CHAPTER 13

Before I leave the Underworld, Hades gives me a gift. As we both stand as the Underworld's gate, I hear the flapping of wings echo across the underground lake and look up to see an owl soaring across the water towards me. To my astonishment, the newly arrived avian lands and settles on my shoulder. Even though his talons cause a slight ache in my shoulder, the feeling is not altogether unpleasant. It takes a moment before I realize that this bird is the very same owl that I encountered in the forest. The very same owl that showed me the way to the souls' underground entrance. As the owl looks up at me with luminescent eyes, I turn to look at Hades in confusion. Again, another smile forms across his face as he tells me, "Niece, this owl is my parting gift to you. Although you failed to find your missing mortal friend here, you demonstrated pure courage and perseverance in your search.

"I also have a feeling that, like me, you are at heart a solitary creature and do not possess many true friends in this world. This creature will help ease your sometimes-lonely existence, and I believe you will do the same for him."

Throughout this monologue, my eyes have darted from my uncle to the owl on my shoulder and then back again. Hades inclines his head now, a barely discernible hopeful look on his face. "If you accept this gift, as I hope you will, your new companion will need a name. He will retain his free will as an animal, but he shall also act as an extension of you and carry out your wishes."

I am silent for a few more moments, taking in his words. It has never crossed my mind that a deity other than myself could be susceptible to loneliness, but I look at Hades and realize that it is indeed true. While he has Cerberus, the work involved in running the Underworld- even Charon, an immortal existence is meaningless without constant and meaningful companionship. In my uncle's case, I suppose this sort of companionship pertains to Persephone.

And I? I have my temples and priestesses, my handmaidens and occasionally some of my fellow goddesses to keep me company. But even though I am certain that I am liked well enough by my fellow goddesses (not counting Aphrodite), I do not feel as much of a companionship as I have felt during my time with Medusa and her family. Sadly, Medusa and her family are mortal and will be dust in the time it could take me to ponder the many meanings of friendship. But this owl- this gift from my uncle- will (I hope) be by my side for all eternity. It is priceless to have one companion about you who is attuned to your feelings, even if he or she cannot speak.

I turn back now to face my uncle and feel my lips ache as a smile (a rare facial expression for me) breaks out across my face. "I will call this owl Leuco. One might say that his presence and companionship will illuminate my existence."

My uncle and I embrace each other in farewell and Charon rows me down the dark lake back to the mortal world.

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Consider it an expression of my gratitude for your patience with me. Did you know that one of Hades' many symbols is the screech owl? I find it fascinating that he and his niece Athena share many of the same symbols- the Helmet of Invisibility, snakes, and owls, just to name a few. I thought it fitting that it should be Hades who presents Athena with what is probably her best-known goddess attribute- the owl!