Daeira almost collided with Hecate in the hallway of the House of Hades. The two women exchanged terrified, nervous glances before the goddess managed to compose herself to nod primly.
"I heard what she's gone and done." Hecate was positively sparkling with pride at the young Greek woman who had decided to take matters into her own hands. A woman after her own heart, down here to inherit the throne of the Underworld! It was just too magical; it was just too exciting! And all of creation knew Hades deserved nothing less. For all his loyalty to his work and his stern façade, Hecate knew her friend to be a quiet, wise soul with a true heart and steady mind. He deserved a bit of romance, after all he'd put up with across the millennia and somehow, Persephone deserved him too. They were equals. They would be an astonishing partnership.
Daeira however seemed full of trepidation. She kept licking her lips and flicking her glance back over her shoulder.
"The numbers of the dying are piling up, my Lady…" Daeira's horror carved new lines into her usually pretty face. "Their voices beg mercy and still Demeter has not relented…"
"She won't!" Hecate felt a surge of unpleasant words spring up to her peppered tongue. "She's crossed a line. This curse will leech all of the life it can from the earth until there is nothing left. Hopefully, seeing Persephone happy and well might lessen the toll Demeter is taking from the mortals."
Daeira sniffed. They both caught the sudden flash of light, like lightning illuminating the storm-filled sky, which shone momentarily through the windows. Both immortals spared no more time in idle talk, their skirts billowed out behind them as they rushed to the door to witness the deal Hades was about to broker for his love.
The River Styx was rippling, swaying from the power of the beings that appeared on the shore. Firstly, Hermes landed agilely like a dancer springing to the ground, his winged sandals beating at the soil until fine particles of dust drifted in the air. He smoothly bowed to the other beings that shimmered into the visible spectrum behind him. Hades and Persephone stood high on the riverbank, hand in hand as the Queen of the Heavens trod forward next, her long extravagant gown curling out behind her long legs, her proud head held high. Hera was sculpted thin and proportioned but the most intimidating thing about her was the demand in her lovely eyes - a silent black command that ordered instant respect and displayed a phenomenal strength that the goddess could call on at any moment. Her eyes were a warning and a strict instruction all at once. She was lovely, no doubt, but Hecate knew of the incredible bloody vengeance Hera was famous for and the pride that had called a terrible fate on those who defied her will.
Beside her was the King of the Gods, the Lord of Heavens and Hades's brother, Zeus. He was a broad and commanding figure with eyes that encapsulated the whole of the open sky in a stunning shade of brilliant blue. There was a dignity to Zeus - an aged and wise aura stemmed from him but he was so obviously masculine and pigheaded that Hecate had to hold back the urge to roll her eyes. Standing next to his wife, Zeus appeared no scarier than a raw fist next to a dagger – you know he could hurt if he lashed out with his strength but the true danger lay in the weapon to his left. He was absolutely serene, his face giving away nothing. Hecate thought he strutted rather like the peacock that his wife was so very fond of.
Beside them, bent over like a hunchbacked old woman, was Demeter.
"Persephone!" the poor goddess of the fields croaked out and her daughter let go of Hades hand to rush to her mother's side. Hecate and Daeira observed as Persephone lightly kissed her mother's cheek and held her mother up in a careful embrace.
"Mother, I'm fine." Persephone wiped away her mother's tears with one gentle finger. "I'm really fine. It's okay. Everything's okay."
But Demeter was shaking her head furiously, beseeching Persephone in a horrid, dry voice that sounded as though she'd been screaming for hours for her child.
"No, no, he's trapped you here! That awful beast has you trapped here!" Demeter finally found where Hades stood at a respectful distance and her instantaneous hatred made Hecate whistle gently between her teeth. "He tricked you into eating the food of the dead, the cunning bastard! He found the only flaw in my curse to bring you home!"
"Mother," Persephone was stern yet careful, her tone both soothing and commanding. "Mother, stop. Stop saying these things about Hades. They aren't true at all."
Demeter was a like woman possessed; her hands became talons as she struck out at the air and gesticulated her madness at Hades with all sorts of uncouth terminology.
All credit to Hades; he didn't flinch or show any kind of irritation at her outpouring of unjust odium. Hecate was very impressed. The old Hades would have probably scoffed or made some cutting remark in reply to such vulgarity. Persephone tried to quieten her but couldn't stop the intensity of her mother's rage. Hecate thought things were going to get ugly very quickly but then Zeus moved forwards.
"Enough."
Zeus's command undulated through the Underworld as though he had cracked thunder into the air. Demeter gulped and her words dried up. She held Persephone tightly to her bosom, wrapping her arms protectively around the woman, her glare trained on Hades's immobile form. Zeus spread his arms wide and addressed his brother.
"Speak, Lord Hades. Explain how the situation stands."
Hades nodded his head deeply to his brother and addressed all of the divine beings. Hecate and Daeira clutched each other, waiting for the axe to fall, breathless in the moment.
"Lords and Ladies, due to an unfortunate rendering of circumstances, I have been cursed into a powerless state, unable to stem the long line of the dead that seek solace in my realm." Hades's voice was light and courteous, as though he was making a quiet submission for consideration. There wasn't an ounce of injury in that calm, pleasant voice that articulated the situation. He appeared so humble too, with him arms behind his back and his eyes imploringly fixed on Zeus. Hecate saw his clenched fists hidden behind his back, growing white as he held back his terror and nerves to shine in this one chance for a future with Persephone. The woman herself was holding Demeter upright in that loving way daughters have when they support their parents but her attention was devoted to Hades and her expression was stricken as she watched him plead for their life together. "I have been granted the power of Persephone's fate, as she has chosen to consume the food of the dead. My priority is firstly to my kingdom and to the welfare of the mortals. To halt the proceedings of this curse, which if it is left as it currently operates will wipe out all life on the planet, I propose a compromise that fulfils the dictations of the curse and allows Persephone the chance to return, if she is willing."
"If she is willing?!" Demeter burst out, almost lunging at the quiet, submissive god before her. "You wretched snake, you have corrupted my daughter! You have taken her virtue! You kept her prisoner! Do not speak of…"
"I was no prisoner," Persephone asserted over her mother's ranting. "I love him, mother."
You could have dropped a pin and heard it deafeningly loud in that split second after Persephone's pronouncement. Even the Styx seemed to hush, as though it could sense the gravity of the moment. Hermes was staring guiltily at his shoes – he'd known, of course. Hera's eyes were enormous with disbelief – her face almost comical to Hecate, who hadn't known the goddess's eyes could get so round and huge. Demeter had frozen, her arms locked around her child, trying to digest this distasteful information with something like betrayal on her features. She was shaking hideously and gasping in breath as though she'd come close to drowning. Zeus alone remained unaffected; he just nodded in acknowledgement to Persephone, who was in turn begging her mother to understand.
"I love him," Persephone repeated and there was no doubting the conviction in her, it shone from her eyes, her body, her expression and her voice. "And I want to stay with him because – by some miracle – he loves me too."
Demeter began to turn her fury back on Hades but Persephone seized her shoulder and turned her mother back to face her resolution.
"It isn't his fault I came here, mother. He has done nothing wrong. Hades had been nothing but courteous and considerate to me since the moment I got here." She implored well, Hecate thought, but that disagreeable cast to Demeter still hadn't budged an inch. "And then, well… I figured out I loved him and he was still so willing to let me return to you. He just wants me happy, mother. And I am happy here, with him." Persephone touched Demeter's face with gentle fingers. "Please, mother, understand… I love him. I need him."
"What is the proposition you have, Hades?" Zeus interrupted.
Hecate held her breath. Her friend was a wily and cunning man but he was in a lot of pain and she knew what his usual response was – to cut and run. For all his abilities he was a recessive soul, a peacemaker, a man who had seen the result of death and blood and horror and wanted it to stop. He rarely fought for the things he wanted and maybe that was due in part to the fact that he so rarely wanted anything. Selfishness was not in Hades nature. But by all of creation, Hecate hoped he would fight now! He needed to fight now for the woman he loved!
Hades faced his brother and for one instant the resemblance of family was clear on their expressions. The same broad and knowing eyes, the same purposeful blank expressions, the same intensity in their stature as they searched for diplomacy.
"The stipulations of the curse are clear – in her mother's arms, in the sun and to share a summer. They are the criteria to be met. I suggest that Persephone venture back to your realm brother for the summer and then, when the season has ended…" Hades broke off and Hecate watched him weigh his sentence carefully before continuing. "She may choose to return to the Underworld or to spend more time with her family. I will grant her entry as she wills."
"It would not be good for the fortifications of the Underworld to allow a mortal soul to come to and fro like that," Zeus observed.
"She can be granted immortality through a number of ways," Hades came back at once, as though he had anticipated Zeus's concerns. "She would be a goddess travelling between the realms unheeded."
"She could not fight off an attacker, should one choose to pursue her," Zeus pointed out reasonably. Hecate strode forward before Daeira could protest and her voice rang loud and clear down to her fellow immortals.
"I will guide her!" Hecate called out and realised Hermes had offered to do the same thing at exactly the same time. The god of messengers exchanged a quick startled glance with her and they both resolved to keep the peace for now.
"My Lord and King, Hermes and I could escort Persephone so that she would not be at risk as she travelled," Hecate continued, with a regal tilt of her head in deference to Zeus.
"Thank you both," Persephone interjected, the hope surging her in voice.
Hecate waved carelessly to Persephone, to show her that it would be no chore. Whatever helped Zeus see the obvious solution in front of him would be done. Whatever was needed to sway the king to Hades's proposition would be done.
"You risk your reputation by allowing such access to a mere lover, Hades," Zeus intoned, in a way that was supposed to sound reasonable but everyone present knew to be blatantly hypocritical. Who had endangered the lives of many and caused suffering due to his love affairs more than any other being in creation? Hecate had half a mind to wallop the King of the Gods upside the head for his duplicity.
"I will marry her, if she will have me," Hades told the gathered company. "There is no shame or question of weakness in allowing the Lady of the Underworld access to her own dominion, when she wishes it."
The casual, offhanded manner of his announcement had a startling effect on those gathered. Daeira gasped loudly and clapped her hands together with joy for the couple. Hera's eyes popped wider, if that was even possible. Hermes grinned at Hades. Zeus was less impassive at his brother's suggestion, fighting a satisfied smile.
But Demeter had decided to speak out once more and this time, it seemed as though she couldn't be stopped.
"Don't! Don't you dare! Persephone…" she clutched her daughter's head desperately. "Surely… Even if he has seduced you, surely you don't want to rule over the dead? Surely that is too horrible? You can't want that forever?"
But it was clear that Demeter had no idea as to the intentions of the loyal and brave woman who she clung to. Persephone gently removed her mother's vice-like grip and gazed deeply into her mother's eyes. She was moved, Hecate could tell. Hades's proposal had her sailing over the moon with peace and exhilaration all at once. It was stunningly beautiful to behold.
"I do." Persephone said simply and it was an answer to Hades as well as to Demeter. Hecate curtsied, pulling her skirts wide and trembling with excitement.
"My Lady," Hecate beamed. It was so hard to contain herself as visions of a lavish wedding danced through her head. So much she could do to assist the happy couple! "You will make a fine queen of the Underworld."
Hecate fixed Demeter with an icy stare, daring her to disagree. "Your daughter is beloved here by all of the staff and immortals. She has shown a natural grace to the affairs of the Underworld and brought us much joy. She has not shied away from the darkest corners of this place and appreciates it as much as anyone here but most of all…" She lifted a finger to point at Hades, emphasising to Demeter that her words were not to be argued against. "She loves him and he loves her. He has been an honourable host, a gentleman, the finest person you could have hoped for to look after you daughter when she disappeared! You can't…"
"Hecate." Zeus interjected her speech and she turned her irritation on him with a death-glare. "That will do."
Damn, a direct order to shut up couldn't be ignored. She stepped away and lowered her head, indicating that she would obey. Hera had a sappy sort of half-smile on her face. Hecate interpreted this to mean she was backing Persephone and Hades; she always had been a bit of a romantic. Obviously the notion of Hecate's words had softened her to their cause.
Hecate could have punched the air for victory but she stayed her hand and passively looked on.
"Will you agree to these terms, Demeter?" Zeus asked quietly. "I am inclined to grant my brother's ruling on this matter."
Everyone watched closely as Demeter battled with her hatred, the suffering she'd endured, the false image of Hades she'd built up in her head. Contortions of bitterness flickered across her face, now regret, now fleeting disappointment.
"Mortals are dying as we stand around chatting, Demeter," Hermes softly reminded her, kindly giving the goddess no reproach but just a gentle coaxing. "We need this wrapped up quickly."
Persephone took her mother's hands.
"It's going to be alright mother," she promised, smiling. "I'm happy. You'll be happy again. It will all be alright this way. I will come and see you every year and we will share summer together, okay?"
"Every year?" Demeter queried.
"Every single year," Persephone assured her. "But I will be very happy to come back here to these people and to my husband. You don't have to worry anymore."