Chapter Text
Persephone was true to the promise she had made to herself, in the course of the six months she spent with Hades, she exerted herself to understand him better. In private, he was more open than she had seen him elsewhere, and his devotion to her comfort and happiness was extremely gratifying. He seemed to gradually accept that she bore him no ill will, and every so often a lightness was plain to see in his eyes when they rested upon her face. She ruled by his side each passing day and there was much to be done, for Demeter's winter above the earth, was a harsh one, many mortals had perished.
Persephone knew full well that Demeter, although in awe of him, had despised Hades in the past, on account of his apparent disregard for the lives of the weaker beings that populated the world. It was not lost on her that her mother, who had so carefully raised her to cherish every living thing, was bent on a path of destruction. Hades deserved his fearsome reputation, it was evident- but so too did Demeter earn the one that she was surely making for herself.
The Queen herself, heard whispers of the stories being told about her, Orpheus had kept his word to her at least and wave upon wave of wandering souls pitied her for a while - until she passed judgement on them, and they saw the steely adherence to duty in Hades' beautiful Queen. She asked her husband, after having dismissed yet another plea for mercy from a grief stricken widow, what had happened to the gifted bard and his unfortunate wife.
Hades grimaced. 'He disregarded the rules, and looked back. Eurydice was returned to her destiny. They will meet again in death.'
There was no flinching from the truth, not as Hades' consort.
Persephone sighed. 'Tis a pity. He had enough devotion, but not enough faith and courage. His wife must face the double disappointment of returning here and having a husband who lacks the necessary resolution to keep her. Perhaps their reunion will be the sweeter for the separation.'
Hades looked thoughtful, as he beckoned forth the next shade to be judged. 'As will ours, my Lady? Hephaestus' gift to you shows that your departure is soon, the mortals will feel the bounty of the earth again and it is this realm that will be in want of Springtime.’
Persephone felt wistful. ‘I shall return, my Lord. In terms of eternity, half a year is not so very long. I...I shall miss you above all, I think.’ She added, hesitantly. He had taken much persuading of her forgiveness, he was unlikely to accept that he held him in some considerable affection and esteem.
Hades grimaced again. ‘You will take my very heart with you, Lady wife, when you return to the world above. Will you return it to me when you come back, I wonder? Every moment out of your company seems an agonizing eon to me. I dread your departure, even as much as the mortals fear death. If Hades is to love his wife, then the Underworld will offer no comfort whilst you are gone.’
Persephone’s breath rushed out of her and tears blossomed. ‘I shall return. Springtime must be brought to the mortals, if my mother’s cruel curse on the land were to go unbroken, what would become of us? Would this noble court crumble and break when there were no more mortals to come hither for judgement? I shall return to you my husband. Each day that I am with you, I feel more and more, how much I could love you and how much I will cherish you as the ages roll on. Perhaps our time apart will leave me as desolate as it will you, I cannot yet tell.’
Hades stared at her and was did not reply until they heard the case of the soul before them. A pleasant judgement to be passed, the child had passed an innocent, unerring life and was destined for Elysium.
His love shone from his dark eyes when he turned back to Persephone, as bright and as precious to her as any jewel to be found in the earth. Hades caught her hand to his lips. ‘You will love me then, little wife? Even apart from me, shall you think of me often?’ his voice quivered, but he held himself in check. ‘Only think of me with a little fondness and smile at me like that every so often and if my kingdom does fade and my power desert me, I shall have lived a fulfilled and joyous existence.’
Persephone startled, wove her fingers into his hair, uncaring of the shades that drifted in the throne room. ‘Do you think it possible, Hades? That we can simply cease to be?’
He immediately leaned into her touch, with a small sound of contentment. ‘Fret not, my dear. We shall have long grown weary of this order before it ends, as everything must.’
It was too strange a thought for his wife, who wrapped her arms around him, seeking comfort before the pair rose as one and wended their way to the shores of the river Styx.
Time passed and all too soon the time for her to return above the earth arrived. Hephaestus’ orb seemed to glow brighter as the lights within met. Persephone looked anxiously to her husband’s saddened countenance. It was not necessarily that his expressions had become more easily read, but rather with each moment of closeness she understood him better. Her heart ached for him, for his loneliness even as she wished to see her mother once more.
He took her to the entrance to the Underworld himself, saying nothing, merely holding her hand with such quiet solemnity that she could not but weep. He kissed her tears away and uttered a husky farewell.
‘Think of me, Persephone, when you light up the world above. Think of me, cast into darkness without you.’
She nodded, unable to speak. A lump caught in her throat that she could not swallow down. She walked out into the, too bright, sunlight and could not bring herself to look back for fear that she would break her poor mother’s heart by begging to remain with him. She did not consider the state of her own, for if she did she might go mad with confusion.
Demeter met her, some way away from the slopes, beneath which she had said goodbye to the dark Hades. Her mother wept openly on her daughter’s shoulder, Persephone looked about her in damp eyed dismay at the frosty, desolate earth. The lush greenery was gone, the world above looked exactly as she had supposed the Underworld might look, when she had been a child and prone to such imaginings. She pressed her mouth into a thin line of disapproval, it was an expression that had recently had the court of the Underworld quailing in fear- though it brought a gleam of amusement to somber Hades’ dark eyes.
She shook of that train of thought, a curious tightness in her chest at the thought of her husband.
‘I am with you once more, my mother. Now let there be bounty and beauty on the earth again. Let there be no more suffering for the innocent mortals. Come, show me your lovely crops and flowers.’
Demeter felt her daughter’s reproach, gently worded though it was and frowned. ‘You look entirely grown up, my girl. If only you had remained the adorable child you were before you were wrested from me!’ She sighed, pitifully. ‘Very well, I shall bless the world once more. There will be a glorious harvest, bountiful enough that if the people are careful it will last them throughout the expression of my sorrow. They must carefully store up their grain, as I shall carefully keep my moments of happiness with you. Take off that crown, my love- I will weave flowers into your hair.’
Persephone shook her head. ‘I will keep the crown, my dear mother, but would be glad to see bright blooms in your locks- you do not look half so much like Demeter without them.’
‘Oh very well then.’ grumbled Demeter, good naturedly and set about bringing life to the dead ground beneath them. Helios shone warmly down upon them in approval.
Very soon the dryads and the nymphs came out from their secret places, rejoicing in the return of the younger goddess. Very soon there was laughter and dancing about her as she was greeted by her erstwhile companions. Persephone stood in the midst of them, quietly dignified as they frolicked and commented on her sober manner and lovely clothes. She was not unhappy precisely, but the months ahead of her seemed looming and long and the ache in her heart became stronger and sharper at the thought of such a long separation from him.
It did not escape Demeter that her daughter was thus subdued. At first she attributed it to left over unhappiness from being away from the meadow for so long, but when her melancholy seemed to grow stronger as the time passed she knew that it could not be the sole reason. Her daughter’s appetite was affected and although she daintily picked over the food that was offered, very little was actually eaten. It pained Demeter to see her child unhappy and she redoubled her efforts in entertaining and feeding her.
In truth, the only thing that really seemed to please her majesty was the sight of nature growing and blooming about them. Seeing Demeter fulfilling her duty brought pleasure to Persephone’s eyes, even as she thought wistfully of her own duty as Hades’ consort that was being neglected as she did nothing with her mother. Her brow furrowed when it occurred to her that Hades, when he took her to Olympus, had been right- absolutely right. It was not natural for her to be torn between her life as a maiden and that of a wife. She was surely the only one, goddess or mortal, who was so divided.
One day in late summer, the King of the Underworld visited the meadow as she sat with Demeter among the dancing poppies. The pair of them had been weaving lilies into braids for amusement. The days work was done, the trees bowed under the weight of heavy fruit, the barley and wheat grains were swelled with ripeness and mortals scurried about trying to gather it all in.
They heard the rumbling of his horses hooves beneath the ground and this time Persephone knew what was afoot, especially in conjunction with her mother's spluttering outrage- uttering her husbands name like it was a curse when his chariot rent the ground in two.
A darkly amused gleam appeared in Persephone's eyes as she considered that his name was not so much of a curse as hers was and did he absolutely have to rile up his sister even further by leaving a great gaping hole in the ground? The grass still would not grow over the spot where he had last come above ground, from. Demeter did not speak of it, but Persephone had seen her standing there- scowling in concentration with her bare feet sunk deep into the ground, but still no grass would grow.
He left his horses some distance away and stood a little way off just looking at her. Demeter stormed over to him, ire flashing in her eyes- she looked magnificent and intimidating but Hades just stood still, watching. He did not even deign to glance at her until she addressed him.
'It is not yet time for your turn, Lord Hades. You are not welcome in my meadow.' Persephone's eyebrows rose slightly at Demeters blatant disrespect and she stood from her spot and padded gracefully over to them.
'I need no welcome from you in order to see my wife, Demeter.' His voice was quiet, soft and smooth, but so sinister that Demeter gulped.
'It isn't your turn!' She sounded so petulant that Persephone stifled a laugh, it was a tone of voice that she had heard all too often from disgruntled mortals, who had been judged according to their actions and misliked the results. Their displeasure never made any difference to Hades.
'Mother.' She said softly, 'I hardly mind. The Fates put no such sanctions on us that I cannot speak to either of you whilst the other has me.'
Demeter whipped around to face her daughter, rage and disappointment turning her lovely features twisted and ugly. She opened her mouth to vent her anger at her daughter and then closed it again hurriedly when powerful Hades raised his hand to still her tirade before it even began. Demeter's shoulders sagged.
'I will finish the lilies then.' She muttered, and stalked off.
Persephone reached for Hades' hand, smiling. 'What brings you, husband?' She asked.
'I thought perhaps, you might like to know of a promise fulfilled.' He said quietly, his eyes were soft as he looked into hers. He leant forward and breathed in the fresh scent of spring that engulfed her. 'You asked me to grant mercy to the next one that asked it of me. Heracles, son of Zeus, journeyed down to our palace and pleaded for the life of Theseus, King of Athens. I granted it. Pirithous, of course, remains.'
Persephone digested this, blinking. Hades did not rush her, simply playing idly with a smooth curl by twisting it around his finger. 'I thank you then, I suppose. It cannot have been an easy promise to keep. It is unfortunate that the first request for mercy came for one who has injured us. Nevertheless, it was well done of you. Heracles will remember it. Thank you for coming so far to tell me... I am glad to see you.'
And she was. The aching, empty feeling that had pervaded her heart since she had left him, had gone. In its place was something akin to the joy she felt when a new flower blossomed and spread open its petals to the sunlight. It was not love, not in the romantic sense that Aphrodite advocated and Zeus abused- but perhaps she did care for him, as a wife ought to care for her husband.
It was time to take responsibility for the course of her own life.
'Hades.' She said, and he looked up from his engrossment with the twist of dark hair around his fourth finger. 'What...' she felt so nervous and awkward, 'would you be...’ she stopped and tried again, ‘When the summer ends, I should like to end this ridiculous business of my life being split in two.' She expelled out a breath once she had said it, pleased to have it out in the open.
The large hand that played with her hair stilled. The ground about Hades feet turned black and withered. Death spread outward in a circle about them, ever widening until the blooms in Demeters hands shrivelled up, causing her to drop them in alarm. Persephone held her breath, not comprehending the bleakness in Hades, now lifted, gaze.
'Hades! Please cease! I thought you'd be pleased.'
He seemed unreachable for a moment, so dreadful and stern that Persephone's courage was sorely tested to even speak to him. At her honest words and earnest look, he flicked his finger and the destruction stopped, leaving the King and Queen standing in the centre of a perfect circle of withered nature. Demeter stood on the edge of the circle, either unwilling or unable to step foot into it.
Hades took his wife's face in both palms and made her look at him square in the eye. He looked both afraid and ready to do battle. She twisted in his grasp, freeing herself and pulled his lips down to hers.
He gasped out, in between kisses, 'I suppose you did not mean that as I interpreted it.’ He held her gently, slightly away from him so that he could watch her expression and asked, 'Do you mean to say, that when you come home to me, that it will be forever?' At her nod, he smiled, palpably relieved, and Persephone marvelled at it. 'I adore you, Persephone.'
'Yes,' she replied, seriously, 'I know it. I...am not happy when you are not by, Hades. These few months ought to have been joyous for me, but instead my chest has ached at the very thought of you, as if it is empty and is longing to be filled again. I want to be a good wife to you, to make you happy, to be a good Queen- I think I can be, I will certainly try.' She blushed when he brushed her mouth gently with a finger, hushing her. She knew she was in danger of babbling.
'But you do not know if you love me? My little love, if you feel all this for me, I shall count myself blessed. If one day you can bring yourself to name it in the same way as others would, then I am doubly fortunate. There is no hurry, Persephone. If you are to choose to live with me, the kingdom will celebrate rapturously for days, for weeks, on end.'
She did not notice the tears tracing her way down her cheeks until her husband brushed them away with the back of his hand. 'You will not mind if I come to see my mother often?'
He let out a breath. 'Mind? How should I mind, knowing that you have chosen me? You are free to come and go as you please, my love- I don't imagine Demeter will look favourably on this new arrangement- but perhaps if you visit frequently, she will understand that I'll not keep you apart, not now.' He stooped a little to kiss her brow, 'You may have anything and everything you desire, my Queen, I swear it.'
'You will spoil me then, I will become unbearable.' She ventured a tease, pleased when she saw an answering glint in his eye.
'Oh no, I do not think it possible, Lady wife. To remain unspoilt is in your nature, it is part of your charm and character. Even if I were shower you with jewels and all the riches of the earth, I know, full well, that you will remain as you are.'
He drew a finger to her nape and traced a path around her throat, he made a low pleased hum in his throat when her breath quickened and she leant forward to kiss him once more.
'A moment', he murmured softly in her ear, 'your mother is rapidly working herself into a rage, I must be gone soon. I can wait with more patience now, knowing that you wish to be with me.'
When he lifted his finger from the skin of her neck, Persephone felt a cold weight resting there. A collar of diamonds and gold wound their way in a perfect circle about her slender throat. Satisfaction practically oozed from him and his wife could not help but chuckle when his hands went to her waist and he crushed his mouth to hers.
They bade a fond, passionate, farewell and Persephone felt a good deal lighter of heart than she had at their last parting. She made her way back to Demeter, who knelt in the dirt, steadily coaxing life up from the dead ground. Persephone stooped to aid her, silently causing a clump of purple heather to spring forth.
'I hope he will not visit here often, my daughter.' Said the goddess of the crops, dryly. 'The affect on my meadow is quite devastating.
Looking about her, Persephone nodded her head in agreement. At least this time plants could grow again in the cursed soil.
'He will have no cause to, mother.' She said quietly, watching Demeter's face change as she comprehended her meaning.
Demeter took her hands out from the soil and knelt up. 'You have chosen him, then? Over me?' Her mother's eyes were glassy with tears, but they did not fall.
'Only so far as that I chose to be a wife to him over this half life that I am living. I will always be your daughter, always love you and bless you for having given me life. I will visit you often, even in the winter time. I can come when I please. Hades...he is very generous, Mother.'
Demeter flicked her earthy fingers to the priceless diamonds about the young woman's neck and raised a brow. 'So I see.'
'I don't mean like that, dear one. I mean, he promises that I shall do as I please- he wants my happiness above all things.'
'He didn't care for that when he tore you away from me! He didn't even think of it.' Exclaimed Demeter.
Persephone dug her hands into the ground again and watched as mint sprung up vigorously at her urging. 'Do you not believe that people can change, mother? That experience and regret can alter a man?'
'Not him, not us! We do not change. We are immortal, some things ought to stay unaltered.' It was grief that brought the frown to Demeter's face, it was plain to see. Persephone saw the lie for what it was, living with Hades had given her a distaste for dishonesty, even if it was unconscious.
'But you have, haven't you, Mother?' Her voice was hard and disapproving. 'You, who were so dedicated to your duty, but now will allow the innocent to starve to death on account of caprice. It was not they that changed things, the mortals have no say in such things, why make them suffer? Why send them to judgement in Hades' Realm?'
Demeter gaped at her and flinched when Persephone regally lifted her chin. Even without her crown and throne, her daughter was a Queen, Demeter saw it and averted her gaze in submission.
The Queen of the Underworld continued on as though the dynamic between mother and daughter had not just subtly, permanently, shifted.
'Whatever you may believe, we are all capable of change whether it be for the better or for worse. Hades has remained as he is for eons, why should he not alter- even in the slightest sense, in order to please me?'
'When will you go?' Demeter wept.
'When Hephaestus' orb shows that it is my time to return to the Underworld. We have the rest of the summer. I will visit often, throughout the winter...perhaps you will allow the mortals some respite, knowing that it will not be so very long before I next see you.'
Demeter nodded. 'Yes...perhaps.' At one time, Persephone would have launched herself into her mother's arms at this concession, but now she remained slightly apart, a distance had grown between them- both women were aware of it, but it did not feel unnatural.
Demeter busied herself with the soil again. Rosemary grew at her behest, sweet and fragrant. 'Hephaestus wanted to court you, you know. He asked me immediately after your presentation. It would have been a good match, he doesn't have Hades' rank, of course...but he is a kind man. I rejected him outright and not in pleasant terms. It strikes me now that things would have been so different if I had asked you, if I had allowed you to grow up.'
'I was not destined to be his wife, mother- you heard the Fates as well as I. Things are as they ought to be. Besides, from what I understand you were not the only one to depress his pretentions to my hand. Hades had already decided he would have me.' She waved her hands expressively toward the heavy jewels around her neck and the subject was closed.
The two women turned their complete attention to repairing the extensive damage to the meadow.
The rest of the summer was peaceful, Demeter clearly tried to come to terms with the realisation that her little girl was now a grown woman, and a powerful one at that. Persephone in turn did not begrudge her mother her wistful tears that came often. Together they revisited their happiest memories, Demeter told Persephone the tale of her birth and reluctantly answered her questions about her romance with Zeus.
At the time the lights crossed in the, henceforth useless, orb, Demeter walked with her child and companions to the edge of the River Styx. They bedecked Persephone in the robes of a bride, with flowers woven into her hair. It was not a wedding, that moment had already passed, but Demeter wished to demonstrate to her daughter, more than anyone, that her love was as eternal as her heart. Hades stood on the far shore, watching the procession with curiosity.
His Queen, with a fond kiss to her mother's dewy cheek, stepped onto the boat. It dipped slightly, riding lower in the water with her weight. Charon, his pole held loosely in skeletal hands, watched her from beneath a tattered cowl.
Persephone tilted her head imperiously towards him. 'Well then, boatman. Carry me across. My Lord Husband awaits me. I am anxious to return home.'
She saw the slight tremble of his fingers before he gripped the pole and pushed it into the murky water. She hid her smile by turning back towards the shore behind her and raising her fingers in farewell to her mother. She had no regrets behind her and an abundance of hope ahead of her.
When she looked back to the shore ahead, she found that she could not look away. Hades stood tall and proud, the light from the Nether-sun behind him casting his face into shadow. She did not need to see his face clearly in order to know that there was a lurking smile in his eyes.
All was quiet, save for the lapping of the water against the wooden craft and the occasional soft thud of Charon's pole hitting a rock on the river bed.
Very soon, the whole realm would be filled with noise and celebration, Hades had decreed it. This time there would be no division of food, nor of heart.
The boat came to a halt on the black sandy shore and King Hades stepped forward to take her hand, assisting to alight.
She curtseyed, he bowed... and Persephone was home.