The Rise of Gaea

Percy 33

Percy bit his lip, crushing disappointment sweeping overwhelmingly through him. Athena had said no. He could always, try to marry Annabeth anyway, but the goddess would probably destroy him.

His body was frozen, as if it were all his brain could do to understand that disastrous word.

Athena cleared her throat, sounding... embarrassed? "I meant that you do not need my permission. Annabeth is her own person, and wonderfully capable of making her own decisions. It is not up to me to decide who she marries." She smiled warmly at him for the first time ever. "You saved my daughter from Tartarus. Of course you have my blessing."
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Percy left the Big House with a sense of relief. The only thing he had to do now was to ask Annabeth to marry him. However, when he found that she was no longer waiting outside, panic flashed through him.

He'd hated lying to her, but it was the only way to preserve the surprise. Now she was gone.

Fighting to stay calm, he rounded the corner to the loop of cabins, and found Annabeth, along with Rachel, Reyna, Hazel and Piper. They were all looking at the ground, and when Percy neared, he saw with a pang that Reyna was crying.

"This is it." She sniffled a little, Hazel putting an arm around her shoulders. "He was here, and then he just disappeared."

On the ground was a scattered carpet of rose petals, a few dove feathers, and a curly cursive note on a white silk doily.

'I'll return him when I'm finished with him.'

"Aphrodite." Piper fumed.

Percy stared at the note. What would Aphrodite want with Nico?

Reyna sighed shakily. "If it were any other god, I would be charging to Olympus, demanding him back. But this is Aphrodite we're talking about."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Anger Aphrodite, and you may find yourself madly in love with someone unpleasant. Or an animal. Or a rock.

Hazel drew Reyna back to the Hades cabin as the praetor began to lose her already crumbling composure.

Annabeth smiled sadly at Percy, taking his hand, and leading him away from the crime scene. They stopped at the dock - the Argo II bobbing nearby - and sat with their feet dangling over the edge into the cool waves.

"Poor Reyna." Percy murmured, still in shock over what had happened. "And poor Nico."

Annabeth hummed in agreement, her slim fingers twined gently through his. There was clearly something on her mind. Percy merely waited, knowing that Annabeth found information very hard to keep to herself.

He smirked as she cracked her knuckles, shifted around, and finally blurted, "There's a new Great Prophecy."

That wiped the smirk off his face. "What??" he spluttered. They had just fulfilled the last one! This couldn't be happening...

"Survivor of two

Another must thwart.

Destiny lies

On the grounds of Hogwarts.

Savior protect

And contest win

The Son of Zeus

Sets unrest a-spin.

Minion's ties cut

Though they replenish

It is the Dark Lord

The Little Three must vanquish.

But they will need help

To make him meet his end.

A stinging assist

From a group of friend." Annabeth recited. Her expression was heavy.

"Survivor of two." Percy echoed. He closed his eyes, feeling like the world was falling apart. That was him. And if he was right, now he had to 'thwart' another Great Prophecy. Perfect.

"It's not fair!" Annabeth said vehemently.

Percy opened his eyes to see that she was on her feet, pacing.

"You've had to deal with two already. Two! Most demigods don't even experience one in their lifetime! Why do you have to deal with three?"

"I don't know."

"We just want a break!" Annabeth continued angrily, perhaps yelling at the Fates.

"I have some good news for you." Percy interjected, trying to calm her down.

Annabeth turned, distracted. "What?"

"My mom and Paul are expecting."

It took a minute for it to sink in.

"They're... it's... you're going to be a big brother! Oh, Percy, that's wonderful!"

Percy smiled, relieved that he had successfully distracted her.

"It would be even more wonderful if yOU ACTUALLY HAD TIME TO SPEND WITH YOUR OWN MOTHER!!"

Percy sighed as Annabeth continued her rampage. He could understand why she was so upset, but at this point, he was used to the constant danger prophecies came with. As long as he had Annabeth by his side, he could do anything.

With that thought in mind, Percy impulsively took the seaglass box from his pocket, and knelt.

Annabeth did not notice.

"WHY DON'T YOU GO TO HOGWARTS AND DEFEAT THE DARK LORD?" she raged to the Fates. "HOW DO YOU EXPECT PERCY TO DO IT?"

"I can do it, as long as I have you." Percy grinned as Annabeth turned, face flushed with anger, eyes sparking, and her mouth dropped open.

Percy opened the box. "Annabeth Elisabeth Chase, will you marry me?"