Morning came quickly, due to the late night she had with her hunters. She got up as the sun rose, as always, and ran a hand through her wild hair, that she quickly flicked into place. She did the same for everything else, including cleaning her silver hunter dress with a bit of power.
It was only then that she noticed that she was still in her adult mortal form.
She paused, in her morning routine. Every morning, after the anniversary, she always awoke in her most comfortable form. But not today. She had an inkling why.
'Do not be foolish. He is not coming back. He cannot.' Artemis raged internally, her past acceptance of opening herself up to the idea of him gone. But no matter how hard she fought it, her own mind seemed to be against it. 'You love him, and now you need to be reminded of why he loved you.' Artemis growled, debating whether a silver hunting knife to her own head would kill her.
'I am not going to be reminded of him in this form.' She stated vehemently mentally, trying to convince herself of the fact.
Steadfast, she was satisfied in her appearance, and then quickly slung her quiver over her back, as well as her bow, before pausing, seeing his sword there. She put it on without hesitation, quickly securing the leather belt around her waist, knocking it a couple of loops tighter than where all the worn leather was located. It's weight at her side and hips felt comforting, in a way, although unfamiliar.
Artemis walked out of her bedchamber, into the anteroom. The hunters would likely be up as well, as she had drilled into them to always be up at sunrise. Last night's events floated back into mind, and Artemis had to call it a victory, since none of her hunters had altogether stormed out. But today would be a long explanation. One she wasn't looking forward to. That, and the Summer Solstice was approaching in two weeks, which was always a great test on her reserves of patience.
Nonetheless, she strode confidently into the morning light at camp. Immediately, she smelled meat cooking, and the comically sight of twelve hungry wolves surrounding Zoe and Anna, who looked rather hard pressed to keep the meat safe.
Artemis grinned and snapped her fingers, drawing the wolves away from the two girls. The alpha, Cinder, trotted up to her and nodded, seeming to have mischief in his large eyes.
"Yes, you'll get your share, you mutt, my thanks for keeping watch last night." Artemis murmured, scratching him behind the ear.
Cinder nodded, intelligence gleaming in his eyes. He and the other wolves gradually, lay down sparsely around the still roaring fire, which was cooking a slab of venison. No wonder the wolves had been excited.
"Just in time my Lady." Zoe called, turning the spit. Anna laughed as well, but Artemis saw that they were still reserved, warily watching her. Artemis could not blame them, but it still unsettled her.
"Where are the others? Snares?" Artemis asked.
Anna and Zoe bobbed their heads in response, "Some are getting water as well. You said today we will rest here?" Zoe asked.
"Yes." Artemis responded, thinking it over. They were in the woodlands in Michigan, and had to be back East soon for the Summer Solstice. But she hesitated on bringing her hunters to Camp Half-Blood this year. "I think we will head East tomorrow. Make camp in the Appalachians before the Solstice."
"So, no Camp this year?" Anna, questioned, eyes alight at the prospect
"No, let's not. I could do with a year off from housing there." Artemis laughed, happy to at least have a pleasant talk with her hunters.
Anna danced around in place while turning the spit, and even Zoe snorted, shaking her head. But before she could comment on the fact, Artemis sensed the rest of the hunters coming in. She turned, and saw them all, walking in line, all laughing and joking, some carrying strings of rabbits and squirrels, where others had some water jugs. It seemed that they would be feasting today. Artemis admitted to herself that a feast did sound delicious, especially one with venison, rabbit, and some squirrel.
The other hunters saw her, and she saw their respective reactions, like Zoe and Anna's. Only Phoebe still cast her a dark look, which she had to fix. She was one of her close friends and oldest hunters. Everyone joined the three of them by the hearth, and Artemis spoke.
"It seems we will have a feast today. I have told Zoe and Anna. We will rest today. Then break camp tomorrow. We will not be heading to Camp Half-Blood this year." There were sighs of relief and praises to Themis. Artemis continued laughing, "We will make camp somewhere in the Appalachians."
All the hunters nodded. Then Mara spoke up, "My Lady, some of us were talking this morning. We would like to hear the rest of your story with this man 'Perseus.'"
Artemis looked at her and nodded, "You shall, prepare breakfast, we will eat first. Ah," Artemis exclaimed, as the hunters went to do their duties, "Phoebe, come with me." Artemis turned and walked towards her tent. After a slight pause, Artemis heard Phoebe huff and walk after her.
Artemis grabbed the tent flap, and held it aside, letting Phoebe in first. Artemis looked at her, and saw her red eyes brimming with anger and betrayal. When Phoebe had passed, Artemis followed her in, noticing while the hunters tried to hide it, they were all watching. She closed the tent, which was soundproofed, although she hoped that wouldn't come in use now.
Phoebe stood in the middle of the anteroom, arms crossed, while she stood in the middle of the bear rug.
"Phoebe…" Artemis began, "I know I betrayed your trust, as well as the entire hunt's, and I cannot remedy that. But…"
Phoebe cut her off, "Yes. You cannot. I dedicated my life to you are men killed my little brother and sister. Now you are telling me that just a few years later, you ditched the hunt for a man?"
Artemis frowned, "I did not. Zeus ordered me away. I assure you, I did not want to be there at first."
"You see!? 'At first!' You wanted to stay, watching this man. While your hunt struggled in times of unrest and terror in Greece." Phoebe seethed, flaring her arms outwards.
Artemis recoiled, realizing why Phoebe was so distraught. "Phoebe, did you choose to love your siblings?"
"Of course, not, they were my family, I would do anything for them." Phoebe said stubbornly.
"Exactly. Phoebe, you all in the hunt are my family. I would do anything for you. When Zeus ordered me away, I looked for ways to get the Macedonian campaign over with as fast as possible. Perseus seemed like a viable way to help them. I wanted to return to the Hunt as fast as possible, I just didn't expect that I would…" Artemis huffed, rubbing her eyes, "We do not choose who we love. I realize that now. Just know that near the end, I was dedicated to the Hunt."
Phoebe seemed to lose some of the fire in her eyes and stance, "But you were dedicated to him as well?"
Artemis flinched, 'I would have been.' She thought darkly, but that though was quickly replaced. "I did love him. But I never would have broken my vows. He knew that. And understood it."
Phoebe seemed to weigh this over in her mind, while Artemis stood there, twirling her finger on the pommel of his sword. It was a useful distraction, and something to get used to.
"I think I understand you Artemis." Phoebe said quietly, "But you still lied and deceived us all."
Artemis nodded, thinking back to her decision to hide the truth. She knew that it wasn't of fear, but of something else. "I did it out of grief." Artemis whispered, dropping her head before looking up to Phoebe. I was weak then. I didn't want to show the hunt that weakness. Unfortunately, some things time doesn't fully repair."
Phoebe smiled to her, "We all have our past… I'm sorry My Lady. I have been rash. I reacted without…"
"No. you reacted like you should have. But I just want you to know that you can trust me." Artemis said firmly, reinforcing that she was, on this rare occasion, making an apology.
Phoebe smiled, before embracing her. Artemis smiled, and leaned down to hug her huntress. "This is strange, I usually lean up for this." Artemis laughed, holding one of Phoebe's shoulders.
The daughter of Ares laughed in kind, before the two of them walked out of the tent. The other huntresses were busy, smoking the venison to save it for dinner, while others were cleaning rabbits and preparing soup for breakfast. Some cut vegetables, while others boiled water as well in pots and pans. Modern cooking equipment was a great mortal invention.
Artemis and Phoebe fell in with the other huntresses, and Artemis found herself securely back in her huntresses' good graces for the time being. Which, she admitted to herself, was unstable, but she relaxed for the moment, enjoying the preparation of the soup.
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Don't forget to throw some power Stones, to keep the story going.
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