Hades and Persephone a Love Through all Times

Back to the Garden

Tomorrow I will not be attending court again, I am going to go visit my garden" (The Study)

The garden that was Persephone's betrothal gift had grown over the years, as Persephone created new plants to go alongside the jewels. A small gazebo had been erected in the center where Hades had originally proposed. The gazebo was overgrown with black vines that hid the interior and inside was where Persephone's secret garden lay. The garden was not to be entered by the other palace shades or deities as all of the plants were created for Hades, and Hades' eyes only.

Persephone had enchanted the flowers inside and out of the gazebo to stay alive without her presence so as to allow Hades to also enjoy her garden. However, in visiting it without her Hades' deathly ora would often counter her lesser charms leaving much of the garden to be gems. Although the gazebo was usually untouched.

Upon entering it once more that morning she found that as usual, the outer garden was barren of any flowers or trees. Smiling at the rubies, emeralds, she set about mending her plants. Thinking of what to say to Darien when he did arrive.

She pondered asking him honestly if he was a mole for her mother, or maybe she could put him at ease first, letting him help her before going in for the kill.

She didn't have long to think though as she felt the shade come in.

"Lady Persephone? Did you request my presence? "

The tone in his voice as he incorrectly addressed her, gave Persephone the incentive for her next response.

"Yes!" She squeaked filling her eyes with innocents and a hint of naive. "I, haven't seen a new shade down here in forever and I just had to meet you!"

Darian gave her a slight bow, although it was not nearly low enough to be truly respectful. Many of the shades in the palace using every formality unless told otherwise, addressed her as "your majesty, or queen Persephone" along with usually bowing fully so as to not look Hades or her in the eye.

Persephone had worn a light gray gardening chiton along with a green himation so as to not spoil any of her nicer dresses with the dirt. Persephone almost wished she had thought to were a pink himation as that would have painted her more innocent and maidenlike, however, she would work with this for now.

"Come! Grab a hoe from the tools, and help me clear away the ashes." Persephone motioned behind her where a wheelbarrow and a toolset had appeared. She normally would have recreated the garden the magical way but Demeter abhorred excess use of magic when it came to growing life. Often telling Persephone that her gifts were to help cultivate a life that was there and not change entire landscapes. Therefore in keeping up the lie she would do things Mother's way for now.

Darien obliged as he walked over to the tools and grabbed a hoe. "I'm surprised that a goddess like yourself would use such tools... if you don't mind me saying".

Persephone gave Darien another smile this one smaller though as she faked a far off look in her eye, "Mother and I would always reap the harvest with our hands, as it is better to farm the land than to have it be dependent on magic."

Darien nodded as he set about raking the ashes and decayed plants away, into a pile. "I'm sorry about your predicament, you must miss your mother terribly". Darien didn't realize though that as he spoke he was confirming Persephone's suspicions of him more and more.

Persphone hid her agenda though as she continued to work her shoulders hunched in an unladylike manner, "Darien where are you from?"

Darien smiled wistfully as he spoke, "I am from Barcelona, having grown up always knowing that magic had to be real, it was only recently that I learned of the pantheon, as it explained all of the strange things that always seem to happen on the holidays".