Assignment #9: My Myth Retold

Hello, diverse pantheon! I'm sure all the fragments of the myth about Ares and I have gotten excited to hear the whole story. So, that is what I am going to do today.

I am married to Hephaestus, the Greek god of blacksmiths, artisans, metallurgy, fire, and volcanoes. I also have had an affair with Ares since the beginning of my marriage. Hephaestus had heard rumors of my love for Ares, and began to get suspicious. So, he made a plan to reveal our secret. He crafted a net and positioned it on our bed with snares to hold it down. His goal was for the net to trap Ares and me, leaving us immobile. The net was as subtle as a spider's web; it was not visible. Hephaestus then informed me that he would be traveling to Lemnos, and departed on his journey. 

Ares saw Hephaestus depart to the far away land, and took advantage of my availability. He showed up at my home shortly after Hephaestus left, eager for my love. Ares led me to the bedroom, and we laid down on the bed. All of the sudden. The net trapped us, and neither of us were able to move. 

Little did we know, Helios had been watching us at Hephaestus' request. He informed Hephaestus of the situation, who arrived at our house shortly after. He was crying as he entered our front gate, feeling deeply betrayed by his wife, me. He was on the deck for quite some time, speaking with other gods. First, he yelled to my father, Zeus, and informed him of my actions. Hephaestus also described what he hoped would come of his trap to Zeus. He thought that Ares and I would soon grow tired of each other, and consider our immobility miserable. 

Soon after Hephaestus' conversation with Zeus, he requested the presence of Poseidon, Hermes and Apollo. They laughed at the punishment Hephaestus had bestowed on Ares and me. However, Poseidon convinced Hephaestus to release us. He promised to endure Ares' punishment if he ran away. After Hephaestus reluctantly released us, Ares fled to Thrace and I fled to Paphos of Cyprus. I consider Paphos of Cyprus sacred, and traveled there to renew my spirit.