Death and Rebirth
The Witch's Forewarning
A/N: I know its been a while, but I've been through a major ailment of writer's block and lack of inspiration. I've also been pondering my writing style. Writing is a form of communication, and shouldn't be read for the prettiness of words. The purpose of writing this fic is to tell my version of the Hades/Persephone myth. And here you have it. Read and review, please!
It was believed that in the dark recesses of the Underworld, there lived a witch huddled in a small, dim cave. In the cave, there was a round, wooden table sat to one side, with a short stool next to it. A torch made the cave glow with orange light. In the middle of the table sat a deck of cards. The cave itself was not just out there for any shade to venture to, for even if they got near, they would not have been able to see it, nor enter. If one did manage to find themselves near it, a mist would spring up and a path would make itself clear. The witch was not without her wits.
The witch was very powerful herself. She was able to concoct potions, brews and antidotes and take on different forms. She tended to people and pointed them to where the right path was, and at times, if the need was great, lead them to where they were supposed to go if they did not know. She had gazed into the stars in the sky during her time Above and saw changes that would bring about events in the world to come. She watched the moon as it waxed and waned, and with it, she changed as well. She could whisper into the deepest recesses of one's conciousness, even in dreams. She is the one who goes down into the deepest Dark and holds forth the Light, thus guiding souls to their journey into the Underworld.
She stepped forward and sat on the stool next to the table. She thought of the events in her brother's domain not too long before, a slight frown marring her smooth face. She thought about him and his new wife, the Queen. At this thought, she bristled. The girl had not done anything wrong, yet she aroused the Witch-goddess' contempt just by her very existence! However, it was not the girl's fault she knew nothing. She was innocent. If there was anyone to blame, it was her brother. The love-forlorn, romantic fool! Yes, she was holding spiteful contempt for her brother, not his bride.
Well, at least he is nothing like that wife-cheating, lust-driven, womanizing King of the Gods, she thought ruefully. This helped calm the Goddess to some extent. She realized she had been shuffling her cards in her hand quite absentmindedly while she was thinking. She already knew what she wanted, she had already been doing it. She cut the deck several times then laid four cards before her. Closing her eyes a moment, she flipped over the first card.
A round wheel with wooden spokes appeared on the face of the card. The Wheel of Fortune. A renewed sense for love and beauty. Good fortune. The dark goddess pondered upon the first card. Did her brother ever feel like this? But he has, upon meeting the Goddess of Spring. And the young goddess, as usual, would likely to have been dancing the way a flower flows upon a breeze. With her earth brown curls and emerald green eyes, a happy smile lighting her features, her brother would have been likely more than infatuated. Typical, typical…she thought, until turning over the second card. Death. Ah, but of course. Her brother happened. Literally. A drastic change had occurred when Death arose from below and took the spring maiden. Changes were not to be taken lightly, since the earth had been attended to constantly by the Lady of the Harvest and her daughter, Goddess of Spring. Now that was a different story. She flipped the next card face front. The Tower. The feeling of being overwhelmed by one's emotions. Being oppressed would make one feel that way. Having one's light taken away, for instance…both mother and daughter were plunged within darkness. The torch burned an orange-yellow, casting long shadows within the cave. Closing her eyes, the dark goddess could hear the echo of weeping from Hades' castle. The girl hadn't moved from her spot. The witch took it to be the same with the young maiden's mother Above. But then, a mother would always go to search for her child. Seeing through half-lidded eyes, she flipped the final card over. The Chariot. Moving constantly with controlled progress. A transition into a new phase of life.
She looked at the cards placed before her. These all indicated a great change, just as the witch had known. The reading had just confirmed her deductions. The last card, though…from fortune to death to confusion to movement? She looked at each card, making mental notes of what each represented, but at the same time, frowning deeply. Change was not so readily accepted, often fought at first with great struggle. She knew that very well, especially when such intense emotions were at play.
However, change cannot be stopped. Just as the last card indicated, change was constantly moving. From being high above to being brought down below, from stillness there would always be movement. Things could not keep stagnant forever.
Would the young goddess accept her fate with honor and dignity? Would she preside over Hades alongside her brother forevermore? Would she take her rightful place as Queen?
The torch of the cave wavered. It looked as though it would go out, just a little breeze or a simple snap of the goddess's fingers would do-----
The bright orange flame returned to place, burning brightly ever more.
***********
Hades, Lord of the Underworld, was seated upon a gilded chair, across Hekate, Goddess of the Dark Moon. She had come yet again at a time when he was unattended. He greeted her courteously.
"You come at a time most convenient as before, Lady. Will you be making a habit of it?"
The corners of her lips curved upwards ever so slightly. "It has been quite a while I have not heard your voice so jesting, Lord Hades. If it helps to bring out the good in you, and so much the better, I will humor you."
"I know my sister has not come here to exchange jests. Surely, you have come to tell me something. What is it?"
She was quiet at first, with that self-contained look of hers when she was thinking. Of course, it was something of importance, if she got like this. Finally, she spoke. "It is about your actions, so to speak. I have done a card reading and I see what the Fates have begun to weave----"
"This again? I thought we have already discussed this, Hekate."
"We did, but I have seen that there are to be many changes in the future because of what you have set in motion." She spoke calmly, composed.
"And you said you did not rebuke me for it!" He spoke in a clipped tone.
"I said I did not, but if you will let me finish, this will go rather quick!" she snapped. Hades grimaced, but let her continue. He knew what she was going to tell him was about his taking Persephone and how careless he was in doing so. She was not a divinator for nothing.
"Now as I was saying, your actions have set changes that will come in time in the world Above." She paused. Hades knew this part to be intended. It made her seem cryptic and eerie, but that didn't scare him. She was only his sister. "Hard and harsh changes. Because of you, death will descend upon the land swift and sure. Without the Spring Maiden, the land will suffer ruined crops and droughts. And I doubt it not that the Twelve Gods of Olympus will allow this to happen, especially their leader."
Now it was Hades' turn to think. What his sister said was true; Zeus would not allow this. How long would it take them to find out? Not long, he wagered. Not as long as his Grain sister loved Persephone. But he loved her too. Which was why he had to take her to his home and make her his bride and Queen. He did not want to give her up, she who was the only good thing in his dreadful and lonely life. His sister was another, but Hekate was a solitary figure, and she liked it that way, not bound to anyone man nor God. She was complex within herself.
"What say you, my lord? I did not come here to just give you counsel. What will you do about it?"
The Dark Lord looked up at Hekate. It seemed that her smile was coy and her eyes gleaming. He said "I will not give her up. They will have to take her from me. And how can they? She is Queen here. We have already been married, and by Hera, whom the laws of marriage are a sacrilege, I know she feels the same way as well."
"Very astute. However, will she feel the same if she hears how you two have come to be married? You miss the finer points of my reading, my lord." She knew he had meant it to be so. She nearly spat in disgust when he said the word 'marriage', but hid that well. Why must he be so blind? Would he wage war over something so insignificant? The girl was such a dainty maiden, who, Hekate knew, did not want to be with her brother. She was a just a little child, crying for her mother. She did not want to be queen. She was denying her fate, just as her brother was…
This was all his fault! If he had only just kept to his own affairs, he needn't be so stubborn! He could've spared both siblings a lifetime of grief if he hadn't gone up There…
He shook his head, only saying "I will not let them take her. That is final."
Her fingers dug painfully into her palm. "And what if they come here? Do not expect me to heed you! I must lay aside my pride, and you, yes, even you must lay down your pride to the Fates' ways----"
"Hush, say no more! I will not hear it. Their quarrel is with me, not you, sister. Fear not. What will be, will be. It is the only thing we can allow. Let it be, and worry no more of this. " He spoke quietly, gently almost, that it made her choke back her words. She could not speak like this, so she waited a moment to clear her throat.
"My lord King and brother, what would you want me to do? I can show you another reading so that you know what to do when the time comes…"
"Nay. I told you not to speak of it no more. I command you." He ordered her, and she was silent. Even she had to obey him, as he was the Lord of this realm.
She stood up and dipped him a polite curtsy, said him a reverance. "If you will excuse me, my lord. " She left.
**********
Once again, Hekate wandered through the halls of the castle after a brief audience with Hades, Lord of the Dead. She had been cut off again by her brother, wanting not to listen to her forewarnings. As she went through the spacious hall of doom and gloom, she thought of the one he was so willing to risk the wrath of the Gods. That little maiden! How had she come about to enchant her brother so? Hekate had come to suspect that Hades' bride knew little close to nothing about what occurred behind closed doors after marriage. That is, if they had ever gotten to that point, she thought bitterly. Nay, the Goddess of Death and Rebirth was not interested in what had happened between a husband and wife. Especially not their nightly endeavors. Her primary concerns were leading others down the many twists and turns of life and the well-being of others' souls. And indeed, it was their souls that she was concerned about. Hades may oversee all souls, but what about his own?
Just as she passed a tall, marble column, she sensed a presence of light. It was a warm, tingly feeling that seemed to fill the hall with brightness. No wonder the shadows were so attracted to her. The girl's aura was enticing; it was like having a large group of hungry hounds attack a scrap of meat. Now this was not a good way to describe this (if she were to tell her brother), but under the circumstances, Hekate thought she couldn't have made a more fit description. After all, she couldn't even dismiss the shadows! She was not bending knee to some convent flower who could not carry out a single order.
Turning her head to the side, she spoke. "My dear, would you kindly step out from yonder column so that I can see you?"
There was a faint gasp of surprise, then, stepping from behind the column, pale cheeks flushed pink, was the Goddess of Spring and bride of Hades, Persephone.