Okay, I wrote this chapter two days back on my phone and I am just gonna upload this now because I just got the laptop now.
Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed. I love you all! ^_^ Let's get on with this! And there shall be some Reynico in the future, just to let you now.
The thirteen year old boy sat on his small bed, staring off into space, lost in his thoughts, regardless of his messy jet black hair and distant sea-green eyes. He was wallowing in his misery because he got sick when he accidentally fell into the sea while fishing the other heat plus sudden coldness equals a nasty fever. He was so wrapped up in his miserable thoughts didn't even notice the door of the small cottage open and slam shut.
"Percy," a voice chimed, causing him to snap out of his thoughts.
"Huh?" He looked up to see the smiling face of his mother. Her ocean blue eyes sparkling with excitement and long brown hair tied in a bun. She set her basket down on a small counter and dusted off her blue skirt. "You'll be excited for what I have." Sally chimed, emptying the contents of her basket.
"Mom, I know I'm sick, but I seriously don't need gross tasting medicine right now." Percy groaned, falling back down on his bed.
"Mhmm." His mother nodded, searching through all the vegetables in her basket. "AHA!" She suddenly exclaimed, causing Nico, who was just getting ready for bed, to fall out of his bunk bed above Percy.
"Can't a boy get any sleep?!" He grumbled, rubbing his head. Sally didn't pay attention to him and rushed over to a laughing Percy.
"Here. " she placed two sheets of writing paper, an ink cartridge, and a feather quill on her son's lap. "I traded them for the expensive squid and crabs you and you're father fished out the other day."
Percy's eyes widened. "Mom, I-"
"Yes, now you'll be able to send a letter back to you're girlfriend in the kingdom." Nico cut in.
Percy blushed a bright shade of red, wich was obviously not the cause of his fever. "Nico, I told you! Annabeth's NOT my girlfriend!"
"Yet." The younger boy grinned, climbing back into his bed.
"Oh, and also.." Sally dug into the pockets of her apron and quickly pulled out a small wooden carving. "I had some sealing traded, and this is you're father's carving of the kingdom seal. That way, we'll be able to send this directly to the king. Surely, he won't mind."
Percy grinned. "How long would it take for a letter to get to the kingdom?" He asked.
"Oh, " Nico replied from his bunk atop his cousin. "About a two to three months or so."
"Perfect."
It has been two years since Percy left the kingdom. And ever since then, the princess had grown back to becoming distant and lonesome, spending her days in the library, roaming the gardens, or in the special tree wich she and her friend used to share. She still smiled, but anyone who looked closely could tell they were fake. Her shoulders slumped, the corners of her mouth would tilt up ever so slightly, and her eyes would hold no emotion. Her father worried about her, and so did his wife. They still had hopes that maybe one day, another blessing would come for their daughter, and that it would stay permanently.
One morning, Annabeth had gone to the tree early. She woke up before sunrise, bathed herself and put on her regular clothes. After grabbing a cookie or two from the kitchen, she crept outside the castle doors and slipped in between the hedges. She found her path and followed it, marked by a blue painted stone at the opening. Soon, she came around a corner and found the ruble staircase, wich had been moved more so that it resembled actual stairs. She climbed for about a minute, reaching the top of a grass carpeted hill upon where the huge tree sat.
Annabeth found the rope ladder and started to climb once again, reaching the top just as the sun had barely risen up over the kingdom. She breathed in the morning air wafting over her. She spread her arms wide, taking in the view. A smile stretched across her face, her grey eyes sparkled and her features were alive. In the orange light of the rising sun, she seemed to almost glow, like a goddess. Here she felt free, and she felt happy.
After a while, she sat at the outmost part of the biggest branch, clinging onto an oustretched, smaller, but sturdy branch. She traced her finger over the carving that she and Percy had put there three years ago. Percy had carved his name on that branch for fun, claiming it was his. So Annabeth took her own knife and carved in her's, just below his, claiming that it would belong to both of them. And needless to say, they both agreed to it.
A tear rolled down the princess's cheek, remembering her old friend. Thinking about him just made her feel comforted, reliving memories almost as if he was there, but then she'd wake up to the harsh reality that he wasn't. He wasn't there. He may never will be. But she still clung on to the small chance of him coming back. After all, he did promise, and Perseus Jackson never broke his promises.
It was almost noon when Annabeth came down. Her parents knew she tended to dissapear on some mornings and come back close to lunch time, bit sometimes they were a tad worried.
As Annabeth entered the main doors, she headed for her room, up the right staircase. That is, until her parents anticipated her. They were waiting atop the staircase, with Susan holding a two-layered, silver cake. Small blue and grey designs rounded the cake and a carving of a small owl figurine painted grey sat atop the cake.
" Happy Fourteenth Birthday, Annabeth!" Frederick greeted.
"Um, thanks, guys. But you really didn't have to." Annabeth replied, but honestly, she loved the cake, and Frederick could clearly see that. He smiled broadly.
"Here, make a wish." He lighted the small candle Annabeth hadn't noticed was infront of the owl.
She complied, closing her grey eyes for a breif second before blowing out the candle, leaving the scent of smoke lingering in the air. And she found the scent quite pleasant.
"A gift for the young lady." Susan grinned, her dark blue eyes sparkling as she handed over a small, white envelope that bore the seal of the kingdom. Annabeth took the envelope and saw the small scribbling at the back.
For Annabeth Chase, Princess of Olympia
From, Percy Jackson
She gasped. "No way..." she muttered under her breath. Seaweed Brain, she thought, I hope you didn't write this yourself or I could never read it.
"Well, go ahead." Her father urged. Slowly, Annabeth opened up the envelope, tearing up the seal in half. She pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper and undid the folds. She stared at the scribbling of black ink on the paper before continuing to read.
Dear Annabeth,
I hope you'll get this by your birthday, so I'm just going to go ahead and greet you Happy Birthday! So how have you been doing? Are you doing fine without your beloved knight in shining armour (me) there? Ha, just kidding. I really miss you guys at the kingdom, I wish I could come back right this instant, but it looks like we're a long way from the kingdom. I still want you to have a happy birthday and try to smile, alright? Have you kept your promise? I hope you have Wise Girl, because it would be unfair if I did and you didn't. But hey, I promise to keep my promise. Great, now I have two promises to keep. Look what you made me do!
But even if I'm sick right now, laying in bed relaying all of this to Nico (who by the way is awesome at writing stuff), I wish you happy birthday for the third time. Enjoy it, okay? Have fun, I'll be back there when I can. Remember: keep smiling!
From, your Seaweed Brain best friend,
Percy
When Annabeth had finished reading, tears had streamed down her face, and a small smile had found it's way across her features. She wiped the tears from her eyes, but her smile remained. She folded back the paper and tucked it back into the envelope.
She looked up at the strange, smiling faces of Susan and Frederick."We received the letter the other day." her father told her. "Susan insisted to not open it and save it for your birthday. Well, the struggle of waiting was very worth it."
"Th-thanks." Annabeth managed to say. "I love you guys." she hugged her parents, surprising them at first, but then they got over the shock and hugged the princess back.
"I love you too, Annabeth." Frederick replied. "Now, do you want a birthday ball or not? WE could always cancel like all those other times..."
Annabeth thought for a moment or two before answering. "No," she concluded. "Let's have the party, but just with friends and close relatives, okay? I don't want it to be too huge."
Susan smiled. "Great!" She exclaimed. " Let's get the streamers and the-"
"No." she suddenly cut in. "I want to plan this party."
"Alright." Susan said, a bit dissapointed. Then she called to the maid Annabeth hadn't noticed was standing close by. "Tell the planner, Aphrodite, the party's cancelled. Give her the apology letter." the servant nodded and left immediately.
"Aphrodite?" Annabeth questioned.
"Yes, I hired a planner." Susan said. "But that's enough. You have about five hours for planning! You better hurry, Annabeth."
Annabeth grinned mischeviously. "I only need two."
Okay, now we're done with this chappie. The next one will be posted as soon as possible! Stay tuned, my lovlies!
~Apollo's Pirate Daughter