AN: Oh, please do review, it really is good to hear your opinions…enjoy

The Flickering Flame

"The challenge in love is not igniting the flame, but in keeping the flame burning through the darkest times."

Source Unknown

"Hades!" Persephone cried.

Hades went immediately to her side, "what dear?"

"This is my last day here. I just want to say goodbye because you might not see me when I leave," she said.

"Sure my love" Hades leaned forward and kissed her.

Half of the year passed and Persephone returned to the Underworld; what Marpessa saw shocked her. They weren't overjoyed to see each other. They just gave each other a small hug and went their separate ways. It was such an awful sight.

That was when it all started. They spent lesser time with each other.

Then their time apart grew longer and longer and the crack in their relationship was slowly getting bigger.

It wasn't that he was fed up. No one would be bored with Persephone, he wasn't even sure

he had the right to. He was, after all, the Lord of the Underworld and when it came to entertainment, the Underworld had little to offer.

He is sure he loves her. He had gone through so much, worked so hard for her. He even tried to be in good terms with her impossible mother.

But she- she reminded him of Persephone, same vibrancy without the angry mother, the rose without the thorns.

And she was so willing, so eager, so alluring.

She wasn't sure why she was so cold either. She loves him, of course, but she wasn't sure she wanted to trust him.

After everything I have done.

But she didn't want to think that. Theirs was not a relationship of favors. It was of love.

I love him.

It was a lovely day. The spring is at its height. The Naiads are all out to swim. They would

sing and dance and laugh and tell stories of men and gods.

Belytia, a nymph who is considered the loudest and most fun of them all initiated-as

always- their conversation. It just so happened that their particular topic for today were the gods.

"I have seen Lord Apollo yesterday. What a handsome fellow he is, so radiant and so wise!"

Liasa, the eldest of them looked at her, eyebrow meticulously raised.

"Stop your daydreaming Belytia. Lord Apollo picks only the most beautiful of creatures."

"Ah, but it is alright to hope Liasa, do not be such a sour grape just because Lord Dionysius didn't notice you the other day."

Liasa blushed, embarrassed.

"Lord Dionysius was just too busy that day."

"Alright Liasa, whatever you say. However, my admiration for Lord Apollo still stands."

The other naiads laughed and started to share their own.

"As for me, I want Lord Hermes. I believe he is the wisest of them all."

"Ah Naesi, you are always practical," Liasa said.

"Lord Ares is for me," said a nymph.

"But Iste, Lord Ares? He is ruthless and merciless," replied Belytia.

"Besides, you would never compare to Lady Aphrodite. Lord Ares would not even spare a look at you when he's with Lady Aphrodite," added Naesi.

Iste, however, looked starry eyed and didn't seem to mind what the others told her.

"As for me, I would settle with Lord Pollux."

"Yes, Vysis and live like they do, sometimes dead and sometimes alive," said Belytia.

"But he is a noble god, sharing his immortality with his brother."

"You have a point."

"What about you Minthe?"

They all looked at the youngest among them- sunlight was streaming through her golden hair, her cheeks pink from the warmth of the day, her beautifully arched brows creased into a tiny frown, her pretty lips curved into a small pout. She always stood out among them; she was gentle as Harmonia, serious as Artemis and as beautiful as a goddess with a higher rank than she has.

"You are always so silent, young Minthe. Indulge in our conversation, however carefree. Believe me, it will be enjoyable," said Liasa

"Oh, but I am too young to think about men."

However convincing she might sound, her face said otherwise. Her once pouted lips curved into a small smile, barely noticeable but still there.

"Nonsense, Minthe. We are never too young. We are immortal," Vysis alleged.

"I believe you are right Vysis."

"Then? Who is it?" asked Belytia, growing impatient.

"Will you not think me impertinent?"

"Why?" asked Iste.

"Because mine is an unusual admiration."

"How is it unusual?"

Minthe took a deep breath.

"..if you promise me you will not laugh…"

"Okay, okay, we promise," said Naesi, also growing impatient.

" I admire Lord Hades."

Naesi looked shocked, "but Minthe!"

"No, you are misjudging Lord Hades. I saw him yesterday and he wasn't fierce, he looked gentle."

"But Lord Hades is evil, handsome, but evil" said Iste.

"I do not believe him evil. I admire him because he is so mysterious, so dark, so exciting."

At this Minthe eyes lit up and the usual silent nymph looked different.

"I think I love him."

Minthe, in Liasa's point of view, looked like she was obsessed. That was obsession she saw in her sky blue eyes, a kindled fire that was growing, it was….sinister, that it gave Liasa the goose bumps.

"But Minthe," interfered Naesi, "even if you do, I think Lord Hades' heart is taken. I have heard that he went straight to Zeus to claim his bride. It was Lady Kore, whom he called Persephone."

"Yes, I heard that too. They say that Demeter was furious. But Hades said he loved her and Lord Zeus could only think of one solution," added Iste.

"…Lady Persephone then will spend half of a year with her mother and the other half with Lord Hades, hence, the seasons," finished Vysis.

"Believe them Minthe, Lady Iris told me so," said Belytia.

"Okay then," Minthe said.

But Liasa was sure, the fire in her eyes is stronger than ever and as strange effect of the sunlight, Minthe didn't look like the silent reserved nymph Liasa knew. She is now the ambitious, obsessed, beautiful young goddess- treacherous and conniving.

I hope I'm just imagining things.

Hades was growing tired of everything. Persephone was being detached. He tried to please,

told her he loved her and she responded enthusiastically but not sincerely. Persephone was losing her touch and he prayed, yes prayed, to an invisible entity, the Fates perhaps, that she wasn't losing her love.

Persephone wanted to hold him but she can't. She cannot bring herself to be too warm with him. The damage she suffered with the Leuce episode was devastating, even if it manifested

just now, when over a year has passed. She said she was alright and that she forgave Hades and she convinced herself that everything will be back to normal.

For a while, this was so. Until one day when she was back to Olympus with her mother.

She was walking the halls, trying to think of something to do when she heard loud voices, loud, arguing voices. She did not want to eavesdrop but it was so tempting. She didn't really know anything that's going around Olympus. She didn't receive any news in the Underworld. And so, she quietly went towards the sound.

It turned out that it was her father and Hera. The Queen has once again found out about an illicit love affair of Zeus.

On the other hand, she always thought about her roots, her mother wasn't her father's wife but they had her anyway. And she didn't understand that numerous half brothers and sisters she had, some immortal, often human.

"I cannot believe you had another one! And it was while I was on an important errand. Who is this mortal now? What is her name?"

"Do not provoke me, Hera, you are only my wife."

"Yet, you stain my name. I am the goddess of marriage my lord, remember that."

"You never let me forget. Now, get out before my patience reaches its limits."

Persephone moved out of the way as Hera stormed out. Hera looked at Persephone as she stepped out.

"Child, what are you doing here?"

"Forgive me, my queen."

"Do not be so humble, young queen."

"I did not mean to eavesdrop, my lady," Persephone lied.

"It is alright. The whole world will be bound to know."

"My lady, if you wish, we can talk."

For a moment, Hera hesitated.

"Why not, child. You are a married woman too."

"Exactly, my lady."

"I do not know what to do. I am perpetually jealous, as the muses say and I do agree. But then, I have reason to be."

"My lady, I do not understand either."

"Ah, yes, your husband is the complete opposite of mine as you are the complete opposite of me." But, we are both married and even though I do not agree with Lord Zeus, I stay because I will then be a hypocrite to my name."

Persephone looked at Hera, suppressing her anger but trying to be calm.

"Child, when they start the infidelity, it never ends. There will be a mark and it will worm its way into their souls and consume them. Men are fools-not all- but they all have potential to be when it comes to women," and she added as an afterthought, "even without the treacherous Aphrodite."

"My lady…"

"Oh, but do not be discouraged with those words. It might just be my wretched fate. I will go now then, young queen, I have a mortal to punish."

Hera then walked away, leaving Persephone so mystified and scared that she felt her knees tremble.

He had nothing to do. His wife was not there and his work is done and so he decides to wander above.

He knew he had a problem with his marriage but he wanted to forget it for now. HE just wanted to ease himself of his burden if only for a few hours.

And there she was, a radiant young lady, looking expectantly at him just outside the cave that leads to the Underworld.

And he got his wish. He forgot his problems but he crossed the line. This wouldn't last for only a few hours.

AN: please review, thanks