5 Chapter IV

Days had gone by and Zeus refused to even mention the existence of their child.

Everything had gone back to normal Zeus acted the same way with Hera as he always did. It was as he had completely forgotten but she didn't. Her mind was filled with guilt and worry, but there was nothing she could do Zeus had forbidden her from leaving their castle. Finally regaining her strength and wits Hera forged a plan.

She called for a servant. "Y-yes your majesty"

Hera turned her head from where she sat. This one was new Zeus had gotten rid of any servant who had witnessed what happened which was most of the staff.

"Go send a summons for Hermes." Hera said returning to writing her letter.

The servant bowed her head and left to comply.

She knew he wouldn't belong so she folded the letter and sealed it. Then she went to wait on her balcony.

She didn't know how she felt about Hermes there was no doubt he was the one who informed Zeus of her "Affair", but she could not blame him for his actions. And she had witnessed him take Aiden's spirit the underworld.

She heard a thud from behind her and quickly turned. Hermes kneeled in a bow a sign of respect he usually only gave Zeus.

"Rise Hermes."

As he did slowly she could see his guilt-ridden face. Hermes has a tall structure but was lean with slight muscle he was never one to use his fist but his brain. He had golden-brown eyes he must've got from his mother yet he had a glint of mischievous. He had dirty blond hair to match them the only thing missing was his usual sly grin.

He must feel terrible. Yes, he was the god of mischief but he was the kinder of all the gods whether he cared to admit it or not he had a big heart.

"Hera I-"

Hera stopped his words with the raise of a hand. "Here, deliver this to Hephaestus" she held out the envelope as Hermes reaches to grab it she pulls back a little "And make sure he reads it. This is crucial he must read this letter."

Hermes was curious to know what was in the letter Hera and Hephaestus never had the best relationship in fact he hated her. It would be tough trying to get him to read anything from Hera.

"What's in the letter if I may ask?" Hermes asks not able to contain his curiosity.

"Just makes sure he reads it. Go now I need this delivered as soon as possible."

Hermes nodded and prepared to take off.

"And Hermes." Hermes turned his head to Hera's back facing him.

"This time don't tell Zeus." She said and walked back into her bed chambers.

Hermes took that as his cue to take off with the speed of lightning. He knew Hera wasn't mad at him for what he had done. Only because he had seen Hera mad and that wasn't it by far. He would deliver this letter and make sure Hephaestus read it.

Though when he looked into her eyes they were still so dull and lifeless he didn't think their light would ever return.

As Hermes entered the volcano, the place Hephaestus calls his home. He decided it'd be best if he gave the letter to Hephaestus without telling him who it was from.

It wasn't hard to find him he was always working. When Hermes reaches him he's wearing his usual metal face shield while he worked. Hephaestus was huge, taller than most the gods but also extremely muscular with hot tan skin. His body was never the problem, gods always turned away from him because of his face which he was never ashamed of no matter what they said.

Hephaestus still working away not noticing Hermes.

"Yoo Hooo! Helloooooo I got something for ya." Hermes said waving the envelope back and forth in the air.

Hephaestus stops his work grunting annoyed. "What?" He says in a gruff horse voice.

Hermes doesn't answer him he only walks over and held out the letter.

"Who's this from?" Hephaestus rarely ever got letters he rarely socialized with any of the gods because of the way they all looked down at him.

"Read it and find out." Hermes states playfully with a grin.

Hephaestus sigh and snatches the letter from Hermes, lifting up his mask to read the letter.

His face was ghastly. Especially compared to the godly beauty he was always around. Compared to most humans he was even below average. His face was contorted and un-proportional. The man was grotesque to look at, Hermes even slightly pitted the man.

He opens the envelope to reveal a piece of paper with the royal seal on it Hephaestus looked up at Hermes but he was making an effort to stare anywhere but him whistling as he inspected the walls.

Hephaestus let out a grunt and decided it best to just open the letter he broke the seal.

Dear Hephaestus,

I've contemplated many times how to begin this letter, yet nothing seems right. I find it pitiful I don't even know how to begin to talk to my own, Son. The title seems so foreign and unfit to describe you. And that is no one's fault but my own. But this is not a letter of apology the truth of the matter is. I need your help. For reasons I can not explain to you Zeus has thrown our newborn child from Olympus I don't know where she is but I do know that she is still alive. My reason for this letter is because I need you to find her and I beg of you, take care of her, raise her, protect her. Like I should've done for you. She has crimson red hair as dark as blood she should be easy to find. Tell no one. No one knows of her existence, Zeus believes that she is a half-breed and has died from the fall. Please I'm begging you Hephaestus find her not for me but for...Karma, yes Karma.

Sincerely, Hera

Hephaestus was quick, his decision already made. No matter his feeling toward Hera he would not let them do to her what they did to him. No one should have to go through what he did having no one, nothing, no clothes, no knowledge of who he was or where he was, limping his way back from nothing only to be used for his talents and shunned.

Hephaestus burned the letter and left quickly ignored Hermes questions. He would go back to where it all started back to where he landed when he fell.