Brand new story. This is the sequel to my completed story, Sound Lovely make sure to read that before you checks this out. Thanks for reading and please review!

Bad News

Atlantis had truly become Annabeth's home in the per year. She was quick to learn the maze of corridors that wound through the massive palace. She had favorite places before her friends could even figure out where their rooms were. She kept some of these places secret so that she could be alone with her thoughts when needed.

She definitely needed it that morning. She left her room early, as the sun was rising over the horizon. The girl navigated her way through the corridors and eventually found the place she was looking for. It was a book in the wall with a window that overlooked the ocean. It was Annabeth's favorite place to think by herself.

She had just sat down when she heard her name being called from down the hall.

"Princess Annabeth?"

The blonde cursed to herself. They must have seen her sneak away. She stood and walked towards the voice. She finally found the man who had called her.

"You were looking for me?" She asked.

The messenger, a short man whose name she failed to remember, nodded.

"Yes. A man arrived from Francisco today. He says he has a message for you."

That peaked her interest. It had almost been a year since they had heard anything from Francisco. Why would someone be sending her a message? Was it Terminus? A rebel? Was her father trying to execute prisoners again?

"Bring me to him."

The man bowed his head and gestured for her to follow him.

They made their way to the main entrance of the palace. There, Annabeth was surprised to find Poseidon and Percy waiting as well. Both father and son looked stricken as she approached. She didn't have time to think about it as she saw the man from Francisco standing before them.

"Chiron!?" It was her stable boy in Francisco. She ran up to him, in a very un-Princess like manner, and threw her arms around him.

"It's great to see you, too, Annabeth." But he didn't sound too happy. The Princess pulled away.

"What's wrong, Chiron? What's your message for me?" She asked, a little fearful of what he had to say.

"I don't know how to put this, Annabeth. Your mother has recently passed away. Your father wishes that you attend the funeral in a few days."

It felt like the whole world was crashing down on her.

Her mother...dead?

Percy was the one to catch her before she hit the floor. Her entire body gave up on her as the news sank in.

"I've got to go."

Poseidon and Percy exchanged a look.

"Annabeth, it seems dangerous."

"She's my mother." Her grey eyes sharpened. "I'm not going to miss my last goodbye."

The King and the Prince were silent for a moment.

"At least let me come with you," Percy said gently as he took her hand.

"No. I need to do this alone." Annabeth attempted a smile, but failed miserably as her lips turned into a grimace. She pulled her hand from his slowly and turned away. "I'll go pack." She left the room without another word.

Percy looked to his father. "She needs to go with someone and she needs to be inconspicuous. I can't keep the reports away from her any longer, Father." The King looked down at the Prince.

"Tell her if you must. You know it will just make her even more unhappy."

"If you're not going to war with Frederick over the action out in the outer kingdom, she'll be furious."

Poseidon sighed. "Not every answer is war. We need to be thinking rationally. Winter is approaching very soon, surely you've felt the colder wind from the bay. Now is not time for war."

Percy nodded. "I'm sending Chiron back with her. She may be a Princess, but that doesn't mean she has the best judgement with upset." He followed the path Annabeth had taken back to her room.

Once he found it, he was surprised to see her nearly packed and already in traveling clothes, most of which were fine aside from the rich clock she wore over her plain blue dress.

"You can't wear that. People will recognize you." Annabeth looked up at him and nodded slowly.

" You're right. It's too dangerous," She said, sliding the cloak off her shoulders.

"Do you really need to go? We can have our own memorial service here. I can protect you here." Percy took her hand, the one that she wore her engagement ring on. It's beautiful blue colors always reminded Annabeth or Percy, but she would have to take it off for the journey.

The Prince's face darkened as she slid the ring off her finger and tucked it in his hand.

"Keep it safe until I get back. You won't even know I'm gone." She planted a soft kiss on ha cheek. "When I return, we're starting to plan our wedding, remember? I'm looking forward to that like you would not believe." Her smile was sad.

She would have wanted her mother to see her get married. It would have meant the world to her if Athena watched Malcolm walk her down the aisle. They could have laughed about the rivalry she and Poseidon used to have. They could be a true family if they forgot about the psycho dad in the next kingdom

Instead, Annabeth hoped to the Gods that she was happy and watching her.

Four Years Before

"Where's my son?" Athena's cry could be heard over the chaos of the ball. Her voice was filled with so much pain that even the coldest hearts would wrench at the sound of it. The Queen was on her knees in the broken glass of the window, sobbing as Frederick stood over her, a murderoh shook in his eye.

"It was those damned musicians, Athena." He muttered to her before calling for the guards to hurry and find their son.

Annabwth watched her mother from across the room, her own pain causing tears to flow down her cheeks.

"Annabeth, are you there?" Athena finally called after the guards let the guests starts to leave. "Where my daughter?!" The Queen was being hysterical.

"I'm here, Mother!" The Princess relied, running into Athena's open arms. Frederick stared to one side, watching family cry. It was then that Annabeth realized that they hadn't just lost the Prince that night, but the King as well. Annabeth would have been her own family.