Olympus
The eternal City, home of the Olympian Gods.
Located high up in the Empire State Building in New York, a mountaintop floating 600 stories above the city is hidden from mortal eyes by the mist. Silently looking over the city below, as well as the whole world.
Somewhere on the mountain, a certain goddess spends time within the gilded halls of her temple. Built of gleaming marble inlaid with gold and silver. Massive halls line the interior, the walls filled with works of art that have been dedicated to the master of the temple. Deep within the temple, a library can be found. Within it, every literary work in existence is stored, to be preserved for eternity. Rows upon rows of shelves filled with books of all subjects. From the most mundane to the most esoteric. If it has been thought of by humanity, then it can be found here.
The repository of humanity's collective wisdom from the time they have started to think to the very present. And some far into the future. The gem of the goddess of Wisdom's temple, her Library.
High above the vaulted ceiling, windows allow light to illuminate the space; they also allow the goddess's sacred animal, the owl, to fly through. Which happened quite often, like now when a silvery grey owl flew in and circled the dome of the room until the animal found who it was looking for. Flapping its wings, the owl glided to an open space at the center of the library.
At the center of the open space, a single table was set with a soft cushioned chair beside it. On the chair sat a woman of long, luscious, dark hair, wearing a soft, comfortable shirt. Currently reading a book on the latest scientific discovery, beside her on the table sat a cup of coffee and a slice of lemon cake.
The woman, the goddess Athena, was murmuring about the book she was reading when an owl swooped down and circled above her head, hooting loudly. Athena, not looking at the owl, waved her hand, and a perch materialized beside her. The owl, seeing it, landed gracefully and bowed at the goddess.
"What brings you here, Hetty?" The goddess questioned, not looking up from her book.
*Hoot!*
Being her sacred animal, the goddess could understand the animal's thoughts. An ability she has not shared with most of her children, and only two of her current children have the honor of being blessed with.
"A guest?" Athena asked absentmindedly.
*hoot! Hoot!*
Hearing that caused the goddess to pause on her reading. She glanced at the owl, who was tilting its head, waiting for her decision. Athena thought for a while before she sighed deeply, seeing this happening weeks before. When she heard from her children at camp about what happened these past few weeks, she knew it would only be a matter of time until this particular daughter of hers would call on her.
Annabeth,
Her once-bright daughter, now a shadow of her former self.
Athena shook her head, deciding to see what today would bring. "Bring her to me, Hetty," the goddess told the owl, who bowed and flew off. Athena set the book down and closed her eyes, remembering the time when all of this started. The time her daughter's carefully constructed world of lies crumbled. The day the boy, nay, the hero, Percy Jackson, was brought to the council to hear of his wish and demands, as the Fates willed.
---------Flashback---------
Being summoned by my father, the king of us gods, is something I have grown used to. From advice to just listening to him ramble about unimportant things. Such is my duty as his advisor. Being the goddess of Wisdom came with its perks, as well as its downsides.
I didn't think anything different when I was summoned to the council chambers earlier. Thinking that another mindless ranting was waiting for me, I willed myself to appear on my throne, expecting a whole council but being surprised by what I saw.
"Good! You're here. We can start!" My father's voice is the first I hear. I look over to see him not on his throne as usual. Turning my head, I saw him by the central hearth with Poseidon. Immediately, I knew the reason for the summons, Perseus Jackson. The son of Poseidon and the demand The fates decreed we give him. A few days ago, my father called for a council meeting with all members of the council. Including uncle Hades and aunt Hestia. There, my father let us know of what The Fates demanded and asked for our input.
A few ridiculous suggestions were put forward by some members of the council. We fought and bickered like we always do until Aunt Hestia suggested we call for the boy to ask him directly what he wanted. We took her advice, and Father dismissed all of us except him and his brothers. That was a few days ago; I wonder what the boy asked for.
"Has he made a decision?" I asked as I came beside them. Hestia's absence was worrying, but I guess father wanted privacy for this meeting. But why? Instead of an answer, Poseidon just shook his head. I could feel a frown develop on my face as I began thinking of why I was called if a decision had not been made yet. I was about to ask when my father began to explain.
"The boy asked for time to think of what he wanted to ask of us. He has sent word that he is on his way to present to us his wishes. You are here to advise us and him if his wishes are within our power to grant," my father explained. So the boy has learned to control his impulsive nature, or at least knows the gravity of what he is being offered. Good! "And to make sure that whatever he is going to ask of us wouldn't bring any disadvantage to us!" my father added, same as usual.
Poseidon just sighed but didn't say a word. "I see; I understand," I replied, curious about what the boy would be asking for. Remembering the boy made me remember my daughter as well. Her unwise decisions had nearly brought a new war to our doorsteps. One between me and Poseidon. A war that would have ended with one of us dying and needing a few decades to reform. Thankfully, Perseus won over his father and got him to back down. Choosing to, all together, ignore and keep his distance from my daughter instead of choosing to retaliate in some hurtful way like a lesser man would have.
And Perseus is everything but a lesser man.
Which is why I still could not understand my daughter's actions and decisions. It lacked wisdom that should have been readily available to her at the time she made her choices.
I was broken out of my thoughts when the door to the council room opened and in came the demigod we were all waiting for. Perseus, or Percy as he liked to be addressed, walked in with a confidence few had when facing us gods. His eyes roamed the room, taking everything in. Like a seasoned hunter or warrior, taking everything in and mentally planning his would-be actions in case a fight takes place. It is something that I approved of him.
His strategic mind has, on many occasions, saved not just him and his fellows but us as well. Finishing his survey of the room, his eyes went back to us as he stepped closer. With a slight bow from him, the three of us shrank down to a normal human height to better converse with the Hero. "I'm ready with my wishes," he declared bluntly. Something I also admire about him is his unwillingness to play with words and mind games, which saved us time. Though he is also a great player, if his previous actions are to be judged. Often relying on his words to get out of problematic situations. His strategies, often presenting themselves as nothing but chaotic and without logic until the enemy finds themselves with his sword on their necks, their defeat all but certain.
With those thoughts in mind, I waited for whatever this unique hero has come up with for his demands. Whatever they are, I am sure it would be something we have never even thought of. Which would be a challenge for us, and I am one to never step back from a challenge.
"Let's hear it then!" my father replied, his attention solely on the demigod.
I watched as Poseidon's son looked at us one by one, then he took a deep breath, exhaling in one go. "I wish for Safety and Freedom!" I felt more than saw the confusion his words brought not just to me but to Poseidon and my father, Zeus, as well. I wanted to ask him to explain, but his father beat me to it. "What do you mean by that, son?" Poseidon asked, and I added to it. "Elaborate it for us, Perseus, so we may understand it better," I told him, quite curious about how he came up with his wish.
Percy nodded and began to explain. He started when he went back to his mother's, how the two of them brainstormed for ideas. How they came up with some of the most ridiculous ideas, such as becoming president. And some that was almost cliché, like millions of dollars. In the end, after days of going back and forth, they decided on what was most important for a demigod like Percy.
"We decided on Safety, and when I say Safety, I mean safety from monsters. And by Freedom, I mean freedom from you Gods." What he wished for was both something unexpected and, at the same time, something I should have expected from him. Of all the possible wishes I thought he would have asked us for, this one was the most obvious choice, and yet it was so obvious it never even came up in my mind.
Silence ruled the throne room for a few minutes, all three of us taking stock of what he just asked of us until his father, Poseidon, broke first. "Percy, what you're wishing for is not something any single god could grant," Poseidon explained to his son, his tone somber. I saw a twitch on the young man's lips, and I decided to interfere now, before he says something that might anger not just my father but me as well.
"What your father said is true, unfortunately." I started, getting his attention. "Think about it, Perseus. If it was possible for any of us gods to grant such a blessing, then we would have done so for our children, for all of our children from ancient times to now." I told him slowly, making sure he understands that we are not declining his wishes now or are we reluctant to grant them.
Logically, I knew my reasoning was sound, but then again, the young man in front of me is someone to whom logic doesn't seem to apply for most things. I noticed my father about to speak, maybe to outright decline his wish or to suggest a different reward. I never got to know what Zeus was going to say, for Perseus spoke up before that could happen. With a brazenness that only he had the courage to do, Poseidon's son addressed the king of the gods directly, in a way that both earned my respect and caused me to want to strangle him.
"Those are my wishes. The Fates themselves told you to grant me a reward, as you said. You guys are gods, so for once in your limitless existence, work together and find a solution instead of sweeping it under a rug or pushing the problem to someone else to take care of!"
Percy declared to Zeus bravely, unconcerned about possibly offending my father, me, or even his father. I gaped at him, shocked by what he had just said. I turned to my father, seeing how he would react. I braced myself for an explosive reaction to his words; I also kept an eye on Poseidon. I'm sure he will defend and shield his son from my father's possible action due to his son's impertinent actions and words.
Time continued to tick by, and we all just stared at this young demigod. The burst of anger I was expecting from Zeus never came, surprising not just me, but Poseidon as well, while Perseus just stood in front of us. Never breaking eye contact with the king. Finally, I got a mental note from my father to dismiss the young man for a few hours so we can discuss his wish in depth. Another action that brought incredulity to me. This is not how I expected my father to handle this problem.
Heeding my father's words, I stepped forward, getting his attention. "What you wish for Percy has presented us with a conundrum, one we will need time to ponder and address. Give us time, a few hours at most, and we'll call you back with our answer." I told him straight, learning from my daughter's time with him that he preferred such attitude towards him.
His eyes searched my face for any sign of subterfuge, though I'm sure he wouldn't find any; I was sincere in my request after all. A few seconds later, he nodded and turned, walking out of the throne room to spend time in the city. Giving us a chance to tackle this latest problem.
Once he was out, I turned to my father only to see his hand already raised, halting my words and thoughts. "Apollo!" Father called out, and the room brightened, illuminated by the arrival of my half-brother. In the center of the room, Apollo, God of the sun, truth, and a multitude of other things, bowed as he answered our father's summons.
"You called?" The sun god asked with an easy smile on his face. Ever since his re-ascendance to godhood, Apollo has changed from how he was before. He was still the easygoing, laidback God we all knew, but now there was also a hint of how he was from ancient times. The cruel, easily angered Apollo was making a return. Though that part of him is more tempered now. His anger coming in subtle ways. His retribution well planned and unstoppable. His time as a mortal this time has also brought him closer to his children, bringing him more joy and satisfaction.
"Young Perseus has just been here to present us with his wishes." Father told him, "Oh! I'm curious to know what he asked for." Apollo's response clued me in that he already knew of what happened in this room. As the god of prophecies, I believe he might have seen a vision of what has just happened within this room. With that thought in mind, I asked Apollo for his opinion on the matter. "You've seen this happening, since when I do not care. But your attitude shows that you already know what Perseus asked for and that you have an idea on how to make it possible," I told Apollo to the surprise of both father and uncle.
He turned to me with a smirk, winking at me before answering. "I admit, I have seen what happened earlier in this chamber. And I have seen the outcome of his wishes," Apollo said, walking over to his throne and taking a seat. "As for how to grant his wishes, unfortunately, I do not know about that," he added as he summoned a chalice, taking a drink. "Although, based on the outcome I've seen, we can infer that they did get granted, meaning that we found a way." Apollo ended, looking at each of us.
"What did you see exactly, Apollo?" Poseidon asked, his voice tinged with worry and curiosity. Like Apollo, he too sat on his throne while I and my father remained standing, with Zeus never leaving the hearth's side.
"I saw Percy as an immortal, not a god, mind you, but immortal nonetheless." Again, Apollo began to speak. Poseidon smiled at that; I knew he was disappointed at his mortal son's decision to remain a mortal. "He was residing on a bounded land, his immortal essence tied to it." More information was shared by Apollo, casting light on the puzzle of Perseus's wishes. "I also saw him free from the perils of demigod life. Monsters no longer sensed him, and we were no longer able to trouble him," Apollo added, his words shocking not just me but all of us listening to him. So in granting him his wishes, he has managed to distance himself from us gods. How admirable and very smart of the boy, no, young man.
"Most of all, I saw him living his immortal life with a bunch of women, all sharing in his immortality." His next words shocked me even more. Not that Perseus would be with another woman. No, I never entertained the thought that he would stay single for long. His very being assured that women will be pursuing him. And despite what had happened between him and my own daughter, I was sure it was only a matter of time before another woman managed to capture his heart.
"Before you ask, no, I don't know who the women are. Their faces were blurred to me," he provided before I or my uncles could ask.
Women.
Perseus would be with multiple women. And by Apollo's words, they would be with him willingly. I've no doubt he could manage that, given the kind of man he is.
"That is not important for now," my father suddenly said from behind us. One moment he was standing by the central hearth; a blinding flash later, he was seated on his throne. He looked to Apollo and me and passed his decision. "I task the two of you to try and see just how we can grant his wishes. Use the visions Apollo received as clues and return to us with an answer as soon as possible," my father ordered as thunder sounded in and out of the throne room.
"By your will, father," I responded as I gave a slight bow. I glanced at Apollo and sent a mental note to meet me at my library. He tilted his head in acknowledgment, and I flashed away from the chamber. Willing myself inside my library, the repository of all the world's wisdom consolidated into one space. Endless shelves filled with books on all subjects, no matter how mundane, greeted my sight as I fully emerged from the ether of existence. I had not taken one step when another flash of light, more brilliant than mine, came into existence beside me.
"Where do we start?" Apollo asked with a wide grin on his face as he followed me through the endless aisles of my sanctuary.
---------Flashback end---------
I took a sip of my coffee as I materialized another serving of both drink and cake for my daughter. My mind still replaying the day I spent with Apollo, searching for a way to grant young Perseus's demands. I thought of the scenes of me and Apollo working quickly, perusing my significant records and using his visions as clues.
I smiled a bit as I remembered the chaos that unfolded when we, Apollo and I, relayed to my father the only way we found to grant Perseus's request. How the consequent council meeting almost devolved into a fight when father relayed the Fates Decree and the wishes the young hero had brought forth. As expected, Ares, the fool, was against the idea. Aunt Demeter was neutral, and Hera proclaimed to support whatever the council agreed on.
Artemis, Apollo, and Hermes were all for it, and Hestia and Hades wanted to do it immediately. Hephaestus just nodded his head in agreement; Dionysus followed Hephaestus's lead. What surprised me was Aphrodite; she readily accepted the suggestion we gave and even made Ares agree to it. In the end, the council agreed, and we all, as one, agreed to grant Perseus's wishes and placed the curse upon him, willingly.
I was taken out of my thoughts by footsteps echoing within my library. I picked up the book I was reading and proceeded to act as if I was not doing anything besides reading. It didn't take long for my daughter to round the corner and head towards me. Soon she was standing before me, silently waiting for me to acknowledge her. I wordlessly moved the seat across from me, giving her the acknowledgment she was waiting for just as silently.
I closed the book I was reading just after she sat down, then I lifted my gaze to her to see her looking anywhere but at me. 'Sigh.' I was dejected by the view my daughter presented. Thin but not malnourished. Her color was also off without coming off as unhealthy. Her eyes, once aglow with drive and yearning to learn, were now dull and almost lifeless. Gone was the brave, driven girl I guided and nurtured. In front of me now stands a broken shell of a woman clinging to the last hope for her soul.
Not wanting to prolong the silence ruling between us, I chose to speak first.
"I know why you're here, Annabeth," I started. "And I just want to say before you speak that I believe I made the right choice in keeping his whereabouts from you. Or his circumstances," I added. I watched as my daughter's face turned defiant, a big enough change from how she usually reacts to such topics in the last few years. "That despite your feelings for him, I couldn't, in good faith, share that information with you." I paused and studied my daughter; there was defiance still in her eyes, but there was also acceptance. Those two elements were warring in her mind, confusing her further.
"I know, mother," Annabeth replied softly, eyes downcast. "I've thought for years as to why you and the rest of the Gods kept quiet about that. And just to be clear, I've never once believed that none of you knew where he is or what happened to him," my daughter followed, fingers running by the sill of the cup in front of her. "I've just accepted the fact that you chose to honor him instead. Something I know he deserved." There was a tremor in her voice as she said that, and I knew immediately that my daughter was still in love with Percy.
Love, a concept many think I know nothing about. Or if I knew of it, it would be academically, through books. What only a few know is that I am very much aware of what being in love is like. I have been in love before, after all. And had my heart broken due to negligence and loss on my part.
I mentally shook myself and focused on the task at hand. I looked at my daughter again and I notice more about her. The sadness was there, but it was tempered now by hope, of all emotions. What was she hopeful of?
"I hear hope in your voice. Tell me, daughter, what is it that you wish to accomplish with this meeting with Percy?" I asked her. I saw her wince at the name I uttered. But aside from that, she met my gaze with a quiet resolve. I nodded; this is the Annabeth I once knew, not what she is now. If meeting with Percy, regardless of the outcome, would get her out of her slump, then I would support it wholeheartedly.
"How did you know?" Surprise colored Annabeth's face as she gawked at me.
"It's easy enough to uncover your reason for being here in the city. Add to that your hopeful demeanor; well, there are only a few that could elicit such a change in you." I answered, taking a sip of my coffee. "So?" I raised my eyebrow at her, waiting for her answer.
"Closure" was the answer that came from her lips. "Forgiveness," the tremble in her voice returned with her next words. "Another chance." Tears were pooling in her eyes as she said that last one. As a mother, I wished for her to be happy. In the 7 years since Percy left, I've tried to get her moving forward with life. I've even tried to get Aphrodite to meddle in her love life. Alas, the Goddess of Love told me that her string was already set and cannot be meddled with as easily as she could with others.
That since she made her disastrous choice. The Fates have made it clear that her fate was in their looms now.
"Closure and forgiveness I can understand. But do you think you deserve another chance with him? After what you did?" My question might have sounded cruel, I admit. But I believe it's better to slap her with these harsh words, or else she faces Percy with a delusional outlook. The truth, in any scenario, is always preferable. particularly to Perseus. He will always want and prefer the hurtful truth to a comfortable lie.
"I know I don't deserve it! I know I don't deserve him and his love; I didn't deserve them back then. And even now, after all these years, I don't deserve to enter his life when he is finally happy!" The words came pouring out of my daughter, every thought and feeling she's kept bottled up. With no one to open up to, she's kept all of it inside.
'I should have approached her sooner.'
But like always, it's only with Percy that she is allowing her true self to come out. Which is ironic since it was a secret part of her that pushed him away.
"But it's only those thoughts that are keeping me from ending everything! Seven years, mother! For seven years I hoped to meet him again! If only to apologize for what I've done!" There was no stopping her now, not that I would want to.
"If given a chance to atone for the hurt I caused him, I would trade even my life for it!" The sight of my daughter crying her heart out caused my heart to beat furiously within my chest. I once again admit I have never been a great mother to my children. My logical mind pushing me to keep them away, knowing their short lives would only hurt me if I let them in. But I, along with the rest of the gods, have been trying to change. It's not easy; most of the time we end up reverting to how we once were. But the constant reminder of the wars, what they cost us. Plus the promise that was forced upon us by none other than Percy. To be better than we were kept us from truly abandoning our efforts.
Even my father, Zeus, has been doing marginally better. Which is already a huge change. So with that in mind, I flashed to the side of my daughter and pulled her in. My actions caused her to stop mid-cry; she froze as she was enveloped by my arms. My hands, copying the scenes I have seen in movies, rubbed her back and caressed her head. After a few quiet seconds, Annabeth buried her face against my chest as she was rocked with sobs that shook me to my core.
Shaking hands clutched at my dress as Annabeth cried out everything she held deep within her. "Let it out; it's okay. Everything will be okay." I droned on and on, like those books I've read about supporting others. I understood them in principle, but now that I am employing them. I am unsure of the veracity of their claims. Still with no other form of comfort I could rely on, I continued to whisper against my daughter's ears, promising support and care, as much as I could give her.
For the next 10 minutes, I held my daughter close as she gradually calmed down. When her sobs quieted, I felt her hands loosen their grip on my clothes as she pushed off me. I put on a soft smile as she wiped her face, embarrassment clear in her eyes. "I'm sorry about your shirt," she whispered, and I waved off her concern. With a thought, my shirt was dried and cleaned of her tears as she settled back on her seat properly.
Seeing her calm and collected again, I moved back to my own seat and reheated the drinks in front of her. "Drink; it will make you feel better," I told her, changing the drink in her cup into nectar, knowing she needed the comfort of her favorite flavor, which I found out I didn't know what.
'Just another thing I have to do better at,' I thought, already making plans to learn more about my children.
Picking up the cup and taking a sip, I was tempted to ask her what she was tasting or to breach her mind for the answers, but I held myself back. It wouldn't be fair or right for me to do that. If I am to know my children, then I have to do it the correct way, the right way. "Better?" I asked again as I saw her cradle the cup in her hands, relishing in the warmth and taste of the drink inside.
Annabeth just nodded, her eyes closed as she breathed deeply. "I apologize for my words, daughter. I know it hurts to hear them, but as with everything else, they needed to be said," I said after a while. Annabeth opened her eyes to look at me; there was now a calmness in her eyes that assured me she was okay, for the time being. "I know, and I accept your apology. Thank you for letting me vent. I didn't know I needed that so badly." I was about to answer when she continued. "I didn't have anyone to open up to; for 7 years I've been alone with no one close enough to me who I could talk to."
I stayed silent as Annabeth described to me how the last 7 years went for her, the loneliness she felt. Her less-than-stellar professional life, her disconnect with her fellow campers. And now her discovery that her true love is now with her former best friend and living a life that, in another timeline, should have been hers. Alas, thoughtless decisions and callous handling of feelings have pushed that future away from her.
"I should have been more present in your life; maybe if I had been, then you wouldn't have been hurting like this," I told her, admitting to one of my shortcomings. Something that was very hard for me to do, but very necessary in my attempt at being better. "If I had been more involved in your life, maybe I could have stopped you before you did what you did." I added, I admit I was very disappointed in the choices she's made, for it cost her a very powerful possible partner in life in Perseus. But it almost caused her to lose her life.
Poseidon's anger was something not just anyone could bear. Even Father, the king of the Gods, treads carefully when the Sea God is concerned. And when my daughter's actions came to light, Poseidon almost took her life personally. It was only through Zeus, Hestia, and me—our joint effort—that stopped him from enacting his self-imposed justice.
When that was thwarted, he tried to resort to cursing my daughter. His curse was such that Annabeth would never be able to come near any body of water large enough for her to dip under. For if she did, then she would never come out of it alive. That meant no oceans, no seas or rivers, streams deeper than her calves. Even swimming pools and bathtubs are going to be forbidden from her.
Basically, if there is a chance or a possibility of Annabeth drowning in it, then she will. Not to mention any body of water with a spirit residing in it would enact his will. In a bid to gain the sea god's favor. What stopped Poseidon was unexpectedly his own son. Perseus, upon hearing of what his father planned, visited him on Atlantis and pleaded with his father not to go through with his plans.
A testament to the character of the young man my daughter chose to betray. Any other man would not have done so. Despite his anger at Annabeth, he never, not even once, wished her harm. His only wish was to be free of her, and that was granted by the Fates themselves.
I was taken out of my thoughts by Annabeth setting the cup back down on the table. "Maybe, but it's no use thinking on it now. What's done is done. We, I can only move forward," Annabeth stated as she leaned back on the seat. "I've been stuck where I was for the last 7 years. I believe that now is my chance to move from where I am. Either Percy forgives me and we continue where we left off, even if there are others involved with him now, or he doesn't forgive me and I go far away," Annabeth said, explaining her plans to me. I understood her need to meet with Percy. I also saw the logic in her reasons, though she was missing something.
"I agree with the points you provided, daughter, though you seem to be missing another possible outcome," I told her, my words getting her undivided attention. "While it's true that Perseus could forgive and accept you back into his arms, as it were, or he could not forgive you and you go somewhere far away, like you just said, it's also a possibility for him to forgive you and not accept you." I explained to my daughter; this, in my opinion, was a more likely scenario. "Have you not thought of things ending up like that?"
"Of course I have," she answered, sighing deeply as she slumped on the seat. "But you see, for me, that option would be the best scenario I could hope for." "The best? But I thought you said you hoped for him to forgive you and for the two of you to get back together. Wouldn't that be the best outcome to wish for?" I questioned; her thinking process is not making any sense to me.
"It is, yes. But that's just wishful thinking on my part. I know that option would never be possible, no matter how much I want it to be. The most likely scenario is Percy not wanting to do anything with me after everything I've done."
Ahh! That's what's on her mind. Quite logical indeed.
"Him forgiving me and not hating me or accepting me, that is, quite possibly the best I could hope for. It is what I am wishing for the most. It's what I am praying The Fates for." Her words, I felt, carried her most fervent desire. It is making me wish for the same thing for her. "But, like with everything else in my life, what I wanted and what I deserved are entirely different. So I wanted to keep what I truly wanted close to my chest, a final attempt to keep myself from getting hurt and hurting him at the same time."
"So, yes, mother, I am aware of that possibility. But I am not going to hold out hope for it. I will wish for it with all of my being. But I will also expect the worst possible outcome," Annabeth ended.
Pragmatic.
This is what previous events have turned my daughter into. She used to be someone who would go "all in," as the humans would call it. I guess that's also what made her do what she did. She went all in, despite knowing the possible repercussions her actions and decisions will bring her. She believed she could control the scenario and thus get the outcome she envisioned.
She thought she could have it all.
In reality, when the truth came out, she lost the most important people in her life.
And she couldn't do anything to stop it. Any control she thought she had over everything vanished, like it never existed at all.
"I see; I understand now. Thank you for explaining," was my response. We were quiet for a few minutes, just sitting together while I waited for her to continue.
"Do you think I made the correct decision in meeting him at his mother's?" she suddenly asked, pulling me from my own thoughts. I thought back to Sally Jackson, Blofis now. A brilliant woman and a great mother. Her sacrifices for her son, since his conception left not just me but even Hera with deep admiration for her. Hestia considers her as her priest and has blessed her home as her temple. Borne out of Sally opening her home to demigods as a safe place for them when away at camp.
Her home, now warded by multiple gods against not just monsters but anything that might bring negativity and harm towards all that live there. Ensured not just the safety of Sally and her family, but her guests as well.
"I believe it was the correct choice. Not only will you be able to have privacy to discuss things with Percy, but her presence will also calm him down in case things get, how do mortals say it? Heated, yes. In case things get heated between you two." I applauded her logical thinking in asking to meet at a safe place.
"Even though she hates me?"
The softly uttered worry revealed a fear deeply rooted in her mind. Her fear that Sally would hate her, still hated her, caused a debilitating fear in her.
That fear stems from the fact that Sally was the closest thing she had to a mother. Only with her did my daughter feel what a mother's love and care is like. And losing her, her care and affection, because of her mistakes. It added to the damage to her fragile mind and heart, made even more perilous by the break with Perseus.
Still, based on what I know of the woman, she never really hated my daughter. She might have been angry at her for a while, but time has run its course on her just as much as it had on Annabeth.
"I don't believe Sally hated you, Annabeth. Not in the realest meaning of the word. She was angry at you, very much so, and she felt that anger for you for years. But seven years have passed, and with its passage, it has dulled that anger." I refuted her words, choosing to trust what I learned of mother's
"That is what pushed Sally to accept your request to meet at her home." I added, "Otherwise, nothing you could have said would have made her agree." I can see her mulling over my words in her mind. Replaying their talk, I'm sure. Finding the logic in my argument. I decided to give her more to think about, not to add on to her burdens. But as a reminder, not to squander this chance given to her by chance or fate.
"I would be more worried if her disappointment in you remained after all this time. Anger dissipates in time, Annabeth. But disappointment, it lingers and sticks to the mind." I told her, "It replaces any and all impression a person has on another. It influences how that person reacts and relates to him or her."
"So use this chance, Annabeth. Not to just gain their forgiveness, but to clear any doubt they might still have of you. Make your intentions clear and make sure to leave no room for them to doubt as to why you are there," I suggested. "Lay out your heart, not just to Percy, but to his mother as well," I added. "So that if, by chance, Percy decides that he doesn't want you in his life, you'll still have Sally in yours, even if it's just as a friend or a person you can talk to."
My words were more a plea than a suggestion. A reminder to Annabeth that she needed not just Percy in her life.
"You're right," her response came a minute later, her eyes with a faraway look. I knew she didn't even think of that, and that my words opened another avenue of thought in her mind. I pray to the Fates she heeded my words truly. And that she try to mend the bridges she burned that day, 7 years ago. For her sake.
"I'll try to reconnect with her, to the best of my ability," she added after.
"Do that, but be genuine; do not put on a facade or do so with the intention of using her and her affections. Ask for forgiveness and promise to be better. And then accept whatever they offer you in return and work your way from there." My words flowed out, my concern for her overtaking my rational mind.
"And brace yourself for what you are going to see and experience tomorrow," I warned her at last.
"Brace myself for what?" The furrow on her brows made me see that she never planned for anything other than meeting Percy; her mind was still so frazzled from the truths she had learned in a short amount of time, and the excitement and fear of meeting him is making her miss the obvious.
"Don't act like a clueless little girl, Annabeth! You have been told of the harem gifted to Percy; you know that he is currently with 2 women, both of whom you've known for a few years and been friends with even." I chided, as softly as I can. Annabeth dropped her gaze low, biting her bottom lip. "I was trying not to think about that," she mumbled. "And what good will that do? It is done, Annabeth. You either accept it and learn to live with that fact, or you forget about the possibility of you having any significant relations with Percy in the future. Those are your only options when it comes to his harem and its members."
"I know that! It's just..." She started to say, but she paused, having trouble finding the words. I decided to say it to her.
"It was supposed to be you? Is that what you wanted to say?" I finished for her; I saw her wince and knew I was correct. "That might have been the case back then. But your callous actions and unwise decisions removed that possibility." I continued despite the pain I could see I was causing her. As much as I didn't want to do this to her, she needed this to be pointed out; she needed to hear the bitter truth. Only then will her hubris be under her control.
She let her fatal flaw take over once, and it cost her everything. If left unchecked, the same thing might happen again. She was humbled by past choices, and she held back from life, contenting herself with living behind her own means and capabilities. But now that her main motivation is back, she is trying to come out of her self-imposed punishment.
"Now you have a chance to be that girl again, only this time, it won't only be you." My voice turned gentle as I came to this point. "If you somehow get the chance to be with him again, then you will need to learn how to be the kind of woman who fits his current lifestyle," I added. "Like you, Annabeth, Percy has changed. He is no longer the boy you once knew, although he is still the same loving and loyal man. His loyalty now is harder to attain; his affection is no longer freely given." I made sure my point came across, even going as far as reaching for Annabeth's hand over the table between us.
"Even the two women with him took years before they got with him. And Perseus was no longer the naive and oblivious boy he once was. What you did to him has turned him into a more guarded and careful man," I said, looking at her. making sure she knows and understands what it is she's getting into. That she is ready for what she is going to face moving forward.
"And Percy is not the only one you have to contend with, Hazel and Piper; both women will be very protective of Percy." I stated, and I saw a guardedness in my daughter's eyes at the mention of both names. "What do you mean I have to contend with them? Do I have to fight them for Percy?" Her reply was understandable if not correct, in a way.
"That is a possibility, but that is what I meant," I started, pulling my hand from hers. "Being inducted into the Harem changed something in both women, Annabeth. The same change will happen to you if, in the event, you are successful in your plan." I paused, making sure I still had her undivided attention. "Members of the Harem change to be extremely protective of their Master, in the sense that they will willingly die for the master if the need for it arises. or defend his honor from anyone who might try to humiliate him or tarnish his reputation." Another pause, "Or in your case, I believe both women will be unwelcoming of your presence in the least. or downright hostile at the worst, owing to your past actions with Perseus."
"I know they used to be your friends, Annabeth, and they might still recognize you as one, but deep within them, Percy will take priority. They will see you and perceive you as a possible threat to their Master, and their first instinct will be to protect the Master."
"You need to be prepared for whatever their reaction is to you." I warned her; whether she heeds my advice or not is up to her now.
"I understand. Thank you for reminding and warning me, Mother," Annabeth said after a lengthy pause. "As long as you understand," I replied while nodding my head.
A look of silent determination settled on her face; her grey eyes shone with her will to see her plans through. I wished silently to the fates that the outcome of this impending meeting be fruitful. And I wished that no matter the outcome, my daughter survives and learns to move on if the worst happens.
'Maybe I should talk to Aphrodite again about Annabeth's future?' I mulled in my mind. As much as I hated that idea, for my daughter, for my children. I would suffer through it.
We stayed like that for a couple of hours, enjoying each other's silent company. Annabeth wandered the aisles of my library, gawking and admiring the sheer numbers of tomes, scrolls, and books surrounding her. Pulling out random books and scrolls and skimming through them.
Near sunset, Annabeth prepared to leave. I walked her to the entrance of my temple, and while there I did something I have never done before. Something I vow to do much more in the future.
As we stood before the steps of my temple, with the sun dropping low, close to the horizon. I held my daughter by her shoulders and turned her to face me. Curiosity and apprehension clear on her face as she waited for what I was about to do next.
I leaned down and pulled her into my embrace. I felt Annabeth stiffen in my arms, clearly taken aback. I too felt a bit uncomfortable, but I am determined to do better. At that point, Percy was correct; we Gods needed to be better parents rather than better rulers. I kept her in my arms until she relaxed, and I felt her arms wrap around my body too.
We stayed like that for a few minutes, and when we separated, there was a new level of understanding between us. We didn't need to verbalize it; it was clear in my eyes as it was in hers. She smiled softly as I wiped an errant tear from her cheeks.
"I want you to know, Annabeth, no matter what you've done in the past and what you will do in the future, always remember that I will always be proud of the woman you have become," I told her.
"And that I will always be here when you need me," I added as I stood straight.
The smile on my daughter's face made my resolve to be a better parent be cemented in my mind and heart. I wished to see the same smile on the faces of my other children. Not because I demanded it of them, but because I deserved it. Because I earned it.
Annabeth nodded once before turning around and walking down the steps of my temple. I watched her until she rounded the corner and disappeared from my view. I took one last look at the horizon, the setting sun adding a slash of red across the cloudless sky before going back in. While walking along the corridors of my temple, I send a heartfelt prayer to The Fates, not for me but for Annabeth.
A prayer for a bright future and a life filled with happiness.