Classics Misunderstood

As old as the world is wide, Greek Mythology has ever been the founder of fair tales and dramatic lore. In them, the Gods, like humans, have each their own faults and fill of insidious predicaments. The foremost of all, family politics. *smirks* Perhaps that is one thing which all must endure including that of the Gods. For endure we shall regardless of our desires. They are 'family' after all...

Well loved is the tale of the beauteous Persephone and the Lord of the Netherworld, Hades. It is a charming tale thought oft told wrongfully, or so I believe. 'Tis true he spirited her away from the world above as it was then. Yet he was the captured, not she for he was captivated by her, his epitome of sunshine. Unlike most tales say, he did not imprison her. Instead, he set her free from the protective confines of her mother, Demeter, Goddess of Harvest. And so in the Underworld she found freedom but more importantly, she found a different kind of beauty - one none could embrace as completely and heartily as the realm's true queen. Thus in her dark lover's domain, the Maiden Kore became the beauteous Persephone, Goddess of the Soul and the Harbinger of Spring.

In the beginning Persephone was frightened. Whispered rumors of the Netherworld and its cold ruler had long burned ears and set faces of distaste of all in Olympus, home of the Gods. Though unknown to the youthful Goddess, such harsh words merely proved that the Gods were no wiser than humans in judging one's character. Nonetheless, even as she ventured forth into this exquisite place worlds apart from what she had known all her life, she found them groundless. Misjudged and wrongfully feared, her husband was compassionate as he was just for never under the overprotective wings of her mother had she felt so secure than in her lord's arms.

Then came Demeter's threats of frost. So grievous was the loss of her daughter that she fell into despair neglecting her duties of nourishing the earth. As reluctant as Hades was to cast loose his sunshine, the release of Persephone followed Zeus' pleas and Hermes' dire messages of a dying earth. Tears flowed freely past the midnight lashes leaving undeniable trails of sadness on the paleness of her face even as she was speedily flown back to her mother's side. And so Hades watched her go, leaving a shadow in his heart and an emptiness in his realm that had never been...


*Next Chapter - The return of Persephone*