𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐝𝐲; 𝖺𝗇𝗇𝖺𝖻𝖾𝗍𝗁 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗌𝖾

Aftermath

Just as she had promised, Annabeth woke her up when it was time to prepare the fallen campers' shrouds. Luckily, no dream infected her nap. She wasn't in the mood for one of those.

During the whole day, she only talked to Pollux and Annabeth, not wanting to approach anyone else. The campers had tried to tell her they didn't blame her, but Ivy still felt guilty about it.

Besides, she could still see the fear in some of their eyes, so she'd rather just avoid it.

Night arrived and with it came the part Ivy dreaded the most. She had been to funerals before, but that one felt different. And she had the feeling it wouldn't be the last one like that.

She felt even worse when she learned Lee was also among the deaths. There went another person close to her. If she knew she wasn't going to have any failed archery lessons with him again, she would've appreciate them more.

Then came the worst part.

It was turn to burn Castor's shroud, and despite wanting to stay as collected as she could, she could barely hold her composure while she clutched Pollux's hand through the whole thing.

The boy has tried to say a few words on their brother's honor, but he choked up and just took the torch with Ivy, lighting the funeral pyre in the middle of the amphitheater.

Within seconds the row of shrouds was engulfed in fire, sending smoke and sparks up to the stars.

Ivy took a swing of what used to be Castor's flask and then passed it to Pollux, who mirrored her actions and then gave it back for her to put in her pocket.

She stepped down from the amphitheater's "stage" and went towards Annabeth, who immediately wrapped her arms around her as they watched the rest of the ceremony together.

She wiped the single tear she had let escape, and could only hope they would all reunite in Elysium.

               ∆ ~•••••••••••••••••••••••~ ∆

The next day was spent treating the wounded, which were more that Ivy would've wished.

She helped and talked with a few campers, but it still wasn't the same.

She had always been known for her sarcastic remarks and out of place laughs, but that day she barely even mustered a small smile.

The Council of Cloven Elders' emergency meeting took place at noon in their
sacred grove.

The three senior satyrs were there, along with Chiron, who was in wheelchair form. His broken horse leg was still mending, so he would be confined to the chair for a few months, until the leg was strong enough to take his weight.

Other satyrs, dryads and naiads up
from the water were there too, anxious to hear what would happen. Juniper, Annabeth, Percy and Ivy stood by Grover's side.

Despite wishing the best for Grover, Ivy was finding it hard to pay even the slightest bit of attention. The only thing truly grounding her were Annabeth's fingers interlocked with her's as they watched the satyrs discuss.

Silenus wanted to exile Grover immediately, but Chiron persuaded him to at least hear the evidence first.

The group told everyone what had happened in the crystal cavern, and what Pan had said. Then several eyewitnesses from the battle described the weird sound Grover had made, which drove the Titan's army back underground.

"It was panic," Insisted Juniper. "Grover summoned the power of the wild god."

"Panic?" Percy asked.

"Percy," Chiron explained, "during the first war of the gods and the Titans,
Lord Pan let forth a horrible cry that scared away the enemy armies. It is—it was his greatest power—a massive wave of fear that helped the gods win the day. The word panic is named after Pan, you see. And Grover used that power, calling it forth from within himself."