Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed

- 2 Corinthians 4:9

All too soon Percy and I were rushed out of the temple and to our rooms to change into battle gear.

"You know, I am a little put out that we're not going to have our proper honeymoon," I said as I laced up the sides of my armor.

Percy came up behind me and his hands took the place, tying it up a lot quicker than I could ever hope to do. When he looked up at me, his eyes were twinkling and there was a smirk on his face.

"Let's focus on getting through this battle alive."

"Yeah, well, this battle is going to be over by the time I get into all this armor."

Percy laughed and kissed the top of my head before going back over to his side of the room and pulling on some more armor.

Because he was going to be on the front lines (something I was not pleased about) he was putting on more than I was. I was being put on the sidelines (something else I was not pleased about) with the medics and helpers to fill in the gaps where we would be needed.

Apparently we would be fighting on some big field like they did in the olden days.

I strapped my dagger to my left arm, a thin sword to my waist, and another couple of throwing knives around the free space.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and I turned to see Percy looking at me through the reflection in the mirror he was standing in front of.

"Is there anyway I can convince you to stay in the tower and help with the maneuvering?"

"Nice try. If you're going into battle, then so am I."

Knowing all he wanted to do was keep me safe, I swam over and kissed the tip of his nose.

"I'll be safe. I promise."

Percy sighed and leaned over and kissed me on the lips. I had to remind myself we were going to be going off to battle soon, because as soon as his lips touched mine I was gone.

"I'm holding you to that promise, because as soon as this is over and we rescue your brother and solve everything, I'm finding a bed in a room with a door with many locks, and I am not letting you out for a long, long time."

I was about to tackle him into the bed (screw everything, literally) when Triton knocked on the door.

"Sorry to break up this little lover…thing, but Dad wants us all to meet. Thalia is already there, and she's freaking out because we got another message that if we don't call off this attack, they're going to kill Jason."

I sighed.

"OK, find the others and I'll go calm her down. When she's angry, she gets…difficult."

"I know."

I raised an eyebrow at him, not even thinking too much on the love-stuck look.

Percy shot me a look over Triton's shoulder, a cross between amusement and slight horror, like he knew where the conversation with his twin was going to go.

All the mermen in the hall were running around grabbing spears, and the mermaids were making sure that the children were kept safe in the palace.

Thalia was pacing back and forth, wringing her hands. Apollo was hovering over her, but he had a bruise on his arm, so I had a feeling that he had gotten too close and she had lashed out.

"Thals."

Thalia jerked when she hear me call her, but she didn't stop pacing.

"Thalia, talk to me…"

"If he gets killed, there is going to be no where on this planet where he can hide from me."

I was saved from having to respond to that when Apollo, Triton, Percy and his father came out of the room behind us. Amphitrite came as well, but she wasn't dressed for battle.

She must have seen my questioning look because she smiled and said, "I'm staying behind with the healers to make sure that the defenses stay up around the castle and to help all wounded."

One less person I would have to worry about being in the thick of battle.

Poseidon lead us out of the maze of hallways.

I was right behind him for a good portion of the time until Percy grabbed my hand and held me back from the others.

When I turned to look at him, I could tell he was worrying about the battle again.

Before I could say anything, an explosion happened right behind me.

Percy's POV

Without thinking, I turned and shielded Annabeth with my body, letting my back take the brunt of the explosion.

Ares cursed loudly, saying out loud, "This isn't what Oceanus told us!"

Athena, her gray eyes flashing, jerked from the hole in the wall she had been thrown into.

"You forget that Cessiphus has a hand in the planning too!"

Ares cursed in Greek and fought himself forward, throwing himself into the fray.

Annabeth looked up from where she was in my arms, her arms and muscles tensed and ready for a fight.

Something didn't seem right here…

Athena reached into a small bag on her waist and drew something out, throwing it to me.

"You need this! Send her to find Oceanus in the dungeons, something isn't right here!"

On instinct, Annabeth grabbed what Athena had thrown through the air, and made a puzzled face when she realized what it was.

"A hat?"

I pulled her down some more halls, our backs against a wall.

"Athena knows something is wrong too…come on, I need to get on the battlefield and you need to get to the dungeons."

She shot me a look, a cross between shock and total denial.

"What? Why?"

Not even answering her, because I knew she would understand in a moment, I shoved her in the doorway that would lead to the dungeons.

"I can't explain it right now, but I'll send you a message through our connection."

I could feel her frustration in the marrow of my bones, but also the acceptance.

Leaning down and giving her a bruising kiss, I whispered, "I love you so much. Be safe."

Annabeth whispered back, "If you get yourself killed, I am going to be very angry with you."

I let out a weak laugh before I turned and hurried back to the battlefield, all the while trying so hard to not turn around and take her back in my arms.

So, um, yeah...sorry for not updating (I have to say that way too often).

I am sorry to say that we are coming to the end of this! I think maybe five more chapters and then an epilogue, but I will still be writing!

This chapter was fun to write, especially the bantering. And I promise, after my exam week, I will post the next chapter, which is typed, just needs to be edited! Expect an update Thursday!

Thank you so much for the reviews, keep them coming!