Hades+Persephone Chapter 1

Prologue

Souls scattered like leaves upon the fields of the dead as their God walked amongst them. Somber and cold, he was called Hades and he was the Lord of the dead. So feared by mortals that even his name was not mention, for they believed that just that might bring his attention to them and he would call for Hermes to bring them to the underworld. He was the richest of all the Gods, as all treasures of the underground and soil were his but his riches meant little for there was no one to share these things with.

As other Gods were praised he was loathed, only the dead would keep him company and only the greedy ferryman, Charon, would speak to him. As he walked he could here the laughter of the Goddess Demeter and her Nymphs in Olympus and of course the laughter of lovely little Persephone. Hades had felt his heart for the first time when he heard the laughter of Persephone, all creatures smiled upon hearing it. Hades had longed for a Queen of such brightness and joy, something that might melt the gloom of his stagnant and lonely existence.

But, Demeter never allowed Persephone from her sight or that of her Nymphs and she certainly would never allow Hades to wed her daughter. So Hades watched from his throne of black marble and dreamed of the lovely Persephone and what joy she might bring to his utterly dead world.



Chapter one: The Smiling Mask of a Goddess


The sun shown brightly on the earthly realm as flowers and wheat sprang from the dark soil below, Demeter smiled happily as she walked with her daughter and Nymphs. “Look, even Helios pauses for you, my child.” Demeter stated proudly. Persephone nodded and smiled up to him. “He pauses not for anyone but Zeus, Mother.” She said shyly. But it was true that most of the Gods would halt to spare Persephone a glance or a word, she was as beautiful as her mother and glowed with kindness and gayety that seemed endless, even the gloomy Hades had halted upon seeing her.

But for all her kindness and beauty she was alone. Demeter was so attached to her daughter that it gave poor Persephone no room to be free or to wed and when her mother was not with her, Demeter’s Nymph were watching every minute. “I think there should be more flowers over here, Mother.” Persephone said with a smile and danced her way across a grassy field. Demeter was placing fruit upon the trees and could not follow her daughter away; Persephone did this often so she could have a moment to herself.

She ran faster than the Nymph and hid behind trees to lose them, then wandered for a bit until they found her. Helios never told on her and seemed to understand that she needed to be separated from her mother at times. As she walked, flowers grew behind her and when she ran it was fun to see if they could catch up to her. She ran and danced and laughed then fell into the soft grass and breathed in the scent of flowers and crushed grass.

She closed her eyes and savored the feel of the warm sun on her face but when the warmth was suddenly gone, she looked up holding her hand above her brow. “Hades?” She breathed with surprise. He looked at her somberly as always and said nothing. “Have you come to play with me today?” She asked reaching up to him. His expression changed just slightly as he took her hand and pulled her up. “Only to watch,” He said quietly. Hades would have been handsome, Persephone thought; if he ever smiled.

Ares was so arrogant about his looks yet Hades was just as fine looking, though he never smiled nor did he act as if he were more than a shade walking amongst mortals. “Watching, that is not nearly as fun. Won’t you at least walk with me?” She asked bestowing her brightness upon him. He nodded. The two could not have been more contrasted standing together; Hades with his dark robes and coppery locks and Persephone with her golden tresses and shimmering white robes.

“Would it take Zeus to make you smile or is it truly impossible?” She asked. Hades looked at her as if she had slapped him; he was certainly not accustomed to being spoken to in such a way, let alone at all. “I have little to smile about.” He said quietly. Persephone wrinkled her nose and stopped him from taking another step. “Tell me, what on this earth would make you smile? I think such a thing does not exist, great Hades.” She said lifting her chin to him. Her bright blue eyes flashes with mischief.

“She belongs not to the earth but to her mother and Olympus.” He said. Persephone cocked her head in question, not at all believing for a moment he had meant her. “You say a Goddess has captured your heart and happiness and holds it hostage? I cannot imagine the female that has drawn your eye, great Hades.” She laughed as carefree as the children of the land. Hades seemed to only grow grimmer and quieter. “She is a blessing like the harvest to the hungry…” He muttered and walked past her.

“Hades, wait a moment before you go.” Persephone chimed from behind him. He turned at her command. “Would you be willing to make a deal?” She asked. Now most humans knew that dealing with Hades was unwise, even the Gods and Goddesses would not barter with the Lord of the dead unless there was no other choice. But here stood little Persephone, so innocently request what a grown man would tremble at.

Dark Hades raised his brow. “I am willing.” He said. “I cannot stand another moment trapped beneath my Mother’s thumb, would you be willing to help me be free of her watchful eye?” Persephone asked. Her eyes wide with hope. “You might not be willing to pay the price; I will not allow you from the deal we make. You must understand this.” He said quietly but there was a hardness to it that was absolute. “What would you ask for in return?” She asked slightly hesitant. “You,” He said simply.

Persephone felt her cheeks grow red at his blunt request. “You… would ask for me as payment? But… my Mother would never allow it and she would be so terribly upset if she knew I left by my own will...” She said still taken aback. “If you wish to be free of her eye it is the only way. As my Queen, you would be free and hidden away.” Hades stated as quietly and somberly as he said everything. “On a day when the sun is hidden by clouds, I will come for you. If your Mother believes you are taken not of your own free will, then you will spare her feelings.” He explained.

Persephone looked to the fields and sky, the flowers and animals and then took a deep breath of the clear air. “I agree…” She said finally. Hades smiled then, as slight as it was, it was a smile indeed. Her heart skipped and she wondered if she had truly made the right choice, but it was too late now, there was no going back. “Till then my golden Goddess,” Hades said. The smile remained still on his lips until he pressed them to her hand and bid her farewell. She had not even realized he was gone by the time she looked away from her hand.

Though frightened of what she had just agreed to, Persephone felt a new emotion well up in her stomach, excitement. The ring of the Nymphs calling her name was but a distant sound in her ears. “Persephone, there you are!” “Yes, we have been looking all over for you!” “Your mother is angry, we must go to her.” The Nymphs chattered away at her but barely a word entered her mind; she was too enthralled at the idea of her new life and soon to be husband.

Demeter grabbed her chest over her heart when she saw Persephone walking with the Nymph, she was so relieved. “You mustn’t do that again, Persephone!” She reprimanded her daughter. “I am sorry Mother; I was only just over the hill.” Persephone said. She would neglect to mention that she was not alone to save her Mother a heart attack… if Gods could even have them. Her mother threatened them all the time but Persephone was quite sure it was not fatal for Goddesses.

“Well you must never be from my sight for so long, I will never have the harvest ready if you keep vanishing.” Demeter said sternly but only so sternly, she was never harsh or loud with her beloved daughter. “I will try not to wander, Mother.” Persephone said with a hint of sorrow though she felt not a bit of sorrow or remorse for it. Her mother smiled, happy with what she had said and went right back to her work but not without instructing the Nymphs to keep a closer watch on Persephone.

She would not try to escape again this day; she had done what she needed to do. The rest of the day she danced and played with the Nymphs but her smile was brighter than it had been before and it was as noticeable as the night was from the day. “What has made you so bright this day my Goddess?” “Yes, you are so happy, what did you find beyond the hill?” The Nymphs asked. Persephone smiled. “A dream come true,” She laughed and said nothing more.  


To be continued in Chapter two: The Game of Deception.