Annabeth's POV

You could have cut the tension in the air with my knife as we took our seats in the Senate. The Romans (many of them still eyeing us warily as if the expected us to turn on them at any minute) sat on the opposite side of the senate. Their side heavily outweighed our side. No one was speaking except the Praetor … Reyna. She seemed to be in a deep and whispered argument with a scrawny boy with straw-like hair who was clutching a fluffy toy horse, which seemed to have its stuffing spilling out. He was shaking it in her face.

I seemed to be the only Greek who was worried. Our, oh so amazing supreme commander, Leo, was attempting to get something out of teeth with a screwdriver. And I rolled my eyes at the Stoll brothers; they were playing The Pain Game, which is basically extreme rock, paper, scissors. Travis lost and grimaced as Connor drew his nails savagely down his hand. Piper was stood by the door, absentmindedly polishing her knife, Katoptris, with the edge of her cloak while staring off into the distance. To be honest, my whole army looked bored out of their demigod minds.

The Romans however seemed to find our bad posture and disorder very entertaining. Several of the Romans stared with various disapproving expressions at Will Solace as he hummed along to his Ukulele. Apparently music is not acceptable in the Senate. I'd already tried getting my Greeks in order but it was way harder said than done.

Percy was sat next to me. I was still worried about earlier, it isn't normal for even a demi-god to glow like that. He'd said it was to do with his curse, but why did it happen then. Percy's eyes were burning into the back of the scrawny kid talking to Reyna.

"Who is that guy?" I muttered to Percy.

He had obviously been deep in thought because he jumped and went "Uh wa?"

I pointed at the scrawny kid as discreetly as possible, "Who is he?"

"That," Percy huffed, "is Octavian, legacy of Apollo."

"Dangerous?" I asked. I had a bad feeling about him.

"Yes," Percy nodded, "but not dangerous in a physical sense. He's good with words. He knows how deal them to make people agree with him. He wanted the Praetorship, so naturally he doesn't like me much."

"Why is it always the powerful people you annoy?" I sighed in an exasperated fashion.

"Occupational hazard," Percy shrugged.

"Quite," I agreed.

Reyna hissed one last thing at Octavian, before making her way to her throne. Octavian sat back in his seat with a pout.

"Children of Rome and Athens," Reyna declared, the Senate fell into silence, "we have been brought together for a divine purpose. Though we have thought these Greeks our enemies in the past, it is necessary to our survival and the survival of our gods that we put past conflicts aside."

"Necessary?" I interrupted, standing up with an offended expression.

"Please sit Praetor; we have much to go through." Reyna motioned for me to sit.

"Strategos," I said.

"Excuse me?" Reyna frowned, hands folded.

"Strategos Chase, I'm a Greek general, Strategos is my title." I answered.

"Well then Strategos Chase, could you please take your seat." I couldn't detect if she was being sarcastic or not.

"I'm afraid not, I have something to say before we start, if you please. I find it only fair as the leader of the Greek Captains."

"I can't …" Reyna was obviously not used to being interrupted in this way.

"I'll make it quick," I encouraged.

Reyna sighed, "You have three minutes, use them wisely."

I placed my helmet under my arm and strode to the front of the Senate. My armour clanking a little was the only sound as I walked. All but a few Romans glared at me like I was dust on their recently polished, legion sandals.

"I know you Romans don't think much of the Greeks," I announced, "and when you do think of us you think us weak, senile, unorthodox. But that is based on the days of war between our two great civilisations. The days of unrest."

A few Romans snorted at the idea of Greece being thought of as great.

"Do not laugh. Rome conquered many, yes, but the Greeks created much. Do not forget, Mount Olympus in Greece was the birthplace of the gods. You think of us as uncivilised, but Athens is known as the birthplace of democracy. Greece was the origin of Medicine, The Syllogism, The anchor, Coin money, Maps, History, Geometry, Philosophy, Central heating, the Thermometer, Rhetoric." I breathed deep, "You Romans may have fought a lot, but we Greeks thought a lot."

I looked at Percy, pride gleamed in his eyes. Oh, how I had missed those eyes. They were, if possible an even more exquisite, spirited and brilliant green than before. His dark hair was even longer and wilder. He was taller and more muscular now. The boy in my memories had grown to be the man in my dreams.

"Annabeth is right," Percy stood, nodding, "do not underestimate us. If we go into this alliance thinking of each other as inferior, it will fall apart. We need to find equal ground."

"We need to become one force; correspondent and unyielding." I finished. A few Romans seemed hesitant, but most nodded in an understanding way. Guess which was the only one that sneered?

Leo started to clap enthusiastically, before realising that no one else was, and putting his hands in his lap with an awkward expression.

"Well spoken, Strategos Chase." Reyna smiled a new tone of respect in her voice.

"I think Annabeth has got the right idea," A curly haired guy smiled, a Kool Aid stained smile.

"Thank you Dakota," I acknowledged the son of Bacchus, who had introduced himself earlier.

"I second Annabeth's vision; it is the right way to go." Jason stood a little straighter. I had hardly noticed his presence; he was standing by the huge double doors that lead into the Senate house. Like, he wasn't sure where he was meant to sit anymore. Piper was stood loyally next to him.

"Well, I think it's an appalling idea." Octavian stood, "Greeks aren't as strong or smart as Romans; they should clearly have less influence in military decisions."

"I would like to remind you Octavian that it was with the help of a Greek that Rome won the battle against Polybotes." Percy growled.

"Perhaps, but it is clearly shown in history that the Greeks lack military prowess." Octavian simpered, deliberately annoying Percy, who was shaking slightly with anger.

"Says you," I said, my teeth clenched, "I'm a daughter of Athena, goddess of wisdom and war. I know how to lead an army to victory. As Percy said, 'Do not underestimate us.' While you Romans were winning the battle against the Titan Krios, we were successfully defending Olympus. Percy opposed Lord Kronos himself. And Kronos was by far not the first Titan Percy had ever faced."

"But did he win?" Octavian teased.

"Yes," Percy began as he walked to the front, all eyes following him, "I won, obviously. There were fatalities, injuries, good heroes lost, not just on our side, but the opposing one as well. But we won in the end."

"Yeah," Connor said, "Percy's the best hero we've got. You've seen him fight, he's a beast."

"And he got offered immortality." Travis added.

"Exactly, he's the man," Connor nodded, gesturing with his hands.

"I will speak for the Greeks," Jason called, "They've been good to me, I feel like I've found another family." Jason glanced at Piper, but I don't think anyone but I noticed.

"I have heard many tales of Percy Jackson, He is a trustworthy and … intrepid ally." Jason smiled.

"Thanks guys," Percy grinned, his eyes flickered down to my hand, slipping his fingers into mine, "but I had a lot of help." Percy squeezed my hand.

Octavian shook his solemn head, "I still believe …"

"Oh, be quiet Octavian," Reyna sighed, "I am willing to trust the Greeks, and I want you to trust my judgment." Octavian pursed his lips and reluctantly sat.

"So, down to business then?" Jason asked.

Sorry this took so long, I really am, I just couldn't get it straight in my head. It's here now though.