Chapter 13:
Hera was still watching her older children teaching her youngest the proper forms and techniques for fighting on the battlefield, from where she stood on the sidelines. Athena was teaching proper forms and techniques while Ares decided to mock Athena and everything educational she was relaying to Helia. Hera could see that Helia was trying to contain her laughter at what Ares was doing. She saw it was becoming increasingly harder and harder for Helia to maintain a serious face and stance. Especially when Athena would turn to try and catch Ares in the act, and he would quickly look away as though nothing was out of the ordinary and that he hadn’t been making faces behind her back a few seconds earlier.
After another hour of training, they decided to call it a day, for they didn’t want to overwork the little goddess too hard on her first day. They headed over to where Hera was standing, and they discussed what they would work on for the next time and how to improve some of the skills she already picked up on quickly while making their way back into the palace.
“She’s a natural Hera, I’m telling you,” Athena said.
Athena’s beautiful gray eyes shined brighter as she talked about Helia and her skills. Athena, being the Goddess of War, was very toned and in shape. She had dark hair like mahogany wood and had it in one braid that was plaited to the back. Though her hair wasn’t overly curly, it was wavy and was more prominent when it was wet. She was taller than Hera, who stood at 5’6 when at her mortal height, but it wasn’t by much.
“Yea, mom, she is. She picked up on things way faster than I did when I was her age.”
“Like that’s saying a lot,” chided Athena.
“Can it, you bookworm!”
“You imbecile!”
“Enough children, I swear, you two make Helia seem like the adult here,” Hera winked at a giggling Helia.
“Your Majesty,” Hera’s handmaiden Iris spoke, “both Queen Amphitrite and Persephone have requested to be in your presence.”
“Thank you, Iris. Tell them I will be there momentarily after Helia has bathed.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Would you like to join us Helia?” Hera asked, turning to Helia.
“Would I be allowed to? I mean, I wouldn’t want to get in the way.” In reality, she was afraid of what they would think of her, which bothered her more than anything.
“I don’t see why not. Iris didn’t mention that it was related to anything pressing, so there would be no harm for you to join.”
“Alright, then,” she answered as they entered the home so that she could freshen up.
***
“Amphitrite, it feels like forever since I have seen you. How have you been?
“Persephone, it does feel like such a long time. I’m doing well as can be. How about you? I saw that spring was gorgeous this year in the mortal realm,” Queen Amphitrite said as she greeted the Queen of the Underworld with a hug.
“Same, and thank you. I tried to make sure the flowers bloomed a little more to give the world an extra pop of color it so desperately needed,” Persephone joked. “So, have you met the little goddess that everyone seems to be captivated by?” Persephone asked as she took a seat at the table that was set out.
“No, not yet. I was actually hoping that Hera would allow her to join us so that I could,” answered Amphitrite as she too took a seat next to the fellow Queen.
“Me too, but until then, let’s catch up. What drama have I missed?”
“Well….” Amphitrite started.
A few minutes passed by, and Hera and Helia walked in, hand in hand, just as Amphitrite finished gossiping about Aphrodite and her latest lover.
“Hello ladies, long time no see.”
“Hera!” the other Queens greeted.
“You look stunning. How have you been?” asked Persephone.
“Hello dear, and so do you; I’m doing well, can’t complain.”
“Oh my! Who is this beautiful little goddess?” Amphitrite asked, hugging Hera back, though she focused on the tiny goddess still clutching one of Hera’s hands.
Helia looked to Hera for her permission to introduce herself, and when Hera gave her the okay, she replied with a curtsy and head bow, “Hello Queen Amphitrite and Queen Persephone, I am Helia. It is nice to meet your acquaintance.”
“She is just the sweetest darling. I wish my son was this polite,” Amphitrite lightly joked.
“She is just too much. Oh, Hera, I am almost jealous of you,” teased Persephone.
Hera laughed as she and Helia took their seats at the table overlooking the beautiful flowers in one of her gardens. One of the perks of living on Olympus was that the winter never reached here unless she or Zeus welled it, and so she could enjoy spring and summertime all year round if she pleased.
“Tea Your Majesties?”
“Oh, hello Iris, tea would be fine. Would you like a cup of tea, little one?”
“Yes, please,” Helia answered Hera before she turned to acknowledge the rainbow goddess, “thank you, Iris.”
“You are most welcomed, Lady Helia,” smiled Iris while she poured the ladies their tea.
“So, ladies, what has brought you to Olympus on today?” Hera asked as she took a sip of her tea.
“Well, honestly, we wanted to meet this new little goddess that has already captured the attention of just about everyone, and now we can see why,” stated Amphitrite.
Hera looked to her right at Helia and gave her a smile in which she gladly returned.
“Well, I am glad that she did not disappoint you, ladies.”
“I also wanted to talk to you about another matter,” added Persephone. “You see, I talked with Hades last night, and he agreed with me on the idea of us having regular playdates since the children are around the same age, and that way, we could have a Queen’s date to catch up.” At the mention of his name Hera had to calm her heart rate and the flutters in her stomach down before anyone noticed so that she would not draw unwarranted attention to herself.
“That is a great idea, Persephone, wouldn’t you agree, Hera?”
“Yes, it is a lovely idea, and I do not see why we shouldn’t do it. You are right, the children are around the same age, and it would be good for them to get to know each other and possibly form a bond. What do you think about this idea Helia?”
“I think it’s a good idea,” though, in the back of her mind, she was terrified, “it will be nice to play and get to know other gods or goddesses my age.”
“Ooooh, then it’s settled, so when should we plan for the first playdate?”
“Calm down, Amphi, you seem more excited about the concept than Persephone, and it was her idea,” Hera laughed.
“I know, but I am just excited for not only the children but for us. It has been way too long since we have gotten together and just relaxed.”
“You’re right. It would be nice to get together and catch up while the children play,” agreed Hera.
“So, when should we set the first play date?” questioned Amphitrite.
“How about this Saturday, and what if we took turns hosting it in our own realms?”
“That is a lovely idea, Hera. So, Persephone, since this was your idea, how about we start it off in your realm, then mine and end it on Olympus?” suggested Amphi.
“I don’t see why not; that seems perfect. How often should we rotate? Every week maybe?”
“That’s fine with me; what about you, Hera?”
“It works for me too.”
“Great! Then it is settled, now on to more pressing matters.”
“And what would those matters be, Amphi?” asked Hera.
“Gossip, duh,” she replied like Hera should’ve already known. The ladies burst out into a fit of laughter. Even the newest goddess had to shake her head at the Queen of Atlantis’ antics and joined in on the laughter.