Chapter Text
The Olive tree and fountain stood all but forgotten as the Athenians bowed low before the Athenide. Perseleia stood tall before them whilst the silver-eyed one shot her a glare so frigid it was a marvel the city had not frozen over.
Poseidon stood behind his daughter, trident in hand and pride radiating from his godly form. Whilst his fountain may have lost the competition, both he and Athena knew that Perseleia had won the city, and she had only been brought into existence not 10 minutes prior.
Watching the newborn goddess, he noticed a faint tightness around her eyes, an all too familiar sight which greeted him when he glimpsed his own visage in marble reflections. Despite her strong demeanor, nerves plucked her heart.
He offered her his hand which was gratefully received and together they dissolved into sea mist, carried on the air back to his palace beneath the waves, leaving behind the slighted goddess and a city no longer truly named after her.
***
The kelp curtains swished in the gentle current as Poseidon left the room, leaving Percy alone in her new chambers. The space was huge, great marble columns reaching from deep below where the water was too far for light to reach, the columns stretching up to the ceiling high above. Coral of all shapes and sizes clung to the pillars in a beautiful colony that spoke of centuries of life.
At the heart of the chamber stood a coral formation, rising from the depths like the columns but evening out at the top, forming a ledge above the deep waters below. Upon the platform stood an open Clam, far larger than Percy had ever seen before. Half of the shell was covered in kelp and woven linens, whilst the other half stood open from behind, forming a beautiful bed as the centerpiece of her room.
Despite the countless pearls and sand dollars that lay about the surfaces, the finery of the mosaics and marble columns that supported the room, and even the ecosystems of coral reefs that adorned her room, Percy shoved her awe down.
She swam across the chasm below, separating her bed from the entryway and collapsed upon her bed, silent tears streaming down her face. As the drops left her chin, they turned into little bubbles that rose towards the surface, miles above. Her sobs remained hushed with hopes that they would avoid attention. Afterall, how would she be able to explain the reason for her sorrow?
To speak of a home that doesn’t exist and loved ones who have not yet taken their first breath.
How to explain longing for a world that doesn’t exist?
The deep currents rocked her gently as she expressed her grief, teasing her hair and carrying her tears away, soothing her until she finally surrendered into Hypnos’ embrace.
***
Amphitrite sat upon her throne, long black hair pinned up in an array of pearls beneath her red crab-claw circlet. Deep teal silk draped her slender figure, drifting faintly in the current as her tail swished gently. Her eyes were fixed on the entrance to the throne room, where kelp curtains swayed as they blocked the view from beyond the room.
She awaited her King and husband; to congratulate or soothe she was uncertain still. No storms had been sprung upon Cecrops and his people, yet the currents seemed stronger and more impassioned than normal; servants had been left clutching tightly to columns earlier against the force of the sea.
Without warning, the kelp curtains were drawn back by slithers of magic as Poseidon entered the throne room. Curiously he was without his tail, instead replaced by two legs.
Gracefully removing herself from her throne, the Queen of the seas swam towards Poseidon, meeting him at the centre of the chamber.
“My Lord, what news of the competition?”
Her palms cupped his cheek as he lent into her warmth, eyes twinkling despite the news he shared.
“It seems my niece's tree was better received than my fountain.”
At his words Amphitrite froze. To deny the Lord of the Oceans in favour of a simple tree, especially for a land with such access to the seas as this, it seemed laughable and wholly foolish. And yet, Poseidon’s rage was nowhere to be seen, despite the slight against him.
Her brows drew together as she attempted to understand what could cause her husband such joy, as was clear from his demeanor despite the loss of the patronage he had so desperately sought.
“Then Athens is a fool for choosing her and not you my love.”
Poseidon caught her hand in his own, bringing her palm from his cheek to his lips, his eyes taking on a mischievous light as he looked at her.
“Athens does not belong to Athena.”
She swam back from her, confusion marring her features.
“How so? Surely no other dared partake in the competition? And Cecrops is no fool. He knows better than to draw the ire of two gods.”
Poseidon shook his head, a smile curling the edge of his lips.
“I have a daughter. Perseleia. Do not look at me like that my love, let me finish.” He caught the betrayal that danced across her face in the moment before she could control her expressions. Catching her by the waist, he drew her towards him, hand cupping the back of her head as he continued explaining.
“She was born from the very fountain I gifted the city. Athena had been announced the winner when Perseleia appeared. It makes no sense but she is mine just as much as our other children are mine. Even now I can sense her and the very blood we share.”
The tension drained from the queen as she listened to her husband. Her fears had not come to pass, she may not be Hera but her husband's dalliances were a difficult weight to bear.
“I wish to meet her. Our daughter.”
Poseidon's gaze softened following her statement. He may not have shown it, but he had worried how his wife would take the news of another child that she had not borne, even if said child had not been created in the natural manner.
“And so you shall.”