Elsa POV

When Anna saw my smile, she knew the danger was over. She stuck close to me and kept an eye on Hades, but we were all able to step back and talk things over like civilized people.

"I suppose I could have left a long time ago," I said. Practically speaking, Hades wouldn't have been able to stop me if I'd set my mind to it. I'd just been afraid I'd hurt the shadowy people living in the Underworld.

"You liked it here?" Anna asked. She looked around at the gloomy surroundings.

"It was peaceful. I didn't have to worry about anyone. Of course I missed you, though," I said.

"What about you?" Hercules said to Hades. "Get lonely after your slave busted out?"

"She'll be back," Hades said.

"She's immortal," Hercules said. Hades sneered.

"I upgraded anyway," he said. Hercules started to get back up.

"Stop it, both of you!" Anna said. The two of them quieted down and sulked at each other.

"But you're coming back now, right?" Anna said. Hades looked at me.

"Yes, I have to go back," I said. Obviously, I couldn't leave a country without a queen, besides a thousand other reasons. Anna noticed Hades' reaction and gasped.

"Wait, are you two...?" she asked.

"What? We barely know each other! We can't be anything yet," I said. I folded my arms and knew I was blushing.

"Yeah, she practically hates me," Hades gloated. Anna glared at him.

"Then let's go. This place is creepy," she said. I nodded.

"Of course, there's an opportunity for diplomatic expansion," I said. "And there's the matter of the law I broke."

Hades POV

Broken law? Elsa never even let her hair down. There was no way she broke a law. Not Goody-Two Shoes Miss Manners Elsa.

"You broke the law? Anyway, he kidnapped you. Whatever it was, it doesn't matter," Anna said. Elsa waved her arm.

"I'm a guest in this kingdom. I simply must abide by the law. While I was here, I had time to read multiple books about this nation. It is forbidden for any living soul to consume anything grown in the Underworld," she said. She bent over and picked up the fruit she'd discarded earlier.

"Unfortunately, I forgot myself and ate a seed from this pomegranate. The punishment for breaking this law is clear. In proportion to how much is eaten, the lawbreaker must remain in the Underworld," she said.

"They can't make you stay here!" Anna said.

"I doubt anyone would enforce the law, and if I chose not to obey they don't have the force to make me. I shall instead make a diplomatic gesture. I have eaten one seed. I shall therefore return to this place once per year. It will be a time of political connection and recreation. If you'll have me," she said, looking at me.

You sly fox. She thought she was so cool and closed off. I saw right through her. No one as uptight as Elsa ever overlooked anything she did. She knew what she was doing when she ate that seed. Oh boo hoo, poor Elsa just has to come back sometimes. From her, it was as good as a shout.

"Whatever. You'll pretty the place up," I said. Surely she saw through me as much as I did her.

It didn't take long for Elsa to gather her things, since she didn't have any. She said it was too early to know when she could come next, and that she'd have to smooth things over with her advisors first. Obviously she was crazy about me.

I saw them all off as they prepared to return topside. Apparently Cerberus was all bark and no bite, since Anna assured Elsa he wouldn't give them any trouble.

"See you around," I said before they went.

"Under much better circumstances," Elsa said. So she did know how to joke. She looked so much more at home when she smiled.

"You don't have to if you change your mind," Anna said.

"I think I want to," Elsa said. I was ready to let her go without anything else, but she surprised me. She came over and gave me one of those awkward half hugs you give someone you really don't want to be close to, no gloves needed.

"We'll work on that," I said. They started off and she waved. I watched them go and thought ahead. Not much had changed. I was still god of the dead, and I was still stuck in the boondocks while my idiot brother partied it up in Olympus. But I did have something to look forward to. There was clearly no rushing Elsa, but I could wait. I had all the time in the world. I was immortal. As for Elsa... if she ever wound up here under less than pleasant circumstances, I could make an exception. I was the god of the dead. If I wanted to give her a pass I could and I would. She'd just have to be my queen, and we'd party it up down here. I could hardly wait.

There you have it. Thanks to the eight people who followed the story and I hope you enjoyed it.