This is a continuation of Percy Jackson and the Kings and Queens of Olympus: The Lightning Thief. Please read that first.

"My lady." The servants bowed as Annabeth walked by. She nodded graciously. Her meeting with Mila was long and boring. Annabeth had no idea how much went into running the palace. Ever since her mother went to Olympus for the emergency council meeting, Malcolm and Annabeth had taken over her duties. Malcolm took the greater share being the oldest and heir. Annabeth still had a good amount to do. Speaking of duties, she found herself veering down a corridor that lead to Percy's room. The boy had little idea how famous he had become. She often caught servants talking about the young hero. His parade through the city had definitely drawn attention, and as soon as the palace servants spread the word of Percy's actions, he became an instant champion of Athens. However, he was a mystery. No one really knew where he came from. All anyone could get out of him, was that his parents were dead. But more than that, no one knew.

Annabeth had never met anyone like Percy. When they sparred, he held nothing back, even though she was a girl. No other guy had ever shown her such equality. She respected him more for it. But he wasn't naturally violent. He was respectful to everyone around him. She was still in awe at how determined he was to find the real thieves and return the rod. He could have easily killed the thieves on sight, or ran and left his brother defenseless, or use the rod for his own devices, but he didn't. It never crossed his mind. The most important thing for him was to catch the thieves, return the rod, free his brother and clear his name. Even as he lay dying his first priority was someone else's safety. Out of all the men Annabeth had met, Percy was truly unique.

And then there were Percy's nightmares that only created more questions. When he was delirious with the fever, he would thrash and scream and cry. His voice was filled with hatred, anger and fear when he growled out a name that she had never heard before, Gabe. Quite the opposite of how he called out for his mother in a voice that was completely broken. Then there were the scars across his back. Now, Annabeth had never really looked at a man's bare chest or back before, but when her mother and her went to check on Percy shortly after the attack, they found that the doctors had striped his clothing off so as to attend to the wound unencumbered. Seeing him pale and lifeless was bad enough, but seeing the scars across his back was horrifying. She wondered how he got them. She had tried to discreetly ask Percy's brother, Tyson, about them and his dreams, but he only pressed his lips together and shook his head violently, looking on the verge of tears.

Tyson was another puzzle. He and Percy were close. So close you could easily think that they were brothers, but they looked nothing alike. Tyson had gotten some attention due to the fame of his brother, but he did not react well to it. He instead spent all his time in the forges, engrossed in his work. Annabeth knew that several of the servants had tried to get information out of him as well. But Tyson would just look at them like they asked an obvious question and simply say, "Percy is nice." and walk away. Yes, Percy was definitely an enigma.

Before Annabeth knew it she was at Percy Jackson, The Hero of Athens's, bedroom door where he was staying in the palace during his recovery. The two guards standing on either side of the door stood to attention. Annabeth ignored them and knocked on the door. "Jackson." She called. No one answered. Perhaps he was sleeping. She cracked open the door and entered. It was a nice room, not like one of their suites reserved for royal guests, but suitable for Percy's needs. However, there was one problem. Percy was no where to be found. "Guards!" She snapped. Immediately the two guards came in. "Where is Jackson?" Their surprised, panicked faces said it all. Annabeth looked out the balcony door. Percy's room was on the main floor, so it wouldn't take much to just jump out the window. "Come with me. I think I know where he is."

The two guards followed her without a word as she walked back down the corridor, out of the palace and toward the arena. Percy had been begging the doctor for the last week or two to start training again. But because Athena had put Annabeth in charge of Percy's health, she had ordered that there be no chances taken, and that meant no training. Obviously, Percy took it upon himself to disobey a direct order.

In the arena, several soldiers were geared up and sparing with each other. Percy Jackson could have been any one of them, but he wasn't. No he was the short, scrawny soldier in the corner by himself hacking at a dummy. Now normally, Annabeth would march right over and give him a piece of her mind, but it was improper for a lady to watch soldiers train, so Annabeth sent the guards into the arena to fetch him. She waited, and waited, and waited, getting madder, and madder, and madder. It was nearly a half an hour later before Percy came out of the arena with the two guards behind him. His face was flushed from his work out and he smelled of sweat. His bright green eyes sparkled mischievously and he actually had the nerve to smile at her.

"What do you think you were doing?" Annabeth snapped.

He smirked, "I was . . ."

"I know what you were doing." She cut him off. "I told you not to."

His smirk turned into a glare that made Annabeth falter. "I am not about to just lay in bed all day, waiting for you to give the doctor permission to let me train."

"I . . ." Annabeth started to object.

"Yes, I know the doctor has cleared me to train." Percy interrupted. "Castellan is still out there. War is brewing, either between the Olympians or with this army he's talking about. I have to get as much training as I can."

"You could make it worse." Annabeth said stubbornly.

"I'm taking it easy. I wasn't fighting anyone . . .yet."

"The point is you are a soldier of the Athenian army, and I am your princess. You are to do as I command."

The look Percy gave her, made her want to take it back. But she stood her ground. "Yes, your highness." Percy replied. She noted the tone of bitterness.

They were quiet the rest of the way back to his room. Once they were in his room, she ordered the guards, "Call the doctor."

"Yes, your highness." They left her and Percy alone.

Percy immediately removed his shirt and splashed water on his face and neck. Annabeth's eyes were immediately drawn toward the scars on his back. A cloth was wrapped around his waist where his wound was. Percy grabbed a dry towel and began toweling himself off. "You can go, you know. I won't leave."

Annabeth quickly averted her eyes. "I just want to know what the doctors verdict is."

"Any word, yet?" Percy had asked her every day if they had caught Luke.

"No." Of course, Annabeth had no idea what was really going on with the council. All she knew was that her mother had been away for over a month trying to convince the Kings and Queens of Olympus of the outside threat. Annabeth knew politics was slow, but this seemed a bit extreme even for the Kings and Queens of Olympus.

Luckily, the doctor showed up shortly after that. He removed Percy's wrappings and inspected the wound. A long angry red scar could clearly be seen where Luke's sword had ran him through. That was almost three months ago. The doctor asked Percy several questions. All of them were answered with, "I'm fine." Once he was done redressing the wound, Percy put a clean shirt back on.

The doctor motioned Annabeth to follow him out of the room. "I am glad to report he is healing nicely, Princess Annabeth."

"And?"

"You should let him train, at least build his strength up."

"I'll take it into consideration. Thank you doctor."

He nodded and left.

Annabeth turned her attention toward the guards. "Why did it take so long for you to get him out."

"He's . . . uh . . . faster than he looks."

Annabeth harrumphed. She didn't believe them. It seemed that Percy had more leverage over the guards than she believed. "Assign two more guards to his window." She ordered.

"Yes, your highness."

Annabeth was just headed toward her personal office when she was intercepted by one of Malcolm's servants. "My lady, Prince Malcolm request's your presence at the front steps." Annabeth quickened her pace. "An ambassador of Hades is coming."

"Hades? Why would he send an ambassador here?" This worried Annabeth.

Malcolm was already at the steps. Annabeth took her place beside him. "Any idea what is going on?" she asked him.

"None. I am just as surprised as you are." She could hear the worry in his voice, but his face remained a mask.

A black carriage entered the gates and Princess Annabeth masked her worry like her brother. The carriage pulled expertly up to the steps and out stepped a man dressed all in black. His face looked like worn leather and his hands were gnarled and calloused.

"Welcome to Athens, Ambassador." Malcolm bowed gracefully, while Annabeth curtsied.

"Thank you, for your gracious welcome, young prince. My name is Tantalus. We have much to discuss. Shall we adjourn inside?" His face sneered.

"Of course." Malcolm led the way. Annabeth turned to follow when Tantalus immediately cut her off and walked in front of her. That was a bit against protocol. Annabeth grit her teeth and let it slide following behind.

"I must admit, I have never been to your kingdom. Although I had heard about it's beauty and wealth." Tantalus's eyes gleamed at this. Annabeth had a very strong dislike for him.

"We must show you around, while you are here." Malcolm responded. Though Annabeth knew it was only out of etiquette that Malcolm offered, she didn't want Tantalus poking his nose into any part of the kingdom. Once they were in the throne room, Malcolm and Annabeth sat in their respective thrones. "So, Tantalus, what brings you to our kingdom?"

"King Hades sends his regards." Malcolm nodded in return and for him to continue. "Much has taken place during the council of the Olympians." This caught Annabeth's attention. "I have been sent by my lord to assist with your rule during your mother, Queen Athena's, absence."

Annabeth and Malcolm looked at each other, both thinking the same thing. Malcolm shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "That is gracious indeed of King Hades; but I assure you, it is not needed."

At this Tantalus smiled wickedly. "I am afraid King Hades insists."

He pulled out an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Malcolm. Malcolm took it. Annabeth saw the seal of Athens on it. That was strange. Malcolm read it silently, which was frustrating for Annabeth. But she waited patiently. Malcolm gave Annabeth a sidelong glance and then turned his attention back toward Tantalus.

"I see." He motioned for a servant to come forward. "Show Ambassador Tantalus to the olive suite, please."

Annabeth couldn't believe what was happening. Tantalus smiled his sickly smile and did a short bow before following the servant. Once he was out of the room, Annabeth turned to Malcolm. "What is going on?" She demanded.

Malcolm didn't answer. He wordlessly handed over the letter to her before sighing and leaving the room. Annabeth eagerly began reading.

Malcolm,

I hope this letter finds you well. The council meetings will be taking longer than expected. King Hades has kindly offered to send his ambassador to Athens to help you in any way. Please welcome him into our palace with open arms and follow his council.

Athena

Annabeth sat back in her throne in shock. Something was definitely wrong.