Hi again :)
I apologise for the late update, future installments will not take so long--although this one was difficult to write for some strange reason ....
Anyway THANK YOU to the reviewers :D You are all really awesome :)
As suggested by one reviewer i added some Daphne/ Apollo in here, its only fair since their was an Artemis/ Orion scene last chapter.
Disclaimer::: I do not, nor ever will own Greek Mythology ....
Again mostly character development, but the next chapter will definately get more action *manic evil laughter*
Enjoy !!!!!!
Previously::::
Artemis spun round, her eyes displaying her inner need for revenge "Let's go to Olympus brother."
Apollo laughed, as an almost sadistic smile spread across the huntress' face. "I'm right behind you sister."
The sun god walked away from the clearing, briefly glancing at the solitary figure of Artemis who had taken a final glimpse at the sky.
Her eyes settled on Orion sparkling in the clear night, and her smile faltered, "You will never be forgotten my hunter…"
Chapter Three: The Olympian Council (Part Two)
How many centuries had passed since that incident? Truly? The Gods had no need for time for they had an infinite amount. The passing of years was not as noted as it had been; the annual meetings had become the only measure that any period of time had passed at all.
They noticed the ever-changing landscape below, a world now belonging to the mortals. They had been almost entirely forgotten, the everlasting had become legend- mere myth. It was the natural progression of the human race and the Gods had accepted it, living out their existences on both Olympus and the earth below.
Their lives were endless...or so they had thought.
The Throne room had become a flurry of activity as the Gods prepared for the battle. A battle that they knew they could not win.
Zeus was still seated upon his throne, watching his family in silence. He was their protector, their father, their leader. And he was going to have to watch every single one of them perish because of his own father and, to many of them, their grandfather.
He had made mistakes – too many. These mistakes occasionally bore successes, those he did not regret. His slip-up with Leto had led to two wonderful twins who he adored and cherished. The oceanid Metis had given him wise Athena, his first daughter. Semele had birthed Dionysus. The pleiade Maia had given him Hermes. His wife, Hera had carried Ares, Hephaestus, Hebe, Ganymeda, Eileithyia and Discordia. Aphrodite had become his adopted daughter when she was discovered on Cyprus and immediately given love and beauty as her domain.
The king of the Gods remembered his amusement when his children would fight, watching as they argued over menial, petty things. The occasions that Athena and Ares had argued over battle strategies, the former insisting that changing an alliance halfway through a battle was not appropriate especially considering that Ares' justification had been based round the idea that, "It's more fun."
He smiled ,fondly recalling the countless times the twins fought in their youth. In many ways they were similar; their bond had only grown stronger over the centuries, yet they were also incredibly different. Artemis had sworn eternal chastity; she would never know the warm embrace of a man, where Apollo-Apollo was amorous, a son after his own heart. The incident involving the nymph Daphne was especially poignant. Admittedly the son of Aphrodite, Eros (he thought the name with an almost displeased tone) had played his role in the episode, using his infernal arrows on the Sun God to create a fervour within him. Zeus recollected the conversation he had with Artemis when she expressed her concerns ….
"Father!"
A 17 year old Artemis rushed in to the throne room, "Father!" she repeated.
Zeus had been reclining on his throne, idly stroking his thick grey beard in thought. The sudden appearance of one of his favoured offspring brought a rare smile to his face. It was not at all diminished when he saw that Artemis was of a bad temperament.
"Artemis! What brings you here to Olympus?" Zeus joked, embracing the young goddess and lightly picking her up and placing her on his knee.
A slight smile spread across her lips but was quickly concealed and a frown replaced it. "I live here" she replied holding her head high.
"That is true, but your visits are scarce. You spend most of your time in your forests!" he chuckled, "Now, what is it you burst in here for?"
"I'm troubled father, Phoebus yearns for the love of the nymph Daphne and it would be safe to say the feelings are most definitely not mutual." She lowered her head , fixing her gaze on her clasped hands in her lap. "Apollo is not experienced in rejection and I fear he will not take such an action well."
"Daphne, the daughter of Peneus?"
Artemis nodded, "Yes. She yearns the life of a maiden, like myself and has spoke of her desire to join the Hunt. I cannot allow her to get violated by my brother, no matter if the rumours are true-"
"Rumours?" Zeus quirked an eyebrow.
"Several of the minor deities insist they heard Aphrodite and her son Eros discussing the hilarity of the situation." Her tone was one of extreme disapproval, "- and if the rumours are correct, Eros struck Daphne with an arrow, an arrow which ignites loathing."
Artemis folded her arms across her chest, "And if that particular rumour is in fact true, Apollo will be denied…and I don't know how he will react. Yet I also feel it necessary to protect Daphne from my brother, as you know what he's like if he doesn't get his own way with the nymphs and mortals."
She gazed up at Zeus, her silver eyes pleading for an answer to her plight.
"Dearest Artemis…" He started, "For such a young goddess you worry far too much-"
"Father I'm 795!" Artemis interrupted; it was true- she appeared to be in late adolescence but was in fact approaching her eighth century in existence.
"Regardless you are a child; you needn't trouble yourself over such matters."
Artemis frowned, "Father, is that your advice?"
Zeus exhaled," Do what you feel is necessary."
"What I feel is necessary…?"
"What your heart tells you to do when the time comes."
Artemis was silent, she was contemplating a solution to the problem," You have given me much to think about Father."
Zeus inclined his head as Artemis leapt off her father's lap.
"Artemis?"
The goddess paused; she had run to Throne Room entrance, "Yes Father?"
"Please try to be on time to the Winter Solstice, I feel Aphrodite's patience is running a little thin."
"Of course Father." she smiled, bowing her head in deference and rushing out of the throne room.
Indeed, Artemis had done what she felt was necessary. The king of the Gods had watched the events unfold from Mount Pelion with concerned interest.
A young girl of about 14 years old was sprinting through the trees, the branches whipping her tear-streaked face. Her hunting skirt was blowing behind her in the wind, as she stumbled and tripped over the roots in her path.
She was not alone.
Close behind was a teenage boy. His fine clothes confirmed he was, at least of royal blood. The presence of a golden aura proved him to be a god. His blonde bangs dropped in front of his face, concealing his startling eyes- eyes of pure light. The boy was tanned and muscled, his biceps proudly exhibited under his ripped tunic. It was Apollo, and he was chasing the nymph Daphne.
"Do not run fair Daphne, my love for you will never diminish." His breath was even, unlike the petrified nymph he was pursuing who was struggling to keep up the pace.
"Help Me!!" Daphne screamed, as she again fell.
With a surge of light Apollo teleported beside the nymph, "Let me help you up dearest Daphne-"
She spurned his advance as she staggered up and pushed the God's hand away. Her petite body displayed several cuts and grazes some of which were bleeding profusely.
"Let me heal your wounds my beloved-"
"Lady Artemis!" Daphne ran onwards, clawing her way past the huge guardians of the forest which bordered the area and into a clearing.
Apollo had been humouring the nymph in the chase, and was now walking towards the nymph purposefully slowly.
"Your beauty is greater that the sun's brilliance, you my dearest Daphne are the most exquisite being I have ever laid eyes on- you make even Aphrodite's splendour pale in comparison."
Daphne edged towards the side of the clearing, "Merciful Lord Apollo, please do not do this." Her voice was pleading, her tears making her tone strained.
"Darling Daphne, I love you more than a mother loves their child, a husband loves a wife. I love you more than any being has ever loved another. I, Apollo swear upon the River Styx my undying, elemental love I hold for thee, cherished Daphne. Your name makes my heart burst with pure lust, a single glimpse of your flawless face makes me want to bow to you in worship- you are a goddess my treasured Daphne. And I cannot hold my love for you in me any longer." Apollo approached the nymph, who had backed into the trunk of a tree.
Daphne knew what happened to those who denied a god; the stories were notorious, famous- especially to nymphs. Most did not survive their wrath.
"Please Lord Apollo-"
"You're more beautiful than the first day of spring, when the flowers open their velvet petals to bathe in the sun. You're more beautiful than the all of nature and the world above-" Apollo stepped closer to the nymph.
"Please…"
"Fair Daphne I ask for your love, for I am in love with you. I want to hold you and place soft kisses on your face. I want-"
"I beg you Lord Apollo…please."
Apollo was now mere feet away from Daphne, "You do not need to express your love, I can feel your intense passion you have for me lovely Daphne, you do not need to deny it any longer."
Apollo rushed forward and enveloped Daphne in a hug, raining kisses upon her face. The god hauled the nymph to the centre of the clearing, where he started to rip her clothes from her.
Daphne tried again and again to shove the god away, but to no avail. His strength was far greater than the terrified nymph.
However, she managed to break free for a couple of seconds and she screamed,
"Lady Artemis, fair maiden of the forest I pledge myself to thee- save me!"
Apollo watched as his love shimmered in silver light; her soft skin changed into a rougher and much stronger material, her body seemed to attach itself to the ground and bind itself there. Her wondrous face lost its features, her arms stretched and reached upwards. Leaves sprouted upon her fingers as they too grew longer and longer. Daphne had been turned into a laurel tree.
Artemis left the scene, invisible to everyone - except her mighty father. The goddess knew Apollo would act, make his final move upon the innocent nymph and although he was her brother she knew she had to intervene. She had made her decision.
"Now we are even Brother." She murmured, before teleporting to Olympus.
Apollo had collapsed to his knees, and was stroking the rough bark of the tree.
"Daphne, beloved Daphne..I would have made you my wife, for eternity." He reached up and caressed the leaves of the laurel.
"You will eventually perish in this frail form, perhaps-" Apollo stood up and reached again to touch the tree.
"Yes, it could work." He mumbled, "Artemis is more adept with working with nature-"
The sun god trailed his finger down the trunk, forming a golden line from his touch. He worked his way down to the very roots where the golden line entered, there was a brief flash.
"It is done lovely Daphne," he spoke and the leaves of the tree seemed to get brighter, rejuvenated with life, "-now you will never wither and die and the world can gaze upon your beauty until the end of time."
There the god sat, gazing in wonder at the tree who used to be Daphne the daughter of Peneus. But was now a single laurel tree, a tree which would outlast the god himself.
Zeus had watched the events which had taken place with a sincere expression. It was not often that his jovial son would be reduced to such a sombre demeanour; indeed most occurrences had involved Artemis when she had been emotionally wounded by an incident. For the sun god to be saddened to this extent was incredibly rare.
Zeus turned his head, he no longer wanted to witness the scene. He would leave his son to mourn by himself.
Eventually Apollo tore himself away from his love and teleported to Olympus. Apollo strode through the courtyard atop the citadel, where he encountered Artemis who was perched on the fountain's edge. She regarded the sun god but did not mutter a greeting. Apollo sat himself down on a bench and sighed.
"I know you swore never to talk to me again after the ……incident with Orion-"Artemis stiffened, "-but I just wanted to say I don't blame you."
This heralded no response, so Apollo continued, "I understand why you did it. I harbour no ill will towards you."
Apollo lounged across his seat, and loudly exhaled, "I will not hold a grudge against you, I forgive your decision sister as you did what you thought was best. "
Still no reply, although Artemis shifted in her position.
"In fact it almost seems necessary, perhaps it is I in the wrong." He smirked.
Artemis bit down on her bottom lip and closed her eyes.
Seeing he was breaking through her obstinate resolve "I, Apollo, god of light and healing forgive you Artemis, goddess of the hunt and moon, fair mai-"
"-I'm sorry Apollo." Artemis mumbled.
"You talked!" He scrambled up and ran to the goddess, giving her a tight embrace.
"So it would seem, 400 years of silence…wasted"
"Artemis…to finally hear your wondrous voice again!" he held her at arm's length.
He continued, his tone more serious, "I missed you sister."
The huntress allowed a small smile to appear on her face as she stood up and walked away from the courtyard. Leaving the exultant Apollo in her wake. By all appearances he was joyous, that the tragedy of the evening had been all but forgotten by the god. But the night was tinged in darkness and deep inside he was truly grieving for his lost love.
Little did the two gods know that Zeus had been watching the exchange from the shadow of a column.
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Over 4 millennia had passed since Daphne had been transformed. Nonetheless Zeus could tell that Daphne was still remembered and mourned by Apollo, his eyes would seem to return to another time, a time when he was completely happy, a time that wasn't coming to an end.
"Father?"
The voice of Athena brought him back to the present day; Zeus turned his head to his daughter who was standing in front of him. Her auburn hair, (which she had inherited from her mother) hung past her shoulders and was partly covered by a jewelled helm which was atop her head. Her gold and silver breastplate was concealed by a loose tunic which was embroidered with gold detail. The goddess' sword was sheathed at her side. Obviously she had been sparring with Ares before the council. Her cold, calculating grey eyes narrowed slightly as she observed her father's expression.
"Do you want to inform the others of the arrangement?" She removed the helm from her head and placed it under her arm.
"Yes, of course."
Athena nodded slightly and stepped to the side as Zeus straightened up in his throne. He cleared his throat to get the attention of the assembly, and immediately their heads turned to the King of the Gods.
"Fellow Olympians, Athena and I have devised a plan for each of you. Artemis and Apollo-" He gazed upon the two gods who were seated next to Persephone and Demeter in the centre of the room, "-you will hunt down the escaped monsters and send them back where they came from. Of course keep your presence hidden from the mortals, and try not to destroy any cities this time." He glared.
The twins inclined their heads.
"Hera-" he turned to his wife and then to his brother, "- Poseidon, we will fight to protect Olympus when the titans attack, but until then we must ensure the protection of the mortal world. Brother, try to keep Oceanus under control."
"Ares and Athena, you will help with the fortifications of our great citadel. Dionysus and Hermes, protect the human cities for as long as you can, withdraw when you get overwhelmed." Zeus turned his gaze to Hermes, "You may also need to retrieve Hades when required, I fear his pride will make him refrain from leaving the underworld when Kronos escapes."
"Hephaestus, you will return to your forges and create weapons and armour- we will need them."
"Persephone and Demeter, we will need you to preserve the nature on the world, and finally Aphrodite…"
The love goddess' expression was one of surprise, "What exactly can I do?"
Zeus turned to Athena, who shrugged.
"Aphrodite ensure the Titan forces are….distracted. "
Athena turned to Zeus, her eyebrow raised, "You can't be serious father."
"She could be a useful asset." He muttered to his oldest daughter.
The king of the Gods faced the entire congregation, " Fight well, brother,sisters,children… let the Titans feel what happens when our rule is challenged, let them feel our wrath as we smite their insignificant army! The Titans will tremble and fall against the might of Mount Olympus!"
The entire throne room shook with the sound of their response, their battle cries echoed around Olympus and deep into Tartarus. Letting the Titans know who exactly they were about to face.
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And there is another chapter :)
Thankyou again for the reviews, i'm shocked so many people like it :)
RedFluffyBanana :)
P.s Artemis swore never to talk to Apollo ever again after the Orion thing, it was after Artemis went to... show her disapproval with Aphrodite, it was the only way it would fit in ......
oh, i was writing this and it seemed Artemis and Apollo's emotions were all over the place, one moment they're worrying about their imminent doom, the next their laughing and generally joking around---all i can say is...well actually i dont know. Their gods, they have extreme emotion patterns :)
The Next Chapter will be up soon......