Chapter 11
The next morning, Thalia woke up at 7 and wondered why both Zeus and Hades had told her, Nico, Helen, and Frederick to go to sleep early last night. She was also wondering what the surprise that they mentioned was. She was broken from her thoughts when she heard someone mumble Annabeth's name. She got down from her bed, since she was on the top bunk, and noticed that both Percy and Annabeth were in their beds. She gasped quietly, so as to not wake them up, and just as quietly woke up Nico. She showed Nico the sleeping lovers in their beds, and they silently agreed to get Helen and Frederick. After they woke the two parents up, the daughter of Zeus and son of Hades guided their guardians back to their room, where they noticed the still sleeping demigods.
"When did they get here?" asked Helen, in a hushed voice
"Last night, I'm guessing," said Thalia, in the same low volume. "Father and Uncle H had said that they had a surprise for us when we woke up. I'm guessing this is it."
"Should we leave them like this?" asked Helen
"I think we should at least let them stay in the same bed together," said Nico, "it's not like they'll do anything. They love each other too much to actually do something without the other wanting to do it as well."
"Fine," said Frederick, "Nico you grab Annabeth's arms, I'll grab her legs."
"Why Annabeth?" asked Nico, as he went over and grabbed her arms.
"Do you want to lift Percy instead?" asked Frederick, as he grabbed her legs.
"Never mind," said Nico
"On the count of three," said Frederick, lifting her legs as Nico lifted her arms. "One, two, three, lift."
They lifted Annabeth off her bed, and carried her onto Percy's, gentle enough so she's not woken up by any sudden movements. They carefully placed her next to Percy. As soon as they let go of her limbs, she automatically faced Percy with her hands on his chest and her head in the nook of his neck. Percy, somehow sensing Annabeth as well, automatically wrapped her arms around her protectively and his head over her head.
"Aww," cooed Helen, "they're smiling."
"It's like they can sense when the other is near," said Nico
"It's so lovey-dovey, it's almost gag worthy," said Thalia, "almost. Just because it's Percy, the moment's not worthy."
Everyone chuckled, though not at Thalia's comment, but at the two sleeping figures, as they both were smiling in their sleep and moving in an almost cuddling fashion. They then left to let the two have some alone time together after being separated from each other for months. (A/N Just in case anyone's curious, they were reunited in about 7 months, so it's about March)
The four conscious figures spend about two hours getting ready for the day, and at about 9, just as they were about to start breakfast, they heard a loud crash coming from the demigods' bedroom. The two adults and two kids start rushing to the stairs, when Percy comes sprinting down with Annabeth on her back, laughing.
"Guys!" yelled Percy, "You'll never believe it! Annabeth's back! She's back! After all these horrendous, life-mutilating, depressing, self-pitying months, she's back!"
"It's great to see you too, Seaweed Brain," said Annabeth
"Glad you're back to normal Kelp Head," said Thalia, "and that Annabeth's back where she belongs."
The other three murmured their agreement, when Annabeth asked, "Percy, what do you mean horrendous, life-mutilating, depressing, self-pitying months?"
"Well," said Percy, as he trailed off, when Thalia interjected, "You see, Kelp Head here ran out of the house as soon as you were taken by your mom, and transformed into a seagull, and lived with our avion friends for the past few months. He was so distraught that he couldn't see you ever again, that whenever someone would remind him of you, he would attack them in seagull form, getting hurt in the process, even though he never tried to heal from them."
"Percy, why would you do that?" scolded Annabeth, sounding worried, "do you know how miserable I would have been knowing that the guy I loved had died because I wasn't there with him?"
"Sorry," said Percy, "it's just, every time I saw someone with like blonde hair, or reading a book, it would remind me of you, and I couldn't stand knowing that people are out there who can still see the one they loved, yet I couldn't even take you on a single date without something terrible happening."
"Percy," said Annabeth, as she caressed his cheek in her hand, "I'm sorry, I didn't realize, since Athena had kept me locked up in a prison-like place for her kids who she wishes to be in there for one reason or another, and so I didn't have those problems. I forgot that this was as hard on you as it was on me. Without you there, all I could do was wake up, cry, and fall asleep. I had to be forced to do simple tasks, such as getting out of bed, taking showers, and even brushing her teeth. I was just majorly depressed, and I realized that I don't think I can ever be happy again without you."
"Annabeth," said Percy, as he took said girl into a hug, "I feel the same way. Ever since I met you, I've always felt complete, and when I'm away from you, even for a little bit, I feel as if it's forever, and that I may never see you again. I don't think that I can ever be happy again without you, as well. I love you Annabeth."
"I love you too Percy," said Annabeth, as they both leaned into a kiss. They started kissing for a while, when Thalia cleared her throat.
"As much as I loved to see you two again," said Thalia, "we don't need to get into the real mushy-gushy stuff until after I get used to it. Besides, aren't you wondering how you two ended up in the same bed?"
"I don't care," said Percy, "I'm just uber psyched that Annabeth's back."
"And I'm just psyched that I'm back with Percy," said Annabeth
"Well, poo," said Thalia, "that ruined my fun. If you wanted to know, Nico and Frederick put Annabeth in your bed Percy, and as soon as we let go, you two were all cuddling and stuff, and acting as if you were in the same position the whole time. You two were practically spooning."
Percy and Annabeth both blushed, and Helen helped them out, "So, what do you have planned for today?"
"I don't care," said Percy, "as long as it's with Annabeth."
"That is so corny," said Thalia
"Shut up, I like corny," said Annabeth
"I thought you hated corny," said Thalia
"That's only with people who aren't Perseus Jackson," said Annabeth
"Now look who's getting corny," said Percy
"Shut up," said Annabeth, playfully slapping him on the arm. "Wait, what about school?"
"Don't worry," said Helen, "we made the school think that you four had gotten into a major car crash on the way back, and that Nico and Thalia had gotten away basically scotch-free because you two had taken most of the damage, and had been in the hospital for a three months, and then were in casts for the last four. You two can announce that you're free from casts on Monday."
"Thanks a lot," said Annabeth
:Oh," said Helen, "and Zeus and Poseidon had pulled some strings using the Mist to make the teachers think that you two had done all your homework, with help from Thalia and Nico, so you won't have to repeat any of your classes."
"Wow," said Percy, "remind me to sacrifice a bit extra to them next time you can."
Just then the doorbell rings, and Helen goes to get the door. She returns two minutes later with Poseidon and Athena trailing behind her. When the demigods notice Athena, Thalia and Nico immediately get in front of Annabeth, who is hugged protectively by Percy. Thalia and Nico have their weapons out ready to fight, while Percy is ready to get his sword out if need be.
"Peace godlings," said Athena, "I'm not here to harm you."
"You weren't here to harm us the last time either," snarled Thalia, "and yet you ended up hurting yourself, your daughter, Percy, and possibly your other children at camp as well."
"We'll let you six handle this by yourselves," said Helen, as she and Frederick quickly exit the living room.
"I know," said Athena, returning the remaining beings' attention to the previously interrupted conversation, "and I'm truly sorry about that, and I apologize heavily about what had happened. I only did this because I was in love with my arch rival, Poseidon, and I didn't want anyone to know, nor did I want any of my children to progress further in their relationship with Poseidon or his kids than I did with Poseidon."
"So what you're telling us is that you caused all this purely out of jealousy?" asked Percy, tightening his hug around Annabeth, who was challenging her mother with her eyes to do something about it.
"Yes," said Athena, "and I realize my mistake. Though, I am slightly afraid that I might be too late to recover pieces of any relationships I may have built up, since I am no longer an Olympian."
"How do we know you're not lying?" asked Nico
"She isn't," said Poseidon, just now entering the conversation, "The Council had voted to replace her with Hecate, who had been chosen by the minor gods, and Athena's status as an Olympian has been removed, and the Council is working right as we speak to change any recordings of the mortals that says otherwise. Of course, a new story about Athena will be put out there, and it will be as close to the truth as possible."
"Which I can live with," said Athena, "since I'm going to try and redeem my worth in everyone's eyes before I can do anything else."
"Okay," said Thalia, "what is the story by the way?"
"We haven't worked out the kinks just yet," said Poseidon, "but the major art of the story is that Perseus of Chios and son of Poseidon had fallen madly in love with Annabeth of Lesbos and daughter of Athena. Their mortal parents had arranged their marriage, and they were about to be wed when Athena and I came, and after some congratulations form me and some yelling from Athena, Annabeth had been taken and hidden from everyone, including the gods. Perseus then went around Greece looking for her, but was unsuccessful. I, on the other hand, was rallying up support on Olympus to force Athena into letting the two get married, and, with help from Hermes, slipped a truth serum, from Hecate, into the nectar that she was drinking during her meeting. The meeting then went over the issue of our children getting married, and I was able to coerce the truth out of Athena, and she admitted why she did so, and then all the other gods joined my side, the Council voted that the two royal children shall get married as planned, Annabeth was returned, they get married, and Athena gets replaced by Hecate. Oh, and Greece never looks at Athena the same way ever again."
"Wow," said Thalia, "that was as close to the truth as possible."
"And I was able to come up with it," boasted Poseidon
"Anyway," said Athena, "the reason I came here was to ask for forgiveness, and do whatever it takes to earn it. I also brought gifts for my daughter and the son of Poseidon."
"All right," said Percy, "show us your gift and then we'll decide whether you should be forgiven or not."
"Okay," said Athena, "for my daughter, I give you the power to transform into any owl you want, as well as a grey dragon that can control wind. I also give you a fox you can ride on and an owl. These two animals will only listen to you, Perseus, Thalia, and Nico, and serve the same purpose as your friends' respective animals do. The fox and owl have yet to be named, and they are waiting for you at Camp Half-Blood. For Perseus, I gift him with a necklace that shall make him wiser. I also have a gift for both of you, and that is knowledge of all the school work that you missed, along with knowledge of the topics you shall learn in the future, including knowledge of all fields of occupation. Do not worry, the knowledge will not come now, but it will come at the right time."
Everyone, except Poseidon, stared at Athena, and Percy and Annabeth were the first to break it. They both untangled themselves from Percy's protective hug, and bowed to Athena, thanking her. None of the demigods noticed the new necklace around Percy's neck.
"While we're on the topic of presents," said Poseidon, "I have a present for Annabeth. It is a necklace, one much like Athena's, and it endows you, Annabeth, and only you, with a limited power over water. You shall be able to control water to an extent, and also be healed by it. Also, you shall be able to communicate with horses, zebras, any horse-like creature I may have forgotten, and aquatic animals as well."
Now, a necklace appeared on Annabeth's neck, which she took notice of. (Picture of the necklace is on www. Limogesjewelry .?productid=15437 except with Yellow Sapphires and Aquamarine)
"Oh my gods," gasped Annabeth, as she looked at the gems, "it's beautiful."
"It really is," said Thalia, turning around examining the gems as well.
"Looks like Percy has the same one," said Nico, as he looked at the necklace around Percy's neck
"It is," said Annabeth, "you know that the yellow sapphire symbolizes wisdom and the aquamarine represents the ocean."
"It's the perfect ones," said Percy, as he hugged Annabeth.
"All right," said Thalia, "don't get all mushy on me. Besides, I'm sure that Lord Poseidon and Lady Athena have some more things to add."
Everyone turned around, but found two notes in place of the god and goddess. Thalia and Nico both went over and Thalia picked Athena's up, while Nico picked Poseidon's.
"Athena's says," said Thalia, as she read the note, "'I truly am sorry about putting all of you in so much hurt. I hope that my gifts will be useful, and now that from now on, I will support my daughter's relationship and decisions as well as Percy's. Also now that Percy's necklace will allow him to be able to come up with battle plans on the spot and that the two necklaces are connected to each other. As long as Percy and Annabeth wear their both necklaces, they will be able to talk to each other mentally (whenever they want), be able to tell if the other is in trouble, and any and all powers given by the necklace and through heritage will be increased twofold. Also, if they wear the necklace and transform into a dragon, their powers in that form will be increased tenfold and both of you will be able to expertly use any and all weapons from now on when you where the necklaces, and again, the prowess will increase threefold when both wear it together, and when on the same team, it will be increased fivefold. If you were to wear it and were on opposite teams, then the effects shall be canceled. Again, I hope that my gifts help all four of you whenever you may need it. From, Lady Athena."
"Wow," said Thalia, "I'm starting to get jealous now. You two may probably be the strongest demigods in the history of the world."
"I don't care about that," said Percy, "I just want to be with Annabeth."
"And I want to be with you as well," said Annabeth, as they both kissed.
"Ahem," coughed Nico, "as much as we want to see you two bond even more, we still haven't read Poseidon's note."
"Then read it Death Boy," said Percy, as he and Annabeth stopped kissing.
"Okay," said Nico, "his note says, 'Whatever Athena says about the necklaces is true, except it will be doubled. Also, I forgot to mention that Annabeth will be able to breathe underwater, withstand any pressure while underwater, and get a power boost from water as well. I hope that your relationship will blossom from here on out. I'm truly rooting for you guys, and I support any and all decisions you two lovebirds make. I expect a grandson real soon, especially considering that Aphrodite herself I loves you two together, and everyone's supporting you two, except maybe Dionysus, but he only cares about his wine, so not a big deal. I hope that our gifts help you real soon, and Percy, you may or may not end up with a new stepmother, I'm not sure. It depends on the mood Hera's in when I ask her. From, Lord Poseidon. PS, I'm leaving the Prince and Princess of the Sea spots open for you and Annabeth in case you decide to live with us and become gods and goddesses, along with Thalia and Nico. PSS, I have some Olympian cake for the six of you in the fridge that Hermes helped me steal. Do not be surprised if there's more, Hermes sometimes goes overboard with the stealing.'"
"Wait," said Thalia, "there's cake? Get out of my way!"
Thalia soon dashed off, with Nico behind her yelling at her to take a slice until everyone gets one, and he gets two, and Percy and Annabeth both walking slowly, holding each other's hands and taking in the other's company.
A/N Reviews are much appreciated