Work Text:
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Hadestown belongs to Anaïs Mitchell. Myth elements belong to their stories. This is just for fun.
Italics-inner thoughts
Regular-normal story
" "-Speech
“Lady Demeter, what's wrong? Why are you crying?”
Demeter tries to stop and to look ok. But she knows she didn’t succeed. “Oh its ok baby. I’m just a little sad. One of my friends from the market is sick and will be taking the train soon. I’m just gonna miss him.”
Orpheus tilts his head confused. “But if he’s on the train you can see him. I see all kinds of people on the train. Or I did. Mr Hermes hasn’t let me on the train for a while now.”
Demeter smiles sadly, “baby no. Most folks, even gods, can't see them once they take the train. Once they take the train to Mr. Hades, their gone baby.”
“But…”
“No Orpheus! Look, just go with Mr. Hermes and see what I mean. Tell him I told you to go with.” Under her breath, she mutters almost angrily, “time for you to see just what Mr. Hades rules over anyways.”
Two weeks later…
“Mr. Hermes, why are we here so late? It's all dark out.”
“I know kiddo. But you know how I have lots of jobs?”
“Yes sir.”
“Well this one for Mr. Hades and Lady Persephone I do at night time if I can. Now just be quiet ok?”
“Ok.”
Walking to the bed Mr. Hermes kneels down, and nudges the man awake.
“Theodore Green? It’s time.”
Blinking slowly, Theo looks around. “Oh, it’s time for me? Well, it had to happen. I’ll come peacefully.” While standing up, he grabs the coins on the bedside table. “These are for you I believe.”
Hermes takes Theo’s arm and pats it gently. “You hold onto those until we get to the train. We’re going directly there. No stops for you.”
Orpheus follows them closely, not understanding why Mr. Theo looks differently now, and why are there two of him. One with Mr. Hermes and one on the bed. But Mr. Hermes said to follow, so he will.
Approaching the train, Orpheus can see lots of people waiting by the train, and Mr. Thanatos? He goes to approach him, when he feels Mr. Hermes hand grabbing him. “Not one more step kiddo. This train isn’t for you. Just stay right here on the bench and I’ll explain once I’m done. But Orpheus, no matter what you do NOT get off this bench. Understand?”
“Yes sir. Not one inch off”
“Good.”
Orpheus sees Mr. Hermes waiting by the doors to the train collecting coins from everyone. Mr. Thanatos seems to be crossing them off his clipboard. He can hear Mr. Charon up in the engine, but he’s confused. He didn’t know the train ran at night time. And why isn’t Lady Persephone on it to go back below? He keeps watching trying to figure out what’s going on.
“Well Hermes, that's all of them off the list. You get everyone’s coins?”
“All the coins collected and put into Charon’s purse.” Hermes looks at Thanatos. “Remember the one, he goes directly to Hades for judging. I am not answering to his mother in law about why her special mortal friend had to wait.”
“I know, I know. Hold your hellhounds. Green goes right to the king. Well we’re off. Tell the queen the next trip up the king is coming as well with the babies.”
“Will do. Safe travels my friend.”
Hermes waves off the train once Thanatos is inside it. Looking over he sighs. Time to explain to Orpheus.
“Do you have any questions kiddo?”
“Why were there two of him? One got on the train and one stayed in his bed.”
Hermes sits by his kid and takes a deep breath. This was not a conversation he wanted to have, ever. “Well Mr. Green was very sick. You know he missed the last few markets you and Lady Demeter go to?”
“Yes sir.”
“Well when we got him tonight, it was because it was time for him to die. Mr. Thanatos had already put him on the list, and I just needed to get him to the train. Usually Mr. Thanatos can handle all of the people, but sometimes I still help. Now Mr. Theo is on the train and Mr. Hades will decide where he goes. Though I’m guessing Mr. Theo will go to the good place.”
“Why does Mr. Hades decide that?”
“Mr. Hades is the king of the dead buddy…he alone makes those decisions. That’s part of being the king. If Mr. Theo was a bad man, he would go to the bad place. If he was just normal, he would become one of the workers around Hadestown. But good people go to the good place.”
“But I thought..”
“What did you think poet?”
“I thought, Mr. Hades was king because of the gold and stuff underground? And all the metal? Why does he have to take people?”
“He doesn’t take them. The people you saw tonight, with the glow? Those are souls poet. They died. Some were sick, some were hurt, some just got tired. But it’s time for them to see Mr. Hades and be judged. It's not good or bad, it's just a part of life.”
“So next time I go down with you to see them I can see Mr. Theo?”
Hermes hesitates…then a different voice answers that question.
“No baby.”
“Lady Persephone! What, what do you mean?”
Persephone bends down in front of Orpheus so she can look him in the eyes. “You're 13 now Orpheus, and you saw the souls take the train. You understand what death is now….you can’t get on the train now baby. Not until it's your time.”
“But I thought”
Shaking her head firmly she grasps his hands. “Orpheus listen to me. If you get on the train now, you won’t be able to come back here. You’re growing up sweetheart. That means no more train rides down below. Mr. Hades will bring the babies up to see you, and I’ll make sure you can write everyone down below. And hey, I’m sure Mr. Hermes would be happy if they came up top to the bar to see you! Right, Hermes?”
Gulping at the look on her face, “right sister. You see Orpheus, it’s not bad. Just different. You're growing up, so things will change. But you know this means that now you’re old enough to start playing in the bar if you want. We’ll figure it out my boy.”
Smiling sadly Persephone holds out her hands, “come on you two, let's go back to the bar. Get some food and some sleep. Besides, I think Hymn needs a cuddle still. Let’s go.”