Frank

Second outfit.

As Frank marched to battle on the Greeks, he couldn't help but regret volunteering for this. Of course, the reward for contributing to winning this war would be huge, and his family needed that to survive. His grandmother. His daughter.

He felt a pang of guilt as he thought of them at home, without him. Jade hated it when he left. She always begged him to stay. His grandmother was always so steely, but he could see the pain in her eyes every time he left. She was getting so old. Thankfully, Jade was an easy child. But he couldn't even begin to think what he would do with her once his grandmother was gone. 

Thinking of that brought another painful thought. Hazel. He hadn't seen her in years. He didn't know if he every would see her again. And here he was, marching off to fight the Greeks. He was putting her in danger. But did he have a choice?

After Jade's birth, there had been a lot of scrutiny. Frank had only recently been able to drag his family out of the spotlight. All Jade's life people had demanded to know who her mother was. Frank had finally managed to convince the authorities that she had died in childbirth, but he would never escape the uneasy glances in the streets. If he tried anything during the war, his family would never be safe again. He was on thin ice as it was. Nobody in his cohort appreciated his fumble when they cornered Jason and the Greek princess. 

Still, every waking minute of every day Frank wondered whether Hazel was okay. Whether she had even made it to Greece safely. Whether she still remembered him. Or Jade. That thought hurt him the most. At least most people who were separated from their loved ones could survive on each other's memories. But the thought that Hazel might not even remember him broke his heart. 

The sky was dark, and the rest of his cohort had hit the sack long ago, but Frank stayed by the dying fire, staring at the stars. 

"Look, there's Cassiopeia, Frank!"

"Almost. That's Andromeda."

"Close enough." She sighed and massaged her temple. "It's getting worse," she whispered sadly. Frank gripped her hand tight. "Some mornings I wake up and panic. It takes me a few minutes to remember I'm pregnant."

"You've never had this much trouble before."

"I know. I'm scared, Frank." Frank gripped her hand tighter and pulled her close. They remained silent for a few minutes. "I could have sworn that one was Cassiopeia."

"Nah, but that's okay. It's not important anyways."

"No? And which ones are important, oh wise one?"

"Well obviously Orion is the best."

"Why, because he carries a bow?"

"Maybe." They laughed and for a while, their troubles were all but forgotten.

A tear slid down Frank's cheek. There was a tugging in his heart. Something that told him that no matter the risk, he had to do the right thing. With sudden vigor, he grabbed his bow from next to him and rose to his feet. They had made camp in a covered area right outside of Athens. A few lights glimmered in the distant castle windows. He took a deep breath, stealing a final glance at the camp behind him, and surged forward. 

---------------------

Despite what some might think, Frank had never had any difficulty climbing. It was surprising, considering how poor his coordination was, but he excelled at it. He had no trouble climbing the castle wall and slipping unnoticed into a loose window. He found himself in an empty hallway. He found it strange that there were not guards patrolling the hall, but who was he to complain? 

The hallway was dark, and most of the curtains were drawn closed, leaving little light to travel by. He tried to gather his senses and figure out which direction he should be going. He was still no closer to achieving this, when he abruptly ran into someone in the dark. He tumbled to the ground with a loud crash.

Before he could think of how to escape the situation, the person chuckled above him, and lit a candle. He scrambled backward as the light illuminated the space between them. They gasped in unison. 

"You," they whispered. Hazel threw herself at Frank and he caught her in his arms, tears spilling. 

"You're safe," he said, more relieved than words could describe. He held her tight. She nodded into his shoulder. When they pulled apart, he held her still, bringing his hand to her face, to brush back her curls. "I've missed you." Hazel kissed him in response. 

"I missed you too."

"I've been so worried," he said. "I didn't even know whether you made it to Greece."

"I didn't think I would. I was so tired after....." she paused. "After...." Frank grimaced sympathetically. She looked at him. "You know," she said, a mix of curiosity and frustration in her voice. "I've been trying to remember for years. I just remember being tired. I was so tired after......"

"After giving birth," Frank finished gently. She paused, and blinked. 

"Yes," she whispered, a tear escaping. "Yes, that's it." She looked at him. "A girl. Is she alright?" she asked this desperately. Frank nodded. 

"Yes, she's with my grandma right now. How did you get here?"

"Well I was so tired, and I didn't think I'd make it... and then Leo, the traveling salesman, he offered me a ride. When I got here, I was brought before the king, and he was hesitant to allow me to stay, but his daughter, Princess Piper, she spoke up for me, and offered to take me under her wing. I got a job here in the castle, as the Piper's maid, and she's been my best friend ever since. She's been trying to help me get over my amnesia."

"I'm just so relieved you're okay," Frank admitted.

"What about you? They didn't hurt you because of what I did, did they?"

"No, no one made the connection, thankfully."

~We interrupt this story for a brief note from the historians responsible for the abridgment of these stories~

We are sure you are confused as to what Hazel and Frank are referring to. What did Hazel do? Why would they hurt Frank because of it? Are you baffled? Curious? So were we. We did some digging, and have found what we believe to be the event they speak of. 

Sometime four or five year prior, while Hazel would have been pregnant with their daughter, there is record of a decree by the Royal family of Rome. They had recently discovered a shortage in young servants and maids, and had tasked a few loyal noblemen to seek out twenty pregnant women in the kingdom, and declare their unborn children property of the Royal family of Rome. Among this list was Hazel Levesque. It is to be gathered, since Frank still cares for their child, that Hazel refused to give up her baby. Since Hazel had not legally taken on Frank's surname, a nearly unheard of occurrence at the time, Jade and Frank simply remained unnoticed. Hazel, however, would have been arrested and punished severely if not killed for her refusal to cooperate. Thus, after her daughter's birth, it can be gathered that she was forced to flee to Greece, where she may find some sympathy. 

Though this is purely logical conjecture, we believe it to be historically accurate. If you have any questions please contact Harpy Historical Society during the appropriate business hours.

~We apologize for the abrupt interruption, please enjoy the remainder of the story~

"Thank the gods for that. I can't believe how long it's been. But why are you here? If someone else finds you you'll certainly be killed."

"I had to warn you. We're camped outside Athens. The entire Roman legion. I couldn't stand by when I knew you could be in danger. You'll have to warn the king."

"I'm not sure he'll believe me. What will I tell him? My Roman husband showed up in the middle of the night, broke into the castle he didn't even know I was in and warned me about a hidden army right outside the city? He'll institutionalize me for sure."

"Then I'll tell him."

"He'll kill you!"

"That's a risk I'm going to have to-"

"Hazel?" a voice called from around the corner. Only now did the pair notice the steadily growing glow coming from the adjoining hallway. "Is that you? Are you alri-" The girl stopped abruptly as she turned the corner and noticed Hazel and Frank. Her blonde curls were sloppily tied back and she wore a simple but elegant nightgown. Her eyes went wide.

"Wh-Hazel! Tha-That's a Roman!" she looked so confused and concerned it was hard not to laugh. She started backing away, but Hazel jumped up, and grabbed her arm. 

"Annabeth, this is my husband!" Annabeth stopped. Frank could see the gears turning in her head. 

"I-uh...oh." she nodded, slightly more certain. "Yeah, that makes sense I guess." Her brow furrowed. "Why are you here. Isn't this....kind of dangerous for you?"

"I had to warn you guys. The Roman legion is camped outside the city. They're attacking in the morning." Annabeth's face didn't change. She nodded slightly. Hazel grabbed Frank's arm. 

"You can't do this! They'll kill you! I already lost you once, I can't lose you again!" Frank tucked a curl behind her ear and kissed her. 

"I can't let anything happen to you," he countered. The intense moment was broken by a loud sigh from Annabeth. 

"You guys are adorable!" she cooed. When they both stared at her strangely, she straightened.

"I mean-um......good luck?"