Hope for the Underworld

4

She woke up with a start, not instantly recognising her surroundings. Rubbing sleep out of her eyes, she looked around and the memory of her ordeal returned in a rush. She felt stiff and realised she had fallen asleep in the chair that she had collapsed into the previous evening, but it was clear that during the night someone had covered her with a blanket. She blushed, wondering if it was Hades.

'Lady...' a whispery voice spoke gently. 'We have prepared a meal.'

Startled, she sat up and looked in the direction of the voice, seeing only a swirl of shadows, similar to those that always followed Hades.

'Thank you,' she responded nervously and rubbed her face in a tired gesture. But then she looked at them again. 'I hope I did not offend you by reorganising my room. I am very grateful for your efforts, but...' she trailed off; it was quite difficult speaking to a shadow.

'We don't mind, Lady... We did not know before how to please you... We will learn soon.'

'Thank you. But you don't have to please me.' She smiled, amused by the notion.

'We serve to please... But we appreciate your gratitude.' The shadows pulsed and swirled, pleased with her attitude. 'Lord Receiver has risen,' the voice announced again. 'It will be soon time to leave. Please, eat, Lady.' The door swung open.

'I just need to wash and change...' she paused, realising she had no other clothes. 'Is there something I could wear while I wash my own clothes?' she asked hesitantly.

'There is a wardrobe in your bedroom, Lady. Please, choose whichever garment pleases you most.'

'Thank you.' She walked into her bedroom and opened the door of a huge wardrobe. It was full of... ancient looking robes. In every movie she had ever watched, the Greeks had always appeared wearing this type of clothes. She sighed and after some consideration chose the one that seemed to be the most... covering.

'You do not like them, Lady?' The shadows seemed to pick up on her hesitation.

'Is there nothing like my own clothes?' She looked up expectantly.

'Forgive us, Lady, but no.'

'Oh, well, when in Rome...' She shrugged with resignation. 'These are beautiful, by the way. Thank you.'

She washed quickly and dressed up. Then she walked across the hall and into the dining room. She felt very self-conscious in the bare-shouldered dress, but Hades wasn't there, so she piled food onto her ornate plate and started eating.

'I trust you slept well.'

She turned around to see the God of the Underworld. He paused on the threshold, looking at her with a slightly startled expression.

'Is something wrong?' She inspected her attire self-consciously. 'Did I put it on back to front, or something?'

'No, nothing is wrong,' he hastened to reassure her, but clearly struggled to master his reaction. 'You just look so... different.'

'I had nothing else to wear. Is this appropriate for visiting the Oracle?'

'It is more than appropriate.' He nodded, tearing his gaze away from her toned shoulders, suppressing an overwhelming desire to touch her soft skin.

'Have you already eaten?' She invited. 'I feel ravenous. Must be all that work we did last night!' she was prattling happily. 'And this food is fantastic! I have no idea what I've just had, but it was absolutely delicious. I will have to watch out, or I will soon get obscenely fat!' She grinned, picking up more figs.

'Excuse me?' He looked at her with an unfathomable expression.

'Fat!' she repeated with glee. 'If I keep eating so much, I will get fat.'