I follow her through the trees.

"Stop here" Her voice is a murmur, yet it carries shivers of anticipation down my spine.

I cannot help but admire her naked form. She is so different from everything that is shoved down our throats about proper femininity and decorum. She is…beautiful.

"What are you afraid of?" She raises an arched eyebrow and smiles as if she knows that deep down…I am nothing.

"Nothing. I am afraid of nothing." Daring words.

Her smirk deepens. I do not resent it though. It makes me want to prove myself. That I am worthy. Deserving. Of everything.

"So you are afraid of everything, then?" With that knowing smile she reminds of someone. Me.

She gazes upon my forlorn face and says,"Oh…don't look so glum. I shall teach you everything. What do you seek?"

I want to be strong. Beautiful. Loved. Hopeful.

"Those things pass. Only strength is required." Her voice is scornful.

I realize that I had spoken out loud.

Those things pass.

"Only strength is required?" I question.

"Beauty will fade. Love is not real. Hope…shall remain hopeless. Look what happened to Pandora."

"Pandora?" Silly little schoolgirl, I am.

Gemma would know this.

My huntress levels me with a stare, before venomously spitting out, "She thought she had hope. We are the ones who taught her the right way. Only power matters."

She tilts her head to the side and studies me deeply, so much so that I feel a blush forming under her scrutiny.

"You will be strong." It's not so much of a command, as a statement, "Now, let us begin." She hands me the bow and arrow.

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Hours later…days later…months later…I am strong.

Nothing can stop me.

Beauty, you will wither away.

Love, you shall remain for the weak and unrequited.

Hope…you will be vanquished.

A distant voice distracts me. "Fee…Fee, where are you?"

I remain silent. Let them find me. She finally sees me collecting my arrows, and dances her way to me.

"Oh…you missed it…I had the most wonderful time…my knight waltzed with me…he even danced with Ann" This last bit is said in a whisper, as if she can't believe it.

Poor, beautiful Pippa. She doesn't realize that there is more to life than husbands, and beauty, and gloves.

She pouts when I give no reaction, "Where did you run off?"

I seem to have adapted my huntress's ways. I simply look at her, and she nervously begins biting her lip.

There is a crash through the bushes, and the other two emerge. One sharp. One dull.

"Where were you Felicity?" She questions me, with those eyes of her, as if she knows everything.

"Hunting." I keep my answer short.

They all stand around awkwardly. Ann pulls down her sleeves. Pippa curls her hair and is continuing to bite on her lip. And she is searching my face, as if I'm guilty of something.

But I'm not. My huntress told me they would act this way.

There is nothing special about her, so she is suspicious that I may take her place as the most powerful one.

I'll show them. I'll show them all. But for now, I must be charming. Like my huntress instructed me to be.

"Oh…don't look so stricken. I was simply learning! Do tell me if our Gemma, knocked down, I mean danced with the Knight as well?"

They all give reluctant laughs. Pippa actually snorts, but then dives into the story,

"Well…my knight was…"

While she patters on, I catch Gemma's eye. She was looking at me gravely. I raise an eyebrow, and she looks away.

Hope…is for the hopeless.