A/N: My first Percy's story so you are warned. For those that are proceeding with the reading please note that I admit my grammar is terrible and my spelling is worse. I can live very well in knowing this fault of mine and I continue to type this all up with out reviewing my work or getting a beta. Yeah, good luck to the readers out there. Now you are welcome to pick out my blunders but honestly, I am only doing this for fun and I will probably glance about mistakes noted from reviews with less than a shrug. But hey, its your time. Now if you would like to give advice or suggestions to better the story with out the grammar and spelling corrections, by all means tell me! Also updating, yeah I'm bad at it and I don't promise immediate updates. My reality life is on a goal to break every plan I have so I cannot promise when and where the time will be for an update. So this is it - good luck and I hope you get through it with out cringing too much.
During A Hunt
It wasn't a quick snap of twigs that caught the Hunters attention nor was it the light breezed that suddenly picked up, whispering to them of danger. It wasn't the eerie silence that gripped every creature to halt in their activities. No. Though they were the Hunters who were naturally skilled to zero on the eruption of tranquility they normally found in their hunting trips.
No, it wasn't anything like that. Instead the hunt came to an abrupt end because of a single white feather. Birds fly north and they fly south. They even fly east to west and back again. Like a person losing a single strain of hair, a bird will lose a feather from time to time. The wind will find it and maybe toss it back and forth just to see how long they can keep the feather from touching the earth. Or maybe the wind would just let it softly fall like it did that day. It allowed that soft, pure white feather to land on the goddess, Artemis shoulder like a soft kiss.
The silver yellow eyes of the Mistress widen with surprise or maybe fear. There is only one thing Artemis fears the most. The one battle she would also run from instead of attacking. There is only one god that would dare hunt the Hunter.
To the normal eye, a mortal eye, they would never have seen the sharp, straight and sure golden arrow that whipped around trees and through branches and brambles. To the mortal ear, they would have thought it was a whistle in the wind as the arrow flew past them. The hunters were no mortal. They were the Hunters of Artemis and for this, they saw the cursed arrow. Like a magnet seeking its metal, the arrow zoomed in on their Mistress and if it wasn't for the Lieutenant Thalia, maybe – just maybe this arrow would have finally found the only creature love hadn't conquered.
But the hit would be a miss as Thalia, like any loyal pack member, stepped up to take the arrow for her goddess. She watched it hit her chest, dissolving within her. Her heart raced but not with love, no not yet but with panic and fear.
At Percy's Cabin
On finding out he was a half god, Percy had seen a lot of abnormal things. He also learned to be prepared for the unexpected. Flying monsters, sea serpents, giants trying to take over the world and all that fun stuff. In all of his time at camp, all the drills and the training, all the history lessons and stories nothing prepared him for Thalia appearing at his door.
Tyson sat on his bed with his mouth open just a tad bit wider than normal as he stared at the new arrival. He blinked his huge brown eye at his brother than back at the Hunter at their door entrance. Tyson had been just telling Percy about his day when Thalia had unexpectedly flung the door open, demanding to speak to Annabeth. Percy jumped, his natural combat instincts kicking in as he reached in his jean pocket for Riptide.
It wasn't the fact that she was there, after all they were friends and he was dating one of her best friends. Normally when Thalia was in the neighborhood, she would stop in and say hello, not a big deal. However, she never appeared at his door looking like the state she was presently in. It was as if she had gone mad. Not the angry mad either. Percy was sure he could have been able to handle that kind of madness. This kind was like the insane madness. It shined in her eyes. But that wasn't all that was off about her appearance.
Her hair was decorated with twigs and leaves from running through the forest, no doubt. Her clothes seemed to be okay but then again, they were the uniform of the Hunters and probably enchanted not to get dirty. Thalia kept shifting her bow from shoulder to shoulder nervously while peering over Percy's shoulder into his cabin. While her electric blue eyes danced in search of his girlfriend, Percy noticed that she had a bit of dust on her nose and cheek with streaks of tears drying through the dirt's crust.
'Where is she, Percy?' Thalia begged once more. Her brows were etched with impatience.
'She is probably to her cabin.' Percy carefully stepped aside to allow the distraught girl into his cabin. 'Are you okay? You don't look okay.'
'No.' Tyson nodded his head in agreement with his brother. It was a bit odd to have someone say no while nodding their head yes but as always, Tyson managed to pull it off rather well. 'She does not look okay.'
'Are you hurt?' Percy stepped back and glanced at her from head to toe trying to see if she had any injuries. Of course if she was hurt, Percy wouldn't be the first person Thalia would have sought out. Percy was known to have an obtuse mind but given the fact that a distressed girl was within his living quarters, well one couldn't really blame him. 'Are you sick?'
'No, I'm not hurt or sick but I am not okay.' Thalia growled as she rushed into the cabin. She sat quickly on wooden bench near a wall but only for a few minutes before she stood back up and started to pace his floor, wringing her fingers as she did. 'I need to see Annabeth. I need to see her without the other campers know I am here. Do you think you could go get her for me?'
'Sure. Um…' Percy took one step out of his cabin but paused for a brief moment. 'Did something happen to the Hunters? I can get Chiron down here and…'
'No. No, no.' Thalia tugged at her hair in frustration. 'The Hunters are okay but I'm not! I need to speak to Annabeth. And don't let anyone else know I'm here.'
'Okay.' Percy held both of his hands up to calm her annoyance down. 'You'll be okay, right?'
'Oh gods! How does she put up with you? Just go already!' Thalia made a move to the door but that was all Percy needed. He sprinted down the rustic pathways towards Annabeth's cabin.
Thalia folded her arms in front of her, trying her best to keep back the tears as her thoughts wondered back to her horrible situation. She gave a sniff as she looked around the room. 'Why does it smell like fish bait in here?'
Tyson shrugged his massive shoulders as he held out a sandwich. 'Peanut butter?'
Thalia wrinkled her nose and slowly shook her head.
'Okay.' Tyson smiled a bit childishly before taking a claiming bite out of his peanut butter sandwich. There was no turning back now, the sandwich was his and it was good.
'Percy?' Annabeth closed the door to block out the whistles and kissing sounds her brothers and sisters were making from inside.
'You need to come to my cabin.' Percy bent down to whisper in her ear.
'Percy it's getting late.' Annabeth smiled with a slight blush to her cheeks.
'Thalia showed up at my door asking for you.' Her flushed cheeks surpassed Percy's mind as he put a hand against the small of her back to lead her in the direction of his cabin.
'Are the hunters in camp?' Annabeth was a bit disappointed that Percy wasn't asking for her for a romantic moment. Still she smiled brightly on the idea of seeing Thalia again. She loved when the Hunters visited camp. They always had wonderful stories to share of their hunting parties. Annabeth hooked her arm around Percy as he walked her towards the lake and to his cabin.
'I'm not sure but I don't think so. I think she's here alone.' Percy glanced around the camp area. Things seemed to be normal. There wasn't any weird, out of normal sounds. The sky was clear with stars shining dimly against the full of the moon. On looking at the lake, it was a beautiful sight with the sky's reflection shining back. Things seemed rather peaceful. So peaceful that if Thalia hadn't shown up, Percy would have probably convinced Annabeth for a stroll near the lake for one on one time.
'Alone?' Annabeth quicken her steps, practically pulling Percy along with her. 'That's not right. The girls don't split up. Not like that. Not just one. She wouldn't have come back to camp without them.'
'She's upset. 'Percy shook his head remembered her appearance. 'She's been crying.'
'About what?' Annabeth mind was racing with ideas. There were so many things the Hunters could get involved with and death, it happens to the hunters. What if one of them got martially injured? What if they lost one? It would be so much like Thalia to blame herself. Thalia is one of the strongest people Annabeth had ever known. She had been through so much that it was impossible of thinking that anything could get the Hunter in such a state.
'You know how the Hunters are with men.' Percy ignored Annabeth's snort.
'You mean boys.' Annabeth ribbed him with her elbow. Not much, just enough for him to wince a bit.
'She wouldn't tell me.' Percy slowed their pace down to a halt on reaching his cabin. He put his hands on Annabeth's shoulders and stared intensely at her. 'Deep breaths.'
'Deep breaths.' Annabeth nodded and took in some air, breathing it out slowly. She couldn't even imagine what to expect through that door. Percy knew it. Annabeth knew it as well. She felt it.
'We can solve this.' Percy told her, watching as she nodded while breathing. 'Whatever she got going on, we can help. We've been through a lot and whatever is wrong won't compare to that.'
'Right.' Annabeth agreed with a smile and a nod of her head. 'Okay, let's find out what's wrong.'
Percy opened the door and instantly, Thalia was clinging to Annabeth. It happened so fast. Thalia ran towards his girlfriend and instantly, Annabeth's arms were open to hug the other tightly.
'It's sad.' Tyson squished over on his bed to allow room for Percy to sit next to him.
'Did she tell you what's wrong?' Percy asked as his eyes were still trained on the girls. Annabeth was petting Thalia's hair, telling the girl it would be alright.
'No, she didn't talk to me.' Tyson titled his head like a curious puppy. 'She talks a lot to herself.'
Percy didn't ask Tyson to repeat the one way conversation; he already knew it would be pointless. Instead he waited for Annabeth to calm Thalia down. Percy hated to see the girl this way. It wasn't natural. Thalia had a strong character and she didn't let things get to her. She took it all in strives. It makes her tough. It makes her a leader. Instead here was a girl that seemed like her whole world was ripped apart. That was a bit frightening.
Annabeth kept her arm around Thalia as she led her to Percy's bed, throwing some of his yesterday clothing on the floor. She looked over at her concerned boyfriend, giving him a slight, shaky smile that Annabeth tried to cover up everything she felt. 'She could use a drink and maybe a wash cloth for her face.'
Both boys hurried up off the bed and started to go in the same direction to get bottled water. They stopped, looked at each and headed in the opposite direction to get a wet cloth.
'Stop.' Percy held up his hands. 'You get the bottled water and I'll get the washrag.'
'Okay.' Tyson agree and went for the water. 'Do you want peanut butter too?'
'No, Tyson.' Annabeth spoke for Thalia as the girl just sniffled against her. 'Just water.'
'Okay. Just water.' Tyson went to a small cooler where they stored the cabin's water.
Percy was already back with a squeezed out wash cloth. Thalia took it from him, giving him an appreciated smile before he sat back down on Tyson's bed.
Tyson opened the water for Thalia and gave it to her with a pat on the head, which she tried to avoid. 'It be okay, Thalia.'
'What's wrong, Thalia?' Annabeth spoke softly much like Percy's mother spoke when he had hurt himself in his younger years.
Meanwhile up in Olympus
Artemis stormed through Aphrodite's beautiful and stylish home. 'Where is he?'
Aphrodite looked around her parlor with wide eyes. She bit down on her lip nervously as she chewed on the question. It wasn't all that uncommon for an anger goddess to rush into her sanctuary looking for their male counterpart, but it was for Artemis to be one of the goddess.
If she was looking for her dear brother, Apollo he hadn't been to visit her home since yesterday. He just couldn't help but tell Aphrodite about his newest lyrics. Then of course Hephaestus showed up to chase Apollo away from his wife. But Hephaestus never stayed long. He thought her place was just too social for his taste. That was yesterday, or was it the day before. Time, it all rambled together when you're a goddess. However later, much later, Aries promised to stop in for a small romance.
'Sweetie, I'm not sure who you are looking for?' Aphrodite said with honesty.
Artemis put a hand on her narrow hip and narrowed her eyes testily at Aphrodite. 'Your son. Where is your son, Aphrodite?'
'Oh Cupie!' Aphrodite's whole face shined as she said her son's name. Her favorite son. Cupid was her little pet name for him as a baby and it stuck. Of course, Eros believed he had out grown the pet name and when he almost convinced his mother to give it up, the most embarrassing thing happened. Apollo, still upset about the whole tree ordeal, gave the mortals his baby paintings. Him in a diaper! It was horrifying! Apollo also 'accidentally' let it slip about his mother's pet name. Now everyone knew him as Cupid and everyone has seen him in his diaper – or much less. Everyone thinks that a little babe in diapers with such a lovey-dovey name could cause any harm.
But Aphrodite was a mother and just thinking about him made her warm and fuzzy and full of love and pride as any mother would be. 'Where do those days go? Why I remember when he was just a bit of fluff with wings and so innocent…'
'I don't care.' Artemis cut her off. 'That little imp was never innocent. He wasn't even conceived out of innocence. To be honest, I'm not sure how such a monster could even be spawned! Just tell me where to find him and I'll let you alone with your delusional memories of an angelic son.'
'Let me think where he said he was going.' Aphrodite tapped a well manicure nail against her lovely, flawless chin. She licked her sexual lips, batted her thick eye lashes and gave Artemis an exquisite smile. 'I thought you two didn't get along.'
'We don't.' Artemis frowned while tapping her foot against the marble flooring as she waited for an answer.
Aphrodite blinked at the answer, hoping for a bit more but it was clear that Artemis felt her feelings were summed up. 'Than why do you want to know where he is at?' Aphrodite slowly stood up from the luscious cloud filled sofa. Red flags flashed in her mind, warning her to proceed with caution.
'So I can kill him.' Artemis replied quite seriously.
'Whatever for?' Aphrodite asked, knowing full well from past experience that Cupid gave others to seek him out.
'What for?' Artemis snorted, which Aphrodite found to be very un-lady like. 'Your son is the most insufferable hellion that set foot in our creation. He finds wicket pleasure in playing with the hearts of so many mortal and immortal alike! I am going to give the whole world a favor and kill the bastard.'
'He's a god. He won't die.' Aphrodite reminded her. This wasn't the first time a god or goddesses threaten to send Eros down to Hades. Of course, he had already visited his uncle a few times and Persephone asked that on the next visit, he should leave his arrows behind. His aunt claimed that he was too much of a handful and the spirits were tortured enough without having love in their wake.
'Than I'll hurt him as painful as I can.' Artemis started to move towards the lovely goddess.
'What did he do this time?' Aphrodite winced. All the gods and most of the goddess have played a part of her son's mischievous deeds from time to time. Of course, Apollo always seemed to be Eros' main target. Maybe this had to deal with Artemis brother lusting after one of her hunters, again. 'Did he shoot Apollo again? Maybe with an oncoming train? He has been threating to do that. '
'He shot one of my Hunters.' Artemis growled. 'My Lieutenant as a matter of fact. And now I am going to hurt your little boy severely. I'm going to pluck every single feather out of his pretty little wings. Then I'm going to shoot him with as many poisoned arrows I can manage before I cut off his…'
'Oh.' Aphrodite quickly put a table between her and the Hunter. 'I'm sure it was an accident. You know how he gets when he's bored. I'm sure he didn't mean to hit her. Was he shooting blind folded again? I know I have asked him several times to keep his eyes open or he'll take out his eye but he really finds it much more amusing to use the blind fold.'
'Oh, I'm sure he didn't mean to hit her either.' Artemis pushed the table away. 'Especially since that brat was aiming his arrow at me! Now where can I find Eros?'
'Honestly, I don't know.' Aphrodite shrugged her fragile shoulders. 'Maybe his Father knows. It is hard to keep track of the boy.'
'Maybe that is part of his problem!' Artemis huffed out into the gods land in hunt for Aries.
And back at Percy's cabin…
'And the arrow was flying towards her so I stepped in front of it.' Thalia sniffed as she lifted her head up to look at her friends.
'Why would someone try to shoot Artemis?' Percy asked, confusing showing clearing in his eyes.
'Don't you understand?' Thalia stood up, looking at the five eyes that stared back at her. 'It's Eros arrow. He is the only god that would do such a thing.'
'Eros?' Percy searched his memory for the name.
'Commonly known as Cupid.' Annabeth nudge his brain in the right direction.
'That little baby with the diaper and wings?' Percy made wing movements with his hands. Tyson copied on seeing the effect it had on wall shadows.
'Yes and no.' Thalia sighed heavily in frustration. 'He's not a baby. Probably looks about our age considering most of the gods and goddess don't like to look older than twenty.'
'So…this is about the god of love?' Percy smirked and held up his hands as the girls glared at him. 'Sorry. I'm just seeing valentine's cards and little cupids with hearts making Thalia cry. '
'He's not a god to mess with.' Annabeth warned Percy with a heated stare before she looked around at the room as if there were spies. 'It was his arrow that started the Trojan War. He shot Helen of Troy and she sail off with Paris, leaving her true husband behind. He made soso in love with his own image that as soon as he saw his reflection in the water; he drowned as he tried to get a better look. No one is off limits. Not mortal and not an immortal soul.'
'Half of the kids at camp are probably because of his tantrum fit.' Thalia said a bit hotly as she started to feel furry instead of despair.
'Careful!' Annabeth warned her.
'What is he going to do? Shoot me again?' Thalia felt new tears flow down her cheeks. 'I cannot be with the Hunters if I fall in love with a boy!'
'Maybe it won't be a boy.' Tyson smiled and reached over to pat her head.
'Oh gods!' Thalia started to cry all over again. She put her head on her knees and let all her fears out in tears. The idea of being in love with a monster was horrifying. The very thing she hunted and to fall in love with it? Eros was twisted enough to just do that.
'Shhhh…' Annabeth whispered, petting her head again as she tried to calm her down.
'Wait. Wouldn't she be in love with someone now? I mean, Thalia.' Percy knelt down beside the girl, rubbing her shoulder gently and unsurely. 'Is there someone that you feel attractive too? That maybe you're thinking about right now?'
Thalia hiccupped once before pulling her head up. She thought for a moment. Focusing on someone other than herself and her current situation but nothing came to mind. 'No.' she whispered as she wiped at her eyes. 'I don't feel in love. What does it feel like? Wouldn't I know?'
'It's um…' Annabeth exchanged a smile and a glance with Percy. 'Hard to describe but you would defiantly know it.'
'So this means what?' Percy asked.
'He didn't shoot the other arrow.' Tyson replied with a quick, sharp pat on Thalia back. It caused her to lurch forward slightly.
'The other arrow?' Annabeth eyes grew wide with understanding. 'Of course! See Eros has two arrows and two targets.'
Percy shook his head, not understanding where she was going but his brother nodded his head.
'He has arrows of gold that will cause someone to fall in love. He has arrows of lead that will rebound that love. If two people are both hit with a golden arrow, than they love each other. If only one is hit with the golden and the other is hit with the lead, then one will love while the other will not return that love.' Annabeth explained.
'So maybe I was hit with lead!' Thalia stood up with hope.
'No, you said you saw it being gold.' Annabeth gave her a pity pat on the back.
Thalia's face fell and she flopped back onto Percy's bed.
'And she just started to feel better!' Percy grumbled.
'Spoil sport.' Tyson frowned at Annabeth.
'I am just being realistic about this.' Annabeth said rather defensively. 'Artemis is one of the goddess that Eros had not caught in his arrow yet. He has been chasing her for his whole existence. Artemis doesn't allow people to be in love, so Eros biggest delight would be making Artemis do just that.' Annabeth turned to Thalia. 'I honestly believe you were hit with a golden arrow. If you're not in love yet, it's because he hadn't used the other arrow.'
'Soo…' Percy grinned with excitement. 'If we get a hold of this twin arrow and maybe destroy it before he can use it…'
'The curse will be broken!' Thalia jumped up and clapped her hands together with delight.
'Love isn't a curse.' Annabeth said rather cautiously.
'But for me it is.' Thalia sighed. 'Annabeth, I knew what I was giving up. I was so hurt by Luke; I never wanted to experience that pain again. I gave up so much for this camp. For you. For Luke. Than to have it betrayed against me, I'll never forget that. I've moved on but that will always be with me. When I joined the Hunters, it was as if I belonged to a family again. I felt like I was one of them. I was one of them. Now if I fall in love, I'll be shunned from the Hunters. Artemis will turn me into a rabbit or something and the boy, the monster, whatever or whoever I fall in love with will be destroyed. Artemis will kill anyone that takes her Hunters from her. Whether it is by death or by love, they will fear her.'
The three were quiet for some time before Percy finally spoke up. 'How do we find him? How do you find the god of love?'
'Love is everywhere.' Annabeth shrugged. 'Maybe we can speak to the Aphrodite's cabin.'
'Gods no.' Thalia shook her head. 'Do you know how embarrassing that would be? The lieutenant of the Hunters getting hit by their big brother's arrow? It will bring shame to my sisters!'
'Okay. We won't ask them.' Percy stared out into the lake, hoping for an idea. 'Maybe one of those hook up places. You know, where single people go?'
'Eros loves parties.' Tyson agreed. Everyone turned to look at the Cyclopes.
'What do you mean?' Percy asked curiously.
'Eros visited Daddy sometimes. Our step-mommy doesn't like Eros visits but Daddy seems happy about them.' Tyson explained.
'I'm sure he does.' Percy smirked but Annabeth and Thalia stared stonily at him, which caused him to wipe the smile off.
'Daddy and Eros talked about a lot of parties. Pan and Dionysus would have forest parties with the nymphs and Eros would always be invited.' Tyson nodded his head very seriously. 'Eros said that he had to stop playing with the wood nymphs when he got married.'
'That's it!' Annabeth snapped her fingers. 'You are brilliant, Tyson!'
'I am?' Tyson grinned widely, very pleased and proud of himself.
'We throw a party?' Percy played with the idea a little bit. 'I'm willing to sacrifice sleep for a party if it would help Thalia.'
'That's not what I mean, Seaweed brain.' Annabeth scuffed him behind the head. 'We find Psychic. Eros' wife. Supposedly he adores her, right? If we locate her, than we probably will find Eros soon enough.'
'How do we find her? How is it any different than finding Eros?' Percy asked.
'Hephaestus.' Thalia smiled. 'He is the god that makes weapons for other gods. He must be the one that makes Eros arrows. He might have a shipment to be picked up. He might even be able to tell us if the twin arrow to the one that hit me is lead or if it is gold.'
'So how do we find him?' Percy asked looking at his brother for some hopeful information.
'Cyclopes makes weapons too!' Tyson clapped his big hands together. 'I know how to get to Hephaestus.' Tyson frowned suddenly with a look of disappointment. 'The way is under the sea. Girls cannot go.'
'There might be another way.' Annabeth clicked her tongue in thought. 'Do you think Nico would know going through Hades' territory?'
'Maybe but that just means it's another person on our Whom to Find list.' Percy sighed.
'Looking at it, he might be our easiest find.' Annabeth gave Thalia another sympathy look.
'Juniper!' Percy snapped his fingers together. 'Tyson had said that Eros likes the nymphs. Maybe she knows of something to help us.'
