Hera slowly opened up one eye to assess her surroundings.

They were the same. A cold, dark room with winter sunlight slicing through a small barred opening. The only difference was the men now in her cell.

Hera hadn't lost count of the days she's spent in captivity. She knew exactly how long it had been and used this knowledge to fuel her anger, hatred and love. How strong her need to return to the warm arms of her husband to shield her from the winter. How desperate she was to hear her daughters laughs.

King Creode stood behind three guards. His grey beard did nothing to hide the Saxon ruthlessness. A frail, old man holding onto power as badly as he was holding onto life.

"I'm afraid your time has passed. Perhaps if you had taken heed in some of our offers but alas." He smiled, gesturing to the guard on his left.

The guard walked closer to Hera, who was shackled spreadeagle against the furthest wall and undid her left shackle. Hera's arm fell limply to her side. The guard moved to the other side and did the same.

While the guard continued, Creode continued his boasting. "You have brought me a godly gift, Hera. A gift that I praise God for."

Another guard gingerly handed over Hera's spear. The tip glinted in the little light. The long wooden shaft had lost some of its shine during Creode's possession.

They had starved Hera, draining her of all her energy. Left in the cold for weeks, tied up like her Odin. Yet as the guard undid the last shackle, she sprung forth as if none of it had happened.

She fell upon Creode, grabbing her spear and made her escape. She heard the king yelling for them to retrieve her. In the distance, she heard the familiar melody of a sounding horn.
She made it to the castles great hall as guards streamed through every other entrance, surrounding her.

Hera was deep in it now. She had shrugged off her torture but now her slightly weakened body would be put to its limit. Yet she had come this far, freedom so close. Just beyond a few hundred, she could imagine Zeus' frosty, familiar eyes.

A moment passed. A great ruckus came from outside yet only the sound of breaths could be heard in the hall. Out of nowhere, the great wooden doors were suddenly broken down.

Hera's bright, warm eyes found her husband's frozen ones instantly. Hera's face, body filled with many tingling sensations, spilt into a massive grin.

"Hera!" "Zeus!" They shouted in unison.

Hera swung her spear. In one arc, the tingling sensation manifested and ethereal lightning spread in an instant through all who stood in her way.

She had to see what was precious to her and that thought amplified the electricity within her.

For a moment she couldn't see anything besides stars. The ground beneath her disappeared.She would've panicked if not for deep, clearly relieved laughter and the rippling muscles of her husband around her.

"Hera... I-I... " Zeus tried, yet he couldn't form the words that his mind was trying to push out. Thousands upon thousands of thoughts desperately trying to free themselves.

"Quiet, you are here." She whispered back, feeling countless emotions yet all of them were positive for the man who held her tight against his chest.

When Hera's eyes opened, he'd let go and she saw the back of his head. She was confused until she saw the tiny satchel holding her little warrior. Her heart melted as she cradled her child.

Zeus swept her up once more, unable to find the words.She hugged him eagerly back, content and daughter in hand.

They walked out of the castle and made their way out of Mercia.The town was in flames, Mercians running through the fields, escaping to the nearest town.

Vikings walked around gathering weapons and all sorts of valuables. Hera and Zeus stood in each other's embrace. Out of respect they waited for Sven.

"To lead an army against Mercia herself was brave and the rewards fittingly just." Hera commented. She spoke to Zeus yet if anybody looked it would seem as if she was talking to little Harmony who giggled for good measure.

"For you dear, a feat like this pales in comparison to your might." Zeus held his dear, warm wife against his side.

How many suns had Zeus spent on the seas desperate to find his wife, moons on the cold winter floor filled with a deep desire to flatten Jörð to reach her.

Sven walked past, carrying a chest filled to the brim with treasure. "What a find!"

"Indeed." Hera replied, giving him a nod of gratitude for what he'd done for their family, for her.

Zeus stared at the treasure his friend carried away. He, in turn, looked at Harmony, bright-eyed and gleeful, in her mother's arms. "A simple 'I love you' is worth more than money."

Hera looked at him with complete adoration.

Zeus was shocked to see unshed tears in her eyes. He had only seen her cry twice in his entire life. He felt a greater need now to comfort her.

"For you, my love," Zeus tried.",are thousand times over and more than anything they would ever find to me."

Hera released one hand to grab her husband's chin and pull him closer. They stood like this, forehead to forehead, for a moment.

"I love you, Zeus." She mumbled as his lips smashed onto hers, trying to convey each other's emotions through endearing action.

"I love you, Hera." He responded, breathless.

The end.

Thank you for the cover sheenajanson