A Goddess of the Earth

Gaia happily smiled, as she rolled around in the wheat fields directly out side of Sparta.

She was no more than seven, and old enough to be shipped away, if her family saw fit.

But they did.

For it was Gaia’s last day in Sparta, before she was going to move to Athens-Sparta’s enemy of the moment-, where she was going to be trained to be a proper woman, trained in the arts, just as her Athenian mother, Drucilla, before her.

But Gaia was a proud Spartan.

She watched her older brother, Stelious, train with their father, the King, the Prince, and many other boys and men. Her brother even secretly taught her how to defend herself.

Unlike many women in Sparta, Gaia was proud to be a girl. Free from being thrown of the mountains edge of fault was found with her body.

Gaia was also proud to know only Spartan woman gave birth to Spartan men…real men.

But another secret understanding with all Spartan women was only a real woman could love a Spartan man. For Spartan men are real men that defend their families, friends, and countrymen, without even a second thought. Thus Spartan men were difficult to love as a result of this.

Gaia’s golden mass of locks, tangled, as she happily laid across the ground, starring up into the morning sky.

Her gray eyes darted across the sky, as she laid in peace listening to everything around.

But a distant march of feet made her tense.

As she sat up, she saw the faint out line of a boy no older than her. With his black hair tangled and matted, his body covered in dirt, with a roughly made wooden spear in hand.

Gaia widely smiled, as she still hid among the tall wheat stalks. The boy still studied his surroundings, knowing he was no longer alone.

Suddenly the boy took a step towards Gaia, looking in her direction. Yet he could not see her.

“It is alright, Spartan. I am a friend,” Gaia softly announced, with a smile still upon her face, as she still sat upon the ground.

The boy smiled,” And what is your name, maiden?”

Gaia blushed, and stood up, revealing herself.

She was much smaller than the boy, which made her feel slightly self-conscious. But with the innocence and beauty that surrounded her, this in turn made the dirty boy fall self-conscious too.

“Gaia,” she answered. The boy smiled wider at her, while she chirped,” And what is your name, Spartan?”

The boy proudly puffed his chest, and announced,” I am Astinos, son of Captain Artemis.”

“I assume you are coming home?”

Astinos nodded, while Gaia smirked and whispered,” Then allow me to be the first one to welcome you back, Spartan.”

Gaia leaned forward, and up upon her toes, as she gave Astinos a brief kiss upon his virgin lips.

Gaia blushed as she withdrew, while her brother, Stelious, called in the distant,” Gaia! Gaia, come back here! It is time to go!”

Gaia gave a brief curtsy to Astinos, while whispering,” I hope to see you again, Astinos.”

Astinos unsurely touched his lips, with his dirty hands, while he watched Gaia run off into the wheat and eventually disappearing all together.

“Gaia,” breathed Astinos.

“The gods have allowed me to be welcomed back by a goddess of the earth,” happily whispered Astinos, as he began to run in the direction of Sparta.