Epitaph to an Apple

Ladon the hundred-headed Hydra and guardian of the Hesperides golden apples awakes to discover that he's been duped by a young upstart. Ladon fears only one thing, the wrath of Hera. The hunt is on and Ladon won't rest until the apple is returned. How many heads will she take before Ladon can return her resplendent fruit? And can he? The recipe for ambrosia is included at the end of this story.