Amarédasse, Daughter of Poseidon

Part One: Child of Prophesy Chapter 1

Once Upon a Time, when mankind worshiped the Gods of Olympus they made temples where they would make sacrifices to their kingdom's patron god or goddess, however this form of man did not know of the existence of the merfolk for only a few humans actually got a glimpse of these beautiful beings. The merfolk lived deep under the ocean and lived side-by-side with the Gods. The domain of the merfolk was ruled over by Poseidon, God of the Ocean, King of the Seas and Keeper of Peace between all Peoples, and brother of Zeus and Hades. Alongside him ruled his faithful and loving wife and true love Shea, Goddess of the Ocean and Queen of the Seas, and their nine children, Triton, Rhode, Benthesikyme, Herophile, Atlas, Chios, Azaes, Kymopoleia, and Phocus*. Poseidon's reign brought freedom, peace, wealth, and prosperity back to the merfolk after decades of war and terror under the reign of Poseidon's predecessor, Megara, whom through the true and selfless love between himself and his beloved wife and his own power and bravery Poseidon had defeated.

Now ruling his realm fairly and prudently with his beloved wife, who ruled alongside him as an equal, happily and faithfully and as a loving father to their nine children and with their tenth child on the way. However, this peaceful and happy lifestyle was not to last. One day a crowd of mermaids and mermen had gathered near their ruler's throne in a panicked uproar for recently many of their friends and loved ones had mysteriously disappeared without a trace. The crowd had quickly disrupted into a loud and frightened mob worried about what had happened to their dear friends and family members when all of the sudden they saw a large gush of magic hit a large piece of stone making a large crash. Everyone then turned to face an angry Poseidon who had caused the crash in order to silence his concerned subjects.

"One at a time please, I cannot answer when you are all talking at once," Poseidon said rather annoyed. At that moment one of the mermen swam up to face his ruler. "Mighty Poseidon, more and more of our friends and family are disappearing each night without a trace. We beg you to tell us that you the God of the Ocean and our beloved ruler have any idea on what has happened to them or where they could possibly be?" Poseidon then took a deep breath and addressed his people. "I may be a God, but even my powers have their limitations so I do not know where they are or what has become of them. I have of course enlisted the aid of both of my brothers and we are doing everything in our power to find them," Poseidon said forlornly. "In the meantime I advise that everyone return to their homes before nightfall and to keep your windows and doors locked until morning."

"Yes my lord and we all also pray that her ladyship is well and that she will have a safe delivery," said the merman. "Thank you and once my wife has delivered our new child you will all be informed and there will be a celebration, you are all dismissed," said Poseidon. Once everyone had left Poseidon quickly made his way back home to his golden palace. Upon returning, Poseidon opened the doors to his and Shea's private chambers and saw his beloved wife, along with his mother, Lady Rhea, surrounded by their children as she finished telling them their favorite story. "Did the girl and the sea god live happily ever after Mama?" asked their youngest son Phocus as he sat in his mother's lap feeling his unborn brother or sister.

"They did indeed Phocus, after all both you and your brothers and sisters are proof of that," said Shea. "And you love all of us right Mama?" asked Kymopoleia who was sitting in her grandmother's lap. "Of course we do Kymopoleia very much," Shea insured her daughter. "Your mother is right," said Poseidon as he walked into the room. "Papa," chimed Chios, Azaes, Kymopoleia, and Phocus simultaneously as they ran to greet their loving father.

"Father," said Triton, Rhode, Benthesikyme, and Herophile as they got up and ran towards their father as their grandmother helped get their mother to her feet. "I see everyone enjoyed the story that their mother told," said Poseidon as he hugged and kissed his many sons and daughters. "They always do every time I tell it," said Shea as she made her way towards her husband. "Of course my love," said Poseidon as he took his wife into his arms and gave her a loving kiss. "Now I think it's time for some certain little gods and goddesses to go to bed," said Shea as she eyed her children. "Do we have to Father?" asked Triton. "I'm afraid you do," said Poseidon. "I'll make sure that they get into their beds," Lady Rhea said to her son and daughter-in-law. "Thank you Mother, good night children," said Poseidon. "Good night Father, Mother," said the older children. "Good night Papa, Mama," said the younger children.

After the children had left with their grandmother, Shea looked at Poseidon with a concerned look. "No luck in finding any of them?" Shea asked her husband. "No, nothing and I'm still awaiting word from both Zeus and Hades to see if they have found out anything," Poseidon said frustrated. "I wish I could help after all your people are also my people*," said Shea. Poseidon looked at his wife as he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her cheek. "I know my precious little angelfish, but I don't want you to worry about this too much try to think about the baby and I'll try to keep you, our children, and our people safe," said Poseidon. "Alright I'll try and I believe myself to be lucky that my children have a big strong tiger-shark for a father," said Shea*. "Come here my darling," Poseidon growled as he brought his wife closer towards him.

At that moment the doors opened and walked in Poseidon's sister Athea, the Goddess of Wisdom, and Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and Beauty*. "I hope we are not interrupting anything," said Athea as she got her brother and sister-in-law's attention. "Do either you or Aphrodite have any information Athea?" Poseidon asked his sister. "No Poseidon we haven't found out anything and we have tried everything, however I do have a message from Zeus that Hermes gave to me to give to you," said Athea as she handed the message over to her brother. Poseidon immediately took the message from his sister and opened it unfortunately what he read was not the type of news that he was hoping for.

"Ugh, Zeus was unable to find out anything," Poseidon sighed and groaned with disappointment. "Fortunately Poseidon you also have a message from Hades," said Aphrodite as she handed the message to Poseidon. Poseidon immediately opened the message from Hades and what he read was both unsurprising and surprising. "Hades hasn't been able to find out anything either, however he is going to see the Oracle* in the hope that she might have some answers," said Poseidon as he finished reading. "Let's hope that the Oracle will be able to help," said Shea. With that Poseidon, Shea, Athea, and Aphrodite retired for the night with the hope that the Oracle would have some answers.

*In case you guys were interested yes the children were all mentioned in order from oldest to youngest and I had to do a lot of research on Greek Mythology for this.

*As time passed Shea did become more accustomed to being both a queen and a goddess as well as a mother, wife, and a mermaid.

*Even after so many years, Poseidon and Shea are still very much in love with each other.

*Although it took some time but Poseidon did make peace with both Athea and Aphrodite enough to make his sister his children's schoolroom tutor and to make Aphrodite their godmother, although it was mostly Shea's idea.

*In Ancient Greece it was believed that the Oracle, who was a young virgin girl, at the temple of Delphi could predict the future of any individual, recite the destiny of an individual, and commune with the gods. Although personally I tend to think of it as an Ancient Greek equivalent of a Fortune Teller booth at a carnival. In other words, a big scam to rip people off their hard earned money.