirius as Marlene climbed down from the chariot. "I was almost certain you would!"
Marlene turned to her mother and wrapped her arms around her.
"Thank you, for everything," Marlene held tight to her.
"I love you, Marlene. And I'm so proud of you!" Her mother pulled back and smiled. "He's been distraught without you."
Marlene smiled and turned to her father. She flew to his arms and let the tears fall as she held onto him.
"I've been so worried," he choked out.
"Here," Marlene pressed the pouch he'd given her into his hands. "We did it, Sirius and I, we killed the Minotaur."
He tucked the pouch under his cloak. "I'm so glad you're safe." He cupped her face in his hand. "I love you so much."
"I love you too, Father," Marlene pulled herself back into him.
"Do you see it?" Her mother's voice sounded.
And then she did, she saw her father's unhappiness at her choice to be the Daughter and Instrument of Fate.
She sighed and pulled back. "Father, I know you want me to become mortal and marry Giannis, but I've chosen differently. I'm going to be Mother's Instrument, and this," she turned to Sirius, "is Sirius, one of the sons of Dionysus. He's asked me to be his wife, and I've accepted. Sirius, this is my father, Vassilis."
Sirius smiled as he came to stand next to her.
Vassilis' shock was apparent on his face, "But, but Marlene, you've suffered so much because of the abilities you inherited from your mother."
Marlene nodded, "I know, but I love Sirius, and he loves me. We are equals already, neither of us needs give up anything to be together. And he makes me happy, Father." Marlene could hear the pleading in her voice - as if that could change the reality she saw.
"I'll do everything in my power to make her happy," Sirius wrapped an arm protectively around her waist. "You have my word that I would give my life for your daughter."
Vassilis shook his head, "What am I to tell Giannis?"
"Leave that to me," Moira stepped forward, "That is my responsibility."
Vassilis huffed, "I'm sorry, I think this is a mistake." He turned and started down towards Dion.
"Father!" Marlene cried, "Please, Father!" He didn't turn back.
"Do you see it?" Her mother asked. But Marlene saw nothing this time.
"No, Mother," Marlene felt hot tears stream down her cheeks.
"Take comfort, my daughter," there was a warmth in her mother's mind that helped soothe the hurt Marlene felt.
"Well, that's quite a downer," Dionysus sounded from behind them. "So sorry he's being stubborn about this. But know that I'm thrilled! Confused, but thrilled!" He wrapped Marlene and Sirius in a hug.
"Dionysus," Moira chuckled, "Why don't you go start making plans for the party?"
"Wonderful idea!" Dionysus cried and summoned a goblet out of thin air.
"Father, where's James," Sirius turned from her.
"James? Oh your little mortal, he's with your sister somewhere, probably at one of our regular spots." Dionysus shrugged but it looked more like he was attempting to keep from jumping in the air by pulling his head into himself. "I'd best be off! So much to do!" Without further ceremony, the god of revelry popped out of sight, leaving Marlene clinging to Sirius' arms as she watched her father walk down to Dion.