An Unexpected Journey

Chapter Twenty-Three: The Twelve Olympians

Thalia frowned as she was ushered into the main council room, she glanced at Poseidon who was far from pleased that his time with her had been cut short; she had a feeling that she wouldn’t like what she was about to hear.

“So this is her,” Zeus said stepping down from his thrown, his stormy grey eyes locked on Thalia; she was one of the three and she had no idea what fate held in store for her.

Poseidon nodded his head as he eyed the other Olympians, this wasn’t the first time that one of his children had been on Mount Olympus but it was the first time that they had discussed the problem that they now faced.

“Why am I here?” Thalia asked crossing her arms, she was growing tired of all these secrets in her life and she wanted more answers.

A couple of the Gods smiled, she was much like her younger half-brother with her need for answers but there was clearly a difference between the two siblings.

“There are things we need to discuss with you Thalia,” Hera said watching her niece from across the room, she was in her seat and knew that they needed to get down to business; they didn’t have much time before they had to send Thalia back to the world below.

Poseidon sighed moving to take his seat, he knew that his sister was right but it didn’t mean that he was pleased with what was happening; this was the last thing that he wanted for his only demi-god daughter, it would be dangerous.

“We have been watching over the world of Arda for many millennia’s now and the threat of the darkness as grown to great,” Hera explained looking at Thalia, she doubted that anyone wanted to admit that the darkness was their fault to begin with right now even if they needed to.

“This darkness can only be stopped by a balance being created,” Athena said softly, she felt a little guilty that one of her demi-gods had been the one to tell her about her really paternity; it was unfair for him to do so, even if she did dislike Poseidon.

Thalia nodded her head wondering what this had to do with her, she was just one person even if she was a demi-god.

“It was decided that Zeus, Poseidon and Hades would create three children to become that balance,” Hera said a little bitter, she hated that this was how it was to be; she wished that the full truth was being revealed not just half of it.

Thalia swallowed realising what this was about, she was the balance that Poseidon had created for the world of Arda; she didn’t like the idea of a world resting on her shoulders.

“The world of Arda is in great danger Thalia, the darkness is returning stronger than ever and while we cannot interfere, you may,” Artemis said watching Thalia, she knew that this was a lot to place on her shoulders but they had no choice.

Sauron the Dark Lord could not be allowed to regain power, it was essential that he did not come to power; there would be many lives lost if that were to happen.

Thalia blinked staring at the twelve, she knew that she was powerful for a witch and she knew now it was because she was demi-god but she doubted she’d stand any chance against the Dark Lord alone.

“You won’t be doing it alone Thalia… that is what Paloma and Cornelia are for,” said a voice from behind Thalia making her jump, she looked behind her to find Hades standing there; she glared at him as he chuckled and walked passed her.

Zeus and Poseidon frowned at their brother, they knew that he needed to be here but after Thalia’s near death it made them a little uncomfortable and they didn’t want him saying anything that he shouldn’t.

Hades smirked eyeing his two brothers, he was tired of them bossing him around and he wouldn’t have agreed to any of this if the world as they knew it wasn’t in danger; they needed Sauron controlled until the time was right and the three demi-gods were the answer to that problem.

“Paloma and Cornelia?” Thalia asked confused, she didn’t know who these two were but she had a feeling that they were important; people that could help her with what was going to happen.

Thalia looked at the Greek Gods wondering what they were expecting her to do, she didn’t know what they wanted from her.

“Your cousins… Paloma is Zeus’s daughter and Cornelia is Hades’,” Poseidon said clearing her confusion, he knew that this was confusing for her but they needed to focus on the matter at hand; she would have to be sent back and soon.

Thalia nodded her head taking a deep breath, this was all a lot to take in and she wasn’t sure what she was going to do now that she had been told all of this.

“It’s nearly time,” Hermes said looking at Thalia, he watched her knowing that they needed to send her back to the world of Arda; things were happening and she needed to go back and soon.

Thalia swallowed as she wondered what he meant, she could see something bubbling in her father’s eyes and she had a feeling that she knew what it was.

“The fate of that world lays in your hands Thalia… trust yourself and you will know what to do when the time comes,” Athena said making Thalia look at her confused, she watched as Poseidon glanced at his brother before he moved to speak with his daughter for one last time.

Thalia watched him approached her knowing that she wasn’t about to like what was going to happen, she had to fall off a mountain to get to Olympus; she hated to think what she would have to do to go back.

“This is goodbye then,” Thalia guessed a little disappointed; she wondered why they were hurrying her, she didn’t know how long she had been on Olympus but she had a feeling that it had been too long.

Poseidon nodded her head, he hated that he didn’t get more time with her but that was the way things were; she was needed back on Middle-Earth so that she could find her cousins and stop the Dark Lord rising up when there was little hope.

“If you even need me, I'll be there for you. In your thoughts, in your dreams,” Poseidon said looking at her, he would be keeping an extra special eye on her since things were about to get a lot more dangerous; he didn’t want to lose his daughter not now she knew who he was.

Poseidon also knew that his wife would never forgive him; she had been kept away for a reason and he was sure she was desperate for news.

Thalia nodded her head taking a deep breath, she wasn’t sure what they had planned for her but she hoped that she was prepared for whatever it was.

“Plus you’ll have your dwarf looking out for you,” Aphrodite called making Thalia look at her confused, she truly didn’t know what the blonde goddess was talking about but she knew that the goddess of love knew something that she didn’t.

Poseidon frown at her knowing just what she was talking about, he muttered under his breath in ancient Greek making several of the other Olympians chuckle knowing that he was far from pleased about that connection, even if it was important.

“Remember to hold your breath my dear niece… we wouldn’t want you to end up in the underworld now would we,” Hades called making Thalia look at him confused and Poseidon glare at him.

Thalia didn’t get a chance to ask what he was talking about before the world around her fell dark and Thalia found herself plunged into an ice cold rushing river.