Of Babes and Bovines (when Hermes is very young) [tag: Hermes]
It was rare that Apollon should come before his father with a scowl on his face. Well, that wasn't entirely true. The far-shooter had a way of showing up to whine whenever he had troubles with a potential lover. As if Zeus was supposed to sort it out for him. So, this wasn't all that unusual. But it was rare that Apollon would show up before Zeus' throne with a scowl on his face and a small child in his grasp. So rare that it had never actually happened before.
So, with this curious set up, Zeus sat back with hands resting comfortably on the arm of his throne and listened patiently as Apollon retold the events from his side. Why cows were so ridiculously important was beyond Zeus' comprehension. They were just cows. Apollon could easily start another herd. And Hermes was but a babe. How could he have stolen his half-brother's herd away? And made the cows walk backwards?
This was all very ridiculous. It was probably the most ridiculous thing brought before him to date for sorting out.
“Those are some serious accusations, Son,” Zeus had said, then asked his older son to bid him a few moments alone with Maia's young boy. He moved not as Apollon left them alone to speak, not as the bright god sulked with each step because his cows were missing, not even when the door to the chamber closed behind him. Zeus waited for the echo of the closed door to stop, then and only then did the King of the Gods move from his position.
Zeus brought his hands together in front of him onto his lap and studied the boy before him. Truthfully, Apollon's accusations were amusing. They seemed unlikely, but nothing was impossible with one of his sons and this young Hermes was very much of his stock. Though, no matter how much he wanted to laugh at the accusation that this young boy had stolen his brother's precious cattle, Zeus did no such thing. He was nothing if not a god of justice, so he would handle this diplomatically. He would not laugh.
He would not laugh.
“Now,” he said a moment later as soon as he was certain they were alone. With a solid, stern look on his face, Zeus tipped his head toward the boy and commanded, “Tell me of your part in this.” It was almost too ridiculous to believe. But, Zeus was no fool and Apollon was not one to bear false witness either. He would hear of Hermes side in the tale and decide for himself what should be done.