The Arena
Lily
Lily was seven years old when she was sent to Camp Half-Blood by her father. He was a professor at a prestigious school of astronomy. He was a lonely man who was more than content to live alone in his big house. He had always told Lily that if she was quiet enough, she could hear the stars speak to her.
Children of Athena are a gift from the goddess to the mortal. They are not born in the traditional way, but from the thoughts of Athena and the creativity of her mate. Lily was meant to be a gift. But to her father, she was just another distraction. Over the years, Lily learnt that she simply couldn't expect too many fatherly gestures from him.
So it hurt all the more when he married a woman and welcomed her daughter into the family with open arms. Petunia and Lily had a good relationship at first. They were young and quickly became friends. But when she was sent to Camp Half-Blood two years later, everything began to fall apart.
Lily's father never told his new family about the gods and Lily's true origins. He assured them that it was just a camp for "specially gifted children". After Lily's father forbade Petunia to go to the camp too, she became incredibly jealous. She took all her frustration out on Lily. Lily still had the sound of Petunia's voice in her ear;
"Good thing you're being sent away! Freaks like you are a danger to us normal people!"
Maybe that's why she wanted to do the camp tours. So that she can give children the feeling that they belong somewhere. To show them that they can find a family at camp. Even if it wasn't always easy.
Freaks like you
Regulus Black was an interesting case. He was so different from Sirius and yet they were very similar. Many of his gestures were similar to Sirius'. But his personality was completely different. Where Sirius was loud, Regulus was quiet. From time to time he mumbled witty comments that made Lily laugh.
Remus always said that she focused too much on analysing a person instead of just having a conversation. He was probably right. Remus was clever and he knew her well. But that was just part of her character. She was a daughter of Athena, after all.
Freaks like you
The tour was going well so far and after Remus had joined them, the atmosphere became more relaxed. Lily had already shown him the cabins, the lake and the strawberry fields. Now it was the turn of the sword-fighting arena.
Unfortunately for Lily, the arena was not empty. For in the centre of the arena, sword in hand, stood the one person Lily didn't want to see today; Nicolai Mulciber, son of Ares. She must have stopped, because Regulus looked at her with a puzzled expression. Before she could explain anything, Remus put a hand on her shoulder.
"We can come back later. You don't have to do this now."
Lily took a deep breath before looking at Remus.
"Yes, I have to. It's my job to show Regulus around camp. The whole camp."
So Lily keeps walking until they're standing in the arena. She turns round to Regulus.
"Here is the arena. You will take part in combat lessons and have the opportunity to train here in your free time."
Regulus listens to her carefully. Mulciber still hasn't spoken to her. So far so good.
"You can train on your own, but you are also allowed to bring a friend with you to test your strength. But don't overdo it. The Apollo cabin won't be happy if they have to sew limbs back on. But I have a feeling you're not the type to jump into a fight without thinking."
This earns her a smile from Regulus. She decides to take that as a win. Just as she was about to explain the emergency regulations to Regulus, Mulciber decides to join in the fun.
"Well, who do we have here. My dear friend Lily Evans. I see you're giving a tour! Isn't that cute?"
Lily would like to punch him in the face, but instead she turns round and smiles.
"Mulciber! I was just about to explain to Regulus what to do in an emergency. Would you like to explain it to him?"
Regulus gives Mulciber an expectant look. But he still has his eyes fixed on Lily.
"I'd be happy to. Lily, why don't you stand next to me?"
Lily does as he says, even though she doesn't have a good feeling about it. When Mulciber raises his sword, she quickly takes a step to the side. Mulciber looks at her reprovingly.
"Don't worry, I won't even graze you. This is just for demonstration."
He turns his gaze to Regulus.
"Now listen. Injuries can be in different parts of the body. On the arm, for example."
He swings his sword in the direction of Lily's arm, but stops just before he hits her.
"Wounds to the leg are also possible."
He makes a slash at her leg, but stops the blade again just before the collision.
"A common injury in swordplay, however, is often a clean cut to the side."
Mulciber aims his sword at Lily's side and swings through. Only he stops too late and the blade digs into the flesh under Lily's arm. Lily cries out and sinks to her knees as Mulciber withdraws his sword. He looks at her mockingly.
"Oops... I'm sorry about that. Let me help you up."
But before he can touch her, he is thrown back by an invisible force. Lily's eyes widen as she sees Mulciber fly off at high speed and land in the dirt at the other end of the arena. Confused, she looks at Remus, but he is staring at Regulus.
"How did you do that?"
Lily looks at Regulus in shock.
"You did this? But how?"
Regulus looks at her with widened eyes. Then he shrugs.
"I'm a son of Zeus. I controlled the winds."
Lily nods slowly. Surely she could deduce something from that, but her side still burns like hell. As if he could read her mind, Remus starts to move.
"Regulus, help me. We need to get Lily to the infirmary. She needs medical attention."
Regulus immediately jumps to her side and together with Remus, they now support Lily on both sides. Lily limps slowly away from the arena. What a day.
Suddenly Remus nudges her.
"I know what will cheer you up."
Lily looks at him, unimpressed.
"Considering I just got slashed, I doubt it."
Remus flashed her a wide grin.
"The Apollo kids work in the infirmary, don't they?"
Lily nods. What was Remus getting at? Unless...
"You think she's there?"
Remus smiles.
"I know she's there. I know the shift rota."
Lily smiles slightly. If Remus is right, maybe today won't be so bad after all.