In spite of their moves seemingly to the contrary the Fates had sided with the new pagan king, along with many of the other gods and goddesses who longed to see the spirit of which they themselves had birthed into the hearts of mortals rekindled in all of it's former glory.
Soft Athena, who had favored this young witch in the past, still held her favor over him and sent unto him many muses to aid him in his quest. And an eventful quest it was. A curse from one, a blessing from another. This one mortal defied all the odds time and time again in many great tales that still have yet to be written for the eyes of the common man.
Yet, regardless of his many blessings and the deeds done to ward off the many curses, the pagan king was still a mortal and Hera was well aware of this. She sent him nightmares to test his courage. She enlisted the aid of creatures that mortal eyes had not beheld in many centuries, those mythological beasts who by their own natures have little care for man. Only to have her greatest beast turn away from his task. The message he was sent to deliver remained on his own lips. But the message that the king had gained the attention of the less favorable was all too clear.
All of her careful planning, all of her curses and attempts to fell this one moral had failed her. Her heart could not contain her anger but she composed herself and dressed in great glory to appear and plea with the king directly with promises and blessings if he would only abandon his life to her will and fall into the silent peace he so longed for she would gift him with all that mortal ego would allow for.
"Hearken unto me great king of the pagan people and listen well. The task you have been set on is folly. No mortal on the earth nor god in the heavens will allow these events to unfold in the manner of which you seek. Stop this madness less you bring ruin upon yourself and all that you have accomplished in your time. Your task is done. Lay down in this and I will grant you what you desire most in peaceful dreams and due rewards. I will gift to you a silent throne where no man will ever be able to challenge thee. A throne of gold and jewels the will glitter in the morning sun and shine on your children and their children. All this and a bride unlike any other. Wise and driven, passionate and honorable in life and in deeds of her own. You and all that is to be yours will remain in peace for the rest of your days."
"You speak to a man full of pain as if speaking to a boy full of dreams Mother of the Gods. In all that has unfolded in my life you, in all of your wisdom, have not learned the lessons I have learned. Those of your own nature. I bend no knee to the Gods."
"And of softest Athena you say you have no love? You who have taken on her blessings and guidance throughout your life do not see yourself bending to the will of the immortals? Such ego and pride for such a frail form, mighty king. And how well do you think the mortal heart that beats so passionately in your breast, like a falcon in flight at the site of me, will hold up with the weight of a god on your shoulders?
I seek no more favor than that of Athena, less even. I do not seek any sacrifice other than your own struggle in a world that does not see it. And in turn, I offer you a throne and the title alone to bear. Is this not a just reward for how you have served?"
"Wise mother, forgive me my due. Keep your throne of gold and jewels and the title to match it. I wouldn't burden you with such things because they no longer have much place in this world aside from whim and fancy to make the tales we tell more colorful. Besides, gold never did suit my tastes. Your great throne and dream can remain yours. I'll make my own."
"So be it, king of the pagans. And when you fail and your death bed is cold, and your tale a hollow failure in the eyes of man and God alike, I will prove my compassion for even the most defiant of the mortal world and grant you the favor of sending you off swiftly to Hades where you will not be remembered and your tale will be lost as if it never happened. Your life will be wasted on this and your soul bound by the same chain that binds your greatest power.
So tell me, which gods shall I inform upon your demise?"
Denia - Tales 2010
