Author's Note: Hey guys, this is Chapter 9 for you all! I wanted to post it earlier, but I had my summer classes, I love it to death but it takes 3 times a week of my time and it started yesterday plus I had to find a way to write this chapter, so no hate please…. And thanks again to everyone who read and reviewed, and favorited…keep the reviews coming so I know what you think, I need to know what people think, since I get curious on what people think of my writing for each chapter…as I said, as long as it doesn't wound me. Every review or favourite I get, inspires me to write more and lets me know that people like to read my writing…thank you so much. All for you guys! ;) Anyways, you know what to do guys. PRETTY PLEASE read, review, and enjoy! xoxo –thatasianwritergirl

P.S.: Sorry for the cliffhanger I am about to put…forgive me, please…

P.S.S.: Oh yeah, guys I can't decide if either Malcolm or Annabeth will get captured or held captive by the army in a future chapter, could you guys help me with this detail? PM or tell me thru reviews…majority of the people who say which of the other, will be the one updated. Sorry if I ask all of you about it, since I am very fickle-minded most of the time. I just needed others opinions, sometimes…

Letter Day

(Annabeth)

THWOCK! THUD! (A/N: I don't know how to put the sound of a shooting arrow in words, but this is the closest I've got)

Ah….the sweet sound of my second arrow hitting its target after I have shot it. It is another afternoon in the archery shooting range. It has been a while….actually a week since I have talked to commander Perseus. I felt like avoiding him…how could I have such strong positive feelings for a man I have never met before…even pour everything about myself to him…it is foolish of me to do so, intentional or not. But the bad thing is I can't hide from him forever, since he would have to inspect me for private training.

"Alright, Annabeth, you are done for the day." my advisor, Perdix said as he took away the bow and arrows from me.

I nodded and walked away to the center of the camp, to receive letters. Today is letter or scroll day. It is when all the troops in the army received letters from their loved ones. I used to write letters to Malcolm, long ones, sent them in papyrus scrolls. Now…it's my turn to have one or so. My eyes fluttered around the place, they have received letters….even ones longer than mine. I loved the prospect about receiving letters; it makes me remember the person who sent it when I carried it around…as if the person who sent it was there with me, reading it to me, even when they are far away from me. I know I think of this even if this is my first time to ever receive letters.

A man with several boxes under one arm came over me and asked. "Annabeth Chase, right?" I nodded and he gave me a box. It was strong, wooden box with my name, in Greek characters were written in. "Thank you." I said, as the man nodded and walked away.

I took the box reverently; as if it was a special gift I received from the gods and opened it. It contained many scrolls inside, tied with neat, thin white strings of linen. I looked and unrolled them one by one….I had letters from my friends and family and some of the villagers. I guess they have heard of my joining in the army. I knew it was illegal, but at least I don't suffer alone…Clarisse is here.

LATER IN THE DAY

I couldn't read my letters earlier during the day. So I decided to go here, to the forest, I dropped the box and sat on a big boulder, and started to unfurl a scroll and read it. The first one I read was from my father, the papyrus even smells like him, home, and the farm, as I read it, I felt like I was back home…this was what he wrote:

Dear Annabeth,

I hope you have no regrets in joining the army like your brother Malcolm, even when you volunteered. I have been there before and it is not easy being there…I was away from my family when I was there, in your case; it is risky, since it is illegal. If the rulers find out, you will be killed, I just hope someone could save you, but it is hard to find someone who would be willing to do so. But I hear you are faring well, Malcolm tells me your training score is high, so far. He tells me that they will be expecting you in private sessions though, so good luck, may the gods be with you, especially may Athena be with you.

As for home, me and your brothers are faring well enough. I am staying strong and healthy for your sake. Your brothers are having the notion to join the army too, but it will be many years since I will give in to your request. Acantha tells me she has no luck in finding you a husband, so if you find someone there…I give you your blessing to be with him, as long as he makes you happy and as long as I meet him first.

Your brothers and I miss you a lot. Remember that I will always be proud of you; your mother would be too. Your sacrifice, courage, and bravery is extraordinary for someone like you. From the moment you were born, I knew you were to do something worthwhile, but I didn't know it would be this one. People in town have been talking about your being in the army. Whatever happens, I want you to know, that the greatest honour I have, is having you for a daughter. (A/N: Yeah, I quoted Mulan)

Farewell for now.

-Papa

I was touched by that letter, usually fathers in Greece would be ashamed if their daughter even joined the Greek army, yet my father's proud of me, no matter what. I scanned through the scrolls…there were some filled with sympathy or threats. I looked at the last scroll and saw it was from Thalia.

Dear Annabeth,

I can't believe you joined the army! I have heard rumours and things even from Luke's letters; I thought he was spouting out foolish things. I still can't believe it is true; and only did I truly believe it when I visited your cottage and your father told me you weren't there. I hear the army is a dangerous place, I couldn't believe you would subject yourself out there! Now I lose Luke, and now you, my greatest friend…but I hope you would still be able to survive out there, especially with Clarisse La Rue in the army. I hope you find a nice man in the army. Luke tells me that there are rumours that you are having an affair with the commander, I hear from Malcolm that he is quite a catch, but I would like to hear it from you. If it is true, how romantic…do not forget to tell me about it in a letter.

Back here at home, I have my little child already; she is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I wish you and Luke would be able to see her. Her name is Euphrosyne and she has Luke's features. At least I will have help around the house when she gets older. She is beautiful and radiant to me, I just wish you could see and help me, but Silena, Beckendorf's wife, is helping me out. She is a good companion but not as great as you, she keeps talking about the latest news from Greece, especially new styles of women's Greek togas.

I hope you are safe, please come back home. May the gods be in your favour and Luke's as well..

-Thalia

I shook my head as I rolled it up again and put it inside the box again. Thalia…always predictable…she would try to scold me if I did something stupid. Suddenly it became too quiet, the wind stopped blowing, the forest became silent…I hear the heavy, crinkling footsteps of someone. I turned around, for only my plain grey eyes to meet with a certain pair of beautiful sea green eyes.