So this is basically a direct continuation from the last chapter, so you might have to go back and reread the last part one more time. Please review. I made this one just a teensy bit longer to make up. I love you guys!


I covered my face in my hands. Percy wrapped his arms around me and I leaned into his shoulder. After a second, I remembered the boy. I stood up and walked over to him. "Come on. You're safe now. Let's get you cleaned up," I said. He grasped my hand with his good hand and I smiled. We left to go find the healers while Percy called another Counsel.

I found Will Solace in the gardens picking herbs. "Will!" I called to him. He turned around. Seeing the boy next to me, he picked up his bag and hurried over. "Will, I'm so glad I found you. Please help him."

"Of course, princess. Let's get him inside. There seems to be a storm coming. We don't want to get caught in the rain. Let's get him up to the Healer's Ward. I'll have more of my tools there," he said. Will was one of the best healers and also the one I knew best. He loved to joke and was never seen without a smile. Even after I was crowned, he continued to call me princess. Apparently I was much too nice to be a queen.

"No, don't. I don't want him to be seen by the others. He brought a grave message with him and I don't want to spread anymore fear. The people are afraid enough as it is." He nodded and quickly walked inside. The boy looked exhausted and I picked him and carried him on my back. We followed Will to the doors of my quarters.

"Will it be alright if we keep him here?" he asked. I nodded and entered the room. I went into the smaller room attached to my main bedroom which was my sitting room. I laid him down on the couch as Will immediately went to work. After what seemed like ages, he stepped away from the boy. "He is sleeping now. He had several large burns on his arms and I believe he has sprained his left wrist. I've set his wrist properly and put ointment on his burns. He is a jar. Put a small amount of this ointment in the morning when he wakes and befores he sleeps. All he needs now is rest, nourishment, and a family. The boy is extremely distraught. I must be on my way now, but if may ask, what was the message he brought?"

I hesitated for a moment and then said, "He said that Luke would burn the villages one by one until Percy and I faced him directly. I believe what he wants is to kill us. I trust you can keep a secret?"

He nodded and replied, "Of course, princess. Have a good night." With that he left my quarters. I sat down next to the boy and studied him. He was young. Only about 6, maybe 7. I wasn't able to stay long, because a call from outside came. I opened the door.

"Your Majesty. I apologize for the interruption but your presence is requested at the Counsel," said the guard standing outside my door. I nodded and hurried to the Counsel Chamber. The meeting was already in session and it was quite loud. The men were yelling at each other back and forth.

I let the doors slam shut behind me and walked quickly to the front of the room. Perfect. All eyes were on me. "I know that Luke's message may have been terrifying, but I know how we will win this. I have fought with Luke before. I knew him as a child and we often sparred. I know the way he fights and I can beat him. He may have trained hard up until now, but is not so easy to change a style. I will go to his castle and I will kill him there. Of course, it is likely that I will die as well as he will have guards stationed, but I know that there are very few who are actually loyal to him."

Percy stood up. "She's right. We must go and do what must be done."

I sighed quietly. "No, Percy. No we, I. Eldoris still needs a ruler. I must go alone. It is the only way."

"No! I won't let you do this!" Percy yelled, a single tear rolling down his cheek. I knew he was thinking of the curse. I gave him a small smile and shook my head.

"I must do this alone. I also have some things of my own to settle with him," I said quietly, tears threatening to fall.

"This could be done another way," said a small voice. I tracked the whisper to Nico who was standing in the corner. "What if both of you went while Annabeth went after Luke and Percy worked with the guards. Of course, he would take me with him." I didn't like it, but it allowed both of us a higher chance of survival than what we wanted, so I nodded my head in consent. Percy did too.

"One second. I'm not letting you guys go have all the fun. I'm coming with you," said Jason.

"I shall come as well," said Frank.

"And there's no way you're going off to fight without me," said Grover. Percy smiled at the last one.

"No, Grover. I need you to stay and watch over Eldoris while we're gone," he said.

"I agree. Plus, Juniper's pregnant so I don't think she would be very happy if you just waltzed away to Luke's palace," I agreed. Grover sighed and agreed to stay. We disbanded the meeting and prepared to leave the next morning.

I returned to my room to find the boy sitting up on the couch. I hurried over and sat down in front of him. "Hey, you feeling alright?" I asked.

"Yes ma'am. Can I have some water?" he asked. I went to the basin and filled a cup with water. He swallowed the water in one gulp and then looked up at me. "You're pretty. Are you the queen?"

I laughed. "Yes, sweetie. I am the queen, but you can call me Annabeth."

"Alright, Ann-ee-beth," he said, trying out my name. I laughed.

"You'll get it. What's your name?"

"I'm Christopher. You can call me Chris."

"Well, Chris. I know this might be hard for you, but I need you to think back to when you were in your village. Do you remember anything?"

"Yes. They came on horses. There weren't very many. Only 2 or 3, but my village is small. The burned everything. I was stuck under a piece of wood when one of them pulled the wood off me. I think he had kids, he was really gentle with me. He picked me up and put me on the ground. Then he gave me the message and told me to tell you personally. Then they rode away on the horses. Everyone was dead. It was hard to breathe so I ran out of there. I think my village is close to the palace because I made it here the next morning. Maybe it's not so close. I think I run very fast. I'm hungry. Do you have food?"

I thought about what he said while I went to get him some bread and fruit. I returned with a plate and he quickly started eating. He hadn't had much to eat lately, I could tell. I told him I would be right back and went to go find Percy.

I found him exactly where I thought he would be. He was down on the beach, standing in front of the water. I walked up next to him and put my arms around his waist. "I'm so sorry," I whispered.

"What for?" he asked.

"Everything. All of this is my fault. If I hadn't come up with that plan to weaken his army, maybe those people in the village would still be alive. People are dying by the hundreds because of my stupid plan. It's all my fault." Tears began to flow down my face and Percy just held me tightly as I sobbed into his shirt. "I'm sorry. I really needed that cry. Everything is just horrible."

"Hey. It's alright. Nothing is your fault. Your plan has allowed us to locate where they will strike next and has also allowed us a chance at defeating his army. A weak army is easier to fight than a strong army. You have nothing to apologize for." He kissed the top of my head and we stood there for a while in silence when I raised my head to speak again.

"I think we should start a family." Percy gave a weird look.

"Now? Annabeth, I want to have a family too, but I think the timing's a little off."

"Not like that, Seaweed Brain. I mean Chris. The boy who arrived this morning. He has no family and no home to return to. He's a wonderful child. I would love to call him my son, if it's alright with you."

"I think that's a wonderful idea. But let's get back from Basia first. Should anything happen to us, I don't want to leave him orphaned again."

"Don't worry. I find we're tough people to kill." We stood like that for awhile longer, just watching the waves roll onto the shore.


I'm really sorry, but I don't think I'll be able to update before 2015. Check in evryday, but don't get you hopes up. Please review. I love you guys!