[hey guys, check out chapter 1, I added some lines for Apollo]
[Chapter 4]
Introducing Jamie O'Ryan
Artemis looked at the beautiful baby in her arms, wrapped up in a silvery blanket, as silver as the moon. She didn't want her hunters to find out. At least, not yet.
Within a few moments, she reached the small cabin; a big house on the edge was in complete coverage of the trees. If anyone knew how best to protect her son, it would be her.
She approached the doorsteps. The light coming from the windows provided the only illumination, but the girl did not need it; she could easily see through the dark. She arrived at the foot of the door and was about to knock on it when it swung open, revealing an older girl behind it.
"You sensed me coming?" she asked.
"Yes, I still have not forgot the old ways,"with a smile. "It's been a long time, Lady Artemis."
"Yes, it would seem that way," Artemis answered looking up and down at the girl. She looked like a normal girl in her late teens. Her long blonde hair fell all the way to her waist, and her blue eyes still held the brilliance that they always had. She was still beautiful as well, but she had not changed much from the girl Artemis used to know.
"Please come in," the girl said, moving away from the door frame to allowed the goddess entry. Artemis walked pass her into the house. From outside the house, it did not seem that impressive to her; it was only two stories tall, rectangular and well proportioned but that was it. But on the inside was not what Artemis had expected; the room was large and bright, the south wall had been replaced with glass, revealing behind a small porch that spread to a wide lawn. A staircase dominated the east side of the room; the walls, the high ceiling, the wooden floor and the thick carpets complemented the room well making it look even more impressive. She always had excellent taste.
"You seem to be doing well, all on your own." Artemis's voice broke the short silence.
"Well, it has not been easy, but I manage. Most people call me Samantha now."
"I see."
"I was surprised to hear from you again, my Lady."
Samantha watched the goddess with sad eyes. "I thought that after everything that happened you would never want to see me again..."
Artemis cut her off. "I'm in need of your service Samantha," she said, turning around to face her. "I spared your life, and now I need your help."
"My Lady..."
Artemis cut her off again. "I'm not here to harm you Samantha."
Samantha relaxed. "What do you need from me then, my Lady?" she asked the goddess, who in return remained silent. She looked down. For the first time Samantha noticed the small bundle she was carrying in her arms.
"I need you to look after something for me," she said in a low voice, as if she were afraid someone else might be listening.
Artemis took a step toward Samantha extending her arms to give the bundle to Samantha. She hesitated for a second then took it from her. Samantha carefully proceeded to remove the blanket that was wrapped around the object, only to reveal a sleeping infant inside.
Her eyes opened in shock at the sight of it. "My Lady, is this child yours?" Samantha tentatively asked.
"Yes, Samantha you are holding my very own child."
Samantha could not believe what she just heard. "But my lady have you…?" She was forced to hold the statement she was about to make as Artemis shot her an angry look daring her to finish that sentence.
"I have not broken my oath Samantha. I am a maiden, and I'll always be one."
"But then how did you...?"
"The birth of this child is a long and complicated story," Artemis explained. "Promise me that you will look after him as if he were your very own," Artemis said with a bit of sadness at the very end. "You're the only one I can entrust him to."
Samantha had her eyes glued at the small infant the whole time the goddess had spoken. Then it hit her. Him. She turned to face the goddess " It's a boy."
"Yes," Artemis responded with a sad smile on her face. ?"
Then her expression turned serious "Would you do it?" Samantha kept quiet for a moment. Then she nodded her head at the small goddess who sighed in relief. "Yes my Lady, I'll raise him as if he were my own."
"Thank you."
Artemis turned to look at the glass doors; she noticed the sky beginning to turn different colors. Narrowing her eyes she said, "I have to go now." Then she turned to Samantha and walked to her. She stopped and placed a small kiss on the baby's cheek. Then turned to the door and proceeded to leave.
"My Lady?" Samantha stopped her as she was about to exit the house. "What is his name?"
Without turning Artemis answered, "Its Jamie, Jamie O'Ryan." With that she walked out of the house. Samantha followed her, but by the time she reached the door the goddess was gone. She walked back inside the house and closed the door. She felt the baby staring to move in her arms; she brought it up to her face and whispered to him. "It's ok. Everything is going to be just fine. I will protect you. I promise."
Samantha laid Jamie in the crib that had appeared just as suddenly as the nursery in a vacant room. "Thank you, my lady."
Rocking, the crib, Samantha began to sing an old lullaby. Far away it was echoed by Artemis as well.
"Moon River, wider than a mile,
I'm crossing you in style some day.
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker,
wherever you're going I'm going your way.
Two drifters off to see the world.
There's such a lot of world to see.
We're after the same rainbow's end-
waiting 'round the bend,
my huckleberry friend,
Moon River and me."
to be continued
