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Resting in a bath, Hebe curled up in the water as anxious thoughts ran through her head. This was the very last step before she married the mighty Heracles. Every bride had to take a ritualistic bath to cleanse themselves prior to their wedding with the water provided to them by a loutrophoros. When Heracles ascended to Olympus as a god in his own right, Hebe's mother finally forgave him. Then, she and Zeus agreed to marry off Hebe to him.
When she first heard the news, Hebe wasn't sure what to make of it. She had expected to remain a cupbearer for the rest of her eternal life, a duty she did not mind in the slightest. If anything, she wouldn't be surprised if she ended up becoming a virgin goddess like her half-sisters and Hestia. She didn't even know Heracles beforehand; she only heard of him through word of mouth. The memories of Hera's rage towards the demigod were ingrained in Hebe's head. She had the misfortune of witnessing her mother snap at her father over Heracles.
So much for being named "Glory of Hera".
And wasn't Heracles Hebe's own brother? Oh well, eloping with family was a common practice with the gods anyway.
Hebe was all alone in that bath. She did not move a single inch. Her head laid on her knees and her eyes grew weary. Her chest grew heavy with fear for her future.
Heracles was a mere stranger to her.
She was a mere stranger to him as well.
She was his prize for reaching Olympus and godhood.
Hebe had heard all sorts of stories involving marriage. From the love stories of Eros and Psyche, the romance between Dionysus and Ariadne, to Persephone's forced chthonic marriage, and to the elopement of the rulers of Olympus. If Hebe were to marry, she hoped to be in a loving marriage where her spouse treated her well like Psyche and Ariadne. She did not wish to have a husband who used his power over her to belittle her and do whatever he desired; that was how it went down with her parents' marriage. She had heard of their heated fights whenever she served nectar to them.
She also hoped to at least have some say in whoever she married. Persephone was not fortunate enough to have her voice heard in such a scenario. Zeus willingly gave her away to Hades without consulting Persephone or even her mother for gods' sake! Thus, Persephone was abducted, taken to the Underworld and forcibly fed a few seeds that made her stay there for six months.
Since it was spring, Persephone should be on Olympus. Perhaps, Hebe could contact her. Now, they have something in common beyond being daughters of Zeus. Persephone would certainly relate to being randomly married off to some stranger on the whims of their father.
Hebe sighed as she recalled the moment Zeus announced her engagement to Heracles. It was a fresh shock to her and marrying Heracles would mean giving up her role of cupbearer. In her days as maiden, Hebe enjoyed serving the Olympians nectar and ambrosia. She took pleasure from bathing her blood-soaked brother and attending to Hera. She was content with her life as a maiden that served her family.
Yet, she was still diligent as ever. She did not object to her father. She had no choice in the matter. If she did say no, Zeus may have smited her at the spot for disobeying him. No one dared to disrespect the King of Olympus after all.
Was she ready as a wife? As a mother? Was she too young for marriage? Too young to be anything but an unwed maiden? She was not just the goddess of youth. She was the youngest of the gods.
Hebe buried her head in her knees and sobbed. Fear for her future overcame her. Even if Heracles was the most gentle, loving husband that walked the earth, she never desired such a wedding.
Didn't he kill his first wife and children? Granted that was because of induced madness but if he was capable of hurting his wife, Hebe became afraid of him.
Her cries caught the attention of rainbow wings flustering through the room. Iris, Hera's dedicated servant, had arrived.
"My lady Hebe, what is the matter?" Iris asked.
Hebe glanced at her. Her eyes were swollen red with tears.
"Nothing, it's just nothing, Iris," Hebe mustered.
Iris shook her head. She clearly saw Hebe's tears.
"If there was nothing wrong, why are you crying? Is it because of the wedding?"
"Please do not tell my mother about what I'm about to say."
"Of course, the words you speak will be kept secret."
Hebe took a deep breath before she continued.
"I'm so scared. I'm marrying a man I had never seen; a man who has slain one of his past wives. I may be immortal, but there's nothing stopping him from hurting me. I'll be nothing more than a trophy to him. Chances are that he'll only want me to bear his sons."
Iris looked at Hebe with pure sympathy and held her hand.
"I wish there was something I could do here. I'm sure your mother desires something similar," Iris said. "But alas, it is what almighty Zeus decreed. I am not suggesting that you should be content with it but following along with it is the least likely to get you smited."
Hebe gave a faint smile towards Iris.
"Thank you for listening."
Iris nodded.
"Now do you need some more time in the bath?" She asked.
"Yes, please."
"Very well, then."
Today marked the day of Hebe and Heracles' wedding.
Hebe sat in front of a mirror. Hera herself was preparing Hebe for the wedding. After all, Hebe was her daughter and marriage fell under her domain. She wanted everything to go right.
Hera styled Hebe's hair in a chignon, holding it in place with a golden hairpiece. She adorned Hebe with diamonds and carefully analyzed her appearance.
"Mother, may I ask you something?" Hebe said.
"Yes, my dear?" Hera responded.
"I know that marriage is to be expected of girls of my status and I do not mean to offend you and Father, but… I'm not sure if I'm ready to be a wife."
Hera's stern eyes softened. Her grasp on her daughter's shoulder loosened.
"I only gave permission to the marriage proposal because your father was ridiculously insistent on it. Apparently, apotheosis and a seat on Olympus weren't enough for Heracles. He needed to make one of my daughters as his bride to complete amends with me. That was what your father said and he chose you for your youth. While I know you will remain diligent, I fear that you may be too naive and sheltered to be a proper wife – especially towards Heracles."
Hera's voice seethed when she uttered Heracles' name. Considering how she said it, Hebe wasn't sure if Hera truly forgave him or only said so to appease Zeus once Heracles ascended.
"Is there anything you can do, Mother?" Hebe hesitated to say that question but she had to get it off her chest.
"I will bless your marriage, that is certain," Hera said. "I will ensure that you have a blissful, content marriage even if you do not love your husband. You do not have to fret about the pains of childbirth should it come – your sister promised to be your midwife."
"And what would happen if Heracles is cruel towards me?"
"He will face the wrath of the heavens."
"Do you promise?"
"Yes, I promise that my words will come true."
Right away, Hebe hugged her mother tightly, crying into her arms. Hera returned the embrace, gently patting her shoulder and caressing her hair.
"There, there, my precious child," Hera whispered. "Let out as many tears as you want."
With Hebe in her arms, Hera reflected on this whole situation.
She had secretly hoped that Hebe would remain a virgin goddess like Artemis, Athena and Hestia. She caught on to how Hebe would heavily prefer being a cup-bearer than a wife. Out of everyone, a mother knew her daughter the best.
She still remembered what Zeus said on the matter.
"I'm sure Heracles prefers a young bride and who else would fit other than youth incarnate? It helps that she's your daughter as well, which is the final push to make amends with him."
As expected from most conversations with her husband, Hera was filled to the brim with rage. Her eyes glared with utmost intensity towards him, fury engulfed her soul, and her hands shook with the desire to strangle him if she could get away with it. Unlike all the other times where Hera was scorned over Zeus' numerous affairs, this time she was furious on the behalf of someone else – her daughter.
And thus, another agitating fight ensued. Zeus refused to budge under any circumstance and silenced Hera with the sound of thunder. She had no choice but to allow Hebe to be wed despite knowing the misery it would cause for her.
In the present, once Hebe calmed down, Persephone arrived. She carried a bouquet that consisted of the most colorful, vibrant flowers she was able to grow.
"Your mother requested that I give you flowers to carry in your wedding," She said.
"Oh, Persephone, they're so beautiful. Thank you," Hebe replied.
"You are very much welcome. I sincerely wish you luck in your marriage. I cannot imagine it is the most ideal for you. At least your mother was fortunate enough to be in the loop this time around. Speaking of, I hope you get to visit her with little to no restriction after the wedding."
Hebe smiled at Persephone, grateful for her empathy. Once the bouquet was held firmly in Hebe's hands, Persephone left.
"Dammit, Father, you have to stop marrying off your daughters to men they don't know," Persephone muttered.
A lavish feast was held as part of the wedding. The gods and goddesses were segregated to opposing tables. Chatter and excitement filled the dining hall of Olympus. They enjoyed the sesame, pork, wine and lydian treats. Apollo cheerfully played the music in the hall, intending to further uplift everyone.
Hera sat right next to Hebe. On Hebe's left was Aphrodite, playfully pinching her cheek.
"You were such a wonderful attendant, Hebe!" Aphrodite spoke to Hebe in a voice reminiscent of a dog owner speaking affectionately to their pets. "I'll make sure that Heracles loves you with all of his heart; it would be wrong of me if I don't repay you in some shape or form."
"Don't overwhelm her, Aphrodite. As a bride, she's anxious enough as is," Hera said.
"Alllright," Aphrodite left Hebe be and pouted in the process.
Hera looked across at Heracles. The sight of him still infuriated her but she had to speak to him.
Changing her form to that of a cuckoo bird, she flew over to the mens' table and landed on Heracles' shoulder. It wasn't difficult for Heracles to notice her since she pecked at his neck but he didn't recognize her.
"Huh, what are you doing here, bird?" He asked, puzzled by the cuckoo's presence.
Hera flew off, chirping at Heracles to follow her. He obliged, excused himself for a moment and went off into a nearby hallway away from the feast.
Once she was certain no one would notice them, Hera morphed back to her original form.
"Heracles, may I speak to you privately?" Hera staunchly asked him.
Heracles took a step back from Hera. Even though she explicitly said that she forgave him, Heracles was still deeply afraid of her. This was the very goddess that made his life a living hell. This was the last deity he would try to anger. He was too afraid to look her in the eye, prompting Hera to forcibly guide his chin to face her.
"Look at me when I am speaking to you, boy." She was losing patience with him already.
Heracles nodded with a grimace.
"Of course, your majesty, I apologize for that mistake. You may speak with me here."
"Very well," Hera continued. "It is true that I have given my blessings for you to marry my daughter and it is also true that I forgave you but that forgiveness is conditional. If you were to do anything that makes her run off crying to me, I will revoke that forgiveness. I do not care if your father will disprove such a choice. I will risk being hung over Chaos again if that is the price I have to pay. Do you understand?"
"Yes… Yes I do," Heracles said, hoping that his answer will suffice for Hera.
"Excellent, that is all I wanted to say to you."
The two returned to their seats. Zeus noticed the wariness on Heracles' face, prompting concern.
"Are you alright, son?" He asked.
"I'm fine, Father, I'm just anticipating my bride."
"Fair enough. I thought you looked shaken but that might just be the excitement speaking for you."
At long last, Hebe was ushered into the bridal chamber where she met her husband. She carefully slid onto the bed they shared and timidly glanced at him.
"You must be my husband," She said.
"And you are my wife that I swore to protect," Heracles replied. He was careful with his words, not wanting to offend Hebe and by extension Hera.
"What would happen if you went mad?"
"I doubt your mother would induce madness in me because then I'll end up hurting you. If any other god decided to do so in her place, I'll try my best to avoid you so I won't injure you."
"Do you promise to keep your word?"
"I promise."
Hebe was somewhat relieved by her discussion with Heracles but a part of her was still frightened by him. Gods are often unpredictable. They can be amicable in one moment and cruel in another.
As they laid down in bed together, considering consummation, the newly wed couple spotted a cuckoo bird perched on a mount. It overlooked the two, in particular giving a harsh glance at Hercules. It prompted him to scoot over some inches to the left to give Hebe some space.
For Hebe, she was comforted by the cuckoo's presence. It gave her hope. She knew that her mother would keep an eye on her, ensuring her safety and a blissful marriage.