Hope for the Underworld

34

He woke up with an unsettling feeling that something was not right. Still groggy, Hades stretched out and then the thought hit him that, very unusually, Cora was not beside, nestled in his embrace. In fact, she was not in their bed at all. He sat up, instantly fully alert, and listened for a moment, trying to discern if she had just stepped into the bathroom. But there were no sounds whatsoever coming from there. He was definitely alone in their apartment.

'Where is she?!' he gasped with urgency, throwing away the covers and grabbing some clothes.

'Lord,' the shadowy voice responded reassuringly. 'Lady Joy is on the balcony.'

'Why?'

'She couldn't sleep...'

Hades wasn't listening anymore. In a few quick strides he left their bedroom and walked towards the balcony overlooking his kingdom. He allowed himself a breath of relief, when he caught sight of his Betrothed standing there, gazing pensively into the distance.

'My love,' he spoke softly, not to startle her.

She turned around and looked at him with surprise. 'What are you doing here?' she asked.

'I found you gone and...' his voice trailed away. 'Has something happened?'

'Just couldn't sleep.' She shrugged and turned back to gaze at the empty landscape.

'I've never known you to have trouble sleeping.' He stepped closer and embraced her, hugging her protectively to his muscular chest. 'You are freezing!' he exclaimed, feeling the coldness of her skin.

He clicked his fingers and a warm cape appeared in his hand. He draped it over her shoulders and then, cuddled her again.

They remained like that, in absolute silence, for quite some time. He could tell she was clearly disturbed and guessed it had something to do with the discovery the guards had made earlier. 'What are you thinking about?' he whispered into her ear, tickling her lobe with his warm lips.

'Cannot you tell?' She turned her head a little to look at him, but all she could see was the outline of his profile.

'I know that you're uneasy,' he admitted. 'But I don't fully understand why.'

'I am myself unsure,' she said with a sigh. 'I feel...' she paused to find the word that best expressed her state, '...restless.' That wasn't exactly right, but close enough. 'I struggle to find myself a place,' she continued. 'And when I settle somewhere, I am compelled to abandon it in search of someplace else.'

'Are you bored?... Or unhappy?' His tone was worried.

'No! Of course, not!' She turned in his embrace and faced him. 'I love you!' she assured, and he believed her. 'And I am perfectly happy here, yet...' her voice trailed away.

'What can I do?' he asked immediately; breathlessly eager to do whatever she needed or desired; anything to make her happy.

'I don't know!' she snapped, suddenly annoyed; not with him, but with herself. 'I don't know what I want!'

'Would you like to visit earth?' he suggested. 'We could spend a few days there. For a change of scenery.' He smiled. 'We could take long walks in the forest, or visit some ancient sites?' He looked at her expectantly. 'I know that you've always wanted to visit Japan. They have magnificent gardens there.'

'Thank you.' She took his face in her hands and kissed him tenderly. 'I really appreciate the offer, but... I do not think that's what I really need.'

'Then tell me, what do you need?' His worried eyes were boring into hers.

'That's the problem. I do not know.'

'Then, shall we test our theory and try to grow more plants in the Underworld?' he asked, intuitively guessing what all of this was really about. 'We could start a garden. I'm sure Hermes will be more than happy to provide us with some seeds and then lend a hand to dig in the ground.' His lips twitched in an amused grin.

'Can we, really?' she asked naively, betraying he had been right.

'My love, I am the Lord of the Underworld and anything you wish for is simply my command.'

'My Prince Charming!' She laughed, suddenly happy. All the anxiety gone in an instant.

'Anything for you,' he assured, kissing her passionately. 'But now, can we go back to bed? If I am to dig in the garden tomorrow, I need my beauty sleep.'

She laughed again and nodded. He scooped her up in his arms effortlessly and carried her back to their opulent bedroom.

*

Hermes arrived after breakfast, having received Hades' summons first thing in the morning. He bent down to kiss Cora's hand in the old-fashioned gesture he favoured. 'Are my services required?' He flashed an insolent grin at Hades. 'My uncle is, after all, quite ancient...'

Lord Receiver glowered at him instantly, but Cora just smiled with indulgence. 'We need your help.'

'Oh? I am all ears.' Hermes settled himself comfortably on a sofa opposite the hosts and absentmindedly accepted a goblet of wine.

'I would like to try and plant a garden,' she said simply.

Hermes was so surprised he choked on his drink. Several minutes later, when he finished coughing and spluttering, he looked at her with incomprehension. 'Auntie Cora, but nothing ever grows in here.'

They told him about their recent discovery.

'We want to test a theory and see if that growth had something to do with my Betrothed,' added Hades, beaming a happy smile and Hermes knew instantly, he would do anything to please Cora.

'Well,' Hermes was thinking aloud. 'Just because things have been a certain way for eons, it doesn't mean they cannot change. You are the Lady Change, after all.' He lifted his eyes to Cora. 'What would you like to have?'

'Anything you can lay your hands on!' she replied eagerly, clearly very excited about the prospect of gardening.

'My Lady, your wish is my command.' Hermes stood and bowed. 'I will return as soon as I acquire your supplies.' He vanished into thin air.

Awaiting his return, Cora brightened up; she walked the grounds with Hades and chose a place for her foundation garden. Not knowing what plants Hermes might bring back from the mortal realm, she couldn't really make any significant decisions, but she found something to finally occupy her mind.

Hades observed her with growing appreciation; faced with a task, she gave it all her attention and spent countless hours, designing grounds around the palace. It had been a long while since he saw her so animated.

When the Messenger finally returned, she employed both gods to so some 'leg-work' and dig the soil for her flower beds; she threw herself into the work with delighted abandon and would not stop until she was satisfied all was as she would like it.

'I know that she was destined to bring change to the Underworld,' groaned Hermes, looking at his delicate and manicured hands, 'but does it have to be by my physical effort?'

Hades only laughed in response. He actually enjoyed a bit of physical work; it had been so long since he engaged in anything strenuous.

Plants seeded, watered, and fed, the time had come to just wait and see what the future brought.