It is said that none enter, that none leave, the confines of
Hades except they be conveyed by the ferryman. Yet, in time
past, ancient time, one entered unattended that eternal prison.
He entered in search of his own true love, and pleaded with his
songs. So sweetly sung were they that Pluto, that stern master
of the nether regions, granted safe passage to him, and to the
one he loved. For Pluto, most hideous of living beings, yet
within his monstrous form knew the pangs of love.
Yet did another depart those infernal regions with no aid from
that dark ferryman.
This is the tale of that departure, of what transpired before.
And here lie the tangled threads, and the first strange steps on
the dark path to the Tarn of Eternity.
Legends relate the sad story of the kidnapping of Persephone,
the story of the evil Pluto. And the legends tell true. But they
ignore the role of Venus, and of Cupid. And they are not
guiltless.
Persephone did dwell in the Vale of Enna, gathered there the
wildwood flowers.
Pluto, master of Hades, dwelt alone in his nether kingdom.
Powerful, emotionless, dedicated only to his duty, this ruler
of the dead traveled from time to time, his coach pulled by
giant black steeds. And one such a trip Venus espied him. Angry
because she had no power to move him she turned to Cupid.
"This one knows not of love, lives in serenity. I would he
suffer the pangs of unrequited love. Loose your sharpest arrow.
Let him suffer as suffer those mortals ferried through the
portals of his empire."
Cupid grinned impudently. Ever pleased to show his skill he
notched arrow to cord. True and straight it flew.
Pluto felt a yearning he did not understand. Disturbed, he
flogged his steeds, flew tempestuously he knew not where,
seeking he knew not what.
Wild, the horses flew. And in their flight they entered the
Vale of Enna, paused to drink from the pond therein.
Carrying wildflowers in her arms, with laughter and song did
Persephone approach the chariot, tossed in childlike simplicity
flowers to the occupant. "Come, play with me. I have no
playmate. I need a friend."
She looked on his loathsome form with neither fear nor
disfavor. To her he was merely a welcome playmate, though not of
human form. She asked nothing of him, only that he share this
little while.
He gazed upon her, and in his heart Cupid's poisoned arrow
worked its magic.
The innocent beauty of that face, the warm and happy spirit
shining through those clear eyes, brought to him feelings he had
never known. He thought to hold her close, to stroke that soft
hair, to caress with gentle touch her smooth skin.
And within him, too, aroused the desires of a man. For though
her face was that of youth, her body was of sculptured beauty
that Venus might envy.
When Pluto beheld her all thoughts save one departed his mind.
This was to be his bride!
He tarried there, danced in parody of handsome prince, sang in
voice marred and croaking. She mocked him not; rather, smiled.
Of flowers garlands she made, given to him in innocent pride.
She sang sweet songs of light and sunshine, of crystal stars and
mellow moon, of flowers that did not die, with blossoms that
forever bloom.
He told her sad tales of a dark and lonesome realm, of those
for whom hope was no more, and of a keeper who sat in solitude
in mastery of that realm. A keeper who, more than all dwellers
therein, was prisoner of that realm.
From her eye, soft flowed a tear. From her hand, a gentle
touch. He thought not to ask for more.
They parted, though never long. Always his mighty steeds drove
through time and space, returning once more to that quiet
retreat. The love he felt for the innocent child grew ever
stronger. Still, he approached her, not in courtship, but as a
friend.
"Your arrow has flown true. It lacked the needed potency. He
loves her as does a brother. Once more loose your bow, and into
his heart drive desire, passion. And I shall open wide her eyes,
that she may see him as the monstrous form he is. He joys in her
presence, feels not the pain of unrequited love. As he has
ignored me, she shall reject him!"
Venus caused once more Cupid's arrow to fly. An arrow not
tinged with sweet love, rather poisoned with selfish lust. And
even as the arrow flew she closed the eyes of Persephone, let
her dream of handsome prince. Handsome prince, of looks far
removed from those of this dread companion.
Pluto lurched back in alarm as desire mixed with tender
thoughts, new and uncontrollable needs surfaced.
Persephone opened wide her eyes, saw him now in a new light. No
handsome prince he, no proper comrade. With a scream she rose
from beside him, rushed blindly toward the garden gate.
He seized her, dragged her to that golden chariot. Madly he lay
whip on flesh, driving the mighty steeds as never had they been
driven. Thus he carried her to his own domain.
She resisted not, for his was the greater strength. As his
chariot reached the gates of the garden she sighed. In arms she
held her kitten, a white small ball of fur. As they passed
through the gate she set it free. "May the Gods grant you
freedom and happiness, for mine is no more."
Pluto heard her words with deep remorse. Nevertheless, the
spell cast of Venus overpowered the germ of kindness in his
heart. And yet, though he desired her, his love was more
powerful. "Only when the Gods have granted you to me in marriage
shall you be mine."
In due time it came about. Still, Persephone was granted one
wedding wish. Quickly, before it could be withdrawn, she prayed
to be returned to her mother for half of each year. And so it
was.
In time she accepted her exile with good grace. Yet, because
Cupid had never used his arrows on her heart, she felt no love
for her captor. At times, perhaps, pity.
Time as earthlings know it does not exist for denizens of the
nether world. Those suffering suffer not by day or night, but by
eternity. The Curse of Cronus, lifted from the Gods, still left
its mark upon these sufferers, and age beyond age they carried.
And even Persephone, though shielded by the Gods, felt the
power of Cronus, saw wrinkles gently forming. Invisible to
Pluto, who saw only through the eyes of love, this aging process.
One innocent pleasure Persephone had.
The dread ferryman in his duties came ever to the kingdom's
portals. And there he heard the happenings on earth, and fables
of happenings in Heaven.
These tales he passed on to Persephone, for she longed to know
of the world she had left behind.
And one day he brought to her a tale that left her heart cold.
Ceres, her mother, was nearing the end of her days. She prayed
daily to the Gods that she might see, before her departure, her
beloved daughter.
The bargain had been made. Six long months must Persephone
dwell within the nether realm. The Gods would not relent.
Still, Persephone would see her mother. She pleaded with the
ferryman. To no avail. He listened not to her pleas. He carried
only passengers from the portal to deep within. None carried he
to the portal.
She wandered though Hades with sad mien, searching for a path
to the other side. She found none.
While in her search, she met the shades of the departed. On one
such meeting she heard the name, Orpheus.
Suddenly her eyes widened. Orpheus! The only living man to
enter Hades without the attendant ferryman!
Slowly, from tormented souls, from the ferryman, even from
Pluto himself, she gathered details of that entry. How he came,
singing his songs, and melted even the heart of Pluto.
Ah, how did he enter? What secret way, unknown to any other,
had led him into this Stygian realm?
The heights of Taenarus! Earthly legends told of a path, a path
of unknown origin. Through terrain unlike any known to man it
twisted its uncertain way. Boulders coughed from deep within the
earth's core blocked its passage. Edged stones marred its
surface. And the path winds into a cave, whose very mouth is
enshrouded in darkness.
From its mouth sulfurous fumes rise, and dark clouds of noxious
gases besmirch the sky. Bones of man and beast lie scattered
midst pools of murky water.
It is thought that this fissure penetrates the very bowels of
earth. Even into the domain of Pluto, the fearsome kingdom of
Hades.
Through this portal creatures of the afterworld are unleashed
on earth's dwellers. Ghosts of those long gone, strange beings
never dreamed of by human kind, spirits weird, and other
creatures lacking even a name.
Orpheus must have entered through this portal. Through the cave
of Orpheus may I escape to my world!
Thus thought Persephone. And she planned her escape. Each day
she wandered through the dark domain, mapping its drear
geography in her mind.
She waited.
In due time Pluto was called to an accounting at Olympus. In
his absence she began the ascent, up through the dark and evil
passages. Ever upward with uncertain step and only hope to
guide.
Guardians did cross her path, challenged her passage. But when
informed that she was queen, and in Pluto's absence master of
that dread domain, none dared stay her way.
She reached the portal, followed the rough and strenuous path
leading downward from the heights of Taenarus. Always she gazed
fearfully behind.
He would come!