Ice Princess

25

She woke up, in cold oblivion, it was just like when she died before. There was nothing for several minutes. Then, she heard the water and started to walk towards it. Following the river, eventually she made her way to the dock where Carin waited with outstretched hand. Reaching into her bodice, she produced one of the coins. But he did not accept.

"For the Lady of Nightmares, your passage is free." His voice hissed. She climbed on board and waited for him to row her across the river Styx.

"How will I know which way to go?" She asked as she departed the ship.

"My lady, all roads lead to the palace." Carin said. How is that possible? She thought. Then, she thought, remember what has transpired over the last day.

Eventually, she came upon a Greek palace and climbed the steps. Searching the rooms, she did not find anyone. Eventually, she made her way to a courtyard where beautiful flowers grew. A woman, there was tending to them.

"Hello?" She said as she approached.

"No, it can't be. We looked so long for you. Melinoe, you've finally came home." The woman threw her arms around Melinoe and was weeping. "My child, don't you remember me? I am your mother, Persephone."

"Queen Persephone, I do not remember you. I am sorry to disappoint you."

"No, you are my wonderful, beautiful daughter. See, you have the mark." Persephone pulled her hair out of the way, at the nape of her neck, hidden in her locks was a symbol, the symbol of Hades. Persephone grabbed two mirrors to show her. Melinoe never noticed it before, but it glowed an eerie blue in the underworld where colors seemed to be off. "Your father will be so happy that you have come home. He hasn't been himself since you left centuries ago." Persephone held Melinoe's hand lightly and tugged her along.

"Hades, Hades, my love, your daughter has returned home." Persephone was warm and full of love and life. The feeling she received from Hades was the exact opposite.

"Does the child before me bear the mark?" He asked showing indifference.

"Yes, she does. Darling, she doesn't remember who she is." The dark figure exited his throne and came down the steps towards her, as he came closer, Melinoe could feel the temperature dropping. He held her chin and she shivered.

"Your majesties, I hate to disappoint you both. Even though I have this mark you speak of, I don't remember any of this." She told them. "I don't mean to hurt either of you, please forgive me."

"She's too polite to be our daughter. Our daughter was full of rage. This one smells of kindness."

"But she is our daughter." Persephone insisted.

"There is one way to be certain." Hades took out a large ring and attached it around her neck. "This ring will compel you to tell the truth. Tell me who are you, where did you come from?"

Melinoe began telling all the details of her life. It must have been hours and hours of her talking.

"Tell me, have anyone you have been around ever stopped having bad dreams?" Hades asked her.

"Yes." She said. He removed the ring.

"The final test will be you returning to Omnipotence City alive, if you do not pass between the veil of the living and the dead, you are not our Melinoe." Hades told her.

"What will become of me if I'm not who you think I am?"

"You will remain here, never to leave." He told her.

"Do not worry, I know it is you." Persephone told her.

"Also, you will need to return here, every full moon for the next year to relearn what you have lost. One day and one night per month." Hades told her. "A portal will grant you access, bring nothing that is alive with you."

"Hades, I want her to stay." Persephone told him.

"My love, our little girl is grown up and has a life of her own, we need to honor that. The tighter you grip her the more likely she will do it again. Besides, you may always visit her when you visit your mother. Won't that be a lovely surprise for her?" Hades hugged Persephone, they really did love one another.

"Before I go, do you know why?" Melinoe implored.

"Why what, my love?" Persephone asked.

"Why I left? Or why I was reincarnated?" She asked. "Did I do something wrong? Am I being punished?"

"No," Hades told her. "You were always a good child, then one day you were filled with a rage that couldn't be quenched. You were causing so many nightmares upon mortals. Then, one morning you were just gone."

"Can a god choose to be reincarnated?" She asked.

"No, there are a series of events and instances that must happen first before they are. It can be a punishment or a blessing." Persephone told her.

"How did you know I was still out there?" She asked.

"We started looking again when we felt you enter the underworld again. Did you die and were brought back to life?" Hades asked.

"Yes," she told them.

"That was when I went to Zeus and asked for help, before the fall finished."

"Will I need to be guarded like I was today?"

"No, we will be able to watch you now that we know you are truly alive. Not all the time mind you, but mirrors will be how we communicate with you." Persephone explained. "A wizard or sorcerer will be able to help with your training on the mortal realm, especially helping you blend in. I don't think humans have gotten past horns in the last few millennias." Persephone stroked her horns. "You got those from your father." She smiled down at her daughter. "We will see you the next full moon." And with that she was whisked back to Omnipotence City.

"Ah, see. She is the one." Zeus clapped his hands. "Now we must feast." She looked at Bucky and Rocket and began to say something. "Oh, that was for your own good, my dear. Of course your friends can join us and then you can be on your way."

_______

They were led to quarters where they could refresh themselves. Each of them took turns telling the story of what happened when the others weren't present.

"But, you're ok?" She asked them both, concerned on her face.

"Oh, that's rich coming from the Queen of Nightmares. Zeus filled us in on you and who you are." Bucky spat at her.

"Yes, we are both ok." Rocket elbowed him.

"Sergeant Barnes," she began. "I truly am sorry, I couldn't have predicted any of this." She went to touch his hand, but he snatched it away. All Melinoe could do was push the hurt down as deep as she could and walk away.