AN: I'll leAVE A CLIFFHANGER AT THIS POINT...

Hades' fear

In the Underworld, Hades and Persephone were in the Elysian Fields with Hecate.

Hermes arrived and Charon was surprised to see the radiant messenger god waiting for him in the mouth of the cave that led to the Underworld.

"The Messenger God, Hermes. What brings you here my lord?"

"I have come to deliver a message to the Lord Hades. Could you ferry me across?"

"Certainly."

Hermes was ferried by Charon who was confused about it. He wanted to ask but remembered what his master told him to not question his passengers, especially gods.

When Hermes arrived at Hades palace, they had just arrived from the Elysian Fields, Persephone was in her room and when Hades saw Hermes, all the color was drained from his face which seemed to grow radiant in the presence of Persephone.

"Hermes, what are you doing here?"

"I think you know, my lord."

"I think I do. Is Demeter losing her mind?"

"She most certainly is, my lord, been doing a lot of noise in Olympus lately."

"What if I tell you I won't let Persephone go?'

"My lord…….your highness…I am only here for my orders."

Hermes only gave away a very slight hint of fear.

Hades looked mad but he understood. Zeus was a rather good brother to him, they never really argued. He had better relations to him than with Poseidon who whined about his unfair share of the world. He turned to Hermes with a heavy heart.

"Go to the throne room, I will meet you there with my lady."

Hermes went to the throne room and Hades and Persephone arrived. When she saw, Hermes, she ran to hug him.

"Such a long time, young lady."

"Yes, I'm glad to see you Hermes."

"I'm here to take you home."

At once, Persephone was speechless. Part of her wanted to go home but part of her also wanted to stay.

"Your mother will not let anything grow unless you come back above."

Now she understood part of what the Fates told her.

And the day has come that the earth greatly feared.

Up above, there shall be frost

And the life that had once been shall be lost

The sun shall shine but many will die

Unless thou bid the Underworld goodbye

Persephone looked at Hades. Though expressionless, his hands were shaking. She turned to Hermes.

"Can you give me tonight and I promise to come with you tomorrow so I'll be ready?"

"Certainly, my lady."

With that, Hermes left, noting disappointment in her voice but knew better than to ask.

When Hermes was completely out of earshot, Persephone turned to Hades. Hades spoke.

"Can we talk in your room, my lady?"

She just nodded and led him to her room. When they arrived, Hades was again first to speak.

"The time has come that I had greatly feared. I don't know how to react. I have grown used to your presence."

"Me too, my Lord but you know I had to go. I won't let any more people die because of me."

"I understand, my lady. It is getting late. Rest while you can and be ready for tomorrow."

She just nodded and when Hades was about to leave the room, she called for him.

"Lord?"

"What, my lady?"

"Could you sleep beside me? Just this once?"

"Then be it, lie down my lady. I will not do anything so do not fear. I will just accompany you in your sleep."

The whole night, Hades just watched over Persephone. Persephone hugged him once and told him, "For once, I just want to feel your warmth, I know you have warmth deep inside you."

Hades replied, "Thank you for your presence and for all the joy you gave me my lady," then they both fell asleep.

In the middle of the night, Persephone woke up. She couldn't believe she was going back. She looked at Hades.

I can't leave him.

To her surprise, she saw a pomegranate on her bedside table. It took her hours to decide. She finally took a bite and swallowed six seeds. Hades moved so she lied back down. She went back to sleep and didn't know that when tomorrow comes, she will completely forget about what she just did.