In the last days of camp, I wandered up and down the beach before choosing somewhere quiet and private to sit, somewhere I couldn't be found by anyone else because I wanted just a few minutes alone. Watching the sea as it ebbed back and forth, I contemplated whether or not it still frightened me. I was wary of it, but I think that's what the sea would want. It was unpredictable after all, you needed to have respect for it. Everything concerning my time in Kronos's army had been smoothed out, and the Apollo cabin had spent most of the summer composing poems about all the crazy stuff that had happened in the battle, always regaling the younger kids with the stories who thought they were totally awesome, but not really understanding how terrifying it had been. I hope they never find out. I hope the worst they ever have to face is a standard monster that's slow and stupid, but we're demigods. It doesn't ever end like that. Still, camp had a way of replenishing the spirit, and I felt rather renewed, though I still had to wear the Golden Fleece. Peleus the dragon had growled and scowled at me when I'd first got to camp and he'd show up and the most random moments in order to grab me and was always trying to put me back in the tree where the Fleece belonged. Terrifying as it was the first time when I suddenly found myself in a dragon's mouth, Chiron made sure to give Peleus a stern talking to though the dragon grumbled about it.
Chiron had given me special permission to continue keeping the Golden Fleece even after leaving camp to return home since I still wasn't healed. If I took it off for any reason, I only had about five minutes before I could feel my own body breaking down, so showers were brief and rushed, which was rather sad because there's nothing better than a long hot shower after an exhausting day of training. Still, if I didn't want to spontaneously combust, then I'd continue wearing the Fleece. Chiron estimated it would be at least a year before my body stabilised once again, so I just decided to deal with it. It's better than dying, in any case. My eyes continued to watch the surf, and without even really deciding anything, I got up and walked forwards until I was wading through the water. Immediately I felt stronger, the water rushing to aid me so I breathed it all in and stood there for a while just to enjoy it all. "I'm glad you finally like it." The presence and voice appeared so suddenly that I'd shrieked and leaped into the air with a sporadic kick that looked like I'd almost fallen over, sending a burst of water at the person who'd snuck up on me. Crap. It was Poseidon. He just looked amused as the water fell around him harmlessly and I clutched my chest as my pulse went a little crazy from the fright.
"Not cool!" He laughed richly.
"Apologies, but I thought it was about time we talked. I owe you explanations, and we didn't get a chance to properly meet on Olympus." Looking him over, Poseidon seemed like the most casual guy in the world and he was dressed like your average fisherman. Was this him on a normal day? "How are you feeling, Nerida?" My brow twitched slightly because only mom really called me by my real name but I refrained from telling Poseidon not to. He was the god of the sea, after all, I'd expect his mood could change in the blink of an eye just like the ocean, and I didn't want to anger him right now.
"I'm alright, the Fleece is doing its work though I'm stuck with it for another year at least."
"Yes, you were very close to completely destroying yourself." His eyes creased and became heavy with worry as he stood opposite me a foot or so away, as if maintaining some distance in consideration that I might not want him near me. "You were remarkable, Nerida. I know it probably matters little to you, but I am so proud of you. Both of you. You and Percy have completely exceeded all my expectations, and risen above all the heroes of old." I'll admit it, I felt more than a little pleased to hear this, especially from dad and I'm not sure I was actually able to hide my satisfied expression. I'd never been great at hiding my emotions as Luke had often told me. "I see you have a very fine ship over there. May I see it?" Of course if anyone ever asked to see the Siren I was always happy and willing to show her off to literally anyone who would listen, and when dad asked I immediately agreed with a huge grin on my face that probably made me seem like a simpleton. Still, he snapped his fingers and we both suddenly appeared on the deck of my frigate where I launched into an epic tirade of all the modifications that had been made, showing him each and every part of the ship since, you know, who else would understand better how cool my ship was than the god of the sea?
Poseidon listened intently, nodding his head and admiring things around the ship, even laughing when he saw my treasure room and vault stocked full of the treasure I'd inadvertently stolen from Blackbeard. I grabbed a couple of Diet Cokes from my fridge and shared one with him, still talking endlessly about the Siren until we ended at the main deck where I was fairly certain I'd covered everything and now had nothing else to tell. I puffed for air, beaming as I pressed my hand against the reinforced mast. "I plan to take her around the world, I love sailing and Siren seems to enjoy my company. Don't you girl?" She shuddered happily in agreement.
"A fine ship as I've ever seen. I am glad that you have her." Poseidon said to me in approval before then removing his gaze from the fluttering flag upon the topmost pole, he then looked at me with his deep ocean green eyes. "Nerida, is there anything you wish to ask me? I believe there has been some misunderstandings between us, or at the very least, if there are things you wish to say, then now is the time to speak up." A flash of emotions hammered against me like pellets of rain. Anger. Hurt. Resentment. All the usual suspects but I bottled them down so that they wouldn't explode all at once, taking a deep breath before finally speaking.
"What happened on the beach when Zeus tried to kill me?" I watched as his expression saddened, choosing to sit down on some supply crates that I hadn't unpacked yet.
"If I understand correctly, you are under the impression that I did not try to protect you from my brother." Unable to speak for the lump in my throat, I nodded. "Well, that isn't how it happened. I was arguing with my brother Zeus, who had just discovered your existence. He reminded me of the oath we had sworn, and that I should be punished for betraying my own word, but how do you punish a god? Instead, he decided to make an example of you. He tried to strike you down, but I wasn't about to let him hurt my daughter when she was in my domain, playing in the surf completely unaware of what was going to happen. Even if you weren't in the ocean at the time, I'd have found a way to save you. However, when I sent that wave to protect you, you became frightened, and your powers naturally pushed it back. I had to physically fight with you in order to give you some kind of protection when the lightning bolt struck. It saved your life, but you lost your sight and then Zeus cursed you to punish me. It's my fault. I should have protected you better, hidden you even. You shouldn't have had to have grown up like that." A cold, unsettling feeling came over me as I realised that my dad was speaking the truth. He and Percy were so similar looking it was alarming, and his eyes were so clear and his voice so tender I knew it wasn't a lie. "As for leaving you children and your mother…I had no other choice. We gods cannot interfere in the lives of mortals. We are allowed to be a brief presence in their lives, but then we must move on. Our attentions cannot be long distracted from our duties, and the longer I spent with your mother, the less I wanted to return. I knew I had to leave, but believe me it pained me to do it. I loved your mother. I still love her, in a way, though I know she has moved on from me, as she should." Watching him I saw a multitude of subtle nuances in his expression, and I found them utterly fascinating to watch as I continued to listen. "I know that you and Percy felt abandoned and you had every right to, but I watched over you both however I could. I gave that bracelet to you so that you would be protected after losing your sight. It was the most I was allowed to do, though I understand you trying to get rid of it repeatedly. I'm glad I placed the enchantment on it so that it would never be lost." When he said that last bit I saw a glitter of mirth and amusement as I blushed with embarrassment. "Although I was never in front of you, you and Percy were always in my thoughts. I am your father. Do not underestimate the love of a father for his children." Having heard this, I then felt an emotion that I don't recall ever feeling before. Shame. I felt ashamed of myself, the feeling swallowing me up as I realised that I really had completely misunderstood my dad, and that I had been a spoiled little brat to hate him so much for no reason other than not being around the way I wanted. It had been selfish. Of course a god probably has a million and one other things to do all at once, but here Poseidon was, taking time to talk to me and explain things. I forced myself to look him in the eye, lifting my head so that I wouldn't cower away from him.
"I'm sorry." Poseidon blinked at me, his face going slack from surprise. "I'm sorry I resented you, you didn't deserve that, and I am grateful for all you've done for me and Percy, for giving us the best mom in the entire world, for bringing Tyson to us and always being on our side…thank you. I'm so sorry I was such a horrendous brat." The shame I felt didn't ease, but I did feel a great deal lighter, like the air had suddenly cleared and I could breathe easily again. I studied my dad, who regarded me almost curiously before flashing a brilliant grin and chuckling.
"You and I are very much alike, Nerida. Percy takes most after Sally, but you most definitely have my temperament. Unpredictable like the waves." Glad that dad didn't seem to hold a grudge, I relaxed into a smile as dad then stood up. "I can't stay any longer, I have an entire palace to rebuild and there was a great deal of damage done to the ocean in the fight against Oceanus. Perhaps when things have settled, you might come down for a visit? You and Percy are always welcome." He invited and I immediately brightened.
"You mean you actually have an underwater palace like Percy said? Is it like from 'The Little Mermaid'? Are there really mermaids undersea? What about the kraken? Is he a real monster or was that just a legend?" Spouting off a number of questions, dad chuckled at me and promised that his palace was way better than the one you see in the Disney film, that mermaids were a real thing, and that the kraken was a seriously misunderstood creature and was actually a real softie, like a deep sea puppy. My mind boggled at this new information, and I knew then for sure what I wanted to do with my life when I wasn't being a hero and fighting monsters. I wanted to explore the oceans. All of it. "Dad, I want to study the ocean, maybe become a marine biologist or a nautical archaeologist, or both even. If there's ever a problem, you'll let me help right? I figure I owe you for all your gifts and for cursing you a lot before. I can help the mortals stop dumping in the oceans, and the whale trappers…there's a lot that needs to be done, right? I can do that. You might not be able to interfere with mortals, but I can. I'll kick all their butts until they pay the ocean the respect it deserves." Now smiling at me with a loving and tender expression, Poseidon reached out his hand slowly towards my face, giving me plenty of time to reject him but I only stepped closer, and when I felt his fingers touch my cheek I felt so warm and fuzzy it was like I had been turned into a fluffy towel fresh out of the dryer.
"I think that would be an excellent idea, Neri, though you don't owe me anything. A father's greatest joy is to spoil his daughter rotten." He winked at me and I grinned. "And before you ask, you are welcome to anything you might find in the ocean. It is your right as my child to claim it. So all sunken ships and their treasures are yours for the picking. Just…don't go too crazy. If ever you need help, just ask me or the nereids. We can point you in the right direction if you're looking for a particular vessel, or need information for any papers you might write." Grinning I asked him if that was cheating, but he merely shrugged. "You are simply using your personal resources to their fullest extent. Now, I really must go Neri. Look after yourself and make sure Percy doesn't…well. Get into more trouble." Now I laughed because honestly, I don't think anyone has that kind of power. Dad chuckled in agreement and before he could vanish, I stepped forwards and put my arms around him in order to give him a firm hug, figuring what the heck? I didn't know when I'd next see him again, so it seemed like now was the time to let go of all things in the past and start a fresh chapter.
"Thanks for everything, dad. I'll make sure to burn offerings to you. I'll make you a shrine on the Siren. Any requests?"
"Well, there is nothing better than your mom's homemade chocolate chip cookies. If some of those find their way into a hearth for me…then I think nothing else could make me happier." It was so true, mom's cooking was the absolute best. "About that boy, Luke…" His face grew stern with a flash in his eyes, and I got the impression that if the sea was reflecting his mood somewhere, the waves had suddenly grown choppy and uneven. "I do not approve of your devotion to him because you suffered a great deal due to him. You almost died for him, so I naturally do not like him at all. However…I know you would not give your heart casually. If he is your happiness, then I wish you luck, but if he ever breaks your heart or makes you cry…toss him into the ocean. Then I shall deal with him." It was heart-warming to hear Poseidon talking like a normal dad, I could almost forget that he was an immortal god as he hugged me securely and the nostalgic feeling of being in his arms from when I was very small came back to me along with the scent of the sea and a sandy beach. "Be well, Neri. Heal quickly and live your life as you please. You have earned at least this much." Then he let go of me and picked up my hand, clasping it between his which were warm and slightly weathered, and I liked the fact that he chose to appear as such a natural person rather than utterly perfect and flawless. I liked that he kept the crinkles around his eyes, the smile lines on his face, the rough pads of his fingers from years of hard work. "Before I forget." He murmured and I felt something small appear in my palm. "Remember I love you Neri. Always."
"Yeah, I will. I…I'll work on the 'L' word." Knowing that I wasn't completely ready to move on, dad nodded his head and smiled one last time at me. Things like that took time, just because we'd resolved everything didn't mean I suddenly loved him and was going to start calling him 'daddy'. It wouldn't happen all at once, but maybe it would someday. "Pet the kraken for me?" I asked as he started to let go, moving away as it was time to leave. Promising he would, I closed my eyes as my dad then resumed his true form in order to disappear from the deck of my ship, where the Siren gave a long sigh through her sails to console me, as if understanding that I felt a little sad that dad was gone. In my hand however I looked down and found a small trident charm, which then suddenly burst into a full length trident with the celestial bronze shaft falling neatly into my hand. Amaryllis. She had been completely fixed, though only parts of her were from the original model, but still she could change shape and had freezing properties, her name engraved in Ancient Greek so that I could actually read it, though she was now Amaryllis II. However, there was now another scrawl underneath the name on the shaft, noticing it when I twirled the trident in my hand so I took a look, then grinned. Typhon's Bane. How totally epic. A swarm of pride overcame me as I rushed to the side of the boat then took in a deep gulp of air before releasing it into the loudest shout I could manage, not caring who heard me as my voice carried across the ocean. "THANKS DAD!" The water rippled in answer, and I beamed before carrying Amaryllis away to head to the training arena, wanting to practice with her once again.