Hope Springs Eternal [17/19]

[omega_tau_pi_verse]

Hope Springs Eternal
Chapter 17: Clash of the Titans' Kids

In which Zeus' authority takes a smiting, Hades demonstrates his lawyering skillz, the Mother of the Gods offers a compromise, and a wedding party rocks the heavens.

 

 

Γενος Δενδροπημα

Hades cringed. "Uh-ohhh..." He and his young lover clung tighter in mutual apprehension, as the other gods roused from the multiple shocks they'd received and began to surround the two of them menacingly.

Then Demeter stormed forward like the force of nature she was and her arm swung back and forward in a resounding slap against Hades' face, stunning him long enough to rip a fearfully protesting Persephone from his arms, hauling her away.

Panting, Hades held his jaw in pain. Damn, she packed a wallop. But then, she had the weight of the whole world behind it.

And Zeus was now fairly sizzling with fury.

Hades gulped hard, really wishing he could've pulled this stunt off without removing the Helmet of Invisibility, as he’d hoped. He had manifested long-distance up to Olympus, hoping to catch Persephone before she entered the gates. He'd planned to just tiptoe up and whisper certain details in her ear, letting her be the one to drop the bombshells he'd prepared. Then he'd planned to tiptoe home again and wait for the dust to settle. True, it was a little deceptive but it was safer than any other alternative. Then she'd unknowingly forced his hand and, plans be damned, her life was more important. So if he was going out with a bang (and he was sure it would be the biggest one since the Original) he intended to surprise them all by standing brave and tall, and accepting whatever Zeus dished out. He just wished he'd had time to slap on a little novocaine first, 'cause this was gonna hurt like fucking hell.

Zeus’ burnished gold skin glittered, lightning snaking over his body as his voice rumbled, "Hades, you dare to show your face here after what you've done!"

Deliberately misinterpreting, Hades responded, "But I didn't kidnap Persephone, I swear it!"

"We know that! I'm talking about grievous crimes you've committed. Brother, I've forgiven you for more things than I can remember, more times than even a god can count throughout the millennia..."

"Yes, you have," Hades plastered a nervous, ingratiating grin to his face, "and I really reeeeally wanna thank you for that."

"I even forgave you for the attack on Olympus.”

Nodding fervently, Hades said, "Yes, I was told, and I would love to sit down, have a few ambrewski's and explain all that to you in great detail, hah. But if now's not a good time--"

"However,” Zeus thundered on unabated, “for what I believe you've done to Hercules, if that is indeed the truth..."

Knowing it was pointless to deny any longer, Hades confessed. "It is, but..."

"Then for that, I cannot forgive you!" Zeus roared, shaking the whole of Olympus. "Hades, stand and prepare to face my wrath!" With that said, he took up a king-sized thunderbolt.

Hades winced. He'd known it would come to this. While it wouldn't kill him, it would certainly be unpleasant beyond words. He didn't like personal pain and was pretty sure this would fall into the 'Hideously Disfiguring Agony' category. But he wasn't about to turn chicken now (although he felt an itch like feathers beneath his chiton). Standing tall again, he held up his hands in a wait-a-second gesture.

"Fine, fine, fine! You're right, I deserve it, whack me a good one, you've been dying to for a god's age. Burn me to crisp, lock me up in Tartarus, banish me to the stars like Kronos. Or worse yet, if you really wanna do me in, chain me up in some pink marshmallow-fluff cloud prison filled with piped-in lyre-muzak for all fucking eternity, that'll totally kill me." He stopped ranting and spoke more softly, "But before you damage me beyond all hope of repair... allow me to bequeath the Underworld to Persephone. It should be run by someone who understands and cares about it." And he looked at her with a sad, loving smile, as if apologizing.

Persephone, held fast by her mother's claws of steel, couldn't believe this was happening. It was just too ridiculous to be happening. She shook her head, trying to make the image before her disappear.

Zeus shrugged. "So be it," and drew his arm back to let fly the bolt.

And Persephone tore herself free of the final restraints, inside and out. Ripping from her mother's grasp, she raced forth and planted herself firmly between the warring sons of Kronos. "No! I won't let you do it!"

Hades, his eyes already closed, his whole body clenched to take the blow, winked one eye open. Deep in his heart he'd been secretly hoping this would happen, hoping she would fight back the way he knew she could. He breathed a sigh of thanks and relief, even if it was premature.

Still holding the crackling bolt, Zeus spoke sternly. "Persephone, step aside. He's got this coming to him."

"No, he doesn't! He's not the same god you think he is! How can you smite someone who's risking his own life to come and save mine?"

There was a murmur of confusion through the crowd. What kind of danger had she been in? (Other than from themselves, of course...)

"What are you talking about?" Zeus voiced the question on all their lips.

Persephone turned to Hades, taking the small bottle he still gripped, and held it up for all to see. "I was going to drink this. I almost did. It's water from the Underworld. And it would have turned me mortal."

The murmur turned into a gasp of shock. Especially from Demeter, who was so stunned she could barely move. Then she reeled as she choked out, "You... you would have... killed yourself?"

"Yes, eventually. But first I would have been mortal, and none of you would have any claim over my life, except Hades when it ended." Then she looked at the bottle, a bit embarrassed with herself. It had been a childish reaction, overly romantic and tragic and capricious. She blushed. "I know it was a little drastic..."

"...A 'little'?'" Hades asked dryly.

She turned to face him, her expression pleading for understanding. "Given the circumstances, I thought it was the only way I would ever get back to you."

He shook his head at her foolishness, though he did understand. In fact, he was deeply moved by it. But still... Tilting her dainty chin upward with his fingertips, he chided her ever-so-gently. "My sweet one... Don't you know I'd rather never see you again, than have you as just another dead soul?"

Eyes misting, she hugged him tightly, wanting to absorb his warmth and power into her skin if she was still faced with losing him forever. He sighed into her hair, nuzzling its softness, wanting to recall the feeling of holding her for the eternity it seemed they would be spending apart.

Zeus' voice disturbed the reverie. "Excuse me?"

They looked up at him as if they'd forgotten what was happening.

With mock-patience, Zeus said, "I have a smiting to do here, so if you don't mind--"

"Yes, goddamn it, I DO mind!" The tough Persephone had returned, using words no one had heard from her before, which caused a second ripple of gasps.

Even Hades raised an eyebrow. She'd been almost this mad at the dead hero. It was... well, kind of a turn-on to watch her get all riled up, especially over him. He hauled himself back from the thought. Now was definitely not the time to get aroused.

She turned to face all the gods, beseeching and scoffing at once. "Come on, think about this, people! Would the Hades you've always known have bothered to come here and risk himself to save me? Nooo, that Hades would have stayed the hell at home and let me die, so he'd have me forever in his grasp and could just gloat away at you all!"

There was a beginning rustle of agreement throughout the crowd.

Zeus’ patience was wearing thin of indulging her whims. He was also far from convinced. "Look Persephone, I'm sure that somehow Hades has seduced you into thinking he's wonderful and charming. But I know my elder brother for what he really is. And I, for one, don't believe anything in the cosmos could ever make him change."

Persephone looked desperately at Hades, her eyes begging for another miracle. But he knew now it was truly pointless. Even with the ammunition in his corner, it wouldn't be enough to assuage the fury of all Olympus. And his brother, renowned for not changing his mind on a regular basis, was being extremely stubborn today. "Give it up, honey. I can't offer Zeus anything he would consider as ironclad proof I've changed."

She began to cry in earnest, clinging to the sinking ship her lover had become. "No... no, this can't be all there is for us. The Fates just... can't be this cruel."

And Hades knew they could. Holding her gently, eyes closed, he found himself praying... but what in all the heavens could a god pray to?

Zeus felt the last of his patience dissolve. Not only that but he was confused beyond words, which always frustrated him to no end. "What in thunder is going on here?" he demanded loudly.

A warm voice, mellowed to the smoothest 90-proof nectar by countless millennia, yet still authoritative enough to command even a god's attention, interrupted him.

"It should be obvious, Zeus... It's True Love."

All heads swiveled as one, all eyes widened in awe. This was turning into a very interesting day, to say the least.

"Mother?" Zeus said in surprise.

"Mom..." Hades' voice was soft with shock. His prayer had actually been answered. After all, who else did one call out for in a crisis, but their mother?

Rhea, the Great Mother of the Gods Herself, had graced them with her regal presence, a rare occurrence indeed. Seated on a celestial lion-beast made of stars and moonlight, the beautiful Titaness drifted purposefully between all the gods, who parted like the air before her, breathing in the serenity that flowed from her like sweetest perfume. Her dark flowing robes of royal-purple, sea-blue, and ash-black echoed the colors worn by her three sons. On her head was a crown of blue-white stars around a crescent moon. Her eyes were the deep glittering blackness of space, her floor-length silver hair the twinkling fire of starlight, her skin the shining golden rays of the morning sun. She was beauty and grace and infinity itself. And when she stood from the beast's back, she towered over them all, nearly twice the height of most, a commanding figure indeed.

"Now, Zeus," she addressed the Lord of Olympus in a motherly tone, "put down the thunderbolt. How many times have I told you not to smite your brothers?"

Feeling like a kid again, Zeus blustered and dropped the bolt. "Mother, I'm well within my rights to see justice served. I'm sorry, I just cannot believe Hades is capable of truly caring about anyone but himself."

"Is that so?" Rhea raised her peerless brows. "Well, if you won't listen to me, perhaps we should ask the two experts in our midst...?" Then the Titaness turned deliberately toward Aphrodite. And Cupid.

Cupid jumped somewhat guiltily under her probably all-knowing gaze. "Who, me?" he asked with an innocent face.

Aphrodite elbowed him hard in the ribs.

"Ow," he complained sourly. "All right, all right..." He made a show of observing the couple, then nodded. "Yep, it's the real thing. Kind of a miracle, eh?"

Aphrodite rolled her eyes. He might consider it all his handiwork but she, at least, remembered that only one of the two had been hit with an arrow. So she walked around the couple, examining them closely. Then squinted her eyes harder. Then pulled out her rose-tinted glasses and had a really good look. And finally shook her head in honest surprise as she went back to stand by her son.

"Okay, so it's kind of a May/December-Romance-thing," she announced, (thinking silently it really looked more like a Lolita Complex, though that was centuries ahead of their time) and put away her glasses before she saw any more deeply into their recent sex-life. "A little weird but, yeah... it's definitely, mutually, True Love."

Cupid grinned smugly and surreptitiously pinched his mother on the arm.

"Jerk," she muttered. She was secretly glad, for all their sakes.

Rhea returned her attention to Zeus with a gentle smile. "Well. I should think there's your ironclad proof."

Zeus was more than a little stunned. This really would change everything. If the dark and evil soul of Hades could be transformed by the power of love, he might yet be redeemed. Persephone did seem to care for him, peculiar as that was. Hades could only benefit from being allowed to pursue this relationship to its fullest. She would bring harmony within the darkness. Her influence had already made him more honest, willing to accept the consequences of his actions and willing to put it all on the line for her. It reminded Zeus of the way Hercules had risked everything for Megara's sake...

Regardless of Hades' past, Zeus truly didn't wish to destroy him. Perhaps there had been some good in him all along, which had forestalled him from actually murdering Hercules as a baby. Kronos, too, had tried to kill his family and would have succeeded without intervention, never once regretting the destruction he wrought. Hades, on the other hand, had not been caught until now and yet still hadn't killed the child. And Zeus couldn't let himself ignore that fact, couldn't destroy his own brother, his own family, not when there was still hope left. Killing without mercy, without allowing for reparation... that was something their father would have done. And he had spent millennia proving he was better than the previous ruler of the gods.

"Hades," Zeus said, "tell me truthfully... What do you feel for her?"

Gazing wondrously into the shining eyes of his heart's desire, Hades answered, "I love Persephone. Always have, always will, with all my soul. And I will do anything for her. I swear it by the River Styx."

Iris shook her head as she poured out the second cup of water. But she also grinned as Apollo gasped in utter shock.

Persephone smiled up at the dark god, seeing only the light she knew was within, saying, "And I will love Hades forever. Nothing can change that. I swear it by Styx as well."

The rainbow messenger sighed wearily over the third cup, as Demeter shrieked and fainted dead away, right on top of Apollo.

Zeus sighed too, gladly. But he felt the need to address a few serious issues. "Well, Hades... There is, however, the matter of my boy Hercules. After all, you are still responsible for that crime."

Rhea intervened with a gentle voice. "Zeus, dear, after all this time, haven't you realized? The Fates themselves decided on a mortal life for your son, and Hades was merely their tool in accomplishing that."

Hades looked at his mother with genuine surprise. "Mom, how did you ever figure that out?"

The Titaness smiled mysteriously. "I'm your mother, I truly am omniscient. Your little brother here just thinks he is."

Hades choked on a laugh, biting his lower lip to stifle himself.

Zeus gave a slightly abashed sigh. "Oh... We'll just... discuss it all later..."

Rhea approached Hades, arms wide to hug him. Enfolded now in her embrace, the first time since childhood, he felt safer than he ever had back then.

She ran a fond hand through his flaming hair. "Oh, my little Hades..."

Rolling his eyes, Hades whined with embarrassment, "Mo-o-o-m..."

"My dear, you inherited the very worst of your father and I worried for you, for so very long..." Rhea recalled the way too much power had warped and destroyed her husband so long ago. Kronos hadn't started out monstrously evil, any more than Hades had. Their father's childhood had been almost equally horrific though, and he'd done just as his children had been forced to do, brutally taking power from his own father Ouranos. But ultimate power corrupts completely and Kronos had once been king of the universe, a cruel tyrant over his family and the world.

Shaking off the ancient thoughts, Rhea smiled at Persephone too. "Now at last, all my sons can truly be happy. My eldest finally has everything he needs."

"No he doesn't!" Demeter barked. Having recovered from the attack of vapors, she stomped forward. "He's not having my daughter!"

Persephone raised her eyebrow. "Geez, Mother, he's had me already."

Several snickers rustled through the crowd... then stifled themselves quickly.

Demeter scowled at the group and at her daughter. "I don't care what you say! I know he molested you!"

"Whoa, back up the chariot!" Hades snapped. "You obviously don't know me at all. That is the one thing I would never do, to any woman."

"Aw, for cryin' out loud," Persephone sighed. "It was mutual, how many times do I have to say it? In fact, if you want to get all picky about it... I seduced him!"

This brought a wave of chortles and titters, and one downright guffaw, from the assemblage.

Hades cleared his throat, adjusted his neckline, and looked skyward with minor discomfiture. Oh boy. He would never be able to live that one down.

Demeter trembled with anger but she couldn't argue against it any longer. Everyone clearly was beginning to believe Persephone, who perhaps had deluded herself into thinking she'd had a good time. "Fine, I don't understand your taste in men. But this little fling is finished, I won't tolerate anything further. I don't care if you did swear to love each other forever, I don't even care if it's True Love. You don't belong in the Underworld! And you don't belong," she turned her glower of disgust upon Hades, "with him!"

Hades lanced the earth goddess with his gaze. He knew Demeter had neglected to tell her own child that she was an adult, keeping the girl under her control. That much he would forgive since he knew how insanely protective mothers could be. But now, she was just being stupid about it. He could have explained everything about how the affair had begun, that the Fates themselves had brought them together, that he had secretly been pining over Persephone for years... but clearly that wouldn't matter to her. Well, they could do this the easy way... or HIS way.

"Demeter, sweetcakes, cookie..." He smiled slowly, archly. "Hate to break it to ya, but you're wrong on both counts. And I intend to prove it."

He stepped back and snapped his fingers. With a whomp a tall pomegranate bush, still partly rooted in rock hacked and shoveled from the ground of the Underworld, appeared at the top of the stairs before the gate. There was grass around the base but not even a microbe of soil to be seen. It had rooted and grown to maturity in solid, unyielding, infertile stone.

Gasping with delight, looking for all the world like her youthful carefree self, Persephone clapped her hands. "Oh! One of my trees!"

Wearing a deliciously crooked smile, looking for all the world like his old evilly plotting self, Hades steepled his fingers. (Hey, some habits are hard to break, and can come in handy in a pinch.) Then he strode around the circle of gods, acting every bit the lawyer, stating his case quickly and smoothly.

"This, gods and goddesses, is a slab of the Underworld floor taken from the Elysian Fields itself. And this is only a small part of what Persephone made grow there, after she transformed the previously impermeable force-field that surrounds the area. See, I've been doing a little research... According to Olympian bylaws..." He snapped his fingers again, causing the scroll Hermes had provided to appear in his hand, and studied it as he spoke. "...And I quote, ahem... 'If any deity is able to use their powers within the exclusive domain of another deity, in a manner which alters the domain permanently or demonstrates control of any area...’ – which, as you can see, Exhibit Alpha clearly illustrates – ‘...then the deity of the first part has the right to demand a share of the domain of the deity of the second part, as well to declare a new title for themselves, in perpetuity’."

As he finished reading, he chucked "I'm sure no one ever expected that sort of thing to occur in our lifetimes, but there it is. And if you doubt the veracity of my claim, you are free to send anyone you like downstairs to see for yourselves. Though we do already have one witness." He inclined his head toward Hermes who nodded silently in agreement, then snapped his fingers again, sending the scroll into another Council member's hands. As an absolutely unbiased party, he chose Athena, who raised one eyebrow dryly, studied the text and nodded affirmatively. Then Hades stopped pacing and looked serious.

"Persephone has a power we've never seen before. Life over Death. She was born to rule over the Elysian Fields, she was meant to heal souls and return them to life. I've seen her do it and it absolutely awes me. She belongs in the Underworld. And she belongs," he spun to face Demeter directly, "with me." He approached the earth goddess, hands behind his back, a calculating gleam in his golden hawk's eyes. He spoke with blistering deliberation. "Exhibit... Beta..."

And from behind his back, he produced a half-eaten pomegranate.

Demeter's eyes widened like a spooked mare. No no no... Not the Original Forbidden Fruit!

"I've done a little more research," Hades continued, speaking loudly for all to hear. "A pomegranate seems to be one very powerful symbol among the gods. It's more than a symbol of sexual union, which we've already covered. Thoroughly. It's even more than the representation of death taken into her body, straight from the hands of the God of Death, which alone would ensure Persephone's return to me. What I'm referring to is this... The sharing of a pomegranate between gods creates an unbreakable bond, an oath as strong as any taken by Styx. Doesn't it, Demeter?"

She squeezed her eyes shut and half under her breath, snarled, "Damn that clause in the Laws of Love, and damn Aphrodite for making it a law..."

The love goddess in question took this moment to quietly slip out of the open and into the privacy of Cloud Nine, locking down the doors with a powerful protective warding. She was no fool. Cupid considered following but he was too curious about the outcome, and frankly he was a fool, for love.

Persephone spoke then, confused. "Uh, what am I missing here?"

Still speaking to Demeter, an absolutely wicked fanged grin over his face, Hades said, "Go on and tell her... Mom."

Demeter took a deep enough breath to speak and answered in a noose-tight voice. "It's the symbol... of indissoluble marriage."

Persephone stared with amazement. She had chosen the pomegranate for its sexual implications, true enough. She hadn't been aware of its death symbolism but that was of no concern to her, after being so intimate with death already. Of course it was also her favorite fruit. But to find out that sharing it between them had meant even more... Slowly a grin twitched across her face, then she began to giggle. Holy cow! She'd actually been legitimately married to him before they'd had sex!

"Whoops!" she said blithely. "Guess I already eloped and didn't know it! Sorry, Mother!" With a joyous smile, she snuggled up to her husband who positively gleamed with triumph. Then she kissed him full on the lips, right in front of everyone, and made sure to give him plenty of tongue.

Demeter pinched her nose as a headache named Hades was busy splitting her skull in two and using it for firewood. Speaking to herself, she muttered, "Fine, all right, I have no choice but accept it. I've got Hades... for a son-in-law." She groaned loudly and buried her face in her hands.

Rhea stepped closer to the earth goddess and put a consoling arm around her shoulders. "My child, why should this trouble you so much? Do you not wish your own daughter to be happy?"

"Yes, of course I do. But why... him?"

Rhea smiled with total knowledge. "You are judging him too harshly, dear. He's not an unworthy husband for her. He obviously is devoted to her. As well, he is a king, one of the three highest gods, and until lately a member of the Olympian Council."

"You're biased. He's your child."

"And so are you," the Titaness declared.

A fresh wave of gasps went through the crowd at this sudden revelation. Hades and Persephone stopped in the midst of their kiss, opened their eyes, parted lips, lifted their heads and stared as one.

"I never told you or your sisters," Rhea was saying, "but I myself created the three of you, secretly. Kronos did not want daughters, only sons. But I desired to replicate myself as well, and I did so without his knowledge. You were born while Kronos held my eldest two sons captive inside him. Odd, that he wanted only sons and heirs, yet sought to destroy them." She smiled then at all her startled female progeny. "Each of you have some measure of my natural powers, as well as your own, gained through destiny. Each of you are meant also to counterpoint the powers the boys were fated to inherit from their father."

Which meant... she had known all along it was a plot of the Fates. Hades closed his eyes and gripped the bridge of his nose tightly. Secrets. He hated them. Strict honesty was going to be his motto from now on.

Rhea continued. "Zeus and Hera, you command the gods themselves and the element of air. Poseidon and Demeter, you both rule the surfaces of the world through water and earth. Hades and Hestia, you each hold sway over mystical knowledge and control different types of fire." She looked enigmatically, meaningfully into her eldest son's eyes for a moment.

"As each of you were born, I sent you away to be cared for by Gaia and the Meliae nymphs. You grew up with Zeus his first nine years, never knowing he was your brother. It was for your own protection, please understand. Kronos spent much of his time trying to find Zeus as a baby, and if he had known there were other children, he would have destroyed you as well. I was too weak at that time to prevent anything he did… but I loved you all. You are my children, mine alone. Although you did not turn out precisely the way I planned," she smiled at Demeter, as if to hint something particular. "I had intended you all to represent the Maid, Mother, and Crone. Although the middle daughter does largely fulfill the role of Mother, Hestia and Hera have somewhat managed to reverse and even to combine the other two aspects. Such is the way things go. Children rarely live up to all our hopes and expectations. But we love them all the same. Do we not?"

Demeter lowered her eyes, ashamed at her own hateful attitude. She knew now, Rhea had created her in the same way she'd created Persephone. From herself, by herself, meant to be something of a duplicate of herself. But things certainly hadn't turned out that way. No matter how Demeter had tried to isolate the problems, Persephone had more than just a mind of her own, she had truly become empowered in unexpected ways. Where, oh where, Demeter thought, did I go wrong?

Probably... when she'd listened to the Fates so long ago, when Persephone was born. They'd shown up for no apparent reason, saying that untold good fortune would come to the world if she named her daughter the very opposite of what she was intended to represent. And so she had chosen 'Bearer of Destruction'. The irony of it now was giving Demeter an even bigger migraine. They had planned this whole damned thing from the very start, those unholy bitches.

Persephone had chosen her own path even while thinking she wasn't old enough to be allowed. Because she had been fated, had been given a stronger power than anyone knew. And there was nothing in the heavens or on the earth, Demeter included, that would stop it. The elder goddess sighed wearily. Now all she had to do was think of a way to convince her daughter of something else that might be impossible...

Hades had also been thinking deeply, and was now staring in unblinking shock. He had just spent a week getting used to the idea that he was sleeping with someone underage, and then getting used to the fact he didn't really care. Then finding out that she wasn't a minor, which was just fine anyway. But this new thought was... a bit different.

Persephone waved her hand in front of his blank face. "Hey, you okay?"

"Your mother is... my sister… which makes you... my niece."

She rolled her eyes. "Yeesh... We're gods, Hades. We're all related anyway. Who cares?"

He focused his gaze down at her now. Leuke has basically told him the same thing. He was thinking too human again, the result of being around them too much, for waaay too long. He began to realize how arousing it had been all this time, imagining she was so taboo. Though he'd tried to fight it, her very innocence and potential for corruption had been hopelessly irresistible. The forbidden was eternally appealing. And this news presented even more intriguing potential.

Slowly, wickedly, he smiled. "Hmm... Kinda kinky... isn't it?"

"Oh, brother… Or should I say, uncle?" Persephone sent a sweet little-girl smile up at him to tease mercilessly, and he groaned. "Buuut I suppose it's not as bad as some cases..."

She nodded toward Zeus and Hera, who were looking the tiniest bit uncomfortable with the knowledge they'd just been granted (though, later, they would find it put quite a spark back into their love life... for a short while, anyway). Seeing their current distress, however, cheered Hades up greatly.

Unnoticed, Hestia smiled kindly at her 'twin' brother, which she'd known all along.

Demeter was trying desperately to adjust. She too was realizing that she'd been intimate with two of her own brothers, and now couldn't meet their eyes. But there was even more at stake. Aloud, she said, "Okay, Persephone. I know you're an adult whether I like it or not. I'm sorry I held that from you for so long." She was truly regretful as she saw the expression of chastisement on her daughter's face come and go, replaced by patience and possibly forgiveness. "And I won't fight your marriage to Hades, even though I really don't like that either... But you still cannot stay in the Underworld."

Hades and Persephone both made indignant and disbelieving noises. Exasperated, Persephone asked, "Why not?"

Demeter was serious and, for once, not overly emotional though her eyes were pleading. "My Kore… When I made you Goddess of Springtime, I gave up those powers within myself forever. Now, when in due time Winter arrives… Without you, it will never end. That is why I needed your help to restore Summer. I can’t do it myself, not any longer."

This was startling news to everyone, especially Persephone. Perhaps Demeter had a good reason for her earlier protests (well, some of them, anyway). The young goddess, worried and unsure what to do, stated quietly, "I... I didn't realize that..."

"Okay, look," Hades declared, "there's gotta be a compromise here. I need her with me, too." He put a possessive arm around his wife, making it clear there was nothing that could convince him to walk away from her. Ever.

The ancient voice of wisdom settled it for them. Rhea came closer and all listened. "Demeter speaks truly, I'm sorry to say. She no longer possesses the powers of restoration and generation, only those of maturation and cultivation. There is a way to settle this... but, sadly for everyone, it will involve some sacrifice."

Hades frowned. "How much sacrifice are we talking about here?"

Rhea said carefully, "The only way is to separate her powers into two parts. During Springtime, Persephone must return to the earth above in order to conclude Winter. Then the following seasons can proceed naturally. After that, she may return to the Underworld."

Demeter fidgeted guiltily. "Uh, there's more to it than that, I'm afraid… Persephone is not merely Goddess of Springtime alone. She owns the power of all new life. For all things that must bloom and be fertilized, crops as well as flowers, she will need to be present on the earth. That means throughout Summer as well. Otherwise, the late Summer and Autumn harvests will both fail... and the world could really die..."

Hades grumbled low in his throat. "Oh, maaaan... Gotta hand it to ya, Demeter. This tops anything I could've schemed up. You've managed to screw us out of half our lives together. Half of every year. For the rest of eternity." He doffed an imaginary cap to her with a bitter flick of his wrist. "Kudos, babe."

Persephone's eyes widened, then she turned hurtfully to Demeter. "Oh, mother... When you swore on Styx, you knew this, didn't you? You did this on purpose, to bind me, to keep me always close to you..."

The earth goddess hung her head in shame. "I honestly never thought you would seek a life elsewhere... never thought you would be hurt like this..." Tears began to fall from her eyes. "I truly do love you, my child... I'm... so sorry..."

Rhea squeezed her daughter's shoulder, realizing that part of the sacrifice she'd spoken of was Demeter's to accept. The earth goddess would forever lose some part of her daughter, and that part might well be love. Then Rhea turned a gentle smile upon her eldest son and his young wife. "Unfortunately there is nothing to be done about it. The earth must survive, yet the Underworld must be also healed. I know it will be hard for you both to be apart so much when you love each other. But can you willingly make this sacrifice?"

Persephone gazed into her beloved's eyes sadly. She saw there what she already felt, and what they knew must be done. And the pain inside grew to a ponderous bittersweet ache she knew would never end as long as she lived. Lowering her eyes, she spoke for them both. "Though we don't like it... we know it's the only recourse. Mother has sworn an oath that the seasons would always stay in their proper order, which had to be done, and that oath was sworn to hold me as well. But I feel I was born to belong to both worlds, to share myself equally. And so, it is the right decision to travel between the realms of life and death. I can’t turn my back on either one. However... I refuse to be completely parted from Hades, my destined lover and my husband, during my time above. If he is not allowed to visit me upon occasion, then I will go back below. And when Styx punishes me for it, she will also punish you, Mother..."

Demeter cringed. Her innocent child had grown hard and calculating. And far too wise. Perhaps that vision of a new baby was something to consider seriously. "I would never dream of preventing... conjugal visits," she uttered, somewhat sourly.

Hades grinned at that. He was extremely displeased with the way things had worked out, but he would have been more upset at losing his wife completely. This way they still had most of the year to find a way to be together, and now no one would deny him access to the world above. Still a bit resigned, he asked, "So when does this little deal begin? And what about this year? It's not Autumn yet. Is she expected to stay above until then?"

Demeter nodded. "It will be necessary to ensure things go smoothly for the Great Harvest since I've... already caused damage to the earth..."

The couple frowned, the Persephone declared, "Well, I have to prepare things in the Underworld first. Give me a few days and I'll be back up here, for the next month and a half... Funny, I'll get to return to the Underworld just in time for my birthday."

"Promise me that you will return," Demeter said softly.

Hades started to berate her for doubting her daughter's word. But Persephone merely said, "You know I must."

And with that, the deal seemed decided, set in stone and Styx water for all time.

Zeus had witnessed the unpleasant exchange and realized just how much pain his brother was in. Certainly enough to make up for the pain he'd caused by abducting Hercules. And Hades would suffer with it throughout all time. Maybe not even he deserved it, but there was nothing to be done. Except, perhaps, to bring him back into the fold and to accept him the way he was. Zeus was glad he'd chosen generosity over punishment once again.

The Lord of Olympus spoke gently. "There is one small matter still to attend to." He addressed Persephone now. "A new title for you, my dear. Something that perhaps encompasses both domains. You will be Queen of the Underworld, but what divine title do you wish to assume?"

"Oh, right," she mused, not caring nearly as much as she should. "I'll just be what I already am. The Goddess of Rebirth."

"So be it," he smiled. Hermes scribbled the new title onto the proper scroll and Zeus sealed it, making it official for eternity. Then the King of Olympus happily rescinded his prohibition against Hades' presence, reinstated his brother to the Council, and boisterously ushered everyone through the gates. It was much better to celebrate than to convict.

The uneasy silence which had descended on the crowd of gathered gods broke like a wave, and they all rustled in conversation. There hadn't been so many momentous things happening on Olympus in longer than most of them could remember. What a day! they all buzzed. Someone would have to inform a suitably poetic mortal – that Homer guy, perhaps – to write it all down for posterity, because in time it was bound to lose something vital in the translation and then no one would know what had really happened, you know how these things are...

So the rest of the day was spent in revelry, honoring the marriage of Hades and Persephone. The two gods were dragged away separately and clothed in fine splendor. Aphrodite, realizing it was safe to emerge from her home, foisted a lavish wedding ceremony upon the couple. Following this was much music and dancing, and singing of the Muses, and mountains of food and drink, and gifts. It carried on very late into the night and the noise kept many mortals below awake.

Hades refused to dance the zorba with his brothers… but he did slow-dance with his wife.

She was clad now in the most glittering white, wearing a flowing chitonion with an embroidered black zonen, and a silvery peplos over it all. Hephaestus had made her a crown befitting her station, fashioned of silver and inset with marvelous rubies, in the shape of a trio of ripe pomegranates. A delicate white veil had been attached underneath, folding gracefully over her hair. She was breathtaking, stunning. Although she had turned heads before, she now drew rapt attention and sighs of longing in her wake. But she didn't notice anyone, except for Hades.

He had been forced into something more formal himself, a fancy termioeis chiton, still all black and gray, but with more patterned trim than he usually wore and a pharos draped from his shoulders. It looked pretty good, he had to admit, and the belted waist made it clear he had a pretty good body under it too. The smith god had made rings for them both as well, also skull-shaped. It matched his peroné clasp. Great. Now he was wearing coordinated jewelry. Surprising to him, he actually seemed to be an object of interest to a few of the goddesses. Too bad for them, he thought, he had eyes only for Persephone. And everything else was hers, as well.

For now, they danced. It was bittersweet though, knowing that soon they would be separated again. Holding her reverently in his arms, he said softly, "My beautiful wife... My queen. I never thought I'd say this but... let's just live for the moment."

Eyes misty, she responded, “Oh... my love..."

They kissed again, sweet and long and deep and loving, until they almost forgot to keep dancing. The cheers, hoots, and approving catcalls from the gathered gods finally returned their attention to the present with only mild blushing.

Demeter stood aside, still frowning. Seeing her, Hades exchanged a look with Persephone and she stepped aside with a smile. He approached Demeter, arms wide, inviting a hug from his mother-in-law/sister. She grimaced but he grinned like a shark and hugged her tightly anyway, nearly lifting her impressive bulk off the floor. What was it they said... A man in love has the strength of thousands? Then he swung her into a dance as well. Whispering, he told her that she could keep her new place on the Council and he would instead assume the office of alternate since his life was now waaay too busy for such things. This cheered her up a bit.

Sighing, Demeter relaxed and allowed him to lead more easily. She promised him a few things as well. When her new sanctuary was built at Eleusis, she would include a temple for Persephone. And she also agreed to ensure that the priests and priestesses would show Hades due respect as Persephone's husband, that they would be made to understand the truth of the relationship even if the rest of the world did not believe. Perhaps they would even build a temple for him as well...

With a poignant smile, he gave her an honest hug, assuring her that he loved Persephone like nothing else in the cosmos and vowing to treat her like the priceless treasure she was. And that if he ever failed, both Styx and his mother-in-law were free to mash him to a pulp, if the wife didn't beat them to it. The corner of Demeter's mouth twitched, accepting both the challenge and the frankness of his love. And finally, softly, he told her that Persephone truly did love her mother, even though they disagreed on things. Throat tightening with tears, Demeter leaned her head against her brother/son-in-law's chest and let her emotions pour out in relief.

Persephone smiled at the sight. Things were healing in all quarters now, slowly but surely. Hades, patting a weepy Demeter on the back, beamed at his bride and gave a mischievous wink. She grinned giddily in return at her wonderful, passionate, surprisingly romantic and warmhearted husband... thinking that she couldn't wait to get him home and back into bed, after hanging a 'Do Not Disturb Under Penalty of Death' sign on the door, and possibly barricading it from within as well. The time remaining until she left would be short but very, veeeerrry sweet.

Far aside stood Cupid, a look of smug self-satisfaction on his youthful dimpled face. Not a bad conclusion, if he did say so himself. He turned to his mother and said quite casually, "Pay up."

Aphrodite eyed him wearily and slipped him an IOU.

Nearby stood Apollo, who was still in utter shock. He muttered mostly to himself, his tone by turns numb and incredulous. "I can't believe she dumped me... For... for Hades!..."

Cupid said cheekily, "Says something about your style, don't ya think?"

Apollo groaned and wilted. Had he really lost it? His suave? His élan? His never-fail-to-score way with the ladies? It was unbearable to consider. If it were so, his life was over. His ego and reputation were already suffering after the Daphne debacle.

Slapping him heartily on the back, Cupid said, "Ah c'mon, cheer up, buddy! I'll give ya some pointers..." He put a comradely arm around the extra-wide shoulders of the taller god and began to lead him away, speaking in a conspiratorial tone, ever the matchmaker. "Heeeyyy, I know this little nymph chick on Nysa who's had her eye on you..."

"Oh…? Reeeaaally?"

Aphrodite just watched them walk away, droning to herself, "Aaaand the Summer just gets longer and longer..."

 

The evening arrived after a warm and humid day, perfectly ordinary Summertime weather. The earth was whole again and grateful to whatever forces had turned Demeter's fury around. Soon enough the world would know, would embrace the mystery of the gods of Life and Death entwined forever. But for now, things were simply normal.

On Nysa, Rhodope was floating luxuriously on her back in the stream. She'd heard the good news and was thrilled her friend had found happiness in a sudden new marriage. Persephone had also extended an invitation to all the nymphs of Nysa, whom she'd grown up with, to join her in the Underworld. She had jobs for everyone if they were interested. Several nymphs, missing their longtime playmate and having little else to do, were getting ready to sign on and move downstairs.

For today, Rhodope wanted to stay above. The sun had been dazzling her all afternoon. And Apollo himself would dazzle her tomorrow evening when they went on their first official date.

She giggled, kicking a spray of water skyward. The end of Summer was going to be very, veeeery happy this year.


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