Hello, lovely readers. I am very sorry for not updating at all. This entire year.

So let me begin by saying, happy 2014 ^-^

I've had a long (and I mean long) writer's block for the past couple of months.

I was contemplating quitting fanfiction altogether.

But I realized that I didn't want to stop.

So here I am.

Trying as hard as I can to write a half-decent chapter.

Sorry if I'm a little rusty ;)

¾ of this chapter was written by the ever helpful Mushnalshum

because he was helping me with writer's block

He also changed like half the plot but my plot was sucky so thank you

"Here are your two hot chocolates, Praetor." The drink stand owner drawled as he handed the drinks to Reyna.

"Thank you." Reyna turned and began walking back to the library. As she walked she started to think about how Percy was doing in his studies. She had been helping him study for the last two hours and he was a slow learner, however the similarities between the Greeks and the Romans were helping him learn about the Romans quicker than he would be otherwise.

She had stepped out to get drinks for them while Percy stayed back to continue studying. She wasn't sure if Percy would manage to beat Jason in this test, as Jason had spent most of his life in this world and learning about it. She knew this didn't matter as it was up to the people of New Rome to decide who their praetor was, but it would put Percy in a bad light if he didn't win.

As much as she liked Percy, maybe even loved him, Reyna could not snuff out the little voice that kept whispering that Jason might make a better praetor than Percy. Jason had the look of a leader, the attitude of a leader, and the history that made people look up to him.

Percy on the other hand lacked the correct display of being a leader. Sure, he emits the power of a leader and displayed it in the Battle of New Rome, but his sometimes slow brain made it seem as he was not fit to be a leader of the legion. As for Percy's history all he had were stories with no proof that they're real.

As Reyna walked into the library, she noticed the librarian carrying books away from the study room where Reyna and Percy had been working. She gave him a terse smile as she brushed past him. He was a slim man in his 50s with gray hair and dark eyes. He was as close to a father figure to Reyna as her own father.

"Be careful with those drinks, Reyna. I don't want to spend the rest of my time today repairing books. Oh and be careful when going in that room, Percy is sleeping in there, and he really needs the rest after today's fight." The librarian winked at her as he turned a corner to continue putting books away.

Reyna turned away from where the librarian had been and stepped quietly into the study room. Sure enough Percy was asleep, his head laying on a book and drool forming at the corner of his mouth. He looked so peaceful, Reyna couldn't help but smile. She set down the drinks, planted a kiss on his cheek, and quietly left the room as to not disturb his sleep.

"Have you ever thought that maybe you should let the people see who the better praetor is?" the librarian asked, startling her.

"What do you mean?" Reyna asked.

"Oh it's quite simple. Today you showed who the better warrior was, next you plan to show who is better versed in the Roman way. While that is all important to being a praetor of the legion, it does not show who would be a better praetor." The librarian shrugged.

"So what do you suggest we do?" Reyna asked knowing what the librarian said was true. Not everyone would be a good praetor just because they had the qualities of one.

"Pretend that the knowledge test is to go ahead as planned, but right before the test is to take place tell everyone there will be no test. Instead have it so that each contestant will be given 10 separate and secret issues that need to be addressed by a praetor. This will show how well Jason and Percy work with sudden changes, and displays their quick thinking skills. There would be a simple scoring criteria for this as well. Two ways of gaining points; the first being how quickly they can solve the issue and the second being how well their solution worked. For the quickness part they start with 10 points and have a pointed removed every one to two minutes. How they are scored for the solution part is up to you though." The librarian explained.

"Well it does seem you've thought this through well." Reyna muttered under breath.

He smiled at her. "I've seen you grow into a leader, Reyna. You know how to make the best choice." He patted her hair and walked away.

Despite her own bitter comment, Reyna knew the librarian was right. This would test their skills as a leader, not just as a Roman praetor.

Reyna sighed and headed for the door. She needed to discuss this with Annabeth. Just as she was heaving the door open, she heard a familiar drowsy groan.

"Reyna don't leave me," Percy called to her from across the library. After a few soft, insistent footsteps were heard on the hardwood floor, Reyna was sitting across from him.

"Morning," she smirked. He rolled his still sleepy green eyes and put his head in her lap. Reyna pushed a hand through his dark hair and heard him sigh. Maybe she could stay a little while longer…

"Should we study more?" he asked in a soft voice. One of those tones that wasn't quite a mumble and made her heart melt into a small puddle.

"Do you want to?" she tried to match his quiet tone but sounded loud in comparison. Reyna mentally face-palmed.

"Can you read to me?" he sounded worn out and tired. She stroked his hair softly.

"If you fall asleep here, I won't be able to take you to your cabin. I can read to you there, if you want."

He nodded.

SAME POV

Percy settled in Reyna's small bed, taking up as much space as possible.

"What do you want me to read?" she asked as she crawled in between his legs. She rested her head against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her.

"I don't know. Anything." he spoke softly into her ear, she could feel his breath against her skin. It was like he was kissing her but he wasn't.

Reyna thought for a minute. "Do you know the story of Boudica?"

"Enlighten me."

She smiled. Boudica was a role model to her, she'd grown up hearing her stories.

"Boudica was the queen of the Iceni tribe in England. At the time, Rome was focused on conquering England. Rome took over her tribe's part of the land, but allowed her husband to continue ruling the tribe. When her husband died, though, the Romans took over her tribe. They flogged her and raped her daughters-"

Reyna felt a sharp intake of breath. "What do you mean by 'flogged'?" he asked sheepishly. She tried to smile.

"They whipped her publicly." she whispered. Reyna felt him sigh softly. "Do you want me to continue?"

He nodded.

"The tribe was furious. When the Roman governor, Gaius Suetonius Paullinus campaigned in their area, the tribe retaliated with Boudica as their leader. She and her warriors defeated the 9th legion, really one of the most barbaric legions, and went on to take down the Roman Britain capital. They even took down London. Boudica was finally defeated and she poisoned herself to avoid capture, supposedly. But she made her mark. The Romans respected her and her bravery."

Somewhere, towards the end of her story, Percy's arms fell limp at her sides. Reyna heard him snore softly. She turned to him, facing him with her knees on either side of his body. She kissed him softly and slowly slipped out of the bed. Percy muttered incoherently in his sleep but didn't wake.

Reyna padded across the cold floor and turned out the lights, drenching them both in a comforting darkness. She walked back to her bed, tucked Percy into the covers, and slipped out of the room.

How does one even end a chapter like this?

This is the definition of filler chapters.

So I was rereading all my other chapters just to see if I could be inspired again.

HOW DO YOU EVEN LIKE THIS STORY

The first chapter is cliche

tHE ENTIRE STORY IS CLICHE

Except until the awkward moment parts.

Those were decent.

I'm rewriting all my chapters so look out for new and improved.

not editing

not revising.

COMPLETELY REWRITING.

No worries though, it won't affect new chapters.

And I also changed my pen name

Goodbye