The Peace-Weaver (a Percabeth AU)

The Third One

      Annabeth was washing her hair when she heard the crackle of leaves. She lifted up her head from out of the stream and her wet hair fell on her shoulders with a faint plop. The air still held the fresh scent from a rainstorm the night before, but another scent tickled Annabeth's nostrils. It was the scent of fire — the scent of civilization.

     Her eyes fixated onto movement a few dozen feet away and she followed the figure as it drew closer. Gradually, she could make out more details. The figure appeared to be a woman wearing a brown cloak over a long dress. Something about her braided hair and simple clothes seemed familiar and then it hit Annabeth. She ran forward, abandoning all caution, and threw her arms around her friend.

     "Piper," she said. "How did you find me?"

     As Annabeth unattached herself from Piper she noticed the brunette smiling. "I've missed you. Where is Percy?"

    Annabeth's caution quickly rebuilt itself. She took one step backward. "Why do you ask?" she demanded.

     "I have a message for you and your husband," Piper answered.

    Annabeth considered her. She seemed to be alone and the dark circles beneath her eyes revealed that she was tired. If it came down to it, Annabeth was sure that she could win any fight. "Fine," she deliberated. "Follow me."

      Annabeth walked back quickly, checking every so often to make sure Piper was keeping up. Piper wasn't as used to walking in undergrowth as Annabeth and she stopped a few times to untangle her hair or cloak from thorns. When they reached the cave, Percy looked up and smiled at them. He set down the knife that he had been sharpening.

       "How did you find us?" he asked.

         "I was looking for you," Piper said. "I have been looking for you two for weeks and weeks.  I was lost; I didn't know if I would ever find you. One day, I helped an old lady cross a stream. She told me where to find what I wanted and then disappeared."

      Piper's tale sounded fantastical. Was it wishful thinking or was something more sinister hiding underneath the story. "When did this happen?" Annabeth asked.

     "A few days ago," Piper answered.

     "Did King Frederick send you to find us?" Annabeth asked.

"No," Piper answered. "I came at Jason's request."

"You wouldn't do this for me, but you'd do it for Jason?" Annabeth asked.

Piper flinched as if Annabeth had slapped her. "Look, my lady—"

"Oh, you can stop with the formalities now," Annabeth snapped.

"Annabeth!" Piper said. "Please listen. I wanted to help you, but I'm only a slave. It would've been too risky."

"But now it's not?" Annabeth challenged.

Piper shook her head. "Now, I'm ordered to. I'm Thalia's slave now and she told me to find you."

"And why would she do that?" Percy asked.

"Is it so she can kill us?" Annabeth added.

Piper gaped at them. "No! Thalia needs your help. Luke is going to marry her."