The Beginning

Chiron cradled the precious baby in his arms, looking down at her sleeping face. He smiled sappily as she wrinkled her tiny button nose before exhaling loudly, making a small cry as she settled back into his arms.

One of the finest demigods ever trained at this camp gave birth to a baby girl days ago in the infirmary. In a few minutes, Clea would be here to take her daughter to a new home outside of the camp borders.

All was still in the Big House. The campers knew that the baby was sleeping. Even the lion head above the fireplace was sound asleep as the logs crackled in the flames. As Chiron stared at the warm hearth, perfectly content as he rocked the baby in his arms, the brightness started to grow. Then before he knew it, the light flashed across the room, blinding Chiron as he tried to shield the baby's eyes. He squinted, though he wasn't surprised.

Chiron relaxed his shoulders once he realized what was happening. He forced a welcoming smile onto his face as the light subsided and Apollo appeared in the room.

"Lord Apollo," Chiron said, trying to keep his voice soft. The baby squirmed in his arms restlessly. She must've encountered her first nightmare as a demigod. Chiron frowned in pity but he knew that it was inevitable. "What can I do you good for today?"

Ignoring his comment, Apollo crossed the room to him. Chiron raised his eyebrows as he approached, and then picked the baby out of Chiron's arms.

Chiron opened his mouth to protest, knowing that it took hours to finally get the newborn to sleep. Even as Apollo lifted her she started to squeal. "I wouldn't do that—"

Apollo, again, ignored him and cradled the baby to his chest. The poor girl cried and bawled, waking as she started her tantrum. But then, as she became acquainted with his touch, she calmed. In fact, as Apollo ran his thumb across her cheek, she fell silent, and went back to sleep.

Chiron watched him, swaying slowly as he lured the baby further into her nap. It was weird, Chiron noticed. Only her mom had that effect on her, an inseparable bond only by….

Chiron gasped in realization. Inseparable by bloodlines.

"This child is yours," Chiron claimed, positive in his observations.

As if noticing Chiron was there for the first time, Apollo's head lifted, regarding Chiron with curious eyes. "What makes you say so?"

Chiron gestured to the way he rocked the child. "Your connection. It's the only explanation. Clea wouldn't tell me who the father was."

"Of course Clea wouldn't want you to know," Apollo muttered, looking back down at the baby in distress. His current state of mindlessness confused Chiron, for he was acting off.

Then, with a sigh, Apollo said, "Yes. She is mine. Isn't it obvious? Look how cute she is!"

"And what makes her more special than the others?" Chiron pondered, stroking his chin.

Apollo glanced at him with furrowed eyebrows. "What does that mean?"

"I've never heard of Apollo himself visiting his new children in the hospital," Chiron said, folding his hands in front of him. "What's different this time?"

"As a poet," Apollo declared, becoming dramatic, and Chiron had to restrain from rolling his eyes. "I have a message. It is very important you do exactly as I say so that my child-what's her name?"

"Brielle," Chiron said proudly.

"Brielle," Apollo said to himself, smiling slightly. "I like that. It's very light. In fact, the inspiration is coming to me…"

"Lord Apollo—" Chrion tried.

"I have it now!" He held the baby in one arm and used his other for flourish as he started his haiku.

"My daughter is cute
Her name is like the sun
She is very cute"

Apollo looked towards Chrion, a cringe appearing on his face. "Maybe I should revise. A bit repetitive for a three-lined poem. Don't you think?"

His face contorted in thought, his lips moving as he paced, and the baby fast asleep against his chest. Chiron waited for him to continue, but he didn't. Chiron hated to interrupt his thought process (because he knew that Apollo would be there all day if he did), but he had to know the reason of his sudden visit. "Lord Apollo?"

Apollo snapped out of his daze, his face falling slack. He blinked, trying to remember what he was saying. And then remembering it, he nodded. "Oh! Of course. I was saying that this child has a long journey ahead of her and her guardians need to raise her accordingly."

Chiron spread out his palms. "As much as I…cherish your drop-ins, why didn't you just come and see Clea?"

"I used to," Apollo said. "Well, I did when I could. When I couldn't, I watched over her. Ever since that day I met her on that quest—"

"Right!" Chiron recalled, his tone hard. "Her first quest. When she was fourteen."

"Love knows no limits," Apollo told him. And then, his face lighting up, he crossed the room to place the baby in her crib. "I think it's time for that haiku! I've really got it this time!"

"No need, Lord Apollo," Chiron quickly stopped him, wheeling himself over to where he stood by the crib. "But you have to realize that Clea was very young. She was also young when she conceived this child!"

Other Gods would've been offended by Chiron's scolding them, but Apollo just smiled sympathetically. "I know that she was like a daughter to you. And I have to say that I am so sorry for you loss."

"My loss?" Chiron asked, his throat closing up in fear.

Apollo's expression turned to puzzled. "Haven't you heard?" he asked. Chiron shook his head.

"Chiron, Clea is dead."

Chiron caught his breath, his stomach slowly starting to churn. His heart felt like it was getting squeezed, all of the blood draining from his body. Because After all, he took Clea in like she was his own.

Apollo rambled on, telling him that no one knows how she died, mortals found her body in the woods. Chiron just stared at Apollo, trying to make sense of the words coming out of his mouth. For even though he heard him, he wasn't fully processing what he said. He wasn't fully processing anything, actually, after the bad news was delivered.

"With her mother gone," Apollo continued, motioning towards the baby, "I am afraid there is no one to care for her."

This snapped Chiron out of his trance. He didn't even think, because he didn't even have to think. So without hesitating, Chiron immediately said, "I'd be honored, Lord."

Apollo grinned. "How did you know I was going to ask? Anyways," Apollo fell more serious, looking Chiron intensely in the eye. "It is imperative that you train her to be the great demigod she is destined to be. Delphi has foreseen a prophecy, and that challenge will become hers."

He lifted the baby and placed her in Chiron's arms. "I need you to prepare her for the role she is destined to play."

"Of course," Chiron spoke.

"Please," Apollo spoke, his voice soft and his eyes vulnerable. And then before Chiron could say anything else, he then flashed out of the Big House, leaving Chiron staring after him in wonder.

Once he was gone, Chiron sighed. His chest felt heavy, another great hero gone. Clea grew up without her mother. He didn't want the same for Brielle.

The baby was awake. When Chiron looked down into her eyes, the color of gold, he found tears brimming his. "Hello there, hero," he crooned, his throat closing up.

The baby giggled as Chiron lightly tickled her belly. Her smile was contagious and full of light. She had her mother's nose and eyes. Apollo couldn't take all of the credit for her looks.

Disturbing them, there was a light knock on the door and it creaked open quietly. Dahlia, a child of Demeter, walked in. "Did you hear?" she asked intently, her face solemn and sad as she came to deliver the news.

Sadly, Chiron ducked his head and gave a nod. Dahlia sighed in response, obviously torn as well. It made sense. She and Clea were always close.

Trying to change the subject, she came across the room and stroked the baby's head. "How's little Elle today?"

Chiron solemnly turned his head back to the baby, her small little face taking off some of the weight of the bad news. "She's Apollo's child."

"Really? How can you tell?"

"I just know."

Dahlia smiled at the two of them, watching how Chiron looked at the baby like a grandfather did to his own grandchild. She patted him on the arm. "Well, this is big news! I'm off to go knit her a yellow blanket."

She stood to leave, walking towards the door. But as she placed her hand on the doorknob, Chiron called out to her.

"Dahlia," Chiron said. She stopped, turning back to face him as he continued to speak. He looked her sincerely in the eyes. "Thank you."

Dahlia smiled in return and sent him a little thumbs-up, whispering "Sure thing," as the baby dozed off peacefully.

Then it was just Chiron alone with Brielle.

"Child of Apollo or not," he whispered to her. "You are a little ball of light of my life."

Chiron then sang her a lullaby, softly pressing his lips to her forehead and wishing her good dreams. After all, she did have a prophecy ahead of her.

The nightmares had already seemed to of found her, but maybe in her innocence was the only opportunity she had to sleep.