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I'm sorry it took so long to update. My mum banned me from my computer because apparently I'm getting too 'addicted' to FanFiction.

Ahem.

Chapter 15:

The Price That Had To Be Paid

Percy was absolutely heartbroken. Rachel, his childhood best friend, dead. Heartlessly killed by a ruthless man. He shuddered as he remembered how easily that axe had sliced open her throat… like she was composed of warm butter.

He tried to wipe the image out of his mind. Instead, he focused on the matter at hand- the Grey Eyed one was back, as well as her feisty friend Thalia.

Percy slumped in the corner, head in hands as Beckendorf, Chiron and Thalia conversed quietly. The Princess was silent throughout the conversation.

Percy looked up once when he heard his name, and instead, he met Annabeth's eyes. Those grey eyes that analysed him, undermined all his deepest fears and secrets, reading him like a book.

He found himself looking away, scowling.

As he glared out the window at the beautiful poinsettia tree that had taken root beside the Big House a century ago, the red flowers burned into Percy's mind like laser beams. The blood red petals resembled the blood spurting from Rachel's throat too much for Percy's liking.

He looked away, his eyes stinging.

He wasn't aware of the time passing until he felt a solid hand on his shoulder. "Percy," a deep voice, unmistakeably Beckendorf's, said.

Percy started, grunted, looking down. "What." His voice was flat.

"We're leaving. C'mon, I'll take you home. I don't trust you alone." Beckendorf's voice was kindly, maybe even fond, but the look in his eyes when Percy glanced up was obvious- Beckendorf was adamant about not leaving Percy alone.

The boy sighed and ran his hand through his hair, muttering, "Fine."

He stood up slowly and followed Beckendorf out the door, looking back once to find an empty room. The two girls and Chiron weren't there.

He shrugged. Not his problem.

If you asked Annabeth what the discussion between Thalia, Beckendorf and Chiron was about, she honestly wouldn't have a clue. Instead, she was studying Percy. It was hard to believe that just two days prior, this boy had rescued her from the tower she had been imprisoned in.

He now had the rights to claim her as his wife, and a reward from Annabeth's father. Even if Percy did try to claim the reward, Annabeth wasn't sure whether her father would even remember the deal he had proposed over six years ago.

The guy looked downright miserable. Annabeth didn't blame him. He had watched his girlfriend die a gruesome death before his eyes.

He met her eyes once and Annabeth felt a chill go through her. His green eyes were bloodshot and puffy. His gaze seemed to go straight through her, as if he didn't see her. Before she could determine his true regard, he was turning his head away again, scowling out the window.

Annabeth rested her cheek on her knee, staring at the back of Percy's head. His black hair was carelessly unkempt. His skin wasn't so pale that he was white, but he wasn't so tan that it looked healthy.

Finally the conversation dispersed, and Annabeth realised that she had no inkling of an idea of what had been said.

Percy still hadn't turned around, obviously lost in thought.

"Hey, Annabeth," Thalia said.

At the mention of her name, Annabeth tuned back in. "I'm here," she said absentmindedly. Then she realised what she had said, and quickly corrected, "I mean, yes?"

"Chiron has an offer for both of us, but I'll only accept if you put some serious thought into it."

She nodded, gesturing for Thalia to continue.

"Would you be willing to let Chiron adopt us? Like, we live here, and work for our meals?"

Annabeth sucked in a sharp breath.

"You don't have to give me an answer straight away, my dear," Chiron interjected. "Just consider it."

"Uh… okay. I'll consider it." Annabeth nodded dazedly. "Yes, I'll definitely consider it."

Chiron chuckled at Annabeth's vagueness. "You may go now. Ella will draw you a bath, and lay out fresh clothes for you. You begin work in a day or so, depending on how long you want to rest."

Annabeth smiled in gratitude, and she and Thalia ambled into the wash rooms, eager for a proper bath.

Annabeth only threw one look over her shoulder at Percy, who was still staring out the window. She sighed, sympathy for him filling her heart.

But all thoughts of him vanished when she saw the steam rising from the hot bath that was waiting for her.

Once she'd entered the scalding hot water, she felt like it was a sign that maybe, just maybe, she was finally cleansed of the dirt her imprisonment had inflicted upon her.

She sighed in contentment and leaned her head back, at long last being able to relax.

That night, as Percy lay restlessly in bed, his eyes wide and alert, he recounted his time with the Shaman, trying to keep his mind off Rachel's gory death.

He hoped Grover put those reed pipes to good use, that Juniper would finally notice how much Grover liked her, and maybe her feelings would even be reciprocated.

As he mulled over every word that had been uttered in Lou Ellen's tent, he gasped and jolted up. A particular sentence had now burned itself into his mind.

Percy started shaking. Could it be true? Had Rachel died because of something as insignificant as Grover wanting a girlfriend?

The Shaman's tone turned serious. "You do realise the price that has to be paid for such magic as this?"

Grover gulped. Price? That didn't sound very good. "What kind of price?" he asked, dreading the answer.

The Shaman laughed. "I'm flattered, truly, Grover. I appreciate your high regard for my skills, but even I cannot read the tapestry that the Fates knit, known as the future. All I can tell you is that you will come to regret your actions in years to come."

Percy bit his lip so hard it drew blood. He clenched his fists in an attempt to stop the trembling, to no avail.

Regret for past actions flooded through his head.

A price that has to be paid.

Yes, the price truly had been paid, Percy thought bitterly as he laid his head back down on his pillow.

He fell asleep to the sound of the Shaman's heartless cackle reverberating through his fretful mind.

There we go. How was it?

It's stupid, really, but I've been experiencing a severe case of writers' block, even though the entire plan is right in front of me.

Please tell me your opinions- though no flamers, thanks. First FanFiction, remember?

Thanks to all my fans who have been faithful in their reading so far, to all those who have either reviewed, favourite or followed and generally been good to me even if this story isn't my best work.

MashPotatoeSquishBanana :)