'Ello. So I made the volleyball team, teachers have been hounding me with hw, and I've been uber tired, so updates will come much less frequently unfortunately, though I'll try updating every Friday if possible. Thanks again to my many reviewers, and here's to many more \~/ (BTW that is grape juice, not alcohal :) Thanks again and please leave a review!

~ArtemisFrimm


Artemis arrived back at her camp just as the sun was setting. Some of her hunters were cooking, whilst others just sat back and relaxed. Zoë was supervising the cooking and when she saw Artemis, her eyes flashed with irritation and relief. Artemis walked into her tent and felt Zoë follow her.

Artemis turned to face Zoë, "What can I help you with Zoë?"

Zoë bowed quickly, "My lady, where have thou been? Last night thou had told me that thou would be back by dawn, yet here thou art now and tis nearly twilight."

"I apologize Zoë, something has come up, and I will have to leave again tomorrow. You will be in charge in my stead." Artemis said calmly.

Zoë shook her head, "My lady, thine huntresses will accompany thou. Why dost thou insist on traveling alone?"

"Zoë this is not a quest that the huntresses can accompany me on. Not even Charis is being permitted to go. I will be traveling alone my quest is too dangerous for the huntresses." Artemis spoke evenly.

"What is this quest my lady!" Zoë cried.

"Tis none of your concern Zoë, now please let me be so that I might be able to sleep before I take my leave tomorrow." Artemis said.

Zoë's face and rigid posture let Artemis know that she wanted to protest, but she bowed stiffly and left anyway. Once she was gone, Artemis was left to think clearly about her trip to Persia.

No doubt she was concerned. She could still feel a ghost of the pain from where the soldier had beat her with his ax. She knew that there would be more pain like that and much worse whilst she was being taken as the Persian's prisoner. She had to remember the Grecian children though. They were probably scared and just as beaten as she would be, they would need her help. She would help them, and Orion would be there to help her.

Though he was a mortal and a man, he had shown his loyalty to her when she was being beaten by the Persians. He had once again proven his loyalty when he insisted on joining her. He could have easily just stayed in Crete where it would be safer, but he was willing to risk his life to see that she was safe. As odd as it seemed, Artemis couldn't help but appreciate his willingness to help.

Sighing contently, Artemis fell asleep; tomorrow would be a long day.

~Meanwhile~

Orion had made his way back to Crete; he had been watching the Persians for a while before he had met Artemis. He knew that when they ventured to Crete they would stay in the forests on the opposite end of Crete, and in the morning they would venture into the city taking any last prisoners.

He spotted the soldiers outside of the marketplace and followed them into the forest and to their camp. One of the men, a taller man whose name Orion learned was Mehtab, ventured out of the camp to relieve himself.

Orion waited until Mehtab was far enough away from camp before he put his on-the-spot plan in action. Orion notched his arrow and took aim at the Persian's leg, if he wanted his armor he couldn't shoot Mehtab anywhere conspicuous so for the time being, his leg would have to do.

Orion released his arrow and it hit its mark causing Mehtab to crumple to the ground. Orion smiled grimly and ran to the fallen man. He quickly silenced Mehtab and took up the man's armor. Orion then left for his camp; he had to look well-rested for the journey ahead of him.

Once back at camp, Orion fell instantly into a satisfying slumber…

He was running through the luscious, green forests of Crete, chasing after the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. He didn't see her face at first, and he originally assumed it was Merope, his past lover, but when she turned around, Orion found himself breathless, for he was staring into the silver eyes of Artemis.

She was smiling at him, and the light in her eyes was so invigorating that Orion found himself smiling along with her. Artemis laughed and beckoned for Orion to follow her as she led him through the forests. Orion quickly complied and ran after the goddess as she sprinted through the woods.

Artemis was quick and nimble, but eventually Orion was able to catch up with her, though he figured she must have been slowing down on purpose. Orion rounded a thicket of trees and managed to catch Artemis from around the waist.

She laughed in a way that reminded Orion of the birds singing, or wind chimes as a light spring breeze passed through them. Orion laughed as well, and then the goddess spoke from within his arms, "You have caught me Orion, the mighty hunter, and son of Poseidon." She stared into his green eyes and Orion could feel the love radiating off of her in silver waves. "What would you like as your prize?" Artemis whispered.

Orion grinned, "I can think of one thing my lady," and he leaned in towards her lips, and she began leaning in towards him as well, awaiting his kiss.

Orion could feel her delicate fingers threading through his hair, and Orion tangled his fingers in her soft, auburn hair. This was such a good dream. Orion's lips had nearly met hers. They were so close that Orion could taste the sweetness of her breath on his tongue, when the dream abruptly changed…

Orion cursed the god or goddess that had interrupted his almost perfect dream until he found himself face-to-face with god Apollo, Artemis's twin.

Orion hurriedly knelt in front of the god who was staring at Orion with an irritated expression. "You dare curse me Orion, even though I do not kill you for dreaming about my sister in such a disturbing way?" the sun-god's eyes held none of the warmth and kindness that Artemis's had just moments ago.

Orion bowed further, "Please forgive me my lord. I meant no disrespect; it was just a shame to see such a wonderful dream ended so abruptly."

Apollo glowered at the demigod, "What was so wonderful about corrupting my virgin sister? What is it you see in her mortal? She is not beautiful like Aphrodite, and she is not nearly as witty and level-headed as Athena. Why is it that you are dreaming of her?"

"How could you say that about your sister and feel no shame? She is the most beautiful and intellectual woman I have ever met" Orion said.

Apollo shrugged and acted nonchalant though it was clear that he did not like Orion. "She has her moments I suppose, but she can be cold, cruel, and unforgiving. It is the nature of a god, and despite how much time she chooses to spend with you filthy mortals, she still abides by the same characteristics that all gods abide by." Orion couldn't help but notice the bitterness in Apollo's voice.

Apollo stared into Orion's eyes and it took every fiber of Orion's being not to cower before the god. "I know of her plan to go to Persia."

"She wants to free the Grecian children." Orion stated, not denying Apollo's accusation.

Apollo rolled his eyes, "She is a fool for even thinking about attempting such a feat."

Orion felt the anger boil inside him, why was Apollo being so cruel to his sister? "Why is she a fool? She intends on saving them; all of them if she can. Aren't you both the protectors of children? Artemis is doing her part, why don't you help her? Aren't the children of Greece, the gods' only hope in the future?"

"It is written in the ancient laws that no god can interfere with human affairs. Artemis is already treading on thin ice as it is with our father, if he finds out of her exploits, then it is very possible that he will cast her out of Olympus permanently. And as for saving the children, I'd like to save them just as much as she does; in fact, my sons Alcaeus and Zosimus have been taken by the Persians only yesterday. I would do anything to get them back. But as it happens, the farther a god strays away from Mount Olympus, the weaker they become. Persia is over 4,000 kilometers away from Greece and is almost a month's journey. Believe it or not Orion, I fear for my sister's safety. The Persian's are not known for being gentle with their prisoners, especially the female ones. I would be very distraught to find that anything has happened to her." Apollo's face was sincere, and Orion could almost see the worry reflecting off of his gold eyes.

"Why don't you voice your concerns with her?" Orion suggested.

Apollo shook his head and laughed bitterly, "Please, my sister is to damn stubborn to listen to anyone once her mind is made up. And I cannot join her to see to her safety. If she so insists on going, than I must stay behind to make sure that Zeus does not find out."

Orion knelt once more, "My lord, I will travel with Artemis. I will see that she is protected, and we will save your children."

Apollo nodded, and relief was more prominent in his eyes, "I shall hold you to that Orion." He tossed Orion a drachma. "Use this to communicate with me. Have Artemis teach you how. I want to know how she is."

Orion nodded, "I will be sure to keep you informed my lord."

Orion opened his eyes and found himself in the same woods from his original dream, except instead of seeing his beautiful goddess; he saw the slobbery face of Sirius staring down at him.

Orion groaned and shoved Sirius away from him and the dog instantly rolled over onto his back expecting a belly-rub. Orion sat up to find Artemis staring at him with a semi-amused, semi-annoyed expression.

Orion bowed stiffly for his neck was stiff from the night before, "Good morning my lady."

Artemis's mouth twitched as she tried not to smile, "Good morning Orion."

Orion found himself wishing his dream from last night was real. He wanted to wrap the goddess in his arms and kiss her, but he resisted, "So my lady, when would you like to put your plan in action?"

Artemis sighed, "We will go now. You will head to the Persian camp. You will travel with them to the agora, and I will meet you there."

She knelt down beside Charis who Orion had not noticed until now. She murmured something to the dog who barked in recognition. Artemis turned her attention back to Orion, "Charis will take Sirius back to my camp. Zoë and my other hunters will care for him while we are gone."

"Thank you my lady. I was concerned for his safety while in Persia." Orion knelt down beside Sirius and patted the dog's head once more before Charis led him out of Orion's camp towards Artemis's camp.

Once the two animals were out of sight, Orion pulled out the Persian armor before turning once more to address the goddess who was watching him curiously, "I will see you in the agora than my lady."

Artemis narrowed her eyes, "Orion, you do realize that once you are in the Persian camp, you will not be able to speak in Greek. Only when we are in private may you speak in Greek, and you cannot be gentle with me or any of the other prisoners while we are on this journey, or I fear that the Persians will see through us. They will not hesitate to kill you if they figure out you are not one of them. If they tell you to beat me or any other child, you must do so without hesitation. If they tell you to starve us, you must. If we are to be left to freeze in the nights, you must leave us be. Is that clear?"

Orion shut his eyes, he hated the thought of harming Artemis or any other child while on this journey, but he also knew that Artemis would not permit him to join her if he didn't agree to her terms. "Perfectly clear, my lady." He spoke in Persian.

"Good." And with that the goddess was gone. Their adventure had officially begun.