This is a present to you, from me, for by irresponsible tardiness! Hope you like it! REVIEW PLEASE!
The news of the engagement worked through the camp like wild fire. In fact, Percy and Annabeth probably only actually told four people, but, evidently, that was enough. The couple couldn't go anywhere without hearing whispering or giggling, though they certainly tried. Finally, about a week after Annabeth accepted Percy's proposal, the two were fed up. They made it clear that, on no uncertain terms, they were going down to the beach where no one was allowed to disturb them, no exceptions. On any other day they might have been annoyed by the wolf whistles, but they were already too far annoyed.
The two walked to the beach and sat down on the sand a few feet away from the water. Annabeth had been ranting for the better part of the last hour. To help, Percy had been rubbing circles on her back. It wasn't working.
"Don't they understand privacy!" she shouted, "It would be one thing if they're were congratulating us, but they're just treating us like a new exhibit at the Met!"
"Hmm… I never really saw most of the campers as art museum types," he said, hoping a joke might lighten the mood. Instead, she just turned to him and rolled her eyes.
"Doesn't it bother you?"
"Well," he paused to kiss her, "if I'm being completely honest," another kiss, "and we both know that I'm a very," kiss, "honest," kiss, "individual," kiss, "that not much bothers me these days." He grabbed her left hand and laced his fingers with hers, "There's just something about seeing you with those rings on." Annabeth shifted so that she was now sitting with her back toward the ocean, locking her eyes on her fiancé.
"Is that so?" she teased, bringing their interlaced hands to her lips, "You know, by my calculations, you owe me two kisses."
"Well I never let a debt go unpaid."
"Seaweed Brain, you are so ridiculously corny sometimes!"
"Would you like me to stop?"
"Not even for a second," she admitted and then kissed him deeply. When they finished, the couple laid back on the sand with Annabeth's head resting on Percy's chest. They didn't say much, but then they really didn't need to, having each other was enough.
"That is SO the cutest thing I've ever seen. This is exactly why they are one of my favorite couples," Aphrodite conjured a handkerchief and dabbed her heavily made-up eyes, "Just so adorable."
"Are you really this simple?" Athena asked incredulously.
"Now Athena," Hermes chastised, "Besides, I thought you had made your peace with those two."
"It comes and goes," she replied through gritted teeth, "I have admitted that she could do worse, even that I may have been…" her voice faltered.
"Sorry what was that?" Apollo asked. The other God's sat up, suddenly very curious as to what Athena was about to say.
"Yes Athena," Poseidon's eyes twinkled in amusement, "Please do continue."
She glared at him and finally said, "There is a small chance that I might have been wrong about your son. He isn't the worst hero we've seen… And he's not overly stupid… A passable human… For one of your sons of course," she added, smiling sweetly.
"Oh yes, of course, my children are notoriously awful. They just save the world on occasion, you know, when they can fit it in to their schedule." The other gods laughed at Poseidon's comment, curious to see what Athena would do. The two gods stared at each other, power radiating from the both of them. For a moment, the gods worried that at any second the pair might come to blows, but then Poseidon burst out laughing.
"So are you truly not happy for you daughter then?" he asked, "Because I think, based on her answer, she certainly believes that this will make her happy, so it seems that you should…"
"I need no lecture from the likes of you!"
"Ah my dear niece, you will find it quite impossible to ruin my mood today, though," he added, "you do certainly seem to be trying."
"Enough!" Zeus declared, effectively ending any conversation between the two, "We must discuss this matter."
"Discuss, Brother?" Poseidon asked.
"Yes make sure that the council approves."
"I was not aware that such approval was needed."
"In most cases no, but with two demi-gods with considerable power of their own…" Zeus began stroking his beard, "yes, I think there is much to discuss."
Suddenly the last of the major gods arrived: Hades.
"Glad to see you could make it Hades," Zeus said begrudgingly.
Hades smirked and said, "It is nice to see you too brother." Hades then conjured up a seat for himself, taking a moment to nod at Poseidon. Thought it was not always readily apparent the relationship between the God of the Sea and the Lord of the Dead and improved immensely, almost enough to call them close. Many speculated it had much to do with the friendship between their sons.
"It occurs to me, brother," Hades finally said, "that, having gotten to know Perseus, it really won't matter what mandate we pass down. I rather suspect he will, at least in this matter, do as he pleases." A few of the gods, namely the ones who like Percy, laughed. Hades looked at Poseidon momentarily, trying to judge if he had offended him in some way, but instead, Poseidon smiled with a proud look in his eyes.
"I must admit, I quite agree with Hades. My son seems to have a talent for ignoring practicality when his loved ones are involved."
"A problem we've come to know all too well," Athena said with her eyes closed.
"The punk wouldn't dare defy us!" Ares yelled. An awkward silence took over the room as each of the gods came to the conclusion that, if Annabeth was involved, Percy wouldn't even hesitate disobeying them. They all found it mildly unsettling.
"He wouldn't if we threatened his beloved," Hera mused. She paled however when she saw the expression of several of the gods around her.
"You're not suggesting…" Athena began.
"Peace, peace," Hera held her hands up, "I was just saying that we shouldn't worry too much about the boy, he could be easily stopped. You've said so yourself, his weakness has never been a much of a secret." Hera raised her chin, daring the others to challenge her. None did, however, though most were still shocked by her seemingly cold heart.
"Regardless, how do we feel about this? Athena, Poseidon, you are the parents. I assume both of you have no intentions of ending the relationship," Zeus once again forced the gods to focus on the business at hand.
"None at all, I have never hidden my love for Annabeth. I believe they will both make each other extremely happy," there was silence as the gods considered Poseidon's sincerity. If there was any doubt he loved the boy, it was gone now.
After a moment they turned to Athena who sighed and said, "I have given them both my approval."
The council meeting went very quickly after that. One by one the other gods gave their approval. Apollo with a haiku, Aphrodite with several delicate sniffles, Hephaestus a strong nod, Hermes couldn't get a word in between Martha and George, but when he finally silenced them he too said yes, Demeter said yes and then gave a bored sigh, Hades agreed, so did Hestia, Dionysus, like Demeter, also seemed bored, but did manage to give his blessing to "Peter and Annie", Artemis said she had great respect for both parties and so gave her hearty consent, even Ares could think of no reason to say no, though he loved to see Percy miserable. Finally, all eyes landed on Zeus, who, after a short pause said, "I suppose I approve of the marriage," then he stood up, "So ends the meeting, let it be on the record that through a unanimous vote, the demi-gods, Perseus Jackson and Annabeth Chase have the full permission of the council to become husband and wife."
With that declaration the meeting soon disbanded with only Poseidon and Athena left in the room. The two looked at each other and sighed.
"In all seriousness, are you truly upset at this turn of events or…" but Poseidon never finished his sentence.
"No, I'm not really. I'm not entirely sure what I feel, but I believe with time, I could really come to approve."
"I'm glad," Poseidon said, "I would hate to think that our feud might stand in the happiness of our children." Athena turned to look at Poseidon, but found that he was gone. She sighed as she looked at the now empty room. She waved a hand in the air and suddenly saw a picture of her daughter and her fiancé. They were on a beach, she was asleep in his hands, looking more peaceful than Athena had seen really ever seen her. Yes, she thought, perhaps I really could come to approve of this.
So there you are! Can you hear the bells? The WEDDING BELLS! Wait, you can? Um... I'm not sure it's entirely healthy for you to be hearing bells in your head... Perhaps you should get that checked out... Anyway, if i was MEAN I would impose a review requirement before I post the next chapter... Something like 80 reviews... So I guess the question is, DO YOU THINK I'M MEAN? DO YOU PUNK!
Oh also, just because I'm super proud of myself, neither of the two chapters I just posted were pre-written! I sat down and wrote two chapters all for you! And you say I don't love you, you foxy reader you!
