A/n – Sorry that this took two weeks, rather than one, but as the "showdown" as it were, I felt that this deserved more time. Apologies for the delay - especially since I managed to temporarily load the wrong chapter, one from a differnet story. Thank you to bloodie for pointing this out!

Thank you to all of those who have reviewed me here: adurere (particular thanks for repeated reviews), Aurora Spirit, Astatine, inyyashafan001, jjj, literature lover, Zoë, heather, Nollie Violet Weasley, Archer Yi, 1madcat, bloodie and ArtemisEAldur. Thank you also for not being the dreaded "anonymous" who has not so far graced me with a visit. So here's the last part of the fic – and I hope that Artemis does not seem OoC.

"What the hell do you think you are playing at, Apollo?"

Never mind the innocent smile on my sister's face as Orion showed off, swimming far out in the sea, she was very angry with me. Even if the venomous hiss in her voice wasn't enough, she had been determinedly trying to find an excuse to leave ever since we had got here. Thankfully Orion seemed more than happy to stay in the sea for a while.

This was getting harder and harder for me to bring myself to do.

"Nothing, Artemis," I replied innocently, letting the sea breeze ruffle my hair, "or should I say 'Temi?" The question was ignored. Touchy subject, obviously. "I just thought that it would be a pity to see the food go to waste, and none of your nymphs were willing to join me…"

"You went talking to my nymphs?" She whipped round, suddenly furious with me. Some things never change. "How many times have I told you not to go talking to them!"

"I was looking for you." I shrugged. Orion had dragged himself out of the sea and was wandering back towards us, sandals in one hand, his tunic dripping wet.

Artemis was too angry with me to bluff around Orion. "I'll just be a minute," she said calmly, getting up and walking towards the forest. Orion looked after her with confusion on his face, then seemed to decide on something and sat down next to me.

"It's nice to meet you again, Apollo," he said, "since 'Temi wouldn't introduce us, I wondered if you two were having an on-running argument or something, but she said that she just didn't think that we'd get on. It wasn't fair. You're a nice enough bloke."

Bloke. The pally way that he said the word was enough to rankle. The fact that I was 'nice enough' wasn't exactly endearing me too him either. "How far out can you walk with your head still above water, Orion?" I feigned interest.

He laughed, hearty but somehow slightly patronising. Gods, I'd forgotten how much this mortal annoyed me. "As far as I want, Apollo. Gift from my father, you know."

"Could you walk out… to that group of rocks, say?" I pointed to a group of rocks so far out that they barely kicked up any wash.

"Do you want me to prove it? Say – bet your best hunting hound to the word."

Something in me felt tight with what I was about to say. That I was willing to take a bet with a man whom I intended… not to kill, not that… but…

"Done." I said firmly.

He nodded and strode certainly back into the sea. I saw him walking out, further and further, his shoulders disappearing underwater but his head merely shrinking until it was a lack speck. Slightly smaller than the rest of the rocks as he reached it. I heard Artemis return just as he came alongside them.

"Where's Orion?" she asked.

"Went for a walk." Pulling my bow out of my pack and standing up, I knew just how to get her to reach for hers. "I do hope that your aim hasn't slipped because of the time that you've been spending with him, dear sister. What of a contest to check – say, those rocks out there?" I pointed to the rocks by where Orion was standing.

She flicked her hair haughtily. "I could hit the smallest of them!"

"Prove it." I released the arrow that I had nocked and watched it sail gracefully into the cluster of rocks. It hit one of the larger ones, bounced off, and fell into the water. Orion flinched, but it was difficult to see the movement in the bouncing waves.

Artemis laughed. "Some archer my brother proves himself to be! The wine from the meal must have gone to your head!" She drew the string back to her sternum and settled her hand there for a moment, turned slightly towards the rocks. I saw her take a deep breath and hold it as she aimed precisely and pulled her fingers away from the string.

Time seemed to slow around me. I could have stopped her. I could have stepped in front of her to take the arrow and – as an immortal – survive. I could have fired one of my own arrows to knock hers out of the air.

But I didn't. I watched it fly, fast and true, and stab in to Orion's head. My sister's aim had never been beaten.

"What happened? Where has the rock –" her eyes flew wide as she realised. "Apollo! You bastard! You knew that he was out there and you let me shoot…" she flew at me, all fists and feet, knocking me to the ground. I didn't even try to fight her back, just gently held her at arm's length until she began to sob instead, great shuddering sobs like a child. I could not remember the last time that she cried.

After a couple of moments I saw Orion's body wash up onto the shore. The arrow had cleanly pierced his skull, and there was no look of pain on his face. He looked, well, peaceful. It made it easier.

I put my arm around Artemis's shoulders and, for once, she did not push me away. I didn't even bother to pick up the blanket that we stood beside, or the food still half-out of the pack at our feet. I could hear cries in the forest, dryads calling out that there had been a hunting accident, and before long the nymphs would arrive.

I never forgave myself for what I did to my sister that day. I could only try and persuade myself – and those who hear the story – that I acted with reason.

The End