Suitors in the Realm of the Dead

The Spartan war had begun, and Hades was overbooked, buried in paperwork, and just all around busy non-stop. Persephone was alright with it because she knew it was her husband's job. It was partly hers too, so she decided to help. There were too many mortals dying that it was too much for Charon, so she came up with another entrance to the underworld and helped guide the dead to Hades.

She was waiting at her post with a long, dark cloak shrouding her when all of a sudden two mortals had just entered the dark, rocky cavern entrance. Persephone lowered her hood to greet the newcomers, but she recognized them… both of them.

"Persephone?" they both said together.

"Adamonius? Berandian?" she was just as shocked to see them.

They were both glad to see her again. Adamonius wondered why they were meeting there of all places, "Persephone, what are you doing here? We were just fighting in the war, and now we were here."

"Well, I'm sorry to have to break it to you both, but you're dead. And I'm here to guide you."

"Then if you're down here, are you dead too?" Berandian asked her confused as they both walked on either side of her. "What a shame," he looked saddened for her.

She laughed, "No, I'm not dead. I'm here to guide you."

"So, what's your business in this place? And how did you get here?" Adamonius was curious.

"Well… it's complicated."

"How complicated could it get?"

"You'd be surprised…" She then walked them up to the palace and through the large front doors. They went to the left and started going down a wide open spiral staircase. They couldn't stop looking around and marveling at everything.

Berandian spoke up, "Well, for a guide, you sure know your way around so easily." She just smiled back at them.

They passed some other deceased shades and Persephone nodded to them curtly as they stopped, bowed slightly and said respectfully, "My lady." And they continued.

Suddenly, once they were at the bottom, she opened the doors to the judging room to where Hades was waiting and he spoke up, "Ah! Thank you, my dear for guiding them here." He smiled and strode over to his wife. He put one arm around the small of her back and looked at the two mortals who had just arrived with her.

"Darling, I knew Adamonius and Berandian back before I met you," and she nodded to them.

"Ah, I see. Well, don't worry," and he looked at both of them real carefully, "You both will be going to the Elysian Fields."

Then Berandian spoke, still a little confused, "So, are you Hades?"

He chuckled, "God of the Underworld, at your service."

"Guys… Hades is my husband," and she put her hand on Hades' chest. "Hades, now that you've judged them, would we be able to catch up a little?" She pointed toward the other two.

"Well, alright, but I can only manage a few hours," and he waved his hand in front of them to extend their spirits before bringing them to their souls' final resting place.

"Alright, let's go to the palace," she smiled and led them out of the judging room, but not before Hades stole a quick kiss from her.

"I'll see you later," and he winked at her.

About two hours had passed as Persephone led them through the palace and they told each other about what had happened in their lives. She took them to almost every room in the palace, and even showed them her favorite outdoor spots. It was good for her to see them again. She then led them back to the judging room.

Hades saw her return and immediately stopped his conversation with Charon to join her by her side. "Welcome back gentlemen," he nodded to them, "The gate to the Elysian Fields is this way—"

"Sweetheart, I was wondering if I could walk them over."

"Oh, of course dear. Be my guest," and he nodded in the direction, letting his wife lead the way.

"Well, it was really good to see you both again. I'm sorry for what happened to you."

"It's alright, but you should visit us sometime. Come take a walk with us," Adamonius said smiling.

"It's a promise," she smiled at them.

Then they each hugged her, and walked through the gates to the Elysian Fields.

In the palace, just after they finished the judging for the day, Hades and Persephone walked up to their chambers completely beat from the long day… fully knowing that inventory was tomorrow.

"So were they old friends of yours?"

"Uh, not exactly…" She said with a look that was as if she had been caught stealing from the cookie jar. Hades looked a little confused.

"What do you mean?"

"They kind of used to be my suitors."

Hades immediately understood, "Ah, that makes sense. Did you get a chance to catch up?" It didn't bother him at all.

She smiled, "We did and I showed them the palace."

They both reached their bedroom and went to go climb into bed. She cuddled up to him and he put his arm around her. This was her favorite place in the entire world. It was even more perfect than Olympus itself because she was in his arms. It was the only place she felt safe, and it was her haven.

"Goodnight my love," he softly said as he kissed her.

"Goodnight, my king. I love you more than anything in this world. "I've never felt safer than here in your arms," she said with her eyes closed and smiling.

At this, he hugged her even tighter and calmly said to her, "Well they're here anytime you need them, love." He kissed the top of her head.

They both were lying there in each other's embrace and a peaceful calmness came over their bodies as they slipped into deep sleep.