Disclaimer: I do not own sailormoon or its characters. I do not own the greek mythology in this story either. I do own the story idea and fictional characters of my own design.
Second disclaimer: I do not own the songs mentioned in this story. The credit goes to Bryan Adams titled "Everything I do, I do it for you." The second one is by Josh Groban and Lara Fabian titled "For always."
Authoress note: I tried to get the wedding and celebrations all in one story but it just didn't happen, so I will finish the wedding in the next one. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. If you have any questions I will be glad to answer them.
Selene's arrival in the Hall of Justice caused a stir amongst her fellow gods, who were seated in their throne chairs waiting for Zeus' and Hera's wedding to begin. When she moved to her own throne chair, located between Helios and Hephaestus, every eye was on her. The female gods were envious of her beauty and grace, while the male gods wanted her naked between their sheets.
Her gown was made of silver with tiny golden crescent moons decorating the hem. Each side of her dress was slit up to her knees, showing her milky white legs. When she moved in the dress it glowed a brilliant light that seemed to rival the moon. Golden sandals adorned her feet with the straps reaching to her mid-calf. Nestled between her breasts was the sparkling diamond necklace, which was her true power source and therefore never removed.
In her ears were also diamond drops that could be channeled with the necklace itself, increasing her power ten fold. I will be ready in case harm falls my way. I will protect the child within my womb with everything that I process. Around each upper arm were gold coiling bands that began and ended with tiny silver crescent moons and each one of her slender wrists were adorned with golden bangles.
Her hair was done in its usual style which consisted of two ordangos on top of her head with ponytails of hair flowing from each one, reaching a couple of feet behind her. And in front of each ordango was a single white rose in honor of her mother and of the nightingale, which was her sacred bird. Upon reaching her throne chair, Selene walked up the three diamond steps and held out each side of her dress before sitting down. She didn't want to wrinkle the delicate fabric.
Selene had just arrived in time for Zeus began his descent down the golden carpet aisle, winking at Selene as he walked by her throne. Selene groaned softly. She checked around the hall to see if anyone else noticed besides her and sighed with relief. Everyone else was preoccupied watching Zeus head to the altar. One of these days he will go too far and get us both into trouble. Why can't he just let go? It would be healthier and safer for both of us and our child.
All the gods and goddesses turned their heads at the sound of harps playing. Hera appeared in the doorway and began her descent down the same aisle as Zeus. She looked beautiful in her pure white ancient styled greek dress and she wore diamonds upon her neck, ears, wrists, and ankles. Her hair was swept up with white orchids decorating its strands and a golden tiara graced her head showing her queen status. In her hands was a bouquet of white orchids.
Once Hera reached the altar the wedding began. Hermes stood in front of the couple and motioned for Hebe, goddess of youth, to take the bouquet of white orchids from her. "Tonight we unite Zeus and Hera in Holy Matrimony," he spoke, with his voice echoing throughout the hall. "If anyone objects to this union better speak now or forever hold their peace." Hermes glanced about the room and after a few moments of silence, he continued with the ceremony.
"Zeus, will you take Hera to be your wife; to love, honor and cherish her now and forevermore?" Hermes asked, turning towards Zeus.
"I will," Zeus spoke.
"Hera, will you take Zeus to be your husband; to love, honor and cherish him now and forevermore?" Hermes asked, turning towards Hera.
"I will," Hera spoke.
Hermes motioned for them to hold hands and to repeat after him.
"I, Zeus, take you, Hera, to be my wife; to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish always." He repeated and placed a gold wedding band encrusted with diamonds on Hera's left ring finger.
"I, Hera, take you, Zeus, to be my husband; to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish always." She repeated after Zeus and placed a plain gold wedding band on Zeus' left ring finger.
Zeus smiled down at Hera and bent over to seal their vows with a kiss. He brushed away the tears that streamed down her face and they turned to face the audience, who were standing and clapping. "I announce to you, King Zeus and Queen Hera of the Heavens. May you guide us through to eternity," Hermes spoke, waiting for them to turn back around. "And now the King and Queen will officially end the ceremony by sitting in their thrones."
Zeus offered Hera his arm and helped her up the stairs of the altar. Once he saw that Hera was comfortably seated, he sat in his own stretching out his legs. He then motioned Hermes to begin the offering of the gifts. Zeus wanted to hurry things up so he could eat and dance with Selene, but after he danced with his own wife of course. He still couldn't believe that he was married and he was going to be a father again. He already had he hands full with Heracles.
But Selene did surprise him with her news of a child. What did she expect him to do? Break off the wedding with Hera. He couldn't do that. A marriage between him and Selene wouldn't work out. It was better for them just to be lovers. Sooner or later, Selene's stomach will show and the truth of her pregnancy will be revealed. He would then have to tell Hera the truth and he wasn't ready for that either. He probably never will be ready. That woman can hold grudges for ages.
Poseidon went first and presented Zeus and Hera with four black horses and four white horses. His wife Amphitrite gave Hera a white pearl necklace and matching earrings and to Zeus she presented him with a gold chain. Hades went next and presented Zeus a chest full of gold while he gave Hera a huge princess cut diamond ring. Hera was very pleased with this gift and immediately placed it on her hand. Hades wife Persephone gave Zeus a large ruby ring and to Hera she gave an emerald ring, as it was Hera's favorite stone.
Athena was up next and presented Zeus a sword engraved with thunder bolts on its hilt. To Hera she presented a gold chain belt with every gemstone known decorating it. Apollo was very cunning with his gift and played a song that he wrote on his golden lyre. No god could resist its music for it was like nectar to them. He was now in Zeus' and Hera's good graces, at least for a while. Artemis was next and presented Zeus with a bow and arrows and to Hera she gave her a wolf for protection. Hera was pleased with Artemis' gift and commanded the wolf to sit by her side.
Nyx was up next and presented Zeus blue ribbon for his hair and to Hera she gave bundles of silk to make new dresses. Demeter presented Zeus with a new pair of sandals and to Hera she also gave a pair of sandals. Hermes was next in line and gave Zeus another chest of gold and to Hera he gave an emerald necklace and earrings to match. Ares gave Zeus and Hera a chest of gold each for he didn't have the time to properly search for decent gifts. He wanted to be making plan on defeating Athena, not attend another boring wedding between the gods.
Aphrodite presented Zeus with cologne and to Hera she gave perfume. Hephaestus followed after his beautiful wife and presented Zeus with a new dagger and to Hera he gave a sapphire necklace that he had made himself. Helios smiled as he reached the altar and gave Zeus a new chariot with thunders bolts decorating the sides and to Hera he also gave a new chariot with crowns decorating its side. Hestia gave Zeus an eagle as it was his scared bird and to Hera she gave a simple gold necklace, as Hestia was a simple goddess herself. Dionysus gave each of them a bottle of Ambrosia thinking that they were going to need it soon.
It was now time for Selene to present her gift to Zeus and Hera. She was going to break the rule and sing a song on her own for the couple. She hoped that Zeus would forgive her. She bowed gracefully before them. "To honor your marriage, my gift will be in a song." Apollo began to play softly for her on his golden lyre.
Look into my eyes
You will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart
Search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more
Don't tell me it's not worth trying for
You can't tell me it not worth dying for
You know it's true
Everything I do
I do it for you
Look into my heart
You will find
There's nothing there to hide
Take me as I am
Take my life
I would give it all
I would sacrifice
Don't tell me it's not worth fighting for
I can't help it
There's nothing I want more
You know it's true
Everything I do
I do it for you
There's no love
Like your love
And no other
Could give more love
There's no where
Unless you're there
All the time
All the way
You can't tell me it's not worth trying for
I can't help it
There's nothing I want more
I would fight for you
I'd lie for you
Walk the wire for you
I'd die for you
You know it's true
Everything I do
I do it for you.
Selene knew Zeus was angry at her by the look in his eyes and she knew Hera wasn't pleased with her either. But she had to sing to Zeus one last time while her heart still cared for him. After tonight, she would let him finally go and find the love that she knew was hers to have. Endymion might be a human but he knew her more than any other man or god. It might be forbidden for them to be together but Selene would find a way.
Hera sat up straighter in her chair and grabbed a hold of Zeus' hand. "I want to give you a special gift tonight as my wedding gift to you. Even though it was already spoiled earlier this evening," Hera spoke, casting a hateful glance at Selene. "Close you eyes and I will tell you when to open them." Selene walked over to Helios and dragged him in front of the altar with her. Apollo began to play another song. "You may open them now, my king."
Selene:
I close my eyes
And there in the shadows I see your light
You come to me out of my dreams across
The night
Helios:
You take my hand
Though you may be so many stars away
I know that our spirits and souls are one
Selene:
We've circled the moon and we've touched the sun
Both:
So here we'll stay
For always
Forever
Beyond here and on to eternity
For always
Forever
For us there's no time and no space
Helios:
No barrier love won't erase
Selene:
Wherever you go
I still know in my heart you'll be here
Both:
With me
Helios:
From this day on
I'm certain that I'll never be alone
Selene:
I know what my heart must have always known
Both:
That love has a power that's all its own
And for always
Forever
Now we can fly
And for always
and always
Selene:
We will go on
Both:
Beyond goodbye
Selene:
For Always
Helios:
Forever
Selene:
Beyond here and on to eternity
Helios:
For Always
Selene:
And ever
Both:
You'll be a part of me
Both:
And for always
Forever
A thousand tomorrows may cross the sky
And for always
And always
We will go on beyond goodbye
During the middle of the song, Selene got swept up in the moment and held Helios' hand. Tears fell gently and she smiled at Helios through them. She felt a familiar feeling spreading through her body. Was she falling in love with Helios? But that is impossible. She can't fall in love with Endymion and Helios at the same time. It's not the way that fate plans things. What is going on here? Was her love for Endymion being tested?
To be continued…