Love this

Thanks for this xxx

mwahahahahahaha this chapter encompasses all that I love about your writing

weee, finally found time to get to this and am loving every second

Wow – so the epic journey has come to an end! And what a ride it’s been. I honestly didn’t see the characters travelling down these paths when this story began and that’s what’s been so captivating about the whole thing: these guys have been all over the place, they’ve been dragged through so many of life’s traumas and they’ve emerged from it wiser, stronger and closer than ever. I love that about this story – about all your stories: the character progression is so satisfying and believable not to mention the artistry of the words themselves. You have a real eye for detail in a scene and an engaging turn of phrase. It gives your stories weight, as well as action and emotion.

The trust that has been built up between these guys is amazing: Jason sitting on the floor by Hercules and Hercules soothingly rubbing the back of his neck – that’s an image that struck me, straight away.

Jason’s story was difficult for him to tell and was a real emotional wrencher. But oddly, I found that I was almost at peace myself, when he was done, like a weight had been lifted off my chest the way it had Jason’s. His story wasn’t overly sensitised or down-played: it was honest and it really *felt* like Jason. Hercules and Pythagoras had just the right reactions as well and I loved the way gentle, sensitive Pythagoras was practically crying himself by the end of it. His seeking Hercules out for silent companionship and support was very telling and very sweet.

I also loved how Hercules finally admits that he *is* like a dad to those boys: worrying about Jason’s hair, his eating habits, his sleeping habits, his lack of proper clothing… lol! I can see him gently ‘discussing’ his suggestions with the lad until Jason gives in and does as he’s told!

The boys’ final dinner with Meriones was a lovely way to round off their time – I’m glad he says that Jason will always have a room there if he wants it. I’d like to think the two have forged a good friendship from this. But it was Jason’s gift to Hercules and his speech that really touched me – and Hercules, by the looks of it. Yes, Hercules has most definitely been like a father to him and though Jason, as he says, isn’t looking for a father, sometimes there’s a father (or a man who secretly longs to be one) looking for him. But I disagree with Jason when he says he’s too old to need a dad any more. You’re never too old to need you dad and Jason *certainly* isn’t! I hope Hercules won’t let him get away with that ;-) Yes, he will always first and foremost be their friend, but as he proved when he sat comforting Pythagoras on one side and soothing Jason to sleep on the other, he will always step up when the boys need him to be more.

And that was a perfect way to end it! It really appealed to me and I was grinning away at the future possibilities! God, I love semi-evil Pasiphae and the prospect of her trying to juggle maternal feelings with the need for gaining power. I know the word ‘wolfishly’ should probably mean that I’m quite worried for Jason, but oddly, I just can’t wait for her to get her claws (or fangs!) stuck in. :-)

Thank you for such a wonderful story – this review really doesn’t do it justice. Now, I shall of course be eagerly waiting for the next instalment.

Incredible! This is not a story buy a Novello. You are very brave to take on such a subject, and do it so successfully. The character 'Hector' had shades of Jimmy Saville, he made my flesh creep.
Having said that, I really, really enjoyed reading, your story, you captured the Characters so well, and I love the image of Hercules as father figure to his two ' boys'.
Thanks for such a brave amazing story, please write more. x

Amazing final chapter to an amazing story! I loved it! I can't wait to read more from you..

I've loved every minute of this story, well done. Can't wait for your next masterpiece :-)

*Huge round of applause*
That was fantastic, it ended brilliantly too. It's can be really difficult to find when to end or what to end with but that's probably one of the best I've seen. I've enjoyed reading every time. I'll see you next story then. Hehe

Great chapter! Please update soon

Oh my, such drama, I have to say, there is much apprehension for the next chapter. Hehe

This was an amazing chapter. Truly. I discovered it late last night as I was about to turn in and I thought I would give it a quick glance. Well, I soon realised that this was *not* a chapter that I could give a ‘quick glance’ to – it needs and indeed, *deserves* to be read with much more care and attention. It starts off with a fairly slow, calm pace as Meriones calms his fellow merchants down. I’m very glad Sabas was as understanding as he was – the last thing Jason needs is trouble with the Palace Guards in his state (although, unbeknownst to all of them, I suppose Pasiphae would have worked her magic (no pun intended) behind the scenes to get the charges smoothed over). But still, I’m also glad Meriones didn’t lose out on his deal because of this. Jason would have added that to his long list of things he feels guilty and responsible for, no doubt!

I think as soon as Hercules stepped out into the courtyard garden and saw the rain lashing down and the thunder and lightning crashing above, Jason huddled in a building panic attack in the far corner, I knew what kind of a scene we were getting and I wasn’t disappointed: highly emotionally charged and wrought with a lot of pain from Jason and steady, heart-aching love from Hercules as he allows the boy to *finally* crumble. And my God – it wasn’t easy! Jason has really learnt to stifle his emotions, hasn’t he? Holding them back, denying them, is one of his last lines of defence.

His silent tears were a powerful image and made a lump stick in my throat, especially that first silent, desperate sob that just wrenched its way out of the back of his throat as the dam finally burst. You get the impression that it took even Jason by surprise but once he’d started of course, once the cracks had appeared, there was no way of holding back the torrents. That storm that had broken overhead after so much waiting and lurking on the horizon, might just as well have been Jason’s own outpouring of emotion: now *that* was a storm that had been brewing for a *very* long time so no wonder it was as intense as it was. And no wonder poor Jason was exhausted – no fight left in him. Poor lad!

I especially loved (even though it tore at me) Jason’s fear that Hercules would not only find him too repulsive to be around – that it had all been his fault – but that he wouldn’t want someone as ‘dirty’ as Jason, corrupting the innocent Pythagoras (who in Jason’s eyes, was probably worth a million of himself). Hercules’ unwavering dedication and his patience, putting the raging storm to one side was a very touching image and really helped to show how fixed he is on Jason – how important his young friend is to him. His firm resolve that Jason *would not* run again was good to see – even putting the comforting arm about the lad’s shoulders to provide and innocent barrier to prevent any potential escape. I think Hercules has turned a personal corner in how he views his friends, too. If Jason tried to run now, I almost suspect the big man would have no problem dragging him back home if he felt it necessary!

It was sweet of Talos and Cassie to stick around though I did pity Jason when he came back in to see all those people watching and scrutinising him. Still, it forced him to pull himself together a little more quickly so that he wouldn’t disturb Cassie any more than he already had, so that was useful. Once again, she has a brutally frank way of cutting to the chase, regarding how silly it is to have conversations in the rain.

So now Jason is finally ready to talk. I think it’s probably a good thing that his friends seem to be taking the lead and once again giving the quiet, gentle instructions. Although Jason obviously isn’t in anything *like* that catatonic state he entered the house with all those days ago, he’s still somewhat disengaged because now, rather than having to contend with dozens of voices and random thoughts in his mind, he has to sort through the jumble of his recently resurfaced memories and emotions and work out what he’s going to say and just *how* he’s going to get the words out. I don’t envy him but I know the others will be right there, supporting him.

Thank you for such a good chapter. 30 chapters has a nice round feeling to it so I shall look forward to (possibly) the last chapter where all will be revealed.

Thanks for yet another great chapter, I was feeling the cold and wet with Jason and Hercules, your description was so good. At last Jason will face and defeat his demon and be able to continue growing in his family group. xx

Thank you for an excellent chapter – things are really flying towards a conclusion now. I really loved this chapter. That Oracle! She wasn’t as bad as I feared she would be, but still! Jason could have done without her good intentions at the moment and I’m glad his friends were there to stand up for him. Hercules was every bit as dangerously protective as I'd hoped he would be - I was certainly cheering him on when he stood up to Melas. It's not that Melas is a bad guy, because he clearly isn't but that tendency both he *and* the Oracle have to laud the name 'Poseidon' over everyone and then expect them to come running, can get a bit annoying! I thought it was interesting that Pythagoras noted the difference in the way the Oracle treated Jason than she did with anyone else. I don’t suppose Jason has really thought about it before – she’s always been very motherly towards him. I have to say, her gentle way and her words of encouragement did help to soften my irritation towards her. Her ‘push’ to face his final fear could well be what was needed.

I’m very curious to know what Jason has planned for the festival, by the way. The image of him being forced to attend a tea party and having to fend off bows in his hair did make me smile! The poor boy! We need to get Cassie some little female friends. Perhaps Jason can drop her round at Ariadne’s? I think his suggestion on that subject is a good one – she already has an Ariadne-doll, after all. Ariadne’s appearance in this was important for the sake of closure for Jason, I think. While I understand why young lovers are almost bound, inescapably to each other, to hell with the consequences, I’m still a little annoyed at the girl for admitting that Jason would be the one to pay the price, but essentially saying that she didn’t care. It was almost like: I’m willing to risk *your* life to see you again. And of course Jason’s not going to have a problem that. The silly, love-sick boy!

And then that ending. So it’s finally happened. Jason clearly is still not himself – the way his gut instinct kicked in when he thought Cassie was in danger was reminiscent of Jason but with much less self-control and awareness of those around him. He was almost in auto-drive, locked in his memory and merging it with present-day surroundings. I feel sorry for that poor old business associate of Meriones. I really do think that it was only Hercules who could have brought Jason out of his ‘state’ by that point and of course, now Jason really does have no-where left to hide: for the most part, the secret is out and they will all have to deal with it. I just hope Jason doesn’t do anything silly in the immediate future.

Thanks again for an excellent chapter – I shall be looking forward to the next one.

Wow! you are so quick. Yet another excellent chapter. Just as you think things are getting better. another shock. Poor Jason, i do hope he can finally open up and tell his horror story knowing that whatever his 'family' will be there for him. Thanks again for a great story.

...Folklore, I am so excited for the next one, only problem, trying not to fangirl since I'm sitting at a cafe... this is really hard. Hehe