Annabeth Chase sat at the Athena table in the dining pavilion at Camp Half-Blood with her chin propped up on her hands. It had been over a week since Percy had left for his latest quest. She couldn't eat a thing; she just sat there gazing off into space until Malcolm, her half brother, nudged her. "I know you're upset about Percy leaving," he said gently, "But you've got to eat something."
"You don't understand, I don't even know if... I just don't want to talk about it, okay?" said Annabeth. "I know you're trying to help, but I just want to be alone!" Annabeth got up and ran to the forest. It was nice to just get away from everyone once in a while. She sat down on a rock and rubbed her temples. She tried not to think about Percy not making it back to camp. She shuddered just thinking of it. A tear fell softly from her cheek and she began to sing.
"I say remember this moment in the back of my mind,
The time we stood with our shaking hands, the crowds in stands went wild.
We were the kings and the queens, and they read off our names
The night you danced like you knew our lives would never be the same."
Annabeth kicked at a stone and looked up. "Gods protect him," she said softly. Then she continued to sing.
"You held your head like a hero on a history book page
It was the end of a decade, but the start of an age.
Long live the walls we crashed through,
All the kingdom lights shined just for me and you,
And I was screaming, long live all the magic we made
And bring on all the pretenders, one day
We will be remembered."
Annabeth put her face in her hands and sobbed for several moments. Finally, she was able to stop sobbing and continued.
"I said remember this feeling, I passed the pictures around,
Of all the years that we stood there on the sidelines wishing for right now.
We are the kings and the queens, You traded your baseball cap for a crown.
When they gave us our trophies, and we held them up for our town.
And the cynics were outraged, screaming, 'This is absurd!'
'Cause for a moment, a band of thieves in ripped-up jeans got to rule the world!"
Annabeth got up and walked along a grove of trees. She finally continued,
"Long live the walls we crashed through,
All the kingdom lights shined just for me and you,
And I was screamin' long live all the magic we made,
And bring on all the pretenders, I'm not afraid!
Long live all the mountains we moved,
I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you,
And long live the look on your face, and bring on all the pretenders!
One day, we will be remembered."
Those words described her relationship with Percy more than any other words could.
Suddenly she heard the snap of a twig. She quickly drew her bronze knife and slowly walked toward the sound. As she raised the weapon, Percy emerged from the thick tangle of trees and fell over when Annabeth tackled him.
"Don't you ever go away for that long again, Seaweed Brain!" she said, laughing.
He smirked. "You know, I couldn't help but overhear your singing, and I have to say that you have a beautiful voice."
Annabeth blushed and hugged him again. As she drew back, he grabbed her arm and kissed her. She blushed even more (if that was possible).
"We'd better get back to the others. Come on, Seaweed Brain," said Annabeth, and she playfully punched Percy's arm.
That night at the campfire, Annabeth scraped a portion of food off of her plate into the fire and whispered, "Thank you, gods, for protecting Percy."