Aphrodite was panicking as she called for Hermes to take her down to the foot of the mountain where Hephaestus crashed. As fast as the God of Messenger could go he carried Aphrodite down, without even touching the ground she jumped off him and ran to the deep crater. She has already started to scream out for him. Dresses, bows, charm and elegance be damned. Sliding down to the bottom she saw a horrible sight before her. He was lying on his right side before she turned him over. Hephaestus right leg was crushed until he looked like there were no bones in them, his head was bleeding profusely as it is disfigured, his right arm was bent in a hideous way.
"Hephaestus! Hephaestus my darling please wake up!" She whispered to his face. Hovering over his body, she was shaking when she caresses his disfigured face. "Hephaestus its time to get up! Eros is waiting for us to pick him up." But there was still no response coming out.
"No... No... No! Apollo! Hermes! Help! Somebody help us!" She cried out for anyone to heal him. "You promised me! You promised both of us that everything will be alright! You promised! Hephaestus! Don't leave me! please... Hephaestus!" She cradled his head in her hands with tears pouring out of her eyes.
"The fates have already decided." She heard from the top of the crater. Poseidon and with him the nymph Tetis.
"You have helped him before, you can cure him!" Aphrodite shouted to Tetis.
"The fates have already decided what is to become of him, Lady Aphrodite. He is immortal, he will live but I am afraid that after this incident everything will change." The beautiful nymph said as Poseidon followed her down the crater.
"What do you mean?"
"His scars and disfigurement will be far worse than before."
"It doesn't matter, nothing will change!" Aphrodite fought back.
"Are you sure my Lady? For there is another way. I can take him back to the island of Lemnos where he will remain there as a blacksmith."
"You will take that offer back nymph! My husband will stay with me on Mount Olympus as a God and not as a mere blacksmith. Now be gone!"
A grunt came from Aphrodite's arms. "Hephaestus? Shh... Shh... it's okay my darling. Everything is going to be okay." She soothes his cheeks gently.
"Last chance Aphrodite. With Hephaestus gone your bind in marriage will be broken and you will be free from any bond." Poseidon spoke.
"Take this nymph with you and go away. He is staying with me." She said firmly.
"Very well. Good luck Lady Love and Beauty." and with that Poseidon and Tetis disappeared.
Hermes and Apollo were there once Poseidon was gone, they gently took Hephaestus back to Apollo's temple. As the rest were rebuilding the palaces and temples Zeus along with Hades went to create another prison to trap the Titans. Along all the line of commotion and disarray, the God of War seemed to have escape leaving Athena to hunt him down. All Aphrodite could do was wait in the temple of Apollo for her husband with Hera keeping her company. There were so many things running through her head, so she just sat in the chair frozen until she heard her name being called from down the hall that woke her.
"Aphrodite?" Apollo was bending down in front of her.
"How is he?" She just immediately stood up.
"He is alright, all of us know he can't die..."
"But that doesn't mean we are invincible, today has just proved that," Aphrodite interject.
"Yes. I know that. He is alright..."
"Just say it Apollo!"
"He is different Aphrodite. One fall was bad enough but another is brutal. I was able to salvage what I could but his right hand has been amputated above the wrist and there was nothing I could do to save his right leg.
"I will see my husband now," Aphrodite said bluntly.
"Perhaps we should..." Apollo protested.
"I am going to see my husband." She objected firmly, Hera stood up and went to Aphrodite's side.
"Is there something you are not telling us Apollo?" Hera asked cautiously.
"My lady, I am afraid that he does not look the same as he did before." He looked down at the floor taking a deep breath, ashamed that he the God of Healing can't help his fellow God.
"I'm going in to see him now Apollo," Aphrodite said calmly and walked past him with Hera following behind.
She gently opened the door to Hephaestus room, the curtains were drawn only having the candles and torches to light the room. Hera waited outside thinking that it would be best for the couple. The place has not been cleaned yet as there were bloody bandages and clothes on the floor, but laying on the bed was a peaceful Hephaestus half of his face were wrapped in bandages along with stump where his right hand used to be. The sheets have shown quite obviously where his right leg ends. She stood before him on his right and watch his soft breathing. Gently not to wake him, she pushed his stray hair away from his face before caressing his injured face.
"I'm right here." She whispered.
Down in the land of the dead, Hades has returned from his adventure with his brother. Patting Cerberus middle head before trudging down to the throne room to meet a very worried Persephone.
"Are you alright?" She immediately wrapped her arms around his torso.
"I am alright. The battle is over, we are victorious." He tiredly said to the top of her head. "But some of us are not very lucky..."
"What happened?" The young Goddess asked looking up.
"Where is Eros?"
"He's in his room resting. My love, what has happened?"
"Hephaestus is injured very badly."
"He's going to be alright right?"
"Yes. He will be alright."
"We'll let Eros stay longer until Aphrodite and Hephaestus settle down. Come! Let's retire to our room. I am very tired." Hades release from the hug. Persephone notice her husband limp so she allowed him to lean his weight on her
As the sun settles down at Mount Olympus, Aphrodite has not moved away from Hephaestus side. Even while Apollo and some other nymph were cleaning out the room from bloodied bandages. There were other Gods and Goddesses that needed medical attention but not nearly as bad as Hephaestus, therefore, he was able to be in a room for his own and not to mention he was one of Apollo priority. It is now dark and Aphrodite was able to be persuaded to get cleaned up and check whether she had sustained any injuries. After a thorough check-up and a shower with clean clothes on she was back to Hephaestus side, making sure that she would be the first one he sees when he wakes up.
As for the other Gods it was not over yet for one of their fellow Olympian is missing and they are desperately searching for him to face the consequences. Artemis, twin sister to Apollo would drop by from time to time to bring fresh game or herbs in hopes to help with Hephaestus wounds.
"Do not worry my Lady I am sure he will awaken anytime soon. I have faith in my brother's skills." The deity comforted Aphrodite.
"Thank you, Artemis. I am sure he will wake from this sleep and when he does I will be right there for him."
"It is an absolute blessing that he has you as his wife."
"I think it is the other way around," Aphrodite said tightening her grip on his hand.
"Either way I am very happy for the both of you." with that she bid goodbye.
"We were so afraid that he would not find happiness." A voice coming from the doorway made Aphrodite jump.
"My Lord!" She stood up at the presence of the King of Gods.
"Please be seated Aphrodite you need not stand." He gestured to her chair. "When I announce of your engagement to him, I could see the anger and disgust from your face but it was one way to avoid the conflict and fight over you. But then as the days went by I could also see the pain I have given to both of you."
"My Lord it is different now." She looked at him, the light of the candle flickering on him.
"My brother Poseidon came to me and suggested a proposition."
"He will not return to Lemnos!" She stood up defiantly.
"Apollo has briefed me about Hephaestus condition as well." He looks at her sadly.
"He is fine! He will not return to that disgusting nymph and that forsaken island! I will not allow it! And if you dare speak more about this, I swear you will experience my wrath!" She moved closer to him and stared him down. How dare he suggest or even think about giving up his son yet again after all he has done.
"My lady, you are not thinking straight. If you would understand that he would be even lamer and disfigured than before."
"Why is everyone fretting and making this a horrible..." she dragged and then it hit her. "All of you... How could you? After what he has done for you!"
"We are Gods, Aphrodite. Mortals look to us for guidance and comfort. We can't have one of us..." He couldn't even finish his sentence.
"What? What? We can't be what? Honestly! All of you are just such imbecile! what kind of Gods are you!" She lost it with him and now is screaming and shouting.
"Dite.." A mumble could be heard from the bed. Immediately she was by the bedside holding his hand tightly, hovering over him so he doesn't need to move.
"Hephaestus. Shh... everything is alright, my darling." He didn't open his eye, he looked a bit uncomfortable but that is because of his wounds. A shallow gasp came out from his lips as to say more but he was hushed by her finger. There was only silence in the room except for the crackling of the logs from the fireplace. Zeus has seemed to disappear leaving only just the two of them. How she wish she could just shield him from all of this pain but how could she when she was one of them before.