Chapter 4: To realize what really counts

POV: Annabeth

There was no point in further thinking about it, so I decided to put this train of thought on a hold for now.

When I returned to reality, I saw Percy giving me a questioning look, but I shook my head. Later, I mouthed. He nodded; we could talk about it when we were finally alone.

"Annabeth," Chiron said, "I have master's archery class at noon. Would you take Percy from here?"

He was giving me a critical look. He had realized how quiet I had been, and he knew me well enough to understand I had been trying to figure out the reasons behind what he said earlier.

"Yes, sir," I said.

"Cabin eleven. Make yourself at home," he told Percy, gesturing toward the doorway before he turned at me again. "It might be better if you try not to think too much about it."

I looked up at him and just couldn't stop myself from smirking. "Too late."

I knew that I never would have acted like this back then. Living through all that stuff we did tends to give you a change in perception though. I might not be as bad as Percy, but you don't just spend all that time with him without some of his attitude rubbing off on you. Chiron gave a sigh, most likely regretting he said anything earlier.

"Well, then," Chiron said. "Good luck, Percy. I'll see you at dinner."

He galloped away toward the archery range.

I turned around. The people inside who had just now bowed to Chiron were staring. I thought at first, they were just staring at Percy, but quickly realized I was wrong. It was pretty obvious what this was about. A new camper had arrived half dead and I had blacked out after meeting him and spent two days unconscious in the infirmary with him. Everyone knew that I had been waiting for a specific camper and now they probably were all thinking it was Percy – and they would be right. They must be wondering what exactly that would entail to now.

For some reason, Percy had stopped at the threshold. I almost laughed out loud when he made a careful step over it. He must have remembered how he made a fool out of himself the last time.

What followed was the usual questioning session if he was claimed already. When Luke appeared in front of us, I could feel myself tense. I saw Percy's hand drift towards the pocket he usually had Riptide in, only to stop when he found it empty and remembered where we were. My mind was blank. I had been so distracted by my thoughts earlier that I had totally forgotten that we would obviously meet Luke here. How should I act? Like my twelve-year-old self? It would never work.

'If you kill him, it would be better for everyone else.'

A cold shiver went across my back when that thought crossed my mind. I couldn't do that either, but I was able to sort through my feelings better afterward. I would never be able to forgive him, not after everything that had happened. I had always wished that I could save him, bring him back to our side. This Luke hadn't done any of these things yet, but at this moment I knew that I would never have the same relationship with him again. Even if he were to return to our side, I would always remember what he had done the first time. He was my family, and he threw me away, believing that Kronos' crazy plan would make everything alright in the end again.

I would have just stood there frozen in shock and most likely tipped off Kronos if I were alone. Luckily, there was someone else with me.

Except for his first reaction, coming from trained reflexes, Percy seemed to be prepared for meeting him. He was acting as if nothing was wrong, was asking questions that every new camper would naturally ask. Questions Percy had gotten asked himself often enough when he used to explain camp to new arrivals. But the worrying look he shot me was enough to wake me up from my stupor.

"Come on," I told him. "I still have to show you the rest of camp before dinner."

I abruptly turned and rushed outside, trying to calm myself again. There was the sound of steps behind me, but I didn't turn around. After a moment Percy put his hand on my shoulder.

"You ok?" he asked softly.

I gave a low hollow laugh.

"No," I answered. "And neither are you, right? But that's not surprising is it."

He just snorted.

"Sorry about earlier," he mumbled. "It's just– What he said– I just kind of snapped."

I shook my head.

"You don't have to explain and I'm not angry. I understand how you felt. I feel the same way, the only difference is, I'm smart enough to not say it out loud. And you're right, your mum is the best role model," I said remembering seeing her fighting in the battle of Manhattan.

"She is," Percy said, and I could hear the pride and the smile in his words. "Though your dad was not too bad himself when he flew that plane pulverizing monsters."

I smiled thinking back about it.

"You know, they really liked you. Can't wait to present you as my boyfriend." I said, making him blush.

Before our conversation could really start, we were disrupted by a familiar voice, yelling familiar words behind us.

"Well! A newbie!"

A twinge of annoyance crossed my mind. Really? Do they have to come now when we finally got time to talk alone? We turned around. Clarisse was sauntering toward us from the Ares cabin. Three of her sisters behind her. All wearing camo jackets, sporting their usual scowls. I never thought I would ever say this about children of Ares, but they looked so cute, I almost laughed out loud. They were trying to look intimidating and utterly failing in it. I remembered the look Clarisse sported after Silena and Chris died. The raging madness in her eyes had been utterly terrifying and it was something I never wanted to see again. The difference between now and then was like comparing a lion cub's attempt to look imposing, with an enraged Nemean Lion.

I shot a look at Percy. He had faced down Clarisse's angry look without twitching, so I wasn't surprised that he couldn't suppress the grin on his face. Or maybe he thought about last time when he had let Clarisse gurgle with toilet water. It was almost enough to wipe away my annoyance. Almost.

"Clarisse," I sighed. "Are you sure you shouldn't rather train or something?"

"Better not, Miss Princess," she answered. "Wouldn't want you to faint in fear facing me Friday night. Faint again I mean."

Oh no she didn't. I would make her eat those words on Friday.

"Better try hard on Friday then, wouldn't want to embarrass yourself too much. I can't wait to face you."

"I'll pulverize you," Clarisse said, but her eye twitched. She was unsure if she could follow through on her threat. Good. She turned toward Percy.

"Who's this little runt?"

I suppressed a grin. I had no doubt that even in this untrained, and unfamiliar feeling body, Percy would have no problem winning against her in an all-out fight.

"Percy Jackson," he said still grinning.

"What's with the stupid grin? Got a problem twerp?"

He hid his smile, but I could still see the mirth in his eyes.

"It's just, you're exactly how Annabeth described you," he said.

I rolled my eyes at him and he gave me a wink before he returned to try to look serious again.

Clarisse growled. "You're trying to be funny? You know, we got an initiation ceremony for newbies, Prissy."

I was sure he planned to let it play out like last time, so I decided to interfere. It would be better for us if Clarisse didn't completely hate his guts for years until they somehow – which he still didn't tell me how – had made some kind of friendship slash rivalry of sorts with her.

"Clarisse – " I tried to say but got surprisingly interrupted.

"Stay out of it, Wise Girl."

The answer wasn't what surprised me, but the fact that Percy was the one to say it. What was he thinking?

"You heard him, stay out of it," Clarisse agreed, and it felt strange to see those two agree on something. "Come on, I'll show you."

"Let's not do this, Clarisse," Percy answered evenly.

Clarisse sneered. "You scared?"

"No. There is just no point in doing it like this. If you want to fight, I face you whenever you want. But I rather face a warrior than a bully. I heard you were a good warrior. Was that a lie?"

I was left speechless. I wasn't sure if he was trying to make Clarisse mad or not. It sounded like both an insult, as well as praise, depending on how one looked at it. Clarisse stood right in front of Percy, looking down on him. It looked extremely one-sided, seeing Clarisse tower over him, but ever since earlier Percy's expression hadn't changed. He still had this humorous glint in his eyes and didn't cower in front of her. The two of them were having a staring contest. Unsurprising, Clarisse was the first to take action, but rather than grab him, she turned and started to walk back to her cabin.

"Whatever," she said. "You better not try to find any excuse whenever I'm in the mood to make you eat dirt."

Her cabin mates looked totally confused but started to follow her. But Clarisse's voice sounded kind of different. I could have sworn there was a hinge of respect in it.

I blinked.

"What just happened?"

Percy sighed. "Nothing special. Just trying to help a camper who's trying too hard to be like her immortal parent in the hope to get his approval," he mumbled and then continued louder trying to distract from his earlier statement. "I thought Clarisse was the best one to train with to get used to this body and train up my strength again. Lucky me, now I can let her pulverize me whenever I want."

I decided not to dig deeper and changed the subject.

"You decided to follow my advice with Clarisse, but not with Mr. D. Seriously?" I asked. "I'm not sure if I should be happy that you listened at least this once or annoyed that I now have to think up a new strategy for capture the flag."

He gave me one of his lopsided grins.

"What can I say, I have a rebellious streak."

"Rebellious streak?" I snorted and shook my head. "You have an obedient streak. Rebellious is your natural state. But it was funny how you confused him."

"Huh?"

"Mr. D," I clarified. "You killed the Minotaur, just like Theseus did and you acted extremely respectless. Had to have reminded him of the past. Not to talk about how you look like a miniature version of Poseidon, so there is no way that Chiron and Mr. D haven't realized who you are. On the other hand, you didn't abandon Grover and later told Mr. D that it wasn't Grover's fault, trying to protect him. You also declared you wouldn't be like the other heroes and insinuated that he was the one acting the way he accused you of."

"Ooh, so that's the reason he didn't blast me. I was wondering."

I rolled my eyes at him again.

"Come on, Seaweed Brain," I said. "Let's find somewhere quiet to talk."

"Yeah, but there is somebody we still have to talk to before."

I followed his eyes and understood who he was talking about. We walked over to the hearth and bowed our heads in respect to the young nine-year-old-looking girl that was tending the flames.

"Lady Hestia," we said.

She looked up at us, slightly surprised that we had spoken to her, and then smiled at us.

"Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase," she said. "I am glad to see you have recovered. Why don't you sit down for a while?"

We thanked her and did.

"You have stopped to talk to me," she said sounding happy. "It has been years since somebody did. Everyone rushes about. No time for visiting family."

"They do not realize what they miss, what is truly important," I said thinking about the past and how I hadn't realized it either. "You only truly realize what you have lost, when it is gone."

"You're the goddess of the Hearth, Home, and Family," Percy told her. "You are always there to offer a place to return to. You're the most important Olympian. Everybody should stop by to pay their respect."

Hestia's smile widened and she returned to tend to the fire. The hearth was glowing a little brighter now. For a moment we were sitting there in comfortable silence. I felt calmer again. My fears and worries melting away with the warmth of the fire. We had been at war for years, never been completely safe, not even in camp. We had fought and lost. In the end, it was Hestia that had secured us with the chance to change everything for the better. I had been tense ever since. There was just so much depending on us. Getting reunited with Percy had helped calm me, but even then, there was still a part of me that had never left the fighting, never left Tartarus. Until now. At this moment I truly felt at peace, felt at home again. It was as if the fire of the hearth had lit a spark in my chest.

Percy and I simultaneously stood up. There was a lot to do.

"Thank you," we said. "We will do everything we can to protect our home and family."

"I'm happy I could help you," she answered, still smiling. "May the gods bless you."

We didn't speak again until we had reached the beach, staring at the sea. Percy was the first to speak up again.

"I had almost forgotten," he said. "How full cabin eleven was, I mean."

I pulled a grimace. Not all of the campers had arrived yet, but when they did, there would be around 130 campers in total. The cabins of Hera, Artemis, and Zeus were empty. Then there were Pollux and Castor, Beckendorf and his three siblings, and of course Percy in another three. That left practically all the campers in the other six cabins. The distribution among those was rather even. Some had slightly more campers, some less. But that was without including the unclaimed children or those who were from one of the minor gods. A third of all campers fell in that category. And all of them were in the Hermes cabin. That cabin held almost half of all children here in camp. That was this summer at least, because next summer, there wouldn't even be half the number of the unclaimed children anymore. The one after? Hardly anyone left.

In all, even counting newly arrived children, we had lost half of our campers within two years. Most of them unclaimed. Dead, missing or having run over to the enemy. And in the end, only Percy and I survived.

This was what was awaiting us. Percy and my eyes met. I could tell we were thinking the same thing.

I couldn't help but smile.

"There is no way we would let this happen again," I said. "So, let's start with discussing what we have to change."

"Protect camp and the others, and prevent that the peaceful titans, minor gods, and demigods from joining him," was all Percy said, sounding as if that was the easiest and most natural thing in the world.

I nodded. "That's the gist of it," I agreed. "First things first, you have to train your body as much as possible. There is no point in being powerful if your body can't handle it. And we have to get used to our new height and weight again."

Percy grimaced. "It's really hard to move," he said. "I first thought it was from the Minotaur, but it's my body that feels weird."

"It's not as bad as I thought it would be actually, but I wouldn't want to be in a life or death situation until we get used to it," I said. "What we must be careful of, is not to rely too much on what we remember to have happened. The fact that we have these memories already changes everything."

"Concentrate on the events and things and not the time that they happen, is what you want to tell me right?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yes, we have to be more proactive this time around. We know the key points the enemy is going to use, so we have to clear them before the enemy does again. But we can't let our guard down. We have learned the hard way, that he has always some plans hidden."

"Too true," Percy said before looking thoughtful for a moment. "The lightning bolt and helmet, the fleece, the Ophiotaurus and Atlas, Daedalus and the labyrinth, and the theft of the sword of Hades are the most important things," he said. "But before that, who do we tell about this? I wasn't sure and wanted to ask you before I said anything. "

Chiron, I wanted to say. I had wanted to talk with him earlier but had decided against it in the end. I sighed. "This may sound cliché, but I do not think we should tell anybody the truth at all. We should warn them of danger, yes, but at best we should point them in the right direction. Remember what Themis said, every action has a consequence. I fear what will happen what type of consequences that would be. And we definitely don't want Kronos to know the truth. I don't even want to think about what he could do. If we really think it is needed, we should pick one or two people."

"Chiron would normally be the best person to talk to, but after what we heard, I don't think it is a good idea," Percy agreed. "We don't know what other rules he is forced to follow. I personally want Zeus to know as much as I want Kronos to find out. More likely he just smites every demigod alive than do something productive. Too high a risk."

I had to agree. That definitely sounded like the type of reasoning Zeus would think of.

"But first, I figured out parts of the dream we saw."

"Didn't expect anything less of you," Percy said. "Let's hear it."

I explained everything to Percy. He was skeptical at first, but the more we talked the more he seemed to come to the same conclusion as I did. After that, we brainstormed together for a while but had to agree in the end that there was no point in thinking about it further, not until we met Ares or something else happened.

When we started to notice the smell of barbecue smoke, we decided to stop for today and work out the details of our quest over the next few days instead. We headed back to the cabins. Before we split ways, I turned to Percy again.

"You going to be ok?" I asked.

He clearly understood because he made a face. "Have to somehow. At least there are so many people in there you can hardly talk, but the next few days are going to be exhausting."

"Try not to kill him. Wouldn't want Kronos to be on guard against us." I tried to lighten the mood.

"Sure, don't have a weapon with me anyway," he returned before he looked like he realized something just now. "What about you? Have you even talked with your siblings since you woke up?"

I froze. I hadn't. I had totally forgotten over everything. Percy started laughing when he saw my face.

"Maybe you should rather try to think about how not to get killed yourself," he said before disappearing into cabin eleven.

When I entered the Athena cabin everyone inside was already waiting for me.

"Sorry, I made you worry about me and I should have come here first after I woke up," I said. "I got distracted and forgot. I'm really sorry."

Instead of making excuses, trying to talk me out of it, I decided to just admit the truth. It caught everyone off guard.

"Wait, did you just admit you made a mistake?" Malcolm asked surprised.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not that bad. I can admit when I make a mistake. It's just I normally don't make mistakes," I said trying to sound as sarcastic as I could.

The mood relaxed after that again and till dinner, for once I spent my time talking with my siblings in favor of us reading. I had learned from the past after all.

Dinner and campfire went the same as always without any kind of interruption or irregularity, the problems only started when I lay in bed. I couldn't fall asleep. Couldn't get my mind to calm down enough. I was scared, of what I would see when I closed my eyes. I can't remember how long I lay there before I decided to go outside again.

When I stepped outside, my eyes immediately met Percy's who seem to have faced a similar problem.

In the end, we spent the night at the lake together, neither of us having any problems falling asleep, cuddled against each other.