Maybe Next Time

Thalia

Thalia stood on top of the highest mountain in New Greece, a mountain called Olympus, but she wasn't impressed. Instead she was frustrated. She'd been searching for this damn fountain for nearly two years now, and wasn't any closer to finding it. As she stared at the horizon, one of her servants came up to her.

"Princess Thalia?" Thalia looked behind her at a girl about her own age bowing deeply.

"What is it, Clarisse?" When she spoke, the girl stood up straight and met Thalia's gaze with a steady one of her own.

Clarisse was broad built and strong with light brown eyes and even light hair. She was born to lead an army, Thalia constantly found herself thinking, but then again... so was I.

"There has been news among the villagers." Clarisse began. Thalia's eyes glanced over the girl's shoulder and scanned the small houses behind her, "News that Percy Jackson has found the location of the Fountain and has possibly retrieved the Core."

"Jackson found the Core?" Thalia laughed, "That idiot can barely find his socks, much less the Fountain of Youth. The only thing he's good at is sailing."

"I completely agree with you..."

"But?"

"He does have Annabeth Chase, and as much as it pains me to say it, she's pretty much the opposite of an idiot."

Thalia's smile fell, "I need more information. Find out where they are."

"Yes, Princess." Clarisse bowed again then walked off, boots crunching on the gravel.

Later that night, Thalia regrouped with her three most trusted advisors: Clarisse, Laurel, and Silena. They were staying in one of the villagers home and had been given the back room to discuss strategies and such.

"What did you find out?" She asked, sitting rather stiffly in her chair. If Percy had actually found and received the Core then the only way to get it for King Zeus would be to steal it. And in order to steal it, she'd need a boat and not to mention to two day hike down the mountain.

"Percy definitely has a lead." Laurel stated, "But whether he has achieved the Core is still uncertain."

"It is said that he's somewhere of the coast of the most southern tip of Greece." Silena continued, "There's a sorceress there that knows how to make the Fountain appear."

Clarissa snorted, "This sorceress or whatever is hardly gonna let Jackson just take the Core. She's suppose to be the protector of the Fountain."

Thalia let it all sink in, studying her comrades for a few seconds before leaning forwards, elbows propped on her knees, and stating, "We leave at dawn."

The next morning, Thalia woke before the sun had even thought of creeping up on the horizon. She packed her stuff quickly so that she wouldn't be rushed later then headed out to what the villagers called the Drop: a small cliff that ended in sloping solid rock. It is said that once falling, you wouldn't stop until you reach the bottom of the mountain.

Thalia sat cautiously on the edge, letting her feet dangle in the air. She sat quietly, waiting for the sun to rise. Just when the sky began to lighten, she heard someone coming up behind her. Immediately, her hand flies to her blade, but she relaxed when she heard who it was.

"Princess Thalia, may I offer some company?" Mitchell inquired with a slight bow.

Thalia glances back at him with a smile, "You may."

The blond boy say next to her with a slight smile, "So, I heard we're going after Prince Perseus."

"You heard correctly." The princess replied, eyes glued to the lightening horizon.

Mitchell was quiet for a moment, "Can I ask you a question?" At her nod, he continued, "The myths about this Fountain state that all it takes is one sip and you're forever young. Why does King Zeus want the Core if you can just bring him back some water?"

Thalia grinned and glanced down at the knife in her lap, "I knew someone would figure it out. Someone would question it." She paused and Mitchell waited patiently for her to speak, "I'm not suppose to tell you this. It's suppose to be a half a century of being a country surprise thing the Kings put together before they started arguing over who was the stronger kingdom." She paused again and glanced over at Mitchell, "My father plans to use the Core to create his own Fountain of Youth and share it with his subjects."
The boy looked shocked, but Thalia continued.

"After all, what's the point of living forever if everyone you love dies?"