Persephone

"So the only thing that has truly changed is the perimeter of the western gates near Tartarus" a familiar but distant voice said.

"Hmm is that so? I heard the change was due to the negligence of that useless and forgettable Queen Kore." Zeus's voice vibrated against my eardrums as I wiggled awake.

I lift my cheek, still groggy from the after effects of the potion and am horrified at my surroundings. I look down and see my hands clenched tightly and against the soft robes of Zeus. I cursed my circumstances, repulsed by his aura as my head rested against the warmth of his chest.

How in the world did I get here? And in this compromising position!

Charon looked into my eyes and nodded with respect as he saw me wake. Ah! So he was the other voice.
"Hera, You are awake" Charon was a bit shocked to see me up.

Wait ...
Did he just call me Hera?

"Zeus said you wouldn't wake until tomorrow morning because of your illness. I do hope you feel better?" Charon smiles compassionately.

Confusion painted my features as I looked up at Zeus but he shrugged, signaling me to answer him. "Well?? Do you feel better love?" He patted my cheek affectionately. I hated how smug he was.

Even with the subtle hint I was still confused.
Why in the world was Charon calling me Hera?

"She was but I nursed my queen back to health." Zeus bragged, kissing my forehead before turning my chin to the murky waters of souls.

I muffled the loudest end of my gasp, panting with rage as I saw my reflection.

Hastily, I shot up from Zeus and ran to the edge of the boat, grabbing the sides and bending over to take a closer look.

"Whoa! Careful Hera" Zeus warned knowingly as the boat rocked back and forth. For a moment I thought I was dreaming. Or maybe it was a nightmare.

My hands shook violently as I slowly lifted them go my cheek, carefully feeling the outline that reflected in the water.
My nose.
My eyes.
My features.
I looked like... Hera?
I was her!?

So that's was Zeus was so secretive about the potion I drank! That's why he wouldn't tell me what was in it.

"Hera, be careful!" Charon lifted me from the floor of the boat, carefully pushing me back into Zeus protective arms. "Don't you feel better Hera?"

"Oh ...I I..."

"Speak darling..." Zeus goaded on.

"Yes. I, Hera, goddess of..." I came to a blank trying to remember her title. "Yes Charon, I feel much much better now. I wish you would stop obsessing over me" I tried my hardest to match the icy tone of Hera. Although a fair goddess, she was sharp and cold. Charon looked at me suspiciously before looking at Zeus.

"We're almost there" He signaled to the distance where the two statues that guarded the gates of the underworld stood.
Charon looked at me again, staring into my eyes if he was trying to decipher my being.

"Hey! Eyes on the waters Charon. Don't need another young boy for my wife" he teased pulling me into his arms. I punched him off as he tried to kiss me.

"Not now god of thunder" I muttered through a clenched jaw. He chuckled before staring ahead.

The journey to the underworld felt longer? And more tedious. Charon paddle for a lengthy whole before taking a break.

"Have you seen that wack job Kore in these parts?"

"You mean queen Persephone?" Charon corrected Zeus respectfully. "No. The king has banned her from visiting the realm"

"I suppose the realm is more peaceful without her?"

"I would not say that. The king is sad and his emotions influence the realm" Charon said carefully.

"Is he that depressed?" Zeus asked excitedly. He was fond of his younger brother's suffering.

"Very" Charon says regrettably. "Queen Persephone filled a void the king lacked. The king is a great ruler but he ruled from a distance. He had no one by his side. No one to call his own. No one to love until Persephone came."

I smiled as I listened to his tale.

"Aides needed queen Persephone more than he would ever care to admit. Her absence is evident ."

"Snooozeeeee! She sounds like a controlling busy body" Zeus snorted.

I stomped on Zeus foot with a force so apparent. "Shut up!"I cursed beneath a breath.

"No...not Persephone." Charon turned to face me again, staring into my eyes. Why did he keep doing that?

"You think he can forgive me? I mean... her! The king?"

"He already has Hera. It is himself he can't forgive." Charon said unmistakably.

We finally pull up to the gates that guarded the underworld. Aides dog Cerberus was at the feet of the gate, barking wildly as they saw Charon's boat approaching.

They let out another nasty snarl, seething as Zeus waved to them.

"These dumb dogs never liked me" he teased them, holding up a bolt of thunder. They saw me and although I looked like Hera, they could sense my aura.

Charon leveled the boat near the docks until we came to a stop. Zeus stepped off the boat first then I followed close behind.
"May I?" Charon said, offering his hand. I took it, carefully stepping off the boat.

The dogs continue their barking but immediately stopped as I stepped on the dock.
"That weird" Charon said, watching Cerberus as they sat obediently.

"What is weird?" I entertained his question.

"They usually snarl at the sight of you. Both of you actually"

I froze, hearing his admission and quickly try to dismiss it.

"Well of course they snarl at me! They are disgusting beasts" I tried to sound as harsh as Hera, "I lured them with meat last time I visited so they... grew accustomed to my aura."

The dogs barked violently at Zeus again.

"Zeus give them a thunder bolt or something to chew on" I dismissed them, holding my temple and pretending to have a headache.

I really wished to hug and squeeze them tightly but I couldn't, lest my rouge be exposed. Zeus went along and teased the dogs, pushing his thunder bolt against their snouts. 

"This is far as I can go" Charon said nodding at Zeus before looking at me. I turn to follow him but feel Charon's smooth palm against mine.

He looked into my eyes taking a moment to assess my features.

"Eris will be crowned in 2 days and her reign will be irreversible"

"I ..know...I am here for the coordination"

He looked down to my lips before humming. "Of course." He was silent before speaking again. "Whatever you intend to do? Do it fast." Her urged before letting me go and returning to his boat.

I was still shocked by our quick encounter. Did he know? How could he possible know! I was disguised! If it was so easy to spot me than maybe Aides would know too?
But maybe that would be advantageous? I could talk to him without being turned away?

"Come on dear wife!" Zeus says impatiently waiting for me by the dogs. They were already chewing on his bolt of thunder by the time I caught up.

Author Note
Hmmm did Charon know it was really Hera?