Previously:
"I must confess" he plays with her necklace "I do not believe I can withstand another day in the cold, absent your warmth."
She brushes his hair back, smilingly softy at the sentiment.
"You have found my heart at the bottom of the sea." he murmurs sleepy.
Her eyes enlarge at his declaration but before she could react, his eyelids became heavy and the sleep he so desperately wanted has come to take him.
Olivia whispers in his ear "You are correct, my king. I plucked the stars from my eyes and planted a map amongst the sky, because I knew you would find your way back."
She places a reverent kiss on his lips "Not even the gods could part us." She devotes before exiting the bed and allowing him rest.
His eyes flicker briefly at her confession but he does not move.
X
He remembers this place.
The smell. The flowers, how the sun spans as far as the ocean.
Her fingers brush his thick mane. Humming a chant he has heard before from where he is uncertain. He knows this isn't his reality, but simply is a dream. He does not mind, his only request is that remain here and hope that he may never wake up from this reverie.
"Times up" She whispers knowing that he is awake
"No" He whines softly, crawling towards her warmth
"I'm afraid, time is not on our side, son."
His eyes open. The quick moment of foreshadowing leaves him uneasy, her smile does disarm him and settle some fear. How could it not? His mother is the gospel and he completely submits to her will. A mother's love is all we know in this world, and it is her words that comfort him when faces his father's wrath. Despite fear as long as she is near, he is happy.
"What do you mean, mama?"
She kisses his forehead "Cast not doubt, sweet boy."
"What is wrong with time?"
She shakes her head foolishly knowing, her ever-inquisitive son will not let her moment of fear go.
"Time is what we all want, but have so little of." her voice is soft, ethereal. "It is why, we must seize our time and ensure we spend it wisely."
"I shall relish my time with you, mama." He kisses her hand before closing his eyes again.
"As I shall with you, my son." She whispers looking upwards towards the sky.
/
His eyes open at the smell of salt water and waves crashing.
Something is amiss.
"What is wrong my love?" Olivia whispers cradling Fitz's face in her hand.
"Where am I?" his eyes follow across the large room, taking note of the furnishing.
"We are on our way home, My king," Olivia whispers delicately she is aware of Fitz's delicate state. He is not the same, and there are moments that plague her as she wonders if her husband shall ever return to her as he once was. Fitz is there, she can feel his heart, but there is a shift in balance. The man that sleeps adjacent her is wilder, angrier. The cast of darkness over him, will not fade despite her prayers and pleads.
Fitz is changing. And she fears what he may become
He can hear the waves crashing against the boat. "Did you think it was wise to move suddenly, my thoughts and my world are still hazing with questions and confusion."
"No" Olivia agrees "I did not think it would be the best choice, but...it is the only choice we have."
"What did you give me?"
"A potion, to ease mind and allow for slumber. Did it help ?"
He stares at her large brown eyes, and there he can see the speck of stars radiating from "Yes it helped. My mother came to me. It has been years since I've seen her."
"I wonder why?"
"I am not certain why she has been kept from me all these years, but there is a reason." his minds drifts back to the her.
"What do you think it is?"
"I haven't seen my mother in years that I forgot, what she looks like. How she smells, I forgot her embrace..." his voice breaks off.
"That must be sad."
Fitz shrugs "my memories of her remained doormat until today. "
Olivia doesn't say anything. But fear does manage to creep inside her soul and leave her momentarily breathless at what this could mean for Fitz.
"She mentioned time. I believe she is coming to warn me."
"For what ?" She whispers, praying to the gods she has somehow misheard Fitz.
"I don't know. But I shall find out"
/
"Fitz is everything okay?" Olivia walks out with Fitz to the end of the boat.
"Yes." He kisses Olivia "Do not worry, Little Fox." He tucks her hair behind her ear.
"Wha is that?"
"Just a small storm." Fitz smiles softly to ease Olivia's anxiety
"It looks as though it is heading towards us."
"We shall be safe." he promises her, kissing her soundly on the lips.
"Fitz… I am worried about you?"
He stares at her. She has aged since he first saw her. Sadly he knows, his life and troubles have aged her more than anything. "Ease doubt, and seek comfort in knowing that I will always protect you."
"But who protects you?"
That is the million dollar question
"No one." Fitz simply.
"I will protect you Fitz." she hugs him and all he can do is wrap his arms around her tightly. Her innocence and naiveté are still present.
"I appreciate it." her murmurs in her hair.
Fitz takes a moment, and rubs her stomach. Olivia jumps at the touch "Are you okay?"
"I got shocked by something."
He grabs her hands "Is my son okay?"
"Yes." Olivia laughs placing Fitz's hands back on her womb "he is more alive now and active now."
Kissing Olivia he is reminded of his place in the world "Good."
"I love you, Fitz."
"And I love you." He kisses the crown of her head. "Always."
/
"Hector, my son." Fitz kisses the young boy affectionally.
"How are you Fitz?"
"I am better."
Hector nods happily at the confirmation.
"I come to you son, as we encounter dark times. I must rely on you more to protect your mother and our people."
"Are you worried?"
He ponders for a second before answering "yes, I am worried."
"What must I do?"
"We shall continue training. Olivia shall rule in my absence and you shall rule in hers…this is a big responsibility, do you believe you can handle it?"
"I do worry that your men will not listen to me. I am only a boy."
"I was only a boy too." He sits beside Hector on the chair.
"If you believe I am worthy…"
"You are my son."
"But what about your son?"
"You are my first son." He rubs Hector's head "You are made in an image that mirrors my own. The difference between you and me, is that I will ensure you have the life, I was deprived of. And I hope that I lead you on a trajectory that is flourishing with an abundance of happiness."
"Why does it feel as though you are saying goodbye?"
Fitz looks down at the young boy "Because I am."
/
He lays in bed, with Olivia.
He took solace in her heart beating in his ear.
"How are you?" Olivia asks so kindly
"I am getting better." Fitz responds kissing her hand "and you?"
"I will be much better when I can be home with my family, safely."
"You shall."
"Fitz…"
"Yes…"
"I feel at times, I don't know where you are and it scares me."
He looks up at her troubled face and he can see that he is not the only one hiding his fears.
"I am lost, Olivia."
"Are you turning into Grey Horse again?"
"Would you like for Grey Horse to return?"
"I just want Fitz. And if that includes Grey Horse, then I too rejoice at his embrace."
There it is.
The defining moment of his day. Looking inside the depth of her eyes, he can see her life force. Spellbinding and eternally indebted to her servitude. His mind is clouded with fragmented memories and disillusioned reality, but here with her, he understands the infinite.
As long as she lives, he shall too.
With Olivia by his side, there is nothing and no one who can stop them.
"I am uncertain of my place in this world, but with you by my side, I can become everything I am destined to be."
Intertwining their hands, they marvel at the contrast. Brown and white. Hot and cold.
"Do not worry about destiny. Your place is with me." kissing Fitz on the lips, she stops his moment of doubt and worries.
"Olivia, there is a darkness cast over me. As though the more I try and reform, the more difficult it becomes to change and adapt. I am tethered to this darkness that I am uncertain I can overcome"
"What does that mean?"
"I cannot articulate the meaning, but I feel darkness is upon us. The closer I am to the light; the stronger darkness attempts to overpower me."
"What does it feel like?"
He is silent for a moment, finding it best to describe the emotional turbulence he faces every day he draws breath.
"It feels as though I am drowning. The more I swim to the surface the deeper the force attempts to take me away. Pushing me further against the current. Further away from you."
"Whatever happens, take my lips and words as a sacred oath."
"And what words are that?"
"You have found my heart at the bottom of the sea. And I have captured yours in turn."
"Yes, you have my queen."
"I will not give your heart back. It is mine." Olivia's answer is firm "And the darkness that lives inside you does not frighten me. I am yours and you are mine. Is that understood?"
"Yes, my queen. I understand clearly."
Olivia examines his head, satisfied that his wound is healing properly she kisses the healing wound before closing her eyes and going to sleep.
"Rest my king, you have a world to lead."
/
He walks into the council with Olivia by his side.
"They will not approve."
"They have no say. They will accept or they will die."
"Fitz...death is not the answer." she stops him
"Then what it is?"
She stares at her husband for a second alarmed at his coldness "We bleed the same, though we may look different. It is these differences that make the world complete. We are democracy, we are the republic, we must be accepting of differences of opinions."
Fitz agrees, but still, his hand remains entwined with Olivia as they walk to the council. He opens the doors and immediately his men arrive and bow at their king's return. If they objected to Olivia's presence, then cloth certainly shielded emotion as no one appeared alarmed at the sight.
Dressed in his dragon-scale armor, he opts not to wear his helmet. There is no point in hiding the truth as Olivia has allowed their people to cast eyes on her without obstruction, and for that, Fitz must do the same.
One dark metal chair sits facing the congressmen. With care, he places Olivia on the chair as he stands beside her.
"If anyone has complaints about my queen's presence at this meeting, speak now. And allow your objections to be heard."
One older man with white hair presents to the congress. "While I am indebted to your wife for facilitating your safe return, a woman's presence is not allowed at this type of summit as she has been before."
"I have taken your words into consideration," Fitz says walking around the center stage "but your remarks are voided. This is your queen. She has ruled in my absence and will continue to do so. If any man does not approve of their queen, you are free to leave." Fitz offers pointing to the door, seeing no men leave. Fitz shakes his head in approval "This shall be the last we speak on this matter. And I will make this clear. My words are definite, my rules are unbinding, disobey my commands and I shall allow you to be examples of my punishment."
One by one the men whisper amongst each other, but none speak up for fear of retaliation.
"Silence!" Fitz yells effectively muting the badgering men into submission. "Let me remind you all, who you serve..." Feeling Olivia's disapproval, his tone changes. "Your queen has saved our harvest, improved our profits, and reduced our spending... I will not claim this management as my own. You will respect her. Is that understood?"
"Yes, our king." The men say in unison.
"Now. Tell me about my enemies, general."
A short stubby man walks to the center, facing both his king and queen with trepidation.
"A new player is emerging into the battle. Lord Atticus..."
Fitz remembers that name, that man was a part of his father's council. However, when his father found that he was stealing from him, he had Fitz murder him and his family, but Fitz allowed the young boy to live.
He is impressed with this new information. Despite his abandonment, the young boy managed to turn into a man and turn his misfortune into a fortune.
"What has Lord Atticus done?"
"He is slowly taking cities and claiming them as his territory. I believe we should ignore this man."
"No." Fitz walks down "he is creating an army for me. His ambition is on my behalf. He seeks Grey Horse." Fitz chuckles softly "he shall meet him soon."
"Grey Horse," Olivia speaks alarmed that he was willing to leave once again without thought.
He turns to Olivia and takes a moment "I will not make hasty decisions. Send a few thousand men to the cities and remind them of their allegiance to us. Bring food for them, remind them of our generosity and sacred oath to take care of one another."
"Our people are forgetting me, and my enemies have found my leniency to be weakening. I will secure our home, and ensure harmony flows effortlessly through the vines and river. Only then shall I leave and make my presence clear and my pledge of fealty to my people."
The meeting continues and Fitz absorbs the information. He opts for silence, finding that there must be a decorum in this sacred temple where grievances can be shared, and words can freely fall from lips without persecution.
/
"I don't agree with you leaving, my pregnancy is advancing, and I shall need you by my side."
He stares out the window watching the sun turn to dusk.
"It is not a matter of desire, but necessity. My absence makes my enemies bolder and the threat higher. I would like nothing more than to stay with you, but as my kingdom advances, my enemies shall follow in greater pursuit."
"What is it about this Lord that frightens you?"
"I was ordered to kill his family by my father. And I did as I was told. I slaughtered his father, his mother, and his younger sister but I left him to fend for himself."
A cold chill runs down her spine. The tone, and the lack of emotion, do frighten Olivia at times. Fitz's recent psychological warfare still manages to haunt him, and his dreams are morphing into a reality that he is still fighting to wake up from.
"Do you feel remorse?"
"I try not." his eyes lock on Olivia.
Olivia comes behind Fitz, wrapping her small arms around his larger frame.
"We are all with sin, my love. You shall continue to walk on a path that leaves you with eternal peace and grace."
His head falls at her sweet convictions.
"I am not who you think I am, Olivia."
"I know you. And will kindly request you stop opening your mouth with foolish lies. I love you, and you love me. Regardless of what the gods say, we have managed to find one another in this world.
Fitz gazes at Olivia, her teal gown flowing effortlessly down her body, and he wonders if she is the physical embodiment of Olympus.
"Wherever you go. I shall follow." Fitz promises.
/
The song.
Ancient words are whispered into his ear. He remembers hearing this enhancement before. When he was caged with the other slaves and forced to fight for their freedom. But it is not the elder singing to him, but his mother.
He remembers. He's back.
The intricate details are clear. The hummingbird flapping its wing sucking nectar from the flower. The long stem roses, with a variety of colors; The sweet honeybees flying around as they work to provide for their queen. The wind hits him in the face as he basks in the sun.
"Mama, one day I shall hold the yellow beam and gift it to you." He's only five years old. His voice is whimsical as he thinks about his future.
Her blond curls sway with the wind, and Fitz can smell her floral scent. She is beautiful.
And that is why his father married her. Her beauty granted her freedom from being a slave, yet once married she saw that the only difference was that her cage was just bigger and she dressed nicer.
"My sweet boy" she kisses the crown of his curly mane "you are both the large white star and the yellow beam."
"Good." he smiles happily "Then I have given you what I promised."
"Fitz..." she stares at him; it is a moment of reflection and fear "Because you are different many will attempt to take from you, my son. Some will appear scary and others will appear normal. It will be difficult to know who too trust but you must always go with your instinct."
"Why would they want to hurt me?" He turns to face her, inquisitive as always.
"Because you are the fallen god from Olympus."
He smiles "Mama, I am just Fitz." he laughs jokingly as a child his age does.
She wipes the lone tear "Yes, you are my son but you are more."
"Do not cry, mama. One day I shall be king, and I will protect you from father. I just have to get stronger."
She reaches for her son, cradling him in her arms. Her protruding stomach blocks the complete embrace of mother and child.
"You will be the greatest king, my son. You shall claim both the stars in the sky and the land and sea. The world has waited a long time for you to come. It brings me tremendous comfort in knowing that my suffering was not in vain. For your father gifted me you. My happiness." She whispers in his ears as tears flow freely down her face.
"Mama why cry?"
"I have tried to shield you from the world for as long as I could. But I fear my time is ending and destiny is beginning."
"What? I do not understand."
"You are special my son. Powerful. You were touched by the gods."
"Will I be stronger than father?"
"Yes, Fitz. You will be stronger than all men."
"Then why am I so weak?" For his age, Fitz is the smallest in his class and is a sick child. Many times death came to his door, but would not enter.
"You are not weak my son. Strength is not based on size."
"That is not what father says."
"Your father is unkind, but he is not a foolish man. He knows your worth."
She looks to the west towards the waves and watches as the sun begins to hide. " I do not have much time…so you must heed my words."
"You are the gift sent from the gods. You fell from Olympia into my womb. You bleed my son, but because you once belonged in the clouds your abilities are enhanced. Your senses are astute. Your power is unbound. You are the chosen one."
Like any five-year-old, he relishes the thought of being stronger than anyone. To being the fastest. To being the best. But he can see from his mother's pained expression that she does not carry the same sentiments as him.
" Are you not happy for me."
She changes her expression to one of happiness. Kissing Fitz around his face she smiles proudly "Oh my son, you are my pride and joy. But I worry as any mother does about her child. For your safety, and your happiness are the constant in all my thoughts."
She kisses him, cradling her son in her arms. "Many shall search for you, far and nearer. Because you fell from Olympus. They all wish to be around the chosen one. But many will target you out of envy, pride, and greed. "
"I will be careful."
She shakes her head in agreement "I know." Standing up she lifts her hand for Fitz to grab and without thought, he does and walks with her down the river.
Reaching down she breaks a few blue flowers and hands them to Fitz.
"Forget me not."
/
"No!" Fitz yells from bed. His eyes turn ashen white.
"Fitz wake up." Olivia shakes him repeatedly, frightened by the sight of her husband.
"You will not take her!" Fitz's voice vibrates, and his body arches off the bed. The boat manages to shake at his strength.
All Olivia can see is the white in his eyes and the flushness to his face
"Fitz! You have to fight them!" Olivia screams, shaking Fitz with all her strength but he will not wake up.
He stops screaming, his mouth is agape, he's gargling for air. Suffocating on an invisible force.
"Fitz!" she cries, seeing that she is useless in this fight for Fitz.
"Mama" he gargles with his hands reaching out for her.
"Fitz, please fight them." Olivia sobs loudly as all she can do is listen to Fitz's heartbeat as her only sign of life.
After a few seconds. He stops fighting and Olivia is uncertain whether she shall be scared or thankful. But as long as his heart beats, she knows he is with her.
Minutes pass and Fitz begins to move. His eyes are large and wild. Sweat drips down his face. His breath is heavy and labored.
"Fitz" Olivia cries falling onto his chest "Are you okay?"
A lone tear falls from his eye "No. I am not."
"What is happening?"
" My mother came to me, a memory that has remained locked until now."
"What was it about?"
"My destiny."
"And what about it?"
"I am the fallen god."
She is stunned. Fitz is different from anyone she has ever met, but the confirmation that she has fallen in love with god.
"Who is your father?"
"I don't know."
They lay in silence. "I fell in love with a god." Olivia smirks.
And for the first time today, Fitz smiles "And I fell in love with a fox."
Olivia laughs moving to hug Fitz tighter. "will our son possess your gifts?"
"I pray not."
"Why?"
"It is a curse. Not a gift."
"That is not true. Fitz, you are the liberator"
"No, Olivia I am the enslaver."
A chill falls down her spine. She is aware of Fitz and his damage. But she knows his heart and the validity of his conviction to right his wrongs. To atone for his misdeeds, yet she feels impending doom though she too tries to hide her fears from him. Have the gods called on her husband to do their bidding?
"Why were you screaming for your mother?" Olivia changes the subject.
He stumbles trying desperately to remember. But the memory vanishes into thin air.
"I can't remember...it was my mother."
"You were screaming that they can't take her."
"Was I?" Fitz drifts away hoping to remember.
And he remembers her scream.
"He took her."
"What?" Olivia whispers unsure if she heard Fitz.
"My father took my mother."
"Oh Fitz."
They lay in silence, neither speaking both afraid of what the other may whisper to the world.
"Once we are settled at home. We shall journey home to meet my father."
She pulls away "Fitz, I do pray we rest mouth and mind before making these sharp decisions."
"My father knows what happened to my mother. This is beyond my control, Olivia. The hour is upon us. My dreams are becoming vivid, my nightmares are staying with me beyond slumber. My son shall arrive, and I worry about the fate of his future if I cannot control my own."
"Not at this time." Olivia pleads "We can worry about this later, once our son is protected in our arms."
Fitz stares ahead, looking at the wooden beams on his ceiling "Our son is safest in your womb. Because darkness follows my every move, I must ensure it will not follow him as well."
/
He's home.
Snuggled in the bosom of his mother's breast. She reads him a story that was passed down to her. He does not make a sound, her voice is like the rain. Soothing, comforting, nurturing, he falls asleep in her arms. And he can't think of a more perfect world.
The large door opens and his father comes drunk, staggering, and aggressive.
"Fitz is asleep."
"I don't care!" He yells pushing Helen onto the bed
"Not with him present. Please"
He slaps her hard "Do not disobey your king!" He screams in her face.
Hidden under the covers Fitz cries, he wishes to protect his mother but he can't. He's not strong enough.
His father laughs at Fitz shaking under the covers "My coward son!" He pulls the covers from Fitz "You will bear witness!"
"No!" Helen screams
But he slaps her again and wrestles with her until finally she gives up.
Enraged. Helen pleads for Fitz to turn away. But he's had enough.
"No!" Fitz screams shaking the ground beneath them. He charges towards his father pushing him clear across the room.
"Leave her!" Fitz yells
Stunned King Areus stumbles to his feet.
Shocked. Sober.
He backs away and closes the door.
Who is his son?
Helen consoles Fitz, praying that somehow the king will forget this moment. If not, she is uncertain how long she will be able to conceal Fitz.
/
He walks out facing the water. The waves crash against the boat, the sky is dark and foreboding
He will not alarm Olivia, with his fears. She is in a fragile state, and he must ensure that his family remains safe.
"What do you want with me!" He shouts to the gods " I will not bend to you!" He yells with disdain " I serve no god. You will not scare me!"
Lightning strikes the ocean, and he knows Zeus sent the bolt as a warning.
He takes a moment to stop his tirade, fish deep in the sea rise to the surface.
Dead.
He looks up at the sky, his grey eyes mirroring that of the storm. What is it that he wants from him? A war? Gold? They robbed him of happiness as a child. He will not let them take her from him.
With tears falling down his face his hands reach toward the sky and yells "She is mine!"
Thunder shakes the ground beneath and lightning manages to strike Fitz, only he does not fall to the ground but absorbs the bolt. His eyes turn white, his lips tremble every so slightly. His hands stretch to the ocean and the dead fish that follow behind his boat rise out of the water and with a scream, they are struck by lightning again and fall back into the water.
This time though.
They are alive.
His eyes return to normal, and he looks at the ocean for the dead fish but can't find one. His eyes flicker with uncertainty, he rubs his hands still managing to feel the electricity rush through his veins. But it can't be possible. It is not possible.
What is happening to him?
What is he becoming?