Author's Note:

Hello! Thank you all for taking the time to read this story. All feedback is greatly appreciated, as it's my first work. I tried to do something a little less common than the usual Hades and Persephone story, so it makes some leaps and there may be a few historical inadequacies. Feel free to point them out, I love to learn. Enjoy!

HORIZONS

Hecate couldn't sleep. She rolled over on to her side and gazed out the window. The bright moon of the Underworld threw light into her room, and it glistened off the mirror precariously propped in the corner. All was still in the palace. After spending a few minutes like this, she sighed and crawled out of bed.

Maybe a bath would do her good?

She opened the ornate door and walked into the dimly lit room. She let her nightwear fall to the ground and slowly stepped into the bath. "No need to fetch for a servant," she muttered under her breath, "I don't really need help anyways." The hot water enveloped her, and she sat. Her eyes traced the tall black columns with the golden trim all the way up the ceiling where they became one with a high, vaulted ceiling peaking in a skylight. She had specifically asked for this when the palace was being built, and Hades thought it was such a good idea he had all the baths outfitted with it. She stared into the deep black sky, glimmering with thousands of tiny lights. It almost seemed that the sky went on forever, but she knew above her was the mortal world, and Olympus above that.

Unfortunately, nights like this were nothing out of the ordinary for her, many times she was not graced with sleep.

Ironic, she thought, considering Hypnos, the one responsible for sleep, resided in the Underworld as well.

She'd approached him about it before many times, but nothing changed. Squinting her slightly bloodshot eyes, she jokingly swore to herself she'd put a curse on him. She climbed out of the bath, her dark red her flowing down to her waist. She donned a cloak, and climbed out the window of her room and dropped softly onto the path below to make sure she didn't wake anyone.

She loved walking around the Underworld. Despite the fact that she had lived here for as long as she could remember, it never got old to her. Walking the same paths provided never ending entertainment and wonder. She let her mind wander as she walked. She didn't have a destination in mind, and she didn't really care.

She drifted aimlessly for hours, but all of a sudden she was dragged back to reality by a cold, sharp voice from behind her. "Isn't it a little late to be out walking, dear?" She whirled around to she a pair of icy blue eyes staring back at her. She jumped back, slightly started, but regained her composure when she identified their owner. "Nyx! You startled me! Good..." The Goddess of night let out a small laugh. "Morning, Hecate. Morning." Hecate looked East and saw the first rays of the sun breaking the hills. How long had she been walking?! Nyx stared with her for a few seconds, then joked, "One of these days I'll have to tell Hades to put bars on the palace windows to keep you and Persephone from getting out so much." The Witch Goddess giggled, "I can't help it! It's just too beautiful out here." Nyx smiled. "I can't argue with that... You had better run along to be back in time for breakfast!" Hecate did as she was told, waving back behind her at Nyx, who flashed her a motherly smile. As she ran, her hair blew out behind her, and her pale skin shone in the early morning light. She couldn't help but let a small grin cross her lips. It slowly grew into a full smile, and she laughed out loud as she ran.

Despite her best efforts, by the time she burst into the dining hall, everyone else was already seated. All eyes fell on her as she rushed in, out of breath. She took her seat to the left of Hades, and when she looked up she was met with smiles from Charon, Thanatos, and others.

Why did people think all the underworld deities were so hostile?

As everyone else went back to their own conversations and eating, the King of the Underworld, Hades, and his wife, Persephone, both leaned over to talk to her. "If you're going to be going on anymore late night adventures, at least invite me!" said the Queen, giggling. Persephone was still a young girl at heart. Her auburn curls brought out her beautiful emerald eyes, and the deep purple dress she was wearing complemented her milky complexion. It was at that moment Hecate realized she was still wearing her cloak.

I look so plain next to her...

Hades jarred her from her thoughts. "Hecate, I have a favor to ask you after breakfast," he said, sipping on a chalice of ambrosia. "Yes, my lord," she quickly replied. She wolfed down her food, and rushed to check on her dogs. They happily barked when they saw her, and she returned a meek smile. She promptly ran to her chambers, returning quick responses to the nymphs she passed on the way who tried to talk to her.

Once she arrived, she slammed the door. What is wrong with me? Why am I so edgy all of a sudden?

She convinced herself it was the lack of sleep, and dressed herself in a black chiton with red trim. As she walked out into the hallway, Persephone waltzed by, and all in one motion, placed a beautiful white flower in her hair. She continued to dance down the long hallway dropping pedals as she went, singing a happy tune. Her light airy voice echoed off the walls. Hecate smiled slightly. She remembered how terrified the Goddess of Spring was when she first arrived at the palace. She was the only one who Persephone would talk to at first. The two had slowly become best friends, and Persephone had slowly grown to love it here.

She walked to Hades' study where she found him focused on something on his desk. He looked up at her and smiled warmly. His dark eyes met her deep purple ones. "Thank you for coming Hecate. Please, take a seat."

His voice... no matter how many times she heard it... it always startled her a bit. It was low, clear, and conveyed power...

"What do you need from me, my lord?" He stopped what he was doing and gave her his full attention. "Zeus has called a meeting of the Gods and Goddesses, and I'm too busy with work to make a trip to Olympus. I was hoping you'd be able to go in my stead? Just to represent the interests of the Underworld."

This wasn't an offer, it was a command. She knew him well.

"Aye, it's an honor. I'll depart immediately." the Witch Goddess replied. He smiled warmly. "Thank you Hecate. There's no rush, the meeting isn't till tonight. Perhaps Persephone would like to join you on your trip?" Hecate blinked slowly, a small half smile appearing on her lips. "I'll see. If so, I'll try to keep her away from Demeter. We wouldn't want her to try to snatch her back, now would we?"

Hades' dark eyes showed no emotion, but she could tell he was uncomfortable. It was so easy to mess with him!

Before he had a chance to reply, she darted out of the room. "No, we most certainly would not..." Hades growled to a now empty room.