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When Hermes came to deliver a letter to her, Athena wasn’t instantly concerned. What truly worried her was his cautious expression as he handed her the envelope, looking at her as if she were a fragile vase.
“So… dearest sister, I know this isn’t the best news and I’m sorry- truly- but Zeus was very clear: everyone had to come to the meeting.” said Hermes in an apologetic tone.
Athena stiffly nodded and pretended she wasn’t holding the paper hard enough to form wrinkles, that tears weren’t building in her eyes, that panic wasn’t threatening to choke the life out of her. “It’s fine, I understand.”
Hermes nodded back at her, then placed his hands atop her own in an uncharacteristically gentle manner. “I know it sucks, but you’ll be alright. He won’t dare strike you again.”
‘Unless he sees fit,’ was what he didn’t say, yet both heard it.
“Seriously, if you need help, we’ll all be by your side,” he added. “After the Games… everyone’s been worried about you, myself included.”
“The concern is appreciated,” she answered as she ripped her hands from his hold and hid them behind her back to prevent her brother from seeing their shake. “However, I am fine. I am healing well, I can even fly again-“
“For how smart you are, you’re sure oblivious,” muttered Hermes, then said: “I’m not talking about your physical injuries, dawling. I meant the… emotional aspect of things. He struck you- his favourite daughter- with lightning hard enough to make you pass out. That can’t have been easy.”
“I didn’t say that it was,” replied Athena somewhat sharply. “I merely said that I got over it, so please, go back to your work. I’m sure you’ve still got loads of messages to deliver.”
For a few seconds, Hermes bit his lip and stared at her, then turned around. “Very well. See ya later, Thea!”
“Don’t call me that!” she yelled out, but he was already out of sight. She sighed and shook her head, placing the letter on the table and planning what to do next.
Meanwhile, Hermes did something he almost never did of his own will: he knocked on Hera’s palace door, hands raised in surrender. Thankfully, she didn’t immediately resort to violence and opted to simply raise an eyebrow at him.
Before she could speak, he quickly said: “It’s about Athena.” When his words caught her attention, he continued: “As you know, the King has demanded a meeting and, as expected, Athena didn’t take the news too well. Naturally, tried to hide it- did that weird thing where she pretends she’s fine even though we can all tell she isn’t- but I still think she needs help. And I think you have a better chance of getting through to her.”
Hera nodded at him, moving to grab her cloak. “Thank you, Hermes. Your concern is appreciated. I’ll go to her soon and she will be alright, I promise.”
With that, the god of thieves left and Hera shook her head at herself, muttering, not without affection: “That girl will be the death of me.”
In a second, she teleported to Athena’s palace and quickly made her way to her bedroom. Unsurprisingly, the goddess of wisdom sat at her loom, threads held in her hands, except her eyes seemed glazed over, movements far sloppier than usual. It was almost like her healing days… or like she was remembering them.
“Love?” she asked softly as she stepped fowards, extending a hand to touch her shoulder. However, she quickly took it back after Athena flinched. “Come on, talk to me. What’s wrong?”
The younger simply shook her head, hiding her face with her hair, yet her voice made it evident she had been crying. “Nothing is wrong, I’m fine.”
“Of course you are. And I’m a mortal farmer’s wife named Doris,” replied Hera in a mocking tone, to which Athena let out a small giggle. As the queen sat beside her, she asked: “It’s the upcoming meeting, isn’t it? That has to be terrifying after everything that has happened in the last month.”
Athena slowly lifted her head, staring at Hera with watery eyes. “Is it that obvious?”
“Yes, but I think anyone would act the same in your place. Or worse.”
“They wouldn’t think of running away just so they wouldn’t have to face their father.”
“They would, darling, I assure you,” said Hera. Then, with a deep breath, she continued: “Let me tell you something. When my father first rose, all of us were utterly terrified. It was bad. Like, really bad. Do you have any idea what it’s like to face the monster who swallowed his own children? We didn’t want to be devoured by our own father again. We would have rather burnt Olympus- and ourselves- to the ground than let that happen. I only found the strength to fight by looking at my siblings- the only people to matter to me at that point- and realizing I had to protect them. I would have done anything for them- both then and now- even if it meant my death. The difference is that, right now, you don’t have anything to fight for other than yourself and it is much harder to find strength in that.”
The goddess shook her head. “That doesn’t matter. Kronos ate you all- that’s a crime that shouldn’t be forgiven. My father simply…”
“What? Struck you down until you were unconscious for a fortnight and no one was sure whether you’d live? Made you half-blind? Punished you for winning a game?” asked Hera. More gently, she said: “I understand you love him, but you have to understand what he did was wrong.”
‘At best’, she added in her mind, knowing Athena wouldn’t take it well if it was said aloud.
“He is king, so it was justice,” answered Athena, a well-recited mantra.
“Oh, like when he hung me over Chaos and riddled my body in lightning scars?” questioned Hera, subtly lifting her sleeves to reveal the thin, jagged stripes. “I’m making a point here. What he did was horrible and you can admit that with me. I will not punish nor belittle you for it.”
“That doesn’t matter though. I will still have to go to the meeting and face him and thinking that his actions weren’t that bad helps.”
“Only in the short run,” replied Hera. “You’ll come to terms with it sooner or later, and trust me when I say it’s best to get it over with.”
Athena rested her head on Hera’s shoulder, quietly toying with her bandages. “What should I do then?”
“That’s the complicated part, I fear. You’ll figure it out though, you’re too smart not to. In the mean time, however, let’s do a little experiment.” Suddenly, she stood up and extended a hand to the younger goddess, which she hesitantly took. Hera led them to the living room, sitting on an armchair across Athena’s sofa. “We’re going to play a little game. You pretend I’m Zeus and talk to me as if you were in that meeting. I shall respond in the same manner to get you accustomed to the idea of a meeting with him.”
“I- I’m not sure about this,” mumbled Athena as Hera tilted her head back up.
“It’s alright, I won’t force you to do this,” murmured Hera affectionately. “Just try to breathe and think it through. I know you’re scared, but it would help to get through the fear a bit at a time.”
Athena considered the advice before nodding. “Fine. Just be aware that I might act… unlike myself.”
“Of course, love. Remember, we can stop if you want to,” said Hera, before she straightened up and pretended to be serious. “My child, welcome to the meeting.”
“Good day, father. It’s very nice to see you again. What shall be discussed today?” replied Athena softly.
“I merely wanted to address the situation with some of your past heroes.” Hera pointedly ignored Athena’s flinch and continued. “I have released Odysseus, but the rest of them- what has happened?”
The goddess of wisdom began explaining what had been asked of her, getting more comfortable and confident the more time passed. By the end of it, she was only half on edge, which, compared to her attitude that morning, was admirable.
“Okay, this is the end. You did very well,” said Hera, her voice being her own again. “Do you feel like it helped?”
Athena nodded. “Yeah, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Thank you for making me realize that.”
“Oh, darling, I didn’t make you do anything. That was your own merit,” replied the queen. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.”
“Me too. And, if it’s not too much to ask, can we meet up a few minutes before the meeting? I- I don’t know if I can stomach walking back there alone…”
“Oh, love, of course I will. It would be my pleasure.” Hera sharply stood up and offered Athena a hand. “Now, you should get some rest, darling. It will do you well. Now, I’ll be off, but please don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it. It’s no bother at all.”
With that, Hera left and, despite Athena’s instincts, she took the queen’s advice.
‘Perhaps I can do this. Perhaps it won’t be as bad as I believe it to be. Either way, Hera will be there,’ she thought as she drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, the two met in the corridor leading to the council room as planned.
“Good morning. How are you doing? Did you sleep well?”
Athena nodded. “Yes- and before you ask, I did actually sleep. Shocking, I know.”
“Considering you, it’s a surprise, but a welcomed one.” The queen sat up straighter and smoothed out a few wrinkles in Athena’s dress. “I’m glad you’re doing well. Now, are you ready to go in or do you need a few more minutes?”
“We can go in. I want to get used to the feeling of being in my throne again,” answered Athena in a calm tone, yet Hera could sense the tremor beneath.
“Deep breaths now, you’ll be alright,” she murmured, her heart softening when she felt Athena slip her hand into her own. Hera stroked her knuckles with her thumb and opened the door with the other hand, leading them both to their seats.
The goddess of wisdom shifted in her throne for a few moments before settling down.
“Comfortable?”
Athena barely managed to hide a flinch, still on-edge from fear. “Yes. I’m sorry I’m being this dramatic-“
“Nope,” said Hera in an almost playful tone as she raised a finger to Athena’s lips. “You don’t get to apologize for this, not after everything that has happened. I know Apollo didn’t tell you this for a reason, but I am going to: at the beginning, you were injured so badly and weren’t getting any better to the point we weren’t sure you were going to make it through. None of us, not even me. If Zeus injured you that badly, you’re allowed to be ‘dramatic’.” Then, with a wink, she added: “Besides, I happen to love drama.”
Athena smiled softly, and Hera knew her mini-speech was worth it just to see her happiness. “Thank you. You’re a good mother.”
The queen shrugged. “Thanks. Although, who wouldn’t be a good mother to a sweet owlet like you?”
The duo kept chatting, greeting and talking to the other gods as they came in.
Thankfully for Athena, the constant conversations helped in keeping her mind off her own panic and, when Zeus came in, she could confidently say her hands weren’t shaking anymore.