The gods went to their domains to get started. She wondered how John was doing. What would he think when she didn't turn up for the wedding? How long would her maids be able to hold her family back?
For a change the snakes were quiet. Too quiet. She gently reached for the snake closest to her face. It was hanging limply, fast asleep. She felt her head and they all seemed to have fallen asleep. Althea was beginning to feel sleepy too.
"Be careful what you wish for," said a voice.
"Hmm?" asked Althea.
Althea sleepily turned to find a woman wearing shades. A beautifully woven scarface was draped around her neck. Her hair was done up in an elaborate hairdo and hung with crystals and jewelry. Something about her was familiar but Althea was too sleepy to figure out what it was.
Althea gaped at the stunning hairdo.
"Hello! Did you do Your hair yourself?
"Ah well, I had a little help!" The woman said.
"It's sooo… so beautiful!" exclaimed Althea.
"I'm a handmaiden of Athena's. She calls herself the mistress of weavers but it's the handmaidens who do all the work."
"Ah… so you don't get credit. That's awf…ful," said Althea, her words trailing off as she fell asleep. Althea's vision blurred. She must have been very tired because as she fell asleep on the floor of the grand hall, she thought the handmaiden's hair uncoiled into snakes.
***
Althea woke up to loud hisses from her snakes. She felt like she was forgetting something but she had no time to think about it. The gods were ready with their hairpieces. Althea was stunned by the beauty and craftsmanship of each piece with its unique magical accessories.
Apollo made a golden laurel wreath that radiated youth and health.
Poseidon crafted a coral crown that let the wearer breathe underwater.
Aphrodite fashioned a jeweled comb that made anyone who wore it irresistible.
Athena presented a silver circlet that enhanced wisdom.
Hecate designed an enchanted veil that could make the wearer invisible.
Each hairpiece was incredible—but choosing one meant offending all the others.
Althea, ever the diplomat, suggested combining them into one.
"I cannot choose simply one. They are all so beautiful and powerful. Perhaps as a symbol of your united strength, it could be combined into one hairpiece? After all, it was your combined magic that resulted in snake hair."
"We cannot give a mortal so much
divine power. Mortals are easily corrupted," said Zeus.
How about this? You can keep it for a year but you must return it to us, intact. As long as you have the hairpiece, you cannot get pregnant. Divine magic mixing with mortal blood is too dangerous," said Athena.
"Very well. I agree to the deal."
"Apollo please get the snakes off of Althea's head," said Zeus.
Apollo, always happy to show off, played a tune on his lyre. The snakes danced to the music, unwound themselves, and slithered away. They hissed goodbye as they left.
The gods combined the hairpieces into one beautiful thing. It would match Althea's wedding dress perfectly.
Then more snakes arrived. Where did they come from?
"Wait, these aren't my snakes. Where are they coming from?"