Author's Note: Hello everyone! Here's my latest chapter! I, personally, liked writing this one so I hope you guys like it too! As always comment, critique and review! I'm always looking for ways to grow with my writing! Thanks!
Author's Note on the Author's Note: I just realized, thanks to a great review, that I hadn't been very clear on Percy and Annabeth's age in this chapter so let me clear that up :) ! This chapter takes place a few years after the war with Gaea, so Percy and Annabeth would be in there mid twenties-ish. And if your wondering What are they still doing at camp half-blood! I like to think that they go back and visit every summer, and maybe be counselors or something. I just can't see them leaving Camp Half-blood for good! Anywho... sorry for the huge Author's Notes, now you can get on with your reading! Go on! Shoo!
As Athena sat in the tree preening her feathers (she never really liked taking her owl form) she thought about her daughter, Annabeth. While Athena had been suffering from the split personality disorder all the gods had been struck with, she had really screwed things up! Not only did she send her daughter off on a difficult quest with no help, but she had let her fall into Tarturus as well. Even though that had happened a few years ago Athena still felt guilty! Sure it wasn't Athena who dragged Annabeth down into that pit but she certainly didn't do anything to help her either!
You weren't in the right state of mind... Athena reassured herself, You couldn't have helped her even if you tried.
Even so, Athena still felt guilty which was weird for a Goddess. But ever since the war was over Athena and the other Olympians found themselves being more compassionate and loving towards their children. It must have been what those two demigod boy's , Jason Grace and Percy Jackson, had done!
Ugh, Athena thought, Jackson!
She immediately regretted that thought however. Percy had fallen into Tarturus with Annabeth on his own free will. He could have let her go and pulled him self up, but instead he decided to fall into hell with the one he loved. And without him, Athena doubted Annabeth would have made it out of Tarturus... and vice versa!
With that thought Athena suddenly remembered why she was sitting in the old crabapple tree as an owl. As if on cue she saw Annabeth and Percy walking towards her from Half-Blood Hill. Athena knew they would come up here, they always did. It really was a great spot to relax and hang-out! You could see the entire Camp Half-Blood from the grove under the tree but no one could see you. As Percy and Annabeth settled on the grass near the tree trunk, Athena shuffled over on her branch to get a better look at the two. She had never been very good with love-dovey stuff like Aphrodite but she knew one thing for sure: when two people are sitting that close there's definitely something going on! Athena felt sort of silly spying on her daughter's love life but she had to see for herself if this Percy Jackson guy was really the right one! If he was anything like his father then... Ugh!
Athena's thought's were interrupted (which she hated happening) by the conversation below.
"It's so beautiful!" Annabeth said to the orange/pink sky.
"Yeah" Percy replied, gazing out to the sunset as well. The two demigods sat for a while in silence, then their eyes met almost simultaneously. Percy wrapped Annabeth in his arms and she placed her head gently on his chest.
"Do you still have nightmares?" she asked softly.
"Not when I'm with you!" He replied with equal softness.
"Then I guess we'll have to stay together forever!" Annabeth replied.
"Agreed!" Percy kissed her forehead and ran his hand through her hair. They sat in silence, the only sound to be heard was the rustling of leaves and the chirping of song birds. Athena sat on her branch as quietly as she could. She didn't want to ruin the kid's moment when suddenly she saw Percy lean down and kiss Annabeth on the lips.
Oh no you don't Lover Boy, Athena thought angrily, not while I'm here!
She fluttered up to a higher branch and pecked at the stem of an apple. When she finally got it loose it plummeted to the ground and landed right on Percy's head. Athena smiled (if owls could smile...) and flew back down to her branch to observe her work. Percy was rubbing his head while Annabeth was nearly laughing her head of! Percy smiled and began laughing too.
"Thank you tree, for reminding me!" He said while patting the tree trunk, "How rude it was of me not to offer the lady an apple!"
Percy got up and picked a bright red apple from the lowest branch and tossed it to Annabeth. She caught it with both hands and immediately stopped laughing. Athena gasped (if owls could gasp as well...)!
Percy's smile faded he stared at Annabeth worriedly.
"What?" He asked her.
"Percy... In Ancient Greece, when you toss an apple to a girl it means you want to propose to her!" Annabeth replied cautiously. Percy's mischievous smirk crept back onto his face.
"I know Wise Girl," he said, "Do you want the ring too?"
Athena couldn't believe what she was seeing! The nerve of that boy! She was about to dive down and give him one big peck on the nose when she saw Annabeth's face. She was so happy that Athena couldn't help but be happy too. After she thought on it for a bit she knew that Percy was the right guy for Annabeth, and she was the right girl for him!
Annabeth laughed as Percy got down on his knee and took a small sliver band out of his pocket. Annabeth thrust her hand forward as she exclaimed:
"Of course I want your ring, Seaweed Brain!"
As Percy slipped the ring on her finger Athena got a good look at the ring. It looked as if someone had taken a mini trident and wrapped it around Annabeth's finger. On each prong of the trident was a small jewel: Grey and blue on the outside two and an orange on on the middle one. It really was beautiful!
Percy stood up and let Annabeth jump into his arms. He spun her around and kissed her and it truly was a beautiful moment. When Percy set Annabeth down she thrust her hand out in front of her to better examine the ring.
"Oh my Gods, Percy it's beautiful!" Annabeth exclaimed. Percy smiled.
"I'm so glad you like it! Tyson made it! Gods, it was so hard trying to keep this a secret from him!" Percy said.
"So he doesn't know you were going to ask me?" Annabeth asked. Percy burst into laughter.
"Of course he does! That's why I said trying! You should have seen his face! He was thrilled!" Annabeth laughed and the two kissed once more.
Athena decided she had seen enough. Besides she had already made her conclusion! Percy Jackson was... well... She guessed he was alright! Especially for a Poseidon kid!
