MEETING WITH ARISTAEUS
I watched him approach me and other nymphs. He even stumbled to walk on his thin, weak legs. He was terrified for some reason or another. I raised my eye brows as he ventured closer. He was a short fellow with lank yellow-gold hair and dark honey brown eyes. They darted to me then to the nymphs. He certainly was not handsome nor a beauty, but there was a certain kindness to his round face. Many gods and goddesses pitied him because of his looks and meek demeanor. The gods were supposed to be symbols of youth and beauty, yet he was neither. He appeared youthful, but in the awkward stage between boyhood and manhood."P-Persephone?" His low voice asked.
I stood up from my place beside the nymphs. We had been tearing out the weeds from stunted the growth of truer plants. "Hello," I greeted watching the docile god, not knowing what to say. His eyes focused on the ground. "I am Aristaesus, god of bee-keeping and fruit trees. Demeter said I could find you out here with the nymphs." He introduced himself. I nodded and gestured at the kneeling nymphs. They were watching us which unnerved the minor god even further. "You can join us." I offered before proceeding to join my nymphs in weeding out the rest of the nymphs. He would follow me.
I had met Aristaeus before when my mother held meetings with the minor nature gods. Usually he muttered his news to her and looked away, scared to hold eye contact with the harvest goddess. "Ye-Yes, the bees are well enough." He would report. "And the fruit trees?" Demeter would ask politely, although she was annoyed by the meager god. Aristaeus would briefly look at her face then away. "They are well, my lady." He muttered. I would never marry this meager man. Out of all my suitors, I cared for him the least. At least Hermes made me want to kick the weeds and other useless shrubbery.
My thoughts trailed back to the North god, Kaikias. He said he would contact me, but there had been no chill in the wind for three months since I spoke to him. He swore he would see me again, but not when. I had hoped it would the day after I saw him, but there was nothing. I bent down on the ground and pulled out the first weed. Aristaesus settled himself a few feet away from me next to the white haired nymph. Calla giggled at the nature god. "You're cute." Calla told him while she bumped her hip against his. This statement and action caused the god to blush and glance at me. I looked away from two and concentrated on my task. Calla could flirt with him all she wanted because I could not care less about him.
I tear out another weed and throw it behind my back. Why had Kaikias not given me some sort of message? Just something to remind me of him. I told him honesty that I liked him. He made me feel safe and comfortable. I grasped another weed and dragged it out. Then he swore a blood oath to see me again. Where was that promise now? Was he telling his Northern buddies that he led a nymph astray and jest about leaving her? Making her wait for him until he could hear her voice whispering the promise he swore?
I punched the ground. Was I a joke or a jest for him? The Northern gods and goddesses must be having a jolly time thinking about the nymph who was stupid enough to enjoy a chilling god's company? Nymphs were supposed to adore and live in the sunlight and warmth, yet one nymph liked the ice and snow. What a fool she was. I could hear the titters and mocking laughs as Kaikias rehearsed the story for them. I tugged at a vile weed before letting out an outraged scream. "Get out." I hissed and felt everyone turn to stare at me.
Aristaesus's brown eyes flickered with fright. He thought I was telling him to leave. As morbid as it was, I laughed. He was a fool to think I would accept his marriage proposal. What could he give me that the others couldn't? He had no power, nor authority to be a respectable, valuable husband. Although my mother mentioned if I married him I could be an Olympian and not be influenced by my husband's ties to other gods. If I married him I would have the leadership in the marriage, but I did not want that. When I married I wanted to marry him for love and mutual respect. I met the bee keeper god's eyes. He was scared of me and then I felt the stab of pity.
"I did not mean you, Aristaesus." I laughed and pointed to the weed. I tried to put the timid god back at ease. "It's this weed and it won't move." I explained. He crawled towards me and twisted his hand at an awkward angle and took the weed out. "I-It's fine. Just try different methods." He tried a reassuring smile, but failed. "Oh, thank you." I called then went back to weeding the ground. There was no more need for conversation with him. Not when I was in a state of rage about another god. He crawled back to Calla when he realized I had no intention of speaking with him.
"Persephone can be a spitfire sometimes." Calla explained and pushed herself off the ground. "Come on, Aristaesus. Let's go over there and leave her to her weeding." She giggled and helped the minor god to the ground. "Actually,-" He begun. "There will be no argument. You are coming with me, Sir." The tall nymph grabbed his arm and pulled him away from me and the other nymphs. I smiled slightly. He did not look back and focused on Calla. She could treat humans and other natural creatures so frivolously, yet they followed her every command.
I returned to my weeding and felt myself shiver against the wind. My eyes widened feeling the wind caress my face with a familiar chill. Kaikias. He was sending me a message. I could hear his voice. "I will be there soon, Fern." His cold voice whispered in my ear. I looked to the other nymphs, but they did not react to his words. That meant they would never know about his presence. I lifted myself to my feet. "Excuse me." I muttered and walked normally until I rushed the covered forest.
I would give him a piece of mind. Making me wait three months to see him then the thoughts of him teasing and taunting my words. I was foolish to think he would do those things to me. He was a gentleman unlike Hermes and would never hurt me like that, but still the feelings of resentment stayed with me. "Fern, I will see you in three days time." I heard his voice warn in the breeze. What? Then why would he send me the message now? I tightened my fist and punched the nearest tree.
"What are you doing?" I heard a panicked voice say. My fist fell from the tree as I twisted my head in the direction of the voice. Was that Aristaesus? Calla had dragged him away into the cover of trees only minutes ago. I crept towards his voice and peeped behind a tree. Calla had tossed her pink dress aside and stood before the minor god in all her naked glory. She was tall with long white hair running down her back. "Do you want to play Maiden Nymph, Aristaesus?" She coaxed. Her impish smile graced her lips as she pulled him against her body. Her body was thin with tiny beasts with supple, pink nipples. There was a flustered look on his beet red face. "I-I don't know if we should." He said looking behind him, praying someone was there to save him. "Well, I think we should." She teased and rubbed her leg against the space between his legs. "And I think you do too." Her grin widened as she stripped his one shoulder robe down to his hips. He stood there like a frozen deer in fear. He had no idea what to do with her. She was giving him a gift while he was supposed to be at my beck and call in hopes of marriage.
Even my cheeks reddened watching the nymph try to seduce the minor god. I dropped to my knees, not wanting to see what would happen next. It was none of my business, none at all. I felt a burst of laughter about to overwhelm me as I crawled away from the two creatures. His face was completely...terrified as she stood naked before her. Calla usually sought mortal men because they tried harder to please her than immortal ones. Why would she be attracted to Aristaesus? He did not have the ferocity she looked for in lovers. Perhaps she liked to see him squirm. Well, each to their own, I thought as finally reached the clearing where the other nymphs were still weeding.
"Was something wrong?" Willow asked as she appeared by my side. I looked at her. "No, but I can safely say I will not marry Aristaesus." I asserted. My friend raised her brow. "Why is that?" She questioned. "Calla got to him." I explained quickly and she just sighed in understanding.