Life on an Island

[ariadne--of--naxos]

So, I finally discovered why I’ve been feeling like I’m being watched - and boy, do I have a story to tell.

I was sitting on the beach, again - as you do, when there isn’t much else around - and all of a sudden, the weird feeling of having somebody’s eyes on me got a Lot stronger. Not caring how stupid I might have looked - and in the most likely scenario, there would have been nobody around to see it, anyway - I spun around with a yell, ready to confront (read: shout at) anyone who might have been there. I was actually quite surprised when it turned out that there was someone standing behind me. It was a man, maybe a couple of years older than me, incredibly attractive, and with an unmistakable sense of... presence... about him. All the things I’d been prepared to scream at a potential pervert just died, unsaid, in the face of this man. He was absolutely breathtaking - better looking even than Theseus. It wasn’t until I saw the garland of ivy leaves in his hair, and the pinecone on the staff he carried, that I recognised who he actually was. My assumptions that he was both a man, and young, were entirely wrong - he was no man, but the god Dionysus. Let me tell you, I was very glad I hadn’t shouted abuse at him. I sank to my knees and managed to say some kind of ritual phrase of greeting. For some reason, all the etiquette lessons they give you in the palace of Knossos suddenly dry up in the presence of an actual god.

Dionysus didn’t seem to mind my shout, and sudden silence. In fact, he took it with a wry grin, in remarkable good grace - the gods are notoriously touchy, after all.  “Ariadne,” he said simply, and a shiver went through me to hear the voice of a god say my name. His voice was as beautiful as the rest of him, deep and rich, and I could only look up at him in wonder as he spoke. Every word seems to have imprinted itself on my memory, so I have no trouble quoting him. “I have been watching you since you came to this island, Ariadne of Crete,” he said. “You are one of the most beautiful mortals I have had the privilege to encounter. Theseus made a grave mistake, abandoning you here. I would rectify his mistake, if you are willing, and take you as my own wife.”

How could I say no to a proposal from a god? Of course I agreed! I felt a rush of wild excitement surge through me as he came closer, close enough to touch. And when he kissed me, I could taste the wine on his lips. I might be fickle, falling in and out of love with Theseus so quickly, but truly, I feel as if everything that has happened was to get me to this point. I’ve never felt so happy, more content, in all my life.

Dionysus says he will take me to Olympus with him, and I can’t wait for my new life to begin. I don’t know if I’ll have the opportunity to come back to this blog again - the internet doesn’t seem to be the place for gods - so it’s entirely possible that this will be my last post here. Still, what a note to end it on! This has been a journey and a half, and I’m glad - ecstatic! - that I’ve got to where I am now, in the arms of Dionysus.

Well, then. This is Ariadne, formerly of Naxos, even more formerly of Crete, signing off for the last time.

[ariadne--of--naxos]

Dionysus: according to the woman who took my blood today, I have "party veins"

[ariadne--of--naxos]

Thank the gods that internet is still a thing here. I’ve just seen the news that Theseus made it back to Athens. Things didn’t work out too great for him, though - he was apparently meant to change his sails from black to white if he killed the Minotaur, and his crew would return with black sails if his mission was unsuccessful. His dad, King Aegeus, must have been watching out for a sail eagerly. Because Theseus was so upset about my “loss”, according to this one report, he forgot to change his black sails. His dad saw them, and thinking that Theseus had died, threw himself from the Temple of Wingless Victory in Athens in his grief. 

I mean, I feel bad for the guy, sure. But how upset must he have been if he couldn’t have turned the ship around and come back for me? And he wouldn’t be in this situation if he had just taken me with him. Just saying. I wish him all the best with his new kingship, etc., but I’m still mad.

[ariadne--of--naxos]

So I thought this part of the island was pretty deserted, but I swear I feel like I’m being watched? I’m probably just being paranoid, but I’m going to be careful, just in case. 

[threepanelhorrorstories]

[skrotchevo]

[thespectacularspider-girl]

ZEUS NO

[ariadne--of--naxos]

I am going to change my url, after all. I’m definitely not on Crete anymore - and I don’t think I’m moving from Naxos any time soon. What a pity that “Life on an Island” as a blog title is still relevant.

[elladastinkardiamou]

Naxos

Photo by Katerina Kottaki

[ariadne--of--naxos]

I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS

[ariadne--of--naxos]

He’s just left! Theseus! And his whole crew! I went to sleep last night, finally on a bit of flat ground that wasn’t rocking under me, and when I woke up this morning, they’d all gone! Looking out from the beach, I could just see the tiny dot of his ship, with its pretty distinctive black sails (looking really funereal, not that I wanted to say anything at the time), going out towards the horizon. 

I’m so mad at him! How could he just leave me here! At least I’ve got supplies, and there’s internet (somehow). I’m going to have a pretty bloody sharp word with him when I see him again - oh wait! I can’t! Because I’m stranded on a godsdamn island! 

I don’t know what I’m going to do from here. I’ll have to think of something.

[ariadne--of--naxos]

I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS

[ariadne--of--naxos]

Naxos is a nice place - see the photo I reblogged earlier - but it’s still just another island. I’m ready to get to the mainland right about now. Still, it’s not too far off - only a few more days to go, and then we’ll be there! On another note, Theseus has seemed distant all evening. Hopefully this is just a passing thing - too much time in close quarters can do that, I guess. Once he’s had a bit of space, I’m sure everything will be fine.

Oh well. I’m absolutely knackered - for various reasons. think I’m going to call it a night.

[elladastinkardiamou]

Naxos

Photo by Athanasia Ioannidou

[ariadne--of--naxos]

Well. Turns out living on a ship isn’t exactly the most exciting thing. There’s a lot of ocean out there, and not much else. Luckily, the trip won’t be too long. I’m finding it hard to sleep on the ship - and Theseus being around isn’t making the sleeping any easier, if you know what I mean...

I’ve just asked Theseus, and apparently we’re going to be pulling in to port for the night. There’s an island, Naxos, not too far off, and we’ll be able to light a proper campfire, have a hot meal, and get a decent night’s sleep. I can’t wait.

[ariadne--of--naxos]

Should I change my url? I’m not exactly “of Crete” anymore, am I? I don’t know what I’d change it to, though...

[ariadne--of--naxos]

I’m on a ship! That’s right, I’m off Crete and sailing away with Theseus and his crew to lands unknown (well, Athens, really, but that’s still pretty unknown to me). 

This is the first chance I’ve had to properly sit down and write. I had to leave in something of a hurry - after Theseus came out of the Labyrinth, everything moved really fast. My dad wouldn’t like the fact that someone had killed his means of getting retribution from the Athenians - and he definitely wouldn’t like the fact that it was King Aegeus’ son who did the deed. He had to get out fast, and we both knew it. Luckily, it was late, and there weren’t many people around. Usually, after a few minutes, watching a stone wall loses any kind of interest it might have once held, so everyone else had left. I like to think it was a suggestion from the gods that kept me there to see Theseus come out, but, if I’m being honest, it probably was something closer to a stupidly-hopeful crush. Whatever the cause was, I was watching, all but alone, as Theseus emerged from the Labyrinth, the other thirteen Athenians behind him, and my heart rate started to pick up. I raced down to the docks where his ship was moored, and got there just as he was shepherding the last young woman on board.  “Come on!” he urged when he saw me, beckoning for me to follow the others onto the ship. “We’ve got to go before Minos finds out what’s happened!”

I was about to go when I had a thought. Dad’s ships are the best I know of. We live on an island, after all - sea travel is what we Cretans are good at. Even with a head start, we might not be able to get very far if Dad put the full force of the navy into chasing us down. As much as I didn’t want to do it - it was going to be deliberate damage to my family’s property, after all - I knew there was a way to make sure we’d be able to get away.  “We need to take out the other ships,” I told Theseus. “So Dad can’t follow us.” I saw his eyes light up at that, so I grabbed his hand to lead him to where the navy’s ships were moored. It felt like the most natural thing to do at the time, but I couldn’t ignore the shock that went through me as our hands touched. We sprinted down the docks and, trying to balance speed and stealth, sabotaged every single ship of the Cretan navy. Yes, technically Theseus was the one who did the heavy lifting, but I was the one who came up with the plan and had the keys to get into the closed-off navy docks, so I feel like I can claim some of the credit. 

We got back to the ship as fast as we could, and cast off. It must have been a hell of an adrenaline rush, because as the ship pulled away from the docks, I felt the most glorious swooping feeling of excitement. I’d just left home, probably forever. I had nothing left to lose. I reached up and took Theseus’ face, still battle-worn and exhausted from his fight with the Minotaur, in my hands, and kissed him. I’m not going to share the details, but suffice to say it wasn’t just the cold sea air that caused my goosebumps as we left Crete behind us. Under the power of the full crew, it wasn’t too long until Crete was a rapidly receding dot in the distance. I don’t think I can ever go back there, really. Dad would be unhappy, to put it mildly, to hear of what I did. But hopefully, I’ll find a new home in Athens.

[ariadne--of--naxos]

Oh my gods, he did it! I’m writing this as I see it happen, and my fingers are flying on the keyboard. Theseus has come out of the Labyrinth alive! He’s not looking the best, he’s pretty battered, but he’s alive! He’s killed the Minotaur, then. The Minotaur is - was? - my half brother, but I can’t say I’m too devastated. Asterius was a monster, there’s no other way you can put it. It’s better for everyone here that he’s dead. But, importantly, I’m going to be getting off this island! With a hot guy, no less! Goodbye Crete, I’ll soon be on my way to the mainland!

[ariadne--of--naxos]

There’s a sound coming from the Labyrinth! Most people have left, thinking that the usual has happened - that the Athenians have all been eaten. I’ve stayed, just in case. I can’t seem to make myself leave. If Theseus has survived- I shouldn’t let myself hope like this, but I am anyway.