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The Immortal Heart	By : amandalee Category: 1 through F > Clash of the Titans (2010) > Clash of the Titans (2010) Views: 7819 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: We do not own Clash of the Titans or the characters portrayed in this story, and we make no money from writing this.

Chapter List
- 40
- 41
- 42
A/N: Sorry about the long absence of updates, guys. I will try to remember to update more regularly from now on.

Chapter 41

Ever since the nightly incident in Zeus’ bedroom, Hades was more even more determined than usual to avoid facing Hera. He was afraid of his eldest sister and wanted to avoid harm to himself by staying as far away from her as possible. Though Demeter and Hestia tried to assure their brother than Hera would not go as far as causing him deliberate physical harm, Hades was not convinced. The look in his sister’s eyes had strongly suggested that Hera wanted to see Hades dead.

“Come, dearest, it’s time for bed,” Demeter said, approaching Hades where he sat in his chair in the garden. The god spent several hours a day seated there, and every time they almost had to physically drag him inside.

“Not quite yet,” Hades replied, giving his sister a weak smile. “I am not yet sleepy. In fact, I think I might go for a moonlit walk. Perhaps that will clear my mind of harmful thoughts.”

“Not by yourself, Hades,” the goddess objected. “These woods are perilous, especially after nightfall. You must not…--”

“I will not go far, sister,” Hades interjected, having anticipated the response he received from her. “Just down to the river. You go there yourself to bathe. It is quite safe.”

“I only go there by daylight,” Demeter said, still hesitant. Should something happen to Hades…

“Look.” Hades lifted up what he was indicating. The sword was light but narrow. Its blade could easily sink into the heart of any beast.

“If something should attack, I will hide myself,” the god said. “But if I feel threatened, I will not hesitate to cut a few leg tendons.”

Demeter’s lips pursed. Clearly she was not convinced.

“Or if you prefer…” Hades added, “I can simply hide and nothing else.” Here he leaned down and opened a satchel, removing from it his helm of invisibility.

Lifting an eyebrow, Demeter began to look as though her resolve was crumbling.

“A sword may attract a fight, but the helmet will keep me unseen by any predators,” Hades reasoned. “I could wear it the entire time that I am out…”

Demeter looked away in deliberation, but when she looked back, she mentally cursed her brother for his large, pleading eyes.

“Please…?” he begged.

“Damn you.”

“Thank you, sister,” Hades said with a grin. He gave her a peck on the cheek before putting the helmet over his head and vanishing from sight.

“Be careful!” the goddess called after him, watching the long grass part as her invisible brother took off down the path.

Though Hades was now unseen by everything and everyone, someone else had noticed his departure and now stood at the window leading out to the garden. Hera sneered to herself, practically hoping that Hades, despite his invisibility, would not return from his little “moonlit walk” as he had chosen to call it. She was well aware that wishing for her brother’s death was wrong and depraved, but Hades was the one thing that stood between Hera and what she wanted most of everything in the world: Zeus.

“Why aren’t you yet in bed, sister?” Demeter suddenly asked from behind her, and Hera winced, frowning at her fellow goddess for sneaking up on her like that.

“What is it to you?” she said tersely. “Why aren’t you mothering Hades, as usual?”

Demeter shook her head, figuring that her eldest sister’s mood had not improved since their last brief conversation. “Taking out your anger on us won’t bring him back any sooner,” she pointed out, knowing very well that Hera knew who she was referring to. “We are still your family, sister. Please try to remember that we love and cherish one another.”

A derisive scoff was Hera’s only reply to the younger Olympian’s words, and Demeter decided to give up her attempts to bond with her morose older sister. She quietly turned on her heel and headed for the chamber where Hestia slept, longing for the kind of intimacy that only her fellow goddess could provide. She hoped that Hades upon his return would feel well enough to sleep without her by his side.

Sitting by the river, Hades simply closed his eyes and listened to the flowing water. How calming it felt after facing trivial arguments and nagging voices which became so overwhelming in such a short amount of time. The moon shone full and bright, giving a strange illusion of an overcast day to the more open areas of the forest. Had he not worn his helmet, he would have had little chance of being able to hide from any predators or enemies in this light. Hades wondered how glorious this place must have looked in winter – permitted any snow should fall – with the moon so bright.

The god spent another few quiet minutes by the river until he decided he had had enough. He stood up and wandered back through the woods at his own pace, finding amusement in the fact that he could easily negotiate the vegetation with the moon shining down on him.

Reaching the home he now shared with his sisters, Hades grasped the door handle and was surprised to find it would not open. He pushed and pulled but the door only moved faintly, refusing to give way.

Someone had locked the door.

“Hello?” he called out, annoyed. Demeter never would have locked the door, knowing her brother was outside and would be returning shortly. She likely would have also told Hestia of his absence and thus she would not set the latch either. This left only one very appropriately suspected culprit.

Hades felt his eyes tear up from anger, and before he could restrain himself, he kicked at the door in frustration, not caring that he was causing a ruckus and likely scaring his other two sisters as well, not just the one responsible for his misery.

“Let me in! Somebody!” he cried out and proceeded to hammer on the wood with his fists. “Demeter! Hestia? Hello?!”

*

Hestia looked up from the place between her sister’s legs when suddenly a loud banging noise broke the agreeable silence, and for a moment she feared they were being attacked. Demeter lifted her head as well, interrupted from her state of pleasure, and the two goddesses glanced at one another as if trying to decipher what was going on.

Then they both heard their brother’s voice demanding someone to let him in, and the look of fear on Demeter’s face was quickly replaced by relief mixed with a hint of annoyance. She disengaged from Hestia and stood up from the bed.

“I told you Hades was going out for a walk. You didn’t lock the door, did you?”

Hestia’s eyes widened. “Certainly not! I would never…--”

Demeter was out of the room before she could finish explaining how she would never do such a thing, and Hestia knew as well as Demeter who was responsible for locking Hades out of the house.

Hades was about to attempt entering through one of the windows, but he only walked a few steps before he heard the latch lifted and the door opened. He turned to look at Demeter in exasperation, and his sister’s eyes read of annoyance. He had no idea of the reason, but in his vexation he expected it was against him.

“I had no idea that Hera had locked the door,” the goddess said, trying to apologize.

“I know,” Hades simply said. He all but stomped through the door, hardly giving his sister a second glance.

“Brother, please slow down…” Demeter called after him as she followed him down the hallway.

“I swear on my own life, I shall not tolerate another day in this stupid house with our… our bitch of a sister,” Hades growled out. Demeter had heard her eldest brother when he was hysterical, grieved, even in pain, but hearing him genuinely expressing his anger was a rare and strange thing.

“Yes, I know,” the goddess replied. “She has been unreasonable and…”

“You don’t know!” Hades spat venomously. “You are not the one she hates and wishes dead! How could you possibly know?!”

“Clearly you are in need of some sleep,” Demeter finally said, holding on to the last of her patience as best she could. Hera had taken up much of her anger already – as well as her actions leading to the interruption of her sisters’ moment of bliss – and Hades’ lack of realization that Demeter was trying to help was nearly the final straw.

“We can address this matter in the morning when we are all well-rested.”

“Fine,” Hades grumbled.

Upon entering his bedroom and finding it unoccupied, he began to understand what had caused Demeter’s look of annoyance when she hurried to let him in. The goddess was spending the night with Hestia, and their brother’s vehement objection to being locked out of the house had been an unwelcome interruption in their games.

Had Hades been in his normal state of mind, he would not have begrudged Demeter some personal time with their older sister, especially knowing the nature of their relationship. Now, however, the notion spurred his anger, and something resembling jealousy filled his furiously pounding heart.

I need you as well, sister, he thought bitterly as he lay down on the mattress and curled up into a tight ball. Tears burned beneath his eyelids, and Hades allowed them to flow freely, hoping that venting his emotions would calm the turmoil in his mind. At the same time, he was terrified of the possibility that Hera would hear him weep and burst uninvited into his room to scorn and mock him.

I cannot stay here, Hades thought as the hours passed by and he remained miserable and wakeful. If Hera won’t physically harm me herself, she will drive me into harming myself, I’m sure of it. I have to leave. But where? I have nowhere to go, and I don’t know these lands.

Since Zeus and Poseidon had taken the boat, Hades did not even have any means to leave the island of Crete, though the knowledge brought him relief rather than disappointment, as a voyage over the sea, especially by oneself, was a frightening concept.

Obviously the only other way to reach the mainland was by air, but how could he fly? His abilities had become quite remarkable, but he was very certain that he was not able to traverse the winds on his own. If only he had assistance…

Perhaps I do, he thought. Throwing his robes back on and grabbing his pack, he quietly sauntered out of his room, down the hall, and back outside, but not before picking up something to aid him in his search.

The moon still hung very bright in the dark sky and Hades was still able to see where he was going. He removed the helmet from his pack and placed it on his head for safety sake, took a deep breath, and entered the woods, invisible.

The fields and valleys, unencumbered by trees, were made bright by the moon’s soft glow, and Hades was able to scan the area as he searched for the herd of wild horses. He knew he might be searching in vain, as the winged stallion Poseidon had created likely would be using its new appendages to roam wherever it desired, but the eldest god knew he should at least try to find it. He hoped he could, for the words he spoke to Demeter not long ago were the truth. He would be boiled in his own bathwater before he spent another day with only his three sisters.

Most of the horses had to have been asleep, and Hades was worried he might spook them awake and cause them to bolt, but when he finally came upon them, most did not move. A few pawed the ground, but remained calm.

Then he found him: the stallion. Amazed at how easy his search had been, Hades approached with care. What if the animal had forgotten about him, or suspected Poseidon to be close by?

Removing his helmet, he allowed the horses to see what they had smelled in the air. Some nervously trotted away, but the stallion only stood, watching him. Still wondering if the animal recognized him or not, Hades took a step closer to it and held out his hand.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he spoke quietly, spreading out his fingers to show that he did not conceal anything in his fist. The stallion stood its ground but the twitching of its ears betrayed how nervous it truly was.

Hades took another step toward his quarry, and this time the horse reacted by giving a loud snort and recoiling from him, obviously uneasy to be so close to the god.

Discouraged by the response, Hades froze on the spot. If he frightened the stallion now, he was not likely to ever get a second chance. There had to be some way to gain the animal’s trust, and he feverishly tried to think of something.

The apples, he thought. He had brought them for the sole reason of being able to offer the horse a treat, and now might be as good a time as any to do exactly that.

Hades tried to still his eagerness and keep his movements slow and fluid when reaching into his bag to take out an apple. The horse’s black eyes stayed riveted on him, but at least Poseidon’s creation did not take off at a run or decide to use its new appendages to escape the potential threat.

“Come here, boy,” Hades whispered, his throat dry as he carefully offered the fruit to the winged horse. “It’s alright… I’m not going to hurt you. Easy…”

Over a minute passed, and he was starting to suspect that he was wasting his time when the animal suddenly stepped closer to him, clearly intrigued by the treat in his hand.

Perhaps if he could sense it better, Hades thought to himself. Slowly he lifted the fruit to his lips, bit down, and took away a mouthful, chewing. The horse’s ears moved as though it were listening to him, taking in the sounds of enjoyment.

Hades held out the apple again, the pale flesh of it exposed and the scent of the juice wafting out. The stallion’s large nostrils flared as it smelled the air. It took another tentative step and stretched its long sturdy neck. Lips parted to pick up the apple in place of hands. Hades did feel a little intimidated at the sight of the big white teeth. Poseidon had warned him in the past with the family’s domesticated horses that the animal’s front teeth were made with enough strength to cut away the toughest of leaves and roots, and could easily amputate careless fingers.

The god kept that in mind as his hand remained spread so that the stallion’s lips could easily pick up its treat. He sighed in relief as the horse plucked the apple from his palm and proceeded to grind it in its equally strong back molars. Hades did not want to imagine what fingers would look like if they were caught up by those teeth.

Again the god could hear certain details in his head, spoken in Poseidon’s voice as he gave advice.

“Take care around his nose and lips. These are very sensitive and the animal will not take kindly to your handling them. If you want to stay on its good side, try the neck first.”

Allowing the stallion to keep him in its sight, Hades slowly reached out and stroked its neck. He could feel the stony muscle beneath warm flesh, and the short fuzz lining the surface of its skin.

“You’re a nice horse, aren’t you?” Hades asked in a gentle tone, mostly to keep the animal calm, but also a bit of a genuine question.

ARE you a nice horse? he wondered. Can you trust me, my friend?

The stallion, having smelled the apples still in Hades’ bag, nudged at him with its head, as if to tell the god it wanted more of the same. Hades, encouraged by the trusty behavior, immediately reached into his bag, pulling out an apple which was immediately plucked from his hand by the animal’s eager mouth.

“You have a sweet tooth, is that right?” he murmured, immensely pleased that the horse at least seemed to tolerate his presence. He kept patting its neck and eventually felt brave enough to move his hand to the stallion’s head, remembering his brother’s words and steeling himself for an averse reaction. None came, and Hades presented yet another apple for his newfound friend.

“You have to help me,” he whispered, speaking to the animal in confidence and not caring that it could not understand speech. “Take me across the ocean, help me find my brothers. I cannot do it alone. I need your help.”

The horse gazed at him for a moment, and right then Hades was almost convinced that the creature had understood his words. The thought was quickly erased from his mind when their eyes parted and he was once again in the company of a horse, a winged one, for sure, but still merely a beast.

I wonder if he will let me ride him, Hades thought anxiously, contemplating the safest way to try such without getting himself killed should the stallion disagree with his plans. He had mounted horses before, but always under Poseidon’s supervision and never one as wild or temperamental as this one.

Another difference between tonight the last time he had ridden was that Poseidon had always been nearby in case something were to go wrong. If he lost his balance, his younger brother was able to grab him and keep him steady, or keep his arms open to catch him in a fall. Falling was not ideal, especially when he was alone with the horses.

“Please…” he muttered, gently grasping the stallion’s mane by the roots with one hand and a wing with the other. “Do not throw me…”

Taking a deep breath, Hades jumped as he pulled downward. He made it onto the stallion, but just barely. His stomach rested on the animal’s back while his legs dangled to the side and he was amazed that he was not thrown out of irritation. The horse only shuffled aside and craned its neck around as though wondering what on earth the silly little creature who had been feeding him was doing.

“Alright…” Hades said, exhaling. “Alright…” He took another breath and shifted his position, trying to right himself and sit comfortably on the stallion’s back. One of his feet knocked into a wing as he swung his legs around, and the winged beast tromped in annoyance, but otherwise did not bolt, though its actions did make Hades think he would fall off. Once his heart slowed again, Hades stroked the horse’s neck once more, hoping his ride would forgive him for his inexperience and clumsiness. The horse snorted and shook its head.

Hades did not release his nearly spasmodic hold on the horse’s mane, still not trusting the animal to stay docile and tolerate his presence. The stallion had not moved since he mounted it, and Hades began to wonder how he could command the horse to move, and more importantly, move in the direction he wanted.

Poseidon had used reins for the animals he tamed and rode on back on the mainland, but none had been brought over to Crete, and Hades did not know how to fashion one. Horses had always been his brother’s forte, and Hades had very little experience in tending to them. However, for some reason unknown to him, Poseidon’s winged creation had chosen to trust him rather than its maker, and Hades knew he would be foolish not to take the opportunity presented to him.

Maybe I can just improvise the use of reins, he thought, tugging on the mane in his grip.
Immediately the horse’s head perked up, and it twisted its long neck to look at Hades in a way that seemed almost inquisitive. Feeling confident, the god pulled slightly harder, and before he could steel himself for any kind of reaction, the creature below him instantly broke into a run.

Hades cursed in response and desperately searched his memories for what to do in order to make the animal slow down. Now that he was able to make the horse move, he needed to remember how to make it stop. Grabbing for whatever came to mind, he knocked his heels against the stallion’s flanks.

No, that was wrong. The horse ran faster into a full gallop. Hades almost whimpered as he wrapped his arms around his mount’s neck.

“Back! Stop!” he yelled, feeling foolish. Only when he spoke did he remember the correct move. Reaching upward, he grabbed a wad of hair near the poll, tugging behind the stallion’s head. Feeling the pressure, the horse reared its head and slowed to a stop. One of its ears turned the god’s way as though asking what the matter was.

Breathing deep, Hades prepared himself again, and this time he tapped the flanks much more gently.

“Remember that I’m not made as sturdy as you are,” he said, scratching the horse’s neck.

Steadily the horse picked up speed and its wings spread out from its body. Already Hades could feel a certain amount of pull from the air passing under the wings, and he held his breath, pressing himself against the animal’s back and holding on as tight as possible short of causing the beast discomfort.

The stallion was clearing several bushes with a mighty leap and before the god knew it they were airborne. Eyes wide, Hades looked down, grip still tight against his ride, watching the ground slip ever further away. He could barely believe it; he was in the air. He gazed in awe over the moonlit countryside as the horse galloped through the sky, its hooves pounding against nothing yet its limbs continued to move out of pure habit.

“Poseidon is hardly going to believe this,” Hades muttered.

TBC...
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The Immortal Heart