Amari412 - So pleased your enjoying the story so far. =) Thankfully, it didn't go that far lol. With my new job, trying to update more quickly. Though the Minotaur sacrifices happened every five years, that is still a lot of souls to judge. Never actually seen the movie, but always been fascinated by that picture decided it suited the story and description of both characters. =')
An unwanted
birthday surprise
Everything happened for a reason. But standing in the throne room, Melinoe felt more exposed than during her bathing time. Standing in the throne room, glancing towards the bare thrones, Melinoe tilted her head. The throne was small. She wondered if her father made it like that on purpose to give a more over powering atmosphere. Wrapping her arms around her middle, cupping her elbows she swallowed, waiting for a man to enter. A gentle pressure upon her shoulder, causing Melinoe to turn looking towards the calm expression of her mother.
"He'll be here soon."
Melinoe nodded. For just a few moments, her gut gave a painful twitch feeling like her father wouldn't be able to make it. As the thoughts pushed through her mind, a dark shadow crept across the ground, followed by crackling as if a fire was burning. Turning around slowly, Melinoe's face broke out into a grin. Standing in the door way dressed, in dark heavy armour with sheet black hair. Though she hadn't seen for a long time, Melinoe knew exactly who it was.
"Father!"
Running from her mother, Melinoe ran towards her father, who had already crouched down. Arms opened he caught Melinoe laughing gently as she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. Watching Persephone quickly departed, knowing that this was a father and daughter time.
Melinoe hadn't stopped grinning. Sitting proudly on her fathers lap, holding a necklace, she dangled it at eyelevel.
"What is it father?"
Smiling, Hades removed the necklace gently from Melinoe's grasp. Turning around Melinoe gazed up towards her father. Placing his palm around the ebony rock, Melinoe's eyes became wide. Her face glowed a dark orange, due to her fathers magic. As Hades let go of the necklace, the crisp white and dark brown beads remained. However the madeleine or ebony rock was now in the shape of a heart. Hades placed it around Melinoe's neck. Taking hold of the heart (which was still warm from Hades magic) she turned, towards her father with a confused expression.
"Its your birthstone. When ever you need me, or home just give it a squeeze.."
Staring at her reflection in the shimmering rock, Melinoe smiled brightly as she curled up against Hades armoured chest.
"Thank you father."
Hades smiled, kissing the top of Melinoe's head. He sighed gently.
"Your welcome Melinoe.."
Peering around the door Persephone, watched father and daughter. It warmed her heart, just like when she first witnessed them.
The remainder of the day passed on smoothly. During the evening meal Melinoe was given her favourite; A starter of honey bread with cheese, and hard boiled eggs. Followed by hare stew, with freshly baked olive and garlic bread ending with yogurt with honey and walnuts for desert. As supper came to an end, Melinoe was surprised with more presents from the Olympians and Underworld residents. Artemis came down to give her gift personally. It was a marble carved boar which would change colour depending on the seasons. Artemis knew of Melinoe's dream to see the upper land, and so gave her gifts to reflect on it. Hecate gave her a stuffed dog toy. It was a replica of Cerberus.
"Thank you Hecate.."
Melinoe spoke excitedly, hugging the toy close to her chest. Hecate smiled lightly ruffling Melinoe's long hair.
Watching as Hecate left with Artemis, she turned looking around, glancing down towards her presents. There were so many. Some from gods she didn't even know the names of. Letting out a sigh she placed the toy Cerberus down beside the other presents. Getting something to hold was rare, unless it was a pillow.
Melinoe wondered into the throne room. With now shades seeking her fathers attention it was eerily silent. Gazing up towards the two large thrones, Melinoe tilted her head, wondering if she'd ever get her own. At the same time, she wondered if she would ever be able to see anything which didn't inhabit her fathers realm. It was a long stretch.
"Ready for bed birthday girl?"
Turning around Melinoe looked towards her mother. To her utmost delight her father was there also. Smiling with an unspoken glee, she ran towards the pair. Taking a hand each, Hades and Persephone lifted their child into the air and began to lightly swing her, causing Melinoe to kick out her legs and laugh in excitement.
Deep within an Underworld cave
Cackles mixed with sharp ticking echoed. A tapestry covered in drawings ranging from a fire breathing creature, pinning an innocent boy, to a warrior standing over the decapitated body of a Lernaean Hydra.
"Clotho, weave with care. We don't want anything to be tampered with.."
A hiss was the only answer. Laughing loudly Lachesis continued with the thin piece of threat, measuring it with great care. A strange glow covered her leather face. Twisting around causing a long tattered robe, to twist around legs which looked more like sticks. Limping forward laying the thread down by Clotho's hands which seemed to blur as she stitched and weaved making the tapestry longer. Laughing as brow became added, along with specs of what looked like spilt blood.
"Time to cut sister.."
A third moved forward. Though they all looked the same this one seemed dangerous. Unloving. Holding tightly onto a pair of shears, she rubbed it against the thread before giving it a harsh tug. As the thread curled, before falling onto the ground, blood began to pump from it. Cackling while hiding away the shears, the fate known as Atropos turned around gazing down at the Eye which lay upon the ground twitching. Twisting. Lowering herself upon her knees Atropos, leaned forward, heavy panting, causing her back to arch and curve.
"Our eye has found something sisters."
They each crowded around. Shoving. Snarling. Hands scrambled in an attempt to stare directly into the pupil. The eye rolled around, almost as if it was tormenting its mistress's. Clotho managed to grab the thick muscle which allowed the eye to move. Holding it in the air, allowing all of the sisters to look they noticed a young girl with silver streaked hair, swinging between the palms of happy parents.
"Tricky sisters. Very tricky."
Each nodded. Dropping the eye on the ground, they turned rummaging around through rocks, using their hands as sight. Lachesis grabbed upon a long golden horn. When ever used it replaced a person's voice, changing it into a tone so gentle that it would force a mother to leave their child in order to protect something they couldn't see. Dampening her lips, Lachesis spoke through a low whisper. The sound of voice carried out through cave deep into the Underworld.
"Melinoe.. Melinoe.."
Back in the Underworld
"Melinoe... Melinoe.."
A voice so pure caused Melinoe to twist in her sleep, duvet wrapping tightly around her middle, causing her to spring up, gasping hands risen ready for an attack. When living in the Underworld, some of the souls would wonder. Once before, Melinoe found herself in danger. It seemed to remain lingered in the back of her mind. Flushing noticing that it was just her duvets, Melinoe kicked them off before laying back down. Arms folded across her chest.
"Melinoe.. Melinoe.."
The voice broke her from a momentary sulk. So it wasn't a dream? Pushing herself up slowly, duvet falling from her middle, bunching up around her child hips. Pushing herself up from the warmth of her bed, eyes unblinking. Alert. She pressed herself against the door, the voice could still be heard but it sounded so far away. Lost. Placing her hand on the door knob, she give it a tug only to quickly shut it again. Her parents were still awake. How could she be so stupid? Opening the door slowly, Melinoe peered down the corridor, the light from her parents bedroom, causing the corridor to look brighter.
Faint murmurs told Melinoe that she would have to wait. At least for a short while. Closing the door as silently as she could, she made her way back towards her bed sitting down on the edge. No point in laying down. She knew she would fall asleep, and she wanted to know who that voice was.
Laying in a mound of duvets, the rich black resembling a calm storm, Melinoe turned over. A silent murmur passed her lips whilst she stretched her legs, causing the muscles to become pulled, before relaxing.
Two rooms down the corridor, Persephone snuggled up against Hades. Cheeks glowing, legs crossed, they each listened to each others heart beat.
"That was a wonderful present you gave Melinoe."
Persephone murmured as she dragged her finger nails down Hades chest, grinning at the sound of his low growl of approval. Hades smiled. Never before had life been so easy. A couple of times he even found himself smiling when he woke up. Glancing down towards Persephone, Hades watched as she began to drift off into a light sleep. As his eyes began to growl heavy, Hades willingly joined her.
Two hours later
Melinoe tip toed along the dark corridor. Chills travelling up the back of her spine, due to lack of foot wear. Pausing outside of her parents bed room, Melinoe peered inside. Watching the silent dance of sleep, at least it was silent until her father snored loudly, causing Melinoe to cover her mouth, quickly to stifle her laughter.
'Remember why your here...'
Melinoe scolded herself. Pulling away from the bedroom door, Melinoe frowned. In truth she didn't know why she was out of her room. All she remembered was hearing her name being called. It sounded so soothing she couldn't ignore it. It played over in her mind. Leading her further down the corridor which seemed to become narrower with each step. Rising her hand she gripped onto the heart stone, feeling her stomach twist. There was nothing in this world which could harm her. The necklace would protect her. Along with her fathers law. At least this is what she hoped.
Half an hour later
Standing huddled together, three women muttered in a tongue no god or human, could possibly understand. The one in the centre, turned slowly. She bore no face. Only thick flesh which looked like it had been sliced from the back and pulled over to rest just under where her noes should be.
"So the little runt decided to show?"
Chatter of teeth symbolised laughter. Melinoe felt her cheeks flush in humiliation. Two more women turned around, advancing stretching their spider like fingers to touch the silver streaked hair. Melinoe wrenched out of their grip, her heart in her mouth, knowing all to quickly what they were. 'Surely these can't be the ones who spoke to me?' Melinoe thought as she tried to control her fear, knowing that they could smell it. As they resumed their laughter, finger nails clanking together, the hairs on the back of her neck began to rise up.
"What do you want me with... Fates."
Such a tone easily displeased them. Pulling out an organ. An overly sized human eye. A thick muscle which looked more like a rats tail, wound tightly around the fates arm. It twitched. Even blinked as it looked directly towards Melinoe. The iris changed colour when it sensed Melinoe's fear. The fate thrusted it towards Melinoe cackling as she fell over in shock.
"We have a warning for you." - Another fate jumped in grinning. - "Yes a warning, in five years you will leave the Underworld.."
At first Melinoe felt her stomach swell with excitement. Leaving the Underworld, was something she wanted. She wanted to see the world above this one. The fates tutted her. Melinoe grew tense, feeling one of them stroking her hair. It was enough to force Melinoe to stagger back onto her feet, stumbling backwards in order to put some distance between them.
"Don't be fooled by such childish wishing.."
Stepping forward the fate would've scolded instead, she tightened her grip around the eye, causing it to almost weep. As Melinoe watched, a faint gasp passed her lips when the hands of the Fates grabbed her. Melinoe couldn't bring herself to struggle. She was rooted to the spot.
"What awaits you is a series of hellish nightmares, even Tarturas would give its own life for.."
Fingers wrapped tightly around her bare arms. With every intake of breath she could've sworn that the grip became tighter.
"The future demands payment!"
Melinoe found the smarts to start struggling. Though she knew they wouldn't kill her, as that would destroy her fate, she noticed how their heads lowered towards her necklace.
"No!"
Melinoe twisted left and right in a feeble attempt to get away. The Fates held her tightly. Rising her foot Melinoe managed to kick one of the Fates in the stomach. Swallowing down a laugh of triumphment, when the Fate staggered backwards, Melinoe ran forward, one hand clutching onto her birth stone. Thinking of her father, Melinoe felt herself leaving the Fates. Their cries of anger burned deep into her mind. The world around her began to spin. Flashes of the scenery changing, becoming more civilised. Just as she was about to scream she appeared in her fathers room.
Glancing over her shoulder, almost expecting to see the Fates behind her, Melinoe let out a sigh of relief seeing only the bed room door.
Looking back towards her parents, Melinoe walked forward. After a fright she needed their comfort. Standing at her fathers side, Melinoe gently shook him. Chewing on her lower lip, hoping he wasn't in to much of a deep sleep.
"Father?"
Groaning under his breath, Hades lifted his head. Eyes squinted as he rubbed at them before, noticing Melinoe. Flinching, Hades pushed himself up onto his elbows, watching the way that she cowered. What had happened?
"Meli-"
Hades was cut off, not just by Melinoe but by a yawn.
"I had a bad dream. Can I sleep here with you and mother?"
This was a rare occurrence for Melinoe. Smiling sleepily, realising that there was no immediate danger, Hades nodded his head. Stretching his arms, Hades picked up Melinoe up, tucking her under the covers between him and Persephone. With the warmth of her parents, Melinoe easily felt safe. Her body relaxed against the thick pillows. Her eyelids began to close. For just a moment she thought that meeting the cruel Fates, was just a twisted nightmare. However the bruise on her arm would prove other wise.
Back down the corridor, followed by many twists and turns, the Fates stood cackling. The eye twitching in the middle Fates hand. The pupil wide, showing an image of the roaring bill. The Minotaur.
Think that I'm finally starting to get back into the swing of writing. I felt slack during 'Fainting Whispers', so hopefully I'm going to make up for that with this. Do hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please leave a review. Also thank you to 'Evergreenriver' for becoming a follower of this story.
- Signed The Broken Ghost.