GOLDEN FLEECE QUEST:A KINGDOM RESTORED

“Now it is time to restore the kingdom of Thessaly,” said Heracles.

“Soon you will be king again, father and you queen, mother.”

Aeson and Medea stared at one another for a moment, then turned back to Jason and shook their heads.

“No, Jason, we shall not rule again,” Aeson said.

Jason and the Argonauts were shocked by Aeson’s revelation. They just couldn’t believe it. Never once had it occurred to them, that the former king and queen didn’t want to rule again.

“You’re not being serious?” asked Jason.

“I’m afraid so, Son.”

“I don’t understand,” Heracles said.

“Neither do I,” said Atalanta.”

The other Argonauts started muttering among themselves and shaking their heads.

“We have our own reasons,” Medea said.

“Please, tell us,” said Heracles.

“For fifteen, long years, we have languished day and night in a dark prison cell,” Aeson said. “Like animals in a cage.”

“Ten, long years, of misery, torment and

half-starvation,” said Medea.

“Now we are weak and weary.”

“Too weak and tired, to rule again.”

“We no longer have the heart in it.”

As Jason listened to his parents, he began to realise just how serious the matter was. So did the Argonauts.

They all felt sad and angry at the same time. Not angry with Aeson and Medea, but with Pelias and Acastus. Heracles felt like beating them to pulps.”

The former king and queen faced Jason.

“Now, it is your turn to rule, Son,” Medea said.

“You will be the king of Thessaly,” said Aeson.

Jason didn’t know what to say. He knew that he had to reveal what he told Heracles and Atalanta. There was no way of getting out of it.

“What is it, Son?” Medea asked.

She could sense that something was on Jason’s mind and so could Aeson.

“Tell us, Son,” said Aeson.

“It’s rather difficult to break this, but I don’t want to be king.”

A moment of deep silence fell. Aeson and Medea, simply could not believe what Jason had just told them.

Neither could anyone else, except Heracles and Atalanta.

“You – you don’t want to be king?” Medea asked.

“I don’t want to be king.”

“But you are our son and heir,” Aeson said.

“We have no other heirs.”

“I know, but my reasons are strong.”

“Go on,” Aeson said.

“Well, for one, I do not believe that I am destined to be king. In other words, I do not believe that it is my destiny to rule Thessaly.”

“So, you believe in destiny like your mum and I?” asked Aeson.

“I do, yes, but I do not believe that it is my destiny to rule. I believe that my destiny lies elsewhere.”

There was another moments silence.

“Well, if that is how you feel, then neither your mum and I can hold it against you,” Aeson said. “One must follow their destiny.”

“Where do you believe your destiny lies?” asked Medea.

“With Heracles and Atalanta.”

Neither Heracles, nor Atalanta were surprised to hear that, unlike everyone else. Jason’s parents could make no sense of it.

“I don’t understand,” said Aeson.

“Neither do I,” Medea said.

The other Argonauts started muttering and shaking their heads.

“Over the years, I have come to regard Heracles and Atalanta as family. Heracles has been like a second father and Atalanta, an older sister. They raised me to manhood and accompanied me to Colchis and back. Never have they left my side. Therefore, I feel bound by love, friendship and destiny to them. Where they go, I go – whether it be to other kingdoms, on other voyages.”

“Jason told us as much on the return journey,” said Atalanta.

“He did?” Aeson asked.

“Yes,” replied Heracles.

There was a deeper moment of silence. It was a lot for Medea and Aeson to take in.

“Well, if that is how things are to be,” Medea said.

“The point still stands, we have no other heirs,” said Aeson.

Jason had no need to worry about that.

“That, will be taken of,” he said. “I know just the person to rule in my place.”

A surprise that came to everyone, but Heracles and Atalanta.

“You do?” asked Medea.

“Yes, Helios shall rule in my place, as future king.”

Helios could not believe what he had just heard.

“Is this Helios present now?” Aeson asked.

“He is,” replied Jason.

“Bring him forwards,” Medea said.

Jason beckoned Helios forwards.

The Argonaut bravely approached Aeson and Medea.

“So, you’re Helios?” asked Aeson.

“Yes, I am Helios.”

Aeson and Medea looked at one another for a moment, then faced Helios again.

“Tell us, Helios, why did you sail with Jason on the return voyage?” Medea asked.

“Because I wanted to leave Colchis, to get away from King Aeetes. I used to live in the palace. I have no family and I was no slave either.

“A vile, ruthless king is Aeetes. Those who get on the wrong side of him in any way, are tortured to death in the most brutal, ghastly ways imaginable. I wanted to plunge a sword straight into the king’s evil, black heart.”

Aeson and Medea, were moved to very deep sadness and sympathy for Helios, as he spoke.

“If it hadn’t been for Jason and the other Argonauts, I would never have been able to get away. I may not have been a slave, but Aeetes has an iron grasp on everyone living in the palace. Heracles saw to it that the king let me go. Then I sailed onboard the Argo and here I am.”

There was a deep moments silence.

“You tell a sad story, Helios,” Aeson said. “It moves me to deep sympathy.

“It moves me too,” said Medea.

“Tell me, Jason, why have you chosen Helios to rule in your place?” Aeson asked.

“Because he has always wanted to be a king, to rule

peacefully.”

“Helios said as much in Colchis,” said Atalanta.

“That, is what I want for Helios,” Jason said. “Henceforth, the kingdom of Thessaly, shall be his.”

Aeson and Medea looked at Helios for a moment and nodded, before turning back to Jason.

“He looks trustworthy enough,” Medea said.

“I agree,” said Aeson.

“Very well, Son. If that is what you truly want?”

“It is.”

“So it shall be then,” Aeson said.

“Helios, will be the future king of Thessaly,” said Medea.

Jason, could not be more pleased. Helios on the other hand, was over-joyed. He was going to be a king with a fine kingdom to rule.

So it was to be.

When Aeson and Medea were recovered, Jason crowned Helios king of Thessaly.

After that, Jason went off with Heracles and Atalanta. Though he did promise to visit Iolcos, from time to time.

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