Hey guys! Hope you like this chapter ! This one is dedicated to bellamour_ for the awesome 'movie poster' you see on the right! Thanks hun! Also, I re-edited Nico's age... I went with 11, almost twelve (in a few months) - 13 seemed a little old. If you are curious why I keep making him older, leave a comment and I'll explain better !  

Song for this chapter: I'll Follow You Into The Dark - Death Cab For Cutie (one of my favorite songs, special shout out to Allisnwonderland for reminding me of it) This is another great Olercy song (or Polive, which ever you prefer).

Ch. 12 - Life Or Love

    "This tale has not yet meaning, but shall in time,

         When the word is teetering on the flip of a dime. 

    Listen and be aware,

        Seek out the girl with flaming hair.

    The one locked away do to fright and sorrow -

        Come, step into the Tavern of Tomorrow

    And mend what was broken by Cupid's arrow.

        Strength she posses by ten-fold

    But only the smart can take her from Earth's hold."

    Percy didn't miss a beat while reciting the prophecy to me, it was melodic and smooth - making my heart race with excitement at the mystery of his words. Percy chuckled a little in my mind and spoke up once again. "He was a little scared; Nico thinks he will forget it, but I told him that it's kind of hard to. The spirit of Delphi is a hard thing to forget - especially when it's your first time hearing her in your head."

     "Yeah - I know." I mumbled, mind racing over the verses Percy had muttered to me while the warm water lapped at my skin, teasingly. There was something inside the words. A hidden truth. The sensation would not leave me alone and no matter how many times my brain tried to jam the puzzle pieces together, it couldn't do it.

     There was a disturbance in the water causing my peaceful floating to turn into a capsizing boat - then a hand wrapped around my ankle, pulling me to shore and away from the water. Away from Percy. "Come on, lazy." Apollo chuckled, hauling me onto the shore before I could even say goodbye. "Time to stop relaxing and get back to work."

      "W-wait!" I struggled against Apollo, trying to back into the water. I didn't want to say good bye to Percy yet. I still wanted to ask more things, talk a little longer. I didn't know the next time I'd see him or even hear his voice. 

     Apollo gave me a strange, confused look. "It's not that big of a deal, Olive. You can have another break in fifteen minutes. Just work on some other things first." He shook out his hair, splattering droplets of water every where. "Gez, for a minor god, you sure are whiny."

     Biting my lip, I tried to remember the prophecy Percy had mentioned to me. It was nipping at the back of my mind, bugging me. I couldn't place it, however. "Not yet meaning... Shall in time. World teetering on the flip of a dime?" I rose a brow. I didn't notice Apollo's back stiffen the more I talked. 

     "Flip of a dime..." I hummed to myself, bringing the next few phrases into my mind. "Listen... girl with flaming hair." Apollo's fists clenched at his sides as the questions slurred from my mouth, under my breath as the puzzle tried to fit together. "Locked away...? Fright and sorrow. Tavern of Tomorrow? What does that me-"

     "Olivia." My father snapped, swiftly grabbing my shoulders tightly into him hands, eyes searching mine with anger and confusion. "Where.... where did you hear that?!" He hissed, fingers tightening against my shoulders, making me wince in confusion and a little bit of fear. Apollo was pissed. 

     "U-Uhm... Just now... Percy told me." I murmured to him, dipping my head low so to not look him in the eyes. I know prophecies are not to be spread to other people outside the circle of those it involved, but I didn't think Apollo would become so furious over it. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't think it was a big deal-"

     Apollo released me roughly, making me teeter on my feet slightly. "Percy?! As in Perseus Jackson? He should know that prophecies are for only certain ears only. I told you," Apollo glared into my eyes, setting my insides on fire with the anger he was expressing. "I told you I didn't want you to know what was happening to her. It will only cause you pain!"

     I took a sharp gust of air. There it was. The missing puzzle piece had been thrust at me by my Father and it all made perfect sense. "Penny?" I swooned a little, the heat of the afternoon sun blaring down on me getting a little too hot. "P-Penny and, and N-Nico?! He's so young!" I hissed at my Father, angry. "He's too young! There's no way I'll just let him get Penelope with out me -"

     Apollo shook his head and turned around, finishing the conversation. "It's nothing for you to worry about. It is none of your business, besides - Aphrodite called on my earlier today. You have a hearing with Hera at one o'clock. It's now eleven, best make yourself presentable."

     "Presentable? Really." I bit at him, watching him retreat back to my manor. "Why do I feel like that was an insult towards my character?"

     "Because it was." He chirped back, his previous mood of anger disappearing almost as quickly as it had started. 

     Walking back to my house, I realized there was something off as soon as I walked in. Peering around my hallways, I waved goodbye to Apollo and watched the corners of my eyes, making sure nothing was hiding in my home. "Hello?" I called, but there was no response. 

     Striding into my bedroom, I realized what was different. Nothing was moved, or misplaced, but it was the smell. It wasn't a bad smell, in fact it was one of the best things I had ever smelt in my life. And I knew exactly who it was. 

     The redhead was sitting eagerly on the edge of my bed, hair splayed out like a model posing as a mermaid with beach curls. Her eyes shifted from blue to green to grey like a kaleidoscope and her smile was an alluring one. "Hello, Oliviae." 

     "Hey, Lady Aphrodite." I smiled a little to be polite, but looking around my room, I couldn't help but wonder why she was here. I didn't lock the place up, but major gods didn't come calling very often. "What's up?"

     Her eyes sparkled with excitement and she brushed herself off as she stood to assess me. "I came to help you be presentable for your hearing. Not one hair must be out of place when you meet with Hera. She likes to focus on the little details to decide wither to hate some one or not."

     "That's reassuring..." I mumbled under my breath then let out a small sigh. "I guess I have no choice but to comply any way. Even if I really don't want to." With those simple words, Aphrodite whisked me away to the bathroom and demanded me to get into the shower. "Okay, but are you going to leave?" I wrapped my arms around myself protectively.

     "No, why would I do that?" Aphrodite rolled her eyes at my self preservation and nodded towards the tub. "Just hurry up and take the shower, dear. You're among women here - if you were in your Mother's Hunt, you would be bathing in lakes with other girls." She stressed, scrunching her nose as if it was the most disgusting thing she'd heard in a while. 

     Realizing that she wasn't going to leave, I quickly turned around, stripped, and jumped into the shower as fast as I could. The gods had no sense of privacy - I was just learning this. I quickly scrubbed myself down, being sure to get behind my ears and the dirt under my nails, Hera would probably notice anything out of place. 

     Turning off the shower, I slowly pulled back the shower curtain to see Aphrodite holding out a fluffy grey towel towards me, eyes on mine - she was giving me the privacy I wanted. "Being the daughter of both Artemis and Apollo I'd thought you were okay with nudity." She giggled a little. "They don't have a problem with it, but I guess I was forgetting you were a demigod for a long time."

     Leading me out of the bathroom, she motioned to the bed where she had laid out my outfit for the meeting. A light blue, Greek styled dress was draped off the end, and black gladiator sandals rested on the floor next to it. The dress was beautiful, at the top it was the lightest blue I'd ever seen, then as your eyes traveled down, the blue darkened - ending at midnight blue.

     "I picked it because it reminds me of the cycle of day light." Aphrodite smiled softly, making my heart melt a little. Her face was my mothers, Scarlett's, which made it hard to see her as an ancient Goddess. "To represent your god lines. Being both the daughter of Night and Day."

     "Thank you." I murmured, feeling the silky fabric between my fingers in awe. It was too beautiful for me, I'd no doubt trip in mud and ruin it - my Karma is bad that way. "I can't keep this, though - I'll ruin it!"

     Aphrodite chuckled, green eyes flashing happily. "You've changed, dear. You... You are happier than the last time we met." She assessed me, not unlike how she had when we first met. "Why is that?" She murmured to my while slipping the dress over my head. I was amazed at the way it caressed me, it was beautiful.

    Frowning, I searched deep inside myself, was it true? Had I healed somehow? "I'm not really happier, I would say that I am healing. It took a while, and I wouldn't admit it to his face, but I think Apollo reassured me. My sister... she'll be in good hands." I'll make sure of it. I hissed inside my head. My first target on my list of places to visit once I was free, Camp Half-Blood.

     Aphrodite only lead my to my vanity mirror and begun working on my hair, pulling it into intricate braids and curls, she styled it in a way that left my face clear of any hair, and my shoulders draped in silky waves of ebony. She twisted black armlets on my arms like ancient Greek women used to wear and left my face clear of any make up.

     "Hera would want to see you clear faced, she would feel as if you were trying to mask yourself if you walked in there with make up on." She explained. Not that I minded, I had never worn it, I never had the chance to. 

     As I tied the sandals onto my feet, Aphrodite circled me, eyes searching for any misplaced hair, any discrepancy in my appearance. "This will do; don't be surprised if she talks bitterly. Also, if she does decide to let you go - do not be taken unaware if she sends you directly to Earth. Some times she sends people before she can change her mind - especially when it comes to going against Zeus's previous words."

     Frowning, I rubbed my hands together and let Aphrodite lead me out of my house and into the streets. The Olympians streets, which always seem to be bustling with noise and excitement, seemed cold and quite today. It was already high noon, usually the busiest time, but they were moving sluggishly. Instead of eyeing the produce, the minor gods and nymphs were eyeing me. 

     Whispers circulated around me, different scenarios being told back and forth. 'Was she going to be executed?' 'Hera will disintegrate her' 'Poor child, must be hard with out her mother'. These were the only things that actually reached me ears, many more were spilling out around me in the crowds. 

    I was sure that they would have all approached me and demanded answers themselves if Aphrodite was not here with me. Because of the Olympian's presence, they all kept a wide distance, not wanting to accidentally bump into her or disturb her in anyway. 

     Aphrodite led me to the door of a wide palace, I wasn't sure if this was Hera's temple or her home. I really hoped it was not the latter, Zeus may be there and I would die from the pressure. "You must go in alone, sweetheart. I can't go in with you. This is something you have to do on your own."

     Palms sweating, my knees were weak as I grasped the golden door handle. Slowly letting out a deep breath I'd forgotten I had been holding, I walked in and let the thick, marble door shut heavily behind me. Before walking inside, I double checked to make sure the long train of my dress had not been caught in the door. 

     "Why do you wait in the shadows?" A melodic, motherly voice rung out authoritatively. "Approach me, Oliviae, daughter of Artemis." She murmured the Artemis word as if it was a conniption, something that both confused and slightly mystified her. Yet, her voice never left the tone of being powerful and in control.

     Head bowed, I stepped into the threshold of her throne room, this was her palace and I felt my heart soar a little with that reassurance. My pulse sounded in my ears, loud and spastic. I was scared and Hera knew it. "Look up and behold me, child." She spoke softly, seeming to be please with the respect I was showing. 

     Raising my eyes slowly, I assessed Hera. She was the only Olympian I had not yet met, and I was not disappointed. Slender and slightly tanned, she was royal and powerful. Her chocolate brown hair was pulled into a loose braid and intertwined with silver and golden ribbons. Her brown eyes were soft, almost loving, and they seemed to be filled with all the answers to my problems. 

     "You are brave." She finalized with a smart frown, eyes trailing over me approvingly, searching the way Aphrodite's had many times before her. She sported the same look: as if she could see into my soul. "You are brave," She repeated, standing up from her throne regally and descending towards me as if she was gliding on air. "But scared. You are loving, but hating. You are respectful, but rebellious. You are here, but you are not. You are Night, but you are Day." Her silk dress swayed like the smoothest oil, and her appearance only became more intimidating the closer she got to me. "You, Oliviae, are a contradiction."

     I lowered my head as she faced me, walking circle around me and taking me in for what seemed to me, the first time. However, I realized that she undoubtedly had met me before. I just hadn't met her.

     "I don't like contradictions, Oliviae. I like perfections, I am not ashamed to admit this. So tell me, Olive Smith. Why do you think I would let you leave Olympus? Why should I believe you really want to help your Mother?"

     My mouth ran dry, of all my preparing I hadn't expected this. I hadn't expected her to want me to tell her why. I'd thought she would take one look at me and then decide yes or no. "Lady Hera, I desperately wish to help my Mother, Artemis, with all my heart." I began, mind racing to piece together a coherent statement. "She - and all of the gods as well - has done so much for me, preserved my life, given me a home. I would do anything in my power to rescue her." I bit my lip, stopping myself from over talking.

     Hera looked into my eyes, searching me for any faults. "Your words reign true, I know. However, I realize that you are not telling me everything. Of course, I'll take it as a slip of the mind and not judge you for it - but what about your other... loyalties? Where do they lie?"

     "Other loyalties, M'Lady?" I furrowed my brow, clasping my hands tightly together in nervousness. "I'm not sur-"

     Hera's eyes flashed dangerously, making my heart sputter. "I don't have time for this, child." She hissed a little, losing her motherly love and changing into powerful authority. "Aphrodite has already spoken with me about your love life. While she is cruel in some aspects of love, I think she is playing in your favor. Now, tell me. Where do your loyalties lie? In other words, if Percy Jackson were to turn on the Olympians - would you too turn?"

     My heart stopped for only a moment, taking her words into consideration. She would know if I was lying, there was no point in answering her with out a sure knowledge of how I felt. Percy's face flashed into my mind, then Penny's. Biting my lip, I knew the truth. "No, never." Taking a deep breath, I looked up into Hera's eyes with honestly. "If Percy were to go against the gods, I would not follow him. I would do anything in my power to stop him."

     Hera smirked, delighted. "Truth, it's a sweet thing. You are very wise, Oliviae. Maybe it was your time with Athena's daughter." She turned and sat elegantly back into her throne. "Unfortunately, Zeus doesn't want you to leave - gods, even minor ones, are not allowed to get into mortal affairs." 

    "But, Lady Hera, with all due respect - isn't this godly affairs? They have taken Artemis." I pressed my palms together roughly, not wanting to move around in case she decided to pulverize me.

     Hera sighed and stroked her face, eyes holding a tiny bit of sadness as she looked at me. "I know, I know, my dear. I do. I just fear you will come to regret this decision, if you chose to accept."

     "Accept what?" 

     Hera sat straighter in her throne, splaying her hands out as if to paint a picture. "When you were brought in here by Percy Jackson, cradled in his arms and dying, I knew that your journey was far from over. I was the one who saved you from the wrath of Zeus initially. I took a golden apple of immortality from the Garden of Hesperides, and fed it to you, giving you immortality." 

     I didn't understand what this had to do with my decision, but I remained quite to let her continue on with her story.

     "There is another fruit. Similar to the golden apple of immortality. Rare, but findable if you know where to look. You must find this fruit and once you have, you must decide." She stopped talking and gave me a small look of remorse. 

     I frowned, fearing what she would say to my question, and feeling like I already knew what she was going to say any way. "What will I need to decide between?" 

     "Life or love - but you already know that, don't you?" Hera rubbed her brow and gave me a small sigh. "When you receive the fruit, you must make a choice - remain a goddess, or become mortal. This fruit will strip you of your immortality, rendering you back to the power of a lesser demigod. You must either eat this fruit to save your Mother, or come back to Olympus and deliver the fruit to me. You must not face the danger holding Artemis without eating the fruit. If you do, you may find yourself succumbing to the evil which awaits you inside. We will have no choice but to eliminate you if you try." Hera murmured, giving me a sharp look as my stomach clenched.

     "Take heed, Olivia. You will not be as strong as before. Before you were brought to Olympus, you were a creature known as 'dodransgod'. This is rare, your sister Penelope is one as well. You, will be only the daughter of Artemis. You will only have her powers, and you will lose Apollo as your true Father. Do you understand the risks?" 

     I bit my lip, feeling my heart sink. I would lose Apollo, and everything I inherited from him. I would no longer have the ability to heal people or myself. I would no longer have great aim. But, most importantly, I would one day die. I wouldn't be a goddess. "I understand, Lady Hera." I nodded. "But, where may I find this fruit?"

     Hera nodded at me, eyes lifting up to the ceiling. "There are many interesting things to be found in a junkyard. Only the godly may take from this place, be sure that no one touches anything except you." I frowned, not understanding what she was talking about. Hera lowered her eyes back onto me. "Don't disappoint me, Child." Raising her hand, she flickered her wrist and I felt myself being thrown down.

     Clenching my eyes shut, I waited for the pain of my body hitting the stone floor - but the impact never came. Instead, I was free falling. The world was flashing past my eyes, my hair surrounded me like a cloud as I fell, my dress flowing like some cliché angel falling from the sky. 

     What worried me, however, was not the fall but the impact - where did she toss me? Where would I end up?

    Icy wind froze my skin, and all too soon, I was slowing down. A slightly frozen lake appeared below me, snow covered pine trees rushing under neath me. Arching myself forward so I would land on my feet, my gladiator sandal clad feet met with the freezing ground of the sandy lake shore.

     "Well well well, the goddess decided to show up. At least I know that part of the prophecy was you. What's with the fancy outfit, dressing the role as well as playing the part?" 

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You guys got close to the limit last time! I'll always try to update on Sunday's, but if you all get to 80 votes & Comments on this, I'll try to have the next update out before Sunday ;) 

Who do you think met Olivia at the beach? 

Until Next Time xxJess