Disclaimer- I do not own PJO
I sat in silence, skilfully hiding in the undergrowth. Watching him, examining every little detail.
The way he crept silently through the dense forest; the way he aimed the arrow; the way it sailed all the way towards the noble stag without it even lifting it's head until it stabbed it in the heart; the way I was thinking how much it sucked to be me. The poor little goddess Artemis, the one who stupidly pledged to maidenhood. I had been watching him like this frequently now. Nearly every time he went to hunt. I had learned his name was Orion, a great hunter like me... Stop it! I told myself, these thoughts are childish; besides, he probably has legions of women slavering like hunting hounds at his feet. I stood to leave, but I was reckless. My sleeping silver stags that pulled my chariot fell over each other getting up and broke many twigs.
"Shh! Paris! He'll hear us" I whispered but it was already too late.
He was approaching us with his bow drawn, trying to see through the mass of trees. I didn't know what to do so I did the casual thing stepped out of my hiding place, giving my deer time to fly the Hades out of there.
"Orion, I have been watching you." I said.
A look of surprise and suspicion crossed his face.
"Who are you? Where did you come from?" he demanded.
"I am the goddess, Artemis, and I have simply been here all along. Watching you hunt." I replied, lifting my head for maximum goddess lookingness.
He immediately fell to his knees in a bow.
"I apologize profusely, my lady, I was startled." he spluttered hurriedly.
"Quite alright...you have talent, who taught you?" I thought it a noble question, but he laughed.
"A hunter must keep his secrets to himself, you of all, must know this."
I nodded. This was true of course, but I didn't like it.
"Farewell then Orion. I hope to see you again."
And with that I turned into a deer and fled.
I was stalking along the pebbly beach, thinking about Orion. He was so handsome- oh shut up me, but then he was an amazing hunter- be silent me, was I starting to love him? Maybe- OH SHUT UP, BE SILENT YOU SILLY MAIDEN. I sighed. Best just not to think about it right now, I told myself.
And along came the perfect thing to stop my mind sticking to Orion, my YOUNGER brother Apollo.
"Ah, lovely day isn't it little sister?" he said casually.
"I am NOT your little sister! I helped mother deliver your big head!" I seethed.
"Meh, anyways, I was bored so I decided to come up with a challenge to pass the time...Showing who's the better archer." he replied.
"Fine. I agree to this challenge of yours, only because I'm sick to Hades of you saying your better than me. When do we start?"
"Right now. The first one to hit that black dot in the sea."
"Okay." I replied, not knowing that the black dot was Orion having a bath and that Apollo was here to rid the threat to my maidenhood.
I aimed my bow so it would hit the top of the black object and fired. There was a yell and the target disappeared under the waves.
"Ha, I'm officially the bes-" I paused.
Apollo was nowhere to be seen, probably just didn't want to admit I was better than him. As I thought that 'black dot' washed up on the beach. I screamed and ran over, it was Orion. Apollo had tricked me.
"Errete es korakas" I cursed. "You villain, Apollo. But see, you can't keep me from seeing him!" I screeched.
I cupped my hand over his bloodied mouth and muttered some ancient words in Greek and a silvery mist floated out. I blew into my hand and the mist scattered. I looked up to see a new figure amongst the stars. A bold hunter with his bow. I now saw my brother's reasons... But it would still take a few millennia for me to forgive him.