Epitaph Empress
Author's Note: I love updating! And is it me or are the chapters getting longer. . . ? This chapter is just my attempt to somewhat flesh out the relationship between Demeter and Persephone as well as Hades' growing feelings for the young Spring Goddess (the 'intent' isn't what you're thinking!). To answer Erin's questions (thanks for the loyal reviews as well as the lovely comments!) - though a fan of Willow/Oz I've never previously thought of attempting to write them, I will *definitely* give it serious thought. As for your musings on Hades' love being the result of an affliction by Aphrodite or Eros, I'm sorry I confused you but I intended it simply as that he had never before known love or lust, but feel free if you want to interpret it the other way. Also, no need to worry about the lack the present lack of Artemis - she's one of my favourite Goddesses so without a doubt she will play quite a part later on (who better to carry out a swift search of the mortal realm?). The death of the nymph is purely from my imagination, I hope that doesn't ruin anything for you. Equal thanks to Hannah and Kate - I love you guys! Thanks for all the support!
Epitaph Empress
Chapter IV
The quiet lull of dusk and the familiar comfort of a warm night and the paradise of Morpheus barely around the corner of tiredness had a profound effect on Demeter as she gazed at the vulnerable sleeping form of her beloved child. The darkness of a night on the isle of Sicily was hardly darkness - there was a warm, heady feeling of protection with the blanket of night and dreams, like a rich cocoon. The windows to Persephone's chamber let in this warmth, the song of nightingales and the calming scent of timid flowers flowing in with the startling view of a sky littered with shimmering stars and the round, full moon of Artemis, guiding and watching with a gentle harmony. Even as a young child with a ripe imagination, no nightmares or phantom fears haunted the nights of Persephone. The nights of Sicily were nothing more than another side of the day and she always had the protective aura of her loving mother surrounding her like a comforter- blanket. Demeter, who out of love and habit still awoke at night and wandered as silent as corn in the lightest breeze to her daughter's chamber, just to see if she needed her.
Gazing down at her gentle child, Demeter's full heart almost overflowed with a great sense of pride and love. Her precious little girl! Sometimes, it seemed like she was still an infant, sleeping quietly, her small, fragile body swallowed whole by her thin cotton blankets, her face still and amusingly determined in sleep, her features soft and her hair fanned out behind her head like a dark halo. She looked little more than a child's doll like that rather than a Goddess with the strength of ages and all the glory of Olympus at her shoulder. Affectionately, she touched her child's cheek for a moment and tenderly pulling up the embroidered blanket to her chin. Just in case it got colder later on.
A small, glowing smile blossomed on the Grain Goddess' face, warm with love as she was filled with nostalgia and the times when she would sing her daughter to sleep. They would tend the land of mortals, play and converse till the rays of Helios descended from the sky and vanished into yesterday. Then she would put her daughter to bed, enchant her mind and lavish her imagination with a story and then sing a loving melody and deliver her child to the land of sleep before kissing her brow and whispering with infinite gentility "Sleep my sweet child and dream your golden dreams."
Her brow creased with troubles tonight - her sweet, innocent, harmless little Persephone had now seen death. She sighed, her breath escaping her large lips in an exhausted exhale of worry. She was more a mother than a woman, large eyes and thick hair the shade of ripe earth, her plump body garbed in a robe of demure yellow, her face lined with the marks of age, here and there, like an earthly mother rather than many a Goddess that had birthed many children but still appeared little older than maids. She was beautiful not as her divine relatives but because such love shone through, such nurturing care and happiness that lit up a room with warmth to rival the softest, most homely hearths of Hestia. Such a gentle quality she saw reflected in little Persephone and it made her burst with such fierce and unshakeable pride for her sweet daughter. She was strong and though grief may have found a home in her warm heart, Demeter knew Persephone would never fall prey to it; she would dance and laugh her cares away, celebrating that her companion had lived a life full of love. If her daughter ever faltered, it mattered not. She always had her and always would. No matter, she would always protect her.
Still, she felt guilt. Had she been wrong to keep so much of the world hidden from her daughter's innocent emerald gaze? The thought that she had wronged the most precious life in her world, the centre of her world, nay - her world itself, was unbearable. Persephone was her life, her only love, her reason for love and what gave her meaning. She knew there had been a time without her child but she could no longer comprehend it, could not bear the thought of even a day without her kind eyes, her gentle manner, her infectious innocence, the music of her laughter. . .
Demeter sighed once more, promising herself to pay more attention to how she cared for one she loved more than her own life. She needed to be a good mother. She stroked Persephone's hair comfortingly as she had whenever anything had frightened her and kissed her pale brow. She loved her sweet child profoundly and unconditionally and vowed for the hundredth time that nothing must ever hurt her in any way.
"Sleep my sweet child and dream your golden dreams." She whispered, her words as soft as the flickering candlelight, full of love like iron and silk.
***
Hades was tormented. For days he had drive to exorcise the images engraved deeply in his memory and heart, images of sweet Persephone and her brightness. Never before had he known love or lust but now felt it consume him in passionate flames. The dancing lights in those eyes as green as nature itself had cast some form of spell over him, enslaving his senses and snaring his soul. He felt chained to her warm spirit, a slave to the longing for the immortal maiden who was everything he was not. The memories of her standing solitary and full of sadness, how her spirit seemed to open to him, accepting him and warming to him without revulsion, her smile as glorious as the sunlight that seemed to bring her soft locks of wild hair to untamed life haunted him. How he needed to see her again, just to hear her voice, her laughter! How he longed for such bright heartily laughs to fill these halls.
His waking hours were unbearable as he agonised over such haunting memories, such longing thoughts and an ever-lingering desire that would not move on to its next victim but continued to torture him mercilessly. He had no peace from his feelings for the young Goddess, the intensity of it and the lack of ability to control of battle it leaving him helpless and forever being ripped open and wrenched apart in tearing love. He had never slept often but had been driven to seek solace in sleep as often and as long as he could, to escape the warmth that filled his heart at the recollection of her sweet smile, a treasure given so freely and then the tortuous stab of longing for another such smile. But of course as his daily memories haunted him, his nightly dreams tormented him.
He was in agony. Such an innocent, harmless being now seemed like a pitiless predator, hunting him down and gorging him furiously. Yet it was her deep gentleness that drove him to despair. He knew this was not physical lust alone and it pained and horrified him. There was no escape, no distraction for his weary mind, even when thrown into the consuming throes of his duties. When the longing became too much, he would garb himself in the secure sightless form of his invisibility helm and linger in shade from the sunshine, watching the young Goddess as she danced, sang and conversed with her gentle nymphs. The things she spoke of bewitched him with the sorcery of words, wit and kindness. Fires blazed within him as he watched her small, ripe form dance in naïve freedom, his cold eyes melting under the flame and warming with love and hunger. Agony stormed within them as he watched her tenderly tend nature and animals, such love shining through her eyes as she held them softly within her gentle gaze. How he wished she would look at him in such a way, with such love!
He would return broken and ruined. In giving in to his need to see her, he always longed even more for her, loving her even more with the heady elixir of love and passion flowing from newly carved memories. It was enough to drive a mortal man to madness. Indeed, it was a madness that had possessed him, enchaining his very being, consuming all that he was - the lock and bars of his prison and the instruments of his torture the tender thoughts of Persephone. All that she was served to injure him further with such devastating longing, such emotional need and such primitive desires. He shrunk away from these alien feelings, repulsed by them; such feelings had never before had a place in his heart and he had no knowledge of how to master them and defeat them, nor the will to. He wanted both to destroy and consummate his passion, wanting to touch the sweet Goddess, to hold her tenderly, to speak the words that scorned and scorched his heart and hear her speak those tender words back, to drown in those seas of green that were her eyes, to bring only a fragment of her brightness; the aura he so gravitated towards and was undone by, down to his dark home. . .
He was at a loss. Still, he ventured to the surface once more, a powerful phoenix of turbulent passion rising from the ashes of a heart scorched by such burning love, his icy eyes blazing with blue fire and intent.
***
Persephone was settled by a still pond reflecting all the humble colours of nature on its stoic but calm and gentle surface, her small, nimble hands weaving wildflowers caressed by the shade of violet for her mother, the warm sun on her back. Her mother had tended her duties as the Goddess of Grain and the ripe golden fields hardly ever needed further care or attention. This care and attention was bestowed on Persephone.
But also, because of her mother's responsible management of her tasks, there was very little for the Spring Goddess to do and very few ways she could offer a helping hand. As much as she adored her mother and felt incomplete without her gentle spirit, she sometimes longed for a way to live up to her divine namesake and title. Still, she pushed the rare, discontent thoughts away, gently guiding them out of her mind and heart as she invited the land to give birth to new life as she allowed patches of wildflowers to grow, spreading the green boughs of the small, tree-lined area and nurturing the earthly gems, gilded in delicate colours.
The lake shimmered, reflecting the corn-gold light of the sun, the teeming wildlife of the forest being drawn toward the friendly aura of the maiden Goddess. She sat down on the grass, listening with familiar fondness to the sound of her nymph companions frolicking as she gazed wistfully at the sparkling mint shade of the grass and the wild garlands dancing with the wind. Then her green eyes reached towards the endless sky promising endless dreams and eternity, adorned by large clouds, their waves sculpted as perfectly as any artwork, coloured a deep evening grey and heavy lavender, trimmed with mature but pale cream, their undersides coloured a sharp pink. She sighed, the bright beauty of her world never ceasing to awe her, the light and life never failing to ease any troubles. She was in her own element. Her very spirit sang a melody of life and love, offering her warmth and brightness on its hovering notes, unaware of whose ear it had captured.
For one so affected and so immersed in the threads of this world's existence as a natural state, she instantly felt a disturbance, the whisper of darkness blinding her bright home, seeming to reach up to her and touch her lingeringly. She shuddered. She had not felt that shadowy presence since the death of dear Rhoda. She turned, facing the direction the caress of death seemed to reach from, the hands of shadow that stretched across the small patch of land almost tangible enough for her to strike away, rebuke their blasphemy and send back into the heart of decay from whence they came. Her mind had been split into different passions - one furiously agonising over her most secret lands of sunshine being disturbed, her rich casket of wonders rifled and defiled by this entombing presence. Behind this passion lay fear. And behind the dread fear lay curiosity, a solitary gem beneath a grave of dust and ash.
She felt a cold jolt of painful nervousness at that reaction, the worry in her heart in the throes of madness, like and electrical storm. She knew she should have no reason to be afraid, but something within her cried out. Still, courage and her own judgement overthrew her foreign instinct.
"My lord Hades?" she called out into the thick green of her forest, almost embarrassed.
"Lady Persephone," came the oil-slick reply of her unwanted companion. Dark Hades emerged from the thickets, now swallowed in his dark spirit, musing on whether she might have thought of him during the time since they had first met. Now without his helm of invisibility, she could easily sense him. He had to see her, just to be sure. He realised that he had caused an almost fearful rise in her spirits and felt a brutal stab of shame.
"You need not address me so formally, my lord!" she said, trying to laugh through her words "call me by the name my sweet mother bestowed on me as all my other companions do, mortal, nymph and immortal alike."
"That I shall, Persephone." He replied, taking in the words and any possible meaning between them, her name languidly rolling of his tongue as though he were tasting and relishing it. Though she sensed an eagerness in him for her to be at ease, something was suggested in his manner that was alien to her entire being - something she had never before known and knew not how to handle. It frightened her gentle, childlike soul as his icy eyes pierced her with intense gaze.
She struggled to remain polite, pushing down stray nerves and reprimanding herself for behaving so childishly. Such graceless conduct! And in front of a higher God, with a realm vast enough to rival that even of her father! Her mother would likely be ashamed, she worried. Her companion knew only the ghosts of discourse, that was the likely problem, she rationalised - he must not have been used to often speaking. Yet, it gave rise to the question; why did such a solitary creature wish to speak to her? That, coupled with something smouldering beneath the thin shields of the ice of his eyes gave birth to a suspicion. But of what, she could not say.
Still, with childish simplicity, she innocence and ultimate naivety, she decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. Besides, he had chosen to speak to HER. Her, over everyone else! Perhaps all other gods also felt this nervousness around him and had shunned him? To brave talking to someone after so long a time alone without company must have required great courage. He must be so very lonely, she thought with sadness, the feeling of loneliness foreign to her, something alien and terrible to one always with her mother's loving kindness always beside her.
She smiled brightly "Then we are friends."
He felt a strange feeling shudder through him, pulsating through his entire body both delightful and terrible at the word 'friend'. Her sweet demeanour and open hand of kindness went straight to the core of him. A silence fell over him where words longed to break out, words with great depth.
"I would very much like to be your friend." She said tentatively, feeling a need to reach out. "Are you in need of friends, my lord Hades?"
A pause.
"I would very much enjoy your company, Lady Persephone."
"Just Persephone." She reminded him pertly, her smile shining in her mouth, voice and eyes.
"Persephone." He said, lingeringly.
"Then we will be friends forever, if you would enjoy my company. You need never feel alone or sad."
"Who says I am alone and sad?" he said, struck. Though knowing her words were true. Something about her sincere emerald gaze spread her own warmth to him and seemed to see right through him. She saw loneliness where others saw only a pitiless, cold, black pillar of a God, undeserving of any attempt at friendship. Could she see his feelings for her - his passion - shine through also?
No, she saw only that, or did not recognise the feelings flowing through him. She simply beheld him with all the faith of a child.
"Your eyes tell me. Your very spirit seems so filled with a hollow void, it seems so haunted, searching. . . Perhaps you should talk and find friendship. Why have you kept yourself alone for so long a time?"
He felt disarmed by her unconscious charm "It is not that simple."
"Everything is simple, my lord Hades. You only look upon it with a complex gaze, a mind filled with reasoning for great problems."
"Now you read ME well, Persephone." He said, amused.
"You rule death. It must be a terrible thing." She said sadly.
"I am bound only by my duty as you and your mother are."
"But we bring life!" she said, impassioned by the depth of her feeling "And life has such glory to it! Its smile is gentle and nurturing, bringing to all the brightness that make us all what we are. Without the kisses of sunlight, the delicate scent and tender touch of my sweet flowers, the life dancing from every corner, singing its sweet song to us, we would be nothing. It is a treasure, for it gives us love, hope and comfort when we have none - I know not from experience, as I always have my mother, but from observation. I have seen sunshine restore life to a wilting soul and melt cold hearts, I know the miracles this sweet young island can perform without effort. We should talk here more often, and I may show you all its beauty."
"It is a most agreeable thing, sweet Persephone and I am grateful. . .but today I must ask for your mother, the Goddess of Grain. I seek her to discuss something of importance." He said, before another pause to take in all that was wonderfully intoxicating about her, falling in love with her all over again.
"Besides," he said "this land - though soft and sweet - is so crude and random, the sunlight too harsh; I cannot appreciate it as you seem to."
"Do not say such things! You need only bask in its redeeming light and you will understand. And I do not appreciate it - I love it. I love all that it is for it is me, a part that has nurtured me and become a vital part of my existence. It is my world, my spirit and my very heartbeat. There is much joy to be had in dancing in these wild flowerfields and simply taking in these gems of my mother's hand."
"I would not do well to dance in flowerfields, no matter how lovely."
She laughed heartily "No, but I'm sure you understand my meaning."
"I understand that you love this world. . .yet. . .it pales next to you. You are both soft and sweet as the land you adore is, only you are so very more alive, your smile is filled with the redeeming light you spoke of and your laughter weaves a greater symphony than all the whispers of nature, believe me. Your brightness brings more love, hope and comfort than the rays - though crafted by the masterful hand of Helios - is left, little more than settled dust. You are mistaken, Persephone - you have not been nurtured by this world but you have nurtured IT. It is your light that gives it its beauty, it is your gentle kindness that has spread and infected it. It is enchanting."
Yes! She was all that and much, much more! Her spirit, so lively and calming at once, filled with passion and serenity. Her imagination dazzled him and her romantic spirit scorched him with tender hands, blazing as violently as a dying sun. she was the singular spark that gave birth to light and all the life that fleeted from it and the flame that would ultimately consume it. Less formidable yet with the potential to be as sullen and broken in dark moments, just as incalculable yet far more sensitive. She would toss her dark flag of hair, bite her childish under- lip, scowl playfully, laugh, brood and be tender, intemperate, suspicious and credulous all in one day. She was an empress among goddesses who were but plain aristocrats. She would flare with feeling in a sunshaft through high branches making with careless and gauche but caring abandon, the deep green shadows a greenness darker and a darkness greener. He saw all that she was and loved her for it, needing it with the longing of a starving man. He saw himself in her eyes, as though she saw all he was also.
As if to press his words, to show all that he did not say, he took a daring though thrilling risk. He reached out with his cold hand and tenderly touched her abundant flowing dark locks, something he longed to do. It was not unlike thrusting his hand into a pure flame. Its softness, like satin had the wildness of fire, the strands tangled and coiled around his daring hand, the smooth feel of it enough to heat his blood with more longing for this sweet Goddess.
How still and lovely she was now, her shaken temperament and racing thoughts weaving a raw spell over him and enslaving him further. She stood numb, his heavy words crashing over her child's mind like a violent tempest, as still and silent as settled dust, her large eyes seeming to slowly take in and process his words, and what lay behind them, needing to break free. She seemed now more like she was woven from the desperate threads of his longings, as though he was still dreaming of her. This hallucinatory effect was accentuated through the heady stillness of the land surrounding her, as though a movement from her would be that of a statue coming to life than a movement found in nature. He alone had wrested her from nature's calming grasp, had pulled her into a dreadful new kind of life, separated from its colours and emotions in that stony moment. Yet the pattern did not alter.
She stiffened at his touch and disembodied fear bean to rise once again in her at his advance. This was something new and dark, intruding into his childlike, innocent world. And awkward air of obvious discomfort shattered the moment and the bridges of friendship she had attempted to build. This was not right. She wanted her mother.
Sensing her disturbance, he instantly recoiled, filled with shame. He had frightened her. Had she seen the desire in his eyes? Had he shown desire rather than love? He cursed such a spontaneous reaction. Now he repelled her.
She drew back, free of the invisible and terrifying chains of his cold touch, his hands stroking her wild locks. She shuddered, chilled.
"My mother resides within her temple if you wish to speak to her." she said, her voice a hoarse whisper.
He had lost his chance. She wished him to leave her alone. He could do nothing but obey. Shrinking into shadow once more, he left her to visit Demeter, his heart struggling against a destructive inner-conflict. Alone, Persephone stood, saddened and stunned, unable to shake away the haunting darkness.
* * *
Demeter resided peacefully within her temple, a large building of smooth, shining marble, as beautiful as moonlight on a dark lake, adorned with wild plants, flowers and naturally, golden stalks of grain. Blossoming priestesses ushered in and out timidly. She sighed languidly; the land was at rest, in no further need of her ready hand. She reached out with her mind, feeling the unbreakable bond between her and Persephone like a golden thread. Yes, her Persephone was by one of her favourite ponds, weaving a necklace out of flowers of a fiery indigo, to take her mind off something. Demeter stiffened in concern, her gentle brow knotting. Her daughter, so normally at ease and in love with everything around her, was troubled. She would go see her immediately and comfort her.
A decaying presence stopped her in her tracks. She cocked her head, sensing the aura of dusk fill the room. It was familiar, but it had been so long a time since she had felt such a chilling spirit.
"Brother." She said, half in welcome, half in rejection. Such a gallant patriot to life she was and in truth, everything about her dark brother repulsed her, though without the fear that swirled within her daughter's gentle heart. Only an anger towards him for being there, for disrupting her orderly, changeless world of blessings of light and life. And a fierce desire to be rid of him, to chase these alien shadows back into the darkness they belonged. The Grain Goddess' normally loving nature was frozen to cold disgust at her brother that opposed her in almost every way in temperament, ice water running through her veins, rendering her not the smiling spirit of motherhood but a resentful sister. Whatever it was in him that horrified mortals only irritated her, but irritation can be powerful thing. Without an unkind word or gesture, she shunned him, an instinctive dislike gathering in her soul.
He sensed this, this revulsion he caused within his sister, yet he persevered, his imperious darkness and his shadowy nobility shrouding him. He also saw the bond between mother and daughter shine strong and true, unfrayed, like a lifeline to both. He recognised all that Persephone was within Demeter and all that Demeter was within Persephone. They were one another, almost - both the vital thing necessary not only for the happiness but the very existence of the other, nurturing one another. Separated, they would be hollow. He digested this information and through it loved Persephone even more and gained a greater admiration for Demeter but without truly understanding or appreciating it's meaning, ignorant. For still, he continued.
"Sister." He replied coldly, though trying to create a friendly air between them.
Her deep earthly gaze narrowed in suspicion, but her maternal smile won over and she decided to greet him as she should and go about this business with a sisterly spirit, warm and tender.
"What brings you here?" she said, smiling "Nothing unpleasant I hope." She ended with a laugh, so alike her daughter's graceful laugh yet so different, so lacking in comparison!
He did not reply but remained silent and inert as though he were a grand statue craved from obsidian. This was no surprise to Demeter.
She spoke on "This has nothing to do with the death rate in that oh-so small farming village, does it not? I thought the matter so petty it need not be formally addressed! Still, it is now resolved - the community no longer forsake me as a Goddess and I am once more devoutly worshipped as we all deserve to be and in return their crops now grow once more in abundance. I am only sorry that I had to neglect my duties there for so long, the place is a monstrous mess! And to think of how long they suffered and starved before simply going about their duty to me, to think of how they let themselves die - in truth, I almost yielded, they were in such a sorry state. . .and those poor helpless children too! It is one thing to allow oneself starve out of stubborn disrespect but to allow one's children to suffer. . .it is terrible. It may have been much simpler had I merely appealed to brother Zeus to smite a few of them, much simpler! Oh but I had to take it in my own hands and resolve it myself! Famine is an evil thing, I must say. But brother Hades, I was unaware that this may have caused a situation in your sombre kingdom. . .I would quickly remedy it if I could, tell me, how have things been affected? Severely? I hope not!"
Hades sighed, purging the irritation. Once in the throes of discourse, Demeter would forever prattle on. "It does not concern that." He said, simply.
Her head snapped up at his correction "Oh? Indeed? Does it not? Nothing to do with that. . .well. . .does it not, indeed? Well, that is good."
"It does not." He said, wondering why when one word would suffice, his sister had to make use of a legion of them.
"Then, what does it concern? How is it my business? Has something happened? What of it? Do tell me, dark brother! What reason has called to here? What do you wish to discuss with me?"
He prepared himself for this moment when all would change "It concerns Persephone."
He felt her heart coil and react deeply at the mention of her daughter's name. And as 'Persephone' rather than 'Lady Persephone'. Demeter's strong protective urges came into turbulent play - was this the reason she sensed that unfamiliar, sullen air to Persephone earlier? She stilled herself, she would let no bad fall upon her sweet child, no matter what.
"What of? The incident with her dear nymph? I thought that was resolved, and why bring it up now, much later on?"
"No, it does not concern that. It is long past."
"Then how does this concern my sweet daughter?" she asked, concerned, her love for Persephone enveloping her tightly but subtly, like a shadow cloaking her, but not like the shadows of Hades, a warm, comfort, like a beloved blanket, carried from the cradle.
"I wish to marry her."
The shadow exploded in a rage of diabolical crimson.
"WHAT?" she raged.
"I wish to make your sweet Persephone my bride."
"Your wife. My child. Your wife!" she screeched in protective fury.
"My wife." He repeated.
"And," she said, trying to force calm upon her, to gain some form of control over the urge to run to her young daughter, take her in her arms, embrace her tightly, shower her in a thousand relieved kisses and take flight, fleeing far away from this dread God. "And. . .what has brought this sudden urge upon you."
"I am in love with her."
Nothing could hold back the laughter that erupted from her. Scornful laughter, tingled with rage and a burning desire to strike him for such an indecent proposition and a lingering fear for her daughter. The laughter echoed cruelly through the room and cut the Lord of the Underworld like knives.
"You love her?" she ranted, a fury akin to a berserker's rage gripping her "She is but a child. A sweet, innocent, pure child. My child! How dare you blacken her name with such a slanderous comment? How dare you profess love for my dear Persephone? She is a child!"
"She is of age." He argued feebly.
"She is not of age until I say she is of age! She is a child in mind, heart and spirit if not in body and for you to dare defile that purity with talk of marriage is great misconduct on your part!"
"Will you not even consider my offer? I love her and I can make her happy!" he argued, his own angry fire building within him.
"Happy? You know not the meaning of the word! When have you last known happiness? That is apart from when your perverse imaginings of my gentle child have gratified your filthy self! You are miserable and cold, you know not the joy of the dancing sun and playful clouds by day and the languid moon and hopeful stars by night! You are without feeling, without pity! Do not think I judge you wrongly, brother - how disgusting it is to consider you so! - for I have seen you amongst us and you do not speak, nor smile and I have seen you cold and unkind to others. You are a heartless, cruel, fiend! No wonder you rule over death! How could you make my child, so full of warmth and boundless love, happy? To presume to take her into your embrace and marital bed for the sake of your lust and call it love! And your kingdom! You would strip her away from the sunlight, flowers and all she loves into your realm of loneliness and pain!"
"She will be Queen! Her brightness will give it warmth!"
"She will be nothing there! Its darkness will swallow and destroy her brightness! You would put out the light so vital to her, crush her dreams in your freezing embrace! Nay, she will not be yours and shame upon your name and title for asking for her hand."
She began to clam down, not wanting her stormy mood to shake down her bond with Persephone and alarm her. "Cast aside this infatuation and pursue a more attainable, more suitable bride and though my protective heart resists, I will forgive you, for my Persephone is easy to love through her nature. But I do demand that you leave immediately, never to lay eyes upon my child ever again."
"Sister, I beg you -"
"I will not hear it! Know this; I will not even allow you to speak to my daughter, let alone marry her!" her voice boomed with threat, her tone and words final and unshakeable. He was defeated.
"Now leave." She said, her voice as ice and granite "And do not return."
And so in a storm of enraged darkness he vanished into the familiar embrace of darkness, cursing it and hating it for being all that Persephone was not. Pain swept over him, crushing him down into nothing as he considered Demeter's harsh words and began to believe them. Would he truly give such a sweet creature that he adored with all his heart suffering? Could she never love him? Angrily, he pushed those thoughts aside, dismissing them - he could make her happy if he had the chance! This realm was vast, larger than that of Zeus; surely she would appreciate being offered such a kingdom? Who would not want to share his throne? He had everything to offer - a vast kingdom, riches and wealth beyond anyone's wildest dreams and his great love for her. How could she be unhappy if she dwelt here? He could not comprehend his rejection or the idea that Persephone would not fill his domain with light, laughter and the love he so dearly craved . Left in anguish without her, his rejection complete, he began to muse of another way she might become his Queen. . .
* * *
Persephone wandered whimsically into her mother's temple, her robe and hair seeming to dance despite the troubles weighing on her. What of Lord Hades and the moment they shared? And why did she sense such anger flowing furiously from her beloved mother?
"Mother?" she called out into the temple as she walked in gracefully, her voice as sweet as gentle windchimes.
She saw her mother standing solitary and deep in thought, looking weary, so unnatural a state for her mother to be in! Her soil-brown locks were dishevelled and her face ragged and tinged with an angry red, like a terrible scar, marring her normally loving features. Concern knotted tightly in Persephone's heart.
He tentatively put a comforting hand on her mother's broad shoulder "Mother, are you well? What troubles you?" she asked quietly.
Demeter turned and suddenly, without warning, embraced her daughter tightly, crushing her with the sheer force of her consuming love. Persephone gave a surprised, spirited laugh of a child and embraced her in return "Oh, I do love you, mother." She said in a rush. Then, pulling away, she saw a haunting sadness linger in her mother's eyes, drizzling their warm lands with miserable rain. She recognised that look; it was the look in her mother's eyes on the day of the death of Rhoda.
Persephone gasped in concern "Oh my dear mother, please! Tell me what is wrong! Please do or I shall become afraid for you and cry!" she said desperately.
Demeter's large lips twisted into a thin, amused smile, a parody of the sunny smiles she so frequently bestowed. "My dear Persephone," she murmured "You are such a sweet child. A true darling among children, my dear. Your heart is of gold."
"Mother," Persephone pressed on "please tell me what has caused you such grief. I do not wish you sad for all in the world and whatever is amiss I shall right for you, I promise!"
"You would make a wonderful mother." She replied, a bitterness at something present in her tone.
"I have learnt from the best, mother."
"I love you, my child. You do know that, do you not? More than anything. You are all there is."
"And I love you. I love you desperately so please tell me what is wrong. I do not like seeing you sad."
"Are you happy here, Persephone?" Demeter said suddenly.
"Of course! My life is here! All I love is here! It has built me, as you have. It is made up of all I adore and all I could ever long for. I would not want for anything else. Oh, but why do ask such silly things?" she said, smiling brightly at the end.
"I feel as though I have let you down."
"Never!" she cried, indignant "Who says these things? Who tells you such lies?"
"I have kept much of the world hidden from you and now I fear it is beginning to catch up with me and I am ashamed and a poor mother."
"Not in a thousand years! Oh please, mother, please do not be so sad! I hate to see you so! I hate misery! You are the best mother a child could long for! I love you! I love you! I love you!" the words poured out desperately with all her young passion "Do not think you are a poor mother for it will make me sad for all you have given me is happiness and love. I do not need anyone else! This shall be our secret, but you are all, as much as I love my nymphs and friends they are not you. I know you have kept death away from me and I felt despair but now I am happy again. You are what makes me happy. I care not for all you have hidden, for I shall find them with courage and it shall be a grand adventure!"
She smiled, hoping it would encourage her mother to do so.
"Would you like to married one day? Have I kept you from that?"
Persephone knew not whether to burst out into a fit of delighted and astonished giggles at the ridiculous suggestion, angrily deny or stiffen in fear at the prospect. Her voice shaking, she found words. One word.
"No."
Demeter looked up, her eyes almost tearful in hope.
"Please don't ask me to marry! Is this what this is about? Do you wish me to marry? Mother. . .you know I would willingly marry anyone that held your approval and no other but please not yet! I have no heart to marry. I feel a maid in spirit as you have always been a mother in spirit. I know nothing of men and I do not wish to. I wish only to stay with you, if only as your high priestess. I wish only to be with you as your daughter and to be loved by you, nothing more! To be taken away from your love would be to be taken away from the smile of the sun, so please do not have me wed. I want to stay with you." She pleaded.
At her sincere outburst, Demeter saw things so much clearer, all doubts of whether or not she had been too protective in the raising over her daughter, who was now the epitome of loving defiance with her proud chin held high, eyes flaring. An understanding swept over them both and they lunged into a tight embrace, holding each other as though they could never be wrenched apart. Demeter stroked Persephone's soft locks as though she was comforting a frightened child, kissing her forehead tenderly. Pearls of rich, warm laughter filled the temple as both Goddesses, mother and daughter parted and suddenly realised how foolish but fond they appeared, holding one another desperately on a cold marble floor.
"Well," Demeter began "that was interesting." She said with a laugh.
"Yes, but let us not talk of it now. Let us talk of all the happy things. Tell me of your day!" Persephone said eagerly.
Demeter paused, wondering if she should tell her of Hades' request and her abject refusal. Turning it over again and again in her mind, musing over whether keeping such knowledge from her would count as keeping the world hidden. Finally, she turned away from the idea - it would more likely frighten or worry her sensitive child, after all, the very thought of it had deeply horrified her, and she was not the intended bride! Stubbornly refusing to see the possible good in letting her tender daughter know, she turned to face her, eyes awash with kindness.
"Nay, tell me of yours, sweet daughter. It would bring me joy to know of what has happened to you today, tell me of your adventures and your laughter."
Persephone felt herself reach similar crossroads - should she tell her mother of her strange encounter with the lord Hades? Though she longed to be open and honest she felt more harm than good might come from such talk, with her mother being so protective. She did not know how she would so soon regret not confessing the truth, ignorant to how much it needed to be told.
She smiled, her fears evaporating in the light of her mother's love "Well. . .just a moment ago I began creating a flower-chain for you. . ."
In the midst of their joyful discourse, the memory of her Hades began to fade and soon he was no more than a lingering enigma to Persephone and all too soon his proposal had been lost to the twisting chambers of Demeter's memory. All darkness vanished, but a ghost of a recollection. And so that day the halls would forever smile at the memory of the great laughter and tender love that visited Demeter and Persephone that day, forever echoing through temple and tree alike, bringing flowers into new bloom with gentility. And the flowers would much appreciate such blessings, if only they knew how they would so soon suffer.
Author's Note: I love updating! And is it me or are the chapters getting longer. . . ? This chapter is just my attempt to somewhat flesh out the relationship between Demeter and Persephone as well as Hades' growing feelings for the young Spring Goddess (the 'intent' isn't what you're thinking!). To answer Erin's questions (thanks for the loyal reviews as well as the lovely comments!) - though a fan of Willow/Oz I've never previously thought of attempting to write them, I will *definitely* give it serious thought. As for your musings on Hades' love being the result of an affliction by Aphrodite or Eros, I'm sorry I confused you but I intended it simply as that he had never before known love or lust, but feel free if you want to interpret it the other way. Also, no need to worry about the lack the present lack of Artemis - she's one of my favourite Goddesses so without a doubt she will play quite a part later on (who better to carry out a swift search of the mortal realm?). The death of the nymph is purely from my imagination, I hope that doesn't ruin anything for you. Equal thanks to Hannah and Kate - I love you guys! Thanks for all the support!
Epitaph Empress
Chapter IV
The quiet lull of dusk and the familiar comfort of a warm night and the paradise of Morpheus barely around the corner of tiredness had a profound effect on Demeter as she gazed at the vulnerable sleeping form of her beloved child. The darkness of a night on the isle of Sicily was hardly darkness - there was a warm, heady feeling of protection with the blanket of night and dreams, like a rich cocoon. The windows to Persephone's chamber let in this warmth, the song of nightingales and the calming scent of timid flowers flowing in with the startling view of a sky littered with shimmering stars and the round, full moon of Artemis, guiding and watching with a gentle harmony. Even as a young child with a ripe imagination, no nightmares or phantom fears haunted the nights of Persephone. The nights of Sicily were nothing more than another side of the day and she always had the protective aura of her loving mother surrounding her like a comforter- blanket. Demeter, who out of love and habit still awoke at night and wandered as silent as corn in the lightest breeze to her daughter's chamber, just to see if she needed her.
Gazing down at her gentle child, Demeter's full heart almost overflowed with a great sense of pride and love. Her precious little girl! Sometimes, it seemed like she was still an infant, sleeping quietly, her small, fragile body swallowed whole by her thin cotton blankets, her face still and amusingly determined in sleep, her features soft and her hair fanned out behind her head like a dark halo. She looked little more than a child's doll like that rather than a Goddess with the strength of ages and all the glory of Olympus at her shoulder. Affectionately, she touched her child's cheek for a moment and tenderly pulling up the embroidered blanket to her chin. Just in case it got colder later on.
A small, glowing smile blossomed on the Grain Goddess' face, warm with love as she was filled with nostalgia and the times when she would sing her daughter to sleep. They would tend the land of mortals, play and converse till the rays of Helios descended from the sky and vanished into yesterday. Then she would put her daughter to bed, enchant her mind and lavish her imagination with a story and then sing a loving melody and deliver her child to the land of sleep before kissing her brow and whispering with infinite gentility "Sleep my sweet child and dream your golden dreams."
Her brow creased with troubles tonight - her sweet, innocent, harmless little Persephone had now seen death. She sighed, her breath escaping her large lips in an exhausted exhale of worry. She was more a mother than a woman, large eyes and thick hair the shade of ripe earth, her plump body garbed in a robe of demure yellow, her face lined with the marks of age, here and there, like an earthly mother rather than many a Goddess that had birthed many children but still appeared little older than maids. She was beautiful not as her divine relatives but because such love shone through, such nurturing care and happiness that lit up a room with warmth to rival the softest, most homely hearths of Hestia. Such a gentle quality she saw reflected in little Persephone and it made her burst with such fierce and unshakeable pride for her sweet daughter. She was strong and though grief may have found a home in her warm heart, Demeter knew Persephone would never fall prey to it; she would dance and laugh her cares away, celebrating that her companion had lived a life full of love. If her daughter ever faltered, it mattered not. She always had her and always would. No matter, she would always protect her.
Still, she felt guilt. Had she been wrong to keep so much of the world hidden from her daughter's innocent emerald gaze? The thought that she had wronged the most precious life in her world, the centre of her world, nay - her world itself, was unbearable. Persephone was her life, her only love, her reason for love and what gave her meaning. She knew there had been a time without her child but she could no longer comprehend it, could not bear the thought of even a day without her kind eyes, her gentle manner, her infectious innocence, the music of her laughter. . .
Demeter sighed once more, promising herself to pay more attention to how she cared for one she loved more than her own life. She needed to be a good mother. She stroked Persephone's hair comfortingly as she had whenever anything had frightened her and kissed her pale brow. She loved her sweet child profoundly and unconditionally and vowed for the hundredth time that nothing must ever hurt her in any way.
"Sleep my sweet child and dream your golden dreams." She whispered, her words as soft as the flickering candlelight, full of love like iron and silk.
***
Hades was tormented. For days he had drive to exorcise the images engraved deeply in his memory and heart, images of sweet Persephone and her brightness. Never before had he known love or lust but now felt it consume him in passionate flames. The dancing lights in those eyes as green as nature itself had cast some form of spell over him, enslaving his senses and snaring his soul. He felt chained to her warm spirit, a slave to the longing for the immortal maiden who was everything he was not. The memories of her standing solitary and full of sadness, how her spirit seemed to open to him, accepting him and warming to him without revulsion, her smile as glorious as the sunlight that seemed to bring her soft locks of wild hair to untamed life haunted him. How he needed to see her again, just to hear her voice, her laughter! How he longed for such bright heartily laughs to fill these halls.
His waking hours were unbearable as he agonised over such haunting memories, such longing thoughts and an ever-lingering desire that would not move on to its next victim but continued to torture him mercilessly. He had no peace from his feelings for the young Goddess, the intensity of it and the lack of ability to control of battle it leaving him helpless and forever being ripped open and wrenched apart in tearing love. He had never slept often but had been driven to seek solace in sleep as often and as long as he could, to escape the warmth that filled his heart at the recollection of her sweet smile, a treasure given so freely and then the tortuous stab of longing for another such smile. But of course as his daily memories haunted him, his nightly dreams tormented him.
He was in agony. Such an innocent, harmless being now seemed like a pitiless predator, hunting him down and gorging him furiously. Yet it was her deep gentleness that drove him to despair. He knew this was not physical lust alone and it pained and horrified him. There was no escape, no distraction for his weary mind, even when thrown into the consuming throes of his duties. When the longing became too much, he would garb himself in the secure sightless form of his invisibility helm and linger in shade from the sunshine, watching the young Goddess as she danced, sang and conversed with her gentle nymphs. The things she spoke of bewitched him with the sorcery of words, wit and kindness. Fires blazed within him as he watched her small, ripe form dance in naïve freedom, his cold eyes melting under the flame and warming with love and hunger. Agony stormed within them as he watched her tenderly tend nature and animals, such love shining through her eyes as she held them softly within her gentle gaze. How he wished she would look at him in such a way, with such love!
He would return broken and ruined. In giving in to his need to see her, he always longed even more for her, loving her even more with the heady elixir of love and passion flowing from newly carved memories. It was enough to drive a mortal man to madness. Indeed, it was a madness that had possessed him, enchaining his very being, consuming all that he was - the lock and bars of his prison and the instruments of his torture the tender thoughts of Persephone. All that she was served to injure him further with such devastating longing, such emotional need and such primitive desires. He shrunk away from these alien feelings, repulsed by them; such feelings had never before had a place in his heart and he had no knowledge of how to master them and defeat them, nor the will to. He wanted both to destroy and consummate his passion, wanting to touch the sweet Goddess, to hold her tenderly, to speak the words that scorned and scorched his heart and hear her speak those tender words back, to drown in those seas of green that were her eyes, to bring only a fragment of her brightness; the aura he so gravitated towards and was undone by, down to his dark home. . .
He was at a loss. Still, he ventured to the surface once more, a powerful phoenix of turbulent passion rising from the ashes of a heart scorched by such burning love, his icy eyes blazing with blue fire and intent.
***
Persephone was settled by a still pond reflecting all the humble colours of nature on its stoic but calm and gentle surface, her small, nimble hands weaving wildflowers caressed by the shade of violet for her mother, the warm sun on her back. Her mother had tended her duties as the Goddess of Grain and the ripe golden fields hardly ever needed further care or attention. This care and attention was bestowed on Persephone.
But also, because of her mother's responsible management of her tasks, there was very little for the Spring Goddess to do and very few ways she could offer a helping hand. As much as she adored her mother and felt incomplete without her gentle spirit, she sometimes longed for a way to live up to her divine namesake and title. Still, she pushed the rare, discontent thoughts away, gently guiding them out of her mind and heart as she invited the land to give birth to new life as she allowed patches of wildflowers to grow, spreading the green boughs of the small, tree-lined area and nurturing the earthly gems, gilded in delicate colours.
The lake shimmered, reflecting the corn-gold light of the sun, the teeming wildlife of the forest being drawn toward the friendly aura of the maiden Goddess. She sat down on the grass, listening with familiar fondness to the sound of her nymph companions frolicking as she gazed wistfully at the sparkling mint shade of the grass and the wild garlands dancing with the wind. Then her green eyes reached towards the endless sky promising endless dreams and eternity, adorned by large clouds, their waves sculpted as perfectly as any artwork, coloured a deep evening grey and heavy lavender, trimmed with mature but pale cream, their undersides coloured a sharp pink. She sighed, the bright beauty of her world never ceasing to awe her, the light and life never failing to ease any troubles. She was in her own element. Her very spirit sang a melody of life and love, offering her warmth and brightness on its hovering notes, unaware of whose ear it had captured.
For one so affected and so immersed in the threads of this world's existence as a natural state, she instantly felt a disturbance, the whisper of darkness blinding her bright home, seeming to reach up to her and touch her lingeringly. She shuddered. She had not felt that shadowy presence since the death of dear Rhoda. She turned, facing the direction the caress of death seemed to reach from, the hands of shadow that stretched across the small patch of land almost tangible enough for her to strike away, rebuke their blasphemy and send back into the heart of decay from whence they came. Her mind had been split into different passions - one furiously agonising over her most secret lands of sunshine being disturbed, her rich casket of wonders rifled and defiled by this entombing presence. Behind this passion lay fear. And behind the dread fear lay curiosity, a solitary gem beneath a grave of dust and ash.
She felt a cold jolt of painful nervousness at that reaction, the worry in her heart in the throes of madness, like and electrical storm. She knew she should have no reason to be afraid, but something within her cried out. Still, courage and her own judgement overthrew her foreign instinct.
"My lord Hades?" she called out into the thick green of her forest, almost embarrassed.
"Lady Persephone," came the oil-slick reply of her unwanted companion. Dark Hades emerged from the thickets, now swallowed in his dark spirit, musing on whether she might have thought of him during the time since they had first met. Now without his helm of invisibility, she could easily sense him. He had to see her, just to be sure. He realised that he had caused an almost fearful rise in her spirits and felt a brutal stab of shame.
"You need not address me so formally, my lord!" she said, trying to laugh through her words "call me by the name my sweet mother bestowed on me as all my other companions do, mortal, nymph and immortal alike."
"That I shall, Persephone." He replied, taking in the words and any possible meaning between them, her name languidly rolling of his tongue as though he were tasting and relishing it. Though she sensed an eagerness in him for her to be at ease, something was suggested in his manner that was alien to her entire being - something she had never before known and knew not how to handle. It frightened her gentle, childlike soul as his icy eyes pierced her with intense gaze.
She struggled to remain polite, pushing down stray nerves and reprimanding herself for behaving so childishly. Such graceless conduct! And in front of a higher God, with a realm vast enough to rival that even of her father! Her mother would likely be ashamed, she worried. Her companion knew only the ghosts of discourse, that was the likely problem, she rationalised - he must not have been used to often speaking. Yet, it gave rise to the question; why did such a solitary creature wish to speak to her? That, coupled with something smouldering beneath the thin shields of the ice of his eyes gave birth to a suspicion. But of what, she could not say.
Still, with childish simplicity, she innocence and ultimate naivety, she decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. Besides, he had chosen to speak to HER. Her, over everyone else! Perhaps all other gods also felt this nervousness around him and had shunned him? To brave talking to someone after so long a time alone without company must have required great courage. He must be so very lonely, she thought with sadness, the feeling of loneliness foreign to her, something alien and terrible to one always with her mother's loving kindness always beside her.
She smiled brightly "Then we are friends."
He felt a strange feeling shudder through him, pulsating through his entire body both delightful and terrible at the word 'friend'. Her sweet demeanour and open hand of kindness went straight to the core of him. A silence fell over him where words longed to break out, words with great depth.
"I would very much like to be your friend." She said tentatively, feeling a need to reach out. "Are you in need of friends, my lord Hades?"
A pause.
"I would very much enjoy your company, Lady Persephone."
"Just Persephone." She reminded him pertly, her smile shining in her mouth, voice and eyes.
"Persephone." He said, lingeringly.
"Then we will be friends forever, if you would enjoy my company. You need never feel alone or sad."
"Who says I am alone and sad?" he said, struck. Though knowing her words were true. Something about her sincere emerald gaze spread her own warmth to him and seemed to see right through him. She saw loneliness where others saw only a pitiless, cold, black pillar of a God, undeserving of any attempt at friendship. Could she see his feelings for her - his passion - shine through also?
No, she saw only that, or did not recognise the feelings flowing through him. She simply beheld him with all the faith of a child.
"Your eyes tell me. Your very spirit seems so filled with a hollow void, it seems so haunted, searching. . . Perhaps you should talk and find friendship. Why have you kept yourself alone for so long a time?"
He felt disarmed by her unconscious charm "It is not that simple."
"Everything is simple, my lord Hades. You only look upon it with a complex gaze, a mind filled with reasoning for great problems."
"Now you read ME well, Persephone." He said, amused.
"You rule death. It must be a terrible thing." She said sadly.
"I am bound only by my duty as you and your mother are."
"But we bring life!" she said, impassioned by the depth of her feeling "And life has such glory to it! Its smile is gentle and nurturing, bringing to all the brightness that make us all what we are. Without the kisses of sunlight, the delicate scent and tender touch of my sweet flowers, the life dancing from every corner, singing its sweet song to us, we would be nothing. It is a treasure, for it gives us love, hope and comfort when we have none - I know not from experience, as I always have my mother, but from observation. I have seen sunshine restore life to a wilting soul and melt cold hearts, I know the miracles this sweet young island can perform without effort. We should talk here more often, and I may show you all its beauty."
"It is a most agreeable thing, sweet Persephone and I am grateful. . .but today I must ask for your mother, the Goddess of Grain. I seek her to discuss something of importance." He said, before another pause to take in all that was wonderfully intoxicating about her, falling in love with her all over again.
"Besides," he said "this land - though soft and sweet - is so crude and random, the sunlight too harsh; I cannot appreciate it as you seem to."
"Do not say such things! You need only bask in its redeeming light and you will understand. And I do not appreciate it - I love it. I love all that it is for it is me, a part that has nurtured me and become a vital part of my existence. It is my world, my spirit and my very heartbeat. There is much joy to be had in dancing in these wild flowerfields and simply taking in these gems of my mother's hand."
"I would not do well to dance in flowerfields, no matter how lovely."
She laughed heartily "No, but I'm sure you understand my meaning."
"I understand that you love this world. . .yet. . .it pales next to you. You are both soft and sweet as the land you adore is, only you are so very more alive, your smile is filled with the redeeming light you spoke of and your laughter weaves a greater symphony than all the whispers of nature, believe me. Your brightness brings more love, hope and comfort than the rays - though crafted by the masterful hand of Helios - is left, little more than settled dust. You are mistaken, Persephone - you have not been nurtured by this world but you have nurtured IT. It is your light that gives it its beauty, it is your gentle kindness that has spread and infected it. It is enchanting."
Yes! She was all that and much, much more! Her spirit, so lively and calming at once, filled with passion and serenity. Her imagination dazzled him and her romantic spirit scorched him with tender hands, blazing as violently as a dying sun. she was the singular spark that gave birth to light and all the life that fleeted from it and the flame that would ultimately consume it. Less formidable yet with the potential to be as sullen and broken in dark moments, just as incalculable yet far more sensitive. She would toss her dark flag of hair, bite her childish under- lip, scowl playfully, laugh, brood and be tender, intemperate, suspicious and credulous all in one day. She was an empress among goddesses who were but plain aristocrats. She would flare with feeling in a sunshaft through high branches making with careless and gauche but caring abandon, the deep green shadows a greenness darker and a darkness greener. He saw all that she was and loved her for it, needing it with the longing of a starving man. He saw himself in her eyes, as though she saw all he was also.
As if to press his words, to show all that he did not say, he took a daring though thrilling risk. He reached out with his cold hand and tenderly touched her abundant flowing dark locks, something he longed to do. It was not unlike thrusting his hand into a pure flame. Its softness, like satin had the wildness of fire, the strands tangled and coiled around his daring hand, the smooth feel of it enough to heat his blood with more longing for this sweet Goddess.
How still and lovely she was now, her shaken temperament and racing thoughts weaving a raw spell over him and enslaving him further. She stood numb, his heavy words crashing over her child's mind like a violent tempest, as still and silent as settled dust, her large eyes seeming to slowly take in and process his words, and what lay behind them, needing to break free. She seemed now more like she was woven from the desperate threads of his longings, as though he was still dreaming of her. This hallucinatory effect was accentuated through the heady stillness of the land surrounding her, as though a movement from her would be that of a statue coming to life than a movement found in nature. He alone had wrested her from nature's calming grasp, had pulled her into a dreadful new kind of life, separated from its colours and emotions in that stony moment. Yet the pattern did not alter.
She stiffened at his touch and disembodied fear bean to rise once again in her at his advance. This was something new and dark, intruding into his childlike, innocent world. And awkward air of obvious discomfort shattered the moment and the bridges of friendship she had attempted to build. This was not right. She wanted her mother.
Sensing her disturbance, he instantly recoiled, filled with shame. He had frightened her. Had she seen the desire in his eyes? Had he shown desire rather than love? He cursed such a spontaneous reaction. Now he repelled her.
She drew back, free of the invisible and terrifying chains of his cold touch, his hands stroking her wild locks. She shuddered, chilled.
"My mother resides within her temple if you wish to speak to her." she said, her voice a hoarse whisper.
He had lost his chance. She wished him to leave her alone. He could do nothing but obey. Shrinking into shadow once more, he left her to visit Demeter, his heart struggling against a destructive inner-conflict. Alone, Persephone stood, saddened and stunned, unable to shake away the haunting darkness.
* * *
Demeter resided peacefully within her temple, a large building of smooth, shining marble, as beautiful as moonlight on a dark lake, adorned with wild plants, flowers and naturally, golden stalks of grain. Blossoming priestesses ushered in and out timidly. She sighed languidly; the land was at rest, in no further need of her ready hand. She reached out with her mind, feeling the unbreakable bond between her and Persephone like a golden thread. Yes, her Persephone was by one of her favourite ponds, weaving a necklace out of flowers of a fiery indigo, to take her mind off something. Demeter stiffened in concern, her gentle brow knotting. Her daughter, so normally at ease and in love with everything around her, was troubled. She would go see her immediately and comfort her.
A decaying presence stopped her in her tracks. She cocked her head, sensing the aura of dusk fill the room. It was familiar, but it had been so long a time since she had felt such a chilling spirit.
"Brother." She said, half in welcome, half in rejection. Such a gallant patriot to life she was and in truth, everything about her dark brother repulsed her, though without the fear that swirled within her daughter's gentle heart. Only an anger towards him for being there, for disrupting her orderly, changeless world of blessings of light and life. And a fierce desire to be rid of him, to chase these alien shadows back into the darkness they belonged. The Grain Goddess' normally loving nature was frozen to cold disgust at her brother that opposed her in almost every way in temperament, ice water running through her veins, rendering her not the smiling spirit of motherhood but a resentful sister. Whatever it was in him that horrified mortals only irritated her, but irritation can be powerful thing. Without an unkind word or gesture, she shunned him, an instinctive dislike gathering in her soul.
He sensed this, this revulsion he caused within his sister, yet he persevered, his imperious darkness and his shadowy nobility shrouding him. He also saw the bond between mother and daughter shine strong and true, unfrayed, like a lifeline to both. He recognised all that Persephone was within Demeter and all that Demeter was within Persephone. They were one another, almost - both the vital thing necessary not only for the happiness but the very existence of the other, nurturing one another. Separated, they would be hollow. He digested this information and through it loved Persephone even more and gained a greater admiration for Demeter but without truly understanding or appreciating it's meaning, ignorant. For still, he continued.
"Sister." He replied coldly, though trying to create a friendly air between them.
Her deep earthly gaze narrowed in suspicion, but her maternal smile won over and she decided to greet him as she should and go about this business with a sisterly spirit, warm and tender.
"What brings you here?" she said, smiling "Nothing unpleasant I hope." She ended with a laugh, so alike her daughter's graceful laugh yet so different, so lacking in comparison!
He did not reply but remained silent and inert as though he were a grand statue craved from obsidian. This was no surprise to Demeter.
She spoke on "This has nothing to do with the death rate in that oh-so small farming village, does it not? I thought the matter so petty it need not be formally addressed! Still, it is now resolved - the community no longer forsake me as a Goddess and I am once more devoutly worshipped as we all deserve to be and in return their crops now grow once more in abundance. I am only sorry that I had to neglect my duties there for so long, the place is a monstrous mess! And to think of how long they suffered and starved before simply going about their duty to me, to think of how they let themselves die - in truth, I almost yielded, they were in such a sorry state. . .and those poor helpless children too! It is one thing to allow oneself starve out of stubborn disrespect but to allow one's children to suffer. . .it is terrible. It may have been much simpler had I merely appealed to brother Zeus to smite a few of them, much simpler! Oh but I had to take it in my own hands and resolve it myself! Famine is an evil thing, I must say. But brother Hades, I was unaware that this may have caused a situation in your sombre kingdom. . .I would quickly remedy it if I could, tell me, how have things been affected? Severely? I hope not!"
Hades sighed, purging the irritation. Once in the throes of discourse, Demeter would forever prattle on. "It does not concern that." He said, simply.
Her head snapped up at his correction "Oh? Indeed? Does it not? Nothing to do with that. . .well. . .does it not, indeed? Well, that is good."
"It does not." He said, wondering why when one word would suffice, his sister had to make use of a legion of them.
"Then, what does it concern? How is it my business? Has something happened? What of it? Do tell me, dark brother! What reason has called to here? What do you wish to discuss with me?"
He prepared himself for this moment when all would change "It concerns Persephone."
He felt her heart coil and react deeply at the mention of her daughter's name. And as 'Persephone' rather than 'Lady Persephone'. Demeter's strong protective urges came into turbulent play - was this the reason she sensed that unfamiliar, sullen air to Persephone earlier? She stilled herself, she would let no bad fall upon her sweet child, no matter what.
"What of? The incident with her dear nymph? I thought that was resolved, and why bring it up now, much later on?"
"No, it does not concern that. It is long past."
"Then how does this concern my sweet daughter?" she asked, concerned, her love for Persephone enveloping her tightly but subtly, like a shadow cloaking her, but not like the shadows of Hades, a warm, comfort, like a beloved blanket, carried from the cradle.
"I wish to marry her."
The shadow exploded in a rage of diabolical crimson.
"WHAT?" she raged.
"I wish to make your sweet Persephone my bride."
"Your wife. My child. Your wife!" she screeched in protective fury.
"My wife." He repeated.
"And," she said, trying to force calm upon her, to gain some form of control over the urge to run to her young daughter, take her in her arms, embrace her tightly, shower her in a thousand relieved kisses and take flight, fleeing far away from this dread God. "And. . .what has brought this sudden urge upon you."
"I am in love with her."
Nothing could hold back the laughter that erupted from her. Scornful laughter, tingled with rage and a burning desire to strike him for such an indecent proposition and a lingering fear for her daughter. The laughter echoed cruelly through the room and cut the Lord of the Underworld like knives.
"You love her?" she ranted, a fury akin to a berserker's rage gripping her "She is but a child. A sweet, innocent, pure child. My child! How dare you blacken her name with such a slanderous comment? How dare you profess love for my dear Persephone? She is a child!"
"She is of age." He argued feebly.
"She is not of age until I say she is of age! She is a child in mind, heart and spirit if not in body and for you to dare defile that purity with talk of marriage is great misconduct on your part!"
"Will you not even consider my offer? I love her and I can make her happy!" he argued, his own angry fire building within him.
"Happy? You know not the meaning of the word! When have you last known happiness? That is apart from when your perverse imaginings of my gentle child have gratified your filthy self! You are miserable and cold, you know not the joy of the dancing sun and playful clouds by day and the languid moon and hopeful stars by night! You are without feeling, without pity! Do not think I judge you wrongly, brother - how disgusting it is to consider you so! - for I have seen you amongst us and you do not speak, nor smile and I have seen you cold and unkind to others. You are a heartless, cruel, fiend! No wonder you rule over death! How could you make my child, so full of warmth and boundless love, happy? To presume to take her into your embrace and marital bed for the sake of your lust and call it love! And your kingdom! You would strip her away from the sunlight, flowers and all she loves into your realm of loneliness and pain!"
"She will be Queen! Her brightness will give it warmth!"
"She will be nothing there! Its darkness will swallow and destroy her brightness! You would put out the light so vital to her, crush her dreams in your freezing embrace! Nay, she will not be yours and shame upon your name and title for asking for her hand."
She began to clam down, not wanting her stormy mood to shake down her bond with Persephone and alarm her. "Cast aside this infatuation and pursue a more attainable, more suitable bride and though my protective heart resists, I will forgive you, for my Persephone is easy to love through her nature. But I do demand that you leave immediately, never to lay eyes upon my child ever again."
"Sister, I beg you -"
"I will not hear it! Know this; I will not even allow you to speak to my daughter, let alone marry her!" her voice boomed with threat, her tone and words final and unshakeable. He was defeated.
"Now leave." She said, her voice as ice and granite "And do not return."
And so in a storm of enraged darkness he vanished into the familiar embrace of darkness, cursing it and hating it for being all that Persephone was not. Pain swept over him, crushing him down into nothing as he considered Demeter's harsh words and began to believe them. Would he truly give such a sweet creature that he adored with all his heart suffering? Could she never love him? Angrily, he pushed those thoughts aside, dismissing them - he could make her happy if he had the chance! This realm was vast, larger than that of Zeus; surely she would appreciate being offered such a kingdom? Who would not want to share his throne? He had everything to offer - a vast kingdom, riches and wealth beyond anyone's wildest dreams and his great love for her. How could she be unhappy if she dwelt here? He could not comprehend his rejection or the idea that Persephone would not fill his domain with light, laughter and the love he so dearly craved . Left in anguish without her, his rejection complete, he began to muse of another way she might become his Queen. . .
* * *
Persephone wandered whimsically into her mother's temple, her robe and hair seeming to dance despite the troubles weighing on her. What of Lord Hades and the moment they shared? And why did she sense such anger flowing furiously from her beloved mother?
"Mother?" she called out into the temple as she walked in gracefully, her voice as sweet as gentle windchimes.
She saw her mother standing solitary and deep in thought, looking weary, so unnatural a state for her mother to be in! Her soil-brown locks were dishevelled and her face ragged and tinged with an angry red, like a terrible scar, marring her normally loving features. Concern knotted tightly in Persephone's heart.
He tentatively put a comforting hand on her mother's broad shoulder "Mother, are you well? What troubles you?" she asked quietly.
Demeter turned and suddenly, without warning, embraced her daughter tightly, crushing her with the sheer force of her consuming love. Persephone gave a surprised, spirited laugh of a child and embraced her in return "Oh, I do love you, mother." She said in a rush. Then, pulling away, she saw a haunting sadness linger in her mother's eyes, drizzling their warm lands with miserable rain. She recognised that look; it was the look in her mother's eyes on the day of the death of Rhoda.
Persephone gasped in concern "Oh my dear mother, please! Tell me what is wrong! Please do or I shall become afraid for you and cry!" she said desperately.
Demeter's large lips twisted into a thin, amused smile, a parody of the sunny smiles she so frequently bestowed. "My dear Persephone," she murmured "You are such a sweet child. A true darling among children, my dear. Your heart is of gold."
"Mother," Persephone pressed on "please tell me what has caused you such grief. I do not wish you sad for all in the world and whatever is amiss I shall right for you, I promise!"
"You would make a wonderful mother." She replied, a bitterness at something present in her tone.
"I have learnt from the best, mother."
"I love you, my child. You do know that, do you not? More than anything. You are all there is."
"And I love you. I love you desperately so please tell me what is wrong. I do not like seeing you sad."
"Are you happy here, Persephone?" Demeter said suddenly.
"Of course! My life is here! All I love is here! It has built me, as you have. It is made up of all I adore and all I could ever long for. I would not want for anything else. Oh, but why do ask such silly things?" she said, smiling brightly at the end.
"I feel as though I have let you down."
"Never!" she cried, indignant "Who says these things? Who tells you such lies?"
"I have kept much of the world hidden from you and now I fear it is beginning to catch up with me and I am ashamed and a poor mother."
"Not in a thousand years! Oh please, mother, please do not be so sad! I hate to see you so! I hate misery! You are the best mother a child could long for! I love you! I love you! I love you!" the words poured out desperately with all her young passion "Do not think you are a poor mother for it will make me sad for all you have given me is happiness and love. I do not need anyone else! This shall be our secret, but you are all, as much as I love my nymphs and friends they are not you. I know you have kept death away from me and I felt despair but now I am happy again. You are what makes me happy. I care not for all you have hidden, for I shall find them with courage and it shall be a grand adventure!"
She smiled, hoping it would encourage her mother to do so.
"Would you like to married one day? Have I kept you from that?"
Persephone knew not whether to burst out into a fit of delighted and astonished giggles at the ridiculous suggestion, angrily deny or stiffen in fear at the prospect. Her voice shaking, she found words. One word.
"No."
Demeter looked up, her eyes almost tearful in hope.
"Please don't ask me to marry! Is this what this is about? Do you wish me to marry? Mother. . .you know I would willingly marry anyone that held your approval and no other but please not yet! I have no heart to marry. I feel a maid in spirit as you have always been a mother in spirit. I know nothing of men and I do not wish to. I wish only to stay with you, if only as your high priestess. I wish only to be with you as your daughter and to be loved by you, nothing more! To be taken away from your love would be to be taken away from the smile of the sun, so please do not have me wed. I want to stay with you." She pleaded.
At her sincere outburst, Demeter saw things so much clearer, all doubts of whether or not she had been too protective in the raising over her daughter, who was now the epitome of loving defiance with her proud chin held high, eyes flaring. An understanding swept over them both and they lunged into a tight embrace, holding each other as though they could never be wrenched apart. Demeter stroked Persephone's soft locks as though she was comforting a frightened child, kissing her forehead tenderly. Pearls of rich, warm laughter filled the temple as both Goddesses, mother and daughter parted and suddenly realised how foolish but fond they appeared, holding one another desperately on a cold marble floor.
"Well," Demeter began "that was interesting." She said with a laugh.
"Yes, but let us not talk of it now. Let us talk of all the happy things. Tell me of your day!" Persephone said eagerly.
Demeter paused, wondering if she should tell her of Hades' request and her abject refusal. Turning it over again and again in her mind, musing over whether keeping such knowledge from her would count as keeping the world hidden. Finally, she turned away from the idea - it would more likely frighten or worry her sensitive child, after all, the very thought of it had deeply horrified her, and she was not the intended bride! Stubbornly refusing to see the possible good in letting her tender daughter know, she turned to face her, eyes awash with kindness.
"Nay, tell me of yours, sweet daughter. It would bring me joy to know of what has happened to you today, tell me of your adventures and your laughter."
Persephone felt herself reach similar crossroads - should she tell her mother of her strange encounter with the lord Hades? Though she longed to be open and honest she felt more harm than good might come from such talk, with her mother being so protective. She did not know how she would so soon regret not confessing the truth, ignorant to how much it needed to be told.
She smiled, her fears evaporating in the light of her mother's love "Well. . .just a moment ago I began creating a flower-chain for you. . ."
In the midst of their joyful discourse, the memory of her Hades began to fade and soon he was no more than a lingering enigma to Persephone and all too soon his proposal had been lost to the twisting chambers of Demeter's memory. All darkness vanished, but a ghost of a recollection. And so that day the halls would forever smile at the memory of the great laughter and tender love that visited Demeter and Persephone that day, forever echoing through temple and tree alike, bringing flowers into new bloom with gentility. And the flowers would much appreciate such blessings, if only they knew how they would so soon suffer.