Chapter Text
At sixteen, Kore's mother took her to Mount Olympus for the first time. Before that, life had been a hazy montage of dancing under a warm sun, swimming in clear sparkling pools and Demeter's mellow chuckles.
The Goddess of the harvest deplored the necessity of taking Kore to be presented in the palace of mighty Zeus, particularly at such a busy time of year. Kore's presentation had already been delayed a year longer than was usual however, and it Demeter waited until her sweet child was seventeen summers old, the ever easily offended Olympians would take umbrage. To Olympus they were to go, and it Demeter's only offspring must be paraded around like a sacrificial bull, then it would be done properly with none of the mortifying carousing that she remembered from her own banquet.
She dressed her daughter in her finest chiton, simple sunbleached linen that befitted Kore's youth and innocence. Her dark curls clustered about her head like the petals of a hyacinth. Demeter did not bedeck her daughter in golden jewelery, she herself did not like the feel of the cold metal and surely there was no master craftsman among mortals who could rival the delicate splendour of her own dear flowers.
She might, had she thought to ask, have been disappointed to know that Kore did not share her sentiments. The warm shimmer of gold pleased the maiden, Kore. She could grow the rarest and most perfect of flowers with a little concentration of power but owned nothing that had been so painstakingly crafted as the majestic jewels worn by the other gods in her father's palace.
They reached Olympus in good time and made their stately procession to the throne room. Zeus sat upon his seat of authority at the far end of the pillared court. His head was inclined to his brother Poseidon, mighty ruler of the oceans, but he looked up when a nymph announced that the Lady Demeter had arrived with the honoured Kore.
The court was bustling with richly clad deities, who ceased their chatter when great Zeus rose from his throne, extending his sceptre to his daughter. She knew what to do, and made her way forward to press her lips to the tip. Zeus was pleased to smile and bid her welcome, in his booming voice, as she curtseyed low. She turned then to Poseidon and repeated her obeisence. Having received the sea-king's gracious nod finally faced the dark King Hades, ruler of the Underworld and the eternity after mortal death. She was too in awe of him to raise her eyes to his, but she heard him quietly accept her homage.
Zeus had turned to speak again to his sea dwelling brother and once again the great palace was filled with chatter.
Kore kept her gaze in the golden sandals of the Rich One, waiting for Demeter to come forward and bear her off. Her mother did not come, a hurried glance told her that Demeter was in deep conversation with Queen Hera, neither goddess appeared pleased.
Hades stood and lifted Kore's chin with a long, pale finger.
'My brother addressed you as Kore. Have you no other name but girl?' He looked directly into her green eyes with his own black fathomless ones. His voice was deep but low in volume- Kore had no difficulty in hearing him. His was the ancient echo of authority, the eldest and most terrible of the great Kings. If he spoke in a whisper, Kore's ears would strain to harken.
'I have no other name, Lord Hades.' His penetrating stare was uncomfortable. She tried a tremulous smile. 'The mortals call me springtime. My Lady mother says that Kore suits me well enough.'
He released her chin and looked to her mother, considering her answer. 'A lack of foresight on my sister's part, then. One day the timid girl will be a woman and then 'Kore' shall not suit.'
He said it lightly enough, but Kore felt a flush creep up her neck. Hades looked on, seemingly fascinated. She pressed her lips together and curtseyed once more to the dour Lord of the dead, who so towered over her.
'I must not beg your pardon for my name, my Lord- it was my mother's doing and there was little thought of pleasing you when I was born.' It was an impertinant speach but he did not look angry. Instead, he tilted his head slightly and hooded his eyes.
'Girl suits you well enough for now,' he murmured, cryptically 'perhaps you will aquire a better name in time.' He bent his head to her and in the next instant was gone in a ripple of black silk.
Demeter laid a hand on her shoulder and Kore jumped.
'I hope you were polite to Lord Hades, Kore. He left quickly, did he seem displeased with you? He is not one to cross, my daughter.'
Kore turned, 'I do not think he was displeased, precisely, mother...but I do not think he cares for my name.'
'Your name?' the Goddess of the crops looked startled, 'what interest is your name to him?' She shrugged, 'I'd not fret, Kore. The chances are you'll not lay eyes on him for a century or so- I haven't.'
Demeter was proven wrong, the tall, shadowy figure of the dreaded god of curses was seen at the banquet that evening, he did not attempt conversation with her, but as she sipped at her cup of sweet ambrosia, Kore felt his watchful eyes on her often throughout the evening.
She had a marvellous night, reclined on her left was the demi-god Pirithous who openly admired her blushing face as he told the rapt maiden tales of his mighty deeds. To her right, was the gentle Hephaistus who sternly told Pirithous to keep the bawdier tales for older ears than those of sweet Kore. Hephaistus had a kindly manner about him and Kore listened to his descriptions of the precious things he had made. He laughed softly when she asked if he could create a garden of metal flowers that grew and looked thoughtful when she spoke of Demeter's desire for a horseless chariot.
By the time rosy fingered dawn swept away the dusky blanket of night, a happy but slightly tipsy Kore skipped down the mountain. Demeter, even more affected by Dionysius' sweet wine than her daughter, followed more sedately.
Kore hardly minded that the two of them had a long walk home ahead of them, in the fresh air of the early morning it sounded the ideal solution to clearing her head. Demeter however, was not looking forward to it and remarked that Apollo might have offerred to take them home with his splendid horses.
As Kore rounded the last corner of the winding path that led down Olympus' slopes, she was surprised to see the dark figure of Hades standing at the bottom. He casually held the reins of a steaming, stomping set of horses that were straining against the stillness that he imposed on them.
Kore hesistated and her mother caught up with her.
'Brother! What keeps you so near the mountain? I should have expected that you would be halfway back to the Underworld by now.'
'I would bear you both home in my chariot, if you don't care for the walk.' He spoke to Demeter, but did not take his gaze from Kore.
Demeter actually smiled warmly at him. 'I thank you, then. Kore here does not mind walking, but after a night of merry making, my poor head was dreading it more than my feet. Come, Kore!'
Kore eyed the six snorting beasts. 'Is it safe?' She blurted.
Demeter looked scandalised, 'Kore!'
Hades lifted an eyebrow as Demeter stepped up onto the silver edged conveyance. 'I hope have strength enough to keep my own horses in check.'
'I did not mean...I'm sorry, I thank you for your kindness. Forgive me!'
'I know, child. It is well. I shall not let you fall.' With that he stepped up behind her and took the reins either side of her waist. Kore was surrounded by his arms and although he did not touch her, she was very aware of him.
Demeter smiled. 'There Kore! 'tis a perfect solution, you cannot possibly be afraid now.'
Could she not indeed? Did her mother think that standing in the arms of the King of the dead was somehow less daunting than falling from a fast moving vehicle? Kore wasn't sure herself. She comforted herself with the knowledge that her mother, even befuddled by wine, would not allow her to come to harm.
Hades flicked his wrists and the horses surged forward. Kore shut her eyes and clutched the silver edge of the wood that stood between her and the galloping steeds. They picked up speed, until the wind was so loud in her ears that she could hardly make out the short conversation between Demeter and her august sibling.
She could not say how long they sped through the world before reaching the homely meadow in which she had passed so many carefree says. When they came to a smooth half outside Demeter's little cottage, Kore stumbled out of the chariot and emptied the contents of her stomach onto the grass.
'Kore'!' said her mother, again.
The maiden sat down amongst the flowers, heaving great gulps of air, uncaring of now her dress might strain or crumple. She glanced at Hades, whose expression was inscrutable.
She lifted the corner of her mouth. 'Thank you for the ride, my Lord.' She said, politely. 'Mother. I think, perhaps that it might be better to not ask Hephastus to fashion us a chariot, I believe walking suits me rather better.'
Demeter sniffed. 'He'd not oblige me anyway, my girl...at least not for any price I was willing to pay.'
On impulse, Kore bent to the ground and touched the fertile earth. She concentrated hard, half heartedly listening to her mother and uncle. A flower sprang up and bloomed at her gentle urging and when it opened It's petals, they were a rich, vibrant purple.
Hades turned his faced to Demeter, who shifted uncomfortably. 'What did he demand?' He sounded interested and Kore stood closer to hear her mother's reply.
Demeter's voice turned hard and she looked significantly at her slight daughter. 'Something too precious for a lame blacksmith to posess.'
Kore's eyes widened. 'Mother?' She had not heard such steely contempt Demeter's tone before. She tentatively spoke, 'It...it isn't his fault he's lame...he's a very good craftsman, he makes King Zeus' thunderbolts after all.'
Demeter scowled. 'Are you telling me that you have entertained his suit, girl? Without my knowledge?'
'His suit? Oh no! I only spoke to him at the banquet...he was kind.'
Demeter looked likely to rage at her until Hades lifted his palm. 'Enough. She is innocent. I shall speak to our ambitious smithy.'
Kore gaped at him. His voice had changed from a pleasing, smooth rumble to something flinty and terrible. She saw quite clearly why the mortals feared him so much that they did not even speak his name. She herself, a lesser Goddess, was affected and trembling. Demeter put an arm about her shoulders and nodded at Hades.
'Perhaps you are right, my Lord. I shall leave it to you.'
He stepped onto his chariot and very nearly smiled when Kore shuddered. 'Farewell, sister. Blessings to you, my Lady.'
Kore felt her mother's surprise and sank to low curtsey. 'I wish you a safe journey, sir.' She stepped forward to offerred him the flower, 'Thank you for bringing us home.' Demeter looked proud at her daughters thoughtful manners. Hades took the bloom and stared intently at Kore for so long that she feared that she had offended the Rich One with her simple gift.
Eventually, he lifted it to his nose and inhaled. 'So precious a gift for so trifling a service. It hardly seems a fair exchange.' She suspected him of mockery for a moment and frowned. His voice was, once more low and thrumming, with all traces of its previous danger, erased. It occurred to her that he was deliberately gentling his usual aura of menace for their benefit and wondered why.
His horses snorted and pulled and then he was gone.
Demeter looked at her beautiful daughter. 'Well, my dearest! We need not trouble our heads about the blacksmith. Hades likes to keep the distinction of rank, preserved.'
Kore felt sleepy and yawned. 'Yes, mother. Poor Hephastus. I think I shall rest for an hour. I am so glad I am not mortal, dear Mother. They could not feast all night as I have. They must waste so much time asleep.' The chestnut haired girl put her head on her arms and thought for a moment. 'Was Lord Hades so intimidating against the Titans?' She enquired.
Demeter turned grave at the memory. 'He was much worse, little one. No god killed so many as he. He dealt merciless death even then. I have wondered often, if the fates intended for him to draw the shortest straw when the world was divided. I don't think either of my other brothers could rule the Underworld so well as he.' Demeter smiled. 'Did he frighten you very much, darling?'
'I think he must frighten everyone. '
She kissed Demeter's warm, sun kissed cheek. 'I had a wonderful time. Thank you for taking me.' She fell onto a doze amongst the sweet, bright poppies and dreamt of joyful music, dancing nymphs and of the swirling faces of all the gods she had seen that night.