I have changed my pen name to OrangeKisses. It's different and shorter to write out. Just to let everyone know.
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True to his word, Hades was back in Olympus after a full week had passed. The whispers had erupted the moment he had entered the gates and soon everyone was gathered in the main foyer of the main hallway. He breezed past them all easily and moved down the hallways, heading to the throne room.
When he passed Aphrodite and Cupid, he shot them a brief glance and the corner of his mouth lowering into a frown at the young boy. Cupid had gotten over his fears of his uncle harming him and just smiled a bit hesitantly. Hades entered the throne without knocking and shut the door behind him, letting it close with a small click. Immediately the gods flocked around the door to eavesdrop, but Aphrodite held her son back.
"Eros, fetch Persephone out of my room. Take her down to the fields near the sea to Demeter. Hades is in Olympus, and he'll surely seek every room in this place to find her. She is no longer safe with me." Her face had a bit of regret as she sent her son off. She had gotten to know the maiden goddess and liked her a lot. If she had her own daughter, she'd want her to turn out like that, innocent.
Eros nodded and quietly slipped off from his mother and headed through the hallways to the wing that his mother inhabited. He opened the doors to each room, sifting through them until he found Persephone in the spare bedroom, chaining flowers together to make a crown for Aphrodite. Eros quietly hauled her up by the arm and took her into the living room, packing away some food into a satchel for her to take. Bread, cheese, a skin of water, a small jar of honey, and a few pieces of dried meat; things that would keep. "Hades is in Olympus, it is no longer safe for you here." His mouth twisted into a frown. This wasn't supposed to be happening. His love arrow was just that, a love arrow. If Hades didn't find Persephone soon, or found that the gods were hiding her away, he was going to become very angry. He was lord of the dead and of chaos; he could wreak havoc whenever he wished! It was very rare, as he took his revenge when his enemy had died, but there were the occasional slip ups.
Persephone looked at Eros and nodded softly in understanding. "Mother is usually by the oceans' fields, looking after the warm coastal cities. Eros… I have a question." The older god looked up at Persephone, nodding once for her to continue. "Why did you mark Hades with your arrow?"
Eros shrugged easily, straightening and slinging the satchel over one shoulder, taking her hand to lead her out of the wing. The daisy chain she had finished lay on the floor, forgotten.
Eros took back hallways to another exit of Olympus in the back. Here the yard actually had ground, springy grass, flowers, bushes, and trees decorating. Apples hung temptingly from boughs, begging for someone to come along and pick them. The air was light with the fragrance of flowers and briefly Persephone wished she had ventured this far and into the back acreage. Majestic marble columns and fountains were spread here and there, carrying a warm rose hue in the early morning sunlight. Shots of gold and silver were threaded through the marble, giving it a sparkle. It was quiet and empty, just what he needed. "The fates decreed it, so I must be the one to do it." He led her through different hedges and to the back wall where a discreet gate was. Opening the gate for her, he silently shut it behind him, hoping no one was looking out of a window at this time. If they were, they would easily be spotted. The clouds ended after a moment and if Persephone looked down, she could see the earth below them. A sudden wave of nausea hit her stomach and she backed away from the edge. Her mother had instantly teleported them down with leaves or flowers, making the ride nearly instant for them. How were they to get down?
"I-I can't leave." Eros glanced up and unfurled his powerful wings, holding out a hand to her. Persephone shook her head rapidly. Fly down there!? That was like a sudden drop! Her stomach dropped as well and she sat down on the clouds, shaking her head when Eros stepped forward. "Eros I can't fly! I wasn't gifted with that ability! Surely my extra weight will be the death of us both!"
Eros snorted loudly and took Persephone's arms, glancing towards the large house they had left behind. He saw faint figures at some of the windows and swore loudly, bodily picking up Persephone. Persephone's arms wound around Eros so tight that he made a choking noise as he stepped near the edge. "Eros, please, there has to be another way, I hate heights!!" Her words ended on a scream as Eros took one step forward and they started falling through the air. His wings spread open and caught with a sudden noise as if it were a giant parachute. Persephone had curled up as tightly as she could managed, burying her face into her own arms as she prepared herself for impact.
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Hades shut the door behind him when he entered the throne room, seeing Zeus and a minor god quietly talking to themselves. The god turned at the noise and recognized Hades, quickly ending his discussion and stepped aside for Hades to approach. Hades walked across the large expanse of the marble room until he reached the ornately carved thrones. Hera's was empty next to him and Hades briefly glanced at it before looking up at Zeus. "Leave us."
The minor god quickly left the room and only until everyone had left the room did Hades finally speak. "I wish for Persephone, Demeter's daughter, to be my queen."
Zeus's bored expression turned to slight surprise and he nodded once. "What has brought you to this decision my brother?"
Hades gave Zeus a look and dropped the formalities to be blunt. "You knew this was going to happen and you did not warn me."
Zeus nodded his golden head, crystal blue eyes looking at his older brother. "As did Eros, yet if he warned you he knew that you would run."
Hades frowned at his brother while Zeus stepped off of the throne to stretch. "I've been sitting there since late last night, I feel so stiff. I think I'll visit my friend in the mortal world today…"
Hades snorted softly. "I see that even with your wife angry with you and giving you the cold shoulder, you seek another."
Zeus gave Hades a sharp look to which he gave an easy shrug, just as Zeus had done earlier. "Merely an observation my brother. Back to business so I may leave you to your philandering—" he received another look and returned equally. "—I want her as my bride and queen. Do I have your blessing to do so?"
Zeus considered Hades for a moment, both of them lapsing into silence. "Why do you bother even asking? The fates have proclaimed it; it has been woven into the tapestry of fate!"
Hades rolled his shoulder absently. Why was he asking? "Honor dictates that I do so. You are her father, her parent. You do not treat her as such, making the lady Demeter over bearing and now my enemy over such a simple issue as her daughter."
"I have many children Hades; I can not cater to them all."
Hades frowned at this answer. If he had as many children as Zeus, he would be fair to them all, one mother in common or not, jealous wife or not. "Fine. I will take her as my bride. Where has she been hidden away?" It came out more as a command to tell him then a polite answer. Zeus crossed his burly arms over his chest, the white robes faintly glowing with the power he held. Those with high powers could give off their own glowing light. Zeus did it to enhance his image as the head god.
"You ask as if I know these things."
Hades gave a frustrated and hard laugh, running his pale hand through his black hair. "I know you know these things. Now, answer my question and tell me where she is!"
Zeus stalled a little bit, meandering over to a window. He spotted Eros leading Persephone through the hedges of the back garden but pretended not to be watching. Eros kept glancing towards the windows and seeing him made the winged man double his pace. Zeus looked away as if nothing interested him outside and turned towards Hades once again. "I don't have a clue."
Hades voice came out as a hiss. "Liar!"
Zeus puffed up at the accusation like a dog almost, stalking forward towards his brother. Hades, only a few inches taller then Zeus, glared down at him. "You know, as does the rest of Olympus. I've already searched the earth for her, sending my messengers to inquire and ask. Every god they encountered told them the same thing and acted suspicious. She's hidden away here, I know she is."
Zeus was surprised that Hades was going to all this trouble for a mere flower goddess. Then again, he had been hit by love's arrow. Before Zeus could answer a short scream went through the air and Hades's head jerked upward and towards the window. He crossed so fast that Zeus blinked at the sudden disappearance and Hades halfway leaned out the window, spotting the last of Eros disappearing through the clouds. He snarled softly and turned, his boots clacking against the floor as he moved briskly towards the front doors. "Wait! Where are you going!? Hades, I have not said I was through speaking with you!"
Hades jerked open the door and shot his brother a furious look over his shoulder. "I'm going to recapture what is rightfully mine. And so help me if you interfere again Zeus, I will make sure you live eternity in regret!" Slamming the door behind him Hades stalked off towards the front gates, shoving his helmet on his head before taking up his chariot. His horses sensed his mood and pawed the ground anxiously as fire erupted around their hooves. They took off and went over the gate instead of through it, not bothering to wait for anyone else to help them. Zeus let out a sigh in his throne room. This was the beginning of the end.
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The moment they landed Eros had gotten an earful for taking the liberty of falling through the sky. "Don't you ever do that again, do you understand me? You could have killed us both!" Eros nodded quickly and Persephone's wrath deflated as she sank to the ground of the meadow he had landed in. She did not like heights. At all.
Eros unfurled his wings and lightly bowed at the waist. "This is as far as I go. If you find yourself in need of a friend, don't hesitate to call." With that he took off back into the sky, disappearing.
Persephone sighed and laid on her back in the grass, feeling the cat tails tickle her skin and the green grass feel like silk beneath her hands. Smiling to herself, Persephone let her mind wander and her eyes close. The air was warm and humid this close to the ocean and she could faintly hear the cry of sea gulls in the distance. Her fingers threaded through the grass in the middle of the meadow, letting the blades weave through her fingers. Smiling to herself, she relaxed completely. Her mother would find her soon enough and she was happy to just lay there until she did. There was no harm in that, right?
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Above the earth circled Hades, trying to find the exact area that Eros had gone. All he could see were coastal cities and acreage upon acreage of meadows, forests, and beaches. Sighing in aggravation, he motioned for the horses to go down towards the ground. He would return home, let everything calm down above him. Then he would return. Satisfied with this plan, Hades guided the horses to the ground, discarding his helmet onto the floor of the chariot.
However, a brief flash of pink caught his eye and he turned to look, spotting a woman in a pink gown. Straining his eyes, he recognized who it was as he got closer to the earth and Hades smiled to himself. Eros had left her alone. Perhaps he wouldn't harm the god after all. Steering the chariot to the far side of the meadow they landed and he stepped off of the back, his boots making a light sound as he stepped into the soft grass. He moved through it and slowed as he approached the spot where Persephone lay. He came to a stop by her head, frowning to himself when her eyes didn't open at his presence. "Persephone."
She didn't respond and his frown deepened. If she were dead he would know it, for Charon would have alerted him of the young woman. She sighed softly in her sleep and rolled onto her side, letting the sunlight be her blanket. He watched in surprise at her blatant posture. She was sleeping in the meadows so close to a human city? If a man chanced upon her, she wouldn't be able to fight him off. Hades didn't like that thought and a surge of possessiveness went straight through him. Sighing softly, his hand moved to her shoulder and he gently shook it. "Persephone, wake up." She groaned softly in protest and curled partway into herself.
She mumbled something that sounded like 'five more minutes mother' and Hades chuckled to himself. What an amusing creature she was. Carefully Hades propped her up against him before putting a hand under her knees to stand back up. Her eyes opened slowly, looking up at him in drowsiness. Her brow lowered in confusion as she started to wake herself up. Hades couldn't have that. He adjusted her in his arms so she was on her own two feet and pulled a small white flower from his shirt pocket, holding it under her nose. "Smell this Persephone."
The young goddess was barely awake and she wavered unsteadily on her feet. His free hand held her still by her shoulder and gently kept her upright. Why he was gentler with her was unclear, but something about her deserved consideration from him. She shook her head no, dimly thinking she should recognize the flower. She'd seen it before; her mother had warned her against it. Hades heard Demeter's voice calling for Persephone in the distance and swore softly to himself. He was running out of time; He'd have to take her quickly. "Persephone, trust me. I have done nothing to earn your mistrust."
Persephone looked up at, more alert now as the name of the flower eluded her. His silver eyes were pleading, asking her silently to just trust him. She had nothing against him, did she? He had never personally harmed her or her kin. She nodded once and leaned down to the flower he offered her, gently smelling it. Its aroma was intoxicating and her knees weakened. Instantly she recognized the plant and her eyes flew up to his in surprise. Narcissus? Her hand reached up for balance and latched onto his shoulder as the drug the plant was known for began to take affect.
No, she had to stay awake! She should have listened to her mother and stayed away from the man, he was just as she had said!! As the sleeping drug took affect on her she looked up at his face with betrayal in her eyes and saw apology in his.
Hades caught Persephone as she passed out, throwing the deadly flower to the side where she had been sleeping. He hadn't wanted to resort to something as low as this, but he was hard pressed for time. Demeter's voice was getting louder and closer as the seconds ticked by. Persephone was going to be furious when she woke up. She would come to understand in time that this was the best decision. Hoisting the young woman into his arms he quickly strode through the grass to the chariot, waving his hand over the earth. It trembled and split open, conceiving a cavern.
Once he had stepped into the chariot the horses reared forward and dove down into the black earth, the hole swallowing them up and shutting behind them, leaving no trace they had been there. As they delved further and further into the earth and towards his home, Hades looked down at the sleeping girl in his arms.
She would be the perfect bride.
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A/N: There was a variation to the myth of Hades and Persephone that Hades obtained a poisoned flower from Aphrodite that would put Persephone to sleep so he could kidnap her easier. This flower was called Narcissus. It's part of the Daffodil family and is small and white, the leaves being highly poisonous. There is a myth related to a man named Narcissus as well. I used Narcissus in this story because it fit the theme that I was going for, and I'm not too keen on the variation of Aphrodite being out to get Persephone.
So, what do you think?
OK
PS: I changed my pen name to OrangeKisses. It's different and shorter to write out.
