Olympus war dogs

Regret

The Fates resideded in a hut somewhere along the shore of the River Styx . The three crones , were feared by almost all gods , there jurisdiction was even above Zeus . Truthfully , Athena wasn't surprised that Ares was a little scared of them . Most gods and goddesses were . 

" I think , it would be prudent to try and remain at least civil to one another for the time being . As I'm sure you will agree , Ares ."- Athena began as they glided towards the bank 

" Since when do I ever agree with you about anything ? " - He snorted and stepped back 

Unfortunately just as Ares on the other side was about to step off . Being the heaviest of the passengers , the ferry lurched with Ares'unitentional movement , so abruptly that not even Athena was fast enought to ajust . 

She toppled forward with a tiny yelp of suprise and would have collapsed onto the floor if Ares hadn't instinctively reached out and grabbed her by the waist . 

" Whoa, steady there ! Where are those reflexes of yours now , princes . "- Ares held her firm , she looked up and saw that he was grinning 

Athena , unused to any physical contact with males that didn't envolve punching , kicking or sword- swiping , felt an inadevertent flush rise to her cheeks . She cast a furtive glance at Charon, who merely blinked and anchored the rocking ferry with his long oar . 

" I was about to suppose that you did have gentlemanly side after all , though I should have known I was going to speak too soon . Now , unhand me , if you must . "- She said attepting to extricate herself from Are's grasp 

" Ohhh ! The favorite with the most despised ? Lord Zeus will be most displeased ."- A gleeful cackle floated out across the water 

The Oympians looked up to see tree acient ladies gathered outside the tiny hut , the Fates had been wating for them .

" What a scandal ."- Clothos , cast a sly look  out of the corner 

" Oh stop it . It's not what you think ."- Athena's lips drew into a thin , irritated line as she stepped on the ground 

Atropos , the Fate who wielded the dread shears , cackled as she deftly snipped a thread , the bright red string fading immediately to dull maroon as it fell from her gnarled finger , frayed and broke . 

" Of course dear , that's what , they all say . Ha !"- With every syllable her scissors snapped ,  ending the lives of helpless mortals 

" We don't think anything dear . We simply know ."-Said Lachesis 

" Right , I forgot how infuriating it is being around these hags ."- Ares was scowling again 

" HAGS ? And just whom were you calling a HAG , ignorant son of Zeus ?"- Clothos screeched  as Ares roled his eyes and sneered back at her 

" Ignorant ? I couldn't agree more ."- Athena on the other hand was amused 

" Ares you calling me stupid ?"- Ares 

" I'm surprisde you're even asking , Ares, when you know you are so , all the time ."- Athena 

" Still arguinh like  an old married couple , I see . Young love . "- Lachesis sighed beatifially 

" Excuse me !? "- Ares and Athena's heads swivelled around at once , two pairs of eyes narrowing darngerously 

But the Fates were too busy sniggering to pay  them any notice . Clothos drew out two strands of thread that they were working with these glowed golden instead of red and began to wind them together .

" I marrige , one whole made two halves ."

" One soul in two bodies ."

" Bound together without beginning and without end ."

The Moirae were chating now ,Clothos widing the threads around a rod that Lachesis held out . The Caster of Lots beckoned to Athena . 

" Come , child . I'll wager no godess of crafts has seen such weaving as this ."

Indeed, as skilled with the loom as she was , Athena had never quite seen anything like this . The strings wound together so finely and tightly that they seemed to meld into one , as Clothos said , so that she couldn't distinguish one thread from the other . 

The ancient Weaver cackled and ropped on of the rings , luminous with soft golden glow , into Athena's outstreched palm . It felt warm , yet oddly metallic in her hand . 

" Beautiful."- She breathed 

Ares felt somewhat surprised to feel Lachesis'papery skin brush agains his hand as she pressed the other ring into his palm . 

" Inspect it." - Lachesis

" What do you mean ?"- Ares blinked 

And impatient sigh puffed out of Athena's cheeks as she turned to him with a roll of her eyes .

" You were sent here as an escort and a witness , Ares . Part of your duty involves ensuring that the objects we are collecting are satisfactory ."- Athena 

" It's , uh ... pretty ."- Ares glance back down at the ring sitting in his hand 

The ring flared with brief warmth and expanded slightly to fit his finger , he glanced sideways at Athena's face positovely glowing with relish as she inspected band of gold around her own finger. 

" Regret taking that maiden vow now , don't you princes ?"- He obseverd dryly her eyes narrowed at him with exasperation