Pfft.I'm amazed I actually finished another chapter with all the work I've been having.

Of Ares and Artemis

Chapter Four

In a voluptuous, salmon-pink sofa laid the love goddess. One hand propping up her chin, the other flipping through a book, showing scenes of mortals. Her eyes caught onto a particular girl and immediately sat up.

"Hmm.now this might be interesting."

~~

Neva sat upon the forest floor, tenderly shifting through the luscious bed of flowers. Smiling, she broke off the bud of a thorn-less white rose and placed it behind her ear. Her brother was at home, sleeping still. Soon, the sun would rise and he'd turn hungry again. The raven-haired huntress stood and looked around. A shuffle behind a bush caught her attention and she crept closer.

When she parted the leaves, a golden arrow struck her side. She fell back by the force and touched her shoulder for blood. There was none. She shook her head at the silly thought of it possibly being Ero's arrow, for what interest would the god take in her? Suddenly the figure of a man stumbled through the trees and she looked upon the ground, for fear of the arrow's effects.

~~

I can't believe I lost another deer!

Tristan kicked at a rock and walked on. Not noticing, the thick root of an oak, he tripped. Soon, the soldier found himself in a clearing and scanned the area. A sudden movement caught his eye and he spotted a beautiful maiden partially hidden among the forest trees. Curiosity overtook him and he sneaked closer.

"Lady?"

She sat there, still seemingly ignoring him.

He knelt down and, suddenly, she sprung back.

"Please, sir, don't come closer."

Tilting his head to the side, he looked upon the Neva's features. Thick lashes framed luminous sapphire eyes, her mouth was naturally red, curved in an appealing way; result: he fell in love.

"Dear maiden, what troubles are upon you?" (Tristan said sweetly)

"None."

He shuffled in front of her and she bowed, staring at the ground. Fearing that he'd done something offensive, he moved back.

"Do I trouble the fair lady?"

She stayed silent, for more than he could bear. Leaning forward, he placed a hand gently against her chin and smiled slightly.

"Am I so ugly that looking at me would cause blindness?"

Neva smiled at his joke, and forgetting for a moment, looked up into his hazel eyes. Unfortunately, the arrow was what she had suspected would be. And she could not turn back. Releasing a deep sigh, she spoke.

"It is ill that I am forced to love. But how can one be forced to love one such as you, when they've already fallen?"

Slightly confused by her sudden outburst, he looked deeply into the sapphire eyes and realized that she was dazed.

"Perhaps you need rest. Come to my tent, it is warm with blankets and such."

He stood up and offered her a hand. Taking it, she rose gracefully and followed him as he led.

~~

"Tristan, is she a nymph?"

"Luck of the Gods are upon you, old man."

Tristan smiled at his friends as he entered the clearing full of tents. Neva, stood behind him, peeking over his shoulder shyly.

"Argh.just bug off." (He scowled at his annoying friends)

A few seconds later, she was in the middle of all the activity and ran to meet a bed-raggled boy.

"Putt! Are you all right? Hungry?"

A soldier coming from the opening of the tent beside the boy smiled at Neva.

"Oh, is he your brother? We found him wandering around. He's already fed, so no worries."

"Thank you!"

Tristan appeared behind her and looked warmly at the boy.

"Hello, you must be Neva's (they had a conversation earlier and got to know each other.sometime earlier.) brother. Come, I'll show you my fur collection."

The little boy looked up eagerly and followed the brown-haired man as they went back to his tent. Moments later, Neva was tucked into a bed with a fur blanket thrown over her. Tristan sat beside her on a wooden chair. The other occupant on the bed was Putt. Lying down on the floor, he gazed at the stars (he's head is lain upon his arms and sticking out of the tent, on purpose!!! I know that looks silly :P).

~~

Steaming with annoyance, Ares looked into the flame and frowned. Artemis was leaning against his shoulder (still asleep, or unconscious). Moving her head from side-to-side, she woke up. Rubbing her temples, Artemis looked at the source of warmth and saw the scene.

"Neva?"

Ares turned in shock, not realizing that she had woken up. He had expected her to fall down to the floor, especially when he felt the weight of her head leaving his shoulder.

"Hey, what is she doing with that stuck-"

"What?!? THAT guy is under my protection, kindly restrain from your insults, dear Huntress."

She pouted, but then recognized what he just said.

"What? That girl is under MY protection! I intend to protect her from that mortal. I'm going to tear-"

"You will not be harming him, Artemis."

"Why not?"

"Because."

"I never knew you were so attached to male mortals."

"WHAT?!?"

~~

sorry, just had to put that in.....I can't finish the conversation yet!!!!!!!! H-o-m-e-w-o-r-k....**weep**