A/N: This story does not have Camp Half-Blood, nor any demigods or monsters. Instead, this story is set in medieval times, where knight fought against knight for honor and prestige, or in this case, a princess's hand in marriage. I thought of this idea while watching Duncan+Isolde one day, and to tell you the truth, its stuck with me since, so I decided just to get it out of my head and on paper. Oh, and did I mention I am NOT Rick Riordan. If I was, I wouldn't be spending my free time writing fan fiction now would I? Please R&R!
First, I may have to explain a few things. The "Big Three" are kings, while all lesser gods are lords and ladies (Or 'Lairds' For some of the more Scottish characters.) The demigods (The ones I have included in the story) are the sons and daughters (Or bastard children) of all the lords, ladies, Kings, or Queens, the only queen really being Hera. Another thing to bear in mind: this is not historical fiction. In order to keep many of the characters in their characters, some of them may have, say... flame-throwers (SPOILER!) But other than that, I have tried my best to keep in line with the medieval world being the setting. So, as I said before, Sit back, relax, and read!(and review please!)
T'was a warm summers day on the Isle where Percival lived. Percival took in a long breath and let it out, the salt flavored air streaming through his veins. He opened his eyes onto the harbor where surrounding their large island, many ships, bearing the banner of his father, sailed around. Some, fishing ships, others, warships, sitting as peacefully as a content duck in the cold, salty waters. The handsome prince gazed across the cerulean plain, soaking in it's power and it's majesty. However, with his eyes as sharp as a hawks, Percival saw on the horizon a ship, but one not bearing the colors of his fathers kingdom. A bit confused at the arrival of the strange colors of it, Percival left his royal chamber and jogged up the steep, stony depths to the top of the highest tower the ancient fortress had.
Once at the top, he walked swiftly over to the edge, tapping one of the look-outs on the shoulder. "Master watchman? Of what tribe is that ship's origin?" He asked.
The look-out's eyes scanned the horizon. "Blast it m'lord! That vessel had escaped my view! Fortunate you found it for me my Prince." he chuckled. The look-out reached for an old telescoped and opened it to it's fullest length.
"Devil's Horns, majesty! "T'is a ship from the mainland! A ship from King Zeus, Ruler of Olympica!"
"What?" Percival asked. "Lend me the scope, man! I must see this thing myself! After all, t'was I who spotted the blasted thing."
The look-out quickly handed the telescope over to Percival, the prince taking it and putting it to his eye.
"T'is a ship! From the ruler of Olympica! The majestic eagle hangs o'er it's sail like a frightful creature of the morn! It's to small to be a warship, however. T'wouldn't last an hour against our fleet." Percival collapsed the telescope, handing it the the look-out. "I go to tell my father this news. Perhaps it is a messenger."
"Perchance you are right, majesty! I shall keep a wet eye on the vessel, and alert if I glance anything suspicious." The watchman saluted.
Percival left the gaurd quickly, descending the staircase madly, trying to find his father. He found him in the courtyard, walking alongside Tyler, Percival's bastard half-brother.
Tyler, poor Tyler, had only one eye, his other being scratched out by a savage crow when he was only seven. Not only did the crow take Tyler's eye, but molested his face, scarring it till Tyler was more hideous to gaze upon than an old wench with a grand case of the pox. However, Tyler was loved by all, once the people had seen through the poor thing's deranged features, they found him as sweet as a drop of honey, but on the flip side, he could drive a hammer deep into the head of any man brave or insane enough to laugh at his face. Tyler grew to be a tall, broad man, built like a moving wall, and he was one of Percival's best friends in the kingdom.
"My king!" Percival called to his father, "My king! A ship from the mainland approaches! A ship from King Zeus!"
King Paul La Sidon turned his handsome head towards his son. "Percival, my son, T'would be reckless for King Zeus to descend upon us from the sea! With one ship no less?" The king turned to Tyler.
"Bloody cocky if you ask me, majesty. I propose we burn the ship and send the Eagle (Zeus's Banner) back to Zeus." Tyler suggested.
"I believe it's mission is not to attack, my King, but to bring a message. King Zeus is not that ill in the head." Percival deduced.
King La Sidon smiled. "That cursed woman he calls his queen would be enough to make any man ill in the head, my son."
"I would not take any chances, majesty." Tyler announced. "I believe you should be heavily guarded, in case an assassin be hiding on that ship."
"A wise thought, Tyler." King La Sidon decided. "Quick, call for my finest guards to protect me from any sort of villainy."
"Your wish is my command, majesty." Tyler said, as he bowed.
King la Sidon turned to his heir. "My son, let us see this ship you claim to be bearing with it a message."
...
The guards took their rightful position round the monarch as the ship closed in quickly, docking. A tall, fair haired man jumped from the deck of the small ship and ace across the harbor toward the king.
"Hold if ye value your soul, knave!" Tyler roared. The man skidded to a stop, a dozen feet in front of King La Sidon.
"Please, comrades!" The man said. "I am Lord Hermanez, chief messenger of King Zeus, Lord master of all Olympica!"
"Yes, we are all very impressed with your title, Lord. What business brings you close to Atlantica, the Domain of the Horse?"
The Currier bowed lowly and took a letter from his ouch, opened it, and spake. "Kings and lords from across the world, I, King Zeus of Olympica, cordially invite your sons and princes to come and try their luck at winning the hand of my beautiful daughter, Princess Thalia, and, if they succeed, also inherit a half of my domain, the Domain of the Eagle."
King Le Sidon laughed. "The fool overstepped himself. Conquered too much territory, and now he has not the manpower to control it. Now he wishes to thrust his excess land on all the other monarchs, hoping to rid himself a few headaches. The princess, i can only deduce, is a small diamond atop a large lump of coal. Go to your king and tell him nay, that King Paul la Sidon does not wish to be included in this insane game of his."
"Majesty," Lord Hermanez said, "I come from the king's own fortress, and I know that, for a fact, Princess Thalia has no wish to be wed. However, her mother, Queen Hera, has struck a deal with the fair princess. She will wed the victorious prince, or lord's son, who defeats the opposing prince or lord's son either by death or yielding. In fact, the princess denied the bargain until the lands were added. I do not know why a woman would want lands, but I am only a messenger; it is not my place to deal in those sort of things."
The king's thick eyebrows furrowed. "Percival, my son. You are a man now. Decide. Will you stay here with me, and rule Atlantica after my stead, or shall you fight for the princess's hand, and gain your own land?"
Percival eyed the messenger. "Lord Hermanez, is the princess as beautiful as you claim? Speak truthfully, now, I am in no mood to travel miles over this wet desert only to fin an ugly old hag my bride to be."
"Prince, the princess has eyes that shine like the evening sun, skin that has the smoothness of silk, and dark hair, dark as the moonless night is black." Hermanez smiled, "Indeed, Prince, I would wager my head that the Princess is one of the most beautiful women in the world."
Percival smiled, "Then, with your neck against my sword, I choose to fight for the Princess and the lands that are provided." He turned to his father. "I choose to leave, Majesty."
"So shall it be done, Percival my son. I give unto you my blessing and my fastest ship, to carry you over these waters, and I also give you the employ of Tyler, your brother, to guard you and to council you, for he has counciled me many a time, and I have found his words to be wise. Sail, my son. Sail."
Not too shabby, eh? If any of you reading this have any ideas, or would like to edit this in any way, or would like to critique this in any way, you are welcome to it.
- Epictwist