To The Aegean Sea

It was difficult to mourn for your passing. Just as it was more difficult to kill the terror in the labyrinth, than to be killed. To be killed cold blooded, among virgin youths and maidens. I would have none the face to show you in heaven. Not when I have sworn you victory. And freedom.

I haven’t the time to explain. When I reached shore expecting a banquet for my, our triumph. You welcomed me. Your body lying lifeless on the shore. And I wept. I wept for the departed body, the lost soul. For the life that sought end for me. For the triumph and misfortune I brought home to Athens.

I defeated Pasiphae’s bastard and escaped through a ball of thread to the sea. It was the love of a princess that saved me. Yes, the daughter of the enemy, just like Medea to Jason. Her name was Ariadne. I watched her all the way to Naxos. Her wood locks wafting in the wind. Her cheeks burning in the cold. If you were alive to allow me, I would have made her princess of all Athens.

But the way back home was a terrible one. I lost her. How it would’ve been easier to bear if I lost her to the sea, or to a disease. But I lost her because Dionysus saw her through my eyes, and longed to possess her. And Mnesemony left me with no memory. Not until I’ve reached shore and found you there. Not until then did I remember. How the night before she melted like wax under the sun between my hands. I failed to turn the sail white and you killed yourself. And I wept. For Ariadne, beautiful Ariadne whom I left asleep in Naxos when I had sworn her queen of land.