Author's Note : I give my thanks to my generous reviewers and hope that you will enjoy this chapter. We're getting down to the nitty, gritty final detail before TROY happens. I hope I can wrestle it into submission before my threads get too tangled.
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Hera glanced down at Zeus as he entered the throne room, before continuing her talk with Athena, desperately trying once again to get her to see reason. Arguing that the destruction of Troy was hardly necessary to assuage her wounded pride. It was not their fault that Paris had made the judgment call that he had. Wouldn't it be more reasonable, more rational and befitting of her to allow the duel between him and Menelaus to punish Paris be the end of this conflict? To agree to the terms drawn up between the two men?
For Menelaus also had a grudge against the Trojan prince.
With honor, he tried to resolve the situation between them. First with words and then with this proposed fight between them. If Paris won, the gods would leave Troy alone. They would remove the Achaean threat from their shore. Although, they would require a price for doing so as Menelaus and the Achaeans were the offended party. But they would agree to this peace treaty.
Yet if Menelaus won, they would insist upon the return of Helen to her husband. No other payment would be exacted for the offender would be dead – even Aphrodite agreed with this. Of course, it was a reluctant agreement – in a way, it broke her promise to him.
But the fact remained that she had accepted the ruling for she wasn't foolish enough to go up against the will of the majority of the Council of the gods. Though she had no problem with the union of Paris and Helen, she had no desire to see a war descend upon the city for her son lived there.
Strangely enough, she actually seemed to care for the fate of her mortal son.
Her son would be called upon to fight – may perhaps even die as a result of Paris' actions. The mortal son who did not even know that she was his mother. Even with the prophecy that spoke of a child of her lineage continuing the race elsewhere, this did not necessarily mean that he would be the one to do so. It could be a child of his.
Unfortunately, the usually rational and level headed goddess was having none of it.
"Would you let it go if you were me?" she asked, knowing that Hera would do no such thing. Of all the things she was known for, pride was one of Hera's most distinguishing features. Even though her time among mortals had changed her, had softened the harsh angles she had, she was still a proud woman. That pride may have diminished over time but it was still.
Therefore, Athena knew that she was not out of line with her words. "I was insulted by him for he was looking merely at outer beauty, not adding in one's judgment or actions. Fair doesn't always translate into physical beauty or perfection. To allow him to think so is wrong and only allows for a woman's physical beauty, caring nothing for her inner self. I cannot allow that ideology to continue."
"Very well, though you know that such is the way of the world," she quietly sighed, having had the feeling that this would be Athena's answer. With how strongly Athena felt about things, it really was the only answer that would do for her. "With you and Demeter siding against the city, what else can I do but call for their destruction? If for no other reason than to keep Demeter from destroying everyone and everything by taking her place in the battle."
"You really have no say," she retorted.
Hera shook her head. "That is untrue for as the Queen of the heavens, such calls fall under my jurisdiction. None of the Fates have decreed that the destruction of Troy is a sure thing. They know that such a fate can be avoided if by my word I forbid such a thing. But I can see that you are set on this course – as is Demeter. Should I remain fully neutral, the cost to human lives would be great.
"As it is, there will still be a slaughter. Many lives will be lost and families will be rent apart. An entire generation of noble souls will be ruined. Still, it will be what it must be." Her sigh this time was heard and heartfelt. "Know that I throw my lot in with you and the Achaeans. Though I beseech you to carefully contemplate what it is you are about to do.
"If you still wish this, you need only to ask for my aid to receive of it."
"Thank you," Athena said, nodding in greeting to her father as she passed him descending the stairs. In the back of her mind, she wondered just what Hera thought she could do in war. While Hera was Queen of the gods, she had not been a true warrior in years – the battle of the Gigantes hardly counted.
And, as evidenced in the past, she had little control over Ares and what he chose to do. The only one who'd ever had even a semblance of control over him was Aphrodite. But since their rather public and almost violent break-up, they'd rarely been in the same room together.
It was very obvious that he was still in love with her – though for the life of her, Athena couldn't figure out why – for the love goddess was a brainless twit. All she had going for her was her looks. Though she had to reluctantly admit that since falling in love, or whatever Aphrodite was calling it, with her Hephy, she'd become tolerable.
Aphrodite had been more inclined to show off her mind rather than resorting to her body. It was unnerving to realize that there was more to Aphrodite than her beauty. Not that she was willing to concede that the other was fairer than she was. But she was willing to admit that there was something there.
As she thought over Hera's words, she had to admit that there was some comfort in knowing that she had her support for her father would remain neutral as befitted his position.
Zeus finished the climb and rested a hand on her shoulder. "Everything all right?" his voice was soft, gentle in the quiet of the room.
"No," she sighed and leaned her head against his chest, feeling his arms surround her. Comforting her. "They are both being so stubborn about this…it sickens me to know that I could so easily act in the same way. You know I have a tendency to take little stings and blow them way out of proportion."
"And Aphrodite?" he asked, rubbing a hand down her back, feeling her sag into him with more than a little concern for it wasn't in Hera to lean on his strength like this. He hardly knew what to do for she'd always been the strong one, always the one he relied upon.
Shrugging, her answer was rather monotone, "Has yet to come back from the conference with Hephaestus. So, as things stand, I don't know to whom she will give her support to. Or if she will even make a move to protect Paris whom she has made certain promises to, other than her initial move to protect him.
"While I'm pretty sure that Hephaestus will help all who ask, her actions are what concern me the most. You know that she has a habit of going full tilt at anything that crosses her path and then losing interest. Even united in a more fulfilling union with him, she has not changed all that much."
Pulling her to her feet, he fully embraced her, rubbing her back in soothing circles. He hated that this war was tearing her apart. This war that had yet to begin. It haunted all on Olympus in a way other mortal wars had not for there was a finality to this one that the others lacked.
And it had to remind her of the mortal war she'd experienced all those years ago. As such memories were in her mind, he knew that thoughts of her beloved Philon would also be there. He shouldn't begrudge the man those thoughts of hers for he'd been the bright spot in the midst of that nightmare.
It didn't stop the fact that he did.
Swallowing back those thoughts, he concentrated on her. On being there for her because what she said to Athena had been true, this call was in her hands, not his. The sheer amount of people involved on both sides meant that he couldn't play a more decisive role in the war. As he was the King of the heavens – and the ruler of the many diverse parties involved in the conflict, he had to take a neutral stance.
Though she was his Queen, it was up to her to take the stand as leader in any conflict that the gods were a part of or had a direct hand in even if they ignored the fact that the war evolved from their actions.
After a while, he gently pushed her away and tilted up her chin, "Let's get out of here for a while."
She didn't even ask where. Accepting his hand, she allowed him to lead her away from Olympus and all its stress and tension. Down onto earth they travelled, the breezes that surrounded them buffeting her mind. The journey didn't take that long, though she was hardly aware of it. Tired in heart and mind, she let him take control and lead her wherever he would.
Pushing open a door, he gestured for her to enter first and watched in some concern as she mindlessly did so. The worry fled when he saw her stop and look about her, an incredulous expression crossing her face. Familiar scents assaulted her, sending her back in time.
Light streamed in, filtered by the shutters but she could clearly see the simple furniture and the shelf with carefully restored pottery resting on it. Turning back to him, she smiled at him. The first genuine smile he'd seen cross her lips in a while.
"Oh, Zeus," she shook her head, overwhelmed by everything. The burden she felt pressing down upon her fell away, if only for a moment. "It's just as I remembered." Her voice trailed off in amazement as she walked about, pushing open the shutters to look out at the glade framed there, almost frozen in time. Even the lake was there, though it was larger and closer to the house than she recalled it being.
She almost expected to turn around and see them sitting at the table, talking and laughing over a jug of warmed nectar that slowly cooled, forgotten in the late afternoon. A plate of dates they occasionally partook of, far more interested in each other than in food or drink. The first time they'd kissed – really kissed, not an exchange of ritual kisses - had been at that table.
It had been soft, gentle, and somehow had managed to ignite her blood.
And it had been here that he'd proposed to her. Shivers ran down her spine at the memory.
"The original house is somewhere beneath the lake. But I tried to recreate everything as I remembered it," he softly said, coming up behind her to embrace her. "Unfortunately, I couldn't replicate your spirit to complete your surprise, so I must leave that up to you."
They stood in silence for a while, just watching the wildlife come and go. "I don't know what to say," she quietly admitted, awed.
"You don't need to say anything, Hera," he replied, pleased that his surprise delighted her.
"I love you," she looked up at him, saying it. The stress of the past few days fled as she stood there, in his arms, enjoying the peace of home. Both of the physical structure – and the place that always been home to her.
In that moment, she knew that he needed to read her eyes, to know that she truly meant it. She realized – with a sense of pained shock – that even as she had recommitted to him, even without his much coveted yes, that she hadn't actually said the words to him.
She wasn't the only one who needed to hear the words after all.
A slow smile crossed his face, showing that he appreciated it. His hand momentarily rose to trace her cheek, lovingly. "I love you." But he refrained from adding more, knowing that they really needed to talk about Troy and the Achaeans.
And she knew this too.
Though this was one conversation that she didn't want to have right now. She wanted to bask in the open, easy affection Zeus was showing to her. And marvel over what he had wrought for her. But she knew – as he did – that now was not the time for memories.
Now, it was time to be the King and Queen of the gods. To devote their attention to the lives of the mortals who served them and whom they protected in return. Mortals whom they had not cared much for in the beginning but now loved, seeing them as their children.
"I worry about the humans caught up in this war over pride. Both godly pride and mortal one," she admitted with a deep sigh. "And what of Helen herself? I fear that she has no idea what to feel and is just reacting to whatever stimulates her. What she may think is love may be lust – or it may truly be love for this Paris. Until one has truly seen into her heart, we cannot truly judge her situation."
"I know," he said, "Though Helen has always been headstrong, temperamental, I worry for her too. If not for her brothers coming after her, she may just have stayed with Theseus. For some strange reason, she seemed to like his vagabond lifestyle."
"Perhaps it wasn't the lifestyle itself but the fact that he treated her normally. Helen's always been overly protected and watched over because of her looks. Because of her status as heir of Sparta and as your daughter," she pointed out. "It can't be easy to be singled out."
"That may be so – she is rather spoiled, even if there is a measure of generosity within her. Whatever she wants, she almost always gets. As you know full well, it wasn't her father who chose Menelaus as her husband."
"True enough," she agreed, her fingers idly rubbing the arm about her waist. There had been much talk, much pleading from the girl to her about who she should choose. What she should do about the whole situation and all she could really tell her was to follow her heart. Be with the one who made her feel respected, not merely desired. "Still, for all of her shifting emotions, she isn't a flighty woman. Her love for Menelaus is real – but she has a tendency to flirt an awful lot.
"I think she gets that from you," she added, only half-teasing in her accusation.
He laughed, shrugging it off easily, glad at this sign that she was returning to herself. If she could tease him so affectionately, she was feeling better. Besides, there was no point in denying that he was a natural flirt. "It's also cultural, Hera. She is from a nation that still worships the Goddess Mother and must fulfill all the functions as her High Priestess."
"I'm not saying she isn't without reason," she mildly protested. As a mother goddess herself, it would be ridiculous for her to be blind about Helen's role – especially when she participated in the rituals he was referring to. Very few mortals recognized her in that role now, but that didn't make it any less true. Because in recent centuries, she had abdicated that role to other goddesses. "It wouldn't be honest for me to do so. I just wish that we could stop the war and salvage this debacle."
"But there isn't a way. You know as I do that there isn't anyone who can turn Demeter away when she's set on her course. Not even Persephone has that power," he reminded her gently. "She's tried, though I don't think bringing up Hades and wanting to have an actual honeymoon with him was wise of her."
An unladylike snort escaped her. Looking up at him through her eyelashes, "That girl. Doesn't she figure that the six months she spends with him serves as a honeymoon?"
"With Hekate watching over them? There are many, many things one wants to do on a honeymoon without a chaperon, my darling lady wife," he reminded her, voice as heated as his look. "Can you honestly say that you wanted to spend our honeymoon at home, on Olympus, with the family there?"
Thinking of the many, many, many hours they'd spent in bed – and all the tricks he employed to get her back in bed, she conceded his point. Glancing back outside, for she could feel the blush coloring her cheeks, her voice became very prim as she said, "You have a valid point, my husband. Still, Persephone should know better by now not to talk of such things to her mother."
"She is her father's child. Tact isn't something I'm well known for. All she wants is a little quality time away from the pressures of the job with the one she loves. I can see where she is coming from. It's no easy thing to be separated from the one you love," he softly observed.
There was a wealth of understanding in his voice that hadn't been there before. And he was resolved to find ways to make sure that Hades got to spend more time with her. It was only fair and just that he do so, though he knew that Demeter was going to have a fit about it.
Still, he had to believe that she would learn to deal with it – especially if she could see how valued and loved her daughter was.
"If we don't want to have another permanent winter, we must give our determined sister the freedom to do as she wishes with Troy. It is the same with Athena," he admitted, "Though I wish it wasn't so. I can't quite figure out how to get through to her. She's usually more level-headed than this. The most we can do is minimize the damage."
"Can we do that?" she asked, looking up at him again. A sheen of tears filled her eyes, refusing to fall. She had yet to shed a tear but was sure that she'd be shedding them in the future. To do so now seemed to be a luxury she couldn't afford.
"We'll find a way, Hera," he vowed, wiping her cheeks when the tears finally slid free from her control.
Clearing her throat after a moment, she shrugged off her mood. There was no point on dwelling on what they couldn't control at the moment. Heartaches a plenty awaited the corner, she needed to stop borrowing them. She asked, "How did things go between you and Heracles?"
"That boy has an attitude," he scowled. "I had to remind him to be respectful."
"You?" she asked, shaking her head in disbelief. And amusement. Just seconds ago he was acting like an authoritative king. Now, he was acting like a petulant child.
Incredible. "I've never known you to be bothered by a mortal's attitude towards you. You rather ignore them unless they are outright disrespecting you – or me. Why is he so different?"
"I didn't say it bothered me," he replied, knowing what she was thinking. "But it did surprise me for he is your son and was raised by Alcmene. I know that she has reverence towards the gods."
"Perhaps it is because he is my son that allows him to believe that he can sass you," she gently suggested. Instead of pursuing that topic, she nonchalantly asked, knowing he wouldn't be fooled. "What are his reasons for wanting to put off the revelation?"
"Surprisingly, he had a few good reasons. Ones I wouldn't have thought about. He pointed out that Troy was causing enough contention between the gods, we should not add to it. There was also fear in him over what would happen to his family and friends at the hands of certain gods who know better than to go after him. I'm sure I don't have to name any of them," he said.
"I don't need the reminder," she agreed, leaning back against him. It was no secret that Ares was still furious over Heracles' offense against the Amazons. And he was waiting for an opportunity to strike at him – even though she'd counseled him to just let it go. "What else?"
"What makes you think there's more?"
"There's always something more in situations like this. You forget, I used to enact them. I would spend hours obsessing over what I could do – and to whom," she replied. "He's worried about me. About how I may react to any attack upon him, that I may cause harm to befall mortals in my anger."
Zeus shrugged, twisting one of his hands around so that it could hold hers. What she said was truth, so he could offer no comfort except cold comfort. And that wasn't something he liked to do for it never felt quite right.
At least, not with her.
Offering her false comfort had always seemed to make light of the trust she gave him. As a result, he was always honest with her. Thinking of his affairs, he retracted that thought because he'd always hidden them from her, so being honest wasn't always the case. While he'd once believed it was all right to do so, he couldn't continue to think that way – not when the cost to him had been her.
Now, he was resolved to be more honest with her. It was to be hoped that by doing so, they wouldn't come close to losing each other again. "If so, he said nothing of that to me. Heracles was more concerned with harm befalling you and his mortal family."
Knowing Athena and Ares, it was not that farfetched an idea. There was no doubt in his mind that Athena would react badly. And Ares was most likely to go ballistic in a way he didn't with his father's mortal whelps. While he rarely saw eye to eye with his mother on some things – and was very upset with the way she was blasé over some of the tasks laid before Heracles – he was obsessively protective of her.
So long as the enemy he faced off with wasn't his father, that was.
Hera contemplated her choices, wondering if he was thinking the same thing she was. There was merit in putting the revelation off. With things so unpleasant between the female contingent of the gods, she didn't need to add that particular stress to her plate. There would be enough destruction as it was without other personal vendettas being added into the mixture.
But there was a danger in that, once put off, it would never be picked up again.
People didn't like facing unpleasant things. While they could claim superiority in some areas, this wasn't one of them. For it was no different with the gods, they tended to avoid confrontation when they could. With a sigh, she closed her eyes, trying to focus on what to do.
Yet, at that particular moment in time, she couldn't think about it clearly enough to come up with an answer to their dilemma. All answers led to more unanswerable questions for her. "What do you think I should do?" she asked, seeking his – or rather Métis' – counsel in this.
Zeus was silent as he listened for some kind of insight from his ever constant counselor.
But in this matter, she was quiet. For a moment, he wondered if she had finally left him. Left him to make Hera the one companion he turned to fully for everything. As they were going to start anew, it would make sense that she would. The pang in his heart would fade in time, this he knew. For while he'd loved Métis, she was correct as usual. Hera was the one to whom he'd bound his heart and soul.
Therefore, they should be united as counselors and companions.
"There is validity in both of our positions," he said, slowly finding the words to speak. "We can't afford to put it off – but we can't afford to talk of it now. If we talk to anyone, even to Hestia, the circle of carriers who bear the secret widens and makes it more difficult to keep. It also widens the circle of those who will be hurt that we didn't trust them.
"I shudder to think of mother's reaction, though I think she suspects."
"She is a mother goddess," Hera agreed, almost timidly and he wondered at the sound. What was it she was holding back now? "If anyone were to know of my secret birth, it would be her." There was a slight hesitation, a sound of pain, in her voice.
Turning her around, he tilted her chin up to his. "How difficult was it giving birth without Eileithyria to help you?"
Trying to think of an answer that wouldn't worry him further, there was a pause as she studied him. The silence was hardly comfortable between them but he patiently waited for her to gather her thoughts together. For her to answer him, "It was not as difficult as it would be for a mortal woman for I do have the greater strength of a goddess. But it was a trifle hard."
"Hera," he warned, shaking her just a little in reproach. "I don't want the sanitized version. You know that, while I wasn't at your side when you gave birth to our children, I was still near you. I heard how difficult it was for you – and you had help then.
"How hard was it?"
As she stared at him, she knew that evasion wasn't possible any longer. What she couldn't figure out was why he was even asking her. It wasn't as if they could go back and do it all over again. And he knew that. "Zeus, it was hard. My deepest regret is that I did that to Leto out of spite. What I did to her, I had no right for she had been with you before you and I were even together. I was wrong."
She owed the goddess a great, big apology for the torment she'd put her through during her travail.
"Agony is to little a word to describe it, Zeus. And yet, it is the only one I have. I don't think I've felt pain like that before – at least not physical," she had to add that for the pain in her heart when she thought of the pain her children at times went through. Or that she felt whenever she heard of Zeus' latest conquest were greater pains but they were emotional ones.
"I'm sorry you felt that you had to go it alone," he said, though at the time he knew he'd have been furious to find out that she was pregnant with another man's child. More than furious, he would've been enraged. Who knows what he would've done to her if he'd have been there with her.
In all probability, nothing.
Though it would have surprised many to hear it, he would not have been angry with her, not at first. At best, he would've been disappointed in her actions. His heart crushed within his chest at what she'd done. But really angry with her? So furious that he wouldn't have been able to listen to her? No, for all his fury at her for telling him the truth about Heracles, he knew that he'd never have been able to condemn her upon looking at her face.
No, his rage would have been directed towards the man who had dared to touch her.
As it was, Philon had been safely dead when she had given birth. If he had been there with her as she gave birth to another's child, he probably would've done something stupid and vindictive like gone into the Realm of Hades to find him. Gone down there, full of his power and authority and jerked the man out of his rightful place in the Elysian Fields and thrown him into Tartarus to spend the rest of his afterlife tormented.
Transgressing upon Hades' authority in the process.
"Don't be," she replied. "It was a humbling experience that helped me through my final stage of growth. If not for that, I wouldn't have learned all that I needed to learn. I just hope I won't be required to go through another test like that for a while."
Dropping a kiss onto her head, he rocked her slowly. "If you do, I hope you don't shut me out."
As they once had, they watched as Helios started off on his journey towards the west and Selene came up behind him. Tonight, she was only half full and it reminded them of what lay before them. The war that would leave their world half empty, full of darkness and pain in which only a tiny light would keep them going.
"I suppose we should go back and face reality." The words he spoke were regretful.
And she sympathized with him for facing Olympus was the last thing she wanted to do.
"It is our duty," she gently reminded him, her hand playing with his hair. "As much as I'd love to reenact our three hundred year long honeymoon, it wouldn't work out well in the long run. We have a duty to do, my king. And this time we wouldn't be able to keep them at bay. They'd all come pounding on the door, yelling at us – no matter where that door may be."
"Especially since you haven't said yes. One can't have a proper honeymoon without a wedding," he reminded her, picking her up so that her feet slipped out of her sandals and barely touched the ground. It may be an awkward position for her but they were now eye to eye.
Wrapping her arms tightly about him, she leaned forward, their foreheads touching. "Perhaps I'm just afraid that should I do so, you will go out of your way to arrange another large wedding. Inviting every single creature to it," she teased, her bare foot brushing his leg tauntingly.
Teasingly.
"You don't think you deserve it?" he asked, turning them around swiftly and heading to the upper level where the bed was. Lowering her carefully down to the mattress, he studied his wife – the love who constantly defied him and defined him – intently.
"Hardly," she retorted, reclining and letting him look his fill. No matter how often he looked at her, studied her, it always felt different. Always felt as though this was the first time he'd ever looked at her. Although it had been a long time since he'd looked at her as though she was the entire universe to him and she shivered, hungry for his touch.
It thrilled her even as it scared her. This dependency she was beginning to have for him. "A large wedding is more your thing than my own." The words came as she forced herself to be calm, to let him take the lead.
At least, for the moment.
Joining her, he traced her face. "True but the whole world should be allowed to share in my joy. And be envious of the beauty that is mine to have and hold forever," he admitted without shame. "We'll go back tomorrow. But for now, let's just take the night hours together."
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Zeus stretched one arm over his head and yawned, looking around momentarily before down. Hera rested, sleeping deeply on his arm. She was so beautiful, so enchanting, so unique – how in Tartarus had he managed to win this woman all over again?
Red hair spilled out about her, bringing out the shadows that remained under her eyes even in repose. He knew that should she open them, they would be filled with sorrow before seeing him beside her banished them. Before the light of love filled them, warming him to the core. That thought brought a smile to his face, knowing that he could give her such security.
It was one of the few things he could honestly give to her that she really needed.
Lashes fluttered momentarily, as if she was about to wake up before she rolled over, seeking his warmth. His arm automatically curled around her, drawing her closer to him. Gentle fingers rested upon his heart, curling before flattening out, unconsciously feeling for the steady, comforting beat there.
His chin dropped to rest on her head, breathing her in. Breathing in the rare peace of the moment. Closing his eyes, he allowed his fingers to play against her skin. Softly so that she could rest, she got precious little of it these days.
"Father! Are you in there?" Athena's voice broke into his pleasant drowsing.
With a regretful sigh, he gently extricated himself from the warmth of her presence. Dressing quickly, he bent down once to brush his lips against hers before leaving quickly. With Athena there, he couldn't give into temptation to deepen the kiss for it would lead to more pleasant activities.
He had a feeling that this was only going to be the first of many tests to his almost nonexistent patience.
Opening the door, he stepped out into the early morning. Looking at the horizon, he couldn't even see Helios making his way towards them. Which meant that the god was either over sleeping – or it was insanely early. And as Helios had an insanely anal inner clock, it couldn't be a late start. What could possibly have happened over night that Athena couldn't handle? Her cool head and steady hand were two reasons he often left her in charge.
"What is wrong?" he asked, stifling another yawn. Stifling thoughts of the woman he'd left sleeping in bed, trying not to think of ways to get rid of Athena so that he could rejoin her. Unfortunately he knew that if she was here, it had to be important.
"Thetis demands to see you now," she told him. "But ironically, not because the war has started. She is not pleased to find out that Odysseus played a trick to reveal Achilles. It is my estimation of things that she will try to revenge herself upon him for what was done. As he is a favorite of mine, I cannot allow this to happen."
"She should not have tried to mess with fate," he observed, though he did wonder when Athena had started to take such personal interests in mortal heroes. It went against her own pattern of behavior.
"I suppose we should be on our way," Hera's tired voice said.
He turned and looked at her, helping her straighten her veil with some regret. While he knew it was appropriate and right, that it was a way of showing her status as a wife, he hated covering her beautiful hair. On the other hand, her hair was his to enjoy. Why should he share the full glory that was his wife's beauty with anyone who happened by?
And, yes, he knew she'd be incredibly angry with him for his possessive and dominating attitude. He didn't care for she acted the same way about him. "I'm sorry. I tried not to wake you," he said.
"The bed was far to cold without you – even if I had the covers all to myself. Your body is a far more effective blanket. Especially when it comes to wake-up calls," she spoke quietly, for his ears alone.
A shout of laughter escaped him as Hera passed him, joining Athena. Catching her hand he linked their fingers together, brushing a kiss across them. The trio disappeared into the dawning morning.
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It seemed as though he'd only just dropped off to sleep, mind still occupied with the day's happenings when he heard the familiar sounds of Iolaus coming up the path, knocking on the door. "Have you heard the news?" he asked when the door was open.
With a deep sigh, he shook his head. "No, what?" his question was idle for he was more interested in taking in the appearance of his cousin. He was pleased to note the healthy color was back, that he'd shaved off that hideous growth for his face wasn't suited for a beard, and the return of sanity and life to Iolaus' eyes. It was a relief to see that he was bouncing back from the shattering heartbreak of Nebula's request.
Iolaus took in the exhausted look on Heracles' face and felt guilty for waking him. This must be the first time in a while that Heracles had a chance to rest. To recuperate. But he couldn't back out of it now. Not without a good reason. "One of the ships sent to explore the land about Troy has initiated combat. We haven't much time if we are to join Odysseus at the palace."
"Menelaus," he absently corrected. "That is, if you're coming with me?" he asked, hoping that Hera would understand why he was going without asking her as he'd promised Menelaus he would.
"Do you even have to ask?" he replied, not questioning the change in men. Even though he'd barely arrived, he'd known that the Spartan king was in the town. It was a little surprising to find out that he'd gone to visit Heracles though.
He hadn't thought they'd known each other.
"I didn't want to bring you into this against your will. This doesn't seem like it will be an easy victory – or even a short battle. We may even die," he warned him. "And I'm not even sure Queen Hera will approve of my going."
"True, but you are my friend. And whatever the outcome, I think you need to have at least one person there you can talk to," Iolaus said, his eyes rolling. "And don't even think of bringing up Odysseus. That man may be clever, but he is also a storyteller without equal. Nothing you tell him would be kept in strict confidence. Somehow or other, it would get out in one of his tales."
Heracles nodded, knowing he was right. Such a tale would happen and he didn't think his mother would appreciate having it spoken of so casually. "Come what may, I am glad to have you at my side."
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Author's Note : My Helen's – and by extension that of Spartan women – back story bases itself a lot on Bettany Hughes' works "In Search of Helen of Troy" (PBS program) and "Helen of Troy, The Story Behind the Most Beautiful Woman in the World". There seems to be some indication in what she finds that says that Helen is the heir to Sparta's throne – not her brothers. A rather interesting fact that is to me, especially when you consider that women weren't supposed to own property or have any rights at all. In this Spartan world, she was the equal of her husband, Menelaus.
In fact, it was only through their marriage that he became king. Without her, he had no legal right to the throne and I'm pretty sure their daughter had no right either because Helen hadn't abdicated. And she lost the full measure of that power – and Menelaus couldn't pick up that slack – , that independent status, when she went to Troy with Paris, becoming merely his chattel, subject to his whims.
And Zeus can be charming when he wants to be. I really don't know what to do about him.