The cool breeze was fragrant with the sweet scent of flowers. Spring had arrived and the earth rejoiced at Persephone's return, yielding fresh growth everywhere. The grass was growing thickly underfoot and the trees were budding with flowers. The sound of bees budding and birds chirping greeted Hazel and Frank as they led their flocks to pasture in a clearing today.

The animals were looking healthy and fresh again. The sheeps' coats were soft and downy, their eyes bright as they frolicked around. The goats were looking sleeker and their hides shinier. The lambs and kids from last spring weren't drinking milk anymore and they grazed freely, the weather and age making them bolder.

The rams looked at the ewes in interest and the ewes looked back. The goats eyed each other. "Soon we'll have lambs and kids," Hazel said happily.

Frank smiled and put his panpipes to his lips. Sweet notes flew out — sweeter to Hazel than birdsong or honey. The animals liked it too and under the influence of music and love, she knew they'd have more milk soon enough.

The goats and the sheep weren't the only ones affected by Persephone's return. Frank and Hazel too felt the burning love that came with spring — the favorite season of both Demeter and Aphrodite. They took turns playing the panpipes as they watched their flocks. They wanted to speak of their feelings, but shyness overcame them both whenever they grew bold enough to entertain the thought. Marriage was still on both of their minds.

  At times, they needed to break up some fights that happened or bring back a straying animal, but their moods remained buoyant. They enjoyed the sunshine, but more than that, they enjoyed each other. They exchanged kisses as sweet as honey and talked about their hopes for the future. "I'd like to earn my family's freedom," Hazel said.

Frank nodded. Many farmers were stuck in a limbo between slavery and freedom, but it wasn't impossible for them to become freedmen. "I'd like to own land," Frank said. "That way my produce would be my own — except for what is taxed."

   Hazel nodded. "That's a good wish."

    Their conversation was interrupted by the barking of a dog. Hazel recognized Mrs. O'Learey as she barreled towards them, Nico running behind her. She stopped right in front of Hazel and lolled our her tongue. Hazel reached down to pat the massive dog. "Yes, you are a good girl!"

     Mrs. O'Learey swished her tail in agreement. Nico was panting when he caught up with her. "Sorry, she's had a lot of energy today. She couldn't just watch as we started planting crops and evidently she didn't like my suggestion of helping plow the fields either." 

     Hazel giggled. "I've never heard of a dog plowing a field."

     "Me neither," Frank agreed.

      Nico shrugged. "It was just a joke, but I swear she can understand me."

    Mrs. O'Learey barked. "I think you're right," Hazel said.

     "You know what would be cool?" Frank said. "What if we could turn into animals? Like, that would be awesome. We could understand our goats and sheep and even talk to Mrs. O'Learey."

     Hazel smiled. "I think only gods can do that."

    Nico shook his head. "There is a story of a demigod who could turn into animals."

   Hazel shrugged. "They're still part god."

    "Wait," Frank said. "That changeling demigod. Was he the one who fought Heracles?"

Nico nodded. "I mean, everyone did and obviously Heracles won, but it wasn't easy."

Frank nodded, his eyes bright. "My mother told me that story. She said fighting the changeling was like trying to fight a dragon or a whole swarm of bees."

Nico's lips stretched into a smile. "Did your mother tell you the story about how Rhea his Poseidon as a child?"

    Frank shook his head. "My mother told me he was swallowed like his older siblings."

   Nico's dark eyes were shining like the night sky. "In one version, Rhea hid Poseidon among a flock of sheep."

   Hazel smiled. "Like our sheep," she said. "Imagine us trying to hide a baby here. I'm not sure how great of a hiding place that would be. What did Rhea say to Kronos?"

    "She told Kronos that her child had been born a colt and gave one to him to swallow," Nico answered.

     "Huh," Frank said. "Just like how she tricked Zeus with the rock."

    "Yeah, and wasn't Zeus nursed by a goat?" Hazel asked.

   Nico nodded. "But She was some mega-powerful fist or something."

     "Man, those gods are creative," Frank said.

       "Tell me about it," Nico said. "And every time I think I've heard the weirdest story, I learn of another."

     "I love the stories of gods and heroes," Frank said, "but I'm glad I'm not one. Imagine having to go through the Labors of Heracles."

   Nico shuddered. "Or go to the Underworld."

    "Or battle the Chimera," Hazel chimed in, "Or face the Amazons."

     "I think I like life how it is," Frank said. "Working the land and taking care of my goats — that makes me happy."

    Hazel nodded in agreement. "Friendship and peace are more important than kleos."

    Nico nodded. "Even Achilles realized that on the end, though it was too late."

    The three of them fell into a serene silence. It was a warm day and everything seemed more than okay. The sheep were mating and the goats were coupling. Mrs. O'Learey guarded the herds like a mother hen, circling around them and rounding up any strays. She was gentle with them despite her size and eventually, one of the sheep decided to curl up beside her. Mrs. O'Learey ran her wet tongue over the young sheep as it blinked it's eyes and enjoyed the caress of the sun.

    Frank kept his eyes watchful as he brought his panpipes to his lips again. He played the instrument beautifully and only stopped when he saw someone he didn't expect walking towards them. Frank dropped his panpipes in surprise; it was his grandmother.