Here we go, final chapter. In the original comic chapter, the wedding's set up was clearly based on a modern wedding but I managed to re-write in (in a way) with Ancient Greek wedding traditions. I also changed the order of events and omitted some because these are Gods we are talking about. But a quick Google search can tell you how a traditional ancient Greek wedding would've gone down. I also threw in some modern Greek wedding traditions cause I can and also because they are really sweet.

Persephone felt a sense of giddy excitement when she awoke that morning, it was after all Gamos, the day of her wedding.

The previous day had been the Proaulia, a feast held in Olympus for all of the Goddesses and Nymphs who were involved with the wedding. Instead of offering sacrifices, like a mortal bride would, Persephone instead gave gifts breads, fruits, cheeses, and wine to Hera, as the exemplar of the divine bride and to Aphrodite for a fruitful, child-rearing life. Needless to say Persephone had gone scarlet for that. Yesterday, while it was still early, she and Artemis had taken a walk trough Eleusis and Persephone had given her childhood clothing and toys to several children from poor families. When they returned Artemis had gotten scissors and carefully cut off a few inches of Persephone's shin-length auburn hair to burn at her temple.

It took them two and a half months to have the wedding organised. Which was good because it meant that they were marrying in the month of Gamelion, the sacred month of Hera, who was the Goddess of Marriage. In the weeks leading up to this day; Hades, Demeter and Persephone had all discussed the traditions surrounding mortal marriage. Traditionally in mortal weddings, the groom and one of his friends took the bride to her new home via chariot, while led by the bride's mother acting as a torch bearer and followed by their friends and family in a procession of song and dance to both ward of malicious spirits and enact the tragedy of the bride leaving her family. The procession itself began with the painful ritual departure, a drama of the pain the bride felt leaving her family. The groom grabbed her wrist while the bride's father delivered her to her husband's control. After this, the bride was treated as a symbolic captive, and to her the procession reflected a crisis that needed to be endured and overcome, as it was her final transition from childhood to marriage.

But technically Persephone had, in a way, already gone through that when Hades had snatched her away many moons prior. Not only that but she also wasn't separating herself from her mother and the wedding ceremony and feast was being held in the Underworld, as per Persephone's wishes, so there was no need to do that ceremony. Personally Persephone knew that it was because Hades' really didn't want to have to do that again.

Demeter had decided that Persephone would spend a single night in the Underworld, as her wedding night before returning to her duties for the last month-and-a-half before her proper return to the Underworld.

Moving forward to the present, Persephone lived through a daze during the Loutron Numphikon, a ritual cleansing bath in preparation for the day's nuptials. Despoina had been chosen to carry the loutrophoros, a ceremonial amphora used to carry water for a bride's prenuptial ritual bath. It was also used in funerary rituals and as place markers for the graves of the unwed. To irony of it all was not missed on Persephone. Despoina's presence was, as tradition dictates, thought to provide Persephone with purification as well as to induce fertility, showing that sexual initiation was the traditional aspect of the ceremony.

Persephone's jaw had dropped the moment she saw the purple gown and saffron veil that Arachne had made for her. The bodice of the dress and carefully been woven to appear like it was covered in thousands of flowers made from diamonds and the thin off-the-shoulder straps looked like tiny vines covered in equally tiny jeweledflowers. A long violet train draped from the back of the gown and attached at the wrist with decorated gold bracelets. Needless to say, it was beautiful.

Once her daughter was dressed, Demeter placed a stephaneof flowers on her head and snickered at Persephone's dramatic eye roll as she pulled the veil over her face, because it wasn't like Hades hadn't already seen her, but wearing a veil was a symbolism of purity after all and wasn't removed until the bride was handed over to her groom and the Anakalupteriaoccurred. Below her bust, Demeter tied Persephone's belt with the traditional bridal knot, trying to make it as tight as she could as a way to mess with Hades.

"You ready?' Demeter whispered as she looked Persephone up and down, as her eyes welled up with tears. But these were happy tears, Persephone looked every inch a goddess.

"As I'll ever be." Persephone replied, appearing to grin at her mother through the veil. "But between you and me, I honestly can't wait for this to be all over, wearing the veil over my face is annoying. I can barely see."

"Come on then, the sooner the ceremony is over, the sooner you don't need to wear the veil."

For the first time ever Hera was officiating a wedding. Something that she had never had the honour of actually doing, despite being the Goddess of Marriage. It made her feel very honoured indeed. Personally Zeus thought his wife looked beautiful standing up on the dais, dressed in blue and wearing a green mantle decorated with peacock feathers.

Both Hades and Persephone wept during the ceremony but both managed to pull themselves together long enough to say their vows.

"I, Hera, Goddess of Marriage, stand here as a witness to the union of Aidoneus, son of Kronos and Rhea and Persephone, daughter of Demeter and Prometheus. With my power, I now pronounce them husband and wife!" Hera proclaimed to the assembly, before adding in a quieter voice for the bride and groom. "I hereby bless your marriage, stay together for eternity."

Hades had just managed to reach down and pull Persephone's veil over her head before Persephone grabbed him by his mantle and kissed him as everyone in attendance cheered.

'This mess is finally over.'Zeus and Poseidon thought in union as Demeter gently dabbed her eyes with her mantilei as a few tears escaped.

As the wedding feast began, numerous conversations sprung up, most notably a few nymphs gushing over Apollo and Poseidon flirting with a gorgon named Medousa.

"Ah, Aidon there you are!"

Curiously Persephone turned around only to see her husband's jaw hang open in disbelief before a massive grin spread across his face as a beautiful, gold-haired, veiled woman approached the couple. "I can't believe you actually made it!" Hades said as he walked up to the woman and gave her a hug that was warm from both parties involved.

"Well did you honestly think that I was going to miss witnessing my eldest born songet married?"

Hades turned to Persephone, one arm wrapped around his mother's shoulders. "Persephone, this is my mother, Rhea."

Hades had, in the months prior, told Persephone about his mother, Rhea. She was the Titaness of Motherhood and was later known as The Great Motheronce she'd had children of her own. He'd told her about she was the sweetest and most beautiful of the Titanesses, which of course later led to her having the worst luck of them all. After all her husband had heard a prophecy that his sons would overthrow him and he had been determined to make sure that never happened. They allknew what had happened when Rhea had bore sons and didn't like to talk about it.

"Welcome to the family, dear. It's so nice to finally meet you Persephone, Hades has spoken about nothing but you." Rhea said softly, smiling with sincerity.

"Likewise, uh… what do I call you?" Persephone replied.

Both Hades and Persephone noticed that despite the fact that Rhea was being sincere, she seemed on edge. Persephone couldn't blame her, after all her husband Kronos was down here and Hades had told her that Rhea was absolutely terrified of the Titan.

"Rhea will do just fine." Rhea smiled, "On a more important note, I have something to give you." She handed Persephone a small box. "They're honeyed almonds, they supposed represent the strength and sweetness of marriage." Rhea said sweetly.

"Mom? Oh my gosh, Poseidon! Mom's here!" Zeus yelled across the crowd.

"Uh, you two don't mind if I…" Rhea stuttered as she gestured towards her other two sons.

"Of course Mother, it was nice seeing you and thank you for attending." Hades said as he gave her another hug.

"Likewise Aidon," Rhea smiled, before turning to Persephone "It was lovely to meet you dear and I bestow great blessings upon your marriage." She said before walking over to Zeus and Poseidon.

As soon as they were alone, Persephone turned to her husband "So…" she began as she fiddled with his mantle, "Do you want to, you know go upstairs?" She asked as she gestured towards the nearby staircase.

Hades looked over his shoulder to make sure no one was watching them, before grabbing a hold of Persephone's hand and grinned. "Come on, lets go before anyone sees us."

The wedding had been the happiest event that had occurred in the Underworld.

The following morning…

"Hades." Persephone said, as her husband seemed to be off in his own world as he gently picked out seeds from the pomegranate on his desk. He looked like he was half asleep and considering the previous night, he probably was. At some point while she was dressing, he'd gathered up his himation from the floor and wrapped it hastily around his waist, not bothering with his chiton and simply pinned it at his shoulder. Smiling fondly, Persephone tried again to get his attention. "Hades."

"Hmmm. What." He said as he startled into alertness.

"Hermes is here. It's time for me to go."

"What, it's too soon!"

"I know but… I have to go."

Hades escorted his wife outside to where Hermes was waiting for her. "Hi Queenie, are you ready to go!?" The kid chattered excitedly.

"In two months time when the harvest is over, will you return to me?" Hades playfully teased.

"Of course dear, this is my home. Goodbye husband." Persephone replied, before leaning in to kiss him.

Somewhere in the background, like a typical kid, Hermes gagged and said, "Please hurry."

"Goodbye your highness." Arachne called as they watched Hermes and Persephone disappear in a flash of light.

Over the course of the next few days, Hades and Persephone returned to their respective jobs. Hades assisting in the judging of the dead and Persephone aiding in the growth of the crops.

One day, to everyone's surprise, Hades escorted into the megaron a winged, raven-haired, preteen boy. "Guys, this is my new subject, he'll be working with you from now on. So let's help him get used to the work alright."

'A… preteen boy? With wings?' Charon mused.

"Hello! I'm Thanatos, son of Nyx and Erebus!" The boy said excitedly. "Wow this palace is magnificent! Hypnos is going to be so jealous if he knows I work here!"

"Uh, why did you hire this boy, sire?" Charon whispered conspicuously.

"Well, I need someone to perform the duties of death so I'll have more free time to spend with my wife." Hades replied as he put on his bracelets. "Besides…" He said as he looked fondly at Thanatos as he hugged Cerberus saying 'So fluffy, I feel like I'm in Elysium.'

"I like Thanatos' sense of enthusiasm." Hades finished.

Meanwhile back on earth…

"Welcome to the biggest music event of the year! I'm King Midas, host and judge of this competition. Today we'll witness the awesomest musical contest between: Apollo, God of pretty much everything we love, except for the plague and Pan, God of the Wild, shepherds and herds, a young satyr who happens to be Persephone, the brand new Queen of the Underworld's best friend.

"Go Apollo!"

"You are our angel, our source of light! We love you!"

"That's right!"

Most of the crowd cheered for Apollo, but the loudest voice was that of Persephone, who happened to be cheering for her best friend. "GO KICK HIS ARSE, PAN!"

"What the?!"

"Geez, no wonder she's married to the God of the Underworld." One girl conspicuously whispered to another.

Long story short, Pan won the contest and Apollo reallydidn't take it too well.

The following weeks flew past in a blur and both Hades and Persephone were really looking forward to being together again.

"Please, please Uncle. I need to borrow your dog!" A young man wept as he sat on the floor of the megaron in front of Hades.

"Heracles, you know I can't! Cerberus is the guard dog of the Underworld and his job is really important!"

"But my cousin Eurystheus is evil! He constantly makes me do horrible jobs for him! If you don't help me, I'll never get to see my wife or children again."

"Please don't sob into my clothing." Hades winced as he glanced down.

"Oh, I almost forgot, Dad sent you a letter." Heracles said as he pulled a roll of paper out of his chiton and handed it to his uncle.

'Yo bro!

This boy is kinda well, you know my son.

But he's nice so help out, ok.

In return I'll help you see Persephone in the autumn.

-Zeus'

Hades sighed in defeat. "Alright, let go of my leg. I'll let you take Cerberus to your cousin."

"Really?!"

"Yes, but only for a day, he's needed here." Hades said as he walked away to retrieve the dog in question.

"Ok Uncle." Heracles replied, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief and gratitude.

Hades returned a few minutes later with the dog on a leash. "Here he is, remember to feed him and don't let him get hurt." Of course the dog was almost as tall as Heracles himself and had three heads, so there was little chance that he was going to get hurt, but try telling that to Hades.

Hades sighed wistfully as he watched Heracles carefully approach the dog, whispering "Nice doggie, good doggie!" as the stranger-wary Cerberus let out a low growl.

"My lord, why are you still here?" Arachne called as she ran to up to him. "Your Queen, she's back."

That sent Hades rapidly running through the palace up to Persephone's quarters where Styx and Charon were greeting a cloaked woman. "Welcome back, your highness." Styx stated.

"Thank you." The woman replied as she pulled her cloak off and turned towards the door. "Hades!" She breathed as she her smile grew.

Hades could feel a grin spreading across his face as he breathed out, "Persephone."

Persephone squealed as she jumped into his arms and kissed him.

And they lived happily ever after and were without a doubt the best couple in Greek Mythology.

The End

I had to add in a scene with Rhea, Gau Meo actually admitted that mentioning Rhea during the wedding hadn't crossed her mind until after she'd drawn the entire scene.

And yes, Gau Mao's comic actually does end with the line "They lived happily ever after and be the best couple in Greek Myths :D". I have to agree because they kinda were the best couple in Greek Mythology.

On a side note, while this story is complete, sometime in the near future I will start writing a collective story with chapters of one shots from the small comics Gau Meo has drawn for this series. The comics themselves are available to read on Tapastic under the name "Hades & Persephone Shorts".

Thank you to everyone who faved, followed, reviewed or even looked at this story. You guys are great :D