Percy barely slept and what little sleep he had was filled with nightmares of swords and death.
"Percy?" He heard Annabeth call in a hushed whisper.
He made his way to her. "You're highness?"
"Water. Please." Percy got her some water and helped her sit up to drink it. Once she had her fill, he helped her lay back down. "Why did you stay?" The question took Percy by surprise. "You could have left with the crown. Hades would owe you and you could ensure peace among the Olympians. Laurels and glory would be yours."
"What glory is there in leaving someone injured and unable to defend themselves? I couldn't live with myself. Besides, I wouldn't be a very good escort if I left, now would I?"
"I have never met anyone like you. If we die, I want you to know that I am glad I knew you."
"You're not going to die." The resoluteness in his voice surprised himself. "Clarisse will come with help. I seriously doubt that they will let a valuable princess of Athens get taken."
"You overestimate my value. My mother rarely pays any attention to me or anything I do. I am a pawn in her plans, nothing more."
"You underestimate yourself. You're smart and brave as well as beautiful." Percy realized what he said a little too late and blushed furiously. "I just mean, uh, that help will come. You're getting better now, and by the time they get here, you'll be fit to ride." A small smirk graced Annabeth's lips as she studied Percy. "Get, get some rest, your highness." Percy excused himself.
He sat back down by the fire and nervously ran his fingers through his hair. Where had that come from? He couldn't talk to a princess like that. He was common. If she told anyone, he could be executed. He had to be more careful.
All too soon morning came and sounds of the army outside stirring came with it. Percy was acutely aware of his muscles tensing and his heart pounding in his chest. "Your highness. Time for you to hide."
"I won't hide. I will fight." She tried to sit up, but paled instantly.
"Hopefully, they'll turn at the first traps. But for now we must be prepared." Percy picked her up and placed her carefully under some baskets and furniture. He gave her the last of their water and food.
"Polyphemus!" They heard the call. "Show us the way."
They looked at Tyson who cleared his throat and called back. "Come forward." They all knew it wouldn't take long before they would realize their treachery. And sure enough, they soon heard the sounds of traps snapping, arrows, swords and rocks volleying themselves across the field, and men dying.
"Polyphemus, what is the meaning of this?"
They didn't answer.
"Advance. No one goes back on their word with me." Percy knew it was Castellan's voice.
What surprised Percy was that Polyphemus would be worth so much. Percy had almost thought that they would turn back once betrayal was clear. But it seemed that Castellan didn't seem to care how many men he threw at the traps they laid as long as he got what he wanted. This truly disturbed him. They could hear the snaps of the traps getting louder as the army got closer.
Their make shift door flew open and another volley of arrows and swords launched at the intruders. They were running out of traps. Soon it would be hand to hand combat. Percy engaged with the first soldier, dispatching him quickly and moving on to the next. Soon the small room was filled with soldiers, dead and alive. Percy thought that their team was doing fairly good, problem was there was nowhere else to go and the room was getting cramped fast. It wasn't much longer that the soldiers had pressed them up against the back wall in the cramped space.
"Halt." A voice called. The soldiers stopped advancing. Percy checked on Tyson and Grover. Grover had a cut on his arm, but other than that seemed okay. Tyson didn't have signs of injuries on him, but his torch stick was looking a little haggard. Percy looked to see who had called halt, when he saw Castellan himself advancing. As soon as their eyes locked, Castellan's scowl turned into a grin. "Well, well. If it isn't the infamous Percy Jackson. You are nothing but a thorn in my side. You've caused a lot of trouble for me."
"Good." Percy growled.
"Looks like you've had an upgrade. Doing well, are we? Come to fetch Hades' crown have you? You're a regular page boy. First Zeus's lightning rod and now Hades' crown." He looked around slightly. "Speaking of which, where is it?"
"Where's what?" Percy was stalling, he knew it and Castellan knew it.
"Where's the crown?" Castellan growled.
"Not here." Percy smirked.
Castellan scowled and advanced on Percy. Their swords engaged, but in three moves, Castellan disarmed Percy in the cramped space and slammed him up against the dirt wall. "Oh, it's here. You are definitely hiding something or why would you be here at all?" He studied Percy for a moment. Percy did his best to keep his face blank. Castellan turned to the nearest soldier. "Search the entire camp, starting with this hole."
Percy struggled against the soldiers dragging him from the hole. He was thrown into the very cage Clarisse had occupied a few days ago. Tyson and Grover were thrown in with him. It was a bit cramped with all three in there, but Percy was glad they were together.
For the first time they were able to see the carnage the traps had caused. They could also see how huge Castellan's army was as it spread out for about a mile to the south. His thoughts were immediately drawn to Annabeth's hiding place. It actually wasn't that good of a hiding place, and Percy was praying to anything that would listen that she wouldn't be found. When Percy heard some commotion coming from the hole, he knew that she had been found. Everything in him was screaming to be by Annabeth's side, protecting her. Shortly after, Castellan came out smirking.
Percy glared at him. "You gave it to Clarisse? You're more of a fool than I thought." Castellan laughed. He was about to say more when there was a disturbance behind him. A black stallion reared up and looked about to hit Castellan, but he deftly moved out of the way making it slam into the cage that held them. They shrank back into the cage. Castellan thought that that was funny. The stallion was kicking and bucking at every step. "Tie the stallion to the cage." He ordered the men struggling with the horse. "I'm sure you'll enjoy the company." He smirked at Percy. "I'll let you live just a little longer in thanks for the little present you left me. Princess Annabeth will make an excellent pawn. When Athena discovers her dead body, she'll blame Clarisse and insist on war with Ares. You haven't stopped anything." He smirked again. Percy launched himself at Castellan and almost reached through the bars, but he deftly moved out of the way, laughing. The horse just then kicked the cage, violently. Castellan laughed loudly, as Percy withdrew his hands inside the cage just in time to avoid the stallions teeth nipping at him. Tyson and Grover were already pressed against the other side of the cage. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of her until the right time."