@nectaric asked: "did you always want to be a mother?" the question comes strong and stoic as the rest of her many questions always do - but the glimmer in athena's eyes was the true oddity. "how did you know that was what you wanted? did you have a feeling, or… something else?"
Rhea smiled softly at her granddaughter, although the smile represented something more than joy. It was a question she heard from others before; often curious or accusatory. Her relationship to motherhood and being a mother, even holding the title of Mother of the Gods was greatly important to her but it also brought her heartache and guilt.
For decades she was a childless mother and even when her children were freed, each relationship with her offspring was different. Difficult, complicated or neutral...be it from her own faults or her offspring's feelings toward her. They changed for better or worse over time and even in their complications, she never regretted being their mother. She would love them regardless despite their own disbeliefs. Her greatest strength was her heart but it could also be her greatest weakness.
"I don't think it's just about wanting. More like it was my destiny. We have our predestined domains and duties that emerge at certain moments. Mine happened to be a mother. At least that is my main duty," Rhea began with a gentle smile. "I tended to my younger siblings and their children. I wasn't asked to. It was my own intuition that knew it was my duty. It was only natural for me to have children of my own one day." But then her smile slowly diminished as she contemplated over Athena's questions.
"I knew I wanted my own family. Children of my own. I wanted to give my children all the love and support I didn't have growing up. Giving the next generation everything they could want and desire all the while growing up happy with no worries." She confessed before biting her lip in disappointment. "Hestia and Demeter had that for a short while with Cronus and I but prophecy wouldn't let my hopes and dreams be fulfilled to the fullest. I couldn't give my children everything they deserved so that's why I've been so dedicated to your generation and the others following." She added.
"It's all connected. My domains. I tend to the present and future generations of our family. With the hope we can grow and learn and love more than the last. Does that answer your inquires, dearest Athena?" She finally chuckled as she gently bumped her shoulder against her granddaughter's.
