Percy Jackson and the Annabeth Chase

Chapter 16 - The ice castle

Annabeth's POV

The further they got along the more anxious Annabeth became. She couldn't understand why she was so uncomfortable. She had a memory with this place but she just couldn't remember everytime she tried she got this bad headache. Annabeth was ahead of Percy and Katelyn. She reached the water edge before them and looked out over the water. In the distance she saw a black shape of a castle like Annabeth had said. Percy came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "You were right Annabeth." Annabeth smiled, of cause she was right, it was rare she wasn't. She turned to face Percy still smiling.

"I know seaweed brian." Percy looked out over the water.

"How do we get there we'll die of hyperthermia." Percy stated. Annabeth didn't argue the water would be insanely cold even though Percy and Katelyn could will themselves to stay dry that didn't stop the cold or Annabeth getting wet. For once Annabeth was stumped. Then Percy let go of her waist and stepped closer to the waters edge. He put his hand in the water and seemed to be consertrating really hard. For a few minutes nothing happened. Then out at sea Annabeth saw ripples and something emerged actually three things emerged and came speeding towards them at super human speed. It was Rainbow the Hippocampus and his buddies. Annabeth had forgotton about her adventure with these beatiful creatures. Percy swept Annabeth off her feet, literally and he plodded in the water with Katelyn following. Annabeth got that he was just trying to keep her dry and be 'romantic' but Annabeth really didn't appreciate being swept off her feet without a word of warning. Percy smiled down at her. Annabeth didn't mean to but she giggled. It had been a while since Percy had joked and messed with Annabeth and it made her happy. Katelyn had been quite ever since their conversation on the Griffin so when she spoke up it shocked Annabeth. "Hey guys I'm just going to hang back for a minute I'll catch up later, okay?" Percy turned Annaneth still locked in his arms.

"What do you mean?" Percy asked.

"I want to make a quick call." Katelyn glanced down at something, Annabeth thought it was the ring on her finger but she averted her eyes quickly. Percy just nodded, he put Annabeth on Rainbow and hopped onto another. They sped off leaving one for Katelyn.

Katelyn's POV

Katelyn wasn't sure why but she felt compelled to call Nico. She rubbed the ring and again a flash of light happened and a screen appeared before Katelyn. Nico stood in his PJs, he looked like he'd just woken up, his hair was in a mess and he looked half asleep. His face looked concerned. "What's wrong?" Katelyn realised she was looking sad and her eyes were very close to tears but when Nico asked what was wrong she just lost it. Nico stepped back in the shadows and disappeared. Katelyn thought he'd left her but she looked up and standing there right in front of her was Nico. He embraced Katelyn who cried into his shoulder. "Hey c'mon tell me what's wrong?" Nico asked softly. Katelyn wiped her eyes and sniffed.

"I think it was just building up inside me, I feel better now thanks death boy."

"Anytime water bender." Katelyn was still in Nico's arms he held her protectivly. She noticed he wore a skull ring on his right hand just like the one Nico had given her.

"You didn't say we had matching rings." He shrugged.

"I didn't think that was important." Katelyn snuggled deeper into his chest feeling Nico's warmth.  She had been longing for Nico ever since she'd left. She pulled back. "I really should go." Nico smiled.

"The quest is almost over, right?" Nico asked. Katelyn nodded. "Then I'll see you really soon." Katelyn pulled back and kissed Nico. It made her insecurities disappear for a moment nothing mattered to her. Then she pulled back, she splashed her face with water which was freezing, and said her goodbyes to Nico. He sunk back into the shadows and disappeared. Katelyn hopped onto the fish horse thing which took off in the direction that Annabeth and Percy had gone in. The horse spoke to her are you okay my lady?

"My lady?"
Yes you are the daughter of Poseidon our lord. Katelyn pondered for a moment then asked.

"My father talks me?"
All the time, he loves Percy says Percy is his favourite son but he loves you too says you are his favourite daughter, Lord Poseidon is very protective over you like any father with his daughter. Katelyn wasn't sure why but the comment made her feel happy. Did a horse-fish just confort her. She hugged its neck and she whispered thanks. You have more control with the sea.

"Excuse me?"
You don't know it yet but you can do more things with water than Percy. Percy also got battle skills but you are better with water than with a sword that's why your father gave you a trident to remind you of your skill with water. Suddenly her dream made sense why her dad had emphasised water and gave her a trident tattoo. Katelyn was better with water than with a sword the horse-fish had said and she intended to use it. Up ahead a huge ice castle came in view like Annabeth had said Kayelyn made a mental note to not bet against Annabeth and she saw Annabeth and Percy on the edge of the ice it was located on.

Annabeth's POV

Percy and Annabeth hadn't been waiting that long. But Percy paced up and down and when he saw Katelyn coming he sighed a finally. Annabeth shot him a warning look telling him not to ask. When Katelyn arrived, they made there way to the gates of the castle. Annabeth trudged behind so Katelyn and Percy were first to reach the gates. Percy looked like he was arguing with someone and as Annabeth neared she heard them. "You do not have business with the King go back to where you came from son of sea god."

"Oh I have personal business with the King." Annabeth stood next to Percy now and she saw a shrimp. Not meaning a small person, no, an actual shrimp. It was holding a spear and looking very impatiently at Percy. The shrip turned its black eyes on Annabeth and it gasped and bowed. "Lady Annabeth, well I haven't seen you simce the incident not that you'd remember you were just a small one then but I'd recognise those eyes and curls anywhere." Annabeth looked blankly at the shrimp trying to place him. Without thinking she blurted out a name she didn't even know she knew.

"Danious." Percy looked at Annabeth like she'd just killed someone and she just shrugged.

"So you do remember?"

"Ummm its kind of fragmented but I remember little pieces."

"Well the King was expecting you but not these two."

"Please Danious, for me?" The shrimp looked at her with his black as coal eyes and sighed.

"Okay my lady but I'll take you straight to the King." Annabeth nodded as the shrimp lead them into the ice castle.

They followed Danious into the throne room. Sitting on the throne was a man she recognised. He didn't look much like a King he wore a casual button down checkered shirt and brown trousers. His shoes were black loathers. Placed on his head was a crown. Annabeth looked at the man. Something stired inside her telling her this was a very unsafe memory she was about to uncover. That's when Annabeth's vision blurred her legs became weak and she collapsed.