Chapter 1:- prologue
Anastasia studied tilted her fragment of mirror back and forth trying to glimpse her father's meeting with Zeus. A gift from Apollo, the mirror could show her anything in the mortal realms, but refused to show more than vague outlines of the divine realms. She could see two shadowy shapes at a big table, shrouded in fog. She couldn't understand anything of the conversation. However, she knew what the conference was about:her father was agreeing to give her away as a bride. Apollo wanted her for a bride, and Zeus wanted Apollo to have anything he wanted. Her father, a devout worshiper, would happily give in to anything Zeus suggested. However, Anastasia was wholly uninterested in marrying Apollo. It would be a miserable fate. Without much hope, she threw up her hands and prayed to the first goddess she thought of:
"Hera, goddess of marriage and family, answer my prayers!" Suddenly, to Anastasia's surprise, a tall beautiful woman in a white gown appeared before her. Anastasia dropped to her knees, guessing who was before her. She bowed forward slowly, kissing the hem of the woman's skirt.
"Now, now, is this any way to treat future family?" she asked,  her rich voice filling the room.
"Queen Hera," Anastasia breathed. She gulped down her fear, and added, "That is what I wanted to to discuss with you."
"What could there possibly be to discuss?" Hera asked, laughing. "The details are all taken care of. In a few days, you can move into Olympus, and - "
"I don't want to," Anastasia whispered.
"-you and Apollo will be wed, and - "
"I don't want to go!" Anastasia said louder.
"-we'll have such a celebration, and - what?"
"With all due respect, Queen Hera, to you and your son both, I do not wish to marry Apollo."
"Do not wish to - oh. Well. That changes things a bit. We shall have to see." With that, she gathered up her skirts and vanished.

Leaving the world of the humans far below, Hera returned to her home on Mount Olympus.
"That poor girl,"she thought to herself as she floated to the mountain's peak. She knew it was Anastasia's duty to marry whomever she was ordered. However, she also knew that a little talk with Zeus could save the girl's happiness. If only she could convince him that Apollo's marriage wouldn't be in his son's best interest, she might have a chance.
As she approached home, Hera took deep breaths. All powerful though g-ds were, among each other they were as fragile as anyone.
Zeus was fiddling with his lightning bolt when she came in, face indifferent. Hera had lost count of how many times he had betrayed her, and they had lost affection for each other long ago. Hera sighed inwardly, wishing someone had interfered in her marriage.
"Hera, you're home early," Zeus finally said. "I was just going out."
Hera remained stoically quiet. She didn't want to fight with Zeus when she had such a critical issue on her hands, but she knew he was probably off to tumble another mortal girl.
Why are you trying to arrange that marriage?" she asked instead. "You know it's not good for either of them, and marriage is my territory anyway.
"He's my son. Negotiating his marriage is my job."
"Yes, but why do it?"
"He loves her, Hera."
"No he doesn't. It's an attraction; it'll pass."
"Didn't stop us, did it?"
"My Lord Zeus, that is most improper. And I refuse to condemn an innocent girl to my fate. She doesn't even like Apollo!"
"Nonsense. How can she not like Apollo? He's young, handsome, strong, charming, he showers her in gifts... what's not to like?"
"Hmph."
"What is there to like?" a trilling voice asked from behind Hera. Apollo's sister Artemis had come while they were talking. "He's rude and annoying, and he can't write poetry and his head is huge, and he has no respect for young maidens. Think of poor Daphnae!"
"Artemis! You should not speak this way of your brother!"Zeus chided.
"I agree, bit in this case I'll make an exception. Artemis, help me convince this pig that Anastasia can't marry Apollo!"
"Zeus, maiden girls are in my charge. I cannot allow this!"
"Well, she won't be a maiden for long now," Zeus boomed, laughing. "Ah, here comes Poseidon. He'll see sense."
"Hello, my brother. How goes your morning?"
"These girls have taken it into their heads to dispute my decision regarding Apollo's marriage."
"What? Hera, surely, you know better than that."
"Poseidon, surely you know better than to fight me in matters of marriage," Hera said stiffly. "Only Zeus is really that stupid."
"Hera, I suggest you don't cross that line," Zeus warned.
"Do I sense a fight?" demanded Ares, appearing at the door.
"Over Apollo's stupidity," Artemis sneered. "No one invited you."
"I don't need an invitation to join a fight," he told her grinning broadly. "I just pick the winning side. Let them marry." He went to stand by Zeus and Poseidon.
"You will regret this Ares," Hera threatened.
"Will you really stand against me, Love?" added Aphrodite, having just appeared behind Artemis. The younger goddess, notorious for her disapproval of Aphrodite, glared at her. Ares looked abashed.
"Didn't mean... you weren't..." Ares mumbled, trailing off.
"Well I stand with my wife," Hephaestus announced, appearing with his arm around Aphrodite. He glared pointedly at Ares.
"Demeter!" Hera called. "Some help, if you please."
"You always remember." Demeter grumbled, appearing on Hera's other side.
"Remember Persephone," Hera said gently.
"I know, I know. Leave the girl alone."
"I have a message from Apollo," Hermes announced, materializing in the middle of the room.
"Surprise, surprise," Artemis muttered. "Does he ever do anything himself?"
"He says if he can't marry, the sun won't shine for another century. I agree with the boy. Just because some festering females want to argue with you Zeus..."
"Well, excuse you," Aphrodite interupted.
"Let the girl be," Dyonisius drawled lazily from behind them, absently twirling a wine glass.
"Dyonisius, you stand against me?" demanded Zeus.
"Not against you..." Dyonisuis said innocently. "Just not with you."
"I cannot let this continue!" Hera nearly screeched.
"You can, and you will!" Zeus thundered.
"Marriage is MY jurisdiction," Hera said smugly.
"And maiden girls are mine," Artemis added.
"Well, my SON is mine!" yelled Zeus, and the madness ensued.
A blinding light and a puff of smoke made the bickering family pause ten hour later. As the smoke cleared. Athena stepped out of the shadows into silence.
"Listen to yourselves!" she called. "You're like a pack of wolves with a meaty bone. What's going on here?"
"It's Apollo -"
"Anastasia -"
" -won't listen -"
" -festering females!" Hermes yelled. Athena held up her hands for silence.
"Let me get this straight," she said, her voice deadly. "This is all over a MORTAL GIRL?!?" Embarrassed silence greeted this.
"Well, Apollo, too," Zeus muttered. Hera gave him a look that would peel paint.
"Stop your fighting," Athena said severely. "If you are to punish anyone, punish the girl. She's just a mortal."
"Hmm, yes, that's not a bad idea..." Zeus mused. The other g-ds murmured in agreement.
"I have an idea," Artemis offered.

It is this punishment that we will make our business to explain.