Updated: 20/1/2022
Chapter 17: You Need Rest (1)
Artemis knew what she was doing was not healthy, but she couldn't stop. Her mind just kept filling up with horrors that could happen to her beloved brother. And he wasn't helping with all the stunts he was doing.
She saw him dying again and again every time she closed her eyes. And if she did fall asleep, she woke up screaming from nightmares and sometimes make herself sick from how bad they affected her.
So, no. Sleep was out of the question.
She barely paid anyone attention anymore. Not her Hunters or the Council not even the closet of her siblings besides Apollo, Athena.
But nobody tried to help her really so why should she tell them the problem. It was not like her blasted Father would bring Apollo back early was there?
Artemis paced him her Temple trying to make her clouded mind think of something else. Anything else. Not even noticing she was being watched…
The Gods were worried and that was rare. They had all noticed the decline in Artemis since Apollo had been sent as a mortal to earth. But they didn't really believe that was the problem.
How could it be when they acted the way they do?
But the changes in Artemis were too noticeable to be ignored. Even her Hunters had come to them and said Artemis hardly was at the Hunt. She hardly went Hunting with the girls. But they did say she DID come if they needed help. But it was like she wasn't really there.
Athena had tried to talk to Artemis, but Athena could tell she was half-lying or not really paying attention as she seemed to miss Athena's questions or comments.
It was clear she wasn't sleeping and barely eating. No matter what some of them tried they couldn't get her to do it. She would eat yes. But not sleep.
No matter how much Hestia tried to coax her into it she didn't.
She also kept muttering under her breath. But no matter what they tried they couldn't understand her.
They were watching Apollo's last fight with Nero and the Python at Camp Half-Blood. The only two that weren't there were Artemis and Hestia. Hestia keeping watch over Artemis.
Nearly all the girls have taken turns in watching over her to make sure she wouldn't hurt herself till they come up with a solution.
"I hope this is it", Hermes mutters watching the fight.
"It better be we need him to get through to Artemis", Athena states.
"How can we be sure that would work?" Zeus asks even he was worried.
"Yeh they are not exactly known for getting along", Demeter points out.
"Why don't we just knock her over the head to get her to sleep?" Ares asks.
Many glare at him.
"That is your solvation for everything", Hera says, yes, she was actually concerned about Artemis.
Seeing her like this had changed people's opinions on her somewhat.
"That is not the answer Ares. It would just make everything worse from what Asclepius tells me", Athena tells her.
"Why can't we slip her a few sleeping pills Asclepius has on store for some of us?" Poseidon asks.
"We tried", Hermes mutters.
"She seemed to be able to sense them and just tips and throws the drink and food out. No matter how stealthy Hermes does it", Athena tells them.
They watched as Apollo takes down Nero and Python next. Having exploded in Godly power when Meg looked to be hurt by the Python. Stunning it. And then they had taken it down together.
Cheers went around the throne room.
"Finally", Zeus says with relief.
This had gone too long.
"Someone go and retrieve Apollo", Zeus orders.
"There are injuries in Camp brother. He won't leave them", Hades points out.
Zeus sighs, "Hermes and Athena keep an eye on it. As soon as the serious injuries are fixed bring Apollo here. Convince him in any way possible but not the true extent of Artemis's behaviour"
"Yes Father"
Apollo sighs he was thankful this was all over. Everyone had hug him in victory then he had seen about seeing to the injured and his injuries. But most had been fixed when he transformed back into a God.
But he was a little sad soon he would have to leave his new friends, his children and Meg and go back to Olympus and he didn't believe that his Father would let him come back down. So even though he was tending to the Campers injuries he took the time to spend a few more hours with his children and Meg.
He thought he had longer when Hermes and Athena flashed in everyone quickly goes to bow but the two wave them off.
"You know I don't need an escort too Olympus", Apollo jokes.
"Really?" Hermes smirks, "No hello to your brother and sister you haven't seen in 2 years?"
Apollo rolls his eyes, "Hey Hermes, Athena good to see you again", he says, "Happy now?"
"Yes", Hermes replies smirking as he hid the urgency in his jokes.
"I have injuries to treat so I'll come when they are done", Apollo tells them.
"You are needed on Olympus Apollo", Athena tells him.
Everyone was looking disappointed that Apollo was being called back so soon.
"Yeh to explain what happened here right? Well tell Father he can wait a few hours", Apollo retorts.
"This takes precedence Apollo", Hermes tells him.
"Not to me. These are my family and friends I won't leave them hurting. And a camp that is trashed. I am not leaving for Olympus when it is in my power to fix it", he says going to walk around.
The Demigods were having trouble believing Apollo was deferring his Father and wanting to stay and help.
"This is a matter of urgency", Hermes tells him trying to get through to him.
Apollo snorts, "To Father maybe"
Athena saw that Apollo wasn't going to leave. Maybe it was time to try something else. To see how much, he cared.
"Artemis", Athena states clearly.
He freezes and everyone around them does too.
"Artemis", Athena says again.
"What about her?" Apollo asks trying to keep his voice neutral.
"You need to come home", Athena states.
"What. About. Artemis?" Apollo asks turning around his eyes flashing.
"She…needs you", Athena tells him.
'Arty?' Apollo thinks out hoping she would answer.
But he doesn't get an answer.
"What is wrong?" Apollo asks.
"She needs you", Athena repeats.
He doesn't hesitant another second. He gives Meg and others a quick apology look before flashing away.
He lands in the middle of Olympus he looks around and starts to make his way to Artemis's Temple. He had to forgive himself his flashing was a bit off. He had only just now got his powers back.
But suddenly arms grab him and flash him away.
Apollo was disorientated for a minute before he notices he was in the Throne Room. Everyone but Hestia and Artemis were there.
"Where is Arty? What is going on?" Apollo asks eyes searching theirs.
They look at him and it was clear he cared. But did Artemis.
"Is this some kind of sick joke?" Apollo demands.
"No Son", Zeus says with sigh, "Your sister seems too…"
"Seems to what?" Apollo asks.
'Arty?' he thinks again hoping that since he was back on Olympus she might answer.
But no reply came.
"Apollo, she hasn't been…well since you have been gone", Poseidon says carefully.
"Explain!" Apollo demands his eyes narrowing.
They tell him and his heart aches. She hadn't been sleeping again. Yes, this had happened before. But bloody two freaking years!
And did they just say she barely ate? Double damn.
"So, we kind have needed you", Zeus admits looking pained, "Without her Hunters and herself…"
"You don't say", Apollo says drily hiding his worry.
"Is that all you have to say?" Demeter asks incredulously.
"You don't care?" Athena asks just as shocked.
How could her plan have failed?
Apollo rolled his eyes. They still believe that stupid act the pair of them played? He owed Artemis 250 Drachmas.
"Tell Hestia to give me five minutes and I'll be at her Temple. I assume that is where she is?" Apollo asks them.
But doesn't bother to hear the reply and flashes away.
He grabbed a few things from his Temple. Frowning when he didn't find an item he was going to bring. He would deal with that later.
More important matters.
He flashes to Artemis's Temple with his bag to find the others waiting. Well all but Ares and Aphrodite.
"Don't suppose you know the meaning of the word privacy?" Apollo asks rolling his eyes.
"We are worried about her Nephew", Poseidon says.
"Even Hades there?" Apollo asks smirking at the God of the Dead.
He splutters, "Persephone wanted me here"
"That is a lie if I have ever heard one", Apollo says.
He then turns to the others.
"Leave me too it. She'll be fine", Apollo assures them, 'After some time', he thinks.
"Son you're not getting rid of us", Zeus tells him firmly.
"She is going to love this when she comes back", Apollo mutters.
"Comes back?" Athena asks confused.
"To reality", Apollo says opening the door before they could comment.
They quickly follow after him.
Hestia greets him before he comes much farther than the hallway.
"Apollo she has been talking in some weird language that we couldn't understand to know what is wrong. Rambling like. So, you probably won't be able to understand her", Hestia tells him.
"Yeh that becomes a problem for you not to me", Apollo replies pushing past her gently.
He looks around the messy living room to see Artemis pacing in front of the fire. Apollo sighs she looked terrible.
Why did she get into these mind sets?
Especially when he went human/mortal.
"You look terrible", he tells her knowing she probably wouldn't even hear it.
He does here the others gasp.
"You know if we keep making a habit of this, I am going to have to start charging you time", Apollo says mildly putting his bag down.
Still no response.
He sees Athena and Hermes going to intervene, but he waves them off.
Apollo heard her muttering and winces.
"Can't go to sleep. See him. Dead. Dead. Gone. Don't fall asleep. Dead. No that isn't true…", she was muttering in the other language.
Which so happened he was fluent in.
"You know Arty we really have to work on this. I believe the last time you were this way was because of Zoe am I right?" Apollo asks getting something out of his bag, "No. no that isn't right it was Orion and the Hunters, wasn't it? When we were on Delos"
Still no response.
"I am back Little One and I am sorry for what I am about to do", Apollo tells her and faster than what the others expected stabs her in the arm with a syringe.
She flinches and whimpers but doesn't react.
"Apollo…need Apollo…", she mutters.
Apollo sighs and goes over to her the harder part was coming.
He pulls her into his arms and onto the couch in his lap.
"Little One can you hear me yet?" he asks in the same language as she.
She whimpers.
And the others were shocked he was speaking the language they couldn't understand.
"I am back, and you need to rest", he says, "You need to come back to me Arty. Come and hit me for all I care just come back and get some rest. I am just glad someone has been feeding you this time. Do you remember the last time? I am just glad you weren't this bad last time. Now enough of that I have to tell you about my epic fight with the Python"
"Apolly?" she asks after about ten minutes of his talking.
Apollo sighs in relief she was back.
"Yes, Little One. I am here. I am safe and you NEED to rest", Apollo replies, "But you can check if you like"
Artemis clutches his arm and squeezes gently. She gasps it was real. She looks into her worried brothers' eyes. It was barely noticeable, but it was there.
"You here? You're not de…dead?" she chokes out.
"Not by a long, shoot Little Moon", Apollo assures her.
To the shock of everyone watching she throws her arms around his neck and hugs him. His arms already hugging her close. Keeping her from falling.
He laughs, "That is a welcome back I can get used too"
He smiles softly as she snuggles into his chest.
"Now what have you done to yourself this time?" Apollo teases her nuzzling her head.
"Couldn't sleep"
"Drop from reality again?" Apollo asks her softly.
"I…I think so"
"Nightmares?" Apollo asks softly.
She nods but doesn't verbally respond.
"Arty how bad?" he coaxes her to talk.
"Too I throw up what I have eaten", she replies with tears in her eyes.
He hugs her close with a curse in his mind.
"Ok here is what we are going to do. You NEED to rest…"
"I can't sleep. Nightmares will still come", she interrupts panicked.
"Don't worry I won't leave you", Apollo promises.
"You swear?" she asks sounding childishly.
"I swear on our bond as twins you are not getting rid of me in a hurry. Unless you TRULY want me to go. But even then, only when you are completely healthy", Apollo promises.
The bond of twins was a scarred bond. And an oath on it was higher than the Styx.
She relaxes in his arms.
"I still don't know if I'm fully back", Artemis admits tiredly.
"Don't worry the medication I have made for you is working. You're back. Just exhausted and it need of some brother/sister time", Apollo replies.
"Really?"
"Yes. Now do you want to sleep in your bed or this couch?" he asks her.
"I can't move"
He hums, "Well then here. You look too comfy in this spot. So, it won't do you any good to move you now"
She hums tiredly getting to exhausted and sleepy to reply.
Apollo looks around and chuckles seeing what item he was looking for in his Temple was actually laying over her sofa. A patchwork blanket.
"I wondered where this had gotten too", he chuckles to her.
The chuckling made her relax more.
"Did this help?" he asks her wrapping it around them.
Making sure Artemis was tucked into his lap snuggly.
"Mmm…", she asks nearly asleep.
"Just rest Little One you need it. It is time to rest. I'm here watching over you", he assures her.
"Song?" she mumbles.
Apollo knows what she is talking about and softly speaks a lullaby he came up with centuries ago when these episodes became a bit of a problem.
She was asleep snuggled in his lap clutching his pants leg within seconds.
He finished the lullaby to make sure she was out. Even though he needed have bothered. She would be out like a light. Between not sleeping and these episodes she wouldn't wake for a while.
"What was that?" Hermes and many others exclaim.
"Will you be quiet, or you will wake her", he lies, there wasn't a chance in hell in them waking her up.
Hestia had glared at them, and they all look sheepish.
"How did you do that?" Athena asks/demands.
"Talent", Apollo says teasing them running his hands through Artemis's messy hair on reflex.
"Apollo", Zeus states wanting to know.
"Please", Hestia adds.
"Then you have a long story"
Author's Note: What do you think? Please Review:)