As soon as Hades saw her beloved maiden walking into the dimly lit hall, her crimson lips parted and dark eyes widened at the sight of her tattered dress and disheveled hair. The goddess descended from her throne and rushed to meet Persephone."Persephone," she said in a voice with deep concern, "Are you alright?"As the maiden stood, shivering mutely, Hades conjured up a comforting fleecy cloak and quickly wrapped it around the goddess. Persephone looked at Hades's distraught face as her eyes swept the length of her dirty form."I met Minthe by the River Cocytus," she began in a sad exhausted voice. "She tried to overpower me...it happened so fast...and I did not mean to...""Worry not, my love," Hades interrupted, her tone soft and

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