The mountainside was wet from the rain. Trees dripped and rocks glistened as Aphrodite led them down. Bas walked on ahead, a bounce in his step, obviously excited to be heading home, while Zeph flew near Pippa and the goddess, skimming the ground. Once, Pippa had so many questions to ask the goddess, but now she didn’t know what to say.
‘Zeus can change his mind like the weather,’ said Aphrodite. Unlike the Grace who’d spoken in musical tones, Aphrodite’s voice was ordinary. ‘I would have liked to win, of course, but this is a good outcome for you.’
Pippa wasn’t sure. She had no home to return to. How could she keep Zeph? And how would a winged horse live outside of Olympus? Bellerophon had said they couldn’t exist. What did that mean? He would never let harm come to one of his horses, would he?
Pippa’s worry grew with every step she took until it could grow no more and burst out as anger. She glared at Aphrodite and scolded her. ‘You never came to see me. You never brought me gifts. I had no one to ask what to do. I had to make all my own decisions.’
‘When I went down to the mortal realm,’ Aphrodite said slowly, ‘I was planning on choosing your master’s son.’
‘So I was a mistake …’ Pippa felt her anger growing.
Aphrodite shook her head and remained calm. ‘Zeph, however, had other plans,’ she continued. ‘He pulled me away from the stables, towards you. I wanted to let something grow out of love. Not force a match with might. That’s why I didn’t meddle, like all the other gods would have. I knew you had Zeph. I trusted you, Hippolyta, to do the right things. True love is trusting. Completely.’
There was a long pause as the words settled in the air. Pippa wasn’t so sure, but … ‘Do you think I should have trusted Zeph?’ she whispered.
‘Perhaps,’ said Aphrodite with a nod. But then she added, ‘Had you not been ahead of him, would he have flown to catch up? Who is to know?’
‘The Fates. They knew all along,’ thought Pippa aloud. ‘Oh …’ She pulled out the map of Mount Olympus from beneath her chiton. ‘This belongs to them. I promised I would leave it behind.’
She handed the map to Aphrodite, who looked surprised. ‘A gift from the Fates. That is rare. See, Hippolyta, you found your own gifts. Your own way.’ She handed it back. ‘You may still need it.’
‘They told me I would lose.’ Pippa went on. ‘Did they know Zeph would win? Did they know all along?’
‘Don’t give the Fates too much credit, my dear,’ laughed the goddess. ‘They are merely three old ladies, and even they can only see so much.’
Pippa glared at her. She didn’t want to be so easily enraptured by this goddess, who seemed both nice and knowing. ‘If you know so much, what is this? Why was I left with it?’ She pulled the coin out. ‘Does it have something to do with my parents?’
Aphrodite looked at it. ‘I am not sure, other than it is a sign that you were loved – and love horses.’
‘I was not loved,’ insisted Pippa, anger welling in her. She couldn’t believe that’s all the goddess knew. After all this time. ‘I’m a foundling. My family abandoned me.’
‘But not because they didn’t want you,’ said Aphrodite softly. ‘People make choices …’
‘But—’ Pippa started.
‘You made choices,’ finished Aphrodite.
Pippa clenched her fist … then slowly relaxed it. It was true. She had left Zeph and chosen to ride Kerauno because she loved Zeph so much. She knew it now – that’s why her parents had left her. For a greater reason.
‘They really loved me,’ she whispered.
‘Yes,’ answered Aphrodite gently. ‘They did. Perhaps you or I will learn more one day. But you have learned the most important thing now—’
Pippa nodded. It was enough. For now.
For a while they walked in silence, Bas in the lead and also lost in thought. Zeph was no longer flying but trotting along beside Pippa. Considering his earlier exertion, he was still remarkably energetic.
At length, they reached a spot where a stream gurgled and stopped so Zeph could take a drink. ‘I’m afraid I cannot go any further with you,’ said Aphrodite.
‘But …’ said Pippa, flashing the goddess a disappointed look.
Aphrodite took a deep breath. ‘I wish I could. But I must be present at the feast. I’ve caused enough trouble already.’ She placed her hand gently on Pippa’s shoulder. ‘Despite my words, I should have been there for you.’ From the pockets of her chiton, she drew out a bundle wrapped in cloth. ‘Some food for your journey. Follow the rosebushes and you will find your way. They mark a secret path, a shortcut.’
‘What of Ares? Will he harm my family?’ Bas asked.
‘I will do all I can to help you and yours,’ said Aphrodite. She sighed. ‘That god. At least there is the monsters’ pankration for him to bet on. Boxing and wrestling with the minotaur. Such contests distract him from all he’s lost. More than this race, yes. He had a family once. I was going to wager with him again but … well, I suppose we’ll see. Maybe it’s better to let him win one.’
The goddess smiled and turned away from them, heading back up the mountain.
The three continued down the mountainside. Bas was almost skipping now, and Pippa had to hurry to keep up; Zeph trotted behind.
The goddess’s reassurance about his family seemed to have lifted a weight off Bas’s shoulders. Pippa still didn’t know where home was, but at least she had Zeph. She was no longer alone.
She looked back lovingly at her horse. But oh no! His feathers! They were falling out, leaving a trail like snow behind him. His wings were … disappearing.
‘Stop!’ she cried, turning to face him, blocking his way. The little horse obeyed.
He seemed to notice for the first time what was happening. He glanced up the mountain, then back at Pippa. And with a happy whinny took a few more steps towards her, his feathers drifting down to the ground.
‘No! Stop, Zeph!’ cried Pippa. But Zeph didn’t listen. He didn’t seem to care. He had made his choice.
‘What’s happening?’ Bas came running back. He saw the feathers. ‘Is he hurt?’
‘No … I don’t know …’
Pippa touched Zeph’s side, but too late – his wings were gone.
Tears filled her eyes.
‘So this is what Bellerophon meant. Zeus did indeed punish you. Oh, Zeph, I’m so sorry.’
But Zeph didn’t seem upset. A butterfly flew by them, and he tossed his head in its direction and whinnied playfully. The butterfly landed on a rosebush, and Zeph trotted after it.
‘He’s all right, I think,’ said Bas.
Pippa wiped her eyes. ‘But … but …’
‘You’re not,’ continued Bas. He nudged her gently. ‘And that’s OK too. I’ve been thinking. Come with me to Thessaly – and Zeph.’
‘Really?’ Pippa asked, afraid she had misheard.
‘Really. You took the blame. You convinced Zeus not to punish us. My parents will let you stay with us. I have six sisters. What’s one more?’
‘But surely they don’t want another mouth to feed.’
‘One mouth, maybe, but two hands to help. Trust me.’
Pippa smiled. Trust. Just like Aphrodite had said. Bas was right; she would be all right. Zeph too. After all, it wasn’t his wings she loved. It was him. And he was with her. He had chosen to be. Even if he couldn’t fly any more, that didn’t mean their adventures were over.
She picked up a single black-tipped white feather from the ground and slipped it into the rose brooch, just like Zeus had worn his.
Her time on Mount Olympus may have come to an end, but Pippa couldn’t help but feel the real magic was just beginning.
