Bianca did not fight in this battle. She wasn't ready. But she sat in a tree to watch. There were a few other girls that were not fighting; some medics from the Amazons, and some girls who were injured. The Amazons did not seem to have any nature magic to speak of, so the Hunters had healed those with injuries, and now they were just letting them finish repairing themselves.

This night was supposed to be epic. So much so that Bianca had refused to be the one to hold back Thalia from fighting. She promised that she'd be alright. Only after she'd done this a dozen or so times did Thalia finally agree to leave for battle.

It was cloudy, which was a large reason for Bianca encouraging Thalia to go. It had been clear the other nights, so Thalia could do some real damage against the giants. Also, Bianca didn't to stop her from fighting alongside her friends. Just because her apprentice wasn't going to fight that day didn't mean that Thalia couldn't do something that she so clearly wanted to do. Also Bianca needed a bit of space to think about her feelings concerning Thalia. It was confusing to her, as she had never felt this way about anyone before. She barely even knew Thalia; how could she feel butterflies and such admiration at the thought of her?

The battle was epic to watch, for they now carried torches, yelling and screaming as they marched off to pick a fight with every single giant that they could. Bianca felt chills running down her spine when she saw the lightning. She'd watched Thalia strap a spear to her back when preparing for battle with Piper and Annabeth, the three girls chatting excitedly and grinning once Thalia brought out the spear. Thalia had grinned at it, stroking her fingers against the shaft almost lovingly.

When Bianca saw the lighting, a shiver ran down her spine. She saw it a couple of times, but Thalia seemed to be using this ability very sparingly. She was almost asleep standing up when she returned, and didn't even take off her boots when she got back into the tent with Bianca. The shorter girl was left to gently cover Thalia with a blanket, glad that she'd taken her weapons off of her person. She couldn't help but smile gently when she took a good look at Thalia's sleeping face. All tension was gone from the muscles in her face, and her lips were parted as she softly snored. Bianca allowed herself to stare for a moment before exiting the tent.

She took deep breaths once she got outside, squeezing her eyes shut. She'd have to put her feelings aside. The war was still on. She had no time to waste on growing feelings for her mentor. Bianca had to focus. She took deep breaths and picked up her bow and quiver, finding a target and began firing arrows at the bullseye, mainly working on aim. She was a little tired, but not much. Apparently she shot arrows through the day, until Thalia came to find her. Bianca had been shooting so long that closing her eyes burned in a pleasant way. Thalia encouraged her to go to bed. So she did, taking deep breaths and calming herself once she was covered and fell asleep.

Her dreams did not feature Thalia, thankfully. They depicted herself holding a sword, in a land of darkness (even the sky was black), stumbling around mountains of the dead. She could not see the end of this field. Restless whispers echoed her head until she tripped and fell, holding herself up with her hands. And then the nightmare ended. This dream began to occur a few times. Bianca wasn't quite sure why she had to be haunted with this, but she took it.

Every night, she'd watch the battle, too. Thalia would help her practice shooting arrows each day. She wasn't always perfect, but once she had improved enough in one step, she was ready to move onto the next, though Thalia liked to make sure that Bianca stayed in that one step a little bit longer than technically necessary, as to get it cemented into Bianca's muscles and brain. This was actually a bit of a genius idea, because each day when Bianca went back to review the older things, she was still decent at them, and slowly perfected those.

Some nights, Thalia went to battle, and some she didn't. She sometimes went to battle during days, again; sometimes she didn't. But Bianca would always stay up practicing shooting until Thalia got back. She had discovered that it made her anxious to watch, so she no longer sat in the tree.

One night, Bianca was shooting, thinking about Thalia and fantasizing about loving her.

"You are not focused." Zoe observed, entering the clearing. "One easy way to die on the battlefield is to not be paying attention to what is happening. It is also a simple way of saving the lives of others: to be focused. That is how Thalia was able to save your life when the man attempted to attack you. Lady Artemis told me that she saw that Thalia was almost panicking; trying to make sure that you would be alright." Bianca caught her breath.

"I don't know if I will be able to truly focus." She admitted. "I've kind of got something on my mind."

"Would you like to talk about it?" Zoe suggested. "Artemis and I talk every day and night. It is not an easy relationship to maintain in such times, but she and I do because we help each other with our problems and feelings."

"I… I'm worrying about Thalia." Bianca admitted, putting her drawn arrow back into her quiver. "I don't want anything to happen to her."

"It's natural to care for your mentor." Zoe assured her. Bianca chewed her lip.

"I have feelings for Thalia." She whispered. She exhaled. It felt so good to say that. "It's not just that I care about her… I have… romantic feelings for her, I think." Zoe nodded knowingly.

"It sounds like how Artemis and I fell in love." She replied dreamily. "She was the niece of King Zeus when she was younger, and I was her lady in waiting… Her brother was Apollo, but he had his calling as the attendant of the Oracle. She had no playmates except for me. We'd known each other since I was very young, and we did everything together. We were both exceptional at archery and hunting. When she realized that she would be expected to marry, she ran away, bringing me and any other girls who didn't want that along with her. One night, after we'd been gone for a while, she disappeared on the night of a full moon, then returned the next night of the full moon, leaving us camping for a month. I had to lead the few girls we'd brought with us and survive. She'd learned nature magic in that month… She still cannot tell me how it happened. But that night, in the tent we shared… that's what she told me. She talked about how she'd learned so much. She showed me how to do certain things. Phoebe had been the scullery maid in the castle, and began to learn with me as Artemis taught us. We became what we are today once the war started. After we killed our first giant, I was badly wounded when protecting Artemis, but Phoebe had been able to heal me. As I lay in bed in the tent Artemis and I shared, she confessed her love for me, and how she'd realized it when we were growing up together. I informed her that I reciprocated, and we kissed for the first time." Zoe's eyes were shining. "I've never loved anyone as much as I've loved Artemis, and I never ever will." Bianca was in awe at the beautiful love story that had unfolded with Zoe's words.

"Thalia and I come from similar backgrounds, but we are different people." Bianca explained. "What if she doesn't feel the same way?"

"Give it some time. Learn her. Know her. If your feelings of love sprout and grow into something… Then you may say that you love her, and it'd be a good idea to tell her. Love takes time and work. It takes communication; giving and taking. But most of all, you have to know the person." Zoe informed her. Bianca smiled softly as she received this advice. "Do you feel better now?" She nodded. "Now then…" Zoe smiled. "Let's see if we can get you to focus on shooting now, shall we?" Bianca was now able to focus. Talking to someone and hearing hope made things so much easier. She could now sleep easier and train with more focus and drive. Thalia noticed that little jump of improvement, but Bianca claimed that it was because Zoe had helped her a bit.

Weeks passed by until Bianca had gotten good at shooting still objects from far away. She still was not ready for battle, but she'd been going out onto the battlefield to see if the voices would still call out to her. They still did. She needed Thalia to be there to act as an anchor, and they always brought Zoe, Artemis, or Phoebe in case something went wrong and Bianca couldn't handle it. She would sit near come corpses and skeletons and try to concentrate and command them to be quiet. She'd gotten it to work on at least one voice at a time.

But one day when she'd been ogling Thalia's figure, and sat down to meditate, a raspy voice whispered at her; You're disgusting. And she told it, No, I am not. You are the dead one. I am alive. And I am a princess. You shall be silent. But had more to say, A princess who looks at other girls that way? It is not natural. At least death is. Bianca pursed her lips as she replied in her mind. War is not natural. You died fighting in one. I am here trying to finish what you could not. Be quiet. Stop whispering to me and let me do my job. The voice scoffed. This is not your job. Your job is to marry a king. Bianca could feel her anger rising. She furrowed her eyebrows in anger, scowling despite her shut eyes. You will be silent! I am Princess Bianca, daughter of King Hades, and you, commoner, shall listen to what I tell you! NOW SHUT UP! Suddenly no more voices spoke in her head. Even when she got up, her eyes still closed, and walked around the battlefield, relying merely on her instinct, the voices were quiet. Her gut whispered at her when to go around a body. But none of the dead spoke. She opened her eyes, and there were faint whispers, but when she mentally sternly told them to quiet, they did.

Later, she found that she did better when she drew from her emotions and put that fire and passion behind her commands. The dead no longer tried to jeer at her, once she had proved herself to be good at yelling and commanding to them.

This was when she knew that she was ready to go back to fight on the battlefield. Lady Artemis was there, watching over her along with Thalia once Bianca made this decision.

"My Lady!" Bianca hurried over, and knelt in front of the leader of the Hunters.

"What is it?" Lady Artemis asked, cocking her head.

"I can return to battle now." She announced, smiling triumphantly. "I have gotten a handle on the voices of the dead."

"You need not kneel before me." Lady Artemis assured her, smiling. "I am proud of you, Bianca. You conquered an obstacle."

"You did it! And you're alright!" Thalia placed an arm on Bianca's shoulders. The shorter girl turned towards her.

"Yes, I did." Bianca grinned. Thalia surprised by picking her up by the waist and spinning her in a circle. She let out a happy yelp.

"I'm so proud of you." Thalia whispered once she put her down. "I know how hard it is to conquer even part of the element. It must be harder, because it is the earth with the dead."

"I think your experiences are just as valid as mine." Bianca replied.

"I don't think I would be able to survive the voices, the way you did." Thalia moved a stray lock of hair away from Bianca's face.

"You helped me." Bianca informed her. "You were there for me and kept me tied down as I did. Thank you. Now I can fight by your side."

"I look forward to having the two of you fight together along with the rest of the Hunters." Lady Artemis smiled at them. "But I must return to the camp. You two may do as you please. Just watch out for one another."

"We will." Bianca promised. Thalia took her hand, and the two shared another smile. Bianca began practicing concentrating on either getting the earth to bend to her will, or the dead to do her bidding. She could not yet accomplish either, because she had not yet attempted them. But she would keep trying and practicing. This was where Thalia's advice came in handy, for she could make the rain fall harder, or the wind blow stronger, or cause lighting to strike where she wished. Bianca figured that her powers wouldn't be too far off of Thalia's own powers, but with a different element.

The two decided that the next night would be when Bianca would return to battle. She practiced a little bit with moving targets moving in predictable fashions. Then she practiced with her moving and her target still. She was not very good at either, but she would work at them. Thalia's and her own spirits were high. They were excited, despite the other girls needing a break. The Amazons were fighting during the day, while the Hunters had more of an advantage at night, so that was when they fought. The Hunters would march into battle in two different groups, but Thalia and Bianca would not be separated. Apparently neither would Zoe and Lady Artemis, for they could not be without each other in the heat of battle, for they would worry about the other too much to focus enough. The group that Thalia and Bianca were in the group that would go without Zoe and Lady Artemis, and would therefore be bigger. Phoebe would lead them.

As they entered the battlefield, Thalia took Bianca's hand in order to reassure the other girl. Bianca smiled gratefully. She had Thalia guide her as she walked so that she could focus on quieting the voices of the battlefield and asking them for information. The whispers came from the restless dead passing information on from one another. Bianca was able to tell everyone just how far away the closest giants were. The men who were also fighting were trying but failing to kill one. Phoebe and Thalia both snorted at this information. Men just hadn't been very organized at this point in the battle. Apparently the kings hadn't been able to get everything together to the point where they could have a competent army fight to protect the realm. Somehow the Hunters and Amazons were able to. They were all so powerful…

Bianca felt more confident this time as Thalia held her hand and they marched up to the first giant. Bianca let go of Thalia's hand and drew her arrow, beginning to contribute to destroying this invader of their realm. She felt a fire within herself as she fired arrow after arrow. Her quiver never seemed to run out… But she would question that another time, for right now, she was focusing on the battle. They took down giant after giant, until the sun had begun to rise, and the Amazons were charging forward to take their place. Bianca felt no remorse for contributing into killing the giants as Thalia took her hand and they retreated; running to their camp. She and Thalia were barely able to tell one another good night as they fell asleep.

Upon awakening, Bianca realized how successful she'd been this battle, and once Thalia was awake, she informed the other girl of this. This apparently earned Bianca a hug from Thalia. She blushed, wondering if she was maybe enjoying it a bit too much… But this was how she felt, and it was valid. She need not feel any shame for it. But she would also make sure that she focused on fighting for the realm. Her feelings for Thalia helped soothe the harsh grittiness of the fact that they were fighting giants. Some were smart and quick and therefore more dangerous. Those were generally ones that Lady Artemis and Zoe would rush over to assist them with and Thalia would summon lightning. The first time she'd done that was terrifying to Bianca, for she had never seen her do that before, and she'd been attempting to check on Thalia, despite getting shocked by the electricity still running over Thalia's body. Bianca didn't care; she just had to make sure that Thalia was alright.

Time went by, and Bianca practiced with shooting whenever possible. Thalia informed her that she was advancing faster, as she really got the practicing in when she was on the battlefield, as every shot arrow mattered. Bianca practically glowed with pride when she was informed of this.

When the Hunters went out for breaks from fighting, Bianca would shoot until she could no longer practice. Zoe would sometimes come over and offer advice for Bianca, or work with Thalia on something. Occasionally, Zoe would bring Lady Artemis along, and they'd be holding hands, and begin to help each girl. A smile from Zoe would be extremely encouraging to Bianca, and that helped to build up her confidence.

A few months had gone by from fighting when Bianca realized just how repetitive her life had become. The same things over and over… But this time, unlike when she lived in the castle… She actually felt alive. She felt a sense of purpose. She was actually doing something that directly helped others.

Through concentration, she one day found that she could make a corpse stand and do what she told it to. She terrified herself when she did this, and it took a lot of her energy and strength, but she had done it. She could really only raise one at a time, and it took a lot of focus and concentration to keep it doing as she told it, but this was something, and she was proud of herself.

When Thalia saw this, she was intrigued, and asked Bianca all sorts of questions. The two were now practically inseparable during most hours of the day, and Bianca had fallen for her. Thalia was her best friend.

One day, when they were camping away from the battlefield in order to get a break from fighting, they were just about to go to bed when Bianca couldn't hold in her secret anymore.

"Thalia!" She called after the taller girl as she turned to go towards the circle of tents.

"Yes?" Thalia asked, turning back towards her to see what she needed.

"I'm… Thalia… I'm in love with you." Bianca confessed. She bit her lip. Thalia's mouth fell open as she processed the information. The taller girl strode over to her, and cupped Bianca's face in her hands, tilting her chin up to softly kiss her. Bianca kissed back trying to refrain from smiling and ruining the kiss.

"I'm in love with you too." Thalia whispered against her lips. This time, Bianca kissed Thalia, and they stood there in the moonlight, kissing each other. Bianca was relieved that Thalia felt similarly to the way she did. She was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling when they returned back to the camp, hand in hand. As they sat down to eat with the others, all eyes on them for being late, Thalia whispered into Bianca's ear, "Would you like to be my lover?"

Bianca turned her head to look Thalia right in the eyes and spoke her reply; "Yes." They smiled, sitting so that their sides touched. Later, they arranged their bedding so that they were sleeping in the same bed. They weren't quite sure exactly how, but the news of their new relationship spread and they got congratulations and happy wishes from many of the other Hunters. Thalia and Bianca figured that since it was so widespread now, they could just be affectionate around other people. For example, they could kiss in front of others, or Bianca could sit in Thalia's lap. The looks that they gave each other would have notified everyone, had they not found out almost immediately, for the lovers looked at one another as though they were seeing the most beautiful thing in existence.

Each evening and morning, they would sit together in their tent and talk about anything and everything, especially things that were bothering them, or things that had bothered them. They talked about instances from when they were younger, or things that they feared. Anything was allowed, for this helped them in their relationship.

Being lovers helped Bianca and Thalia to be more ferocious when fighting. They relentlessly did what they could to knock down as many giants as possible each night. Eventually, they addressed this tendency.

"I used to be fighting for my siblings, and then also to grow stronger, but now I also want to give us a real chance." Bianca confessed. Thalia smiled, gently brushing Bianca's hair out of her face.

"I fight for a chance to be with you in peacetime too." She replied. "I don't care as much about proving myself anymore. For all I care, we could live in a cottage in the forest together. I just want to be with you. I want to try to have a life with you."

"You'd give up your royal status for me?" Bianca asked softly.

"Of course. I never asked to be a princess. It's not right for me; living that life." Thalia explained.

"I didn't either. But I don't know how life would be for me if I weren't royalty, but all I care about is the fact that my brother and sister are safe, and that I am with you." Bianca answered. "It's strange… I'm willing to die for so many people, yet you're the only one I actually want to live for." In response to that, Thalia kissed her.

"You make me want to live too." Thalia whispered. "I've never felt this way about someone before."

"Neither have I." Bianca replied. "And I don't think I ever truly will again."