AN: After getting review number 51, my smile was as bright as the sun! Warning, there may be a bit of romance, but I decided to take a chance.
Over the next 5 minutes or so, the gods and goddesses filed out, still debating the case. Athena walked out first, but I saw her give Artemis a dirty look as she walked out.
Eventually, only Artemis, Zeus, Apollo, and Hermes were left.
"Hermes, come with me." Zeus commanded as he walked out. Reluctantly, Hermes followed him.
As soon as Hermes was out of the room, Apollo rushed over to Artemis and gave her a hug.
"I'm so sorry, sis. The best we could do is let you still use your powers. It's all Athena's fault. She reminded us of Ward and really played on the whole son-of-Kronos thing. I have to go now, but I'll IM you later. Bye!" he rushed out the door, pulling out a key ring. I heard a faint beep-beep in the background, and then he was gone.
Which left me with a very angry goddess and a useless demititan.
"Why on earth," she got up and before I knew what was happening, she was right in front of me, her arms on my chair's armrests, blocking my escape route. "did you bring a known enemy to my trial?" She yelled the last word and the building shook. I had never seen anyone this mad. She wasn't "Blurring of Doom" mad, she was "I'm going to rip your face off" mad.
For second, words failed me. Terror was flooding through me like a herd of rabbits. Then, Ward did the first un-scummy thing in his life and jumped to my defense.
"She didn't, My Lady. I sort of kidnapped her and wouldn't let her go unless Hermes let me come. As far as she's concerned, I'm dirt." There was a lot of hurt in his voice, and I turned to look at him. All this time I was mad at him for something, and I didn't even give him a chance to defend himself or explain why he did it. I made a silent resolution to have a long conversation with him later. Smiling, I turned back to Artemis, who was purple with fury. That wiped the smile off of my face really quickly.
She took a deep breath. I could almost hear her conscience begging her not to curse us.
Ward glanced at me and smiled nervously, making him look adorable. Oh my goodness, I don't hate him anymore. I returned his smile and yet again turned to look at Artemis. Suddenly, she snapped and Ward disappeared.
"Where did you take him?" I yelled, forgetting to be terrified. Funny how my terror returned when she snapped again. Ropes appeared around me and tied me to the chair. I tried to struggle, but the look in her eyes convinced me to stop moving. It was like being cornered by a large animal. For the first time, I noticed her eyes. They were a shocking silver, and they seemed to glow with insanity (which was not a comforting thought).
"You will not flirt with someone in my presence!" she said, enunciating each word clearly. "You will not talk to, communicate with, or even look at him without severe consequences. I can make you experience more pain than you've ever felt before. I can change you into a gazelle and drop you in a lion's den. If he comes within 50 feet of you, I'll know. I can not have you gallivanting with every random boy you see."
"Pretty high talk for someone who broke her vow with some 'random' mortal." The words had just slipped out, and now I was going to pay the price. She started blurring, and I shut my eyes. I felt a shockwave pass through the room, and my chair tipped over. Instinctively, I knew that she was in her true form or whatever. I also knew that if I moved a single muscle, I would be in a world of pain.
"Okay, first of all, I don't even remember breaking the oath! All I remember is waking up sometime later and knowing that you were my daughter!" she burst out, unable to contain herself.
"Wait," I said, wishing I could look at her. "what? Memory loss? Is that common in a goddess?"
"No! That's the problem! I have no idea what happened, and now I am disgraced." she sighed. "I'm sorry. I've taken out all my anger on you. I know you don't deserve it, but anything is better than blaming myself." she snapped again and the ropes disappeared.
With my eyes still closed, I got up and rubbed my aching wrists. Those ropes had left dents in my arms!
I wanted to go hug her, but I had the vague suspicion that she was just having a moment of weakness. Choosing to exploit it would most likely involve a transformation of some kind.
I felt a sudden cold in the air.
"You can open your eyes now." her brisk, businesslike tone had returned and I knew our special moment was over. Still wary, I kept my eyes closed.
"Open them. Now." Ah, there is was. The commanding tone again. I actually preferred Artemis when she was like this, because it was less confusing. She was cruel to me, so I could hate her. It's as simple as that.
I opened my eyes and, sure enough, there she was, decked out completely in silver camouflage.
"I'm going on a hunt to clear my mind. Stay away from Ward, or suffer the consequences. If I have to come back early from my hunt to deal with you, I'll make you wish you had never been born." she said, straightening her outfit and checking her weapons.
I almost said, "Well, you gave birth to me", but a quick look at her hunting knife convinced me to stay silent. Silence seemed like the best way to deal with the Olympians.
"Oh, and Emily?" she continued casually.
Certain that we were about to have a touching mother-daughter moment, I replied hopefully, "Yes?"
"The same rules apply from last time. No interactions with other demigods or demititan." my heart plummeted, but before I could protest, she had snapped her fingers and once again I was transported through space.
After a couple seconds of disorientating darkness, I found myself back in my cabin. It was still dark out, so I rushed to the door.
The familiar shock greeted me, and I knew I was back home.
"What a fun night." I said as I changed into my pajamas and laid down. Physically and mentally exhausted, I quickly fell into a deep slumber, and no, I didn't have any prophetic dreams.
The next couple of weeks passed as a blur, with individual memories standing out.
My first interaction with Ward: This was the night after the trial, and I was sitting by the lake, just thinking. I heard someone walking up behind me and I turned. Standing there, in a dark blue t-shirt and jeans, was Ward. He sat down next to me and we enjoyed several comfortable moments of silence.
Then it all went downhill from there.
"How did it go with your mom?" he asked, looking at me.
"It went-" Suddenly, pain ripped through my body. Apparently Artemis was serious. It felt like a million icy needles were being driven into my heart, and I curled up in the fetal position without consciously deciding to do so. After several moments of excruciating pain, it stopped and I was left gasping on the cool green grass.
"Di Immortales! I need to get you to Mr. D!" Ward said, attempting to pick me up.
I fought him off, remembering Artemis's warning about disturbing her hunt.
Before he could react or freeze time, I sprinted to my cabin and slammed the door shut.
My first threat from Artemis: Unsurprisingly, this happened the same night as I talked to Ward. Severely shaken, I had pulled on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt to sleep in, but when I pulled back my blanket, imagine my surprise when I found a stuffed rabbit with a silver arrow through its back leg. I was pretty sure I knew who had left this. I set it on my nightstand, but when I woke up the next morning, it was gone.
My first shot with a bow and arrow: I had been excited for this, anxious to prove that I really was Artemis's daughter. As soon and the bow was placed into my hands, I knew. Without even needing Willow's help, I effortlessly drew back the arrow and shot it. It was less than two inches away from the center. I tried again, with the same result. Attempts 3,4,5,6, and 7 didn't go so well either. I was so caught up in my archery that I didn't even notice Willow leave. Finally, being pulled back to my room alerted me that a bunch of time had passed. Unfortunately, the bow wasn't taken with me, so I couldn't practice. I paced angrily for hours, cursing (not for the first time) my confinement in this tiny cabin.
My first gift from Artemis: After a couple of days of shooting with the camp's bow, I did something had never done before. I prayed to my mom, asking for a bow. Not wanting to seem too desperate, I continued shooting with the bow I was using. When I was pulled back to my cabin, I would the most beautiful thing laying on my bed. It was a glowing silver bow with ornate wolves carved around it. Next to it was a quiver with silver arrows. I spent the entire day practicing with them. The bow felt perfect in my hands, like I had been missing something and I didn't even know it. I aimed at one of the many mounted animals (this one a bear) and sure enough, my aim was only a centimeter off. I resolves to ask Artemis about it next time I saw her.
It was with this bow that I was practicing. Many weeks had passed, but my obsession with archery had not diminished in the slightest. I had just drawn and arrow and was aiming it, when I heard a voice behind me.
"Yep. You are definitely the one."
Pain erupted behind my head and I blacked out, not before seeing someone dressed in silver camouflage.
"Artemis?" I whispered, before I let the darkness overcome me.
AN2: Wow guys! Thank you so much for all the reviews! Please feel free to check out my other stories and even Turtlefoot's. For all you Emily/Ward fans, the beginning was pretty much for you. For the rest of you, I hope you enjoyed my story, and always remember to review! I'll update at 55 reviews. Thanks, and gods bless (in particular Artemis hahaha).
