Part 1: Chapter 2

Ariadne

I heard a gasp coming from somewhere near me in the forest, and I immediately turned my head in the direction, only to see nothing. Following the sound of that audible gasp, there were no more noises except for the sounds of the breeze and the waves.

However, I caught movement in the branches, as though someone had pushed them aside before letting them go back to its original position.

I felt my heart start to race in fear and anxiety.

"Theseus?" I said fearfully, willing my feet to inch closer to where I saw the branches moving. I received no reply, and the pace of my heart quickened. "Phaedra?"

Standing at what I hoped was a safe distance from the branches, I looked carefully past the trees and tried to catch sight of anything that could have caused the branches to move. But there was nothing that I could see except more trees.

"H-Hello?" I called out, my voice quivering all scared and uncertain. "Is… anyone there?"

No response came and my heart continued to race. Frightened, I forced myself to back away from the trees as far away as possible.

Probably just a small animal… I told myself in reassurance as I resumed walking along the sea in hopes of finding Theseus or Phaedra or the ship or anyone who would be so kind as to help me out in my predicament. I could not fight off the seed of terror that I would not be able to find anything or anyone on this unknown island that seemed inhabited to me.

Don't worry, Ariadne … You'll find some help soon … Just pray to the gods… You'll find some help…

Oh, how I really hoped that was true.

Dionysus

She was beautiful.

Regardless of the several meters that separated the both of us, I could clearly see how the girl looked like from my hiding place thanks to my much-enhanced sense of sight.

I could clearly see the definitions of her pretty face that had a pair of beautiful warm grey eyes that held flecks of moss green, a dainty nose and rosy lips. Her lovely face was framed by her silky-straight pale blonde hair that fell quite messily to the curve of her hips.

I could not tear my eyes away from hers, and I could not help but notice the look of fear that was clear in her beautiful eyes and etched onto every feature of her face – from her perfectly arched eyebrows that were pulled into a confused frown to her pursed lips that were quivering.

But one thing that I was absolutely certain about her was the fact that, despite her exquisite beauty, she was a mortal.

My gasp at the sight of her had been from amazement and awe, and it had been loud enough to gain her attentions. She had heard it, and she had immediately turned her head in panic in my direction. Impulsively, I let go of the branches and hid behind a tree, standing perfectly still.

I heard her call out in her terrified voice, "Theseus? Phaedra?"

Again, she called out for those names. I began to wonder who those people were to her. Maybe they were her family members or her friends or her acquaintances. But I did not ponder on that thought for long as I did not think of that as so important. Instead, I began to wonder to myself why did I go into hiding when she nearly saw me.

"H-Hello? Is… anyone there?" I heard her question the trees, her voice still quaking with fear and anxiety.

At that moment, I wanted to reveal myself to her, to answer to her question that there was someone; me. I wanted to see her face-to-face, to have a more clearer look of her beauty. Maybe I could even get to know why she looked and sounded so scared, and offer her some help if needed.

But before I could decide to step out of my hiding place and reveal myself to her, I stopped myself with a single thought.

Don't do it yet… She's too frightened… A sudden appearance by you could only make her feel even worse…

Before I could even get myself to reconsider my choices, I heard her backing away and walking off into the distance. I waited a few more seconds before I got out of my hiding place and peeked through a gap in the branches to see that she indeed was walking off, her arms crossed protectively in front of her chest and her head turning in every direction ever so frequently, trying to find something that I was sure she could never find.

When she was a safe distance far away, I stepped out of the forest and continued to gaze after her. As I looked at her moving form, I could only think to myself one thing.

Who was she?

Ariadne

I was lost… So lost… So very lost…

I didn't know where I was… I didn't know where to go… I didn't know what to do… I didn't know what to think…

No, let me rephrase that last part; I didn't know what to properly think. All that was in my mind was Theseus and where on Earth was he and his ship. Why wasn't he nearby when I awoke on that unknown beach? Why did he not answer to my calls of his name? Why did he leave me alone there?

My mind started creating all sorts of terrible possibilities of what had happened to me.

Maybe the ship had been attacked the previous night and I was totally unconscious when the attackers kidnapped me before leaving me alone on this island.

Or maybe the gods had magically transported me from the ship to this island for a purpose.

Or… or…

I gulped in uncertainty at the thought that came to my mind next.

What if… What if Theseus had… abandoned me?

NO! He couldn't have done that! Theseus would never do that to me! He would never abandon me on some island and run off! He promised himself to me, and I was so very sure that he would keep his promise! How dare I think that he would abandon me?! How could I think of such a thing?! How could my mind come up with such a horrible possibility that was impossible?!

Maybe he's searching for me now… I tried to reassure myself the best that I could. Maybe he's searching high and low for you right now… Maybe he has sent his men to find you and bring you back to his arms…

That thought made me feel slightly better, and hope swelled even more within my heart with each step I took along the beach. I started to take deep breaths to calm down my rising far and anxiety and just started to clear my mind out of nothing but the thought of Theseus and the feeling of safety within his arms.

I had to keep hoping and praying. That was the only thing I could do now.

Dionysus

Throughout the day, I sat languidly on my wooden, gold-plated throne that was decorated with healthy twining and twirling stems of vibrant green grapevine leaves and was cushioned with the skinned furs of leopards. In my hand was my symbolic staff, the Thrysus; a golden giant fennel staff covered in ivy vines and leaves and wound with taeniae and then topped with a golden pine cone. At my feet were two black panthers who were just lounging lazily, one with its head laying comfortably beside my sandalled feet and the other just watching the on-going dance performance taking place.

A group of Maenads were dancing in front of me to entertain me until nightfall, when the time for the real frenzies to begin. Nearby, satyrs played musical instruments expertly to create a catchy and lively tune for the Maenads to dance to. Around the performers, my other many followers were clapping and laughing and shouting out cheers, all clearly enjoying themselves.

One of the dancers was the Maenad who had been with me this morning. Now, she was more sober and clearly was not experiencing any more of wine's after-effects. She danced as freely and wildly as her other dancing sisters, allowing herself to let go of control and just let her body move on its own to the rhythm of the loud music.

Every so often, she would catch my eye and give me a cheeky smile, sometimes accompanied with a wink as well. However, I did not return her gestures, for my mind was occupied with thoughts of that mortal girl on the beach.

Ever since I had returned from my afternoon walk, I couldn't get her out of my mind. I was still full of curiosity about who she was, what she was doing, what had happened to her and why did she look so lost and afraid and confused. I also started to wonder who those people that she was calling out for were; the ones named Theseus and Phaedra.

With each passing minute, my curiosity about her started to become stronger and stronger. But I did not know why it was so. I have seen mortal women before; had bedded a few, in fact. But none of them had left an impression upon me like this one, and I really do wonder why.

But all of a sudden, my thoughts were suddenly interrupted when the music abruptly stopped, the noises were halted, and a new voice spoke from high above me.

"Having fun, Dionysus?"

Hearing that very familiar voice, I trailed my eyes upwards to the god that was floating high above me, thanks to the golden winged headband he wore and his winged sandals on his feet. The god had pale blonde hair that was like soft sunshine and spring green eyes that fitted his bright and cheerful personality.

I stood up from my throne and spread my arms wide with welcome. "Hermes!" I greeted my half-brother with a broad smile. "A pleasure to have you here!"

I was glad that I could see Hermes, my half-brother. I had a close bond with him as both a brother and a friend. When I was younger, I found out that he had been the one to take me away from Mount Olympus to Mount Nysa so that I would be safe from Hera's wrath. For that, I felt absolute gratitude to him, thinking of him as my savior.

I immediately gestured for a nearby Maenad to bring a chalice of wine for our new guest, and she obeyed immediately, running off to one of the many tents where the wine was kept. While I waited for her return, I announced loudly to my followers, "Everyone! Let us hail Hermes, my half-brother and one of my many good friends of Mount Olympus!"

In unison, all of them called out loudly, "Hail Hermes!"

The Maenad returned after a short time with a serving tray holding two silver chalices of sweet red wine. She handed one to Hermes and the other to me, and the both of us clunk our chalices together before downing the sweet liquid at the same time.

Both of us finished at the same time, and Hermes licked his lips whilst I rubbed away the excess liquid from my lips with the back of my hand. I took his hand and brought it up as show, and everyone cheered before returning to their enjoyment.

Taking a seat back on my throne, I inquired, "So what brings you here, Hermes? Surely, it must be the fun and enjoyment that my parties radiate, yes? Do stay here and enjoy yourself if you wish."

Holding his chalice for a different Maenad to fill with wine from a bronze jug, Hermes replied with a chuckle, "I wish I could say that, but unfortunately no. I am just flying around here on my own leisure as I take a break from my duties. Being a messenger is hard work, you know? You have to be out and about every single day. Anyway, I heard music and noises around here, and I could only guess that it was you."

I shrugged. "Ah, yes. Well, it is indeed my specialty to make noises," I laughed. "Anyway, enough about me. Any interesting sights around the island?"

Sitting on the armrest of my throne while watching the Maenads dancing in frenzy, he nonchalantly replied, "A ship with black sails was sailing in the direction away from the island. When I looked at it out of curiosity, I saw that the one who owns it is a bastard son of our Uncle Poseidon who is of Athens. This one recently became a big name as 'The Slayer of the Minotaur', both in the mortal world and on Mount Olympus. He apparently took down the legendary Minotaur of Crete, thus ending the island's tradition of sending fourteen Athenian lives to die in the great Labyrinth."

I had very vague knowledge of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur, which was the half-human half-bull monster that dwelt within it. I only had limited knowledge of the Cretan King's tradition of demanding fourteen young Athenian lives to die in the Labyrinth – either by getting lost in it or getting killed by the monster itself – in order to compensate the life of a loved one he had lost. It was a bloodthirsty tradition, but I didn't mind it too much; considering the fact that I knew how bloodthirsty the mortals could sometimes get.

"This one sounds interesting," I said, not truly giving a damn so much about this bastard son of my uncle. But I only paid attention for sake of conversation with Hermes. "What is his name, this great hero?"

Hermes tapped the rim of his chalice to his lips, trying to remember what the name of the man we were discussing about was. I waited patiently as I swished around the refilled wine in my chalice.

Suddenly, he snapped his fingers and exclaimed, "Ah, yes! His name is Theseus."

When I heard the name being said by Hermes, it was then my attentions on the conversation grew tenfold, as I exclaimed all of a sudden, "What?!"

Hermes clearly had not been expecting my reaction, for he looked at me with a confused and surprised expression. "Why did you react like that?" he questioned me before taking a sip of his wine. "You sound as though you had just found out something shocking."

Indeed, this was something shocking. I just found out that this man that he and I were talking about had the name of the person that mortal girl on the beach had been calling out for. I'd be damned if that person and the man we were talking about now wasn't the same person. My curiosity about this Theseus grew, and I knew that I had to know who he was to that mortal girl.

"No, I'm just surprised," I told him, clearing my throat as I regained my composure.

"And why's that?" Hermes inquired.

Should I tell him? Should I tell him about the mortal girl? At first, I thought that I shouldn't, because the matter concerning her did not seem too important and just too insignificant to bring up. But then again, like I said, the matter concerning her did not seem too important, so why should I just keep it hidden?

So I did tell him.

"This morning, I saw a girl walking along the beach of this island. She was a mortal, and she was very pretty."

"Hmm… Do tell," Hermes said with a cheeky smirk, starting to float languidly around me.

I rolled my eyes, but continued on anyway. "So, I stayed hidden and watched her. She looked completely lost, and really frightened. I could see it in her facial expression that she did not know where she was or what to do. The only thing she did was call out for two people, whose names were 'Theseus' and 'Phaedra'."

"Oooohhhh…" Hermes remarked, clearly getting interested in what I was telling him.

"I don't know, but I've become very curious about her," I admit to her as I continued to swirl around the wine in my chalice. "I want to know who she is, and what has happened to her. But I find it difficult to approach her because she looked so scared and I don't want to scare her any further with my presence. Heck, she even seemed frightened of the trees."

Hermes floated on his back with one hand rubbing his chin in thought while the other cradled his chalice in between his fingertips. He seemed to be thinking of something to do, if I was not wrong.

"Perhaps…" he started, deep in thought. "Perhaps I can help you find out?"

Author's Note:

Introducing our friendly Hermes! Gosh, I've always loved writing about him! :)

Oooohhhh! Looks like Hermes has given Dionysus an interesting offer! Will Dionysus accept? And what of Ariadne? How does she fare?

Find out in the next chapter on Friday!

Muse of Fanfiction