Percy's P.O.V
~2 days to the proposal~
I got up extra early today. I hadn't slept very well and I knew why. I still hadn't completed the owl and I was rapidly running out of time. I noticed getting up that Annabeth had not come to bed last night. I knew exactly where she'd be. I walked into her study and there with her head rested on her arms was my Wise Girl. She's been working so hard on redesigning Olympus; I'd have to get her to take a break for a day once it was all done. Maybe, a girl's day with Piper, Thalia and Rachel? I don't know, I'd contact them later today see what I could pull together. I walked over to Annabeth and brushed a stray hair from her face.
"Annabeth" I said as a continued to gently stroke her face "Wise Girl" slowly she started to stir.
"Urmph - Percy?" She asked squinting at me "I did it again didn't I?" She asked extracting a sketch from the side of her face.
"Yeah" I chuckled "you did, but it's still early why don't you head up to bed for a couple of hours of proper sleep? I promise I'll wake you up on time for your day"
"Thanks Seaweed Brain" she yawned, got up and I could hear her footsteps on the stairs as she went up to bed.
I looked at the sketch she'd been working on - it was something for her architect class - I really don't understand why she attended that class. All of her credits would come from the new Olympus she would present in two days to the Gods; there was no way she would fail. Not that that would ever stop her taking the opportunity to learn, I smiled. A true daughter of Athena.
I took Annabeth some pancakes, when I went to wake her.
"Wise Girl" I said shaking her shoulder "time to join the day" she came around and smiled at me. Gods she had a gorgeous smile. I passed her the pancakes and she began to eat. "I've got to go" I said "have a great day Annabeth, I love you" I smiled and kissed her forehead "I love you too Seaweed Brain" she said before I headed out to the beach to meet her brother.
"Hey Percy" Malcolm greeted me on the sand with four more bags of carbon.
"Hey Malcolm, thanks so much for doing this - I owe you like a lot of favours" I said as I picked up the bags of carbon.
"No" Malcolm said "You don't owe me anything - the effort you're putting into this for Annabeth, that's enough. I've never seen anyone go to the lengths you have to create a ring." He paused "I'm not even sure the Aphrodite kids have ever worked so hard for love. Though I think they would approve" he said and I started to get embarrassed, hearing him say it out loud I knew I could have just bought a ring or used a pearl (that also would have been meaningful) I just wanted to go the extra mile, I'm no child of Aphrodite but I knew Annabeth was worth it.
"I guess" I said rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly "thanks Malcolm; do you think Annabeth will like it?" I asked if anyone would know he would.
"Yes of course she will" he said "now get going, I'll cover things here" he turned and headed back into camp to cover my sword fighting classes and I thought just maybe Malcolm actually approved of my plan.
I stepped into the surf until I sank to the bottom of the bay and I willed the current to take me deep down to the very bottom of the deepest depths of the ocean. I had a feeling that today was going to be different to the others. I opened the first bag of carbon and used all my strength to force the bottom of the ocean and the surrounding ocean to push against the carbon in my hand. I pictured the owl diamond that I wanted, I could feel that familiar twist in my stomach that I got when I used my powers, it was twisting painfully now. I thought back to what Athena had told me "you do realise how much of your power it will take to create such a diamond" her words echoed in my head. I did and I was not giving in I would have an owl diamond to set into the imperial gold band waiting in my room in Poseidon's palace.
I felt like I was going to pass out but I kept my concentration on making the owl diamond.
I was starting to see dots in my eyes when I finally stopped willing the ocean to compress the carbon. I collapsed at the bottom of the deepest depth in the ocean and before I blacked out, I called out to Tyson in my mind hoping he'd come and find me.
~ 4 hours later ~
I woke in my room in dad's palace I checked my wrist and groaned. I'd lost so much time it was already 3 in the afternoon.
"Brother" Tyson said, I turned and he was next to me waiting for me to wake up.
"Tyson, thanks for finding me" I was really relieved my call had gotten to him I didn't really want to crumble under the pressure I'd created at the bottom of the ocean.
"Of course brother" Tyson smiled "you did it brother" he said and stretched out his hand to me and tipped something into my hand.
I looked down and saw the owl diamond just how I'd pictured it. I smiled, today was a good day.
"Tyson, are we able to set it in the band today to complete the ring?" I asked - Tyson had helped me with the band and had set the deepest blue coral in the shape of tridents within it. The blue colour was so deep the coral looked like it could have been Sapphire.
"Of course brother, come on" Tyson led the way to the forges and I watched as he set the diamond on top of the band. Gods I hoped she like it. "Done" Tyson said handing it to me and I smiled at it, a ring worthy of a daughter of Athena I thought to myself. "Annabeth will like it brother"
"Thanks big guy" I said "I couldn't have done it without your help"
"You're welcome brother, before you go Daddy wants to see you" he said. I nodded and thanked him again before heading back to the palace.
I walked into the throne room and bowed before my father. "Father, you wanted to see me?" I asked.
"Yes" Poseidon said "rise Percy" and I did, he stood and shrank down to his human form so we could converse normally. "You risked a great deal to make that gem, the pressure you summoned almost killed you, if you hadn't have called for Tyson when you did it might have" he paused.
"I'm sorry father, it wasn't my intention" I knew I'd exhausted all my energy I hadn't realised I was exhausting my essence- Annabeth would kill me when she found out.
"I know my boy, may I see it" he asked and I took the ring out of my pocket and handed it to him. "It's very impressive my son, you do not like to do things the easy way do you?" He asked me and I thought about it - I could have but Annabeth's words echoed in my mind "I am never going to make things easy on you Seaweed Brain". I smiled, shaking my head.
"No father, it's not the way Annabeth would want it" I replied. He summoned a small box made from coral opened it, placed Annabeth's ring inside and handed it back to me.
"I am proud of you, Percy; you have proven yourself a true hero. And I'm not just talking about the times you've saved the world." I could feel the heat burning my face.
"Thank you father" I said "I need to get back to the surface, it's getting late" I said checking my watch again it was almost five now and I knew if I was too late home Annabeth would get worried. But, I also knew I didn't have enough strength to get me to the surface.
"I will send you on a current, to the surface my son and good luck" he said smiling at me and I knew he was talking about the proposal as I floated up to the top of the surf at camp half blood with her ring clutched tightly in my hand.
I collapsed on the beach and Malcolm, Piper and Thalia rushed over and gave me some Ambrosia and Nectar.
"Thanks" I said sitting up "what are you all doing here?" I asked. I knew why Malcolm was here but not the girls, Malcolm shifted uncomfortably.
"It's my fault" he said "you were supposed to be back an hour and a half ago. I asked them to come and help me search the beach in case you'd come up outside of the boundary"
"I'm sorry Malcolm" I said, as the world came into focus once more, I knew the ambrosia and nectar were taking effect and I was recovering properly this time. "I should have sent an iris message or something."
"That's okay" he said "so did you manage it?" he asked, I smiled and nodded. Piper squealed, even Thalia looked excited. I passed the coral box to Malcolm and he opened it. "Wowza" he said staring at it. "Percy when you showed me how you wanted it to look I thought - but this - she's going to love it" he said.
I could feel myself blushing as I tried to stand but I wobbled and fell back down. "I hope so" I said accepting the box from him.
I looked at Piper and said "no comment from you? I didn't think I'd ever render a daughter of Aphrodite speechless" I chuckled.
"Oh Percy" she gushed "it's so perfect, so romantic - Malcolm's right Annabeth's going to love it" it was the most like her mother I've ever seen her be, but I appreciated the approval.
I looked at Thalia "so?" I asked and she frowned at me.
"You nearly died making this didn't you?!" She said and my lack of energy and ability to stand up must have put pieces into place for her.
"I - yeah - I may have used too much - but I didn't die my father and Tyson helped me back to the palace to recover after I blacked out"
Thalia punched me. "You idiot - you think Annabeth would thank you for dying over a diamond?! Why didn't you ask Hazel to summon one or something? Or I don't know buy one like a normal person!?"
I knew she was upset but I also knew she would get over it.
"Thalia, I didn't ask Hazel because, well for the same reason I didn't just buy one. Annabeth deserves more. My father would never have let me die in his territory if I was getting too close he would have told me to stop" I said "I wanted to give Annabeth a ring that was worthy of her"
"Well you certainly will be doing that" Thalia said shaking her head at me. I knew she'd sworn of men now she was a hunter of Artemis but I think she still appreciates romance in small doses as longs as it's not directed at her. "Come on let me help you get home, before Annabeth sends out a search party" she said.
I thanked Malcolm and said goodbye to him and Piper. I placed the box holding Annabeth's ring in my pocket and stood with Thalia's help. It took us about 20 minutes to get back to the Greek village and I knew I needed more sleep and more ambrosia and nectar.
Annabeth was not yet home when we got there. Thalia helped me up the stairs and placed me on the bed. I put the ring in my bedside table draw and locked it.
Thalia went to get me more nectar and ambrosia and put it on the table next to me.
"Thank you" I said as I took some of each before settling into bed for much needed sleep.
"Its okay cousin, I'll wait downstairs until Annabeth comes home - I'll come up with something" she said leaving me to fall asleep.
Annabeth's P.O.V
~ 2 days to proposal ~
Percy left me with my pancakes and I couldn't help but smile. I loved that he'd let me have a few extra hours before I headed off to Olympus. I showered and dressed in jeans and my orange camp T-shirt, or was this one Percy's, I don't know, it didn't matter. I grabbed my blue prints and sketches binder and headed out to the stables.
Blackjack was waiting for me when I got there and neighed when I approached. Normally Blackjack only allowed Percy to ride, but since the Titan War he had made an exception for me and I was grateful, he made the trip to Olympus much shorter.
"Hey Blackjack" I said passing him an apple. "Could you take me to Olympus again?" I asked. Now I can't communicate with him the same way that Percy can but he mostly will do anything if he's given food.
Blackjack dropped me outside the throne room and I gave him another apple and thanked him. He flew off around Olympus waiting for me to call him to go back home.
"I stepped into the throne room and I knew I had my work cut out for me, we had a few days left before we opened Olympus officially and the throne room was a mess. I set to work opening boxes and moving thrones around until had all but four in place. I was about to set to work with the new hearth when I was interrupted.
"Hello Annabeth" my mother's voice came, from behind me.
"Hi mom" I said putting down my plans and turning to face her. "Everything ok?" I asked nervously.
"Yes dear, but you must remember to take a break" she told me and I looked at the clock and realised I'd been working for six hours and I'd missed lunch.
"Yes mother" I said "I get a little caught up once I get started. I shall take a break now." My relationship with my mother was not as easy as Percy's was with his father. I wanted more than anything to impress my mother and make her proud of me. I hoped my version of Olympus was worthy of her approval.
"How are you?" She asked me.
"I'm okay" I said "a bit nervous about-"and I gestured to everything around me "my deadline is so close, I don't want to disappoint you mother".
"I know you will not disappoint me, Annabeth. You have already exceeded my expectations tenfold with the Titan war and the Giant War. You are very close to attaining your goal here, and you have the time, use it wisely and you will attain your goal." She said to me and I could feel the heat rising to my face. I didn't often get compliments from my mother and I have learnt over the years to accept them silently. "I'll leave you to get back to your work but if I come back and you've not gone home by six, we'll be having another chat about breaks". She said and then she was gone and I didn't know how serious she was being with that comment but I didn't want to be reprimanded about taking a break again so I set an alarm on my phone and started to work on the hearth.
Thalia's P.O.V
I left Percy upstairs and sat downstairs waiting for Annabeth to get back from Olympus. How could he be so stupid to nearly kill himself over a diamond? I shook my head; I knew he would lay down his life, not just his life the world, for her. I was glad he was alive but he was such an idiot. What was I going to tell Annabeth? While I was trying to come up with a plausible reason why Percy needed my help to get home, I thought about the ring he'd made for her. He really had put a lot of thought into it. I knew how happy it would make her too. I smiled, in spite of my worry about the idiot taking stupid risks he really cared about my best friend. Before I could dwell anymore on the topic Annabeth walked through the door.
"Seaweed Brain, I'm home, are you- Thalia?" She said with surprise. "What are you doing here? Is Percy okay?" And I could see the worry setting in.
"Hey" I said "Percy's fine he's upstairs resting - he just over did it today. He tried to take on the hunters of Artemis in a demonstration and it got a little out of hand. I'm sorry - he is fine though" I said and Annabeth shook her head.
"What an idiot! What was he trying to demonstrate? You know what it doesn't even matter" she said sitting next to me.
"What's bothering you?" I asked "besides Percy being an idiot"
"You always know" she said "I'm just worried that this 'opening of Olympus' on Friday isn't going to go well. I've still got four thrones that need putting into place by then and I don't know - what if it doesn't meet their expectations Thals?" She asked.
"Okay, first off, placing four thrones in the throne room will be done by the end of tomorrow. Second, I've been to Olympus with Artemis many times while you've been rebuilding it and what I've seen has been incredible Annabeth. You're so talented, they will love it, I know it"
"Thanks Thals" she said "do you want to stay for a bit?" She asked. I agreed and we sat talking in the lounge until we heard footsteps descend the stairs.
"Seaweed Brain, what were you thinking taking on all of the Hunters?" Annabeth demanded of him when he appeared in the lounged and I smirked at him so Annabeth couldn't see me. What? I had to tell her something, didn't I?
"I'm sorry Wise Girl - I guess - I was trying to show that even if you think you can handle things on your own - there's always a risk that you can't. For instance when have I ever gone into battle without you? Apart from, that one time when you were missing, I'm pretty sure we can all agree I'd be dead if I hadn't have had you next to me" he said and I was fairly impressed he was managing to wing this so well.
"Here here" I jeered "and it also showed how well my Hunters work together so next Capture the Flag will be ours for sure"
Annabeth looked between us like something wasn't sitting right but eventually she sighed and shook her head. "Next time, know when to yield Seaweed Brain. Or have you forgotten the advice Lady Hestia gave you?"
"I'm sorry - I let myself get carried away" he said, he looked at me "you're hunters are all okay, I hope?" He asked.
"Yes, they are fine" I nodded which isn't a lie as they are all fine.
He nodded, "have you eaten? Shall I make dinner?" He asked.
"We haven't, that would be lovely thank you" Annabeth said.
"Thalia, are you staying for dinner?" Percy asked me.
"Unfortunately, I can't Lady Artemis, has requested our presence after dinner at camp tonight." I said.
"Okay, well be safe cousin and thanks again" he said before walking into the kitchen to start dinner.
Annabeth and I walked over to the front door. I hugged her.
"Annabeth, don't be too hard on him, trust me- he may be an idiot, but he loves you. Take care of yourself and hopefully I will see you for the opening on Friday"
"I know he does - he just really can be so stupid sometimes" she said looking back at the kitchen door "but he's my idiot" she said smiling at me.
I waved as I headed back to camp to rejoin my hunters - We had a monster to hunt and I was eager to make sure we were ready.
