Hi again! Hope you liked that last chapter. Here's the next one. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin or Percy Jackson and the Olympians or The Heroes of Olympus.

4. Arthur Is A Brat And We Get Threatening Notes

Annabeth

Gwen lead Annabeth outside the small hut Annabeth had woke up in. Arthur appeared to be traiJning the village men. "..keep your feet moving, and only stay in range long enough to land your blow. And again!. One! Two! Three! Four!" Arthur was counting and the men were trying to learn.

Annabeth and Gwen walk towards Morgana who was watching the men train. As she noticed them coming towards her, she bowed slightly to Annabeth. "Princess," she said, "I don't believe we've been acquainted yet. I'm Morgana Pendragon, King Uther's ward."

Annabeth's suspicions were confirmed. Morgana was not evil. Yet. She returned Morgana's gesture with a small smile. "Pleased to meet you. I'm Princess Annabeth Chase of the Kingdom America." Annabeth didn't really ind lying to these people. She barely knew them, and if it was up to her, she'd finish her work and leave as soon as possible. But that seemed impossible, now that she'd found Morgana and had to befriend her to prevent her turning evil. Annabeth still didn't trust the Olympians' judgement. Athena had told her that there would be no paradox but Annabeth hadnt heard one story - fictional or otherwise - which hadn't ended badly where time travel was involved. But for now, she would follow the orders given to her.

"You should be resting, Princess." Morgana's voice cut through her musings. Annabeth had to admit that she was rather pretty. She was tall, with dark hair and a sweet smile and her eyes were trustworthy. She wondered how such a person could become the sorceress who would bring the downfall of the great King Arthur. But then, she reminded herself, so was everyone else who betrayed. Luke. Annabeth shook her head slightly to rid thoughts of him from her mind. "I'm alright now," she reassured. "I came here to help you plan the battle against the raiders."

At this, Morgana raised an eyebrow. "Don't worry, Princess. We will "take care of it. You should go back to the hut and rest."

"Please call me Annabeth. I don't like titles very much." Annabeth said. "You have all been very kind to me in a land I barely know. The least I could do is help you with my skills, which look like they could be used." Annabeth didn't want to sound prideful, but she had to let them help her. Telling them about her abilities was the only option.

"Very well, Annabeth." Morgana replied. "I was just about to tell Arthur that I would be fighting. Now, there'll be two of us to convince him. And call me Morgana."

Annabeth nodded and smiled. They both turned to Gwen. "Men aren't the only ones who can fight," is the only thing Gwen said before turning towards Arthur and the training men. The three of them walked towards Arthur. He seemed surprised. Annabeth concluded that it was because she was up and walking when she'd been unconscious for atleast half a day. She rolled her eyes inwardly. Apparently Arthur was a stuck-up, pompous brat. Who knew?

Morgana was the first to speak. "Arthur, we have decided that we want to fight too." Her eyes shone with rebelliousness, as if she already knew what his answer would be. Everyone knew what his answer would be.

"We?" Arthurasked incredulously. He was looking at Annabeth now.

Annabeth shrugged. "I want to help. And from the looks of it, so do they." She pointed at Gwen and Morgana.

"Absolutely not!" Arthur said. "It's too dangerous." Gods! Annabeth thought. What is it about men that makes them feel we're incapable of handling ourselves?

"With all due respect, Your Highness," she said, "we can take care of ourselves. Besides, you look like you could use a hand, or more, here."

Arthur looked taken aback. After a few moments he seemed to regain his composure. "No. And my decision is final." With that, he stomped off to Gods know where. She sighed. "Is he always like this?" She asked no one in particular.

"Arrogant and annoying?" Morgana asked. "I'm afraid so."

They were all gathered in Hunith's house. Arthur and Merlin were asleep. Gwen, Morgana and Annabeth were discussing what would happen. "We don't stand a chance," Gwen said.

"Arthur can't see that." Morgana replied. "He's too stubborn."

"Why do you think he came here?" Gwen asked.

"The same reason we did." Annabeth couldn't see the expression on Morgana's face in the night. "Merlin. Arthur may act like he doesn't care, but he wouldn't be here if he didn't." So maybe he wasn't all a pompous brat. Maybe, one day, he would be the great king the legends talked about. With that thought, Annabeth prayed to Morpheus for a dreamless sleep and closed her eyes.

The next day was spent in training the men more. Everything was going according to plan (Annabeth wasn't sure that there was one) until they heard a scream. It turned out that one of the villagers was shot with an arrow with a threatening note attached. This created a whole scene where a boy, who was Merlin's friend by the looks of it, started blaming Arthur. Annabeth didn't get involved in it.

That night, all the villagers were gathered in a common building in Ealdor. Arthur was addressing them. "Tomorrow morning, the women and children should gather what belongings they can carry and go to the woods."

Gwen, despite all her shyness, stood up. "We're not going anywhere!" She exclaimed. Annabeth smiled at this. Gwen was a really sweet girl, but she was also brave. She could get used to being around her.

"I know you want to help. The women can't stay here. It's too dangerous." Arthur said.

Annabeth stood up. "The women have as much right to fight for their lives as men do. Do not underestimate a woman's strength, Your Highness."

"But none of you know how to fight." Arthur countered.

"That's not entirely true." Annabeth said.

Before Arthur could reply, Gwen said, "The more of us there are, the better chance we stand." The women gathered step forward and agree.

Arthur sighs. "This is your home. If you want to fight to defend it, that's your choice. I'd be honoured to stand alongside you. Kanen attacks tomorrow. Kanen's brutal. He fights only to kill, which is .why he'll never defeat us. Look around. In this circle, we're all equals. You're not fighting because someone's ordering you to, you're fighting for so much more than that. You fight for your homes. You fight for your family. You fight for your friends. You fight for the right to grow crops in peace. And if you fall, you fall fighting for the noblest of causes: fighting for your very right to survive! And when you're old and grey, you'll look back on this day, and you'll know you earned the right to live every day in between! So you fight! For your family! For your friends! For Ealdor!" Arthur's words reminded Annabeth of the wars she had fought in. The demigods had fought exactly for the same thing. Survival. Their right to live. And they'd won, despite many losses. Annabeth was proud of her fellow demigods. This reminded her that she hadn't called Percy yet. It had been two days, but she hadn't found time alone. An Iris Message would definitely be counted as magic and she didn't fancy being executed for something so stupid when she'd survived two wars. Annabeth promised herself that she would call as soon as she found time alone. Percy must be worried sick!

When Annabeth looked up, everyone had dispersed for the night. Arthur was the only one in the room. He was looking off into the distance. He eyebrows were clenched and a frown was set on his face. "We will win tomorrow," she said quietly. Arthur jumped. He seemed to have not noticed that she was still there.

"I don't know." he said. "I'm leading these villagers into a battle which could be a lost cause. If any of them die, then it will be my fault." He reminded Annabeth of Percy. He was always taking the blame and carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. Though Arthur didn't yet carry the world like Percy, he would one day. And right now, he looked as lost as a Percy used to look.

She walked up to him. Hesitating, she put a hand on his shoulder. "Have faith, Arthur. In yourself and these people. As you said, they're fighting for survival. If that isn't enough to drive them to win, I don't know what is."

Arthur looked at her and smiled. "Thank you. You didn't have to help us, but you are. I cannot be more grateful." He took her hand and kissed it once again. Annabeth fought the urge to blush. She was not yet used to it. She managed to smile back.

"I can help you with the strategies tomorrow," she said. "And before you refuse, you might want to know that I am the key strategist in my Kingdom. I learnt a lot about battle and planning from my mother. She is an exceptionally skilled warrior. So, let me help out."

Arthur looked like he was about to comment on her mother being a warrior, but thought better of it. Wise. He nodded. "We need to get some sleep if we're going to win this tomorrow," he said. He turned and left. Annabeth waited for a few moments before walking into the woods and IMing Percy. Tomorrow was going to be a long day and she needed to talk to Percy before being able to function any more.

I'm sorry the story is moving so slowly, but please bear with me. The next chapter will have the fight scene and Annabeth finally going to Camelot.