Chapter 8

I'm Supposed To Kill A Dragon

These three days that I was alone with Chiron were amazing. Though I missed Annabeth, I guess that she was right that I needed some time with him alone.

It was the night before Annabeth would be here and we were playing a game of cards.

I was about to go to bed when Chiron stopped me.

"Percy, I want to give you something. I was supposed to give it to you on your 18th birthday but I think that now is a more fitting time as you're about to get your third assignment."

I sat down next to him again. I had no idea what he meant. "Um, okay."

He got an old shoebox and gave it to me. I opened it and there was a jacket in it. It was a simple grey jacket. "It was your dad. He wanted you to have it when you became 18. He always told me while your mother was pregnant that he was going to give it to his son. Everybody thought that you were a girl. Except your father and mother. He drove her crazy during the pregnancy. But they loved you so much and were so excited to meet you." He had tears in his eyes. He put an arm around my shoulder and we sat there.

"Thank you. I'm really lucky to have you as my uncle."

"And I am with you as my nephew."

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"Bye, I'm going to pick Annabeth up!" I called Chiron as I walked out. It was July so I couldn't really wear the jacket but I wrapped it around my waist. I couldn't wait to see Annabeth again even if we were a few days away from each other.

I felt guilty that I'd missed Annabeth's birthday. But I got her an amazing thing and she'd told me that she didn't mind that I missed it. Still I felt like the worst boyfriend ever.

But all was well when I saw Annabeth turn around the corner and walk down from the stairs of the busy train station. I stared at her for a while before I realised that Annabeth hadn't spotted me.

"Beth!" I shouted and began to wave like a lunatic. Annabeth spotted me and waved back. She ran down and jumped on me, dropping her bags.

"Percy!" She exclaimed as she hugged me. I think that we looked ridiculous and overdramatic at that moment. Annabeth had her legs and arms around me. And we hadn't even seen each other in a few days.

Annabeth unwrapped her legs around me but kept her arms around my neck. "Hey, birthday girl." I leant down and kissed her. I was happy that Chiron hadn't insisted on coming with me.

"I'm so sorry that I missed it. But I got you a present." I told her.

"As I said before, I didn't mind. We can celebrate on our own tonight." She whispered the last part and quickly pecked my lips before she walked off.

"We can also do it now!" I shouted after her and jogged after her. Annabeth just laughed and turned her head around to give me a smirk.

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"Are you ready to go?" I asked Annabeth. We were home for a few hours and we needed to go to the ministry since I had an appointment there to get my new assignment. I really didn't get them. The last time it was just fine to send it to me through the mail and now I needed to come. But Annabeth could speak Athena right after it or before.

"Yes, coming!" Annabeth had changed in a skirt with a blouse. "Hey, looking pretty." I walked over to her and kissed her softly.

"Do you think that she is going to like it?" She asked and played with the hem of her skirt. "She is going to love you." I assured her. "But we need to go, the ministers already don't like me. They'll hate me even more if I'm late. And then I mean later than that I normally already am."

"Hey, Percy?" Annabeth spoke up as we were almost nearing the palace where the ministers were.

"Uh, yes. What's up?" Annabeth uniterwined her hands from mine and turned around to look me into the eyes. "The palace is around the corner right?"

"Yes. So we have to move. I can't be anymore late than I already am." I joked with a smirk but Annabeth didn't even smile.

"Percy do you promise to not be angry with me?"

I should have been suspecting when she started with something like this, but I just nodded.

"I think that we need to go in separately." Annabeth stated which made me frown.

"Why?"

"I want to impress my mother and if the first time I see her-"

"You're seen with me." I finished her sentence. "Are you ashamed of me?"

"No, no, Percy no. I just want my mother not to hate me immediately."

Hurt flashed across my face. "So you are. You know whatever Annabeth. Good luck with your mother. I'm late." I practically stormed off until Annabeth ran after me and grabbed my arm to turn me around.

"You promised that you wouldn't be angry with me."

"How did you think that I was going to react?" Annabeth just shook her head and bit her lip, I had to contain myself not to hug her. "It's fine Annabeth I won't act like I recognize you when I see you and you can walk in alone. Maybe you could come to the meeting. I think that more people are going to be there. So you can see for yourself who your mother really is. Good luck." I spat the last part out.

Annabeth called after me again but this time I didn't turn around. Mostly because I couldn't blink the tears away this time.

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"Hey, where is Annabeth?" Chiron asked as he walked up to me. He was coming to the meeting too and since he worked at the castle he had worked before and after the meeting.

When he saw my face he ushered me to the bathroom. "What happened?" He asked while I washed my face, hoping that you couldn't see that I had just cried a little.

"Annabeth didn't want to be seen with me here." I explained and he guessed that it had to do with Athena. "She must be very nervous."

"She was. But I'm still angry about it. Am I so bad that she has to be ashamed of me? And I get it that she wants to make a good first impression and that I'm not that but I kind of not get it?" I just shuddered and dried myself.

I even needed to dress up for this meeting. I had put on jeans with a button up but still. "I need to go inside." I told Chiron while I rushed outside the bathroom.

"Don't let them get to you!" Chiron called after me.

In the hall I saw Annabeth standing there but I ignored her. That was what she wanted.

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The ministers had ditched the circle table this time, but I still needed to stand. They just loved me that much. It was a large room with rows of banks where on the front row the ministers could sit and behind them the audience, who suddenly wanted to be here. Apparently people had read about me in the newspaper.

"We are here to talk to Perseus Jackson about his third assignment and the two assignments before this." A minister announced.

"We can skip talking about the first two actually. I thought that you were going to say the third assignment and that I could leave. But you were cryptically and vague again." I gave them a tight smile.

"I think that it is necessary. So tell us how you did it."

So I told them. While I was doing that I looked in the crowd and spotted Annabeth immediately. While I was talking she waved a couple of times but I didn't wave back. I saw Chiron too and he just smiled encouragingly.

"- and that's it. So can you tell what the third assignment is?"

"Don't be so impatient Perseus," "Percy" I muttered under my breath. "Maybe the audience has questions for you."

A couple of people raised their hand, among them Annabeth, I hoped that they wouldn't pick her.

But after a couple of questions they gave the turn to Annabeth. "Did you do the tasks alone? And you do care about the people that helped you?"

I held my emotions at bay and remained expressionless. "Yes actually on both. As I already told you. And of course I care about them. A lot actually."

"Are you single?" A girl probably my age asked. "No. I have a girlfriend." I simply answered and couldn't help but to quickly glance over at Annabeth.

"Is that why you stayed in Weaponfield two weeks after you finished your assignment?" Athena asked.

"How do you know that? And it isn't any of your business." I wasn't really in the mood to talk about Annabeth and me when she didn't want to be seen with me because of this stupid woman.

"Sensitive, huh? We all know you can be hot headed Perseus. Is your mystery girlfriend also why you looked upset when you walked in the palace? You rushed right in the bathroom that I couldn't ask you." Athena asked with an evil glint in her eyes.

I knew that Annabeth was staring at me and wanted me to meet her eyes but that was only more a motivation to look away.

I closed my eyes for a moment thinking what I was going to say. Eventually I decided that there was no point in lying. "Yes. But I was rather more upset about this meeting. Because it is complete bullshit once again."

"Watch your words!" A minister yelled.

"We'll tell you the third task." Another one finally said.

"There is this place named Smoke," People gasped and began screaming that they were murdering me. Not a good sign I'm afraid. "Where there is this dragon that is causing problems. And you need to kill it."

"Kill it?" I asked, a little bit thrown off. They wanted me to kill a dragon?

"But they don't even exist." I muttered and nobody could hear except for the front row.

"Of course they do Perseus. Those birds and the grenade tree were real too." A minister responded.

"When do I need to leave?"

"In at least three days. You've been ignoring us for too long. Already almost three extra weeks between the assignments." Another minister said and clicked her tongue disapproving.

"Guess that you need to say goodbye to your girlfriend sooner than you thought."

"Was that all?" I wanted to leave.

"That was all."

"You can all leave!" Athena called and the people began to clear out except for a few and Annabeth of course who was going to speak to Athena. I decided that I wanted to hear it and sat down in the second row.

Annabeth brushed past me and wanted to speak to me but I ignored her as if I didn't even know her. Annabeth looked upset but she wanted it herself. That's what I told myself to ease down my guilt.

"Hello. Can I speak to you?" Annabeth asked Athena.

"I'm kind of busy so hurry. What do you want?" Athena said rather harshly to Annabeth.

"I, I uh, I am your daughter." Annabeth stammered out.

"What? Are you sure? Why do you think that? I don't have a daughter." She spat out at Annabeth.

"My father is Frederick Chase. He, uh, he told me. And someone else did."

"Oh." Athena replied and looked stunned. "That's right then. What is your name?" I think that Athena had forgotten that there were still people in the room.

"Annabeth Chase."

"I don't really know what I need to do." Athena said which shocked me.

"Maybe we can talk one time? Drink coffee or something? Annabeth asked nervously.

"I would love that. Do you live here? Or do you still live in Weaponfield, your father loved it there. He's originally from Wiss. But he studied there."

"He stayed. He is the mayor there now actually." Annabeth answered. "I'm here staying with my -" Annabeth interrupted herself. "With someone. But I can whatever day for an hour or so."

"Is that someone the same one that told you about me being your mother?" Annabeth nodded. "Who is he exactly in your life?"

"Uh, my boyfriend."

"And he lives here?" Annabeth nodded again. "Do you think that there is a possibility that I know him? I want to thank him." At this I almost burst out laughing but proudly managed only a few snickers which they didn't notice.

"He is amazing, actually I think that you will love him. He's probably still here. Eavesdropping." Annabeth said at which I screamed that she wasn't going to love me. Finally Annabeth spotted me and walked over to me.

"He's actually the best boyfriend ever. But I was really rude to him and we had a fight before this. Though I still think that he is here." Annabeth told Athena. I think that this was Annabeth's way of apologizing to me. Finally Annabeth spotted me and began to beckon me to come. But as we weren't supposed to know each other I pretended not to see her.

"And he still came with you and waited? He seems nice." I tried my best to not roar with laughter. "Well actually I came with him, but that doesn't matter I'll go get him."

Athena nodded and turned her back on us.

Annabeth walked over to me to drag me to her mother. "Hello." I said politely and stuck me hand out. "I don't think that we've met before. I'm Percy Jackson."

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "I'm really sorry okay? I shouldn't have asked that from you. And I'm not ashamed of you. You're more the perfect boyfriend than anybody else. This is my say I'm sorry and that I'm not ashamed of you." Annabeth whispered to me and before I knew it we were standing across from Athena.

And I forgave Annabeth. She risked her relationship with her mother which she wanted so desperately just to say sorry to me.

"Perseus what are you doing here?" Athena asked confused.

"Well what I said earlier -" Annabeth started but was interrupted by Athena. "Annabeth, don't speak with this boy. Rats are better than him."

"That's not true!" Annabeth exclaimed and grabbed my hand. "As I wanted to say before, he is my boyfriend that I told you about."

Athena's eyes nearly bulged out and she became red with anger.

"I do not approve of this! He is trash! A complete idiotic, stupid, hot headed, impuslive moron!" She shouted, I don't know at me or Annabeth but Annabeth wasn't having it.

"He is also standing right here." I muttered.

"You have no right to say something about this!" Annabeth shouted back.

"Does your father approve of this?"

"Yes. He loves Percy."

"Ahh really he loves me?" I asked. Annabeth squeezed my hand in response and I couldn't help but smile.

Athena looked like she wanted to strangle me at this point.

"You know what Athena?" Annabeth said with an icy tone. "If you can't see how Percy really is and only have prejudice against him. And call him names like that, then I don't want to get to know you and you probably don't want to know me too." Annabeth spat and walked off with me.

"Your father would have hated this too you now!" Athena shouted after us and I turned around dragging Annabeth with me back to Athena again.

"You don't know that." I defended. "He would've wanted me to be happy."

"He wanted to. But not with my daughter. He hated me too."

"He would've gotten over it and never acted like you. How do you even know? You hated each other."

"We knew each other very well. We were friends for a long time. Since middle school, but he betrayed me by falling in love with your mother. Sally. And it's worse because you look like a spitting image of him when he was your age." She spat.

"Hey! That's my mother you're talking about! And that isn't betrayal."

"It doesn't matter. It is to me. And Annabeth about our appointment that you cancelled if you ever cure from your mistake." She looked me up and down and made a not so nice face. "Then I would love to get to know you.¨"

"Never. We love each other and besides that you're a horrible person."

"You'll come around. And it doesn't matter. In less than a year your so called boyfriend will be dead. If it isn't by this assignment it will be the next. I'll take care of that."

"Still standing right here." I muttered.

"We're leaving. Goodbye." Annabeth stated and was about to turn around.

"Hey, Athena." I said to Athena who looked irritated with me even speaking. "What?" She rolled her eyes.

"We had sex this morning." I whispered which made Annabeth shriek out a "Percy!" and we walked out of the palace fastly.

"You didn't really say that to her." Annabeth laughed out when we walked out of the palace and stood outside again.

"I'm really sorry for ignoring you during the meeting and with Athena." I said on a more serious note. "I was a bit angry."

"You were right to do so. I was such a jerk to you. I am not ashamed of you. I'm very proud of you and to be seen by you. I mean have you seen yourself? Damn." Annabeth joked and softly kissed me.

"So you forgive me?" She asked.

"I already did. Do you forgive me?"

"Of course."

"I love you." I whispered about to kiss her again.

"Love you too." She could just say before I kissed her.

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"Are you really okay with it? You can tell me if you're not." I urged Annabeth as we were sitting in the kitchen.

"Actually I'm not." Annabeth started as she walked into the kitchen and sat next to me with tears in her eyes. Annabeth had said for the past hour that we were back that we were fine and that she didn't care. But I hadn't really believed her and kept urging on.

"Why does my mother not be there for the first 18 years of my life and after that turn out to be so cold and rude. Especially to you, didn't you hear what she said to you."

"That's just how things apparently are between us and no I don't really care that she would rather hang out with rats than with me. Because it's the same for me to be honest."

Annabeth laughed through her tears. "I'm serious."

"Me too."

"Okay. I guess that I just didn't imagine that this was how the first meeting with my mother would go."

"You have your real family. And they love you all so much. I love you so much. And I'm sure Chiron will too." Annabeth hadn't met him yet, because he had to work and we hadn't seen him after or before the meeting.

"I glorified you so much that he has to. So if you really look at it it's all easy to me; your family loves you and I love you. So many people love you and are here for you. So screw her. She missed an amazing chance not you.

"Screw her." Annabeth smiled and hugged me. "Thank you."

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"You're not coming!" I shouted back at Annabeth. "It's too dangerous!"

"But you're going too. And I know that you have to kill it alone, but I can help with thinking of a plan!" Annabeth argued.

Our day, from being happy to see each other again, from fighting, from crying in the kitchen had morphed into arguing. Since Annabeth had gotten the crazy idea to come with me to Smoke.

"I'm coming if you want me or not." Annabeth finally stated. She crossed her arms against her chest to give her statement more power.

My shoulders slumped in response, knowing that I couldn't convince her. "I just don't want you to get hurt."

Annabeth's eyes softened. "I won't and I just want to help you and be with you."

I closed my eyes and felt actually relieved that I didn't have to go alone. "Okay. I would actually love it if you would come. I'm scared for this one to be honest."

Annabeth walked over and hugged me. We still have two days.

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"You must be the infamous Annabeth." Chiron spoke as he walked inside.

We were sitting on the couch and watching a movie. I was going to miss home. But at least Annabeth was coming.

"Hi, yes. I'm Annabeth Chase." Annabeth unwrapped herself out of my arms and walked over to Chiron to shake his hand.

"We do hugs here." Chiron told her and pulled her into a hug. She laughed and hugged him back.

"Percy told me so much about you in these three days before you arrived."

"Oh." Annabeth looked up at me with fake surprise and raised eyebrows. "He told me a lot about you too."

"Is that so?"

He gave me the same expression and they laughed together. I was really glad that the most important people in my life could get along with each other and didn't mind that they were laughing at me.

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"Annabeth, do you want to look at Percy's photo album?" Chiron asked and I wanted to die. He still had that?

"I would love to!" Annabeth exclaimed and sat down next to me.

We were sitting in the living room on the couch and I was dreading looking at old photos of me.

"You don't have to. We can do something else." I assured her. But Annabeth looked really excited for some strange reason.

"Do not ruin this for me. I want to see your photos."

And Chiron had already grabbed his book. Chiron told a story by every photo and looked fond of them. I was really lucky with him.

Until we came to a photo of two people, they were smiling happily and had their arms wrapped around each other. The woman was very pregnant and they had both one of their hands on the woman's belly. My parents.

"Are these your parents?" Annabeth asked and gently looked at the album that laid in her lap.

"Yes." I simply answered.

"They were so excited when this photo was taken. Sally was 9 months pregnant and almost went into labour. I think that it was a couple of days before his birth."

"You look a lot like your father. And you have your mothers smile." Annabeth noticed. "They look kind."

"I guess." Annabeth gave me a side hug and wrapped my arm. "I'm sure they would be so proud of you." She told me.

"They are." Chiron added.

Annabeth stared for a few more moments until she turned the page.

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"Be careful." Chiron told me sternly as he hugged me before we were off to Smoke.

"I will. And Annabeth's with me." I answered and let him go. Annabeth had stood next to us and looked a little bit awkward. Chiron walked to Annabeth and wrapped her in a hug too.

"It was lovely to have you with us Annabeth. Please come back."

"Of course." She replied before looking up at me and rolling her eyes. "You can join us Percy."

I wrapped my arms around them until we really needed to leave. And Annabeth and I walked off, waved one last time and got on the train.

"Guess I can't do my ritual this time I'm afraid." I said as I sat next to Annabeth. I had my arm over her shoulder as we sat in the train on our way to Smoke.

"Ritual?"

"Yes, everytime that I am on my way on the train I listen to music, then sleep and sometimes talk to someone. That's how I met you and Frank. So my ritual. But I'm with you now, so I can't do that. I would be a terrible boyfriend."

Annabeth was just smiling goofily at me. "You're such a dork. A ritual. And we would've met otherwise. You were staying with us."

"But we wouldn't have such a funny story to tell how we met." I protested.

"Oh it was hilarious. And you can do your ritual. We can do it together. We can listen to music then you sleep and I can read my book."

"I'd love that." And I got my earbuds to share. When I gave one to her I whispered an "I love you." to her.

"I love you too." She whispered back and kissed my cheek.