Modern Mythologists
For the past few weeks, our prompts have been to write a fairytale, and to imagine a myth ending differently. For the latter, here’s a text one of our mods @lucinaofstarlight wrote, concerning the relationship between Hera and Heracles.
TW for a vague mention of attempted sexual assault
After a moment of silence, as if the world was drawing breath, the battlefield was filled with loud cheers of joy as the Olympian gods celebrated their newly-fought victory over the giants. Heracles got an approving nod from Athena, who had fetched him to help with the battle: after all, a prophecy had stated that the gods could only win if they were aided by a mortal. And Heracles had been a great help indeed, having shot many giants with his arrows. The hero's confidence faltered slightly when he saw Hera approach him.
In the midst of battle, he had saved the Queen of the Gods from being attacked and assaulted by giant Porphyrion. The enemy had first been struck by a thunderbolt thrown by Hera's husband Zeus, and Heracles had then rushed to help by shooting Porphyrion with an arrow. No harm had come to Hera, who had then proceeded to fight as she had before. The goddess of motherhood and marriage was quite fierce when she wanted to be, as Heracles had experienced before. He was a brave and resourceful warrior, even now clad in the hide of the Nemean lion he had killed. But if there was something that made him feel nervous, it was being in the presence of the goddess who had caused many problems for him before. What was she thinking about right now?
“Thank you for saving my life”, Hera said, to Heracles' surprise. What confused him even more was her tone, which was actually genuinely grateful.
“Of course, my lady”, the man replied politely. Hera must have noticed the slight suspicion in his voice and demeanor, and chuckled.
“Has it not dawned on you yet, boy?” the queen asked, and proceeded to explain. “I don't hate you. All the obstacles I have thrown at you have been challenges for you to overcome.”
She glanced at her husband who was standing nearby, chatting with his beloved daughter Athena. Hera turned back to Heracles and continued:
“Zeus fathers children, I forge them into the heroes this world needs. In that sense, you are my son as much as you are his.”
Her tone was proud and royal but at the same time the look in her eyes was soft and approving. Heracles was confused and unsure what to think, but in the end supposed that this was a good thing.
“Geez”, he said, scratching his head embarrassed. “I guess that explains the meaning of my name and all.”
Hera's Glory. The goddess simply nodded and turned her head towards the night sky, where the stars were clearly visible now. There was the milky way, which had come to existence when Hera had nursed baby Heracles and he had sucked so strongly that milk had spilled across the sky. Her milk had also given Heracles his super strength. As he had been just an infant he himself didn't remember this event, but Hera did, and thought of that memory now.
She had never hated him. She had had plans for him all along.
