Title: The Quest for Love
Pairing: Annabeth and Percy
Summary: Percy and Annabeth are ready to take a step forward and embrace their destinies but will they be allowed to do so?
AN: This isn't really taking The Heroes of Olympus series into account, why? I haven't read Mark of Athena yet. It should be more less compliant I suppose, at least through MOA. Please no one point out inconsistencies with Heroes of Olympus, please? Thanks. Oh, and Annabeth is feeling a little out of character to me. I will try and correct that. I am not sure if there is ever a reference in the Percy Jackson books to half bloods marrying. I am also not sure if there is a reference in actual mythology to such an occurrence but if there is and mine doesn't track then I am sorry. Last but not least I do not have a beat and my spelling and grammar are...well...not great, so I apologize ahead of time if it is difficult to read. Thanks. Read and Review
Chapter 4: Thus it begins…
When they got back to camp Percy went straight to Chiron and told him about the meeting. Chiron, like Percy, was pleasantly surprised."This quest doesn't sound as difficult as some quests you have participated in," Chiron reminded them.
"I agree," Percy shrugged. "I am not too worried about it."
Annabeth crossed her arms and groaned, "What because this quest doesn't determine the fate of the world it's no big deal? This is the fate of our relationship!"
Percy laughed, "I know but I am not worried. All I have to do is find an apple that Aphrodite hid. I don't see this being a do or die kind of quest. I have saved the world. I am not worried."
"You have time to speak to Rachel before dinner," Chiron suggested. "Why don't you go and do that Percy?"
Percy nodded, "Sounds good."
Percy said goodbye to Annabeth and Chiron and went to find Rachel. She was in the little cave that Apollo designed for her. It was much nicer inside than outside. She was lying on her bed reading a book. "Rach!" Percy called as he looked inside.
Rachel glared at him but motioned him inside, "Just because I don't have an actual door doesn't mean I don't deserve privacy," Rachel informed him.
"Sorry," Percy said. "Can I sit?" he pointed to a purple bean bag chair next to the bed.
Rachel nodded, "Go ahead," she urged him. Once Percy was seated uncomfortably on the beanbag chair Rachel asked, "How can I help you?"
"Maybe I just came to visit on old friend?" Percy replied.
Rachel raised her eyebrows, "Did you?" she countered.
Percy shook his head, "No, not so much. Not this time."
Rachel chuckled, "Thought so." She put her chin in her hands; her red hair fell forward into her face, "What's up?"
Percy told her the whole story. Proposing to Annabeth, his meeting in Olympus and his quest. Rachel didn't seem shocked about Percy proposing to Annabeth. Percy felt a little weird talking to Rachel about this. She might be the Oracle of Delphi now but once upon a time she and Percy kind of dated. But that was a lifetime ago and honestly she didn't seem bothered by Percy and Annabeth taking the dive. Rachel opened her mouth to say something and then the air got cool. Rachel stiffened up, her eyes turned green and she her voice changed,
"The quest for love now begins
And we all know true love always wins
But be aware of who might take advantage of your distraction
A son of the sea god is a mighty attraction
Travel to the ancient land to find your loot
That is where the love goddess hid her ill gotten fruit."
Rachel collapsed on her bed. Percy rushed forward and leaned over her, "Rachel?" Percy asked worry in his voice.
Her eyes opened and she moaned."I hate that," she hissed. "Oh, my head." Rachel looked at Percy as though surprised to see him. "Did I say something? A prophecy?"
Percy nodded, "Can I get you something." He asked, still worried about her.
Rachel nodded to a tiny refrigerator, "Bottle water?" she asked.
Percy grabbed it for her. She took a few sips and a few deep breaths. "Was it about you and Annabeth?" Rachel asked.
Percy nodded, "I believe so," he laughed and repeated the prophecy for her.
Rachel squinted, "The ancient land?" she asked. "Greece?"
"I think so," Percy agreed. "I am not sure where though. Greece is big." He felt a little letdown. Not by Rachel, she couldn't help it. He thought he would have his location narrowed down.
"Go tell Annabeth," Rachel suggested. "Maybe she can give you some help? We do call her wise girl, after all."
"Am I allowed to ask her?" Percy wondered.
Rachel shrugged," I have no idea. But you need to do something." Rachel sighed, "I hate to be rude but I need to rest. Can I talk to you later?"
"Absolutely," Percy said. He stood and looked down at his friend with a smile, "Thanks Rach." He said.
"Anytime," Rachel said. "It is my job after all."
Percy left her to sleep and went to find Annabeth. Maybe she could help. All Athena said was Annabeth couldn't come with him not that she couldn't give advice.
"One more time?" Annabeth asked. She was sitting on the floor near her bed in the Athena cabin. Her arms were wrapped around her legs and she was squinting at a map of Ancient Greece.
Percy, leaning against the wall, rolled his eyes. He repeated the prophecy for what seemed like the 20th time. He was grateful to Annabeth for her help but this was getting redundant.
Annabeth exhaled and shook her head, "I…I am …" She groaned. "We need come up with something. You leave tomorrow. "
"There is a problem," Percy pointed out, "I have 7 days to find this thing and I have to go to Greece. I can't fly in a plane. I can't fly Blackjack all the way to Greece. How am I going to get there?"
Annabeth made a face and dropped back onto the floor. Percy caught sight of something on the floor under her maps. It looked like a glossy magazine and the last letter of the title was an E…maybe Bride. He had to stop himself from smiling. She didn't strike his as the Modern Bride magazine kind of girl. They heard a coughing behind them. Malcolm, Annabeth's brother was looking at them. Percy knew what he was thinking, Percy wasn't supposed to be in the Athena cabin especially alone with Annabeth.
"Malcolm!" Annabeth barked. "Come here. I need another set of ears and eyes."
Malcolm walked over and kneeled down next to Annabeth. She explained the quest. He looked over at Percy and then back at Annabeth, "You guys are engaged?" he asked.
"Not technically, not yet…that is the point. Percy has to succeed. I will be very hard to live with if he dies or fails…got it? So, I need help." Annabeth snapped.
Malcolm shrugged, "What did the prophecy say?"
Percy covered his face with his hands and groaned.
"Please cooperate?" Annabeth replied not looking at Percy.
Percy uncovered his face and repeated the prophecy.
Malcolm scrunched up his face almost the same way Annabeth did when she was thinking. He exhaled, "I don't know."
Percy was about to scream but then there was a break through.
"What is the item you are looking for?" Malcolm asked.
"Apple of Discord," Annabeth replied.
Malcolm shrugged, "Maybe the answer isn't really in the prophecy." Malcolm explained. "The prophecy gave us part of the answer…Ancient Land…maybe the rest of the answer will is in the quest itself."
"Yes!" Annabeth exclaimed slapping her forehead.
"I'm sorry," Percy said shaking his head, "I have to ask you two something…what are you talking about?'
"Sometimes you can't expect other so even the gods to give you answers sometimes you have to dissect the quest itself." Annabeth exclaimed. "Apple of Discord…Judgment of Paris…" Then Annabeth inhaled sharply, "Mount Ida?"
Malcolm nodded, "Possible." He agreed.
"Mount Ida?" Percy asked. "Crete?"
"Or Turkey, there are two mountains referred to by the name Mount Ida. The one associated with Paris is located in what is now known as Turkey," Malcolm explained and pointed to the map.
"I still don't see how I can get there, get the apple and be back in 7 days." Percy sighed. "I can't fly on a plane. That would be suicide."
"I may be able to help you with that," Malcolm said with a smile.
AN: I am real really not thrilled with this chapter. I have written and rewritten and ahhhhh! My brain hurts. I am not happy with the prophecy and everything. I have another chapter written. It may take a week for me to get it right. Sorry this is so slow moving.