Theseus sat on the rock near the edge of the cliff, watching the sun begin to rise on another day. Today he would try to talk to Acamas. His son had been occupied much of the previous day with Stavros, as he learned how to fish, and practiced lowering and raising a sail, among other things.
He turned when he heard the door to his former home open; Phaedra stepped out, reaching up to shade her eyes from the first pink and orange streaks of the sun. She carried a large empty jug, most likely for water, in her right hand. Back when he was younger, his mother always rose with the sun to retrieve their drinking and washing water for the day as well. He wished he could tell her this. He missed normal human interaction more than he could bear to admit.
If the Goddess weren't so conniving, he would almost envy Aphrodite, who in her little girl form, was able to easily interact with many people, sometimes for good, sometimes for mischief. He knew eventually he would need to confront her, and he looked forward to that day. She was a small thorn in his side, occupying much of his son's attention when he wasn't doing his chores or with Stavros.
He, as the hermit, was mostly ignored, or tossed sad, sometimes sympathetic looks, and occasionally smiled at by people. He had caught Phaedra and Stavros's attention once, as they were exiting from the temple, and he had been trying to walk down the stairs ahead of them, he would have fallen over, if they had not each gently caught an elbow, and helped him down.
He gave them a crooked grin, and they warned him to get a cane, lest he risk falling if they weren't around. It was a sweet moment, but he knew they had probably forgotten him the moment they returned home.
Not that it mattered. He was supposed to be avoiding them anyway. Hopefully Zeus had been otherwise occupied that evening, and had not seen his foolish attempt at turning the fates in his favor.
The sun was fully peering over the horizon now, streaked with red and less pink. It almost appeared as if it were angry to be awakened to light another day. He glanced to the heavens, perhaps it held some sort of emotion of Zeus, he knew he would need to check in soon, and he would ask about things, as well as report on Aphrodite.
Theseus traveled back up to Mount Olympus, to find Zeus himself working furiously, at what he wasn't sure.
He fell to his knees, and greeted him,
"Zeus, My God, I have news from earth."
His tools dropped from his hands, and Zeus turned to see Theseus, prostrate before him.
"How many times must I ask you not to do this? We are practically brothers Theseus!"
He stood quickly, seeing that Zeus was not altogether himself.
"Has something happened? You seem a little on edge."
"Something, terrible has happened." His voice broke a bit, and it was as if thunder had stuttered. He suddenly turned away from Theseus, unable to look him in the eye, gazing instead at the setting sun.
"What?" Theseus was worried, something that could unsettle the most powerful and all knowing God was not good.
Before Zeus could speak, a small knock sounded and they both turned to see Athena, her face alight with pleasure at seeing Theseus.
"I heard you had returned! It's been so very strange without you. Did you manage to connect with your love? Or speak to your son?"
She seemed earnest, but there was something in her face as well that didn't seem right.
"What aren't you telling me?" Theseus needed the truth fast, or he would have to start guessing.
Athena tried to keep a calm façade, but she burst into tears without warning, like droplets of gold, they fell to her feet, and she soon collapsed into a chair, her face hidden by her hands.
"I'm afraid, something came about, something caused, we…"
"We laid together!" Athena wailed out, sobs muffled a bit by her hands.
Theseus actually stepped back, he was so stunned.
Zeus looked at him sadly,
"It's true. I'm not sure what caused it. It just...happened."
"Well. That's certainly more interesting than my news from earth." He exhaled sharply, unsure of whether he was able to continue, but Zeus waved a hand at him, allowing him to finish.
"I discovered Aphrodite is trying her very best to seduce Stavros, disguised as a playmate of my son's. I have no way to warn him, so I came back to report to you, and ask you what you could do about it."
Zeus' eyes went wide, and Athena sat up, her tear streaked face suddenly furious.
"HER. She's done this. Only someone as despicable as her could have brought this about." Zeus looked angry, and Theseus was immortally grateful the anger was not directed his way.
"I will summon her, and if she dares refuse, I will go down there and drag her here myself." He growled, ending the discussion on the subject.
Theseus nodded and bowed, leaving the room.
Athena stared up at her father, feeling as if an enormous weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
"This, explains everything."
Zeus nodded at her, his eyes serious and somber,
"I knew things were beyond reason, but I could never have done that to you of my own free will. The goddess was blinding us. Somehow. But have no fear my child, she will pay."
A/N: At last the truth comes out... R/R.