The Demon Wars

A Wedding Ceremony to Remember

"Dad!" Annabeth exclaimed when she felt him appear. She ran to his side and jumped in his arms.

"Hey my little Wise Girl. How was your day?" he asked her.

She rambled on and on about the day before that she spent with her mother and all the things she had done earlier that day. Perseus smiled, enjoying her excitement. He was glad Athena had agreed to spend time with her. And he was overjoyed by Annabeth's enthusiasm about it.

"I'm glad you had a good time," he said. "I have a bit of a surprise for you. It may be a shock to you."

Annabeth's grin faded into a serious face. "What is it, dad?"

"I'm going to get married. I need someone who can help me keep the peace in Hell and will be a trusted ally next to me and when I'm away here. Amir is preparing you a gown. I'd like my daughter to be there of course," he said smiling at her.

Annabeth was shocked, but her next words made his eyes widen as she grinned mischeviously. "So...who is it?" she asked. "Did you finally ask Aunt Levi out?"

Perseus sputtered, "No...actually it hasn't been decided yet. The invitations will say I will select a wife from any of the other seventy-two lords that have a daughter or head my age."

Annabeth's grin just got wider. "Uh huh. And dad, I bet you told Amir to make a dress and suit for Uncle Barion and Aunt Levi as well as us, didn't you?"

Perseus chuckled. "Of course I did. They are my most trusted friends."

Annabeth giggled. "Uh huh. I can't wait to see Aunt Levi in it. She'll probably be the most stunning woman in the room, right?" she asked her smile twisting across her face and scrunching it up.

"You are too smart for you own good, my little princess," Perseus replied, tickling her until her laughter rang out across the camp. "But, you're wrong. You will be the most stunning woman in the room. How could I let any woman out shine my daughter," he laughed.

"I can't wait to get another mom!" Annabeth sighed. "I mean, my mom is great but...Aunty Levi took care of me for so long! How could I not love her?!"

Perseus laughed exasperatedly. "I told you already. I haven't chosen yet. You may not have ever met the woman I choose."

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Then I guess I'll just have to tell Aunty Levi of some good bachelors that have been looking to match up with her..." she trailed off.

"Uh huh, sure you will," Perseus said, his poker face unreadable.

"Hehe, daddy, you always use the poker face when you're mad! I knew it!"

It was Perseus' turn to roll his eyes but he didn't confirm or deny it which was enough to make Annabeth happy. "Regardless, I came to make sure you wanted to go," he said.

"Of course! I can't wait!"

-/-

The next two days passed quickly while Perseus and Annabeth spent all their time in Hell preparing for the impending wedding. "Dad, can we bring mom?" Annabeth asked.

He thought about it. "I can ask her. I'm sure you want her to be there to see you in your dress, right honey?"

"Yeah!"

Perseus teleported to Olympus, outside of Athena's palace. The door opened and a slip of paper appeared 'I'm busy. Come in. Third door on the right.'

He sighed. He didn't really take orders well but he was intruding. He walked in and found her in a large library, studying a few ancient scrolls that hovered around her. "Perseus. To what do I owe the...pleasure, of this visit?" she asked.