When Spring Met Shadows

5. A Tour of the Underworld

The next morning, a feast was prepared in honor of the newlyweds. A long table was filled with food. Fresh fruit, meats from around the world, the best wine from Dionysus. Everyone dined, except for Persephone, for she had remembered her mother's tale about partaking of the Underworld food. If she were to eat a single morsel, she would remain there forever with no way to return. And although Persephone was happy within the land of the Underworld, she couldn't help but miss her mother and especially the gardens and trees. The love she possessed for nature, flowed in her veins and she could not control the longing she felt to feel the grass between her toes and the sound of the river. So she did not eat, and though Hades was skeptical, he complied and did not force her to.

The two spent their day touring Hades kingdom. He showed her every river, every land, and every soul. He told her stories of the birth of this realm and why he came to be the King of the Underworld. Though he missed his throne on Mount Olympus, he had a much better life ahead of him with Persephone. He gazed at her as if she were a rare jewel and no matter what, Hades couldn't keep his eyes off of her. A loud roar snapped Hades from his thoughts.
"What was that?" His wife asked in fear. He took her hand and smiled.
"Do you trust me?" He asked. Persephone winched and nodded. "Follow me." He led her down a long winding path that fell down into darkness. The roars and growls grew louder and louder, and Persephone wondered if she really should have trusted him. "Close your eyes." He said taking her hand. She did as she was told and began shaking in fear. He kissed her hand before placing it on top of something furry. "Open." He said. Persephone gasped at the large dog with not one head, but three. It's eyes were black as well as it's fur and she couldn't help but laugh at the large beast. It painted and wagged its tail in excitement and laid down so she could pet him. "Cerberus,guardian of the gates of Tartarus, where the Titans are held."
"Titans?" She asked. She was too young to know the story of the Titans. God-like beasts that spread chaos on Earth. They wanted what they thought was theirs, but most importantly, they wanted Olympus. Zeus was their target, but they were no match and Zeus sent them to the depths of Tartarus for Hades to take care of.
"They are nothing but evil. It is of no concern." Hades said as he began to pet Cerberus. Persephone tried her best to pet each head but their size made it hard for her to reach.

The two trekked back up the winding road and Persephone began wandering around the courtyard of his kingdom and found the only way back home was through the river Styx. She sat on the edge overlooking the river and sighed.
"What is the matter my love. Why do you sigh?" Hades asked kneeling to comfort his wife. She pulled her knees close to her chest.
"I miss my gardens and the the sound of birds. But most of all I miss the sun." She said. Hades began to worry that Persephone would want to leave him so, he came up with a compromise. He lifted her from the ground as grass and a garden of silver narcissus grew in thin air. She gasped at their beauty and smiled.
"Anything you wish for, I will make come true." Hades said placing her gently on the ground. When her feet hit the greenery, she gushed with excitement. She began to run through the fields jumping over the small streams. Hades watched with enjoyment as his wife danced around. He couldn't understand why this small garden made her happier than she could ever be.
"What will we call it?" She asked.
"Elysium." He stated. "It shall be for the fallen God and Demi-God soldiers." She smiled and took his hand. She had never felt so full and Hades, the King of Death, had made her feel this way.

When she was finished in Elysium, Hades council appeared with a letter from Earth. Persephone's heart jumped at the sight of her fathers handwriting. Hades reached for the letter but Minos pulled it away.
"'Tis for the Queens eyes only sire." He said. Hades frowned and took a step back. Persephone took the letter and hesitantly opened it, for she did not want what her father would say to sway her want to stay in the Underworld. Before she read the last word, she looked up to her husband and smiled. She closed the latter and stuffed it in her flower basket.
"What did the letter say my love?" Hades asked a little panicked. She took his hand.
"All that I needed to hear." She said as Hermes, messenger to the gods, entered the gates of the Underworld.