Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson
Chapter 20: The Return Home
When the two of them reached Half-Blood Hill, Chiron stood there waiting, along with Annabeth, Grover, and Will.
"You're alive!" Will cried, charging down the hill and throwing his arms around both of them.
Annabeth crossed her arms as they reached the top. "Good to see you, Seaweed Brain. Christina, I'm so glad you're okay."
"Why couldn't I have gotten that welcome?" Percy mumbled, causing Christina to roll her eyes.
Chiron turned to them. "So I take it the bolt is secure?"
Christina nodded. "It's back with Zeus where it belongs."
"The Di Angelo siblings are down at the Big House." Chiron told them. "They just watched the orientation videos, and Grover and Annabeth informed me of your deal with Hades. I trust that you and Percy can show them to cabin three."
As the three demigods and one satyr headed down the hill towards the Big House, Will turned to Christina. "Who are the Di Angelo siblings and why are they staying in cabin three? And what does Hades have to do with it?"
"The Di Angelo siblings are children of Hades." Christina informed him. "We made a deal with Hades that if he allowed them to come to Camp Half-Blood, they would stay in cabin three as opposed to cabin eleven, and we would make sure they weren't bullied for their parentage."
Will nodded. "I'll help. I don't like bullies, and I'm sure they are perfectly nice."
"They are." Christina assured him. "I think they'll fit in well here."
As they made their way to the Big House, Nico and Bianca stood up from where they were sitting on the porch.
"You're back!" Nico cheered. "Did the bolt get returned?"
Christina nodded. "Yep. It's back where it belongs. Oh, Nico and Bianca, meet Will Solace. He's an Apollo kid and my best friend."
"I'm Will, nice to meet you!" Will said, grinning and sticking his hand out for Nico to shake. "I think we'll be good friends."
Nico smiled shyly back, shaking his hand. "I think so too."
The group set out towards the cabins, Will, Annabeth, Christina, Grover, and Percy pointing things out for the benefit of Nico and Bianca. As they got closer to the ring of cabins, some of the other demigods began to notice them and whisper to themselves.
"Are they whispering about us?" Bianca asked, concerned.
Christina shook her head. "Most likely not. Camp Half-Blood's reputation with quests is rather complicated and we just returned from one. They're most likely surprised that we're alive."
"You're back!" Luke called, stepping onto the porch of the Hermes cabin. "I'm impressed."
Christina shrugged. "What can I say Luke, we're just that talented."
"Who's this?" He asked, gesturing to Nico and Bianca. "Are they new campers for me?"
Will shook his head. "Not this time. This is Nico and Bianca Di Angelo. They'll actually be staying in cabin three."
"More Poseidon kids?" Luke asked, shocked. "It was a surprise when Percy was claimed. I didn't expect for you to find two more on your quest."
Bianca shook her head. "We're not Poseidon kids. We're Hades kids. But we have permission to stay in cabin three since there is no cabin for us."
"We have plenty of room and my dad is pretty chill about this sort of thing." Christina said, shrugging. "I was more than happy to help my cousins out. Besides, it was the only way Hades would let them come to camp."
Luke nodded. "Well, enjoy Camp Half-Blood."
The group washed goodbye to him and continued towards cabin three. Nico and Bianca mostly kept their heads down to avoid the stares of other campers, but the rest of the group waved to friends and siblings.
"Here we are, " Christina said as they arrived outside the cabin. "Cabin three, your new home. You can choose any bed except the two already taken. The rest of us will be out here if you need any help. "
Bianca smiled gratefully. "Thank you, both of you. This means a lot to us."
As the two Hades kids disappeared inside the cabin, Will turned to the questers. "So, how was your quest?"
"Well, we got these from a nereid." Christina said, pulling the four pearls out of her backpack. "They're supposed to help us but I don't know how. "
"Save them for a rainy day. " Will suggested. "Gods know we always need some magical item to help us out. "
She nodded, tucking them back in her backpack. "I suppose."
"I don't know about the rest of you, but I am glad to be back at camp. " Annabeth said, crossing her arms. "Being out in the real world was great, but I could use a break after that."
"I'm sure the rest of the summer will be calm. " Grover assured them. "After all, what is the worst that could happen?"
Two weeks later…
"Hey Percy," Christina said, poking her head into the cabin where Nico was teaching Percy how to play Mythomagic. "Can you come with me for a few minutes?"
Percy nodded, setting down his cards. "We'll continue playing when I get back. " He assured the younger boy before following Christina out of the cabin.
"Don't worry, it's nothing bad. " She assured him as they walked towards Half-Blood Hill. "Grover, Annabeth, and I just have something to tell you that's a long time coming."
When they reached the hill they found Annabeth and Grover sitting down and leaning up against Thalia's tree, but the two of them stood up when they saw the siblings approaching.
"What's this about?" Percy asked, glancing at the three of them.
Grover sighed, putting his hand on the trunk of the tree. "Five years ago I was assigned to guide three half-bloods back to camp, much like with you. That was Annabeth, Luke, and a daughter of Zeus named Thalia. We had almost made it to camp but we were chased by a hoard of hellhounds and all three Furies. Thalia made her last stand on this hill to allow the three of us to get to camp. Zeus showed up, but by then it was too late, so he turned her into this tree."
"That was when I met Annabeth." Christina told him. "I was the only girl her age, so we became close."
Percy stared up at the tree in shock. "I had no idea."
"Most people don't." Annabeth said, shrugging. "It's not something Luke, Grover, or I like to talk about, and the rest respect us enough to not ask. But you've been through so much with us that you deserve to know."
Percy turned to them. "I hope she knows how much she did for the camp."
"I think she does Percy." Christina said, softly. "I think she does."
I want to cover something since Will and Nico just met. Yes Solangelo will be a couple, eventually. They just met and they're also both ten at this point. There's not going to be any romance for at least two more books. They'll be a slow burn romance, just like Percabeth. That doesn't mean there won't be any Will and Nico interaction, there absolutely will, but it will just be platonic for a while.
Also the urge not to use the lyrics to Tree on the Hill during Grover's explanation was strong.
Please review. I love reviews.
