Artemis settled herself in the lush, tall grass of her favorite forest. Contentedly, she leaned against her sacred tree, the cypress. Her heart twanged a little in regret over Daphne's lost potential, and she pursed her lips. It really was a shame that Apollo couldn't share her understanding of maidens. It was perfectly clear to her that men were cruel, and driven solely by disastrous hormones. How unfortunate it was that even the gods had been cursed with that lust.
Allowing her mind to drift towards happier things, she leaned forward to skin the buck she had shot down that day. Her hunting knife was perfectly poised over the deer's eye when a polite voice interrupted her concentration.
"Excuse me?" Ah, it was male. Artemis cursed the man inwardly, reaching for a bow. Almost immediately, though, she retracted her hand. With loss affecting her heart so bitterly, she couldn't bring herself to cause this man's poor family to feel the grief she did for so lowly a creature as a man. Besides, wasn't wise Athena just warning her of her own icy reputation? It was only practical to listen to the goddess of wisdom's advice, Artemis told herself. He hadn't seen her naked, like Actaeon had. She might as well see that his intentions weren't cruel before ridding herself of him.
"Yes?," she replied coldly. She may have spared his life, but she was still quite aware of the boundaries surrounding the position of virgin goddess. Hadn't she just reminded Apollo of the terms of her oath?
"Well, not to be rude, but aren't you going to sacrifice your catch before reaping it's rewards?" Artemis suppressed a smile. So this mortal had some respect.
"To who?," she asked coyly. She could almost hear the man's repulsion with her 'ignorance.'
"To Artemis, for who else would have blessed you with the luck to catch such an animal?," he informed her incredulously. Artemis did not hide her wide grin, still facing away from him. "If you think that you are so mighty that you don't even need the god's help, maybe I'd better leave before I tarnish your dignity," he spat disgustedly. For some obscure reason, Artemis' blood ran cold at the idea of him leaving. Panic clouded her judgement, and she quickly fabricated an excuse for her new character's behavior.
"I must apologize, don't think me arrogant," she started, carrying on with her facade as a mere mortal girl. Her dark, chestnut hair waved over her shoulders as she turned to stop the retreating man. She stood up gradually, carefully approaching him. How backwards was this situation! To think that Artemis was chasing a man! "I've just left my home, in a godless land, very far away. I heard of mighty Greece's blessings, and came to better myself. I haven't quite memorized the deities, yet. Would you help me?" The man wheeled around, and Artemis gasped lightly. Even she, the eternal maiden, could see that he was handsome. Very handsome. His brilliant blue eyes swam like Poseidon's ocean, softening at her plight. His perfectly angular face was framed by hazel colored hair, hanging in shaggy locks. Immediately Artemis could tell that he was the son of a god. Perhaps that was why he was so adamant about honoring the all-powerful.
"You poor creature," the man murmured. "I must apologize myself, I mistook you for one of those fools who worships ugly idols." Artemis' lips curled into a smile. "Here in the woods is hardly the time to go into detail about the gods, but I will give you the most basic education now." He paused. "If it wouldn't be too much to ask, I must you look like a very skilled hunter. Regardless of your answer to this request, I'll share the gods' glory with you, but I would be much obliged if you would help me make up for my lost time by, maybe, hunting with me afterwards." Pleasure coursed through Artemis' body before she could stop it. She nodded eagerly, leaning in to hear his idea of her family. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed. "Your eyes are the most peculiar silver," he whispered, almost to himself. Artemis blushed, blinking so that when she opened her eyes they would be the more mortal mahogany brown.
"I-I can't say I know what you're talking about," she stammered, looking at the ground. She had never been gifted at acting like her brother had. Luckily, though, the man shook his head.
"I'm sorry, I must have been imagining things. Now I see that, although maintaining their beauty, your eyes are brown." Normally, this would've been the point when the man became a rat, but Artemis found herself overcome by a desire to hear him praise her once again. She hardened her gaze a fraction instead, giving him what she told herself would be his last chance. "Anyways, would you like to sit? It can grow to be quite a long tale."
Around an hour later, Artemis had learned that this man who she felt such an unearthly attraction to was called Orion, a son of Poseidon. He had grown up alone, living always in the woods. He had spoken of the cruelty of kings and their daughters, and the kindness of Hephaestus, who had given him two robots which helped him to regain his sight by guiding him to the sun. The only god he was yet to tell her about was herself, Artemis.
"And last, but certainly not least, comes fair Artemis," he began, his eyes glazing over with secret thoughts. "She is the goddess of the hunt, virginity"-he seemed to be a little upset at this-"and the protectress of the moon. I have always worshipped her especially, as I make my living as a hunter. She seems to have blessed me, for I have been quite successful," he smiled. Artemis' heart swelled, bursting against her ribcage. Adrenaline rushed through her veins, exciting her. Orion's talent was merely a fluke, she had to admit, but she craved his religious praise for her, and loved his humbleness. She grinned back at him widely, getting up and grabbing her bow.
"Shall we hunt now? I made you a promise which I can't bring myself to break." She made Zeus a promise that she suddenly could bring herself to break. "I know quite a few good areas in this wood." Not that it mattered. She would send the food to him anyways. Orion stood with her, beaming. Gathering his bow, he looked at her with a twinkle in his eye.
"If you don't mind me asking, what is your name?" Artemis stiffened. She couldn't ruin her reputation among mortals by associating with this man. Nor could she force himself to betray him by telling him the truth. She needed to remain a mortal in his eyes.
"What does it matter?," she snapped harshly, loading her bow. Orion frowned, disappointed.
"I'm sorry if I overstepped my bounds. I merely wanted to be able to commend your skills to my companions." Artemis suddenly was stabbed by guilt.
"No, again, I'm sorry. I only meant that, having shed my old identity as a godless creature, I want to have a new name. Would"-she felt positively dirty asking this-"Would you name me? As you have given me my new life as a Greek?" Orion seemed taken aback, as he should have been, at her audacious request. Pursing his lips, he considered his favorite names.
"Idylla," he decided. "I will call you Idylla. It means…" he blushed, and Artemis smirked, knowing full well the meaning. "It means perfect."
"Thank-you for your high opinion of me," she whispered, boldly taking his hand. Snapping out of her reverie, she looked up from the ground, into his eyes. She bit her lip anxiously, tugging him after her. "Follow me. I-I want you to see these places while I can still show you," she said regretfully. She would have to leave her new companion much too soon.