Coronis

And then there was Coronis.

I know what you're thinking, dear readers. How could I fall in love yet again? Hadn't I learned my lesson?

Indeed, I had. I'd grown up a lot since loving Hyacinthus, and Daphne was far in my past. However, I never forgot them, nor did I forget my vow to never love as freely again. But, love I did, though not in a way I expected. I must say, I am not proud of the events I am about to describe to you. When Hyacinthus died, something in me changed. My heart felt frozen over, and it had a bad effect on me. The God of Sun should not have a frozen heart. I didn't know if I would ever feel better. What happened with Coronis changed that. Forgive me, readers.

Coronis was a princess, daughter of Phlegyas. She was beautiful and charming and everything you'd expect from a princess. I don't remember how we met, but somehow, we struck up a romance. Our relationship was quick to begin, and very fun while it lasted. It was passionate, in a different way than my previous relationships had been. While I enjoyed our time together, and I cared for her, I did not love her as fully and openly as I had my past lovers. I knew better.

However, Coronis was so lovely that I did begin to fall in love with her. Maybe it wasn't the same, but it was real nonetheless. We spent a lot of time together, and I thought we would have a long, good relationship. I was wrong of course. The Fates would never allow it.

While I visited Coronis often, I did not give her all of my time. I had godly duties to attend to, and I trusted Coronis on her own. I knew she was safe with her father and their kingdom, but I set my messenger, the white raven, to watch and guard over her anyway. I couldn't take any chances that she might be harmed, for it seemed those I cared for were always in danger.

One day I was tending to my regular affairs in Olympus, when my messenger raven came to me, bursting with news.

"My lord, I have bad news to tell you. I have been watching your princess as commanded but she is not aware of me. Today I saw her being unfaithful to you with another man."

Shocked and outraged at this news, I lost my temper. "Curse you for telling me this, you damned bird, and curse Coronis too! She will regret this!" I was so upset that my power was too strong, and the messenger raven's feathers were turned black. Artemis, my twin, sensed my strong rage and appeared kneeling at my side.

"What is it, brother? What has caused you so much anger?"

I shook with fury. "That blasted princess, Coronis. She has made a fool of me, disrespected me! Sister, she must pay."

Artemis stood. "Consider it done, my twin. Do not worry yourself about this foolish princess. She will be punished."

She disappeared.

Later, Artemis appeared back at my side. "Apollo, there is something you must see." She held a bundle in her arms. "I shot Coronis, as well as the man she was with. But after she was dead, I noticed something. A life within her." Artemis handed me the bundle, in which lay a newborn. "She was pregnant, Apollo. This is your son." I held the child in my arms, and felt grief and remorse for allowing Artemis to kill Coronis. I had robbed the child of a mother. Gazing at him, for I could sense that he was a boy, I made a new vow. "My son, I will love you forever, unconditionally, and wholeheartedly."

Artemis watched us. "What will he be called?"

"Asclepius," I answered. "And he will do great things in this world."

He did. He became the God of medicine, and has cured many people throughout the years. From him, I learned how to love again. From his birth, I learned the meaning of love. From then on, I have focused on loving my children.

Bibliography:

Theoi

Greek Legends

Author's Note:

I wanted this story to be different from my previous ones. I wanted readers to see and feel a noticeable change in Apollo. He has had his heartbroken twice, and it has truly affected him. He strikes up a new relationship, but is not nearly as passionate about it. It is not that he does not care about Coronis, but he does not think he has the same capacity to love as fully and openly as he once did. He is in a dark place, so when Coronis betrays him he has his sister, Artemis, kill her, which he later feels remorse about. When he finds out he has a son, his view on the world changes, and he realizes he does have the capacity for true love. Loving his child heals his heart, though he never forgets his experiences. His son is Asclepius, the famous Greek God of medicine.

Though his life changes after Asclepius is born, he is still wary of love and romance. He knows his heart, though it has been broken, can love his children, but he does not want to take chances with romantic love. He has more lovers, but they are never as serious as these three. Coronis was very important for two reasons. One, he really did love her, even if he wasn't quite as passionate about her. Her betrayal really hurt him. Two, she gave him Asclepius.