My friend is a goddess... chapter 1
AN: SO here is a new story, something I have been thinking about…I do not own any Percy Jackson characters, Sam is my own…this is based from Artemis's point of view with Thalia later on…not actually related to the PJ series this is an AU of sorts. Tell me what you think.
Artemis comes across a blind girl befriends her. She becomes her confident she tells her feelings and thoughts even though she does not know she is a goddess. Turns out she was being abused, father made her blind and Artemis didn't know. Thalia finds Artemis with the girl as she watches Artemis it seems unlike the goddess she seems more open and friendly what happens when other Olympians find out about her.
Chapter 1
Artemis travelled through the trees, her hunters were safe for now as Thalia was training them. She needs some space after the Titan war...she needed to get away from her family and even monsters she was not finding pleasure in the hunt right now as her thoughts kept returning to Zoe and those she had lost, she ended up falling over a root much to her dismay. She hoped none of her family witnessed it.
"You alright?" A voice brought her out of her musings making her pull out an arrow and aim it at the person that interrupted her. She froze up in a tree was sitting a girl who looked about 12, she had tan skin and brown hair but the main thing she was looking at were her eyes. They were scarred around the edges and they did not seem to focus she realised the girl was blind.
"What?" Artemis asked confused
"I said are you alright? You have been stomping through here for the last five minutes. And now have fallen?" The girl smiled as she moved from her spot jumping to the lower branches before landing on the forest floor. "You lost or something?" She asked tilting her head to the left.
"No, just thinking."
"Always a good thing to do." The girl replied before picking up a bag from next to the tree.
"What are you doing out here?" Artemis asked she knew she was close to a town but she would have had to hike to get out this far.
"Thinking. I find it peaceful out here." She said her hand was resting on the trunk of the tree as she spoke. "And you?"
"Same." Artemis replied
"You hungry?" She asked
"What?"
"Hungry? You know where you want food?" The girl stated making Artemis frown slightly. She saw how the girl pulled out a pair of glasses before moving the bag onto her back before moving through the trees with ease. "Come on!" She called back, Artemis was surprised that she was not leading her back towards civilisation but instead further into the forest, to a clearing with a small waterfall. She watched as the girl plonked her bag on the ground as she moved over to a bush and pulled out a blanket before sitting on it and began pulling some things out of her bag.
"You going to stand there all day or come and join me. Perfect place to think." She stated offering Artemis a sandwich. Artemis went over to her and sat down next to her she was confused as to why she was doing this but figured it was because this girl was intriguing to her.
"What is your name?" Artemis asked
"Sam. You?" She asked as she took a bite of the sandwich Artemis looked at the sandwich in her hands confused.
"Zoe." Artemis replied after a small hesitation, as she examined the sandwich closely.
"Never had PBJ before?"
"PBJ?"
"Peanut butter and Jam...You're not allergic to peanuts are you?" She asked as an afterthought.
"I'm not allergic to anything." Artemis replied frowning at the concoction in her hands.
"A perfect blend of sweet and salty if I do say so which I do...but if it is not your thing I have some fruit?" Sam stated but Artemis took a bit of the sandwich and smiled it definitely was something new.
"This is delicious." Artemis grinned finishing off the sandwich.
"Glad you like it, so Zoe you new to town?" Sam asked
"I am just passing through." Artemis responded.
"This is the second day you have walked through here." Sam replied making Artemis frown
"You saw me yesterday?"
"No...I heard you yesterday. I don't see much of anything." She replied making Artemis tense as she looked over at Sam only to relax when she saw she was grinning. "Relax no need to treat me like broken glass or skirt around the fact that I am blind. Not many like my sense of humour towards it but considering you didn't full out gasp and the fact that you let me lead you here...your pretty cool Zoe." She said a smile on her face and Artemis could tell she was being genuine. Artemis sat with Sam for most of the afternoon she found herself enjoying her company. Sam had just said something funny that actually made Artemis laugh. Before Sam sighed from looking at Artemis to the water. "It is getting late. We should be getting back." She said "I can lead you back to the main road?" She added getting up placing her blanket back in the hole in the log before moving back to the way they came in. Artemis was curious to see where she was going so followed behind her knowing that she could easily return to her thoughts later.
"Do you spend most your days out here?" Artemis asked
"After school most days... if not here I like the gardens on the park." Sam replied as she held out her hand to help Artemis down a steep part. "Careful it is slippery here." She added not soon after they were leaving the forest and entering the outskirts of a small town. "The main road is just down there can you find your way back from here?" She asked
"Yes thank you." Artemis replied and watched as Sam walked off not a care in the world.
A week had passed and Artemis was annoyed at her brother, she had just come from a meeting with the council and was curious at how her family acted. Her father and uncle once again arguing, Athena had another argument with Poseidon over their offspring. Ares had wanted to kill Perseus but even Athena disagreed with that. Her brother Apollo gods how annoying he could be... she was surprised she found herself in a familiar forest not one where her hunters were.
"Is that you Zoe?" A familiar voice asked out making Artemis look up to see the brunette once again in a tree.
"You a monkey or something?" Artemis asked confused as to why she had asked that it sort of just came out. Sam laughed as she easily shifted from one branch to another.
"If I am a monkey you're a bear, with the amount of stomping you do...I am surprised you have not woken up the wolves." She smirked once again landing at the base of the tree in a graceful manner.
"Did you just call me a bear?" Artemis asked unsure on what to do next, she could turn her into a monkey...
"You called me a monkey." Sam retorted before picking up her bag before smiling at her, to show she meant no offence. "So you couldn't stay away huh?" Sam asked once they were at the waterfall.
"I do not know why I am back here."
"Oh you missed me." Sam joked, Artemis knew she was joking but wondered if she was the reason she had returned. "So do you want to talk about it?"
"About what?"
"Why you were storming your way through the forest?"
"My family..."
"Everything ok?" Sam asked and Artemis could tell there was genuine concern.
"They can be so frustrating..."
"I believe that is the general definition of family? Frustrating and annoying...but loving. Right?" She asked and Artemis couldn't tell if there was a hidden message in her words.
"Maybe, but we are meant to be better..."
"Better? It is human nature to have family quarrels you don't always get along but you forgive and move on... besides life would be boring without a little drama." She replied making Artemis think, they were gods not human but she didn't say that instead she focused on Sam who was wearing her glasses, Artemis noticed that they were reflective so as she looked at her she could only see her reflection in the lenses. "Tell me about your family." Sam asked so Artemis did although she left out their godly nature. As she did she saw Sam smile and would chime in every now and then giving her advice. It was really good advice.
"So I told you about mine, now it is your turn." Artemis stated once they had ended in a silence.
"Another day, it is getting late we should be heading back."
"Hey." Artemis began.
"Tomorrow, I will be here after 3.30 find me...or I might find you." Sam smirked before getting up once again leading her to the main road. This time Artemis followed her back and watched as Sam entered a house within a big property. Artemis noted several other kids playing outside but they seemed to ignore Sam, none of them looked like her. Artemis turned and left planning on returning tomorrow to get answers. Why did she seem interested in this girl? Artemis thought as she returned to the forest. The next day Artemis sat at the waterfall her feet dangling in the water as she felt Sam make her way through the forest.
"Hey, you are here?" Sam greeted as Artemis moved
"Yes, I decided to stay another day."
"You decided? You hungry?" She asked sitting down next to her she pulled out her bag and produced two sandwiches handing them both to Artemis.
"You are not hungry?" Artemis asked
"Not really."
"Are you alright?" Artemis asked picking up on her tone.
"Long day... I can't stay that long today I have somewhere to be later."
"But you came anyway?"
"I was told last night and figured I owed you an explanation..."
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why do you owe me an explanation? Why do you care what I think?" Artemis asked genuinely curious about her answer.
"You are one of the few people that see me for me, not the blind broken kid...you shared your problems with me and opened up to me...no one has done that before...I don't know why but I trust you...lame right?" She asked ending up hugging her legs.
"No, not lame..." Artemis began she knew it was godly essence that was attracting the girls trust but didn't mention it, but before she could say anything else Sam was talking.
"I have to go...meet me tomorrow and I will explain." She said getting up and leaving this time Artemis sat there for a while before going to check on her. She saw her standing next to a man in a suit as he waited for her to get in the car before driving off. The next day Artemis waited but Sam did not come, the next day another no show...Artemis was somewhat getting angry that she was being blown off but part of her was worried so she entered the town to the place she saw Sam enter only to be stopped by one of the kids.
"Hello." Artemis greeted
"What you want?" The kid asked back rather rudely. She was tempted to turn him into a jackolap.
"Brian be nice." An older girl came over, "You are not one of us so what can I do for you?" She asked confusing Artemis what did she mean one of us?
"I am looking for Sam." She stated
"Sam, her uncle got custody of her. She isn't here anymore." She stated that was when Artemis clicked that this was an orphanage or some form of foster home.
"Do you know where she has gone?"
"She is still in town her uncle owns a farm on the other side..." she stated and Artemis got the feeling she knew something else.
"You do not seem happy she has gone." Artemis pointed out.
"Not my place to say anything."
"But you will say it anyway."
"Her family be messed up." The boy stated huffing.
"Messed up?"
"Not our place to judge." The girl shrugged
"Should be if she gets hurt again."
"What do you mean again?" Artemis asked as she grew concerned for the girl she met in the forest.
"Not our place to tell you if you really be Sam's friend she will tell you." The girl replied before guiding the boy inside as they were called in. Artemis left making the decision to check on her she began her trek across town.
She had been walking down the road looking out over the farm lands, thinking this was foolish of her she had no idea what had gotten into her. She was about to turn around and head back to the forest when she stopped as she sensed someone close by but could not see anyone on the road. She looked over at a tree on one of the farms and smiled sitting on one of the thicker branches was a familiar brunette.
"You know making me travel this far to find you, not a great explanation." Artemis stated and was surprised to see Sam jump almost losing her place in the tree. Luckily she managed to catch herself before climbing down to face Artemis.
"Did no one ever tell you not to scare someone in a tree?" She huffed
"No one ever tell you to scare someone below a tree from up in a tree?" Artemis retorted
"Fair point, sorry...What brings you all the way out here Zoe?" She asked
"An explanation of course."
"Right, sorry about the forest. Have been busy."
"Moving?"
"You know I was from the group home?"
"Yeah."
"They tell you anything else?"
"Only where to find you." Artemis replied and she saw the girls shoulders relax.
"You climb?"
"Yes."
"Cool, come on up." Sam stated climbing the tree with ease finding the perfect place to put her hands and feet until she reached a spot to sit.
"You sure like trees." Artemis pointed out once she was settled in her own spot.
"It is supposed to give you a different perspective... I guess I owe you an explanation."
"Yes."
"Well, I never knew my mother...she died in childbirth...it broke my dad...I ended up in the system until two days ago when my uncle got custody of me." She said Artemis knew that was the bare minimum and was about to ask questions when she sighed. "I want to tell you all of it but then you will look at me differently. You will see me as broken so can you just accept what I have told you. Maybe one day you will hear it all...I haven't got many friends and I would like us to be...friends." She stated making Artemis freeze and look at her.
"I would like that to." She replied without thinking...why did she say that? She was a goddess she cannot stay here.
"Cool." Sam replied and just hearing that one word made Artemis happy, she would figure something out.
Over that year she spent time with Sam whenever she had time to spare but considering her duties to the hunt and the moon she had very little time to spare. She made time though...always found her outside and alone. She had started working around the farm and sometimes when Artemis turned up she observed from a distance how the animals interacted around her. The horses seemed to like her and the dogs. When she spent time with Sam Artemis found her troubles easing, her concerns lifted as Sam would give her council. She found herself busy when she was there helping Sam around the farm or they would sit in the tree and talk. Sam really liked her trees…A friendship had been formed and only a small part of Artemis felt bad for lying. Sam did not know she was a goddess, she was a mortal…no connection to her world and that is why she liked spending time with her. Sam would treat her like any other human, as a friend…
A year later
"Hey Zoe give me a hand here." Sam said as she was fixing a post. Artemis who had arrived earlier and was sitting on the grass across from her got up and went over to her and helped her, they were fixing a fence. "Thanks." She replied before sitting down on the hill as Artemis sat down next to her.
"You alright?" Sam asked as her friend sighed as she joined her on the hill, she shared her water.
"You know you ask me that question every time I see you."
"Yes, and every time you have something on your mind...so what is it?" She asked
"You have been an amazing council you know that?"
"It sounds as though you are getting ready to say goodbye." Sam said tilting her head to the left she patted one of the German shepherds lying next to her.
"I.."
"Someone's coming." She said as the dog started barking. "Easy Zeus." Sam stated and the dog stopped making Artemis smile she always did when she heard Sam say the dogs name. The smile disappeared when she recognised who it was that was walking over to them. She stood up and stood in front of Sam.
"What are you doing here?" Artemis asked
"I could ask you the same thing...Zoe?" Came her response making her tense.
"Zoe?" Sam asked stepping to her side "you know her?"
"I am her sister...Athena." Athena stated looking at Artemis with a raised eyebrow. "So this is where you disappear to?" She asked, Artemis was still tense what was her goal?
"Athena? Nice name, like the Greek goddess?" Sam asked smiling, Artemis saw Athena examine Sam in a calculating manner.
"Thank you, and you are?"
"Sam, Zoe's friend."
"Ah yes Zoe..." Athena said looking at Artemis with a pointed look.
"What are you doing here Athena?"
"Our father calls for your presence."
"Since when are you his messenger?"
"Since my daughter asked for help." Athena said making Artemis frown, she could still feel her hunters they were fine so why was her daughter asking for help.
"You have been distracted lately now I see why..."
"Father does he?"
"No, but he is starting to think." Athena replied giving her a warning that Zeus is starting to suspect.
"My jobs are still complete I do not see why this should bother him." Artemis replied but saw Sam tense as she tilted her head.
"This is a family thing...y-you should take this somewhere else... y-you need to go." Sam said making both goddesses look at her and they saw her completely calm but both of them could feel her emotions she was scared. "Next time you come I will make you those pancakes we talked about. I hate to do this to you Zoe, but I have work to do and your family needs you." Sam stated as both of them watched her closely sharing a look with each other.
"Okay...I do not know when I will be back."
"Your visits never are on a timetable. It will be fine." Sam said as Artemis and Athena started walking but Sam stopped them.
"Take the back exit. Across the paddock." She said "it's faster..." she added with a small smile before moving off once she heard them begin walking. Both goddesses stopped after several paces before turning back to observe without being seen. They saw as Sam moved back towards the house where a car pulled up and a man climbed out. He shouted at her before she nodded and he went inside she hesitantly followed. They waited outside for a few minutes listening as the two of them talked. Sam telling him that the list he had given her was complete and his gruff responses before the sound of the tv was turned on.
"You do not think?" Artemis asked forgetting her anger for a second at her sisters intrusion.
"Her behaviour suggests..." Athena replied as the boys remark echoed in Artemis's mind. 'Family messed up… should be if she is hurt again.' Part of her wanted to enter the house then again she did not know she was a goddess, she liked that about her.
"Father is waiting." Athena stated making up her mind she turned to Athena
"You will not tell him?"
"No, this is where you have been spending your time."
"She is a good listener." Artemis shrugged and the more she thought about it, every time she came to her she would listen and did very little talking. The next time Artemis will listen, she will get her to talk.
Sam was grooming a horse when he started showing the signs of anxious behaviour. She heard someone approach and tensed only to relax when she recognised it was a female. Not Zoe though she had not heard from Zoe for three weeks now.
"Sam right? Can we talk?" She asked and Sam remembered the voice it was Zoe's sister.
"Athena right?" Sam asked stepping back from the horse, she placed a hand on its neck to calm him which he did before turning to face her friend's sister.
"Yes."
"Is Zoe alright?" She asked confused as to why Zoe was not here.
"Zoe...is fine. She is busy at the moment."
"Working she said she had a job." Sam stated
"Yes, we talked when we left the other day. She speaks highly of you..."
"Thanks? I think."
"I have a problem, can you lend an ear?" She asked so Sam put the grooming tools down and moved over to the bench inviting her to sit.
"All ears." She said smiling and Athena saw the innocence in her.
"I have this friend that is keeping this secret from another friend. I know the secret do I tell my friend?" She asked
"Does this secret concern you?"
"No."
"Is this secret dangerous? Will someone get hurt from it?" Sam asked after a small pause as she thought this over.
"Possibly." Athena replied
"Possibly to both?"
"Yes."
"I think you should tell your other friend the one that is keeping the secret that you know...see to why they are keeping it secret before responding." Sam replied after a moment of silence passed between them.
"I think they already know that I know."
"You won't know until you ask..." she said and Athena could feel that she was slightly panicking but showed no sign of it.
"Thank you Samantha." She said getting up, but stopping before leaving. "Can you be honest with me?"
"I can try." She said and Athena heard her heart rate pick up.
"Your uncle does he hurt you?" She asked
"I think you should go." Sam said getting up and moving back to the horse giving Athena the answer she needed.
"Hello."
"Zoe?" Sam asked confused to hear her voice.
"Yes I have returned..."
"You seem happy." Sam noted she was going to comment on the fact that it had been a while since she last saw her but stopped herself at hearing the happiness in her friend's voice.
"It has been a good week." She smiled
"Good for you, I had a visit from your sister. An interesting sister indeed." Sam said remembering Zoe describing Athena from a previous conversation.
"You alright she didn't?" she asked concern in her tone
"Didn't what?" Sam asked confused at Zoe's reaction
"What did she want?" Artemis asked slightly concerned unsure what Athena was thinking, but saw the confusion on Sam's face so sighed. She had spoken to her father and came clean when he asked. She managed to convince him to leave her alone and that she won't spend all her time there, in fact this will be the last time she will see her, for Sam's safety she will leave her alone.
"To ask some questions, she was being very cryptic." Sam stated until the end but she wasn't going to say that.
"Didn't you say something about pancakes last time?" Artemis asked trying to distract her and wanted this last time to be pleasant not sad.
"That was over a month and a half ago...where do you go?" Sam asked
"Here and there."
"Right, I need to finish...you know what never mind let's go have some pancakes." She said putting whatever she was needing to do down, Artemis had no idea what the thing she was carrying but followed her inside to the kitchen. Sam moved around getting things ready, until it was ready to cook.
"I need your help on this, tell me when you see bubbles." She said as she placed some batter into the pan. Artemis was confused until she saw little bubbles appear on the batter.
"Bubbles." She said and watched as Sam flipped the pancakes with ease. When she had cooked enough they sat at the table and ate. Wow Artemis loved them, they were soft and fluffy, and how did she make them like this? "These are amazing." She said once they had finished she helped with the dishes. Before leaving she looked Sam over one last time, knowing that she probably would not be returning. Part of her really wanted her to join the hunt to offer her a position but she was blind and even if there were ways around it... she could not her father words echoed in her ears.
That night as Artemis guided the moon across the sky in her sleigh as she passed over Sam's place she felt cold. Confused by the feeling she decided to go and check on her in the morning. When she did, she could not find her. She could sense that she was there but still she would not come out. She knocked on the door and ended up stepping back as the man came out. He was tall and well muscles and seemed to be glaring at her.
"Yes? What do you want?" He demanded.
"Sam?" She asked trying to keep her anger in check.
"You must be the friend, I don't want you coming around here no more." He said making her frown up at him. "You heard me now leave." He said and as he did she saw movement behind him and her gaze landed on Sam's. Her eyes were pleading with her to leave so she did. Little did she know she would regret that decision.