My Forbidden Stars
When Artemis was first told what her future was prophesised as, she was not best pleased and she would try to stray from her path. She was drawn to hunting and the moon though. However, can the handsome half-mortal, Orion distract from how she is meant to stay? Or will some be able to stop this love that may never form?
I run my hand along the perfectly smooth silver of my precious bow, smiling as I feel the power that seems to course through it. I may have only had the bow and arrows for a few days but I already know what they can do. And they seem to know what I can do too, seemingly aiding me with my prophesied future.
I glance up to the mirror in front of me, straightening my tunic, the front ending just above my knees as the back trails down until it finishes at the heel of my sandaled feet. I adjust the simple beaded belt around my slim waist then smooth down my golden curls before I place the silver circlet on top of my head. I take one final look through my eyes, which change to reflect the sky outside, so currently reflect the blue sky and the golden sun at ten o'clock, before I snatch the bow and quiver from their stand, speeding from my room to stand in front of my brother's.
As I knock, I call, "Apollo, are you able to coming out today?"
I rest my ear on the wooden door as I hear movement from the other side but no response. I sigh, stepping away from his room and catching sight of our mother.
"Artemis," she says, nodding her head in my direction.
I curtsey, bowing my head before replying simply, "Good day, mother."
I stand up straight and see her studying the somewhat glum expression on my face. "Is something troubling you, child?"
I shake my head. "Is Apollo busy today?"
"He will be practising his duties, yes," she answers. I sigh again as she adds, "And I would recommend that you do the same."
"I was headed for the Island of Crete anyway," I lie. I was actually planning to head out somewhere...forbidden, for that is always the better place to aim for.
"Tell the truth," she instructs, of course seeing straight through my lies.
"How do you know that I'm not?" I snap, instantly regretting it as I feel her wrath being held against me. I try and slow my breathing back to a regular pace as the Goddess' powerful hands stay behind my head, pulling it back so I have no choice but to face her.
"You should know by now to not lie," she hisses.
I nod as much as I dare. "I know..." I begin.
"Especially if you wish to become the Goddess you've been told that you will be," she finishes.
She releases my head and I take a few steps away, rubbing my neck where it feels frozen in place. "Well, as it's prophesied, surely that means that I will be the Goddess, whatever you threaten me with."
She glares daggers at me and I leave the area at a sprint, my feet seeming to never touch the floor until I skid to a halt at the entrance to the stables.
"You never heard the details of your prophecy, how you get to your position," reasons the voice of Leto as it echoes around, having followed me from the Palace.
I smirk. Exactly, it makes it all the more fun, not knowing what's going to happen in the next moment. You can pretend that you're making your own path. Though, if I did know my prophecy, I will admit that I'd try to stray from it.
With plans forming in my mind, I quickly prepare one of the safer horses to accompany my own, slightly flighty horse for a journey to the Island. I decide that my safest option is to go there at least for now so my mother trusts me. Then, when her trust is at the point where she no longer questions me, I can go elsewhere. Where exactly is momentarily beyond me but I know forbidden is where I fundamentally plan to go.
As I finish my preparations, I lead the horses and the chariot into the courtyard, stowing my weapon away as I catch sight of the golden mess that is my brother's hair.
"Apollo!" I shout, leaning on the cold metal of the chariot.
He spins around and smiles at the sight of me, instantly heading towards me. "Hello sister," he mutters, wrapping his arm around my shoulder as I smile too.
"Can you come with me to the Island?" I ask quickly, cutting straight to the chase.
His face instantly drops as he laughs, "Finally agreed to mother's biddings?"
"Gaining her trust," I argue. "So?" I press in a my young, pleading voice as I stare up at him, my eyes shining as I try to convince him.
"I don't know, Arte," he sighs, looking away.
"You can't, can you?" I whisper.
"Sorry," he mutters, dropping his arm and walking away.
I pull a face behind his back and storm off into the chariot, sending the two horses off straight away.
Fine, Apollo, if that's how you want to play, I will too. Don't even give me an excuse, will you. I don't care, I can do it on my own. I don't need you.
As I hear a soft nickering from in front of me, I open my eyes to see my horse throwing her head in the air. I release the reins, suddenly releasing that I must have been clutching them much too tightly in the anger I'd been feeling. Though it's not really fair on my brother to feel like this. It's probably not his fault.
I groan, my hand drifting over too my quiver full of arrows as I watch my surroundings pass beneath me, not really taking any of them in. I pull out an arrow and study the delicate killing device. It's actually quite beautiful for something so deadly.
With a gentle thud, the chariot lands on the soft sand at the edge of the Island. I step out, grabbing the quiver to throw over my shoulder as I grip my bow tightly in my hand. I walk over to the two horses, stroking them after I remove the harnesses and bridles from their heads. They nuzzle their noses into my shoulder and I smile as they dislodge my circlet whilst messing up my hair.
I place a small kiss on each of their noses before whispering a short goodbye and then walking away. As I climb up the steep path onto the Island, I adjust my circlet back to its original position then beginning spinning the bow around through my fingers. Who cares if it's not the right thing to do with it, it's actually quite fun.
At the sound of a snapping twig, my head turns in the direction of the creature that moved into my line of sight. I smirk, grabbing an arrow from behind me and notching it onto my bow. I draw the string back as I lock my eyes onto my target, aiming the arrow to the very vein that will kill it instantly as I shoot.
Suddenly, as if aware of my presence, the creature takes off, running further into the forest. I curse and drop the tension in the string of my bow and throw my bow to my side, keeping the arrow notched as I start after the creature, running at a steady speed so that I can keep it in my sight but not so I'd tire, which is unlikely anyway.
As I see it eventually tiring from the speed at which it's running, I quicken my pace so I can be close enough to shoot. It reaches the edge of the Island and I stop, smiling as I bring the bow back up to my face, pulling the string back so it rests against my lips. I take a deep breath and go to shoot until another being appears before me, stopping my shot once again.
I curse, keeping the bow and arrow in place as I debate whether or not I should shoot this person for ruining my hunt as I see the creature that I was following stop moving. I frown and lower my bow once again, crossing my arms as I glare at the back of the man's head. I watch him angrily as he returns the dagger used to kill the creature back to his belt after wiping it clean on the ground under foot.
He studies it silently for a few minutes and, finally so frustrated that I can no longer hold in my feelings, I shout, "Who are you to interrupt my hunt?"
He freezes at the sound of my authoritative tone and slowly rises to his feet, keeping his face pointed away from me. As he bows deeply, he replies in a confident voice, "I am sorry, Lady Artemis, for I did not know that this was your hunt to interrupt. If I did, I would not have done such a thing. But, as to who I am, I am Orion, son of the God Poseidon and the mortal Euryale."
Author's Note: This is my first Greek mythology fanfiction but I am rather interested in the story of Artemis and Orion after naming a character in one of my other fanfictions Orion. So, I am going to write my version of their story. Please review to let me know what you think because I really appreciate the reviews. Thanks for reading! :D