Freedom Has a Price
A/N: Although I just posted the first chapter a few hours ago, and got only three reviews, I just wanted to post this because a reviewer said she wouldn't read the story till I got to where the previous author left off, so I wanted to get there quickly. Anyways, enjoy and I don't own PJO.
Annabeth walked back to the palace with Chiron and Max, her large dog, at her side. Chiron was her tutor, and it almost seemed like he was her realfather. Annabeth's father left years ago; and no one knew where he went. The only thing he left was Max; the large Shetland sheep dog who first tracked down Percy when they met.
Max was forever loyal to his family, and not to mention one of the smartest dogs alive. He could sniff out anything, and protect anyone. The only time Annabeth left Max at her house was when she went to see Percy.
"What were you doing on the beach?" Chiron asked, finally breaking the silence. He glanced at the princess out of the corner of his eye, only to see her troubled eyes.
Annabeth shrugged, not really answering his question. She was only staring straight ahead, towards the Palace that loomed in the distance. She knew Chiron would pester her until she gave in, but she couldn't tell them about Percy, if the humans found out, then they would send hunting parties and place mutable bounties on his head. Annabeth couldn't let anyone hurt him, not humans or pirates.
"You seem distant today," Chiron continued. "Is something wrong?"
Annabeth shook her head, not really paying attention to what Chiron was saying. She looked ahead, just as the crossed the giant entrance to the palace. The palace guard waved to both of them, but only Chiron waved back.
Annabeth didn't remember much of the journey through the city around the palace, just a few merchants saying hello and the kids running through the streets. Chiron seemed to be walking at a relatively fast pace, considering nothing important was going on, or was it?
"What's the hurry, Chiron?" Annabeth asked, concern lacing her words.
"Your mother," Chiron said, not slowing down. "She said she wanted to see you, that's why I went to go get you."
"Oh." Annabeth suddenly felt smaller than she really was. It wasn't often that her mom wants to talk to her, most of the time it's something about 'being the next queen' or battle strategies. Her mom wasn't very motherly.
Panic welled up in her throat as possibilities went through her head. Was there another war coming? Did they site Backbiter? The last thought almost made Annabeth shiver; did they know about Percy?
Chiron seemed to notice her troubled expression and said; "I don't think it's anything bad. She didn't seem to be in a sour mood."
Annabeth nodded numbly, as she walked up to her mother's door. She paused for a second to take a big breath and compose herself. She then knocked on the large wooden doors that separated her mother from the rest of the world.
"Come in," The voice of her mother seemed to ring throughout the corridor. Annabeth nodded, even though her mom couldn't see her, and pushed the doors open.
The room was dark; the moon had risen above the sky since Annabeth was at the beach. All of the lights were off, and Annabeth could barely make out her mom, sitting on her bed, staring intensely at her daughter.
The closer Annabeth walked towards her mother, the more she noticed the bags under the Queen's eyes. She still had the same brown hair, and the same intense eyes as Annabeth, but it seemed to have lost its sparkle.
People say that Annabeth and her mother looked very similar, but Annabeth never saw it. She had blonde hair compared to her mother's brown, her eyes were always lighter than her mother's more intimidating ones, and her mother's posture was more regal.
"Hello, Annabeth." Her mother sighed and patted the bed next to her. "I'm sorry you have to see me like this."
"W-what happened to you?" Annabeth said before she could stop herself. As quickly as she could, she covered her mouth, hoping her mother wouldn't get mad.
To Annabeth's relief, Athena only let out a low laugh. "The pirates aren't just affecting me, but other countries as well. They're blaming us for the pirates, and we're about to go to war." Annabeth sucked in a breath as her mother continued, "Our people aren't ready to go to war. We are just recovering from Luke's ambush five years ago, and that wasn't even a full-blown war. Imagine what would happen if all the countries around us attacked us at the same time."
"We wouldn't make it." Annabeth said solemnly. At least,Annabeth thought to herself, not without the mer-people.
Athena nodded. "You're growing into a fine Princess, Annabeth. You will do good ruling this kingdom one day."
"If there is a kingdom still." Annabeth muttered, staring out into the night sky.