[LCR]

feat eleventh: Apples of the Hesperides

Long ago, when a light Olympus gods celebrated the wedding of Zeus and Hera, Gaia-Earth gave the bride a magic tree on which grew the golden apples. These apples have the property to return the youth. But none of the people did not know where the garden in which grows a wonderful apple tree. Rumor has it that the garden that belongs to the nymphs, the Hesperides, and it is located on the edge of the earth, where the titan Atlas holds the sky on his shoulders, and the apple tree with golden fruit protects the young giant Stoglavy serpent Ladon.
While Heracles wandered on earth, fulfilling the orders of king Eurystheus with each passing day becoming old and feeble. He had begun to fear that Hercules takes his power and he will become king. Here and pretentious Eurystheus Heracles send a golden apples in the hope that from such a given he'll never return - or vanish in the way, or perish in the battle with the palm.

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again went Heracles all Hellas, all of Thrace, visited the country Hyperborea and came finally to the distant river Eridanus. The nymphs who lived on the banks of the river, penetrated with pity for the hero-wanderer and advised him to turn to veschemu Sea Nereyu elder, who knew everything.
Heracles went to the sea, began to call Nera. Wave of the shore, and frisky dolphins surfaced from the depths of the sea gay Nereids, daughters of the sea old man, and behind them came and Nereus himself with a long gray beard. "What do you want from me, mortal?" - Asked Nereus. "Show me the way to the garden of the Hesperides, where it is said, is growing apples with golden fruits of his youth" - asked Hercules.
So the hero of Nereus replied: "Everyone knows me, I see all that is hidden from the eyes of people - but not all about telling you. And you do not say anything. Come, death, on his way." Angry Hercules, and with the words "you say, old man, when I gently hold you" grabbed Nera his powerful hands.
At the moment one became an old man in a large marine fish and slid from the embrace of Hercules. Hercules has come to fish tail - she hissed and turned into a snake. Heracles grabbed the snake - she turned to fire. Heracles scooped water from the sea, would flood the fire - the fire turned into water and ran water to the sea in their native element.
But not so easy to get away from the son of Zeus! Heracles dug in the sand pit, and he blocked the water way to the sea. And the water rose suddenly and became a pillar of wood. Hercules waved the sword, would cut the tree - the tree has turned into a white bird, seagull.
What is there left to do Heracles? He raised his bow and he has already pulled the string. Then, frightened by the deadly arrows, resigned Nereus. He received his initial appearance and said: "Silenus you, mortal, human, and dare to above measures. All the secrets of the world can open such a hero. Listen to me and remember. The path to the garden, which grows apples with golden fruit, lies across the sea in a hot Libya. Then come the sea coast to the west until you reach the end of the earth.'ll see titanium Atlanta, which already holds a thousand years on his shoulders the firmament - so he was punished for his rebellion against Zeus. Garden of the Hesperides, nymphs - next. In the garden what you mean. And here is how you frustrate the sacred apples - he decide. Stoglavy serpent Ladon and not let you close to the apple tree of Hera.
In the end, Hercules came to the sultry Libya. For a long time he wandered on loose sand under the burning rays of the sun, and met a giant as tall as the ship's mast.
"Stop!" - Cried the giant .- What do you want in my desert? "
"I go to the edge of the world, seeking the garden of the Hesperides, where the tree grows younger", - said Heracles.
Barred giant road Heracles. "I am the master here, - he said menacingly .- I Antaeus, the son of Gaea, the Earth. I did not pass through my possessions. Fight with me." Beat me - go on, if not - will stay. " And pointed to a giant pile of skulls and bones, poluzasypannyh sand.
Heracles had to fight with the son of the Earth. Raz attacked Hercules and Antaeus each other, clasping hands. Antaeus was enormous, heavy and strong as a stone, but Hercules was - prompt: nimbly, he threw Antaeus to the ground and pinned him to the sand. But if increased tenfold force Anthea, as a feather, he threw off his Hercules and again started melee. The second time overturned Heracles Antaeus, son of the earth again and went up easily, as if the fall had been added strength ... the power of the giant Hercules was amazed, but before the third time, get together with him in a deadly duel understood: Antaeus - son of the earth, she, her mother - Gaia gives new strength to his son every time he touches it.
The outcome of the fight was now a foregone conclusion. Hercules clasped Anthea, lifted him up off the ground, and so kept it up until it suffocated in his hands.
The path to the garden of the Hesperides was free. Without interference Heracles came to the edge of the world where the sky meets the earth. Here, and he saw the titanium Atlanta buttressed his shoulders the firmament.

"Who are you and why come here?" - Asked Atlanta Hercules.
"I need the apples from the tree of youth that grows in the garden of the Hesperides" - replied Hercules.
Atlanta laughed: "You do not get these apples. Stoglavy them to guard a dragon. He does not sleep, day or night and not let anyone to a tree. But I can help you: after the Hesperides - my daughter." You just stand on my seat and hold sky, and I'll go and fetch the apples. Three you enough? "
Agreed Hercules put it on the ground in their weapons and lion's skin, stood next to titanium and a shoulder to under the vault of heaven. Atlanta stretched his weary back and went for the golden apples.
Terrible weight down crystal dome of the sky on the shoulders of Hercules, but he stood like an invincible rock and waited ...
Finally returned to Atlanta. In his hands flashed three golden apples. "To give them up?" - He asked .- Tell me, I'll go and give it up. I do so want to walk the earth. How tired I stand here on the edge of the world, and it's hard to keep the sky, I am glad that I found myself changing. "
"Wait, - said calmly Hercules - let me just, Put on his shoulders the lion's skin. Put the apples on the ground and hold the sky, until I'll get more comfortable."
It can be seen far off was mind titan Atlas. He put the apples on the ground and again hoisted the sky on his shoulders. And Hercules picked up the golden apples, wrapped in a lion's skin, bowed to Atlanta and left without looking back.
Heracles went to go and when night fell on the ground. He hurried in Mycenae, in anticipation that comes the end of his service the king Eurystheus. The night sky falling star. This Atlanta in anger at Heracles shook the firmament.
"Here, Eurystheus, I'll bring the apples of the Hesperides. Now you can become young again," - said the Hercules returned to Mycenae.
He handed his hands to Eurystheus the golden apples, but then withdrew. He was terrified. "It's apples of Hera, - he thought - suddenly she will punish me if I'll eat them."
Stamped Eurystheus. "To hell with you with these apples! - He shouted at Hercules .- Get out of my palace!" You can throw these apples! "
Gone Heracles. He went home and thought what to do with the apples of youth. Suddenly, before him there was the goddess of wisdom Athena. "The wisdom of more youth" - as if someone whispered to him. Heracles gave apples Athena, with a smile, she took them and disappeared.

The feat of the twelfth and final taming of Cerberus
A few days Heracles passed last order Eurystheus: descend into Hades and bring in Mykonos three-headed dog Cerberus, guardian of the underworld.
The order was worth eleven previous: he had to go back to where no mortal has not come back - in the land of the dead.
"I dragged Cerberus on a rope, like a stray dog, straight to the palace, but after that - I am no longer the servant of Eurystheus' - decided to Hercules, and the mighty banged his fist on the table, went on the road.
It was Hercules, looking at the blooming land, blue sea, on the whole a warm, sunny world, and the anguish clutched his heart. Terrible living on their own to go into the realm of the dead!
Heracles was heard up to the Southern Peloponnese, here in Tenarskoy cave was the entrance to the abode of Hades. He found a cave thenar and the bed of an underground river began to descend into the depths of the earth. Suddenly behind him he heard light footsteps. Hercules looked around and saw a whitish twilight Hermes, the winged messenger of Zeus.
"Lord of Olympus instructed me to be your guide, Hercules," - said Hermes. He took the hero's hand, and together they began to descend deeper and deeper into the womb of Gaia.
Coming into the swirling mists earthly breath, they saw a white rock.
"It Lefkada - explained Hermes - River of Oblivion, a quiet Summer, flowing beneath it. On the cliff shadows of the dead leave the memories of his earthly life, and fowl that they cover with water. Only after drinking sacrificial blood, shadows of the dead for a short time can remember who they are and what they were when they lived in a world of the living.
Oblivion River flowed into another muddy muddy river Acheron. On its banks stood frail wooden canoe, and sullen, bearded carrier waiting for the newcomers.
"Hello, Charon! - Hermes said .- I hope you're an old friend perevezesh us to the other side for free?"
Charon silently pointed to a place in the boat. Hermes and Heracles him into the boat, and under her keel quietly zazhurchala water.
On the other side of the grove of black poplars grew. Behind it rose a wall with brass gates. They were wide open, and in front of them sat a gigantic tricipital dog - the guardian of the underworld.
The dog wagged its tail quite friendly and, as usual yard dog, shook her six ears. Only small black balls of snakes that grew in place of wool on his back, hissed and stuck out his forked tongue, but dragon head on the tip of the tail, sharp teeth bared.
"He is not sensed in you, Heracles, his mortal enemy - Hermes said - though he is complacent to all incoming. But to those who try to leave, he is merciless."
Beyond the gate lay a vast meadow, covered with pale yellow flowers. Hovered over the meadow legions of shadows. Neither joy nor suffering did not express their pale ghostly face. Heracles learned many, but it did not recognize anybody.
Over the meadow seemed palace ruler of the kingdom of the dead Hades and his wife Persephone.
"Now I must leave you, - said Hermes. His latest feat in the service of King Eurystheus you must accomplish without my help." At its winged sandals Hermes soared into the air and quickly disappeared from sight.
And Hercules picked up a cudgel with which he never parted, and struck her in the copper photocell doors. They trembled, but withstood the blow. Gathering all his strength, Hercules struck a second time - there was a buzz throughout the underground kingdom, but still steadfastly stood copper doors. The third time, lowered Hercules heavy cudgel for alignment - they heard the rattle of broken shutters, and doors swung open.
Hercules came to the palace chambers and saw himself Hades, ruler of the kingdom of the dead, and his wife Persephone. They sat on two golden thrones and watched with amazement at the living person. Hercules, the majestic and serene, courageously stood before them, relying on his enormous club.
Man in lion's skin, with a club and a bow over his shoulder? "Yes, it is not otherwise Hercules, the son of Zeus, you come to us," - said Hades .- What do you want? Ask. You have nothing I will not deny. You're on the father after all, my nephew. "
"Oh, the ruler of the kingdom of the dead - was responsible Hercules - do not be angry with me for my intrusion!" And I have one request: Give me the dog Cerberus. I must take him to King Eurystheus. This is his last order. Perform it - and will be free .

"I let you take Cerberus to the land - said Hades - if he let you out and if you take it without arms, with their bare hands."
Thanked Aida Hercules and went back to the gate that guarded the Cerberus. Now they were closed. Cerberus asleep in front of them, putting on the black road, all three of their heads.
Hearing steps of Heracles, Cerberus awoke, jumped up, growled and quickly rushed to the Hercules. Heracles put his left hand, wrapped in a lion's skin, and the right dog grabbed his neck. Howling Cerberus, wild cry rang throughout his subterranean kingdom. Teeth of all three goals, he stared at the lion's skin, the snake on the back of the dog began to spit venom, but the head of the dragon, grew up on the tip of its tail, sharp teeth snapping at the bare feet of Hercules.
But Hercules did not feel pain. He clasped the dog's neck and trail it behind him on the river, to the ferry. There, on the shore, half-Kerber fell to the ground, spilled from the mouth of three of his tongue, snake's head drooped, and the evil dragon's head eyes closed. Hercules threw a dog chain around his neck, pulled her twice, and a terrible dog rose and dutifully trudged off to the winner.
In came the horror of the carrier Charon, when I saw the Hercules, a leading chain of Cerberus. "Ferried see me at the shore, the old man - said Hercules Charon .- I do not think that I stole the dog: Hades allowed me to withdraw the dog on the ground."
Do not dare to contradict the old Hercules carrier. Cautiously avoiding the Cerberus, he put Hercules in a boat and quickly earned the oars.
Having crossed the river Acheron, Heracles went to the familiar road to the river of Oblivion. Cerberus, heads bowed to the ground, trotted forlornly beside him.
So they came to the overgrown meadow with yellow flowers. When out on the ground was very close, Cerberus has become a plaintive whine and almost crawled over Heracles. And when they went to the free space, sunlight blinded guard the underground, he trembled, yellow foam dripped from his mouth, and wherever it fell to the ground, grew a poisonous herb.
In Mycenae Heracles, as promised, Cerberus led directly to the royal palace. In the indescribable horror came to Eurystheus the mere sight of a terrible dog.
Hercules laughed, looking at the cowardly king. "Well, hurry, turn back and wait for Eurystheus copper gate Aida", - said Hercules and Cerberus withdrew chain. And the dog in an instant sped back into the realm of the dead.
Thus ended the service of King Eurystheus Heracles. But waiting for the hero's new exploits and new tests.