And everything was finally beginning to make sense.
Annabeth's POV:
The towers are the first things I see, emerging from the forest. I feel Percy's arms wrap a smidge tighter as we trot onto the pebbles bridge.
We're on horseback, heading back with soldiers surrounding us, to the kingdom. Throughout the two day journey, because the soldiers didn't want to be seen so we took a little longer, Percy and I discovered that the horse in which we are currently riding on is named Blackjack. Percy and he have bonded, I'm beginning to think Seaweed Brain can actually talk to and understand the horse. I don't know.
"Five pounds that music is going to start playing when we exit off this bridge," Percy murmurs at my ear, his breath softly blowing my hair.
Snorting, I reply, "I highly doubt it, besides it's not that big of a deal..." I trail off, unsure. Feeling Percy's knowing stare at the back of my neck I sigh, "What am I thinking, music is so going to be played."
Sure enough, Blackjack leads us into the ascending village up the mountain of a kingdom, and trumpets begin to play loudly. The sound of music fills the air as more instruments join in. Villagers crowd around the streets, cheering and crying with joy. All of it is a little overwhelming as I've never felt this many eyes on me in my entire existence.
Percy's hand folds over mine and my heart begins to beat faster, until he says, "You owe me five pounds."
Rolling my eyes, I remark, "You totally just ruined that romantic gesture."
"I'll make it up," He says confidently.
"Yeah right, you'll probably forget about it in an hour give or take."
His hand closes around mine firmer this time, "I will not."
Shrugging, I turn back to waving slightly at the screaming villagers. What a day, and it's not even the middle of the afternoon yet.
***
The entourage stops at the massive, gleaming doors of the palace. My mouth opens slightly and I quickly close it as Percy helps me down off the horse.
I walk to the entrance of the castle, before waiting until Percy finishes saying whatever he has to say to Blackjack. When he joins my side again, intertwining our hands once again, we begin to walk in, our footsteps echoing down the maze of hallways. I can't believe I'm going to meet my parents, my actual parents. What if I don't like them? What if they don't like me? What if they don't remember me? What if everything goes wrong? What if it doesn't turn out the way I want it to be?
"This way miss," A soldier interrupts my thoughts.
"Hey," Percy comments softly, sensing my worried thoughts. "It'll be okay."
We begin to climb the staircase, leading to the second level. "But what if this all turns out wrong? Or not what I dreamed it may be?"
His hand squeezes mine slightly, before brushing some raven black hair out of his sea green eyes. "I guess you never know, but that's the best part about dreams. Sure they may not meet expectations, but they happen and then you get to find a new one." He glances at me once more, "But what I do know is that whatever happens, you have me and all of your childhood friends."
Grinning, as we reach the top of the stairs, I say, "Will I get to meet your mom?"
Percy's face goes beet red, "Yeah."
Pushing him slightly, I urge, "What's she like?"
We turn down a hallway, the soldier's boots clinking against the marble. Percy's face goes even redder if that is even possible. "She's amazing. She makes great blue cookies, she has the best sense of humor on planet Earth, and she's so kind and caring. You'll like her, and I'm sure she'll like you. I'm just scared that," He trails off.
"What?" I press.
"That she'll show you embarrassing pictures and tell you childhood stories that should not be told."
My laugh booms off the clean walls, "Oh I am so in for that."
"No-" Percy begins to protest when we arrive at dark wooden doors.
I point to it, glancing at the solider, "Is this is?"
He bows, "Yes, your highness, you may go in."
Inhaling a deep breath, I look to Percy who nods smiling, and steps into the room.
Percy's POV:
I wait outside. I really hope Annabeth will be okay. I want this to work out for her, I really do. She's had it rough, and I think that needs to be changed.
My eyes flick to the solider, awkwardly standing to the side, waiting. "So, what's up," I say, trying to make conversation.
He looks to me, "Not much, you?"
I shrug, "Just fell in love with the lost princess."
He nods, "Cool."
"Yep."
And that, my friends, was the shortest, and insanely awkward interaction I have EVER had in my ENTIRE life.
Annabeth's POV:
Two figures await by the window, gazing out at their beloved kingdom. When they turn around at the sound of my soft footsteps, their small smiles freeze, every muscle turning tense.
It is only when I lock my eyes with a mom I never knew I had, that I let out a breath I didn't know was in me. Her strong, stormy gray eyes analyze me, over and over again until deciding on something. All at once they rush over to me and we collapse into a rushed embrace on the floor.
Relief.
Disbelief.
Comfort.
Laughter.
Love.
Sleep.
Breathless.
And most of all...joy.
That is what I felt when I felt their arms encircling me. Never have I ever, in my eighteen years in this world, have I felt so loved in this tiny, microscopic moment in our lives.
Edit from my future self: I have heard your pleas for the 'Cool Soldier' to get a promotion, and present you:
Teja gulps, and stares at the throne room doors. He attempts to distract himself by tracing the wooden carvings on the doors.
"Bring him in."
Oh gosh, he panics. What if he did something wrong? What if he gets kicked out? Imprisoned? No, the King is nice, he wouldn't do that...but that doesn't stop Teja's mind from going into complete chaos. Teja searches his mind for anything in the past, anything that he could've done. But there have only been two instances of social interaction since the King has come back from his business trip. He spoke to that one guy who apparently fell in love with the lost princess, a strange encounter but he didn't think much of it. And then he crashed into the maid, Lucy. She's so pretty. Teja gets momentarily distracted, thinking about her smirk, and her dark eyes, and–
"Teja," Arya barks at him. She gestures to the open doors, and he presses his shaking hands against his sides.
Each walk toward the Royal Family is terrifying. Breathe in, and out. Do not dwell, the mind only suffers from it, his grandmother would say whenever he began to overthink as a boy. Teja lifts his chin higher.
The King rests his hand casually on the Queen's, and it takes all but a second for Teja to release Princess Annabeth is next to them. The friendly guy, however, is nowhere in sight. His only safety net.
"Teja Abir," the King greets. He stands and comes toward the trembling, overthinking soldier. "According to Percy, you have proven to be a fair–uh, what else did he say?"
A voice yells from the side, "Cool soldier!" Percy. The friendly guy. Teja feels his shoulders sag with relief. He's not in trouble.
The King corrects himself with a firm nod. "Right. A cool soldier. I am hereby promoting you to Second Captain. Thank you for your services, and I am looking forward to seeing how you do in this job."
Teja feels both anxiety and joy at once. And disbelief, if he's being honest. "I–"
The King's eyes soften and he claps the soldier on the shoulder. "Do not overthink, do not fear. Trust in yourself and your abilities, Teja Abir."
Teja bows his head. "Thank you."
P.S. - Dream will be coming to an end soon, so I want to tell you that if you like how I write and whatnot, I've got a Survivor Percabeth/Heroes of Olympus story that I will be picking back up Sept. 29th, and a Broadway one, and Cinderella, etc. So, if you want, check those out, if not, then cool beans, I'm fine with that.
HAVE A WONDERFUL NIGHT/DAY WHEREVER YOU ARE! - The Fangirl
Disclaimer: I do not own the PJO or HoO series, I do not own Rapunzel and I do not own these characters.