BY fates design

Home again

The gods appeared tense, perhaps even shameful at the revelation that they hid behind a literal child while their immortal father declared war upon them.

"You talk like you know him." Percy mused.

Chiron pursed his lips. "I do know him." Percy stared. Sometimes he forgot just how old Chiron was.

"Is that why Mr D blamed you when the tree was poisoned? Why you said some don't trust you?"

"Indeed."

"But Chiron... I mean come on! Why would they think you would ever betray camp for Kronos?"

Chiron's eyes were deep brown, full of thousands of years of sadness. "Percy, remember your training. Remember your studies. What is my connection to the titan lord?"

Percy was drawing a blank. "You, uh, own the titan lord a favour or something? He spared your life?"

"Percy," Chiron said, his voice impossibly soft. "The titan Kronos is my father."

"That shouldn't have mattered." Cassiopeia grumbled. "We aren't our parents."

They arrived in Long Island just after Clarisse, thanks to the centaurs travel powers. Percy rode with Chiron, but they didn't talk much, especially not about Kronos.

When they got to camp, the centaurs were anxious to meet Dionysus. They'd heard he threw some really wide parties, but were disappointed. The wine god was in no mood to celebrate as the whole camp gathered at the top of Half Blood Hill.

The camp had been through a hard two weeks. The arts and craft cabin had burned down from an attack by a Draco Aionius. The Big House rooms were overflowing with wounded. The kids in the Apollo cabin, who were the best healers, had been working overtime preforming first aid.

"We're always working overtime." Will muttered.

Will and Delilah had all but jumped on Cassiopeia as they gathered around Thalia's tree, hugging her tight. The moment Clarisse draped the Golden Fleece over the lowest bough, the moonlight seemed to brighten, turning from grey to liquid silver. A cool breeze rustled the branches and rippled through the grass.

Everything came into sharper focus - the glow of the fireflies down in the woods, the smell of the strawberry fields, the sound of the waves on the beach. Gradually the needles of the pine started to fill back in.

Everybody cheered. It was happening slowly, but there was no doubt - the Fleece's magic was seeping into the tree, healing what Eleana and Cassiopeia could not.

Dumbledore's greed and desire for the Fleece tripled. Such strong healing magic would be exceptionally useful.

Chiron ordered twenty-four/seven guard duty on the hilltop, at least until he could find an appropriate monster to protect the Fleece.

In the meantime, Clarisse was carried on Kira's shoulders down to the amphitheater, where she was honoured with a laurel wreath and a lot of celebration around the fire.

Nobody gave Annabeth or Percy a second look, as if they never left, and in a way he was glad about that. They did however, praise Cassiopeia, especially the Apollo and Demeter cabin, decorating her in flower crowns and wreaths.

Later that night, as they roasted marshmallows and listened to the Stoll brothers tell ghost stories, Clarisse shoved Percy from behind and whispered in his ear, "Just because you were cool one time, Jackson, don't think your off the hook with Ares. I'm still waiting for the right opportunity to pulverise you."

Percy gave her a grudging smile. "What?" She demanded.

"Nothing," he shrugged. "Just good to be home."