Ok, well some of you were quite shocked that Ignatius was age 16. recently, I was informed that it was not appropriate to have a 16-year-old dating a 22-year-old, even though it is reasonable with the time period that the story takes place, as this did not occur to me when I started this story. So in order to appease you all I've decided to change Ignatius' age to age 18, as it's reasonable with both the story's time and ours. Just to keep his appearance in sync with the previous chapters, just pretend that his appearance or emotions did not change with age. Anyway, I hope that you all forgive me for the lengthy wait for this chapter. The holidays stole a lot of time from me. Anyway, I hope you all like this chapter.

Chapter 7

The Ruling, and the Secret Meetings

"Please, just give him a chance," Elsa said. "He's been through a lot in his short life."

Elsa had been pleading with the council to give Ignatius a chance to redeem himself. So far, they haven't been cooperative.

"Your Highness, the council has considered the matter and took a vote," the head council member stated. "We all feel that he may be too much of a danger to everyone involved. For all we know, he could be an assassin, sent here by the devil to try to harm you.

"However," he continued, "we have agreed to your Royal Pardon of his 'crimes'. According to the 'backstory' he told you, and also the confirmation of the witch hunting still going on in the states of America's east coast, his story seems compellingly true. However, he can't leave his prison cell, due to the likelihood of danger. And, furthermore, to protect everyone in this country, it is now a crime for anyone to meet with him," he paused to clear his throat. "That includes you, Your Highness."

"Thank you," Queen Elsa said, and she turned and left. She understood the council's decisions, and the reasoning for them. However, she was devastated, since she couldn't talk to Ignatius, who had turned out to be just a person with unusual abilities and a troubled past. He was also extremely interesting to talk to, and she felt he needed someone in his life who wasn't going to try to kill him.

Elsa also knew that the council had to protect her and the citizens, but she felt that Ignatius wasn't a threat, no matter what they said. If he was, Ignatius would have killed her in the forest, well before the soldiers and General Edward could have been there to 'save' her. That's what bothered her the most. Ignatius didn't hurt her, just frightened her, but he was just as scared as she was. He didn't know who she was, what was going on, or what she was going to do to him. He just had to secure her, and make sure that she wasn't a threat. He could have easily killed her to remove the possible danger to himself, but he didn't.

Elsa knew she had to explain to Ignatius that she couldn't see him anymore. It would destroy him, as he seemed to grow fond of her company.

"No," she said aloud to herself. "I won't hurt him like that. He's already been through too much pain. I tell him that, and he'll just break. He's never had an actual friend in his life."

At about midnight, Elsa crept down to the dungeon, which was only occupied by Ignatius, as due to the recent "demon rampages", no one really had anything worthy of being stolen. She opened the door slightly to find Ignatius lying on the floor (even though there was a bed in the room for him), in the middle of the room, with his wings stretched out as far as he could get them, quietly humming to himself.

Right when he heard the door creak open, Ignatius jumped right up, prepared to defend himself from the attacker, but seeing it was only Queen Elsa, he relaxed.

"Greetings, Your Highness," Ignatius said.

"I appreciate the respect, but it's not needed," Elsa said humbly. "You and I are just friends, so there's no need to treat me like a queen."

"If you insist."

"So..." she said nervously, trying to think of how to tell him.

"What of the council's decision?" Ignatius inquired.

"Well, that's what I'm here to speak with you about," Elsa said quietly, looking away from him.

"Is it bad?"

"Not as bad as it could be, but it's still disappointing."

"Tell me. Please."

"Well, they've decided not to kill you, as I have given you a Royal Pardon for your 'crimes'."

"Okay, but something tells me that that's not the whole story."

"No, it's not. It's just that they've decided to keep you here, in the dungeon, and that no one is supposed to see you."

"So, you're meeting me here illegally."

"Yes, unfortunately, I am," Elsa said.

"But can't you change the law?" Ignatius asked. "You are a queen, after all."

"No, I can't change it without the council's approval, or mass citizen support," she explained. "Atlantia is a democracy, not a monarchy, so I can't do everything I want. I'm really just a figurehead. The only way to change the law is to rally the citizens, and I don't think they would do kindly to release a 'demon', or even know you're alive with my consent. For all they know, you're dead."

"So, what do we do?"

"I will continue to meet you in secret. I may not make it down here every night, but I will as often as I can."

As Queen Elsa turned to leave, Ignatius said "Elsa."

"Yes?"

"Be careful."

Elsa smiled and said "I'll do my best," and she left closing the door quietly.

And for the next two weeks, Elsa snuck down to see Ignatius every day, or two. They talked about their history, what they liked to do, what they hated, and how their day was. Every time Elsa went to see Ignatius, she brought the finest food she could steal from the kitchen, as "prison food" wasn't the best, and Ignatius greatly appreciated it.

I know it's short. Don't worry, the action will pick back up in a few chapters. This is really just a "filler", so the action isn't in every chapter, as I think that that would get pretty boring. Please rate and review.