Page 22 of Hephaestus
It had only been a few hours since I managed to persuade Hera to sit on the new golden throne I had built. Of course, news velociously travels through all ears on Mount Olympus. And there was no doubt that every god and goddess on Mount Olympus knew of my return because of the drama that I had now put myself in with Hera.
I couldn’t help but chuckle over the idea of it. Really, I had no intention of making such a huge statement upon my arrival, but I sure as the Underworld did with this stunt I had pulled. As I made my way across a pearly, white-stoned path, I noticed a figure standing ahead. As I made my way closer, I was able to recognize his long, dark, luscious hair. He stared at me with a lavender gleam in his eyes. They matched the amethyst garbs he adorned.
Instantly, I knew who this god was. Although I hadn’t had that much of an interaction with him in the past, I could easily recognize who he was just from his ostentatious wardrobe and looks alone.
“It seems you have only been on Mount Olympus for not even a whole day, and already I hear you are causing quite the ruckus,” Dionysus said in an amused manner.
“And what of it?” I sternly asked, really having no desire to talk with anyone right now.
He shook his head with a disappointed expression written on his face. “I don’t think it’s wise to push everyone you come in contact with away, Hephaestus.”
“Why not? What concern is it of yours?”
“All I’m saying is that I think you should be more strategic in your approach to causing a little bit of chaos here on Mount Olympus.”
Now, Dionysus had me intrigued. At first, I assumed that he would reprimand me for what I did to Hera, but hearing him seem willing to want to offer me advice was throwing me for a loop. This was not the encounter I was expecting to have with any of the Olympian Gods or Goddesses. Far from it.
“And how would have you handled things differently?” I retorted.
“I’m not sure that I would have even harmed the Queen of the Gods to begin with, to be honest with you. Look, Hephaestus, you cannot just come to Mount Olympus from a long hiatus and expect to make a big change all on your own. What you are missing areallies. With no one in your corner, it’s going to be a long and lonely existence for you. Up here on Mount Olympus, other gods and goddesses will just walk all over you and take full advantage of your immaturity as a god.”
As much as I hated to admit it, Dionysus did have a valid point. Preying on the weak was a pastime of the gods. If they had an opportunity to boost their own egos by dismantling one of their own, they would do so in a heartbeat. Right now, I was all alone on Mount Olympus. Even when I left Zeus and Hera’s palace, a sudden sense of solitude hit me. I felt alone with nowhere to go. Even Hestio’s home didn’t seem like an option at the time, which was why I now found myself walking aimlessly all across Mount Olympus.
“I guess I can understand where you are coming from,” I acquiesced.
“Good. I am glad to see that you can see logic. Now, tell me, where is it you are heading to? I don’t recall a palace in your name having been built yet.”
Dionysus was sharper than I had originally given him credit for. He was on to me. Although it was difficult for me to confide in and be willing to give my trust to anyone these days, I felt as though he was eliciting true genuineness.
“I don’t. And truth be told, I’m not sure where I’m headed to,” I replied, being a little more open with him.
“Well, seeing as you have nowhere to go and I have no arrangements of my own for the evening, why don’t you come to my palace? I would be honored to host your very first dinner here on Mount Olympus.”
Dinner with Dionysus? As hungry as I was from the journey here and from having not eaten in what seems like nearly a day, I could really use something that could satisfy my appetite. But having Dionysus go out of his way to accommodate me felt like a complete impertinence.
“As benevolent and tempting as that offer sounds, I’m afraid I’ll have to pass,” I coolly replied. “I wouldn’t want to impose…”
“Nonsense!” Dionysus quickly interceded. “I have the finest wine you will ever taste. Believe me, it would be my pleasure. Allow me to let you stay with me. I’m sure you would welcome the extra set of ears to share what you are planning next. Let me be the one to help guide you into your godship here on Mount Olympus.”
It would be nice not to have to be lonely. If Dionysus insisted upon my presence, I was really in no predicament to continue to refuse him. Plus, he was right. I could always use a second opinion on how I should handle Hera and Zeus from here on out. Dionysus might be able to view things from a different angle and advise me on how I should conduct myself around Zeus when we will be bound to meet soon to discuss the terms of Hera’s release.
“Fine. I will dine with you.”
“Perfect!” Dionysus jubilantly stated. “Come. My palace is not all that far from here.”
And so, I followed him, hoping that I would finally be able to make an acquaintance on Mount Olympus. And if things went swimmingly well, then I might wind up with a new friend by the end of the night.
***
Hours later, I found myself looser than I had ever been in my entire existence. I’ve had a few goblets of wine with Hestio and Thetis and Eurynome on occasion, but never had I consumed as much as I have now with Dionysus in a single sitting. Perhaps it was the mouth-watering dinner and ambrosia we had eaten that made me more inclined to imbibe at an accelerated pace. It could have also been the lively conversations that went on between Dionysus and me. But whatever the case, I had drank far too much wine, and I still found myself unable to stop. The taste of the crimson liquid was far superb than anything I’d ever drank in my life. It somehow was not fully quenching my thirst, which left me drinking more and more, hoping that it eventually would.
“And tell me again! Describe the look on Hera’s face when she realized what you had done,” Dionysus requested again for the third time, before throwing his head back to take a generous sip of the wine from his goblet.
“I’ve never seen someone’s demeanor change so quickly,” I recited once more. “She was in awe of the fine details I had crafted on the golden throne. Then she sat in it and moved around to try and get a bit more comfortable. Finally, when she went to rise, her body was thrown back into the chair. It was as if the air had hands of its own and was thrusting her backward. Her eyes widened and glared over me in an outrage. She stretched and fought mercilessly to be free, but the invisible restraints on her were too strong and binding for her or anyone else to breakthrough.”
“So, you’re telling me that she is still in her throne room at this very second, likely thrashing around to be set free?” Dionysus asked with incredulity.
I nodded. “As far as I know. For if she were free, she would no doubt be right on my back right now, ready to confront me over what I had done.”
