Mark of Athena Ch. 1
Disclaimer: I do not own the Heroes of Olympus, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, or any of the characters in these combined series. I do not own the title Mark of Athena. I pretty much own nothing. I wish I did, but I don't.
AN: I noticed that everybody always starts their Mark of Athena and leaves it after a few chapter. I will try not to do that. Enjoy.
Annabeth
The Argo II lumbered slowly forward, the Roman camp growing more and more visible. I stood at the edge of the ship, my face expressionless (an art I had mastered over the past eight months).
Thalia Grace walked up to me silently. Neither of us looked at the other. Thalia watched her little brother pace the deck; I watched Camp Jupiter's approach.
"Are you ready?" Thalia asked.
It might have seemed like a stupid question to ask someone at a time like this, but I understood.
I looked Thalia in the eye and with a happy smile replied, "I've been ready for eight months." Thalia smiled mischeviously.
"Good, because we are about to land."
With that I looked at her and nodded before making my way to the door, where I was to walk out with Jason.
Seconds later the ship landed with a muted thud, sending dust flying up. I wished I could see the Romans reactions.
The door to the ship dropped slowly. So slowly! I was shaking with anticipation. Then Jason was leading me forward, his hand on my back pushing my softly as if he didn't think I could make it on my own.
Percy's eyes met mine and the butterflies in my stomach flew away. His sea green eyes sparkled with the same odd combination of affection and cluelessness as they did the first time I kissed him.
Silence filled the air and Jason dropped his hand that was on my back. Awkward glances were exchanged between Greeks and Romans.
"Welcome to Camp Jupiter, graecus." Announced the girl with the purple cape who was standing beside Percy. So close, their shoulders were pressed against each other. I was too happy to see him to be jealous, though.
Then Percy smiled hugely at me, just like we were hanging out together at Camp Half-Blood again.
"Yeah, welcome to Camp Jupiter, Wise Girl."
Percy (Before The Ship Lands)
I shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot. My brain was so full of worries that I had never even considered until now. Five minutes ago I was completely calm, yet at that moment I could hardly contain the nervous shivers threatening to take over my body. What if the Romans attacked, even though we, Praetors, commanded their civility. Who was on the ship? What if Annabeth wasn't even on the ship? I quickly dismissed that thought, though; we needed her. What if she didn't want me anymore. What if she moved on?
I shook my head. Now was no time to be lost in my own thoughts. Now was the time to be a good leader-though for which camp I was not sure. The warship was nearing slowly as it prepared to land.
Hazel stared at the ship as if in a daze. I understood why, of course. She was probably more nervous about Sammy than I was about Annabeth, if that was possible.
Reyna's face was stone, completely void of all emotion. Except her eyes. They showed that she was nervous, as well. I guess she could join the club then. I elbowed her lightly to get her attention.
"Everything will be fine," I whispered, trying in vain to calm her down.
Reyna nodded and turned to face the ship, chewing on the corner of her mouth thoughtfully.
My attention snapped back to the ship as it landed twenty feet away from us, quieter than I would have expected from a huge warship. My heart pounded erratically. So loud that i was sure Annabeth, who was still hidden in the ship, could hear it.
The ship dropped anchor-why would a flying warship need an anchor?-and the door opened slowly to reveal a boy with cropped blonde hair and electric blue eyes. Jason Grace, I assumed. Beside him stood a girl with blonde princess curls cascading down her backand gray eyes more stormy and calculating and beautiful than I remembered. The one thing I didn'€t expect was the huge grin on her face-she was usually to composed.
They seemed to walk in slow motion off of the ship. Probably Annabeth's idea. I'm sure she enjoyed my impatience almost as much as Frank and Hazel who were sniggering behind me.
"Welcome to Camp Jupiter, graecus." Reyna greeted as they came to stand in front of us. Her lips were twisted into the smallest of grins.
Annabeth looked at me and I greeted, "Yeah, Welcome to Camp Jupiter, Wise Girl."
I expected her jaw todrop, or some equally extreme reaction-after all, she still thought I had majical amnesia-but instead she stepped towards me and ran her small hands through my hair.
"Your gray is spreading," She smirked and took my hand.
I grinned, "So is yours; It's kinda cute, actually." I gently fingered her gray streak, trying not to remember how she got it.
Annabeth blushed a light pink and Reyna cleared her throat rather rudely.I turned to her.
"I will show the Greek around our camp," I tried to speak with as much authority I could manage, "I assume the other leader knows his way."
Reyna rolled her eyes, "Senate meeting in half an hour. Do not be late; We won't wait for you."
I nodded, slowly pulling Annabeth out of the crowd and away from old friends and new friends alike.
I walked with Annabeth through the silent camp until we reached my father's shrine-the only place in the entire camp which ensured privacy.
Annabeth shot me a skeptical look when we were inside. It wasn't exactly the nicest place, but at least they had gotten rid of the rotting fruit.
"We have a lot of catching up to do," I explained, "and this is as good a place as any."
Annabeth laughed, "That is the under statement of the century!" She flashed her perfect smile that made me grin like an idiot in answer. She continued, "And I think we should strt about...here."
She leaned forward and laced her fingers behind my neck pulling me toward her. I bowed my face and kissed my girlfriend for the first time in eight months.
AN: Tut tut. Kissing in a temple. I think Neptune will forgive them this one time. Hope you enjoyed! Review! No flames, please. Love, Jess.