One with the Gods

Chapter Four: Festival of the Demigods

Chapter four:

Festival of the Demigods

Andromeda looked at herself in the mirror. She wore a golden olive branch wreath. She wore a light blue silk gown with two gold pins holding the straps of her dress. Carved in both was a Sparrow, Andromeda's favorite bird. She had golden sandals with straps that went to the middle of her shin. Her father had sent a silver pendant necklace with a blue diamond sparrow on the front. Andromeda touched the necklace with her fingertips and stared at her hair that had pearls threaded in her brown waves.

Andromeda left the house and found the buckskin Pegasus waiting for her in the front courtyard. Andromeda had taken great liberty in memorizing her own house. She climbed the Pegasus' back. The horse leaped in the air and flew away. It knew where it was going. Andromeda saw the focus the horse had on the ground searching for something. The Pegasus then flew down and landed gently on the cobble in a front of a large palace. She slid off the horse and watched it fly away. She began to walk in and then bumped into a young man. "Oh I am so sorry.... my lady. I wasn't paying attention." The man said. Andromeda looked up at the young man and held back a gasp. Andromeda thought he was so handsome. He had short black curly hair. He wore a golden band and a red tunic with a golden belt and a sheath. He had emerald eyes and tan skin. "No, no it was me. I think you can tell I am new on Olympus." She stammered. "Me as well, I have only been here a few weeks. May I escort you in?" He asked. In Andromeda's head she was yelling yes, but she just gave him a single nod and took his arm. "So what is your name?" He asked. "I am Andromeda not like the queen. I was named after her." Andromeda said. "What is yours?" "I am Aeros son of Ares. Who is your father?" Aeros asked.

"My father is Zeus."

"I have never met a daughter of Zeus before. I mean I have but they don't talk to me. Anyway have you enjoyed your stay while you have been here Andromeda?"

"So far my father has just showered me with gifts. He told me we would talk later on, but not now."

"Don't be mad at him if he doesn't right away. Gods are just busy."

"I see. Well now that we are here I need to go. I have to meet my father."

Andromeda let go of Aeros' arm and walked toward her father who she saw in the distance. She came to his side. He smiled brightly at her and hugged her. "Ah my daughter, enjoy yourself while you are here. Speaking of enjoying one's self, who was that young man you were speaking to?" Her father asked. "His name was Aeros son of Ares. He seems quite nice father." She replied. Her father puzzled over this for a moment. "Alright go now and have fun. I will see you shortly." Zeus said shoeing her away. Andromeda walked off and looked around. She could tell whose parents were whose. Ares' wore battle tunics and armor, and carried swords or daggers. Aphrodite's wore long flowing dresses and stared at all the handsome young men and giggled.

She walked around when she ran into Aeros again. He smiled brightly at her. "I was wondering if you would like to dance." He asked. He seemed so shy in her presence. She gave him a little shrug and took his open hand. He wrapped his arm around her waist as she placed her hand on his shoulder. They began to dance. "So you seem confident." She teased. "Confident in what exactly?" He asked. "You seem confident that I am going to sub come to your wooing and fall desperately into your arms and say 'Never let me go!'" She teased. He laughed. "Not exactly, I have no plans in getting married at fifteen. Well that is yet at least." He said. Andromeda thought the boy was charming and kind. He smiled at her brightly with dazzling white teeth. She felt herself blush a bit. Suddenly the song ended and they parted.

Andromeda went over to her father who had a seat for her. It was more of a golden throne than a seat. She stared out over the room. The tables where arranged in a circle with different colored tables and chairs with different styles. She looked over and saw Ares area. It was red with gold. It was decorated with shields, swords, and spears. She saw what she was looking for. She saw Aeros and his brothers sitting and talking together. In the middle of the table was Ares himself. Ares had shoulder length coal black curly hair. He wore a golden helmet with a red plume on his head. He had scars all over his tan face. He wore a white tunic instead of red like his sons and daughters. She focused her attention to her father who was chattering away with some servant.

Castolla sat down next to her mother with some of her sisters and brothers. She knew one of her brothers and one of her sisters. Her brother's name was Peleus. He had mud colored hair and had light skin. He had dark freckles on his face and braided his long brown hair. Her sister's name was Lais. She had red hair and freckles like her brother except they were red. She let her red hair curl around her face and down her back. She had made some new friends. Castolla felt good. Even though she was just rushed into this new life she feels better knowing she has some friends. She looked over at all the gods, all the new Demigods that were now gods. As she scanned the room she came to a light blue and gold area. A man white short white hair and a stubble white beard sat in the middle talking with a servant. Next to him was a lovely young woman. She had wavy brown hair with pearls strung in different strands. She was perfectly tan and something about her face seemed familiar. She looked closer at her at silently gasped. It was Andromeda. She was a God.

Castolla realized why she couldn't recognize her. She usually saw Andromeda with dirt and sweat on her face, with a white tunic and a bag of fish on her back. Castolla found it strange to see someone she hated look so beautiful. How can so much beauty be under all the dirt and sweat? Castolla thought. She had to admit Andromeda looked very beautiful with a dress on and a golden olive branch wreath in her hair. Still a burning hatred came over Castolla as she stared at Andromeda. Her mother was talking with some of her sons and telling them how to hunt. Castolla decided not to waste her time hating Andromeda. She wanted to enjoy it all.

"I saw you and Aeros dancing earlier. Is something special happening between you two?" Zeus asked. Andromeda looked at him like he was crazy. "Father it is nothing like that. We just danced is that so bad?" She said. "All I am saying is that Aeros seemed to enjoy your presence. You might have his attention." Her father said. "Speaking of someone's presence, where is Hera?" She asked. Zeus's face changed from friendly to not interested. "She had refused to come out of her chambers because she hates these events." He said. He seemed disappointed for her not to be here. Then again Andromeda was relieved because if she didn't meet Hera that means the longer she would probably stay on Olympus, or alive for that matter.

Zeus stood up and clapped his hands. "Thank you all for attending the festival of the Gods. Today we welcome our new sons and daughters to live with us on Olympus." He shouted to the crowd of gods. "To all you demigods your parents and I are thrilled to have you here, but I must say if you do not follow the orders of Olympus then you will be banished and forced to live back on earth. None of us want that and I am sure none of you will be banished. So now let the feast begin!" Zeus clapped his hands and servants brought out mountains of food. There was pig, fish, cow, chicken, duck, and lots of other meats. The fruit varied from Mangos to Pomegranates. It all looked amazing.

A servant placed individual slices and pieces of each dish on her plate. A servant poured watered wine into the golden goblets they drank from. It all tasted amazing on Andromeda's tongue. As they enjoyed their meal Ares came to the table and bowed at them. "Lord Zeus I have thought of your request and..." Ares looked at Andromeda then signaled for Zeus to come closer. Zeus came close and Ares whispered something in his ear. Ares pulled away bowed and left their table. "What was that about father?" Andromeda asked. "Oh it's nothing. Just enjoy the feast." He said. He winked then went back to eating. Andromeda felt that he wasn't telling her something.