I'M SO SORRY! PLEASE FORGIVE ME! I completely forgot to update this yesterday. Sorry.

I DON'T OWN PJO

Percy led Thalia into the temple and bowed slightly to the Buddha statue. Thalia followed his example.

"Who have you brought into the valley?" the statue asked,

"A traveler, she wishes to ask permission to search for her friend Percy Jackson within the valley. She has promised to leave peacefully should you deny her request." Percy answered. The statue seemed to understand the game he was playing.

"Then step forward, and ask traveler." The statue smiled, though it was always smiling. Thalia raised her head and stepped forward nervously.

"What do I address you by?" she asked the statue,

"Whatever you want, you might choose to follow your guide's example and simple look directly at me when you speak to me so I know you address me though." The statue answered. Thalia gulped.

"Would you please allow me to search for my friend within your valley?" She asked,

"Who said it was my valley?" the statue asked.

"I'm sorry if I was mistaken, I assumed that you were in control of the valley since I must ask your permission to search in it." Thalia answered.

"I see. Your assumption is incorrect, but not wrong. You may search for your friend, if you remain with your guide at all times. He will show you to his home when night falls." The statue said. Percy sighed and led Thalia outside.

"I must finish my duties for the day and it will soon be dark. Can we begin the search tomorrow at first light?" Percy asked, aware that he was going to be helping her search for himself.

"Yes. That will be fine. Do you need help with your duties?" she asked.

"No, they are my duties because they are mine to do. If you remain here long enough you should offer to help around the temple once per month, it is customary for long term guests to do so." Percy answered.

"Ok. Then where should I stay while you finish your duties?" she asked, Percy motioned for her to follow. He led her to the north wall and pointed at the stone steps where he had been resting. She sat and stared out at the valley as Percy carried the first new wall panel to the timbers and fit it into place. He repeated this process until the entire wall had been rebuilt. It was dark when he finished. Percy led Thalia to his small cave quietly.

"I am sorry it took so long, my work took longer than expected." Percy apologized.

"It's fine. It gave me time to survey the valley for places Percy could be." Thalia answered.

"Good, you are proactive. That will help you in the long run." Percy responded, Mavros trotted behind him as they started walking up toward his cave.

"Is there any way to speed up the search? He's been missing a year and most people where he and I come from are beginning to doubt his innocence." Thalia asked,

"Time doesn't pass at the same speed here, for you it has been a year, for him it has probably been closer to ten." Percy responded, Thalia gaped at him,

"So, how long have you been here?" she asked,

"Long enough, but you also won't age while in this valley, if that matters to you." Percy answered. Thalia sighed.

"It does, it's a good thing, my friend has a prophecy told about him. When he turns sixteen he make a choice and the repercussions either destroy our home or save it. Though I guess his home has already been destroyed." Thalia answered.

"I see. We are almost to my home, it is quite humble but there is space for us three to sleep in comfort." Percy stepped into his cave and gestured to the back, where the door to the labyrinth had been sealed and covered.

"Thank you for sharing your home with me." Thalia said, she took a seat a few feet from the fire. Percy lit it with practiced ease and pulled a large slice of meat from the ice box he had managed to create. He stabbed the meat with the straight stick that served to rotate the meat on his makeshift spit before placing it over the fire.

"I hope you aren't adverse to meat. It's all I have tonight." Percy commented.

"I eat meat." Thalia responded simply.

Thalia stared up at the stars silently. On the other side of the cave her guide slept peacefully and silently. His wolf lay between them, snoring quietly. Thalia held in a sigh and turned to face the wall.

'What have I got myself into?' she asked, she imagined Percy would answer something like,

'Well, you're alone with a strange man and his dog, in a valley frozen in time, searching for me. That doesn't exactly sound fun' his voice echoed through her head, an ache developed in her chest but she continued the imaginary conversation.

'But you don't know why I'm looking for you.'

'You're my friend obviously.'

'But what if that isn't enough?'

'Thalia, cousin, what are you saying?'

'Kelp Head. I'm saying friends isn't enough for me.'

'But you're a hunter and I value my parts.'

'Kelp Head. You're a figment of my imagination right now, you're supposed to say whatever I want.'

'Oh. Well what do you want me to say then?'

'Didn't I just say what I wanted?'

'Yeah, but you'll just get hurt if figment Percy is in love with you but real Percy isn't'

'Shut it figment Percy.' The conversation ended on a sour note, though Thalia wasn't sure why since she had been both sides. She just sighed and went to sleep staring at the wall.