This story was started waaaaayyyy back in 2010, first fanfiction I ever decided to publish, and it's gone on a little bit of a face lift since then, going from a sexed up one shot to a few more chapters here and there. It's technically complete but every few years I go back in and do some editing and additions. What I really need is some vacation time to rehash this story and work in some chapters to add substance. Overall, it's still smutty, but sometimes that's all we're looking for in a fanfiction anyway.

I am so thankful for the few feedback and comments this has received! It has been so rewarding to hear that people like the work you've done or to receive constructive criticism.

There has always been a love affair with Greek Mythology, from reading Homer and Ovid's Metamorphosis. There is just something about that period and the stories and myths that come from them, mostly unexpectedly tragic. But that being said this has a somewhat happy smutty ending... well not entirely happy since we all know how 300 ended. Any and all comments are welcomed! Just happy to have my readers!

Disclaimer; I do not own any rights to 300, so please don't sue me!

~Bringing on the daylight

Hemera ran, her small feet falling heavy on the earth. The low howl of the wind which made her blood run cold could not stop her. The countryside of golden wheat fields could not bear how far her heart needed to flee this place. The pain in her chest that felt as though something was ripping inside her, tearing at her heart only spurred her to run faster. The thought struck her, dying of a broken heart, and how deafeningly romantic it was. What an Athenian thing to say, she heard her father's voice chiding her, always chiding.

The sickness finally had taken her mother, the fates granting her mercy and snipping her string of life. Gods, the smell of rotten flesh still lingered on her nose, and the fear of not having her mother struck Hemera to the core. As she helped prepare the shell of her mother for the funeral pyre, she felt everything, and nothing all at once. Like a caged beast, she wanted to lash out, to scream with anger and cry for the loss. But it was not a Spartan custom to grieve, so as the storm inside threatened to break her, she ran.

It was only until she could see the Taygetos mountains looming before her and the countryside far behind that her legs gave way. Closing her eyes, the tears she had been fighting washed down as she pressed her cheek to the cold earth. She just wanted a place to feel the freedom of her heart. To not feel the disappointment in her father's eyes, she was only seven, but she knew it well. Hemera, let her mind drift, not realizing that the birdsong around her had ceased.

ooOOOoo

Stelios had heard a scream; not sure it was the wind or some trick to throw him off track from returning home. It had been too long since he had been among companions, too long had he been in the wilderness. He prayed that the gods were not toying with him as he ran towards the screams. Spear in hand he let out a breath, seeing the beast, what was once a man, hunger, and the wilderness had transformed him. Its attention was on another prey as it ran further into the rocky terrain leading to the mountains, hoots, and howls, unlike any animal Stelios had ever heard in his own test in the wilderness. The beast's victim not realizing it was being maneuvered into a corner of rocky terrain, it was not the giant creature his King had slain, nowhere near as cunning and oblivious of anything but the small prey he had. But the prospects of another test of the gods brought a grin to Stelios's face, for glory would be his.

As he closed in, he saw the beast's prey beginning to stumble, each way they turned only seemed to corner them further. Just as the small form attempted to clamber on top a formation of large stones to get away did Stelios's see that the wild man's prey was a little girl. Her small yelp as the beast grabbed her by her leg and tugged her down, falling to the ground where she lay huddled.

Stelios tightened his grip on his spear, maneuvering himself for a better advantage for if he struck now, he might skewer the girl along with the wild man. Quiet, patience, he bid himself, knowing it would be a grave mistake to alert the wild man of his presence. Desperate men, such as the one in his sights were far more dangerous than any animal, they resort to cowardice and would use the innocent to shield themselves.

He could feel the earth reverberating under his feet, every hair on his body was on edge as he steadied his heartbeat. The wild man crouched down over the girl and reached out to take her hair in his hands, Stelios had to bite back a chuckle as he saw the girl reel her fist back and strike him. But his chuckle died in his throat as he saw the beast's hand come up with the glint of a ruddy blade. Stelios let his presence known as he unleashed a battle cry, causing the beast's head to whip around. The surprise was enough to allow the girl dart around him and away as the beast's hands angerly grasped out to recapture her.

Stelios could see the man before him, his face skewed and covered in dirt and filth, hunched and taking on something far from human, but in the same stroke something that could be anything but human. In a furry, the wild man charged, his movements clumsy and full of rage. Stelios continued to shout and drew him towards him, and it was the beasts turn to be maneuvered. The young warrior's movements were fluid, baiting as he continued to bring the beast further into his dance. His hands steady, his form perfect as he swiftly drew his spear up. The wild man continued to whirl and flail with the spear making a home in his throat, his screams finally dying in the ghostly wind. Dead.

Stelios drew his spear from the beast's body, calmly whipping it on the cloth covering him. He finally looked up at the little girl, finding it hard not to smile at her as he saw her fists balled, no doubt ready to strike him as well. He could see in her eyes that it had been a long night. Stelios could not agree more. He could feel the adrenalin waning, and the weariness of his trials was slowly catching up to him. So, he merely shrugged and held out his hand.

ooOOOoo

The wind howled an eerie tune, and the chill in the air swept ruthlessly across the fields but the men continued to search. Torches lit, doubtful to find a living thing. It was a pity for councilman Celeus, to lose a wife and daughter in one night. But then he married an Athenian woman, soft and weak. Though his wife was fair, the choice was ill-advised by many, the blood that ran through Athenians was thin.

There was a shout from across the field as Apollo drew his chariot through the sky. A figure in the distance approached.

ooOOOoo

The hand that he offered was callused and covered in dirt, just like the rest of his appearance but without hesitation Hemera took it. Her fists relaxed as she glanced up every so often to see him smiling, it wasn't a leer of malice as the other man had, but one of kindness which settled her. She stumbled along with him first, pain shooting up into her calf muscles. As he tugged her along in silence, she could feel herself trailing slowly behind him.

He stopped suddenly, looking down at her with a quizzical brow. "Are you a small Oread? What fate do the gods play?"

Hemera gave him a sullen look, chewing on her bottom lip "I'm just Hemera."

With her reply he snorted, giving a quick nod before scooping her up into his arms. She gave a small squeak but did not struggle. She could feel her legs starting to shake with exhaustion and didn't know how much longer she could have gone on her own. The night air had now settled in, and she was more than grateful to have his body to shield her from it.

With eyes twinkling he looked around, catching the sight of torches in the distance. "Well 'Just' Hemera, it looks like someone has been searching far and wide for something dear."

Her eyes widened, looking back to the mountains with a saddened expression. "I heard the story of Atlanta, how her father thought she was undesirable and gave her to the woods where she made her family with bears." she closed her eyes a moment before looking up into smiling light blue eyes. It was only then she thought him much younger than the wild hair and dirt covered skin betrayed.

"Did your father give you to the woods?" He asked, shouts in the distance caught their ears. "It looks like he's been looking to get you back."

"Mother was sick. I heard a man telling my father that it was her blood that was weak." She whispered "I just wanted to run and never stop. I thought I would make a better bear than a Spartan."

He chuckled at this, "You would make a fine bear I'm sure." They were nearing the torchlight, "but I'm sure you would make a fine Spartan woman."

…"Even Atlanta was rejoined with her father, she lost her race and became Melanion's wife."

Hemera scoffed, "Her fate would've been better had she stayed with the bears!"

At that Stelios gave a booming laugh, "Men's fate may sometimes be better without love. But less full."

There was a cold expression on her face that was far too serious for a girl so young.

"I never want to fall in love. I think I will run till the ends of the earth before I would allow myself something so silly."

"Never is a long time little one." He gave her a mischievous grin, "And maybe one day you will find someone who would want to chase you till the ends of the earth for you to be his!"

As they reached the search party, they were met with joyous relief as a pair of shaky arms reached out and took Hemera from Stelios. Hemera's father wrapped her tight in his arms, his face the look of a man who thought he had lost everything. At the sight of her father, Hemera erupted into sobs which were quieted with a soft voice as his hand stroked her hair.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry... I'm so sorry!" she buried her face in his chest.

Her father looked up to Stelios, searching to find words to express what he was feeling. "Thank you," was all he could say as he held his daughter.