"Come on, we aren't far." Aaron smiled at little Lily, Daughter of Hephaestus. "Our camp is just up here. It is protected with some powerful spells, we should be safe."

Silena, who had come with him to gather the boy up, nodded. "Aaron's a pretty awesome witch, he made it nice and safe for us." Her tone, filled with charmpseech, was soothing to the rattled nerves of Lily who was bruised and battered.

The girl had been attacked by a buttload of monsters, three cycloipes and a flock of Stymphalian birds and had come out alive but that didn't mean she wasn't terrified. She was a strong Demigod, but Aaron had a sneaking suspicion that she was supposed to die. She had been attacked by impossible numbers only to be saved by two powerful beings from Camp halfblood. He would have to read the girl's future...

"Are you sure?" Lily's voice wavered, her eyes shifting back and forth with terror. She was shaking badly, Aaron could sense her essence fading fast. She needed healing, both physical and mental.

"Yes, kiddio, we are sure." Aaron relaxed just a smidge when they past the barrier of their encampment. Runes had been carved in a circle around the place, special herbs burning in the fire. It was a spell of his own creation, modifying the magic that had kept his room secure at the Camp only this would repel monsters and act as a physical barrier. He had really gotten good at spell creation. "Lily, we need to check your wounds, we need to make sure your not getting an infection or anything. Would you let Silena check over your body while I make some medicine?"

The little girl turned to Silena and nodded. Silena took her towards a shadowy area and the little girl undid her overalls. Aaron didn't look, sticking with taking out supplies from his bag and begining to mix some potions together. By the time he finished mixing up an infection protection potion, Silena called for him. He walked over, eyes closed respectfully for the little girl.

"Yes?"

Silena sighed. " She has two open wounds, I need a pain relief, anti infection and some ambrosia." Silena called out.

"Not a problem." Within a minute he was holding out the three things, which Silena took and used on a hissing Lily.

"Sorry it burns, but your wounds are deep. We need to get you patched up so you can be safe."

Hours passed and soon Lily was sleeping curled up on the otherside of the fire on a sleeping bag Silena had stored away. She was covered in bandages and creams, her body looking like a half wrapped mummy. Silena was next to her, petting her hair.

"The gods wondered why I would hate them, why I would turn against them." Silena started. "Then I see this... it's like they don't get it."

Aaron sighed. "I get it, trust me I do. I have seen and saved enough to know how much life sucks for you lot. I really am sorry you all have to suffer like this..."

"It isn't right Aaron... I hope one day we can make it so we don't all have to go through all of this crap... I'll take first watch. Get some sleep, your the better fighter it would be better for you to be well rested."

Yawning deeply, Aaron nodded. " Fine... see you soon." And with that, he lay on his side and swiftly drifted off into sleep... only to feel a prodding against his mental barriers and a familar essence summoning him. It wasn't Kronos or Zeus or anyone that he was afraid of...

It was Hera and she seemed nice enough, she had done him some favors... so he opened his mind up to her.

""""

In an instant Aaron found himself in a beautiful valley, surronded by wild flowers and trees. It was unfamilar but he felt so much of the Earth's power here that even in his dream he was empowered. He knew that when he woke, some trace of this power would follow him, leaving him far better off then he started.

Looking around, he quickly found Hera, dressed like a normal mom in jeans and a tucked in black blouse. Gay or not, she was the single most exquiste creature he had ever seen. Graceful, powerful, well muscled... she was far prettier then Aphrodite ever could manage. She radiated power too, and he realized that like Demeter she held the might of the Earth on some level. She felt like Earth magic more then she did sky magic, which was odd given she was a Sky goddess.

"Lady Hera." He bowed a little, getting a chittering bit of laughter from the Goddess.

"Please, just call me Hera. Rise, we have much to speak of, my sweet." She gestured to him, making him follow her. "Do you like it here? It used to be the spot of one of my smaller shrines, but it was a favorite. It was hand crafted by a small group of women that wanted power and love, and so they called to me through the shrine. I loved them dearly, they were wonderful mothers. Their children commiting many great actions... history has forgotten them, as it has so many other places. They were never the biggest or strongest but they were my favorite. It was near here that I was given the Epitat, Hera Alexandros."

Nervous and unable to mask it in front of the Queen of the Gods, Aaron followed along and nodded. " It is lovely, the magic is so rich and strong here. I never realized you were an Earth goddess along side being a sky goddess. I mean I knew you, all of the Olympians, were a natural mix of Earth and Sky but I never realized your Earth connection was so great."

She laughed a little. "I can imagine so. I am the goddess of territory, there is a reason I was able to offer Paris all of Europe and Asia."

"I had wondered about that... " He would have said something about her denying Leto access to all rooted lands to give birth, but he figured that was a dumb thing to bring up. "So, how can I serve you Lady Hera?"

"Serve me...well, that is both easy and hard. I brought you here so you could see what my blessing can do, I cannot do as much as Demeter for the Earth but my power strengthens all things. I am a nature goddess in my own right so air, water and earth all an empowered by my presence." She turned and fluttered her eyes at him, not in a romantic way but in a more sweet, maternal way. "On a more physical leve, I want you to create for me something to garner me more respect. Be it a shrine, positive stories about me... something. You cannot understand how painful it feels to be hated by so many, have I done terrible things yes. I cannot deny that, but I have done countless good deeds that are all but ignored. Gods are formed largely by these stories... I want you to help me, so I can be better, stronger, more consistent."

That floored Aaron, he gaped at her for a minute. "You want more respect... well I would start by a shrine obviously, but then I would make a group like Artemis. Make new stories, show rather then tell."

Hera blinked, shocked. " Would I travel with them?"

"I would, at least some of the time but swear to be good to them. Loyal, loving. Your the goddess of Motherhood, so be a mother to them. Adopted but still. It wouldn't be hard. Offer then powers that come from your domain, boys and girls can join and help you... maybe you can help demigods. Take them in, take care of them and deliver them here. Same with Clearsighted mortals, giving us more options so we aren't going crazy in the Mortal world. It would give you a better understanding of the mortal world and give you a better reputation, far more then two birds."

Her laughter was rich, warm and lovely and filled him with more joy then he knew what to do with. "You really are a genius, my sweet, sweet boy. I will take your advise into consideration. Maybe I will speak to Artemis... but for now, I must say my goodbyes. I cannot wait to see what your Shrine will look like. I know it will be lovely. I love Hades' shrine, it is beyond beautiful and so is the Messenger Shrine. Such warm colors...

Now, it is time for you to sleep well. Goodnight, little love, and have wonderful dreams."

She waved her hand and all went dark... and then it wasn't and he did indeed have wonderful dreams, dreams blessed by the Goddess of Motherhood herself.

'''

"What a nice day." Aaron called out as he walked closer to Halfblood hill. He felt great, having used his magic to pull in the residual power of his spellwork camp barrier back into his body. It was a little trick he discovered by accident while teaching Meggy how to control the Mist, or rather learning from her really since she was much better at it. The energy could be recycled so long as it was not already burned out. His cells screamed in pleasure as they were filled not only with this extra burst of energy but he residual power that Hera's presence brought to his heart. "How are you feeling Lily?"

The little girl, quiet and tiny, turned to him with the tinniest smile. "Your potions were really helpful, sir. I feel good." Her limp was far less pronounced he realized, and her aura was far stronger. She felt more alive, more present. "Thank you."

"Not a prob, darling."

Silena giggled then. "I am happy your feeling better Lily, oh your going to love Camp. Magical horses, fighting lessons, Arts and Crafts, Canoeing. Once your all better you'll be able to enjoy it all."

Lily's smile got a little brighter, making him just a bit happier. The little girl deserved to feel good after what she went through... reading her fortune, which he did when he awoke for his watch, he learned that she was not supposed to have survived, she had been marked for death... he had changed her fate in someway and that... that was a jarring relevation.

He liked her, he wanted her to live and hoped dearly that she did so.

"There is it." Lily said, her eyes wide. " I can feel the... it's like a pull in my belly." She turned to Aaron. "Is that normal?"

"Camp has it's own magic, it pulls demigods to it so they can find it with or without physical help. So yes, it is normal."

"I am excited... My cousin's a demigod too, A daughter of Hermes. I never thought I would see Emily again. Now I can!"

Aaron froze. "Emily Price?"

"Yeah, you know her?"

Aaron shared a look with Silena. Emily was one of the demigods that were serving Kronos. " She's not at camp right now, baby... we'll explain it later... but she isn't there. She is alive though."

LIly nodded. " I trust you... race you up the hill!" She charged up the Hill, as did Aaron and Silena.

"Watch out for the Dragon!" Aaron said, making the little girl shriek when Peleus appeared, the dragon gaurding the Golden Fleece. She jumped back, giving Aaron a chance to catch her and throw her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "We feed little brats to the dragon, and it looks like he's hungry!" He made his voice monsterous, making the girl giggle loudly.

All was right at Camp and that... that made Aaron happy.

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

You are going to love how I deal with the Third Book, it is so awesome and well planned out that I am going crazy.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.