The Labyrinth (percabeth)

Chapter 18

Annabeth

We woke up at the crack of dawn the next morning. Percy wanted to get a head start on the way to Mount Olympus so that we could reach there by dinnertime, if our horses moved fast enough.

By the time all of us were saddled up, I had no way to talk to Percy about what had happened a few nights ago on the beach. I still wanted to.

I sighed, and pulled myself up into Porkpie's saddle.

I pressed my heels against his flank, and we set off a gentle trot, eventually ending in a full gallop.

"Hey Percy." He looked over me as Blackjack swiftly dodges the forest foliage. "Will all the gods be gathered there when we go to meet them?" I asked.

"Actually, I hadn't thought about that. I suppose Zeus will grant an emergency meeting once we've told him about what's going on." He answered, focusing his eyes back in front.

I raised an eyebrow. "You really think the other gods are going to be happy about Zeus finding out before them?"

Percy shrugged. "We've got no choice. Most of the gods don't even live on Olympus. They have their own abodes. Zeus and Hera are the only ones who live there year-round."

I nodded, and urged Porkpie forward. The rest of the time, I alternate between chatting with my friends and staying silent, choosing not to talk to Percy until we reach Mount Olympus. I knew that the gods would want for us to stay their for a few days, and most likely, the council would be held the day after we had arrived, when all the gods could reach. So I knew I had plenty of time.

When we reached the base of the mountain, we all stopped and stared. It's a hulking, towering, jagged piece of rock, like a broken slab of granite thrusting out of the ground.

I dismounted and walked towards the mountain. No matter how far I crane my neck, it seems to go on forever.

The top is so high you cannot see it, for it disappears into the clouds. I gulp. "Ok, next order of business. How are we going to get up there?" I clapped my hands together and turn to face the group.

A voice to the side echoed, "Well, I thought that would have been obvious, daughter of Athena. You have to go through me."

The voice sent chills down my spine. I know, without even turning around, who this is.

"Janus. God of crossroads." I said, trying to wince as his appearance.

He has two heads, sprouting from one neck, and his ears are all squished together, like he was a clay bust pressed together on the outside parts of his heads.

The right head raised an eyebrow. "Well well well. It's nice to see someone who recognizes me. I don't get much attention from demigods."

"Oh stop being so bitter," The head on the right said. "Hello, welcome to Mount Olympus. My name is Janus, as the lovely lady here guessed quite correctly. May we help you?"

Percy stepped forward and bows. "Janus, I am here to request an audience with Zeus, king of the gods."

The right head snickered. "Look at him. Thinking he's so important because he's a son of Poseidon. Doesn't he know you can't just request an audience with Zeus whenever you want?"

"Hush." The left head whispers.

"I swear, it's something incredibly important." Percy said, shuffling his feet.

The right head had a look of disbelief on his face. "Demigod, we get that everyday. What, you think you're the only demigod in the world to request an audience for Zeus? No, no, no. I've got bigger things to deal with. I'm not streamlining your applications."