And now we find out what became of Artemis. The chapters are going to alternate between Artemis and Tracey/Adessa for a while. Hopefully it won't get too confusing. If you like what you're reading please feel free to leave a review!
"You have done well but your work is not yet done." The voice issued from the phone like all the voices that would ever be and Artemis found herself passing through the white antichamber. She clung tightly to her satchel and tried to see what was around her as she whizzed through but it was all a white blur. As blackness closed around her she saw Iolaus walking beside Hercules, he looked a little more worn, a little thinner but he was grinning and his blue eyes flashed with humor as he teased Hercules. Her ring rode on his left ring finger and glittered in the sun as he reached up to clap Hercules on the shoulder. The moment lasted a heartbeat and was gone leaving her standing alone in weak winter sunlight on a grassy plain blinking away tears.
"That was…" She took a breath that caught on a sob and she pressed her hand over her mouth to stifle any more trying to control herself. "I won't. I won't cry again." She whispered fiercely and swiped at her eyes.
She felt the weight on her shoulder and when she looked she saw not only her dark red satchel but Tracey's blue satchel which made her look around for her best friend but she was obviously alone on the windswept plain. She looked around wondering where her phone was but when she couldn't find it she dug around for Tracey's only to find it too was gone, everything else, clothes, toiletries and medical supplies was still in her bag and she thanked whichever God liked her that she had thought to pack the stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, thermometer and other medical paraphernalia she'd bought when Donnie was hurt into her bag after he woke up.
She took a breath and still not seeing anyone she decided it was safe enough to risk calling out to Tracey. "Tracey! Tracey can you hear me?! Tracey!"
The world was silent when her call died away and she sighed. "That never works." She muttered and took a moment to take stock of herself.
She was wearing black trousers tucked into a pair of sturdy black kneehigh boots obviously meant for walking and a dark red shirt that reminded her of something she'd have worn to a renfaire with a waistcoat of dark blue trimmed with a double row of silver buttons. She felt the breeze kick up and wished she also had a cloak and maybe some gloves but that would have to wait. She ran her hands over her hair pleased to find it at its usual length and a quickly plucked strand showed her prefered auburn red color. She checked her ears remembering that Tracey had come to Ancient Greece with elf ears but hers were normal, she briefly wondered what new powers she'd gained but set that thought aside. She opened her wallet and yelped when a shower of gold and silver coins fell to the ground. Opening Tracey's wallet revealed more gold and silver and she gathered it up quickly and stuffed it into a pouch at her belt. "Well at least I'm not broke." She muttered and arranged the satchels so they rode at her back just above her butt with the straps crisscrossed over her chest.
"Einee, Meenie, Minee, Moe" She said turning in four directions at random and setting off in the last direction.
Since she had no idea where she was this was the best she could do and she was pleasantly surprised when after an hour of walking she arrived at a small town. She walked along the main street quietly listening to the talk until she was sure she was able to understand what was said. She made her way to a grocer's stall and started choosing foods that would travel well, the grocer, a bluff and hefty fellow smiled at her and gave her an appraising look. "You've the look of a Gondor lass about you. What has you down so far from the Pelennor Fields?"
Artemis smiled as she picked through his baskets of apples looking for the least ripe. "My father sent me off to see something of Middle Earth before I wed."
The grocer looked surprised. "That sounds more aught what a man of Rohan might do. Are you travelling alone?"
She shook her head. "Not alone. I've a cousin traveling with me but he's gone ahead to the inn."
He looked relieved and she tried not to feel insulted, he didn't mean anything by his worry. She finished picking her foods and paid him before packing the food away into her bag. She asked where she might find a small cook pot and tripod and he looked surprised again. "My fool cousin lost ours." She explained. "That's why I'm holding the money else he'd dice it away."
He seemed to accept that and pointed her towards the blacksmith where she was able to purchase a small pot and tripod as well as plate bowl and cup that came with a set of beautiful wooden utensils but she knew she'd have to be careful with her money. One last purchase bought her a sturdy wool cloak in a mossy green and brown and a pair of gloves. She made her way back out of the town after a quick glance at a map to point her towards Rivendell, if anyone knew what was going on it would be Lord Elrond and knowing Tracey she was probably there cuddled up in the lap of her favorite blond haired blue eyed Elf Legolas. That thought made her smile and she set a ground eating pace until nightfall and she found a small copse of trees to make a concealed camp in, it took her a few minutes to remember how to use flint and tinder but after a few missteps she managed a small campfire and a small stream provided the clearest water she'd had since Greece. She lay on her back and stared up at the stars wondering if Tracey was doing the same.