A/N: I've got a problem…I have tons of ideas for what can happen later on in the plotline, but I have no idea how to get there…especially right now when Annabeth is still in Greece. I have half a mind just to skip straight to when she got to Olympus and just summarize the journey there…but that'll confuse and irritate all of you…:P And I can't seem to make this chapter go the way I want it to…
Oh, well…anyways, while I'm probably one of the slowest updaters out there, I give you this chapter as a Chinese New Year's gift (even though I don't celebrate it)! Enjoy~
Funny fact: I just read The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare (awesome author, I recommend her books to all of you who haven't read it), and, believe it or not, it was my first time seeing the word "suspect" used as an adjective. It's just that I've only seen it used as nouns or verbs before XD
Disclaimer: Do not own PJO/HOO characters; they belong to the incredible imagination of Rick Riordan
Chapter IV.
Annabeth was in a daze. Wandering aimlessly out of the study after Aphrodite had gotten her satisfying answer, Annabeth had drifted towards the stables, which she hadn't entered since her father's death. Surprisingly, no one followed her, not even the squadron of guards that always seemed to trail behind her, not even Drew.
Before she realized, she was standing in front of Pegasus' stall, and he was nuzzling her hand, asking for treats. She patted Pegasus neck, and wordlessly retrieved the saddle and bridle, tacking her horse up. The stable boy was nowhere in sight, but Annabeth had known how to do it since Pegasus was old enough to be ridden; she didn't need someone else to saddle her own horse. She led Pegasus out of the stables into the sunshine. Standing under the sun's warmth, she breathed in. The birds chirped brightly, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. It was almost as if the gods up above were mocking her. Oh, you are forced to marry a random prince? Too bad, we do not care! In fact, look, we are having such a nice, sunny day!
"To hell* with you all…" Annabeth said under her breath. She jumped on her horse, and galloped off at top speed, ignoring the frantic shouts of the guards in front of the stables, ignoring everything instead the one thought, I have to get away.
·:·:·:·:·:·
Without meaning to, Annabeth arrived at the lake. The medium-sized inland lake was technically part of the palace grounds, so Annabeth was glad she didn't have to force her way through heavily guarded gateways.
She slipped off Pegasus back, then took ahold of the reins and led Pegasus forward towards the lake. She stopped just above the waterline, watching the waves surge up, only to fall back, back to the lake. What was their purpose, then? Why fight to conquer, when they were destined to fall?
Annabeth took another step forward, then another, until she was standing waist-deep in the water. Her shoes and her white dress were soaked.
What would happen if I just keep walking? What if I walked until my head's under water, until everything fades to black? It would be so easy, just a few more steps.
She took another step forward. Pegasus threw his head up, splashing water on her head. The cold liquid cleared her thoughts.
"No," Annabeth declared, glaring at the sky as if it was her greatest enemy. In some ways, it was. "I am Annabeth Gramarye Pallas-Minerva, daughter of King Tristan, the Crown – no, Princess of Greece. I do not back away. I do not escape. I do not take the easy way out. I take the obstacle in my way and I defeat it."
Pegasus whinnied, and a surprising answering whinny came from behind Annabeth.
"Annabeth?"
There was another person there? She turned around, startled, almost loosing her balance in the water. Her damp blond curls whipped her in the face, but she ignored it.
Piper sat there beneath a willow tree just above the waterline, staring at Annabeth with confusion. Her mare, a pretty chestnut by the name of Tiber – a boyish name that Piper picked out on purpose – stood beside Piper, tied to the tree. A guard who clearly hadn't been doing his duty swiveled around, surprised that someone else was there. He bowed when he recognized Annabeth.
Annabeth waded over to Piper, still leading Pegasus, feeling immensely ashamed for the suicidal thoughts earlier.
"What are you doing here?" Piper had stood up, and was reaching out a hand for Annabeth. Piper had spent the last few days crying over the king's death, and had probably run dry of tears by now, but her eyes were still slightly puffy. Annabeth's eyes fixed on Piper's hair. Instead of her usual silky mane of dark hair that Annabeth had been jealous of for many years, it was now cut into a choppy mess, with little braids here and there. Aphrodite must had freaked out. Annabeth didn't know what inspired the change, but didn't comment on Piper's hair. Usually, Piper would've been pelted by questions already, as Annabeth loved knowledge of all kind (except for rumors and gossip, which Annabeth never cared for), but it was not a usual week, and Annabeth was not her usual self.
"I…" Annabeth trailed off. Guilt filled her again as she saw the sadness in Piper's eyes. She lowered her eyes and, grabbing Piper's hand, clambered on shore. Pegasus jumped ashore after her and immediately commenced flirting with Tiber.
Piper gazed at her steadily as she threw her cloak over the shivering Annabeth. "You…what…?"
Instead of answering, Annabeth took to wringing the water out of her skirt. But Piper was persistent. Too bad. Annabeth was more stubborn than Piper could ever be. She would never give in to that determined face…
"I killed father, did I not?" So much for never giving in. But Annabeth needed someone to talk to. She'd been keeping to herself for too long, and the guilt is bursting inside her.
Piper's eyes widened. "Why do you think…?"
Annabeth laughed dryly. "I did. I forced him to come on that ride. He could have been safe inside the palace. I am directly responsible."
Piper shook her head, eyes still wide open. "It is not –"
"Oh, it is. You just simply not want to admit it. You do not have to worry; I will be sufficiently punished. I'm going into exile soon, traveling to that Olympus country to marry their moronic Crown Prince."
"But it is not…" Piper paused as the full force of the news hit her. "What!?" Piper's eyes quickly filled with tears, making the kaleidoscope colors swarm around like watercolor paint. Piper grabbed her shoulders. "How could you!?"
Well, maybe she still had an ample supply of tears left. But Annabeth also had an ample supply of suppressed anger. The daze was gone, and Annabeth could only feel fury.
"Do you think I want this? It is not like I chose this! I was supposed to have a nice sixteenth birthday, and take over this country one day, and rule as queen! Instead, my father dies, and my own mother forces me into a blind marriage to a man I have never met. My little brother gets the throne, and I'm degraded to a disposable princess. Oh yes, I had a few wonderful birthday presents!" She remembered the public addressing she was supposed to do on her birthday. She had stayed inside, too shaken up to say anything, and let the queen handle everything. Aphrodite probably told the people that day that the crown was going to be placed on Aeneas's head instead of Annabeth's. She briefly wondered what the people's reaction had been like before continuing on her tirade. "She has probably been planning this ever since I was born. I was never good enough. You two are a year my junior, but she has always favored you and Aeneas over me. You two have always been her favorites. Oh, the 'blessed twins'! Ha! More like the 'useless twins'! What is so special about you two? Nothing." Bitter words were flowing out of Annabeth's mouth. She knew she was hurting Piper, but at that moment, she just needed someone to take her anger out on.
Piper bit her lip. She looked like Tiber just kicked her.
Annabeth lowered her eyes and stared at the ants on the ground. She was tempted to crush one under her fingers, just to prove that she still had control over something. But Annabeth wasn't like that, so she just took deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. "Sorry, Piper," she muttered. "I did not mean what I just said."
Piper ran a hand through her hair. "'S alright." Piper smiled waveringly. "Calm down, Annabeth." A short laugh. "And I thought you are supposed to be the level-headed one out of the three of us."
Annabeth looked up. She was asking her to be calm when she wanted nothing other than hack a dummy into pieces (though her mother would never allow it)? "Calm down? How am I supposed to…"
But for some inexplicable reason, Annabeth felt her anger, which had been so deeply rooted a second ago, going away, replaced with an uncharacteristic calmness that surprised herself. It might have been the lapping of the waves, or maybe the soft wind, or maybe the overall peaceful aura –
Piper hugged her abruptly, effectively destroying the calm. She was crying. "I…I'm going to miss you so much, Annie," she choked out.
Annabeth froze, but hugged her little sister back after a second's hesitation. She felt tears coming to her eyes, too, but forced them back. She hadn't shed one tear at her father's burial, nor during this whole week, and she was not about to start. She'd sworn not to cry again, after that one time…
Annabeth whispered, "Me too." Then added halfheartedly, "And don't call me Annie."
Piper made a weird sound that sounded like a cross between a hiccup and a laugh. "When are you leaving?"
"Mother said after mourning."
"Which is…" Piper pulled back. "Annabeth, that is barely over a month away!"
"Oh, I did not realize that. Much thanks for pointing that out. Perhaps we shall prolong the mourning period, so more people are allowed to experience heartbreak everyday. I always believed our mourning period of six weeks to be disrespectful to our dead, do you not think so?" The sarcasm popped out of nowhere. Annabeth was not usually the kind to use excessive sarcasm in her sentences, and the outbreak surprised even herself. And such frequent changes in emotion could not be good for her body.
"Annabeth…"
But then they all froze when they heard noises coming from far away.
Hoofbeats.
The guard's hand flew to the hilt of his sword (at least he was attentive this time), Annabeth took up a protective stance in front of Piper, and Piper pushed Annabeth aside and shot her a glare that said 'I can protect myself well enough, thank you' while brushing away tears.
The incoming horseman yelled, "Annabeth!"
She relaxed. "Luke!"
The two people pulled up in front of the tree. Luke and Drew.
Luke looked noticeably relieved when he saw Annabeth. He jumped off his horse. "Anna -" He broke off as he took in the guard and Piper, deciding on a respectful bow instead. "Princess Annabeth. Princess Piperina.**"
Annabeth blushed, aware of her wet clothing. Piper snorted (it was amazing how fast Piper could recover from tears), and Annabeth elbowed her in the ribs. Very unladylike for the both of them.
Drew clambered off her horse shakily. She'd been taking lessons from Luke at Annabeth's direction, since it was a pain when Annabeth's lady-in-waiting couldn't follow her anywhere that required riding horses. And after two months, Drew could manage to stay on the horse without help. Huge progress!
After touching ground, Drew threw the reins to Luke and scurried away from the horse's side. She curtsied in front of Annabeth and Piper. "Crown Princess. Princess Piperina." She rose. "The queen was worried sick when she got word from the guards."
Annabeth smiled bitterly at the thought of the queen pacing worriedly in her throne room. The queen was probably worried that Annabeth ran away. "Thank you for passing on the message, Drew."
Drew smiled charmingly.
Piper settled for a curt nod.
Annabeth could never understand why Piper hated Drew with such passion. Drew never did anything to offend Piper. Plus, she was the perfect lady-in-waiting – nice, patient, and a good listener when needed. Having known her since they were both toddlers, Annabeth considered Drew a great friend.
·:·:·:·:·:·
Drew deadpanned, "You, are being childish."
See what Annabeth meant about "great friend"? Drew wasn't afraid to tell Annabeth when she was wrong, and it didn't matter that Annabeth was royalty and could've had her thrown out onto the streets if she said something wrong.
They were sitting on Annabeth's balcony after a harsh scolding from Aphrodite earlier. The night wind was chilly against their skin, the stars blinking in the ink black sky. Annabeth had been telling Drew about the unfairness of the whole affair, while Drew brushed sweet-smelling oils through her hair. Annabeth never understood why Drew wanted to purposefully make her hair oily, but Aphrodite had servants brush oils and various care products through her hair every night until her hair shined like gold silk, so Annabeth assumed it was meant to beautify one's hair. Suddenly, an image of Drew with black hair passed before Annabeth's eyes, which she thought fitted her better than light brown hair.
Annabeth shook her head slightly. Damn her wandering thoughts!
Anyways, a lady-in-waiting, a friend who could be truthful with her was exactly what Annabeth wanted. And it was pretty certain that Annabeth wrong this time. Wasn't it? But, to complete her goal of complaining to every single person she knew, she continued on with her tirade.
"How?! Is it so wrong that I feel angry that my mother deceived me and is about to send me off to marry (marry!) a random prince that I have never met? I was supposed to be the queen of this country! How could she send me away like this? Am I not her daughter? Am I not the designated queen? The law says I'm the queen!"
A glint of an emotion so foreign and unrecognizable passed through Drew's eyes, so quick that Annabeth passed it off as imagination.
Drew smiled regretfully. "Princess, your mother is the queen. There is nothing you can do about it."
It was like a slap in the face. Annabeth felt her brain short-circuit and break down. But Drew was right (when was she not?), and there was, indeed, nothing she could do about it. Annabeth wasn't the Queen of Greece, and she never will be. She was just the princess. Her mother is Queen Aphrodite, and she is her daughter. As a good daughter, she should've followed her orders without any complaints. As the princess, she should've obeyed the queen's commands. It was only right that she should marry…whoever it was that she was betrothed to. She didn't care about his name. There would be enough time to learn it later, preferably much, much later. Preferably never.
Annabeth still felt like slamming her face into the wall.
But Annabeth was not someone who wallowed in their misfortunes for long.
Yes, she told her mother that she agreed to the marriage plan (it was not like she could disagree). Yes, there was nothing she could do anymore. But did that mean that she should just give up everything? No. She could build a new life for herself in a new country. She would still be queen in Olympus; Aphrodite said as much. She could still have basically the same life as life in Greece.
She didn't know how wrong she was.
* I didn't write "to Hades with you all" because of…reasons.
** I elongated Piper's name because in my mind, all the royal/noble woman in Greece have compound names, like Anna-beth, Aphro-dite, and the commoners/servants have simple names like Drew, Luke, etc.
Do you guys think I should randomly throw in a few other people's perspectives, or switch between three/four people like the way HOO is written? Or keep it in Annabeth's POV only?
Review plz!
