Sorry for the long wait. This one was a lot more difficult to write. It took a lot of revisions and hammering out before I was satisfied. Hope you enjoy it.

Annabeth sat at the war table with her mother, Queen Athena, and her brother, Malcolm. General Philiuppieus was going on and on about how they had tightened security and raided several suspects, only to find that there was no Greek fire. Annabeth zoned out awhile ago. Several days ago, she had given her report about what her and Lady Artemis had overheard, ut ever since, something had been niggling at her. She couldn't quite place it, but she felt as though there had to be something that she missed. After all, the whole idea of setting all the cities of Olympus on fire at the solstice sounded highly unrealistic. But she couldn't deny what she had overheard. But how could they possibly achieve such a feat?

"Annabeth." Her mother, Queen Athena's, voice snapped her from her thoughts. "You're sure it will take place at the solstice?"

"Yes."

"This solstice?"

"Yes." Annabeth's voice grew louder out of annoyance.

Athena gave Annabeth a look that clearly told her that her tone was unacceptable, but continued on. "Then we have no choice but to continue the search."

"Have you considered," interrupted General Bracca, "that they might have just meant the city of Olympus, not the entire land of Olympus? Or maybe Staff Sergeant Jackson and the hunters did an efficient enough job in neutralizing Castellan and Atlas that they will be unable to carry out their plans?"

"I . . ." Annabeth stopped herself. She had to be careful how she handled this. After all, these men only saw her as a weak little girl. "I realize anything is possible, but I would hate to put all of Athens, let alone all of Olympus, at risk because we think that we are safe. War is on the precipice, whether here or abroad. We can not afford to be lax in our security."

General Bracca pulled a sour face but politely applauded along with the rest of the table.

"Chiron," Athena continued, "how comes the training and recruitment?"

"Over the course of the last week we have drafted a hundred men and a hundred and thirty six volunteers."

"Interesting." Athena looked pleased.

"Their training progresses, but it will be several months, before they will be combat ready."

"How many are combat ready?"

"Thrity thousand, my lady."

"And how progresses the new officers?"

Chiron hesitated. He knew as well as Annabeth did that Athena was referring to Percy. "It goes well, my lady."

Annabeth could tell that all was not well. And if she could tell, so could her mother.

Chiron was an excellent trainer. He had trained Annabeth herself in secret. There was rarely, if ever, someone he could not train. "Hmm." Athena humed thoughtfully. "Very well. Is there anything else that needs to be brought to my attention." She looked at the room expectantly. When no one replied, she dismissed them. "Chiron." she called out after their trainer. Chiron stopped his progression toward the door though he wasn't very far, as though he expected the queen's call.

"Your majesty." He answered. bowing respectfully before her. Annabeth stood behind her mother. She found herself hungry for news of her old escort. She hadn't even been able to spar with him at night, between her new security measures and his promotion.

"What is your honest assessment of Staff Sergeant Jackson?"

"He is a natural leader. He is quickly grasping the strategies."

"But?"

"But the regiment he is assigned is less than eager to follow his lead. They are . . ." he coughed uncomfortably, "upset he has advanced so quickly. Many are older than him and have been in service longer. So you can see, there is some resentment in the ranks." Chiron looked worriedly toward Athena.

Athena seemed to contemplate this for a moment, before answering. "Thank you for letting me know. Continue to keep me informed." With that, she dismissed him.

"Yes, your majesty." Chiron seemed to sigh heavily, before he bowed and left the room.

"Don't you think you ought to . . ." Annabeth started.

"Let me do the thinking Annabeth." Athena interupted. "They will fall in line. He will win them over. There is bound to be some adjustments at first." Athena seemed to be talking more to herself than Annabeth.

"She seems quite adamant about him." Malcolm observed.

"That is what worries me." Annabeth watched as she followed Athena out of the room.

"Oh, Annabeth." Athena turned back towards her. "Prince Mark said he would meet you in the garden after our meeting."

"Again?" Annabeth felt nauseous at the thought of having to endure polite conversation with the Prince of Sparta and Son of Ares.

"He does seem quite inclined toward you." She said with some distaste.

"I've already declined him. Why do I have to keep on meeting with him?"

"I can't very well decline him our hospitality. Just be quick, it is getting late." Athena rushed off.

Malcolm gave her a sympathetic smile and went his way. Annabeth took a deep breath and slowly made her way toward the garden. Prince Mark was waiting by the fountain, a favorite spot of hers. She checked her surroundings and noticed that her escorts were conveniently missing, again. This was an extremely secluded part of the garden. Something she never minded before, but now with Prince Mark unencumbered and Annabeth unprotected, was something of a disadvantage to her.

She slipped her knife out from under her dress and repositioned it behind her back. She leaned back against it, appearing to be casually leaning against a wall.

"I understand you wish to talk to me again? Though I don't know why. I thought I was perfectly clear the first several times." Annabeth scowled at him.

"Princess Annabeth." Mark grinned wickedly at her as his eyes wandered across her body. A wave of nausea came over her as he slowly walked toward her. "You are correct. You have made yourself perfectly clear as to where I stand. But I did not travel hundreds of miles to come up short."

He advanced quickly the last few steps, but Annabeth was prepared. She whipped out her knife and landed it threatening right where she wanted it. She smirked as his eyes widened in alarm, as she used his momentum to throw him against the very wall she had been leaning against and pressed her dagger against his lower abdomen. He was now completely at her mercy.

"Sons of Ares are so predictable. You honestly thought I didn't see that coming?"

"Why play coy? You are already tainted. Whatever fun you had with your former captain, I can assure you, you'll have more fun with me." He taunted.

Annabeth lowered her blade and growled, "As has already been proven when I returned, I am still pure with my virtue intact, and I don't plan on loosing it to an over eager brute like you. So I strongly," Annabeth dug her knife deeper toward his groin, "suggest you take what little dignity you have left and leave. You are no longer welcome here. And should you get the urge to approach me again, be warned. Next time I won't show such restraint." she knicked the inside of his thigh as a warning. "Understand?"

Mark gave a little whimper and Annabeth left him in the garden. She was furious and scared at the same time. She could feel her hands shaking and clenched them until she reached the safety of her room. Juniper, her maid, was waiting.

"I need some time alone. Let me know if anyone approaches." Annabeth snapped.

Juniper curtsied and left her alone in the room. Annabeth quickly sat down on her bed, and subcame to the shaking. The adrenaline rush was leaving her and Mark's words were now sinking in. Her capture by Luke had not only made her look weak, but now put into question her maidenhood and honor. Something that would be hard to convince others otherwise, but would also not make her as appealing to proper heirs. Would she have to settle with a cruel man for a husband like Mark? The thought made her shake harder.

She heard a commotion outside and went to her window to see what was going on. Mark was apparently leaving in a rage as he screamed profanities to everyone who was near, whether they deserved it or not. Annabeth let out a sigh of relief as she watched him leave Athens. Then her eye caught something else. Percy was coming back in through the soldier gates with his troop. They looked tired, and while Percy wore a blank expression. She could tell he was frustrated. Whether it was because of his day or his position, she couldn't tell. He said something to his men and they then filed into the arena. Annabeth longed to be in the arena, attacking something with her blade, when there was a knock at her door. She tore herself away from the window.

"Enter." she called.

Juniper entered, "Queen Athena approaches."

Annabeth nodded her acknowledgement, and Juniper took her place by her side.

Another knock came on her door. She readied herself. Athena walked into the room unannounced and looked Annabeth over. "Are you alright?"

The question surprised her. Athena had never asked about her well-being before. "I'm fine." she answered. And was surprised to realize that she was no longer shaking and really was fine.

Athena eyed her a little bit longer, then continued, "You'll be happy to know that Prince Mark has left. "

"Hmm. Did he say why the sudden departure?" Annabeth asked unconcerned.

Athena's eyes narrowed slightly, "No. Do you know anything about it?"

Annabeth casually walked back over to the window, clenching her hands together out of Athena's view. "He probably realized he wasn't going to get anywhere with me."

"Hmm. Well it's time for dinner. There will be no guests tonight." Athena changed the subject.

Annabeth spotted Percy dismissing his men for the evening. He made his own way toward his bunk. "I'll be there in just a minute, mother."

"Don't take too long." Athena left.

Annabeth's breath hitched in her throat when he suddenly turned and looked directly at her window. Could he see her? Did he know she was watching him? Just as quickly, he looked back toward his path and slipped into his bunker. Annabeth breathed a sigh of relief and was about to leave for dinner with thoughts of visiting the arena later, when Percy came out of his bunker again. At first she thought he was headed to the arena, and immediately started thinking about sneaking to it later to catch some sparing time. Then he by passed the arena entirely and left through the gates out into the city. Her eyes narrowed dangerously as he slipped out of view. It was the third time she'd seen him go into town during the late hours. There was only one person that she knew of that he knew in town and the thought infuriated Annabeth. Needless to say, she went to dinner in a very bad mood.