The Legend of Elodie Grant (Percy Jackson Fanfiction)

Chapter Twenty-five

I laid next to Arsen, my head on his cold chest. Zeus had left long ago, and still I stayed. I stayed long after the sun had set, long after the campers had stopped coming to check on me. It was pitch dark, but I couldn't find it in myself to move.

Zeus had told me the transformation would take place at midnight. I assumed he did this, believing I would want to discuss what was going to happen with my fellow campers, but I hadn't left Arsen. Instead, I told myself I would move once midnight struck and I was immortal. I would bury him once I had no choice but to.

Tears started streaking down my face. The numbness that had taken ahold of my body broke, finally allowing the pain to come in. I could finally grieve. I turned so my face was hidden in his shoulder, soaking his shirt with my tears. Silent sobs made my shoulders heave. Everything, for the first time since Zeus left, felt real.

Arsen was gone.

I wasn't sure how long I stayed like that, but eventually my cries quieted. Even oblivious to the world as I was, I couldn't ignore the fact that I was no longer alone. I picked my head to look up at the woman.

I couldn't help but gasp at her beauty. This woman was absolutely striking. She seemed clean, put together, and utterly powerful. There was no mistaking the goddess Aphrodite.

I watched her with eyes swollen from crying as she lowered herself to sit on a nearby tree stump. It seemed undignified to do so, but she managed to look as if it were a throne she was sitting upon instead.

"I've always loved a good tragic love story." She told me, her voice like a song. "Nothing strikes my heart more than a story like your's, young one. You fell in love so young, I almost confused it for puppy love. Yet, sitting here now, watching you mourn over your lover's body, there is no mistaking it. This is true love."

She smiled softly at me and I unconsciously sat up, trying to make myself worthy of her gaze. I wasn't sure what she was doing here, but she was being kind to me, not a look of pity in her eyes. I hadn't seen that yet today and it was a refreshing feeling.

"True love is rare enough for adults to find, let alone one as young as yourself." She continued. "You are lucky in more ways than one, Elodie Grant." She paused, letting out a small sigh, before saying, "Tell me about your love."

I looked away from her for the first time, looking down as Arsen's still face instead. He looked as if he were sleeping instead of dead, and I could feel my heart crack even more.

"He was...everything." I said finally, my voice hoarse from being unused for so long. It was a drastic difference from her melodic voice. "He was strong, but gentle. Loving, but fierce. Everyone admired him, even though he can be quite intimidating and stand-offish. We fought the very first time we met." I let out a broken laugh, taking his cold hand in mine. "I never could have guessed we would fall in love. But, we did."

I glanced up at Aphrodite once more. Her eyes were proud, but I could not tell what she was proud off. She seemed all around satisfied with my words, and I could almost forget my pain under her gaze. Almost.

"He died telling me how proud he was of me. Because he was distracted, he wasn't paying attention as much to the battle around him. He died because of me." I whispered brokenly, tears once again streaming down my cheeks.

The goddess watched me with thoughtful eyes. I couldn't tell what she was thinking, but I also could not find it within myself to care enough to ask. I looked up at the sky, a breeze flowing through the trees, bringing the scent of the strawberry fields with it. According to the stars, midnight was minutes away.

"He will be your partner." Aphrodite spoke up. "Your souls intertwined forever."

I didn't immediately register what she was saying, but when I did, my gaze snapped towards her, my eyes wide. Hope was blooming in my chest, and that was dangerous.

"He will help you protect the camp, living for as long as you do. Whatever happens to one, will happen to the other." She continued on, her eyes looking at the dead boy in my hands.

"B-But...how?" I stuttered, shock coursing through me. The goddess' eyes glanced up to meet my stunned gaze. A small smile danced on her lips.

"Hades' wife is a good friend of mine. Persephone will understand your pain. And everyone knows she has Hades wrapped around her little finger. The king of the underworld is hopelessly in love with her."

"Why would you do this for me?" I asked, breathless.

"True love is rare in this world, Elodie Grant. Whenever I come across it, I cannot help but help it flourish in anyway I can." She told me, her face soft. She stood up, smoothing down her dress, although I could see no flaw or wrinkle.

"I hope to see you again one day, Elodie."

She started walking away into the woods. I gaped after her. Was she not going to help me as she had said?! I jolted forward, but I could not find the strength to get to my feet. I reached out towards her as if I could stop her, but a cough from next to me froze me in my tracks. I couldn't help but think I had made it up. But, no, there it was again, unmistakeable. A cough.

I whirled around, hope bursting from my chest and flooding my entire body. Arsen blinked up at me, seemingly dazed.

"Elodie?"

I flung myself at him without another thought, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck. He grunted from the impact, but wrapped his arms around me either way.

"What's wrong, love?" He asked, confusion in his voice.

"Nothing!" I laughed, hysteria coating my voice. I could feel tears flooding my face and I knew the sight alarmed him, but I only pulled him tighter, shoving my face into his shoulder. "Absolutely nothing!"

I felt when midnight struck and suddenly the two of us were flooded in a warm, but bright light.

And, for the first time in days, I knew everything would be okay.