Hera's Orchard

After these 10 completed labours I thought I did all that was necessary to end this bloodguilt of mine
But Iolaes helped me to slay the Hydra and the rivers cleansed the stables of King Augeas
Therefore I was condemned to fulfill additional labours in the favour of King Eurystheus and my stepmother Hera
These would be by far the most endangered labours, far beyond known borders as traveled by mortal men

In my travels to the West
I caught the father of Thesis
This old shape-shifting God
The Old Man of the Sea
Showing me the direction
To Hera’s orchard in the West
To steal the apples of the Hesperides
Which lead to immortality

Ladon:
“Twined and twisted ‘round the tree
I’m here to guard the fruits which lead to immortality
Due to Hera I’ll never sleep
With one hundred heads I’ll see it all...”

As I entered this blissful garden
To honour the Daughters and Nymphs
At the foot of the Atlas Mountains
At the end of Oceanus’ reach
I spotted this hideous monster
This one hundred-headed serpent-like beast
This brother of the Nemean Lion
I remembered his words as the battle commenced:

Ladon:
“Coiled and twisted ‘round the tree
Thou shall not steal the fruits of immortality
I, guardian of the gold
Your dead corpse is my reward”

One hundred heads to slay
I strangled all to death

Finally I picked the tree which leads to immortality

Immortality...