And now we get to find out what happened after Percy fell from Lady's back! No trigger warnings for this chapter. As always please do read and review I love seeing that I have new reviews it always makes me feel happy. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter- in which Percy meets someone new.
When Percy came too, she was once more in a comfortable bed, her wrist hurt, and she sat up quickly.
It was instantly obvious that Percy wasn't back in Mount Orthys because as she did sit up the gossamer sheet that had been covering her floated away- and she was on a bed made of silky woven kelp in a room panelled with abalone shells and glowing pearls the size of basketballs floated around the ceiling providing light.
Percy felt herself relax as she looked around slowly- it was instantly clear that she was underwater- that felt safer. And it made sense, the last thing she could remember was falling from Lady's back and hitting the water.
Her gaze shifted and she looked at her right wrist- it was wrapped in bandages made of some kind of seaweed.
If she had to guess where she was Percy knew where she'd put her money. She had to be in her father's palace. In Atlantis- the mere thought of that was exciting and Percy moved slowly, looking around as she pushed herself out of her bed, there were huge windows- and she watched sharks and fish drift past- several of the fish pausing to look in at her and swimming away quickly when she gave a hesitant wave.
So. She'd been taken to her fathers realm. That was comforting- and she was still wearing her bracelet from Annabeth and the watch from Tyson. And- when she spotted a full length mirror between two of the windows Percy pushed herself through the water towards it, examining herself- she'd been changed again, into a sea green chiton- probably what they had available- and she looked around slowly, grinning when she spotted the leather jacket that Drew had given her, folded up and resting beside the bed.
She swum over to it quickly and pulled it on- not for the warmth, she never really felt cold underwater- but for the comfort it offered- having pockets- and she could feel the weight of the dagger in the pocket- and when she patted the other pocket she almost squealed when she felt the familiar shape of her trusty ballpoint pen- though she didn't get it out- it wasn't like she'd need it here.
She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath- and she jumped and whirled around with a shriek when someone behind her coughed- yanking Riptide out of her pocket and uncapping it- and Triton was there, looking ridiculously relaxed, his long hair tied back in a loose ponytail, he must have swam in through the window, and he raised an eyebrow, holding up his hands mock defensively.
"Hey little sis. No need to try and brutally murder your brother when he so kindly rescued you."
"Triton!" Percy's voice caught- because that was definite confirmation of where she was and she had to force back the urge to sob- and that was a question, could she even cry underwater? She'd never do so. "You-"
"Well, a dolphin spotted you falling through the water, I was nearby, managed to get to you and I brought you back here- father had to remove that abomination on your wrist personally. It was strong enchantment."
"Thank you." Percy swallowed hard, "I- I tried to- I couldn't get it off-"
"You clawed at your wrists to try and get it off- I could tell. You weren't able to get any oxygen. It was blocking your powers. You almost drowned."
"I-"
"You came real close to dying- father was concerned that there would have been irreversible damage from the lack of air." Triton admitted, his expression shifting from amusement to concern. "What happened to you Persephone? The last we heard you blew up a volcano."
"I-" Percy felt herself start trembling "I got captured. It- Alabaster."
Triton winced, "Father did say it seemed like a child of Hecate's work." he moved forward, tails flicking him forward through the water and towards her, "You're safe now little sister-" and Percy launched herself forward, crashing into him and throwing his arms around him as she choked down a sob, and Triton gently wrapped his arms around her, letting out a slow breath.
"I- I was so scared-"
"You're safe here."
"He- I was so scared-"
"He hurt you?"
"Yes."
"You're safe here." Triton repeated, "You're safe Persephone. And now that you're awake we can send out word that you've been rescued- father held off from contacting anyone because he wasn't sure you would wake."
"W-where is dad?" Percy's voice was weak as she pulled back slightly.
"Right now he's in the middle of a meeting- Oceanus is starting to cause us some trouble and father's trying to reason with him- if he sides with Kronos it will be a pain to say the least."
"Right." Percy swallowed hard, "I guess I... do I just stay here and wait-" the idea that she'd be allowed to leave the room didn't even cross her mind after so long locked in a little room, not being allowed to leave at all.
"No, no you can leave your rooms." Triton said quickly, "In fact- there is someone who wants to meet you."
"There is?"
"Of course." Triton nodded, "Put the sword away though, you won't need to fight anyone- no one will hurt you here with me with you."
"Thank you." Percy let out a breath, putting Riptide away carefully and tucking the sword in it's pen form into her pocket.
Then Triton held out his hand, "Come on then little sister."
"Okay." Percy took his hand and she let him pull her along and she looked around slowly- it was surreal, and beautiful with the glowing pearl lights casting a warm light all around them.
They swam to the end of a long hallway and shot upward on a geyser. As they rose over the rooftops Percy let out a soft awed gasp.
The palace was as big as the city on Mount Olympus, with wide courtyards, gardens, and columned pavilions. The gardens were sculpted with coral colonies and glowing sea plants. Twenty or thirty buildings were made of abalone, white but gleaming with rainbow colors. Fish and octopi darted in and out of the windows. The paths were lined with glowing pearls like Christmas lights.
It was beautiful, and Triton chuckled at her reaction,
"It's your first time seeing our fathers domain, isn't it?"
"Yes." Percy nodded, her eyes wide, "It's beautiful."
"Of course it is." his voice was filled with pride, and he carefully towed her along with him through the palace, until they reached a beautiful garden filled with dozens of sea plants with all different colours- and Percy hesitated, there was a beautiful woman with long flowing black hair sat on a bench in the gardens- her hair was pulled back by a net of pearls and silk, a circlet of polished red crab claws across her brow. She turned her head to look when she heard their arrival and her eyes widened slightly and she rose.
"Triton, my son. And this must be young Persephone." she tilted her head, her expression almost curious as she took in the sight of Percy, who flushed a bright shade of red as Triton gently pushed her forward by her elbow.
"You-"
"Persephone. Meet my mother. Queen Amphitrite."
"I- my lady-" Percy went to bow but Amphitrite raised a hand.
"There's no need for that child." she gave Triton a chiding look, "You didn't tell the poor thing you were bringing her to see me, did you."
"I thought perhaps it would be good for her." Triton looked unashamed, "Besides, I didn't want to leave her alone but I thought I should alert father to the fact that she's awake."
"I see." Amphitrite gave a slight smile as she focused on Percy. "Come here child- don't be frightened. I'm hardly going to hurt you."
And Percy hesitated before swimming forward until she was close enough for Amphitrite to take her hand and pull her over to the bench, sitting down and pulling Percy so that she was sat next to her.
"I- I wouldn't have thought you'd be happy about having one of-"
"One of my husbands other children here?" Amphitrite looked amused, "Unlike some I don't have issues with jealousy child- I always knew my husband wouldn't be faithful. As long as he treats me well, respects me and cares for our children I am happy." she tilted her head slightly, "You look pale Persephone. Do you feel well?"
"I-" Percy gave a weak smile, "Better than I have done lately. I..."
"She was with the son of Hecate." Triton spoke up, his voice rather pointed, and Amphitrite sighed heavily and nodded, "I see. Triton, go and alert your father to the fact that his young daughter is awake. Persephone will be safe with me."
"Thank you." there was gratitude in Triton's voice and he left quickly, leaving Percy alone with Amphitrite, who gave a wry smile, "My son isn't always the best at giving comfort- he cares for you but he doesn't always handle it well."
Percy flushed slightly. "I... lady A-"
"It's Amphitrite to you child." the goddess sighed softly. "Your brother brought you to me because he thinks I may be able to comfort you better than he can-"
"I don't need- I never asked him-"
"I know you didn't child." Amphitrite shook her head, "But you clearly need comfort- and there are none who would blame you I'm sure. Tell me, what happened to you? We all heard of what happened in Hephaestus' forges."
"I-" Percy hesitated, "Alabaster captured me." Percy ducked her head, looking down at her hands. "I- he dressed me in a chiton with no pockets so I didn't even have Riptide." she admitted very quietly, picking at the soft light fabric of the chiton she was wearing. And I was too weak to use my powers anyway-"
"I imagine you were." Amphitrite nodded, "You would have been lucky to survive using that much power. And that's not even considering the fact that you must have been seriously burned by the eruption."
"I- I tried to fight back. To escape."
"Of course you did."
"I couldn't hurt him, I did try I really did but- his skin was like steel and I couldn't do anything," she blinked back tears as Amphitrite carefully wrapped an arm over Percy's shoulder. "He hurt me."
"How badly child?"
"He hit me- he hit me a lot and- and he kissed me and I couldn't stop him."
"Oh child-" Amphitrite's arms slowly wrapped around Percy and Percy crumpled and pressed her face into the goddess' shoulder as she cried. "You poor thing- how did you get free?"
"I- a daughter of Aphrodite- she's one of them but- she saved me. Helped me escape. She made me leave her behind- I didn't want to-"
"I'm sure you didn't." the goddess gently soothed her fingers through Percy's short hair to comfort her. "From all I've heard you're not the type to leave a friend behind."
"I feel so stupid." Percy forced out, "I- I'm supposed to be some big hero but I can't even stop a guy from-"
"No." Amphitrite pulled back slightly, shaking her head, "No. Do not speak like that child. What that boy did to you is inexcusable. But it is his fault, and there is
no blame on your shoulders child."
"How am I supposed to- the prophecy. How am I supposed to make some big choice and save everyone when I can't even stop him?"
"Persephone- child.." Amphitrite shook her head, "After what you did you're lucky to be alive- of course you've been too weak to fight him off after that. Even
your recovery is impressive-"
"What do you mean?"
"Child you summoned the water from inside of yourself- and you summoned so much- I can say with certainty that my husband has never had a demigod child capable of such a feat before- even counting the fact that the young son of Hephaestus helped you."
"I- I don't understand-"
"You're the most powerful demigod child my husband has ever had Persephone. What you did- the pure power you used..." the goddess shook her head, "I would have expected you to be barely able to stand for weeks after it- and yet you're moving around fairly well. And that's not even considering the abuse you've bore at the hands of Hecate's son."
"I-"
"What he did to you doesn't make you weak sweet child." Amphitrite cupped Percy's cheek in the palm of her hand. "Your strength has never been in question- your fear and pain are understandable- your doubt is understandable. But child your strength is so much more than you've yet realized. You have a power I've never seen before in my husbands children with mortals. And you have a good heart child. If anything your experience shows your strength, not your weakness. Because you survived. You got out alive Persephone."
And Percy stared at the goddess for a long moment as her thumb soothed over Percy's cheek- and she reminded her of her mom, that warmth and gentle kindness, and Percy felt herself crumbling into tears again- but this time she didn't feel any shame as Amphitrite folded her into the safety of her arms.
Her step mothers words had been a soothing balm that she hadn't known she needed.
Amphitrite was right. She wasn't weak, she was strong.
And as she closed her eyes she whispered, "Thank you."