Third Person POV
Percy and Lady Hestia were the last to arrive in the newly repaired throne room. The only being present are the 12 Olympians who sit on their respective throne, Hades on a guest throne of shadows, and the undiscovered couple (Percy and Hestia). At his arrival the faces of the Olympians are varied greatly because Percy has cheated death yet again. Gods and goddesses like Demeter, Hades, Athena, Apollo, Zeus, and Artemis seem unsurprised to see the unstoppable hero. Aphrodite was smiling widely and barely suppressed her squeal when she saw Percy with Hestia, Ares nodded his respect at Percy surprisingly, Dionysus and Hephaestus seemed happy to see the young man but tried to hide their feeling behind masks of indifference, Hera was stoic as usual, and Hermes was smiling like a madman seeing the son of Poseidon. When Poseidon sees Percy he rises from his throne, shrinking to his human size, and hugs his favorite son forcing Percy, to his displeasure, to let go of Hestia's hand.
"Thank the fates you are alive son." He whispered while unintentionally crushing Percy's ribs.
"I haven't disappointed you yet dad." said Percy. Poseidon chuckled before finally letting go of his boy.
"Come, sit by my throne my son." He said patting Percy's back while pulling him in the direction of his throne.
"Thanks Dad, but if you don't mind, I'd like to sit next to Lady Hestia." Poseidon looked a little crestfallen at his reply but then he realized what his son said. Despite what many say, Poseidon was not an idiot. He had noticed when Percy was reluctant to let Hestia's hand go. He quickly put 2 and 2 together and came up with 4. At first he was jealous of his son and then he realized what he was thinking. He shouldn't be jealous of his son, he should be happy for him. He had found love with one of the best women Poseidon had ever known and for that he felt pride for his son and sister.
Percy was surprised when his father started chuckling. He hadn't expected his dad to take it that well. But here his father was laughing and patting his back. "Oh, looks like my son has picked up his father great taste in woman and his skills ey brother?" Said Poseidon mirth filled voice to Zeus who was sitting on his throne smiling with happiness for his sister.
"While I agree with the 'great taste in woman' part of that sentence we might need to have another entire council meeting to settle the 'skills' you speak of." The entire council laughed at the jibe.
Both Hestia and Percy were stuck in a state of shock at the complete exceptance of the council. But unbeknownst to Hestia, her entire family had hoped that she would find love. Now that she had, with the Hero of Olympus as the receiver of her love, they could not have hoped for a better person for her to spend the rest of time with than the loyal Son of Poseidon.
They both broke out in wide grins, overjoyed that they were excepted. When the entire council finally composed themselves and everyone was in their respective seats, with Percy sitting next to Hestia and his arm around her, the council was brought to order.
"Now," said Zeus, " this council was called to discuss the plans of my nephew, Perseus, and for him to tell everyone here what happened in that forest. Would you care to take the floor Nephew?"
"Thank you Uncle, but if you wouldn't mind I'd like my friends and family to be present for the meeting as my plans have much to do with them." Percy requested respectfully.
"Of course Champion. Hermes would you mind fetching..." Zeus gave a questioning look towards Percy.
Percy sat there and thought before rattling off a list of people," My mom, Nico, Rachel, Thalia, Clarrisse, and the rest of the cabin councilors please." He said before Hermes nodded his understanding and disappeared to go fetch the listed people. It was several minutes before he reappeared with the group.
When they saw the son of Poseidon they all ran to hug him. The first was his mother who hugged him tightly crying into his shoulder. " I thought I had lost you honey." She said.
"Nah mom, I'm still fighting, it'll take more than that to stop me." He said. When the mother and son finally finished with their reunion Thalia and Nico were next.
" Glad you're alright Kelp-Head." Thalia said as she punched him playfully and Percy winced slightly.
"I'm am to Thals."
"Just don't scare us again ok Perce?" Said Nico. It was more of a command than anything but Percy just smiled.
" I'll try Nico but you know better than most that I shouldn't make any promises." He said. Nico just nodded as he joined Thalia and Sally off to the side. The Cabin leaders came up next and there were greeting, hugs, and smiles all around. When everything settled down again Zeus repeated his request of Percy to tell them what happened in the woods of Camp Half-Blood.
As Percy recited what happened, the emotions and facial expressions of his listeners changed with every moment. Among the most prominent was Poseidon's furious expression and Athena's shameful downcast eyes. When the story was finished Artemis spoke up," So it looks as if you finished off the Athena child Perseus."
"Normally I would agree with you Lady Artemis, but I sense darker powers at work here as does your father Zeus." Eyes turned to Zeus to see his nod of confirmation," I think we can expect to see her again and she will be more dangerous and a lot angrier." Said the champion while he watched the downcast goddess of wisdom with his aqua-vision. He made a mental note to speak with her later.
"I agree, and I think that this is an excellent time for you to share your plan to the rest of the council and your comrades." prompted Zeus who again is showing his uncharacteristic humble attitude.
" Yes Lord Zeus,. He addresses the rest of the occupants in the room," I believe there is another war on the rise. Whoever Annabeth is working with will think I am dead now. I want to keep it that way. You guys are the only ones I trust to keep this a secret."
The entire council nodded their heads in seeing the wisdom of this request." I expect everyone present to swear by the River Styx that they will keep our champion's secret and never mention it unless Percy says so." Commanded Zeus. Without any hesitation everyone spoke the oath as one. Thunder rumbled just above the throne room vibrating the roof slightly. "Perseus, my nephew, what shall they call you in public now that you will remain hidden?"
"I will introduce myself to them when the time comes," he said then turned to his friends," Trust me guys, you'll know its me."
"Good, now with that, demigods and... mortals," Zeus said looking at Sally," you must return home and rest for you have earned it. Again you have our gratitude in defending Olympus and our thrones of power, may you live long and bravely." He waved his hand and the demigods and Sally were each retuned to their homes and again only the immortals were left (which includes Percy now just so you guys remember).
"On to the next order of business," said Zeus looking grim " We all remember what happened after the first Titan war." All the gods nodded but Percy was out of the loop yet again. He raised his hand tentatively like he was in class. Hestia giggled at her boyfriends childlike behavior.
Zeus nodded for Perseus to ask his question. "Umm, Lord Zeus, what exactly happened after the first Titan war?"
Poseidon spoke for his brother," Percy, after the first Titan war, Gaea was angered that we had won the war. She awoke and gave birth to a new breed of immortals, the Giants."
Hestia took it from there," Each giant was born to counter a specific god or goddess."
" They are fearsome beings and can only be killed by a hero and a god working together." Said Poseidon.
Percy shrugged," Sounds easy enough, we just have to get one of you to help fight every time we run into one."
"Percy dear, these are elder children of the Earth mother and Tartarus, the very pit of hell. Two very powerful protogenoi. These will not be simple fights, they are fifteen feet tall powerful beings. On top of that, Gaia will throw every monster on Earth at us. It will be nearly impossible to have a full out war with them with just Camp Half-Blood." Said Hestia.
"Right so it will just be another day at work." Her boyfriend said.
" Your right Perseus, for you demigods at Camp Half-Blood, fighting and winning unwinnable battles are nothing new."
"Uncle, why do you keep referring to Camp like we're not the only place with people able to fight?"
" Far to the west, in California, there is another camp." This grabbed the champion's attention.
"What kind of camp are we talking about here?"
Poseidon spoke again " Percy Chiron explained to you about our world?" Percy nodded," and he told you how we move with the heart of the west? Well Rome was once such a place where we resided. But under roman worship we were different gods with different names and personalities. We would have kids in Roman persona and some kids in Greek. Sometimes we have completely different attitudes. Like Ares becomes more serious and honorable when it comes to war. In some cases though," he said stealing a glance at Athena," we turn for the worse and become more ornery."
"If we unite the camps, many of us will be incapacitated because of the fight over are personalities. Only those who are either completely Greek, completely Roman, or don't change from Greece to Rome." Said Zeus.
Percy said to Hestia, still facing forward, "Will you be ok?" He asked with his voice full of worry.
" Don't worry about me." She said to him. She gave him a peck on the cheek," I don't change much from Greek to Roman, I'll be fine."
Percy sighed in relief, he wouldn't be able to purposely put his girlfriend in pain and he would have felt terrible if he was putting her in a position to receive any discomfort. "Good, I don't want you to get hurt."
A suppressed squeal was heard near the position of Aphrodite's throne.
"Before you go Champion I give you my full blessing, allowing you to enter my domain, have complete control over lightning and the winds."
Then Poseidon blessed him," I give you my complete blessing giving you the power to cause earthquakes, bring storms, and I give you your final boost in power over water. You now have the same amount of control over water as a god.
Hades rose," I bless you nephew giving you power over the dead, hellfire, the riches of the earth, the ground, and complete mastery of the shadows.
Ares in turn stood up and blessed Percy giving him control over the losing side of wars ghosts, and gave him power over the emotion anger. Being blessed by Hermes got the champion complete power over speech, stealing, traveling, sports, and athletes. So now he was a complete athlete, both lithe and well muscled. Next Apollo gave him his blessing and gave him power over music, medicine, plague, knowledge, and truth. Dionysus blessed Percy with full power over madness, and merry-making and Hephaestus blessed him with power over the creating fire, and knowledge over metal and mechanics.
Athena blessed him fully with the knowledge of useful crafts, war, battle, wisdom, inspiration, and justice. Artemis, Hera, and Demeter had already given him their full blessing.
Then Hestia surprised her boyfriend," I give you my full blessing, you have power over the hearth, home, and the healing flame." She said kissing him on the forehead. A feeling of warmth rushed throughout his body."
" Thanks babe." He whispered before giving her a loving kiss. Her ear tingled from where his breath touched and her ears turned red. There was an unfamiliar feeling to her chest. She realized it was her heart fluttering around like a butterfly.
"Right," Zeus intervened before the atmosphere became awkward for the rest of the gods," so Nephew, you will have 2 months respite for your service in the war and then we will have to start sending you on missions in preparation of the next Giantomachy. We must unite the camps no matter how much disarray we are put in. During that time you will have to lead your people and the Romans there's and work together or we shall surely perish."
Percy nodded his understanding "Thank you Uncle, I will see you in two months." Zeus nodded.
" Meeting adjourned!" Said Zeus before he disappeared with Queen Hera in a shower of sparks.
"Mr. D, why are you the god of theater and not Uncle Z?" asked Percy. The gods chuckled.
" Well we wouldn't want all that power going to father's head would we?" said Dionysus. Again slight chuckles could be heard. After the exchange most of the gods flashed out to go about there regular business. The only ones left in the room were: Hades cause Percy asked him to stay, Poseidon, Athena, and Hestia.
Deciding not to waste his time the Champion of Olympus walked up to the god of the dead. " Thank you for staying Uncle Hades."
"No problem Perseus. I never thanked you for getting me my children's recognition at camp."
"Don't mention it Uncle, we would have failed if you had not arrived."
Hades nodded slightly in agreement," Nonetheless you have my thanks. I sense you require something of me?"
"Yes, I was wondering if I could come visit in a couple weeks and get some training in with some past heroes?"
"Of course, just come by any chance you get, a lot of them have grown quite bored with the day to day routine in Elysium."
"Great! I will see you soon."
"Goodbye Perseus, and take care of my sister or not even hiding in your fathers domain will keep you from my wrath."
Percy gulped nervously but managed a weak smile," I would expect nothing else Lord Hades."
Hades gave a final goodbye before melting into the shadows and disappearing.
"He means what he says son." Poseidon's voice came from behind him. He turned to see his father with an emotional mask on his face. It was just them at this end of the throne room. Both Hestia and Athena were at the other end of the room discussing the things goddesses discuss.
"I know dad, if there's one thing about Hades that I've learned is that he will do exactly as he says... How do you feel about it?"
Poseidon smiled,"I'm happy for both of you. I don't know how you managed to steal Hestia's heart, but I do know is that she deserves the best. And who better than my very own son." He gave a pause before going on," Percy, after this war and the lost you've suffered, you deserve to be happy more than any other."
"Thanks dad. That means a lot to me." Percy's heart felt happier in one day than it had in his whole life, first the goddess of his dreams is now his girlfriend and his father is giving complements to him. His life had never felt so complete. He just needed to get one more thing done before he could finally rest. " Hey dad, I need a favor from you."
"Anything Percy. What is it?"
"Before I Annabeth tried to kill me, she threatened to come after my mom and Paul."
"And you want me to place them under my protection." He finished for Percy." With the coming war I think that's a good idea. I can't bring them to Atlantis, regular mortals can't survive under the water like that; and I won't be able to personally protect them because I will be incapacitated with the battle of my personalities. So I'll have to send a protector and place some magic over their home."
"That sound good. But Dad, you won't be effected by the split personalities that bad will you?"
"I'm afraid so Son. You see the Romans weren't big on sea travel and they were afraid of me. I wasn't worshiped like Zeus or Ares was. They will hold most of the power when the changes start to occur. I think that's a good thing with our kings new attitude change, but he too will still be incapacitated."
"Yeah, I noticed he was a lot mellower and king-like instead of acting like a tyrant."
"I think you have changed his attitude towards Demi-gods. He seems realize that if we trust you then you will trust us."
"That is someone I could follow." Said Percy
"I as well Son." Said a thoughtful Poseidon. He was about to leave but stopped and looked to his son to give him one last word," Remember Percy, you will have to bring the two camps together and lead them to victory. Once they are united we will be able to assist in the war. Goodbye son, you've made me proud." He said before dissolving into sea mist and disappearing into the air.
Percy walked to the two waiting women at the other end of the throne room. Instead of walking the entire way Percy just concentrated to the spot right behind Hestia and mist-traveled right behind her. When he appeared behind her he covered his girlfriends eyes with his hands. "Guess who." He said.
She sighed but went along with it," Who?"
"Me!" He said before letting go.
" I foresee many difficulties with this one Aunt Hestia." Said a smile suppressing Athena.
Hestia looked down barely keeping a smile off her lips," Yes, he isn't the brightest flame in the fire." She said.
"Heyyyy!" Complained Percy. But both goddesses where to busy laughing to care. Eventually Percy joined in and the three had a good laugh. They finally settled down after a minute.
"So Perseus I assume that you will be spending some more time with my aunt here?" Questioned Athena with a hint of amusement in her voice.
"Yes ma'am." He said putting his arm around Hestia's shoulder while giving her a kiss on the cheek. You could just barely see Hestia's face turn red, but she was enjoying every minute of it." But soon I have to start training again. I asked Uncle Hades if I could come train with some of the past heroes and he gave me permission."
"That's very wise of you Champion, you can learn from their mistakes and of their strengths and experiences."
"It appears your blessing was of some use niece." That was Hestia.
"Yes it does. Umm, Aunt Hestia, would you mind if I spoke to Perseus in private?" Athena asked.
"Sure." Said Hestia before she turned to her boyfriend," I'll be waiting for you outside dear." She said giving him a kiss. She disappeared in flames leaving him alone with her niece.
"What is it you wanted to speak to me about Lady Athena?" He asked even though he knew where this was going.
"Perseus I truly am sorry for what my daughter has been putting you through. I never knew that one of my own would do such a thing. I am asha—."
"Lady Athena, as I told you before, you have nothing to be sorry about. You are not responsible for what your children do and neither is it the other way around." Said Percy. As the Champion of Olympus he was now basically an assassin/soldier/nanny so it was his job to keep everyone happy." And I never want you to use the words 'I' and 'ashamed' in the same sentence again. You are a goddess," he said trying to get her back to her prideful self. That was the Athena need by Olympus right now," You have nothing to be ashamed of."
Athena's posture straightened out," You right, I am an Olympian. Thank you Perseus. I will see you again soon Champion. Take care of Hestia or I will hunt you down and make sure you can never have children."
Percy smiled," That's the Athena I know. Goodnight Lady Athena." He said giving her a bow as the goddess flashed out.
Alone again in the throne room Percy sighed, he was finally free. Only for two months, but nonetheless free. He walked out of the throne room to a waiting Hestia.
"Hey," she said," that was quick."
"Yeah, she just needed a quick pep talk to get her going, she's fine now."
"Good, she was quite downcast during the meeting."
"Oh she is quite over that." He said remembering the fiery confidence that had replaced the foggy gloom in Athena's eyes. " So, I'm tired and I can't go back to Camp."
"We could go to my place." Said Hestia as she hooked her arm around his and leaned her head on his chest. They started walking down to the city of Olympus from the throne room.
"Well I wasn't looking to take it that far just yet but now that you invited me, I can hardly say no now can I." He said twisting the meaning of her words a little even though he knew what she meant.
She giggled knowing he was joking and slapped him lightly on the chest," You know that's not what I meant."
"Haha, I know what you meant my flame." He said kissing the top of her head. They kept walking down the street until they reached the first buildings of the town
"So do you want to teleport us to my palace?"
"Nah, I was thinking we could have a nice walk in the moonlight." He said officially starting their first experience together. As they walked the stars twinkled over head and the moon accented the mood perfectly.
"I love you Perseus Jackson."
"I love you Hestia."
Again, thank you for he support of my readers and reviewers. It feels great to know you guys like the story. Thank you to Chakor Reulle, frozenlavareflector, and prince of the seas for you reviews.