The Queen of The Underworld

Author's Note: The abduction (or rape by some accounts) of Persephone has quite a few different versions. The main story is the same, but different characters do slightly different things that change the overall feel and flow of the story. The main idea is that this acts as an origin story for seasonality as well as explains the union of Persephone and Hades. Basically, Persephone was picking flowers in a field with some companions (they vary in the different versions) when Hades busted through the earth. He abducted her and took her back down to the Underworld (this is where Persephone is raped in some versions). Hades was in love with Persephone and asked Zeus for her before the abduction since Demeter would be very unlikely to give her daughter away. Demeter, in her anguish, caused a massive drought and famine. Due to the devastation caused, as well as her pleas (or demands) for help, Zeus ordered Hades to return Persephone. Before Persephone left, she ate a pomegranate from the Underworld which would obligate her to come back (in some versions she does this willingly and in others she is tricked by Hades). Therefore, she spends some of her time in the Underworld and the other part of her time with her mother. When she is in the Underworld it is winter and there is no harvest, but when she is with her mother it is spring/summer and there is plenty of crops/plants.

I decided to have a positive outlook on my story. I also wanted to make it clear that it is Persephone's story. She is a sort of prize in the original accounts, so I wanted her to have the spotlight in my version. It just doesn't make sense that Persephone would be miserable with a guy like Hades since he is devoted to justice and is actually a quite honorable God. It also doesn't make sense that a goddess of harvest/grain wouldn't know about the repercussions of eating food created in the Underworld. So, I had Persephone choose to go with Hades and stay with him as well. She saw the aspects of his character no one else really tried to see. I also showed a different side of Hades in this story. He is a little more goofy and lovable. All versions state that Hades loved her, and if you truly love someone, you do your best not to hurt them... hence no rape or forced abduction. I had a lot of different versions written, but thought this was the best one I had. I know many of you were looking forward to this story, so I hope it is everything you were wanting. Thanks for the read and feedback!

Bibliography: Persephone on Wikipedia, Demeter on Wikipedia, Hades on Wikipedia

If you're interested, here's more on the Oceanids and Eleusis