Demeter

It was rough going after that night. Persephone and I rarely spoke. She was even more reserved than before and I . . . well, I didn't know what I felt.

I'd given in. As far as I could tell, she'd find a way to seek Hades out on her own. Why protect her from the danger she seemed to crave? It was a difficult decision, but ultimately I'd decided to let her see for herself. She'd chosen it, and I had to allow her to that choice.

Persephone didn't behave much differently than before I'd given her space. She set up her loom and made clothes for her little one. She ate with us and slept in our tent, but she had stopped pretending to be happy. She was angry with me, I knew it. I was angry as well, but who I was angry with was more of a mystery. Hades undoubtedly, but he was the easy target. I was angry with my daughter for being deceived and for disobeying me. And I was angry with myself for being angry with her. I'd nearly lost my control when I'd found them together that night. For days afterward all I could picture when I closed my eyes was the two of them sitting together, the fire casting them in bronze, and his hand on her breast. At first, that violation had been the cause of my rage, but as my blood cooled, I began to wonder if that had truly been the reason behind it. Because even as I caught him touching her, I'd also seen her. Persephone'd looked moonstruck, her big doe eyes clear and trusting and in love. And all I could think was that she must look just like I did, all those years ago. Hades suddenly changed into Zeus in my mind's eye, and I was Persephone. We'd done things just like that when we were young, and it too had led to a baby. And then it had shattered.

I was angry with Persephone because she was willingly making my mistake. And I was angry with myself for not being able to stop it.

Unwillingly, I'd decided to allow her to make her mistakes, choosing instead to be there when she fell, to help her up again and heal her. It hurt, but what else could I do? She'd only find some way to get to him if I kept resisting. Or worse, she'd become so angry with me that she'd decide to stay with him and be forever trapped in the Underworld, unable to come back even if she wanted to. I couldn't allow that. So I gave her her freedom. I didn't make her take nymphs with her wherever she went. I didn't force my company upon her. In fact, we'd barely spoken these last couple of weeks. It hurt me, but after our fight, I really didn't know what to say to her anyway. She seemed to feel the same. That's why when she sent for me I knew something must have gone wrong.

"My lady," a voice called.

I looked up. I'd been sitting on the hillside, watching the harvesters down in the field, my mind preoccupied as it so often was these days. I saw one of my maidservants running toward me, her dark hair flying out behind her. She stumbled to a halt next to me. "What is it?" I asked.

"My lady, it's Lady Persephone. She wants you to come to her immediately."

I was running before the the girl had finished speaking, not bothering to ask further questions. Before I'd taken five steps, my magic had swirled up around me and flung me headlong toward the camp, dropping me outside my tent. I pushed my way inside, squinting into to dimness.

"Momma," she whimpered. Persephone was pacing across the back of the tent, her hands pressed against her lower back, her eyes wide and frightened.

"What's wrong?" I demanded, coming toward her. "What's happened?"

"I . . . I'm not sure, but I think," she drew in a ragged breath and seemed to choke on her sentence. "I think it might be time," she huffed after a moment.

"You're having contractions?" It wasn't really a question. I'd guessed as much as soon as I saw her face.

"I think so. My back's been hurting since this morning, but it's getting a lot worse now." She came over to me and grabbed my hand, all of her previous irritation forgotten. "Momma," she pleaded. "Please don't leave me."

My heart melted and I cupped the side of her face in my hand. This was my Kore, the one I'd lost so long ago. "I'm not going to, sweet one. I promise, you're going to be all right." I led her out of our tent and across the caravan to the one we'd set up for this very purpose. It was smaller than our own, simple, with a low bench for her to lie on in the center of the room, with two thick bricks underneath for when the hard labor came. There was a table with a basin and a stack of clean cloths in the corner. I set Persephone down on the bench and carefully disentangled my hand from hers. She protested.

"I'll be right back, beloved." I told her. "I have to send for the midwife." I walked out of the tent and called to one of my maidservants. "Quickly, go fetch Eileithyia, Tell her it's Persephone's time." The girl went at once. I beckoned another one over. "Go find my sister Hestia. Tell her that it's time for Persephone to have her baby and that I would appreciate if she could be here." I didn't care about my other family, but Hestia had been by my side in every trial I'd ever faced. And this was a trial as well. I had to be brave for my daughter's sake, but I was nearly as nervous as she was. I hurt in a different way than she was experiencing. No mother wanted to watch her child go through pain.

I went back in the tent, to be with my daughter.

Eileithyia predicted it wouldn't be a difficult birth. That's what she told Persephone when she arrived. It had reassured Kore for a few minutes, until the next contraction hit.

"Are you sure?" she panted after the contraction allowed her to speak again. "Because it certainly feels difficult."

Eileithyia smiled. She was a pretty young woman, but not as lovely as Zeus' other daughters. She had his pale hair and my sister Hera's dark eyes. The rest of her seemed rather ordinary, but when she entered the tent, Persephone had smiled like Eileithyia had been as radiant as a moonbeam. There was something comforting in her surety as she moved about the room. Her hands were strong, her tone decisive. To a new mother like Persephone, such characteristics were more beautiful than any pretty face. "I know why you don't believe me, but you're doing just fine. Everything is going well, and before you know it, you'll be holding your little one."

Persephone smiled a little. She was pacing around the room again with me on one side and Isadora on the other, each of us holding one of her hands. For once she seemed happy to have others near her.

Hestia sat in the corner, quietly strumming a lyre. She'd brought it to try and sooth Persephone and distract her from some of the pain. "Do you want a boy or a girl?" she asked.

"A boy," said Persephone.

Hestia smiled. "I always wanted a little girl. One who looked alot like you did when you were born."

"Mmm," I agreed. "You were the prettiest baby, Kore. You were fat, with a round little face and a head full of curls."

Persephone laughed breathlessly. "I'm still fat," she said.

"Oh good grief," Isadora scolded. "You're about to give birth, my lady. This is not the time to worry about your figure."

I raised an eyebrow at her but Persephone laughed harder. "You're right, Isadora. As usual." She stopped walking, and clenched my hand, hard. I pressed my lips together to keep from crying out, though I felt like she about to crush my bones. Persephone moaned a little and bent forward.

"I need to get down," she breathed. Isadora and I helped her kneel down and she released our hands, crumpling to her hands and knees as she was wracked by another contraction. I looked over at Isa helplessly. She walked around Persephone and wrapped her arms around me.

"I know," she whispered in my ear. It hurt her to see Persephone suffer, too.

After a another minute or so had passed, Persephone seemed to relax a little.

"That was a bad one?" asked Eileithyia.

Persephone nodded. She reached up toward me and I helped her get to her feet again.

"I'd like to sit down," she whispered. Isadora and I led her to the bench. "Can you tell me a story, Isa?" Persephone asked. She layed down on her side, her eyes closed. "Like you used to do when I was little?"

"Of course, my lady." Isadora sank to her knees beside the bench, and Persephone took her hand again. Isa began telling her the story of Creation. It had always been one of Persephone's favorites.

I moved away from them, and went to speak of Eileithyia. She was on the floor, taking things out of her bag. There were neat rows of herbs and potions and a shiny silver knife that made my stomach turn. I squatted next to her. "Is it true what you said?" I whispered, casting a look at Persephone. She was staring off into space, and I couldn't be sure if she was paying any attention to Isadora's tale. "That there's nothing amiss? I didn't know if you were just saying that to keep her calm or not."

Eileithyia put her hand on my arm and gave me a reassuring smile. "I said it because it was true. Everything is coming along just fine, my lady. Birth is messy, but she's strong and healthy. The baby is at full term and in the right position. There is no reason to fear. These things just take time."

I nodded, relieved. "Thank you, Eileithyia. You're a good girl."

She grinned and continued taking things out of her bag.

Another two hours passed. Persephone's water broke soon after that first bad contraction and every contraction that followed had Persephone grinding her teeth. She kept quiet for the most part, though we told her that it was all right to cry out.

I sat next to her, dabbing her forehead with a wet cloth and singing to her. She clung to me like a little girl, and though it hurt me to see her in such discomfort, it felt wonderful to have her close to me again.

As one particularly bad contraction ripped it's way through her, I saw a nymph slip through the tent flap. She glanced about the room before scurrying over to where Hestia sat and whispered something into her ear. Hestia paused her playing and frowned at the nymph before putting the lyre aside and following her out of the tent. I watched them leave, but could do nothing else. Persephone moaned and tilted her head back, sweat streaming down her temples like tears.

If was twenty minutes before Hestia came back. Her face was pale, her expression uncertain. Her eyes darted to me. I glanced over at Isadora, silently asking her assistance. She nodded. She too had noticed the strange interaction at the other end of the room. I kissed Persephone's hand before letting her go, promising to be right back.

"What is it?" I whispered to Hestia. We were standing in the farthest corner of the tent.

"He's here," she replied.

I closed my eyes. He had to ruin everything didn't he? "How did he even . . ." I sighed, glancing over at Persephone. She must have gotten a message to him somehow, probably before she'd sent for me. "What does he want?"

"He says he's here to see Persephone and the baby. I told him that he should go, but he refuses. He's planted himself on the edge of camp and won't budge." She hesitated. "It was all I could do to convince him to stay out there. He wanted to come in and see her right now."

"That's not happening," Eileithyia said. She'd walked over without us noticing. "No men in the birthing tent. I don't care who they are."

I couldn't help but smile at her. Eileithyia was a force to be reckoned with. I imagined she'd thrown scarier brutes than Hades out of her birthing rooms.

Hestia nodded. "That's what I told him." She gave me a questioning look. "Now, for a different matter, do we tell the mother?"

We all glanced toward Persephone. She was a little better right now, in between contractions. Her eyes were closed and she was taking deep breaths just like we'd shown her. I warred with myself. I'd rather throw Hades out of my camp altogether, but even I had to admit that that was unlikely. But would knowing he was here help my daughter or just distract her? I made my decision.

"I'll tell her," I said. Hestia raised her eyebrows in surprise. No doubt she'd expected me to run out and try to tear Hades' head off. I'd have liked to, but I had more important things to deal with than worthless brothers right now.

I walked back and sat down next to my daughter, picking up her hand. "Your . . . man . . . is here, Kore." I said. I couldn't bring myself to call him her husband, even now. It hurt my throat to even talk about him at all.

Her eyes fluttered open. She blinked at me in surprise. "Hades?" she asked.

I smiled bleakly. "You don't have to act amazed. I'm sure you expected him to come."

She blushed. "I—I wasn't sure if the message would get through." She cringed again, another contraction rolling over her. My anger dissipated and I patted her hand, giving her my support.

It was a long battle, but after awhile it was time to move to the bricks. Hestia set them out a couple feet apart and we helped Persephone onto them. Isadora and I supported her on each side, each with an arm around her back and an arm under each knee, making a living chair. Eileithyia settled between Persephone's legs and Hestia stood behind her, ready to help any way she was needed.

My poor girl was swept into hard labor. Contraction after contraction twisted her insides, wringing her out like a wet rag. Sweat ran down her body in rivers, soaking through both of our clothes. She kept quiet for the most part, groaning only when it was time to push. I tried to sooth her the best I could, quietly reminding her to breath through the pain. Eileithyia gave instructions from her end, calmly ordering Persephone when and when not to push and asking Hestia for things. Thankfully the knife wasn't needed.

"All right, Persephone," said Eileithyia. "One last time. Give me one more push and then it'll be over."

Persephone was panting, her head leaning against my shoulder. I could feel her leg shaking.

"Momma," she gasped.

"Just one more, baby. You can do this," I told her, my heart breaking as I watched her struggle.

"Let's get this baby out of you, Persephone," said Eileithyia.

That proved to be enough motivation. Persephone moaned through gritted teeth and bore down hard, her entire body trembling from the exertion. Eileithyia worked her wonders and pulled the tiny body out of Persephone in one slippery movement.

"There we go!" she exclaimed. "Aunt Hestia, give me one of those reeds." Eitheithia used the reeds to clear the little one's nose and throat, and within moments a tiny squeal pierced the air. Persephone collapsed in my arms, her head lolling back in exhaustion.

"Well done, Persephone," I whispered, smiling at her.

"It's all over now, my lady," Isadora said at the same time.

Persephone struggled to straighten up a little better so that she could see. Hestia held out a cloth and Eileithyia placed the baby in it so that she could cut the cord.

"Is it a boy or a girl?" Persephone rasped. She was still trying to catch her breath.

Hestia smiled at her. "It's a little girl, Persephone."

"Oh."

I glanced over at her. She was staring at the baby, eyes wide. I couldn't quite make out her thoughts.

"She's beautiful," I said.

"And healthy," remarked Eileithyia.

"And just look at all that hair!" said Isadora. "Black as a raven's wing."

Persephone didn't say anything, she just watched as the tiny girl wiggled in Hestia's arms.

The afterbirth came and then we carefully placed Persephone back on the bench to rest. Hestia and Isadora hurried out to get Persephone's pallet and some pillows so that she'd have a better place to recover. I walked over to the table at the other end of the room and watched as Eileithyia washed my granddaughter. She really was beautiful. She was short and plump, with a round little face and a full head of jet black hair, just like Isadora had said. She squalled as Eileithyia gently rubbed her down, her mouth a wide O. Her little legs splashed in the shallow basin. I chuckled, delighted in her. She looked just like Persephone, only with straight hair. I glanced back at my daughter. She was watching us and there was a hunger in her eyes that I knew all too well.

"Better hurry," I murmured. "Her mama wants her."

"Just a few more minutes and she'll be all yours, Persephone," Eileithyia called over her shoulder. She wrapped the baby girl up tight in the new swaddling clothes before placing her in one of the blankets Persephone had woven. She turned and placed her in my arms. "Here you go," she said. I held the tiny thing close to my chest, smiling down at her. She was so little—I always forgot how small newborns were, no matter how many I'd held. I carried her over to Persephone and knelt next to the bench, passing the little girl to her mother. Persephone held her close, looking down at her and not saying anything for a long time.

"Persephone?" I asked, slightly concerned. She hadn't said a word since she'd found out the baby was female, and I was worried that she was disappointed.

"She's so pretty," Persephone whispered, reaching up to gently stroke the little forehead, brushing a lock of hair out of the way. "Was I this pretty?" she wondered.

I smiled, relieved. It must have been the fatigue that made her quiet. "You were. But this little dove is every bit as beautiful."

She smiled and bent to kiss her baby's forehead.

A flock of nymphs swept into the tent, carrying two pallets and a multitude of blankets and pillows. They stacked the pallets one on top of the other and situated the pillows to make a perfect little nest for mother and baby. I took the baby while Persephone got situated. The maidservants all congratulated her before filing out under command of the midwife.

Isadora kissed Persephone on the head before she left, telling her well done.

"Thank you for helping Isa," Persephone said, smiling up at her.

"I'd best be off too," said Eileithyia, coming to get a last look at the baby.

"Stay for the night," I told her. "Celebrate with us and have some dinner. You deserve it."

"Please do," murmured Persephone.

Eileithyia consented, giving Persephone a warm smile before she left the tent. As she drew back the tent flaps she came to a halt, nearly running into someone.

"Excuse me," said a deep voice. My brother stepped aside, allowing her through. Eileithyia cast a concerned look over her shoulder at me, silently asking if I wanted her to stay. I gave her a tight smile and waved my hand, shooing her out the door. My heart thudded in my chest and I braced myself, though I wasn't sure what for. To hold myself back? Or to defend my daughter and grandchild? I was about to find out.