Hopefully this means I'm back, but even I don't know. Again, thanks for all the lovely favorites follows and reviews. Stay lovely! Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson nor do I own anything affiliated with it. Percy Jackson and all his friends (as well as his enemies) belong to the brilliant mind of Rick Riordan.

Chapter 11

Artemis exited her tent at the sunrise, equipped for her task with the mysterious troublesome creature. She didn't expect to find all her hunters standing in front of her, clearly expecting her. She could tell they were anxious, but for what? "What is this?"

"Lady Artemis," one of the older hunters started, "we are concerned. You have seemed… Off, for quite a while."

Artemis sighed. "I have business to attend to, a hunt that Zeus has requested of me. I must leave. We can continue this lovely conversation when I return."

"Artemis we cannot just stand idly by as you suffer by yourself." Sierra spoke up. "If we are to follow you forever then I think we deserve to know what ails you. Keeping secrets from us will do you no good."

Artemis pursed her lips and let out a quiet breath through her nose. She wasn't ready to tell them, had put it far back in her mind actually, but was now the time they would pry it out of her? "What has seemed off to you?" She addressed the hunters calmly. Perhaps she can keep up a composure that halts the truth.

Another hunter cleared her throat. "Well, you seem to always have sorrow with you. A few of the hunters, while patrolling with the wolves late at night, have heard sounds coming from your tent that sound like crying, like you're having nightmares then waking up from them with tears." She glanced down and then back up. "And, it seems like you've lost some color or glow. If we didn't know better we'd think you were sick." Artemis noticed Thalia standing off on the end of the group, gaze on the ground. "That and whatever Thalia knows that she swore not to tell."

"Well," Artemis took a deep breath, "thank you Thalia for keeping your word. And I have to say, it was quite bold of you all to confront me like this. Bold, but respectable."

"We figured if we all did it together you'd be least likely to punish all of your hunters." Kari said. "And we also knew that if you turned us all in to jackalopes you'd at least get some joy from it."

Artemis gave a small smile. "I do enjoy making jackalopes." She glanced at the ground, taking another deep breath. And another. And one last breath before looking up at her hunters. She knew they meant well. They only wanted to know what was wrong with her. She knew that they were right, they deserved to know. "I will tell you. But please understand that I do have to go to do something Zeus has asked after I tell you." The hunters all nodded and Artemis told them the whole story of her and her brother's suffering, starting with the day she lost the arrowhead, including the things Thalia saw, her visit to Olympus, and the gifts her brother managed to get to her. Some of the hunters gasped at times, some got watery eyes. Artemis was surprised to see Thalia shed a tear, wiping it away quickly. "Now, if you won't mind, I really need to leave."

The hunters gave a bow and broke their wall, going in their various directions. Artemis passed Thalia on her way out and paused. Thalia had sat down on a log during her story. She looked up at her goddess, and Artemis could see the shimmer in her eyes from tears. Artemis laid a hand on her shoulder. "May I accompany you my lady?" Thalia asked.

Artemis shook her head. "Zeus requested I go alone and keep the hunt secret, even from my hunters."

"He has a lot of nerve to ask that of you after what he and Hera did."

Artemis sat next to Thalia on the log. "We share a very complicated father. I guess the only answer I can leave you with is that there is a reason behind every order he gives. He cannot take the blame for what happened with Apollo, that was Hera."

Thalia snickered. "Seems we also share a step-mother who doesn't like us much."

Artemis chuckled. "Yes, that we do." She turned to Thalia. "You are an extraordinary second in command Thalia. One of the best I could ever ask for."

Thalia's expression softened and she looked up at the sky. "I'm just striving to be as good as Zoë." She looked back down at the ground.

Artemis swallowed. "No one can replace Zoë." She looked at Thalia, making eye contact as Thalia lifted her gaze. "Just as no one would ever be able to replace you." Thalia's lips parted and Artemis pulled her in to an embrace.

Thalia's voice came out a whisper. "Be careful Artemis."

Artemis smiled. "I will." They broke from each other, and Artemis put a gentle hand to Thalia's cheek. "Take care of them."

Thalia nodded. "I will."

Artemis rose and walked quietly out of the camp, mounting her silver chariot and flying off toward the unknown with a hand clasped around the golden arrowhead hanging from her neck.