Pride

The hearth burned with flickering flames. Hestia was watching as Rachel held Pandora's jar. The Fates had guided the child to it. To her true destiny. She shivered. The Titans were drawing closer. She focused on the trio walking in. Yes, Perseus Jackson, Annabeth Chase, and Grover Underwood. They were some of her favorites. Especially Perseus Jackson. He would make the right choice. She was sure of it. She watched as Perseus came forward. Rachel was examining the vase. Careful, child, She thought. I know it is your nature, to look at it. To see what would happen if Hope was let go. But that cannot happen now. Not now.

"Come on, there's someone I want you to meet."

She smiled as Percy led the clear-sighted mortal to her. Making the right choices, Perseus.

They sat next to her.

"Lady Hestia."

Always respectful. Always loyal.

"Hello, Percy Jackson," she murmured. "Getting colder. Harder to keep the fire going."

It was getting colder. The Titans' presence as well as her own weakening will and rising fear made it so much more harder to keep the fire going. A warm feeling glowed, though, looking at Percy Jackson. She did not know what it was.

"I know." he replied. "The Titans are near."

She looked at Rachel. Her clear sight was a gift and a curse. But the Fates had decreed her fate, and so her fate be it.

"Hello, my dear. You've come to my hearth at last."

"You've been expecting me?"

Child, she wanted to say, I have. I am here to help you, to guide you.

Instead, she opened her arms, and noticed Hope glowed a bit brighter.


He picks up the jar in his hands. His face floods with understanding. He is making his choice. Hope flutters. He holds it out to her. Another step closer to the right choice, the last choice that will end the war. The warm feeling nips at her belly again.

"Hestia," he said. "I give this to you as an offering."

"I am the least of the gods. Why would you trust me with this?"

"You're the last Olympian. And the most important."

"And why is that, Percy Jackson?"

"Because Hope survives best at the hearth." Pleasure flows through her. "Guard it for me, and I won't be tempted to give up again."


She appeared at the campfire of Camp Half-Blood. The war was done. Over.

Percy looked at her. A warm feeling, starting at the bottom of her feet, coursed through her veins.

She winked. You did make the right choice after all. You balanced it.


She recognizes the feeling now. It's pride.