Chapter 9 - Dionysus
Dionysus was never very happy when the newest brat was dropped off to camp. Another kid to look after, no doubt another one with an attitude problem of some kind because of how they’ve grown up. Dionysus was
aware that he had once been in their position, but when he ascended to godhood, those memories faded. He wasn’t human anymore, so those types of emotions didn’t resonate with him very well.
Some mortal emotions translated poorly to the gods; they didn’t correlate time well either. Time passed differently for them, so it was hard sometimes to realise that their children were further grown then they’d thought. Sometimes their children died before they even
realised that they should have checked in with them.
Other mortal emotions translated quite well, like love, desire and hatred. Emotions that made humans feel so strongly had the same effect on the gods, just further amplified due to them being so much more than the mortals they so often copulated with.
Dionysus loved his dear Ariadne, so much so that he had absolutely no doubt that he’d turn a violent wrath upon the world should he lose her, just like Apollo had when he’d lost Hyacinthus in both of his lives. It’s why Dionysus was one of the few gods that wasn’t fed up with Apollo and Hyacinthus, and Icarus, and now Percy.
Dionysus had never known Ariadne when she had known Icarus. He’d never known them together, but his beloved had told him many stories. Icarus had been like a brother to her, he had protected Ariadne just as fiercely as she had protected him. Ariadne had threatened Apollo when
he had begun pursuing Icarus, making sure he knew that if he wasn’t completely devoted to Icarus then he had better stay away. And Apollo had listened! Icarus had threatened many people, including King Minos, Ariadne’s father, many times to ensure that she got to keep her
freedom. Before Apollo and before Theseus, Ariadne and Icarus had planned to wed to keep one another safe. Queen Pasiphae had ensured there was no need for that, but Icarus had made sure that Apollo knew that Ariadne’s safety came first. Dionysus liked the boy for that alone.
So yes, he was quite sad that he’d never gotten the chance to meet him. But when he’d married Ariadne, and learnt of what had become of Icarus, Dionysus had been more than happy to help Apollo hurt the West Wind. It was ridiculous that he’d been shielded so fiercely by Hera,
by Zeus, by Eros and even by Aphrodite. But Zephyrus had taken something precious from Ariadne on more than one occasion. He’d harmed Icarus, taken his innocence as a young boy, taken away his ability to feel safe with anyone but Ariadne and had then taken away the boy’s
ability to live a long life with those he loved. Then Zephyrus had captured Icarus’ wax wings and led him too close to the sun ... .and that was the worst thing to Dionysus. He’d forced Apollo to be a cause for his beloveds’ death.
Dionysus was glad to have the chance to meet Ariadne's brother now, well sister in this life. Percy Jackson was surprisingly old for a demigod child of the big three to have only just arrived at camp. But he had also witnessed the fiasco with the sea deity’s, how Rhodos had
stolen her husband’s chariot, how Kymopoleia had stolen Zeus’ storm, Beni had commandeered the kraken, and Poseidon had turned such sheer violence upon Zeus, Athena, Ares and Artemis for the part they’d played in putting Percy’s life at risk. Dionysus had also witnessed Asclepius intervene to protect his mortal parent, the first chance the poor boy had ever gotten to meet them. As such, he wasn’t overly surprised that the girl was older than most when she’d finally arrived at camp.
He hadn’t expected Percy to thank him for loving Ariadne, for sticking by Apollo and Hermes or for her to thank him for helping her. That had made him remember the prayers of a young, terrified girl…. she hadn’t truly believed but had been so desperate for help. She’d begged him
many a time to intervene, to turn her stepfathers putrid alcohol sour so he’d been sick, she’d begged for help when he had peeked on her while she’d bathed and she’d pleaded for help when she’d had to lock herself into a cupboard to try to get away from his drunken advances,
and then his fists when she’d refused him access to her. Dionysus had bestowed a blessing on that little girl years ago, and to know that she had survived had meant a lot. Rarely did he get the chance to see they’d survived, the ones who asked him for help.
Dionysus sat in one of the guest entertainment rooms in the Big House. Percy had Will on her lap, the boys’ golden curls rested on his mother’s chest as he dosed lightly. Beside them was Apollo, with an Asclepius in a much younger form on his father’s lap. Ariadne was smiling softly at the small family, warmth in her gaze for her
now-sister.
Ariadne leaned forward, her hand resting on Dionysus’ knee as she sought more contact with Percy, “You’ve been at camp for a few weeks now. How do you feel?”
Percy met Ariadne’s gaze fondly, “I’m okay. I’m just glad that everything makes a bit more sense. And that Apollo wanted me again. Once I started remembering, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do if he’d wed or had a partner.”
Apollo leaned lightly against Percy, his gaze soft as he spoke, “That was never going to happen. Apart from you; as Hyacinthus and as Icarus, there hasn’t truly been anyone else. Eros has managed to hit me a few times with his love arrows; hence Daphne, but remembering her
was for Artemis, not because I felt anything truly for her. And the rest of my children come from meaningless coupling.”
Percy leaned her head against Apollo’s shoulder and shifted Will a little higher in her arms so that his head was in her neck, “I’m glad….and I obviously feel bad for that. But once I remembered, I couldn’t possibly imagine loving anyone else. I figured if you didn’t want me, I could join Artemis’ hunters. Or I’d merely live out a mortal life. I love Sally, and I appreciate all she’s done for me….
but it’s been so hard. Sally has never wanted to admit that something was wrong or different. She protected me from monsters by bringing a human one into our home. And now that I have Will and Asclepius, I couldn’t imagine doing that. If they’d be safer away from my side,
then they’d never be with me again. I couldn’t bare the thought of them being hurt, especially because of me. And it’s so different to Sparta and to Crete. If I’d had children then, I’d know how to protect them. Sally couldn’t wield any kind of weapon.”
Ariadne sighed sadly, “It’s unfortunately the problem with mortals now. Most never pick up a sword or weapon and never bother to try once they learn of the gods. They put the children at risk by selfishly keeping them close. Mortals no longer sacrifice to the gods; they aren’t taught from a young age to give up something so important –
like food. Because of that, they rarely learn to really appreciate the gifts they’ve been given. Since the fall of the gods from the mortals’ minds, they don’t fear retribution. So many of the demigods are abused
now. Sparta and Crete would never have dared to raise a hand to a child.”
Dionysus intervened, “Many of the gods don’t help the situation either. Rarely do the mortals know who they truly met with. So, when the children are born, especially those closely tied to their parents’ domain(s), they lash out as they don’t understand what is happening.”
“Then they shouldn’t be having children with people they don’t know. I understand that times have changed, but something I don’t like is this. Marriages aren’t perfect, I understand that, but at least you could hold them to account for their children. Now though, there’s so
much that they can use whatever excuse they’d like.” Percy huffed.
Dionysus found he agreed with her. Times had changed but he didn’t believe this was always a good change. Too many children were left without proper parental supervision because there wasn’t a real expectation for the parents to be involved. Especially if their relationship had already broken down.
Apollo spoke up, “I need to head back to Olympus. Artemis is returning shortly and I want to have a few words with my sister.” He turned to Percy, “Am I leaving both of our children with you?” He smiled.
Percy gave him a look, “You’ll have to fight me if you want Asclepius or Will back.”
Apollo laughed, “No need for fighting my love. You can keep them.”
Dionysus snorted softly as he watched Percy toss a smug look at Apollo.
“Go. Your family will be safe with us.” Ariadne smiled.
Apollo cast a grateful look at her before pressing a kiss to Percy’s, Will’s and Asclepius’ foreheads. “I’ll see you all later.”
Percy kissed Apollo’s check before turning to smile at Ariadne and Dionysus, “I’ll take my boys back to cabin 3 to finish their nap. I'll see you both later. Thank you for speaking with me.”
Ariadne brushed a thick lock of black curl behind Percy’s ear, “We’ll see you later. Rest well.”