Demeter

DemeterAmbrosia R. Harris Trigger WarningsFor more information, scan the link below.Demeter is the third installment of the Taking of Persephone Series and follows the journey of Demeter during the year Persephone was in the Underworld.Due to the nature of this tale and its connection and likeness to the original myths some events may be difficult for some readers.Reader discretion is HIGHLY advised.Please be advised when moving forward with this section of this tale, as this is where we will be hitting a very serious note.Stay safe and take breaks when needed – skip if you must.If you or a loved one have experienced trauma, please reach out for further help.National Suicide Prevention LifelineHours: Available 24 hours.800-273-8255National Sexual Assault HotlineHours: Available 24 hours Learn more1-800-656-4673 This is a work of fiction, and the views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author. Likewise, certain characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events or locales, is entirely coincidental. The Taking of Persephone Series: Demeter by Ambrosia R. HarrisPublished by Ambrosia R. HarrisLas Vegas, NV Copyright © 2023 Ambrosia R. HarrisAll rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permissions contact: [email protected] Cover by Ambrosia R. Harris. Printed in USA1st Edition DedicationTo Demeter.A mother who was no different than the rest when faced with the loss of her child.To the Goddess always labeled the villain of her own Hymn. Books In this series:KoreHadesDemeterThree years with Ares (novella)PersephoneRoses and War (novella) Upcoming In This Series:Three years with Ares (novella)PersephoneRoses and War (novella) ContentsTrigger WarningsChapter IChapter IIBarley and Wheat SeedsChapter IIIChapter IVChapter VChapter VIChapter VIIEight WintersChapter VIIINine WintersChapter IXChapter XChapter XIChapter XIIPart IIThe MissingChapter XIIIChapter XIVChapter XVChapter XVIChapter XVIIPart IIIThe CapturedChapter XVIIIChapter XIXChapter XXChapter XXIChapter XXIIChapter XXIIIChapter XXIVChapter XXVChapter XXVIChapter XXVIIChapter XXIXChapter XXXExtended Ending Playlist*Written On the Sky – Max Richter*On The Nature of Daylight – Max RichterMy Garden – Kat DahliaDelilah – FlorenceLandslide – The ChicksIf I were a Boy – BeyoncéThe Hanging Tree – James Newton HowardDeath Bed Ft Beabadoobee – Powfu GlossaryItemsAmphora – Vessels were used to carry wines and drinks (no lip)Amphori is PluralCella – (or naos) The main chamber of a Greek or Roman Temple, built to house the cult statue.Coffer – Ceilings in Ancient Greek TemplesChiton – Rectangular piece of linen was draped around the body in many ways.Hydria - An ancient Greek water jarKylix – Shallow bowl (Kylikes for plural)Kantharos – Goblet/cupKantharoi is PluralKline – BedKleidí – KeyKykeon – Drink made of water, barley and naturally occurring substances.Peplos – A long, tubular cloth with the top edge folded down about halfway, so that the top of the tube was now draped below the waist and the bottom of the tube was at the ankle. (Peploi for plural.)Petasos - A broad brimmed hat.Strophion – Belt around the waist to cinch in the chiton.Words/PhrasesAgora – Shops for trading goods.Aphòdeuma – shitBástardos – BastardChthonian – Divines of the UnderworldWinters – A year’s timeHemítheos – Demi-GodIchor – Divine blood, Immortal blood. Has a golden colorMoon – 1 moon cycle / monthMiasma – Stain or pollution. Spiritual contaminationProavlio tis Kolaseos – LimboTheoi – Gods and GoddessesTheftera – MondayTypes of NymphsLampades – The torch-bearing nymphs of the UnderworldNaiads – The spring and river nymphsHamadryads – The nymphs of the orchard trees and grapevines. (Also known as Dryad) “For with your beams, you look down from the bright upper air over all the earth and sea. Tell me truly of my dear child if you have seen her anywhere, what god or mortal man has violently seized her against her will and mine, and so made off.”– Demeter to HeliosHesiod, the Homeric Hymns, and Homerica by Hesiod, Homer;Evelyn-White, Hugh G. (Hugh Gerard), D. 1924 Part IThe Beginning Chapter I(1201 B.C.)SilenceThe sound had always caused a slight sting to Demeter’s chest. Stealing her breath with each echo of the blissful giggles that passed. Every journey to the mortal villages held its own heartache, but none seemed to pain her more than the sound of children.Oh, how she yearned to hear it echo in her chambers. A new babe’s cry for comfort and the sweet bubbly smile they’d grant her.With a heavy sigh, Demeter gathered a bundle of freshly cut barley.“We can leave if it becomes a bother,” Hestia proposed sweetly. Her soft voice came out a whisper as she tied the twine around the bundle Demeter held in her hands. Her full lips pulled up into a hopeful smile, but her deep brown eyes were apprehensive.“It is Zeus’ order that I focus my labors amongst the growing groups. I have not burdened him with my woes of it.” Demeter sighed, placing the sheaves of grain in the wagon before bundling another few stalks.“Perhaps he will send you elsewhere if you inform him. Somewhere with fewer children.” Hestia moved her hand over the browning barley heads Demeter had laid down, “It has begun to affect your crops.”There was no need for her to look over the plants, she knew her work to be hindered. The barley heads slightly drier and more brittle than usual. The mortals wouldn’t know the difference, but it made the dough less fluffy in the end.“It will be seen as a weakness,” Demeter finally said after a long moment.“Wanting for a child is not a weakness,” Hestia consoled. The comforting warmth of her hand found Demeter’s shoulder. It eased the hollowing ache, but she knew Hestia would never understand the pain that clawed into the Goddess of Harvest’s soul.It was more than wanting a child or a companion. Demeter wanted to share the growing world with someone, she wished to teach them and watch what they would transform into. What gifts they would offer to the realm and the beauty of it all.She had waited for a time in which the mortals had found peace and the divines had