Chapter 1
Ok, so I've had something of a Greek mythology thing on my brain for the last few days, which seems to have culminated in my need to start writing a story about Hades and Persephone. So, here is my take on the classic tale. It won't be exactly the story you know and I wanted to adjust some of the things that troubled me about the original story – so bear with me please :)
Thanks for choosing to read my story, I hope you stick around to see how it goes.
Hades POV:
"So, don't go." Hecate said flippantly, eyeing her blood red nails with an air of long-suffering boredom. Hades lounged in his own chair, his mouth twisted in a tight frown.
"My brother has personally asked me to be there." He mused as he looked down at said invitation for the nth time. It had arrived the day before, by way of the always cheerful Hermes, and it had curtly informed him that his presence was expected at the naming ceremony of Zeus' latest illegitimate offspring – a girl-child with Demeter of all people. Hecate shrugged.
"And you suddenly do his bidding?" She quipped, golden eyes shinning with amusement. Hades scowled darkly.
"He is the 'King of the Gods." He reminded her, voice like ice, and she shrugged. She flipped her stark white hair over a shoulder and pinning him with a stare.
"And you're King of the Underworld." She retorted, and he bit back on a sigh. Indeed.
"I don't even know why he bothered." He muttered.
"Maybe he just wants to rub Demeter the wrong way." Hecate suggested innocently, although her lips were drawn into a smirk. Hades rolled his eyes and put the letter back on the table.
"Unlikely, but plausible." In truth, you never really knew what Zeus' objective was. It was a trait all three of them shared, Zeus, Poseidon and himself. You didn't survive a childhood with Chronus without learning to keep your cards close to the chest.
"So, go." Hecate said and he quirked an eyebrow at her.
"A moment ago you were saying to stay, and now you're saying to go?" He asked with bemusement.
"Do whatever makes you happy, Hads." She stood up, the fabric of her chitton falling delicately back into its appropriate folds. He scowled at the nickname.
"You know I could banish you for disrespect?" He threatened, only half-joking this time. She shook her head with a sad smile.
"Oh Hads, who would you talk to then?" She asked, not unkindly, before blowing him a kiss and wandering out of the room. Hades looked after her retreating form for a moment, then stood with a curse. It was true. She was one of the few beings that willingly came to the Underworld. He tossed the missive into the fire, watching as the flames eagerly devoured the parchment.
Stay or go? He thought to himself.
Did it really matter? He sighed heavily this time, now that he was alone. He looked out onto his kingdom, taking in the flowing waters of its seven rivers, the groves of elm, sycamore, willow and elder trees. He was barely tolerated on Olympus, so why ask him to attend? He would probably just make the poor infant cry. He didn't blame children for it. It was natural for them to fear him, the strange "God of Death" - as many wrongly called him. He watched the Lethe flow for a moment longer, weighing up his options. The real question was whether he wished to get on Zeus' bad side for not coming to the ceremony or because he came and made his new daughter cry. Either way he'd lose. He always did.
"Fine." He muttered. He would go, but only for five minutes. To pay his respects and then leave. He pulled a black chalymus from the air and, with a snarl, disappeared in cloud of midnight.
OOOOOOOOOO
"Zeus Almighty, I didn't actually think you'd come Hades." Hermes exclaimed as Hades slipped through the gates of Olympus, studiously ignoring the other gods as much as they ignored him. Well, except Hermes of course.
"I was invited." Hades replied curtly, his voice icy. Hermes nodded quickly, his blonde curls bouncing wildly.
"Of course, I wasn't trying to suggest-" Hades waved him off irritably. Not even a minute into it and he was already regretting his choice to leave the Underworld. The Olympians were always talking, so much talk and no substance. Every time he returned here he realised, more and more, why he preferred the dead. Yes, they were simpler – being the souls of mortals and all - but at least if they spoke it meant something. Hermes scurried off, looking of his shoulder worriedly. He met up with the shining sun God Apollo, who looked over at Hades a moment later, his pretty face a mask of alarm. Hades bared his teeth in a savage grin. Let them think him a monster, he didn't need their company.
He stalked through the room. Whispers sprung up as he passed. He felt his face settle into an icy mask of indifference, trying to ignore the way that others scurried to avoid him or parted like splitting silk before him. Maybe it was better to be feared. It did make getting places a little easier. After walking the length of the room, and nodded in greeting to his brothers Zeus and Poseidon, he found himself a place to stand by the dais. It was a duo pillars from which he could view the entire room with ease but keep out the way so he could avoid people.
"Uncle, it has been a long time." A familiar, female voice called from behind him. Well, most people. He turned to see his niece Athena, also standing idly to the side of the festivities. Her piercing blue eyes were looking into his as though she could see into his very thoughts.
"Athena, it is wonderful to see you." He said, walking to clasp her arm in greeting. She returned his motion, with a strength that would have surprised a lesser man. He wasn't a lesser man though. She was a warrior goddess and only fools thought her as dainty as her beauty belied.
"Likewise Uncle. How is the Underworld?" She asked, turning to face the centre of the large banquet hall that had been set up in Demeter's daughter's honour. From the corner of his eye, he could see her smile. Her interest was genuine, in the way that anything worth learning interested her. He'd always liked Athena. She was without doubt the smartest one in the room and never treated him with the horror or disdain that the rest of the Olympians did. She was something of an outsider too – a being who was made rather than born, a woman and a warrior, a scholar and a general. They were both never quite with the crowd and yet they were tethered to it by bonds neither could break.
"Never better." He murmured shortly and she snorted. She sipped at the glass of wine in her hand.
"When did you get your invitation?" She asked idly, her voice coated with amusement. He shrugged.
"I only got mine only yesterday." She continued lazily and Hades blinked in surprise. He'd thought he'd been kept in the dark until last, as usual.
"I also received word yesterday." He remarked casually and Athena nodded, her eyebrow raising at the sight of Aphrodite and Ares trying to sneak off to a side room while Eris kept Hephaestus occupied.
"Demeter kept the pregnancy secret until the child was born. That riled father-dearest up to no end I can tell you." She said drolly and Hades snorted in amusement. He would have paid good money to see Zeus' expression at that moment.
"Speaking of, I must go and give my respects to father." She said, the brittleness in her voice the only give away at her displeasure. He caught her arm as she made to leave.
"Do say hello to Glaux for me." He murmured and her eyes softened. He had always had a certain fondness for her little owl. She nodded and pressed a swift kiss to his cheek.
"Of course, Uncle." She said before darting off into the crowd of gods and goddesses. He watched as the revels continued into the afternoon, with no sign of the expected mother and child. Trust his sister to cause a scene and then not show up.
"Hades? I thought I saw you skulking around back here." Another female voice spoke from his left. He turned to see his sister Hera and his smile was a little less forced that it had been.
"Hera, you look lovely." He said truthfully and the brown-haired Queen of the Gods smiled at him. Her peplus was a deep mauve, with golden embroidery, perfectly matching the golden diadem atop her chestnut curls. Her honey coloured eyes were always calm, but today they seemed tinged with sadness.
"See, now why can't you be like that all the time?" She asked, the sadness disappearing behind a smile as she stepped up to him, extending her hand. He bent to press his lips to her cool fingers. Straightening he smirked.
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean." He teased and she laughed.
"You never could lie to me." She said smugly and his lips thinned into a semi-scowl. Hera just rolled her eyes.
"And there's the glowering King of the Underworld we all know and fear." She muttered dramatically. He ignored her.
"Any sign of our dear sister yet?" He asked instead and she sighed heavily.
"No." There was a definite bite to her tone. He wished he could take it back. Today must feel like yet another kick in the guts for Hera, his always jilted sister.
"You know he doesn't mean to hurt you Hera," Hades said, half-believing it. They both looked over to where Zeus sat with Poseidon and Dionysus, drunk and laughing loudly at some joke the curly hair god of wine had just told.
"I know, because he'd have to think of me at all if he wanted to do that." Hera retorted quietly and Hades tried to think of something to say, but failing that simply folded his arms over his chest and leant back against a pillar. They were silent for a moment.
"Wine?" He asked and she nodded gratefully.
"Please." He fetched some, coming back to stand with her at the pillar. They clicked glasses and sipped. The wine was delicious, Hades had to admit that, but now he was more than ready to leave.
"Do you think-" He never got to finish, as finally a horn blew, signaling the arrival of Demeter. The crowd went silent as the doors to the banquet hall blew open and a plump, red hair woman walked in, her white himation practically glowing in the torch-light. Demeter, Goddess of the Harvest, had not changed an inch in the intervening millenia since Hades had last seen her. Save for the small bundle in her arms of course.
"Let the games begin.' Hera said crudely and with a small wave, went to stand with her husband, who now rose unsteadily to his feet. Hades remained as he was, watching as Aphrodite and Ares snuck back into the room, and the other dieties gathered around the dais where Zeus now sat with Hera by his side. Demeter smiled in triumph as she mounted the dais.
"Lord Zeus, I bring to you my daughter, on this day, her naming day." Demeter said loudly, her voice carrying far in the quiet room.
"Our daughter, you mean." Zeus boomed, his voice like thunder. Demeter had the intelligence to flinch slightly.
"Of course, our daughter." She corrected herself and from across the room, Hades caught Hermes and Apollo sniggering at each other. They stopped when they noticed him looking, their faces blank with terror. He looked away, back towards the dais. Hermes recovered first, nudging Apollo with his elbow and they gaffawed silently again.
"Bring me the child." Zeus demanded and Demeter rose, slowly walking the last steps to the top, hesitating only slightly before placing the infant in her fathers' arms. Zeus peered down at the girl.
"Gaia bless us, what a beauty she will be." He said, his voice full of pride. Hera leaned in to see the child, and Hades watched complex emotions flicker briefly across her face before she nodded and smiled at Demeter.
"Indeed, a most beautiful daughter." She agreed and Zeus looked back at his wife in surprise. Then he smiled and it was Hera's turn to look lightly poleaxed. Zeus held the infant aloft.
"My daughter, Persephone." He called out and the room erupted into applause. Persephone, who had so far been quiet and pliable as she was passed between her parents, now squawked in protest at the sudden noise.
"Her name is Kore." Demeter said sharply, her nose furrowing with disapproval. The room was silent. Apollo nudged his twin Artemis. She glanced at him down her nose. He mouthed the word "Maiden" with a small snigger. She brought a hand up to her mouth, whether to cover a sudden cough or a small laugh Hades couldn't tell. He looked back to where Zeus was looking at Demeter with amusement.
"Her name is Persephone." He said firmly and raised a hand to silence her protest.
"All those wishing to provide a gift to my daughter may step forward now." There was a flurry of movement as several gods and goddess lined up at the base of the dais. Before Hades realised what he was doing, he was also striding to the dais. He stood at the back of the line, ignoring the deities who seemed eager to avoid so much as brushing against him, nodding shortly to those who acknowledged him. Aphrodite was first, as usual. She took the little girl in her arms, her rosebud mouth pursing with thought. Then she pressed a small kiss to her forehead.
"I gift to thee, sweet Persephone, beauty without comparison and a compassionate, loving heart for all the lost and forgotten creatures of the world." Persephone gave her step-sister a gummy smile. Aphrodite handed her to the next in line, who happened to be Athena. Athena's blue eyes were cool and calculating as she rocked the child gently.
"I gift to thee, bold Persephone, a sharp and curious mind, with a thirst for knowledge and love of learning." She said firmly, tapping the baby on her nose. Zeus inclined his head towards his favourite daughter, who so rarely gave gifts. Athena passed Persephone to the twins, Apollo and Diane, who smiled at each other.
"We gift to thee, happy Persephone, an ear for music and a love of wild things, the ability to sooth any savage soul." They intoned and their laughter made little Persephone giggle as well. One by one Persphone was handed to each god or goddess, until finally, she arrived at Hades hands. The god who handed her to him looked as though he was about to faint. Hades looked down at the little being in his arms and was struck at what he saw. Eyes greener than a meadow met his own slate grey ones and, instead of screaming her head off as most children did, her tiny mouth parted in a toothless smile – delicate giggles floating up into the air around him. Hades felt something catch in his throat. He coughed.
"No!" A curt voice called out and Hades looked up to see Demeter, rigid with rage, pointing a finger at him.
"I will not have that monster curse my child!" She screamed and Hades sighed. He made to give the baby back to her mother but Zeus spoke.
"That monster is our elder brother Demeter and Persephone's uncle. You shall give him the respect he is entitled to." Demeter looked shocked and Hades wondered just how much wine his younger brother had drunk today. He stared at Zeus in confusion.
"Well, go on, give her a gift... or whatever it is the God of the Underworld can give." Zeus said with a wave of his hand. Hades looked back down to the child in his arms. He was still staring at him, not with fear he realised, but with curiosity. He reached into his pocket but found only a small copper ring, a small chip of obsidian in the band. He slid it onto her arm. When she was older she could wear it properly, he mused. He then leant forward to whisper into her ear.
"I gift thee, my Persephone, an indominable spirit, a life lived unafraid and bold." She giggled and he thought, perhaps, that it was the sweetest sound he had ever heard. He grabbed one of her hands pressed his lips to her tiny fingers, as he went to withdraw those fingers closed on his forefinger, grasping it tightly. He was struck by the innocence and unassuming joy in her face. He leant back and walked to where Zeus stood, his finger still trapped by the infant. Hera was smiling at him and he offered her the child. To every else's surprise she took Persephone as well. She tapped the ring on her arm thoughtfully.
"I gift to thee, joyful Persephone, a true and happy marriage." She said and Zeus, for the first time in centuries, looked at his wife tenderly. Hera pressed her own kiss to Persephone's forehead and handed her back to the anxious Demeter.
"I think that's the first time in a thousand years that I've seen you truly smile Hades." Hera mumbled under her breath as Demeter whirled her daughter away, cooing and casting anguished glances back at them. Hades shrugged, but really his mind was racing.
"She's not like most children." He said finally and Hera nodded seriously.
"Indeed." She said amusedly and he chuckled.
"Here's to unusual children."
He clicked his glass against hers' again.
"Yamas." He said in return as he took a long draft from the wine. When it was drained he quickly made his escape, claiming some important task left unfinished in the Underworld. They let him leave without argument. It wasn't like they'd wanted him there in the first place.
OOOOOOOOOOO
Persephone POV:
"Kore! Where are you?!" Her mother's voice was shrill, bouncing off the walls of their little cottage. Persephone rolled her eyes. She was five years old. She wasn't about to get lost in her own garden.
"I'm just in the garden." She yelled, folding her arms over her chest and huffing down onto the back step. She waited impatiently as her mother came into view. Her red hair was slightly frazzled and her face was concerned until she saw her. The storm clouds parted and she swooped down, wrapping her arms around Persephone and smothering her face in kisses.
"Oh, Kore! You can't run off like that! You could have tripped on the step or a snake could have come and bitten you." She exclaimed and Persephone sighed.
"But I didn't, and it didn't." She retorted hotly and her mother frowned.
"Don't talk back to me." Persephone's bottom lip popped out. She hated it when her mother was cross with her. And if she was really cross, she might not let her out into the garden.
"Sorry Mother." She mumbled and Demeter smiled again, slipping Persephone's sandles onto her feet and tying the laces up. She propped Persephone onto her feet and nodded for her to go. She took off at a full run, barreling down the garden path towards the stream at the back, where her friends and caretakers, the dryads and naiads waited. Usually they never got along, but they shrieked with delight when they saw her. The dryads, beautiful spirits of the trees, rushed for her with the long wavy limbs bedecked with flowers and the enchanting naiads beckoned for her to join them in the stream, with their heads crowned with small shells or water washed stones. She was swept into a dance, then another and another. As she paused for breath and a drink from the stream, she realised somewhere along the way she lost her shoes. She looked around the small glade she and the spirits had been playing in, and across the stream to where the path back to the house was. But they were nowhere to be seen.
Persphone bit her lower lip. She hated shoes, preferring to feel the cool earth beneath her feet and between her toes, but she knew that Mother would be angry that she lost them. So she asked her friends to help search for them. Although they knew every fish and every flower under the sun, neither naiads nor dryads were all that smart. And they didn't wear shoes, Persephone reasoned, so they didn't really understand what she was trying to find. They kept bringing her strangely shaped driftwood or multi-coloured stones, obviously trying to help but not knowing how. She decided to go looking herself. She wandered about the small clearing, searching around the bases of trees and behind bushes. She hoped that some animal hadn't come and taken them. She found one, it's ribbon tangled in a low-lying bush. She cried out in triumph and grabbed it, spinning around to see if the other was around. It wasn't.
"Hmph." She sat down with a frown, one hand pressed to her chin as she tried to remember where she might have put the other one. She twisted the ring on her finger, something she did when she was thinking really hard. Unfortunately, nothing helped. Giving up she stood to go back to the stream but stopped short. None of the trees around her looked familiar. She frowned. She tried to retrace her steps, but she just wound up being more lost. Her breath caught in her throat and she realised she was about to cry.
"Stop it! Crying doesn't solve anything." She ordered herself, sitting down with a short exhale.
"You just need to think."
In the silence she could hear birdsong, which made the forest appear much less scary. Persephone stated to twist her ring again, tapping the black gemstone in the centre. She loved her ring. It made always made her smile and now it helped her be a little less afraid.
"Are you lost, little one?" A deep, smooth voice suddenly split the quiet of the forest. Persephone jumped violently. She leapt to her feet, staring around, trying to see where the voice had come from. She couldn't see anything. She stamped her foot.
"Who are you?" She demanded and thought she heard the voice chuckle.
"A friend." It said. Persephone knew she should be afraid. Her Mother always told her there were monsters in the woods and that one day one of them might come to take her. She knew she should be afraid, but she wasn't. Instead, she pursed her lips and her fingers twisted her ring around and around.
"If you're my friend, why can't I see you?" She asked, folding her arms in front of her chest to hide the fact that she was trembling.
"I might scare you." The voice said, rather sadly, and Persephone's frown disappeared entirely. She didn't want this creature, whatever it was, to be sad.
"I don't think so. I don't get scared easily." She said and there was another chuckle.
"Yes, I can see that little one." It said, and she looked around hopefully, wondering if she'd convinced it to come out.
"Come out," She said, offering her hand.
"I won't hurt you."
There was silence for a moment. She bit her lip. Suddenly the forest seemed very empty and not so nice. The light was fading and she remembered suddenly that she was lost.
"Please, don't go." She said quietly, her tears finally making an appearance.
"I'm still here, little one." The voice said, a strange tone in it now. She breathed a sigh of relief.
"Do you know the way back to the stream?" She asked, trying to follow the sound of the voice. It was very confusing though, it seemed to bounce off the trees.
"Yes." She twisted her hands together.
"Could you show me?" There was a rustle, which she whirled around to follow.
"Yes, but you must close your eyes."
"Why?"
"I don't think your Mother would like it if you got scared by a monster in the woods." She felt her heart tremble.
"So, you are a monster then?" She asked cautiously and she could almost feel the creatures' sadness in the air.
"People say that I am." Persephone bit her lip. She needed to get home, but could she trust this monster to get her there.
"Do you promise to take me home?" She demanded and the voice chuckled.
"Yes."
"Swear it." She'd heard Mother say that swearing something meant it was a promise that couldn't be broken.
"I swear on the Styx that I will take you home." With that done, she nodded.
"But you must promise not to open your eyes the whole way home." She thought for a moment, then nodded.
"I swear on the-" The voice cut her off.
"It's ok, little one. I trust you to keep your promise. Now, close your eyes." She did so. A moment later a warm body was pressed to her back. Two cold, strong hands grasped her by the waist and she felt herself being placed on the being's back. Persephone wrapped her legs around it's waist tightly, so as not to fall off. As he started to walk – yes, she was sure it was a boy now – she tried guess what he looked like. He smelled earthy but fresh, like running water across a mossy stone. She kept her eyes closed, but she used her hands to explore. Parts of him were tough, like leather or sometimes sharp points of metal, and other points were soft, like his hair, which felt very silky. Her monster walked quickly, but he was very gentle, she barely felt jostled even though she knew he would be moving through trees and over rocks. A gentle monster. She giggled.
"Is something funny, little one?" Her monster asked.
"You don't seem like a monster." She said quietly, nestling her head into the back of his shoulder. He sighed.
"Not all monsters are obvious." He said and she nodded seriously.
"Why do they call you a monster?" She asked curiously and her monster seemed to think about it for a moment. He didn't seem to mind her questions. Mother sometimes got annoyed and sent her away, but her monster didn't seem too bothered.
"People are always scared of what they don't understand, little one." He murmured sadly and Persephone squeezed him tightly with her arms.
"Well, I'm not scared of you." She said, feeling a bit confused.
"And I don't understand you at all."
He laughed openly at that.
"No, that's because you are brave and clever." He said matter-of-factly and she smiled proudly. She liked the idea that he thought her brave and clever, that she wasn't just some silly little child that had gotten lost in the woods. He readjusted her slightly and the jostling made her open her eyes just a little. She quickly closed them again, but not before she'd gotten a small glimpse of her monster. He had dark black hair, thick and silky. It fell out from beneath a tall, dark helmet with back feathers on the top. His skin was very pale underneath. It was as though he was sick, or maybe he just didn't see the sun very much. Persephone tried to forget what she'd seen. He might get angry with her if he knew she'd opened her eyes – even if it was by accident.
"Where do you come from?" She asked after a minute of walking in silence.
"Underground." That explained his smell. He didn't smell bad, he just didn't smell like her mother or the nymphs – they smelled of the sun.
"Are there other monsters down there to keep you company?"
"Well, yes, I suppose there are. Other people think my hound is a monster." Her heart lifted, knowing he wasn't completely by himself.
"That sounds a little lonely." Persephone observed and he nodded.
"It can be, but I do have lots of people passing through my home." She wondered what kind of monster had lots of people trampling through his home.
"Well, you could come back and visit me if you want?" She said brightly and he sighed.
"No little one, I don't think that would be a good idea." She pouted, huffing loudly in his ear.
"I'll open my eyes if you don't." She taunted and he stopped walking.
"You promised, little Kore." He said softly and she groaned, she hated that name.
"Don't call me that, my name is Persephone." She stated and he shook with what could have been laughter.
"As you wish, Persephone." He began walking again and she continued to frown.
"I mean it though, I want you to come back. I get lonely too... sometimes." She said sadly as her monster adjusted her gently, bits of his strange hide digging into her tummy. She wiggled to a more comfortable position and sighed heavily.
"I don't really have any other friends." She said sadly and her monster paused.
"What about your... nymphs?" He asked curiously and Persephone rolled her eyes inwardly.
"They're fun, but I think it would be like saying your hound is your friend. And I can't talk with them about anything that isn't a flower or a river stone." She grumbled and he laughed again. It was a nice sound, not like a monster at all.
"Well, maybe I can come and visit, every once in a while." He said slowly and she fought to contain her squeal of excitement.
"Really?" She asked excitedly and she felt him nod. She squeezed him again in a half-hug, half-hold kind of way.
Maybe, one day, he'll even let me see him. She thought and smiled to herself. Her monster stopped and set her down. She was surprised. It hadn't taken them that long. She could hear the stream now, and the nymphs calling out to her in panic. They'd only just noticed she was missing. She shook her head.
"Um," She turned back to where she thought her monster was and suddenly didn't know what to say.
"Thank you." She said finally. Her mother had always told her to be polite. A cool hand came to rest on the top of her head, spinning her back the other way.
"That way is the stream," He said firmly and Persephone nodded.
"You know the way from here, so I will let you go now."
"Do you promise to come back?" She asked quietly and he snorted softly.
"I promise." Throwing caution to the wind she threw her arms around the warm body beside her. He was very tall, she barely reached his waist. A sharp point of his hide bit into her cheek, but she didn't care.
"Thank you." She whispered and snuggled closer as his large arms came to rest, slowly, around her back. She'd noticed before that he was a little cooler than most people, but even with his arms around her she realised he wasn't naiad cold – they felt like fish – he was just cool, like he'd walked out of cold water but would start warming up again any minute. The other thing she noticed is that he obviously didn't know how to hug properly. She giggled.
"KORE!" That was her mother's voice. On instinct her eyes flashed open, but her friend was gone. Nothing there but a faint scent of earth. She looked up to see one of the dryads burst through a bush, her green skin flushed with running.
"There you are Kore." She said, coming to a stop, her pointed face relaxing into a smile.
"We were so worried. Come along." She tugged on Persephone's arm, pulling her out of the trees and into the glen. Her mother embraced her rapidly, exclaiming over her bare feet and sunburnt cheeks with dismay. Persephone didn't hear her though, she was too busy trying to scan the trees for her friend. She wondered how long it would be before she saw him again.
OOOOOOOOOO
Hades POV:
He watched as Persephone was swept up into her mother's arms and carried away. He couldn't help the stunned smile that was stretched across his face. She'd trusted him, allowed him to carry her on his back, hugged him and even laughed with him. He had expected her to be fiery, any child of Zeus would be, but was it normal for children of five to be so eloquent? Or to be so kind? She'd noticed his mood, even without seeing him. A rare and strange sort of empathy, particularly for one so young. He puzzled this all the way back to the Underworld. He slipped off his armour and chalymus, before perching himself on his chair and musing before the fire. She'd never once shown any fear, not when she was lost, not when a strange voice intruded into her day. She'd just been defiant. He smiled a little at that. Perhaps it was his gift, or perhaps it was her own personality, but he figured a goddess needed that kind of inner confidence.
"Good day, Hads?" He lolled his head lazily in Hecate's direction.
"Indeed."
"Do I want to know?" She asked with a raised eyebrow and he shook his head. If word got out that he was feel all... sentimental... over a child, people would start to question him, and if they questioned him then literally all hell would break lose.
"Anything to report?" He asked instead and she pursed her lips, shaking her head.
"Then that'll be all Hecate." He said, by way of a farewell. She rolled her eyes but left. Hades leant back into the chair and closed his eyes. Something dug into his back and he reached around to pull a small slipper from where he had tucked it into his belt. He'd seen it lying there and, without thinking had picked it up. He'd had barely a moment to hide before Persephone had come charging into the clearing, clearly looking for her lost shoe. It was tiny, and he had no use for it, but some part of him wouldn't let himself throw it away. He carefully tucked it into the bottom of a trunk in his bed chamber. He then went to his workroom, which overlooked the Underworld. Sitting back down in his chair he attempted to complete some of the life accounts work he needed settled, but his eyelids soon grew heavy. He didn't even realise it when he dozed off, a small smile on his lips.
So, there's the first chapter everyone. I hope you enjoyed my first ever take on Hades and Persephone. I just think they're the sweetest (particularly as I delve further into the wonderful lore that had sprung up around them).
The whole second half of this chapter is kind of based off the origin and meaning of Hades' name – "the unseen." He also possessed the Helmet of Invisibility, so I felt like it was poetic to have their "first introduction" in a semi-blind/unseeing kind of way.
Constructive crit is always appreciated, but please be kind – no flames!