All rights belong to Rick Riordan

Chapter 60

Mothers (part 2)

(Percy)

As the shadows dissipated from around us revealing the familiar if now tidied surroundings of my place on Orthrys I caught Diana sneaking a glance at the door that lead through to my bedroom.

'We could always you know.' I said with a grin.

'What and let my self-righteous other half find out afterwards, yeah no.' Diana deadpanned turning away and looking towards me instead.

'Funny thing is last I checked she was the pregnant one.' I said softly into her ear before tracing my lips along her jaw line.

'Exactly which means before long she will become temperamental and prone to mood swings and unlike you, I sometimes have to share a head with her.' Diana retorted before pulling her face away though the red flush to her cheeks showed she was doing so reluctantly,

'So do goddesses actually suffer mood swings during pregnancy as well?' I asked jokingly.

'Yep and guess who she/we are gonna take it out on, guess what it is not going to be me.'

'Cheers for the team support on that one.' I told her with a pout.

'What can I say I stick by myself, now come on Kelp Head we are here for a reason and I would get it done before Artemis leaves the chariot and starts hunting us down.' Diana reminded leading me by the hand towards the door before letting go when we reached it. After all it would signpost to any of the palaces occupants should we cross their path something was amiss if we were seen holding hands.

'After you Seaweed Brain, lead the way.' Diana prompted as I opened the door and lead the way down the cavernous hallway. Most of the palaces total space was actually passages such as this designed so that a Titan could walk around in their true height. As well as the fact it could accommodate my entire wing span with a little extra.

Which had resulted in one impromptu race between myself and a certain Titan of the Air which I had been losing until he crashed into an unexpected obstacle. Lady Themis who was less than impressed with our antics though of course she couldn't do nothing to me as I was the same rank as her. Unfortunately Lelantos wasn't so lucky and got to spend a week acting as her personal climate control.

Thankfully Leto's room was not that far from my own a couple of doors and a intersection away. It was at that junction that the problem surfaced.

'Well if it isn't the lovebirds themselves.'

(Diana)

Dear gods I hated that voice so much, I thought to myself as the pair of us froze and slowly turned towards the source of the jeer.

'What the hades are you on about Atlas?' I demanded defensively.

'I don't know I am not the one walking through the halls in the middle of the night with a disgusting male am I?'

'So what Perseus is here as well, is that against the rules or something or do I have to kick your ass back under your burden. As it appears freedom has allowed you to think you can run your tongue.' I glared back at him.

'You know what though I could almost agree with you after all it is none of my business who you sleep with goddess, though Percy next time you bring a girl back I suggest shutting then locking the door. Goodnight.' He said cheerfully before stepping through a doorway leaving the pair of us in shock as we both stared at the spot he had been.

This was not possible of all the people who could have found out about us, why did it have to be him?

'It could be worse.' Percy said breaking the silence.

'Percy exactly how in the hell could this get any worse if even gods damned Atlas knows about us.'

'Well think about it if he had told anyone I would have been summoned back here double time and someone would have informed Olympus most likely as well. But neither of those things has happened; besides he isn't that bad once you get to know him a little plus he owes me for getting out of his burden so that has to count for something.' Percy said hopefully though it was not that reassuring to me, mine and Atlas's relationship was slightly more strained and I had yet to see any evidence that he had changed.

'Look don't worry about him for the moment, I will speak to him and make sure he doesn't tell anyone.'

'Couldn't you try and make him forget it like you did with the whore.'

'Making Aphrodite forget a few hours was hard enough making him forget a week would probably kill me.' He admitted with a sigh so much for revealing this to certain people for the meantime. More people had found out about us than we had told personally or so it seemed.

'Seriously the only way this could get worse is if Apollo is here as well.' I exclaimed before making the last few meters to my mother's room and suddenly I realized why Percy had been so nervous before as I couldn't bring myself to open.

'It won't be that bad at least your mum knows we are together, so we don't have to start from the beginning at least.' Percy said reassuringly placing his hand mine on the door.

'I suppose that is one small bit of good news at least.' I whispered to him before pushing the door open.

(Percy)

Well Leto's chambers were a lot different to what I was expecting, then again what had I been expecting from the generally reserved Titaness. However it was like someone had divided the room in half with both sides being complete different but then after a moments thought it was rather obvious why.

Each side was devoted to one of her children or so it seemed based upon the gold vs. silver color scheme. Though you could certainly see which one of the pair tried to get the most attention from her. Whereas Artemis's side was relatively frugal a few bits of hunting memorabilia here and there and some rare pelts. Apollo's was stacked from floor to ceiling with statues of himself, scrolls and various other eccentricities of the god which he had sent to his mother. Diana meanwhile regarded his side with disgust before signaling me to stay here before walking through a side door.

Of course out of curiosity while I waited I decided to take a look at some of what my cousin had sent. Most of it was covered in dust and looked to have never even been inspected by the Titaness. However after reading one of the scrolls I resolved to never read another ever again. The title said it all Haiku compilation 817 out of 7500. No wonder most of this was untouched no mother in her right mind could try and put a smile on every gift she received if this what she was being given.

However there was one thing in the centre of the collection that did look well used and unlike the rest it was not covered in dust, so curiosity took hold of me and I reached up and grabbed it. It seemed to be a old leather bound book with a faded sun on the cover but it was only
once I turned the cover that I realized what it actually was.

It was an extremely dog eared photo album for lack of a better term because that was what it contained or at least the pages were filled with whereas the older ones were filled with everything from weavings to paintings all representing a group of figures with similar features, sure enough as I flicked across half the album to the more recent the quality of the image increased but the features of those present remained exactly the same. They were all images of Apollo's kids from across the millennia forever preserved in some likeliness. It was only once I reached the last pages did I notice something wrong with this though.

Maybe it was the fact that the inscriptions on the older pictures had been written in languages I did not recognize but upon seeing the newer ones I could guess what most of them had inscribed under the names of the people they represented.

The worst one by far was the one taken a few years back of the entire Apollo cabin with all their names at the bottom and sure enough I had known everyone present in it. But it was the number of them that had side notes alongside them.

Lee Fletcher – KIA Battle of the Labyrinth

Michael Yew – KIA Battle of Manhattan

….

The number of actual Apollo kids without notes next to them was far fewer than those that did and I realized this most likely common through most of the other cabins. Because I had been the only Poseidon kid I had never exactly noticed just how much the other cabins had lost in the wars. Sure I had felt it when it had been one of my friends who had died but then there was still all those who I had never spoken to on a regular basis who I simply stopped seeing and forgotten about.

I realized exactly how lucky I had been for all those years. I had managed to break free of the cycle of demigods versus the world and the perpetual threat of impending death or at least for the most part. Sure enough in a few years a lot more of these kids would probably notes added alongside them detailing their fate and perhaps that was the real reason the gods never got close to their kids because it made their inevitable deaths all that much harder to bear.

'I hate that album because all it shows is an endless cycle of futility, no matter how many children he has they all end exactly the same a pair of dates and a reason. Yet even then I am thankful when he brings the additions because at least it proves they did exist.' A voice said from behind me and I turned startled to find that Leto had silently made her way behind me.

'Err- I am sorry.' I stuttered.

'Don't be I am sure you recognized a lot of people in there and it would serve you well to remember all those that died so you did not.' She explained before taking the album from my hands and gently placing it back on its shelf before silently walking across the room where I noticed that Diana was standing against a wall with her left foot propped against it watching her mother.

I slowly followed her across the room into the Artemis side where she reached into a drawer and brought out a similar book only this green stained lever with a moon on the cover. Though interestingly by comparison it still looked brand new and was far thinner.

'You could have put the pictures of the hunters I sent you in it.' Diana stated from where she was reclining.

'Though you may sometimes like to think of them as your surrogate family in the end they are not are they? You have never had to bear the true responsibility for someone's life from birth to death. Then again neither have I or at least the second part of that.'

'Yes mother.' Diana replied with a bored tone as if she had heard this all before.

'Though I am beginning to suspect there is a reason you are both here tonight and though I have an inclination as to why, I would like to hear it from you.' Leto explained looking from her daughter to me and back to Diana. I took it as a prompt to move and stand by her side as we delivered the news.

'MotherIbrokemyoath.' Diana stated rapidly without emotion.

Leto meanwhile was looking at us with a raised eyebrow. 'Now say it slower.' She asked with a small raise in her lips causing Diana to pale at having to repeat herself however the frustration of the circumstance she decided to take out on the nearest thing to hand which just happened to my own and I suddenly thought it was trapped in a vice grip.

'I…Broke…My…Oath.' She stuttered out slowly.

'I know.' She said her face growing a small smile.

'Wait! How could you know?' I asked confused.

'Well first of all you didn't come back the night of your surprise birthday event for Percy here which was the first sign something had happened and besides my dear little brother never could keep a secret from me. Something we both have in common.' She explained happily causing both of us to stare at her with wide eyes.

'I am also aware that the love goddess played in the event and I remain unsure of whether I should be strangling her or thanking her for doing so. So did I miss anything?'

'Artemis is pregnant.' I blabbered out and for the first time Leto actually looked stunned as she focused on her daughter who was staring evilly at me.

'Is that true dear?'

'Yes mother.' She replied not turning from glaring at me.

'Oh good because it means I will finally have some pictures for the album.' She replied happily.

'Why are you taking this so well?' Diana asked finally looking at her mother.

'I am the Titaness of family remember, why would this bother me? The only problem I can see is your father?'

'Please don't remind me of that.' I said half-heartedly.

'Oh don't worry he is a big softee he will get over it… hopefully.'

'Well I am glad someone has seen a soft side to him at least.' I replied doubtfully.

'So Diana dear could you leave me alone with Perseus for a few minutes?'

'Why?' Diana asked mirroring my thoughts.

'You don't need to know for the moment dear, it is up to Percy if he reveals to you afterwards.' Leto answered cryptically leaving me confused and Diana with a frown before nevertheless she let go of my hand (thankfully) and exited through the door she had entered earlier before Leto waved her hand and the door slammed shut.

'Now I am guessing you are wondering why I wanted to speak to you alone?'

'Err-kind of.'

'It is quite simple really all you have to do is answer a question.' A question as long as it wasn't maths I should be fine I was tempted to reply.

'Ok what is the question?'

'Would you marry her?'

And for the first time I felt frozen in time as I remained motionless as I digested the words she had just spoken.

(Diana)

As I futilely tried to open the door and resisted the urge to kick the damned thing down I tried to think why exactly my mother wanted to speak to Percy on his own.

But for the life of me I could not work why.

Which left me reeling as I hated having things kept from me.

All I did know was that I was gonna find out even if I had to beat the truth out of him.

(Percy)

'Well would you?' Leto said snapping me out of my daze.

Would I marry her, how was it that those 4 words could be so important. Seriously the 3 words I had thought would almost get me killed a few weeks ago and now Leto was proposing the next stage in mine and her daughter's relationship.

Sure we had not exactly been slow in it but then again there had been other factors at work in the meantime, hell we were having a kid. But then nowadays or at least with mortals that did not always mean that you needed to get married. Though the image of Zeus forcing me into a shotgun wedding did briefly cross my mind. But then not every marriage was one of happiness after all look at everyone's least favorite Love goddess for an extreme example.

Bu then again perhaps I was over thinking this.

Did I love her? Yes.

Did I enjoy spending time with her? Yes.

Did she feel the same way towards me? Yes I think.

Would I want to spend all of time with her? Now that was the real question. After all we had only been 'Dating' for about a month and we were looking at a relationship that would last Millenia and feelings could change. Us in the first place had been a result of that. She had gone from a man hating goddess to a Percy loving goddess in a very short time. Could those feelings change back? Would I allow those feelings to change back?

Would I turn my back on her and allow that to happen? No. I had seen what my mom had gone through after my father and though she had been aware it was never going to last it had still broken her inside a little and I refused to allow myself to do the same thing.

After all I knew what it was like to have your heartbroken, even if it was unintentional and beyond your power to do anything about.

I would not allow her to feel what I had done for all those months after Annabeth's death; I would not even wish that on an enemy.

'The answer to your question is yes if she would let me.' I slowly stated to which the Titaness gave a nod and a small smile.

'I have asked Apollo that question dozens of times and he still takes longer to answer than you did and he always says no for all the wrong reasons but I can tell you actually mean what you say. But don't get me wrong I am not forcing you to do this anytime soon just wanted to know where you stood at the moment. Even if you had said no I would have simply told you to give it more time.'

'Wait…really?' I asked in surprise as I looked at the smiling Leto.

'Did you really think it was going to be a simple yes or no answer of course not but you made the right decision regardless. But remember the time when you tell her that answer is up to you. Now come on let's let her out before she shatters the door down.' Leto explained before snapping her fingers and door burst open spilling Diana onto the floor with a flustered expression before quickly picking herself up as if nothing had happened and straightening her hair out of her face.

'Percy tell me everything!' She practically demanded.

'One day but not yet.' I replied simply and I knew that I was gonna be in for a world of hurt for a while until she eventually let the matter drop.

'Diana dear give him some time then I am sure he will tell you anything you want to know. We both know it will take him a while to comprehend what I have asked him.'

'Hey why does everyone go on about how stupid I am?' I protested.

'Because most of the time you are, with the exception of once in a while where you actually think things through.' Diana retorted.

'Why are we dating again?'

'Because I find it endearing it proves nobody is perfect.' She replied with a smile.

'I wish your brother would get that memo before he sends his next masterpiece of a monstrosity for the collection.' Leto grumbled.

'He is like a kid who has to show his mom his latest scribble of a dog in crayons.' I said jokingly remembering the fact when I had gone through a box of my old stuff and realized I had been exactly the same when I was younger, Apollo just never grew up.

'Now come on Percy we need to go before my other half throws a tantrum and the mortals start experiencing odd tide levels as a result.' Diana explained.

'But it is only about 1 in the morning.'

'Try again.'

'What… How the hades is it almost 5 we were only talking for a few minutes.' I said panicking.

'As I said you are not exactly the fastest at working things out.'

'Why did you think I wanted to bust the door down I was bored you moron, so it better have been important.'

'Oh.' How had I spent almost 4 hours thinking about Leto's question? Was it really that hard of a decision, as I looked at the goddess now it seemed really obvious. Even when she was mad at me I still loved her just the same.

'One more thing before you leave you should both see this as it involves the pair of you.' Leto said crossing the room before grabbing the album and flicking through from the back before taking a single picture out and presenting it to us.

The picture appeared to depict a blond man and child with a women with slightly darker hair all seated at a bench.

I didn't understand what she was showing us as I did not recognize the man or the women though the child looked familiar though I could not place it where I had seen him.

It was only when I read the bottom that I knew why he seemed familiar, in fact I had met all three though I had never known the identity of the parents.

Augustus Agrippa (Killed by Medusa)

Melanie Agrippa (Killed by Medusa)

Octavian Agrippa (Executed for crimes against the gods)

As far as I was aware the parents were still there to this day in the abandoned lot of Aunty Em's Garden Gnome Emporium.

Though I had no idea how Octavian had managed to survive the encounter.

I had always believed Octavian had been born an asshole but as I looked at that image and saw the smile on his face I realized he was just as much a victim as any other in the cycle of death around demigods. In him it had changed him for the worst. It was only a minor consolidation to not see my name alongside his own as his executioner.

'Mother why are you showing us this?' Diana asked angrily.

'Because it is a reminder that any can fall into darkness if they cloud there heart with despair and revenge. He was a good kid but after this he believed he did not have the power to save them at the time and so he devoted his life to getting more and look where it got him. The thing is if it hadn't been for him none of this would ever have happened. So perhaps you do owe him some thanks and if only he had known you were the one who killed his parent's murderer. Things may have turned out differently but then again when have I ever agreed with Hera's actions.' Leto explained with a little bitterness at the name of queen of the gods.

'So his parents were killed by a monster so he became one himself is that what you are trying to say mother?'

'Believe it or not dear you are similar to him in a lot of ways, you are reckless and don't think things through. You have not exactly been so above causing suffering yourself have you? Remember Niobe?' Leto remarked and Diana looked ready to reply before biting her tongue on the matter.

'Who?' I asked not remembering the name.

'It is not important.' Diana said sharply.

'Back in Greece she was a queen with 14 children seven sons and seven daughters and she claimed she was a better mother than me. Apollo and Artemis found out about the boast and killed them all out of spite for a petty insult.'

'I spared one which was more than what golden boy did.' Diana muttered out clearly not wanting to account for her actions.

'The point was dear you were rash with your actions and didn't think it through and people suffered for it. Octavian did the same but he did not have the benefit of being an immortal. Of course there are dozens of other times you have done it. You were reckless with Atlas and it cost Zoe. It is your fatal flaw dear much like your brothers.'

'I thought his was being a moron.' Diana joked bitterly.

'No that is a result of him being in love with himself and being blinded as a result of the real answer.'

'Can we go now, before you have any more of my failings to bring up dearest mother?'

'He deserves to know the truth as well, none of us are as perfect as we like to appear.' Leto stated before taking the photo from my grasp and holding a hand out towards the door.

'Remember what I have told you, both of you.' She said somberly as we reached it to which we both nodded.

'Goodnight Mother all 5 minutes of it.' Diana said sarcastically before closing the door.

I was about to ask her if she was ok when she suddenly flashed away from me, leaving me on my own with no inclination of where the hades she had gone. Now I know no one wants to get called out by those they love but I expected her to at least want to talk not just leave.

The thing was I knew a lot of what had happened in her history or at least the factual side of it as Chiron had explained it all those years ago in Latin class. Hell none of those stories ended happily that was the whole point or so it seemed of the Greek Myth stories that no matter how perfect everyone seemed they still acted like vindictive asses to anyone who crossed them.

Though hopefully she would have only gone to 1 of 2 destinations or at least ones I could go to, as I was unable to go to her temple on Olympus or at least without drawing suspicion.

First stop the moon!

AN. Heres a result of 3 days without sleep.

There were a couple of big points this chapter as I explored characters feelings and I thought it was time to take a bash against Artemis/Diana because she is not exactly the perfect girl no matter how I have written she still has a dark and troubled past and has murdered a fair few people regardless of how she acts now. Leto just calls her out on it.

Did anyone really think they managed to sneak into Orthrys without someone noticing.

I also gave a rough backstory to everyone's least favourite pyromaniac and explained why exactly he turned out a dick.

As before keep the suggestions for domains coming in though as I said then not ones that are already taken as someone said tides (err. hello Percy and Artemis both have that.)I will also not be writing any children as being anywhere near in power to its parents. they are a Olympian and a titan lord respectively the child wont be.

So as always please read and review.