A Forgotten Maiden

Chapter 2

The days passed in a haze of sunlight and salt air, each one blending into the next. Calypso tended to Percy with unwavering devotion, her heart a mix of joy and sorrow. He was here, on her island, but the circumstances that had brought him back were shrouded in tragedy.

Percy's wounds, both physical and emotional, were slow to heal. He spent most of his time in bed, his energy sapped by the battle and his grief. Calypso watched over him, administering healing potions and herbal remedies, doing everything in her power to ease his pain.

"More tea?" she asked one afternoon, holding out a steaming cup.

Percy nodded, his eyes distant. "Thanks."

She sat beside him, watching as he took a sip. "How are you feeling?"

He shrugged. "Better, I guess. Physically, at least."

Calypso reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "And emotionally?"

He looked away, his jaw tightening. "I don't know. It still hurts so much. Every time I close my eyes, I see her. I hear her screams. I feel the heat of the fire."

"I can't imagine what you're going through," Calypso said softly. "But I want you to know that I'm here for you. Whatever you need."

Percy sighed, setting the cup aside. "I don't even know what I need. Everything feels so... empty."

Calypso's heart ached for him. She wished she could take away his pain, but she knew it wasn't that simple. Grief was a journey, one that he would have to navigate in his own time.

"Maybe some fresh air would help," she suggested. "A walk on the beach?"

Percy hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Yeah. Maybe."

Calypso helped him to his feet, steadying him as he swayed slightly. They made their way outside, the warm sun and gentle breeze a welcome change from the confines of the bedroom.

The beach was as beautiful as ever, the waves crashing gently against the shore, the sand soft beneath their feet. Percy walked slowly, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

"Do you remember the first time you came here?" Calypso asked, breaking the silence.

Percy nodded. "Yeah. It feels like a lifetime ago."

"I was so angry with you," she admitted. "For leaving. For breaking my heart."

He looked at her, guilt in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Calypso. I never wanted to hurt you."

"I know," she said softly. "But I also know that you had to leave. You had your own path to follow."

They walked in silence for a while, the only sounds the gentle lapping of the waves and the distant call of seabirds. Finally, Percy spoke again.

"I never stopped thinking about you," he said quietly. "Even after I left. You were always on my mind. I tried to suppress it because I thought I was betraying her, but it never helped in the end."

Calypso smiled, her own heart swelling with emotion. "You were always in my heart. It usually takes decades for me to forget one of my visitors. You were a particularly alluring one."

Percy chuckled softly, though his eyes remained somber. "Annabeth always said I was like a magnet for trouble and for people. She would have laughed at how much I missed you, considering how jealous she got back then."

"She must have been a special friend," Calypso said, her voice gentle.

Percy nodded, his gaze distant. "She was. More than a friend, really. She was my partner in everything, my confidant. We went through so much together."

"Tell me about her," Calypso encouraged. "I want to know more about this person who meant so much to you."

Percy smiled faintly, the memories washing over him. "She was brilliant. Probably the smartest person I've ever met. She could read ancient Greek as easily as English and always had a plan, even in the worst situations. We met when we were twelve, and even then, she was already so... capable. She taught me a lot."

"I can see that," Calypso said softly. "You've always had a certain confidence, a strength, that goes beyond just physical ability."

"That's Annabeth," Percy said. "She made me believe in myself. She was always pushing me to be better, to think ahead. But she also had this softer side, a kindness that not everyone got to see."

"She sounds wonderful," Calypso said, her heart aching for Percy.

"She was," Percy agreed. "We had so many adventures together. We fought monsters, gods, and everything in between. But it wasn't just the battles. It was the quiet moments too. Reading together, planning our futures, just being there for each other. She was my rock."

Calypso squeezed his hand, offering silent support. "She would be proud of you, Percy. For everything you've accomplished, and for finding the strength to keep going."

Percy took a deep breath, blinking back tears. "I hope so. I want to honor her memory, to live a life she'd be proud of. But it's hard, you know? Sometimes the pain is so overwhelming."

"And that's okay," Calypso said gently. "It's okay to feel that pain, to grieve. It's a testament to how much she meant to you."

They continued their walk, the simple act of being together bringing a measure of comfort to both of them. As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over the water, Calypso felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to heal.

***

The next few days saw a gradual improvement in Percy's condition. He grew stronger, his wounds healing under Calypso's careful ministrations. He still had moments of deep sorrow, but he also began to smile again, if only briefly.

One evening, as they sat by the fire, Calypso brought out a basket of fresh fruit. "Hungry?"

Percy nodded, taking a piece of fruit and biting into it. "Thanks. This is good."

"I'm glad you like it," she said, smiling. "My servants picked it just for you."

He chuckled softly. "Your invisible helpers, huh? They really do a lot around here."

Calypso grinned. "They're indispensable. And a little opinionated."

Percy raised an eyebrow. "Opinionated?"

"Oh yes," she said, nodding vigorously. "You should see the way they shake things at me when they're annoyed. It's like having a whole team of sarcastic nannies."

Percy laughed, a genuine sound that warmed Calypso's heart. "I can imagine. I bet they're rolling their eyes at us right now."

She pretended to look around, narrowing her eyes playfully. "You hear that, guys? Stop rolling your eyes and get back to work!"

An invisible hand flicked a piece of fruit at her, and Percy burst out laughing. It was the first time she had heard him laugh since he arrived, and it was a sound she had missed more than she realized.

As the fire crackled and the stars began to appear in the night sky, they talked and laughed, sharing stories and memories. It was a small respite from the pain, a moment of connection that they both desperately needed.

"Thank you, Calypso," Percy said suddenly, his voice earnest. "For everything. I don't know what I would have done without you."

She reached out, taking his hand in hers. "You're welcome, Percy. And you don't have to go through this alone. I'm here for you. Always."

He squeezed her hand, his eyes shining with gratitude. "I know. And that means more to me than you can ever know."

They sat in comfortable silence, watching the fire and the stars, finding solace in each other's presence. For the first time in a long while, Percy felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, with Calypso by his side, he could find a way to heal and move forward.