Talking Through the Grapevine

Theseus sighed as he picked up a stone and threw it into the ocean. Usually, he would be able to make it skip for at least ten times, even if he was having a bad day. But whether it was because he was sitting on the sand or he just didn’t care, the stone sank with a single plop a half mile away.

Hey, just because he was conflicted didn’t mean he wasn’t able to use his strength. Besides, he didn’t want to risk waking up the others with the sound.

At the reminder, Theseus looked behind him and saw that his crew and the thirteen sacrificial victims that he saved were still soundly asleep.

So was Princess Ariadne.

Even from his position, Theseus could see how beautiful she was, thanks to the moonlight making her long, golden hair sparkle. Her graceful limbs were relaxed as a small smile graced her peaceful face. She seemed to be having pleasant dreams.

Unfortunately, instead of making him smile, the storm of conflict within him grew in intensity as Theseus bit his lip and tugged his hair.

Because his crew was right. Princess Ariadne was a brave, beautiful, and kind woman who not only risked her life but also sacrificed everything for Theseus to survive against the Minotaur’s bloodlust. Theseus wasn’t afraid to admit that if it wasn’t for her, he and the others would have probably died horribly in that maze. After all of that, Theseus had to save her from her father’s eventual wrath.

And as he kept hearing his crew say, Princess Ariadne was a great match for him.

Except…

Theseus saw something move at the corner of his eye.

He quickly stood up, with his hand on his sword, but before he could draw it, Theseus quickly recognized it as a grapevine.

That...was planted in the sand. And…growing taller by the second.

His hand still on his sword, Theseus stayed silent as he took a step back while he continued to watch the grapevine unnaturally grow in front of him. For a second, he eyed his sleeping companions and, for the sake of caution, stepped in between them and the grapevine.

Then, when the grapevine was as tall as Theseus was, it stopped growing. For a second, nothing else happened, other than the big bunches of purple grapes swinging a little in the wind.

Theseus clutched his sword.

Maybe he should just-

“Why do you look so tense, Theseus? I was just checking in on you because, for someone who both avenged and saved countless lives by slaying the Minotaur, you seemed awfully unhappy.”

For some reason, talking was not what he expected from the unnatural grapevine. Theseus looked behind him and saw that the voice hadn’t woken any of them up.

“I placed a sleeping spell on them. Don’t worry, it’s a minor one, and it will break as soon as I leave. I just wanted a one-on-one with you.”

Theseus turned back to the grapevine, staying calm. Who would be powerful enough to send his companions into a temporary deep sleep, and not only grow a plant unnaturally quickly but also be able to speak through it? And also didn’t seem to be malicious?

He narrowed his eyes on the grapes.

“Dionysus?”

“Correct! It is I, Dionysus, the God of Wine. And other things too, but I don’t feel like listing them at the moment. But I do feel like thanking you for taking care of that Minotaur for me. You helped me out a lot there.”

“I did?” Theseus asked, dumbfounded as he finally let go of his sword. “But why? The Minotaur was a threat to my people, but...may I ask, what did he do to you?”

“You may ask me, though the answer is a little complicated. It might be easier if you answer my question first. Why did you look so down earlier?”

Theseus stayed quiet for a moment before he sighed and let his head hang low.

“Because while my companions love Princess Ariadne, I...don’t.” Theseus felt the storm of conflict come back with full force, along with guilt as he stared at the sand beneath his feet. “It’s not that she isn’t a great person. I owe my life to her after all. And it’s not that I can’t see myself having a decent marriage with her. But...it would just be decent. Not happy. Because I don’t love her.”

“Do you know why you don’t love her?” Dionysus asked, his voice neutral. Theseus sighed.

“I’ve been asking myself that same question. But I...just see her as a friend. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“And why do you feel like you have to love her?”

“Because...it’s what the others expect of me, after all she’s done for me. Usually, I wouldn’t pay them any mind but...”

“But what? Wait. Is she in love with you?” Dionysus asked, his words edged with something that almost sounded like panic.

“She…” Theseus said as he scratched his head before letting his hand drop with a sigh. “No. She admitted as much. But Ariadne said she could see herself being happy with me. And that she might as well marry me because there was nothing left for her in Crete. Not after her father killed her lover-”

“She thinks I’m dead?!” cried Dionysus, his voice almost as high as a girl while his grapevine form shot straight up.

“Wait...you’re her lover?!” asked Theseus, his mouth wide open, with his finger pointing at Dionysus.

“Yes!” exclaimed Dionysus. “I’ve been courting her for quite a while now. I would have revealed to her who I really was and taken her up to Olympus ages ago, but I knew she wouldn’t be able to leave on good conscience until her father stopped feeding innocent youths to the Minotaur.”

“Alright...that makes sense for her. But why does she think you’re dead?”

“Her father finally caught on to her and me, so he sent soldiers after me. Right as I was about to deal with them, I got an emergency call to Olympus. Because my father made a mess. That I had to help clean up,” Dionysus answered as the grapevine drooped. “Again.”

Knowing who Dionysus’ father was...enough said.

“Darn it. Her soldiers must have lied to her father about killing me. I...really should have found a way to leave her a note. But I never thought that the mess would take so long to clean up!”

“Well, then you will just have to apologize,” Theseus said with a small smile. Dionysus’s grapevine form, which had been practically curling on itself, perked up a little.

“Of course, you’re right!” Dionysus cried as the vine straightened back up. “I have to explain everything to her, of course, but I was going to do that anyway. She’ll forgive me. I know her. I know she will!”

“Then I guess we should leave you two alone then,” Theseus said, relishing in his relief. How could he not, when he was reuniting two people in love? And admittedly a bit selfishly, he was also relieved that he wasn’t being forced to marry someone he didn’t love. Then, remembering his companions, he looked behind him.

“Um-”

“I undo the spell on everyone but Ariadne. I undo hers once you all leave,” Dionysus said. “But first...Theseus.”

Theseus, who had just been about to rouse his sleeping companions, turned to face the God of Wine.

“Just because you are a good man doesn’t mean that you’re not allowed to marry for love. Not loving someone is reason enough to refuse an offer. Do you understand?”

Those words alone, along with the sincerity behind them, were enough to be a balm to fully heal Theseus’ soul after the storm of conflict he had put himself through. An assurance that he hadn’t been wrong to feel hesitation to marry Ariadne in the first place.

“I do. Thank you.”

“No, thank you.”

And with that said, Dionysus waved one of his leaves, and Theseus knew that it meant that the spell on his companions was undone. Theseus quickly woke them up, and thankfully, they didn’t need much convincing to leave Ariadne behind. They trusted him completely.

Well, that and the grapevine thriving in a sandy beach behind Theseus.

It didn’t take much time for them to gather their supplies and get back on the ship. Though by the time they cast off from the island, the sun was peeking over the horizon.

Once the ship was safely underway, Theseus dared to turn his attention back to the island. He was just in time to see a masculine figure in a purple toga and green leaves in his dark hair gently shake Ariadne.

Theseus smiled when he saw Ariadne throw herself on him a mere few seconds later.