Chapter Text
Artemis watched as her nymphs giggled and splashed around with the intruder to their creekside break. The newcomer, slender, freckled, and on the right side of beautiful made the hairs on the back of her neck rise.
It wasn’t the long, wavy red hair that rolled off her shoulders, though it definitely added to the mystery and explained the attraction of all the huntresses surrounding her - they were silly for exotic things. No. What gave her suspicion was how familiar this newcomer was to her.
At times, Artemis was sure that the tempting curl of her smirk was that of Aphrodite and she wondered if her sister was up to some of her old tricks, trying to tempt one of the gods to adultery, a Huntress to disaster, her to - something.
“You look worried,” a voice to her right said, drawing her attention away from the tableau before her.
Artemis glanced up and locked eyes with her Lieutenant, the only one of the Huntresses just as suspicious as her, though for different reasons as she could see in the narrowed brown eyes of the young woman.
“My dear, I see that you are displeased with our guest. She doesn’t seem to be dangerous,” Artemis said, testing waters. “What is making you so halted?”
“My lady,” she said, turning her suspicious frown back to the red-haired woman beaming at the other nymphs. “I have a feeling that this intruder is not what they say they are.”
“Why?”
“Something they said, pouted through really, about how they know that certain men don’t deserve good companionship like this.”
Ah, thought Artemis, a spark lighting up her violet eyes. That is what I needed.
“I suppose it’s high time I introduce myself to this intruder,” Artemis said, squaring her shoulders and rolling her curls over them. “Stay here in case we need to make a hasty retreat.”
Artemis had spent enough time with her dear, and promiscuous, sister Aphrodite to know exactly what to do to draw attention to herself. By now, her own Huntresses had gotten over themselves having realized that the heartache of what happened a few years ago had left her unfeeling so their lust, their attraction, had died down. But this newcomer was wet behind the ears, and a little attraction their way couldn’t hurt them.
She kept all her lessons in mind as she dipped into the water to make her way across the creek towards her prey, knowing that the rivets down her tunic would leave her exposed in a way nakedness didn’t but needing that exact situation.
Around her, the Huntresses parted ways, some of them overwhelmed and turning away before they burned with feeling. Her target, Artemis noticed, was reacting strangely - not with lust, but with fear.
She stopped right before the taller woman and looked up to the gold eyes as they dropped into a slashed splashing curtsy.
“Lady Artemis,” the intruder said, voice wrapped with an accent Artemis struggled to place. “You honor me with your presence. I apologize for intruding on you and your Huntresses. I was just in search of - ”
Artemis could almost hear the word ‘escape’ when they finished, “Sanctuary.”
“I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage, friend, I do not know what to call you.”
The newcomer lifted their gaze, hesitant, “Antonia, Lady Artemis.”
Before Artemis could continue her interrogation, a piercing whistle interrupted the calm and the Lieutenant called out to them, “A man approaches. We must flee.”
“How,” Artemis said, holding the rear of the party as the nymphs all fled, “did he get through the perimeter without us noticing until he got so close?”
Her lieutenant had no answer and Artemis waved her along to keep the calm with the other huntresses. Artemis turned to Antonia, who was looking out towards the forest with a light twitch to her jaw.
“You’d best come with us. You know what people around here think of flame-haired maidens. You’ll be safe with us,” she reached out a hand and gave Antonia a smirk. “Besides, I must find out what is so tantalizing about you.”
Antonia, still hesitant, took the goddess’ extended hand and they were off, away from the creek and its intruder.
o
Back in the safety of her hall, Artemis let her companions lounge and eat, the excitement of almost being discovered now washing away with each sip of wine. She dismissed her pacing lieutenant and, when the young woman made to argue, Artemis stopped it.
“Peace. I’ve got this.”
The lieutenant glanced over at the taut Antonia sitting not too far away, then back to the goddess, “But - ”
“Dear, if she meant harm, she had the opportunity when we fled,” said Artemis. “No, she’s not a danger. She’s in search of something else and I will make sure I get to the bottom of it. Go. Rest.”
With one final look back at the redhead, her lieutenant left, and Artemis turned to study her guest. Antonia hadn’t touched any of the food presented, though she had looked at the honeyed bread with sad, longing eyes. All she did was take small sips of her wine and nothing more.
“Tell me, Antonia,” Artemis said, getting up and sitting back down next to her. “Why’re you looking for sanctuary? Or rather, what did you escape from? And why to me? I have it on good authority that Medusa’s temples, or even my sister Athena, have more of a monopoly on this market.”
Antonia looked down at the blood-red liquid in her goblet, “I needed - a distraction. Plus, I can’t promise what Athena asks of her followers and Medusa’s - a bit on the nose for me to go to. I’d be found easily.”
“The man that almost came across us in the forest,” said Artemis, taking a sip of her own wine. “He was looking for you, wasn’t he? Has he hurt you? Do you wish for us to hunt him?”
“No,” exclaimed Antonia, turning worried, almost glowing, gold eyes at Artemis. “Please no, he didn’t hurt me - never that. Please don’t hurt him.”
Artemis raised a slim eyebrow, “Then why come to me? You must know what we do to intruding men.”
“I didn’t think he’d come after me,” she said, taking a deep breath. “I needed to come to someone who would understand heartache and the priorities of duty. Someone who knows how loving someone you can’t have, who understands how it might mean the doom of a loved one.”
The goddess cocked her head to the side, “What do you mean, dearest Antonia. If my sister has forcibly taught me anything it is not to fear love. If you love them do what you must and be with them. Just as I did with Endymion.”
“No,” said Antonia, shaking her head and making her curls fly like Medusa’s serpents. “I needed time away. My love was consuming me and it could consume him - them - I...I needed time away. My own people aren’t too friendly, but a group of kick-arse women? That’s the greatest place to be. None like my own love, no one to question my existence, my work, just a place to quietly heal a heart.”
Artemis listened to the soft and sad voice of Antonia and it was like the woman was starting to change under Artemis’ gaze.
Antonia had been alluring since her arrival, the Huntresses had known it from the beginning. She was a tempting siren of a being, but now she glowed like a goddess herself. The freckles on her bare shoulders sparkled of stardust, constellations across her back and, at closer look, across her nose giving her a sun-kissed aura and she almost cursed her brother. Her golden eyes shifted, hidden by the waves of red and Artemis felt her breath catch in her throat.
“Oh, no,” Antonia said, eyes widening as she took in the expression on Artemis’ face. “No, no, my dear girl. Lady A, don’t you dare. They’ll be no falling for this ol'ssssnake.”
It was the sibilant way she spoke that snapped Artemis out of her daze as Antonia once again seemed to change before her eyes into the reflection of someone she hadn’t seen in a few years and she felt her brow twitch.
“Perhaps,” said the woman, “this is a conversation best had somewhere little nosssy earssss can’t listen in and spread gossssip.”
Artemis looked around where eyes were now turning to them from the curious nymphs, expectant if their pouts said anything.
She narrowed her eyes on her companion and nodded, “Perhaps you’re right, Antonia. Let’s go for a walk. It’s almost time for my shift anyway. Join me.”
Antonia stood alongside her, curtsying, “Of course, my Lady.”
o
The echoing halls of Olympus were still as Artemis and Antonia walked through, winding down the white and gold corners and taking careful precautions to avoid the pink-perfumed hall where Aphrodite plotted.
“Now, would you like to start with who you truly are?” asked Artemis.
Her companion sighed, clasping her hands before her, “I didn’t lie. I’ve been using the name Antonia - and Antony - for a few years now. I don’t think you’ve ever asked me my name before - none of you have. Most often your pantheon has called me ‘the Serpent’. My name is Crowley.”
“Serpent of Eden,” Artemis breathed, now noticing the slight snake-like slit of those golden eyes. “God...parent of our dear Diana,” she frowned, shoulders squared for a fight, “Why are you - what were you up to?”
At the anger in the goddess’ voice, Crowley winced, “I meant no harm, truly. I needed a change. I’ve been presenting as Antonia since - since Diana’s death. And I needed to get away from him. My - feelings were too much.”
She wouldn't say love again, not now that Artemis knew who she was and to whom she was referring, “I knew that you wouldn’t question greatly, but I didn’t mean to tempt you.”
Artemis chuckled, rubbing her temples, “No, dear, I think I did that to myself. I think I’d forgotten what it was like to be in the presence of love so great and got sucked in. But why now? What has happened that now you chose to escape him?”
“War,” she replied, words sharp. “A great war is arriving on Earth and Heaven and Hell have taken sides. It’ll pit us against each other and he - not after the time we spent with the child. Not after we - ”
The agent of Hell stopped, eyes wide and looking out into the starry sky as if she could see the horrors of war through them - as if she were watching her love fall mid-battle. Artemis clicked her tongue and wrapped her arms around the taller woman’s more slender form.
“My dear Antonia, you’re welcomed among my Huntresses until this war has subsided, until you can rein in the love you hold for your counterpart. However, you have to tell him - at least let him know you are safe. Otherwise he will keep looking for you ‘til he’s driven mad with worry.”
“Ah...he wouldn’t. He has heavenly duties to worry about. He couldn’t possibly worry about his...adversary. We needn’t worry about things like that, Lady A,” Crowley said, ducking her head until her waves hid her face.
Artemis shook her head, “Dearest Antonia, I know that you believe that, but you shouldn’t. He risked coming into my forest looking for you without shifting his form. He would’ve found himself chased and possibly - what do you guys call it - discorporated by my hounds, but he risked it looking for you.”
Crowley looked a little pink and curled her lips in a self-deprecating smile, “I’m afraid that the Lady Aphrodite has led you to believe too many love tales, but this isn’t one, Lady A. However, if it will put your mind at ease, I can let him know I’m safe before - ”
“Before our Roman compatriots and the Celts start their battle,” Artemis said, smiling when she saw the slack-jaw expression on Crowley’s face. “Don’t even wonder, Crowley - or rather Antonia - our people and Danu’s have already discussed the happenings. We know that Heaven and Hell see it as an expansion of their beliefs - of Joshua’s teaching and damnation of nonbelievers. Stay with my girls, Antonia. We’ll keep you safe while the two sides have their war.”
Crowley bowed her head, “Thank you, Lady A. I greatly appreciate it.”
Artemis grabbed the demon’s hands, pressing a light kiss to the knuckles, “Anything for the lovely being that cared so much for my youngest Menae.”
o
Aziraphale had made his way back to the temple, sighing as the small statue of Artemis came into view. Athena, Medusa, Persephone, Hades, even Aphrodite’s temples and sanctuaries had come up empty and he was beginning to grow terribly worried.
As he came closer to the statue, he worried his bottom lip between pearly teeth and pulled out a flower from the folds of his clothes, placing it at the feet of the Huntress.
“I know I shouldn’t, being of Heaven and all that but...if anyone can track her, it’d be you. I’m sure your brother could as well but that might end...differently,” a drop of poison laced his voice and he shook it out with a full-bodied wriggle, glancing back up at the stone face. “Dearest Lady Artemis, I need help finding my friend. I need to know that she’s alright before this war commences. Heaven - Hell - they’ll be looking to us to lead humans and she was never one to fight. Please help me track her and keep her safe.”
Darkness had fallen over the forest and Aziraphale knew if he was caught at Artemis’ temple, its Priestesses wouldn’t take kindly to his kind creeping upon the area. So with a minor miracle pulled from the heavens, Aziraphale changed shapes into something more appropriate for the temple.
The flower, a moonflower that he’d found at the creekside, a sign, she’d thought, that Artemis would be able to help, fluttered from the statue’s feet and landed at Aziraphale’s in the light breeze.
“Dear, are you lost? In need of help?” a soft woman’s voice asked as the softer sound of sandaled steps approached. “Sweet thing, you look like you’ll fall over in exhaustion. Come within and rest.”
The Head Priestess, Aziraphale imagined, walked towards her, face covered with a gauzy white veil. She reached smooth, sun-browned hands on the paler upper arms of the visitor.
“Thank you, my lady,” Aziraphale said, letting the priestess pull her in, stopping to sweep up the moonflower. “I wouldn’t mind a place to rest tonight...if it’s not too much trouble, of course.”
The priestess laughed, “No trouble at all, dearest heart. What should I call you?”
“I - Azira,” she said, bowing her head. “And, while I know it’s not much of an offering, I brought a flower for - for the Lady Artemis.”
“What is that you need from our lady?”
Aziraphale twirled the flower in her hand, “I was hoping the goddess would help me track down an old friend of mine. I’m...terribly worried about her and I’m afraid she’ll get dragged into trouble. Artemis is a hunter - a tracker. She could find my - I mean, Antonia.”
With an outstretched hand, the priestess stopped and eyed the flower. Aziraphale handed it over and the woman studied it, running a finger over the petals, “It’s true. It’s certainly no doe or buck, but there’s something to be said about a - woman - such as yourself seeking help from a goddess.”
“I...I beg your pardon?” asked Aziraphale, paling.
With her free hand, the priestess pulled back her veil and revealed a familiar face to Aziraphale, who dropped into a stiff curtsy.
“Lady Artemis, I’m honored.”
“Rise, angel of Heaven, watcher of my Diana. I heard your plea,” Artemis said, violet eyes sparkling with starlight, “and I am here to answer it - to help you find your Antonia.”
Aziraphale blushed, “She’s not my ...I mean, I wasn’t sure what to call her. Friend might not make her too happy to hear and, well, if Heaven or Hell hear what I might refer her as they might - ”
The goddess stopped her mid-rant, tan finger to pink-worried lips, “Azira, if that is the name you prefer to be called at the moment, please call yourself. Neither Heaven nor Hell have ears in our temples. They’ve taken away the power in it and don’t have much interest in us anyway.”
The angel’s shoulders relaxed and she let Artemis draw her down to the stone floor. Then, with the moonflower in their clasped pair of hands, Artemis spoke:
“I heard your plea and though you feared my brother falling for your dearest serpent, perhaps you should’ve been equally as worried about me,” Artemis said, laughing and when she met the confused hazel eyes, she gave another laugh. “You’d been doing a good job of tracking her yourself. Almost had her had you not become aware of the tedious gender of your heaven-issued body. We were there at the creek - with your Antonia. We took her home with us.”
A sigh of relief escaped Aziraphale’s mouth before Artemis continued, “Didn’t expect us all to be stricken by how beautiful your companion is, truly captivating: her tall, slender frame, her flame hair, the constellation of...angel kisses across her shoulders - truly the right being for her job. Worst part was that she wasn’t even trying to be tempting.”
In her grasp, Aziraphale’s hand twitched, “Lady Artemis - ”
“Be assured, Azira,” she said, shaking off the angelic rage settling on her shoulder. “I know a claimed heart when I cross paths with one. Her worry was solely for your well-being. She worried you’d keep looking and draw Heaven’s notice.”
“Is she safe?”
Artemis nodded, “She’ll be with my Huntresses until the war is done. She’ll let Hell know she’s trying to cause chaos in our Pantheon by tempting deities to side with Romans or Celts - another Troy.”
Aziraphale frowned, “Won’t they check when none of you join?”
Artemis shrugged, veil rippling on her shoulder, “Antonia said that they haven’t checked on her since before the crucifixion. But now, you said something that caught my attention and I must ask about it.”
“Yes?”
“You said she wasn’t much of a fighter but, and no offense meant by this, you don’t seem like much of a fighter yourself. Won’t Heaven expect you to lead in their name? Surely Antonia won’t like that.”
For the first time in the night, Aziraphale chuckled, “I used to be quite a formidable trained soldier, but you’re right, I don’t enjoy fighting, especially against humans, but once I fumble through a few battles I’m sure they’ll send me to care for the people and send someone else to lead. Michael or Uriel to fight against Hell’s best rather than a bumbling angel. Plus, they'll find humans a lot more resilient than they believe them to be.”
Artemis beamed, “You’re a right bastard, Azira, and I wish you the best. May we meet again soon.”
“Lady Artemis,” Aziraphale said, tightening his grip on the goddess’ hand before she escaped. “Could I - could I see Antonia, please, just to check on her? Just...one more plea from this ol’ bastard?”
At this, the goddess’ lips twitched up in a soft smile. She pulled Azira’s hands closer and pressed her lips atop her hands, breath cooling the paler hands, “Dearest Azira, that’s something that I cannot fulfill. She is safe, but give her space. She’s still hurting about Diana’s death, about - well - feelings that she cannot help,” then her smile grew, “Much like yourself. You will see your golden-eyed beauty soon, safe and as bright as you remember them. But until the danger has passed for you both I cannot be the one that aids in the potential doom. Good bye, angel of Heaven, may your hearts be reunited soon.”
And she slipped out right through Aziraphale’s fingers, a moonbeam retreating back to her silver chariot.
Aziraphale sighed, hands dropping to the cold floor and eyes raising heavens-ward, “My dearest Crowley, if you’re with Lady Artemis...just stay safe. We’ll meet once Heaven & Hell grow tired of their battles. We’ll go out for...wine or whatever’s delectable at the time just...stay safe, dearest.”
o
On her chariot, Artemis turned to her companion who was looking at the temple with longing eyes, “Antonia, you heard them: stay safe. Don’t do what your heart wants, not this time. You’ll see them sooner than you think.
“Think so?” she asked, still looking at the shape of the angel as she shifted into a resting position.
“Course. Both sides will grow bored soon enough and realize they’ll be a bigger battle to fight later on. Come now, friend, get your eye-full of your beloved and let us go - the night waits for no one.”