Komi held her as the older Hippolyta sobbed into Komi's embrace, "I'm here, I'm here, mother...", as she watched the young Hippolyta being nursed by Epione who came into the scene, with the eldest Amazons upset and crying in horror over their queen's appearance.
"I'm sorry...", Hippolyta whispered as Komi shook her head, "No, I'm the one who should be apologizing... I understand now... I'm being a total bitch still and not taking in yours or the others' feelings about a manner of things... I'm a real shitty daughter...".
Hippolyta replied, "No, you are not a bitch, Komand'r. I'm sorry that it took this long for you to understand, but I never would want you to be led down like that, or worse, betraying your sister. There's a difference between genuine loyalty and misguided loyalty...And you are worthy to be my daughter, since it's officially clear that Carrie and Kori are in absolutely true love, and isn't letting go of each other, and so, Kori's technically my future daughter-in-law, which makes you my other daughter-in-law, but no fuss of the technical terms as in short, you and Kori are daughters to me, dear Komi...Thank you for snapping me out of that...that horrible moment...", with a sob as she managed to look at her memory of her old self, seeing her dear sisters and all.
"What... what exactly happened next?", Komi had to ask as Hippolyta sighed. "Well... I know it might be hard to believe... but that would also be the first day that I truly met Hera even after all those times praying to her...", she explained as Komi turned to watch the memory once more when things had calmed down once again.
The young Hippolyta has been rescued and healed, in a different Greek house near the docks where the Amazons' fleet is, waiting for the next day where they will sail off, yet despite recovering, Hippolyta is braced by nightmares from the previous night/early morning and is afraid to close her eyes to sleep all day as she is tense every moment, with her spear poised, apologizing every time an Amazon comes in to give her a meal or some medicinal herbs including an intense bath to get rid of the young Hippolyta's horrible sores, to heal the bruises and all, and of course, to cleanse herself of Heracles' seed, not wanting the spawn of Heracles after the horrible betrayal and the crime of rape.
"You look terrible...", Komi admitted. "I know... I probably never would've made it back had it not been for Hera coming to comfort me...", Hippolyta said as there was a knock at the door when the younger Hippolyta of the past braced herself again.
"Who is it?!", the young Hippolyta called out, ready to slay any intruder if they turned out to be enemies. A female voice replied, "I apologize, but I have heard of your plight, Queen Hippolyta. I've come from the temple of Hera, a priestess. May I come in?".
Young Hippolyta slightly widened her eyes as she deeply followed Hera and the other goddesses, and replied, "Yes, come in, but be forewarned, I'm very much on guard.".
"I hear your warning, Queen Hippolyta.", the female voice responded as the door opened and closed, revealing a priestess of Hera, strangely walking like a queen, and she replied, "Apologies for this, but this is one of my disguises for blending in at times.", and before young Hippolyta would even move to slay her, her eyes widening as the priestess changed into a great beauty, a powerful woman of a face that young Hippolyta saw every day in praying at the temple of Hera either on the island or in cities of Greece, and to her awe, the true appearance of Hera put the appearance of Hera's temple statue to shame.
"Hera...", Young Hippolyta whispered as she dropped her weapon and dropped to her knees as fast as she could. "Please, Hippolyta... you do not need to bow to me, especially at this time...", Hera spoke to her with a calm and gentle tone, trying to put the recently violated queen at ease.
Young Hippolyta whispered, "I'm not worthy to face you, high queen of the gods...", and Hera stepped forward, replying softly, "You haven't failed me, nor your Amazons. You have done me no wrong.".
Young Hippolyta warily looked up to her, "But I...I let him...him and his friends on the island, our island you and the other goddesses gave us! I'm not worthy to be queen...I failed my people...".
Hera looked at her, and replied, "Come to me...", turning around in a side, to one of the windows, and young Hippolyta took a deep breath, getting up and walked to stand besides Hera who spoke gently, "What do you see there, Hippolyta?", gesturing to the sight of the Amazons doing things.
"I see so many different women who wanted freedom, happiness, and just to be themselves...", Young Hippolyta said with a small smile, and Hera nodded, "Indeed, and they do need a leader, someone they can count on.".
Young Hippolyta replied, "Well, Antiope or Artemis would be great leaders, as the others look up to them, and such...", and Hera hummed, "That's very true, but they are not queens. You are needed by them, Hippolyta...Tell me, does a queen need a people to guide?".
"Well, yes, but...", Young Hippolyta started before Hera shook her head gently, "No buts...Keep listening...Why does a people need a queen to be guided?".
The young queen took another deep breath as she tried to think for a moment, "Because they need someone that is willing to listen to them, to hear and care for them as if they are their own family...".
Hera nodded, "That's right. That's why those incredible Amazons rescued you because they care for you in return, you are their family, you are loved and respected by them, and they feel validated when they are heard by you. You are worthy to be Queen, and they want to be home with you to lead them, to be there for them, and to be the greatest woman they will ever know, Queen Hippolyta of Themyscrica, for you have learned wisdom, loyalty, courage, and much more. So, what are you going to do now?", with a warm smile.
"I don't know…", Young Hippolyta admitted. "I still feel such great shame about what I allowed…", with a shiver. "Do not worry yourself about him; I will see to his crimes myself… swear he's just like his father…", Hera growled under her breath.
Young Hippolyta replied, "That does make me feel a bit better, your majesty.", and Hera nodded, "But of course...And you deserve to go home to Themyscira...You might be surprised at how far those girls will come to help you in your beloved home. You just have to trust them. Do you not trust them?".
"I do trust them! They're my sisters, and they came all this way to rescue and save me when they didn't have to!", Young Hippolyta retorted sharply before her eyes widened as she startled, really now realizing Hera's words at last and her defense of her girls, her beloved sisters...her family...
Young Hippolyta's eyes began to tear up in pride and love as she looked out the window to see her family, all the Amazons who would be really worried about her, and Hera spoke gently, "So, once again, I ask you. What are you going to do now?", with a victorious smile.
"Lead my sisters...to push on and learn from this and do my darndest to make sure that this will never happen again...", Young Hippolyta said as Hera nodded and gently wrapped her arms around her.
"You and your sisters are my greatest pride and joy, Hippolyta, always remember that... I will do anything for any of you...", Hera whispered; like a mother shielding her daughter for the moment.
Young Hippolyta smiled with tears, "Thank you for giving comfort, oh great Hera.", and Hera smiled, "But of course. I may not be able to see the future as some of my family does, but I do know that you and your sisters shall be great in their own ways. Live well, Queen Hippolyta of Themyscira, and farewell.".
"I shall. Live well, Queen Hera of Mount Olympus, and farewell.", Young Hippolyta spoke with upmost respect and determination, and Hera looked proud for a moment before she vanished in a golden beam.
Komi saw scenes of the Amazons hugging and cheering for Young Hippolyta when she's reunited with her crown, her gridle, and soon, on her throne, of times in training and teaching, and more before she knew that she and Hippolyta was back in the small alcove with the memory orb on its pedestal.
"Komi, daughter, are you alright?", Hippolyta asked as she fussed over her, and Komi nodded, "Yes, yes, I'm alright...Wow, so that was Hera...No wonder why Carrie and Tessa were in awe of her when talking about her...Did she double up the protection of the magical shield for you?".
"That and so much more...", Hippolyta sighed. "She did so much that we can never repay her for all she's done for our sisters...", with a nod. "And here I've been acting like a total bitch and squandering it all...", Komi sighed as she shook her head.
Hippolyta looked at her, "Komand'r, look at me, yes, it's true I'm upset about your behavior, but after what you've seen, I'm sure you understand now, don't you?".
"I do, mother! Er, sorry if that bothers you...I...I don't really deserve a mother...", Komi sighed softly, and Hippolyta caressed Komi's cheek, "I am not bothered at all, rather that I'm so happy that you're alright, and that I have two more daughters, in you, and Kori, if she marries Carrie sooner or later. Can you please compromise with me that you'd stay in the bathing halls inside the city, in the sunlight spots there, in the training arenas for the particular nude duels, and you can fly under the trees to soak into several sunlight beams, in areas like meadows or waterfall areas, and a discreet beach or two?".
Komi widened her eyes with tears, "You're not punishing me or forbidding me?", and Hippolyta replied, "I mean what I said before, that I see potential in you, and I will not curb your healing of your powers' need to adjust with in you. All I want is you to be careful, you hear me?".
Komi sighed as she nodded, "I can't truly promise sometime that I might still want to.. well, walk more in the open at times... it... it kinda feels like a chance to keep a connection to Tamaran, but... I promise I'll do better for you, mother...".
Hippolyta smiled warmly, "That's all I ever wanted, daughter. Now, shall we get out of here, and head to the palace for lunch?", and Komi smiled, "Sure.", and so, they left the secret alcove room, covering it back up with the false door, and left the temple.
"I would understand if you wanted to keep your given house, considering that you are 18, almost 19, for personal reasons, but would you mind if there's a room in the palace for you?", Hippolyta asked as they walked through the city.
Komi smiled, "No, I don't mind...I just will have to get used to Tessa's chatter, and to the socializing meals.", and Hippolyta nodded, "Good...", with a smile.
As usual, it was a social lunch, talking about the day's events for all, and such, and after dessert, Hippolyta cleared her throat, "As the rest of you know, I've declared Kori and Komi as daughters, after I've gotten through to Komi my way.", as Diana, Carrie, and Tessa nodded, "And I've a proposal for the girls. Kori, Komi, I will not force you to be completely Amazons as I know you two are the last of your people, and you'd want to keep your heritage just in case if by a miracle when some survivors come to Gaia aka Earth someday, and I've a feeling that Hera feels the same, so tomorrow, I'll make an announcement to the Amazons that you two are part of my family, and take you to the fountain where we will make drinks instead. You two are already powerful in your own rights, but I believe drinking the sacred water will make you at least essentially immortal, especially when I believe that you wouldn't want to have Carrie be alone, correct, Kori?", glancing at Kori at the last part.
Kori blushed, hearing that as Carrie chuckled, "Well, considering that I think the fountain might just be some normal water but a powerful mental connection to Hera, even being baptized in it should be fine... Hera will probably easily make the difference.".
Hippolyta replied, "I'm sure drinking the sacred water would work just as well as being baptized, after all, Hera blessed the entire island's earth with her magic, which includes the sacred fountain water. But of course, it's up to Kori and Komi to decide.", with a smile.
Kori and Komi looked at each other, and Kori replied, "Well, I really want to meet Hera, and I don't want to hurt the Amazons or Carrie by being too powerful when I already got my powers, and I don't want to leave Carrie alone...Komi?".
Komi exhaled, "Hera is intelligent, and she knows what she's doing...Yes, I'll join Kori into the fountain to be baptized, even if I'm a bit scared about my adjusting powers when I'm still recovering to the amount I have now.".
Diana replied, "Don't worry, Hera would have some idea to calm your adjusting powers in the meeting place while you get blessed with essential immortality.", with a smile.
Komi gave a nod before taking a deep breath, "I... I still appreciate all that you've done, Hip- Mother. Especially for me... you would've been just as right to cast me away once my wounds had healed...".
Hippolyta smiled gently, "I would certainly have been more suspicious of you if it was you alone, but with Carrie and Kori's word about you, and the fact that Hera had let you through, you are fortunate to have such a good sister, and an understanding queen in me.".
Komi smiled gratefully, "I know, and I would never regret it as I will remember all the lessons and teachings from now on.", and Hippolyta nodded, "Very good, daughter. Now, let's spend the rest of the day, shall we?".
The royal family nodded and went to do their things for the rest of the day like usual, training, hunting, relaxing and such. The next day, bright and early, the Amazons were called to hear Hippolyta's royal announcement and the baptism of Kori and Komi as adoptive royal daughters of Themyscira, next to being the last royals of Tamaran, wanting to keep their heritage and powers while becoming essentially immortal like their newfound community of sisters.
"Do you think we'll do it together?", Komi wondered. "You know what Carrie said about like a whole mental connection and all, maybe it might be easier if the two of us do it together.", with a hum. "Maybe.", Kori whispered. "I think it's happened before with the rare twins that have been born here in the past.".
Komi nodded, remembering the few rare twin girls that had grown up to adulthood, like early modern recent, and middle modern recent, having met them, as it was only at least two pairs of twins thus far, and there is a rumor now that one of the Amazon couples are having twins from the look of it.
"Still, I'm a bit nervous. I don't want my adjusting powers to freak out and hurt Hera.", Komi exhaled, and Kori patted her shoulder, "You heard Diana, Hera would know how to protect herself. It's going to be alright, sister.".
Komi smiled at her sister, grateful for her reassurance, and Tessa called into Komi's room in the palace, "Let's go!", and Kori chuckled, "You heard her, let's not be late. The Amazons must be there by now after coming all this way to hear Mother's first announcement of making us her daughters through adoption and of course, me courting Carrie.".
Komi chuckled, nodding, and so, the royal family left, using pre-saddled horses to head down through the city, and to the sacred fountain of Youth, and as Kori and Komi are near adulthood or having reached adulthood, they didn't need help to get in, finding shallow spots where they can get out of the water without assistance, but deep enough to be baptized with supervision anyhow.
Seeing their newly gained family with smiles, Kori and Komi held hands as they sort of sat, and leaned back together, taking deep breaths, closing their eyes, letting the water envelop around them.
It took Komi a few extra seconds for things to affect her compared to Kori but eventually, the two of them could see each other in Hera's realm. "Is this it?", Komi asked as she looked around. "I'm here too, so I think so...", Kori said.
"You would be correct, Komand'r. You and Koriand'r are both in my realm, same as all the other Amazons who bathed in the fountain before you. Though I will admit, this is the first time I've admitted those who were not of Gaia...", Hera's voice echoed before the sisters turned to see her. "But I'm more than happy to welcome you... you Tamarians are very much Amazons in your own right...".