AN: Sorry for the wait, here's the next instalment.
Annabeth sat, barely able to contain her excitement, in the bow of a small rowboat, while Percy pushed them off the dock. Blackjack stood on the dock watching them, seemingly disappointed he couldn't go along. Percy produced a sack of apples and tossed them on the dock. Blackjack eyed him suspiciously. As a palace horse he wasn't supposed to indulge in stolen goods.
"What? I bought them." Percy called back as he began rowing. Blackjack began mowing down on the delicious apples, "most of them." Percy finished. Blackjack got a horrified look on his face, then realized the thief must be fooling him and finished eating.
"Where are we going?" Annabeth asked Percy. She brushed her long braid, made for her by some girls in the kingdom, behind her.
"Well, best day of your life, I figured you should have a decent seat." Percy said with a crooked smile. He rowed the boat out in full view of the castle and surrounding kingdom, where they had danced the day away a few hours before.
Annabeth leaned forward, keeping a close eye out for the lanterns. She didn't want to miss anything. Her thoughts began to wander. What do I do after this? Go back to mother? Stay here and try to find someplace to stay? Would Percy want to stay and take care of her? Her thoughts were reflected on her face.
"You okay?" Percy asked her. He could see the conflict in her eyes. He had seen that same look in his own eyes when he had evaded the local law enforcement for the first time.
"I'm terrified." Annabeth said.
"Why?" Percy asked gently.
"I've been looking out the window for eighteen years, dreaming about what it would feel like when those lights rise in the sky. What if it's not everything that I dreamed it would be?" Annabeth said, her grey eyes wide.
"It will be." Percy said, his tone one of reassurance and affection.
"And what if it is? What then?" Annabeth asked.
"Well that's the good part." Percy said, "I guess you go find a new dream." He brushed a lock of hair out of her face, and gave her one of his gentle smiles. He sat back and anchored the boat firmly, and watched her stare at her reflection in the water, waiting for the lanterns. He heard her humming to herself, and thought he knew the song. Before he could ask her, however, the first glint of light came over the castle battlements and floated over the water. It was followed by myriads of lanterns almost erupting out of the kingdom.
Annabeth scrambled towards the bow and hung on as far forwards as she could, taking in every moment of the spectacle. While she was distracted, Percy pulled out the lanterns he had bought in the market. He lit them and waited for her to turn around, not wanting to rush her. He had seen the lanterns many times, but this was her first time. He wanted it to be just as special as she hoped.
Annabeth turned around, and saw the beautiful lanterns he held. She grinned and sat back down, facing him. Before she took the lantern, she remembered something.
"I have something for you too." She said and produced the satchel with the crown in it. "I should have given it to you before, but I was just scared. The thing is, I'm not scared anymore. You know what I mean?" She said, holding out the satchel to him.
"Im starting to." Percy said, pushing the satchel down to the bottom of the boat, out of sight. He didn't want it now. He had something-someone-more important now. He handed her a lantern and together they released them into the sky to join the others. The lanterns shone as bright as day, with the colour of a summer sunset, and Percy and Annabeth closed in for a kiss.
AN: there it is. I might do another one today if I have time, but I hope you will enjoy this one. We are nearing the end(ish), so hang in there. The ending climax will be quite exciting if what I have in my brain works out on paper.