Story written from Percy's POV unless otherwise stated. No changes in POV mid-chapter.

Hey guys!

First story I've written on here, and it's an ambitious Percabeth Adventure!

I've got a big plan for what I want to do with this story. It's going to be quite long too, so you'll be in for quite a ride.
Most of all, I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it.


THE ANCHOR OF LOVE

Prologue

The forest was noisiest at this time of day. Leaves rustled from their resting places on the forest floor, birds sang clear songs up on the treetops and a small stream gurgled loudly nearby. It was no wonder then that the young deer took no notice of the stealthy youth crouched in the bushes. His fair hair shimmered as it caught the light and he quickly ducked back into shadow, his hands reaching for the bow on his back. The deer stopped for a moment, finally aware of unseeing eyes, but it was too late, a burst of gold hit its flank and it fell heavily to the ground.

"I'm glad I won't have to send you to Artemis," a woman's voice rang out from nearby.

"Mother," the youth replied, a hint of embarrassment in his voice.

"It's taken you long enough. I've lost count of how many times I've had to defend you to the Olympian council when you've shot the wrong person!" the woman said sarcastically, stepping out from behind a tree.

She was breathtaking. Her every fiber seemed to emit an aura of intoxicating beauty, every curve perfect and her face was the most beautiful face you could ever imagine. She seemed to just light up every place she entered, her beauty dazzling the world. She was Aphrodite, goddess of love.

"I'll do it when he's asleep… just in case," Eros said as he emerged from his hiding place.

He was as handsome as a person could be: tall, with curly blond hair and defined features. A carefree air surrounded him that seemed to lighten the mood of the forest itself. He walked over to the fallen deer and quietly knelt beside it, placing one hand on its flank. The beast inhaled and exhaled contentedly, lost in sweet dreams.

"Are you sure you got the mixture right?" Aphrodite asked as she approached, her bare feet light on the ground. "The arrows won't work properly on animals."

"Yes," Eros replied. "It's just enough so the boy won't notice."

"I trust you," she said, but her tone indicated otherwise.

Eros took out his quiver of arrows: half of them made of an incredible gold colored substance and the other half made of a dark-grey, lead-like substance. He pulled out a golden arrow and held it out by the shaft.

Aphrodite eagerly took it from him, but was careful not to come into contact with the arrow head. She held it up to the light, turned it over in her hands and finally held it up to her nose. She returned it to Eros a few seconds later, a stunning smile on her face.

"I haven't tried something like this for centuries. This is going to be so much fun!" she cooed delightfully. "There's one last thing I need to prepare and Hephaestus should have it ready by now. I'll let you know when to proceed." With that, Aphrodite shimmered on the spot, disappearing in a burst of white light.

Chapter One

Talk of Stars

It's been two years since the Battle of Manhattan. I saved the world, was offered immortality and became the next Achilles, but that's all water under the bridge. Camp Half-Blood loomed in the distance, and I eagerly raced up the hill.

Thalia's pine stood healthily over the entrance to camp, with the Golden Fleece hanging loosely from its branches. Peleus, the dragon guard, watched me lazily as I made my way into camp. It was a fine day with wispy white clouds hovering in the sky, and the sun shining brightly. The gods were most obliging with the weather in recent months, and Camp Half-Blood didn't need its magical weather defying properties often.

Wood nymphs sang peaceful songs, and flowers blossomed everywhere I looked. The beautiful state of nature at Camp made me think of my best friend Grover. As a member of the Council of Cloven Elders, he had many things to do, and I hadn't seen him much. I hoped he would have some time off to come and visit.

As I approached the main cabins, a delicious aroma wafted across the Camp. A warm fire was blazing in the middle of the dining area, and campers were eating their lunch.

There were over a hundred campers this year, a huge increase from the thirty or so that remained after the Battle of Manhattan. The gods were true to their word. Two years ago, I asked of them a small favor – to claim all their half blood children by the age of thirteen, and to include all the minor gods. The twelve cabin U shape that had been in place for centuries, had expanded to a rectangular plot with additional cabins dedicated to Hecate, Morpheus, Nemesis and other minor gods.

I was interrupted from my thoughts by a loud "Percy!" Annabeth rushed over and gave me a huge hug.

She pulled away quite quickly though, wary of causing a scene. Her hair smelled like fresh strawberries and she wore a friendly smile. As I sat down at my own table, I felt dozens of eyes on me, and heard whispers behind my back. I had never gotten used to the feeling that I was a famous hero.

I was just Percy Jackson.

As I began to stock my plate with food, Chiron, the legendary centaur teacher, cantered over.

"How've you been Percy?" Chiron asked.

"School's OK and I haven't had too many monsters after me," I replied.

"Blue Cherry Coke," I said to an empty glass. It instantly filled up with blue soda and I took a cautious sip.

Chiron looked me over with his kind and wise eyes.

"Things haven't been this peaceful in a thousand years. I quite like it, but you never can be too careful. Evil is always threatening to rise."

I walked slowly with him towards the fire where I made an offering to my father, Poseidon.

"It's good to have you back, Percy." Chiron said as he trotted off to another table.

After lunch, I headed back to the Poseidon cabin. I didn't get any new brothers and sisters contrary to what my father told me. He did say that my mother was the most extraordinary woman he'd met this millennia, although I would have enjoyed some company from time to time.

I thought of my half-brother Tyson. He had forged a new watch-shield for me last year. I lost the most recent one to Kampê in Daedalus' Labyrinth. I gazed at it fondly, the gleaming bronze a reminder of our lasting friendship.

I met Annabeth outside for sword training in the afternoon. I hadn't seen her for the past six months because she was in San Francisco, staying with her father and step-mother. As we traded blows, I tried very hard not to get distracted, but it was extremely difficult.

Annabeth had become even more beautiful over the last two years. She had grown out her curly blond hair, and her athletic figure was enhanced by a natural tan. Her eyes, deep gray and thoughtful, studied me like she would a book.

"Dead again" she said, but it was followed up by a playful smile.

Riptide hadn't seen much use in the last year, and I was rusty. Annabeth, of course, hadn't neglected her swordsmanship. She always had a plan in case things went wrong.

Swordplay was tiring, especially since I was a bit out of shape, so I had to take a nap in the afternoon. As I curled up on my lonely bed in Cabin Three, I was back at the River Styx again. For many nights since the end of the war, I dreamt of this moment.

Annabeth's voice echoed above the surface of the water, "Hold on, Seaweed Brain. You're not getting away from me that easily."

Her orange Camp Half-Blood T-Shirt and Yankees Cap were blurry from the water's refraction, and I felt a tugging sensation from the small of my back. Nobody knew about my mortal spot except Annabeth. Every time I had that dream, I woke up thinking how my entire mortal being was seemingly anchored to her. I realized how much I cared for her, and that losing her would probably claim my life too.

That night after we had dinner and told stories by the campfire, I made my way over to the Athena table. I took Annabeth's hand and led her away. She seemed a little bit surprised, but came along with me to the Canoe Lake.

The moon shone brightly, illuminating the water's surface as we walked down to the beach.

"What is it, Seaweed Brain?" Annabeth teased, her eyes flashing the same shade as the glow of the moon.

"I … er… wanted to… um…" why did this always happen when situations like this came up!

"Go fishing?" she asked with a mischievous grin.

"Well er … no… it's just that… well… I missed you."

Annabeth came closer, "I missed you too."

Our lips met and I felt a warm tingling sensation flood over my body. I shivered with pleasure, I didn't want it to end, but Annabeth recoiled.

"Are you OK?" her eyes were full of concern, and then I realized there were tears streaming down my face.

I muttered an inaudible "Fine," as she hugged me tightly.

I linked hands with her and we set off along the beach. The water rose and fell gently around our feet. The smooth sand caught between my toes and calmed me. I glanced over at Annabeth and she gave me a reassuring smile.

We walked until we reached our favorite spot - a large slab of rock overlooking the Canoe Lake, with the forest to our left, and the Camp behind us. I lay down on the rock, tired for some unknown reason. Annabeth took up the cue and lay beside me.

"The Huntress – I can see her. Zoe." Annabeth continued, "I want to be a constellation someday - immovable, permanent, something lasting."

I felt like I should have said something more, but I could only mutter an uncomfortable, "Yeah."

She slid her right hand over and touched my cheek. "You're not Heracles, Percy. You're braver, a better person." It always startled me how Annabeth could tell what I was thinking.

Zoe Nightshade was a friend of ours who was killed by her own father Atlas, near Mount Othrys. She was an immortal huntress for Artemis, and before that, fell in love with Heracles. She gave my sword, Anaklusmos to him as a gift, and told him how to get a Golden Apple from the Garden of the Hesperides.

Heracles never repaid her, and took all the credit for his success. It broke her heart, and she was banished by her sisters. I couldn't help but feel a little too much like Heracles. I was so happy after the war; I never stopped to think about what really happened, and what I really cared about.

Looking back, I was responsible for so many deaths. Bianca DiAngelo, who I promised to protect; Charles Beckendorf, who died on a mission we went on together; and all the other half bloods who had died defending Manhattan.

"Percy…" Annabeth whispered softly.

I felt my heart do a quick flip. I squeezed her hand a bit tighter and shut my eyes. The spoils of war, a hero's recognition, even the blessing of the gods couldn't compare to having mom, Grover, Tyson, all my other friends, and Annabeth still with me.

I fought the war for them, and they fought it for me. It wasn't a victory without them here by my side.

I opened my eyes, and a special set of stars drew my attention. The stars aligned themselves in the shape of a man. Maybe it was just my imagination, but I felt the gods purposely wanted me to see this.

"Annabeth, what's that constellation there? The one with two stars aligned and two apart?"

I was hopeless with Greek names, and my knowledge of constellations was even worse.

She let out a small giggle. "That's Perseus, Seaweed Brain." I looked at her suspiciously, checking to see if she was teasing me.

"The other Perseus, dimwit! You see, he's holding Medusa's head, and that's his sword."

Annabeth continued, "Perseus had to kill Medusa too. Only then, it was kill her or die. He was a brave hero, and my mother pitied him. She gave him a special reflective shield that helped him look at her. Lord Hermes also helped by giving him a new blade, and winged sandals like … well… like the pair Luke gave us."

An awkward silence followed. Neither of us talked about Luke very much since that day up on Olympus. Deep down, I harbored doubts that Annabeth only viewed Luke as a brother. That one summer we spent with him at Camp, I remember her constantly blushing in his presence, and letting him capture the flag.

Maybe she didn't want to admit it when I was there. Maybe she only loved me because Luke was gone.

Annabeth and I were together for two years, starting the day Kronos was defeated. I loved her so much, but the last couple of months we didn't really talk much. She was so busy with her plans to rebuild Olympus, plans which I couldn't help her with.

"Annabeth, I hope… well… I hope you're happy." I choked.

She rolled on top of me and put her face right up against mine.

"I love you, Percy Jackson." She kissed me full on the lips, and my doubts disappeared as I kissed her back passionately.

We stayed on the rock well past midnight, lapping up the pleasant sounds of the forest, and the crash of waves on the shore. I knew love could be complicated, but I wasn't expecting what happened next.


Quick note/Mythology lesson:

In Percy Jackson and the Olympians, the Greek hero Heracles is incorrectly named Hercules. This is one of my biggest gripes with the PJO series and many other works based on Greek Mythology. Hercules is the Roman name of Heracles, and since the series uses Greek names, they should really call him by his Greek name - Heracles. I'm sorry if it caused some confusion to people who have already read the story. The thing is, there's a cute little story to explain why he's called Heracles.

He was originally named Alcides but once they realized Hera hated him, they renamed him HERAcles to try and appease her. His name means "Glory of Hera." It didn't work of course, but that's the story, and my reasoning for why he should be called Heracles rather than Hercules. The Roman name of Hera is Juno by the way so I have no idea why Hercules is named the way he is by the Romans.

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