27/05/2020
Chapter .2.
They came up with a plan by the time Artemis comes out of the store. With the guy Marty carrying a saddle bag off goods out.
"Let me tie this to Sun for yeh Madam Archer", Marty says hulling the sack onto the Stallion and tying it down.
"Thank you Marty. Your as helpful as ever. I appreciate this", Artemis says smiling as she uses her cane to get to her horse.
"Anything for a Lady. You're a gem to the community", Marty says as they see him finish tying down the sack.
The Group notices that he kept a respectable distance from Artemis.
Artemis laughs, "I am just a blind teacher"
"Not true! The kids here all lov yeh. And those six kids your raising are fine young boys and girls", Marty says
"Even with their pranks?" Artemis asks raising an eyebrow
"Even then", Marty laughs
Artemis laughs and they see her grab her horses mane. They hear words in Greek.
"Down Sun", they hear Artemis say in Greek
The Horse lowers himself. They watch as Artemis tucks her cane into his saddle. And with her hand guide her foot into the Streep. Then she swiftly swings into the saddle with an ease of a professional.
"Up Sun", they hear her say in Greek
Marty shakes his head.
"I can't understand why your taught your horse in Greek", Marty tells her
Artemis laughs and tilts her hat at him.
"My secret my friend. Till next I am in town", Artemis says nodding at him with sightless eyes.
"You are your secrets", Marty says chuckling shaking his head, "Till next yeh come in for a supply run"
Artemis smiles and turns her horse.
"Home Sun", Artemis says in Greek
She trots out the same way she came.
"Come on. We will show you to our ranch", Luna says
"How far is it?" Athena asks as they start to walk
"Far enough away that Mum has to ride. She could walk with her cane. But anything could happen. And she loves riding. So she trained Sun to cater to her needs. He responses to Greek commands", Eclipis tells them
"Showing you she hasn't completely left her past behind", Constella says smiling
"She named him Sun?" Apollo asks
"Yes after you. When we told her his mane was like fire and sun she decided that her horse that would be her eyes and helper and was described like having a mane like fire and sun could only be named one thing. He could only be named a name like the only person her ever had helped her. Her twin. She can't say your name without pain. But she could say 'Sun'. So she went with that", Solar explains
Apollo has tears in his eyes hearing that.
"She has never forgotten you", Phoebe says gently
"And still even after a thousand years hasn't got over your death and the way you died", Phoebus adds softly
"What do you mean? The way I died?" Apollo asks confused
"You will find out. But does it surprise you she isn't over your death?" Luna asks
"No. We are twins", Apollo admits
"Does she talk about any off us?" Thalia asks as they walk
"Bits and pieces. But as we told you she doesn't live in the divine world anymore. She truly is living a total mortal life", Constella tells them
"Why hasn't she come to us? She named you after us. And you said she trusted us why not come home and let us help her?" Athena asks
The kids look at the group. Thinking about how they could reply.
"We are sorry but you will have to find out for yourselves. Even we don't know most off it", Eclipis says
"To her we are her babies. Her only children. You Lady Athena know a Mothers love. How protective were you off your first children?" Luna asks softly
Athena nods she had been overprotective off her first daughter. She had been devastated when she was killed.
They finally see a building up ahead. It was surrounded by wooden and metal fences. Horse were in the paddocks. The front gate was a arch made off wood. Hanging from the arch was a sign.
'Crescent Sun Ranch'.
"Really?" Hermes asks looking at the sign
"Yes. Named after Mum and Uncle Apollo. But it is also named for this town", Phoebe says smiling
"Why?" Meg asks
"How do you think this town was founded?" Solar asks smirking and rushing off down the drive.
The group's eyes widen at that. What the boy must mean Artemis founded the town. But how was she able to stay in one place all these years without suspicion or anyone finding her?
They look down the drive and see a white brick house. With a wooden pouch. Nicely trimmed flowers and trees. Two red barns. A chicken hut. With fields spreading out the back. With what looked like a forest at the end off the fields.
They see movement and see Artemis brushing down her horse. Four dogs running around barking at their arrival. They could see her right hand was scared. And it had a silver bracelet on it. That looked like it was made for her wrist.
"Mama! Mama!" the kids call
Artemis looks up with her white eyes. She smiles but they could tell it was strained.
"What is wrong my darlings?" she asks
"We made new friends", Luna exclaims
Artemis tilts her head and she looks at them and frowns.
"I hear five people with you. Who did you bring here?" Artemis asks frowning and backing away.
The two dogs growl at them protecting their Mistress.
"They are looking for work Mama. People have been talking about us needing help", Solar tells her
"And how busy you are with teaching music, riding, doing trail rides and training horses. They want to help", Constella tells her
Artemis looks at them, "I am sorry you wasted a walk. I am afraid I can't affor…"
"Ma'am we only ask for payment a place to sleep and food. We will work to earn the rest", Athena says smoothly
"We are willing to put in the hard labor to earn our way Ma'am", Apollo says not taking his eyes off his sister.
"Who exactly are you?" Artemis asks
You could tell she was nervous as she had shifted so her horse was partially blocking her. Putting distance between them.
They realized she truly couldn't tell who they were. So the kids were telling the truth.
"I am Minnie Wisdom", Athena says smoothly
The kids had told them to stay close to the truth. If their Mother worked out who they were they could come clean.
"I am Maggie Eden", Meg says
"Luke Traveller", Hermes says smoothly
"I am Talia Hunt", Thalia says
"I…I…", Apollo didn't know if he could lie to his sister.
Would it be fair? Afterall she was obviously injured and scared. She was his twin. Could he really take advantage off the situation?
Athena gives him a pointed look.
"Yes?" Artemis asks looking in his direction.
"I am Archie Hunt. Talia's big brother", Apollo lies softly and gently
"I guess I should introduce myself too. I am Apolla Archer. Owner of Crescent Sun Ranch", Artemis tells them
Apollo's eyes widen and fill with tears hearing that Artemis had chosen his name to base her mortal life on.
Athena, Hermes, Meg and Thalia look at him with sympathy. They couldn't imagine the pain Apollo was in hearing that and lying about his name to his own twin. The same twin that didn't recognize his voice.
"What do you ask from me if not money?" Artemis asks nervously
"A nice place to sleep, two meals a day and a place to clean ourselves", Athena states
"And what do I gain?" Artemis asks tilting her head.
"We will be your ranch hands and your help ma'am", Hermes replies
"We can tend to your horses and chickens. Clean your barns and exercise your horses", Athena adds
"Come on Mama we need help. You can't continue doing everything! Your exhausted", Constella begs
"Your taking on more work as the seasons pass. Please Mama your working yourself ragged", Luna begs
"If you ask they can keep your man at distance rules", Solar adds
Apollo, Athena, Hermes, Meg and Thalia were amazed at how well these six children were selling them staying here too a frightened Artemis.
They see Artemis was unsure.
From what the kids told them they could tell something bad had happened with a man or men to course her to keep men at a distance. Maybe it was a man that caused her injuries and caused her to flee Olympus. Or worse. Considering she had kids who told them they never knew their Father or knew his name. That sent alarms bells going in their minds.
They see something flash across her sightless and white eyes. Before she sighs.
"I will give you the loft in the barns. As well as the two meals you ask for and shower privileges. I will also pay you twenty dollars a day…each…to go towards your needs", Artemis tells them, "As long as you obey my rules"
"And what are they Ma'am?" Apollo asks gently
Artemis frowns, "First off don't call me Ma'am. Or Madam Archer like the locals do. Call me Apolla"
"Miss Apolla then", Athena compromises wanting to give Artemis some respect like she deserved.
"Fine. Rule one you only come in the house when invited and 7am for Breakfast and 6pm for Dinner. But you CAN knock and I would consider letting you in. You can tell me your shower times and I will be elsewhere. Two unless asked I would like the men to stay a respectable distance from me. Three if I find your doing anything I find offence your out. Four you will respect my authority and treat my children well. Five I ask you to give me notice if you need a day off or if your have to leave. Six respect my right to keep my personal business secret if I tell you I don't want to talk about it respect that. Seven you will not take advantage off my blindness or my disabilities. And if you hurt any of my children in any way your gone", Artemis tells him
"Those are fair rules", Athena says softly
But inside they knew they would have to bend the taking advantage off her blindness and disabilities rule. Because half off what they needed to do involved taking advantage of them. Because off her blindness she couldn't tell who they truly where.
That caused them to wince internally. That would probably come back to haunt them. Or bit them in the ass.
"In return I will respect your privacy so I will not enter the lofts off the barn. If you need help or advise as you sound young I can give aid if it is within my power. I promise that you will be fed breakfast and dinner. Also you can choice a night a week what we have. Also I will give you some TV time. I will get blankets for the beds in the loft. You just have to say if your cold or sick and I'll do my best to help you. I also promise not to pry in your life as long as you don't mine. Does that sound reasonable?" Artemis asks
They couldn't believe even with how scared she was and how she was showing fear. She was still kind.
Hell she must off been through hell and back and she was still offering them. To her strangers. Work and a place too live. And of course a warm bed and a hot meal. Just on their word and her children's. Was that really all she was basing her decisions on or was their move going on with her then they knew?
"It does Miss…Apolla", Apollo says
"Good. I will see to the blankets I promised. My kids will show you the lofts. They already have beds. As the kids love camping out in the barns", Artemis says with a soft smile at her kids direction
"We will show them Mama. Do you want us to put Sun in his stall?" Luna asks
"I will put him in the paddock. Go on now and show are guests around", Artemis says smiling nervously as she takes the reins of Sun.
She nods her head at them and walks away with the dogs running after her.
"Well you did it. You sold yourselves to her. No bad for people she doesn't know by voice and two men at that", Phoebe replies smiling
"I think you lot have Lady Artemis wrapped around your fingers", Thalia says drily
"You better not let Mama hear you call her Artemis. As you would immediately blow your cover. As she associates that name with danger. We don't know why so don't ask", Eclipis tells them
"This way too the loft", Luna says before they could ask any more questions.
They were lead into the front barn. They see some horses in their stalls and they look up at their approach.
"There are 15 stalls in each barn. But during the summer most off the horses stay in the paddocks", Phoebus tells them
"Next to the stairs is the tac room. Mum tries to keep the gear clear", Luna tells them
"How does she manage all off this?" Apollo asks worriedly at how much work there was around here.
"When she teaches or leads a trail ride she has the kids clean their tac and stalls as she calls it them learning responsibility", Solar explains
They got up the stairs at the side and Luna pushes open the door.
The loft was pretty big for a loft. Six Single beds were in the space. Three on each side. With a side table near each bed. A window overlooked the grounds of the Ranch. And had a perfect view off the house. They would be able to see through a couple off the windows.
"This is cozy", Meg says
"It is. Mama said if we were going to have Camp outs here she wanted us comfortable since she can't really come up here", Luna tells them
"Don't tell Mum but we do talking and things Mama shouldn't hear up here", Eclipis says smirking mischievously
"Why can't she come us?" Thalia asks
"The stairs are tricky. She can do stuff without much help. She has her cane of the dogs too get around the Ranch. And her horse Sun to get to town and back. But these stairs are tricky. You saw her right hand is injured. Well it is not just her hand and wrist it spreads up her arm", Constella says sitting on one of the beds
"Actually what are Arty's injuries?" Apollo asks in concern
"She is blind. She has absolutely no vision in both eyes. Her right hand, wrist and arm are weak but she can still use them but not as well as her left. She has scars too", Luna tells them as they put their bags down.
"How did she get this injured? And why hasn't she healed it?" Apollo asks
"We asked her when we turned 5 how it happened. She said it was a long story that we were too young to hear. And since then she always says we are too young or avoids the question all together", Phoebe replies
"But we know it is bad. It is kind of obvious", Solar states
"So what can we expect now?" Athena asks
"Mama will be standoffish at the moment and scared off Uncle Apollo and Uncle Hermes till she gets used to you and realizes you won't hurt her", Eclipis tells them
"How long too you think it will take before she opens up?" Thalia asks
"It all depends how comfortable she feels around you", Phoebus replies
"So what do you think we should do when she comes with the blankets?" Apollo asks nervously
"We will offer to give you a tour. So Mama will have a chance to adjust. She will be true to her word. So you will be having dinner with us tonight", Luna tells them
"Don't start with personal questions just yet", Solar advises
"Slowly build up to asking even the simply questions", Phoebe advises
"Don't openly patronize her or openly treat her as invalid", Constella advises
They all nod as the Sextuplets give them advise on how to approach this situation. But Apollo was anxious all he wanted was to find out what happened to his sister to get her to live this type off life.
How on earth didn't her eyes heal?
Who was the Father off her kids?
Why hasn't she been in contact with anyone?
So many questions where running through his head. He didn't know how long he could wait for answers…
Author's Note: What do you think? Please Review:)