Chapter 7 ~Rosamynd
Rosamynd chased after the rest of the gang, unable to keep up with the rest. Adrian was far ahead of all of them, determined to catch up with Chiron and Trudy- yet he still far behind from the centaur and his passenger. Chiron stormed into the Big House and slammed the door shut. Adrian stopped by the front door, trying to look through the windows as everyone else caught up to him. Rosamynd was hunched over panting and gasping for air. I hate running! She felt a hand rubbing and patting her back.
"You ok?" Elektra said, comforting her.
"Yeah, just not the athletic type," Rosamynd responded, craving air and oxygen.
"Well, we have to fix that," Enryx frowned and rolled his eyes. Rosamynd couldn't tell if he was serious or not.
"Guys can you please shut up?" Adrian asked, his eyes glued boring holes into the window.
Rosamynd looked at him, confusion taking over her face. How can one just become so obsessive about a person they've known for like, four hours? I can't imagine doing something like that. Maybe Trudy put some weird Aphrodite love spell on him or it was just the fact that she was a daughter of Aphrodite. Then she heard a booming voice coming from inside the Big House.
"Godlings, step inside please."
Rosamynd's head snapped up at the sound of Chiron's voice, startled out of her speculation. She turned to the others, unsure of what to do. Lysandra nodded at her and gulped. Adrian took the lead and opened the door and stepped inside. Rosamynd trailed behind him, a million thoughts running through her head. Adrian led the others to the couch in the office, sitting down next to Trudy, who smiled wanly and squeezed his hand. Her eyes were red from the sobbing, her hair now light brown. Lysandra frowned, and plopped herself onto his other side. Chiron trotted up in front of them.
"Godlings, I kno-," Chiron started to explain.
"Godlings and Trudy," Lysandra corrected, raising her eyebrows. "Just by the way, sorry." Rosamynd felt like groaning. She knew Lys knew what was going on, but the feline goddess was not letting anyone in on that. Chiron nodded at Lysandra, his eyes solemn and understanding. He knows that she knows about what?
"I know that you want to know what's going on, but I have been talking to Trudy and she decided to tell you all the truth about her and her parents."
"The truth about Aphrodite?" Enryx asked. "What truth?"
"Aphrodite and some human, right?" Lysandra cut in. Chiron hung his head low, giving a small shake.
"Aphrodite and some other god. Hephaestus," Trudy said softly. Even though it was barely a whisper, everyone seemed to hear it.
"Aphrodite and who?" Rosamynd asked, shocked.
"Hephaestus," Adrian repeated, not looking at her, but at Trudy. Her amber eyes were glistening with unshed tears, threatening to overflow.
"I'm sorry, I wanted to tell you on the patio, but, I-I didn't know what you would think of me!"
"What I would think of you? Trudy, we're the same. We're godlings!" Adrian's eyes were full with encouragement, gripping on to Trudy's shaking hand. Trudy nodded, squeezing back tight.
"But why did you pretend to be a demigod?" Elektra asked.
"A year ago, a godling came to camp half blood, hoping to seek further knowledge about demigods. But the demigods resented him, constantly pushing him away and trying their best to make his life miserable. And then after a month at Camp Half-Blood, he fled. Ever since then demigods were always hateful to godlings. After I arrived, Chiron immediately hid me away in the Big House, keeping me well and protecting me from the demigod's scorn."
"I asked your mother, Hecate," Chiron looked towards Lysandra. "If she could make some sort of protection bubble of some sort or a spell to help hide Trudy from the other demigods. Like a mist that only covers Trudy. Hecate granted the favour and made one, disguised it as a charm bracelet and sent it to Aphrodite, who then gave it to Trudy."
"So I started showing my face around Camp Half-Blood as a demigod and just said the bracelet was a family heirloom. I managed to hide as half-blood for a year until you guys arrived and then... well, you know the rest," Trudy bit her lip, overwhelmed by all the unwanted attention. Rosamynd mentally shook her head, trying to process all the information.
"Why did you come to Camp Half-Blood in the first place?" Elektra asked curiously.
"I just wanted to go and live independently, to explore. But soon I ran out of food and drachmas and mortal money. I realized I couldn't ask my parents to live with them again so I decided to stock up at here at Camp Half-Blood and stay here awhile. But I ended up staying for longer than intended." Trudy explained.
"Oh. So what are you the goddess of?" Lysandra said, in a high-pitched voice- she hated to be wrong.
"I'm the goddess of Art" She replied, smiling brightly.
"So you like, draw?" Rosamynd asked. Trudy nodded and stood up, looking like she was about to start pacing back and forth like a detective. She watched as Adrian shook his head and grabbed Trudy's hand again, gently pulling her back down onto the couch.
"Well are you going to tell everyone that you're a godling? Or are you going to keep it secret?" Enryx asked.
"Well I can't disguise myself as a demigod anymore, until Hecate can fix my bracelet."
"What happened to it? Did it break?" Elektra pondered.
"Yeah, Hecate cast the spell on the charm and when it snapped off the chain, the spell broke," Trudy explained. "I shouldn't be here in the Big House basement any longer, it'll get the demigods suspicious. So I guess I have to tell them..."
"Aren't you afraid of people hating on you?" Enryx asked.
"She's the same person, demigod or not. It shouldn't matter that she's a demigod or a godling," Adrian rushed into Trudy's defence. Trudy smiled at him and Rosamynd struggled to restrain herself from rolling her eyes.
"Well how are you going to tell everyone?" Lysandra questioned, clearly worried about Trudy.
"I'm still not sure how I'm going to do that," She said, her pretty eyes filled with nervousness.
"Don't worry about it, Gertrude. I will first inform the Aphrodite cabin and once that's done with I'll inform the rest of the cabins. Under my strict orders, no demigod shall harm you in any way. This refers to all of you," Chiron reassured them.
They all nodded and thanked Chiron as they exited the Big House. Adrian and Trudy were holding hands as they walked out and headed for the lake. Rosamynd trailed behind, annoyed how lovey-dovey they were together.
"Gertrude?" She whispered to herself, laughing.
"Well, uh, Trudy and I are going to the lake!" Adrian said grinning cheekily.
"I'll come too!" The words flew out of her mouth before she could stop herself. Adrian gave her a look that said we-want-to-be-alone. Rosamynd sighed, "On second thought, I'll just go train."
"Well you kids have fun!" Enryx laughed. Elektra gave her brother a punch and a glare, but she waved at the happy couple as they walked towards the lake, their heads bent close together and holding hands. Rosamynd wanted to gag at them.
"So what do you want to do now?" Enryx asked the others.
"Well I want to practice my healing and herb-making -If you have time of course." Rosamynd asked Elektra.
"That's a good idea, let's go!" Elektra agreed, nodding. They set off towards the woods, lapsing in companionable silence. They hiked halfway up a small hill, then settled down, lazing around on the perfect sunny day.
"Somehow, I have a feeling herb-making is the last thing on your mind," Elektra's soft voice pierced Rosamynd's thoughts, shaking her from her daze.
"What do you mean?" Rosamynd asked. How can she know? She can't read people that well... right?
"I think you know what I mean," Elektra pressed on, a blush creeping up her pale face.
"About... Adrian?" Rosamynd shyly asked. Elektra nodded and giggled, trying to cover her mouth as she did so, yet failing miserably. It was contagious, and soon Rosamynd started laughing as well. Before she knew it, they were lying down on the grassy floor, letting the afternoon trickle away as bit by bit, Rosamynd poured out her feelings - her past, and her likes and dislikes... her conflictions.
"So, you and Adrian? Thoughts?" Elektra urged on. Rosamynd tensed. She knew Elektra knew about him.
"Uh...well..."
"C'mon. I know you like him. Pity he's with Trudy though - well I think they're together now."
"Together?" She paled against her.
"As in they're in a relationship?" Elektra nodded affirmatively.
"As in they can kiss and ...stuff?"
"Yes, Rosamynd, they can kiss and stuff." The archer replied stiffly, then let a quick, loose giggle. Rosamynd frowned sadly.
"Huh. It never crossed my mind."
~END OF CHAPTER 7~