Hades and Persephone

Chapter 5 WINTER SOLSTICE

I'm sitting in front of the mirror, putting on the flower crown that matches the flowers on my gown. Do I look nice now? I questioned myself. Then I heard two knocks on my bedroom door.
I said, "Come in," and as the door opened, it was my mother, who approached me and handed over a small box, saying, "Kore my daughter, this is for you to wear today. It suits you." As I opened the box, it revealed a gold bracelet, which she said she had asked Hephaestus to make just for me.
"It was lovely, Mother," I said, and she smiled and assisted me in putting the bracelet on my right hand. "Are you all set now? The carriage is waiting for us outside, and I assume Artemis is at Olympus, excited to see you, my beautiful Kore," mother explained. Yes, I'm good, and I suppose we should leave now, I replied.

As we walk out the door, I notice a white and gold carriage, and it's not a horse; it's a pegasus, and it's amazing. Mother and I both sat inside as the pegasus took off. I'm going to thank Zeus for this, as well as Poseidon for his Pegasus. As I look out the carriage window, I see a beautiful ocean of clouds. "We're almost there, Kore," Mother said quietly. I can't hide my joy and excitement; finally, I'll be able to walk on the floor of Olympus. "Oh, thank you Zeus for this invitation," I said. My mother frowned at me as if to warn me to behave when we arrived. "You don't have to worry mother, I'll be with Artemis throughout the feast, and I'm sure she won't take her gaze away from me," I said. "And I won't either," she said, as I expected. I simply take a deep breath and return my gaze to the window. Five minutes later, the clouds cleared, but we remained on top of the sky. I couldn't believe what I was seeing right now; it's a mountain, seriously. Then I hear the sound of a trumpet, so I guess we're here. I can feel a little nervousness, and my mother just holds my hand and says, "Kore, calm down, just act normal." When the door was opened, my mother went down first, followed by me, and I saw Artemis running all the way to greet us.

"Persephone, the Goddess of Spring, welcome to Mount Olympus." Artemis stated, "I was astounded to see how large it was. It is incredibly beautiful." Then mother taps Artemis on the shoulder and says, "Artemis, take care of Kore for now as we agreed, Kore, I have to go and meet other gods and goddesses and prepare before the feast begins, you know your limitations my daughter." I just nodded, and she began walking towards the large hall.

I smiled at Artemis and took my time admiring her appearance. "I swear, Artemis, you look stunning in your gown." "You are more than beautiful Kore, look at you," she says with a smile. She slides her hand across the silhouette of my gown. "This is also very lovely." I smile and bow my head.
"As your tour guide, I will first show you the central hall, also known as the council chamber, where twelve principal gods, including yours truly, gather," Artemis explained. I'm paying attention to her as we walk; Artemis has taught me a lot about Olympus.
"The buildings were built of stone with bronze foundations," she explained again as she pointed to the hall. Then I turned my glaze on the other side; everything I can see is made of marble and gold, including the floor. There is also a large Oυλυμπoς at the top of the hall. A few moments later, we hear the melody of Apollo's lyre. "It's about to begin, Kore; after we eat, I'll take you to the private bedchambers and storage rooms," she said as we walked down the hall.

Fruits, ambrocia, and nectar, as well as Dionysus' special wine, are served on a massive golden table in the hall. On the left, Apollo is playing his lyre. He looks great with his athletically built body and laurel crown.
I told Artemis, "Apollo is really good at playing that instrument," and she put both hands on her hips. "He does that from time to time, Kore, and don't ever tell him that because he's very proud of himself." we both laugh.
"I will seat there later," Artemis said, pointing her throne. I just nodded I'm also looking at the seating arrangement. The 12 thrones were arranged in an inverted 'U,' with the Gods' thrones on the left facing the right and the Goddesses' thrones on the right facing the left.

All of us are now facing the central throne.

Zeus stands in the center and speaks proudly, "Olympians, our feast on celebrating the Winter Solstice...." and then he stops as the cold wind blows through the entire place and the only sound I hear is horses.
Everyone is quiet facing the entrace of central hall including my father Zeus, who is looking from a distance but ....smiling.

As I turned my head to see what it was, I noticed from a distance a tall man dressed in black.