After Zeus declared his judgment, Persephone was content to let matters be as time passed by. Even though the confusion and sadness continued to exercise her mind, she tried to settle down to her old life with her mother for the remaining time on earth. She was sad that she had to part way with Demeter and confused that she found the thought of being back in the Underworld more tempting to her heart.

There was only one mountain-laurel remaining in full bloom as the end of the season drew close. In the water of the clear spring, Persephone's slender figure was the reflection of a beautiful young woman - no longer a child maiden. While she was resting under the shade of an olive tree, she watched her wood nymphs played in the fields. The goddess found herself more and more disinclined to join her friends like she used to.

Before, it would move her to tears with just the thought of tearing herself away from home. Now, the place she did not wish to leave previously seemed different. Everything seemed to have changed so subtly she didn't know what it was. Her mind kept wandering back to the dark mistress of the dead below the earth.

For the first few weeks, before Persephone was to have gone back to the Palace of Hades, Demeter kept herself secluded in her bower, weeping over her daughter's fate. Persephone tried to console her mother by reminding her that she would return home every year and that it would be as if they had never been apart. Yet, Demeter's heart was still plagued by grief seeing her beloved girl going away soon.

On the tenth day of the last month, the time for Persephone to leave the earth seemed to approach too slowly for it was her mind alone that was hurrying on. Persephone did not know how or when the Underworld had become a sanctuary for her soul. Despite her mother's grief, her heart began to pound and skip at the thought of meeting Hades again.

As she sat by the clear spring that afternoon, the golden-haired Demeter observed her darling daughter with steady eyes. The older goddess had noticed all the subtle changes, which only a mother could tell.

One night, as the two of them sat down by the fire, Demeter looked at Persephone for the longest moment before she asked the question that had been nagging at her mind.

"Persephone, tell me truly - are you in love with Hades?" she said to her daughter in a clear voice.

Persephone wished she had prepared for the question. The young goddess lowered her gaze to the ground. Her golden lock hid her face as her hands kept twitching nervously.

"Mother, why did you ask me so?" she murmured back.

"Do not fear me, daughter," Demeter told her, "Tell me naught but the truth. Tell me the unsaid things that you have buried within you."

Since there was no rhyme and reason to avoid it out of shyness or fear anymore, the maiden told her mother as honestly as she could.

"The strange feeling I have for Hades now is stronger than fear and rancor, mother," Persephone admitted. "Whenever I looked back on our unexpected meetings, it seemed like a surreal and mysterious dream that haunted my heart. While I am here, overjoyed to see you again, I still could not forget the dark tall woman who seems to have claimed my soul. Yes, Mother Demeter, I do love Hades. I did not know when or how but I do love her very much so."

"Oh my sweet child, you have grown and experienced too soon the sting of passion," Demeter said mournfully, "But I shall interfere no longer. Be happy, dear lass, dearer than heaven to me. I must compose myself and entrust you to Hades' care. You are my sole joy - a loved fruit of my labor. Be happy as you can be."

After the heartfelt blessing, the mother and daughter then went on to embrace one another and wept for the longest time.

~*~

It was settled that Hermes would take Persephone back on the last day of the sixth month. The sun rose high up in the deep blue sky and the earth's songs echoed pleasantly before the coming winter enveloped the world once again.

Persephone was wearing a set of two robes with gold reeds and a pattern of ivy in purple around the hem. Over it, she wore a cape of light white silk, hanging loosely from her shoulders. It was a bridal gown her mother and the nymph helped to adorn her before the departure. With the fragrant flowers in her hair, she turned to her mother with saddened eyes.

Demeter whispered her blessed words to her beloved daughter. Though she had always been against the cruel fate that shall separate them, it was her daughter's happiness that mattered most.

"Take care of yourself, my sweet girl," Demeter said, "If she ever mistreats you in any manners, I will come charging down to the Underworld for her."

Persephone nodded and hugged her mother tightly one last time.

"Goodbye, mother. I will see you again another time," Persephone replied sadly. They parted from each other's arms with tears in their eyes.

Then they saw Hermes flying down to meet them.

"Bless the gods, Persephone, you look splendid!" the messenger god exclaimed. "You will no doubt make a great queen in the court of Hades. Come with me now, it's time to leave. She is waiting for you by the Gate."

Persephone's heart swelled upon hearing that. She imagined seeing Hades again. It made the golden blood run hot in her veins. She had secretly longed to see that enigmatic face. Her curious adventures in the dark goddess' realm had set her on a new path in life; and for that reason, she had come to regard it as a happy incidence. Persephone was rather nervous for the meeting with Hades this time was going to be quite different.

She was not the same old crying maiden anymore. Deep within her heart, Persephone knew her destiny would forever be bound to Hades'.

At last, Persephone bade her mother farewell and let the flying god take her back to the entrance of the Underworld.

Once she arrived with Hermes at the gateway of the afterlife, she had a glimpse of the dark monarch at the mouth of the entrance. Hades was waiting for her beloved maiden on her swift golden chariot. With one hand holding the rein of the majestic black stallions and her long silk robe flowing in rippling black folds, the goddess stood silently with her dark eyes shining brightly through the shadowy passage of her kingdom.

Persephone felt her breath hitched in her throat. It wasn't from fear. She did not expect such anticipation from her demure self. All she ever wanted at that moment was to run towards the beautiful goddess and have her arms enfolded around her. But Hades' fierce presence always made her hesitant. She was still not used to the prospect of being her life partner and her rightful queen. Obviously, Persephone needed more time to adjust to her new reality.

"Go on, cousin," Hermes urged her, "Hades is not always a very patient goddess. Enjoy your time while it lasts. We shall meet again in another half of the year."

The winged-god then turned and flew back to Olympus, leaving Persephone by herself.

She gingerly walked over, wondering what she was going to say to the mistress of her heart. She could hear the roaring of the river Styx. The air coming from the Underworld was cold and eerie, like a brush of a ghostly butterfly upon her skin. Her heartbeat was racing louder the closer she got to the goddess' chariot. Her mouth felt so dry so she licked her plump lips and swallowed hard.

When she looked up at Hades again, she saw a soft smile lingered on the dark goddess' lips. Persephone felt the instant relief flooding through her.

She could feel the bright sunlight fading away behind her as the entrance began to close, and the last to go was the fresh upper current of air that blew through the crevasses on the upper world. Persephone did not regret giving up her life on earth and trading it for the time with Hades this round. To her, the dark goddess was worth giving up the sun, the moon, and every star in the sky.

Persephone shyly stopped before Hades' chariot. Her face blushed under the steady black stare. The tall goddess had been waiting for this day. Now that the golden maiden had returned to her and no longer an unwilling captive, she felt her love intensified and the golden ichor coursed hot in her heightened heart.

Hades got off her high steed and walked slowly towards her lovely betrothed.

Then without a word passed between them, Hades wrapped her arms possessively around the goddess of spring. Persephone's cheeks burned hot at their closeness and her own heart melted with an untamed joy. She hadn't realized how much she craved Hades' passion.

They looked at each other's faces, savoring the blessed moment in silence. Persephone unknowingly placed her palm upon Hades' cold pale cheek. She traced her thumb gently over the upturned corner of Hades' bright red lips.

"I know I had deceived you with my stubbornness and lies," Persephone whispered apologetically, "I hoped I might, by keeping away from you, cease to long for you. My great misery is from vividly engraving your image on my mind. I cannot tell if your passion for me has grown cold. Need you not tell me your resentment towards me?"

Hades' eyes dimmed softly, remembering her heartache over her love's departure.

"What bitter feelings can I ever have for you, Persephone? I can't change my heart's desires," Hades said in a gentle tone. Her gaze caressed the maiden's blushed cheeks. Her hands stroked the golden hair. "During those long miserable months, I have to my great grievance been obsessed with the thought of you. Now that you are returned to me, my sorrow is but all gone."

"Oh, Hades," Persephone breathed and burrowed herself into the soft embrace of the black-robbed woman. Hades tightened her hold and kissed the top of her lover's head. Afterward, she pulled away and took a step back from Persephone. The dark goddess of the dead then kneeled down on the ground ever so gracefully as her maiden watched in astonishment.

"Persephone," Hades whispered, "will you come with me to the Underworld and sit beside me on my throne? Will you be my queen, my wife, and my eternal companion?"

Persephone looked at Hades in awe. Her sparkling eyes filled with tears, which then streamed down her cheeks. With a quivering joyous voice, the goddess answered.

"Yes, my sweet Hades, I earnestly will," Persephone replied, and she leaned down with her head tilted to plant a loving kiss on those tender lips. The dark goddess stood up again and deepened their kiss. They kissed slowly and deeply with a great yearning for one another.

After they parted, Hades reached her hand out for Persephone. The maiden took it in hers with no more hesitation. They got onto the chariot and the two of them descended to the lower world together.

The dreaded furies flew beside the chariot-wheels, following the two fierce pairs of steeds that graze Acheron banks. They escorted the godly pair through the dark meads of Erebus, passing the overjoyed three-headed Cerberus by the palace's gate.

Inside the throne hall, everyone gathered to pay respect and to welcome Persephone.

Hades led the golden-haired maiden by the hand towards the elegant throne. The beautiful black crown sparkled brightly upon Persephone's head. The tail of her wedding gown dragged through the hall like a comet across a dark sky.

Indeed that night, Persephone was regarded as the most beautiful of the immortals. The only goddess who brought the fearsome Hades to her knees. She was given many gifts by the other gods. The fields of Sicily were given to her on her wedding day. Two festivals were celebrated in her honor: one at the time of sowing and the other at the time of harvest. The Temples of Persephone were dedicated to her alone in Athens, Corinth, Megara, and Sparta.

But amongst all the gifts, Hades gave her the most valuable one. She gave her the power to rule her kingdom as her own. Thus, Persephone, the goddess whose very name means "she who weakens the darkness" was pronounced wife of Hades, the Iron Queen. As the formidable, venerable majestic queen of the souls, she shall carry into effect the curses upon the dead or guide them through the Underworld to a more enjoyable afterlife. Along with Hades, Persephone shall hold an ancient role as Queen of the Dead and Goddess of springtime, vegetation, and maidenhood.