The large eagle circled three rounds around the mountain summit before it landed on top of its favourite outlook, a stand-alone marble obelisk. Half awake and half in dreams she watched the dark bird trough slightly opened lids, saw it fold its large wings and check out its surroundings. The pale light of dawn lingered, it was just minutes before the first rays of sunlight would hit the golden rooftop of the highest tower. The king was coming home. The eagle was his usual fore-runner. She moaned silently while turning around in her large bed, she had hoped for another day of peace and quiet. But that was not to be, she had to send away the young man who was sleeping beside her between the soft silken sheet, and then she had to finish all the work she had kept postponing. All the paper-works, all the briefings, a welcome-home dinner to prepare and last but not least she had to get herself ready for her kings return. She was his queen, but theirs was not a happy marriage. They
After twenty years and all kind of imaginable ordeals and then some, Odysseus had returned home. Finally he was back on Ithaka again, with his wife and son. Penelope's suitors did all lie dead and the mess they had made had been cleared out. As well as Penelope's doubt that it really was her husband returning after all those years. That the 40 something with salt-and-pepper hair and beard and weathered skin was the very same one as the handsome man who had gone off to war two decades ago. But the twinkle in the chestnut eyes remained the same, as well as the smile when he looked at her and the birth mark on his left hand. Not to mention the knowledge about their special bed, made from the huge olive tree growing right through the house. -That's why we can't move the bed, dearest one, Odysseus had laughed when she had made her inquire. -It is you, beloved! Penelope had smiled and the next moment the two bodies seemed to melt into one in the dim light of the olive lamp. All happiness
Another day, another set of arms, Hephaestos thought as he filled the cast for the helmet with white hot iron, his strong arms having no problem handling the heavy bucket with molten content, the heat not bothering him the slightest. But this armour was special, had to be special, as he was doing it for one of his best friends, the goddess Thetis. Or rather, for Thetis' combater of a son, the demigod Achilles. The helmet cast had been modelled with the perfect proportions of Achilles' head, it would fit him like a second skin, not straining, itching or scafing anywhere. Still, it would cover every tender and soft mortal flesh possible. The op
When a man loves a woman by chibichiquita, literature
Literature
When a man loves a woman
Olympos was alive with three hot news items.
1. Demeter was pregnant
2. Apollo had fallen in love with a mortal MAN. Hyacintos. And ended up killing him!
3. Aphrodite was marrying Hephaestos and also taking over Themis' seat in the Dodekatheon.
Among all the gods it was impossible to decide what was the hottest and the juiciest. Which story was the most unexpected.
Demeter had always seemed so content with her gardening and growth and that laid-back status quo life of hers. The goddess had kept on doing her thing all through the years and seemed perfectly happy with that. Then all of a sudden she had become hotly involved with Carmanor. A n
Between love and lust by chibichiquita, literature
Literature
Between love and lust
"You did WHAT?" Hephaestos raged as he balled his fist and put on his best intimidating face.
"I proposed to Aphrodite," Ares replied with a smug voice where he stood nonchalantly leaned against a pillar.
"You asshole, what makes you think she want you?"
"Little brother, what's it to you?" Ares was shaking his head slightly. "I mean really, you haven't bothered with Aphrodite in years and years and years! So enlighten me! Why should you be concerned by me marrying her?"
"Because I care for her," Hephaestos snarled.
"You care?" Ares lifted a brow. "For a woman you hardly talk to these days?"
"I don't want her to end up with YOU!"
"So what's
Leaning forward, Aphrodite launched Andrealphus into a fast gallop, rejoicing in the power of the strong muscles of the stallion, seeing the poppy-spangled grass turn into blur around her when the horse sped up. This was almost like flying, yet in a way different. It made her feel more connected to the earthly matters, to the nature and the mortality. The divine world could be so etheric sometimes and Aphrodite felt she needed to distance herself from it from time to time. To ground herself. She needed to experience the world as it appeared to a mortal. She needed to perceive their reality. Taking in mind her constant work with mortals, their
Holding out for a hero by chibichiquita, literature
Literature
Holding out for a hero
"You look lovely," Hephaestos complemented her where he stood leaned against the door frame, his arms crossed and his sand-coloured hair wet from a wash or perhaps a swim. "What's with the dress-up?"
"I'm invited to a wedding."
"Business or pleasure?" Hephaestos asked.
"In this case they are more or less interchangeable," Aphrodite tittered.
"So who's getting married?"
"Leto's sister Asteria and the god Phanes."
"Haven't they been hanging like forever?"
"Yes, but it's first now they have decided to marry for real. And don't worry for not getting invited. They only want a small ceremony. Actually I'm the only Olympian going. Save for Artemi
What's love got to do with it? by chibichiquita, literature
Literature
What's love got to do with it?
Athena, Artemis, Eos, Selene, Hermes, Apollo, Poseidon, Hestia, Demeter, Hecate, Hemera, Nyx... Aphrodite was spinning the pen between her hands, staring at those names again. Gods and goddesses without a significant other, no doubt feeling that loss even if some of them, like Artemis, tried so hard to pretend otherwise. According to Aphrodite none of them deserved missing someone in their lives. There sure wasn't anything wrong with any of them. All handsome and clever, kind and open minded people, however none of them without their fair share of quirks. Then who was without them? Aphrodite was not flawless herself. Neither were people like
"Stupid! Stupid, stupid, stupid!!!" Aphrodite scoffed while stumbling home in the late night. It was almost morning, the sky was brightening up in the east and mist was dancing among the trees, drops of dew glimmering in the faint light like discarded pearls. She had messed up again! Just when she thought she had straightened out her love life had she gone ahead and made it all the more complicated. She couldn't blame the booze, or that Helios was as hot as the sun he was working with, nor could she blame being a newbie – she had been here at Olympos almost five years now. However it had been one of those nights when everything could ha
He was missing her!
He should've returned earlier!
He should've talked to her!
Ares balled his fists – he simply couldn't believe it! Had she taken any other god, he wouldn't have been surprised, not even that doofus Poseidon. But Hephaestos – his workaholic baby brother, who hardly poked his nose out of that workshop of his. HE had marched along and grabbed his Aphrodite while Ares was away.
"How did it happen – WHEN did it happen?" he asked with frustration in his voice.
"I dunno," Persephone shrugged and went on peeling her scrimp. "I was down under."
"But..."
"Half a year ago. I'd just left. I learned it upon my retu