She was dangling, barely holding on, staring down into the dark abyss. Her heart was pounding, her ears ringing, and she knew what was coming. He would let her go. She would fall. He would save himself, it was the logical thing to do.

Her mind swam with things she would never be able to do. Never be able to see. She had wanted to be remembered, wanted to build things. To have a family. But now, none of that would happen... Tartarus... it would be her end, the flames beneath would consume her.

She cried out as he let go.

Falling.

Falling.

Falling.

Falling.

Thud.

"Annabeth! Annabeth wake up!"

The blonde opened her eyes, ragged breaths escaping her throat. Her eyes darted left and right, trying to find a hint of the flames, of the cliff, of Percy's overhanging figure, trying to feel the pain of her landing. But she couldn't find Percy looking up, because she was wrapped in his strong arms.

"P-Percy..?" She whispered, trying to distinguish reality from dream.

"I'm here, Annabeth. Nightmare?" He asked, pulling back from the hug.

Annabeth nodded miserably. "Y-yeah... I'm sorry l woke you..."

Percy shook his head. "It's alright, I was already up. Care to talk it out?"

The blonde looked at him a moment before breaking down, the memories from her night terror over flooding her mind. "W-we were d-dangling... above tartarus... you let go... I fell, and fell..."

"Oh Annabeth..." Percy breathed, pulling her into another hug. "I didn't let go. You need to remember that. I didn't let you fall alone."

There was a moment of quiet, Annabeth silently cursed herself for showing weakness like that. It wasn't what she wanted. She wanted to be strong, unbeatable. She wanted to be a warrior, and here she was crying over a bad dream.

Annabeth pulled away. "I'm sorry I'm like this." She said bitterly, wiping away the tears that managed to escape on the sleeves of her jacket.

"Like what?" Percy asked. "Traumatized? Because that was a very traumatic event, Annabeth. I still have nightmares sometimes. But all l know is," he looked into her eyes. "I will never, let you go."

There was a figure watching them from the trees, her dark, cloaked form hidden almost completely. She wasn't sure why she was here, but she had felt called to this place. Summoned, almost.

And now she knew why.

Her eyes fell upon the young couple, and her heart clawed at her chest, both rejoicing and aching for them. There was a bond here, one strong enough that even the gods would have trouble breaking. But even she knew, that hardships would continue to come against them.

Her hand traced the dark veil covering her face, and shook her head. She had lost her chance at love forever. It had been stolen from her. But by the gods, if she could help them, she would.

Of course she knew they'd never accept her help. She had done horrible, horrible things. But if they ever came across her, if they were ever in trouble, she would move mountains to aid them.

She would turn their enemies to stone.