The one true love

The sun was slowly retrieving its hands of light in the small town of Turner, Oregon. Aphrodite was on her way home and was taking the long way, through her garden, when she saw a beautiful blue rose. The rose reminded her of when she went on the greatest adventure of her life. She battled Polyphemus, managed to be friends with Poseidon, and met the love of her life, Achilles.

​Ironically, it all started when Aphrodite was on a quest to kill Achilles, hero of the Greeks. He had stolen what should never have been his, her mother's life. Aphrodite would seek revenge. She wanted to kill someone he loved, but since his entire family was dead Achilles would have to do. Although Aphrodite had many obstacles, she was still determined to find him and make him pay.

​On her way, Aphrodite faced was a Cyclops named Polyphemus. When Polyphemus first saw Aphrodite on his island, his huge heart started to beat fast and he immediately ran up to her. When anyone saw Aphrodite, they instantly fell for her. She was beautiful and loving. What more could you ask for? Polyphemus, like anyone, had fallen in love with Aphrodite.

​"Um, hi, me Polyphemus. You can call me Pol." He managed to stutter, nervously.

​Polyphemus looked vulnerable and Aphrodite thought of the food he could possibly have. "Hello, I'm Aphrodite. Could I stay at your place for the night? I need to rest; I came from a far off land."

​"Yes, of course! Aphrodite stay as long as want."

​Polyphemus grabbed a bunch of cloth and hay on their way to his cave. As soon as they got to the entrance, Aphrodite noticed that there was a huge boulder as the door. She considered her options for escape, if need be. Polyphemus opened up the large door and guided Aphrodite to an empty area in the cave. He made a bed from the cloth and hay he had brought home. To Aphrodite the cave looked as gross as a filthy swamp, but she needed to eat.

​"Thank you Poly- um Pol. Do you, by any chance, have any food? I haven't eaten for days and have a long journey ahead." said Aphrodite.

​"Cows and rams. You not like" He looked around the cave and as his eyes stumbled across his favorite cow, he thought to give her one, but changed his mind.

​Aphrodite knew what he was thinking, and thought of how she could get it. She quickly came up with something to say that would make him feel empathy for her "I guess it's alright. I can go a few more days without food."

​"No, you eat! Cow for you." He grabbed his favorite cow and said "If stay with me as long as me live." Polyphemus thought this was perfect because never in a million years would someone try to kill him. He's too big and no one would get close enough to do it. Aphrodite thought the proposal was perfect. She could eat, kill him and keep her promise.

​"Oh, Pol. I thought you would never ask!" Aphrodite lied.

​Polyphemus was shocked that someone like Aphrodite, so beautiful, so polite, so... perfect, would want to be with someone like him. He would never let her leave. They would spend forever together. Like water to the ocean, they were perfect together. What he didn't know, was that in all his fantasizing, Aphrodite was planning on how to kill him. She could eat the cow and take his heart to eat later.

The task was tricky, but Polyphemus was allayed. Aphrodite snuck up behind an abject cow and slit its throat. The air smelled disgustingly delicious. Cows and rams started drank the blood that ran throughout the cave. She sat in the silence and ate with the animals.

From the clouds Aphrodite caught the attention of Hera, the goddess of marriage, she was jealous that everyone loved Aphrodite. So crying, she prayed to Poseidon. "Let her be killed, let her never be loved again."

​"I cannot, for I have seen her beautiful face, and I am in love with her." Poseidon replied.

​"You fool! How could you be so stupid? She is no more beautiful than me." Hera barked.

​"See this is where you're wrong. She is the most beautiful creature ever. She is even more beautiful than you." He bravely stated, to the most powerful goddess.

Hera was no longer crying. She was red with furry. She abhorred Aphrodite and Poseidon! How is it that Aphrodite is loved by all? What makes her so special? All those questions Hera wanted to know but never would. Hera's head started to fill with hatred it got bigger, and bigger, and bigger. Until finally, pop, it exploded. Not knowing what to do, Poseidon slowly turned and walked away.

Poseidon followed Aphrodite around. He realized that it wasn't right to stalk her so he decided to make his presence known.

"Hello Aphrodite! I have been following you for quite some time now. Where are you going?" Poseidon said with an affable smile.

"You know my name? How long have you been following me?" she questioned.

"Oh, I don't know. I've lost track of time. About five hours maybe."

"Well, do you know the way to Achilles?" She asked.

"Yes, I do. I'll take you." He answered with an accommodating look.

The rest of the way was quiet. The views were beautiful and filled the silence. When they finally arrived, Poseidon stopped and looked sad at Aphrodite. "This is as far as I go. I will wait here for your return."

"I'll see you at sunset." Aphrodite assured him.

Aphrodite walked into the village expecting guards and weapons aimed at her but there was just the occasional villager walking by. She saw Achilles sitting by a well, where children were singing and dancing around him. He looked up at her. She was so beautiful to him as the wind helped her hair fly back to reveal her looks. He was distracted by her looks. Unfortunately for her quest, so was she, Aphrodite completely forgot why she had come and instantly fell for him. She had never met a man with such alacrity.

Achilles walked up to Aphrodite and without hesitation asked her to marry him as he handed her a rare and beautiful blue rose. She said yes, she forgot about all her troubles on her way to get to him.

Achilles and Aphrodite stayed together for as long as they lived. To this day Aphrodite and Achilles are still remembered in stories. Legend has it, that Poseidon is still waiting for Aphrodite's return. Aphrodite learned from her adventure that revenge can be alleviated by true love.