Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or the Heroes of Olympus Series.

Story: Immortal Seas

Chapter Quote: "To carry a grudge is like being stung to death by one bee" William H. Walton

Chapter 7: Grudges

Mount Olympus - Throne room

Theseus, Orion and Percy stood before the fourteen Olympians. Artemis and Athena couldn't keep their eyes off of Orion and Theseus.

"These are the greatest sons of Poseidon and they will help save their father," Zeus declared. Athena and Artemis turned to look at their father curiously. "However, the Fates have declared that they must be made immortal heroes in order for them to save Poseidon." The other gods all began to argue amongst themselves, except for Zeus and Hades. The two brothers watched the others argue until Zeus had enough of the quarreling. "Enough," Zeus said as thunder boomed over head. The other gods stopped yelling as Hades smiled at his brother. "We will help my brother and these three heroes will be made immortal, understand?" The other gods just nodded.

Hades waved his hand at his brother. "Yes, brother," Zeus said.

"I would like to initiate ceremony," Hades offered. Zeus smiled at his brother.

"A good idea," Zeus said.

Hades stood and walked toward the three sons of Poseidon. The three heroes knelt before their uncle. "By the power invested in me by my fellow Olympians and the King of the gods I shall bestow upon you three heroes the mantle of immortality. Suddenly, a golden light appeared above the three heroes, Hades raised his hands as the light descended toward the sons of Poseidon until the light enveloped them. The light grew brighter until the gods including Hades had to look away from them. A bright flash filled the throne room and the light faded instantly. Hades and the rest of the gods opened their eyes to see the three sons of Poseidon standing before them. Their skin seemed to be lit from within making each of their tans stand out more than before. Their sea green eyes were more beautiful than ever making Athena and Artemis stare in wonder at their two lost loves. Aphrodite stared at Percy wondering what he would do, if Annabeth walked into the throne room at that moment.

Zeus stood and stepped down from his throne and approached his brother. He stood before the now immortal sons of Poseidon. "Nephews, you are all now immortal. We will let you rest here on Olympus to prepare for your mission to save your father," Zeus declared. "This meeting is adjourned." The gods left the throne room, except for Zeus, Hades, Athena and Artemis. The gods shrank to human and approached the sons of Poseidon. As Artemis and Athena approached them Percy stood between them and his brothers. His green eyes grew dark like a forest at night making the two goddesses stare at him warily.

"You will leave us," Percy said. It wasn't a request.

Athena and Artemis both glared at the youngest demigod son of Poseidon. Percy glared right back. His body language showed that his anger was building. "You dare order two goddesses around boy," Athena spat. Artemis glared at Percy. Percy's eyes seemed to flash as if a light was turning off and on behind them. The two goddesses stared at him in disbelief. His aura of power was much greater than his brothers. It was like Poseidon was in the room with them. Hades and Zeus stepped between the goddesses and Percy.

"Calm down Percy, that is no way to speak to a goddess and certainly not two," Zeus said. His voice was calm. He was trying to keep from getting angry himself. Hades looked at Zeus in appreciation.

"I will not let them come near my brothers," Percy said.

Zeus turned toward his two daughter. "Please leave the throne room. You're not helping," Zeus said. Athena shot her father an annoyed glare. Artemis followed her lead.

"I wish to speak to Theseus," Athena said.

Percy stepped forward his fists clenched tightly. "He doesn't want to speak with you," Percy said harshly.

"Boy, stay out of this," Athena yelled.

Suddenly, the air in the room seemed to thicken as the humidity increased. Zeus and Hades just stared at their nephew in disbelief. This was a power only Poseidon could muster. How powerful had Percy become?

A hand rested on Percy's shoulder. He turned to see Theseus staring at him worriedly. "Don't brother," Theseus began as he looked passed Zeus and Hades to stare into Athena's grey eyes. "They're not worth your anger. Let us rest and prepare for our mission."

Athena just stared at Theseus his words stung her heart, but that feeling ended as her pride wouldn't let her back down. "Not worth his time," Athena said. "You dare insult a goddess."

Theseus stood next to Percy his eyes had darkened as well. "Just let it go Athena. I want nothing to do with you. You made it clear that you didn't want to have anything to do with me," Theseus said. He felt the old pain creep up into his chest. The pain that he thought had faded those many years ago, but now it was back.

Artemis stood next to her sister. "What do you say Orion?" Artemis asked hopefully.

Orion stepped beside Percy. He looked at Artemis, but his eyes had darkened with anger as well. "Stay away from me and my brothers. No good comes from loving a daughter of Zeus," Orion said. Zeus's eyes darkened, but he looked at Hades who was shaking his head.

"Nephews, go to your quarters," Zeus said. Hades nodded. "Lord Hades will take you."

Hades stepped closer to his nephews. "Follow me," Hades said before he led the three demigods out of the throne room.

Zeus stood in front of his daughters. Once Hades and the others had left Zeus turned toward his daughters. "That wasn't very smart," Zeus said. He looked at Artemis first, but then his eyes rested on Athena. Athena glared at her father, but her attitude seemed to deflate as she saw the disappointed look in his eyes. "I know what you tried to do to Annabeth." Athena knew that already, but the way her father said it made her feel like a small child that was about to be punished.

"Father, I..." Athena began, but Zeus raised his hand to silence her.

"I do not care for excuses. You're hatred for Poseidon and his son have cost us dearly and played directly into the hands of Pontus and Oceanus. I hope you're happy that my brother could be defeated because of it," Zeus said as he barely controlled his rage.

"Father, we know about Hypnos, it wasn't all her fault," Artemis defended her sister.

Zeus turned his electric blue glare toward the goddess of the hunt. "Just like it wasn't your fault that you shot first and asked questions later when you killed Orion," Zeus spat. Artemis's eyes widened at the low blow her father just threw her way. She lowered her head and looked away from his angry glare. "Leave my nephews alone. They have a job to do and they could do without this drama."

Athena and Artemis kept their heads lowered. Their father's words hit them hard. They knew they were at fault and Percy only wanted to protect his brothers. The two goddesses turned and walked out of the throne room. As they exited through the back entrance, they ran into one of the last people Athena wanted to see, her daughter Annabeth.

"Mother, is it true?" Annabeth asked.

Athena tried not to look guilty as she looked into her daughter's eyes; the same grey eyes that she had. "What is true?" Athena asked.

Annabeth had a hopeful look in her eyes. "Percy, he's alive again and here on Olympus," Annabeth said.

Artemis stepped forward. "Who told you that?" Artemis asked suspiciously.

A pink light tinged with gold appeared and when it faded the goddess of love stood before them. "You told her," Athena said with barely controlled anger.

Aphrodite smiled at her younger sister. "Of course I did. She needed to know," Aphrodite said sweetly.

Athena's eyes narrowed. "Stay out of my business," she said with venom dripping from her voice.

Aphrodite smiled and just walked away. Annabeth stared at her mom. "Is Percy here?" Annabeth asked.

Athena frowned. "Yes," she said. Annabeth's grey eyes lightened. Athena shook her head. "You will not go to him."

Annabeth gave her mother the death glare. "Why can't I see him?" Annabeth asked her voice tinged with anger.

"He doesn't want to see you," Athena explained.

"I don't care; I have to see him. I need to apologize, please tell me where he is," Annabeth pleaded. Athena stared at her daughter sadly; the guilt she felt was overwhelming.

Artemis could see the pain in her sister's eyes. "Annabeth, give him some time to cool off," Artemis suggested.

Annabeth looked at the goddess curiously. "Why? What happened?" she asked.

Suddenly, a plume of fire exploded only feet from the three goddesses, when the flame receded the goddess of the home and hearth stood before them. Hestia looked at her two nieces before turning to address Annabeth. "My dear child, I will explain. Your mother and aunt have some thinking to do," Hestia said. Athena and Artermis would not meet the fiery eyes of the goddess. Hestia held Annabeth's arm and pulled her away from the others. Annabeth gave her mom one more curious look before she walked away with the eldest Olympian.

Hestia led Annabeth to a garden on the other side of the throne room. The garden was small and intimate; it was the first garden that Annabeth had designed during the reconstruction of Olympus. Hestia and Annabeth sat on a marble bench.

Hestia explained everything to the goddess of architecture, including her mother's actions and the plans of Oceanus and Pontus. By the end of the story, Annabeth had a few tears in her grey eyes. She wiped the them away and her grey eyes darkened with anger.

"Why would she do that?" Annabeth asked.

Hestia sighed. "She was testing your love for Percy. Just as she did when Percy was offered immortality," Hestia said.

"What?" Annabeth's eyes darkened more. "She did this to Percy. Oh gods, no wonder he hates me now. He thinks that I didn't love him as much as he loved me."

"I don't think he hates you," Hestia looked off into the distance, almost as if she could see the future. "Give him time. He lost everyone he loved, including his own life."

Annabeth looked down sadly. "I've missed him so much. Not a day went by for those two hundred years that I didn't think of him."

Hestia smiled slightly. "It's good to know that you love him so much."

Annabeth looked up at Hestia with a hopeful look in her eyes. "Does he know about Hypnos and what he did?"

Hestia's eyes widened. "I don't know. He seemed so angry in the throne room. If looks could kill, your mother and aunt would be dead now."

"I need to tell him the truth." Annabeth rubbed her eyes to keep away any more tears from forming. "Your description of him is so terrible. How could someone change so much?"

Hestia stared into the eyes of the daughter of Athena. "Unfortunately, pain and loss can do that to even the best of people."

Annabeth nodded. "I don't know what to do."

Hestia knew that for a daughter of Athena to admit that was unusual. "He needs to save his father, after that we can only hope that he can see passed his pain and anger."

Annabeth smiled at the goddess of the hearth. "Thank you, Lady Hestia."

Hestia grinned in return. "You're welcome my dear. I always favored you and Percy. I still believe that the two of you are meant to be together. The Fates work in mysterious ways and they're never wrong." Annabeth nodded before walking away. Her heart was still heavy, but Hestia could always make someone feel better. She was the embodiment of home and Annabeth desperately needed her home now.

AN: Here is a little discussion with Annabeth. You've got to love Hestia, always the one to make someone see what is important.