The Peace-Weaver (a Percabeth AU)

Nico di Angelo

      Annabeth faced Percy with a steely gaze as Nico was forced into a kneeling position by two guards. His dark brown eyes were as sharp as the flint knife that was wrestled from his hands. Percy circled Nico a few tines before digging his heels into the ground and gazing at him with his sea green eyes.

"What is the meaning of this?" Percy asked. "Is it true that you stole livery from King Frederick's men?"

Nico shrugged and then nodded. Percy's jaw tightened. "Why would you do that?"

Nico didn't answer, but continued to glare at Percy through a hate-filled gaze. Percy held his gaze, but Annabeth could sense his weariness. She suspected that he had history with Nico and that history was painful.

"Why?" Percy repeated.

His voice was like a slap on the cheek to Nico. "Why?" he echoed. "You know why. You should know why."

He said the word should with enough venom to kill a full-grown man. Percy stepped back; the surprise on his face was palpable as he stared at Nico for several, long moments.

     "Nico, I didn't mean to," Percy began, sounding more vulnerable than Annabeth had ever heard him. "I didn't mean for Bianca to die."

    His voice cracked as he spoke. With his shining eyes and slouched shoulders, he looked more like an apologetic slave than a king.

    "How dare you say her name," Nico said. "You're not worthy of saying her name."

      "Nico, I didn't mean to," Percy repeated.

       His eyes were now pleading. Though Nico was the one in chains, Percy now looked to be the one who was shackled.

     "Bianca's death was your fault," Nico said.

       "Nico, I'm sorry," Percy said. "I'm truly, truly sorry. You're right, Bianca's death was my fault and I regret it everyday, but it didn't happen as you think."

      "Why should I believe you?" Nico growled.

       "Ask Hephaestus," Percy said. "He wouldn't be afraid of contradicting me."

    Everyone turned to an old man who leaned on a wooden staff. His matted, dark beard was singed and his hands were calloused from long hours in his forge. "King Percy is right, son," he said. "Bianca died to save him, but he would've chosen otherwise. I saw the whole thing that day as I was walking back home. I had been washing some of my socks in the creek and I saw it all."

      The room grew silent as Hephaestus forged his tale. "This man named Talos ambushed our king. Bianca had learned he was planning to do so. She came to warn him, but Talos killed her before she could give him the news."

       "Nico, I'm sorry," Percy said. "I would never willingly harm Bianca."

       "How can I trust you?" Nico asked.

        "Because I am loyal to those I care about," Percy said. "And I cared for Bianca like I've cared for Hazel even after you left."

      "Hazel is here?" Nico asked. "You didn't hurt her?"

       "I'll fetch her," Frank offered. "You can see her yourself."

     "Good idea," Percy said. "Frank, return quickly."