Updated: 28/8/2021
Happy 29th Birthday to Me and Happy 55th Birthday to my Dad!
This is the biggest mass update I have done
Chapter .2.
The kids on Olympus were always sad when their Auntie went away. They loved her dearly and so did all the occupants of Olympus.
When Artemis ever returned from a trip she would bring back treats and gifts for the kids and bring stories of different lands. Those stories were adored by the children just like the person who made them.
Artemis was glad she was home after her trip/mission. She never went anywhere too dangerous. As she wasn't an active combat member of the Council. She in some ways was like her Aunt Hestia. She tended the Hearth and if needed gave our hope and comfort for anyone that needed it.
Now she was home again and she already heard the sound of the children calling for her. She sees her nephews and nieces running up to her.
They pounced on the Moon Goddess taking the breath out of her and making her laugh a heartfelt laugh. Finally she was back home with the only family she had left.
It always felt so good to get back after some time away for whatever reasons she was gone for.
And it was a relief to see her family was still safe. That was always her greatest worry when she left. That something would happen to them when she couldn't reach them.
But now she pushed those thoughts aside and concentrated on the love she was getting from her Nephews and Nieces...
Apollo and the others watch as the children pounce on the figure they recognise as Artemis. They could tell she had gotten the breath knocked out of her but also saw she didn't seem to mind and there was more light in her eyes as she greeted the children.
"I take it you missed me?" they hear Artemis ask drily and rhetorically.
"Yes Auntie why did you go away so long?" a girl asks pouting.
"I am sorry my darlings I really am. I missed you all", Artemis says softly and lovingly.
But the Old Gods still heard it.
They see a little boy reach out for Artemis and too their shock Artemis lifts him up but with a slight wince.
"Hello John have you been a good boy for Daddy and Papa?" Artemis asks kissing his forehead.
"Uh huh. I missed you Auntie", the Boy John says as he hugs her.
His arms wrapped around her neck.
"I have missed you too", Artemis replies before putting him down.
"Have you bought us something back?" he asks.
"John!" Will scolds.
John pouts, "But Papa…"
"Enough Auntie…"
"It is fine Nephew. Come here dear nephew and niece and give your Old Aunt a hug", Artemis says to the Old Gods surprise.
Holding out her arms to him.
"When did she start giving males hugs?" Hermes asks.
"Wait. Look at her arm it is shaking as she holds it out", Athena points out.
"I wonder what happened to it. It must be a recent injury", Apollo says.
They watch as Artemis hugs Tali first.
Tali goes over and hugs her, "You have been missed and it is a relief that you have made it home safely"
"Thank you my dear Niece. I have missed you all too", Artemis replies before turning to Will.
"You have been missed Auntie and we are glad you have returned safe and sound", Will says after hugging her.
"Always do", Artemis replies smiling at their concern and love for her.
Will and Tali snort, "That is only true half the time. And you refuse to bring an escort when you go out on missions or family ones"
"I am perfectly capable of looking after myself if needed.", Artemis replies.
Will and Tali look pointedly at her arm and leg for some reason.
"Those I got so long ago that they are no longer relevant. But you worry too much", Artemis says to their unsaid words.
Before hugging them again.
Apollo wondered what happened to her. He could see her facial scars but why did his son and daughter look at Artemis's arm and leg? He saw her limping, but it couldn't be that bad could it?
"You and Nico are well nephew?" Artemis asks as she pulls away from him.
"We are but Nico is still as busy as ever", Will replies.
Artemis nods and looks concerned.
"I have always thought the Underworld is the most demanding domain that requires the most effort and unfortunately that now falls on my beloved cousin Nico to run unless Macaria and the others help", Artemis says.
Hades eyes widen. How did Artemis know that when the rest of his family didn't? How did she see what others couldn't?
The other Gods were shocked. Was the Underworld really the most demanding of the domains?
Did they really give Hades the most demanding job? Without even acknowledging this?
"Is he really that snowed under?" Artemis asks worry clearly seen in her wise yellow-silver eyes.
"She worries about my cousin? A male?" Thalia asks shocked.
"Yes", Will admits.
Unknowingly answers Thalia as well.
"Why don't I go down there in a few days and help Nico with some of the work? So he can spend more time with your children and yourself?" Artemis offers nearly making the Old Gods faint.
"Arty would go down to the Underworld willingly and help out?" Apollo asks.
"But we aren't allowed in each other's domains", Demeter says.
"And why would she want to go down there anyway?" Zeus says with a frown.
"I think all the rules have changed. As we heard it has been 999 years or close to 1,000 since we died. Many things would have had to change with the new", Athena tells them.
"That is not necessary Auntie. We can't keep asking you for help", Will protests.
"Your not asking or telling me I am offering my dear Nephew. An offer for both you and my cousin", Artemis replies affection clear in her eyes.
"We will think on it Auntie. And thank you for understanding. But you need rest you have been away for weeks and you have only just got back", Will points out.
"I know I just got back. But as I always say there is no rest for the only Goddess who was apart of the old. There is no rest for the Dowager Goddess. Even if I wanted too I wouldn't", Artemis says wisely, "And I can't always stay by my hearth and tend it when there are people who pray to me for aid or my family needs help no matter how small"
Hestia's eyes widen did Artemis really tend to the Hearth now?
"Artemis is the Goddess of the Hearth now?" Hera asks shocked.
"Why isn't she on council and ruling it?" Zeus asks frowning not liking this.
Tali snorts, "You never turn family down when they need help. Whether it be going to meet with new Demigod parents. Checking on Lady Zoe and the Hunters. Or helping out in domains you don't have to and watching the children. Bringing hope to all those who need it. Or even be by some of your families side when their sick or going through a hard time. You do more then enough for all of us. With little regard for your health or wellbeing"
"My health and wellbeing is not as much of a concern as before. Don't worry", Artemis replies dismissing their worries.
Even through she knew that they would always worry about her.
The Old Gods thought they would faint. Did Artemis really do all that?
What had changed Artemis so drastically?
Apollo made notes to get an eye on Artemis if she was so dismissive about her health.
"We will always worry about you. And you don't always need to be the one to help", Tali states.
Artemis laughs, "Oh my darling niece. I will always help when those who deserve it need it. And everyone no matter their background deserve help when they need it the most even when they don't realise it themselves", she says wisely.
"When did Artemis get so wise?" Athena asks wondering about what had changed her sister.
"Still. You do too much for little recognition", Tali states.
Artemis smiles kindly, "I get enough recognition. Perseus and the Council see to that. But I don't do it for the recognition. I do it because I love my family. And want to look after those that are left. As I couldn't do all those years ago"
They could hear the blame in her voice.
Did Artemis really blame herself for all of this?
"You did what you could. And nobody saw that coming", Will says kindly.
Artemis sighs, "I know. But still I lost the people closet to me"
Did Artemis still grieve their deaths? Did she really blame herself?
"But there is a bright side", Artemis adds.
The Old Gods wondered what that could be.
"What could that be?" Will asks curiously.
Unknowingly voicing the Old Gods thoughts.
"I got closer to all my cousins such as Perseus, Nico, Jason, and Hazel. But I got closer to my Nieces and Nephews and I love you all like your my own", Artemis says touching Will's face gently.
They were surprised by Artemis admission. And the way she was showing her affection in front of a lot of people.
"And we love you. Your our greatest treasure", Will says to her.
They were surprised by Will's admission too.
'Does everyone believe my Sister was their greatest treasure?' Apollo thinks.
"I don't think…"
"Yes you are", many near her say having heard the conversation.
"Your too modest", a woman that was close to Artemis says.
Artemis looked touched by everyone's voices. And they saw tears in her eyes as well as the constant pain they had seen that hadn't disappeared even once since they had spotted her.
"We love you Auntie", a little girl says smiling.
"I love you ALL too my darlings. So, so very much. And no matter what you do in life I will always love you and never judge and I will always be there and I will ALWAYS listen", Artemis says bending down, with what they saw was a bit of effort and hugging the children.
Who all had come for a hug.
"What has changed her so?" Apollo asks.
"You wouldn't expect an emotional speech like that from the Old Artemis", Hermes points out.
"You also wouldn't expect all the physical contact with men either", Hecate states.
"Or her admitting her love for other people besides her Hunters", Persephone states.
"A lot more must have happened for her to change so much", Amphitrite points out.
"But is it all for the better?" Apollo asks them.
But is only met with silence.
"Now I believe darlings I DO have a treats for you. All the way from New France", Artemis says changing the subject as she struggles to get up.
Will comes over and helps her up. Surprising them as Artemis had never liked physical contact with males.
The children cheer hearing that their Auntie had bought them back something.
"What did you get us?" a boy asks.
"Can we have it?" a girl asks.
Artemis raises an eyebrow.
"Can we please have it?" the boy asks again.
"Better my darlings. And of course, I will give it too you. But you ALL must share. Even with those that are not here at the moment. Agreed?" Artemis asks the assembled children.
"Yes Auntie!" they says obediently.
Artemis smiles and hands over a bag.
"This is a bag of sweets. A brand new candy from New Northern France. I believe you all will like it", Artemis tells them.
The kids cheer and take the bag from Artemis and to the Old Gods surprise they kept their word and became to share it with the others.
"Now I must go. As the Council has no doubt been told or heard of my return and wonder where I could be", Artemis says to everyone.
Will snorts, "They won't wonder. As they know you would have been mobbed the second you returned. Everyone loves the Last Olympian"
The Old Gods wondered what the title Last Olympian meant? Did it really mean that none from the past were on the Council.
Well it had to as they were all together but Artemis. But really that nickname Last Olympian? What kind of nickname was that?
Artemis laughs, "Too true. But don't call me those names people had come up with over the millennia"
"Not a chance", Will laughs.
Artemis sighs like she was suffering from something.
"I hate most of those nicknames. I hope to get rid of them one day soon", Artemis reveals.
"As I said not a snowballs chance in hell", Will states chuckling.
"Fine", Artemis says seeming to pout.
But she gives it up after a minute and smiles fondly at her Nephew.
"Now come give your Old Aunt a hug"
Will comes over and hugs her and kisses her cheek.
"I'll see you all later", Artemis tells everyone before blowing them a kiss before limping away gracefully.
She disappears into the crowd, but the Old Gods could just see that she was being stopped a few times for people to greet and hug her.
"That was enlightening", Athena states.
"Why was that? I just saw her eyes. They were fill of not just happiness but profound sadness. That seemed to be etched into her face", Apollo replies.
He could see that Artemis's sadness was bone deep. But why after all this time?
"That we could see too. But I agree with Athena the conversation was enlightening", Hera agrees.
"What did we learn from overhearing that?" Hephaestus asks.
"Lets go over it shall we?" Athena asks the group.
Everyone nods they wanted to know what each other took out of that conversation they had overheard.
"We learnt that she is loved by everyone here. You heard Will they consider Artemis their greatest treasure", Athena points out.
"Hard just what she does with most of her days. And that she is now the Guardian and maybe the Goddess of the Hearth", Hestia points out.
"We saw there is something wrong with her arm and leg from the looks my son and daughter were giving her. But we also saw the scars on her face", Apollo points out.
"We learnt that she helps out in the others domains. And recognises that the Underworld is the most demanding domain. Which I will thank her for finally being the one to see it", Hades says looking pointedly at his siblings.
Some of them DID feel a little guilty. Maybe just a little.
"We learnt that Nico, Percy, Hazel AND Jason are alive and well", Thalia points out.
"As well as Zoe Nightshade seeming to lead the Hunt now and being bought back", Poseidon states.
Their eyes widen it seemed they happened caught that bit of information.
"I want to know how Zoe and Jason are alive", Hera says to everyone.
"What does the title the Last Olympian come into this?" Demeter asks.
"Who cares?" Dionysus mutters still drinking his drink.
"Take this seriously Dionysus. We are missing a whole chuck of a lifetime", Hermes says frowning at the Wine God.
"I want to know why Artemis isn't the Queen of Olympus", Zeus says frowning.
"Not everyone wants to rule Father", Persephone states.
"But is Artemis really one of them?" Triton asks.
"Maybe", Apollo says frowning, "I thought I knew my sister. But it seems time has changed her and everyone else"
"We need to learn more. Before we reveal ourselves", Athena states.
"Agreed!" everyone says together.
They would gather more information before they revealed themselves to the New Council. But what else has changed?
And just how much has the Last Olympian changed?
Author's Note: What do you think? Please Review:)