The sun shone bright that day. It filled the Earth with warmth and created a golden light that blanketed over the endless fields. A breeze ran from one end to the other, making the tall grass dance. My nymph friends danced along, their laughter tinkling.

I watched with a heavy heart. They were celebrating the harvest, as the daughter of Demeter, I should have been dancing as well. I did not feel the lightness in my feet, however. I had asked mother if I could accompany her to her temples, this was the time where mortal expressed their gratitude most. Yet even with many duties that I could relieve in this time, she had denied me. She had also denied me permission to join in the festivities on Olympus.

My friends did not try to pull me into their dance. Over the years, they had found that my dark moods were harder and harder to pull me from. I never challenged my mother, but I could not find happiness for longer and longer every time she denied me.

My mother's restrictions had always broken my heart. I was young for a goddess, but I had lived a few decades. I knew and understood my mother's role, I respected her, but was I to dance in these fields for the rest of my existence? Planting and picking flowers for my hair forever?

I watched the skies as birds of all sizes rose up and flew to their freedom. Although they preferred my mother's safe fields, they were free to leave and return as they pleased. I rose from the ground and wandered away from the merrymaking. Their happiness only added to my unhappiness.

Lost in my thoughts, I wandered further into the woodland area. It was all part of Demeter's domain. It was inhabited by nature nymphs and sprites, as well as immortal woodland creatures. Demeter's daughter was to only know life and goodness. I searched for the bubbling brook, a favorite of mine when I was feeling less than content.

I was listening to the water, scolding myself for being so childish. Had I trully a cause for concern? Then I heard the rustling noise of leaves unfamiliar to my ear. I stood, following the sound noiselessly. I could sense all of the creatures my mother allowed into her fields, it was a precaution that allowed me to never be taken by surprise. Yet, I could not sense what this creature was.

I arrived at a clearing among the trees and immediately noticed an outsider. I could only see his back, but he was uncommonly tall, and dressed in black. He stood over a weeping nymph.

Fear froze my body, I had never seen the like of this before. My breath was captured in my throat and my mind could not function for anything other than uselessness.

"Please," The nymph cried. She was kneeling in front of him "I cannot remain here."

The man remained unmoved, a complete statue. When he finally spoke, his voice was deep and rich.

"You are immortal, a minor deity," He said without feeling. "You are to exist for centuries to come."

"NO!" The nymph took her hands from her eyes. I could see the desperation in them. I had never seen so much emotion in a nymph. They were unassuming nature spirits that passed their immortal lives as they pleased. "I have lived far too long. My love passed years ago and yet I am here still, suffering from this never ending pain. Please."

"Nymphs do not fall in love," The man told her.

"Why does my heart bleed then?" The nymph cried. "Lady Demeter brought me here so I may pass my time with her daughter, laughing and dancing. She believed I would be a good companion, having experienced a heartbreak, to protect her daughter. But I cannot laugh and I cannot dance."

"Listen to Lady Demeter," The man said, he finally moved as if to leave. "A few more years and the mortal will fall from your mind."

"It has been decades!" The nymph fell to the ground completely. "Yet the pain is stronger. Please! My Lord, take me so I might see my love again!"

"There are laws for which we must abide," The man said, this time he did turn his back on her. I saw his handsome stone face. His piercing grey eyes, found me, standing behind a tree.

My heart lurched toward him involuntarily. Yes, his face was stone, but his eyes expressed deep sadness. Sadness I had never witnessed in my life. It saddened me too.

That was when the nymph gave a bone-chilling cry. It resounded in my ears, down to my very core. It was the cry of a broken hearted woman, of centuries-old pain, they way only a woman could express it.

I pushed past the man and took the weeping nymph in my arms. In that moment, I shared her pain, I felt it for the first time. I seemed to be experimenting so many feelings for the first time today.

I turned to the man, who was watching us with a curious expression.

"Do as she says!" I demanded.

His face returned to stone.

"Death has rejected her." He said, emotionless.

I understood then. I understood who he was and what she wanted. It frightened me beyond belief. Was it possible for an immortal to want death?

I felt the sobs of the creature against my chest. I may not understand it completely, but I knew what had to be done.

"You will take her to the Underworld." I said. I rose, pulling her up with me. "It is her choice."

He glared at me, his eyes lost any sense of sympathy or sadness. He turned, his dark cloak snapping behind him.

This is where I reached the first crossroad of my existence. In my whole Iife, I had been shielded from pain or anything disagreeable. Over everything else, I had been protected from men. I could count the amount of times I was in the presence of one. With all these restrictions, I was also denied choices, depth in feelings, and determination. It was difficult to feel too deeply for choices between flowers. Yet, here I was, a weeping woman in my arms, tearing my heart and frightening me with her intensity, a imposing man, the most dangerous of gods, and a decision with actual importance.

A dark chariot materialized, with horses that were difficult to focus on, as if they were blurs. As if they were shadows. I shrank back in fear, clenching the nymph to my chest. It was only for a moment, however. He swung himself into place and I made my decision.

With a twist of my wrist, my body morphed into that of a sparrow. The nymph transformed into a flower. I took her in my beak and flew to the man's feet. I felt a rush of wind as the shadow horses cried and took off running.

Frightened, I tucked myself deep inside the chariot, holding tightly to my flower.

I closed my eyes to keep from seeing the disappearance of my trees, my fields, my world.

A/N: Hello beloved readers. Thank you so much for reading my first chapter. I'm not completely sure where this story is going, but we will know when we get there.

I absolutely adore Hades and Persephone fanfic, their story in general. I wanted to shake things up, having Persephone going to the Underworld on her own and Hades NOT want her there. So let's see what happens.

This is only my second fanfic and I apologize for any grammatical errors, discontinuity, or any fails in general. As I said in my other story, writing brings new challenges for me. I would appreciate constructive criticism (although be aware that I may not be able to correct or even understand writing mistakes, so bear with me).

Again, thank you.