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To most people’s surprise, the parties on Olympus rarely brought interesting information to Hera. She had other sources to get gossip from, she didn’t need a crowd to show itself for news to make its way to her ears. However, as the saying ‘never say never’ went, Hera still paid attention to the conversations happening around her and, this time, it paid off. In a secluded corner, Athena was talking to Dionysus’ new wife, Ariadne, the two engaging in a conversation about how Ariadne had apparently bonded with one of the Bacchae.
“She just- she looked so much like what a mother ought to be, you know?” said Ariadne and, although Athena didn’t respond, Hera noticed the emotions fluttering across her face.
“I’m familiar with the concept, yes,” responded Athena after a beat, but Hera knew it was wrong. Athena never took that long to answer, not unless she was particularly concentrated or, the more likely option, close to crying.
Ariadne looked at her strangely, noticing the change in demeanor. “I know it’s not my place to intrude, but I heard about your mother and-“
“Shh, don’t talk about that!” whispered Athena harshly, although no one else apart from Hera seemed to be listening.
“What? It’s not like anyone will hear!” murmured Ariadne back. “Zeus is all the way on the other side of the room, flirting and probably doing more with some nymph!”
The Queen bristled at the comment about her husband’s infidelity, but kept listening nonetheless. If she decided to confront him about it later, that would be her problem and no one else’s.
“Besides,” continued Ariadne, gently this time as she rested her hands on Athena’s shoulders. “It might help you to talk about it.”
Athena shrugged, leaning away from the touch. “I’m fine, really. She’s dead: that’s how it is, that’s how it will be. Neither you nor I can do anything to change that.”
Both Ariadne and Hera flinched, and, although Hera couldn’t see Athena’s face, she saw how she tensed up.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean for it to come out that way,” said Athena, though she didn’t sound particularly sorry. “I simply find it useless to ponder over what could have been instead of what is.”
Ariadne nodded, then looked away at the ongoing party. “Maybe you should change that mindset, if only for a little bit. Please, try to talk to other people and you’ll find that they care about you.”
The goddess of wisdom shrugged and answered: “Perhaps.”
Ariadne chuckled in response. “If that’s all I’m going to get out of you, I’m heading towards the dance floor. I’m sure Dionysus missed me.” She didn’t give Athena a chance to reply before walking away, leaving the other to grab a plate of olives and sit on the floor.
Hera stared at the younger goddess and poured herself a glass of wine before sitting down next to Athena.
“Queen Hera!” startled Athena as she tilted her head down. “My apologies, I did not expect to see you here. Shouldn’t you be at the party, where everyone is?”
The queen laughed and waved her hand dismissively. “At ease, I bring no harm.” Once she saw Athena relax, she continued: “My husband is off making a fool of himself and the others aren’t much better. I wanted to talk to you.”
“Why?” asked Athena, genuinely surprised.
“Why not?” replied Hera with the same tone, swirling her wine, then offering Athena some. “You never enjoy these parties much, do you?”
“I- They’re very well-planned and beautiful-“ answered Athena, slightly stuttering in fear to not upset the queen.
“There’s no need for formalities right now,” said Hera, gentle but still firm, holding Athena’s chin up with two fingers. “I was asking for your opinion, your true one.”
“In that case,” began Athena, taking a deep breath. “They are alright at the beginning, I suppose. It’s once everyone begins getting drunk that the problems arise.”
Hera hummed. “They do get quite rowdy, don’t they?”
“That’s not even the biggest problem! They get drunk, then they begin flirting and- and, sometimes, they get touchy-“
Hera’s demeanor softened immediately, moving to cup Athena’s cheeks with her own hands. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”
Athena flinched, then leaned into the soft touch, almost against her will. “It’s fine, I’m fine, you don’t have to worry-“
“Except I do,” said Hera seriously. “You may not be my daughter in blood, but you still deserve care and love. If that means worrying about you whenever necessary, then that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.”
And many more, thought Hera to herself. While the queen didn’t yet know just how much she had to lose when she teamed up with Athena to overthrow Zeus, she promised herself she would do her best to protect her, to keep the spark of the bright-eyed Athena.
Athena shook her head. “Others have made sacrifices for me before and it never ended well.”
“Leave that worry to me,” said Hera. “I know you’re used to handling yourself, and you do it wonderfully, but you can relax with me, I promise.”
Athena didn’t answer with anything more than a hum of acknowledgement, letting her eyes droop. Hera chuckled and sat back so that Athena’s head was on her shoulder and she could card her slender fingers through the curly red hair.
“This party tired you out, huh?” asked Hera softly, smiling as the younger goddess let out a soft hooting sound and hugged one of her wings to herself. “Come on, get up, love.”
“I wanna sleep,” whined Athena, which was a sign as to how tired she truly was. Although she got up and blinked quickly to get readjusted to the light, she still leaned on Hera as she walked, which the queen didn’t mind.
“You will sleep soon. I am leading to a secret room where you’ll be able to rest, alright?”
Athena nodded sleepily, but fully opened her eyes once she saw the room. It was simple but cozy, with pillows scattered across the ground, a bed in the corner and a fireplace right in the middle to warm up the room. Noticing Athena’s surprise, Hera said: “Beautiful, isn’t it?”
Athena nodded again and reached out a hand to touch a pillow. “I never knew such a room existed.”
Hera chuckled and held her shoulders, leading her towards the bed. “Olympus is full of surprises, you simply have to know where to find them.”
“Will you show me more?” asked Athena, some of her initial energy creeping back in.
“Sure,” replied Hera as she lifted the blanket and gestured for her step-daughter to get in. “After you take a nap though. You clearly need it.”
“No, I don’t! I’m not tired!” protested Athena, crossing her arms.
Hera simply raised an eyebrow and gestured to the bed again. “You sure look tired. What made you sleep so little anyway?”
Athena debated answering, before giving up and saying: “Father wants me to look over some new laws and strategies and I know I shouldn’t complain, but it’s a lot in addition to my wisdom and weaving domains.”
Hera barely managed to keep her face neutral and true thoughts about Zeus hidden, opting to hold Athena’s hand as she spoke. “I know it’s a lot, and you do it so incredibly well… but now it’s time to rest. If you won’t do it for your own health, then take it as a… suggestion from me.”
Hera was careful with the wording of the sentence. As much as she wanted Athena to sleep, she didn’t want for her to associate her motherly advice to queenly orders. It seemed she didn’t need to give an order either, since Athena’s warrior instinct was enough to make her obey, even if she looked unhappy. Hera couldn’t have her going to sleep unhappy if she could help it though.
“I’m so proud of you for doing this, you know?” said Hera as she tucked Athena in and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
“For what, being weak?” asked Athena, two tears spilling out of her eyes as she turned around to face the wall. “I- I’m not supposed to do this, to be like this.“
“Hey, sweetheart, it’s alright, I’m not mad,” murmured Hera as she brushed her fingers through the red hair. “Can you tell me why you’re not supposed to be like this?”
“Father said I’m meant to be strong, a source of stability and wisdom. That I’m his sword and swords don’t break.”
Swords might not break, but Hera’s heart did at her words. As much as she might have denied that she held affection for any godly children other than her own, the queen couldn’t help the way her maternal instincts went into overdrive. The queen instantly turned the younger goddess to face her, tilting her chin so that their eyes met.
“No, you’re not a sword. You’re more than your domains or your work, more than what Zeus or anyone else says. To me, you’re simply Athena and that is enough,” said Hera in a stern tone, softening a bit when tears sprung to Athena’s eyes again. “It’s alright, baby, I’m not mad at you.”
I’m mad at Zeus and everyone else who taught you that’s all your worth was, thought Hera to herself, knowing her anger wouldn’t help in this situation. “Do you understand what I’m trying to say? Do you understand that this isn’t a weakness? You’re with me, you’re safe now.”
Athena nodded feebly, sniffling as Hera wiped her tears. “Y-yes, I understand.”
They both knew it was a lie, but it was enough for Hera. For now, it had to be enough.
Hera nodded, and said: “Good, I’m glad. Now get some rest, little owl, I’ll be here when you wake up.”
By the time the sentence finished, Athena’s eyes were closed and she mumbled: “M’kay. Love you, mama.”
It was clear Athena had no idea where she was, that exhaustion had made her regress to the time she still had Metis to care for her. While Hera had no intention to replace Metis, she wanted to make sure Athena was cared for, since apparently no one else was going to.
Hera spared Athena’s innocence at that moment, knowing a reminder of Metis’ death would only serve to upset her further, which she definitely didn’t need. Therefore, Hera settled for lightly scratching Athena’s scalp and whispering: “It’s alright, my dear, I’ve got you now. You’re safe here. Just rest and I’ll take care of you.”
The goddess of wisdom was far too exhausted to do anything else and, to Hera’s relief, her sleep was a peaceful one. In addition, she stayed true to her word and never left Athena’s side, weaving little braids into the red hair with a gentle smile on her face.
Athena no longer had Metis, that was true. However, in the meantime, she may have gained another mother too.