Six months.

Six months of utter misery and loneliness surrounded Persephone. Six turns of the full moon since her and Aidoneus' embrace, yet he never returned to her. No letters. No visits. No communication whatsoever. She missed him desperately, often spending hours under their tree, hoping for him to appear. There would be moments though, when she felt eyes on her, but whenever she looked around, no one was there.

She felt utterly lost. Had she ruined a friendship so valuable to her being? She would gladly suppress her affections for him, if that meant seeing him once again.

"Persephone?"

"Hmm?" The spring goddess turned towards Aphrodite as they two soaked up sunshine along the ocean coast. The Goddess of Love gave her a friendly smile.

"Lost in thought, sweetheart?"

"Yes. I suppose so," Persephone admitted.

"Want to share your thoughts? We are friends. Please tell me what troubles you."

Aphrodite had given her knowledge of fashions, fabics, and perfumes for years now. But because Demeter was a careful distance away, perhaps Persephone could seek actual advice from the goddess of love. She chose her words carefully, not wanting to betray her secret, lifelong friend.

"I fear I may have driven away a cherished...friend"

"How?" Aphrodite inquired.

"I kissed him."

"Really?" Aphrodite was delighted with this news. "And how did he respond?"

Persephone thought back to that glorious moment. "Eagerly. And with great passion."

The goddess of love laughed, clapping her hands together. "And then?"

"He apologized. Then went away."

"He - What? Went away? Where?"

"I don't know. I haven't seen him in six months. It's as if he vanished. Perhaps I embarrassed him."

"Oh, darling child," Aphrodite sighed, putting her arms around Persephone. " He is a fool. A pathetic fool who doesn't see the treasure you are. Who is this man? I demand a name."

Persephone shook her head. "It doesn't matter who he is. I acted on my feelings and lost a friend." At Aphrodite's demanding gaze, she relented. A little. "He's a mortal." The lie stung on her tongue but thankfully came out clearly.

"All this trouble over a mere mortal?" Aphrodite shook her head, her golden curls bouncing on top of her heart-shaped face. "He truly is not worth your heartache. Mortals are a joy to dally with, but as partners in a deathless time? No, you're better off without him. Come, let us wash away some of this sadness. In a few month's time, you won't even remember his name."

xxx

Her time with Aphrodite, although lovely, did nothing to relieve the sadness nestled in her heart. I hope I haven't gotten him in trouble, Persephone worried. Were servants of the Dark Lord even allowed to leave the Underworld at all?

Throwing on her cloak, she grabbed a scroll before joining her mother in the kitchen. They were heading into town and needed to disguise their immortality.

Demeter eyed her daughter, having noticed the sadness in her for quite some time now. She had hoped her daughter would approach her with her troubles, but the Harvest Goddess did not want to force the issue. Not yet, at least.

"What's in your bag, dearest?"

"Oh, just a few items I need for our trip - elixirs and such. If we have time, Mother, could we perhaps visit Hestia's temple?"

Demeter smiled, pleased that her daughter continued to show respect to the Twelve. "Of course, my flower."

xxx

Hades watched how the Spring Goddess interacted with mortals, using his Helmet of Invisibility to go undetected. She was naturally drawn to healing centers, providing smiles and joy to those in pain.

One patient in particular capured her attention. Jason, a ten year old boy recovering from a broken leg. With both parents dead from disease, his remaining family consisted of his thirteen year old sister, Dianna, and six year old brother, Ieolus. Persephone assisted Jason's bones to mend quicker, and soon, the Spring Goddess became a weekly provider to the family.

As he watched Persephone plant with Dianna by the children's house, he found his hand over his heart. If I could tear these emotions out of me, I would. he thought. What could Darkness possibly offer Spring? And yet, I've never felt this elated...

He hid amongst the shadows of the forest, his Helmet of Invisibility tucked under his arm. There was a gentle breeze off the ocean, and he craved the air across his face.

Footsteps over twigs and grass had him turning behind him. His sister, Hestia, Goddess of the Hearth, approached him with a warm smile.

"Greetings, sister, dear, " the Dark Lord grinned. "What tears you away from the comfort of your home?"

Hestia, a radiant, raven haired godress cloaked in earth-colored robes, winked at him. "Hello, dear brother. The very thing that tears me away from my place also tears you away from yours."

Hades raised a single eyebrow in question.

Hestia gestured to the small house past the forest and the figures ahead of them. "I received a visit from Demeter's daughter a few weeks ago and was asked to present an offering to you."

"To me?"

"Yes, you," she laughed, keeping her voice low to remain unnoticed. "O Rich One, who has few - if any - temples. I was curious what Spring could want from you, so I read this." She handed him a scroll, and he immediately recognized the handwriting of his beloved spring goddess.

O Wise Hades, Receiver of Many,

I, Persephone, Goddess of Spring, beseech a favor from you. One of your loyal servants, Aidoneus, is my most cherished friend. We have shared many confidences and laughter over the years. He is as dear to me as the air I breathe.

I humbly request one day free of work for Aidoneus. He is such a devoted servant to you, and I would be eternally grateful for this brief yet needed holiday for my friend.

Please accept this humble offering as a token of my good faith and endless gratitude.

As always, you have my - and the rest of Olympus' - deepest respect.

My Sincerest Thanks,

Persephone

Hades read her letter silently, one particular sentence striking his heart like one of Eros' arrows: He is as dear to me as the air I breathe. Was it possible she was as affected as he?

"What is this offering?" he asked, his voice thick with emotion.

Hestia pulled out a simple, silver chain with a singular ruby. "Aidoneus...you gave her your ruling name?"

"Yes," he whispered, taking the gift he once surprised Persephone with into his hand. "I didn't want to frighten her nor alarm her mother."

"How long have the two of you been meeting?" Hestia stood fascinated, watching the various emotions running across her eldest brother's face.

"Since she was little. She found me in a cave near her home."

"How far in love with her are you?"

"I haven't stopped falling."

"Oh brother," she sighed. "Why don't you marry her? She's such a joy, and she clearly states her affection for you as well."

"Despite common sense and reason, I want to. I have a plan in motion," Hades confessed, still taken back by Persephone's gift. "But the one obstacle in my way is her mother."

"Demeter's protectiveness makes her daughter feel more like a pet than a person. It will only hurt them both. Why not speak to Zeus about this? He is Persephone's father and can give you his blessing."

Hades glanced up from the necklace in his hand to the sounds of cheers as plants burst through the soil by the house. "That is my next step, dear sister."

xxx

Hades arrived unannounced in Mount Olympus, highly unusual for him. His sister, Hera, Queen of the Gods, greeted him with surprised delight.

"Hades! Brother, dear, what do we owe this pleasure?"

He bowed respectfully to her. "Sister, you know I only come this far for business matters. I apologize for not giving you any notice -"

Hera waved the rest of his sentence away. "Nonsense, Hades, we are happy to see you, no matter the cause."

"I was wondering if I could have a moment or two with you and your husband."

"Well, if Zeus isn't seducing another female, you may have as many moments as you like."

Hades frowned. It was a well known - if rarely stated - fact that Hera, goddess of marriage, held a rather unfaithful and unhappy bond with her husband. "I am sorry our youngest sibling does not appreciate the treasure he wed."

Hera gave him a small, sad smile. "Thank you"

Zeus was in his throne room, looking over maps Ares gave him earlier that day. Apparently, the War God desired a new city to conquer.

"Darling husband," Hera greeted him. "Look who has surprised us this day."

"Hades! By the fates, this is unexpected." The Thunder God, full of muscle and energy, grinned at his eldest brother, placing Ares' maps down. "Tis been far too long, brother. I am happy to see you."

"And you as well, youngest brother. I do come to you both on a serious matter."

"Which is?" Hera inquired.

"I'd like to discuss my marriage."

Both sets of eyes widened, and shock was clearly written across their faces. Hera spoke up first. "Hades, this is wonderful news! Finally, you won't be all alone."

"My thoughts exactly," Hades nodded.

"Who is she, this bride of yours?" Zeus wanted to know.

"One of your daughters. Persephone, goddess of spring. I've been enraptured by her for many years now, and ask for both of your blessings."

"Persephone?" Hera thought it over. "Demeter's child?"

"That child of nearly twenty-one," Zeus argued. "Her mother treats her as if she's still learning to walk. You speak as if you know her, Hades. Have you two met?"

"We have," the Dark Lord replied with a secret smile, retrieving the scroll Hestia had gifted him earlier that day. "We met when she was little. She found me in a cave, took me for an ill mortal, and offered me some food."

Hera smiled, taking the scroll. "That sounds like her."

"I gave her my ruling name, fearing Demeter would discover our meetings and take her away from me. I tried - truly I did - to be merely a friend to Persephone. But I lost that battle. And now I've come to you both for a blessing to marry her."

Zeus pondered this news. "She's a lively young woman, Hades. I do not doubt your affections for her. My concern is with Demeter..."

"She loves him," Hera whispered, glancing up from Persephone's letter, her eyes full of joyous tears. "She may not recognize it, but her heart clearly speaks it here."

Hades' heart soared. If what Hera was saying were true... "I would never hurt her. I only want her happiness. She'd rule as my equal, my queen, my wife. I swear on the River Styx no harm will come to her."

"Hades," Hera smiled, returning to him his letter, "no one here is doubting your devotion."

"Have you spoken to Demeter?" Zeus asked.

"Am I a fool? Of course not! She knows nothing of our meetings, and I fear if she knew how I felt about her daughter, she'd bury Persephone away to avoid my proposal."

"How can we help?" Hera asked, delighted with this union.