It was the fifth winter that Persephone came to the Underworld. Demeter was no more willing to let her go.
As they walked to the entrance to the realm of Hades, Persephone glumly watched how the world around her was changing. In their wake, a frost spread across the landscape, the trees lost their leaves and froze, and woodland animals ran and hid. Her own mother was graying, from her hair to her skin to her disposition.
After an eternity of walking in sad silence, the entrance was visible. And, in front of it stood a familiar figure. As they approached him, he bowed.
"Lady Persephone. Lady Demeter."
"Lord Hades," Persephone greeted in a similar way.
He gave the faintest of smiles, which Persephone had come to recognize when no one else did.
Then Demeter slapped him across the face, hard.
Holding his jaw straight, he said, "I suppose I deserved that."
"You know you did, you son of a harpy," Demeter spit.
Persephone sighed. Demeter turned to her daughter, her mood changed entirely, and gave her a bone-crushing hug. Persephone had to pry herself away.
Hades thusly held out his arm, and Persephone carefully took it.
Before the entrance closed, she could see her mother standing, clutching her arms, crying. It had gotten so cold that her tears turned to ice crystals as soon as she shed them.
Persephone turned to Hades, who smiled sadly, but encouragingly. Then she looked toward the yellowish glow, and her home for the next six months.
The first dinner together of the season was always awkward, and quiet. Persephone pushed her sliced pomegranates around on her plate. Hades stared at her the entire meal.
He was so glad to see her, and it was because of his eagerness that he ventured aboveground for the first time to bring her down. He knew Thanatos unnerved her. The snakelike man intimidated everyone.
Hades was smiling especially because he had a surprise for her.
The moment she rose to retire to bed, he interrupted, "I want to show you something first."
The goddess looked startled, and Hades felt himself blushing at how loudly he had said it, but he went and offered his arm. She took it. As they walked, she smiled suspiciously, like she was trying to figure out what he had planned.
About halfway towards the back of the castle, Hades asked her to close her eyes. As she did so, the Lord of the Underworld was surprised by her trusting. Finally, they emerged to the backside of the castle.
Before them stretched an infinite field, covered in asphodel and pomegranate trees. Closest to the castle were plots of soft dirt, perfectly lined up and proportioned.
"Open your eyes," Hades said.
Persephone opened her eyes and smiled so broadly that her impulse was to put her hands over her mouth. But she wanted to show Hades how grateful she was, so she smiled and giggled.
"Oh, it reminds me of home," she said, kneeling in the dirt and inhaling the fresh smell.
Hades had never seen a goddess get into the dirt like that so willingly.
"I have something for you, too," she said softly.
Hades approached and sat next to her. From a pocket of her green chiton she brought out a little plant. Its leaves were young and green, and the roots reached for ground and nutrients pleadingly. Pieces of dirt crumbled from the base. The bud at the top was spring-colored and glowed from the inside.
Persephone gingerly cupped the flower in her hands, and smiled happily at the fields and at Hades. He was the god of death, but at the same time, he knew much about life. Digging a hole in the dirt with his hands, he watched Persephone stroke the leaves of the plant.
Her eyes met his. It was very kind of you to do this, Persephone thought to him.
It was quite considerate of you to bring something down here. How did you know about my surprise? Hades thought in return.
I did not know, Persephone admitted. I wanted to bring you something that you don't get to see very often. This flower is from my personal garden at home. But I don't know what it will turn out to be.
Hades looked at her in shock. So you brought something for me not thinking you would get anything in return? he asked.
Of course! Persephone responded, as if it was ridiculous to suggest otherwise.
They lowered the plant into the earth, and cooperated to bury its roots.
"Will it grow down here?" Hades asked aloud.
Persephone smiled, a trifle cockily. "I can grow anything."
Hades laughed, unexpectedly free. "Of all people, I never expected you to start bragging," he said.
Persephone laughed along with him, and they began to walk back inside, soil-covered hands brushing.
Thanatos watched the plant from his windows with contempt. There were so few things that Hades gave immortality. And, as of late, most had been plants.
A/N- Only when I reread this do I realize how sappy it is. Oh well. Hope you like it anyway!
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- A.Z.