Hello, all my beautiful readers! I know it has been a while. Life has been crazy busy. Peeling off wallpaper and painting takes a lot of someone's time lol. Luckily I am here to present you another chapter! It is slightly smaller than my normal chapter but I figured you'd all just want a chapter, instead of waiting for even longer until I wrote more. Something I realized when researching Diana recently was that she is around 5018 years old; in the present time. I think I mistakenly gave her the wrong age in another chapter...oops my bad! From now on I will keep that in mind if I mention her age again. I want to take the time to thank you all; you all are so amazingly supportive and honestly the reason I write this story! I also want to thank my beta lareinaSelena! And my brother Nobleprince97 for helping me with the Greek Mythology. Now, time for the reviews!
lcbacteria: Thank you for your review! You rock! Hope you like this chapter!
Guest: Thank you such much for your review! Aw! I'm overjoyed you thought it was beautiful! I honestly thought to end it there worked best. Here is the next chapter! Hope you like it!
JuliaBSpeezy: Thank you for reviewing! You are so sweet! Overjoyed that you love the story! Hope you like this chapter! Can't wait to hear your thoughts!
Flash: Thank you so much for reviewing! You're in luck because there is more Hippolyta interaction with her grandbabies! That is such a sweet idea! I'm not sure if I'll add it to the story or not but I'll admit I like the idea of Steve watching over his children. Can't wait to hear what you think of this chapter!
Marzz: Thank you so much for your continued support of this story! I always love reading your reviews! May the Force be with you! (love the Star Wars Fandom). I'm glad that you thought I handled the tension between them well. It was driving me nuts trying to figure out the balance I wanted for the chapter! So I am overjoyed that you loved it! Lol! I'm more of a tea drinker! But a Queen should completely take her coffee black! Thank you again! I can not wait to hear your thoughts on this chapter. (I think you are going to be happy with the beginning of this chapter).
SpeedForce 1229: Thank you so much for reviewing! I always love seeing a new reader! Glad that you thought it was both solemn and emotional; that is what I was going for. I wanted Diana to feel bad but have her argue her point about not being able to tell Hippolyta. I am overjoyed that you enjoyed it! Can not wait to hear your thoughts on this chapter!
Renee: Thank you for your continued support of this story! Your questions always get me thinking! You're in luck! I do have more dialogue between Hippolyta and Diana in this chapter! I'm not sure if I'll have Steven and Akilina go to Themyscira, but I have thought about it; maybe it will be added to the plot, maybe it won't. You'll just have to keep reading to find out. Well, we will learn more about Zeus; not entirely sure Diana will though (I'll figure out want I mean by the end of this chapter). Can't wait to hear your thoughts on this chapter! Don't worry, I have not abandoned this story. I was just suffering from writer's block for this story and life has been crazy.
Kitty of 2 kingdoms: Thank you so much for your continued support of this story! Always love hearing from you! Well, the wait is over! You'll just have to keep reading to find out! Can not wait to hear your thoughts on this chapter!
xxxLeanniexxx: Thank you so much for your review! I wanted to show another side of Hippolyta, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Yes… they are very confused! Lol. Looking forward to what you think of this chapter in a review.
Guest: Thank you for your review! I'm overjoyed that you loved it! Well, I have been thinking about it a lot. I suggest you continue to read to figure out what happens to Akalina and Steven in future chapters! I think you'll enjoy it. Please let me know what you think of this chapter in the comments.
Panda love 99: Thank you for your continued support of this story! I always look forward to your review! I'm so sorry to hear that! I hope things get better for you soon! Please let me know what you think of this chapter in a review! Again, I always love hearing from you!
TeelanaFalcao: Thank you for your review! I always love it when my readers return! So glad that you enjoyed it so much!
Somewhere in c. 2,000 BC
Hippolyta looked onward, to the encampment of the newly freed Amazons. Many of the warriors were laughing and telling stories, besides their circles of fires, but she knew that they weren't all doing as well as they appeared. Man, those they had sworn to protect, had betrayed and enslaved them. She gently rubbed her wrists, where she still felt the phantom pains of the tight metal cuffs digging into her skin, a shiver ran down her spine at the memory. Once she had thought so highly of Zeus' creation, had loved and treasured her role to protect and guide them. However, men were greedy, they were cruel and they had no problems with inflicting pain. What is my purpose now? The purpose of my warriors, of my friends, of my family? She couldn't think of an answer.
Making her way into the tent that both she and Antiope shared, it was relatively large, with two cots, a table with four chairs. Gracefully she sat in one of the chairs and studied the map that was spread out on the table. The Amazons were currently safe after Zeus had offered them aid and had shown them this safe haven that they now were living. However, Hippolyta knew that it wasn't going to be a place they could live indefinitely. No, they would have to find another place to call their home; but where?
"Hippolyta, someone is here to see you," Antiope said. Her form only partially visible as she opened a corner of the tent flap.
Hippolyta nodded her head somberly and awaited until she returns. This time Antiope walked behind a tall figure of a man that even with his form cloaked, Hippolyta was able to see that he had an imposing physique. He pulled off his hood, revealing a face that Hippolyta had only seen a handful of times in her life, Zeus, King of the Gods.
A small smile appeared on his face as Hippolyta rose from her seat and bowed to him. He walked towards her and placed a hand on her arm. She tried to ignore the slight electric feeling that it sent up her arm.
"Hippolyta," he greeted.
His warm chocolate eyes meeting her hazel ones, she rose to a standing position once more. His face turned slightly serious as he remarked, "I'm glad to find you all in good health."
Antiope silently walked outside of the tent. Without hesitation, Zeus made his way towards the table and poured two goblets of Hippolyta's best red wine. Walking towards her he offered one to her and they drank in silence for several moments.
"I hope you know how grateful we are that you showed us this place, however," Hippolyta started.
"It is not a place that you can stay," Zeus finished. Hippolyta nodded her head and made to reply when Zeus continued, "Yes, I know. That is why I am here."
With an audible sigh, he sat down in one of the chairs and gestured for Hippolyta to join him. Carefully, he poured them both more wine and then ran a hand through his dark, shoulder-length hair. She took in his appearance silently as he composed his thoughts. His strong jaw had a well-trimmed beard upon it, a large nose, every muscle was defined and his smile was wide and infectious, he was a very attractive man.
"Hippolyta, I am going to give you a place that you and your Amazons can train and live in peace. I have created an island for this purpose, Themyscira."
The look of stock on Hippolyta's face slowly melted into a wide smile.
"You are giving us an island?" she repeated.
"Yes," he nodded with a smile.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. When will we be going to this new home of ours?"
"You can go right now if it is your wish. Though I imagine you have things you have to get in order before you all can depart from here."
Of all the things that she had imagined him coming to see here for, being given a home all of their own was not one of them. We will be able to train and live freely. We will be able to govern ourselves. At last, we shall be truly living. I'll be surrounded by all of my sisters. I can not wait to tell Antiope the good news. One question came into her mind.
"What is it?" Zeus asked, as though able to read her thoughts.
"Who shall rule us in this realm?'
"I leave that to the Amazons. However, I have a good idea of who they might choose. You are after all the one who led them out of their bondage."
Nodding her head in acknowledgment. She wasn't sure she wanted to be a queen or ruler of this new realm. But if her people asked it of her, she'd do so, and gladly, for them.
"I don't know how to thank you, Great Zeus. You have given freedom to both me and the Amazons."
"Think of it as a gift, dear Hippolyta."
Hippolyta quickly hides her rosy cheeks. Stop acting like a giddy child, she silently berated herself.
"There is someone that I want to join you for some of the time that you'll be on Themyscira…" Zeus started. Hippolyta's eyes snapped back to the god's face and waited for him to continue. "My daughter Artemis is very skilled in all that I have taught her about hunting and the art of war. However, I feel that there are a few things that the Amazons could teach her that she has yet to learn."
Another thing that took Hippolyta by surprise. To train the daughter of the Great God Zeus. It was a great honor. And she was sure that her sisters would gladly accept it.
"You honor us," she replied, hand on a breast and offering a respectful bow.
"Good. I shall bring her once you all have settled down a bit," he explained as he got up from his chair.
"We are to sup soon, your majesty perhaps you'd like to join us?"
"I thank you but I must return to Olympus."
"Yes, your majesty," she replied with a bow.
He lifted her chin up so that they were staring eye-to-eye, his eyes glanced down to her lips but then he rested his hand to his side. Silently, he walked out of the tent and Hippolyta released a breath that she didn't realize she had been holding in. The room felt colder than it had a moment before.
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Chief had offered to take both Hippolyta and Diana's coffee mugs, but Diana had insisted that she would do it. Honestly, she wanted a minute to think. Without her mother right beside her. Everything that had been said between them, it was a lot for her to take in. Renee was sitting at their small table, her eyes had been fixed on the Queen of the Amazon's when Diana walked into the kitchen area. Looking up from her seat, Renee's gaze was wide and confused. Diana locked eyes with her, pleading for her to understand, however, Renee's mouth tugged downwards and her eyes turned cold and furious. Quickly she got up and walk beside Diana to the kitchen sink.
"Diana, why is there a Roman Queen in our living room?"
"She is the Queen of the Amazon's," Diana corrected.
"I don't care what she is the queen of. There is plenty of things that you've been keeping from me. I want an explanation."
"I didn't want to complicate things. I wasn't sure how to tell you."
"That's not answering, now is it?"
Diana sighed and looked down at the emptied mugs. She wasn't sure where to begin. With her mother here, she wanted to explain things fully to Renee, without having to include her mother or make Hippolyta feel neglected during her visit.
Renee let out a deep sigh brought Diana out of her thoughts, "I wish that you had felt that you could have talked to me about it. I can understand not wanting to change things or wanting to talk about your past. However, I can see that your mother is still here and will be for a while."
"Thank you, Renee," Diana replied with a smile.
Renee returned the smile but it turned stern once more, "But I expect us to talk about it when she is gone. Understood?"
"Yes. Thank you again, Renee. I will tell you, everything," Diana reassured her.
Renee nodded her head courtly, but Diana caught the smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
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Renee had during Hippolyta's visit, fallen asleep in her chair. Chief had placed Diana's roommate in her bed and then said that he too needed some sleep, promising that he'd visit Diana and the babies soon. Diana and Hippolyta were still sitting on the couch, talking of home and of everyone in Themyscira, when Steven awoke from his sleep. Pausing from their conversation Diana picked up the hungry baby and modestly breastfeed him. When she focused on her mother once more, Hippolyta's eyes instead were focused on the bassinet that Akilina was still sleeping soundly in.
"Akilina looks just as you did at that age. Same dark hair… like your father's," Hippolyta remarked.
"She also has my dark brown eyes," Diana replied.
"You also inherited that from your father."
"So I look most like him?'
"Well, you have his coloring, but my features," Hippolyta replied with a genuine smile.
Then Hippolyta's eyes rested on baby Steven, tentatively she ran a hand through his soft blonde hair, "I suppose he looks most like his father?"
"Yes, though he has some of my features."
Several moments passed in silence between them. It wasn't long before Steven had eaten his share and was finished. Diana was trying to get him back to sleep but he wanted instead to play with his mother. He was busy and happily tugging on her hair when Hippolyta surprised her daughter by asking, "May I hold him?"
Shocked, she studied her mother's face to see if she truly meant what she had said, finding that she genuine did want to hold her grandchild. Carefully, she detangled Steven from her and placed him in her mother's arm. The Amazon skillfully supported his head and gazed lovingly on her grandchild's face. One arm supporting him while the other brushed aside the blonde hair on his head.
Diana watched as her mother bounded with baby Steven. Of course, she would like to hold her grandchild, she berated herself silently. But she had never seen her mother hold a baby before and at the moment it had seemed like a strange request. Steven was holding tightly, in his little fist, one of her mother's fingers. Hippolyta smiled and remarked about his strong grip.
"He is beautiful, Diana. I am… I am very proud of you."
The smile already on Diana's face widened and tears started to gather in the corner of her eye.
"Thank you mother," Diana whispered, loud enough for her mother to hear.
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