Annabeth and her mother had taken to a sort of competition. Athena spent all her time with Zeus trying to undo all the damage Annabeth had done with Jason, along with any other eligible male courtier. Annabeth liked to think that she was winning. Especially with her mother glaring at her while talking to Zeus. Athena didn't say anything directly to her, but she could hear her voice loud and clear, "Sit up. You're embarrassing me."
Annabeth slouched even lower in her seat, resulting in another glare. Annabeth gave her a smug look. Athena said something to Zeus, who said something back, causing Athena to laugh. Not her usual socially polite laugh, but a genuine laugh. Athena then smiled back at Annabeth, doing nothing to improve Annabeth's mood. It was still early. Annabeth would figure something out. She looked around at the odd assortment that had gathered in Olympus to try and catch The Heir of Zeus's eye. The breakfast table was laid out similar to the council hall in that the table curved around to make a huge horseshoe. Jason had taken to one of the daughters of Aphrodite that, oddly enough, wasn't here to flirt with Jason. It was kind of entertaining to watch Jason flirt with Piper, and be oblivious to the hundreds of girls desperately flirting with him.
As entertaining as it all was, a growing worry had been constant in the back of her mind. If her theory was correct, Athena's statue was connected to offenders that had been thrown into the pit. The pit that was across an ocean. She had yet to figure out a way to get there. Then again, the thought of having to go to the pit, made a small knot in her stomach that made her lose her appetite. Annabeth poked at her breakfast with all these thoughts swirling around her mind. Of course, Percy would have to intrude her thoughts.
Breakfast was abruptly interrupted when two travel worn soldiers of Atlantis walked into the room, straight up to Zeus himself. "We beg your pardon, but we bring urgent news from King Poseidon concerning the safety of all Olympus." The bigger soldier said as he handed over a scroll.
Zeus looked less than pleased with this interruption. Or maybe he just wasn't thrilled about hearing from Atlantis. No doubt he would be concerned that Percy would be after his job. Zeus took the scroll, unrolled it and began reading. His expression darkened with each line he read. Annabeth found herself, along with the rest of the room, waiting with baited breath. Zeus' fist clenched and he suddenly swiped off all the food, plates, and cups in front of him off the table in a terrifying roar.
"You were with him?" Zeus asked the soldiers in a low voice filled with dangerous undercurrents.
The soldier swallowed what fear he held and answered surprisingly calmly, "Yes, sir."
"You fought Alcyoneus?" Zeus asked. Annabeth's heart stopped at the mention of the name. There were several whispers rippling through the room.
"No, sir. I worked with Thanatos to retrieve Prince Nico." The soldier replied. Fear gripped Annabeth. What?! Nico?! Retrieve?! Alcyoneus? "Sargent Hazel, had the honor."
"Not the ba . . ., not Perseus?" Zeus interrogated.
"He . . ." The soldier started.
"Prince Perseus acted as bait, since Alcyoneus was so eager to kill him, leaving him wide open." The other soldier spoke, but it was decidedly feminine.
"You?" Zeus said with a sneer. "Alcyoneus must be losing his touch if a mere girl can defeat him."
The room erupted into a raucous laughter. Annabeth clenched her jaw and tightened her fist.
Zeus held up his hand and the laughter stopped. "Are you making up a war?"
The first soldier tensed and straightened to his full height. "I fought telekine, gorgon's, and cyclopes. All who had the brand of the pit. They tore down Atlantis' northern wall and terrorized our streets. I helped Prince Perseus lower Prince Triton's body from the cage that held him as a trophy. I watched as Prince Perseus fought Polybotes blow for blow. Whether he could win or not, he would fight to the death for the people, the soldiers, of Atlantis. They wanted to secure our docks to unload the oncoming army from the pit. The only thing that saved us was Prince Perseus turning the Amazons into allies."
The room froze to a paralysed fear. Zeus looked like he wanted to skewer the soldier. Zeus then looked back down at the parchment in his hand, and his expression softened. "Jason, what do you think?"
Jason looked surprised at being asked for his opinion. He recovered and tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Prince Perseus was right last time."
Zeus sighed heavily and slowly stood up. "Rally the armies! We will do as Poseidon suggests. We will meet our enemies, who dared to take a son of Olympus and attack one of our kingdoms, at sea and drive them back. We will destroy them, once and for all. War council now." Zeus then left the table along with Athena, and several other representatives of the many kingdoms.
Annabeth's heart was hammering inside her chest. So many things were happening all at once. They're going to be headed to the pit. She knew she had to join the fight, but her mother would never allow her, simply for the fact that one she was a girl and two Percy would be there. She sat there musing over and over what she could do. How she could possibly find a way to reach the pit.
Her thoughts were interrupted when someone approached her. "Princess Annabeth?" A timid voice asked. Annabeth focused on the speaker and saw the same female soldier of Atlantis that had defeated Alcyoneus.
"Yes?" Annabeth acknowledged her.
"I was asked to pass this on to you without Queen Athena knowing. It's from Prince Perseus." She held out a rolled up parchment.
Annabeth quickly snatched the parchment out of her hand, startling the soldier. "Thank you." Annabeth tried to smooth over her abrupt behavior as she hid the parchment in the folds of her dress. "Um, how is he?" Annabeth tentatively asked.
The soldier raised an eyebrow in surprise. "He is well, your highness." She answered formally.
"Was he hurt?" Annabeth craved as much information about him as possible.
"Nothing serious. A few scratches here and there. A bloody lip. He's surprisingly quick in battle."
Annabeth couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "That he is."
"Annabeth!" Athena's sharp voice snapped Annabeth back to reality. She turned to see her mother walking toward her from the council chambers.
"Mother." Annabeth replied and innocently.
"Your majesty." The soldier bowed deeply.
Athena eyed the soldier skeptically, but said nothing to her. "Annabeth, we need to head to our quarters and pack quickly. We're headed back to Athens." Athena said before she turned and headed towards their private quarters.
Annabeth knew she was expected to follow. She mouthed a thank you to the soldier and quickly followed her. Percy's letter to her burnt in her pocket, but she couldn't read it now. Once they were in their chambers, they began packing.
"Malcom will come with me to the battle on the sea. It will be a good experience for him. That way, we'll leave you in Athens, far away from Prince Perseus and his bad influences." Athena laid out her plans. No doubt to make it clear she wouldn't let Annabeth anywhere near Percy.
Suddenly, inspiration struck Annabeth. "Yes, mother." She replied nonchalantly as she packed.
Athena stopped packing and turned her scrutinizing eyes on Annabeth. "He will be an ocean away from you, in a war."
"Most likely." Annabeth kept her voice nonchalant.
Athena went back to packing. The room was filled with a tense silence. Annabeth could feel Athena's curiosity growing. It took all of her strength to stop herself from smiling.
Athena threw her clothes down in frustration. "You have fought me with every decision I have made, especially concerning that boy. I command you to tell me why you don't want to go across the ocean, especially since that traitor you have been intent on courting is going to be there. We are launching from Atlantis, itself. So what is it?"
Annabeth had her right where she wanted her. "I am well aware of where Percy is and where everyone is going to fight. I, however, agree with you. I should stay in Athens."
"Why?" Athena demanded to know. "I know you're up to something. Tell me or I'll put you in Mark's company. He's been asking for an audience since we arrived."
"You wouldn't." Fear crept into Annabeth's voice.
Athena smirked, "Try me."
"I . . ." Annabeth put on her best acting performance, "I want to be in Athens so I can finish solving the mystery of who took your statue. I'm so close to figuring it out."
Annabeth could see the internal struggle flash across Athena's face. Would she choose to have Annabeth stay in Athens and find her statue. Then she would be forced to keep her promise to allow her to court Percy. Or, would she take her with her to keep her from solving it. "It would be better, " Athena said slowly as though just coming to a decision, "if Malcolm stay in Athens. He can watch over the city while we're gone."
"Gone?" Annabeth said in an outraged tone.
"To Atlantis, and then to the pit.". Athena leveled her gaze at Annabeth.
"What? But I need to be here." Annabeth insisted.
"My decision is final. We'll head to Athens and then for Atlantis." Athena said in a strict tone. "Don't think you'll get a moment with Prince Perseus. You're coming with me, so I can keep a close eye on you."
Annabeth turned away from her in a pouty mood, but mostly it was to hide her excitement. She was going exactly where she needed to go. Even better, she was going to Atlantis. She was going to see Percy.
The EndTo be continued in The Heirs of Olympus: The Statue of Athena