Ice Princess

49

"I don't understand why you are sick all the time, you're a goddess." Demeter told Melinoe in disgust. "And it wouldn't hurt you to be more social with the other gods and goddesses. Get out of your rooms for a while. You look horrible. It will be good for you."

Truth was she really did need to interact with the other goddesses. She needed to talk to Leto and Artemis and see if they would help her. Melinoe had been confined to Olympia for eight months. While she had been able to hide the bump with the drapery of her clothing choices, she prayed that these two were present and would help. There was no way she could contact Bucky or anyone who wasn't at Olympia already. That was part of the problem.

"Grandmother, would you... would you mind introducing me to some? I mean, you must know everyone here. Please. I'd really appreciate it." Melinoe made sure to keep her posture demure, her eyes down, and her hands clasped in front of her. Just in case, she gave a slight bow for added effect. It was fall now and Persephone had already gone home to the underworld. The only person Melinoe could depend on was her grandmother, Demeter.

"Of course!" Demeter beamed. "And I am so glad your attitude has changed. Perhaps you needed to be away from those mortals to get things out of your system."

"Yes, grandmother."

After meeting Zeus again and Hera, Demeter was glad that meeting went well. So well in fact, she set up plans for a tea the next day and started to create a list for a banquet in the future as a grand introduction to Olympian society. While Melinoe didn't know the particulars of who was going to be at the tea or anything about the banquet, her grandmother told her not to worry she would take care of all of it.

"Depending on how well everything goes young lady, we might talk about getting that collar off of you sooner than you think." It took everything for Melinoe to fight now showing happiness and surprise at that. That night she felt the baby move into position, the head down for the birthing. Was she scared of giving birth alone? Yes, but more so of her child being subjected to grow up in this society of narcissists and bullies not to mention not having access to its father. With that thought her heart ached so badly. If it was a girl, the name would be Hope, if a boy, Steve. Bucky would like that, she thought as she drifted off to sleep.

______

The tea went well, the banquet was set. Melinoe made sure to be the most perfect at everything she did and said while around her grandmother. It was, at best, almost like being back at the orphanage. Only here, there was no way to age out of the system. Oh, there were ways for gods to die and she did look into that, but none of the ways she had access to and that was before she discovered she had a life inside of her. While she had met Artemis and Leto separately, she wanted to get to know them better before approaching them. This took her almost right up until the day the contractions began.

"Are you ok?" Leto asked.

"Yes, you do not look well." Artemis stated.

"No, I'm not and I need your help." She looked around for her grandmother. "First, I need to know if I can trust you." And that was when the first contraction hit.

"Yes, anything." Leto said and Artemis agreed.

"I need your protection from my grandmother. The collar she has on me prevents me from leaving Olympia."

"Why would she want to keep you here?" Artemis asked.

"I don't understand why, but I can't return to the underworld either because of the collar." She began explaining her story hurriedly and with whispers. "Please tell me you believe me?"

"It does sound like something Demeter would do..." Leto said.

"Don't worry, we will help you. First we need to get you to your rooms. Laugh." Artemis said.

"What?" Melinoe asked.

"Laugh, like I told you something really funny and we will walk out of here." Artemis said again. Melinoe did as she was told and each to a side of her guided her towards her rooms. Her grandmother just watched and smiled as the three left together.

Halfway down the hallway, but out of Demeter's sight, Melinoe's water broke.

"Come on, move a little faster." Leto said under her breath as they hurried along. Once there, the doors were locked and barricaded. Melinoe was already breathing hard. She understood childbirth, delivered a couple babies herself, but nothing prepares you for your own. The other two goddesses cleaned their hands and set the pillows up for support, then lowered Melinoe into the nest. "Who's the father?"

"He's human..... ooooooo. His name is James Buchanan Barnes, Bucky. He lives in ....... Ahhhhhh. New New York City, Brrrrooooooklllllynnnn."

"So, not a god?" Artemis asked.

"Definitely not, I would remember that." Melinoe said.

"Then this child belongs with the other mortals." Leto said.

"I know, I know. I don't want..... I don't want Demeter touching it." Melinoe grunted back.

"We will take the baby to him. But you might want to write a note or something." Both Leto and Artemis were looking back and forth from one another.

"Fine." She quickly scribbled something out. Then bit her thumb and placed a drop of blood on it. She knew Bucky would have it tested to make sure it was hers.

"Why did you do that?" Leto asked.

"Trust me, he might not believe you two." She screamed into a pillow.

"Oooh you're crowning. I can see the baby's head." Artemis told her. A few moments later, the baby was out.

"Is it breathing? Is it ok?" She asked as Leto was cleaning the baby off and wrapping it in a blanket. Then she heard the baby cry and was relieved. Leto handed her her son. "Hello, Steven, I'm your mommy." The baby cooed as she breastfed it, tears of happiness and sadness started to run down her face. Kissing the baby's head and inhaling deeply, she wanted to remember this moment forever, the collar broke and fell off.

"We might be able to get you all home." Artemis smiled down at her. "But you need rest."

"I don't care, I want my son safe. Even if it is not safe for me, please get us out of here." Melinoe begged.

"Let's get you cleaned up first." That's when the afterbirth started and the bleeding wouldn't stop.