A/N: I'm back with a new story, but this one has got a little twist! Rather than placing two of my favorite characters in present time, I'm kicking them back to Ancient Greece, where they will meet each other, and overtime, fall in love. This also means that they're in an AU, and might act a little different due to the times, but I'm going to try and keep them true to their personalities. I'm going to play it safe and rate this 'T' for teens, since I'm planning on some violence and romantic themes. No, not because I'm paranoid, like a lot of people seem to be. Really, if people were as paranoid as they said they were in descriptions, Fanfiction would be an insane asylum.

These Mountains That Divide Us

I

The Beginning

Perseus, son of Poseidon…

Perseus lounged in the smaller, less ornate throne that was placed beside his father's before a massive table. Even if it wasn't even half as grand as his, it was still made of the finest fabrics and materials that there were to go around. Despite the twists and turns being royalty had to offer, it always paid off in the end, even with something as simple as a chair. And the decorative factor of their chairs hadn't even crossed his mind, considering the fact that it was the young prince's birthday. He instead occupied himself with watching people come and go, or the pretty girls dancing on the balcony that broke off from the vast and open-aired pavilion. The prince gave his father nothing more than a simple glance as he sat down to Perseus's right.

"Father," He greeted with a curt and brief nod. From the corner of his eye, he saw Poseidon return his hello with a similar nod,

"Perseus." Someone quickly came forward with a pitcher of wine and filled his father's glittering goblet. The server turned and disappeared into the crowd of patrons. Poseidon downed the glass before returning the glass to the table with a slight slam. He turned to Perseus, drops of wine trickling through his thick goatee, "What are you doing sitting here? Go, join your party."

"Why should I? There's no use in putting me up to women while you're simply going to turn around and throw me into the army." Perseus said as he mashed the side of his cheek into his fist. For a moment, it seemed as though the king didn't have a sharp-tongued response for his son, but he quickly mustered up one,

"You're a man now, Perseus. And that means you've got to act like one. You and I both know that I can't exactly live forever. The least you could do is humor me by at least trying to seek a suitable woman." Perseus let out a growl before pushing out of his chair with a loud squeak from it, but both noises simply got lost in the lively crowd of people mingling in the hall. His father stood as well, but the prince simply put a firm hand on his shoulder and shoved him back in his seat,

Perseus sighed, rearranging his blood red cape, "Save your breath, father. You can reprimand me later…but not here."

The tempered prince smeared the back of his hand over his forehead, which was dripping with a thin layer of perspiration. From a glance, it may appear as though he was anxious over approaching one of the many women at the party. But the truth to it was he was sweating simply due to the fact that it was a sweltering summer night. With his status and charming personality, it wasn't much to get a woman's attention, making the prince wonder what his father was so worried about. Perseus mentally cursed the heat that was causing his discomfort. He thought to himself that it might be wise to go out onto the top balcony and get some of the nice breeze. And on another note, he would be able to escape the party he disliked at the moment. He pushed through the clumps of patrons, striding towards the glittering double doors that led to the staircase. The ever so stealthy prince rounded the corner, and then jogged his way up the spiral staircase. Once he reached the top, now sweating more than ever, he slicked his hair back. But he was rewarded with the pleasant breeze he was able to receive from his bedroom balcony. He breathed in the fresh, clean air, and closed his eyes at the feeling of the breeze running through his moist hair. As he leaned forward on the railing, his eyes found their way to the mountain that bordered the kingdom to the north. If there was one thing Perseus deemed positive about joining the military was that he had high hopes to see whatever was over that mountain, as he had never been told, no matter how much he pleaded. The only thing he was allowed to do was guess what was over the top of the mountain, which didn't bring much except a laugh at how ridiculous his assumption was. The reason why he didn't know what was on the other side of the land? Apparently, it was top secret, even if he was the prince.

"I thought I would find you up here." A deep voice remarked from behind Perseus. The prince jumped slightly at the surprise, but sighed in relief that it was just his lifelong friend and ally, Gruev.

"Gruev…you startled me."

His friend simply chuckled, "What? Did you think I was your father?" This seemingly innocent joke made Perseus grimace at how lucky he was it hadn't been Poseidon.

"Of course not," The prince lied. His friend leaned against the bar, looking out across the desert for a moment or two.

"I hear your father's already requesting that you join the military." He started, gripping the hilt of his sword. After not getting an answer from Perseus, he glanced over, "Well?"

"Well, yes. That rumor is in fact, true." Perseus shifted from his lean to grab the railing tightly, "I've just turned fifteen, and he already wants me out of his sight. I don't blame him though; anybody would want me out of their lives." Gruev laughed at this.

"Oh, you're not half as bad as you think."

Perseus grunted, "If you say so. So, when do you ship out?" Gruev looked down at his boots, his good-natured mood diminishing.

"Tomorrow morning. And who knows when I'll get back." This was news to Perseus. He had known that his friend was moving out at some point, but he didn't know this soon. He clapped his friend's shoulder, squeezing it in reassurance.

"I know you, and I know that you'll come out fine."

"As much as I wish I could say you're right, my friend, I still have my doubts. The caves of the Dark Men are no place for us. But I can still say this-good luck in training."

Perseus nodded, releasing his hand, "Thank you." Gruev nodded before swiveling in the direction of the exit. He stopped in his tracks in the doorway, and glanced at Perseus,

"Oh, and be sure to write me, will you?"

"I will, but you do the same."

Gruev cracked a tired, worn out smile, "You have my word."

Perseus thought the night couldn't get worse. From the news that he was getting thrown into the military and that his friend was going off into the caverns that lurked with the Dark Men was enough to make anyone go sour. But it didn't take long for the party to bring awful to a whole new scale when his father reappeared on his balcony.

"You should join in on the festivities, my son. After all, you won't be having them much longer." Poseidon flashed a wicked smile at his somewhat sickening joke.

"I already told you father," Perseus snarled, "I have no interest in this party that is really for your benefit."

His father acted like this notion was a shock to him, "Now why would you say something like that? Your happiness is in-"

"Your best interest?" Perseus cut Poseidon off, "I have heard these words countless times. Your best interest is your heir, and so far, you're not exactly picking the best women for that job. Who do you expect me to marry? The withered old wives of the generals who are long past their childbearing years? No…this is my duty. The last thing I want now is your help." Poseidon seemed taken aback for a moment, but his expression soon melted into a stony one as he glowered at Perseus. He took two paces toward his son, cornering him against the railing of the balcony, snatching the front of his son's cape into his massive hands. Perseus let out a yelp as Poseidon tipped him off the edge, a firm grip on him,

"I would kill you, if it wasn't for the fact that you are my son. But then again…" He glowered at Perseus as he tipped him further over the edge, "It's still in consideration."

The prince gulped, "I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have spoken out of turn. I really am in your best interests, and I shouldn't have second-guessed you."

The king's expression settled a bit, "I'm glad you finally realized that," Poseidon broke into yet another crooked grin as he pulled his son back up, "But hear this, my son…I have high expectations on what kind of man you'll be when you return. And above all, what kind of husband you'll be."

A/N: Like I said, it's an alternate universe. I don't ask this very much, well, at least I think I don't, but it helps me out a lot: If you are enjoying the story so far, tell me! I really like to hear whether or not the community likes my writing. And if you don't, that's fine, too! I totally understand if you don't, everyone has different tastes when it comes to stories. And if you don't want to review, or simply don't have the time to, that's also understandable. It also really helps me out if you would add my story to your favorites, or the stories you're following. And lastly, feel free to check out some of my older stories if you want, there might just be another story you would like just around the corner.

Thanks a bunch, guys!

~Leaded-Pegasus