chapter three
decisions and the sun dude

ZOЁ LED THEM TO THE TENT, waving them inside. Bianca was already there seated next to Artemis. The tent was warm and comfortable which was definitely welcomed because Lennon was still freezing. There was a deer with glittering fur resting its head in Artemis' lap. Looking at it, Lennon had the urge to pet it.

"Join us, Percy Jackson, Lennon Hart," she said.

They both sat across from her, naturally leaving a bit of space between the two of them.

"Are you surprised by my age?"

Lennon slowly shook her head while Percy said, "Uh... a little."

"I could appear as a grown woman, or a blazing fire, or anything else I want, but this is what I prefer. This is the average age of my Hunters and all young maidens for whom I am patron, before they go astray."

"Go astray?" Percy asked.

"Grow up. Become smitten with boys. Become silly, preoccupied, insecure. Forget themselves."

"Oh,"

Absent-mindedly, Lennon wondered if becoming smitten also applied to liking girls.

"Yes, it does also apply to girls," Artemis said as if reading her mind.

Lennon looked up, a bit surprised she knew exactly what she was thinking. "Oh,"

"Lennon, I've heard of you... well, I've heard of all your siblings. My brother is incapable of shutting up,"

Lennon just nodded, not really sure how to respond to that.

Zoё sat down next to Artemis and glared at Percy.

"You must forgive my Hunters if they do not welcome you. It is very rare that we would have boys in this camp. Boys are usually forbidden to have any contact with the Hunters. The last one to see camp..." She looked at Zoё. "Which one was it?"

"That boy in Colorado," she provided. "You turned him into a jackalope.

"Ah, yes." Artemis nodded, satisfied. "I enjoy making jackalopes. At any rate, Percy, Lennon. I've asked you here so that you might tell me more of the manticore. Bianca has reported some of the... mmm, disturbing things the monster said. But she may not have understood them. I'd like to hear them from you two."

And so they both told her. When they were done Artemis put her hand thoughtfully on her silver bow. "I feared this was the answer."

"The scent, my lady?"

"Yes,"

Percy and Lennon both had the same question. "What scent?" They glanced at each other when they said the same thing but turned back to Artemis.

"Things are stirring that I have not hunted in millennia. Prey so old I have nearly forgotten."

She stared at them both intently. "We came here tonight sensing the manticore, but he was not the one I seek. Tell me again, exactly what Dr. Thorn said."

"Um, 'I hate middle school dances'"

Lenon glanced at Percy in confusion.

"No, no. After that,"

"He said somebody called the General was going to explain things to me."

Zoё's face paled. She turned to Artemis and started to say something but Artemis raised her hand. Lennon watched the interaction in confusion.

"Go on, Percy."

"Well, then Thorn was talking about the Great Stir Pot—"

"I'm pretty sure it was stirring," Lennon interjected.

Bianca nodded her head in agreement.

"Well, stirring. And he said, 'Soon we shall have the most important monster of all— the one that shall bring about the downfall of Olympus.'"

Artemis was so still she could be a statue.

"Maybe he was lying," Percy said.

Lennon nodded, desperate for some optimism. "Yeah, maybe he was just exaggerating, to make it seem like him and that General guy are super strong,"

Artemis shook her head. "No, he was not. I've been too slow to see the signs. I must hunt this monster.'

Zoё worked hard to mask the fear on her face. She nodded at the goddess's words. "We will leave right away, my lady,"

"No, Zoё I must do this alone."

"But Artemis—"

"This task is too dangerous even for the Hunters. You know where I must start my search. You cannot go there with me."

"As... as you wish my lady."

"I will find this creature," Artemis vowed. "And I shall bring it back to Olympus by the winter solstice. It will be all the proof I need to convince the Council of Gods of how much danger we are in."

"You know what the monster is?" Percy asked.

Artemis gripped her bow. "Let us pray I am wrong."

All this ambiguous speak of a monster to end all monsters made Lennon nervous. Just what was the monster?

"Can goddesses pray?" Lennon and Percy asked the same question.

Artemis's lips tugged upward, in the flicker of a small smile. "Before I go, Percy Jackson and Lennon Hart, I have a small task for you,"

"Does it involve getting turned into a jackalope?" Lennon cocked her head, looking towards Percy, at the nature of the question. Though she supposed it was a valid question since Artemis enjoyed turning people into jackalopes.

"Sadly no. I want you two to escort the hunters back to Camp Half-Blood. they can stay there in safety until I return."

"What?" Zoё blurted out. "But, Artemis, we hate that place. The last time we stayed there—"

"Yes, I know," Artemis said. "But I'm sure Dionysus will not hold a grudge just because of a little, ah, misunderstanding. It's your right to use Cabin Eight whenever you are in need. Besides, I hear they rebuilt the cabins you burned down."

Burned down cabins? Lennon heard Zoё mutter something about foolish campers.

"And now there is one last decision to make." Artemis turned to Bianca. "Have you made up your mind, my girl?"

Bianca hesitated and Lennon had a feeling she knew what the goddess was referring to.

"Wait," Percy asked. "Thinking about what?"

"They... They've invited me to join the Hunt."

"What? But you can't! You have to come to Camp Half-Blood so Chiron can train you. It's the only way you can learn to survive."

"It is not the only way for a girl," Zoё said.

"Bianca, camp is so cool!" Percy desperately tried to convince the girl. Lennon partly understood why but she was also mad at the boy so his words frustrated her. "It's got a pegasus stable and a sword-fighting arena and... I mean, what do you get by joining the Hunters?"

"To begin with," Zoё said. "Immortality."

"She's kidding, right?"

"Zoё rarely kids about anything," Artemis said. " My Hunters follow me on my adventures. They are my maidservants, my companions, my sisters in arms. Once they swear loyalty to me, they are indeed immortal... unless they fall in battle, which is unlikely. Or break their oath."

" What oath?" Percy asked.

" To forswear romantic love forever," Artemis said. " To never grow up, never get married. To be a maiden eternally."

" So you just go around the country recruiting half-bloods—"

"Not just half-bloods," Zoё interrupted him. "Lady Artemis does not discriminate. All who honor the goddess and identify as female may join. Half-bloods, nymphs, mortals—"

"Which are you, then?"

Lennon saw the anger that flashed in Zoё's eyes. "That is not thy concern, boy."

"Plus it doesn't really matter," All heads turned her way as Lennon spoke up. "It's Bianca's choice of whether or not she joins. It's not up to us."

Zoё glanced at her, a look of approval on her face as she nodded her head. "Yes, exactly,"

Percy gaped at Lennon, surprised she wasn't on his side. He looked at Bianca. "Bianca, this is crazy. What about your brother? Nico can't be a Hunter."

Lennon hadn't thought of that. Would Bianca leave her brother for the Hunters? Lennon knows that she wouldn't be able to leave her siblings behind. After feeling alone for so long, she wouldn't leave the people that made her feel wanted.

"Certainly not," Artemis agreed. "He will go to camp. Unfortunately, that's the best boys can do."

"Hey!" Percy protested.

"You can see him from time to time," Artemis assured Bianca. " But you will be free of responsibility. He will have the camp counselors to take care of him and you will have a new family. Us."

"A new family," Bianca repeated dreamily. "Free of responsibility."

Lennon was shocked that Bianca would leave her brother behind so easily. From what she understood, Bianca was Nico's only family. Just hours ago she was caring for him and now she was ready to leave him behind.

"Bianca, you can't do this," Percy said. "It's nuts."

Lennon looked at the girl. "He is your last living family,"

However, the girl looked to Zoё. "is it worth it?"

The girl nodded. "It is,"

"What do I have to do?"

" Say this," Zoё told her. "'I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis,'"

" I... I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis."

" 'I turn my back on the company of men, accept eternal maidenhood, and join the Hunt' "

Bianca repeated the lines. "That's it?"

Zoё nodded. "If Artemis accepts thy pledge, then it is binding."

" I accept it," Artemis said.

Lennon watched as the flames in the brazier brightened and cast a silver glow over the room. Bianca didn't look different but she took a deep breath and opened her eyes. "I feel... stronger."

"Welcome, sister," Zoё said.

"Remember your pledge," Artemis said. "It is now your life." She turned to Lennon. "And you, Lennon Hart, do you wish to join the Hunt?"

Everyone looked at her and she felt like she would shrivel under their gazes. Percy looked at her, his gaze piercing but his face misleading. She had no idea what he was thinking, though she couldn't imagine he would care whether or not she joined the Hunters.

Joining the Hunters was an appealing offer. She'd be immortal and she didn't mind adventures. Maybe there she wouldn't be overlooked. But Lennon knew her answer before she even began to contemplate it.

"Uh, no thank you Artemis. It's, um, a very appealing offer though,"

The goddess smiled faintly at her choice of words, nodding in understanding. She turned to Zoё. "Dawn is approaching. Zoё, break camp. You must get to Long Island quickly and safely. I shall summon a ride from my brother."

Lennon perked up at the mention of her father. That last time she'd seen him was in a dream where he taught her how to play an old Greek hymn on her electric guitar.

Zoё didn't look very happy about Apollo giving them a ride but she nodded anyway, telling Bianca to follow her. As she was leaving Bianca stopped in front of Lennon and Percy. "I'm sorry, Percy, Lennon. But I want this. I really, really do." Then she was gone.

The Hunters had dismantled camp, though it was cold they didn't seem bothered. Lennon, however, was freezing. Thalia and Grover had huddled around her and Percy to hear what happened during their audience with Artemis.

Lennon had half the mind to ignite the light in her hands, desperate for any bit of warmth. But she only stayed there, hugging her arms around herself as she waited impatiently for her father to finally appear. And it seems she gets her wish because the sky lightens.

"About time. He's so lazy during the winter." Artemis muttered.

"You're, um, waiting for the sunrise?" Percy asked.

"For my brother, yes."

In school, you learned about the sun being a ball of gas, but in mythology, Apollo drove a sun chariot. Lennon tried not to think about how confusing that would be.

There was a sudden burst of light on the horizon and then a blast of heat, which was greatly appreciated by Lennon.

"Don't look," Artemis advised. "Not until he parks."

Lennon took her advice and looked away, shielding her eyes for good measure. When she looked back she saw a red convertible. Her father stepped out of the car, his usual bright smile on his face. When she'd first seen him— in a dream back when she was first claimed— she thought he resembled Luke Castellan. She'd even told the boy to which he'd chuckled at the idea. Of course, now he betrayed camp and Lennon felt nothing but anger and disgust when she thought of Luke.

"Wow," Thalia muttered. "Apollo is hot,"

Lennon's face contorted in disgust. "Ew,"

"He's the sun god," Percy said obliviously.

"That's not what I meant,"

"Little sister!" he called to Artemis. "What's up? You never call, you never write. I was getting worried!"

Artemis sighed. "I'm fine Apollo. And I am not your little sister,"

"Hey, I was born first,"

"We're twins! How many millennia do we have to argue—"

"So what's up?" He interrupted her. "Got the girls with you, I see. Wanna have another archery competition? I'm still looking to settle the score from last time,"

Artemis grit her teeth. "I need a favor. I have some hunting to do, alone. I need you to take my companions to Camp Half-Blood."

"Sure, Artie,"

Artemis rolled her eyes at the nickname. "Stop calling me that,"

He shrugged, "Whatever you say, Art." Then he raised his palms as if saying stop everything.

The Hunters all groaned and Lennon along with them. She loved her dad, she really did, but his random haikus drove her crazy.

He cleared his throat, "Green grass breaks through snow. Artemis pleads for my help. I am so cool." He grins, waiting for applause.

"The last line was only four syllables,"

Apollo frowned. "Was it?"

"Yes. What about I am so big-headed?"

"No, no, that's six syllables," he hummed to himself, muttering new lines.

Zoё turned to Lennon and the others. "Lord Apollo has been going through this haiku phase ever since he visited Japan. 'Tis not as bad as the time he visited Limerick. If I'd had to hear one more poem that started with, There once was a goddess from Sparta—"

"I've got it! I am so awesome. That's five syllables!" He bowed, looking very pleased with himself. "And now, Artie. Transportation for the Hunters, you say? Good timing. I was just about ready to roll."

"These demigods will also need a ride," Artemis said, pointing to them. "Some of Chiron's campers.

"No problem," He glanced over at them, immediately spotting Lennon. "Lennon! I didn't know you were here!"

She shrunk under all the attention. "Hey, dad," she squeaked.

"Did you teach your siblings that song I showed you?"

"Um, yeah. They really liked it,"

He grinned brightly. "Great. And you met Artemis, did she ask you to call her Aunt Artie?"

Artemis pinched the bridge of her nose. "I told you to stop calling me that,"

"No... she didn't," Lennon answered, unsure.

Apollo shrugged. "Oh that doesn't matter, she'll come around—"

"No, I won't," Artemis interrupted.

"We'll talk later, Lennon. Let's see..." He glanced at Thalia. "Thalia, right? I've heard all about you,"

Thalia blushed. "Hi, Lord Apollo."

"Zeus's daughter, yes? Used to be a tree? Glad you're back. I hate it when people turn into trees. Man, I remember this one time—"

"Brother, you should get going." Artemis reminded him.

"Oh, right." He looked at Percy, his eyes narrowing. "Percy Jackson?"

"Yeah. I mean... yes, sir."

Apollo studied him but didn't say anything. Finally, he nodded his head slightly and said, "Well! We better load up, huh? Ride only goes one way, west. And if you miss it, you miss it."

Lennon glanced at the car which could only seat two people. However, there were about twenty of them.

"Cool car," Nico said.

"Thanks, kid,"

"But how will we all fit?"

"Oh," Apollo glanced back at the car, as if now just noticing the problem. "Well, yeah. I hate to change out of sports car mode but I suppose..." He took out his car keys and beeped the security alarm button which made a chirping sound.

The car glowed brightly again and when the light died down it had been replaced with a shuttle bus that schools used for basketball games.

"Right," he said. "Everybody in."

The Hunters started packing up and after Lennon put up her bag, she stood off to the side. Apollo approached her.

"So, how was your... this is your second mission right? How was it, did you do any fighting?"

Lennon was surprised by his question. She mentioned before how she'd only ever gone on one mission. She'd prayed to her father— every time she scraped food off her plate into the fire at camp— for a chance to prove herself but she didn't know he was actually listening.

"It was good?" she shrugged, not really sure if good was the way to describe the mission since Annabeth had gone missing. "I did get to fight, but I lost my dagger,"

Her father frowned. "Your dagger? We'll fix that later,"

She waved her hands, "Oh no, that's fine you don't have to..."

He shook his head, not listening to her protests. He looked behind Lennon. "Hey, sis, where are you off to, anyway?"

"Hunting," Artemis answered. "It's none of your business."

"I'll find out. I see all, know all."

Artemis snorted. "Just drop them off, Apollo. And no messing around!"

"No, no. I never mess around," Lennon couldn't help but feel like that was a lie.

Artemis rolled her eyes and looked at them. "I will see you by winter solstice. Zoё, you are in charge of the Hunters. Do well, do as I would do."

Zoё straightened. "Yes, my lady."

Artemis knelt and touched the ground as if looking for tracks. When she rose, she looked troubled. "So much danger. The bear must be found." She sprinted toward the woods and melted into the snow and shadows.

Apollo turned and grinned, jangling the car keys on his finger. "So, who wants to drive?"

Everyone had piled into the car, the Hunters crammed in the back to get as far as they could from Apollo and the rest of the boys. Bianca sat with them too, leaving Nico to sit in the front with Lennon and the others. The boy didn't seem to mind.

"This is so cool!" He said jumping up and down in the driver's seat. "Is this really the sun? I thought Helios and Selene were the sun and moon gods. How come sometimes it's them and sometimes it's you and Artemis?"

"Downsizing," Apollo said. "The Romans started it. They couldn't afford all those temple sacrifices, so they laid off Helios and Selene and folded their duties into our job descriptions. Artie got the moon, I got the sun. It was pretty annoying at first, but at least I got this cool car."

"But how does it work?" Nico asked. "I thought the sun was a big fiery ball of gas!"

Apollo chuckled, ruffling Nico's hair. He went on to explain the science and myth of it all which, frankly, Lennon barely understood. It seemed Nico didn't understand either because when Apollo asked if it made sense he said, "No,"

"Well then, just think of it as a really powerful, really dangerous solar car."

"Can I drive?"

"No, too young,"

"Oh, oh!" Grover raised his hand.

"Mm, no," Apollo said. "Too furry," he looked at Lennon. "You wanna take it for a spin?"

Lennon widened her eyes. She had no idea how to drive and she didn't think she was capable of driving a flying bus. That and she didn't want to be responsible if she crashed somewhere. "Umm, no thank you."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded. "Yeah,"

"Well then..." he looked past Percy and focused on Thalia. "Daughter of Zeus! Lord of the sky. Perfect,"

"Oh, no," Thalia shook her head. "No, thanks,"

"C'mon," He said. "How old are you?"

Thalia hesitated. "I don't know,"

Thalia's words saddened Lennon. She could only imagine how it felt to not know how old you were.

Apollo tapped his chin, thinking. "You're fifteen, almost sixteen."

"How do you know that?"

"Hey, I'm the god of prophecy. I know stuff. You'll turn sixteen in about a week,"

"That's my birthday! December twenty-second."

"Which means you're old enough to drive with a learner's permit!"

Thalia shifted her feet nervously. "Uh—"

"I know what you're going to say," Apollo started. "You don't deserve an honor like driving the sun chariot,"

"That's not what I was going to say."

"Don't sweat it! Maine to Long Island is a really short trip, and don't worry about what happened to the last kid I trained. You're Zeus's daughter. He's not going to blast you out of the sky."

Apollo laughed good-naturedly. Lennon and everybody else did not. What he was saying definitely didn't reassure them.

Thalia tried to protest but Apollo wouldn't take no for an answer. He hit a button on the dashboard, and a sign popped up along the windshield. Lennon squinted at it to read it backward. It read, WARNING: STUDENT DRIVER.

"Take it away!" Apollo told Thalia. "You're gonna be a natural!"

AUTHORS NOTE:
it was fun writing the short little father daughter moment between lennon and apollo
also percy and lennon being on the same wavelength is so cute
any thoughts? questions? don't forget to vote and comment!