Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson, nor do I own Greek Mythology.
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Many years ago, when Greece was still young, a young, beautiful naiad named Nonacris married a handsome young prince named Lycaon. A little while after their marriage, Lycaon's father fell mysteriously ill, and died, thus making Lycaon the king, and Nonacris queen.
Three years later, Nonacris announced her pregnancy. King Lycaon was very pleased, and he spent much money furnishing his new child's room. All was well, until one day, eight months later, Nonacris fell very sick.
Many doctors came, from far and wide, all prescribing different remedies, none of them which seemed to work. Lycaon grew very distressed, and begged the gods to help.
Since Nonacris had always been very faithful in making her offerings to the gods, Artemis was sent. In return, she made Lycaon promise that if the baby was a girl, she was to become one of Artemis's handmaidens when she reached the age of thirteen.
A little while later, a baby girl was born. Her parents named her Callisto, which means "most beautiful," after her beauty.
Throughout her childhood, Callisto was always a very good child. She obeyed her parents for the most part, and studied very hard, as she was a princess.
The day Callisto turned thirteen years old was a very special one. It was the day she was to become a hunter.
Now, Lycaon hadn't told either Nonacris or Callisto of his promise to the goddess of the moon, so they did not know of what was to come.
On the eve of Callisto's thirteenth birthday, Artemis knocked on the door of Lycaon's palace.
"Lycaon," she called. "I am here for you to fulfill the promise you made to me."
"I never made any promise to you, my lady." Lycaon lied back.
"Lycaon!" called back Artemis, who was growing angry at this point. "Do you wish to anger me?"
Suddenly, a young girl opened the door.
"No, my lady." she said. "Here, tell me what my father before me has promised, and I will make sure he fulfills it."
Artemis stared at the young girl. What was it that she should do? She didn't want to kill Lycaon, making the girl reluctant to join the hunt, but what kind of person sent their young daughter to do their bidding?
"Thirteen years ago, your mother, Nonacris, was very sick while she was pregnant with you. I made a deal with your father: I would heal Nonacris, allowing her to give birth, on one condition: the child, if she was a girl, would become my hunter, my handmaiden." Artemis replied.
The young maiden sucked in a deep breath. "Tell me then what I must do, my lady, in order to become your huntress."
"Repeat after me," said Artemis. "I pledge myself to the Goddess Artemis. I turn my back on the company of men, accept eternal maidenhood, and join the Hunt."
"I pledge myself to the Goddess Artemis. I turn my back on the company of men, accept eternal maidenhood, and join the Hunt." Callisto repeated.
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