Eternal Souls
A Family Reunited
Chapter Eight
GHerc armed with one of Marianna's paintings made his way towards Zeus' throne room. He fully expected his father to be busy with Hera. The two had been virtually inseparable since they had reunited over mutual love of their grandson Evander many years ago. GHerc was in for a surprise though. His father was not alone but there was no sign of his stepmother. Instead two babies sat upon Zeus' knee.
The king of the gods looked up at GHerc's approach. "Arista and Argin meet your Uncle GHerc. I know you are going to like him a lot," Zeus said with a delighted grin on his face.
GHerc hid the rolled up painting behind his back with one hand before he knelt in front of the throne. He took Arista's little hand gently in his free one. She had curly blond locks and a smile that would melt the hardest of hearts. There was no doubt she was the daughter of Aphrodite and Hesphestus.
You're going to be a heartbreaker just like your mother," GHerc said softly. GHerc could swear Arista winked at him. Then he turned his attention to the other child. It was boy, with straight black hair and a scowling expression on his face. "You're Ares' boy aren't you? I am very close to your brother, Evander. So hopefully we can be friends too despite my differences with your father." Argin looked suspicious but a half smile formed on his face." GHerc returned it.
GHerc said to his father, "We need to talk but it can wait." "Nonsense," replied Zeus. There is no time like the present." He lifted each of the children off his lap, stood carefully and set them both down on his large throne. "Now you two be good, while I talk to your Uncle." He motioned GHerc over to a large window. It looked out on a vast universe filled with stars. For a moment father and son, stood motionless and quiet taking in its splendor.
After a bit, Zeus spoke first. "What is it son?" GHerc didn't say a word just brought out the painting from behind his back and handed it to Zeus. Tears began rolling down GHerc's face. Zeus carefully unrolled the canvas. He nodded and moisture welled in his eyes as well.
"You did love me, after all," GHerc finally spoke.
"From the day you were born. I'm just sorry you ever had to doubt it son. I know I let you down. There were things I just couldn't explain or change no matter how much I wanted to. As I said earlier, even the king of the gods has limits to his power because of forces that are greater than you and I can comprehend. And then there were times I just simply let you down. But through everything, I always loved you most of all. I still love you to this day."
"And I'm sorry I blamed you for everything father. Sorry I took all my losses and pain out on you. Yes you did make mistakes, but I've made them too. I'm sorry I lost sight of what really mattered. You're my father and I love you." GHerc said. Zeus held out his arms to his son and GHerc accepted." Father and son embraced. "Welcome home son. I've missed you." "It is good to be home father." GHerc said and really meant it.
Then he broke out into joyous laughter. Zeus look puzzled until GHerc pulled away and pointed. There were objects of all shapes and sizes floating around the room. GHerc reached up and grabbed a triangle. It was soft to the touch. The two babies looked especially pleased with the test of their powers. Just then Arista lifted her finger and sent a soft round circle flying towards the back of Argin's head. GHerc quickly intercepted. "You're going to make your grandpa's hair even grayer" Zeus playfully scolded.
GHerc armed with one of Marianna's paintings made his way towards Zeus' throne room. He fully expected his father to be busy with Hera. The two had been virtually inseparable since they had reunited over mutual love of their grandson Evander many years ago. GHerc was in for a surprise though. His father was not alone but there was no sign of his stepmother. Instead two babies sat upon Zeus' knee.
The king of the gods looked up at GHerc's approach. "Arista and Argin meet your Uncle GHerc. I know you are going to like him a lot," Zeus said with a delighted grin on his face.
GHerc hid the rolled up painting behind his back with one hand before he knelt in front of the throne. He took Arista's little hand gently in his free one. She had curly blond locks and a smile that would melt the hardest of hearts. There was no doubt she was the daughter of Aphrodite and Hesphestus.
You're going to be a heartbreaker just like your mother," GHerc said softly. GHerc could swear Arista winked at him. Then he turned his attention to the other child. It was boy, with straight black hair and a scowling expression on his face. "You're Ares' boy aren't you? I am very close to your brother, Evander. So hopefully we can be friends too despite my differences with your father." Argin looked suspicious but a half smile formed on his face." GHerc returned it.
GHerc said to his father, "We need to talk but it can wait." "Nonsense," replied Zeus. There is no time like the present." He lifted each of the children off his lap, stood carefully and set them both down on his large throne. "Now you two be good, while I talk to your Uncle." He motioned GHerc over to a large window. It looked out on a vast universe filled with stars. For a moment father and son, stood motionless and quiet taking in its splendor.
After a bit, Zeus spoke first. "What is it son?" GHerc didn't say a word just brought out the painting from behind his back and handed it to Zeus. Tears began rolling down GHerc's face. Zeus carefully unrolled the canvas. He nodded and moisture welled in his eyes as well.
"You did love me, after all," GHerc finally spoke.
"From the day you were born. I'm just sorry you ever had to doubt it son. I know I let you down. There were things I just couldn't explain or change no matter how much I wanted to. As I said earlier, even the king of the gods has limits to his power because of forces that are greater than you and I can comprehend. And then there were times I just simply let you down. But through everything, I always loved you most of all. I still love you to this day."
"And I'm sorry I blamed you for everything father. Sorry I took all my losses and pain out on you. Yes you did make mistakes, but I've made them too. I'm sorry I lost sight of what really mattered. You're my father and I love you." GHerc said. Zeus held out his arms to his son and GHerc accepted." Father and son embraced. "Welcome home son. I've missed you." "It is good to be home father." GHerc said and really meant it.
Then he broke out into joyous laughter. Zeus look puzzled until GHerc pulled away and pointed. There were objects of all shapes and sizes floating around the room. GHerc reached up and grabbed a triangle. It was soft to the touch. The two babies looked especially pleased with the test of their powers. Just then Arista lifted her finger and sent a soft round circle flying towards the back of Argin's head. GHerc quickly intercepted. "You're going to make your grandpa's hair even grayer" Zeus playfully scolded.
