The city of Athens is nothing to scoff at.

Great gleaming streets with merchants peddling anything from jewels to fabrics, white marble and grey stone buildings, the great Agora and the Acropolis rising up in the middle of the city. Men and slaves walked through the streets, crowds expertly weaving around the stands.

Despite the city still being in it's fledgling stage, not yet the great empire and epicentre of the arts it will become, you can see the beginnings of it. The reason why two gods fought so ardently for it, and eventually began a millennia old grudge because of it.

But for goodness sake, can a girl just enter the city without being stared at?

"Why are they looking at us?" Olivia tugged on my sleeve.

I hitched her higher on my hip, "Because we're beautiful." I lied, picking up my pace a bit.

Deme stuck close to my side, head bowed. "Where did Lord Apollon tell you Chiron is waiting for us?"

"Apollo's cave on the side of the Acropolis." I answered tersely, not looking forward to letting Olivia go. To see Chiron again. "He's staying there to hide from all the mortals, and we are to meet him there at sundown."

Deme glanced quickly up to the sky, "We only have a few short hours until then. I think it's best that we go there straight away."

"Yes," my hand snuck out to grab hers. "That would be best."

We were both uncomfortable at the lack of Athenian women on the streets- I've only spotted five women since entering the city, and they were either merchants with their husbands or a heavily veiled lady with a whole revenue of escorts.

My fingers twitched towards Annabeth's dagger, sheathed under my skirts and against my thigh. I hate Athens, but oh, I can just imagine Annabeth's happy reaction to being here- seeing history happen and able to be in the beautiful architecture. My heart ached for my best friend.

But then Olivia nearly yanked my veil of my head with her restlessness, and I was back in the moment. I have a little girl to protect.

We arrived right at the cave just as the rosy fingers of Astraeus began to touch the horizon.

The climb was tiring, but the view over the city was beautiful, and the olive trees and cool wind provided us a reprieve from the strong spring sun.

We stopped before the cave, my eyes carefully tracking the slight blur in the corner of my eyes. The Mist is strong here, Chiron must really dislike mortals finding him.

"Rhea… I think this is the wrong cave." Deme frowned, and turned to leave, but my fingers quickly wrapped around the collar of her chiton and yanked her back.

"Oh no you don't!" I held her still. "There's magic around the cave, it's tricking you. The cave is very much the right cave."

Fresh hoof prints, sleeping mats on the floor, pots out and a used firepit. Definitely the right cave.

"Where is he?" I muttered, seeing the tracks lead away from the cave.

"Right here, daughter of Poseidon."

I am a well trained demigod, a veteran of a war against the Titans themselves: I let out a war cry and drew Annabeth's dagger. I absolutely did not shriek and nearly stab a tree and Deme should stop spreading such dirty lies about me.

Chiron raised an eyebrow, "I would prefer it if you put the blade away, daughter of Poseidon."

I blushed and tucked it away, Chiron always knows how to make you look like a bumbling toddler compared to his perfect maturity. strike That is, the 'Maturity' that led me to seeing him distracting Mr D by kissing him midway through an argument over poker, making him win./strike

"My name is Rhea," I corrected softly. "And this is Olivia Apollide and Deme of Ithaca."

He looked just like he did in the future, except maybe missing a few gray hairs and wrinkles. My heart panged, and it took Deme's hand in mine to stop me from bursting into tears at the sight of someone from home. Someone who will never be part of home. Gods, I fucking hate Kronos.

He eyed us carefully, then addressed Olivia. "Zethus is gathering mushrooms for the stew, perhaps you can help me with the cooking?"

Olivia gave a toothy smile and nodded, shyly reaching out to hold his hand. My eyes watered as she stepped away from me to go to him.

"Thank you for bringing her to me, Rhea, Deme." He nodded to us. "She will be safe in my hands."

I didn't answer him, afraid that if I even looked at him I might start crying. Instead, I knelt down before Olivia and pressed a kiss on her head. "Goodbye little one," I whispered into her ear as I brought her into one last hug.

She had no idea what was going on, but she hugged me back.

I stood up, and with Deme's arm around me, I began to make my way down the hill again.

Olivia finally noticed that we were leaving, and whined. "Ray!" She cried out, wriggling in Chiron's arms. "Ray! Deme!"

My heart broke at her cries, but I refused to look back at her. If I looked back, my resolve would break.

When we finally reached the bottom of the Acropolis, and Olivia's cries were only echoes in my ears, I broke down. I sobbed into Deme's shoulder.

"Shh," She hugged me. "She'll be okay. You'll be okay. Everything will work out well."

"I left her!" I clung to Deme like a babe, "She's just a little girl and I left her!"

It's always me leaving everyone. Leaving Mom, leaving Annabeth, Thalia, Conner, Nico, Pati, Mama and Papa, leaving home. I always leave everyone behind.

"Shh," Deme stroked my hair, wiping my tears away. "It's okay. It's going to be okay, Rhea."

It isn't.

"Passing a life by and starting anew is nothing easy. One, of course, cannot start completely anew, as all lives you have passed will always have a fundamental effect on you, but you can say you have started anew. And, as Marcus Aurelias said, if you truly believe you are, it will be true. Perhaps. Or perhaps you will live a lie. Either thought doesn't lie easily on one's mind, so be careful when starting anew."

Without Deme, I don't know how I would have managed.

She dragged not only my weeping self to an inn, managing to get us a room despite the late hour and lack of male chaperone, but also kept me away from the wine and tucked me into bed. Truly, I am lucky to have her as a friend.

"Thank you," I croaked when I woke up the next morning, dehydrated from all my tears.

"There's nothing to thank me for," She bustled over and poured out a cup of water. "I'm your friend, this is what friends do."

I smiled as I drank. I can always depend on Deme to be there, and gods do I wish to do the same with her when the day comes and she needs me. "I still think I need to thank you."

She glared at me, but it was soft. "You're an idiot."

I sighed, and got up from the bed, letting my hair fall softly down my back- unveiled and untied. "I know."

"Rhea-" "Deme-"

We both stopped as we spoke at the same time. I smiled and gestured for her to go first.

"Rhea," She seemed to struggle to say the words. "You carry a lot of grief with you. I know that I am lucky that you've spoken of the truth with me- about the future and your promise- but I cannot help but feel you are still hiding so much. This burden does not need to be just yours, I can help you."

She was earnest with her kindness, and I could never fault her for that. I had told her about me coming from the future, but never in detail. Never personal. Never the people I left behind.

"I've met Chiron before." I began. "Look, I never wanted to be a half-blood."

We spent the whole day talking about before. She was right, it was a burden I needed to share.

Now we just need to know what to do in the future.

I didn't bother putting my veil on all day, and as the cool air of our second night descended on us, the breeze felt nice through my unbound hair.

Deme had fallen asleep, today's long talk exhausted her just as much as me, and she had a lot of new information to consider. I had too much on my mind to sleep yet.

The room didn't have a proper balcony, but it did have a floor to ceiling window that extended a bit beyond the room's dimensions, with a small iron rail to stop one from just falling out of the room. I sat on the cool rock floor, my sheer slip pooling on the floor and half hanging off my shoulder, as I stared up at the stars.

I blinked, and I wasn't staring up at the stars anymore.

Apollo was looking down at where I was now kneeling at his feet, staring at me stunned.

"Hello there, my prince." I leaned my forehead against the cold rock of the window frame, slow with exhaustion. To my confusion, he blushed and stepped slightly back so his back hit the rail.

"Lady Rhea," His voice came out a bit strangled as he looked like he was avoiding looking everywhere but me. Rude.

"I know mortals aren't as beautiful as the nymphs and goddesses you're used to, but I would hope I am not so ugly that you would refuse to look at me." I said, for some reason upset at his refusal to look at me. I must be overtired.

His eyes snapped back to mine, "No!" He looked pained, and the blush was still on his face. "I mean- no. You are one the most beautiful creatures I have ever seen, and you rival the beauty of the fairest of the Olympian ladies. I never meant you any insult."

I blushed at that, my mouth moving to say a soft, "Oh."

He hesitated, then offered me a hand. I took it, and he helped me up from the ground.

He kept his eyes on mine as he spoke. "I simply came to give you thanks for protecting my daughter so well this past half-year."

Half a year. So little time, but it felt like forever. I'll miss Olivia dearly.

"It was my honor," I said strongly. "Thank you for letting me have the pleasure of doing so."

I moved forward to ask about what my next task was, when the strap of my slip slid fully off my shoulder and my collar dipped, exposing my cleavage.

Apollo paused, swallowed, and then carefully pulled the strap back up my shoulder, covering me again.

I blushed when his hands lingered on my shoulder, where his fingers were brushed by my hair.

...My unveiled hair. Oh gods.

I had been kneeling there, at his feet, unveiled with my hair loose, in a bloody sheer slip! And I had the audacity to complain to him when he politely looked away! 'Rhea, you hussy!' I chatisted myself, blushing a bright red and pulling away from him.

Oh gods, if Pater ever hears about this he'll be furious! ...And Deme, she can never find out about this.

I was so embarrassed at my own unintentional actions, I had completely missed the look of confusion and disappointment on Apollo's face.

"I shall be visiting friends in the morning," I told him. "If you would like to bestow another quest, I will ask you to wait a few days so I can rest from my journey."

He nodded, and I noted how he was forcing himself not to look away from my face. "I will. I have no quests for you right now, but I can offer only a Eastern destination; Delos. It is a sanctuary and nobody will bother you while you rest there until your next quest."

My eyes widened slightly at his offer for Deme and I to take rest on his sacred island, but I smiled politely and thanked him.

He opened his mouth like he was going to say something else, but closed it. He turned away and faced the balcony, and I knew he was going to flash away.

"Apollo," I called out softly.

He turned his head, eyes meeting mine. "Yes?"

I didn't know what I had planned to say, or if I had even thought about saying anything. "Thank you," I said instead, pushing all of my gratitude into one smile and two words.

His eyes shined, and for one second he looked just perfect against the backdrop of the night sky.

And then he was gone, and I was alone.

I dropped back against the bed, careful not to wake Deme, and groaned.

Fuck.

"Boldness is a lie the world has told you. To be bold is to be confident, to be honest. Is that not something we should all be then? Boldness is merely the absence of meekness, and we are not mice. Be bold."

"I can't believe you've done this," Deme whispered to me as we walked the halls of the Athenian palace.

"Sofia told me that if I ever wanted to visit her, I could." I shot back.

Deme glared at me, "I am certain she meant by sending a letter first."

"I did send a letter this morning."

"A letter before you arrived in Athens." Deme hissed, "It's rude to show up uninvited."

"She was my foster sister, I think she's perfectly aware of my habit of appearing out of nowhere." I sniffed.

"Your habit of ignoring all social etiquette more like," I heard Deme mutter under her breath, and I went to snap at her but the serving girl who was leading us stopped.

"Through here my ladies," She bowed.

"Thank you," I said gently, and walked through the open door.

Only to get ambushed by Sofia throwing herself in a hug at me.

"Rhea!" She squealed. "It's lovely to see you again!"

I laughed and hugged her back, "You too!"

She hastily stepped back, remembering to have some decorum, and smiled gaily. "Might I introduce you to my ladies?"

A young girl, barely into her teens, was introduced as Lanike, and Sofia's new cousin-in-law. She had tight brown curls, and skin as dark as midnight. She smiled easily, and had a needle and cloth in hand. An older woman, probably only three or four years than me, was introduced as Maripessa, the wife of General Abasdoro of Athens. She had the sweet longing on her face, one that gave me the sneaking suspicion that her Husband was one of the men on the Thousand Ships sailing for Troy.

"Of course, you remember Deme." I told her, and politely ignored her shocked face at Deme dressing like a Free Woman.

"Oh yes!" She overcame her surprise and very politely came to grab poor Deme in a hug. "It's nice to see you again too, Deme."

Deme was very much off-kilter, stuttering out some pleasantries that I had to hide my laughter from.

"Oh!" Sofia smiled. "I have someone to introduce you to!"

I raised my eyebrows, and Sofia giggled. "Follow me!"

We did, following her through the maze of halls that was the palace, until we reached a room with a wooden door frame that was carved with these beautiful depictions of Hera, Hestia, and Artemis.

I shared a confused look with Deme, wondering what this could possibly be about, and followed Sofia into the room.

Oh.

A beautiful curly haired babe was sitting in a crib, wide awake and cooing for his mother.

Sofia reached into the crib, holding her son delicately and lovingly. "How's my little prince this morning?" The little boy gurgled happily.

She looked up at me, "Do you want to hold him?"

I grinned, and carefully took the baby.

"Oh Sofia, he's lovely," I breathed, staring at his little cherub features. "What did you name him?"

"Andoros," She smiled.

"Gift to man?" I translated the name easily. "That's just perfect. I'm so happy for you!"

"Thank you," She beamed. "It was a hard pregnancy, especially with all the news of war, but I am so glad to have him."

"Leodros must be so proud," I said.

Sofia took her son back, lowering him into his crib. "He is. All his elder brothers have left for Illium to take back that Helen, but he decided to stay because of Andoros."

"Yes I did."

We all turned around to see Leodros standing at the door, then pull his wife into his arms for a chaste kiss. "I apologise for intruding, but I was notified that my old debate partner had decided to visit, and I just had to extend an invitation for dinner."

"Prince Leodros," I gave him a small curtsy, which he waved aside and instead pressed a kiss to the back of my hand. "Princess Rhea."

He had grown since I had seen him. He'll be turning 20 soon, and he had stubble on his cheeks. He looks far more like a prince now, strong and straight-backed.

"It's been too long," He told me, and then offered his arm. "Might I escort you two lovely ladies to dinner?"

I smiled politely as Sofia giggled, and took his arm. "You may."

Dinner with Leodros and Sofia was a cheerful thing, with plenty of wine and laughter.

We spoke of serious topics; of the war and how Leodros was coping as suddenly being the second in line for the kingdom of Athens, how the city was suffering with the loss of all the military aged men, and how they were vulnerable to attacks. Sweet, shy Leodros' eyes were as hard as rocks as he talked about the loss of several farmers and traders to Athens' economy would mean tightened belts.

"Everything for our men on the battlefield," Sofia insisted.

Things turned to the kinder things in life; how quickly Andoros was growing, how Sofia had knitted a quilt she had spun the wool from herself, how Leodros had bested his eldest brother on the sparring grounds using the tactic I taught him, and how blissful their marriage had been.

"Oh how he cried when he first held his son!" Sofia smiled.

"How could I not cry at such perfection?" Leodros asked, grinning.

I was so happy for them. And, I will not lie, I was jealous. I wish I could have what they have: a home, a family, love. They were so very happy.

"Our home is open to you," Leodros insisted to us. "You can stay as long as you wish."

I gripped his hands in thanks, bowing my head lightly. "We will not abuse your hospitality. A week to reacquaint ourselves would be wonderful."

"A week it shall be then," He agreed.

A week. Let's see what paths lay before me at the end of this week.

"Friendships are a gift to humanity by the gods. They are heartbreak, betrayal, anger, and pettiness. They are also support, love, joy, and laughter. Cherish your friends, they are blessed."

In my defense, it was the right thing to do!

We had left the palace that morning, packs refilled and with new gifts from our friends. I had been on the lookout for godly signs, but since Apollo hadn't reappeared again since that day, I guess the plan for Deme and I to sail to Delos remains.

We were on the docks, looking for someone who might take us to Delos, when a man walked into me, sending me sprawling to my feet.

"Watch where you're going, bitch!" He growled at me as Deme helped me back on my feet.

"Oi!" Deme growled protectively, "You should watch where you are going, sir!"

"What did you say to me?" He turned on her, and many men paused to see the commotion going down.

I smiled cooly, "She said you should watch where you are going, sir."

"Do you know who I am?" He spat at me.

"No." I said simply, "Because you are beneath my notice. You obviously don't know who you were just calling a bitch, so let me enlighten you. I am the Princess Rhea of Ithaca, niece of Helen of Sparta and King Menelaus, and friend to your own Prince Leodros of Athens."

I watched as the captain turned several different shades of red, then paled when he realised I could have him killed for his offense. "My-My Princess- I apologise, I didn't know."

"No you didn't, so you shouldn't have assumed." I bit back.

"Of course, of course." He clumsily said, "Perhaps to smooth over this incident, I might offer you a free sampling of my stock?"

I frowned, "Your stock?"

Then I noticed with horror that he was holding a chain. Slaver.

"Yes my lady, freshly trained slaves from Troy. The first of the prizes of the great war." He said eagerly.

I wanted to drown him, there and then. The sea shifted uneasily, ships groaning. I had to save them. I have to set them free. I had to… My eyes shifted to the fully stocked ship, probably full of slaves.

"Is that your ship?" I asked.

He followed my eyes, "Yes Ma'am. I've concluded my business here and I am sailing for Megara at dawn."

A plan started to bloom in my mind. I remember the Sea of Monsters, and the Queen Anne's Revenge, and the pirates…

"I have no need for your stock," I sniffed at the slaver. "My father will bring back much better than such lowly slaves when he returns from Troy."

I spun on my heel, stalking off with a snapped "Come Deme."

"Deme, remember that time I joked about becoming a pirate with you?" I asked my friend innocently.

"Rhea, I love you, but what the fuck do you mean by that?" She squinted suspiciously at me.

We had found a restaurant to eat dinner in after an unsuccessful day of trying to find passage to Delos, and we were huddled in a corner with cheap ale and fish.

"That slaver we met today," I smiled devilishly. "Do you want to help me commandeer his ship and set all his slaves free?"

Deme went through a myriad of emotions really quickly- surprise, exasperation, resignation, determination. "Yes."

"Perfect!" I smiled, "When we finish here, we sneak on board his ship, throw all his men and him overboard, then I use my powers to make the ship sail out of Port by itself, and once we are far enough from shore we will cut all the slaves free and sail for Delos!"

Deme smiled, "And we are going to do all that all by ourselves?"

"Oh yes," I nodded. "I once exploded a volcano and unleashed the gods' worst enemy on them by accident- I have this handled."

Deme grinned, and I handed her one of my spare daggers. "Aren't they going to be surprised." She giggled.

I laughed with her, and I am once again so very thankful she's by my side.

We stood, careful to pay for our food, and snuck towards the docks.

They'll never see us coming.

A/N

And I'm back! I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter, I sure did lmao! I've been a bit tired, a lot has happened in these past two weeks, and so I haven't been able to write as much. But now I have this published!

Sorry for the angst with Olivia, I did say she was going to be a temporary OC, but she may still return eventually! Deme now knows everything about the future from Rhea, and she still loves her. Rhea was exhausted and Apollo was blushing, that was great to write, my favorite bit of the chapter, and I suggest you listen to the Bridgerton soundtrack when you read it cause I did when I wrote it lol And now they're going to start a revolution cause Rhea hates slavery! Yay! Next chapter opens with Rhea being BAMF

In timeline for the Trojan war, they are all currently waiting for Clytemnestra and Iphigenia to arrive so they can start sailing to Troy. As soon as people knew that Troy was going to war, a lot of people- criminals, slavers, men- looted the outer small settlements of Troy before the Armies could arrive and take all the good gold for themselves. Also, Athens was super fucking sexist, like,,, women were not allowed out of the house kinda sexist.