Chapter 1: Goddess of Youth

The mortar and pestle beat a steady rythmn as she stared into the depths of the amphora next to her. This would have been a pretty commonplace domestic image if the liquid in the amphora wasn't reflecting a sunny courtyard and family lounging on coaches beneath the veranda; or if the mixture being pounded wasn't nectar and ambrosia. For this young woman was none other than a goddess, one of the goddesses who resided high in Olympus centuries ago. She was Hebe, Goddess of Youth and Cupbearer to the Gods.

"Oh come on, Hebe," Another young goddess laughed in the doorway, "Are you watching humans again? Boring ones too, no doubt!"

"Hey Catey," Hebe grumbled into the mixture she was making. "They're royal this time. So better than the people I normally watch."

"Aww, come on cutie, give your buddy a smile." The dark goddess came over and grinned into Hebe's face, "And give me more deference, I am much older than you. Therefore, I am not Catey but the Queen of the Night, Hecate, the triple Goddess of Magic and Crossroads and oh so much more."

Hebe lifted a delicate eye brow and snorted into her concoction.

The difference between the two of them was remarkably striking, Hebe was one of the golden goddess with long blond hair that curled around her ivory skin delicately. She had large dark eyes that wouldn't have been found amiss on a child's face. Hecate would never be mistaken for a child, though in her maiden's form she had a dark grace and demeanor that bespoke many eons of power. The innocence that graced Hebe like the gown she wore was absent from Hecate though they appeared physically near the same age.

"Alright, Oh Queen of the Night, " Hebe's voice dripped with ire, "What brings you to these humble storerooms? "

"You darlin'!" Hecate danced into the room with the grace only a goddess could possess, "Aphrodite was looking for you and since I tend to spend more time in the Dark Court then up here on Olympus I decided to see how you are doing. But I see my presence is not wanted so I'll just head back down to Hades."

"No!" Hebe called out and grabbed her friends hand before she could skip out of the room, "Catey, stop being stupid. You know I missed you!"

"Say it!" Hecate demanded trying to look stern but the smile that tweaked her lips was barely hidden.

Hebe rolled her eyes but couldn't help up laugh, "I love you dearly, you're my favorite!"

"That a girl!" Hecate let out a shriek of a laugh and spun Hebe around in a dance. She then collapsed in a chair that materialized near where Hebe had been sitting. He peered into the amphora that still displayed the mortals, "So, who are you stalking now?"

"Alcmene and Amphityron," Hebe answered settling in and continuing with the concoction she was making, "They're the king and queen of the House of Perseus. Zeus has his eye on Alcmene, she's a virgin still. She promised her brothers that she wouldn't full marry anyone until their death was avenged. Amphityron is leaving soon to avenge them and come back to his loyal wife. They love eachother so deeply. I'm worried Zeus is going to ruin everything."

"By Nyx! You've turned soft, Be," Hecate laughed, "Ever since you became one of Aphrodite's henchmen."

"I am not one of her henchmen." Hebe ground her teeth and glared at her friend. "You know I needed a place, I can't just be Cupbearer forever."

"Yeah," Hecate laughed her shriek of a laugh, "but did you have to become a goddess of love when you've never experienced it yourself?"

"Shut it, Catey." Hebe growled.

"Aww," Hecate leapt over and hugged the golden goddess close, "Don't be such a sourpuss. You need to come down to the Dark Court soon. You need to relax and have some fun. Get out from amongst all these airheads."

Hebe pour the ground ambrosia into a vat of nectar before stirring it. Hecate danced towards the door singing good-byes but just as she reached the door, she turned and said, "Plus, Kore misses you something fierce. So at least some to see her."

Hebe looked up at the sound of her best friends name but Hecate had already disappeared around the corner. Hecate was a nudge and a joker but deep down she was a great friend and Hebe knew she should have been more welcoming. It was childish angst at being mad at Aphrodite that made her lash out at her friends. Maybe she did need to go give Hades a visit.

For the moment, though, she needed to bring this nectar and ambrosia to the throne room where she should find the 12 Olympians. They were supposed to be having a meeting, but with little to discuss not everyone was going to be there and little would be accomplished. Giving a sigh, she dipped a pitcher into the golden liquid and made her way through labyrinth like halls of Olympus. With enough room to house every god, goddess, and godlet in the Greek Pantheon the building was immense. Though, everyone had the ability to just appear wherever they wanted in the expansive palace, Hebe liked to take her time and stroll through the halls.

Especially recently, the long ,cold halls that stood mostly empty attracted Hebe and let her think. She'd felt displaced for a while now and it made her feel as empty as the back halls of Olympus. She wanted purpose, she wanted companionship. For, to tell the truth, all these melancholy feelings had come after Persephone left for the Underworld. Hebe was happy that her best friend had found love, but it did leave Hebe rather lonely. Hebe and Kore had grown up together as godlets and young virgin goddesses. They had been unseperable on Earth, Heaven and the Underworld.

Now, with Persephone's new status as Queen of the Underworld, not to mention the attention of her husband, Hebe had been left behind and lonely. Hebe gave a sigh and transported herself the rest of the way to the throne room to get away from these darker thoughts. They led no where.

As she knew it would be, the throne room was not the political center is has been in the past, but a social scene of family gossiping. Zeus made them gather fairly frequently to keep them in touch. This was one such engagement.

"Hebe!" Aphrodite's glorious voice rang out across the brightly lit room of marble, "Could you take any longer? I'm parched."

She opened her mouth and tilted her chin back theatrically. As Hebe gracefully made her way across the room she couldn't help but notice the male eyes trailing the long line of Aphrodite's throat down to where her gown began. Hebe was used to being outshined when she stood next to the Goddess of Beauty and Love. Aphrodite was beauty. It almost hurt to look at her perfection, she just glowed with it. If you let your guard down, just the sight of her would bring tears to your eyes and rob you of breath. Hebe remembered the West Wind telling her about when Aphrodite rose from the seafoam and left even the Wind breathless. Everyone was caught in her spell. Hebe looked like a gauky child next to her and would have resented it if she wasn't so used to it. It did nothing for your self esteem to grow up around the most beautiful dieties in the world. Or having your best friend rival them all. Kore was always gorgeous.

When her mind settled on her friend again it made her trip up both mentally and physically. Damn Hecate for bring it up again, she had been so good not dwelling on her loneliness. To her horror, her little trip up ended with her stepping on the hem of her gown and spilling forward. Right towards Aphrodite.

Hebe would have wished for any god or goddess but Aphrodite to spill on. The golden liquid splashed all over Aphrodite's gown that was woven out of the colors of the sunrise. Eos had it made specially for her after she fell in love with Tithonus, if only the sweet Titan had asked for Hebe's gifts as well. It wasn't the gown that truly mattered though, it was the humiliation. Aphrodite needed to be perfection at all time. And that didn't involve childish goddess making messes on her gown. How she dealt with childbirth and raising is something only she and Eros knows.

"You little!" She hissed as Hebe collected herself and apologized profusely. "I can't believe you! You are going to pay for this, Hebe!" The anger in Aphrodite's beautiful eyes made Hebe quake where she stood but the spell was broken when the goddess of love turned on her heel and stomped off in anger. The Charities rose with her and Aglaea and Euphrosyne hurried after her without a look at their friend, though Euphrosyne was stifling giggles. Thalia, who personified good-cheer and could never hurt a soul, have her a quick hug and whispered, "Don't fret, Be!" before hurrying off after her younger sisters.

Hebe was left standing next to Aphrodite's throne on the verge of tears. She tries so hard, but she wasn't good at anything. She didn't have a place.

"Hebe," Zeus's voice wasn't very loud but still Hebe felt the vibrations in her chest and coming up through her barefeet. He was power. She knew it even when he was being soft and sweet. She turned and saw that Zeus was motioning to his empty cup. Hebe took a breath to quell the tears that threatened and rushed over with her pitcher full again.

As she was pouring the golden liquid Zeus leaned over and lifted her chin so she was looking into his piercing blue eyes, "Smile for me, little one."

He gave her the most coaxing smile and she couldn't help but return it. "Don't worry about that peacock, love. Everyone makes mistakes. Even gods."

"Who ever heard of a clumsy goddess?" Hebe grumbled.

"Apollo is one of the great gods of this Pantheon. He was clumsy enough to kill a lover of his with a disc. He had to repent as a mortal for Hyacinths death." Zeus tossled the golden curls that fell far down her back, "You're my daughter, Hebe. You are great. And, if I may say so, this nectar and ambrosia is just divine. You are amazing at making up a batch."

"Great at what, Zeus?" She demanded.

"Don't pout, dear." Zeus rumbled a laugh that sounded like nothing other than thunder echoing from far away, "You are the one who keeps us young. If that isn't important I'd like to refer you to a certain cricket beloved by the Dawn."

"Well, yeah." Hebe shrugged, "But that was what I was born to do. You were God of Thunder but than became King of all the Gods. That's a step up."

"Sweetheart," Zeus laughed out loud and the room slightly shook from the force, "Should I be worried that my sweetest daughter is planning on usurping the throne? Here that Hera? We raised a hellion."

Hebe couldn't help but laugh with her charismatic father. Even if Hera just looked over coolly at her husband and daughter and gave the slightest smile before turning back to the conversation she had been participating in.

"Oh, shut up Dad!" Hebe giggled but then sighed. Finally she confessed, "I guess I just need something to do. I miss Kore."

"Go and visit her, love." Zeus smiled at her with those piercing blue eyes, "It's been too long. You are always so much happier when you come back from my brother's neck of the woods. I'll be down on Earth tonight so we can leave together."

Hebe narrowed her eyes up at her father, "Are you going to visit the House of Perseus?"

"You are your mother's daughter, sometimes." Zeus looked slightly disgruntled and looked uneasily over at Hera who luckily was still absorbed with the conversation with Hestia.

Hebe laughed and gave her father a kiss on the cheek which made him loose the disgruntled look. "I'll meet you in the courtyard by twilight."