A/N: Two words people. The. Avengers. BEST MOVIE EVER! I saw it with a few friends this weekend it was AMAZING! If you have not seen it, I highly recommend it. Ironman is hilarious, Captain America is hot, and well…the Black Widow, ladies let's face it we all wish we could pull a flip like that. Well here is chapter ten, yay double digits!
Perseus
Upon seeing Queen Annabeth, the spirits of the young king had risen. He spent his days restoring the former glory of Argos. The citizens never ceased to be amazed by their king. He had gotten on his hands and knees and cleaned the sewage system underneath the city, with the help of the royal Companions. Never in a century had a king such as Perseus come along, his feats were not only in cleaning. While the war against the Megarians had destroyed the economy of the city, Perseus offered to help rebuild it. The Megarians so overjoyed by the young king's offer, they swore alliance under Perseus.
Word of the new king spread like wild fire throughout Greece, some kings fled to Argos to ask of the young king's favor, while others watched at a distance. Some were still wary of the Argos, since Ly's rule the city had been known as a blood thirsty city-state, but thanks to Perseus the name was slowly deteriorating away. Perseus himself was a genuinely kind man, he was quickly developing a new charming skill, and his sword skills were unparalleled to any man in the country. He had already been a contender for many women to marry, but now royal men flocked to the kingdom to give his blessing. But even the most beautiful women were rejected; it was almost as if the king didn't see any of them.
Perseus made a new domestic policy, to enter into his court the men had to be clean shaven and weapons left outside the throne room. Insults and rude remarks would be unheard of, and everyone was equal under his rule. He was seen making his own bed, cleaning his own stallion's stall, and dressing himself. The king was totally independent it seemed, his aura of goodness seemed to spread throughout all of Argos. The people celebrated every day in their king's greatness. Perseus also created small foreign affairs with many other countries like the Kievian Rus.
Peace was just a small idea at the time, but in the distant future with Perseus above them, it was growing into a belief. Prosperity would be coming after peace, and once the land was united, nothing could stop a powerful country such as it.
The first months into Perseus's reign were the sudden changes the citizens of Argos had not expected. The same day a certain Queen of Crete had left, Perseus had gone into the city with many pounds of bread. Children with empty bellies were finally full, mothers wept at the feet of the king, and fathers raised their son's on their shoulders. Perseus went to work on the construction of new houses for the poor and homeless. The wealthy were stripped of much of their money to give to the poor. Although they did not approve, it was beginning to turn into a city of industry.
"He will make a great king." The elders said, but one girl with the Sight of the oracle came to the palace the fifth month of Perseus rule. When fall was ending its grip on the small city, winter chills sinking into the Earth. The girl was known throughout the land to be the daughter of Aphrodite, but many doubted her ability. She did not pay high for her prophecies, but this particular one she gave to the king for free. Having known the king most of her life, the particular girl had once been betrothed to one of Perseus's closest Companions.
The palomino mare had cantered into the palace courtyard that morning; her mount was a beautiful, young girl. Her long, sleek back hair was held high onto her head. Her fierce kaleidoscope eyes pierced the palace guards with stares of hate. As she leaped down from the mare, she delicately wiped off her dress's skirt. "Lady Silena…how nice to see you once more." One of the guards said, the oracle had stared at the man with an unnerving gaze.
"Benjamin, Kel leave the young lady go, I have business with her." King Perseus spoke out with a gentle, but firm voice. He smiled at Silena with a charming smile, "Silena," He kissed the air above her hand, "how I have missed you so. From the bottom of my empty heart, I have cried for you." He laughed with humor.
"Oh my dear friend, how you humor me." Silena said slyly, her white, silk bodice hugged her body. Every curve of her body was evident; Perseus could see her breast through the fabric. She was a witch, with a bizarre taste of dress. "How's Charles? Still the swine I know him to be?" Perseus felt a jab of sorrow for his friend. Silena and Charles had once been betrothed, but Charles had had a moment of weakness.
"Silena, he still longs for no one but you." She pressed her lips together, her eyes narrowed on the distant sea. "Come, enough of this. That is in the past, I would like you to come speak with me in the palace. I do adore our little 'discussions' my lady." Silena rolled her wide eyes, following after the king.
They entered the king's court room. "You may sit at the table, Lady Silena. It does not appeal to me which one." Silena chose the king's, the largest and the grandest.
"I have received a vision Perseus. Delphi got tedious, so I traveled to the mountains. I was almost to the peak of the highest one on the Acarnanian Mountains. As I neared there, I felt the god on my shoulder. When I looked back, Father Apollo stood there. He gave me this vision, telling me I must give it to you. You are to listen, Son of the gods, do you understand?" Perseus's face was expressionless; he was focused totally on Silena. He nodded, and continued to watch her.
Lady Silena's face grew a hue paler, her already pallor face was white without any color. Her eyes closed, moving feverently behind her eyelids. Her lips moved with incantations, speaking ancient prayers to the gods. Her eyes forcefully opened, they were a deep and luminous green. They glowed with absolute power and knowledge.
"Perseus of Argos, you will reunite the nations under your rule. You will go forth and take what is rightfully yours, in the mind of the gods you will be in their favor. A great war will fall upon all of Greece, and you will raise the sword in their darkness. You will kill the darkness that seeks the light. The woman you seek will be given to you, but the child she bears will be the heir to three thrones. If the child is to die, Greece will fall."
Silena collapsed onto the table breathing heavily, her voice had been doubled over with another's. Perseus rushed to her taking her in his arms,
"Silena, breathe, my lady please." He rubbed her back until she stopped thrashing wildly. When the girl had finished, she pulled away looking quite collected after her fit.
"Did you listen? Did you hear?"
"Yes my lady, I did. Thank you eternally for that, it brings me great joy."
"That is not all Perseus, more is yet to come. The gods themselves cannot see what I can." She rose, staring down at the king. "I will acquire a room for my stay here, King Perseus. If you have one not available, I'll have the slaves pitch my tent." Perseus waved his hand,
"That won't be necessary Lady Silena, I shall see to it you royal bedding arrangements are in order." Perseus smiled walking out of the room, he almost ran into Charles. "Oh the gods help me, Charles lets venture this way."
"Why what in Posei- Silena!" Charles froze when he saw her. Silena's eyes burned, her face turned from white to red in a matter of seconds. Her hair rose up around her face, the kaleidoscope eyes blended to one single color of black. They sparked with flames; they looked like hot coals on the edge of a fire pit. But then it all broke, her hair sank flat to her neck. The power failed her and sadness entered her eyes.
"Charles." She said with a barren voice. Charles reached for a strand of her hair, but she pulled her dress around her, blocking him. "I must take my leave. Good day King Perseus." She looked down at the floor; hot, angry tears were forming in her eyes. Charles seemed to have lost his voice, but his eyes tried to speak. He looked after her with so much yearning and want, but Silena had left to her room.
"May the Father damn me to the Fields of Punishment Perseus! I have torched the one thing I loved with fire… I have no honor. What man am I to you?" Charles sat down on the chair next to the king's at the table. He ran his fingers in circles over the woods, looking down at his face through the reflection.
"You are the most honorable man Charles Beckondorf, I have ever met. If not the only honorable man I have ever met. You take responsibility for your sins and vices, my brother. It takes true honor and courage to do as you do; I was not even brave enough to do it as a child. Silena is a sly woman; she manipulates you in her palm. If she does not see the man you are, then so be it. Silena will regret the day she ever released you Charles." Perseus said, his voice was genuine and spoke the truth.
"She was not that way; she wears it as a mask… A mask for my sin. You remember her as the same child I do, my king, but I slaughtered that child. I killed her spirit with my betrayal, I am no better than the thieves on the streets or the polygamists."
"Charles are you not my dearest friend and companion?" The lord nodded, "Then you must listen to me. That day eleven years ago was not for nothing, I would still do it if I had another chance. I gave you my home Charles, because we are brothers! You were different than those beggars on the streets, you were meant to be a king. You will rule your own land someday, my friend. In fact, you will rule next to me. My highest advisor, my heir." Perseus put a hand on Charles's shoulder. "Have I given you nothing?" Charles looked at his friend, his eyes filled with tears.
"My dear friend, you have given me my life. You are giving me your kingdom…why? Why my lord, would you not give it to your son?"
"Charlie, I do not want children unless they are given to me by one woman. If that woman is never mine, then I shall have no child. I will marry, but she will not be my wife. She will be a friend, and nothing more."
Charles rubbed his temples, sighing deeply. "Why are you so brave?"
"A nation needs a brave, daring king. One who believes his subjects are higher than him, and they do more labor than me. Who is to say they are not?" Charles laughed,
"Percy I need to train you in the rare art of leisure. It's truly a wonderful thing." Perseus laughed, reaching out a hand to his friend.
"If you say so, dear friend." Charles took it and the duo walked out of the court room. Perseus was saying a jest to him, but they were watched warily by a woman with bright blue eyes. A woman who would become the bridge to King Perseus's Golden Age. This woman was known as Thalia.