Part 3
Little Mermaid: Unfortunate Souls
Annabeth and Ethan both had to help Percy limp to the infirmary. Percy tried not to show how much pain he was in, but every step he took shot flares of pain up his legs. He made big pleading eyes at the princess when they reached the infirmary door, but Annabeth misinterpreted his concern.
"You'll be fine," she assured him. "Our healers are the best."
No, I want you to stay, Percy despaired, but of course he had no way to vocalize the thought and his golden haired landwalker walked away. He tried not to pout as he was assured into the healer's cold hands.
The healers were terrible. They poked and prodded until he was black and blue. He scowled at them, batting their hands away. He was fine, he knew what was wrong. The pain in his legs should fade with time so these evil healers could back off. Percy was in the middle of a serious stare down with a particularly stubborn healer when Annabeth's voice reached his ears.
"What's wrong with him?"
"We are not sure ma'am," one of the healers informed the princess in a hushed whisper. Their eyes flickered over to him and Percy waved at his landwalker. She seemed surprised, and laced her fingers together as if to stop herself from waving back.
"What do you mean you're not sure?"
"Physically, he's seems perfectly healthy. His gait is what appears to be bothering him, but we can't find a cause. The best I can recommend is to stretch his legs and exercise them often."
Annabeth nodded, "We'll try that for a few days and then bring him back for a checkup."
Taking that as his cue, Percy hopped off the table, regretting the movement the second his feet hit the ground. Pain cut through his legs and he grimaced, stumbling. Annabeth was at his side in a second, arms wrapping around him to keep him upright. He smiled sheepishly at her.
"What were you thinking?" Annabeth asked, exasperate. He shrugged ruefully; he had not been thinking. The corner of her lips twitched and she shook her head.
"Come on, I've got him Ethan," Annabeth added as her guard came forward. Ethan halted, his suspicious eye still trained on Percy as he obligingly stepped aside for his princess.
"You must be hungry," Annabeth said.
"He should clean up first," Ethan pointed out, "Before he goes trudging through the palace."
He eyed Percy's ratty, dirty clothes distastefully. Percy blinked down at the clothes Oceanus so thoughtfully provided for him, not understanding. Sure they were not as nice as the kind Annabeth wore but he did not see why it mattered.
"Right," Annabeth reluctantly agreed, her fingers tightening on Percy's arm. "I'll go ask the chef to prepare something, Ethan, while you help him clean up. He needs new clothes," Annabeth wrinkled her nose slightly, "and a bath. You smell like fish."
Well yeah, Percy thought, baffled. He always smelled like fish. Apparently that was offensive here on land, judging by the disgusted look on Ethan's face and Annabeth's apologetic shrug.
"It won't take long, and Ethan will be helpful, won't you?" Annabeth asked, fixing the one-eyed guard with a stern look.
"Of course my lady," Ethan sighed.
"I'll see you in a few minutes," Annabeth told Percy, smiling encouragingly as she patted his arm. Ethan took Percy by the elbow and led the sea prince away. Percy peered over his shoulder, and Annabeth gave him a smile as they disappeared around the corner. That made him feel better at least.
"Washroom is this way," Ethan grumbled as he pulled Percy along.
Percy struggled to keep up with his quick pace, and winced as the hurry sent shocks of pain up his legs. Ethan took no notice. Percy studied his silently fuming companion. The patch he wore over his eye was frayed and looked old. Percy wondered what happened. Under the sea, stray fish hooks or debris caught in a fast current were the biggest culprits of eye damage, but he doubted that ailed the landwalker. Ethan noticed the scrutiny and turned sharply to glare at Percy.
"Got a problem?" He asked harshly, his jaw clenched.
Percy blinked in surprise. What? He had no problem, well except the pain in his legs and loss of his vocal cords. He tilted his head to the side. Ethan huffed. His curiosity getting the better of him and out weighing any reservations he had about the landwalker, Percy motioned towards his eyes and then Ethan's. What happened?
Ethan's scowl deepened.
"I don't wear the patch for fun," Ethan snapped, "The other one doesn't work."
Yeah I figured that, Percy thought, rolling his eyes. Ethan was not paying attention though. He scowled furiously at the wall. Percy did not mean to upset him (although he seemed to live in a permanent state of anger so Percy was not a hundred percent sure if he upset him or if this was normal behavior). Either way, he gently tapped the guard, who snarled wordless at him. Percy ignored him, choosing instead to point to his own throat.
Don't worry about it, he wanted to say, my voice doesn't work. Doesn't make us any less.
"Oh yeah," Ethan mumbled, "You're mute. I forgot." he looked slightly abashed so Percy grinned at him. Don't worry about it.
"Damn you smile too much," Ethan exclaimed but he did not look upset so Percy counted it as a win. He seemed to lighten up a bit anyway. "Come on, it's right here."
He led Percy into a strange room. The floor was cold on his bare feet, which was actually rather soothing on his pained appendages. In the center of the room, sunk into the ground, was a little ocean. Percy blinked at it in surprise, creeping closer as Ethan gathered some items up in the corner of the room.
"I can't promise the water won't be freezing, but its better then creek water. We get real baths up here, it's nice I won't lie. Here's some soap, make sure to scrub real good okay? You really do stint." Ethan said, putting a strange white bar in his hand. "And here's a towel to dry off with. Drew managed to wrestle up some clothes for you to wear, I think they're her brother's but I didn't ask."
Percy raised his eyebrows as Ethan dumped the items into his arms. Two of them at least he recognized, the parted garment landwalkers wore over their legs and the one that covered their torso. He guessed the long sheet was what Ethan called a 'towel'.
"Don't take all day, the princess is waiting." Ethan added. "So...everything alright? I can leave?"
Not really, I have no idea what any of this stuff is, Percy thought but he nodded anyway.
"Good, I'll be outside, call if you - I mean," Ethan shifted awkwardly, "just come out when you're done."
Percy nodded again and the guard ducked out of the room, his face flushed and one good eye fixed on the ground. As the door shut with an odd little click, Percy turned his attention back to the water. He dumped the items Ethan gave him next to the mini ocean. Curious, he knelt beside the water and dipped his fingers in. He did not know what Ethan meant, the water was not cold at all. It did smell funny though. Actually, it smelled nothing like the ocean. There was no overlapping and comforting scent of the colorful and flourishing fish population, or the deep serene smell of seaweed, or even the ever present salt. He did not like it. Still, the landwalkers seemed to want him in it, so he stripped and sank into the strange water.
The water was actually kind of shallow. Percy sat at the bottom of the mini not-ocean and the water only came halfway up his chest. His legs, which were shorter than his tail had been, could barely stretch out in the compact area. Landwalkers are strange, Percy thought as he picked up the little white bar Ethan left. What was he supposed to do with this? Scrub himself? He shrugged but vowed to figure it out.
He was not sure how long he spent in the strange water, but it must have been a while because Ethan pounded impatiently on the door.
"Come on, the princess is waiting. Hurry it up."
Percy glanced up at the door. He finally figured the white bar out and his skin actually felt smooth and clean. Which was uncomfortable, Percy missed his healthy layer of salt. But landwalkers did not live in the sea, they would not have their pores clogged with salt so Percy reluctantly scrubbed it away. At Ethan's impatient call, Percy decided he was clean enough and climbed out. He vaguely remembered Ethan mentioning something about the towel being used to 'dry off'. Part of Percy rebelled against the idea of purposely drying himself off, but he firmly reminded himself that he no longer had a tail that would crack and bleed if it got too dry. Landwalkers preferred to be dry. He used the towel to mop up excess water, refusing to be upset about it. He quickly donned the clothes Ethan left. They were a little tight, but Percy was not picky. He opened the door and found Ethan waiting.
"About time," Ethan rolled his eye, "What'd you do go for a swim? Come on, Princess Annabeth keeps asking for you."
He led Percy down the cold hallway, slower and gentler then last time. Percy glanced curiously around the landwalker's palace as they walked. It was vastly different than his father's. Large windows lined the walls, allowing sunlight to pour into the hall and brightly bath the entire floor with brilliant yellows and oranges. Adornments covered the spaces between the windows, and Percy had no idea what half of them were. Part of him wanted to stop and take it all in, but Ethan refused to slow down and the other half of Percy wanted to see Annabeth again so he kept walking.
Ethan led him to the end of the hall where two gigantic heavy doors towered. In the center of the dark wood an elaborate and beautiful animal sprawled, wings spread wide and head cocked haughtily. Percy barely had time to admire the majestic creature before the twin doors opened and Ethan ushered him inside. They walked into a large room and Percy gasped. The entire back wall was completely made up of windows, crisp clear light filtering into the lavish space and allowing him to gaze down the hillside on the village below and beyond that, the rolling ocean waves. A long elaborate table stretched out in the center of the room, empty seats gleaming, and at the end sat his landwalker. Annabeth glanced up as they entered, the symbol covered item in her hand falling onto the table. She stared at him as he walked closer, her eyes widening. Percy wondered in panic if he had something on his face. Annabeth swallowed visible as she stood.
"Oh Drew gave you Eros' clothes," Annabeth said, her eyes fixed on his chest. Self-conscious, Percy glanced down at himself. Sure the clothes were a little tight, but he thought that was okay? Was he wrong?
"Thank you Ethan, that'll be all for now," Annabeth dismissed, quickly glancing over at her guard. Ethan bowed and left the pair be. Percy managed to tamper down his nerves to smile when Annabeth glanced back at him.
"Sit down, your legs look like they're bothering you," Annabeth said, clearing her throat. Her cheeks were tinted red a little. Percy thought it was adorable. He sat where she motioned and the landwalker sat across from him.
"While we wait for our food, I thought we could figure a few things out. Like your name, for one. Can you read?"
Percy's brow furrowed. Read? What did that mean? Seeing his confusion, Annabeth held the symbol covered item out to him. Percy gently took it from her hands, he knew how much she treasured it so he vowed to be very careful. He turned the item over in his hands, feeling the hard cover before opening it up. The inside was filled with white sheets covered in the strange black symbols. He peered back up at Annabeth, unsure what she wanted him to do.
Annabeth's shoulders fell, her mouth pulling down slightly. "You can't. That's okay, I really didn't expect you too. Most people can't, but it was wishful thinking giving you the book."
Percy glanced back at the symbols. Merfolks had no use for symbols, not really. Poseidon used them sparingly, usually to mark his domain. Percy knew a few symbol, such as 'Poseidon', 'Triton', 'Danger', and of course his own name. He wondered if Annabeth would be able to 'read' that if he drew it. He put the book flat on the table. Using two fingers, he drew the 'Percy' symbol on the open page. Annabeth's eyes widened, her face lightening up as she watched him trace the symbol again.
"Did someone teach you how to write your name?" She asked in excitement. She procured what looked like a feather from a bag on her left, then a little black container. She dipped the feather in the black sticky substance and held it out to him. She wanted him to draw with that? He usually just etched symbols into rock, or coral, or whatever. Oh well, he shrugged and took the feather from her. He pressed the tip against the page and traced the symbol for his name. He grinned and held it out to her.
"This is so great," Annabeth happily said, grinning in return as she took the book back. Her smile disappeared as her eyes trailed over what he drew. Percy sighed; she did not understand. While they seemed the share the same language, this evidently did not extent to their symbols. Percy tried not to be too disappointed.
"I've never seen this language before," Annabeth said, critically examining his symbol. He suddenly found himself at the receiving end of that analytical gaze. He tried not to squirm. "Where are you from?"
Percy was not sure if she was just talking out loud or if she expected him to answer. He turned to look out the expansive window behind him. He could see the ocean far below, waves crashing against the shore. Leagues below, Percy knew, his father would probably be settling down to dinner, Triton sulking along the grounds before giving in and joining Poseidon. Whales would return from the depths of the ocean after a long day of feeding. Dolphins playfully splashing in the late evening, clown fish settling into their coral refuges.
"Across the ocean?" Annabeth asked, noticing his gaze. Percy turned his attention back to the landwalker, contemplating how to respond. He nodded slowly. Annabeth sighed.
"I don't know any of those languages," she said, her face pinching at the admission, as if it pained her. "But don't worry, I'll think of something, even if I have to resort to guessing your name."
Percy grinned at her determination and she grinned back. She reached across the table, her hand inches from his when a voice interrupted.
"Dinner is ready m'lady. Your brother excuses himself, he wishes to dine alone tonight."
Annabeth snatched her hand back.
"Hm? Yes, that's alright. Bring it in, my guest must be starving."
Servants shuffled into the room, setting plates loaded with steaming food and utensils before the pair before disappearing again. Percy stared down at his plate, perplexed. What the hell was this? It barely resembled the food he was used to. He peaked up at Annabeth. The blonde landwalker seemed oblivious to his plight. She already gathered her silverware in hand and began to cut the atrocities on her plate. Percy experimentally poked at the still steaming articles he was expected to ingest. A bed of green leaves spread out on the bottom of his plate, not unlike seaweed although wider and lighter in color. Strange orange pieces rested on top of that, surrounded by what he could only assume was some sort of meat. But it smelled funny. He poked it again.
"Carrots and chicken."
Percy almost jumped at Annabeth's voice. She watched him, her lips pressed together in an obvious attempt not to laugh at his baffled expression.
"I guess you haven't had it before huh?"
Percy shook his head. He had no idea what either of those things were. A real landwalker probably would though, so he picked up his eating utensils and determinedly set to eating it. After all, Annabeth seemed to have no problem with it. He speared one of the orange 'carrots', raising an eyebrow when the pointed metal easily sliced through the squishy food. The carrots were not bad, he thought as he bravely popped one of them into his mouth. Something sweet and sticky coated them, which he could do without, but it was edible. The chicken however, was disgusting. He could barely choke it down. He would stick to fish, thank you very much. He refused to complain however, and valiantly ate most of the revolting food.
Annabeth talked while they ate. She explained to him that the queen, her mother, was on a diplomatic trip to one of their neighboring countries, which left her brother, the crown prince Malcom, in charge. She also assured him he would be looked after during his stay, as if that were something he was worried about.
"You're my guest," she told him firmly, "I have a guest room prepared for you. And my healers will keep an eye on your legs. We'll find out what's causing you pain don't worry."
Percy was not worried, but he was perfectly content to let her fuss. He grinned at her over the table and she faltered in her speech before smiling back.
"M'lady?" A servant appeared at the end of the table, inclining his head at Percy before turning to bow low at the princess. "M'lord Malcom wishes to speak with you."
Percy caught the look of irritation that flashed across Annabeth's face before she composed herself. "Very well. Tell him I shall meet him after I tend to my guest."
"Ma'am?"
"Prince Malcom can wait," Annabeth said dismissively, "tell him I'll just be a minute."
She stood up and walked around to hold her arm out to Percy, who scrambled to his feet, wincing at the pain it caused him. He linked his arm through Annabeth's and, head held high, she lead him away.
"Do your legs hurt worse than earlier?" She asked as they walked, "I can stop at the healers if you need to."
They did. Percy felt as though he were walking on glass, but he shook his head. There was nothing the landwalkers could do for him. He only hoped it would fade with time, but it had been a few hours and the pain showed no sign of relenting. He gratefully leaned into Annabeth, the pain in his legs a convenient excuse to press close to his landwalker. Wayward strands of her curly hair tickled his cheek and he fought the urge to lay his head against hers.
"Alright, but if it gets worse, don't be an idiot. Inform us so we can try and make it better."
Percy huffed, a silent exhale of air that made Annabeth's eyebrow raise. She leveled him an unimpressed look.
"Don't give me that, I know you would ignore it. Oh, here's your room."
They stopped outside a heavy brown door. Annabeth seemed disappointed as she released his arm. "You should be perfectly comfortable, this is one of our best rooms, usually reserved for foreign parties. There's even a washroom adjoined. I'll send Ethan for you in the morning."
Percy nodded, trying not to let his disappointment at her departure show. Annabeth gave him a small smile. It faded, her brow furrowing and lips pressing together as she scanned his face. She took a deep breath and Percy curiously listened as she spoke.
"You know, you look terribly familiar to me. I swear, I've meet you before. Not just in the passing either. Have we met before?" Annabeth asked, her wide eyes wandering over his face, pausing at his own eyes.
She remembered. His pain and discomfort suddenly did not seem so bad as he grinned at her.
"We have," Annabeth deduced, her own smile growing. She eyes shone brightly as she exclaimed, "I knew it. Where - "
"Princess Annabeth."
Annabeth scowled over her shoulder as Drew appeared, the pretty guard looking down her nose at Percy before turning her cool gaze back to the princess.
Drew did not seem fazed by her princess' irritation. "Your brother wishes to speak to you. Now."
"I'm coming," Annabeth said impatiently. She turned back to Percy, shifting from foot to foot. She did not want to leave, Percy realized with a grin. "I'm sorry, we'll talk more in the morning okay? Sleep well."
She gave him one last smile and let Drew usher her away. Percy watched her go, still grinning. She remembered him. He walked into the room Annabeth provided, silently shaking with glee. Even the pain in his legs could not dampen his mood. Annabeth remembered him.
"Percy."
Percy jumped. If he still possessed a voice, he probably would have emitted a very un-prince like shout. He was on guard at once, crouching low. He did not have the ocean to protect him anymore, but he sure as hell could put up a fight.
"Percy it is only me."
Percy gaped in surprise at the woman sitting on his bed. She clearly had two legs, dangling over the edge of the plush bed, complete with two feet and everything. Yet there was no mistake: he was looking at Hestia. She stood, concern etched in her kind face. On her fully functional legs, she slowly inched forward until he totally relaxed, his heart returning to an acceptable level. Percy vaguely remembered Oceanus mention something about his father granting Hestia legs when she was on land. Hestia hesitated, clearly distressed. Percy waved off her concern, holding a hand out in a gesture of good faith. She immediately grasped his hand, giving his fingers a squeeze before taking his face in her hands, anxiously checking him for injury.
"Are you alright? You're not injured are you?" She demanded. When he shook his head she breathed a sigh of relief, pulling him close in a tight hug.
"Thank the gods, we were so worried. What were you thinking?" She gently slapped the side of his head, pulling back to look him in the eye. "Your father is frantic. He has the entire kingdom searching for you!"
Percy winced. He really had not thought Poseidon would react so quickly. Triton's sulks could last for weeks, he figured his father would let Percy cool off for at least a few days before assembling the cavalry. Then again, his father was terribly overprotective.
"You need to come back," Hestia said, pulling back until she only clung to his arms. "Now."
Percy shook his head. He could not go back. Not yet. He knew Hestia would not understand, but he had to try to communicate with her somehow so he motioned outside towards the door.
"What?" Hestia asked, confused. "Speak to me my prince."
Percy grinned sheepishly at her, tapping his throat and shaking his head. Hestia drew in a sharp breath.
"You can't," She realized. "Percy that is old magic. There's a reason your father doesn't use it anymore. The potion, that's what you took to get your legs wasn't it?" Percy nodded. "Percy that's dangerous! Does it hurt when you walk?"
He nodded again.
"Oh dear," Hestia fretted. "Yes that was a side effect. The potion hasn't been used for years, your father found a better way. It sort of feels like being stabbed when you walk doesn't it? Oh my prince."
Percy smiled at her, reassuringly squeezing her hand. It's okay, I can handle it. Hestia squeezed his hand back. She sighed and pulled him over to the bed, bidding him to sit down.
"You couldn't have brewed the potion yourself, and I mean no offense by that my prince." Percy shrugged, none taken. "Who brewed it for you then?"
Percy stared at her, uncertain how to reply without his voice. This was not an easy answer, one he could point at or draw a symbol for. Hestia noticed his frustration.
"It's okay, I'll ask around when I return to the sea. See what names I can find," Hestia soothed him. "If I could find Grover I am sure that would help."
Percy nodded. Grover would be helpful. He paused, her words sinking in. If she could find Grover. He met Hestia's eye with his wide ones. Keep him safe from Dad's wrath, he silently pleaded. Hestia got the message and nodded gravely.
"Don't fret, I'll keep him safe." Hestia assured him. She sat next to him, chewing on her lip. "You don't want to come back."
Not yet, Percy thought, shaking his head. He met Hestia's eyes, hoping she understood he was not abandoning his people. Agitated, he leapt to his feet. He winced at the pain it caused but waved off Hestia's concern.
"You don't want to come back yet," Hestia hedged and Percy grinned, turning to nod at her. She frowned at him, trying to decipher the thoughts running through his head. He pointed out the door, then down at his legs.
"You want to learn more about the landwalkers?" Hestia guessed.
Kind of, Percy thought, waving his hand sideways to try and convey the thought. He held out his hand, wiggling his ring finger.
"Marriage?" Hestia's eyebrow raised in surprise as she guessed correctly. Percy pointed back out towards the ocean. Her eyes widened. "Oh. You think that would force your father to reconsider his thoughts on the landwalkers."
Percy grinned even wider, thrilled she jumped to the same conclusion he had. Hestia nodded thoughtfully, looking out his window at the restless ocean in the distance.
"That…just might work," she conceded slowly. "I love my Lord, do not get me wrong, but he does not like to listen to my reports. He feels I am too sympathetic to the landwalkers. He is very much set in his ways. But if you were to marry one, he would have no choice but to listen. You are his soft spot. Yes. That actually is a pretty sound plan."
Percy's shoulders sank in relief. If Hestia thought his plan was good, then it really must have some merit. Any residual worries he had melted away as he sat down next to her again.
"Here, let me tell you what I know about the landwalkers' culture," Hestia said. "To better aid you in blending in."
Percy leaned back and let the mermaid explain landwalker culture to him. It was so different from life under the sea! He was immensely grateful to Hestia for her advice, listening carefully as she tried to coach him through the proper way to act on land. When he started to yawn, Hestia stopped talking and gave him a small smile.
"You've had a long day," she said kindly, "I should let you rest." She leaned forward to press a kiss to his forehead. "Be safe my prince. If anybody can pull this off, it would be you."
She stood up and curtsied, her head dipping low even as Percy waved the formality off. She gave him one last smile before slipping out the door. He was not sure how she managed to get in unseen, but he trusted Hestia and knew she would be fine. He laid down on the bed, which was vastly different from the one in his underwater room. He tried not to dwell on it as he mulled over the information Hestia gave him. He was not the best at sitting still and listening, but he thought he got the gist of what Hestia told him. He could not wait to see Annabeth again tomorrow, armed with his new knowledge. He was still grinning as he drifted into sleep.
Percy ate breakfast with Ethan the following morning. He checked the room for Annabeth, but the guard shook his head.
"She's got duties to attend to this morning before she can see you. She has to go into town later, and she wanted me to ask if you wished to accompany her or – "
Percy nodded so eagerly Ethan trailed off. Percy almost thought he saw a smile cross the usually angry guard's face as he shook his head. Percy raised an eyebrow and his companion punched him lightly in the shoulder.
"Shut up. I'll inform the princess. I should warn you though, it'll be boring."
Percy scoffed; he doubted that. They met Annabeth outside the castle, by the carriage that brought him to the palace in the first place. Percy was petting the creatures called horses when she appeared. He tried not to stare as she walked closer. Instead of the usual regal attire, Annabeth was dressed casually. Her clothes were still fine and beautiful, but more relaxed and not unlike the attire he saw the other landwalkers wear. She looked comfortable, and she smiled when she spotted him. Percy grinned back, stepping forward to greet her.
"Good morning," she greeted warmly. Percy took her outstretched hand and placed a kiss on the back. She stuttered a little, and Percy heard Ethan snicker behind them. Annabeth heard him too. She scowled, straightening up to glare at her guard.
"Prepare the carriage, Ethan, we have a long day ahead of us." She narrowed her eyes at her guard, who, still chuckling, did as his princess demanded. Annabeth turned back to Percy. "I hope this won't be too boring for you."
It won't be, Percy thought. The ride into the village was quiet. Ethan remained silent, the comradery that sprung up between the boys not enough to make him break his stoic mask around his princess. Annabeth was lost in her own world, engrossed in one of her books. Percy did not mind, he enjoyed watching the world pass by.
"Alex."
Percy turned to find Annabeth watching him carefully. He stared at her in confusion, unsure what her outburst meant.
"Is your name Alex?" Percy made a face. Annabeth's lips twitched. "I didn't think so. Does it sound like Alex?" Percy shook his head. "Does it start with the 'ah' sound?"
Another shake of his head.
"Okay. Does it start with the 'bah' sound?"
"You're not going to go through the entire alphabet are you?" Ethan groaned. "Do you know how unlikely it is you're going to actually guess his name?"
Annabeth ignored him, looking expectantly at Percy. He shook his head. Ethan let his head fall against the side of the carriage.
"This is going to be a long trip isn't he?" He complained.
Percy could not help but laugh, shaking noiselessly as Annabeth gave her guard a light kick. She continued to question Percy, throwing out sounds and names as they continued down the bumpy road. He shook his head every time, touched and amused by her effort. She never came close to guessing Percy, but it was nice nonetheless. The carriage stopped outside the village Annabeth called York. Landwalkers went about their business, stopping to bow or curtesy to their princess before hurrying along. Percy watched them go with interest.
"'Gah'?" Annabeth pressed as she linked her arm through his and led him through the village. He shook his head, eyes wide as he took in the commotion around him. His legs ached, a constant sharp pain that he valiantly ignored as he drank in the sight of people calling out to them from behind wooden stands, each stand filled with different and exotic merchandise Percy had never seen before. He tried to stay behind and look at some of it, much to Annabeth's annoyance.
"They're just cheap necklaces," she hissed in his ear as she unsuccessfully tried to make him move on from a particularly shiny stand. The things that were laid out on the table were glossy and pretty, pearl-like balls connected to a long string. He wondered what 'cheap' meant, from the way Annabeth hissed it, he did not think it was a compliment. He could not understand why, they were pretty. He smiled at the landwalker behind the stand, who seemed startled. He managed to return the smile before Annabeth dragged Percy away.
Eventually, Annabeth threw her arms up in exasperation as she realized she could not drag him away from stands fast enough.
"I'm not going to get anything done if we keep stopping," she exclaimed.
Percy faltered, guilt shooting through him. He had not meant to hold the princess up. It was just, everything was so new, so different, so fascinating he just wanted to stop and take it all in. Next to him, Ethan shifted uncomfortably, giving Percy a sympathetic look.
"Ma'am," the guard began hesitantly, "perhaps we could continue with your activities and your friend could stay in the market. We could pick him up when you're finished."
Annabeth did not seem to hear him. She stared at Percy, who tried his best not to look too disappointed. She was the princess after all, she had better things to do then entertain him. He forced a smile and waved his hand, trying to convey that he was fine with Ethan's suggestion.
"It can wait," Annabeth declared. Ethan look startled.
"Ma'am?"
"Cancel everything I had planned for today," the princess repeated firmly, linking her arm through Percy's. "None of it is especially pressing."
Percy blinked at her in surprise and the corner of his landwalker's lips curled.
"I can't have you thinking the best we have to offer is those cheap necklaces," Annabeth rationalized. "Come on, I'll show you something better."
Percy grinned as the princess dragged him further into the market, leaving a stunned Ethan behind. Around them, Annabeth's subjects watched with wide eyes as their princess strode among them. From their amazement, Percy gathered she rarely spent time in the market. People tripped over themselves in their eagerness to greet her. Ever regal and composed, Annabeth met them kindly as Percy excitedly dragged her around the square, determined to see everything in the short time the princess was free. Each step still sent shards of agony up his legs, but it was worth it to have Annabeth at his side, introducing him to people and the strange lifestyle of the landwalkers.
"This is Master Midas, he is the finest metal crafter in all the land," Annabeth declared proudly. Behind this particularly gleaming and shiny stand, the metal crafter beamed, his entire face lighting up under the princess' praise. "He can craft beautiful and delicate jewelry with the most precious of metals."
She leaned forward to examine the sparkling objects before Master Midas as Percy nodded absently, his attention elsewhere. He reached out to curiously run his fingers over a painted stone in the stand beside Midas'. The movement caught Annabeth's attention and her head turned. When she saw what caught his attention she gave a sigh.
"I show you the most expensive and prized stand in all my kingdom and you are more interested in the child's craft next door." She despaired, but she was fighting back a smile.
Percy looked sheepishly at the affronted metal crafter before grinning at Annabeth. He did not care much for the metal objects of Master Midas'. Sure they were nice, but personally he thought the pearl-like necklaces of the first stand were prettier. And the painted rock he curiously picked up had lovely blue swirls on it, much more interesting than the plain yellow of Midas' metals. It reminded him of the sea.
"Mommy, he likes my rock," a young voice squealed. Ducked behind the stand beside Midas, a little girl peaked up at him, her eyes shining. The woman running the stand flushed, reaching down to pull the child away.
"Shh dear," her mother fretted but Percy just grinned and crouched before the girl. He held the rock out to her with a smile.
Very pretty, he wanted to say. He ran his fingers over the painted swirls and gestured towards the girl, did you make it?
"He wants to know if she painted it herself," Annabeth translated. Percy grinned up at her from his spot on the ground. Her face was twisted funny, gray eyes trained on his face as if she were trying to puzzle something out.
"I did!" The little girl giggled, trying to escape her mother's grasp. She wiggled free and came to stop before Percy. She gave a little curtesy, her eyes bright.
Percy smile encouragingly at her, reaching into his pocket and curling his fingers around a smooth cold object. He pulled it out of his pocket and rolled the little white ball in his palm. A remnant of the ocean, safeguarded and protected beneath the surface until it shone bright as the sun, ready for the world: a pearl. Percy gently placed it in the girl's little hand and pulled her stone to his chest.
"Trade!" The little girl realized, bouncing on her heels. She reverently held the pearl against her chest, too young to understand the value of what she was given. But she would cherish it more than any adult could ever, for wealth meant nothing to the small child but rather kindness ruled her heart. She bobbed another curtesy and rushed off to show her mother.
Percy stood up and brushed the dirt off his pants. He held the rock out for Annabeth to admire and found the princess gaping at him. He cocked his head, what?
"That was a pearl."
Percy nodded. Annabeth seemed at a loss for words. Her mouth opened and closed as she watched the little girl proudly show her mother her new treasure. Finally, Annabeth asked, "Where did you get a pearl?"
Percy raised an eyebrow and looked towards the ocean. From their spot, nestled snugly in the middle of the market, he could not see the vast blue expanse that was his home but he could still hear the siren call in the back of his mind.
"The ocean?" Annabeth followed his line of sight. "You got so lucky as to find a clam with a pearl in it and you just give it to a little girl."
Did you see how happy she was? Percy wondered, grinning and nodding his head at the little girl. Her mother had sat down, a hand clutched over her heart as she realized just what he gave her daughter. Her eyes filled with tears and he shifted uncomfortably. Bother, he had not wanted her to do that. Pearls were easy for him to find, honestly it was just a little kindness for a sweet child.
"You traded a pearl for a child's painted rock," Annabeth said, but she linked her arms through his once more. From the way she stared at him, Percy got the feeling he finally did something right for the first time in his life. He smiled as she led him away from the market. Despite his best effort, it was getting harder to ignore the agony in his legs and he found himself leaning more heavily on Annabeth as they navigated through the market.
Drew waited impatiently at the edge of the market, her beautiful face twisted unattractively as her foot tapped. Percy eyed her speculatively before glancing behind then at Ethan, who silently shadowed them without complaint. He could not believe he once believed Ethan was the surly half of the pair.
"Drew thinks we need to head back soon," Ethan told them, sounding almost as disappointed by the idea as Percy was.
"It is getting dark," Annabeth sighed, turning her wise grey eyes to the fading sunlight.
The market had thinned, stalls closing up for the night and landwalkers returning home for supper. In the center of the square, a group of landwalkers gathered. They held strange instruments and, as he watched, began to play. Music, he realized in wonder. The sounds and instruments were different from those he was accustomed to under the sea, but the melody still appealed to his ears. As the song picked up, a man approached a blushing lady and bowed low. The woman giggled and took his hand and the pair broke away from the crowd to stand before the musicians. They began to walk strangely, holding onto each other, their feet and legs moving almost synchronized as they glided across the ground.
Dancing! They were dancing!
He had never seen landwalkers dance before. Poseidon held plenty of balls (in the vain hope one of his sons would find a respectable suiter) so dancing was not alien to the sea prince, but this was very different. He carefully noticed the way they moved, the placement of their feet and legs. It looked complicated, it looked fun.
"Hey," Annabeth nudged him, regaining his attention. "We're getting ready to leave."
Percy looked longingly at the dancers then back at Annabeth.
"No," Drew said, appearing at their side in an instant. She scowled at Percy. "We don't have time for dancing."
Percy ignored her, making his eyes as wide and pleading as possible. He could feel Annabeth's resolve wavering. He smiled as charmingly as he could and she sighed.
"One dance," she allowed.
If he had a voice, Percy would have cheered. He pulled Annabeth out into the sea of dancers. He tried to mimic to the movement of the other landwalkers and ended up stepping right on Annabeth's feet. Maybe this was not such a good idea, he thought wincing as he tried to pull away from Annabeth.
"You don't have much experience with dancing do you?" Annabeth asked with a grin. "No, come back here Seaweed Brain, I can teach you. Just follow my lead, ready?"
Seaweed Brain? Percy twisted his face at the nickname and Annabeth laughed. His heart swelled and he grinned, letting his landwalker take the lead. She coached him through the song, then another and then another until he got the hang of finless dancing. This was a great idea. Annabeth held him tightly in her arms, her warmth seeping into his very being as they twirled around the floor. The music slowed and Annabeth with it, until they swayed to the dying sound. Annabeth rested her forehead against his shoulder, her eyes closed as he held her close. Percy closed his eyes. Everything was perfect.
"M'lady?"
"Yes," Annabeth said, straightening up immediately at the sound of Ethan's voice. Percy tried not to glare at the guard, who gave him an apologetic grin.
"We need to go."
"Of course," Annabeth said. Percy reluctantly released her. After the long day, his legs ached awfully. The dancing truly had not helped him any. As they started for the carriage, he found himself lagging behind as the pain started to get to him. Fire laced up his body and he could not withhold a grimace.
"Hey Seaweed Brain, we need to get back before – " Annabeth started to say, looking over her shoulder at him. She frowned when she noticed his pained expression that he could not quite mask and was at his side in an instant.
"I forgot about your legs," She said, her face dark. "Why didn't you remind me? You shouldn't have danced for so long."
Percy waved her off. Dancing with her was totally worth it.
"Ethan, give us a hand," Annabeth demanded and the one eyed man helped Percy limp along to the carriage.
The carriage waited alongside the shore, not too far from where it waited when Annabeth found Percy. Percy looked out at the unsettled ocean, guilt churning in his stomach as he took in the stormy waves. Large, dark waves crashed violently upon the shore, sea foam bubbling angrily along the sand. Further out the water swirled fiercely as it channeled Poseidon's anger and fear.
"Been like that for a while," Ethan said, noticing Percy's gaze. "We've lost three ships. All sailing has been suspended until it clears up. I've never seen such a violent storm."
Percy chewed on his lip and let the guard help him into the carriage.
Ethan had to help him all the way to his room that night. His legs caused him pure agony and he sank gratefully onto his bed, closing his eyes against the sharp pain. When someone knocked on the door he silently groaned, rolling over in bed. Just the thought of answering the door was painful.
"My lord?"
Hestia.
Percy sighed. He struggled to his feet and painfully made his way over to the door.
"My lord what happened?" She asked in alarm when she caught sight of him. Her arms wound around him and he gratefully leaned against her, letting the mermaid lead him back to his bed.
Once seated, he just gestured towards his legs and shrugged.
"They still pain you," Hestia said, her expression pained. "My lord, perhaps this is a bad idea."
Percy shook his head. No, this was still a good idea.
"Your father grows frantic," Hestia said. "He fears for you."
That was a problem. As Hestia paced nervously, Percy got an idea.
After some considerable time and a frustrating game of charades, Percy handed a piece of metal over to the mermaid. Hestia turned the piece over in her hand so she could examine the large symbol he etched on its surface. It was his symbol, the one that meant Percy. Symbols were rarely used in his father's and seldom did his own appear. Poseidon would recognized who scratched it out.
"I don't know how I'll get it to him," Hestia said, tucking the inscription away carefully. "But I'll figure it out. This should calm him down, at least a little. He'll know you're alive."
Which will have to do for now, Percy thought with a nod.
Hestia sighed, leaning forward to kiss his forehead.
"Be careful my prince," she murmured, pulling back. "We need you."
He gave her a reassuring smile. It would be okay.
The ocean calmed down after that. While never exactly 'calm' Poseidon's storm lost its ferocity. Percy was grateful. Now he could focus on more important things, like Annabeth. For the next few weeks, Percy found himself a welcomed guest in the palace. He spent most of his time with the princess herself, sometimes accompanying her out to various villages or even just keeping her company while she sorted through terribly long papers with the strange landwalker symbols on them. When Annabeth was busy, he shadowed Ethan who oddly enough did not seem to mind. He even met Malcolm, the crown prince. He shared the blonde hair and stormy eyes of his sister, but that was where their similarities ended. Percy did not think the prince liked him much, but it did not matter. He got to spent time with Annabeth and he loved every second.
Annabeth liked to walk the beach in the early evening after dinner and Percy was only too happy to join her. They walked arm in arm along the warm sand, watching the sky turn spectacular shades of orange and red. Percy avoided putting his feet in the surf for fear his father would notice but contented himself watching Annabeth do it.
Annabeth gazed out at the ocean, her eyes distant.
"Percy," she said softly and his head whipped around so fast he could hear it crack.
"Is that?" Annabeth asked in disbelief at his stunned look. "Is that your name?"
Percy nodded emphatically, grinning so widely it hurt.
"Gods, it was just," Annabeth said, stunned, "it was just in my head. I had no idea... I've been trying to guess your name forever and I stumble on it accidentally!"
She sounded so outraged, so utterly offended by her own mind that Percy could not help but laugh. He silently shook with laughter while she elbowed him in the ribs.
"Cut it out, it's not funny. I should have been able to deduce that." She complained, but she started laughing with him. They laughed together, Annabeth's loud vocal laughter joining his silent one as they sat in the sand.
Annabeth leaned against him, her blonde hair spraying across his shoulder. He smiled and played with a strand of her hair as she looked up at him, her gray eyes so close and wide.
"I've never met anyone like you." Annabeth admitted softly. "You're so…surprised and amazed by the world. It's like every day, everything we do, you find something amazing in all of it. I used to think my life was so boring; I review laws and court papers, I listen to the elite and the gossipers, and only sometimes I got to head out across the ocean for a diplomatic talk. But, with you, I find life exciting. Things I use to hate or find tedious – boring – " she clarified at his confused look – "it's not with you. And you don't even have to say a word."
Percy stared at his landwalker, stunned. He fiercely longed for his voice, so he could tell her how much she meant to him. About how she wasn't boring at all, that she helped him see clearly, that he made less stupid, impulsive decisions when she was around. She kept him grounded, like the holdfasts that tether seaweeds to the ocean floor. He opened and closed his mouth, lost. She was so close, so perfect so –
He kissed her.
Her breath hitched and for one terrible moment Percy thought he did something wrong but then she was kissing him back and it was glorious. She smelled like paper and ink and sunshine, her hand coming up to tangle in his hair and he could not help but smile against her lips.
"Gods, do you ever stop smiling?" She demanded, pulling back enough to huff the exclamation but he chased after her, silencing her with another kiss. Percy did not know how long they sat there, kissing and giggling until Annabeth finally pulled away. She placed her forehead against his, still running her fingers through his hair.
"I almost drown not too long before we found you," Annabeth told him suddenly.
Percy opened his eyes in surprise. Annabeth had closed her eyes. He could count every eyelash on her face. Regardless of Percy's burning curiosity, Annabeth never spoke of that night. Of course, he could not bring it up anyway and he started to fear she did not even remember. She had his undivided attention and he waited anxiously for her to continue.
"And it, ah, you're going to think I'm crazy – "
Percy shook his head firmly, reaching up to hold Annabeth's head against his. Not crazy.
"Someone rescued me," Annabeth told him softly. "I know that sounds crazy but it's true. I was drowning, lost at sea, but someone saved me."
She remembered. She remembered. Percy kissed her again, quickly, before standing up.
"Percy?" She asked, confused as he pulled her to her feet as well.
It was me, Percy thought, pulling her towards the surf. You're not crazy. I can prove it. The ocean still responded to his call, regardless of his current physical condition, and he reached out to call the waves when a voice called.
"Ma'am?"
Percy scowled as Ethan crept closer.
"Ma'am your brother requires your presence." Ethan said reluctantly. Percy noticed a guard, one he saw around but never 'talked' to, standing stiffly at his side.
"Not now," Annabeth dismissed.
"Now ma'am, it's urgent." The other guard said. That caught Annabeth's attention. Percy's shoulder deflated. Well, not every moment could be perfect. He gave her a small smile and shrugged his shoulders.
"It'll be quick," She promised, lacing their fingers together. To his credit, the strange guard did not look surprised. Ethan looked smug.
"I'll keep Percy company," Ethan said as they walked back up to the castle. Annabeth glanced back at them, then ahead to where her brother waited.
Malcom looked nervous. He rung his hands anxiously and his eyes kept flickering from Annabeth to the guards to Percy then to the wall. Strange. Annabeth pressed a kiss to Percy's cheek and disappeared in the study after her brother.
"You're so gone," Ethan cackled.
Percy glared at him but the other man just laughed harder. Annabeth ended up being in the study for a while. The pain in Percy's leg got too heavy to ignore so he sat on the floor and, after some grumbling, Ethan did the same. The one eyed guard was attempting to teach him some dice game when the study door slammed opened.
Percy tried to scramble to his feet as Annabeth stormed out, but the pain in his leg had him flat on his ass in a second. Annabeth faltered as he went down and he caught a glimpse of her face. She was upset. Her hands were shaking, her jaw twitching and breathing heavily. Their eyes met and her face twisted before she turned away and fled down the hall.
"What the – " Ethan seemed conflicted, between helping Percy and chasing after his princess. Duty kicked in and, with an apologetic look over his shoulder at Percy, took off down the hall after her.
Percy struggled to his feet, using the wall to steady himself. Malcom emerged from the study, his face pinched and still wringing his hands. He guiltily looked away when Percy tried to catch his eye.
"Help him to his room," the crown prince instructed one of his guards. "Ethan will undoubtedly visit him later."
One guard stepped forward and tried to help Percy, but the sea prince shrugged him off. He stumbled towards Malcom. What's wrong?
"Just, just go to bed," Malcom said, shaking his head and retreating into his study. Percy tried to follow, but his legs were on fire and he found himself kissing the floor again.
"Sir, if you would just," the guard tried again but Percy scowled and batted his unwanted hands away. He could walk by himself.
Percy could not make it back to his room. He slouched against the wall a few hallways down, panting noiselessly as he tried to breathe. Gods, his legs hurts. From the tip of his toes all the way up his thighs, fire. But he had to find Annabeth.
Ethan found him instead.
The guard took one look at him then sank to the ground next to him.
"Do you want to go to the healers?" Ethan asked. Percy shook his head. That would not do him any good.
Annabeth?
"The princess is…" Ethan sighed, running a hand over his eyes. "Gods, she's upset Percy. The Queen sent a letter home. She's been working on diplomatic negotiations since before you arrived. She thinks she might have it, but she needs a final push. It was…decided that a marriage would synch the deal. A marriage between their youngest prince and…and Princess Annabeth."
A/n: Ah, first off let me apologize for the long delay. I hope the frankly ridiculous length of this chapter makes up for it. A lot of things are going on in my life right now, none of them particularly good and they are having an increasing negative affect on the creative aspect of my life. They also make me doubt myself and worry more. I couldn't get this chapter quite the way I liked it and I scrapped it many times (one time I deleted a whole 7k, yikes). And I guess I started worrying over whether this entire fairy tale was good enough. I felt like it wasn't as good as Mulan. I managed to calm myself down though, because every writer has their ups and downs. Some stories are just better than others. That doesn't mean that The Little Mermaid isn't good, because deep down I honestly think it is. It's just like how you can have a favorite book in a series, one you think is the best, but that doesn't mean the other books in the series aren't good. They are, just that one is the best. That's how I should look at it. Little Mermaid is good and I need to stop doubting myself.
My personal problems aside, I want to thank all my lovely supporters because it's your love and reviews that got me through this. Seriously, you guys rock and I owe you all for this chapter. My deepest and most sincere thanks. I only hope you enjoyed this chapter ~*