Chapter 10
Amphitrite felt it. Something was off this solstice. Something bad was going to happen and it involved Percy and the others. Don't ask her why because she never could have answered other than it was a mother's intuition.
She had just finished rocking and singing Percy to sleep, as recently he'd had nightmares at night. She put him in bed and smiled to herself when she saw him start reaching around the bed in his sleep searching for his mother's safe embrace. "It's ok baby. Momma's right here. You're safe. Sleep tight my love." She whispered brushing his unruly hair from his eyes and kissing him upon the brow before tucking him in and shutting the door.
The Winter Solstice was only a short week away, and already Amphitrite could sense ancient magic's stirring. She didn't know what, but something was about to happen and she needed to prevent it no matter the cost. Percy must be kept safe. Flashing out she left to go meet with Hera and Persephone.
Arriving at the chosen meeting place Amphitrite was met with similar faces as each mother seemed pensive and on edge.
She started right in, "Something's not right. I don't know what it is. But something's off. There's a storm brewing and it's going to break on the Solstice."
"I know. I feel it too and it involves the kids. We must get them somewhere safe. Somewhere no one would find them for a while. At least till the solstice has passed." Persephone agreed.
"I'll talk to the other gods and see if they have any ideas. They all love the kids so I know they'll do their best to help them. But we must hurry. Tonight would be the best time I believe. Zeus agrees with me that tonight's the time to move."
With a flash the three goddesses all set off to search for a place for the children.
Hera arrived on Olympus and called Zeus to call a meeting. When the Olympian's had all gathered Hera stated her question. "Persephone, Amphitrite, and I all agree something is going to go wrong this solstice. We want to hide the children, or take them somewhere safe tonight. But we don't know where would be safe enough for the time being." She glanced around the room hoping for ideas.
"I actually have the perfect place. Do you trust me?" Hermes spoke up looking directly into Hera's eyes.
"I do." She whispered.
Amphitrite and Poseidon rushed down the halls to Percy's room. Things had quickly taken a turn for the worst. A sea monster under Oceanus's control was attacking the palace. And specifically headed towards Percy's room. The mermen and Cyclops were valiantly holding the beast off with Triton's leadership, giving time for their King and Queen to get the young prince they all loved so dearly to safety.
They were just discussing where to go when they'd got a hurried message from Hera explaining the place. It seems that random monster's where attacking the base of Olympus and the gates of the Underworld as well.
Running into the room Amphitrite went to wake Percy while Poseidon hurriedly pulled out some clothes for him to change into and packing a quick bag, including his armor and Riptide.
"Come on baby. Can you wake up just a little for mommy? You can go back to sleep in just a moment. Help momma get you changed." She said shaking the small boy a little to stir him from what seemed to be a fitful sleep.
Pulling his shirt over his head, and his pajama bottoms from his feet while he sat sleepy eyed on the bed Amphitrite and Poseidon worked in tandem stripping and clothing their precious little boy.
"Momma? Papa? Where are we going?" He asked sleepily yawning as Poseidon tried getting the shirt over his head.
"You're going to a babysitter's for a little bit. Just a few days while your uncles and eye take care of some enemies. Don't worry you'll be back in no time. But can you promise me you'll behave? Jason and Nico will be there with you. Artemis is just going on a long hunt away from everyone with the Thalia or she would be there as well. So do you promise Percy?" Poseidon asked as he pulled Percy's arms through the arm holes while Amphitrite got his legs in his pants.
"Promise what dad?" He asked sleepily.
"Promise to behave at the baby sitter's?"
"Yes daddy. I promise. Can I go back to sleep now?" Percy yawned out laying back on his bed.
"Yes buddy. Just a moment longer ok? Alright go to mommy she's going to take you there." Poseidon said chuckling as Percy was already asleep. Picking him up and placing him in Amphitrite's arms he kissed Percy on the top of his head. "I'm going to go help Triton and the rest. Get him there safe. And remind her what will happen if he gets hurt or harmed." Poseidon said darkly glowing for a moment with godly energy.
"Of course my love. She knows. And it'll be six times as hard for I shall be right beside you along with Zeus, Hera, Hades, and Persephone. Now go. Show my father why you are now ruler of the water's." She said lightly, kissing him quickly upon the lips before watching him shoot out the window toward the beast.
"Come my little prince. Let us leave." She whispered to Percy flashing away with his bag of clothes and armor.
Hera was in a rush. She needed to get Jason ready. She was glad she'd let him sleep in his regular clothes tonight. It made it that much easier. Quickly running into his room she started packing a bag with some clothes, his armor and sword, as well as some Ambrosia and Nectar, leaving extra for Percy and Nico should they need some.
"Jason sweet heart. Time to get up. We need to go to the babysitter's. Don't worry. Just sit up enough for mommy to pick you up. There we go." Hera whispered as Jason half-awake struggled to sit up so she could pick him up. He was starting to sleep again almost as soon as his head hit her shoulder.
"I love you mommy." He whispered sleepily into her hair turning his head towards her.
"And I you my little soldier. Let's go." And with a flash they were gone.
Persephone was having a much harder time. For Nico slept like a rock. "Nico baby. Nico get up now. We need to go." Looking out the window Persephone could see Hades along with Cerberus fighting several monster's trying to fight their way to the palace.
Sighing with exasperation Persephone went to plan two. Quickly growing her special flower she held it under Nico's nose, he turned to get a better smell. She smiled. Even in his sleep he loved the flower. Pulling it away from him he slowly followed the sweet smelling flower till he was standing still asleep in the middle of the room. With a precision that came from several years of dressing a cranky little boy, Persephone had stripped and clothed Nico in record time.
"Alright my little flower. We can leave now. I know you'll like the baby sitter. She loves plants as well." Persephone said kissing his cheek as she picked him up, flashing off with his bag of clothes and armor.
Amphitrite was the first to arrive on the island, greeted by its lovely resident. "Hello Amphitrite is this the little one?"
"Yes. His name is Percy. Please take care of him. I can't tell you how much this means. It may be silly. But I have fallen in love with this little one so hard. He's my child in every way. Every way. Amphitrite said handing Percy to her and kissing him one last time before also handing over his bag.
Percy stirred slightly at being transferred over and began to awake, no longer smelling his mother's perfume. "Momma? Where'd you go? Momma?!" He sat wide awake eyes searching for his mother.
"It's ok baby. I'm right here. Let me introduce you to someone. She'll be taking care of you for a few days till Winter Solstice is over. You behave alright?" Amphitrite said stepping into his view and putting a calming hand on his back.
"Hello Percy. My names Calypso. I'm a friend of your mother's. You don't mind staying with me right?" Calypso asked. Smiling as Percy shyly nodded, trying to be brave for his mom.
"Ok mommy. I'll be good. Love you." Percy said laying his head back down sleep hitting him once again.
"Gods this is going to be harder than I thought it would. Take care of him Calypso. Please." And with a flash Amphitrite was gone replaced by Hera and Persephone.
"Looks like we just missed Amphitrite." Hera commented seeing the sleeping Percy in Calypso's arms.
"Follow me this way. I made a room for the boys to share and already have beds ready. This way." Calypso said smiling at the prospect of company, especially such adorable little boys. The island will be lively for a while at least.
They entered her home as she led them back to a room with three beds made along the far wall, the covers already turned back ready for an occupant. Calypso went to the middle bed laying Percy down and tucking him in, as Hera and Persephone went to either side tucking in and kissing their children goodnight.
"Gods. It shall be a long few nights without this little one running around the halls." Hera said smiling softly. "Well. Until then. Take care of them Calypso." And with a flash the two goddess's were gone.
"With my life." Calypso whispered to the dark, admiring the three boys laying asleep in their bed.
When Calypso came into the room that morning she was met with a sight that brought a smile to her face. Jason had curled up with all his blankets on the floor in between his bed and Percy's. While Nico had curled up on the foot of Percy's bed, where Percy himself was sleeping peacefully, drooling a bit on his pillow.
With that she left to go make breakfast, which the smell drifted down the hall quickly awakening the sleeping demigods. Within moment a fully dressed Percy rushed into the room. "Hey mom what's for" stopping in his tracks as he realized it wasn't his mother waiting for him.
"OH… Hello." Percy shyly finished.
"Hello Percy. Did you sleep well?" Calypso questioned.
"Yes ma'am." He politely responded.
"Well that's good. Now would you mind setting the table for you, your brother's and I please?"
"Yes ma'am." He said and began searching for plates and silverware.
By the time Percy had finished setting out silverware and plates, Nico and Jason had sleepily wandered in and sat down.
"What's for breakfast today?" Jason asked looking about, while Nico stared around the room confused as to why he was here and parents weren't.
"First let's start off with introductions. You were all asleep last night so I'm sure you don't remember much of what's happened. My name is Calypso, and I'm going to be watching you three as your babysitter for a few days. At least until the Winter Solstice is over. This year the dark magic's are especially potent, and your parents enemies have arisen and attacked. They are trying to hurt your parents any way they can. And the first way was to get ahold and kill you three. But now you are safe on this island. No one can get here unless I allow them, or Zeus or Hermes send them here."
"Oh well hello Cal-yp-sio. My names Nico!" Nico said excitedly for he had looked out the window and seen Calypso had a beautiful garden, and in his mind someone who loved plants that much and did such a good job must be really nice.
Calypso smiled at his mispronunciation of her name. "Hello Nico. Do you like my flowers?"
Nico shook his head dramatically "Yes they are so pretty. They are almost as pretty as momma's" Nico said excitedly.
"Well I'm honored you think so. Do you think you could help me with the plants today?" She asked knowing his answer.
"Could I really!?"
"Absolutely. But only if you promise to grow some of your mother's flowers to make my garden a little more special. It will make all the other goddess's jealous." Calypso said smiling as Nico jumped up and gave her a hug promising to do just that. "Thank you Nico. You can sit down again now. And who might you be?" Calypso asked talking to Jason who sat wide eyes looking around the room and outside.
"Oh. I'm Jason Grace your ladyship." Jason said doing his best to do a little bow.
"Jason my dear. You do not need to call me ladyship. Quiet the gentleman I see Jason. Although I appreciate it, it's not needed little one." Calypso said smiling.
"Thank the gods. I wasn't sure if I was doing that right." Jason comically spoke sitting down again.
"Jason after breakfast if you'd like you can fly around the island and explore it if you wish."
"I can fly?!" Jason said, exited at the prospect of getting to use his powers here.
"And what about you Percy. Can you tell me about yourself?" She questioned.
"I don't really want to talk right now." Percy sadly stated looking down at his hands in his lap as he sat at the table.
"That's fine. Now shall we eat? I've made us some very special food. They are called pancakes. You just pour this sticky stuff called syrup on it. I don't know if you ever had them but I really like them." Calypso said placing a stack of pancakes down on the table and helping each boy get one and pour syrup over them. "Nico, Nico. That's way too much syrup dear. Percy you too."
The rest of the day was spent with Jason flying around the island and seeing all the wonders it held, and Nico helping take care of the garden and growing some of his mother's flowers in her flower bed. Percy stayed inside, or near the house all day moping. He didn't like being here. He wanted to be with his mom and dad.
That night Calypso tucked all the boys into bed and red them a bed time story and left, going to clean up all the dishes from dinner before she herself would sleep.
As she walked past the boy's room to go to sleep she heard a soft whimpering. Frowning with worry she opened the door and peeked in, stifling a gasp as she saw Percy sitting on his bed knees drawn up to his face crying softly in the night.
"Oh Percy baby. What's the matter?" Calypso said entering the room and startling the boy as she sat at the foot of his bed.
"Nothing…"
"Percy if you don't tell me I can't help you. Your mother left you here so I could take care of you. I promise I can help. But you've got to talk to me, not mope around the house." She sternly said putting a hand gently under his chin and lifting his face to meet her beautiful eyes.
"It's just. I've been having nightmares at night. And mommy usually sings me to sleep at night to keep the nightmares away. But she's not here tonight." Percy squeaked out beginning to sniffle and cry again.
Concern filling her heart Calypso scooped Percy up in her arms and took him to the beach, summoning a rocking chair she began rocking Percy. "Do you mind if I sing to you tonight? I know it isn't the same as your mother. But perhaps it will help."
"Ok." Percy yawned out laying his head down already beginning to get sleepy, comforted by her holding him.
Calypso's voice came out in a lilting and haunting melody, in beautiful Greek, filling the air around Percy, it seemed to Percy to knit a blanket of protection around the young demigod. Yawning again his eyes began to close as Calypso kept singing her beautiful voice filling the air.
"Calypso?" Percy whispered almost asleep.
"Yes Percy?" Calypso responded before continuing her song.
"You are very pretty. Just like mom. And you sound like an angel." Percy whispered before falling into the arms of sleep.
"Thank you Percy. Sweet dreams." Calypso said kissing him softly on the cheek before taking him inside and tucking him in.
"Sweet dreams to all of you little ones. I hope we can have a good day tomorrow. Sleep tight." Calypso said closing the door and leaving for her own bed.
The next morning Calypso awoke to a sight that made her smile. She was surrounded in her bed by three little demigod boys. All curled up at random places. Nico at her feet his blanket wrapped haphazardly around his little frame, Jason at her back snoring softly with his mouth wide open and her blankets pulled up to his waist. While Percy was cuddling into her stomach his head on her arm which he had pulled around his body with the blankets pulled firmly up to his neck.
Smiling to herself and thinking she has never had a morning as wonderful as this, she closed her eyes and decided a little more sleep wouldn't hurt them.
When next she awoke, the boys were just beginning to stir themselves. "Come on boys. Let's get up. You can help me make pancakes today. How does that sound?" She was unprepared for the shout of joy as all three boys leapt out of bed running to their room to get dressed.
Calypso got dressed herself then went to the kitchen to see three young demigods who had already set the table trying to start a fire. "Alright boys, alright. I am glad you're exited to help and all, but I'll start the fire you are much too young."
She was met by a chorus of "Aaaawww." From the boys.
By the time they had enough pancakes made, everyone was covered head to toe in flower, as Percy had decided it'd be funny to throw it at Jason who was mixing the batter, which then led to an all-out war, that when Calypso tried to stop she herself was ganged up on by all three of the young demigods.
"I haven't had that much fun in ages. But now it is time to eat. And then a bath for you three." Calypso laughed out wiping her hands on her flour covered clothes.
The bath did not fare much better, as it ended up being a water fight of Percy against Nico, Jason and Calypso.
After finally getting everyone washed up, herself included, they all went to Calypso's garden and helped. Nico made sure they had enough sunlight and food, supplying energy if they needed it, while Percy watered the plants, and Jason flew himself and Percy around to water them from above.
The next day Calypso awoke once again two three children in bed with her, all sleeping peacefully. That morning they decided to have some fresh fruit's for breakfast instead. After watering all the plants Calypso decided it was time for a game.
"Alright you three gather round. Now you may not know this, but I am a sorceress. So today, we are going to play hide and go seek. You can use your powers, Percy you cannot go in the ocean, but the pond is fine, Jason you aren't allowed to directly hit someone with lightning but you may scare them if you wish. Nico, no using skeleton's to search for you. I'll go first." Calypso finished, going to a nearby tree she began counting as the boys ran off to hide. "One, Two, Three." She began.
By the time she'd reached fifty she knew all the boys were hidden. And so began the game.
She first looked in the pond, but was surprised when she got there to find it empty. With that she headed off into the forest. She was under one of the largest trees on the island when she heard giggling from above her. Quickly looking up she found Jason on the highest branch. "Get down here Jason. I've found you. Good hiding spot. Did you fly all the way up?" she called up.
"No. You have to touch me first." Jason called levitating higher into the tree.
With a smirk Calypso uttered a quick spell, and before Jason could reach the next branch he suddenly found himself on the ground. "Tag. Come on. Let's go find the other's silly." Calypso said with a smile patting Jason on the head.
"Aaawww. That's not fair." Jason complained before following her. Deciding he was going to find Percy first.
As Calypso and Jason headed further into the forest Calypso noticed an unusually large flower near the base of a tree. Motioning to Jason she pointed at the flower mouthing "Nico". To which he responded with a smile before rising into the air.
Nico was hiding underneath the flower he'd grown. It was one he knew was natural on the island as he'd seen them several times around the island, as well as they grew to this size naturally. He thought his place was perfect, till right in front of him lightning struck.
"AH!" He screamed jumping out from underneath the flower right into Calypso.
"Gotcha Nico." She laughed. "Now let's go find Percy."
Unknown to them Percy was indeed in the pond. But he'd stirred up the dirt at the bottom to hide him, doing his best to make it look regular. He had since stopped and was now just sitting at the bottom of the pond eyes half closed as he smirked thinking they'd never find him.
As he lay there he suddenly felt something pinching him on the back. Adjusting he continued laying there, till it happened again. Confused now he reached his hand back to figure out what it was.
When his hand wrapped around a skeletal hand that grabbed back Percy went white. Shooting out of the water and landing on his butt on the short, right in front of a laughing Calypso, Nico and Jason.
"Nicooooooo! Did you tell them where I was?" Percy complained, rubbing his aching backside.
Chortling with laughter Nico tried to answer, "Nope. You were just lying there, and we could see you as easy as could be. Especially Jason who flew over it looking for you." At this Nico fell to the ground giggling.
"Oh Percy. It was a good idea. But we couldn't help messing with you silly." Calypso said smiling as she walked over and hugged little Percy who was pouting, his lower lip puffed out with arms crossed.
"Come on. Let's go make lunch." Calypso said a small frown playing at her lips. Tonight was the last night they'd be staying with her, as tomorrow evening the Winter Solstice would be over and it would be safe for them to return home. Shaking those dark thought's away she followed the leaping boys who were discussing training with their swords and armor after eating.
When Calypso awoke the next morning it was to an empty bed. Quite confused as well as worried, she hurried out of bed, throwing on her robe and rushing to the kid's room, to find it empty with the beds made. Now she was very worried.
Rushing into the kitchen she stopped sort, as a sight that touched her heart unfolded. Percy, Nico, and Jason were all attempting to make pancakes. And it seemed the largest one the size of the pan was just for her. They all had on various pieces of her cooking outfit. Nico was in her apron, Jason had on the oven mits, whilst Percy was wearing her hair band to keep hair out of her face and shaking the large stirring spoon giving them instructions as they all tried to get the large pancake onto the plate.
Smiling softly to herself Calypso quietly went back to bed and climbed in. After hearing more scrambling coming from the kitchen her door opened to reveal the three boys all trying to carry a tray with the large pancake on it, along with a cup of juice in to the room.
"Look we made YOU breakfast this time Calypso!" Nico excitedly said almost upsetting the entire balance of the tray.
Setting it on her lap they quickly ran out returning shortly with their own plates and small cups of juice.
"Well thank you boys. I've never had breakfast in bed before. You guys are wonderful. Did you do all this yourself? This is such a big pancake. Am I supposed to eat it all myself?" She smiled as the boys looked at each other confused for a moment, thinking the bigger the pancake the better.
"Don't worry! We'll help you eat whatever you can't." Percy exclaimed to shouts of approval from his brother's as everyone excitedly began eating their food in earnest.
Calypso could only smile and fight back the tears in her eyes. She didn't want the boys to leave. This time with them had been the most wonderful time of her life. She tried hiding her tears with her hair, but Percy who was perched right next to her, was too perceptive.
"Are you crying Calypso?!"
At his exclamation all the sudden three concerned faces filled Calypso's view. "Did we not cook it right?" Nico worriedly asked.
"No. No you three. It's perfect. I just. You'll be going home today and I'm going to miss you."
"Don't worry. We'll come back. I'm sure mom, Aunt Hera, and Aunt Amphitrite will let us. We want to anyways. This has been so much fun!" Nico said trying to cheer her up.
"Yeah. Mom will let us come back. Please be happy Calypso." Jason said sadly, not liking her to be upset.
"Don't worry. I am, I am. I'm sorry for worrying you guys. Come let's finish breakfast and then we'll go water the garden and play hide and seek again." Calypso said wiping her eyes and smiling at the unconditional love these three boys showed her.
At Atlantis Amphitrite stood next to her husband and oldest son, all of them fully dressed in battle armor. They had just fended off a massive attack from Oceanus and his forces. He had withdrawn, the power from the solstice waning, leaving him weak from using so much energy to battling the three gods.
"Finally it is finished. Now Percy can come home. Let's go to love." Poseidon said tiredly not even bothering to remove his armor.
"Yes my love. Let's." And with a flash the two disappeared leaving Triton to go wash up and change.
They arrived on the island at the same time as Zeus and Hera, who had arrived just after Hades and Persephone.
They arrived to laughing and shouting as Percy chased Calypso, Nico, and Jason with water trailing behind him as he tried to soak his friends.
"Percy. It's time to go home." Amphitrite called out going to her knees as Percy catching sight of them ran and jumped in to her arms, as Nico and Jason did the same.
"Calypso. How can we thank you? Do not worry your wish shall be granted. You may now leave the island. But only as long as Percy, Nico, and Jason live their mortal lives." Zeus said picking up Jason and allowing him to sit upon his shoulder, even though he ached from the fighting.
"I also have one last request my lord." Calypso bowed.
"Speak."
"If I may. Could they come visit me every so often? Just for one night and a day?" Calypso questioned.
"Yeah daddy! Please we love Calypso. This was so much fun." Jason gushed.
"I would verily enjoy that. It'd give us a moment of peace anyways." Hera answered for her husband, who was currently tickling Jason as he squealed in delight.
"Really?" Calypso answered tears in her eyes at the thought of spending more time with the children.
"Of course. What. Once every two weeks or so?" Amphitrite added on.
"That sounds marvelous to me." Persephone finished.
"Well. Until then. I hate to leave so soon. But I am tired and would just like to enjoy a night at home with my family." Amphitrite said, taking her leave as Poseidon grabbed Percy and they flashed off. Followed soon after by the other two pairs.
"Things are looking up." Calypso said with a smile, flashing away for the first time in years to view the world.
That night, for the first time in almost a week, Amphitrite held Percy rocking him to sleep and singing his favorite lullaby. "All was as it should be." She thought. Kissing Percy upon his brow, right where her mark graced his skin. "Sweet dreams my little prince. And awake with a smile on your face."