With the whole of Poseidon's kingdom looking for Urchin it did not take long to find the fool. Unfortunately the servant of Oceanus managed to escape for now, but the army was on full alert for such plots in the future.
Urchin of course fought, but he was no match for the entirety of the royal family, especially not for a furious sea god. He and the spy were brought before his council for the initial trial, then before the entire kingdom. The people were appalled by the actions of the spy, a trusted member of the royal staff. None challenged his sentence of execution.
As for Urchin, they called for the most heinous of punishments. This filth had attacked their king, sent his mate away to another world and then sent a monster to kill their princess, who was trying to save their king's beloved. On top of all of this he was unwittingly working for Oceanus, an enemy to all living beings residing in the sea. All agreed he deserved far worse than a simple death.
With the help of his brother, Poseidon was able to banish the cretin to Tartarus while he still lived. There he would be tortured until his body gave out and further still as his spirit remained.
It was also revealed just what Percia was up to, as agreed upon by all the royal family. Their people deserved to know what their newest acknowledged princess was sacrificing for their kingdom and their world. All knew of her deeds as the Hero of Olympus, but none had truly fathomed how far she would go for family. Their respect and love for Princess Percia grew exponentially.
Once Poseidon had ascertained his kingdom was whole and his family well he, his wife and his two sons returned to Olympus upon a summons from Zeus.
"Brother," the sea god greeted as he helped his wife into a small throne next to his own. His boys took places to either side.
"Poseidon, Lady Amphitrite, boys," the other returned. "It appears the enchantment was not only on you, brother. Apollo has determined both camps were affected. Artemis' hunters were spared likely due to their long absences from either camp. Apollo and his son Asclepius managed to break the children from the spell. It was quite the spectacle upon realizing what had occurred. Many are now asking after Percia, not even remembering she had left some time ago."
Poseidon frowned unsure how to interpret this news. On one hand he was glad those who Percia had once called friends were asking for her, on the other he was upset she felt she had to leave the camp in the first place. But to fully blame the children for falling to a spell would be horrendously hypocritical of him.
"Oh good he's here." Hade's declaration brought him out of his thoughts.
"And why were you anxious for me to be here," he shot back, eyebrow raised in challenge.
"Because we." He gestured between the three of them. "Are behind in Percia's quest, so Hephaestus is going to run the parts the others have seen before we view the latest events of her quest. And I do so love a good show." Hades grinned wickedly as he helped Persephone into her throne.
Sure enough Hephaestus pulled in a large screen, which he set up in the front of the main room allowing everyone a good view. It took a bit of tinkering but the fire god got the show going. Many others trickled in to watch as well; most had either missed parts or just wanted to see it all again.
Many were the times Poseidon had to stop himself from going on a rampage. Watching his child struggle to survive in a totally different world, where he had no ability to help left him drowning in a multitude of emotions. Through it all he was proud of his child and how well she managed; from adapting to different cultures to relearning how to use her abilities, Percia continued to show why she was a true hero.
He could have done without the Dwarf boy though. His hands clenched with the need to throttle the little upstart for daring to move in on his little girl. Clearly her brothers were on his side given the detailed plan Triton explained to him in an effort to keep him calm. Amphitrite just seemed amused by the whole thing.
Thankfully Hephaestus didn't show every part of the journey, because he didn't think he could stomach seeing his daughter engage in 'activities' with the Dwarf twerp.
The entire group of gods and immortals enjoyed the show, as if it were in fact a movie and not real life. Many commented on the differences in the worlds and the creatures living there. Ares, Athena and Artemis could be heard arguing about strategy and how things could have gone better in different parts. Persephone and Demeter were discussing the Hobbits and the various plants they saw, a few not in their own realm. Many got a laugh at Zeus' face when Percia flew on a giant eagle, his symbol. He had muttered petulantly, but his siblings could see him thinking about creating such creatures here. Thankfully Hera would keep him in line.
Finally they reached the last viewed section of the journey. Poseidon felt nauseous to think his daughter had such vivid dreams, especially during the wars. Why had she not told him? What had happened in Tartarus? Did she truly have such low opinions of her self-worth?
It seemed he had much to make up for when she returned.
His wife's hand took his in a gentle hold, a small supportive smile gracing her lips. At least now he would not be alone in caring for all his children. He lifted their combined hands to kiss hers, letting his love and affection for his wonderful wife shine through his eyes.
Tyson's cheer brought their attention back to the screen as they watched the company escape from the Mirkwood prisons into the river below. The ensuing battle provided quite the entertainment. Ares was especially chipper about the whole affair. Hermes and Apollo cracked up over the Elf using the Dwarves as foot holders during the fight. Poseidon, however, noted the way the Elves kept glancing at his child every time she used her abilities. They had better not get any ideas…
Their meeting the bargeman, Bard, and the trip into Lake Town had many in stitches, the continuing circumstances too comical to ignore. The sea god privately admitted he liked Bard, granted he preferred sailors to everyone else. Just looking at his three children one could easily ascertain him to be a good man.
It was in Lake Town when the monster caught up to them. Many grew nervous as Percia felt its presence and decided to meet it well away from the innocent town folk. While he admired her protective nature, he wished she had taken back up. Then again the Dwarves would not have faced something like this before.
The scene reminded him of a horror film, where the audience knew the heroine should not proceed, but they do anyway. The battle was fast and vicious, the monster a more dangerous breed of Manticore. He had faith in his daughter, yet this monster would not be defeated easily.
When the beast's tail lashed out impaling Percia on its stinger, his heart stopped. It seemed like time had slowed down as he watched the dead monster and Percia fall into the dark waters of the lake below. Silence filled the throne room as all eyes watched the water surface for any sign of survival. None came.
Poseidon was barely aware of the gasped sob his wife let out, or the hallow groan of disbelief from his son, Triton. All he could focus on was the deep dread and utter despair welling up within him. His daughter, his youngest girl was gone where he could not follow. And his oldest, his heir would soon follow, lost without his mate.
"We will hold a funeral for Percia," Zeus announced solemnly. "As a hero of her caliber deserves. Hephaestus, turn it off."
"No! Wait," Tyson cried out stilling the others. "Big sis is not dead."
"Tyson," Amphitrite tried gently. "A hit like that would kill any…"
"Not Percia," he argued. "She fell in the water. If we're hurt the water will heal us."
"Normally I'd agree," Apollo joined in cautiously. "But that was not a normal Manticore…"
"I won't believe it until I see the body," Tyson shouted stubbornly. Turning his glare on the monitor he called out an order. "If Percia is dead show us the body magic screen!"
The screen swirled and shifted until a new image formed, this one of the Dwarves drinking and celebrating with the Master of Lake Town and his cronies. Hope began to stir in the seas' family.
"Tyson is correct," Hades announced, looking up from his phone. "Had Percia died she would have shown up in my realm, regardless of where she died. The paper work for inter-dimensional deaths of demi-gods is a nightmare. As it stands Thanatos has verified she is not there, nor is she on The List."
"Then why has she not surfaced," one of the lessor gods asked.
"A hit like that is gonna take time to heal," Hermes scoffed. "Even I know that."
Relief flooded through him at the confirmation. Percia was not gone; she was not beyond his reach. Triton still had a chance to be reunited with his love.
"Child of Poseidon," Tyson announced with a mixture of pride and 'I-told-you-so' righteousness.
The sea god sent his youngest a bright smile. "That she is Tyson; that she is."
So while they waited for Percia to resurface they watched the Dwarves. Most headed to the mountain, the others staying in Lake Town. The one that had broken Percia's heart had suffered a grievous wound, and Poseidon couldn't help the small feeling of satisfaction for his pain. No one hurt his girls.
Many interesting things occurred during that time. They watched the Hobbit bandy words with the dragon, Smaug. They watched Bard get thrown into prison by order of the odious Master, and his son hiding the mythical black arrow. They watched Thorin concoct a plan to defeat the dragon in Erebor, which was both brave and foolish. They watched Orcs attack Bard's small family and the Dwarves with them, only for two Elves to come save them from the enemy, one staying behind to heal the wounded Dwarf. They watched as the dragon was encased in molten gold only to escape launching into the air with one destination in mind. They watched as the dragon made his first pass at the city, burning a long line of houses before preparing his next assault.
Only to be thwarted by a well-placed wave of water.
Excitement thrummed in the room as the screen focused on a small section of the lake. There, standing in full royal armor, was Percia. She looked strong and proud facing down the new threat courageously.
Time and time again she battered the dragon with water, keeping him off balance as the town's folk fled to safety. Her tactics earned some approval, even among the most stubborn of the gods, i.e. Ares. When Bard appeared and the plan to kill the dragon finally started to look feasible, a sense of anticipation built. However none of them expected her to jump on the dragon.
"What is she doing," Triton cried in shock.
"There something wedged in the scales," Artemis murmured thoughtfully, eyes squinting to get a better look.
It all happened too fast for them to see exactly what Percia had. Bard had taken the shot, the black arrow meeting its mark and slaying the dragon. Their demi-god hero was thrown into another section of buildings due to an untimely hit by the flailing tail. Many got a chuckle as the beast's body slammed right on top of the fleeing Master and his horde of gold, Apollo muttering about poetic justice.
The screen panned out coming to focus on the prone form of Percia. Poseidon let out a breath when he noted her chest moving steadily and the smug grin on her face. In her arms rested a large pearl.
"She did it," Triton whispered in awe. "She found Kora."
Cheers echoed through the vast room as the gods and immortals celebrated their hero's victory. Even Zeus was calling for a feast to commemorate the achievement.
Poseidon smiled broadly, eyes full of pride and love. His daughter had again done the impossible. She had found Kora and would soon bring her home, saving her brother and their kingdom. His children would be able to live full happy lives.