DA : Chapter 144: Love Crushed I

His sword Riptide, cursed and impaled with the abandoned city of Olympus, left there by the legendary hero, her forsaken love.

It hadn't taken her long to discern that and with the mention of her daughter's life being possibly on the line, it hadn't taken her much to decide on who to name godfather, a choice that she had still been pondering for days.

...

Sure, to the gods she had simply said to stay with only a godmother, not trusting any of the gods with her child and considering the mentioned war, didn't name any of her siblings as the godfather simply because she doubted they would be enough.

Hades had said it repeatedly during the years when asked if Percy was alive and his answer had always be yes, so taking the shot, she named him as such in secret, having faith that he would be there when needed. It seemed that after some minutes of silence the winged beings looked back at her, possibly having come to similar conclusions as her.

"We … see," Rhea said with a tired sigh before her gaze fell on her husband and king.

"That certainly brings things into perspective," Percy said in an unreadable tone as his narrowed eyes fell on her. "But it seems that we'll have to think on this a bit more. It is rather sudden, after all." With that he and the winged goddesses stood, some shooting her curious glances. "For now, we'll let you stay as a guest. Atlas will see you about accommodations for the night but until then, I think the gardens behind the temple might interest you."

Before she could ask what he meant by that, all four disappeared in burst of shadows, their presence vanishing just as quickly making Annabeth sigh as slowly got up and out of the desk.

Mind you, she was still very aware of the three beasts, or more accurately, two beasts and fellow goddess watching her from their spots at the bases of each thrown. She wasn't tempted to find out if being in their continued presence was a risk to her health so she made a hasty retreat out of the throne room.

Once out and after waving down a passing nymph to ask for directions she soon arrived to the aforementioned gardens. They were beautiful, she had to admit, with all manner of wild flowers and shaded trees, small stone courtyards and paths marked throughout.

She tried to let herself relax as she slowly walked one path, enjoying the soft breezes as she spotted some nymphs here and there tending to it. However, soon she arrived at what was likely the center and a quick look around confirmed that it sat a distance behind the throne room itself.

Taking it in, she let a small gasp escape her as she saw a beautiful oak of pure white with actual golden leaves measuring several stories up, planted on an obsidian black soil island and surrounded by clear waters with a small path leading to it.

The veins of color running up and down the trunk, along with the sheer presence coming off the tree let Annabeth know it was significant but for what exactly, she wasn't sure. However her musing were cut short as she heard some small barking off to the side and looked only to let her mouth drop in shock.

There, just off the path and under the shade of some trees were Athena and if she recognized him right, Triton, sitting on a bench. Sure, it was surprising suddenly seeing her mother but what surprised her more was that she was actually leaning her head against Triton's shoulder as the god in question lightly rubbed her shoulder and she could make out the slightest tear marks along her mother's face. Then, looking at their feet Annabeth spotted the source of barking being a little grey wolf pup that was pawing at Athena's feet.

Before she could stare for longer or even find her voice however Triton noticed her, his eyes widening for a moment before he murmured something to her mother. Athena's head shot up as her eyes immediately found Annabeth before gasping as she abruptly stood before glancing nervously to Triton as the god stood as well.

Annabeth watched, transfixed as Triton murmured something else to Athena with a gentle smile before he went as far as kissing her on the forehead and then walking off down a different path, all the while Athena remained rooted to the spot.

Annabeth for her part couldn't help but frown in confusion at seeing her mother. Sure, Percy had told her that her mother was safe but she'll still had some doubts. However, that didn't mean she was expecting to see the kidnapped goddess simply resting in a garden and speaking to a god Annabeth hadn't seen hang around her before and it was someone related to Poseidon that made it that much more surprising.

Still, she walked forward and was noticed by her divine mother but Athena simply remained still, going as far as tugging at the ends rope around her waist as she glanced at Annabeth, the wolf puppy at her feet looking on as well.

"Mother?" Annabeth gently called as she got almost within arms distance, finally getting Athena to look her in the eyes.

"Annabeth," her mother replied as she looked her over, frowning at some of the dirt and grim left from her travels.

Unsure of what to do left both in a bit of an odd silence, with the goddesses being close over the years but there was still this slight air of distance that Athena had as long as Annabeth could remember. In fact the only time Annabeth could truly recall Athena dropping such a wall was with Cloelia … and at the brief moment she saw, Triton.

"I'm glad to see you," her mother's voice broke her from her thoughts before her eyes widened as she looked properly, seeing how Athena's arms were almost open to her but the goddess looked unsure of just how to go about hugging her.

Not really even thinking about it Annabeth stepped closer and embraced her mother, feeling the goddess stiffen for a moment before the embrace was returned. It was almost timid at first but then the strength came in as Athena pulled her closer, head's resting on the other's shoulder in this novel experience. It was the first time Annabeth could ever say she'd gotten hugged by her mother and it felt … nice. The close warmth of the touch while carrying a sense of safety and reassurance, something that Annabeth was sure Athena was feeling herself.

"I'm here mom," she said softly as her face nuzzled into Athena's shoulder, feeling the other goddess tighten the hold as she nodded into it.

The hug lasted for several minutes as neither goddess was really in a hurry to let go but eventually they did when there was whining at Athena's feet. As Annabeth pulled back she watched as Athena quickly scooped up the puppy in her arms and held it at her chest as she petted her softly.

"So …" Annabeth started up after a minute of watching her mom coo over a puppy. "Who's this?" she asked as she gently petted the pup as well.

"Anesi," Athena replied as the pup playfully nipped at her fingers. "She was given to me by Lady Andromeda."

'Lady?' Annabeth mentally asked but didn't voice it, instead asking another nagging thought.

"So … um, why were you so close with Triton?"

At that the question Athena paused in her petting as she turned her attention to Annabeth, her features softening with tones of regret in her eyes much to Annabeth's surprise.

"Let's just say … you weren't the only one that ran from their shame," Athena answered softly and then continued before she could ask further. "And a lot has happened since I was taken making it a long story."

Annabeth looked at her mother curiously for a moment, still trying to settle how she felt about this changed demeanor of her mother. That wall was gone and she seemed oddly vulnerable in a way but also more open and softer. Still, seeing as she was supposed to stay for the night anyways, she figured she could spend it with her mother.

"I've got time…"

...

( Hestia POV )

She sighed softly as she watched her finger, lazily trailing over the lightly tanned skin and coiled muscle of her husband's chest. She relished in the intimacy and warmth shared between them as she rested on him, not a shred of clothes or space to separate them.

She could also feel his hand running along the back of her head, idly playing with her hair as he hummed softly making her that much more relaxed. It really did wonders after the tension of yesterday's meeting but her husband, wife, and consort had been all too eager to make it up to her.

Of all the council, she'd been the only one that didn't even want to give that minor goddess so much as a glance, even less so allow her into the city. Some may have called her petty, insensitive considering the reason for the goddess coming all the way to their city, and even intentionally malicious. She knew and recognized it but for the life of her, she couldn't react in any other way. That goddess was one of the few beings Hestia had truly hated for a time and even now still resents.

And all of it because of the end of the war.

Most regular mortals and ignorant gods would say considering love a great power something as idealistic and naïve but she knew otherwise. For demigods that lived fearing the next day, unsure if today's friends would be an enemy next, especially when dealing with temperamental gods.

Her husband had loved, and trusted. It was his driving force to keep him moving forward, to bear the pain and torment of war left on his shoulders under a prophecy. To keep his own alive, to strive for peace, to simply survive … and that first love crushed him, turned into betrayal and lies.

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Don't forget to throw some power Stones, to keep the story going.

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