Annabeth's Point of View

Battle of the Labyrinth - Come Back to Life

This is the part where Percy 'comes back to life', where they burn his shroud and Annabeth catches sight of him, right after he leaves Calypso's island. Hope you enjoy and please comment.

I wasn't crying, and if anyone would say so later on I would threaten them with my dagger. I had saved the crying at night time, where only my siblings would be able to hear.

But as I held the silky green cloth in my hands, I felt my throat tighten and I didn't want to let it go. Burning Percy's shroud meant that he wouldn't be able to come back.

What if he came back and thought everyone gave up on him? What if he got angry with me? Chiron seemed to think that Percy wouldn't come back, and had told me this gently only last night, when he gave the news that we would be burning Percy's shroud.

I had refused, but Chiron said that it was respectful, and that it was honorary.

I had never been so angry with Chiron in my life.

“Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon, was a brave hero," Chiron said solomnly, and I felt my nose sting and my eyes water at these true words. "Accepting to go on a quest with young Annabeth here was a dangerous thing to do - as we all know - but he has not returned, and we can only assume he is dead. After so long a silence, it is unlikely our prayers will be answered. I have asked his best surviving friend to do the final honors.”

My hands were shaking horribly, and I turned towards the fire so I could recollect my features. Percy wouldn't want me to break down in front of everyone. The smooth cloth slipped through my fingers and landed in the fire.

Taking a deep breath, I turned to the campers.

“He was probably the bravest friend I’ve ever had. He…” My eyes traveled blindly around the crowd, and landed on a black haired boy with green eyes, standing just at the border of the woods. “He’s right there!”

Everyone jumped at my exlaim, but turned and seen him. Many gasped.

“Percy!” Beckendorf grinned. A bunch of campers went over and patted him on the back, but I wouldn't believe it until I got solid proof he wasn't a ghost - or a hallucination.

Chiron was talking to Percy, lookind dizzy with relief, but I shoved by everyone.

“WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?” I shouted, glaring at Percy. I wrapped my arms around him, and hugged him fiercely - promising to never let him slip through my fingers ever again.

A few moments later, I realised that everyone was silent, staring at us. I pushed him away roughly, my cheeks flushing.

“I—we thought you were dead, Seaweed Brain!” I said, my tone accusing.

“I’m sorry,” Percy said, though he sounded a bit defensive to be sorry. “I got lost.”

“LOST?” I yelled. “Two weeks, Percy? Where in the world—”

“Annabeth,” Chiron interrupted. “Perhaps we should discuss this somewhere more private, shall we? The rest of you, back to your normal activities!”

Without waiting for us to protest, he picked up Percy and I as easily as if we were kittens, slung us both on his back, and galloped off toward the Big House.

When I read stories of the prince riding the princess down into the sunset on a white horse, I never realised that there would be a head attached to the front.

***

Percy was holding something back, and I knew exactly what it was. He said that the explosion blew him all the way to an isolated island, and that Heaphestus had found him and said that he could leave.

But whenever Percy talked about the island, his eyes looked sickingly bright, with a touch of sadness. An island that heroes left feeling sad, but looking as though they had seen something so lovely - or acting as though they seperated from their other half.

It was obviously Calypso's work.

“You’ve been gone two weeks.” I said. I thought of Percy's terrible scream that horrible day. “When I heard the explosion, I thought—”

“I know,” Percy said, looking truly apologetic. “I’m sorry. But I figured out how to get through the Labyrinth. I talked to Hephaestus.”

“He told you the answer?”

“Well, he sort of told me that I already knew. And I do. I understand now.”

Percy asked if I remembered the mortal girl with red hair, he even had the nerve to say her full name: Rachel Elizabeth Dare. Then he said that she could lead us through the Labyrinth because she had the sight, that she - a mortal - could lead my quest.

My jaw dropped. “Percy, that’s crazy!”

Chiron didn't seem to think so, he actually looked thoughtful. “There is precedent, however. Theseus had the help of Ariadne . Harriet Tubman , daughter of Hermes, used many mortals on her Underground Railroad for just this reason.”

“But this is my quest,” I said angrily. “I need to lead it.”

Chiron looked uncomfortable. “My dear, it is your quest. But you need help.”

“And this is supposed to help? Please! It’s wrong. It’s cowardly. It’s—”

“Hard to admit we need a mortal’s help,” Percy said. “But it’s true.”

I glared at him, and wished I could punch him, but he looked strangely fragile. I hated him for looking like that. First, I kiss him and worry about him for two whole weeks while he's off getting friendly with Calypso, now he's trying to kick me off my position as leader of the quest.

“You are the single most annoying person I have ever met!" I shouted, then stormed out of the room, feeling tears sting my eyes again.

I remembered what Aphrodite had said to me that one time I met her. She said she had big plans for me, that I had an interesting love life ahead of me. And I felt resentment stir inside me.

Congratulations, Aphrodite, I thought feircely, wiping a stray tear from my eyes. You've gotten what you wanted.

Okay, so here it is! Alright, I just want to say that the song on the side is a bit too strong for the relationship Annabeth and Percy have at the moment, but I really like the song so... yeah, I put it there.

Remember to ask me if you want another chapter in Annabeth's point of view, any part and I'll do it. :)