Chapter 7

Sword and Shield class with the Ares cabin was okay. A sword wasn't my weapon of choice, I prefer bow and arrow, but Apollo taught me some moves and I was able to hold my own against Percy. Next was Archery with Chiron and the Athena cabin and that was hands down my favorite lesson. Like Apollo said, I was a natural at archery and Chiron was very impressed.

After Archery we met up with the Demeter cabin to go winged horseback riding. It was interesting to say the least. As the daughter of Zeus I was really good at anything to do with the air but when I was able to hear the Pegasus' voice in my head I thought I was insane. But then Percy started talking to his Pegasus and I felt a little better about it. My horse was pure white with a little bit of blue in his wings and I instantly knew that we would be spending a lot of time together. His name was Porkpie and after the lesson I promised I would come back before dinner and bring him some treats.

At 1:00 we had Monster Assault Techniques with the Hermes cabin. Today we learnt all about Flesh-eating Horses. They didn't have an actual Flesh-eating Horse but the Hephaestus kids had made a model of one that moved and fought the same way as a real one, so we were able to fight with it. At 2:00 we had a choice between canoe races with the naiads, or the climbing wall with the Satyrs. Percy and I decided on canoe races. I figured with the son of the sea god with me there was no chance of the canoe overturning. At 4:00 we headed down to the beach to swim and hang out with the Nereids, and then we had free time. While Percy went to play volleyball with Annabeth and some of her siblings I headed back to the stables with an apple I asked one of the nature spirits to get me. Porkpie was in his stall and when he saw me with an apple he got excited.

"Hello there beautiful." He whistled but I wasn't sure if he was talking to me or the apple.

"Hey Porkpie. How are you, buddy?" I asked as I patted him on the back.

"Great. Is that for me?" His eyes zeroed in on the apple with a hungry look and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Course it is buddy. I promised you a treat." I tossed the apple to him and he gobbled it up mid air.

"Hey," a voice spoke from behind me. I turned around and was met with a tall, skinny boy. His curly brown hair hung down into his blue eyes. His upturned eyebrows and the mischievous gleam in his eyes told me he was a son of Hermes. I vaguely remembered Percy introducing me to the Stoll brothers but I wasn't sure which one he was.

I decided to guess, "Hey, Connor?" It came out as more of a question and Conner laughed before nodding.

"Got it right on the first try, I'm impressed."

I grinned at him, "So what brings you to the stables?" I asked curiously.

He shrugged, "Travis was busted for picking the lock on the Camp Store so he's up at the Big House getting lectured by Chiron and I was bored. I saw you come in here and thought I would see how you like camp."

"It's ok. It's certainly different, that's for sure."

"Yea it can be a lot to take in. Did you know you were a demigod before you came here?"

I nodded, "I met Percy, Annabeth, and Grover on their quest. Grover recognized me as a Half-Blood and they explained everything to me. I traveled with them for a while but then I went to stay with . . . some family."

If he noticed my pause he didn't comment, "How did you find out your dad was Zeus?"

I lied, "He claimed me after Percy, Grover, and Annabeth explained things to me." I decided to change the subject, "So what's it like, having so many siblings?"

"Oh they're not all my siblings. Hermes only has thirteen kids that we know of. "

"But your cabin has to have at least thirty kids in it."

"Most of them aren't his. They're undetermined." He shrugged.

"Undetermined?"

"Unclaimed. Their godly parent is either a minor god, and therefore they don't have a cabin here at camp, or their parent just hasn't claimed them yet."

"That's awful!" I exclaimed, "Why do the minor gods and goddesses not have cabins here?"

Conner shrugged, "I don't know but it totally sucks. The demigods who aren't claimed feel unwanted and unloved and most of them end up leaving the camp and never coming back. And those that stay are always depressed and angry at the gods."

Conner sounded angry and I was right there with him. It wasn't fair to the demigods and it wasn't fair to the minor gods and goddesses. They deserved just as much recognition as the Olympians do.

"But the rest of us aren't that lucky. Sometimes I think I'd rather not know who my dad is. It's not like he cares about any of his kids anyway. No one's even met him before, well except for . . ." he trailed off but I knew who he was talking about, Luke, the one who stole the Lightning Bolt and tried to start a war between the gods. He hadn't been mentioned all day and I figured it was a sore spot for the Hermes cabin. He had been their counselor after all. "If I didn't have Travis with me, I think I would feel the same way as Luke did. He talked about it sometimes. How he felt like a tool, like the gods had let him down and didn't care about any of the demigods. Some of the things he said made sense and, like I said, if it wasn't for Travis and all the great friends I have here, I would probably be on his side."

Before we could finish the conversation another Hermes kid came running into the stables shouting Conner's name. "Chris and Kimmie are fighting again, something about Kimmie stealing Chris' wallet." The girl told him. Conner sighed and apologized to me before running off with the girl in the direction of Cabin 11.

I turned back to Porkpie with troubling thoughts but I pushed those aside and focused on the Pegasus in front of me. I stayed with Porkpie for an hour. I brushed his hair, cleaned his hooves, and then took him for a fly around the camp. To me, there was no better feeling than flying. I felt at home in the sky and I figured it was because of who my dad was. Dinner started at seven so we headed back to the stables around six and after I said goodbye to Porkpie I headed to the Camp Store to get some new clothes and then went back to my cabin for a shower before dinner.

I made it to the Mess Hall a little before seven and found most of the campers already sitting at their tables. A freshly showered Percy was talking to a familiar satyr at the Poseidon table and my walk became a little faster in my excitement to see him. I came up behind him and hugged him from behind with an excited, "Grover!" The satyr in question turned in shock and when he saw me his grin matched my own and he hugged me back just as fiercely.

"Grace! I'm so happy to see you!" He bleated at me. "I was so worried when you left with," he lowered his voice, "Ares. But Percy just told me that you asked your father to bring me back and I'm so thankful for that. And . . ."

I interrupted with a laugh, "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Calm down G-Man. We have plenty of time to talk."

He was about to say something but Chiron cleared his throat and gave us a pointed look that I figured meant I should sit down. I patted Grover's shoulder and then sat down at my father's table. I asked my goblet for a cherry soda and watched as my plate filled with food. Percy and I walked to the fire together and each of us gave the best of our food to a god of our choice. I gave most to my father but I offered a little to Aphrodite in thanks for the talk last night. During dinner Grover, Percy, and I talked about all kinds of things. They told me a lot of things about the camp and I told them about my time in Olympus. I didn't mention Apollo and instead told them about all of the beautiful things that I saw. Talking with the boys helped me keep my thoughts away from the talk I had had with Conner but it was still in the back of my mind.

I wondered how many demigods felt the same way Conner had. How many felt the way Luke had, like the gods had abandoned them? How many felt like they didn't care about them? I knew that wasn't true. The gods may be a lot of things but I honestly believed that they loved their children. I had seen the look on Hermes' face when Percy told them about Luke and the look that Athena had given Annabeth in the throne room. I know for certain that Poseidon loves Percy and, even though I hate to think about it, I saw the pride that shown in Apollo's eyes when his son, Will came in the Big House last night. The gods most definitely love their children but they were forbidden from having contact with them and that was a problem.

After dinner we had two hours to kill before the bonfire/sing-a-long that the Apollo cabin was holding. Percy, Grover, Annabeth and I decided to go down to the beach to hang out. Percy and Grover immediately started chasing each other down the beach while Annabeth and I took a seat on the sand. We talked a little bit about the architect on Olympus but eventually I decided to ask her about the prophecy my father had mentioned.

"Annabeth, have you ever heard of a prophecy that calls for a daughter of Zeus?" I asked. I figured if anybody knew what the prophecy said exactly it would be Annabeth. She had been at camp longer than anybody and Chiron seemed to trust her above all others. If anybody could help me it was her.

"A daughter of Zeus specifically?" She asked and I nodded. She looked deep in thought for a few moments but she finally shook her head no, "Why?"

"My father mentioned something about a prophecy and they, the gods, seemed confident that it was about me. That's partly why they want in Olympus."

"Did they mention what it said?"

"A little, but I know that they're hiding something from me." I told her about the short conversation my father and I had had about the prophecy and about the way Apollo had interrupted him.

She seemed very intrigued, "I'll asked Chiron about it and see what I can find out." She promised me. We were quiet as we watched Percy tackle Grover and send them both tumbling into the sand. "So do you have any ideas? I mean about how to make everyone happier?"

I nodded, "I have a few ideas. I just don't know how my father will take it. It was a talk I had had with Connor Stoll that made me think of it. He told me about how the unclaimed demigods are all depressed and angry at the gods and about how sometimes he feels like his dad doesn't care about him. He said that if it wasn't for his brother and the friends he had here at camp, he would probably be on Luke's side. It makes me wonder how many of the other demigods feel that way."

Annabeth didn't seem surprised, "A lot of them probably. Did you know that last night was only the third time I have ever seen my mom? And only two of my siblings have met her as well. I know for a lot of the campers, the only reason they stay loyal to the gods is because of their siblings and friends. In a way Luke is right, but he doesn't understand the consequences not having the gods will bring. He's so focused on his anger he hasn't thought things through and that's dangerous."

I didn't say anything and we continued to sit in the sand in silence. Eventually the boys joined us and they began telling me about what happened after I left them. Around 9 a conch horn sounded and we began making our way to the bonfire. The Apollo cabin led us in a sing-a-long but my heart couldn't handle it so I skipped out early and made my way back to Cabin 1. They looked so much like their father and their singing reminded me of his and I couldn't handle it.

When I entered the cabin I actually had to walk back out and make sure it was the right one. Yeah, it's definitely the right cabin but the inside looked completely different than the way it had been a few hours ago. For one, there was furniture. I actually had a bed! It was on the far wall in the middle of the room and looked like it was big enough for five people. The comforter was gold with white swirls on it and there was a pile of pillows at the top of the bed all in shades of gold and white. On the right wall there was a grand desk with a computer sitting on it and a desk chair in front of it. Next to it was a big screen T.V. with a couple of gold and white bean bags scattered around it. On the left wall was a white dresser and a new door that I figured led to a closet or something.

In my opinion the best change was that the giant statue of my father had been removed. Instead there was a picture of him on the wall behind my bed but I figured it was better than the ugly statue that made him look like a hippie. As I was inspecting the picture a voice came from behind me said, "I put that in that specific spot so that I can always watch over you, even in your sleep."

My father was standing behind me wearing a dark blue pinstriped suit and a pair of dress shoes. He smiled at me and I couldn't help but return it. "You got me furniture?" I asked in amazement.

"Well Hera and I figured you would be more comfortable with a bed, not that you're going to be using it much, but still." He shrugged.

I couldn't stop myself from running forward and throwing my arms around my father's waist. Like the first time I hugged him, he was shocked at first but quickly overcame it and hugged me back.

When we pulled back I whispered quietly, "I haven't had a bed since I was 10."

Zeus didn't say anything for a moment and when I looked up he was looking at me with regret. "Well from now on you have two. Here and on Olympus."

I didn't reply and there was silence for a while, "Are you ready to go home? We have a council meeting in a few moments." he asked finally.

"Yes." I said simply. I loved camp but Olympus was my home and I had a feeling it always would be.

Zeus snapped his fingers and suddenly we were in the throne room surrounded by the other gods. "Hello dear. How was camp?" Hera asked as she hugged me.

"It was good. I learned a lot and I met a lot of friends." I answered carefully.

"That's awesome sweetie. You'll have to tell me all about it after the council meeting." She told me with a pat to me cheek. I smiled at her and turned around to go to my room.

Before I could leave the room however, my father called my name and when I turned around he said, "Where are you going?"

My eyebrows were furrowed when I replied, "To my room."

"We're having a council meeting." He told me.

"I know that. That's why I'm going to my room, so you guys can get on with it." I replied to him a confused tone.

"We would like for you to stay at out council meetings. You know, as practice for when you become a goddess." He winked at me but I couldn't really focus on that. My mind had frozen on the three words at the end 'become a goddess'.

"A goddess?" I asked dumbly.

"Of course. " Zeus said confused at my reaction, "You're considered a goddess in training here on Olympus."

"I am?" I asked.

Zeus just nodded and waved me back into the room. I obeyed, although I still wasn't sure how I felt about being a 'goddess in training'. I took a seat at the hearth next to Hestia and listened to all of the different reports given by the gods and goddesses about their different domains.

Sometime during Ares' report I had pulled out my knife and had began to sharpen it, so I did not notice all of the Olympians turn their attention to me after Demeter had finished her report. It was the silence that had enveloped the room that finally made me look up. All of them were just staring at me and I was afraid that I was in trouble for not paying closer attention until I caught sight of my father's expression. He didn't seem angry, more amused, so I figured I was ok.

"Um, why are you all looking at me?" I asked awkwardly.

"Since Dionysius is not here, we need someone to report on the demigods and Camp Half-Blood. You will be spending your days there, so who better than you?" My father stated.

"What do you want me to report on?"

All the gods began talking at once, asking how their children were, if they were happy, and so on. I realized that the gods really do care for their children and that they were just as heartbroken as the demigods were about not being able to spend time with them. For some reason, their love for their children and the memory of the talk I had had with Connor gave me strength to say what I needed.

I stood up and approached my father's throne. I stilled my nerves with a deep breath and began, "There is something that was brought to my attention today." I paused to gather my thoughts and began again, "I was talking to Connor Stoll, son of Hermes. He told me about the unclaimed demigods and about how they felt unloved and unwanted. He told me that most of them leave the camp and are never heard from again." I paused again. This was the part they weren't going to like. But I pressed on, "He went on to say that they weren't the only demigods who felt that way. He said something along the lines of, 'sometimes I think it would be better not to know who my dad is'. He told me that if it wasn't for his brother Travis and the friends he had at camp, he would probably be on Luke's side. I talked to a daughter of Athena and she told me that a lot of the demigods felt that way. They feel unloved. They feel used by you guys. They feel as if you only keep them around as tools."

"But that's not true." Aphrodite whispered and I turned my head to face her. She looked heartbroken and the other gods' faces didn't look that different. "We love our children." She said louder, "The only reason we don't visit them is because of the law that Zeus passed." At this a lot of them turned to glare at my father and I knew that now was the time.

"I know that, Lady Aphrodite. And that is why I request you dissolve the law stating that gods have no contact with their children." I turned to my father who did not look happy. "Father, I understand why you made the law. But you have to see that it is only doing more harm than good. Whether you realize it or not, you need demigods and this law is pushing them away."

Athena spoke up then, "She is right Zeus. The law was strategic at first but now it is not. It is best to dissolve it before any more of our kids join Luke."

He still didn't look convinced so I added, "How would you feel if you weren't allowed to see me? I am a demigod, and according to your law you aren't suppose to have any contact with me."

Athena spoke to the room at large again, "I move that we dissolve the law that states gods have no contact with their demigod children. All in favor?"

Everyone raised their hand including my father. "But you may not visit them anytime you wish. We have responsibilities and they must train to protect themselves. We will set aside a day every week and will go and spend it in camp with our children." The gods all seemed happy with this and my father turned to me, "Grace, will you talk to Chiron about this and see which day he thinks is best?" I nodded and he continued, "I will let you all know of the date. Everyone is dismissed."

All of the gods thanked me as they walked out and it made me happy that I could make them happy. I finally knew what I had to do to complete the prophecy and I was satisfied. Soon the throne room was empty except for me and I was about to go to my room to sleep when a voice spoke up, "Grace?"

It was Apollo looking as beautiful as ever. "Apollo." I greeted softly.

"Are you upset with me?" He sure doesn't beat around the bush, I thought.

"What makes you think that?" I stalled.

"You left last night without saying goodbye."

"I was tried."

"Liar." He said simply. "You began acting strange when my son came in. Are you upset that I have children?"

"No. It's just . . ."

"Just what?"

"I thought maybe you cared about me. But now I'm thinking I'm just another notch on your bedpost." I said honestly.

Apollo stepped closer to me and forced my chin up with his hand so I would look him in the eyes. "I do care about you. You are so much more to me than just a notch on my bedpost. I don't just want you for your body, I want you for you."

"But I've never . . . I mean I'm a . . ." I took a deep breath to calm down and said quietly, "I've never been with somebody in that way before. I had never been kissed before you." I was blushing so hard that I was afraid my face would burn off and I had closed my eyes to keep from looking at the god in front of me. I did not want to see his face.

"Look at me." He commanded me softly and I was helpless but to obey. He looked pleased and happy when he said, "You have no idea how happy that makes me. Do not worry love. I will teach you all you need to know."

"But what . . . What if I cant . . . please you? And you . . ." I didn't finish but I didn't have to.

Apollo seemed to know just what I was thinking, "And I go looking for it somewhere else?" He finished. I nodded in silence. "That will never happen. You are everything to me and now that you are here, I will not need another woman. You are all I need." he whispered softly.

My heart swelled and I believed him instantly. My head moved on its own accord and suddenly were kissing and everything was as it should be.