a story as endless as the ocean . pjo / allie jackson

the lightning thief . prologue

prologue. 

As the barely-a-few-months-old newborn lay peacefully in her crib, the only thing he could think about was how small she was. Even by normal baby standards, the girl was so very small and fragile-looking. Poseidon was positive he had never seen such a small child. As compared to his other children, she was by far the tiniest. Her small fingers curled into a fist and reached up for him to pick her up, which he did without complaint, marveling even further at how much smaller she looked trapped and cradled in his arms.

What was even more astounding about the girl, however, was that she was his first girl. Well, non-immortal one, but it was still just as shocking. For many millennia it seemed he was unable to create female children with mortals. She was the first, which meant more unpredictability than his usual child— how a child this small could contain such power, he wasn't sure, but he could definitely sense it. His daughter was going to be a force to be reckoned with as soon as she made it to Camp Half-Blood.

The little girl was wide awake, but she didn't cry out. Either she just didn't do that (at least often) or she felt reassured by the presence holding her. He noticed, even with the chubbiness all babies carried, that she had very prominent Greek features, all of which very closely resembled his own. However, he did think her ears and nose closely resembled those of Hades and Zeus, respectively. He hoped she never caught the attention of a god before he had the chance to claim her as his daughter. He'd rather his brothers find out from him than another god who'd noticed a mortal looking a little too god-like for comfort.

His brothers. Gods almighty. They were going to be pissed when they found out. Poseidon hoped neither of them would cause her an early grave. He'd go to war for the small girl, should they ever hurt a hair on her head, but the destruction of the world didn't sound too appealing.

Her ocean-colored eyes stared up at him with intense curiosity and she began babbling at him. She grabbed a small fistful of his shirt as she grinned toothlessly up at him.

"What a heartbreaker you'll be, little one. Of course, not that anyone would be worthy enough to carry your heart in their hands," he mused, rocking her very slowly.

She replied in the only way she could— various noises and a small giggle that warmed his heart.

He knew how risky it'd been to come to see her, but he couldn't resist. He'd risk his brothers' anger if it meant he got to spend at least a little bit of time with his daughter. He wouldn't be able to risk it again for years and this was his only chance. He had to take it.

The one-month-old was so like him, it brought a smile to his face just thinking about it. Thick white hair, very unnatural for mortals, blue-green eyes, and a natural tan created the child in the most beautiful way possible.

"You, my princess, have a very scary life ahead of you and I'm sorry to have put that upon your shoulders. I'd take all of the danger out of your life if I could."

Poseidon frowned as the prophecy lines echoed in his head. The hero's soul, cursed blade shall reap. He grimaced for half of a second, then looked back upon the child and smiled again.

"You shouldn't have to worry about that yet. Maybe you won't even have to. Your uncle has also sired a child a year or two older than you. Either way, your life will be full of hardships and I pray you don't resent me for it. Even if you do." Poseidon paused and took a deep breath. "Even if you do, I wouldn't blame you, my princess. I'd deserve it. I fear this might be the only time I look at you and see no resentment in your eyes."

"She won't resent you. I'll be sure to tell her about you and keep her from doing so," a new voice interrupted his brooding. He turned in shock at his former lover's ability to sneak up on him.