A/N: Guess what, guys? We just hit our 100th follower for this story! Thank you all so much for the accomplishment, and all of the others that you have given me. I can't thank anyone enough for the help you, the readers, have given me.


XXIX

The Wolves

Perseus had woken up during the early hours on the day of his wedding. The fact that he was getting married was still something that came as a surprise to him. But he considered himself lucky. The fact that he was graced by getting married off to someone he truly loved was a blessing on its own. His father had been very close to arranging a marriage out of his own selection of women, but luckily, that didn't happen. It had been a bit of a rush, but Poseidon had decided during the last minute that he would allow him to be betrothed to Calypso. It came as a slight shock to both him and Calypso when he announced it to them one evening while the three of them were dining together.

The door to Perseus's suite opened, and his servant appeared from the darkness of the hall. When he saw Perseus sitting up in bed, he was quick to bow,

"Please excuse me, my prince, but your father had ordered for me to wake you."

"What for?" Perseus muttered, despite the fact that he had already swung his legs over the edge of the bed.

The servant looked at him quizzically, "For your wedding, my Prince."

"Well I know that much, but why so early?"

"His Majesty wishes that you were dressed and ready ahead of time so that the two of you could look over the hall one final time before arriving at Lady Calypso's home."

"But we've already looked over it," Perseus complained to himself, though he was already undressing for a bath, "Please run a bath for me."

"Yes, your Majesty." The servant bowed and left the room to carry out Perseus's order. Once he was alone again, he pushed his veranda doors open in order to circulate the hot air in his room out. Perseus cast his bed shirt aside and replaced it with a thin robe. As he walked out onto the patio, he took in the fresh morning air. Perhaps the gods were smiling upon him today, and the weather wouldn't be too hot. He sat down in a chair placed out outside and settled in, since he knew that it was going to be a while before his bath was ready. As much as he wished he could allow himself to dose, Perseus forced his eyes to stay open. He yearned to see Calypso again—he hadn't seen her since the dinner with Atlas. But their chilly goodbye was something that hadn't exactly been smoothed over, which was all the more reason to look forward to seeing her again. But Perseus was clueless as to what had made her so hostile suddenly a few evenings ago. He hoped that the celebrations planned for the remainder of the evening would make her forget her sour thoughts. Perseus held his robe closer as he waited for the wedding preparations to really begin.


Perseus stared at the person in the mirror. It was hard to believe that very person was him. He had never been one to gawk at himself in the mirror, surprisingly enough. It was one of the things that he didn't particularly care for. After many painful tailoring sessions, Poseidon had finally decided that Perseus would simply wear his formal military outfit. Apparently, from his father's point of view, he thought that a simple outfit over a finely crafted one would look immensely better.

"Tell me again why I have to wear this," Perseus regarded as he turned to his father. Poseidon puffed in his own military uniform as he rearranged the belt to it.

"It's a simple uniform, yes. But that's just it-it's simple. It draws the eye to the more…hidden details. Your two or three medals alone mean an immense amount on their own-" At this, Poseidon glanced down at his own uniform, which was laden with medals and other awards compared to his son, "The red body of the uniform represents the blood spilled on the battlefield, and the black lines running down the seams represent the power and authority."

"I suppose I shouldn't be complaining, then," Perseus grumbled, "Those other outfits were unbearable to wear."

Poseidon hiked up his belt again, "And you're telling me. This uniform doesn't fit me nearly as well as it used to. Have a drink." Poseidon shoved a glass of wine at him, and Perseus took it without question. He needed something to calm his nerves, even if it was just for a moment.

"To your future. And more importantly, the future of the kingdom," Poseidon toasted as he raised his own glass to Perseus, and he returned the favor to his father. They both swallowed their drinks down before pounding them back on the table.

"We shouldn't be drinking right now," Perseus chided to both himself and his father, though he took a second glass Poseidon had served him, "If we keep up like this, we'll be drunk by noon."

"Who cares, Perseus?" Poseidon questioned harshly over the brim of his goblet. Perseus remained silent after that, and decided that he would turn down any drinks that his father might shove in his face in the next few minutes. His plan had been working out just fine, until his father piped up a question,

"So…Do you want any advice?"

"Advice on what, father?" Percy sighed, but he already knew where this "advice" was going to end up. Poseidon threw his head back, laughing. He stopped long enough to wave his hand out in front of him dramatically and say,

"The maiden voyage."

Perseus scoffed, "I am not having this conversation with you. Now stop drinking, we need to get down to the hall, Calypso will be here soon enough, and I won't be late for my own wedding."

"Alright, alright," Poseidon smoothed over, raising his hands defensively, "I suppose we should get down there." Perseus watched his father struggle to get out of his seat, but he finally did after a good heave of strength. The two of them checked over their uniforms one more time before promptly striding out of the dressing room.


"The King, and his son, Prince Perseus!" Someone announced the two as the appeared before the large crowd of people gathered in the hall. High-ranking officials, families close to the crown, and other nobles had all gathered to witness the wedding of the successor to the current king. The said people bowed at the announcement before arising again. Perseus took his place at the bottom of the steps, whereas he would eventually climb the steps with Calypso and stand before the priest. Perseus straightened in his spot and held the grip of the sword that had been clipped to his belt with a corresponding hand. The other remained to his side. A few minutes passed, and Perseus felt his strong stance loosen.

"Shouldn't she be here by now?" Perseus hissed from the corner of his mouth, just loud enough that his father could hear.

His father responded in the same way, "Just relax. She'll be here soon enough, Perseus."

Perseus clenched his jaw in order to keep himself from fidgeting. Minutes passed, and eventually his father even began to shift side to side in his spot. The front doors of the palace swung open, and in the distance, he saw someone approaching slowly. But it wasn't Calypso. People chattered amongst each other nervously as the figure walked past. And when the figure came to the foot of the steps, he managed to kneel. Perseus regarded the man's uniform, and realized he was a palace guard. His garments were soiled, and Perseus was prepared to call upon the man on how unkempt he was before his audience, until he realized his clothing was soiled with blood. Poseidon stepped down until he was level with his son,

"Rise, and state your business," He ordered. The guard obliged, and staggered to his feet.

"Your Majesties, a protest has broken out in the city. I had been assigned to guard the Lady Calypso's carriage, but it has since been ordered back to her father's home."

"What?" Poseidon growled, "Why?"

The guard's eyes darted away, "The protest was against the marriage of the Prince and the Lady Calypso, your Majesty." Perseus looked at his father desperately.

"Well," Poseidon replied, his eyes narrowed, "I applaud you for your quick thinking, otherwise the fate of my future daughter-in-law would be grim. But those commoners need to be subdued immediately. Do I make myself clear?"

The guard nodded, "Yes, your Majesty."

"Good. Now go. I put my trust in you in order that you might overcome this uprising." The guard nodded once more in thanks, bowed, and limped away."

Poseidon turned to leave, and Perseus quickly followed after him.

"Father, please wait! What's to happen now?"

Poseidon turned to face his son, his eyes burning with rage, "Until this problem is taken care of, you are not to be married. You are not to go outside. And, you are not to visit Calypso at her home…I will have her sent here to stay at the palace for the time being." His father didn't wait for an answer, and instead, strode away in a cloud of anger. Perseus smashed his fist into the wall closest to him, ignoring the pain that shot up through his enclosed hand. How many times would his happiness be delayed? By each passing day, his father was slowing growing more and more impatient. Time was running out.


A/N: I know, I know. Another cliffy for you guys. But part three is going to wrap up next Saturday, and then the story's going to go on break for two weeks. And hopefully, during that stretch of time, I can catch up on a few chapters. It just kind of came at a bad time, considering I have to start school again this Monday. But we'll see, and we'll just have to hope that I can stay on my toes.

Until next Saturday,
Leaded-Pegasus