A/N Thank you so much to everyone who is reading this. I forgot to do this in the last chapter but a special thanks to Violet2971 for following, to Northwest Star for favouriting and reviewing and an unnamed guest for reviewing. This chapter is the longest one so far and among the longer ones in general so I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I'm not Rick Riordan so I don't own any of his work.
Thalia
I was sure I was about to die, when a silver arrow flew past me and embedded itself into the hellhound. Another one did the same for Luke. Twisting around the best that my leg would allow me to, I searched for the archers. To my surprise, I saw a group of girls between the ages of 7 and 14 wearing silver clothes and each holding a bow.
One of the girls at the front spoke up, "Are thee half-bloods?" I exchanged a glance with Luke and nodded.
"Very well, you may come with us," another girl next to her said authoritatively even though she could not have been more than 9.
I finally found my voice, "Who are you?"
The 9 year old girl replied, "I am Artemis and these are my hunters. Now join us so we may help you with those wounds."
We followed the group of girls to a secluded area of the forest where they had pitched a few tents. Magical, I assumed or they would not have been able to fit them all. Luke supported me as I limped into one of them to the scandalised looks of the hunters.
Soon, my leg had been bandaged, I had eaten ambrosia and I now felt capable of walking with some support. Luke had also been patched up to the chagrin if the girls while Annabeth, thankfully, was unhurt.
"Thalia Grace," I flinched at the sound of my last name. It was the hunter from before who I later learned was named Zoe Nightshade. "Lady Artemis Wishes to see thee."
Wondering what the goddess could possibly want with me, I followed Zoe to Artemis' tent. "Thalia Grace," she began. What is it with everyone using my full name? "I will get straight to the point. I would like to offer you a place with my hunters."
It took me a moment to register what she had said. "Me? Join your hunters?" I asked in disbelief. "What - what exactly will that mean?"
"Immortality for starters," Zoe told me proudly. "Thou cannot die unless thou falls in battle. A new sisterhood with the Hunters. A new family."
Artemis must have seen my awestruck expression because she continued, "For all of those benefits, all you must do is swear an oath against all romantic relationships and against men."
It seemed almost too good to be true. Immortality was one thing, but a new family, that's what really enamoured me. The reason I ran away was because I had no family to speak of. My brother was gone, my mother never cared, so I left. But I had always yearned for a family, a real family, but then another thought came to me. "But what about Luke? And Annabeth?" I asked.
"Well, the girl may join if she wishes to, but the boy must go to camp. That is the best boys can do," Artemis told me disdainfully.
"So you're asking me to just leave Luke?" I asked in disbelief.
"My brother can take him to camp, so you will not be leaving him on the streets," Artemis replied.
"No," I told her. Realising she was a goddess, I added, "Thank you for the offer Lady Artemis, but I cannot accept."
"This is because of that boy is it not?" Zoe sneered. "All young maidens these days, hopelessly besotted with boys. Mark my words he will betray thee."
"Luke would never betray me," I said through gritted teeth. "You speak of family, of your sisterhood. Well, I already have a family and Luke is part of it. He always will be. So don't you dare insinuate that he will let me down," I told her angrily.
"Very well," Artemis sighed. "A shame, but if that is your choice, I can request my brother to escort you to camp. All of you."
I shook my head. I could not accept anything from these prejudiced hunters. "No, thank you my lady. We will make our own way," I said, wincing at my politeness. Although I really wanted to tell her exactly what I thought of her, she was still a goddess and I did not want to be incinerated.
With one last hateful look at Zoe Nightshade, I exited the tent. Luke and Annabeth came up to me immediately.
"What was it? What did she want?" Luke asked.
"Nothing," I replied. There was no need for him to know about any of this. I pulled both of them closer together.
"Thalia?" Annabeth questioned.
"I'm just glad we have each other," I told them. "We're a pretty great family."
