Zeus sat highly on his golden throne, his gaze locked on Apollo's bloodied and bruised face, as he was led by Thanatos, limping into the grand room of mount Olympus. A collective gasp was heard as all the Gods and Goddesses laid their eyes on him.
When Persephone, wearing a dark violet dress, who was on the arm of Hades, saw Apollo she clung tighter to Hades's arm.
It's okay Flower. He will not get you while I'm here. She looked up at Hades and saw his loving and protective eyes meet hers. She nodded in response, but still she clung to him.
"Good Gods Hades! What happened here?" Zeus's alarmed voice boomed through the room.
Hades, with no falter in his voice replied, "I took Apollo down to the Underworld and tortured him." His daring gaze met Zeus's.
"Why?" Zeus leaned forward in his chair. All the gods and goddesses in the room were whispering to each other, trying to guess what was going on.
"Because he hurt Persephone." He felt Persephone cling tighter still onto his arm. An even more audible collective gasp was heard throughout the room.
Demeter stepped forward. "What do you mean Hades?" She glanced at Apollo's abused body. He looked as if the very light force within him was beaten out. He kept his gaze to the ground, not daring to look up. His arms were tied with rope that was easily cutting into his godly flesh; Thanatos was holding the other end, his glare burning through Apollo's scull.
Hades replied to Demeter. "I mean that Apollo isn't the man you thought he was." Hades almost choked on the word man.
Zeus shook his head. "I do not understand. Demeter, what did you and Apollo do?"
Without looking at Zeus she replied, "Ever since Persephone was born, I wanted her to marry. I didn't want her to marry anyone though; I wanted her to marry Apollo. I called him, told him my plans and he agreed. The plan was truly in action when I brought her here months ago. That's when she ran away." She turned her gaze on Persephone. "Why did you run away?"
This was it. This was the question that Persephone was dreading, but knew it would come. Shakily, she answered. "Because Apollo tired to attack me." This time it was Hades who tightened his grip on her. "He tried to attack me and I ran, Hades found me not long after and I ran away with him to the Underworld. " The room was now filled with the white noise of whispers.
"Quiet!" Zeus boomed. They all fell silent. "Define attack Persephone."
She started to shake, but only Hades could tell. "He tried to rape me." She replied in a monotone voice.
The room erupted again into, this time, loud chatter. "Quiet!" Zeus boomed once again.
Demeter approached Persephone. "He what?" She was breathless.
Persephone starred straight into Demeter's eyes. "The God you tried to marry me of to, tried to rape me on the night you took me here months ago. Not only that, but two nights ago he tried to rape me up here again." Demeter's eyes teared up. "That's why I left again, Demeter, Hades rescued me again."
Demeter turned to Apollo. "YOU SICK BASTARD! HOW DARE YOU DO THAT! WHO COULD YOU DO SUCH A THING?!"
In the crowd, Persephone saw Artemis. She looked pale and red at the same time, and Persephone thought she saw tears welling up in her eyes too.
Apollo remained absolutely silent, and after Demeter stopped yelling at him, the rest of the room was so silent; Hermes swore he could hear the mortals on earth miles below them.
Zeus locked his eyes on Apollo. "Is this true Apollo?"
Apollo didn't make a sound, but ducked his head lower.
"I see." Zeus leaned back in his chair. "Persephone, you're going to have to share with us what has all happened to you these past few months so that we know how and to what extent that we must punish Apollo."
She sucked in a quiet gasp and Hades rubbed her back reassuringly.
You can do it Flower. I'm here for you. And so is Thanatos.
So she did. Persephone told every single detail of when Apollo first tried to attack her, and when Hades took her in. She shared about her best friend Ariel, and Daniel, and even Alex. She shared how kind Hades always was to her and how he proposed and their marriage. She skipped the wedding night and a few others of course. About how she learned of what Demeter was doing and how she never wanted to come back up to Olympus because of how much she loved it down there. And then the part that surprised Hades happened.
"The morning came when Hades was supposed to take me back to the upper world; I still obviously did not want to come back. I found Thanatos and talked to him. I told him that I didn't want to go back, but I had to. I asked him if there was any way I could come back to the underworld and no one could do anything about it." Hades looked at Thanatos wide eyed. Thanatos smirked when he saw Hades's face. "He told me that I could try eating the food from the underworld, but that I had to be careful. If I ate too much, I could stay down there forever. So he told me to eat six pomegranate seeds to, hopefully, represent half a year. I thanked him and made him promise not to tell Hades. I wanted to be the one to tell him when I thought the time was right." She turned and smiled up at him. "So I went to my garden and gathered up six pomegranate seeds before Hades walked in. I knew as much as he wanted me to stay, he wouldn't have me do that. I waited until Hermes was witness so that no one would think that Hades forced me to eat them."
Persephone continued on with what had happened on the last few days and when she finished, everyone was silent. Demeter had tears running down her face for way more reasons than one. Zeus sat there quietly, digesting what all Persephone had said. After what seemed like an eternity Zeus stated.
"Apollo, you shall be sentenced to years in Tartarus. I'll leave it up to Hades and Persephone to decide how long. I shall hold onto you until then. You are all dismissed." Zeus rose and exited the room taking Apollo with him, as most of the Gods and Goddesses left the room also.
Artemis approached Persephone and gave her a tight hug. "I am so sorry my brother did all those things to you." She whispered. "If I had known, I would have shot him with one of my own arrows long ago. I respect whatever decision you and Hades make, just know that if and when he may get out of Tartarus, all of us will give him hell." Artemis pulled back and patted Persephone's shoulder. "Good bye for now," She looked between Hades and Persephone, "Queen Persephone."
Persephone smiled and nodded as Hades slipped his arm around her waist. He started to lead her back to the Underworld when Thanatos joined them in stride.
"I must say," Thanatos started. "You are very brave my queen."
Persephone smiled faintly at him. "Thank you Thanatos. I don't know how I can ever repay you for the things you've done for me."
He smiled and huffed out some air. "You will repay me, just not any time soon."
Persephone tilted her head in confusion, but decided not to ask anything.
Persephone saw Demeter across the room.
They made eye contact, and nodded for their unspoken agreement that Persephone would spend six months with Hades before returning. For the first time in a long time, they finally saw eye to eye.
Thanatos paced back and forth through his room, trying to wrap his head around what the fates were telling him.
"You mean to tell me that I will have love in seventeen years?" It's not that Thanatos didn't want love; it's just that he has never had it and never imagined himself with love before.
"Yes." They all replied in unison.
"Well how will I meet this girl?" He stopped and placed his hands on his hips.
"Goddess," They corrected. "You needn't worry, she'll find you."
Thanatos thought for a moment of all the Goddesses that he wouldn't mind finding love with, but none came to mind. "Does she even exist?"
"Yes. She lives within the Underworld, but hasn't made her appearance yet."
"What do you mean?" Thanatos stepped forward.
"Nobody knows that she's here, except one, she will soon tell others though." Before Thanatos could question any further they disappeared. He cursed, sitting down on his desk, thinking of who in the world would end up being in love with him.
"Twenty years? That's your final answer?" Hades asked taking off his shirt and trousers.
Persephone nodded her head, "Yes. I think twenty years in Tartarus will do him well. If he ever tries to do anything again when he gets out, whether it's me or not, we will not hesitate to put him back in."
Hades gestured for her to turn around so that he could undo her dress. "I think you're right." He sighed.
"Of course I am!" Persephone joked. "When have I not been?"
He laughed. "Be careful with that tongue of yours, I might have to put it in its place." His hands rested on her hips as he buried his face in her neck.
"And where would that be?"
He turned her around and kissed her deeply, opening her mouth up with his tongue and exploring her mouth. She soon joined him in the teasing dance.
When they broke off her replied. "Right about there, actually."
She laughed and snaked her arms around his neck. "I love you."
Hades glowed. "I love you too."
Persephone sighed and brought her eyes down from his face.
Hades drew his eye brows together. "What's wrong flower?"
She looked back up and bit her bottom lip. "I've been keeping something from you for a while now. Although I haven't had much of a chance to tell you, I still feel bad that I haven't told you when I did before."
He cocked his head in confusion. "If something is bothering you flower, tell me."
"I'm pregnant Hades."
His eyes went wide. "What? When did this happen?"
She smiled sheepishly. "Our marriage night is as best as I could guess. We've kind of been doing a lot lately." She turned slightly red. "And I've skipped my month." Hades swallowed and nodded. "Are you okay?" Persephone asked.
Hades nodded again. "It just surprised me that's all."
"It surprised me too. I asked Hera and Artemis about it and they confirm that I'm pregnant."
Hades smiled; with his shock now gone he was ecstatic. "Oh my goodness Persephone!" Hades picked her up and spun her around. "That's absolutely wonderful!"
Persephone laughed. "Yes it is."
When he set her down he brought her into a kiss. "Who else knows?"
She shrugged and shook her head. "Just you, me, hera, and Artemis. I will tell Ariel later, and I'm not sure about everyone else yet."
If Hades wasn't glowing before, he certainly was now. "I hope it's going to be a beautiful girl, just like her mother." Persephone blushed.
"And if it's not? What if it's going to be a boy?"
"If it's going to be a boy, then he'll be strong and protective."
"And handsome, just like his father." Persephone interjected.
"Either way, it'll be perfect." He pulled her into a warm embrace.
The next day Apollo was finally locked away in Tartarus for the excruciatingly long twenty years to come. He had begged final words and pleas, but they fell on deaf ears.
For the twenty torturous years, Thanatos will be burned, stabbed, whipped, bitten, scratched, cut, and beaten.
Persephone gave a cry of relief when Hades came back into their chambers, running over and hugging him. He chuckled, "Why so relieved to see me, flower?" Hades asked gathering her into his arms. "You know that nothing would happen. The deed is finally done." He stroked her hair and looked down on her beautiful face lovingly.
"I know, I'm just relieved that it's done." She kissed him on the chin while standing on her tiptoes. "I called Ariel in while you were gone. She now knows of our baby, and I assume she'll tell Daniel as soon as possible." Hades admired the way that Persephone glowed when she talked about their child.
"Not that I ever want you too, but when are you planning on going back to the upper world to Demeter?" Hades asked.
Persephone sighed. "I don't know. I think my mother and I finally see eye to eye that this is where I belong. I think I can just do some visits every now and again. Because I was thinking about the whole six months thing, it doesn't seem fair to any of us. All of you down here will miss six months of my life while I'm gone and vise versa. I don't want to miss any of you. Plus, with the baby one the way, I think it un-wise to travel, and think of how confused the baby will be. Mommy is here one day and then she's gone for six months. So I think little visits every once in a while will be good for all of us."
Hades kissed her forehead. "You, my queen, are so incredibly smart." He scooped her up from the ground and into his arms and her walked over to the bed. Tossing her down gently, he added, "And that is one of the many reasons why I love you." He crouched on top of her and brushed her long golden hair.
"Say that again." She whispered.
"I love you." He gently kissed her lips. "I love you and I will never stop. Each day I will love you more and more."
Persephone shook with love and pride. "I love you too Hades! I will never stop loving you."
A month had gone by and Ariel and Daniel were now saying their "I do's". Ariel, dressed in a flowing white dress and her fiery hair pulled back into a bun, was literally a blushing bride. There weren't as many people as there were and Hades and Persephone's wedding, but no one was upset about that.
Ariel and Daniel led the waltz around the magnificent room, both lost in each other's eyes. Persephone giggled at them while dancing with Hades. Thanatos, dancing with a young maid, came close to them. "Thanatos?" Persephone asked. He looked over to Persephone while still dancing with the maid. "Did Hades and I look like them?" Persephone gestured to Ariel and Daniel. Thanatos burst into a smile.
"Oh no, my queen, you too were so much worse." Thanatos jested. "Once you two quit dancing it just got awkward though." She narrowed her eyes at him while he laughed.
"Let's go flower, he's had enough fun for tonight." Hades led Persephone around the dance floor in huge arches and spins, both of them extremely light on their feet.
When the dance ended they were all out of breath. The wedding ceremony was finally over and now it was time for Ariel and Daniel's consummation.
Daniel led Ariel tentatively to their new shared chambers. When they reached the door Daniel opened it slowly, gesturing for Ariel to step in.
When Daniel stepped in after her he said. "I understand if you don't want to." He gestured to the bed.
"Daniel-"Ariel started.
"No, no. It's completely understandable."
"I want to."
Daniel looked at her confused.
Ariel continued. "It was a long time ago, but I'll never forget it. I'd be lying if I said that I was over it by now. I don't see how any person can truly get over something like that. But, I know I'm safe here with you. And I know that I'm forever under the protection of Lord Hades too. No one, especially them, will ever hurt me again. Only you have the power to do that now."
Daniel stepped closer to her, taking her face in his hands. "You know I will never hurt you."
She smiled. "My point exactly."
She reached up and pulled him down to kiss her. He brought his hands down to her back and pulled her closer to him.
She slowly brought her hands down to his hips and started to grip his shirt, and gently tugged it up, while he pulled the few pins in her hair and let the fiery curls cascade down her back.
When she had gotten his shirt over his head, she pulled herself into his chest and caressed his muscular back. He delicately undid all of the dress buttons that trailed down her back, and let the dress fall to the floor in a heap.
Daniel pulled back and saw the light blush on her cheeks that almost matched her hair. He smiled and pulled her face to his and tasted her sweet lips.
She garbed his belt loops and led him over to the bed where she sat down in front of him. She laid back, bringing him down on top of her and kissed him deeply.
He stroked her sides and brought his hands down to her hips. He lifted her up and brought her over to the center of the bed, while never losing the lip contact between them. She reached down to his trousers and started undoing them while he brought his hands to her corset and started untying it.
Pretty soon, they were both naked and breathing heavily. Her skin was hot wherever he touched her and she felt flustered all over. He gazed into her eyes, both of them knowing what was going to happen next. She nodded, and with that, He entered her.
She sucked in a breath and clenched up all around him. Her body remembered the last times such things had entered her, and it did not want a repeat. She took a few breaths and relaxed while he stood still, waiting for her say so.
She nodded again, and he slowly started to move inside of her.
He closed his eyes and brought his lips down to her lips and kissed her delicately. But he tasted something odd, salt?
He pulled back and saw tears running down her face.
"Ariel!" He gasped. "Are you alright?" He caressed her face, wiping away her tears.
She opened her eyes, letting new tears to slide down her cheeks. "Oh Daniel! It's finally happening!"
He looked at her, confused. "What? What is finally happening?"
"Love." She replied. "All my existence I've dreamed of it, and all I received was abuse. And now, I finally get to feel how it's supposed to feel. Love, passion, and care. And it feels so good," She choked on a sob. "And now I don't ever want it to stop!"
Daniel caressed her face while cooing, "Hey, hey, Ariel. It's all going to be alright. It won't ever stop, because I will never stop loving you."
She cried tears of joy as she pulled him down to kiss her, with their most passionate kiss yet.
Seven more months had passed. Persephone was due to give birth any day now and everyone was on their feet, to make sure she didn't need any help, when she passed by. She took to walking aimlessly around the hallways, because she couldn't sit still for long and she always required assistance with her gardening over the simplest of things, which she didn't like that much.
She was walking down the hallway for what seemed the hundredth time that day when a sharp pain in her lower abdomen made her suddenly lean up against the wall and sink to the floor. The pain happened again, but stronger now, and it made her scream in agony.
"Help! Somebody help me!" Persephone called out as another pain took over her. She looked down and saw that her dress skirt was wet, as well as the floor around her.
Alex came huffing around a corner and saw her on the ground in fetal position. "My queen!" His eyes widened. "What happened?" H e seemed concerned but still distant, even when he helped her to her feet.
She hunched over and cradled her stomach when another pain shook her. "The baby is coming." She sobbed out.
She felt Alex stiffen beside her. "What must I do?" He asked cautiously leading her in the direction of her chambers.
"We need to get Ariel and Hades, now!" When another pain hit her she leaned on Alex. He fought really had not to shrink away from her touch. Hesitantly, he placed his hand on her opposite shoulder and gently pushed her forward.
She noticed his movements. "Alex?" She breathed out.
"Yes, my queen?" His voice was strained.
"Why do you resent me?" He stopped in his walk but then remembered what was happening and led her onward.
"I don't resent you, my queen."
"Then why have you always been so distant to me? Even for an introvert or an anti social person, you've been acting strangely whenever I'm around."
He stayed silent, wondering what he should say.
"Please, I'm not ordering you as your queen," She groaned when pain shot through her, "But asking you as your friend. Please tell me what I've done."
"It isn't you."
"What?" She looked up at him.
"Let's just say I didn't have the best mortal life on the upper world."
"What happened?" She pressed.
"I fell in love once, with a girl. She was fourteen and I was fifteen. The only problem was, was that she was what was considered royal. She was very rich and owned an abundance of land; I was just a farm boy. I fell in love with the way she talked, and held herself when she walked. The way her hair was the color of straw and her eyes were the sky. I did work for her on the farm. I took care of her horses and helped her take learn to take care of them." Persephone leaned onto him more as she groaned in pain. He cleared his throat. "Long story short, I confessed my love to her and she took it horribly wrong. She teased me for loving her, and then she told her father. I was beaten and punished for loving a girl. They kept me on the job though. I was thankful, but soon found out that it was not a good idea. She used me to make others jealous. One day one of them got too jealous. I was beaten to death after I was tortured for loving a cruel girl that was out of my reach."
"That's- AH- horrible!"
"Ever since then, I made myself distant from people, especially Women, so that I won't be hurt again."
"Alex, Ah! I swear to you, that I will help you find love somewhere!"
He nodded grimly. "Here we are. Your chambers. Go lay down and I'll get Ariel." He left her and walked swiftly down the hall to Ariel's chambers.
Persephone barely made it to the bed before her legs gave out underneath her. She collapsed into a painful heap on the bed, managing to lay herself on top of the covers.
Ariel burst into the room with two other ladies that Persephone had never met before. "Alex! Go get King Hades, now!"
Persephone was already sweating and was barely hanging onto consciousness when she felt the women tear at her clothing.
"Annabelle, go get linens, and Agnes go get some water!" Ariel's voice boomed over all the hustle in the room.
Persephone was soon free of her dress and was somehow managed into a loose white gown, as towels were slipped in between her and the bed.
Hades burst into the room. "How is she doing?" Hades ran over to take his queen's hand.
Ariel's voice came back. "It's not going to be a pretty delivery, but she'll manage. It's almost time for her to push; she just has to get a little bit bigger."
Hades leaned down to Persephone's ear. "It's all going to be okay, Flower, you can do this." She nodded and faintly smiled when he placed his cool hand on her forehead.
"She's ready now. Push Persephone!"
Persephone pushed with all her might. It took her five time pushes to get the baby out, each one was painful yet pain relieving. She collapsed onto the bed when the baby came out, exhausted.
"It's a girl!" Ariel chimed. Persephone wanted to see the baby then, but Ariel said "First impressions are everything. She needs to be cleaned up a little bit first."
Within only a moment, the new baby girl was clean of blood and put in a small white gown and placed gently in Persephone's arms. "Hades, look at her!" Persephone whispered. "She's beautiful!"
"Just like her mother." Hades kissed the top of Persephone's head.
"We'll leave you two with her." Ariel said ushering the other two ladies out. "Persephone, you get some rest. I'll be back to check on you in the morning."
"Alright, thank you Ariel." Hades replied. She nodded and headed out the door.
"What are we going to name her?" Persephone asked not looking up from her little girl. The baby girl gave a cry of hunger, and reached for her mother's breast. "You have such good taste in names, start suggesting a few." Persephone joked, while placing the baby on her breast to drink her milk.
Hades smiled, remembering the day that he accidentally named Persephone. "Well, I've thought of one. I can't seem to think of any others."
"What would that be?"
"Macaria."
Persephone grinned from ear to ear in the tired sort of way. "I love it. You're our little Macaria, yes you are!"
After a minute of blessed silence, Macaria let go now full and tired. "Here," Hades said lifting the child from her arms. "You should get out of that gown. Hades set Macaria down in her cradle that was brought in shortly after her birth.
"You're right, but I'll need help." Persephone struggled to sit up on shaky arms.
"Of course."
Hades grabbed her a long black night gown that was draped on the chair of her vanity. "Lift your arms."
She did as she was told and Hades quietly undressed her from the white bloody gown and dressed her into her warm black gown.
She laid back on the bed, exhaustion taking its toll on her. Hades crawled in beside her and cradled her into his arms.
"You now have two little girls to watch over now." Persephone jested.
"One of them is not so little."
"That may be true, but that doesn't stop you from watching over her."
"I will never stop either. I will watch over her and protect her for as long as I exist."
"And you'll love her too?" Persephone asked, her eyes were fighting to stay open.
"My love for her will continue long after my time has passed. My love for her will show in every gem that the earth has to offer."
"Her love for you will show in every flower that blooms, and every pomegranate that grows."
Hades kissed her lips for a long time.
"I love you, Hades. For Always and Forever."
"I love you, Persephone. Always and Forever."