Author's Note: Greetings! Before we begin, I wanted to introduce our "guest goddess" and provide some translations for the Greek words used at the end of the story. With that, I hope you enjoy this newest encounter!
Panacea-goddess of universal health. She is known for her poultices and potions used in healing wounds.
Cat - Γάτα (Gáta)
Flower - λουλούδι (louloúdi)
Mouse - ποντίκι (pontíki)
Asp - ασπίδα (aspída)
A change in scenery was supposed to help. Today, like so many before it, was an off day. The lord of the Underworld thought it highly ironic that the best way to escape his younger brother's hangover involved going up. Hera sent Hades' drunken brother away from Olympus and somewhere out of sight and mind. While Zeus tossed and turned in whatever bed he'd collapsed in, Hades walked through the tranquil forest in the mortal realm. The upper world had its good qualities, he had to admit, but the slight pull of the Underworld was ever-present in his chest.
"I'd rather be here out of my element than down there dealing with my brother's whining," Hades told the air.
He continued until the sun completely hid from the forest floor. The trees stood proud in their various shades of green. Some leaves were shiny, while others were dull. Some were smooth, and others were rough. A few of the trees, Hades noticed, had tiny white flowers growing up the length of the trunk. He paused and moved to inspect the blossoms. Their sweet aroma engulfed him when he leaned closer to get a better look. They were the strangest flowers he'd ever seen. Small as they were, the blossoms showed no flaw, and the leaves curled almost demurely as if hiding a rising blush.
His brow furrowed, and Hades stood up, looking around, realizing that these miniature plants covered tree trunks off to his right and leading further into the forest. He did not hesitate to follow the path the white flowers created. The petals led him through two small clearings and to the edge of a brook. The white blooms crossed the creek, where a few stones provided a bridge. Across the stream, the flower trail continued, leading to a patch of sunlight in the distance. He followed on, paying little attention to the wildlife that watched him with curiosity.
Something about those flowers drew him closer and closer to the end of the trail. They weren't natural; those kinds of trees did not grow flowers. Not that trees grew flowered on their trunks, none that he knew about anyway. The blossoms began to thin out the closer the sunlight came. Trees were covered in fewer and fewer blooms until they stopped entirely just before the clearing. Hades peeked through the thinning trees at the sun-flooded earth. Birds flew in swooping circles in the bright blue sky; a family of deer shared the grass with rabbits and squirrels. An unexpected sense of peace replaced the tugging in his chest, and he leaned against a tree.
"I see why mortals are so sorry to leave this place," he muttered to himself.
Hades lost track of time watching the fawns and the rabbits frolic in the meadow. He also found it amusing that the term "frolic in the meadow" crossed his mind, but these frolicking thoughts were interrupted by a high-pitched yowl. The deer and the rabbits bolted from the clearing and disappeared through the trees. A second yowl cut through the quiet spring air somewhere off to his left. Hades moved in the direction of the sound listening for any additional noises. A third yowl led him farther away from the blossom-covered trees and the clearing. He pushed branches out of his way, checking his footing to make sure that he did not miss what could be causing the sound. A fourth and final yowl made him stop in his tracks.
Hades had not stepped on anything, yet the sound was so close, and now was accompanied by grunts and soft meowing sounds. When he was positive that nothing was on the ground around him, he began looking elsewhere the mysterious sound.
Almost immediately, the source of the yowling revealed itself. A small black and white form flopped and jumped around in the grass, not far from where Hades stood. The creature had four legs and a long tail. One of the front feet was caught in something and remained stretched out straight in front of it. The animal stopped for a split second before it began trying to escape again. Hades realized in that instant that he watched a cat caught in a snare.
"Oh no," he said somberly. "poor thing."
He saw movement out of the corner of his eye and retreated behind the tree. A flower nymph with a headful of brunette hair flew from the direction of the clearing, tiny white blossoms forming on the trunks behind her. She dropped to her knees at the side of the cat and tried to reach for it. The cat cowered and hissed at her, and Hades watched her pull her hands away from the animal. She said something to the cat and reached down for it again; the cat growled this time and swiped at her. The nymph cried out and pulled her hand back. Hades couldn't help but chuckle at her foolishness. He stepped closer, honestly hoping that she was not hurt.
"Why won't you let me help you?"
Hades faced changed from mild amusement to recognition. He recognized her voice from an encounter not long ago in a library on Olympus. She wasn't a nymph at all; she was Demeter's daughter. Now he felt obligated to help her. Hades stepped out from behind the aspen tree and cleared his throat. She turned around and gasped.
"It's you!" She smiled in astonishment, holding her hand close to her body. Hades saw the tiny drops of blood turning her blue chiton purple.
"You're bleeding," he pointed to her hand and sank to his knees next to her. "Let me help you."
"No," she pulled her hand away. "She needs our help more."
Hades blinked and looked down at the cat. It stayed huddled close to the ground, paw trapped in a tightening wire, growling at the two of them. Hades reached out for the cat but pulled back again when the claws reached out for him. "Alright, that does it." Hades reached down again, ignoring the growls and grabbed the cat around the scruff. The animal froze, ears flat and eyes wide. The claws stayed out, but the paws didn't move.
"Don't do that," Persephone told him. "You're hurting her."
"No, I'm not," he countered. "This is how mothers hold them when they're young. I'll keep hold of her while you get the wire from around her paw." He kept the animal still while Persephone unwound the wire from around the animal's foot.
The cat shrieked and tried to escape Hades' grasp. The snare wire pulled skin and hair away from the cat as Persephone pulled it away. "It's so bad," she whispered and looked up him. "What are we going to do?"
"Stay calm, my dear," he comforted. "There is no need to panic. Is there anyone close by that you can summon? We need to find someone."
Persephone turned towards the forest, and two actual flower nymphs materialized. They stopped in their tracks when they saw Hades. He could only imagine what it must look like to see the king of the dead sitting in the grass next to the young goddess of spring. He already felt out of place amongst the greenery and especially the flowers. Persephone did not seem to notice or care at how odd the pair seemed to be. She informed the two nymphs that Hades had a task for them and that they would do as he said.
"And, please don't tell my mother," she added. They nodded and turned their attention to Hades.
"I need you to please find Panacea and bring her here. You should find her around Olympus. Tell her that I am the one requesting her presence." The nymphs curtsied and disappeared.
"Will Panacea come?" Persephone asked him.
He nodded. "I'm sure of it." Hades looked down at the cat and then back to Persephone. "Do you think it will run away if I let go?"
Persephone shrugged. "I don't know if she can run," she said.
Hades let go of the cat's scruff slowly. It thought about running, even taking a step or two away from them. Most likely out of pain, the cat did not continue to run, but instead limped back towards Persephone and laid its head on Persephone's leg. That cat lay still with the wounded paw stretched out. A deep red ring bit through the hair and continued to bleed on her dress. Persephone stroked the animal gently, whispering promises of healing and safety. The cat fell asleep in this position. Hades adjusted to lean against the tree next to Persephone and the cat.
"Who is this goddess you say will help us?" Persephone asked him.
"Panacea," he answered. "She is a daughter of Asclepius. The whole family has something to do with healing and medicine. Panacea is known best for the poultice she carries with her. It is supposed to have the power to heal any possible infection known or unknown to the mortal world or some such nonsense."
Persephone's brow furrowed. "You don't believe it will work?"
He shook his head quickly. "Of course, I do; why else would I send for her? It's the romanticized language everyone uses. I prefer to use straight forward language."
She smirked. "So, I should not use flowery language when I speak to you."
Hades rolled his eyes. "Amusing, little goddess, truly amusing."
"I see you're not impressed with my humor." The smile she gave him was genuine.
"Keep trying. Wit and sarcasm come with age, my lady."
The small talk subsided, and Persephone began stroking the can again. Hades was nearly asleep when a stiff, cool breeze swept over him and rustled the trees. A graceful figure stepped from behind a tree. She was tall, dressed in white flowing linens with a bright red hem. Blonde hair fell in a pleat over her shoulder. She carried a large basket over one arm filled with small bottles and various plants. She looked from Hades to Persephone and smiled.
"The great Lord of the Underworld looks quite comfortable in the mortal realm." Her voice was soothing.
Hades chuckled and rose to his feet. "It's a nice change once in a while," he told the new goddess. "There isn't much greenery where I hail from."
"Naturally." She turned back to Persephone and smiled. "How do you do, daughter of Demeter?"
"I'm well, thank you, my lady." Persephone bowed her head.
"No need for such formalities." The older goddess knelt beside Persephone and the cat. "I am Panacea." She touched the cat lightly and the animal looked up at her. "And this much be our patient." The healing goddess stroked the cat from head and tail, sending it into a deep sleep. "May I?" Persephone took her hand off the cat's head and pushed herself backward when Panacea took the cat in her arms. She inspected the injured paw and clicked her tongue.
"Hunters in the forests," Panacea declared. "I'll have to tell Artemis when I return." She turned to her basket now and pulled out two bundles and leaves and a dark glass bottle. Setting those aside, Panacea brought out a roll of clean linen bandages and a pestle and mortar. Three dark leaves and a large handful of dried plants fell into the mortar before Panacea poured something from the bottle on top of them. Working quickly and quietly, Panacea created a poultice that she spread over the bandage.
Panacea turned back to her basket and pulled out a small hydra. She took a fresh bandage from her roll and dipped it in the hydra, soaking it and ringing it out. Panacea cleaned the paw with finesse and skill that Persephone had never seen before. Secretly, Persephone was glad that the cat was still asleep; she did not doubt that cleaning this type of wound while awake would be painful. Panacea wiped away all the blood and loose hair from the area until the thin red line around the cat's paw stood out against healthy, pink skin.
"There now," Panacea whispered. She took the poultice covered linen and wrapped it around the paw. She tied it in place with a final linen strip. "That should do it." Panacea stroked the cat again, and it woke up. The cat mewed softly and began sniffing at that bandage around his leg. The cat tried to stand up but sat back down and looked between Persephone and Panacea. "She will need time to rest, but the wound should heal in a few days."
Persephone smiled and stroked the cat. "Thank you, my lady. I would never have known what to do on my own."
Panacea smiled and stood up. She gathered the items back into her basket and walked to the trap still on the ground. "I think that Artemis will want to see this." She collected the snare in her basket and turned back to Hades. "Do take care of yourself, great king. Spending an afternoon in the sun from time to time might be more beneficial to you than you realize." She shot a sideways glance at Persephone and smirked.
"I will have to consider it, my lady. Thank you for your assistance this afternoon." He bowed until Panacea disappeared. He turned back towards Persephone and watched for a moment while she scratched the cat's chin. "Well, little goddess, what shall you do now?"
She looked up at him and shrugged. "I don't know. I suppose I should take her home now and let her rest up."
"What will your mother think about your new friend?" He pointed to the purring cat.
Persephone giggled. "She won't mind. I'll tell her what happened, and she'll let me keep it. I'm positive."
"If you say so. If the cat is going to stay, the animal needs a name."
Persephone thought for a moment. "What about Gᾁta?"
"How original." Hades rolled his eyes.
Persephone bristled. "Do you have any better ideas?"
"Louloứdi."
She scoffed. "I don't name everything after flowers, you know."
"What?" he asked her. "I thought it was fitting."
"How about Pontỉkỉ?"
Hades chuckled. "Yes, name the cat after what it's supposed to chase. Have you considered naming it after your location?"
"What do you mean?"
"Ἁspno."
"Why would I name her after a tree?"
"I'm only trying to help, little goddess." Hades was beginning to get frustrated with the girl.
"You might be, but you and everyone else always assume that everything I own is automatically associated with flowers and springtime and greenery." Her voice rose with anger.
Hades sighed. "You're right." Her head snapped up. "I'm sorry that I just assumed. Of course, you would have other interests." He watched her face soften and he smiled at her warmly. "So, excluding flowers, trees, plants, greenery, and springtime, what name have you decided on?"
She sat back on her knees and looked down at the cat. The cat meowed and started purring. It rubbed its head against Persephone's hand. "I don't know. You've named a pet before. What would you choose?"
"Cerberus is not a pet, my dear. He is the guardian of souls and guard to the gates of hell."
Persephone smirked at him. "If you say so, my lord, but despite all of that, you have named an animal in your charge."
"You have me there, little goddess." He unclasped the broach at his shoulder and pulled his chlamys off. He bent down and gathered the cat in the fabric. The cat watched him with wide green eyes. It yawned and rested its head against Hades' arm. "What about Panacea?"
Persephone stood next to him and now and scratched the cat's head. "That sounds like a wonderful idea. I told you were good at naming animals."
For the umpteenth time that afternoon, Hades smiled at the young goddess next to him. He bundled the cat closer to him and was nearly in shock when he felt Persephone's arm slip into his. He could not deny his pounding heart at her touch. "Shall I be your escort home, little goddess?"
"Do you mind?" she asked demurely. Her eyes sparkled through batting eyelashes.
He felt himself melting into a puddle. How in the world could she do that to him? "It would be an honor, my lady."
"And you can keep our new friend comfortable?"
"I am perfectly capable of carrying a small cat comfortably to its new home. Don't you trust me, little goddess?"
A blush rose to her neck and her cheeks. "Of course, I trust you. She is quite safe in your hands."
"Believe me, Persephone, I protect everything that is in my care. Never doubt that." He took advantage of her surprise and stole a kiss. "Now, come long. I'll have to deliver you far enough back that your mother does not see me."
"She's not that bad, you know."
"To you, she may not be, little goddess, but imagine having her an in-law." Hades laughed again, though he wasn't sure what was funnier, his joke or Persephone's expression.