Persephone tossed and turned in her bed. Repressed thoughts and feelings sneaked into her dreams, causing her to sleep restlessly. The courtyard of Demeter's cottage melted away, replaced by the gardens in the Elysian Fields. She was in the kitchen, but it was Hecate, not her mother, who was cooking for her. Then, Hecate would disappear, and Persephone would move to the window, admiring the flowers…And then she would wake up, drenched in sweat. What was it that frightened her so much? She could feel a pair of dark eyes on her…But no one was there.

Yet those dreams did not cast her down. On the contrary, they made her curious and eager to discover more of the Underworld. Having no reason to hide anymore, Persephone would go exploring either with Hecate, or by herself.

One morning, bored as she was, she decided to take a stroll by the banks of Styx. Charon, who saw her from afar, rowed his boat towards her. "This humidity will be the death of me," he complained, stepping out of the vessel. "What are you doing here, little one?"

Persephone looked up at the cavern's ceiling. Unlike the rest of the Underworld, there was no sky above the Styx, the boundary between the Underworld and the world above. A chill went down her spine, as she recalled those agonizing cries she heard when Hades brought her here. Were they real? Or was her mind playing tricks on her? Reluctant, she asked Charon. But he might lie to her, seeing he was Hades' assistant…

"No, child. It wasn't your imagination," the boatman replied gravely. "But the voices aren't always unpleasant. You only heard the cries of those who died a horrible, painful death, as you were frightened during your descent here. If you were at ease, you would have heard the happy laughter of the souls who lived a fulfilling life, and welcomed death with a smile."

Persephone waved him goodbye and continued her walk, perplexed. The earnestness and common sense of the residents of this land had impressed her greatly. Creeping closer to the entrance to the Underworld, she found herself in a dark tunnel. The silence was eerie; she could hear nothing but the beat of her own heart. And then, a low growl; three pairs of shining yellow eyes staring straight at her. A faint cry escaped her lips. In her desperate attempt to escape from the hideous monster, Persephone missed her step, falling over. The monster was drawing closer. With a scream, she shut her eyes…

"Cerberus!"

The terrified goddess opened her eyes. In front of her stood the King of the Underworld, calm and imposing, as he faced the huge beast. A dim light filled the area, and, to Persephone's surprise, the three-headed dog heeled before Hades, barking happily. His stern face softened, as he patted the animal's middle head. "Did I not you to be nice to her? You did not have to frighten her so. Are you alright?" he turned to Persephone, yet his expression was hard, indifferent…

"Yes," she replied, standing up.

"Listen, Persephone," he said, sullen. "Cerberus would never harm you; he would merely bring you back to the palace should you try and run away. You were planning to escape, were you not?" he asked, his eyes boring into hers. Such a cold face, devoid of any emotion…Like a mask. "The trial will be held soon. Afterwards, you will be able to go wherever you please, so this was quite pointless." He made no attempt to hide the pain in his eyes.

"I…I didn't plan to run away, I swear!" Persephone said, breathless. "I just wanted to see where the souls were coming from! I didn't want to-" She stopped abruptly, realizing that once again, it was her apologizing to him. But, at that moment, it felt like the right thing to do.

Relieved by her explanation, Hades called Cerberus, who lowered his heads before Persephone in regret. His expression was truly adorable, just like Hecate's puppies. Smiling, she reached out her hand and petted the black dog. She watched as Hades whispered reassuring words to the animal, feeling a sting in her heart. In the end, he wasn't so-

She pushed away her thoughts, before they even took shape. Yet this was not the last time uncertainty would take over Persephone that day.

They returned to the castle, and headed to the dining room, where Hecate was waiting. Persephone and the witch goddess chatted happily as they ate, yet Hades remained silent, lost in his thoughts. He turned to Persephone. "Athena would like to see you," he said. "She sent me a message with her pet owl…What's her name?"

"Glauca!" beamed Persephone, her face alight with happiness. She would see her friend again! "But…" she frowned. "When is she coming? The trial is only two days away."

Hades was looking at her intently. "And if your mother wins, you will return to the Upperworld. So, you will be able to see everyone again, right?" he said with a pained smile.

"Yeah, right!" Hecate snorted. "I bet my head Demeter's gonna snatch her away, and no one will ever- Oh, forgive me, dearest," she said with false innocence. "It's only natural your mother will want to keep you all to herself for a while, but then you'll be with your friends again!"

Persephone stared blankly at her plate. Could…Could Hecate be right? She didn't want to think about the trial; it made her sick. She…Of course she wanted to see her mother again…She turned her attention to Hecate and Hades' conversation.

" …Thus, if you could please bring me that scroll…" Hades was saying.

"Sure. So, you had no time to finish yesterday?" Hecate asked, puzzled.

"This is a difficult case; there are many things we must take into account, and we ran out of time. Actually, I must depart immediately if I want to make it in time. Hecate, I am forever in your debt."

"Don't mention it," she shrugged off his thanks with a smile.

Persephone was watching them. They were obviously talking about something she did not know of, and this upset her greatly. Hades and Hecate seemed so close to each other…Two very good friends. But were they just friends? She took a bite from her apple. She didn't care if anything was going on between them. Of course she didn't!

Hades bid them a polite goodbye, and left, looking troubled.

"What happened?" Persephone asked timidly, trying her best to sound indifferent.

"A few days ago, a war started between two cities in Macedonia. A soldier, Alcaeus, who had led a virtuous life and was meant for the Elysian Fields…Well, he committed the unforgivable crime of treason, with the risk of going to Tartarus. You see," she told the curious Persephone, "he killed one of his generals. But he had a reason for doing so. Said general had promised not to torture any prisoners. Even so, Alcaeus saw him abusing a girl from the rival fraction in the worst ways imaginable…I won't tell you what he did to her, sweetie; you'll lose your sleep," she said with a bitter smile. "Alcaeus tried to stop him, and, in the heat of the fight, killed him. His comrades executed him on the spot. But at least the girl is safe; I think Artemis's got something to do with it."

Persephone was listening to Hecate, anguish and anger boiling up inside her. "This is not fair!" she shouted, exasperated. "He shouldn't end up in Tartarus! He saved a defenseless girl, is that a crime? The general is the one who should be punished! Him and him al-" Her eyes opened wide, leaving her sentence hanging in midair. No soul should go to Tartarus, she had once told Athena. But now…she felt different.

"Ah, yes, that's what Athena said!" Hecate grinned.

"You saw Athena? Where?"

"In Olympus; I deliver messages on behalf of Hades sometimes. She really misses you."

"Does she want me to go back?" Persephone asked, smiling.

"She wants what's best for you…" Hecate clarified, gaining a sidelong glance from Persephone.

"To our previous subject, it's all up to the judges," the witch goddess concluded.

Yes. The trial…"This isn't fair. The judges aren't fair," Persephone said softly and rushed out of the room, her auburn curls swaying behind her.


"Arise, Alcaeus, son of Myron," Minos' grim voice echoed in the empty room.

The soul left his seat, bravely looking each judge square in the eye. It was apparent that he had nothing to hide.

The King of the Underworld was leaning on the back of his throne, scrutinizing the young soldier. He stood up. "You have perpetrated an unforgivable crime. You have murdered your general to save a girl. Taking the life of a comrade equals an eternity of agony in Tartarus. However, we have taken into consideration the reasons that led you to this action. Saving the life of a girl in danger denotes a strong sense of justice and open-mindedness. No man has the right to torture an innocent, and you sacrificed your life to prevent this. Although your act is not commended, it is considered acceptable. What is more, you have always been an honest, gallant man. You are to spend your afterlife in the Asphodel Meadows, until your time comes to reincarnate. You may go."

Alcaeus sighed in relief. He smiled to Hades, his eyes full of gratitude, as he slowly faded away.


Everyone in Olympus was restless. All the gods were preparing for the upcoming trial, which would take place in the Supreme Court, a grand building in the northwest of the Acropolis. As expected, the trial was a heatedly discussed subject among the deities.

"I think I made myself clear," Hera said haughtily. She eyed the younger goddess before her with barely hidden disdain. How she despised her golden locks, her sensual lips…

"Of course," Aphrodite smiled sweetly. "I believe Persephone should stay where she is. Really, why would I want to doom her to spend her entire life with Demeter? To remain a virgin for eternity, with no pleasure in life, like my beloved sisters…" she glanced at Athena, who was preoccupied with the records of previous trials. Feeling Aphrodite's eyes on her, she returned an equally contemptuous smile, raising her eyebrows.

"That's not what I meant," Hera said curtly. "Those…pleasures you speak of aren't the only joys of life. And I've had enough of your theatrics; you want Persephone away as much as I do."

"How sly!" the goddess of love exclaimed. "I didn't know you were capable of such a smooth approach…"

Hera glared at her. "I can't hurt the girl," she glowered. "I do want to avenge Demeter for sleeping with my husband while knowing how much I love him-"

"And then he dumped her, making her despise men, yeah, yeah," Aphrodite rolled her eyes.

"But this girl…I…I don't want to harm her. She might be one of my husband's bastards, but…she's a sweet child."

"And here's your chance to get rid of her without any blood being spilled, yes?" Aphrodite giggled.

"You listen to me, Aphrodite," Hera said sharply. "You know full well that I don't like you, but we have a common cause. So, I ask you: Demeter or Hades?"

"My, do you really need to ask?"

A few feet away, a smiling Athena was watching the two conspiring goddesses. But she, she was beyond confused. She had expressed her desire for her sister to remain in the Underworld, yet…What if Persephone did not want to? What if, in her wish to help her, she was actually causing her greater harm? Befuddled, she gazed outside. What was the right thing to do?

The conversations died out, as Zeus entered the room. Motioning for Athena to follow him, he retreated to his chambers. Curious, the goddess of wisdom followed him.

"Heed me now, daughter," the King of the Gods said once Athena took her seat. "I don't know if you have decided who you are going to back up on the trial. But you are the third judge, your post is crucial. So, I'd like to give you some advice…"

"I'm listening, Father."


"Unbelievable!" Hephaestus told Hermes. "There's no way I'm siding with Hades. He carried her away just like that, leaving the rest of us no chance to court her! That's unheard of!"

Lounging in a chaise nearby, Apollo was listening to his brothers. "Exactly," he told himself. "I was so close at taking her, but then he had to show up and ruin everything!"

"Taking her? "

The sun god glanced over his shoulder. Artemis' glare was made of ice. "Is this what she is to you? Another conquest to add to your collection?" Her tone matched the coldness of her eyes.

"I'm not in love with her," he said hotly. "But she is very beautiful, and Hades selfishly deprived me of any chance with her. I'll testify against him in the trial, wait and see. And Persephone will return. And then-" His eyes were gleaming with childish excitement, yet his smile was smug, cruel…

"Why are you so bitter, brother? Because this was a blow to your ego, that's why. I pity you." She shot him a scornful look and left, biting her lips. She would not be able to control herself much longer.

"You are wrong!" Apollo argued, but he rushed to join Hephaestus and Hermes' conversation.

Artemis kicked a pillar in frustration. Her brother…His behavior was entirely strange to her. Maybe…Maybe it hurt her. Pained her. He would turn against Hades…

And she? What was she going to do do? What should she do?


Night had fallen when Hades returned to his palace. He found the two goddesses relaxing in the sitting room, having finished their dinner.

"Well? How did it go?" Hecate asked impatiently.

Hades glanced at her, then turned to Persephone. Her green eyes gave him a keen, almost beseeching look…"I sent him to the Asphodel Meadows," he said calmly, holding Persephone's gaze. "He will stay there for a while, and later reincarnate."

"Well done!" Hecate praised, and Persephone smiled her sweetest, brightest smile at him. He returned an equally true, yet bitter smile. The trial is only two days away…

"So, you realized what he did was justified!" Persephone exclaimed happily.

"Yes," Hades said absentmindedly. "This man was taught to always stand by his comrades. But he was courageous enough to tell apart right from wrong, brave enough to defy his superiors and save a helpless girl." Hecate nodded in agreement, while Persephone simply looked at him, biting her lips. Hades' eyes locked with hers. "To be strong is to not be afraid to reconsider, to have a change of heart. To see all the sides of a situation, to not deviate from the truth, to do what is best for the others…and for yourself," he finished, his eyes never leaving hers. He lowered his head. His skin was ashen, his voice soft…

"You made the best decision," Hecate said. Persephone simply nodded, certain she would stutter if she spoke. She muttered she would go out for a walk. Hecate waved her goodbye, and Hades told her to be careful. The spring goddess frowned. Her mother would never let her go so easily…


Persephone had barely gotten any sleep. The young goddess rose from yet another restless night. It was way too early; not even the hazy sun of the Underworld had come out. What was that agonizing feeling that had overwhelmed her? She opened her window. The fragrance of the almond blossoms made her feel at peace. The view was so beautiful…The forests, the rivers…Persephone pressed her lips together. Tomorrow, early in the morning…If her mother won…I might never see this place again…

She shook her head. Such foolish thoughts! She…She wanted to go home!

She hurried out of the palace, not knowing where she was going. Even with its dim light, the sight of the sunrise never ceased to amaze her. It was so beautiful, seeing the color of the sky changing from dull gray to peach…She inhaled the sweet scent of the flowers. She could go for a walk at the forests, she could visit Charon... Or she could simply walk around aimlessly. Everyone would be worried if she was missing for long, but they would not reprimand her.

She felt so…so…free!

Persephone reached the Asphodel Meadows. Reluctantly, she walked through the gates. A flock of souls surrounded her, happy that someone came to see them.

"Are you Hades' wife?" a young woman asked.

"N-No, I…"

The souls would have none of it. They took her by the hand, and showed her around their residing place. Not a single one of them recalled anything from their previous life; all they knew was the Asphodel Meadows and Hades. "You are lucky, young one," an old lady with piercing eyes said. "Very lucky. He might seem dark and cruel, but there is no man more just than Hades. Unforgiving to those at fault, yet gracious to the innocents. A truly kind soul…"

Persephone blinked, unsure what to say. She waved the souls goodbye, making a promise to visit them again. Why was it that her stomach was in knots? She blew a petal to Hecate, informing her that she would not come for lunch. Never had she spent so many hours alone in the Underworld. With a sigh, she headed to the clearing where her favorite flower was waiting. The chocolate cosmos. So beautiful, with its wonderful color and soft petals…She caressed the blossom, a lump in her throat. Maybe she would never see it again…

Tears welled up in her eyes. What was wrong with her? She…She wanted to go back! She wanted to-

Till when are you going to let your mother control your life? Athena had said.

She recalled their first meeting, that fateful night…A tall, dark man, his eyes the most alluring sight she had ever seen…He looked so evil…She bit her lips at the memory of the feelings he had incited in her.

But he abducted me! Mother was right, men-

Men had never harmed her. She had met many of them in Olympus, and they either acted like gentlemen, or like spoiled children. Everyone in the Underworld was good to her. Hades…Hades, the one who kidnapped her, had never asked anything of her, never forced her to do anything, to the point she was wondering if he did indeed like her. He had kicked her out of his room mere days ago.

The Underworld is an evil place.

Maybe it was a cruel world. But its residents were neither wicked, nor ruthless. Not even Charon and Nyx, with her terrible offspring. They were all so…human.

He stripped me of my freedom!

"Did he?" a voice that sounded suspiciously like Athena's echoed in her head. "Who was it that truly kept you imprisoned?"

Shocked, Persephone touched her cheeks. Tears were making their way down her face.

Wasn't I free?

No. She was never allowed to make her own choices. Socializing with her fellow gods was deemed improper and would earn her a scolding. Still, she believed she was unrestrained…

Now?

Now, she was a prisoner in a foreign land. Yet…she was free to do as she pleased. She could go wherever she wanted; nobody kept her locked in her chambers. Hades was happy to see her outside.

Hades…

Back in Eleusis, she was considered free. Here? Here, she was a prisoner, but…she did not feel like one. The thought pained her. Could I…be so wrong? Could my mother be so wrong? The world is…so much different from what I thought…

She looked around her. The sun was setting, and she had not eaten anything all day. The flowers…The breeze…She never imagined the Underworld to be such a beautiful place. And what of Hades? The heartless, unrelenting god everyone told her about?

"Persephone…"

She turned around. Hades was standing behind her, his head lowered. "Please, you have to eat something…" His voice was barely audible. "Tomorrow is the day of the trial…At least come for dinner," he said. He looked weary, his face was pallid. She is excited to leave, he thought.

Without a word, Persephone followed him. Hades asked…Her mother demanded.


Hades was standing on his balcony, where one could enjoy a bird's-eye view of the Underworld. The moon was shining bright, unsuspecting of the thoughts that plagued the King's mind.

He was in pain.

The trial was mere hours away. What were his chances of winning? Who was going to testify for him? Probably nobody…He was in great pain. She would leave. His Persephone would be taken away from him. He had agreed to let her go if Demeter won the trial…and if she wanted to. He wanted her to be happy. If her happiness laid in the Upperworld, then so be it. He would be alone once again, in his empty world, his light forever gone…

"If this is her wish," he muttered, "I will let her go. I will not keep her captive here."

"Pah!" someone snorted. "Of course you won't, that's her mother's business!" Hecate embraced him from behind. "Don't lose hope," she whispered. "You never know what might happen."

Hades looked at her. With a smile, Hecate wished him goodnight, and left him alone with his thoughts.

Persephone was gazing outside, admiring the moon. She childishly believed that the Underworld turned to a place of unspoken horrors at night, yet she could not help but be mesmerized by the luminous sphere. But she had never seen the Underworld at night. And…she most likely never would.

"Oh, you're feeling blue too? Aren't you happy to go home?"

Persephone glared daggers at Hecate, who was casually leaning against the door. Ignoring her hostile countenance, the older goddess sat next to her.

"I…I am not-" Persephone turned her attention to the moon.

"Persephone," Hecate said softly, "don't be afraid to change your mind. Follow your heart, not the rules others forced upon you. This is your happiness we are talking about…"

Strange, Persephone thought bitterly. This sounds exactly like Athena. "Please, Hecate, leave me alone for a while…But wait, what did you say? I too am feeling blue?"

"Hades couldn't sleep. He was very sad…and was thinking of you," Hecate laughed nervously. "He really likes you, poor man!" she said sweetly, smiling at Persephone.

He liked her…He liked her. It felt so…strange, to actually hear it. And now…

She gave Hecate a tight hug. The goddess of witchcraft cast her a worried glance, but left her alone after wishing her a good night.

Persephone wrapped herself securely beneath the blankets. Although she wanted to push all these thoughts away, she could not. She should not. It was high time she learnt to stand up against her fears and faced the truth…

She dozed off, and had that dream again. Her home…The flowers…And then she woke up again, her heart racing.

Why was she afraid of the flowers? They were so beautiful, especially during springtime, when they were in full bloom; they always captivated her sight…

Captivated…

Was this it? Was this how she felt? Like a prisoner?

Don't be afraid to change your mind.

Everything was so different from what she had expected. Her view on the world had changed. But could she have been so terribly mistaken? Could everything her mother taught her be false?

Everyone was so nice to her…Even Hades.

He likes you so much.

Her eyes felt heavy. She was so distraught, and tired…So tired…

Hades' face formed in her mind. She saw him change yet again…His cruel, sardonic smirk dissolved, his expression softened. This distorted image of him Persephone had created melted away. Now, she saw a man with a cold, yet handsome face, his eyes dark…Imposing and unyielding, but at the same time fair and kind…

Could this be his true self?


Author's Note: Oh, look, the note is in the end of the chapter :O Anyway, I was always wondering why Hera never tried to dispose of Persephone as she had tried with so many of Zeus' illegitimate children. I thought it was because Demeter was a goddess, and not a mere nymph or mortal. And then, Hesiod says Zeus laid with Demeter before his marriage to Hera. Ugh, the inconsistency in Greek mythology is so annoying! In any case, thank you again, people, for the reviews, follows and favorites! They make me very happy and encourage me to try harder! Yay!