14 Years Ago

Hera walked the massive and seemingly endless halls of Mount Olympus looking for someone, who compared to her, was very, very small. She could hear the sound of childish laughter coming from a room and turned inside to see Aphrodite continuously changing little Aricia's outfit.

"Mother!" Aricia beamed with delight and scampered up in to her mother's arms.

Aphrodite was smiling too. "Oh doesn't she look just adorable!"

Hera nodded in agreement. Aphrodite had dressed the child in a soft pink color tunic with gold thread embroidering the edges. There was a white dove on one side and on the other a colorful peacock. The Goddess of Love had styled the child's hair in her favorite Greek style and had slipped a thin gold headband over her ears.

"She is." Hera agreed and cuddled the two year old closer. "Did you thank your aunt for her gifts my dove?"

Aricia nodded. "Yes Mother."

"She always is most gracious." Aphrodite agreed and planted a kiss on the babe's head. "Pretty little thing you are."

Suddenly a third set of footsteps echoed down the hallway. They were heavier, forceful. Hera sighed and passed Aricia to Aphrodite. If Zeus was angry, she didn't want the child to be in harm's way. The Lord of the Sky entered the room, his stormy eyes shifting until they rested on Aricia. He hadn't seen her since the day of her birth two and a half years ago.

"Greetings My Lord." The little girl said softly, ducking her head to avoid his terrifying gaze. Hera had taught her the proper way to address Zeus if she ever was in his presence, to avoid the Lord of the Sky to find a reason to claim rebellion on her part.

Zeus looked at her in surprise and motioned for Aphrodite to set the child on her feet. Hera panicked and stepped in between. "She hasn't done anything." She pleaded. "Please don't harm her."

"I will not harm her." Zeus said and gently removed Hera from his path. "Come here child."

Aricia shot a nervous glance to her mother. Hera nodded reluctantly so Aricia approached Zeus and bowed at his feet. Zeus placed a hand on her head. "How old are you?" He asked.

"Two and a half My Lord." Aricia answered in a small voice. She had been taught since birth to fear Zeus with all her heart. He could crush her whenever he desired.

Hera cringed when her child's age was said out loud. Her child was halfway to the point Zeus would have let her stay with Hera on Olympus. Zeus knew it too and he smiled a knowing grin. "You have grown fast."

He stood up and looked at Hera. "Follow me." He ordered.

Hera nodded to Aphrodite to take Aricia away to safety. The Queen of Olympus followed her lord and husband back in to the hallway. "Yes My Lord?"

"Do not play coy Hera." Zeus grumbled. "You know."

"Ah yes of course." Hera glared. "Another new little demigod son of Zeus am I right?" She raised and lowered her shoulders. "It is done, I can do nothing." She looked over her shoulder. "I have my cild, I care not about yours."

"You're child is an insult."

"My child is an insult!" Hera exploded. "I created her without the aid of any man, and so she was not created through any infidelity, which you on the other hand cannot say about your numerous children."

Zeus struck her, though he had no initially planned to. Hera stumbled back and gave a yelp of both pain and surprise. "I will give you this one; make him your champion one day. I will call him Jason, after that mortal you favored."

Hera gave an ugly laugh. "I do not want your child. If you want to make amends for your infidelity then let me keep Aricia here on Olympus with me."

"No." Zeus said simply and began to walk away. "My ruling stands; she remains until she is five."

Hera didn't even bother to argue. She turned and went to find her daughter and took her from Aphrodite. Aricia saw her mother's tears and was instantly concerned. "Mother, are you alright? Did he hurt you?"

"Shhh, do not worry about me my sweet." Hera cooed and rocked her child in her white arms. "You should be sleeping." Aricia yawned and snuggled in to her mother's warmth. Hera looked down at her with sorrow in her brown eyes. "I love you baby."

"I love you too Mother."

Aphrodite had watched in silence, but now she came forth and said softly, "It would be easier if she had a father to go to when the time comes." The Goddess of Love thought of her children whom she all loved very much. "I hate leaving them, but I know their father's will love them."

"I cannot give her a father." Hera said. "Especially not one who will love her."

"If you tell Zeus the truth, maybe he will reconsider."

Hera shook her head. "He has betrayed me again, and still he does not allow her to stay any longer. And his child will grow and be well until they worship him and make him a hero. Mine will be hounded by his monsters until he finally destroys her."

"Perhaps not." Aphrodite tried to console Hera. "There is always hope."

Hera nodded. "What will this new demigod child of Zeus bring to us Aphrodite? What does fate have in store?"