Updated: 11/11/2020
Author's Note:
This Chapter is dedicated to all those who have fought and lost their lives in Wars and to those who are currently serving. I hope everyone we take the time to thank those brave soldiers for the service and what they have done for their Countries and acknowledge those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Remember them on this Remembrance Day.
I would also like to dedicate this chapter to my Pop who served in the Korean War and passed away 12 years ago.
Chapter .3.
Apollo and the others set up their stuff in the loft. It was cosy. And the beds were surprisingly comfortable.
Before they could talk more they hear someone coming up the stairs. But it was easy to tell who it was as four dogs bounded up and pounced on them and licking their faces.
"Down boys and girls", a voice says.
They see Artemis appearing at the top of the stairs. Several blankets in her arms. Her cane clutched awkwardly in her full hands.
"Can I help you Miss Archer?" Apollo asks waiting to help her so bad.
"Why doesn't Minnie take these", Artemis suggest.
They DID notice the subtle flinch at Apollo's suggestion. It hurt Apollo that his sister, his twin would flinch from him.
"I can do that", Athena says gently taking the blankets from Artemis leaving her with her cane.
They did notice her right arm and hand was covered.
The dogs were bouncing around looking for attention. Meg laughed at them.
"What are their names?" Meg asks.
"Comet is the black one, the brown one is Huntress, the grey one is Solstice, and Star is the white one.", Artemis replies.
"Excuse me if I pry and you don't have to answer. How can you tell them apart?" Meg asks.
They were curious about that too.
Artemis actually smiles at them faintly.
"They each have a slightly different bark. And if I am patting them their hair is different and their different sizes. And on the collars in braille are their names if I am having a bad day", Artemis replies
"I never knew you could tell the difference by barks", Athena admits.
"Not many do. The blind like me can tell. When we go blind our other senses double or triple in strength to compensate. So sound and touch really tell me which dog is which or which horse. Or even the smell of the animal", Artemis explains.
"Thank you for answering our questions", Thalia says.
"Your welcome. You can come in early tonight for dinner as it is your first night here. And I remember it is hard the first night you stay in a new place", Artemis informs them.
"Thank you for your hospitality", Athena says.
"Your welcome. You don't start work till tomorrow. If you need anything my children can assist as I need to rest. See you at dinner. Comet, Huntress, Solstice, Star come", Artemis says guiding herself down the stairs.
With the dogs at her heels.
The listen until they couldn't heard her anymore.
"Do you really think we can do this?" Apollo asks his siblings and friends.
"What do you mean?" Hermes asks.
"Keep up this charade and…lie too her", Apollo asks them.
They could all see the conflicting emotions on his face. They also knew it would hurt him to lie too his sister after seeing how she was blind, had kids and had a lot of scars. As well as a fear off men. None off them wanted to think what had happened. But they ALL where thinking along the same lines as each other.
But they hoped beyond hope they were wrong.
"We have to. Too get answers. We need to build her trust", Athena says.
"What about when she figures it out or one off us slip up?", Apollo asks.
"Wouldn't that shatter her trust?" Thalia asks agreeing with Apollo.
"This is the chance we have to take. Those kids our helping us too", Athena points out.
"And if worse comes to worse they can stick up for us", Hermes adds.
"So what is the plan for tonight?" Meg asks.
They spend the next two hours exploring. Joining the sextuplets as they feed the horses.
"How many horses are there?" Athena asks as they help.
"35. Many have been breed here or been rescued from abusive homes. Some get rehomed and some stay", Luna replies.
"But won't it hurt to see them die? How will Arty cope if Sun died?" Apollo asks worriedly.
"Sun is 999 years old Uncle", Solar giggles.
Their eyes all widen with shock.
"How?" Meg asks.
"I think Mama put a little bit of her magic into Sun as well as Comet, Star, Huntress and Solstice. Because they have never gotten sick and they are hundreds off years old", Phoebe tells them.
"We think Mama subconsciously has given them immortality as they have been good for her mental health", Eclipis adds.
The see several horses that seemed to be named after them. One was Wisdom and Battle for Athena. Speed and Merc for Hermes. Grace for Thalia. Hearth and Hope for Hestia. Forge and Fire for Hephaestus. Vine and Grape for Dionysus. Harvest and Grain for Demeter. Shadow and Elysium for Hades. Sea and Ocean for Poseidon. Nightshade for Zoe. Hunter and Maiden for her Hunters. Magic for Hecate. Arrow, Poet, Prophecy and Song for Apollo and even Venus and Love for Aphrodite and even Megs for Meg.
There was also Equinox, Borealis, Moonlight, Sunlight, Guide, Rain and Spirit.
They all were beautiful horses.
They also saw the chicken hut when according to the kids have 15 chickens in it. They were shown where the vegetable garden was. And the kids pointed out that they had 5 apple trees.
"Come on soon it will be time for dinner", Constella tells them.
They approach the house and hear music playing.
"A recording?" Apollo asks.
"Nope!" Luna says popping the 'P'.
"Come on and see", Phoebus encourages them.
When they go into the house they see pictures lining the walls of Artemis and her children. There were some with other kids in them.
"Those are the children she has taught", Solar whispers to them.
"And each off our birthdays has a picture. Well the important birthdays. The Mist covers up the number on the banners", Phoebe explains.
"She looks happy", Apollo whispers.
"She can be very happy at times. But she still has bouts of depression and anxiously", Luna replies.
Apollo nods and files that away for later.
They hear a piano playing and a voice. The music was beautiful and graceful.
They were shocked to see Artemis at the piano. It was a baby grand black piano. Looked to be very well kept. It was perfectly in tune.
They had no idea that Artemis could play let alone sing.
Even through they heard the Sheriff and the Kids say she teaches the Piano and Music.
The see her stiffen a bit at their entrance but her music doesn't falter. Not even for a second.
"Welcome to my home", Artemis tells them with a slight smile.
"Thank you for housing us Miss Apolla", Thalia says.
"You play beautifully and your voice is amazing", Apollo tells her in awe at his sister.
"Thank you. It took a lot of practice. But you could say I got my musical talent from my bro…family", Artemis says tumbling over the last world.
Apollo's heart clenches as he realised Artemis couldn't say brother or his name.
"Mama sing the song you just wrote", Luna says.
Artemis looked unsure.
"Please Mama it is your best so far. And you should show off your talent", Phoebus begs.
"Show off once in a while Mama", they beg.
Artemis turns to her children with a stern look with her white eyes.
"I thought I taught you it is rude to show off", Artemis says sternly but they could see a twitch in her lips.
"Pleassssseee", they beg.
Artemis rolls her eyes and the music changes.
She places her hands on the keys so gently and begins to play.
Heart beats fast
Colours and promises
How to be brave?
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall?
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt
Suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer
Their eyes widen they see her hands go over the keys. And it was amazing to see considering they could now see her badly damaged hand.
I have died every day waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
Apollo's eyes glisten with tears when he realises this song was about him. She expressing her emotions through her music. Through playing her heart out.
Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath
Every hour has come to this
One step closer
Her fingers just floated over the keys. Apollo and the others could make out the scars even on her fingers and tips. It was truly amazing she could even play.
I have died every day waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
The Sextuplets watched Apollo and the others carefully and they could read how much they were amazed by their Mother and how much she loved Apollo. Even through it didn't say brother or Apollo. It was obvious who it was about.
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
Her hands glide across the keys and she felt the emotions she had built up inside her come out. She had found expressing herself through music helped with the pain.
One step closer
One step closer
Their eyes widen when they realise that Artemis held how some hope off her being reunited with Apollo. But even Apollo could tell now wasn't the time to reveal himself.
I have died every day waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
Artemis let her mind drift to the song and the emotions she wanted to express. She blocked out that she had strangers watching and listening and just concentrated on the music and how she expressed her sorrow, pain and hope through the music.
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
They could tell she was getting to the end of the song as her playing was the only music now. She finishes and they saw her sightless eyes were misty now.
They clapped. That was truly amazing considering the fact they never knew she could play so well and sing in such a way to make them cry.
Apollo wipes a tear from his eye. Thankful for once Artemis couldn't see it.
"That was amazing", Apollo tells her, "Your truly talented. The way you expressed yourself through the playing and singing was extraordinary"
"Archie is right. That sound was amazing", Hermes tells her.
Artemis blushes slightly. For some reason that filled her with joy.
"Did you all like it?" Artemis asks softly.
"I loved it", Meg tells her.
"You're the best player I have ever seen or heard", Thalia says honestly.
"Truly inspiring", Athena tells her.
The kids giggle.
"We told you Mama", Luna giggles.
"I know you did", Artemis replies with a brighter smile.
She gets up and pushes her chair back.
"Now dinner? I believe it is ready and I don't want to be a bad boss or hostess and let you all stave"
Author's Note: What do you think? Please Review:)
The song if you haven't guessed is 'A Thousand Years' by Christina Perri from the Twilight Movie.
And of course I don't own it
Artemis/Apollo Stories
1000 Years: (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
A Sister Turned Mother: (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
Apollo Gets Very Sick: One-Shot (Percy Jackson)
Blessing of the Moon: (Percy Jackson)
Blind Goddess; (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
Breaking Point: One-Shot (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
Bringing You Back: One-Shot (Trials of Apollo)
By Night, By Day: (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
Comfort From A Sister: (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
Dead or Alive?: Chapter 1: (Trials of Apollo)
Disappearance and Reappearance: One-Shot (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
Endless Hunt: (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
Enslaved and War: (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
Grey Hairs, Worried Lines: One-Shot (Trials of Apollo)
Honour Thy Blood, Honour Thy Family: (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
How Stubborn Is Artemis?: (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
I Can't Live Without You: (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
I Need You: (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson):
Linked (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
Memories, Centuries, Powers: (Apollo Version): (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
Memories, Centuries, Powers: (Artemis Version): (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
Moon Lioness: (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
My Rock, My Saviour: (Trials of Apollo)
Night Terrors: One-Shot (Trials of Apollo)
Nightmares: One-Shot (Trials of Apollo)
No Matter What It Takes: (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
Nothing Is What It Appears: (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
Numb & Care: One-Shot (Trials of Apollo)
Pain of the Moon: (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
Poisoned: (Trials of Apollo)
Poisoned (Apollo's Version): (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
Recovery: One-Shot (Trials of Apollo)
Secrets and War: (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
Stars Watch: (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
Sun Protector, Little Moon: One-Shot (Trials of Apollo)
Trials of Pain, Fear, Friends, Family, Unity, War: (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
Twin Mimicking: (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
What We Do For Family: (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)
You Die, I Grieve, You Return: (Trials of Apollo/Percy Jackson)