A/N: To my readers: sorry for the late update, due to the lack of inspiration (and reviews lol). I have started school and I am currently writing 2 fanfics and 1 original story and I am doing one-shots for contests which I will develop into a chapter story, so the story that gets the most reviews, will be updated first and more frequently. Please review, because reviews are my way of knowing how I am doing and if you like the story. Hope you enjoy the chapter. Love Meli

"Mother, can I go with you to summer solstice on Mt. Olympus? I promise I won't cause troubles."

Demeter glanced at her child while a long exasperated look. She sighed, "No, Kore. You are too young to be going to those kinds of parties. Besides, last time we visited I let you run along with Hermes. I found you out later, Kore. I don't trust Hermes."

Kore's face began to turn a deep shade of crimson, almost matching her hair. You don't trust me! Besides, who doesn't play truth or dare on Mt. Olympus?

She looked at Demeter with disdain like she always did when she wasn't allowed to anything. "Fine" she muttered while storming off into the forest. The nymphs came out eager to greet their friend.

Usually, Kore would run down the hills with the nymphs, the maiden spirits of nature, or take a refreshing swim in the springs with the naiads, the river nymphs. They had been her constant companions since birth. That day, the Goddess of Spring ran down the hills acknowledging nobody. As she ran the flowers began to wilt from exhaustion, like they had been exposed to too much sun. Her friends avoided her, knowing that she could throw big tantrums.

She ran until she was too exhausted to be mad. Her trail of dead, wilting flowers an easy path for those who would wish to find her. She walked by the stream, slipping her feet in while a couple of tears rippled the water.

I am not a child, anymore. Infants are allowed more freedom than I. Why can't Mother see that I am no longer a child?

Stifling back her tears, she submerged herself fully into the spring. Her, mossy green, doric chiton clinging to her adolescent curves.

Creusa, the naiad stuck her head out of the water. Her hair a sleek blonde, and her eyes, a misty oceanic blue. "Will you be joining us at summer solstice? Apollo will be playing his lyre. Oh, how I long to see Apollo! He has not visited me since winter solstice, and I long for his company."

Kore let out a saddened sigh, "No, I have been forbidden to go. Tell Apollo I said 'hi' will you?"

Creusa began to giggle. "Your mother forbade you to go. But, did she make you swear on the River Styx?" With those final words Creusa sank into the water.

A spark caught in Kora's golden eyes. She never did.

************

His dark green eyes, glared at her while she crossed his throne. Lovely place to be a Queen, she thought.

He whispered in his dark, velvety voice, "Eris, what a pleasure to see you." Oh, what a pleasure indeed, he mused to himself.

Eris, the Goddess of Discord, walked over to him. His dark green eyes took in all account of her disastrous beauty. Her hair, raven black, was let down long and sleek. Her clothing left very little to the imagination. Her smoldering black eyes, almost as black as Chaos itself, looking directly into his. He reached a hand out to her smooth ivory skin.

"What do I owe this pleasure to?" he asked, almost purring himself.

"I am glad that I please you Lord Hades. I grow weary. Ares has not taken me these past few months, because of that wretched Aphrodite. It has been dull, all winter, with nobody to play with. I was wondering, if you could entertain me, Lord Hades?"

He grabbed her waist bringing her lips to his. I know many ways to entertain you Eris. Eris pulled away, though.

"My Lord, I come here to ask you to accompany me to summer solstice. It has been long since you have attended, you and I both."

His face grew somber, and for a while it looked like you could see Death in his eyes. He growled, "What business, have I on Mt. Olympus? None of my brethren invited me, therefore I shall not go. Now, is that all you are here for Eris?"

He looked up to see a cold, smile play on her face. "My Lord, I am here for you."

At those puny words, his breath caught. He moved his lips against hers; he caressed the small of her back. His thoughts began to accelerate further. But he would find out he could not act upon them.

"Ahem" someone cleared their throat. He brought his gaze to them. The Fates. They stood before him.

He gave them an annoyed look, pulling himself away from Eris. Her face began to contort with anger. "How can I be of assistance, ladies?" He looks at them with irritated eyes that had dilated fully black.

Clothos spoke first, "Lord Hades, the annoying messenger god left something for you. He made me ruin a nice life thread."

Atropos spoke next, "I did not have the chance to cut the thread, my lord. So make haste and read it."

"Ladies, I would love to, but I'm in the middle of something. I'll call on you when I am finished."

All three spoke in unison, "Yes, Lord Hades."

While retreating Lachesis muttered to her sisters, "He is not aware of how important the solstice will be for him this summer." They all burst into a frenzy of giggles. Hades cast a glance at them. They have been acting queer. Now back to business.

"My Lord, why do you have two thrones? You are neither married nor have a Queen." But, I would love to be your Queen.

The throne was completely fascinating. It was carved out of Death itself, with jewels creating a perfect glow. Diamonds, rubies, emeralds, onyx, and pearls depicted small stories on the sides. He was not known as the God of Wealth, for nothing.

"If I ever choose to be married, I have the decorations well underhand. I would want me Queen to have the best, which is why her throne is adorned with jewels of the Titan wars." She glanced at the jewels hungrily. If only they were mine.

He noticed that hungry look in her eyes. She could not hide it from him, spending so much time with the dead led him to easily read eye expressions. Suddenly, he was in the mood to be alone. "Eris, my dear, I am tired and if you plan on going to Summer Solstice then you must hurry and change."

"You're coming?" she pondered. He shook his head, crossed the throne room to sit in his rightful throne. The throne forced upon him. Damn Zeus, he thought.

"Charon will accompany you. I have personal matters to attend to. People never stop dying. Will you come back and visit me?" he inquired.

I will come back and visit until I am Queen, she silently thought to herself. "Of course, my Lord. I hope we can pick up where we left off." She gathered herself and walked out of the throne room fuming with anger.

Charon helped her across the river, Acheron, towards the exit of the Underworld. Eris sat uncomfortably at the edge of the ferry with the Dead glancing at her.

"Charon, your Master has given order, that you are to accompany me to the Summer Solstice."

He nodded, never speaking a word. His black eyes were old and tired. I'll be the laughing stock on Olympus. Who would want to take Charon? He's no fun.

************

Hades looked at the envelope. The envelope with Zeus' lightning bolt seal. He sighed, then opened it slowly, like it was his Death. He grimaced when he finished reading it.

Hades,

Brother, I seek your advice tonight after Summer Solstice. I am afraid I cannot mention it in the letter. You are to be here, no matter what. The meeting, though, concerns our Grandfather. If you do not attend, I will visit you to drag you here myself.

Zeus, King of Gods

His eyes then turned as black as his Underworld. I am older; he should have been listening to me.

Hecate entered the room, wearing a black exomis outlining her curves. Her black hair was in loose curls. "Hades, Artemis calls on me to visit her. I will be back tomorrow."

If only she weren't chaste, he mused. "I will accompany you Hecate. I have business to attend to on Mt. Olympus. I need to ready my chariot."

Hecate glanced at Hades, "My Lord, you never leave the Underworld. Are you sure that you will accompany me?" Hades could feel the question underneath her tone. It was a will-you-try-to-have-your-way-with-me tone.

Hades rolled his eyes. "I respect your quest for chastity, Hecate. Like I said, I have important matters to attend to. Besides, I have been summoned, if not I would be here, tending to my Kingdom."

He left the throne room to find Minos, one of the judges. Minos was busy judging a poor soul and reading a scroll. "You have lived a life full of sin, full of wrong choices with no plans of redemption. Your soul is as black as Tarturus, where you belong." The poor soul began to cry, silently to itself.

"Minos." He turned to see the King of the Underworld before him.

"My Lord, have you come to judge?"

"No, Minos. I will be leaving for a day or two, if anything occurs you may find me on Mt. Olympus." Minos nodded and let another soul enter into the chamber.

***********

"Hermes, you have to help me." Hermes reached out his hand to the Goddess' amber hair.

"Sure my love, what do you require?" Kore glanced around the forest, hoping nobody would snitch on her. Then again, the nymphs were to busy adorning themselves for Apollo.

She whispered, "You're going to sneak me into Olympus, without my mother finding out."

He choked on his own saliva, "What! But your mother forbid you. I'm already on her bad side, she would annihilate me."

"Whimp. You are supposed to be the God of Travelers, and Thieves. You need to help me, use your stealthy skills. Besides, mother forbade me, but she did not make me swear on the River Styx."

Hermes glanced around the trees. "Fine, but if we get caught, we are done for." Kore jumped with glee and kissed him on the lips. It made him blush a bit, but he returned the kiss. Hermes scooped up Kore in his arms and headed for Mount. Olympus.

I hope things don't go wrong.