A/N: Hello. I'm sorry that this is a week overdue. On July 23, my sweet, beautiful mommy went to sleep and awoke with the angels. She had health issues over the years, there were other times I thought I might lose her. And she'd been struggling for nearly a year with unexplained symptoms. Still, it was a shock, she was only 66. I am putting this explanation here because it felt the most appropriate. There are major changes happening, including my father moving in with my little family. I beg your patience and understanding. These stories are a joy to write, but my schedule will be tight for a little while. Thank you for reading this, enjoy the myth.

Chapter 7

Lycidas and Eumelia: True Love, True Sacrifice

Selene, mother-goddess, embodiment of the moon, smiled down on creation. Tonight, she shared her full face, and silvery moonlight cast in all directions, made everything glow with a soft, misty light. Down on earth, on a secluded beach, there danced a little girl. The girl twirled, jumped, and ran across the sand with the wild abandon that only children possess. Selene watched her with love and pride. The little girl was her own daughter, Pandeia, and she liked nothing better than cavorting about in the moonlight her mother created. Selene blew a kiss to her daughter and a bubble of light drifted down to Pandeia and landed at her feet. The bubble was strong, almost as weightless as the air, and held its own glowing light. Pandeia bounced with excitement. The bright orb was almost as big as she was. She picked it up and threw it high into the air. It returned to her slowly, and she leaped up to grab it, only to toss it back into the sky, immediately. All of Pandeia's focus was on her new toy, her aim was to keep the ball aloft for as long as she could. Her mother remained in the sky, maybe she could teach her ball to do the same.

Selene always brought Pandeia to this beach when she wanted to play where the mortals lived. The strip of sand was long and straight, giving her daughter plenty of room to dance. It was also nearly impossible to reach. Exceedingly tall cliffs ran parallel to the shore. There was no way for mortals to climb up or down the sheer slabs of rock. Some animals could climb that well, goats could be heard bleating from time to time. The calls of gulls echoed across the sky during the day, the calls of owls at night. Selene saw an unusual pair this night. She saw two wolves walking away from the cliffside. Wolves could climb the steep bluffs, but usually wouldn't attempt it unless they were very hungry for goat. As they walked out of the shadows and into her silvery light, Selene smiled. These were not simple wolves. These were her children, who lived in the well-ordered world of men when Apollo traversed the sky but knew the wild wood and unruly natural world under her protective gaze. They existed as two beings in two worlds. They straddled the mostly uncrossable line between mortal and immortal. Their lives were exceptional both in blessings and challenges. Selene saw the two were marked, they belonged to each other and soon would see if their bond was strong enough to last a lifetime. Selene was amused at their decidedly human behavior, a young couple in love strolling down a beach, lived out in their wolf forms. All of her children delighted her.

Lycidas shifted his gaze to the sky. He would swear the Goddess was glowing brighter than she had been moments before. He indulged in the thought that she sensed the love and happiness he felt and shined in approval. He returned to staring at his stunning mate. Eumelia's silver coat gleamed and her amber eyes sparkled with a light to rival Selene's. Lycidas had loved her for as long as he could remember, his attachment had grown throughout his life, from crush, to infatuation, to preoccupation, to true love. He hadn't believed she could mean more to him, but three days ago they had come together in passion and received the first mark of binding. Their connection was now stronger, he felt her in his veins and knew it was the same for her. He always wanted to be with her, but now he couldn't tolerate being separated from her. His every thought was about her and their future together.

In exactly one more cycle of the moon I will be able to call you my mate, and my wife. Lycidas sent to Eumelia these words and an image of them in human form being wed. Eumelia giggled in Lycidas' mind.

You'll have to catch me, first. I won't run slowly, and my sisters won't allow you an easy time either. You'll have to prove you can keep up. You'll have to earn it. Lycidas would always want to prove he was strong enough for Eumelia. She was far too amazing to be allowed to settle for less.

I wouldn't have it any other way, Lycidas answered, truthfully. He nuzzled Eumelia's shoulder, where the glimmering mark shadowed her otherwise light fur. She shuddered, and Lycidas smiled to himself. Their marks were nothing more than that for anyone else. But between the pair, the marks were touchstones, physical manifestations of their connection. They were deliciously sensitive to each other's touch, and induced passion and love. Lycidas' attention was all for Eumelia, but he observed that it didn't go both ways. Eumelia was staring at something in the distance. It was a little girl and she was throwing a glowing ball remarkably high in the air. Lycidas had never seen anything like it. He sent a simple image of the scene to Eumelia with an air of questioning.

It's Mother's goddess-child, Pandeia. Isn't she magnificent? Eumelia sent, then followed with an image of a little girl that looked like a blending of herself and Lycidas. I know our children will be just as beautiful. She had dreamed of being a mother long before she knew that who the father was made a difference. She thought she needed to pick someone who would be good company for herself and her children, that was all. She'd always assumed she would pick Lycidas, he was her only friend that was a boy. But when she learned that she and her mate would make the children together, Eumelia knew it had to be Lycidas. He was the handsomest boy in the village and his father was the handsomest man. She wanted nothing but the best for her sons and daughters. "Grown-up Eumelia" laughed at "child Eumelia's" superficial reasoning, but she had picked right, whatever the reason. Lycidas was her everything and he would be the most incredible father.

The Wolves continued to muse about their future and share their dreams and hopes for how things would turn out. They found the whimsical nature of Pandeia contagious and were soon chasing each other over the sand. Eumelia really could outrun Lycidas in their current form. Maybe she should slow up just a tiny bit on the night of the "chase". After all, she did want to be caught. Lycidas slowed and then stopped. He collapsed heavily onto the ground. Concerned, Eumelia ran over to him, sniffing the air for any scent that would indicate he was hurt. When she arrived at his side, she nuzzled his neck. Are you all right, Lycidas? Eumelia sent, crouching down to be able to look into his astounding gray eyes.

I might not be able to chase you down, Eumelia. You are like a daughter of Zephyrus in your speed. But, I promise you this, Lycidas stopped sending mid-thought. Eumelia got closer, confused by his behavior. Suddenly, Lycidas leapt up and flipped Eumelia onto her back and pinned her to the ground. I will catch you, no matter what it takes. Eumelia was shocked, embarrassed about being tricked, and thrilled by Lycidas' promise.

By this time, Pandeia had drifted to the foot of the tall cliffs. Lycidas and Eumelia lay close to each other, content to watch the glowing orb fly up into the air and float back to Pandeia's eager hands. The tranquility of the moment was disrupted by Lycidas jumping to his feet. On the last toss of the ball it had collided with the cliff near to the top. It didn't seem to do any damage, but Lycidas heard the skittering of small rocks dislodged from their perches. He sent his concern to Eumelia and she jumped to her feet as well. What can we do, Lycidas? She wouldn't understand us if we called to her. And if we approach her, she'd likely be terrified. Eumelia watched as Pandeia threw the ball again. This time it didn't hit the cliff, this time.

We'll walk over slowly, calmly, showing as many submissive gestures as we can think of. If we can get her to see us a big dogs, she might let us lead her away. Kids love dogs, right? It wasn't much of a plan, but they had no idea how much time they might or might not have. They hurried until they were about 20 feet from Pandeia. They then slowly walked toward the little girl, who was still tossing her ball, completely unaware of any danger or her rescuers. The ball hit the cliff again and the couple could see rocks tumbling down toward the beach. They sped up a bit, but they were still careful not to seem scary.

Pandeia threw the ball one last time and then noticed the wolves approaching her. She didn't know what to make of them. She watched them with curiosity, her ball forgotten. Lycidas followed the path of the ball and stared in abject horror. The ball hit a small pile of rocks in a crag on the cliffside and knocked the pile over. There were enough rocks falling now that they were dislodging larger and larger stones as they sped toward the sand. The sound went from a soft click-clack to a building roar of stone crashing on stone. Lycidas and Eumelia dropped their attempts to seem harmless and rushed at Pandeia. Pandeia heard the falling rocks and saw the strange animals running directly toward her. She froze in terror. She'd never known fear before, she'd never been in real danger before. But she felt like something bad was happening and she didn't know how to get away.

Eumelia reached Pandeia first, but only by a few seconds. She grabbed Pandeia's dress in between her teeth and lifted the little girl. Lycidas was right there. He knelt down and Eumelia dropped Pandeia onto his back. The rocks were hitting the ground all around them. A fairly large rock knocked into Eumelia's shoulder as it crashed. It hurt, but she kept going. She and Lycidas were dodging the rocks as best they could as they struggled to get clear of the cliffs. They were going to have cuts and bruises, certainly, but Wolves healed quickly. Then Eumelia heard the sounds that would haunt her for the rest of her life. A boulder crashed with a loud boom and Lycidas screamed. Eumelia spun, and despite the rocks raining down on her, she froze. Lycidas was lying on the ground, Pandeia had tumbled off his back when he fell, and his back legs were under the boulder. LYCIDAS! Eumelia raced to him and crouched at his side, begging him to jump up like he had when he was fooling her. It's ok, we'll get you out of here, I'll dig your legs free! Eumelia tried to start, but Lycidas stopped her.

Baby, there's no time. Take Pandeia and go! You have to save yourself, for me. I love you so much. I always will. Eumelia shook her head violently.

NO! I won't leave you, I can't lose you! I can save you! Lycidas looked at her with such love, but the words he sent were firm.

You can't, but you can save Pandeia. I promised to protect you. Don't make me a liar. GO! Eumelia knew he was right. She grabbed Pandeia's dress again and held the child with her teeth and hurtled away from Lycidas toward safety. She escaped the avalanche and planned to set Pandeia down and go back for Lycidas. It would never work, but she had to try. At that moment, the bond between the lovers broke. Eumelia dropped the little girl onto the sand and began to howl. She couldn't think, she couldn't move, she couldn't breathe. He was gone, Lycidas was gone. Eumelia felt as if half of herself had been ripped away. She collapsed, wishing she was the one under the rocks. She'd never lived without Lycidas. He was a part of her earliest memories and a part of every dream she had for her future. A world without Lycidas shouldn't be allowed to exist. He'd been her world, and now she felt like she was floating in the darkness, alone. Pandeia came over and wrapped her small arms around Eumelia's neck. Eumelia took comfort from the child's embrace. She knew that she and Lycidas had done what they had to. They had chosen saving an innocent life over protecting their own lives. Neither of them could have chosen otherwise. She would not dishonor Lycidas' sacrifice by wishing it away or by ending her life. She would live for him, like she'd always intended. But she would do it alone. Her heart was buried with Lycidas and that was where it would stay.

Selene looked down at the scene with a mix of gratitude and grief. Her little Pandeia was safe, but the cost, the cost. Selene marked Lycidas' soul. He was a hero worthy of rebirth. She kept a close eye on Eumelia. Eumelia kept her word and lived. She stayed with her parents and took in children with no one to take care of them. She was revered by her village for her selflessness and her strength. And every full moon, Eumelia returned to the beach, to the large jumble of rocks at the bottom of the cliff and mourned. She howled her pain into the night sky and remembered the joy that she'd known with Lycidas. Selene was as impressed with Eumelia's devotion and bravery as she had been with Lycidas' bravery and sacrifice. When Pandeia grew up, Selene made her the goddess of the full moon. Pandeia happily took on the responsibility of looking after the lykoi, the people who had protected her.

When Eumelia's soul came to the afterlife, Selene took the lovers and bound them to each other. She gave them the gift of return and remembrance. Both souls would return to earth at the same time. Each time they would find each other and when their eyes met they would remember. They would have innumerable chances to create the life they had envisioned for themselves. And if they chose to be together, her blessing would be on display for all to see and understand. She would give them an eternity together, one life at a time.

The End

Just to be clear, that was only the end of the myth. The next chapter will show Aria's reaction to it. Will she believe it's possible that she and Ezra are soulmates bound to each other for eternity? Will she tell Ezra about it? Please review, I've never written a myth before. How did I do?