Double chapter today just 'cause I feel like it. In any case I hope you all enjoy, it will explain some stuff one or two people have asked about. Voting-
I won't lie to you guys I've literally spent today struggling to figure out how to write chapters 33-35. I literally have three different versions of those chapters all over 6000 words, though I've finally settled on how I wanted them to go.
Just so people know, while some things in the quest remain the same there will be differences, since the whole circumstances around the quest will be somewhat different this time. Also, gotta say I love me some protective Annabeth, Grover and Luke and there's plenty of it in this fic.
Percy/Annabeth/Rachel: 34
Percy/Thalia: 30
Percy/Jason: 3
Percy/Jason/Piper: 1
Percy/Thalia/Rachel: 1
Percy/Calypso: 1
Nico/Percy: 1
Percy/Annabeth/Nico: 1
Percy/Annabeth/Thalia: 1
Thalia/Luke: 12
Percy dreamed-they were distant foggy dreams, of her childhood-of laughing as she played in the sea with Luke, of the Neirids smiling and bringing her shells-and then of storms and monsters-of birds pecking at her, of Furies trying to kill her, of danger.
She was pretty sure she drifted in and out of consciousness a few times, she was in a bed, soft and warm, and she saw Luke and her mom, sat watching her with worried tired eyes, and another time they were gone, and Chiron was there, watching her with a worried frown on his lips-and when she actually came to fully the blonde girl, Annabeth, Percy thought Chiron had called her.
Percy shifted, opening her eyes slowly as Annabeth leaned over her, a bowl of something in her hands.
Percy lifted her hand clumsily, pushing away the spoon when Annabeth tried to feed her it- "No." she mumbled the word, her eyes felt heavy and she shifted, wincing in pain as she tried to sit up, "What-my mom... Luke-"
"They're with Chiron I think. They're safe, he had to give your mom special permission to cross the borders into Camp, mortals aren't allowed." she leaned in closer, "Listen, what will happen on the Summer Solstice?"
"The Solstice?" Percy was still dazed, too tired to think clearly, and Annabeth looked around as if she was frightened that someone would overhear what she was asking. "I don't know-"
"What's going on?" Annabeth hissed the words, "What was stolen, we've only got a few weeks-"
Stolen... Percy felt herself waking up more.
"Stolen." she blinked slowly as pieces of the last few days-she hoped it was only a few days, came back to her. The Master Bolt, that was stolen-but surely it was safer if people thought she didn't know? They might think she knew because she'd taken it after all.
"I don't know what you're talking about." she pushed herself up on her elbows before gasping in pain and flopping back down, hand flying to press to her ribs-that made Annabeth's eyes wide.
"Be careful, you got tossed around a lot." there was some grudging respect in Annabeth's voice, "You did really good, taking him down."
"That... that was crazy." Percy managed, letting out a slow breath, "Gods how long was I out?"
"About two days." Annabeth told her easily. "Be careful though, you still have healing to do."
"Ugh, mental note to self getting tossed around hurts." that made Annabeth snort-and she opened her mouth to respond when there was a loud knock at the door.
Annabeth twisted to look, and Percy turned her own head to look at the door as it was pushed open and Chiron came inside-in full Centaur form too-that was an interesting sight.
"Ah, Miss Jackson." he gave a tired looking smile, "You're awake."
"Just about." Percy pushed herself up again, wincing-and the Centaur raised a hand quickly.
"Lay down Miss Jackson. Annabeth go and get Miss Jackson some Nectar please."
"Yes Chiron." Annabeth shot Percy one last questioning look before rushing out, and Chiron moved closer to Percy, speaking once again when the door shut.
"Now Miss Jackson. What do you remember?"
"Everything." Percy pulled a face, "I remember being attack by three Demon teachers, I remember rushing home to my mom shoving stuff into the car because you'd called her to let her knock what happened, I remember the car getting struck by lightning and being attacked by a half bull monster." she remembered her moms warnings. Names had power, she had to remember that, "I told my brother to get mom to the border and I fought the monster."
"You did." Chiron nodded, "And you did very well. I've spoken with your mother and your brother, they've told me you already know what you are."
"Yeah." Percy nodded, "Have done for a long time."
"You fought very well, both against the Kindly ones and the, as you put it-half bull monster." he looked faintly amused at that and Percy's face flushed.
"Names have power right? I couldn't remember what my mom called him and half bull monster is accurate."
"That it is." Chiron nodded, "Your mother says she doesn't know who your father is." there was a question in his voice, and Percy gave a small shrug, wincing as she did.
"He never told mom who he really was, she only found out because of Luke."
"Yes, yes she says Luke's mother was an old friend who was unable to take care of him so she asked your mother to adopt him?"
"Yeah, and she told mom about Luke and mom was pregnant with me at the time and she realized that my dad was a God too but she never really knew which one."
Chiron seemed faintly disappointed-he'd probably been hoping her story wouldn't match with her mothers, probably been hoping that there was some kind of hint as to who her father was.
"And you've known what you are-"
"Since I was little, there was never really a time I didn't know." Percy admitted, "Because Luke knew and mom didn't want Luke to have to hide what he was and lie to me... and because she wanted me to know I could tell her and she'd believe me if there was anything weird that happened."
"Your mother's a smart woman then. Many mortals don't believe their children and so the children lie and hide the truth which leads to them being in more danger."
"I've never lied to her about anything weird." Percy said quickly "Not ever. I wouldn't. Not to my mom."
"I believe you Miss Jackson." Chiron raised an eyebrow, "She knew that Grover was a Satyr and that I was from Camp. How long have you know."
"I figured out about Grover pretty quick." Percy rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly, "Maybe after a couple of weeks. As soon as I was sure I told mom and Luke."
"How did you figure it out."
"No offense but Grover is so not a good actor." Percy laughed, which ached a bit but she ignored that. "He forgot he was supposed to rely on his crutches on enchilada days and he'd run to get lunch. And sometimes when he laughed he kinda bleated-"
"I see." Chiron gave a slight smile, "And myself?"
"Well you showed up and you and Grover were giving each other lots of weird looks and you were super interested in me so I figured you were from Camp right away."
"Why did you not tell Grover and I you knew?"
"Because I was scared you'd try and rush me to Camp." Percy ducked her head, biting her lip, "I just wanted to... I didn't... I was scared that if I came here I'd never get to go home..." she admitted softly, "I know that it's safer here but I wanna stay with my mom."
"We don't know if it will be safe or not for you to leave Camp yet-not until you're claimed at least. In any case I think it's safest for your mother to stay here with you and your brother for now."
"Really?" Percy's face lit up and she looked up, "I was scared you'd send her away because she's a mortal-they... I don't want anyone going after her."
"What makes you think they would? She's mortal after all." Chiron's eyes narrowed slightly and Percy raised an eyebrow in return, "The Kindly Ones and a Bull monster within hours of each other? Someone wants me dead and they could use my mom to get to me."
Chiron watched her for a moment before nodding, "I must admit the thought had occurred to me too. Do you have any idea why they'd want you dead?"
"No." Percy lied, "I haven't done anything wrong."
"I believe you." Chiron sighed, "We shall see what happens in the coming days Percy. For now you are safe here, as are your mother and your brother."
"Thank you." Percy bit her lip, "I'm sorry, for running away like I did."
"I cannot blame you Percy." Chiron shook his head, "You're a child and I have no doubt that you were terrified and your brother was wounded. You went to someone you associate with safety, most people would. But I will say you are lucky you made it as far as you did. You could have died if you were further away."
Percy shuddered, her mind flashing to the Stele in the museum. "I don't want to die young." she almost whispered the words, and when she looked at Chiron there was an ancient sadness in his gaze.
"Of course you don't." he laid a hand on her shoulder. "No one does-" there was another knock, and Chiron turned his head, "Come in!"
Annabeth opened the door and stepped inside, carrying a bottle of golden liquid that looked like apple juice to Percy, and she quickly moved towards the bed, grabbing a glass on the way and pouring the liquid into it carefully.
"I have the Nectar."
"Thank you." Percy smiled warmly, lifting her hand out for the glass, which Annabeth handed her quickly before Chiron spoke again.
"Annabeth, go and find the Jacksons and tell them that Percy has woken please."
"Of course." Annabeth took off again, shutting the door behind her as Percy carefully brought the glass to her lips and took a sip, letting out a happy little noise at the taste-just like her mom's chocolate chip cookies-they always made her feel warm and safe, and she felt like she was curled up with Luke, her moms soft laughter echoing in her mind.
She closed her eyes, letting out a soft breath and letting the feelings soothe her, the aches all over her body fading and she pushed herself up so that she was sitting, swinging her legs off of the bed, running her fingers through her loose waves. "So what now?"
"That depends entirely on you and how you're feeling." Chiron's voice was reassuring, "Would you like some air? Then you'll have to meet Mr. D, the Camp Director."
"That sounds good." Percy pushed herself off the bed slowly, letting out a breath when the agony she'd half been expecting never came.
She could feel Chiron watching her carefully as she stretched, and she hesitated, looking around, "What happened to that sword?"
"Ah, yes." Chiron nodded, "I wondered if you'd ask." he pulled a familiar pen out of a pocket, holding it out so that she could see, "It's called Anaklusmos-"
"Riptide." Percy breathed the name out, forcing herself not to reach out for the word and snatch it from Chiron-it called to her in a way no blade had before, and Chiron watched her for a moment before he slowly held it out.
"It was given to me by a God a long time ago-he asked me to protect it for him until the time came." Percy met Chiron's gaze and she looked away quickly, there was a knowing glint in them that was slightly unnerving. "Perhaps the time is now." he held out the pen and Percy's eyes widened in surprise.
"Wait... are you saying-"
"You wielded it well. I think perhaps it belongs with you, don't you?"
Percy hesitated for a very long moment, and then she let out a breath and reached out slowly, taking the pen from the Centaur, who smiled faintly.
"Don't worry about losing it. If it belongs with you then it will return to your pocket if ever it gets mislaid."
"Thank you." Percy curled her fingers around the pen before slipping it into her pocket, feeling it bump against Episkopos. She'd have to return that to Luke as soon as she saw her big brother again-hopefully it would be soon.
"Now." Chiron smiled, "Would you like to go outside?"
Percy nodded and she followed the Centaur out of the infirmary onto a large porch that she realized probably went around the entire building.
She let out a slow breath, looking around with wide eyes.
It was beautiful.
There were groves of trees, a winding stream, acres of strawberries spread out under the blue sky. The valley was surrounded by rolling hills, and the tallest one, directly in front of them, was the one with the huge pine tree on top.
The one that she knew marked the border of the Camp, that she'd screamed at Luke to get to during the terrible storm and fight.
She let out a slow shaky breath. "It's beautiful sir."
"It is, isn't it." Chiron smiled fondly, laying a hand on Percy's shoulder gently, "Come now. Let us go and see Mr. D. Annabeth will undoubtedly bring your mother and brother to us when she finds them."
"Where are they?"
"I asked Grover to show them both around." Chiron's voice was reassuring, "They'll be fine."
With that Chiron began to walk along the porch, and Percy followed as it wrapped around the side of the large farmhouse.
She faltered as they reached the other side of the house, her breath catching in her throat.
The valley marched all the way up to the water, which glittered about a mile in the distance, calling to her as the water always did.
Between the sea and the house the landscape was dotted with buildings that looked like ancient Greek architecture—an open-air pavilion, an amphitheater, a circular arena—except that they all looked brand new, their white marble columns sparkling in the sun. In a nearby sandpit, a dozen high school-age kids and satyrs played volleyball. Canoes glided across a small lake. Kids in bright orange T-shirts like the one Annabeth had been wearing were chasing each other around a cluster of cabins nestled in the woods. Some shot targets at an archery range while other rode horses down a wooded trail-and some of them weren't horses Percy realized but Pegasi.
She let out a slow breath, closing her eyes.
It was strange, but in that moment she felt like she could, for once in her life, truly belong.