Hades, Persephone, and Demeter pt.2

Hades

The Lord of the Underworld, God of Wealth, one of the most feared and respected gods with the largest domain, could not bear to look at the goddess beside him. Even without looking at her, he could feel how she receded into herself. He could see it in the stiffness of her muscles and the set of her jaw. She was building walls around her mind designed to keep him out. He could not bear to look at what was such a warm and open face. He could not expect her trust ever again.

Over and over again his brain rattled with her final desperate call. Zeus! Help me! If only she knew it was all his doing. Would it even matter at this point? He cursed Zeus, the Fates, but mostly himself. Of course the King of the Gods had tricked him into doing his bidding yet again. How he got Persephone to unknowingly comply with his instructions he had no clue. He only knew he had to find a way to break his oath. He owed Persephone that and more. How could he think she wanted him in the first place? They hardly knew each other and yet he had hoped. Foolish, naive hope.

Unless of course, she was privy to the trickery. Perhaps she was privy to this plan. If Zeus struck a deal with her, she would become Queen of the Underworld and all of its riches. Maybe Zeus thought it beneficial to have his blood reside in the only domain he had no say over. A spy on the inside in case he wanted to expand his reign. All she would need to do was play along. Either way, I would need to get out of this situation fast. I did have one bargaining chip: the cloth Zeus was so desperate to hide. I hadn’t destroyed it yet, only hidden it away. 

Even if she was just after fortune or power, I couldn’t help but feel drawn to her. I tried to build up walls as swiftly as she had, but found my thoughts still traveling back to her. I would treat her as a respected guest until this was resolved, I decided. Perhaps at a great distance.

They flew over his domain, many residents pausing to peer up at the chariot of dark horses that so rarely left the confines of the underworld. From his peripheral he saw Persephone gaze out over his people. Some waved and pointed as they flew overhead. Her face was fully covered by her golden hair. He felt anxiety crawl over his skin. She must be disgusted by the dark, damp underground. Her domain is one of soft meadows and sprawling forest. Where Helios warmed her golden skin and clear springs bubbled. The sun would not reach her here.

The horses came to a halt at the front of the cliffside. I dismounted without a word and held my hand out to her. Persephone did not lift her eyes above her lashes as she hopped down by herself ignoring my gesture. I searched my brain for some assortment of comforting words but came up blank.

“Follow me,” I said instead. 

I opened the wood door and held it open so she could enter. The only indication of her surprise was a quick intake of breath. I tried to imagine how my strange abode would look to an outsider. It was technically a cave, with the cliff rock carved out to leave sprawling rooms. The simple wood tables and soft cream colored sofas were spaced about, although I was often the only one who used them. The room was lit with a grand chandelier made from clear crystals, all in their raw, imperfect shapes. While I was comfortable in darkness, I did not prefer to sulk in it, despite popular belief. When light was so sparse, I had to incorporate it in any place I could. 

I led her up a spiraling staircase carved from stone up to the second floor. Her footsteps were so light, I had to peek over my shoulder just to assure myself she was still following. Her face gave nothing away, but her hands were stiff at her sides, pulling at her skirts.

I stopped in front of a door halfway down the hall and pushed it open. I allowed her to step in, waiting in the doorway. A cozy four poster bed stood on the adjacent wall, looking out one of the windows carved into the cliffside. I had glass covering the opening to prevent the cool winds of the underworld from chilling the room. There was a small fireplace beyond it and a bathroom. It was the nicest guest room I had, so I hoped it would be enough. 

She glanced around, letting reality sink in. She glanced up at me, her eyes a deep green that made my skin itch. I felt I should say something but I wasn’t sure what I could say to comfort her without lying.

“So, are you to lock me in here as your prisoner,” she said, finally. 

Her voice was stony and cold. Nothing of the melodic sound I had come to know. I felt my anger begin to rise to the challenge but I took a moment to settle, reminding myself she might be an innocent party. At least this I could answer easily. 

“Of course not. You are my guest and are free to go wherever you like.”

“Anywhere, except home?” She spat.

I covered my mouth with my hand to fake irritation. Behind my hand a smile crept up across my lips. Her vibrance stirred my soul. The underworld was a stagnant place. Without the issues of life, people became content. Their moods were more consistent and mild. I had forgotten what true anger and passion looked like. Still, it was disheartening that her anger was directed at me, even if it was warranted. 

“There is a … complication. I will do everything in my power to clear it so you may return,” I said, choosing my words carefully.

This answer did not seem to suffice, as Persephone nodded once and turned away, effectively dismissing him from his own guest room. I wanted to say more, to ease her anger, but I couldn’t promise this could be fixed. Instead I shuffled out of the room, leaving the door open a crack so it was clear she was free to leave the room if she wanted. I would not confine her to a smaller space than I already had. 

I began to walk away before I realized I didn’t know where to go. There would be no arguing with Zeus, he had known what he was doing when he forced me into the deal. Demeter would not be forgiving, even if she believed me. Perhaps Hecate would have insight, she was the only one who could speak freely amongst them all. Surely she would chastise him for such a mistake. 

I was contemplating my lack of options when I heard chimes whisper in the nonexistent wind. My presence was needed. This issue would have to wait. I cast a quick glance back at the guest room, still quiet beyond the door, before heading to my office.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Demeter

Distress rippled through my body like a stomach pain. Something happened to Persephone, I could feel it. Panic rose in my throat, but I shoved it down as I smiled down at the mortals who had just received my blessings for a bountiful harvest and excused myself. I walked briskly to Persephone’s rooms but she wasn’t there. 

It’s okay. I told myself. She is probably with the Nymphs.

Still the anxiety roiled in her gut as she rushed to their favorite meadow. The scene was as serene as ever, with the nymphs enjoying the sunshine and cool pools of water. Calypso's long hair tumbled down her back as she spoke with Artemis. 

“Calypso, have you seen my daughter.” 

Calypso turned around, shocked by my presence. “She just walked up to the Fields of Nyssa to pick some flowers. I saw her only a few minutes ago,” she said, her face paling at my obvious distress.

I didn’t say anything further before storming through the fields, trampling flowers and grass in my wake. Next to me my friend appeared by my side. 

“I felt it too,” Hecate said next to me. When we reached the fields, there was no sight of Persephone. Only large fissures of upturned dirt. I spun around wildly, hoping to catch sight of her golden hair. I didn’t know where else she could be. She wouldn’t have wandered off. I couldn’t feel her anywhere around. 

Hecate placed her palm on my shoulder. “We will find her. No one disappears in the daylight without at least one god seeing,” she said pointing to the sky.

“Helios,” I appealed to the sun god, voice trembling slightly. “Please, have you seen my daughter?”

Helios, in all his golden radiance, winked into existence in front of them. He nodded, easing the pit in my stomach. She tried to be patient, Helios was not one subject to urgency.

“She was taken to the third realm by her husband.” He said serenely, as if he hadn’t shattered my entire being. 

“Husband?” My voice was hoarse and my head spun.

“Yes, a marriage arranged by her father with  Hades. A rather suitable match.” 

The tremors started at my clenched hands and progressed up my arms to the center of my body, stirring an old rage that lay dormant there. I pushed a thanks through clenched teeth and watched Helios travel back into the center of the midday sky via a sunbeam. From my peripheral, I could see Hecate look at me with concern. 

“We will get her back. I am going to the Underworld. Hades is a reasonable god; there must be a misunderstanding. In the meantime, perhaps appeal to Zeus? As stubborn as he may be, there must be some way to get through with him.” 

Hecate grabbed my hand and smoothed her thumb over the top. She urged me to look at her, showing unwavering confidence, a steadiness I could latch onto. I nodded, but could not respond. She sucked in a breath and I watched the earth crack along the faults where Hades must have sprung up from. She gave one last look before descending into the Underground. 

Again, I was alone with my spinning thoughts. This was my fault; I knew what would happen when another God took interest in her. It’s not like her father gave a gods damn about our fate. I began to shake again. Zeus would never understand what it was to love a child more than himself. As if the breath of the child filled your own lungs with air. My job was to protect her from the same fate that befell me, and for all I knew, I had failed. 

Around me, the grass wilted, shrinking and browning in my rage. Zeus put no one above himself. Not his wife, or lovers, or children. The only way to speak to him would be through his own interests. Once I found something worth his time, it would be useless trying to gain an audience with him. 

I plucked a shriveling Narcissus flower next to my toes. “In the meantime, you can starve for all I care. Everyone can.” 

She let the dying flower fall to the ground. As she strode away she pulled on a glamour. She let her back curve, her features wrinkle and wither. At the same time, the earth died in her wake, a long trail of browning vegetation serving as her train. She began to wander off, somewhere far where no one would bother her until her daughter was returned.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Persephone 

Was a little agency too godsdamn much for a goddess to ask for?

I paced the length of my new room over and over, rage brewing in my chest. Somewhere above I could feel her mother’s rage, a twin to my own, feeding my spiraling thoughts. No matter what I did or where I went I was always at the whim of someone else’s desires. I was sick of it. 

But there was nothing I could do. My world has now shrunk to the underground world of the dead. I know mother would come looking for me, but how long would that take? Was there anything she could do or was she as helpless as I? 

And Hades. Damn him. Any curiosity I had for him was squandered when he ripped me from the earth and squeezed me to him as I screamed. I had been foolish to trust him. Demeter was right, gods were not to be trusted. 

Suddenly feeling claustrophobic, I shoved my way out the door Hades had left ajar and through the cavernous home. I felt a shiver at the stillness of the home. There were no voices, no bubbling creeks, or chirping birds. Only a stuffy silence filled the home. It was unnerving. I made my way quickly down the stairs and out the door, deciding to head toward town. I needed to be around other people. I missed the laughter of the nymphs. 

She felt some of the pressure ease as she saw people walking around, but it was still much quieter than above.  She came to a fountain at the center and sat on its edge. Glittering gold coins gleamed from beneath the water’s surface.

I felt a tug on her robes. Glancing behind me stood a little girl. Her hair was braided back and her skin was pale. My heart lurched as I realized how she became a resident here. 

“What’s your name,” she asked, boldly. She was alone, her parents nowhere to be found. 

“I’m Persephone,” I responded. 

“Do you live here? You look different. Like Hades, but less…serious.” She quickly fired off all of her thoughts in rapid succession, hardly stopping for breath.

I laughed. “You mean like this?” I relaxed my face into a blank expression. The little girl laughed. 

“You look just like him!”

I wrinkled my nose. “I hope not. He seems mean.” I knew it was childish but it made me feel better to talk ill of him. Even if it was to a little girl. She tried to push herself onto the ledge of the fountain but struggled to bring her body up. I helped her, holding her arms up so she could swing her legs over the lip. 

“Hades isn’t mean! He brought us here and brought us toys and new friends. He just seems kinda sad.” She said this all casually while dipping her hand in the fountain water. 

I looked up at the side of the cliff. Only one of the concave windows was flickering with light. I wondered how Hades could stand living here without the sound of birds or the rustle of leaves. Did his brothers visit him? Did anyone? I’m sure he spoke with the souls that came to him but most of them moved on to Elysium after some time.  

Light flickered across the surface of the water. I looked up, straining to see where it was coming from. Way above, the earth split open a tiny crack, allowing some light through. I yearned for the warmth of it on my face.

“But you’re like him aren’t you? Have you come to watch over us too?” She looked up at me with innocent eyes.

I shook my head. “No, that’s Hades’ job. I’m just visiting.” 

“Oh,” she said, looking down at her feet, dangling them in the air.

“I have a different job. Wanna see?” 

I wanted to cheer her up. This day had been miserable enough already. She immediately perked up and watched as I cupped the watery sunlight in my hands. Soon it turned to liquid in my hands. I stood up and let it pour from my hands in golden droplets that sunk beneath the cracks of the cobblestones. In another blink, green sprouts began weaving between the cracks. The air grew fragrant as night blooming jasmine flowers opened. Soon large moonflowers and night phloxes followed, creating a field of white in green. 

“Woah!” The girl exclaimed and hopped from the fountain. She kneeled down in the brush to observe the flora, laughing with glee. Soon a crowd formed around us, marveling at the night garden that had appeared before them. They were awestruck. Where before the Underworld was devoid of living things, it now bloomed with new life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hades

“And here I thought you were better than your brothers.” 

Hecate’s sharp tongue cut me down before I had fully opened the door. I closed it behind me with a sigh. Hecate was leaning against my desk, arms crossed around her. The sharp disappointment tinged the magic swirling around her, crackling in the small room.

“I was tricked,” I said quickly, attempting to excuse myself of blame. 

“Then you are a greater fool than Sisyphus. Truly, what possessed you to steal a goddess’ daughter,” she hissed. 

I scrubbed my hand across the stubble poking across my cheeks as if I could rub away the crimes I’ve committed.  I relayed the  deal I had made with Zeus, how I had been led to believe it was Persephone’s choice, even pulling out the tattered golden cloth I was to hide from my desk drawer. Hecate listened without interruption, disdain dripping from her features. Whether it was directed towards me or my brother, I couldn’t tell. When I finished she sat atop my desk, feet brushing the ground. 

“You’re still a fool for trusting Zeus. You know his gifts are not without thorns. Although, I am glad I have not misjudged you.”

I felt myself relax a little. Hecate was one of the few visitors I received here. While she was aloof and prickly, she was still a dear friend. I could not imagine losing her. 

“You need to find a way to break the promise. Aside from ruining your relationship with Persephone, her mother will not rest until her daughter is returned.” Hecate’s gaze grew distant. “I fear the lengths she will do to bring her home.”

I felt the room drop in temperature. Demeter was a fearsome goddess. It would not end well if Persephone did not return. Even Zeus did not like to be at the end of her ire.

“I don’t know what to do,” I admitted. Oaths made between gods were binding, it was the only true power we had over each other aside from full usurpation. If they were broken, punishment was decided amongst Olympians. The others feared Zeus too much to dole out punishment to him. The blame would land squarely on my shoulders.

“I would start with that,” Hecate nodded to the piece of golden cloth in my hand. “There’s a reason he went to great lengths to hide that from Hera. Find it.” In a rare moment, the goddess softened. “Perhaps your budding relationship can be saved. I know you wanted to believe in Zeus. You have spent many years alone in the dark, my friend.” 

I winced, feeling vulnerable with my deepest desires read so cleanly. It should not come as a shock, I spent many years confiding in Hecate and Hermes, the only other gods able to roam into his realm. I still felt like an open wound, the scorned brother exiled to the dark domain of the dead. He loved his job. He loved the people here, but still the isolation from his family was beginning to grate on him.

“Be kind to her, give her space. Let her come to you if and when she is ready,” Hecate pushed herself off my desk and strode to the far window, dark robes following her like a shadow. “I have business to attend to, but let me speak to her first. It will be better if she hears the story from my lips.” She peered out across my domain.

I felt grateful that Hecate was willing to tell the truth to Persephone. Perhaps she would forgive me if it came from someone she trusted first. Even if nothing romantic came from this ordeal it would be nice to have another visitor from time to time. 

“I left her in the guest room down the hall,” I said.

Hecate turned to me with a smirk. “It seems she’s adjusting better to the Underworld better than you,” she said over her shoulder. I frowned, joining her at the window. Below I saw Persephone’s golden hair glowing like a lantern in the dark. Around her was a crowd of people, watching in amazement as swaths of white flowers blossomed around her. Like the crowd, I couldn’t look away, her joy drawing me in like a moth. 

“Be smart, Hades.” Hecate said as a final parting. I didn’t turn away as she left.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Persephone

I smiled as people walked through the expanding garden. It had now fully encircled the fountain's border, growing outward. In the crowd I saw a familiar shadow make her way toward me, her frame towering over the others. 

“Hecate,” I exclaimed, meeting her in an embrace.

“Hello, my dear. We were so worried about you,” she said against my hair. Her smell of incense and sandalwood wrapped around me, calming my nerves. 

“I’m so glad you’ve come. Can you take me back? I’m sure my mother is frantic,” my excitement died on my lips as Hecate’s eyes filled with pity. She led me away from the town center, away from Hades’ home. Homes spread out in all directions as we continued forward. In the distance, I could just make out the shimmering surface of the River Styx. 

“I’m afraid I can’t bring you home yet,” Hecate said once we’d put some distance between the crowd. “You were promised to Hades by Zeus as part of an Oath between gods. I’m afraid neither god can break their end of the bargain without trial. Since you are Zeus’ end of the bargain, there’s nothing Hades can do right now.” 

I stopped walking. My head swam. Zeus had wrecked havoc on my mother as it was. Now he sought to separate us. I had been an even smaller pawn, not so much a player as a bargaining chip. So inconsequential to the all powerful gods. Thorns pricked into my palms, drawing blood. I gasped, letting the thorns that sprouted from my fingernails retract. I felt useless. Helpless.

Hecate shook her head reading my thoughts. “We will make him pay. You are not helpless. We are doing everything we can to fix this. For now lie low. I need to bring this information to your mother before we can act.”

“I can't stay here with him.” A whine crept into my throat. I couldn’t look at him again. He had received me as payment. I couldn’t believe I had been so foolish as to trust him.

“He won’t hurt you. He’s an idiot,” Hecate snorted to herself, “but if he’s to be believed, he was tricked into thinking you were privy to the deal and a willing participant.” 

I shook my head. What a ridiculous lie. I had hardly had 3 conversations with Hades and he believed I would be interested in marriage? Why lie at this point; he had gotten what he wanted. It was nonsensical. I was trapped.

“Don’t worry.  I can travel between realms freely. If you need me, if Hades so much as lays a finger on you, call for me. I will come. You are not alone.” Hecate brushed back my golden hair, making me feel like a little girl again. I swallowed back the memories as my eyes watered.

“There must be something I can do. I won’t wait around.” I gestured around me. The utter silence of the underworld felt mocking. 

Hecate frowned. It wasn’t often that she was at a loss for ideas. I took in her only hair that billowed behind her in sheets. Her slender nimble fingers that were usually wrapped around her spell books were tapping her crossed arms in thought. A look of amusement passed across her face as she surveyed me.

“Well, you have one thing to your advantage,” she said with a smirk. 

I wrinkled my nose in disgust. “You can’t be serious.”

She held up her hands in surrender. “He obviously has some…feelings for you. You could potentially use that to your advantage for information. Just a flutter of your lashes or a well placed laugh ought to do the trick.”

I rolled my eyes. It seemed worthless; flirting with a god to trick him into loosening his tongue. The more I thought about it, the less unlikely it seemed. The gods liked to play with women’s lives, mortals and goddesses alike. I wondered how powerful it might feel to do the same. To toy with a god for a change. 

“Don’t do it if it makes you uncomfortable,” She said sternly, her hands on either side of my face so I was looking into the black depths of her eyes. “But if you want information, that is an option. It is one of the oldest spells in the grimoire for a reason.” 

She tapped my nose affectionately. I knew she had to leave, she had to tell Demeter what had happened. Still, I was reluctant to let a friendly face go. I wrapped my arms around her in a goodbye. A wall of earth cracked open next to us, sunlight briefly kissing the side of my face. 

“Be safe, my dear.” She gave my hand a squeeze before turning into the tunnel. I watched as she walked into the darkness toward the light before the earth sealed back up. It looked like it had never been disturbed.