They all hated her. Despised her really. You hear of all the stories of how she, Goddess of Marriage, Home and Family, Patron of Woman and Queen of Olympus, was evil.

Well, she thought, how would you feel spending many a millennia with a husband who can't keep his hands to himself?

She didn't always be like that you know. Hera wasn't always a jealous wife, angry goddess, whatever they were saying about her this century. Hera remembers the days when she was fun, joyful…. Happy… of course that isn't the case anymore. With Zeus being the way he was.

But, that wasn't the affairs that made her like this. Oh, no, no, no. It all started a long, long time ago. Whenever Hara looks back on it, she remembers everything, as if it happened only yesterday.

The three fates had just spoken of a prophecy. And the only way to control the situation; the outcome in the end, would be to have their children, their babies, become demi-gods. She knew that was the only way. Don't mistake Hera's words to acceptance, NO the vile words felt like ashes in her mouth. Hera did not accept this for quite a while, (still didn't really) but they had to do this. For the sake of the entire world.

Once everything was done- giving their children the potions to turn them; to be reborn - was over with, the gods waited. They waited, waited and waited still. Their children were nowhere to be seen or found. As the years turned into centuries, there was still no sign of them. The gods and goddesses were distraught, becoming angry and very bitter. They started seeking out someone to blame and they found that someone. Hera. They didn't think of how much she was already blaming herself. They didn't want to because then that would make them feel guilty and they didn't, couldn't, and wouldn't feel that. The gods and goddesses started rumours. Saying she murdered women and children. Some tales were true; but only the very few of killing Zeus's former mistresses and it was only the very few times. Mostly... The tale of Lamia was one of the most famous.

You see, Lamia was a lover of Zeus and a daughter of Hecate. Lamia had two children with Zeus and they were called Altheia and Demetrius. This is how the story goes;

Lamia had attracted the attention of Zeus and accepted his courtship. But upon doing so, faced the wrath of the jealous Hera. Hera killed her children, Altheia and Demetrius, and then Lamia was turned into a monster. Angered at the goddess, she used an incantation to allow all the monsters in the world to sense the taint of half-bloods, so that they could always be found. Lamia did it out of spite so that Hera would finally understand her pain of losing her children after so many demigods have been killed.

Other stories say that Hera forced her to eat her own children. But it's not true. Hera would never kill someone's children, for she knew the pain of losing your child and would never wish that curse upon her greatest enemy. She's the goddess of family and patron of women for god's sake!

Everyone knew the true story but never corrected the lies.

But… it wasn't like that anymore. Since all their children are home and safe the gods and goddesses have apologised and are coming out with the truth that she is not evil. Bitter perhaps, oh yes, very bitter. Even Hera doesn't disagree with that. But not evil.

People come up to her throne, giving her their thanks and apologies. Its water under the bridge, as her brother Poseidon would say. She understands why they did it. Why they said all those things. She is a mother, Hera understands this. That doesn't mean it was easy to smile and nod along like it never happened. Hera may forgive them but she will never forget.

But that doesn't bother Hera right now. Not when she hears the laughter of her children as she glances around the throne room where the party is being held. Their all there.

Zeus is sitting in his throne giving Hera a smile she hasn't seen since they gave the potion to their kids. Enyo (Bellona) is here with her two daughters Hylla and Ryna. Ares (of course) is trying to pick a friendly banter with his twin sister. Hephaestus is here with his wife hanging of his arm like she used to, going on and on about love stuff while trying to keep an eye on their children. Eileithyia is fussing over her son Sosipolis. (Hera made a mental note to ask her daughter for the 116 time this century who the father was.)

Hercules (her husband's son) was dancing with his wife Hebe (Hera's and Zeus's daughter) while their twin sons Alexiares and Anticetus where playing sports, breaking a window half-way through their game of course.

Whilst Hera was in the middle of her musing, she spotted Thalia giving Jason a rough noogie on the head. Hera couldn't help the small smile that made its way onto her face at the sibling 'fight' in front of her. Thalia was defiantly her father's daughter. Hera was listening to their conversation, which was something along the lines of Jason telling his older sister that he was going to tell on her to their mother, while Thalia was retorting back that he was a snitch and teasing him with being Hera's little boy. And so the sibling's began to fight over who was better for their parent's attention.

Hera breathed in a deep breath. She had missed days like this terribly and she couldn't help but feel exhilarate at the thoughts of more days like this one. Hera began thinking that all this millennia, waiting and searching wasn't that bad now that her family was together again and everything was fine. Yes, the wait had been worth it. Now they wouldn't take anything for granted. Hera smiled. The wait was not so bad after all.