XV ~ Hope

The castle had intrigued Percy for the past month. After he had left Ogygia, he had arrived at the mainland where he found a huge village and castle. Queen Aphrodite let him take refuge there while her husband Hephaestus helped him path a way home. But so far they had only planned part of the trip.

"Go to Olympia first." Hephaestus told Percy. "They all think you're dead."

"Okay then." Percy decided.

Hephaestus gave him the mapped out route and then went off to gather some resources for Percy, as it was a long journey.

The next day, Percy left in a horse-drawn carriage. He had enough food and water to sustain him and the horses

"Goodbye!" Drew, Aphrodite's daughter called to him as he rode off in a carriage, set on finding Eria.

Percy waved, then turned away. "Now, to find Annabeth..." he murmured.
•••

Nico didn't die. He only suffered major brain damage, and lost his memory. But don't worry, I assure you he was sent away to another kingdom to get married to some other girl.

Meanwhile, Annabeth was seven and a half months pregnant, meaning she had six weeks to go. Constantly, Thalia would be in her room, giving her food and helping her through the final stages of her pregnancy.

"I'm fine, you know." Annabeth told her one day.

"No you're not." Thalia scolded, and gave her some water.

But Annabeth really wasn't fine. She was scared and nervous. How could she care for a baby on her own? Where was Percy? Athena had sent a group of men to look for his body but it wasn't found. So what had happened to her lost husband?

These questions haunted her for the next few weeks, and in one way or the other, Annabeth had a hunch that they would be answered by the time she gave birth...