Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians nor do I own The Heroes of Olympus.
Story: Champion of Olympus: The Sea's Wrath
Chapter 9: Island Surprise
On board the Thalassa
Annabeth's POV
I held Percy tightly after he collapsed from exhaustion. "Is he alright?" Clarisse asked as she approached me from the control room. I could see Tyson glance over her shoulder from the controls. I carefully laid Percy on the deck, and checked his pulse and vital signs. His heart rate was steady, and he seemed fine to me.
"He's fine; I think he's just exhausted." I said.
"Well, here I'll help you carry him downstairs." Clarisse said. I looked at her curiously.
"What?" Clarisse asked as she stared at me concerned.
"You've acted a lot nicer than usual on this trip, what's going on?" I asked. Clarisse stared at me trying to act like she was confused by my question. She sighed heavily.
"Let's get Jackson downstairs, and I'll tell you." Clarisse said. I nodded my head as she helped me carry Percy downstairs to one of the bunk beds. I placed Percy under the blankets, and left after I wiped some of his messy black hair from his face. I chuckled to myself as I saw him smile at my touch. I walked back into the lounge area of the boat to see Clarisse sitting on the couch; I sat down next to her.
"Tell me what's going on with you?" I asked. Clarisse sighed, and I knew it was hard for her to open up to anyone especially me. "I know we're not friends, but we're on this quest together whether we like it or not. We need to help each other get through this." Clarisse stared at me for a moment, and then I saw something change in her eyes.
"I hate to say it, but your right brain, I mean, Annabeth." Clarisse said with a smirk. "I know the traitor who poisoned the pine tree." I looked at her in shock.
"You know, why didn't you tell anyone?" I asked angrily. Clarisse looked down at her hands, her face paled, and for a second I thought I saw a tear run down her cheek.
"I think I love the guy who did it." Clarisse said. I looked at her in complete shock, Clarisse in love with someone. "Don't look so surprised; children of Ares can fall in love." I nodded, so she would continue.
"His name is Chris Rodriguez; he was an undetermined camper in the Hermes cabin. I assume that's how Luke got him to join." Clarisse said. She said Luke's name with disdain.
"So why do you think he did it, just because he knew Luke?" I asked, starting to get upset now.
"No, actually he disappeared right after we found out about the tree, I put two and two together and as shocking as this is for you, it added up to four." Clarisse said with a smirk. I couldn't help, but laugh at her statement.
"Why didn't you tell anyone?" I asked.
"I hoped that I was wrong, and by the time I figured out I wasn't he was long gone, plus I think he had help, but I'm not sure about that." Clarisse said.
"Do you think the person who helped him is still at camp?" I asked curiously.
"No, Chris isn't smart enough to think of this plan on his own, someone helped him poison the tree, and then escape. So, I think his accomplice left with him." Clarisse said.
"This is why you were nice to me?" I asked suspiciously.
"I saw how hurt you were with Percy and his problems, and well I felt even worse about Chris. Plus, I thought you would know what I was going through considering what Luke did last year. I just wanted to have someone to talk to, I'm sorry if I bothered you." Clarisse said sincerely. I was completely taken aback by her honesty, and the pain I could see in her eyes.
"You didn't bother me, and I do understand what you're going through. Even with Percy back to his old self, I still feel the pain of Luke's betrayal. I know he hated his dad for leaving him with a mom that was not all there. If you need to talk again just let me know." I said. Clarisse smiled at me for a moment before she stood up, and walked toward the stairs.
"Annabeth, thanks" Clarisse said.
"No problem." I said as Clarisse walked back up to the control room. I walked back into Percy's room. He was sleeping peacefully, and for the first time since I returned to camp for the summer I looked at him closely. He still had the same messy black hair, although it was a little longer than last summer. He was taller now, but so was I. He was probably around five foot eight inches tall to my five foot nine inches, but he must have grown two inches over the summer. At that rate he would be a lot taller than me soon enough. His facial features looked the same, except he was a little thinner than last year. All in all he was still the good looking boy that I knew last year, just a little older, and more grown up. I remembered my conversation with my mother last year when she told me that Percy had loved me since he first saw me at seven years old. I still didn't know what to make of that. I knew that I cared deeply for him, and that I felt different toward him than I did for Luke. I had a crush on Luke since I was seven, but after thinking about my feelings for the past year I knew that I loved Luke like a brother, nothing else. Percy, on the other hand was totally different, he was powerful, and even dangerous, but he had a softer side that was loyal and caring. He was unlike anyone I had ever known, and my feelings for him scared me.
"Hey wise girl." Percy said breaking me away from my internal musings. I looked at him as his sea green eyes looked up at me. He gave me his crooked smile that I loved; it always seemed to light up my day.
"There's the real Percy." I said. Percy's smile widened.
"Sorry, about being a depressed jerk the last several months." Percy said.
"Not your fault." I said. Percy's face became serious, and his eyes seemed to glow as he furrowed his brow in thought.
"It was my fault, at least partly. I let Kronos get to me, and he almost destroyed me. I can't believe I acted so stupidly." Percy said angrily. I sat down on the bed next to him, and held his hand.
"You're back, thats all that matters now." I said. Percy sat up in his bed, and hugged me tightly. It felt so could to hug him, he smelled like a sea breeze. We separated after a few moments, and just looked into each other's eyes.
"I missed you wise girl." Percy said.
"I missed you too, seaweed brain." I stated in return. Then Percy leaned forward, and kissed me softly. We broke apart after a few seconds; both of us smiling at the other.
"I guess you really did miss me." I said with a smirk. We heard someone clear their throat, and we turned around to see Clarisse standing in the doorway with a mischievous grin on her face.
"If you two love birds are done, we could use you both in the control room." Clarisse said. Percy and I stood up, and followed her into the control room where Tyson stood looking out over the ocean.
"Percy, it's so good to see you." Tyson said. Percy ran to his friend, and hugged him tightly. Tyson's face turned red as his smile widened.
"Its ok little brother, I'm here to help now." Percy said. Tyson just stared at Percy in disbelief.
"Brother?" Tyson questioned.
"I'm your brother, if you want me to be?" Percy asked in return. Tyson's smile grew even bigger.
"I'd like that very much." Tyson said.
"Good, now what's going on?" Percy asked curiously.
"The fight with Scylla wrecked our three sailing masts; we have only the currents to pull us through the water. Tyson's too tired to use his abilities, and I'm not even sure how he was able to use water powers in the first place. I never heard of Cyclops being able to control the sea." Clarisse said.
"We'll have to find an island to repair the boat. Tyson, you're able to control the sea and ship because Poseidon gave you his blessing." Percy said.
"He did?" Tyson questioned again.
"Yes" Percy said amused. Percy looked over at Clarisse. "I can use my abilities to get us to an island quickly." Percy closed his eyes in thought; the boat lurched forward as if the water itself grabbed the boat, and pulled it through the water. Percy opened his eyes, and took a deep breath. "There is an island about thirty miles away from here. We should be there in an hour." Clarisse and Tyson both sighed in relief. "Everyone get some rest, I'll stay up on deck to make sure everything stays ok."
"If you don't mind, I'd like to stay up here." I said. Percy smiled at me happily.
"I'd enjoy the company." Percy said as we walked up on deck, and sat down near the bow of the boat. The wind whipped past us as we sat on the deck of the boat; the beautiful sun shone brightly above us.
"Which island are we heading too?" I asked curiously.
"Not sure, I can only sense its location. We're in the sea of monsters, so we need to be careful. There are a lot of dangerous things here, both in the sea, and on land." Percy said. I leaned my head on his shoulder as we both sat on the deck.
"Whatever happens, we'll face it together." I said. I felt him wrap his arm around my shoulders as my eyelids became heavy, then I drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
I wasn't sure how long I slept, but I suddenly felt someone shaking me. "Annabeth, wake up, we're here." Percy said as I opened my eyes. He was leaning over me, and I couldn't help, but reach up, and brush some hair away from his eyes. "The island is straight ahead." I looked forward, and there it was. A beautiful green island was directly ahead of the boat, only about a hundred yards away. A golden sandy beach stretched around the island; the bright blue waves crashed along the shoreline. Percy stood up, and the boat immediately slowed down. I heard movement behind us; I turned to see Clarisse and Tyson standing looking at the island in wonder. The boat suddenly stopped, and I could hear the two anchors lowering into the water.
"I'll get the dingy ready." Tyson said as he ran toward the aft section of the boat.
"I'll help him." Clarisse added. I walked up to Percy lacing my hand through his.
"Let's join them." I said as I squeezed his hand. We walked to the rear of the boat, and climbed down into the dingy with Clarisse and Tyson. Percy moved the dingy through the water with his powers until we came ashore. After we disembarked, Tyson pulled the dingy up onto the shore.
"We need to cut three large trees to replace the masts." I said as I pulled out an axe, and handed it to Tyson. "Clarisse we need some palm oil so we can lubricate the gears on the mast controls. You should be able to get enough from the trees that Tyson cuts." I said as I handed Clarisse a bucket. "Percy and I are going to look for fresh water and food. We need to replenish our supplies." We all started to walk away from each other until we heard the sound of hoof beats. We looked up to see thirty horses running towards us. Each horse had a rider dressed in full battle armor holding spears, swords and bows. The thirty warriors surrounded us in an instant. The lead rider moved forward, and removed his helmet. We all gasped when we saw the rider's head, it was a woman.
"You are trespassing on the island of the Amazons; you're now our prisoners." The lead warrior said as the other warriors aimed their weapons at us. I was stunned; I thought all the Amazons died thousands of years ago.
AN: Tyson has control of the boat and the sea because Poseidon gave him his blessing. The blessing also allows him to act a little more mature than in the books. I know Chris and Ethan didn't show up until later in the books, but I wanted them both in this story earlier, and you just saw one of the reasons why. Clarisse is in love with Chris earlier than in the original story, so his betrayal gives her something in common with Annabeth. You will see the Annabeth and Clarisse friendship grow over time. Also, the introduction of Ethan as an earlier opponent will also be discussed in later stories as well. I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter, and we'll get to find out more about the Amazons in the next chapter.
