Poor Annabeth- Chiron is her main father figure after all. Anyway- I hope you guys enjoy this chapter.
Replies:
Rage2091: Hehehehehe. One of them will figure it out soon enough- but will that help that much? Hehehe.
Thickneck: Honestly, she's about as dense as a black hole lol.
ant-death: And Annabeth is only a little better- honestly what would they do without our Seaweed brain? And yeah- I may not have it all written but I have certain solid plans for what's going to happen and how.
Guest: It's not so much that I prefer it but I think with FT it's been so long writing it a part of me is terrified of not doing it justice- and sad to see it coming to an end I think. And no I haven't moved onto the next- which will probably be another minific me thinks.
Undeath9087: Percy just there like 'I would die for these girls- but we're just friends- oh and when they smile at me like that I get butterflies- but just friends.'.
Ryan Fowler: We shall see :D
Percy woke up a few hours later, and thankfully the pain in her head was completely gone when she did. Thankfully her spell had kept the boat sailing very nicely during her nap, and when Percy peered out of the windows she couldn't see the huge white cruise ship at all.
And Annabeth had very clearly been thinking while they'd moved on. Her brows were furrowed and she was staring blankly down at their map.
Percy stifled a yawn as she moved towards the other girl, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Wise girl?" Her voice was soft. "Is everything okay?"
"I've been asking her that for the last half hour." Piper shot Percy a worried look. "Without an answer-"
"I-" Annabeth closed her eyes, resting her head on her hands. "I keep thinking about what you said Percy. About Chiron." there was a heaviness in her voice that Percy didn't like. "I don't- I don't know what camp will do without him. And- and as much as I'm not- not ready to go back there..."
"You don't want to see it fall apart." Piper finished with a slow nod. "That makes sense. But it's not like there's much you can do about it." she pointed out.
"He's out there somewhere in the dark." Annabeth's voice was quiet, "I- he was like a father to me for years you guys. I just- I wish he at least knew that we were going to do something- and they probably don't even know that it was Luke who poisoned the tree. Because I couldn't do the right thing and go back and tell them-"
"Annabeth you can't blame yourself for that." Percy's voice was soft, reassuring. "After what happened to you- no one with any empathy would blame you for not being able to face going back there."
"I need to fix it." Annabeth took a deep breath as she met Percy and Piper's gazes, "I- I think I need to contact Chiron- if that's okay with you guys. Someone needs to know that we're going to fix things." she paused, "And I don't need to tell him about you guys."
"That at least is probably for the best." Percy pulled a face, "If he goes back to your camp- we know there's at least one spy there-" she winced, "Luke talked about telling Silena to somehow give a hint of what to do."
"Silena-" Annabeth's expression was instantly filled with grief, "She's my friend-"
"I remember her." Percy's voice was quiet, "I signed her shirt-" she gave Piper a tight little smile when the other girl squeezed her shoulder. And there was a moment of pained silence before Annabeth shook herself.
"I can contact Chiron- I have a drachma-" she saw the looks Percy and Piper were giving her and laughed, "I can use it to call him- I'll show you if you'd like?" she peered out of the window, "It should be sunny enough out there to get a rainbow."
"I can't wait to see what you've got up your sleeve." Percy said after a moment.
And soon enough the three girls were on the deck again, Percy and Piper sat down at the point of the prow of the boat, Annabeth sat facing them. "Percy- can you manipulate the water and get me a mist please?"
"Why of course." Percy focused her powers, wriggling fingers and making mist fountain out of the sea in the ear between the girls, the mist turning into rainbow, and Annabeth took a deep breath before murmuring something under her breath, and a moment later Percy could see a face in the rainbow, flickering and wavering very slightly.
The man looked middle-aged maybe, with thinning brown hair, brushy eyebrows and dark brown eyes- and a beard too. There was a weird flashing strobe light in the background, and music was blaring. It looked oddly like the centaur was in a dance club or something.
And Percy tilted her head, she'd spent a fair amount of time wondering what the centaur was like- he was legendary after all. Though she definitely didn't approve of the way Greeks did things it did seem to Percy that he tried to make the best out of an unfortunate situation.
Still, raising children specifically to go off and fight their parents battles felt wrong to her.
In any case, the centaur looked confused for a split second before his eyes went wide in shock- he had a clear view and Annabeth, though both Percy and Piper were out of sight. And he pressed his hand to his mouth, looking unsteady for a long moment.
When he spoke his voice was audible despite the volume of the music. "Annabeth." his voice cracked, "By all the gods Annabeth. You're alive- I- you just disappeared." he shook his head, voice cracking very slightly once more. "When you disappeared from camp with Luke... I presumed the worst. Where are you? What have you been doing?"
"It's a long story." And Percy could see that Annabeth's eyes were shining with unshed tears. "But I'm alive Chiron. I'm safe." she managed a strained smile.
"What happened my child?" the centaurs voice was soft, gentle and filled with genuine concern, "What of Luke- I assume you two snuck out on some hair brained scheme to stop the gods fighting with not a clue what you were doing... are you responsible for the mysterious return of Zeus' Bolt?"
"No." Annabeth shook her head, "I took off after Luke." she let out a shaky breath before she forced herself to talk, "It's a long story but I found out that he was responsible- he was chasing some people- they'd snatched the bolt from him." she explained. "I caught up with him and realised and-" she shook her head, "I got hurt. Really hurt. I- I was taken in by some people- I can't say anything more before you ask Chiron. I've sworn on the River Styx not to betray their trust. They took me in and helped me recover- it- it's been a long process. And-and I wasn't ready to go back to camp yet." and Percy blinked- that was a lie but a smart one. It would stop Chiron pushing for answers- and she gave Annabeth a small smile and a slight thumbs up.
As for Chiron- his expression was grave. "You- by all the gods Annabeth you- I am so sorry- the idea of Luke... but it explains the disappearance and his distant behavior before you two disappeared. Grover was beside himself with grief over it. Still- I am sorry that you had to suffer through such a betrayal. You're safe. Truly?" he paused, peering at her, "Are you- is that water I see Annabeth?"
"Yes." Annabeth nodded quickly, "I'm on a boat. You need to listen carefully please. I know about Thalia's tree- I've been having dreams and... I may have had a bit of advice from a god. I have a plan. The Golden Fleece-"
That made Chiron's eyes widen. "Annabeth- I- I suppose theoretically the Fleece could... but it's been lost-"
"I was told it's somewhere in the Sea of Monsters." Annabeth brushed her hair out of her face, "I'm on my way there now. I'm not alone before you panic but I can't say anything about the people I'm with other than that I would trust them with my life."
Chiron was silent for a long moment, clearly taking the information in before he closed his eyes. "I don't claim to like it but we seem to have been left with little choice." he shook his head, "I wish you .could tell me more, but I trust your judgement Annabeth. You are your mothers daughter. But still- you must be careful. Will you bring the Fleece straight to camp?"
"I-" Annabeth hesitated very slightly, "Probably. I- I'm not entirely sure that I'm ready to return but if that's what I need to do to save Thalia's tree- to save Camp then I will."
"I won't be there-"
"I know." Annabeth grimaced, "I- Luke poisoned the tree. He's set this up to force a quest to retrieve the Fleece so that he can use it to revive Kronos-" and that made all of the color drain from Chiron's face.
"You're sure child? It- you must be certain, making such bold statements."
"I am." Annabeth hesitated before, "He's in a cruise ship called the Princess Andromeda. I didn't go aboard personally but a friend did. She heard him discussing his plan with some monsters. There was something about a Casket.. and... I think he's using Silena as a spy." Annabeth's voice was pained again as she said that, "He said about using her to feed information and get a quest ordered."
"Currently Tantalus has been requested to take my place. I can't be sure how helpful he'll be."
Percy blinked, glancing at Piper and mouthing 'Tantulus?' an incredulous look on her face- she could remember that myth. Though Piper looked like she was drawing a blank.
Annabeth looked concerned too. "That's ridiculous- they need you Chiron, especially if the borders are weakening, which they will be with the poison."
"Lord Zeus has blamed me." Chiron was shaking his head, "He will not let me return- not unless I find some way to clear my name-"
"What about if he returns the Fleece?" Percy hissed the words- and Annabeth winced as Chiron's eyes narrowed very slightly.
"I presume that is one of your friends?" and Annabeth winced in response, giving a small nod.
"Yes Chiron. They uh- don't want to be seen- but I trust them with everything- and- is it a good idea?"
Chiron considered for a moment before nodding. "It is possible." he decided eventually. "It could work. If I was to heal the tree it would clear my name of the poisoning. But I would hate to take credit-"
"No, no I don't want credit." Annabeth said quickly, "I don't want- I used to care what my mother, what the gods thought about me but I don't any more. I'd be happy if you took credit and cleared your name with the Fleece. I am happy where I am- honestly as much as I love camp- even if I did come back..." her gaze focused on Piper and Percy, "I don't think I'd be willing to stay for more than the summer, not any more. I've found my place Chiron. You always said I would some day and I have now."
And Percy felt warmth bubbling up in her chest.
Before Annabeth had come along she'd only ever felt that feeling with Piper. And it still confused her as much as ever. And Piper was staring at Annabeth too, her eyes shining with some undefinable emotion.
And Chiron's expression went soft, there was a warmth in his eyes. "I see." his voice was gentle. "I am happy for you Annabeth- I really am. I don't believe I've ever seen you looking so at home with yourself."
"I've never felt so at home with myself." Annabeth nodded, "Where should we meet you?"
"The closest point to the sea of monsters would likely be Miami." Chiron stated after a long moment. "If you truly wish for me to return the Fleece."
"What about safety measures?" Piper hissed the words- and Chiron twitched slightly at the second new voice.
"I will protect the Fleece with my life. I won't allow it to be used for any reason other than to heal Thalia's tree." Chiron reassured. "And I will ensure that it is guarded at all times."
"That does sound like a good plan." Annabeth stated slowly, "We don't know how long we'll take to reach Miami though Chiron."
"I will go there and wait." Chiron's expression was serious, "There's little else that I can do at this point. I wish you well children. Please do be careful, and Annabeth always remember-" his voice was drowned out by a loud shouting behind him and Annabeth leaned forward, an urgent look on her face.
"Chiron-" her voice was panicked, "Chiron what did you say-"
"Curse my relatives- Annabeth child I want you to remember that-"
"Yeah, baby!" somebody behind Chiron yelled. "Woo-hoooooo!"
The music got cranked up, subwoofers so loud it made the boat vibrate.
"Curse it all-" Chiron was yelling, "I will talk to you in Miami. Be careful Annabeth- and your friends, whoever they may be-" and then the misty screen smashed apart like someone on the other side had thrown a bottle at it- and Chiron was gone.
Annabeth lunged forward at that, reaching out for the fading image with her good hand and hitting the deck hard, jarring her elbow- and Percy and Piper were at her side in less than a second, both of them pressing in on either side of the other girl as she sobbed.
