Merlin's p.o.v.

As soon as Annabeth stepped out of her room, I matched my steps to hers. Arthur had sent me to inform her of what her cover story would be while she remained here. I watched her behavior subconsciously and was surprised yet again by her mannerisms. When Arthur and I had found her in the forest, she had been wearing the strangest of garments—and now she treated our garb with the same foreign wonder. Annabeth traced her fingertips lightly on the fabric as we walked.

"Unfortunately, tonight is a state dinner." I began, "And your absence would be noted considering the entrance you made earlier. The King wants you to play the part of a translator or ambassador. Is there any country or language you know—?"

I was interrupted suddenly by her voice, "Greek. I know Greek best."

I controlled my features despite my thoughts. Greece was a long way from Camelot. "I will let the King know."

I nodded to her once and departed down another hallway. She seemed to become lost in thought as soon as I departed. Uther's courier wasn't difficult to find, so I relayed my information to him. I took my place behind Arthur once I had arrived at the great hall. He ignored me, as usual.

Most of the guests couldn't help but stare at Annabeth. Underneath all the grime that we had discovered her with, she was really quite beautiful. With raised cheekbones and piercing gray eyes, she looked completely aristocratic. I listened in on her conversations. The bureaucrat beside her seemed to show a great interest in her.

"Why did you decide to become an ambassador? Weren't there other options for a woman such as yourself?" He prompted.

Annabeth sat up straighter. "As a woman I had no status in Greece. I ran away from my family when I was young. I learned English quickly as I traveled. I became a translator for ambassadors along the way."

I watched, riveted, as the lies poured easily from her mouth. She was a very good liar when the situation called for it.

The man next to her continued, "And…are you spoken for?"

My eyes widened. That was very forward. They had just met! I listened for her response.

"Yes, I am."

Who was it? Almost unnoticeable, I caught a glimpse of Annabeth moving her jewelry a position over onto her ring finger. How very sly of her.

"Who, pray tell?" The man asked.

Annabeth smiled lightly, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I doubt you would know him. He is not anyone of renown."

The bureaucrat narrowed his eyes, saying, "Then, what has he offered you that a nobleman hasn't?"

"I don't believe that is any of your business." Annabeth played coy.

"Where is he now? Surely he wouldn't let you travel alone?" He questioned, flicking his eyes over the crowd of people in the room.

Annabeth's eyes became very stern. "Sir, I do believe this is sounding more and more like an interrogation."

"Madam, I—"

"And I do not appreciate those who contradict me." Annabeth smiled menacingly. At some point in their conversation, Arthur had started listening in. I knew he was impressed by the way he leaned into the back of his seat, taking a slow sip of wine from his goblet.

Speaking of wine, Annabeth wasn't having any. Her water glass was nearly empty, but the goblet hadn't been touched. Odd. Just another strange action to add to the swiftly growing list.

Annabeth's p.o.v.

I sat quietly for the remainder of the meal, waiting for it to finally be over. I needed to find a way back to the twenty-first century! It had become dark outside a while ago. My trip to a library would probably have to be postponed until tomorrow. I resisted the urge to slouch in my seat.

Suddenly, Uther stood, lifting his goblet high into the air. He called, "To an evening of revelry!"

Cheers rang out as everyone got out of their seats. Servants flooded the area to clear away the dishes and others brought in large barrels of what I assumed to be alcohol. Perhaps now I could disappear without being noticed. Keeping my head down, I slipped behind a guard and exited the hall.

I breathed easy. The aristocrat's prodding questions left me uncomfortable and made me miss Percy even more. As I traveled through the dark corridors, peeking in doors left and right, I kept a mental map of where I was. The labyrinth had taught me how to keep my bearings in convoluted surroundings.

Surely there was a library here! I stopped by a wall to rest a moment. That's when I heard footsteps from down the hallway where I had come from. I pulled back into the shadows as much as I could, praying to the gods that I wouldn't be seen.

I relaxed when I heard their voice. It was only Merlin, for Hades sakes.

"Annabeth?" He said. "I know you're here."

I stepped out where he could see me better. "I should have known you would follow me."

Merlin appeared confused for a moment before the emotion flitted away from his face. He held a candle in one hand, casting a wobbly glow over his lower facial features. It reminded me of the bonfires we used to have at Camp.

"What are you doing?" Merlin questioned. "You could get in a lot of trouble."

Recalling all the lore I knew about Merlin, I knew he was no stranger to trouble. "You're one to talk."

He rolled his eyes. "But I work here."

I sighed. "Look Merlin, there's a lot you don't know about me and—"

"I know a few things." He contradicted. "I know our customs and clothing here make you uneasy. I know that you don't speak like us. And I know that there is a magical aura around you, like—"

"Shh!" I quieted him, then began whispering. "You're very perceptive. I'll explain everything later, I promise. But right now, I think someone is coming."

Merlin heard the footsteps too. Pushing me further down the hallway, I was soon shoved through a door before it was closed from the outside. I was left alone while Merlin dealt with whoever had decided to wander through the deserted part of the castle.