*Back in the Endless Realms*
The Gardens of Time were empty for the first time in eternity. Their master and caretaker, Destiny, was off paying a visit to his siblings and nephews from Mount Olympus. All was quiet. A long shadow was cast over Destiny's realm as the beautiful fates, Atropos, Lachesis, and Clotho appeared and sat on the rim of the centre fountain.
"Father should not have given his book to the Olympians," the youngest sister said to the others, examining her silver shears.
"I agree, Clotho," replied the eldest, "but Father does as he pleases. We do not have the power to question the decisions of an Endless. Even if he is our father."
Lachesis sat silently, measuring a life thread. She agreed with Atropos, but Clotho did make a good point. It was quite irresponsible of Destiny to give out his book freely. Even to the gods of Olympus. Chaos knew that Hermes was known for dropping things. If a mortal got their hands on that book…
"Sister," Lachesis was snapped out of her silent thought by Atropos. "What do you think of all this?"
"Father may do as he pleases. We can do nothing about his decision save speak with him and let him know of our thoughts. He has always encouraged free speech within his realm." She interrupted herself there, holding out the golden strand of life. "Clotho, if you please?"
"Right." And the thread was cut.
*Meanwhile in the Dreaming*
The family looked on as their eldest brother fell from the obelisk on the grounds of his palace of dreams. The former Dream would never return to them as himself. Morpheus would be the new Dream. He would have all of Dream's memories, but would also have his own. The former Dream was to take on his son's name and memories. From now on, he was Morpheus the God of Dreams, father of Orpheus and the current Dream. No one else on Olympus was allowed to know that an Endless was his son. To them, he worked for Dream as Aphrodite did for Desire. To them, the current Aphrodite was not Eros's grandmother, but his mother.
Death sighed sadly. He had been her favorite brother. Technically, he had been her uncle, as she was the daughter of the god Hades and the lady Persephone. Destiny had always been Destiny, Delirium had once been Delight who had at one point been Eris, and the old Desire was now Aphrodite, but Dream had never switched out before. She would dearly miss him.
Destiny put his arm around his little sister. "He chose this, Death. You know that."
"Yes, Destiny. I know. I don't like it… but I know it's what he wanted."
*Back in the Gardens of Time*
Later, when Destiny returned to the Gardens of Time, he found his daughters waiting for him at the fountain. The middle girl held the old Dream's life thread.
"So, you've done it then?"
"Yes, Father," Lachesis answered in a rather saddened tone. She had never liked being one of the Fates, but she was born into it, and besides that, she couldn't leave her sisters to do the dreaded task alone. It was her place.
"Father?" this time it was the eldest who spoke. "Father, I think you were being irresponsible when you gave the Olympians that book. If it were to fall into the hands of a mortal…"
"I am well aware of the consequences, Atropos. I have made sure that not even the gods may look forward into the Book of Time. None may know his destiny until it occurs."
"Oh. Well, that's different, then."
Destiny smiled. He was glad to see his girls taking an interest in the affairs of the gods they looked over. If they could do this well with gods, mortals would be a breeze. His girls, the Fates, would soon replace the Furies If they kept this up. When that happened, perhaps some order would be restored to the worlds.