Meeting of Aphrodite and Ares
She had never been so disgusted before in her life. She looked down at the baby she had such high hopes for. She quietly got up with the infant hidden in a few blankets and flung him off Olympus not caring where he landed or if he survived. No one would ever find out about her mistake. No one
I am bored. what to do. Ares looked around his throne where he was lounging lazily. There is not one single war going on. how can no one be fighting? Ares looked at his black clothes, his black throne and the black walls surrounding him. I need color. I need Aphrodite.
Aphrodite was lounging about in her chamber. Some of these mortals were so pathetic she thought as she tossed a scroll aside. She yawned got up and stretched. She frowned. She was bored and that was never a good thing. She pouted yet again and then Ares appeared before her. Her face lit up, "Ares!"
"Aphrodite, hello," Ares said in his sexy, suave voice. He smirked when he heard a girlish giggle escape her lips.
She could never get over his darkness contrasting with the brightness in her chamber but, she liked his darkness, it was refreshing. She bit the bottom of her lip and smiled, "Ares, what brings you here?"
"I was looking around my temple in Thracia and couldn't help but notice how dark it was. I needed a change and I thought what's better than visiting my favorite bright beauty?" Ares smirked sexily.
She smiled again. Oh he was a sexy bitch. "You are such a charmer Ares."
" I know," Ares smirked, "I don't think I can stand the pink surroundings much longer lets go to "our spot.""
She smiled "okay" they then vanished arm in arm.
Cyprus
Ares and Aphrodite both lounged on the lush soft grass watching Eris in amusement as she threw her Golden Apple at people. Ares laughing at the violence, and Aphrodite giggling at Eris' silly ways.
"It's just like when we met."
"I know," he paused as if in thought, "you know you're just as beautiful as I am handsome"
Aphrodite tilted her head and said, "Yes, I am."
Hera looked down frowning. She had gotten bored, and decided to watch some mortals, when she spotted an Oceanid with a stunning necklace. She went down to where the nymph was.
"Where did you get these," she said pointing to the trinkets glittering in the sun.
"I got it from this lame God on the island," she said pointing toward Lemnos.
"A god?" Hera asked wondering who he or she could be.
"Yes. They call him Hephaestus and he just appeared one day, they say he fell from the sky, must have been Olympus," she stated. "He was but a child when he fell, Thetis took him in and raised him, as her own for the last nine years. He now lives on the island of Lemnos."
Hera took all this info from thought, dismissing the nymph with a wave of her hand, as she disappeared to go back to Olympus. Hera sat on her throne pondering the events that had just occurred. It couldn't be could it? She thought. Well it did fit the time frame. HE was born exactly nine years ago, she thought with disgust. Hera decided that she would go Lemnos to see for herself.
Lemnos
Hephaestus was in his cave forging more pretty trinkets to please Thetis. He turned when he heard a noise at the entrance of his cave. He saw a tall woman with brown hair tight up in a bun, wearing a bright blue dress, with green trim, and peacock feathers surrounding her head. He had never seen on the island before but he knew that face. He had seen it somewhere before, but where?
Hera slowly walked into the cave with poise and elegance befitting her station. She looked over the man before her, he was a pathetic looking sight to behold, his brown scraggly hair surrounded his dirt-smeared face, and his clothes hung off him like rags. They say he's a god, she thought. She barely resisted the urge to laugh out loud at the sight of him. "Are you the man who has been making the jewelry for Thetis?"
"Yes, I am, and who are you?" Hephaestus asked. He couldn't help but notice how out of place she looked with her bright clothes in his dark cave/.
"I am Hera, Queen of The Gods," Hera replied haughtily. "How did you get to this island?"
"All I remember is the feeling of being thrown from a high distance. I had woken up when I was falling and then I remember seeing Thetis and her taking me in. Have we ever met? Your face is eerily familiar," Hephaestus asked, changing the subject before he thought to long on his abandonment.
"Yes you have, I am your mother. I think it would be best if you came back to Olympus, for that is where you rightly belong."
Hephaestus fell to his knees before his mother, "Mother I am not worthy to be brought to Olympus before all the Gods, let me present you with a gift, then maybe you will deem me worthy." Hephaestus got to his feet and went to the corner of his cave, where there lay a gift that he had prepared especially for the person who abandoned him. He brought out a beautiful throne filled with jewels and gold and placed it before Hera.
Hera smiled, maybe having HIM as a son wouldn't be so bad after all. She thanked him and took the throne with her back to Olympus.
Hephaestus smiled, that will show her not to just throw away a God. Then went back to working on pretty trinkets for Thetis.
Olympus
Hera looked down on Earth from her throne, she smiled it was absolutely beautiful. Funny how something of great beauty could some from something so ugly. She was then lost in her thoughts when she spied Zeus down on Earth. She immediately grew suspicious. Well she better put a stop to whatever it was her was planning before there was yet another bastard child roaming Olympus. Honestly, how he could favor such children. She went to get up, but...couldn't. What in Tartarus? She struggled with all her might but she couldn't move, she let out a frustrated scream.
Cyprus
Ares smiled as he heard Aphrodite's girlish giggle as he re-told tales of some of his many war times. The current tale was how some silly mortal believed he could go against Ares in battle and was tricked into killing himself.
She laughed again. What a foolish mortal. She was about to say something to Ares (no doubt how beautiful they both were) when they heard the heavens shake with a scream.
"Wonder what father did this time?" Ares asked.
Aphrodite tilted her head to the side "maybe we should find out"
"I do always love it when they fight. It always makes up for there being no wars on Earth" Ares said as he and Aphrodite got up ready to leave to Olympus.
Olympus
When they arrive they find the strange sight of Hera sitting in a throne struggling. Aphrodite couldn't hold back her giggles when she sees her, Hera looked up and glared daggers at Aphrodite, which just made her, laugh harder.
Ares looks at Aphrodite, and then, back to his mother, "Are you ok? Is there something wrong, we heard you all the way from Earth."
"I can't get out of this throne!" Hera said over Aphrodite's laughter.
Zeus appears on the left of Ares, "What is going on up here Hera? You're shaking the Earth!"
"I CAN'T GET OUT OF THIS THRONE!!!!" Hera yelled.
"Where did you get this throne? And what do you mean you cannot get out of it? Sit up." Zeus said
"I would if I could but I can't! I'm stuck!! I got it as a gift from Hephaestus!!! The little bastard HE must have set this trap!" Hera screamed.
"Who is Hephaestus?" Zeus asked.
"He's...my son" Hera mumbled "Your son? What do you mean YOUR SON?" Zeus bellowed.
Hera's own temper flared "I MEAN HE IS MY SON!!! DO YOU HAVE SOME SORT OF HEARING PROBLEM?!?" both Ares and Aphrodite backed away. They didn't want to get caught up in one of their fights no matter how entertaining it was.
"How do you have a son?!? You are my wife!! No one else is allowed to touch you!" Zeus yelled.
"OH BUT IT'S OKAY FOR YOU TO GO OUT AND BED THE FIRST WOMAN YOU SET EYES ON?!? And by the by no one has touched me!!!!" Hera replied.
"Not the first woman maybe the second! And anyway that's different! You are the Goddess of Marriage! Act Like IT. And what do you mean no one had touched you!?!" Zeus yelled.
"I mean I had a son without any man's help, or are you too thick headed to understand?!?"
"I understand alright!! But why would you do such a thing and why has no one heard of him until now?!? And why would you own son trap you in a chair?!?"
"Because...because I-I...gave him up!"
"Why?!?"
"I...I didn't want him to see what a cretin the all powerful Zeus was!!"
"Then why did he trap you in the chair?!? And I am NO CRETIN!!"
"Because he didn't understand my reasons and you most certainly are!"
"Well if I am such a cretin then why should I help you get out of your sons chair?!?"
She let out another scream of frustration shaking the heavens and earth "Why am I not surprised?!? Go then and bed yet another tramp and leave your wife here!! After all you've certainly gotten good at that" she finished with a sob.
"Now you can't go and cry now, you started this. Calling me a cretin and having a son whom you abandoned. But I so hate it when you cry. It can get annoying. HERMES! HERMES GET HERE NOW!" Zeus called.
"Yes oh mighty Zeus?" Hermes appeared with an over dramatic bow.
"Don't act trite. Gather the Gods. Hera has been trapped in a chair, and wants out."
"Yes sir. Right away" and with that he was gone. One by one the gods began to appear and finally Hermes himself.
"You forgot one." Zeus said.
"Who?" said Hermes looking around counting then re-counting the number of gods around him.
"Hephaestus, Hera's beloved son." Zeus said sarcastically.
"Who???" asked Hermes bewildered.
"Hera's son. Ask Hera where you can find him and bring him here. I would so love to meet the son of my wife."
"Well then, your grace. Where can I find this Hepheastus?" Hera looked at him for a moment and finally said "Lemnos." No sooner had she said the word, Hermes disappeared. A few minutes later he reappeared. Alone. ''I'm sorry Zeus, but he has refused to come''
"What do you mean he refused? Hermes, go back and bring him here, and if you must take Aphrodite with you, I'm sure she can find a way." Zeus said looking at Aphrodite.
Aphrodite looked at Zeus, rolled her eyes then said to Hermes ''fine let's go''. She looked at Ares, pouted slightly, and then disappeared along with Hermes.
Hephaestus sat in his cave, laughing silently It had worked, not that he doubted it would, but still it had worked, and now she can suffer like he did. A noise interrupted his thoughts, he turned and saw the God Hermes again, didn't I tell him I would not go? But then a woman appeared. He couldn't help but stare at her, in her flowing white dress and her long pale brown hair she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, even compared to the jewelry he made.
"Zeus requests your presence on mount Olympus, oh mighty god of fire" Hermes said bowing extravagantly again. Aphrodite said nothing and looked to the left of Hephaestus rather than directly at him. Oh why did Zeus make her come? This was all Hera's fault! If she hadn't had HIM then none of this would have happened and she could be with Ares right now, listening to him tell his stories or listening to him tell me how beautiful she was.
"I have already told you Hermes that I will not go." Hephaestus said still not taking his eyes off of Aphrodite. Hermes sighed then looked at Aphrodite pleadingly. She sighed and fluttered her eye lashes '' would you please come?'' she asked simply.
Hephaestus considered telling her no, but looking again at her he just could not. "Alright I will go, but I will not let her out of her chair."
Hermes smiled at Aphrodite and mouthed a thank you; she smiled back softly and nodded her head slightly. She then disappeared and re-appeared on Olympus with Hermes and Hephaestus right behind her. She immediately walked towards Ares hoping Hephaestus wouldn't follow.
Hephaestus looked after Aphrodite as she walked towards a handsome man dressed in black. He considered following her, but then a frustrated cry caused him to look the other way. What he saw, made him laugh with glee, sitting in her throne was Hera looking every bit as frustrated as she sounded.
Zeus looked at the new arrival, and smiled behind his hand when he realized the real reason Hera had abandoned her son. He was hideous! He looked at Hephaestus after having schooled his features. "I am Zeus, Hephaestus, I am Hera husband. It is a pleasure to meet her son. Now are you going to set Hera free, or just laugh?"
"It is great to meet you," Hephaestus said bowing his head, "but I will not let her go. She does not deserve it."
Hera let out another earth shaking scream, causing the other gods to flinch at the screeching sound.
"What must we do to get you to let her go? I don't think anyone here wants to deal with a screeching Hera for eternity," Zeus said.
Hephaestus looked around at the Gods surrounding him, his gaze resting on Aphrodite and decided that there was something that could be given to him, which would make him let Hera go. But he said nothing yet.
Noticing his silence, the Gods around him decided to start helping
''If you free Hera I will give you as many flocks of herds as you like, or I will give you one of my muses as a bride'' Apollo offered.
Hephaestus smiled, this maybe worth the effort of coming here, but to Apollo's offer he shook his head.
Artemis looked at Hephaestus, and decided maybe he wanted a companion, "Hephaestus, I Artemis, will give you a one of my nymphs, for company if you let Hera go." Apollo frowned. Then saw where Hpheastus' gaze landed. Aphrodite. So...he wanted the goddess of love. Poor Aphrodite. He thought as he heard his sister talk
Again Hephaestus just shook his head, and looked around waiting to see if anyone else would offer something.
''Hepheastus, what is it exactly that you want? I think that both Apollo and Artemis have been more than generous in their offerings. Perhaps you would wish to have the island Lemnos protected from storms of the sea?'' Poseidon said to the lame god.
Zeus looked at where Hephaestus' gave kept landing, Aphrodite. Interesting maybe we can get him to let Hera go. "Hephaestus, you are looking at Aphrodite, is she what you want? Do you want Aphrodite to be your bride?"
Aphrodite looked at Zeus horrified. She took a step back and felt disgusted. HIM as a...a husband?!? Surely Zeus wouldn't do this to her, would he?
Ares growled low in his throat and placed himself in front of Aphrodite. How could Zeus try to give away HIS Aphrodite to that ugly God. It could not happen.
Hephaestus walked closer to Aphrodite and then looked at Zeus. "I will let Hera go, If and ONLY IF Aphrodite becomes my bride."
Apollo, Hermes and all the other Gods looked at Aphrodite with pity. Poor thing they all thought.
Ares looked at Zeus and shook his head at him shouting "NO"
Aphrodite thought she would faint. No this couldn't be happening! She thought with despair. She couldn't marry HIM she just couldn't! She was supposed to marry Ares because he was as handsome as she was beautiful. She barely heard Ares shout ''no!''
Zeus shook his head sadly, wishing it could be another way, but his wife must be set free. "Alright you have your wish Hephaestus. Aphrodite will be your bride."
Aphrodite looked wildly at the others hoping they would some how be able to help her. None of them men met her gaze and Artemis silently mouthed an apology. She looked up at Ares as tears began to slide down her pretty face.
"After we marry, I will set Hera free." Hephaestus said, not noticing or maybe just ignoring the tears that were flowing down Aphrodite's face.
Ares looked at Zeus, "No this cannot happen, She does not belong with HIM," Ares said in disgust.
"It is too late Ares, it will be done, and there is nothing that can be done to help it, thank your mother for her abandonment of her Son for this, all of this is a result of Hera." Zeus said.
The union between the reluctant Aphrodite and Hephaestus took place right away, being witnessed by a grieving Ares, and group of gods who couldn't even look at the husband. Hera was set free, and stormed away, in embarrassment.
She had never been so disgusted before in her life. She looked down at the baby she had such high hopes for. She quietly got up with the infant hidden in a few blankets and flung him off Olympus not caring where he landed or if he survived. No one would ever find out about her mistake. No one
I am bored. what to do. Ares looked around his throne where he was lounging lazily. There is not one single war going on. how can no one be fighting? Ares looked at his black clothes, his black throne and the black walls surrounding him. I need color. I need Aphrodite.
Aphrodite was lounging about in her chamber. Some of these mortals were so pathetic she thought as she tossed a scroll aside. She yawned got up and stretched. She frowned. She was bored and that was never a good thing. She pouted yet again and then Ares appeared before her. Her face lit up, "Ares!"
"Aphrodite, hello," Ares said in his sexy, suave voice. He smirked when he heard a girlish giggle escape her lips.
She could never get over his darkness contrasting with the brightness in her chamber but, she liked his darkness, it was refreshing. She bit the bottom of her lip and smiled, "Ares, what brings you here?"
"I was looking around my temple in Thracia and couldn't help but notice how dark it was. I needed a change and I thought what's better than visiting my favorite bright beauty?" Ares smirked sexily.
She smiled again. Oh he was a sexy bitch. "You are such a charmer Ares."
" I know," Ares smirked, "I don't think I can stand the pink surroundings much longer lets go to "our spot.""
She smiled "okay" they then vanished arm in arm.
Cyprus
Ares and Aphrodite both lounged on the lush soft grass watching Eris in amusement as she threw her Golden Apple at people. Ares laughing at the violence, and Aphrodite giggling at Eris' silly ways.
"It's just like when we met."
"I know," he paused as if in thought, "you know you're just as beautiful as I am handsome"
Aphrodite tilted her head and said, "Yes, I am."
Hera looked down frowning. She had gotten bored, and decided to watch some mortals, when she spotted an Oceanid with a stunning necklace. She went down to where the nymph was.
"Where did you get these," she said pointing to the trinkets glittering in the sun.
"I got it from this lame God on the island," she said pointing toward Lemnos.
"A god?" Hera asked wondering who he or she could be.
"Yes. They call him Hephaestus and he just appeared one day, they say he fell from the sky, must have been Olympus," she stated. "He was but a child when he fell, Thetis took him in and raised him, as her own for the last nine years. He now lives on the island of Lemnos."
Hera took all this info from thought, dismissing the nymph with a wave of her hand, as she disappeared to go back to Olympus. Hera sat on her throne pondering the events that had just occurred. It couldn't be could it? She thought. Well it did fit the time frame. HE was born exactly nine years ago, she thought with disgust. Hera decided that she would go Lemnos to see for herself.
Lemnos
Hephaestus was in his cave forging more pretty trinkets to please Thetis. He turned when he heard a noise at the entrance of his cave. He saw a tall woman with brown hair tight up in a bun, wearing a bright blue dress, with green trim, and peacock feathers surrounding her head. He had never seen on the island before but he knew that face. He had seen it somewhere before, but where?
Hera slowly walked into the cave with poise and elegance befitting her station. She looked over the man before her, he was a pathetic looking sight to behold, his brown scraggly hair surrounded his dirt-smeared face, and his clothes hung off him like rags. They say he's a god, she thought. She barely resisted the urge to laugh out loud at the sight of him. "Are you the man who has been making the jewelry for Thetis?"
"Yes, I am, and who are you?" Hephaestus asked. He couldn't help but notice how out of place she looked with her bright clothes in his dark cave/.
"I am Hera, Queen of The Gods," Hera replied haughtily. "How did you get to this island?"
"All I remember is the feeling of being thrown from a high distance. I had woken up when I was falling and then I remember seeing Thetis and her taking me in. Have we ever met? Your face is eerily familiar," Hephaestus asked, changing the subject before he thought to long on his abandonment.
"Yes you have, I am your mother. I think it would be best if you came back to Olympus, for that is where you rightly belong."
Hephaestus fell to his knees before his mother, "Mother I am not worthy to be brought to Olympus before all the Gods, let me present you with a gift, then maybe you will deem me worthy." Hephaestus got to his feet and went to the corner of his cave, where there lay a gift that he had prepared especially for the person who abandoned him. He brought out a beautiful throne filled with jewels and gold and placed it before Hera.
Hera smiled, maybe having HIM as a son wouldn't be so bad after all. She thanked him and took the throne with her back to Olympus.
Hephaestus smiled, that will show her not to just throw away a God. Then went back to working on pretty trinkets for Thetis.
Olympus
Hera looked down on Earth from her throne, she smiled it was absolutely beautiful. Funny how something of great beauty could some from something so ugly. She was then lost in her thoughts when she spied Zeus down on Earth. She immediately grew suspicious. Well she better put a stop to whatever it was her was planning before there was yet another bastard child roaming Olympus. Honestly, how he could favor such children. She went to get up, but...couldn't. What in Tartarus? She struggled with all her might but she couldn't move, she let out a frustrated scream.
Cyprus
Ares smiled as he heard Aphrodite's girlish giggle as he re-told tales of some of his many war times. The current tale was how some silly mortal believed he could go against Ares in battle and was tricked into killing himself.
She laughed again. What a foolish mortal. She was about to say something to Ares (no doubt how beautiful they both were) when they heard the heavens shake with a scream.
"Wonder what father did this time?" Ares asked.
Aphrodite tilted her head to the side "maybe we should find out"
"I do always love it when they fight. It always makes up for there being no wars on Earth" Ares said as he and Aphrodite got up ready to leave to Olympus.
Olympus
When they arrive they find the strange sight of Hera sitting in a throne struggling. Aphrodite couldn't hold back her giggles when she sees her, Hera looked up and glared daggers at Aphrodite, which just made her, laugh harder.
Ares looks at Aphrodite, and then, back to his mother, "Are you ok? Is there something wrong, we heard you all the way from Earth."
"I can't get out of this throne!" Hera said over Aphrodite's laughter.
Zeus appears on the left of Ares, "What is going on up here Hera? You're shaking the Earth!"
"I CAN'T GET OUT OF THIS THRONE!!!!" Hera yelled.
"Where did you get this throne? And what do you mean you cannot get out of it? Sit up." Zeus said
"I would if I could but I can't! I'm stuck!! I got it as a gift from Hephaestus!!! The little bastard HE must have set this trap!" Hera screamed.
"Who is Hephaestus?" Zeus asked.
"He's...my son" Hera mumbled "Your son? What do you mean YOUR SON?" Zeus bellowed.
Hera's own temper flared "I MEAN HE IS MY SON!!! DO YOU HAVE SOME SORT OF HEARING PROBLEM?!?" both Ares and Aphrodite backed away. They didn't want to get caught up in one of their fights no matter how entertaining it was.
"How do you have a son?!? You are my wife!! No one else is allowed to touch you!" Zeus yelled.
"OH BUT IT'S OKAY FOR YOU TO GO OUT AND BED THE FIRST WOMAN YOU SET EYES ON?!? And by the by no one has touched me!!!!" Hera replied.
"Not the first woman maybe the second! And anyway that's different! You are the Goddess of Marriage! Act Like IT. And what do you mean no one had touched you!?!" Zeus yelled.
"I mean I had a son without any man's help, or are you too thick headed to understand?!?"
"I understand alright!! But why would you do such a thing and why has no one heard of him until now?!? And why would you own son trap you in a chair?!?"
"Because...because I-I...gave him up!"
"Why?!?"
"I...I didn't want him to see what a cretin the all powerful Zeus was!!"
"Then why did he trap you in the chair?!? And I am NO CRETIN!!"
"Because he didn't understand my reasons and you most certainly are!"
"Well if I am such a cretin then why should I help you get out of your sons chair?!?"
She let out another scream of frustration shaking the heavens and earth "Why am I not surprised?!? Go then and bed yet another tramp and leave your wife here!! After all you've certainly gotten good at that" she finished with a sob.
"Now you can't go and cry now, you started this. Calling me a cretin and having a son whom you abandoned. But I so hate it when you cry. It can get annoying. HERMES! HERMES GET HERE NOW!" Zeus called.
"Yes oh mighty Zeus?" Hermes appeared with an over dramatic bow.
"Don't act trite. Gather the Gods. Hera has been trapped in a chair, and wants out."
"Yes sir. Right away" and with that he was gone. One by one the gods began to appear and finally Hermes himself.
"You forgot one." Zeus said.
"Who?" said Hermes looking around counting then re-counting the number of gods around him.
"Hephaestus, Hera's beloved son." Zeus said sarcastically.
"Who???" asked Hermes bewildered.
"Hera's son. Ask Hera where you can find him and bring him here. I would so love to meet the son of my wife."
"Well then, your grace. Where can I find this Hepheastus?" Hera looked at him for a moment and finally said "Lemnos." No sooner had she said the word, Hermes disappeared. A few minutes later he reappeared. Alone. ''I'm sorry Zeus, but he has refused to come''
"What do you mean he refused? Hermes, go back and bring him here, and if you must take Aphrodite with you, I'm sure she can find a way." Zeus said looking at Aphrodite.
Aphrodite looked at Zeus, rolled her eyes then said to Hermes ''fine let's go''. She looked at Ares, pouted slightly, and then disappeared along with Hermes.
Hephaestus sat in his cave, laughing silently It had worked, not that he doubted it would, but still it had worked, and now she can suffer like he did. A noise interrupted his thoughts, he turned and saw the God Hermes again, didn't I tell him I would not go? But then a woman appeared. He couldn't help but stare at her, in her flowing white dress and her long pale brown hair she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, even compared to the jewelry he made.
"Zeus requests your presence on mount Olympus, oh mighty god of fire" Hermes said bowing extravagantly again. Aphrodite said nothing and looked to the left of Hephaestus rather than directly at him. Oh why did Zeus make her come? This was all Hera's fault! If she hadn't had HIM then none of this would have happened and she could be with Ares right now, listening to him tell his stories or listening to him tell me how beautiful she was.
"I have already told you Hermes that I will not go." Hephaestus said still not taking his eyes off of Aphrodite. Hermes sighed then looked at Aphrodite pleadingly. She sighed and fluttered her eye lashes '' would you please come?'' she asked simply.
Hephaestus considered telling her no, but looking again at her he just could not. "Alright I will go, but I will not let her out of her chair."
Hermes smiled at Aphrodite and mouthed a thank you; she smiled back softly and nodded her head slightly. She then disappeared and re-appeared on Olympus with Hermes and Hephaestus right behind her. She immediately walked towards Ares hoping Hephaestus wouldn't follow.
Hephaestus looked after Aphrodite as she walked towards a handsome man dressed in black. He considered following her, but then a frustrated cry caused him to look the other way. What he saw, made him laugh with glee, sitting in her throne was Hera looking every bit as frustrated as she sounded.
Zeus looked at the new arrival, and smiled behind his hand when he realized the real reason Hera had abandoned her son. He was hideous! He looked at Hephaestus after having schooled his features. "I am Zeus, Hephaestus, I am Hera husband. It is a pleasure to meet her son. Now are you going to set Hera free, or just laugh?"
"It is great to meet you," Hephaestus said bowing his head, "but I will not let her go. She does not deserve it."
Hera let out another earth shaking scream, causing the other gods to flinch at the screeching sound.
"What must we do to get you to let her go? I don't think anyone here wants to deal with a screeching Hera for eternity," Zeus said.
Hephaestus looked around at the Gods surrounding him, his gaze resting on Aphrodite and decided that there was something that could be given to him, which would make him let Hera go. But he said nothing yet.
Noticing his silence, the Gods around him decided to start helping
''If you free Hera I will give you as many flocks of herds as you like, or I will give you one of my muses as a bride'' Apollo offered.
Hephaestus smiled, this maybe worth the effort of coming here, but to Apollo's offer he shook his head.
Artemis looked at Hephaestus, and decided maybe he wanted a companion, "Hephaestus, I Artemis, will give you a one of my nymphs, for company if you let Hera go." Apollo frowned. Then saw where Hpheastus' gaze landed. Aphrodite. So...he wanted the goddess of love. Poor Aphrodite. He thought as he heard his sister talk
Again Hephaestus just shook his head, and looked around waiting to see if anyone else would offer something.
''Hepheastus, what is it exactly that you want? I think that both Apollo and Artemis have been more than generous in their offerings. Perhaps you would wish to have the island Lemnos protected from storms of the sea?'' Poseidon said to the lame god.
Zeus looked at where Hephaestus' gave kept landing, Aphrodite. Interesting maybe we can get him to let Hera go. "Hephaestus, you are looking at Aphrodite, is she what you want? Do you want Aphrodite to be your bride?"
Aphrodite looked at Zeus horrified. She took a step back and felt disgusted. HIM as a...a husband?!? Surely Zeus wouldn't do this to her, would he?
Ares growled low in his throat and placed himself in front of Aphrodite. How could Zeus try to give away HIS Aphrodite to that ugly God. It could not happen.
Hephaestus walked closer to Aphrodite and then looked at Zeus. "I will let Hera go, If and ONLY IF Aphrodite becomes my bride."
Apollo, Hermes and all the other Gods looked at Aphrodite with pity. Poor thing they all thought.
Ares looked at Zeus and shook his head at him shouting "NO"
Aphrodite thought she would faint. No this couldn't be happening! She thought with despair. She couldn't marry HIM she just couldn't! She was supposed to marry Ares because he was as handsome as she was beautiful. She barely heard Ares shout ''no!''
Zeus shook his head sadly, wishing it could be another way, but his wife must be set free. "Alright you have your wish Hephaestus. Aphrodite will be your bride."
Aphrodite looked wildly at the others hoping they would some how be able to help her. None of them men met her gaze and Artemis silently mouthed an apology. She looked up at Ares as tears began to slide down her pretty face.
"After we marry, I will set Hera free." Hephaestus said, not noticing or maybe just ignoring the tears that were flowing down Aphrodite's face.
Ares looked at Zeus, "No this cannot happen, She does not belong with HIM," Ares said in disgust.
"It is too late Ares, it will be done, and there is nothing that can be done to help it, thank your mother for her abandonment of her Son for this, all of this is a result of Hera." Zeus said.
The union between the reluctant Aphrodite and Hephaestus took place right away, being witnessed by a grieving Ares, and group of gods who couldn't even look at the husband. Hera was set free, and stormed away, in embarrassment.