Authors Note: Hi there, thank you so much for reading and giving my your feedback, it's much appreciated.
Another thanks to my brother for help putting together a soundtrack from each of my fics (located at the bottom of my profile – under the stories title.)
Hope you enjoy the chapter, and thanks again for reading.
[Roman Demigod Camp]
-Annabeth's Point of View-
Aidan lead me though the woods to a small pavilion with a gazebo made of beautiful white marble – even with my heart breaking I couldn't help but admire the beautiful construction, purely Roman in design. Taking my hand I let him lead me to a bench – helping me sit down he went over to the far wall where a small fountain was running. Taking two glassed from a pillar beside the fountain he filled with water, and then coming back to me he gave me one glass and sat down next to me with the other.
I eyed the water dubiously.
"Don't worry, it's simply water." He took a sip and I did as well, it was cool, crisp, and the moment that it touched my tongue it made me feel better. I'm not stupid, this is water but there was something else added to it – diplomatically I kept my mouth shut.
"Annabeth I need to apologize for what happened back there, I was informed of your impending arrival and my intention was to head you off before you saw Percy, but I got held up unfortunately, and for that I am sorry." He apologized, sounding genuine.
"Who told you I was coming?" I asked, he gave me a slight smirk that made him suddenly look mischievous.
"I fear we don't know each other well enough for me to cite my source." He replied smoothly.
'Fair enough.' I thought.
It was at that moment that it occurred to be –later than I think it should have I'm afraid – that I was talking to Percy's brother, the moment I let this sink into my brain I felt myself suddenly mentally pulling back and revaluating Aidan.
He had the same black hair as Percy, his eye color was a shocking cerulean blue that played against the darkness of his hair – while Percy's were a sea green in color – beautiful but not as contrasting as Aidan's. Aidan was as attractive as Percy, but a little bit taller – and stockier than Percy.
'When I look at Percy I see a Greek hero, when I look at his brother…I see a gladiator.' I thought absently.
"Why did you want to stop me before I got to him?" I questioned, looking a bit uncomfortable he ran a hand across his face.
"I figured out early on what Hera had done, and have been looking for my baby brother ever since." He explained, then continuing. "He isn't doing so well in the 'remembering his past' department of the situation."
"Yeah, I picked up on that." I replied.
Aidan looked at me then, our eyes meeting and the intensity that he held my gaze made me feel slightly uncomfortable.
"I have a proposition for you, Daughter of Athena." His tone was very tactful. I slightly inclined my head signaling him to continue.
"I was wondering if you would stay at camp for a while – as my guest, I think maybe your presence here may help Percy remember his past." His voice sounded confident but is body language told me he was nervous about asking.
My own personal inner world seemed to stop spinning for a moment. What Aidan was suggesting was huge – I didn't need to be told by anyone else to see that. Hera had been forced to do a hero exchange with the camp possibly to help us discover the existence of the other (it's hard to tell sometimes what the gods purpose or ultimate goal was.)
Even what Hera did was put simply – a trick, this would be intentional, fear again crept into my brain and spine.
I hadn't realized that I had completely zoned out until Aidan had taken my hand in his, he was looking at my face as if he was trying to read what I was thinking. Aidan shifted when he noticed the fear in my expression, he moved to where he was kneeling before me.
"Annabeth, I swear on my honor and life that while you are here that no harm will come to you – you will be under my protection and care the entire time." He pleaded
This was a bad idea, one of the worst that I have ever agreed to, but thinking of Percy what other choice did I really have?
"Where will I be staying?" I asked, my question giving my answer, letting out a sigh of relief Aidan replied.
"You will be sharing my pavilion."
[Roman Demigod Camp - Evening]
I had learned something new and interesting, in the Greek camps we had different houses for each god, but the Romans had nothing like that – they were still cornered off in sections based on the god but there buildings were basically elaborately constructed tents. When I made my way to the Neptune section I saw two tents. One of them was white and simple, medium sized, and next to it was a large one- more decorated with blues and greens.
Walking up to the tent he pulled the soft fabric aside motioning me in. I gasped when I saw the interior, the outside may have been simple looking, but inside Aidan's tent was amazing. It was beautifully furnished, and warm – the air smelling faintly of sea water.
"Is Percy staying here with you?" I asked suddenly, he was taking off his armor and setting it by the door, he gave me a sidelong look.
"Percy's tent is beside mine." He explained, I found it odd that the Roman demigods were secluded – but I knew better than to say anything.
"Come, I'll take you to where you will be staying." I followed him to a side extension of the tent, I gasped slightly when I saw the beautiful room, It had a large bed, desk, work table – and the room came complete with a small water fountain in the center.
That is when I walked forward and saw the dress on the bed. [There is a link to what this dress looks like located in my profile at the bottom under this stories section if you're interested]
Aidan spoke before I could say anything. "I know it's not really your thing as far as I can tell, but I am going to be presenting you to the other campers and it's…tradition for you to be in proper attire." He added.
'Proper attire my ass…oh well when in Rome.' I thought – stifling a giggle.
After I got dressed I still had an hour before the meal, deciding that I needed to take a walk to get some air I left the tent….something I would come to regret.
I was walking down a pathway when someone stepped in my way, looking up started I saw a beautiful girl standing in front of me, she was beautiful enough to put some of Aphrodite's daughters to shame.
The girl inclined her head. "I'm Harper, daughter of Venus." She introduced, Aidan had told me to expect this kind of greeting and that I should introduce myself right back.
"I'm.." I started to say, Harper put her hand up.
"I know who you are and I think you would be well advised to turn around and walk right back out of the camp." She seethed eyes like ice.
No matter how menacing she seemed I was a daughter of Athena, and I didn't scare easy. "Oh and why is that?" I asked with just as much malice in my voice. Harper face took on a very evil grin.
"Why don't you ask Aidan…or… even Percy, about what happened between Percy and I down at the mirror pool last weekend…" She suggested cryptically – sauntering past me and disappearing into the dark.
I really didn't like the sound of that, without hesitating I turned and practically ran back to Aidan's tent. Bursting in he turned around startled.
"Annabeth what is it?" He asked coming forward, I stopped him with my hand him when he was a foot away – my breath had gotten back to normal.
"Aidan…what happened between Percy and Harper?" I asked, I had a feeling from the way that she said it I wouldn't need to explain the situation.
The moment I asked color drained from his face. I suddenly got a really strong really unsettling feeling that what I was about to find out would change things.
To Be Continued….