"Dad! Dad!" I called. I was wandering around my father's palace. I was looking for the infirmary, wanting to see Annabeth more than anything. I heard my father call,
"Over here Percy!" and I ran towards the sound of his voice. I had only one thing in my mind: Annabeth. I needed to know if she was alright. I needed to hear her speak, and most importantly, I needed to tell her I loved her.
I ran into a brightly lit room filled with fluffy pillows and comfortable beds. Medical supplies lined the walls, with crates that had AMBROSIA stamped on the side. Barrels full of nectar sat under one of the beds. I turned to the closest bed to the door and saw my father standing over Annabeth.
"She'll be fine Percy, but you may want to get her a better weapon. Those skeletons are tricky, and a knife's not going to stop them," said Poseidon. I glanced toward Annabeth, and my heart skipped a beat at what I saw. Her entire torso was wrapped in gauze, and she had a black eye. My Annabeth, my beautiful Annabeth, was hurt, and it was all my fault.
BANG!
The huge double doors of Poseidon's palace slammed open as a seriously pissed-off looking Athena strode through them.
"WHERE IS HE!" Athena yelled as she walked up to a slightly all-to calm Poseidon.
"Now, come now Athena, we don't give my son an ultimatum. This wasn't his fault. It was Luke Castellan's," Poseidon reasoned, very diplomatically. I saw that it wasn't working. Athena was seething with fury, and I could tell she was going to blow.
"I'm here." I decided to face Athena. Although, I must say, this was a bit of a lose/lose situation. If I fought Athena and I won, Annabeth would hate me. If I didn't fight, Athena would blow me to bits. Oh joy, how I love adolescence. There was one battle left. Surely, I couldn't win against the goddess of wisdom, but Annabeth wouldn't hate me for trying.
"Come on Jackson, pick up your sword," challenged Athena. I drew my sword, and then I realized: she was testing my character.
"Dad, catch." I threw my sword to my Dad, and then turned to face Athena. "I won't fight you. She'd hate me for it," I said, pointing towards Annabeth.
"Very well then Percy Jackson. I have a riddle for you. I'll finally be convinced of your character if you answer it correctly. Are you ready?" I nodded. "Think carefully. What is everlasting, more divine than the gods, and harder than any enemy you will ever have to face?" Athena completed her riddle with a flourish of her hand, and a chair appeared. She carried it into the infirmary and sat next to the door. I sat down on the end of Annabeth's bed. I thought for about two seconds, then said,
"My love for Annabeth." I looked to my father, and he nodded. I turned toward Athena, and a grin spread across her face.
"Very well Percy. I shall not blast you to bits."
"Mother!" cried Annabeth. She just woke up, and she too, also looked incredibly pissed-off. I guess it runs in the blood. Ah well, she was mine. "Percy, help me up," she ordered. I took her left hand and wrapped the other around her waist. As she steadied herself Athena asked,
"Annabeth, dear, are you feeling alright?" From the murderous look on her face, I could tell she was feeling just peachy.
"WHAT WHERE YOU THINKING? DON'T JUST COME IN HERE THREATINIG PEOPLE? Did you ever consider that I might love him," Annabeth said, in a much smaller voice. I was shocked. She had just admitted to Athena that she loved me. Now I REALLY needed to tell her I love her back.
"Well dear, all those things you said about Luke…" Now Athena was really starting to piss ME off. Luke's evil! There's no ifs ands or buts about it!
"That was years ago mother! Way before he tried to blow our heads off!" For the first time, Poseidon spoke up.
"I think these two should be getting on their way. Chiron will be worried, and the magical boundaries need some serious help. Percy, take this." Poseidon tossed his son a medium sized bag stuffed full of golden drachmas. "Remember to stay in touch with your family son. Now go on. See you around." And at our fleeting backs he yelled, "Say hello to Mr. Blowfish for me!" With a smile he turned to Athena. "They grow up so fast don't they?"
"I'll say," replied Athena with a slightly disgruntled look on her face.