Artemis Pov
I meerly wished for a bath. That was all. I told the hunters to give me peace while I went to wash in a nearby waterfall. I don't enjoy using showers or tubs because those always are connected to the sewer system. I do not wish to bathe in such water. I simply disrobed, fell into the pool and entered the fall.
I was there for quite a while before becoming aware of one wandring the woods. I could tell they were male, but they had not noticed me. They were sleeping behind a nearby tree. I decided that as long as they did not see me I would not harm them.
I did not think much of the child until I was hunting a large buck alone four days later. I had told the hunters I wished to hunt alone for a while. I sent theem to camp with a message for Chiron. I was closing in on the male deer. I knocked my arrow, and watcheed as the buck fell before even firing an arrow.
I looked upon as a human male, only about sixteen, he had simple black hair cut jut at his shoulder blades, dark pink eyes and a simple build not to bulky but not to slim. He came up upon the deer and remove the arrow, said a silent prayer, which seemed to be directed to me, and picked up the deer. I could not believe humans still existed that prayed to me who I did not know of. All of them were from either my hunters, or a select few from Camp Halfblood. None of which, other than Percy Jackson, were male. The voice however did seem familiar, but I could not place it.
I decided too follow this child to see if he was worth listening to the prayer of. I had never answered the prayer of a male before, but he anageed to beat me to a kill so he must have some marret as a hunter. I followed him all the way to a small make shift camp. I was still in my younger form, so if he saw me, he would either attack me f he was evil, or try to aid me if he was one of the few good men.
He said another prayer to me, and began stripping the deer of the skin. He then cut out all the organs that couldn't be eaten, and cut the deer into separate sections. He started a small fire and began too cook a single leg of the deer. I was quite impressed with how he handled the deer and how he cooked it.
"Are you going to watch me all day or would you like some food?' he said. It startled me tht he had noticed me and wondered how long he knew of my presence. I decided to show myself, but would act like a lost child. I changed into a bucnh of ripped clothes, messed up my hair and covered myself in dirt. If he acted appropriately, I would stay that way. If he did anything I did not approve of I could always turn him into a fish.
"I was just lost, and it looked so good. I didn't want to impose."
"Well I understand. Take a seat. It'll be done in a minute." He didn't motion to sit next to him, just to sitt anywhere. I decided to test this child to see if he was willing to take advantage of me. I sat right next to him, but he seemed t movee away abit uncomfortable. So far he was doing well.
When it was finally done, he cut out a piece for me, quite a large piece for how much there was, and took a small amount for himself.
"If you've been lost long you must be hungry. Take as much as you wish. Just ask me first so I can cut out what can be eaten." I quickly ate what he gave, willing to test how far he would go, and asked for more still acting all sweet and innocent. He kept giving me more until the leg was gone. he had also had seconds and appeared quite content.
"Well if you want I can take you back to the city to your family. I know the way."
"NO! I mean I ran away and I don't want to go back." I told him knowing no evil person could pass that up.
"Well then I can let you sleep here in my spare tent. I wouldn''t want you sleeping in mine because that would be a bit awkward." He was willingly to set out a new tent just so I could sleep alone? He was very good, but there was still only one way to be sure.
"Can I sleep with you? I mean it's so dark and scary out." I knew he would have to take advantage at that. No man could resist me nor could they resist such a beauty of such innocence. Was I wrong.
"Sorry. If you want you can sleep in my tent, and I'll stay just outside. I don't want to come off as creepy or anything. By the way, what's your name?" I hadn't thought he would ask that. I figured that I should tell the truth. Besides he would figure the godddess Artemis would never let a man this close. One last shot.
"I'll be going to bed now," I said as I began to strip which caused him to look away immediately." I prefer the nude. Sorry."
"It's pkay. Just get dressed before you get out okay?"
"Alrght. Goodnight." Considering I don't sleep, I'll know if he looks. I went in the tent, closed the zipper and went into a fake sleep. I noticed him getting out a sleeping bag, laying it out in front and went to sleep facing the other way. This child was not evil in anyway. He was pure. I was sure when he went the whole night not even turning over. He finally woke up and moved awaay from the tent.
When I pretended to wake, I got on the clothes I had, and stepped out of the tent. He had gotten up and went to the meat he had last night leftover. He was untying it from the tree and brought it down. Just then a bear came across the camp site. I knew it would recognize me or attack the child.
Surprisingly the bear walked up to the child who gave all but one leg to the bear. I could hear the bear saying 'thank you' in its own tongue and walked away.
"How did you do that?"
"I've lived here for a while. All the animals here know me. At least I think they do so none of them harm me."
"How old are you?"
"Just fifteen. I've lived here since I was four. I don't remember anything else really, just living here." Could this child have actually become atuned to the natural environment. That's something most of my hunters can't do for a few centuries. I am quite impressed. I have only seen one of hunter's do it so fast, and I've never seen a male do it at all.
"I think it's time for me to reveal myself."
"What are you talking about?"
I wrapped myself in golden light and resumed my form as a maiden.
"I am the Goddess Artemis."I expected him to drop to his knees and beg forgiveness for even seeing me. I was wrong.
"If your punish me do it. I know asking for forgiveness doesn't fly with you. I've read enough mythology to know that. That's why I hve the most respect for you."
"You have read mythology. But did you not say you have lived here all this time."
"I have journeyed to the city library. I read a bunch of old greek mythology books. I kept goiing back and decided I would treat you as the most important. Hades, I have lived in the wods and the animals treat me with respect and dignity. I thought someone had to owe it to you for that. That's why I pray to you every time I kill and just before I prepare." This child knew so much of me. even when he thought me an innocent, weak little girl he did not try to harm me. Maybe Percy Jackson isn't the only man to earn my respect. Also maybe there are men who aren't bound by perverse nature.
"Why did you not oce try to take advantage of me last night? All men are bound by a perverse nature. Do not try to say you are the exception, or did you know it was me?"
"I didn'tt know, but I had no desire to harm you. Why would I, and what do you mean bound by a perverse nature?"
Was this child cut off from such things his whole life? Maybe I could use this child to flount at Zeus. Show him that he did not make all men the way they are, tat he did not make humanity the way it is. I considered what the hunters would think, but figured they would learn to accept this if I told them so.
"Child I have decided to ask you the greatest question I can ask anyone, especially you being the first man ask. Would you like to join the hunt?" He seemed to think about it for a minute. I knw he would think this a test.
"If I say yes, am I given all the priviledge of the female hunters?"
"Yes." He seemed to perk up at that.
"Then yes, I would be happy to join the hunt." I told him the lines to say, and he repeated them, saying his name was Eterna. I wondered why he had a female name, but he later explained it was the name he had been given by the animals around here. He said they had scratched it in the ground and pointed at it, and then to him. He had decided it to be his name from then on.
I told him to wait on the pledge until we got to the camp. I made new clothees appear, a more masculine version of the hunter apparel, and told him to take his bow only and follow me.
I quickly headed toward the camp, my new hunter in full pursuit behind me. I knew when we got there, Zeus would be visiting the camp to watch the traditional camper vs. hunters match and talking about how being a god can be very difficult. What an idiot.
We appeared just outside when realized he wouldn't see the camp or be able to enter. he didn't stop saying, "wow" as he got near and just passed right through. He must also be a demi-god. That made me more tense, considering hi sbow skills he might be a son of my brother.
I followed again and we headed down to the "Big House" as the camper call it. I saw Chiron on the front porch playing cards with Dionysus, the fat drunk. He noticed me and waved a hand smiling, until he noticed the boy behind me. He seemed to think he was following me as if I didn't know. he was in for a surprise.
"Hello Artemis. it is good to see you and please don't kill the boy behind you." He said as he came up just behind me breathing slightly heavy. He was a new hunter, and not used to the new abilities just yet.
"I have come to announce a great occasion and to rub it Zeus face a little. I knew he would be here today, so where is he?"
"He is over in the woods preparing his 'special monsters' for the capture the flag game today. What could you possibly have done that could cause you to want to rub in his face? You don't care about his approval." Dionysus retorted. If he weren't a fellow god I would destroy him.
"Not looking for his approval. Just showing him he was wrong." As I motioned to the boy behind me still doubled over trying to breath. I hadn't realized we had run a hundred miles.
"High... Names...Eterna. Whew that was one hades of a run." Chiron realized from that he was a demi-god.
"You have found ademi-god? I still don't understand. Even with that I would think you..." He noticed now the clothes he was wearing. he seemed to hold his breath fr a moment.
"Artemis are you implying that you made him a... a... a..." Chiron stuttered. I knew this would shock him.
"A hunter. Yes I will soon. He has shown me great respect and true quality that which no male has ever shown. He holds no lust, desire or even longing. He is truely pure. Purer even than some of my other hunters."
"I guess that means Athena wins the bet." Dionysus said. he was still looking at his cards.
"What bet?" Chiron and I said in unison.
"Ares and Athena made a bet years ago that Atremis would never take a male hunter. Ares said she was too full of herself to believe any man worhty, while Athena figure there was at least one guy who could be the exception to the rule. Like I said Athena won the bet, and I won the hand." as he laid done a winning hand. I gave a sigh and told Chiron I would be announcing it to the hunters and the whole camp for a full inisciation into the hunters. I wanted him to take the pledge in front of the whole camp.
He said he would arrange it as a camp meeting just before the game so he could participate, which I appreciated. From the fact that he used his bow before to beat me to a kill, ad was still alive after that run, I knew he would do just fine.
Chiron gathered the campers and hunters saying I had a big announcement. My hunters seemed concerned because I had saidd I would be gone forr some time, and suddenly I appear before them. The camperss were excited because this was the first time I had ever addressed the camp as a whole including all the satyr and nymphs.
"I am here to annouce the joining of the hunt." everyone let out a big moun while the hunters perked up with curiousity. I never made a veery big deal of a new hunter. "They are a new breed of hunter, the likes of which have never joined he hunt before." This got the campers curious. "Eterna has been asked to join the hunt, and I have agreed to let him join by saying the pledge in front of the whole camp and hunters." The name seemed to gain no iinterest, but the he set my hunters wide eyed and a little angry. The campers mouthes just dropped.
"He has shown me purity and kindness the likes I have found in no man before and even in most women. He is truly worthy and if anyone objects speak now." I said the last partt with clear venom in my voice. One of my hunters almost raised her hand, but quickly changed her mind.
I motioned for Eterna to take the stage. His eyes seem to appear the most prominent off his features considering pink, even dark pink, was an odd sight on any human especially on a male. He appear before me and bowed to me.
"Do you Eterna agree to take the pledge to join the hunt as the first male hunter?" I said as I saw Zeus join us. He was suddenly over come with shock.
"Yes." he went on to say the pledge, after which I said I accept. A gust of wind passed over the entire field. He seemed to glow slightly afterwards.
"Let us continue with Capture the Flag!" I yelled. As the majority of the campers headed over to the woods, only about twenty of them considering it was december, my hunters, Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase and the satyr called Grover Underwood along with a tree nymph came towards me.
"My lady why?" said one of the hunters, her name being Gabrielle.
"I already said. he has shown purity beyond what I have ever seen in men and most women." I went on to tell them the whole story including how he beat me to a kill. My hunters were dumbfounded. The other four seemed to still be focused on Eterna. I aslo told them what he told me about himself.
"So we have to live with a boy now?" said Aisha with poison in the word boy very clear.
"Yes. I also expect you to show him the same respect that you show each other. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes mi'lady." Thalia told me.
"So I guess not all men are pigs. Whose godly parent is his?" Annabeth said nudging Percy a bit in the first sentence making him blush. I noticed Eterna had nocked hi bow and was aiming at the archery, but he couldn't make a shot from here. Only my bows had that kind of pullback weight. He fired and got a bulleye on the farthest target. All of us just stared at him.
"Do you guys have any farther targets? These ones are a little..." He trailed off as he saw my hunters attempting to burn holes through him with their eyes alone. He hadn't been kidding though, he seemed genuine in the request adn I would have seen a lie or glote in his voice if there had been one.
"Just because Artemis respects you doesn't mean we have to. You earned hers so you have to earn ours as well." Thalia said. She staring right at him only an inch from his face. He seemed to coware a bit under her gaze. She can be very intimidting do anyone when she wishes to be. She moved away, mottioned to the other hunters and ran off into their part of the woods.
"Well, well, well. Baby sis finally realized there are good dudes out there. Ares ain't gonna be happy, but Athena sure will be. Glad I caught ya. I knew the prophecy said a strange new hunter, but this is a suprise even for me." I can't believe he is here.
"I will say it again brother. I am not your baby sister, we are twins."
"Yeah but I was born first. So what's the name of our new hunter dude?" Apollo said. He just loves making people think he's older.
"Hello Apollo. My name is Eterna." Eterna answered. He began to laghu at this for a while. When he finally stopped he asked him again.
"No seriusly what's your name?"
"His name is Eterna." I told him. I had a very serious, and a little angry, look in my eyes which told him I wasn't kidding. He looked at me, then to Eterna, shrugged and flew off.
"Well you better go get ready with the other hunters. The game will begin soon and I want you ready. Go on and follow them." I told him and he quickly took off into the woods.
"So this kid really made you rethink men?" Grover asked a little nervously. All the satyrs are after me. Can't they just get the message.
"He is the only exception I have found. So don't get your hopes up Mr. Underwood." The tree nymph seened to squeeze a little tighter when I said that.
"How long has it been Artemis? Fifteen years?" Percy asked.
"Ever since the end of thee second Titan war. I see you and Annabeth are doing well." she quite a bit heavier and rounder than usual and I figured I knew why. "How far are you?"
"Seven months. Thanks for asking mi'lady." Annabeth answered. Her and Percy have been marrie for six years now. I'm surprised it hadn't come sooner.
"Well it was good seeing you. Will you be staying long?" Percy asked me.
"I will stay as long as the hunters desire. We shall leave as soon as they wish to continue the hunt. That includes my newest member. I don't he would wish to stay though."
"Why's that?" Annabeth asked.
"he does sseem to like the campers and everything, but from what I already know of him, he rather enjoys nature and the woods. I can not wait to see what he does against his first monster. We are going to hunt a very interesting one too after this. It's called the king basilisk. I believe you are familiar with them from your roman venture correct? Well this one is far larger, roughly the size of the one in that wizard book, and his stare with scare into paralysis much like a draken. His touch will rot and his teeth will instantly kill. An interesting hunt for a first time."
"You're going to take that. With new guy. The first guy. Wow." Percy said.
"Come now let us watch the game." I told them.
