III

"That, was dreadful." Persephone said once she and her mother entered the house. They left not long after Lord Hades because as it turned out, there was even more drinking since Dionysus had come back with the spiked wine, and thus arguments, pranks and fiascos of all sorts created pandemonium and utter chaos. So naturally, Demeter had grabbed her daughter, and they both fled without saying goodbye. Persephone was glad, she had enough drama for one night.

"I couldn't agree more." Demeter said while kissing the top of her daughters head. She cupped her face in her hands and sighed pushing back the hairs that fell over her face, "My dear Kore, you looked beautiful tonight." She said sincerely. Persephone smiled and blushed slightly.

"Thank you Mother, as did you." She said. Demeter sighed and rolled her eyes.

"No wonder you have so many suitors come your way," she mumbled stroking her face softly, "But Gods, that Hermes." She sneered.

"I'm sorry Mother. I didn't want to talk to him tonight, honest." She said. Demeter narrowed her eyes.

"Why didn't you wish to speak with Hermes?" She questioned. While Demeter didn't want him around her daughter, she wanted to know why Persephone didn't want to speak with him, "Did he say something to you Kore?"

"No Mother,"

"Did he do anything to you?" She asked sternly gazing deep into her daughters eyes. Persephone tilted her head and gazed at her mother.

"What does it matter what he did? Don't words hurt more than stones mother?" Demeter sighed and shook her head.

"Never you mind Kore," She said gently, " You're too young to understand."She said causing Persephone to fume inside.

She's always too young.

"What did he say to you Kore? at the Party." She added.

"He just wanted to say sorry about the other day. . . " She trailed off. Demeter scoffed.

"Of course he would. Such a foolish boy. Even Apollo knew better than him and he was drunk the entire time despite Dionysus forgetting the spiked wine." she babbled. Persephone's mouth hung open.

"Mother, what is it about this spiked wine everyone seems to be talking about?" She asked. Demeter shook her head.

"Oh Its nothing child. Why don't you change your cloths and I'll make us some hot tea." She said. Persephone gave her mother a sleepy smile and nodded walking slowly towards her room down the hall of the small cottage.

When Demeter finished making the two lemon teas she carried both cups over to Persephone's room. She knocked on the door and there came no answer. She pushed it open slowly and smiled at what she saw. Her beautiful daughter lying onto of her bed fast sleep in her new dress cloths with her face buried deep in her pillow. My, was she tired. Demeter set one of the cups down on her daughters wooden night stand and placed a soft kiss on her head.

Hades had spent the past few days in an odd mood. He just wasn't as focused on his work like usual. Ever since the party at Olympus he had been feeling strange. He had been caught "gazing off" by Hecate, Thanatos, and even Minos! What Hades thought was odd was the fact that he had been hazing off and thinking about the same thing for the past few days. Only one being was present in his mind during those times. Persephone. The beautiful maiden he had met at Olympus that night. And, he considered it to be their first true encounter.

Demeter didn't come to Olympus as often as some of the other Gods and when she did Hades was not always there with the rest of them seeing as that he always had loads of work in the Underworld. He had met Persephone years ago when she was younger and to be frank, she had no interest in meeting him. She smiled and shook his hand and he returned the gesture and the two hardly spoke. The other children of Zeus such as Athena, Artemis and Apollo, Hermes and even Dionysus were ones that he would meet more frequently. Persephone was different, because of the protective hold of Demeter.

Hades didn't see it as a horrible thing. She protected her daughter because she knew of the horrible things that some could do by living amongst the mortals for so many years. She knew what they were capable of, and what other Gods were capable of as well. Zeus, Poseidon and Ares were prime examples. She had spent years trapped inside the stomach of Kronos and another ten years fighting battle against him as well. Demeter knew of many pains and he knew Persephone was the one true thing that gave her happiness.

Unfortunately that was problem. Hades felt that by simply even thinking about her— in a (somewhat) innocent fashion, he was betraying the trust of Demeter. He had heard from Apollo not too long ago, (because he had been telling everyone thinking it was hilarious, and the more Hades thought about it, it possibly was. But, one must have actually seen it as a third party to really know for sure) Demeter was furious with Hermes for kissing her daughter and for asking her in hand in marriage.

"Hades?" He looked up from his parchment to find Hecate standing by the doorway of his office. He pointed his slim nose in the air gesturing for her to continue, "Hades are you alright?" She asked. He cleared his throat and nodded

"I am fine, thank the Fates. Why do you ask?" He questioned. Hecate looked at him confused.

"My Lord, the judges are waiting for you in the throne room. Thanatos came by twice to call you." She explained. Hades raised his brows.

"I see, very well then. I'll be there in a moment." He muttered as he watched Hecate leave his office closing the door behind him. He sighed and sunk back into his chair and placed his hands over his face. "Pull yourself together." He said to himself. He rose from his chair and glanced down at the parchment spread out on his desk. It appeared as if this time while he was off in another realm he had drawn on the parchment with ink. He eyed his doodle and became furious with himself.

He had (horribly) drawn a young lady who as wilting from her hair.

Gods, he was losing his mind.

"You two should tell him what happened." Artemis said to both Eros and Apollo. She had brought them together to discuss the chaos they (Eros and Apollo) had caused during the party on Olympus.

"No way!" Apollo said, "He got hit by an arrow. Big deal he can get over it. King of the Underworld isn't he?" he muttered while crossing his arms in a huff, "Besides if anyone needs to apologize its Lord Hades for getting in the way."

"Getting in the way of what?" Artemis questioned raising a brow. Apollo sighed.

"if it wasn't for him sister, we'd all be celebrating." She crossed her arms over her chest.

"Celebrating what?"

"The union of Hermes and Persephone! Oh imagine what that wedding could have been like." He joked. Eros laughed and sighed.

"It truly would have been magnificent." He sang.

"You need to tell him what happened or I will!" She snapped. Eros crossed his arms.

"Really? I don't think you will." He said.

"Watch me."

"You should have told him about it last night then!"

"You li—"

"Children!" The three young Gods turned towards a Goddess with deep blue eyes, beautiful chestnut hair but with a firm look on her face and her arms crossed over her chest. "Tell me what is going on." She said sternly. The three young Gods looked towards each other causing Eros to turn pale.

He really would be going to Tartarus.

Hades was in the throne room with Rhadamanthus, Minos, and Aeacus and was vaguely listening to then testimony of a young man who had died recently due to a feud between two rival families. His mind had once agin wandered off into the cosmos and yet again he was thinking about the young maiden who had caught his eyes just a few days ago.

"Lord Hades?" Hades was pulled from his daydream by Thanatos who stood just beside his throne, "Hades, Lady Hestia is here to see you. She say's its important." He whispered. Hades furrowed his brows and turned to his fellow judges,

"I am needed somewhere else, I trust that you shall be able to take care of things here while I am absent." He said.

"Indeed Lord Hades," Rhadamanthus replied bowing his head.

Hades left the room with Thanatos leading the way. It was cold down in the Underworld despite Tartarus not being too far from here, but the flames of hellfire did not keep the Underworld warm, which was often why Hades wore a heavy fur cape around his shoulders. Others wore heavy and rich fabrics like wool or velvet and stuck to dark colors which in turn just added the the darkness of the Underworld. But, Hades had grow to love this very much and disliked leaving his world unless it was necessary.

He followed Thanatos to the private quarters of the castle, where servants were strictly forbidden. In the same quarters lived the other Gods who resided in the Underworld and at the very top of the staircase was Hades. Right inside the large mahogany door that lead him to his quarters was a lounge where Hestia awaited her brother. She had been to the Underworld many times and whenever she waited for her brother she always waited here. It was one of her favourite spots in his castle. It was the most home-y and comfortable her.

"I'll leave you alone." Thanatos said before walking away. Hades watched as he left, making sure no one else was around.

"Hestia." he said pulling her in for hug, "I trust you come here bearing good news?" He guessed Hestia shrugged.

"Unfortunately I am not, and I have not visited you alone either." She said causing Hades and narrow his eyes.

"Who else did you bring?" He asked, his voice lowered making him sound slightly darker. Hestia placed her hands on her hips,

"Don't be rude Hades. They have as much of a right to be here as I do." she stated.

"That would depend on who you brought." he sneered causing Hestia to sigh.

"Come out children." She beckoned.

Hades narrowed his eyes and watched as three young Gods descended from the darkness of the lounge and slowly walked towards him. They bowed either out of honour or fear for him. He knew it was probably the latter, and he didn't care. All he wanted to know was why they had come. He remained impatient as he waited for Apollo, Artemis and Eros to start talking.

"Yes?" he grumbled, urging for them to say what they needed to. He watched as Artemis nudged Eros with her elbow and curtly nod towards him. Apollo kept his eyes down, daring not to look at him.

What could possibly be so horrible?

He never experienced this kind of behaviour from his nephews and niece. They had a clear—somewhat clear understanding of each other and thats all "bonding" Hades felt he needed. If he needed friends, he didn't lack any in the Underworld.

"W-w-well yo-u s s-s-ee Lord H-ad-es. Um, the—the thing is," Eros babbled as he played with his fingers which Hades found amusing, "Er— at the dinner a few nights ago," He regained composure, "Apoll—"

"Hey!" Apollo snapped turning his gaze towards Eros who was to his left, "Leave me out of this!" He snapped.

"Leave you out of this! YOU were the one that started it!" Artemis snapped glaring at her bother while poor Eros knelt in between them, "If anyone shouldn't be here it should be me! I saved your asses back there!

"Artemis! Please," Hestia interjected, the three kept fighting amongst each other causing a a smile to tug at Hades's lips, "I'm sorry about this bother. I brought them here to—"

Hades interrupted her by holding out his hand, "Leave them be sister, this—this is very— amusing." He said while stroking his jawline with his thumb, "I haven't seen bickering this intense since Zeus and Hera got married." He recalled.

"Thats enough!" Hestia said breaking the three of them up. Hestia was a kind Goddess, who was always very compassionate but she had enough of their fighting. They driving her insane and she considered herself to be very patient. "Now, just tell him!" She snapped. Artemis sighed shook her head.

"Fine. I guess I'll tell you sir—"

"Sir?" Hades questioned, that was new. Apollo rolled his eyes.

"She's just trying to butter up you Lord hades." Apollo explained.

"Shut up, Apollo!" Artemis snapped again. Hades rolled his eyes. As amusing as he found this, he had work to do and now all he wants to know was the reason why had come here.

"Listen you three!" His voice boomed. Six wide eyes turned towards him, they hadn't heard him yell at them like this in years, "I have a Kingdom to run and the three of you are wasting my time. Now, unless you have something to say I suggest the three of you head on down to Tartarus where you can bicker all you want for eternity!"

The lounge was quiet and watched all of them recompose themselves to the sensible young Gods they were. Well, with the exception of Apollo, that is.

"Okay," Eros started, "Let me just say that this NOT my fault. Apollo put me up to it," Apollo was about to defend himself but he earned a hard, cold stare from Hades and kept shut, "And might I add the wine was spike!" He said.

"No it wasn't, the idiot forgot." Hades said bluntly, he cleared his throat, "Continue."

"Okay well. You see Hermes really likes Persephone," Hades raised his brow. Now he was especially interested. What did all of this have to do with him?

"No, no. no," Apollo interrupted, "Hermes is infatuated with Persephone." He corrected. Artemis rolled her eyes causing Apollo to shrug, "What? I'm telling it how it is." He muttered. Hades eyes turned cold and he felt a pang of-jealousy?

"Anyways, so we," He gestured towards himself and Apollo, "decided to help the moron out. The plan was simple. Hermes would talk to Persephone and then BOOM! I'd shoot my arrow and they'd fall in love, and all of us would be in the meadow somewhere attending their wedding while Ares would look after Demeter." He said smugly.

"Yeah and then you ruined it! Because, we aren't at a wedding now, are we Lord Hades?" Apollo questioned sarcastically. Hades gave him one hard look witch zipped him up. Lord, Zeus's male offspring were a curse.

"And how exactly did I ruin it?" He questioned darkly.

"Easy Hades," Hestia said calmly causing Hades to cross his arms in a huff.

"Well I have perfect aim," Eros said smugly causing Apollo to chuckle despite Hades un-amusing stare, "But Artemis kept interfering—"

"So you wouldn't get yourself killed," She muttered.

"—and she took my bow and arrows! So when I got them back I aimed without thinking. . . and . . . well— there you were." He laughed nervously.

Hades was enraged. He knew exactly what Eros meant. His face became hard and the shadows on his face were more prominent than ever.

"YOU DID WHAT?!" He yelled in rage. Eros, Apollo and Artemis retreated behind their Aunt Hestia who gave Hades a cold stone glare.

"Hades!" She snapped, "Don't." He growled and glared at the young ones behind his sister.

"Where. Is. The. Arrow." He demanded. Artemis laughed nervously peeping out from behind her Aunt but still clutching onto her orange chiton dress.

"I—er I took it out." She said softly. Hades now realized what had happened between the two of them on the night of the party. That prick he felt on the back of his leg was one of Eros's damnable arrows!

"Er, Lord Hades?" Eros piped from behind Hestia while twidling his fingers, "I don't suppose you'd tell us who you fell for. . ." He trailed off, clearly this was not a question Hades wanted to hear, nor did he want to answer.

"Why? Were the three of you too drunk to notice?" He sneered. Artemis growled.

"I wasn't drunk Uncle!" She protested. Hades rolled his eyes.

"You must have been if you decided to team up with your fool of a twin."

"Hey!" Apollo snapped, "We were just trying to help you out this time."

"I see. So, in what way are you helping me?" He demanded,

"Well we'd help you if you told us who you saw at first glance? Do you see how this works now Lord Hades?" Eros explained, "I can help you! Not the losers beside me."

"How can you help me dear Eros?" Hades sneered.

"W-well. Er- you can tell me who you saw, I'll shoot my arrow at her- but you have to present, and then Bam! The two of you fall in love and we can have a summer wedding- in the Underworld. . ." He ranted on not paying attention to what he was saying anymore. Truth be told Eros wished he had drank a glass of wine before Hestia dragged the three of them down here.

"Why did you bring them here Hestia?" He growled turning to his sister who remained calm, he would have much rather preferred living in the shadows than hearing this, at least he knew why he was acting so odd now.

"You had a right to know. They were all so scared of what would happen if you figured out yourself. The right thing to do was for them to tell you." She explained.

"The right thing for them to do is walk down into Tartarus themselves to save me the trouble." He growled. "Leave at once!" He shouted causing the young ones to scurry on out without looking back once. "Leave me be Hestia." He muttered as he sat himself down on one of his leather chairs and rubbed his temples with his fingers.

"Well," Apollo said breaking the ice once they were all on Mount Olympus, "That wasn't so bad." He said.

"Shut up Apollo." Eros muttered shoving him away roughly.

Authors Note: Well, there you go! I hope you found it kinda amusing. Let me know what you think and thank you for reading. :D