Elsa POV

After the first day was over, it was clear I would be stuck here for some time. Hades' imps made an attempt at offering to show me around, but it was clear they were as scared of me as I was apprehensive of them. I managed to explore one wing of the castle before Hades found me and insisted on accompanying me.

"I see everything follows the same theme," I commented as we passed another carved skeleton.

"I try. I'm the god of death, this is the land of the dead, and all that. Over ten million served," Hades said.

"It isn't very cheerful," I said.

"Wait until you see Tartarus," Hades said. I didn't think I wanted to. I looked out a window at an unexpected bit of green in the corner of my eye. I was shocked when I saw it was a tree.

"What is that?" I asked. Hades followed my gaze and seemed bored.

"That's just the garden," he said.

"May I see it?" I asked. Hades' flame glowed brighter for a minute and he seemed surprised. I was a little surprised myself. I didn't usually prefer the openness of outdoors to the safety of my room. Often I longed to go out and enjoy the world freely, but I didn't know if it would ever be easy.

"All right, if you can contain yourself," he said. I rolled my eyes internally. Just because I'm cool doesn't mean I don't understand sarcasm. Hades led me outside to a courtyard with a small assortment of plants. Tiny purple flowers dotted the patches of grass, and white flowers with yellow centers rimmed a pool that reflected the single apple dangling from a tree above it. It the center of it all was the tree I'd seen. There were round pink fruits on its branches.

"You like it?" Hades asked, more like he was surprised at the possibility than he wished my approval.

"It's lovely," I said. It was the only thing I'd seen in this wretched place that held any life or innocence.

"I don't come out here much. Last time I did it took the place months to grow back," Hades said. That sealed it. If this was the place were Hades was not, this was the place I preferred. Hades surprised me by leaving a few minutes later. Perhaps I judged him too harshly.

No, I have not judged him harshly enough. He is a kidnapper and a vagabond, I thought. But why then did he even have something lovely like the garden, and why did he remove himself for my comfort? Perhaps with all his faults, he was not a complete monster. I could not fathom the insanity that would make anyone think kidnapping a woman would please her, but if that was truly what he thought, he was a madman and not a villain. For a madman I could have pity, and perhaps even compassion. It wasn't much, but it was a step up from hate.

Hades POV

Finally, Elsa wasn't completely emotionless. Maybe she had good reason, but she was such a drag. She looked much more appealing when she smiled. Maybe the stupid garden was good for something after all. Without a word, Elsa managed to make it clear she wished to be alone, and I didn't want to press my luck. I retreated to my throne room to plan further.

This dame, I thought. She doesn't like presents, but she likes flowers. She huddles in her room but goes outside the first chance she gets. She obviously hates my guts but she's endlessly polite. I just wanted a little companionship. I had to kidnap the most difficult woman who ever lived.

All I wanted was a little companionship. My idiot brother was swimming in women. Why did I have to bribe the first woman to come near me and kidnap the second? It wasn't my looks- Zeus proved that. Were they intimidated by my cutting wit? Were they too good for the god of death? I remembered the joy in Elsa's eyes as she looked at the flowers and how much life it seemed to give the Underworld. That was what I was looking for. Clearly I would have to make her happy more often. If only that wasn't so complicated.