Annabeth was anxious. It's been maybe 2 weeks since Luke left camp. Maybe shorter, but Annabeth didn't notice. She wanted her brother home, and tell her stories about his grand quest to fetch the golden apple.
Luke was always daring, yet gentle and followed rules. Never doing anything unnecessary when they were on the run, and almost never breaking rules without Most of the time. After Thalia became a tree, Annabeth and Luke spent even more time together.
Annabeth misses Thalia. She remembered crying as she watched Thalia dying, then transforming into a tall pine. She also remembered Luke telling her Thalia still lives. Under the bark and leaves, there was Thalia. Perhaps even waiting to be released.
Thalia may have been turned into a tree, but she lives on.
Annabeth remembered practically jumping when Hermes requested Luke to fetch the golden apple. Luke wore a weird expression on his face. Almost like he was disappointed. There seemed to be some hunger in his eyes, wanting more.
Yet, he still held his head up high, telling jokes, and overall a supportive person.
Annabeth begged Luke to come with his weeks of preparation.
Luke smiled, ruffled her hair and would say "Thanks Annie, but this is dangerous. The oracle said some pretty serious stuff. Plus, she said I had to go alone."
Annabeth frowned, "But I can handle it!" she whined.
Luke would shake his head, with a knowing smile, and would walk with Annabeth across the beach. They didn't talk much during those walks. And Annabeth knew he was trying to distract her. But she would still splash him in the shallow water, pick up seashells, and play games in the soft warm sand.
He gave Annabeth a big hug when he left. Annabeth noticed the tone of his voice, made him sound as though he wasn't coming back. He stroked her hair and told her of she needed to talk to someone, Thalia would listen.
Talk to a tree? Annabeth was confused, but wished him luck.
Now, she sat in the shade of Thalia's pine.
A figure seemed to be approaching the boarder of Camp Half Blood.
Annabeth squealed with delight and announced "Luke is back! He's back! I knew he could do it!"
A few people jogged over and some went to deliver the news to Chiron.
As Luke crossed the border, Annabeth ran up and hugged him. Smiling she looked up at him, then gasped.
On his cheek was a six inch cut. The jagged line seemed to drag across his face.
Luke smiled at her concern. "Don't worry Annabeth I'm fine."
He flashed her a smile, but something seemed off. "hey do you mind getting off me?" he gently shoved her away and Annabeth scowled as he walked towards Chiron.
Over the next few days, Annabeth noticed more things. They were small, almost miniscule, but too different for Annabeth.
He started teaching sword lessons, he picked up much skill over the quest.
He encouraged others and made a few remarks, but there was not hunger in his eyes. He didn't seem to want anything to do with anything, or anyone.
Annabeth thought he'd cheer up after a while. But once he snapped at her, she knew.
He didn't snap he yelled, he bellowed, demanded things that weren't expected of 8 year olds.
Annabeth suddenly became self reliant, she no longer felt safety in her brothers arms, nor dod she come to him to talk.
Annabeth had been skipping along, when she overheard Luke and his sword fighting class.
Annabeth stopped, and listened secretly.
"So how was it being on a quest?"
"It was a real run, that's for sure. Its torutrous, but something about it makes in endearing almost." Luke answered smoothly.
"What about the prophecy? Was it scary?" one camper asked.
"Sure. I thought surely I'd die. But it didn't come true. At least I don't think so."
"What was it?"
Luke hesitated. "Um…"
"Please," they begged, "We won't tell anyone."
Chills went up Annabeth's spine.
"Fine." Luke said at last, "I'll tell you what most scared me. To obtain the prize you play the dragons game, but head back home not quite the same. But there was nothing to worry about. I tricked the dragon, defeated it, but came home with a scar. Anyways-"
Annabeth didn't hear the rest, she was running. He was gone. He was different, he would never act the same as the brother be was.
Annabeth stopped, out of breath at Thalia's tree. And started talking.
She talked about Luke, and what had happened. Under the shade of Thalia's pine, Annabeth felt more safe than she had in weeks.
"Luke was right about a few things. He said you're still there, and you'd listen."
Annabeth traced her hand along the bark, "Maybe if you're still there, he is too."
Annabeth's vision blurred, and she wiped the the tears with the back of her hand.
But something then ignited inside her. Whether is was stubbornness or passion, it burned and the idea filled her with pride. She had not lost her family. She was going to bring them back. She just waited for the day when it was her turn to complete a quest.
Haha, the references man! Anyway thank you so much daughterofpercabeth for being my FIRST REVIEWER EVER! And thelasttormember for being my FIRST FLOWER(?) EVER! if you guys want I can give you a shoutout on my profile. Hehe this being my first fanfic, you don't understand how happy I was! Later,
-warrior nerd