The Legend of Elodie Grant (Percy Jackson Fanfiction)

Chapter Twenty

Around me, campers lounged, enjoying the calm before the storm. I could tell they were bored. Many of us had expected something to happen by now. I stayed tense, standing away from everyone else.

I made eye contact with Arsen from across the clearing and he paused to say something to the girl next to him before making his way over to me. When he reached me, he leaned over to kiss the top of my head.

I closed my eyes, smiling.

"What's that smile for?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I just thought you were starting to regret it." I told him, honestly, looking away from him.

"You mean what we did?" He asked, his voice taking on a new tone.

I nodded my head. He sighed and grabbed my hand, causing me to meet his eyes. His smile eased my worries and I leaned into his side.

"I could never regret last night, Elodie." He told me, "Even if it was the worst sex of my life, I wouldn't have regretted it, because I was with you. Lucky for you, it was the best sex of my life and I plan to get more of it."

I laughed as he winked at me, tickling my sides. He paused for a second, pushing me away slightly.

"Why? Do you regret it?" He asked, frowning slightly.

I rolled my eyes and kissed him deeply, slipping my hands into the back pockets of his jeans. He smiled into the kiss before pulling away.

"I'll take that as a no." He teased.

I smiled at him, before pulling away until only our intertwined hands touched. We stared out at the camp together, watching as people practiced their swordplay, polished their armor, or played cards.

"I'm scared."

I looked over Arsen, surprised at his confession. I grasped his hand all the more tighter.

"Me too."

He moved in front of me, making sure my gaze met his before saying, "No matter what happens today, know that I love you. That won't change."

"You know, we've actually only known each other for a month and a half." I told him.

"Shut up, woman, I'm trying to have a moment." 

I giggled, standing on my tiptoes to press a kiss to his forehead. He sighed, wrapping an arm around my waist.

"I love you too."

He bent down, but before he could kiss me, Brooke ran up, interrupting him. I giggled as he growled playfully, before breaking away from him and turning to face my friend.

"What can I do?" She asked.

I frowned. I wanted nothing more than to protect her, but we needed all the help we could get. I didn't want to have to send my best friend into battle.

I watched her carefully for a moment, my mind racing to find something that would make her feel useful, but also keep her away from the frontlines. As the idea popped into my head, I sighed.

"Brooke, I know you want to fight. I know that. But I need you to protect that girl, Annabeth. She's in the infirmary, and I know they won't be able to watch over her with all the people that will be coming in." I said, looking directly into my friend's eyes. "She's going to be very important one day, I can feel it."

Brooke looked like she wanted to argue, and I braved myself for whatever she may have to protest.

"Okay."

I looked up at her in shock, my mind reeling.

"Okay?" I repeated, unsure.

Brooke nodded and said, "I know I'd just worry you if I were on the frontlines. And we can't have you distracted. I trust you when you say this girl is important and I will protect her to my last breath."

I nodded, relieved, my eyes watering up as my friend spoke. She had so much trust in me, she loved me so much, and I don't know what I would have done without her these last few months.

"Brooke..."

"No!" She exclaimed suddenly, cutting me off, "I know you're going to tell me how much I mean to you and that if I don't see you again blah blah blah, but I'm not having it! You can tell me all that after we end this thing."

I started to protest again, but she just covered her ears and ran away to the infirmary to do her job. I watched her go with a smile on my face and tears in my eyes.

Arsen saw my expression and stepped up beside me, grabbing my hand in his. I turned my head to press my face into his shoulder, taking a deep breath to calm myself.

It was quiet for a couple of moments before Arsen said, "So you'll have a moment with Brooke and not me?"

I laughed, pulling away to punch him playfully in the shoulder. His laugh boomed around the clearing as he reached back to pinch my butt. I squealed and danced out of his reach, causing him to laugh some more.

Our playfulness was cut off, however, when something started howling in the distance.

The entire camp seemed to freeze as we all turned to look at the main hill. We all held our breaths, listening desperately in hopes it was just a nearby wolf pack. We were all disappointed when the howls grew louder.

"Hellhounds." I muttered, disgust laced throughout my voice. "And they're close."

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. The time that we were all dreading had finally come. The camp whirled into action, grabbing weapons and fixing armor before running towards the hill.

"They're coming."