While Annabeth enjoyed her limited time with Percy, it wasn't enough. She was frustrated at Athena. So she focused her energy on learning as much as she could about the land they were invading. As much as Athena thought she had placed Annabeth on Zeus's ship to make a match with Jason, she had actually put her on the ship that had the most information on the pit and the surrounding layout. Annabeth would occasionally share her strategies with Jason and Piper, seeing how as Zeus often dismissed her. To Jason's credit, he was not like his father. Annabeth spent a lot of time with Piper teaching her how to fight. She reminded Annabeth of herself, and they spared every chance they got

It was another two weeks before they spotted land. They were too far out to see how the armies were set up, but she could see them dotted across the entire beach like ants covering a leaf. The ship came to life as soldiers rushed to the top side, reading themselves for battle. Zeus strode out in his silver armor gilded with gold. He took one look at Annabeth and ordered, "No women topside. The battlefield is no place for women."

Annabeth bristled, but did as she was ordered and went below to her room. She found Juniper looking extremely nervous. "It's time." Annabeth informed her.

Juniper lifted the lid to the trunk, threw out all of the dresses and removed the false bottom, revealing Annabeth's armor. She got to work suiting Annabeth up. They worked quickly to the sounds of thousands of feet pounding up to the deck. Juniper quickly pulled Annabeth's hair up. Once she was satisfied that no stray curls escaped she handed Annabeth her helmet. "May you return unharmed." Juniper curtsied respectfully as Annabeth snuck out of her room.

She made her way to the deck, blending in with the rest of the soldiers. She was among the last of the soldiers in the back of the army. She could just make out Zeus and Jason at the front. She wasn't sure where Piper was. She looked to either side to see the ships lined up for a beach landing. She could just make out Atlantis' blue sails. She looked around for Athen's ships and found them behind the line along with Hephaestus ships. Athena, of course, would wait until she was absolutely needed.

Zeus suddenly roared, "Shields!"

Annabeth caught only a terrifying glance at the sky thick with deadly arrows racing toward them, before she raised her shield over her head to shield her from the deathly rain. As long as they kept their shields interlocked, they should be safe. The impact of the arrows hit hard. She still heard some yelps from some arrows sneaking through.

"Archers ready!" Zeus hollered. "Aim! Fire!"

The volley of arrows that launched from every ship toward the enemy blackened the sky. No sooner had they rained their death upon the enemy then a loud crack and grinding of mechanisms was heard behind them. A large boulder soared over their heads and crashed into the beach taking out several enemy soldiers. They were close enough now that Annabeth could almost make out their number. It wasn't long before the ship ran aground. The oars were dropped, the planks were lowered and the soldiers rushed off the ship. Annabeth watched as soldier after soldier was cut down by the incoming arrows. Annabeth looked over the side of the ship, where several soldiers had already decided to jump overboard and make their way to shore that way. Annabeth jumped over, just missing a volley of arrows. The water was still deep, but as she worked her way to shore, she quickly found footing. Several soldiers had created a shield wall, and as others made it to shore, they joined it, extending the shield. They slowly made their way forward against the exchange of arrows above them and the terrifying crash of large boulders flying across the beach. The arrows were becoming less of a concern as they neared the enemy line. Annabeth could clearly see their strange yet deadly looking weapons, their bodies were covered in dirty rags and scrap pieces of metal.

The enemy line suddenly gave one loud roar and raced down the hill toward them with their weapons raised. Annabeth drew her sword and gripped it in anticipation for the clash. The enemy line crashed into their shields, nearly knocking Annabeth off her feet, and then there was pure chaos. The shield wall was broken. It was everyone for themselves. Annabeth fought fiercely as she took down every enemy soldier as quickly as she could. She fought and she fought, zoning in on every enemy that came her way. She didn't know how long she had been fighting, an hour? She began to wonder if they would ever stop coming as her limbs began to tire. There was a roaring noise overhead. Annabeth chanced a glance and saw a giant ball of fire crash into the side of the hill in front of them and then explode, sending all sizes of burning rock across the hillside. Annabeth could hear the screams of men on fire or laying wounded from the flying rock. She could smell the burning flesh. The scene was horrifying, but it had effectively broke their ranks and caused several of the enemy soldiers to flee the battlefield. She looked back out at sea, and saw one of Hephaestus' ships launch another ball of fire.

An Olympian lieutenant ordered, "Form up! On me!" The soldiers that were left formed up again. Annabeth quickly joined them. The lieutenant then ordered, "Charge!" As one they surged forward and made chase up the hill, cutting down any enemy in their path.

It was only after they had marched several miles that the commanding officer called for them to return to the beach and help set up camp. When they got back, everyone was already busily unloading the ships and setting up the royal tents. Medics were rushing around, tending to the wounded. Annabeth immediately spotted Athena. She was looking very irate as she talked with Zeus, who looked liked he couldn't be bothered. Annabeth was not about to be Athena"s prisoner again. She scanned the area and saw Poseidon"s tent set up. She broke away from the group of soldiers she was with and made her way carefully to the tent. No one was inside it, so she took a pretend post inside the door. She wasn't sure how much time past before she heard her mother sharply call, " Perseus, where is she?! I know you have something to do with this!"

Annabeth could hear Percy's voice not far from the tent. "Your Majesty." Percy had the same respectful tone he had when he was a soldier in her army.

"Where's Annabeth?" Athena's voice took on an edge.

"Wait, Annabeth's not on Jason's ship?" He almost sounded worried.

"Don't act like you don't know what's going on."

"I swear, I have no idea where she is. Have you checked the wounded?" He suggested.

"The wounded? Are you suggesting, she fought?"

"She fought in Olympus, in the underground, as well as the cyclopes Polyphemus. It's kind of what she does." She could see Percy's smirk plastered on his face, even if she couldn't see the actual interaction.

"I have my eye on you." Athena's voice sounded threatening, but Annabeth could tell she was just mad that she didn't have something to pin on Percy.

"I see we are still blaming others for things they have nothing to do with." Poseidon's booming voice called after her. "What was that about?" Poseidon asked, but Annabeth noticed that his voice was a lot closer.

The tent flap opened and Percy came in with Poseidon. "Annabeth's missing."

Poseidon pressed his lips together. "That girl does seem to get into a lot of trouble."

Percy turned his gaze fully toward Poseidon. "So do I." His tone was level and firm

"I am just worried about you."

"I'm fine." Percy dismissed his father.

Poseidon opened his mouth to say something, but they were interrupted when the tent flap opened to reveal a messenger from Zeus. "The High King Zeus requests King Poseidon's presence immediately."

Poseidon closed his mouth, sighed, then said, "I'll see you at dinner." As he walked out the tent.

Annabeth could see that the father/son relationship wasn't quite there yet. She filed it away for a later discussion.

Percy sighed and went to leave the tent when he noticed Annabeth standing guard. However, his eyes didn't slide past her like his father's. "Annabeth?"

"Shh. How did you know it was me?" She demanded to know.

Percy smirked, "Annabeth, I could spot you a mile away. Besides, Frank and Hazel are the ones that follow me around and you look nothing like them. Then there's the fact that guards are usually stationed outside the tent."

"I fooled your father." Annabeth pointed out.

"Yes, you did." Percy smirked. He paused hesitately. "Now what am I supposed to do with you?'"

"I have an idea." Annabeth blushed as she stared into his sea green eyes.

Percy blushed. "I have an idea too." He whispered.

Annabeth felt her heart race. Then he shouted, "Hazel, could you come in here please?"

Annabeth suddenly wanted to hide. The same woman that had slipped Annabeth a note from Percy when they reported the impending attack to Zeus in Olympus came in. "Yes, your highness."

Percy sighed and pressed his lips as though she had said something that irritated him. "I wanted you to meet your new roommate."

"Sir?' Hazel said confused. Percy nodded over toward Annabeth. Annabeth waved guiltily. Realization dawned on the girl's face then it turned to horror. "Queen Athena is tearing the camps apart looking for her."

"I know."

"Sir, is this wise?" Hazel asked meekly.

"I'm right here." Annabeth huffed.

"Well, she can't stay with me, and I'm not about to tell Athena."

Hazel looked less than happy about the prospect of hiding a rogue princess in her tent, but she bowed slightly and softly replied, "Yes, your highness."

"Thank you, Hazel." Percy said it so genuinely that Hazel gave him a look that said all too well that this wasn't the first time she'd dealt with his antics.

"Your highness." Hazel addressed Annabeth and motioned for her to exit the tent.

Annabeth gave Hazel a grateful smile. She then gave Percy one last look before exiting the tent. He looked tall and strong and battle weary, but his eyes were soft as he looked back at her. "See you on the battlefield." She smirked. Percy smirked back as she turned and exited the tent.