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Chapter Text

Artemis walked quietly down the long hall towards her chambers her feet starting to ache from the long day. She had been nearing womanhood and had many dudes to perform as the princess. She passed her twin's door and felt a weight lift off her chest. Her father was already so busy with her brother's wedding that he wouldn’t have time to attempt to take away her freedom. 

Her brother years ago was betrothed to the Princess Kalliope from the kingdom of Muse and would be talking the throne of Olympus from their father. Aries multiple affairs and violent nature and lack of any intelligence about anything other than war made him unfit to rule the kingdom. 

Artemis and her younger sister were to be married off to other kingdoms to be nothing other than child-bearers and trophy queens meant to sit still and look pretty. Her younger brothers would take queens from other kingdoms and find their own plot of land to rule or take up some other high position of power, that opportunity that was not open to a woman. 

A scowl crossed the Artemis’s beautiful features contorting them into something to be feared. This might have been one of the reasons the woman was able to avoid marriage for this long. One look from the princes would cause the receiver's blood to run cold as they staggered back from the aura of power she seemed to radiate. Most supers were put off by their wife having any control of their life. 

The men were insecure and not used to the pure power and respect that the woman demanded and deserved. Artemis was brilliant compared to other women of her age but considering the fact that she had five brothers, it was quite easy to sneak away with Athena. 

Her sister's brilliance put their father's scholars to shame, and being one of the younger royalty it was easier for her to get away with things and people were not as horrified with her bending a few rules as they were with Artemis. Athena's way with words could usually keep both of them out of trouble. 

The two women were shocked at their brother's uninterest in learning about the world they lived in. The sky was filled with dragons, fairy, and Pegasus, and the woods filled with other magnificent creature of magic such as full shift werewolves, dozens of different kinds of elves, and it was even rumored that vampire hybrids still existed in the shadows of the woods and in the kingdom. 

Artemis unconsciously reached up to run her fingers gently across her pointed ears that were covered by her long silver hair. The people that knew of them had ridiculed her for them saying that she was an untrustworthy half breed and asked why she couldn’t be more like her brother. 

Many believed that supernaturals lived all around us and were untrustable beings of Staten, If it was true and there were supernaturals in the kingdom then you would never know. Artemis he’d herself seem a dozen people burned alive for accusations of being a being of magic. Though Artemis could not understand why the Kingdom was in the Vally of three huge mountains and the only way to get to the rest of society was through a dense forest with only one road and was filled with the creatures. The crown city, Mytikas where the royal family lived was in the center of the valley. 

The moonlight filtered through the panned glass filling Artemis with energy and reflecting off the polished stone of the walls and ground that wasn’t covered with carpets and elegantly weaved tapsters that hung on the walls. Some were made by her sister's talented hands and others were bought from around the world. 

Artemis reached her door causing two kights to step aside as she walked into the dimly lit chamber. The five guards that were following her positioned themselves in front of the two huge wooden doors and one followed her into the room. The doors closed with a thunk causing her two handmaidens to walk into the main room that Artemis and the guard now occupied. The two girls entered from the drawing-room and walked over to Artemis and bowed deeply. 

“My lady,” they said simultaneously. Both girls had on simple floor-length dresses that were synched at the waist paired with leather lace-up sandals and simple calved circlets nested into their hair. The girl on the left had shoulder-length black spiky hair that refused to smother out without hours of work and heat. Freckles were splashed across her noes and her electric blue eyes held more respect for the princess than anyone in Artemis’s family besides maybe her sister. A simple sliver bracket sat on her wrist, the last thing her father had given her before leaving her and her mother and baby brother alone. A black sheepskin half-circle cloak hung over her shoulders covering her arms that fell to her thighs. 

The girl on the left was shorter than her companion though both girls stood taller than a fair amount of the men their age.  The girl's glossy black hair fell to the center of her back and matched with her piercing black eyes. A small tattoo sat inside her wrist, a marking from her previous home. The girl wore a smiler clock of a royal purple only hers was made from one of Artemis's old dresses. 

"Hello ladies," Artemis smiled kindly at the handmaids as the guard walked over to the door and stood to the side of it and planted themselves there. 

"Would you like me to draw you a bath, your highness?" The taller of the two asked.

"Yes, thank you, Reyna." Her father would have been scandalized to hear Artemis thank her, and call the ladies by their names, though Artemis saw them more like friends than servants. Artemis had vowed to take in the two unruly girls after the tragic situations that they had both been put through. The two of them still had plenty of courage and spirit but they had learned to use it in a way that would keep them from getting lashed. 

The girls and her personal guard had been with Artemis almost her entire life, through her father's lectures, the court's ridicules, and her loneliness. Artemis walked over to her Quercus ilex wood vanity (AKA: Holly/Holm Oak) and lowered herself into the soft feather stuffed cushion as Thalia walked over with her and began to take out the few ribbons that were braided into the princess's hair. Artemis let out a sigh as her long hair was loosened and Thalia began to run a soft brush through Artemis's long silver hair then helped her out of her large ensemble of cloths then helped her into a gold silk robe embroidered with intricate silver designs. 

"You are allowed to take off your helmet here, no one is allowed in without my permission," Artemis said turning to face her personal guard as Artemis wrapped the robe tighter around her form. 

"Thank you, your highness," The girl bowed and removed the silver helmet revealing her coppered color skin, brown eyes, pointed ears, and long dark hair that was braided tightly against her skull. Zeus was basically forced to accept Zoë into the royal guard when Artemis scared off all the others and despised the idea of having a man be around her 24-7. Even with her small stature, and the fact that she was female, Zoë was one of the best knights in the kingdom. What she didn't have in pure strength she doubled with speed, grace, and intelligence. 

"Of course," Artemis said walking over to where Reyna stood next to a large tub of boiled water. The bath smelled of roses and cinnamon and pedals swirled in the hot water. Artemis let the robe drop to the floor as she stepped into the warm water. Reyna began to rub something sweet-smelling into the princess's hair while conversing with the others in the room. 

"My lady?" Thalia repeated shaking Artemis from her warmth cased daze. "Did you hear what I said?" Thalia politely asked.

"I missed it, would you please repeat it?" Thalia nodded her head as she began to speak once more. 

"His majesty seemed extra happy today, we were speculating on the reason he was in such high spirits."

"We assumed that it couldn't be Prince Apollo's engagement since that happed weeks ago," Zoë chimed in. Artemis turned to look at the shorter woman who now stood at the entrance to the bathroom rather than near the large doors. 

"I'm sorry to say that I have no information for you," Artemis said frowning slightly. Her father had been more distant than usually in the past week but she had no idea why. "I shall ask Athena about it tomorrow, maybe she has heard something we have not." The three nodded their heads as Thalia went to grab a soft towel and wrapped the fabric around Artemis as she stepped out of the water. 

Artemis walked into her room and pulled on her nightgown waving aside the handmade's offer of assistance. She then sat down on the large bed scooting to the side to allow Thalia to sit down next to her and once again run a brush softly through her damp hair. 

"Have your burns healed yet?" Artemis said turning to look at Zoë who nodded her head.

"They have gotten much better thanks to the ointment you gave me," she said bowing her head slightly. "Thank you for the concern," Zoë said, as her cheeks pinked. Artemis smiled at the guard then turned to thank Thalia. After she had put the brush back, Artemis released the girls for the night thanking them once again.

After they had gone Zoë walked back over to the door and stood guard, "Good Night you highness,"  she said softly. The gentle orange candlelight danced across the walls causing the princesses to let out a yawn.

"Good Night Zoë," Artemis said as her eyes slowly drifted closed.

Chapter Text

Artemis woke early to the sound of fighting outside of her door. Zoë could be heard on the other side of the door talking calmly with another woman who sounded exasperated. Artemis was just about to get out of bed to see what the commotion was when said commotion flung open the door.

Queen Hera, Artemis's stepmother hurried into the room though she calmed down slightly when she saw that the princess was already awake. Zoë followed behind the queen looking livid at the intrusion, even though Hera had the right to enter her "daughter's" room whenever she pleased.

"Good you're awake," Hera said as she walked over to the large heavy curtains and threw them open. "Get ready, you have a big day ahead of you."

"And why is that?" Artemis asked visibly confused, she was not aware that anything of significant importance was happing today. Hera just looked at her and pursed her lips at the young princess. Before she had the chance to say anything Thalia and Reyna entered the room.

Hera turned to the two and began to give them instructions on what Artemis would be wear for the day. Then swiftly left the room, Zoë shut the door behind her still looking angry.

"What is the special occasion?" Thalia asked looking to Artemis as the princess climbed from the bed.

"I do not know." With that, the two nodded their heads and began to dress her in silence. After they were done with the dress, they walked her over to the vanity and began to do her hair but left her face without makeup. 

When they finished Artemis turned to the full-length mirror and grimaced. The dress was large, heavy, and hot. It was beautiful but impossible to move around in. The deep blue fabric was decorated with small golden thread designs that made the dress look even more ridiculous. She would have preferred something flowy and light that was plain then something like this that was beautiful. 

"You look beautiful my Lady," Zoë spoke for the first time this morning. Artemis turned to look at the girl as she felt slightly light as heat crept its way up her neck. She despised the dress but her guard's complement made it a bit more bearable.   

"Thank you," Artemis said as she stood up and walked over to the door. Thalia and Reyna retreated to the drawing-room to "talk" while Zoë opened the door for her and followed her out into the hall. The four guards stationed outside of her door bowed low as she walked by then followed her down the long hall to the dining room where Hera, Zeus, Hephaestus, Athena, Hermes, and Dionysus were waiting for there oldest sister show up. Apollo and Kalliope were busy with wedding planning and Ares was most likely beating up some poor straw dummy. 

Artemis entered the room and had to fight the surprise from her face as she saw Lady Aphrodite sitting at the table talking with Hera. Aphrodite was their unmarried aunt who everyone knew was sleeping with any attractive man she saw. But no one could find evidence for it so she remained part of the family. 

Artemis stood over to her chair and sliding into the place between Athena and Dionysus. Every time she sat at the table she marveled at the fact that they were still in power with all the affairs their father had. 

Ares was their oldest brother and was the biological son of Zeus and Hera. Next came Artemis and Apollo who were the result of Zeus's first affair who had died after giving birth to Apollo. Next came biological son number two, Hephaestus. He was kept out of the public scene because of the numerous complications that occurred during the birth that left him crippled and disformed. The next affair resalted in Athena whose mother was killed by Zeus because of charges of witchcraft. Affair number three, Hermes. And finally the baby of the family, and the final affair, Dionysus.

But as far as anyone outside of the family knew, they were all Heras children by birth. Although people questioned Artemis and her brother because of Artemis's looks. She was "too pretty" and the point of her ears resembled those of elves. But if her mother was an elf then she would have never been left the care of Zeus, any magical creatures would have been killed. But that didn't stop people from whispering. 

"Good morning daughter!" Zeus boomed from his spot at the head of the table. Artemis sometimes wondered if he called her that because he forgot her name. With so many kids and his questionable intelligence, she would not have been surprised. 

"Morning father," Artemis said calmly eyeing her father carefully trying to figure out what had in such a joyous mode. But the conversation that morning gave her no useful information. When she questioned her father he said it was a surprise and would be announced when the whole family was together. 

After breakfast, Artemis drifted through the day, only coming to focus when she was in the library with Athena before dinner. 

"Do you know what is happing tonight?" Artemis questioned her younger sister. 

"Not any specific but probably something to do with the prince that arrived today," Athena said after a thoughtful pause. 

"Whos the prince?" Artemis questioned.

"I do not know, he was quite tall with dark hair, I didn't see much else, I'm sorry," Athena said noticing the strained look on her sister's face. Athena knew that Artemis wanted more information but Athena had nothing else to tell her. 

"Thank You," Artemis said quietly already lost in the possibility, but they either made no sense or hurt too much to consider. She turned to look at Zoë who stood motionless in the corner and saw her own destress mirrored in the one of the older guard. 

About an hour later, after the two had placed their books back, they began to walk together to the dining hall. The two princesses walked over to their spots and lowered themselves into the wooden chairs. After the whole family was seated Zeus stood up a large smile spreading over his face. 

"I have amazing news to share with you all!" He said his voice booming causing a few of the people in the room to flinch. "We already know of my son's engagement," he said gesturing to where Apollo and Kalliope sat. "And I am happy to announce that now my eldest daughter is engaged!" With that, he gestured to the large oak doors that opened to reveal... "Prince Orion of Tartarus!"

Artemis sucked in a breath as two large hands were placed on her shoulders, "It's wonderful to see you again princess," the prince whispered in her ear. His hot breath sent a shiver of disgust through her body. He then let go of her and walked to her father's side where a chair had been left empty. Artemis felt the meals from that day threatening to make an appearance. 

Orion's skin is was the color of wheat toast with undercut dark hair undercut, swept into spikes on top. The man was not unattractive but the sight of his thick copper glasses that sat on his ever crocked nose and blind eye roused memories that Artemis had been trying desperately for years to suppress. 

Artemis felt her breaths coming faster and a sick feeling swirled in her gut, "I am going to retire early father, forgive me. I do not feel well." With that, she escaped quickly from her chair and swiftly left the room. Her brother looked at her with sympathy and understanding. After she moved her gaze from him, the younger twin turned to stare with disgust at the prince. Athena looked slightly confused but quickly covered it with one of neutrality.  

Artemis could hear her father's stern voice calling her back but she could not bear to stay in the room with him. Zoë was the only guard that reacted fast enough to catch the princess as she hurried through the halls and into the cold outside. The wind nipped at her exposed skin causing her to shiver. The princess hurried into the garden finding a stone seat and sliding down onto it attempting to even out her breathing. 

"My Lady," Zoë said softly bending down to look up into Artemis teary gray eyes. Artemis looked into her guard's face and felt her heart clench. Seeing her oldest friend made her even sicker when the idea of marrying Orion was still on her mind. 

"I can't marry him, I won't," Artemis said, her composure breaking. Zoë opened her mouth to say something but shut it and stood back up in a flash when the two women heard someone walking through the garden.

"Artemis?" Athena called before walking into the clearing where Artemis sat. "Oh Artemis," she said walking to her sister's side, obviously shocked by the tears that were steaking down Artemis's face. "Shh, it will be okay," Athena said softly rubbing her sister's back. 

"No, it won't," Artemis said quietly, Athena didn't ask her to elaborate. She just sat there until all the energy left Artemis leaving her unable to cry anymore. 

"I will get everything smoothed over with father, you should get some sleep," Athena said pulling away then pushing Artemis's stray hairs behind her ears. With that, she got up and walked back through the garden and into the castle. Artemis waited a few minutes then walked back into the warm castle towards her room. 

Artemis could remember the day she met Orion, she had followed her brothers out into the woods the septated Olympus from the rest of the world to go hunting. The prince had also been hunting in the woods when Artemis found him. She, impressed with his hunting skills had asked the man if he would hunt together with her, he had said yes. Though the two had agreed early on that there would be no romantics. Artemis had no need or want from them.

The only other person that knew of their meet-ups were Zoë who had been rightful suspicious of the man and Apollo who would sometimes join their hunts. Things were fine for a few years, Artemis grew closer to the prince and considered him one of her best friends. One day changed all of that though. She was remarkably lucky that Apollo had chosen to come with her that day. 

Artemis had arrived after Orion and after tying her house up by a stream surrounded by smooth stones, she moved over to their meeting spot. They had not seen each other in months and Artemis remembered the joy she felt finally getting to see the man again. Orion seemed nervous when she arrived, and minutes later declared his love for her. 

The princess felt her heart stop, she told Orion that she didn't feel that way about him. What came next always hurt to remember. He walked over to her starting to yell. Saying that he would be a good husband, that they would be happy together, that they loved each other, and that Artemis didn't know what she was talking about because she was only a little princess . 

Artemis turned to leave and heard Orion following her still shouting at her. She reached the clearing and began to run for her horse when the beautiful mare let out a pained neigh as an arrow pierced her heart. Artemis remembered the horse blood covering the stones and tinting the running water pink. She turned to run but he was already up in her face screaming once again. He grabbed her roughly leaving bruises in his wake as he pulled her against his chest. 

Artemis got in a punch that broke his nose beyond repair and began to run down the trail back towards the castle. She remembered running before she intercepted Apollo, she tried to explain what was going on but couldn't get the words out through her panic. The rest was a blur, she remembered Apollo yelling at Orion, a flash of bright light, and riding through the forest with Apollo and arriving back at the castle stales to a shocked and concerned Zoë. 

No one but the twins and Zoë knew what happened that day. Orion was found in the forest unconscious claimed he didn't remember anything after seeing Apollo, meaning he didn't know how he fell unconscious. The twins didn't either. Orion had claimed that they were attacked by creatures and they were the reason for Artemis and Orion's injuries and Artemis's dead horse. Artemis was in too much shock from what had happened to give her side of the story. 

Artemis was fourteen when that happened, after that she asked her father if she could learn with the royal guard, only for him to say no. She then had to beg Zoë to teach her along with Reyna and Thalia, after weeks of pestering, the older girl caved.

Artemis reached her bedroom and walked quickly in after Zoë had opened the door. Artemis began to tear the dress off her body before Reyna and Thalia entered the room. After the two handmaidens entered the room, they rushed quickly over to the princess's side to help her out of the dress. After she was out of the dress and her nightgown she released the two saying she just needed sleep, brushing off their concerns. 

"My lady," Zoë said after taking her helmet off and placing it on one of the tables in the room. She slowly walked over to the bed where Artemis sat. "Would you like me to fetch a book for you?" Zoë asked, knowing that a distraction could be helpful right now. 

"No... Don't leave me," Artemis said quietly wrapping her arms around the guard resting her head on the cool metal of her chest plate.

"I never will my Lady, I will stay your side till my death," Zoë said wrapping her arms around the princess and running her long fingers through Artemis's silver hair. 

"Thank you," Artemis said before slipping into sleep. Zoë carful unwrapped the two of them and laid the younger woman in the bed then tucked the blankest around her. Zoë then leaned down and placed a soft kiss on the princess's forehead. 

"You need not thank me, It is my pleasure to be with you Artemis."

Chapter Text

Artemis peeled her eyes open and shifted in the bed looking towards the door where she sometimes saw Zoë standing when she woke. The taller girl was not there this time witch caused a frown to form on the princess's face. She looked around the room and was a candle was still burning on her vanity meaning that it was still night if the candle had yet to burn out. 

She stepped slowly from the bed and over to the window and pushed the curtains open a crack. The moonlight spilled into the dark room-filling Artemis with energy and life. She opened the window letting the crisp air fill the room stirring some papers that were on her desk. 

"You should be sleeping, my Lady," Zoë said stepping into the room and walking over to the shorter woman's side. Making no comment about the fact that Artemis appeared to be glowing in the moonlight. 

"I couldn't sleep," Artemis said still staring out the window into the moon-bathed fields. "The flowers are so beautiful like this, everything is." Zoë nodded and turned from looking at the princess to looking at the flowerbeds that were viewable from the princess's window. "How has Ladon been treater you? You look more tired than usual."

Zoë froze at the sound of the creatures name, "Do you think it wise to talk about him here?" Zoë questioned. 

"Yes, no one would dare spy on me," Artemis said with absolute certainty. 

"We have both been working harder, He's gotten a lot better but it's hard to practice with his large size and the lack of open sky. We would be shot down without a second thought if we get too close to any part of Olympus." Zoë said with sadness dripping from her voice. Ladon was the only thing she had left from her old life. He was one of the only things that Zoë loved. 

Zoë's town had been burned down and no one but her had survived. Her mother, father, and sisters had all burned. She was taken into the castle as a slave and had worked her way to freedom then began to ascend the ranks. She then forced her way into the royal guard and became such a force that Zeus would have been crazy to not let her join.

"The burns look worse than normal," Artemis said softly turning to look at Zoë. The dragon's burn marks were covered up by Zoë's armor and clothes. If they weren't, the angry marks would draw a lot of unwanted attention to the girl. If anyone found out that the princess's personal guard was a dragon rider... It would not be good for either of them. 

Zoë nodded but didn't elaborate. "I'll be fine," she said not turning to meet the princess's gaze. The two stood looking out the window as the wind blew through the garden and trees creating a constant hum of noise. Zoë turned her gaze away from the gardens and towards the horizon where the edge of the woods sat. 

The young soldier knew the words better than anyone should have. She grew up in the dark woods that were full of magical creatures. No one knew how the fire caught, or who the small girl who came stumbling out of it. She was scared and covered in soot and coughing from the smoke. Zoë could still hear the screams of his sisters and mother and her father's angry shouts. 

She had been scared to go back into the woods for years. It wasn't until the incident with the Tartarus prince, that Zoë found the courage to go back into the woods. But she knew if she was going to protect the princess, she would have to be the best her that she could be. Even if it was illegal, Dragons and magic would be tools that would be able to keep the shorter woman safe. 

A dragon-riding water elf protecting the eldest princess of Olympus. Zoë could only imagine the shock that would tear through the kingdom if anyone was to learn. She and the princess never had to say that Ladon was a dragon, that Zoë was an elf. They never said those words, never had to talk about how dangerous it was, They just knew. 

"I can get you out, we can leave," Zoë said suddenly turning to look at the princess. Artemis kept her face natural but raised an eyebrow at the older woman. 

"What do you mean?" Artemis asked. 

"I know the forest, we have Landon, I know how to fight, and you're amazing with a bow." Artemis stayed quiet letting the weight of what the woman had said. 

"I can't leave Reyna or Thalia here... And Athena... And even Apollo," Artemis said frowning. "And what happens if I leave and my father gives Athena to Orion?"

"They can come with us, Reyna and Thalia have been training with me, they can help us keep Athena safe," Zoë rushed out. "I can't leave you here, not with him knowing what he did to you."

"How are we supposed to get out?" Artemis questioned. 

"I know my way around the castle and the forest, we can get out without anyone seeing us."

"I... If we can find a way to convince Athena to come with and get us all out safely, then we'll leave," Artemis said turning to Zoë and smiling.

"I will get us out of here safely, I promise you," Zoë said, her smile hidden by the shadows of the room.

"I'll talk to Athena tomorrow, or when I get the chance," Artemis said turning away from the window and walking back to the bed. She slipped into the soft sheets then made eye contact with the guard. Silver eyes bore into brown ones drawing the taller girl towards the princess like a magnet. "Will you be here when I wake up?"

"Of course, as I said before. I will stay your side till my death."

Chapter Text

Artemis sat in the library flipping through a book with weathered pages not paying attention to the words that slid in and out of her vision. She had spent the day dodging everyone in the fear that she would have to talk with the prince. The princess had hidden away in the library waiting for her younger sister to enter the quiet room. 

Artemis looked around the room even though she knew no one was there before she pulled out a map and laid it out on the book. The map was of the forest on the outskirts of the kingdom. The place that she and Zoë had planned to go to was a few day's ride away from the main castle.

Artemis's head snapped up as she heard the large wooden doors groan open. Athena walked quickly through the shelves to where she and her sister met when they wanted to talk privately. And considering what happened the other day and how no one had seen her all day. She would most likely be hidden in their spot.

"Artemis?" Athena called out oping the small door hidden behind a large tapestry that led into a small room. There was a low table in the center of the room that was surrounded by pillows, cushions, and blankets for the sisters to sit on. One was made up of a huge stained glass window that bather the room in colorful light. There were books stacked throughout the room and pits of parchment covered in ink. 

"Athena," Artemis said looking up from her map and giving her sister a sad smile. 

"Are you all right? Would you like to talk about yesterday?" Athena said walking over to her sister sliding down into a sitting position.

"Have you seen any maps of the forest?" Artemis asked calmly side-stepping her sister's question. 

"Not many, they are quite hard to find," the younger girl said as she leaned over to look over the map her older sister had laid out. "Where did you find that?" Athena said surprised when she realized what it was. Most maps had a few doddles on the edge of the page that indicated the forest. But this map was intricate and the edge of the paper head the outskirts of the city, not the forest. Meaning most of the map was devoted to the dark woods.

"A friend," Artemis said simply shrugging her shoulders, Athena only nodded know that her sister would not be supplying her with more information. After a moment Athena reached onto the table and picked up a small brown book and flipped to the page she had left off at. 

The two sisters sat in silence until Artemis shared the silence asking, "Do you like it here?" Athena looked up from her book with a small frown. 

"What do you mean by here?" Athena asked slowly as she lowered her book. 

"The castle, Olympus, royalty," 

"Oh..." Athena then quieted down, as she considered the question. "A short and simple answer would be no," Athena said looking past her sister to the window. "But nothing is simple."

"Elaborate?" Athena continued to stare out the window but nodded slightly at her sister's request. 

"We are blessed, we have never known hunger or cold. But with that, we have never known freedom, and all knowledge is restricted for us. I have no want for the life I lead, I don't want to mary and I know neath do you," she paused then finally turned to look at her older sister. "At least not to prince Orion." For some reason, Artemis could feel herself blush. 

"No, that I do not."

Athena giggled at her sister's redding face, "I want to fight, I want to learn, I want so much more than this castle can supply."

"We should leave," Artemis said her silver eyes boring into her sisters which reflected the same silver color. 

"Leave? How? Is that realistically possible?" Athena asked quickly, lighting up. Reminding Artemis that even though she may act older, Athena was still a young girl who still had that child-like hope. But she could also be realistic, meaning that if Athena didn't shoot her idea down immediately, It could work. 

"We can, I have a friend who can get us here safely," The older princess said pointing to the map. 

"The same friend who gave you the map?" Athena asked, emphasizing the word friend, "This sounds like a romance novel, please don't make me the third wheel Jackalope."

"It's not like that! Also, you won't be the only person going, it's a group of us," Artemis said trying to keep her composure even as her face turned reader than. She also chose to ignore the nickname that she had been unable to shake since they were kids.  

She had been obsessed with any animal with antlers for the longest time, her favorites were jackalopes and stages. Athena said that the only way she could have know that much was if she was one. So the name stuck. 

"So who all is in this group? If you are serious, we can't have a lot," Athena had already begun to strategize. 

"Thalia, Reyna and Zoë"

"So whos the friend ?" Athena asked still trying her hardest to embarrass her sister who was usually unshakable.

"No one like that, stop it." Athena looked unconvinced but shrugged her shoulders and moved on to her next question.

"When will we leave? How will we leave? Wha-" Artemis cut her sister off before the younger girl could continue.

"We will be leaving as soon as we can safely get out, all of us have horses that we can use to get out of the kingdom, and we all know ways out of here," Athena smiled at this, obviously thinking of the numerous times the sisters had snuck out. "Zoë knows her way around some of the forest, and the four of us can fight in some way, and we can teach you!" Artemis said getting excited, she could get her sister and her friends out of here. 

Artemis was about to continue when she heard a knock at the door. Both princesses froze at the sound, almost no one knew that the room existed. Artemis feared that they had been heard but called when she heard the sound of her guard's voice float through the door.  

"Your highness? May I enter?"

"Of course," Artemis said allowing the taller woman to step into the room and close the door softly behind herself.

Zoë was bowing to the two princesses when Artemis exalted the good news, "She'll come with us!"

"That's amazing to hear," The oldest said, "When would you like to leave?"

"As soon as possible," Artemis said quickly looking over to her sister who was smiling. 

Zoë let a small smile cross her face before saying softly, "Then we will leave in two days when the moon is at its highest" 

Chapter Text

 Artemis walked quietly through the halls to breakfast, she wanted to see her siblings once more before they left. Even if it meant sharing a room with the Prince of Tartarus for an hour. They would be leaving that night and she used that to keep her head high as she entered the large room and went to sit in the only chair open that had been moved to be right between her father and Fiancé. 

"Good morning your Artemis, it's great to see you again, I hope you are feeling better," Oriond said gazing at her like a wolf about to pounce on an unsuspecting rabbit. 

"I am, thank you," Artemis said through gritted teeth, she only had to make it through one meal with him, then she would be gone forever. Breakfast was served and was full of talk, though Artemis ignored the two men on the sides of her and instead talked with her sibling and aunt. Sixty painful minutes later she was excusing herself from the table but before she could she heard her father's voice commanding her to sit back down and talk with her husband-to-be.

"No, I wanted to talk with her after breakfast," her aunt said standing up from her place and over to a shocked Artemis. "Let us walk," Aphrodite said before turning away from her and walking out of the room with determination. Artemis wiped the shock off her face then turned to follow her out of the quiet room. 

"Aunty?" Artemis asked carefully after they had gotten far enough from the doors. 

"To the gardens," was all she said and walked even quicker with giddy anticipation. Once they arrived Aphrodite ordered the guards to stay at the entrance saying she would not tolerate eavesdropping. Zoë, being one of the guards that had followed the two out looked over to Artemis asking the princess if she was comfortable. Artemis nodded to her then followed her aunt into the garden, the rose garden to be exact. 

"So who is it?" Her aunt asked in a quickly excited voice. 

"Who is what?" Artemis was genuinely confused.

"You look absolutely sick whenever you talk with him," Artemis was about to cut in saying that that wasn't why she looked sick but the older woman stopped her. "And it's not the same face you make when you're thinking about the incident. " Artemis stepped back in shock.

"I don't what are you, how do you? I.. I don't, wh-"

"I know everyone's relationship stance girl, you definitely had something for him and if not then he definitely had something for you. So of course I knew about him. Also, you forget that I'm the only person your brother has to gossip to about relationships." Artemis knew that her aunt liked to gossip, but not to this extent. "I also know the face of heartbreak, whether you know it or not."

"I don't know what you're talking about, I don't love anyone. I just can't stand him." Artemis said defensively. 

"Oh, but you do," Aphrodite said her smile growing

"You think that I could like someone without knowing?" 

"Yes, you are smart but not when it comes to love, you wouldn't know courtship if it hit you in the face," Aphrodite said sighing. "How are we related?" This was a fair question, the two looked nothing alike. 

"I don't fancy anyone," Artemis repeated. 

"Are you sure? You look quite fondly at that-"

"Aunty Aphrodite, Artemis!" Hermes voice rung through the garden. The short boy then came into view. His hair messy and his crown barely hanging on. He had his favorite shoes on the had wings stitched to the side, they were supposed to be a joke about how he never seemed to stop moving, but he loved them. 

"What do you want bird boy?" Artemis asked the panting boy. 

"Father has requested Aunty, he wouldn't tell me why though. Can you please go with her and tell me what's going on? Please?" Hermes pleaded. 

"Um... sure?" Artemis said looking over to her aunt who only narrowed her eyes, most likely mad about being interrupted.

"Fine, you may accompany me while we talk with your lighting ass of a father." Hermes gasped at hearing their aunts disrespect, though Artemis was used to her aunt's barbarous speak. 

The two walked quickly to the throne room with Hermes tailing them. They were stopped at the door as someone told them that only Aphrodite was permitted in. She blinked her eyes a few times and traded a few sentences and they were magically let in. Aphrodite thanked them and walked into the large room. 

Hera and Zeus were already seated with Apollo standing to his right, the prince looked surprised but happy to see his sister.

"Why is she with you?" Zeus asked looking at Aphrodite ignoring his daughter. Zoë had already taken her position at the doors next to the other guards.

"Because she wanted to be here to learn about her father's wonderful kingdom brother, you shall not turn her away." Zeus let out an annoyed huff but didn't fight it any further. The two women walked to Heras's throne and stood to the left of it. After they were standing there, a pair of side doors to the throne room swung open as the borough in a struggling person. 

They were wearing dark blue pants and a tunic with a laced up orange shirt underneath. They had a dagger sheath on their left hip, indicating that they were a right-handed close-range fighter. The warrior's skin was tan but not too dark, a lot like Athenas. There was a bag on their head that concealed their face. They were slender but athletic looking, the two guards that were holding them seemed to be struggling to hold the thrashing teen. 

When the bag was removed Artemis had to stop herself from gasping, though Apollo and Aphrodite both let out notice of surprise. Because the warrior was female . Her curly honey blonde hair was pulled up and out of her face but a thick piece of rope revealing stormy gray eyes that held no fear, only strength, and intelligence. Around her neck was a string of decorated beads and a light blue coral pendant. 

"Your majesty," A guard said that was standing in front of the girl. "This child was found in the city trying to kidnap a pair of children from the orphanage, The kids ran off into the forest but we stopped this one before she could make it." The man said jerking his thumb at the girl that was still kneeling on the ground. She looked to be about eighteen, about five years younger than Artemis.

"What is your name?" Hera demanded. The guards then removed the gag that had been placed in her mouth. She said nothing but glared daggers at the queen. If looks could kill, Artemis had no doubt that the queen would be dead by now.

"You were asked a question girl," The same guard that had introduced the girl shouted. The blond paid him no mind and moved her gaze to the king. After looking at him, Apollo, and Aphrodite. She finally moved her gaze to Artemis, the girls gazed cooled down a bit at the sight of her. She moved her eyes to the princess's pointed ears before speaking directly to Artemis. 

"Annabeth," she said emotionlessly, the girl's eyes didn't match the tone. 

"And what were you doing with those children?" Zeus asked. 

"Saving them from the likes of you," Annabeth said still looking at Artemis. The princess held the girl's gaze, she felt proud of this girl, she was strong, Athena would love her.  

"What do you mean by that?!" Zeus hollered. The blond then snapped her head to look deeply into the king's icy blue eyes. 

"You know what we mean," She snarled. The king's face turned to stone as some of the color drained from it. Hera was about to ask what the girl meant when Zeus cut her off. 

"You will be executed in the town square at tomorrow's first light. Gag her and lock her up. No one is to talk to her," with that he got up and stormed from the room. 

Artemis watched as the girl stood up and walked from the room, their gazes never breaking. What had she meant by we? who is we? What did my father not want us to know? 

"My lady?" Zoë said walking up behind her, everyone had already left the room. Leaving Artemis standing alone staring at the door the girl had left from. "Are you alright?" 

"What do you think she meant?" Artemis asked turning to look at the taller woman. 

"I don't know..."

"I need to know, that girl knows something, something my father didn't want anyone to hear," Artemis said turning to look at her friend. 

"I'll try what I can, but he was quite clear with his directions and we are leaving tonight."

"I know," Artemis said frowning and turning back to the door. "And if you do go looking around, please be careful my brave one," Artemis said softly, using one of their many nicknames. Though they only used them when there wasn't a chance of being heard. 

"I will be, I promise." With that, the two walked from the room and continued on with the day that seemed to go by in a flash. They would soon be leaving behind this world in the hopes that they could make and survive in a new one.

Chapter Text

Artemis stood in her room packing the last few things in a bag and pushing it under her bed. She had her nightgown on over a pair of trousers and a leather tunic. Her hair was tied in a tight braid down her back just like the others. Athena had oped to stay in her room tonight claiming that she wasn't feeling well and staying with Artemis would be best.   

Athena stood on the balcony of her sister's room gazing around the castle grounds one last time. Her chocolate brown hair was also in a tight braid and wore as enable similar to her sisters. Both girls had a bag and clock tucked underneath the bed though they chose not to bring too much in the area of personal items. 

Athena had a few books and a silver coin with an owl that Hermes had stolen for her birthday years ago, seating had become the boy's form of rebellion. Artemis had maps, books, though not as may as her sister. Though her most prized possession was a silver and gold circle that she, Apollo, and Hephaestus had made after the incident with Orion years ago.

Her brother never asked what had happened, only if she wanted help. Apollo had insisted that they put gold into the circlet. Artemis went along with it and had Hephaestus put a tint silver band a gold on the inside. It was small and really the only thing she would need. 

None of the siblings were incredibly close but they all shared a comen care for the others, all beside Ares. Artemis was close to her brother and Athena. Then Hephaestus and Dyonisus, Artemis wished that she could leave some kind of explanation but that would only put more people in danger. 

Her thoughts drifted to Annabeth, the girl who was imprisoned in the dungeon while Artemis was getting ready to escape. Zoë had yet to come back to the room with information and Artemis was on edge.

"What's wrong?" Athena asked walking over to her sister. 

"Nothing..." Artemis said but after seeing the lock on her sister's face she realized that she would not take her lies. "Something feels wrong, Zoë should be back by now, she works quickly and we need to leave soon."

"I'm sure she will be alright," Athena said placing her hand gently on her sister's arm. They sat in silence as Artemis worked herself up. 

"Somethings not right, I know it, get ready," With that, she left her younger sister's side and went to the beg pulling out her bag, a shart of arrows, and a bow. They were not an amazing quality and were not supposed to be taken with but something was terribly wrong.

Athena nodded and went to retrieve her bad and a few daggers that Artemis had stored in her room. They both slid out of their nightgowns and laced up their fur-lined leather boots and tossed on black cloaks. Just as they were about to leave the room Zoë burst though. 

"Oh thank gods your ready, we need to leave, now. "

"What's wrong Zoë Artemis asked as she grabbed her sister's hand and followed the older girl out of the room."

"The girl is gone, she somehow escaped and the whole castle will know in minutes. We have to get out before it's too late. Thalia and Reyna have already left, we will meet up near Lando's cave," Zoë said as she walked quickly through the stone halls. Just as they were about to turn to walk towards the back door they heard the sound of running footsteps and the clang of armor.  

They then turned and ran in the other direction having to change routes every time they heard guards. They ended up at the door to the courtyard, one of the worst places they could be, the huge open field offered no cove for the group. 

Artemis turned as she felt her sister's hand being pulled from hers. She stood face to face with a tall tan boy with messy black hair and sea green eyes. He wore similar attire to Annabeth but he had fewer beads and no coral. 

"Where is she?" The bot said pressing a long bronze sward into Athena's neck. 

"Stop! Don't hurt her," Artemis said reaching forward for her sister only to be pulled back by Zoë.

"We don't know, we, just like her are trying to get out of here. Know please let her go, she's just a girl," Zoë said calmly as she held the elder princess back.

"Percy?" The blond girl came running from the same door and flew into the boy's arms. He called her name and dropped away from Athena and over to the girl. "What are you going here?"

"Rescuing you of course," the boy said giving the girl a lopsided smile.

"Just you? A one-man army?" the blond asked the taller boy. 

"Naw, How do you think we would have got here?" The boy said then turned to the sky looking for something. 

"What are you all doing here?" Annabeth asked finally addressing the small group.

"Leaving," Zoë said simply. 

"Do you want a ride? We should have enough room. If out ride out is who I'm thinking of," Annabeth then turned to look at the boy who nodded his head. 

"While, since the whole castle is up in arms and getting away unnoticed is almost impossible, a ride would be helpful," Zoë said calmly before her gazed darkened, her eyes sparkling with instantly. "But if you make another attempt to hurt the princess, you will not survive. I will not be caught off guard again." The boy nodded and took a step back mumbling about how scary girls can be. Wich made Artemis smile. 

"We also were supposed to meet someone near the southern border, will we be able to be dropped off there to meet up with them?" The blond nodded and turned to scan the sky with the boy. 

"There's our ride," The boy said pointing to the sky. Seconds later a large golden form landed in the courtyard. The large golden dragon let out a blast of fire that lit up the sky and the people on its back. From where she was Artemis could count three people.

"Come on," Annabeth said waving them forward. Zoë and Artemis took off running immediately, not scared of the dragon who dwarfed in comparison to Landon. Athena followed after her sister while trying not to gape at the giant beast in front of them. 

The two climbed up its scales and seated themselves into the kinks in the armor on the top of the dragon's back. The three followed their lead and scrambled on as shouts started to ring through the yard as guards flooded the area.  

"GO!" a few people shouted

"Go Festus!" Another yelled. With that, the dragon flapped its massive wings and they were rising into the air. Now on the dragon, Artemis could see there were not three but five people. 

A skinny boy with bronze skin and messy curly hair seemed to be directing the dragon. A tall blond boy with glasses and blond hair was asking Percy and Annabeth if they were okay to which the two nodded their heads. Another blond boy sat next to him through his hair leaned more towards gold and his hair was curly. Both the boys had blue eyes and orange shirts on. Standing next to the curly blond was a short pale boy with black hair who seemed to melt into the night shadows. The last person was a short girl with thick dark curly hair and dark skin. 

"Hello," she said once she noticed Artemis watching them. "I'm Hazle."

"Artemis"

"Nice to meet you," the curly blond said. "I'm Will, and this is Nico," he said gesturing to the small pale boy whose face was still neutral. "The skinny boy in the front is Leo, Jason is the one with glasses, and you already met Percy and Annabeth." The blond pointed to each person respectfully and smiled at them. He. seamed to radiate sunshine and warmth even in the dead of night. He reminded Artemis of her brother. 

"You guys should get some sleep," Zoë said, "Even on a dragon it will be a few hours until we will be anywhere where we can land." The others looked surprised by this knowledge but didn't say anything. Artemis nodded then wrapped her arms around her sister like a human shield. The two fell asleep to the steady beat of wings and a cool breeze that smelled like true freedom.

Chapter Text

Artemis woke to the sound of Zoë's voice ordering the others on the dragon that this is where they needed to land. The princess sat up and gazed across the grounds that were still covered in moonlight. The forest was green and lush, and surprisingly quiet. 

The large dragon landed on the ground with an ungraceful thunk that rattled the surrounding area. Zoë then slid quickly off the back of the dragon and called into the forest. Soon after their names were called. The to woman stepped into the clearing. Both Reyna and Thalia looked shocked to see the golden dragon but made no comment about it and chose instead to interrogate Zoë for information. While they were doing that Artemis sat up and followed Zoë's lead and slipped from the dragon's back while not waking her sister. 

On the ground, she could see her surroundings more clearly. Everything seemed to glow with magic and seemed to alive. Like if you really wanted to you could touch it and use it. Artemis ran her hand along with the bark of one of the tree's closets to her. The bark was soft underneath her fingertips and seemed to glow more when she touched them. The grass had the same effect and seemed to glow the more pressure you put on it.

Armies could not have fathomed its beauty, she had heard tales, read books, and seen quick sketches but nothing more. People always described the forest as alive and ready to kill you but this felt calm and free. Like you would never be alone because the magic that flowed through this place was real and held the place together in warm arms. 

"Your highness?" Artemis heard Zoë's voice behind her snapping her out of her trance. 

"We are no longer in the palace Zoë, you need not call me that," Artemis said turning to smile at her friends. Thalia and Reyna stood behind Zoë with their hands positioned on their swords. Seeing Thalia with a sword was uncommon, to say the least. Thalia favored her spear and shield over all else. She still had the two items strapped to her back in an awkward position. Reyna used just a sward but was terrifying to come face to face with. 

"Then Artemis, are you feeling alright?" Artemis nodded and locked back into the deep forest in the opposite direction of her friends. They were in a small clearing that was bearly big enough to hold the golden dragon. Artemis was about to turn away when she something racing towards them. 

When the creature arrived in the clearing Artemis could see it was a horse. The caramel-colored stallion shook out its charcoal mane letting out a proud winy as he trotted fearlessly up to the dragon. The dark girl, Hazle slid from the dragon and over to the hours before taking a lump of... gold? Out of her pocket and feeding it to the horse.  

"Did you miss me?" The horse shook its head gratefully and took a step back from the short girl snorting at the question. "I'll get a ride back with Arion, does anyone want to come with?" At the question all the people still seated on the dragon quickly shook their heads, a few turned a little green. 

"Be careful," the one with glasses said as Hazle lifted herself onto the beings bareback. She nodded to him the spoke to the horse and they were off. Artemis could now tell why some of them looked sick. The horse ran faster than anything the princess had seen before. 

"What was that?" Thalia asked still looking in the forest which had now swallowed up the girl and horse. 

"An Assero creature," Annabeth stated, and after seeing the blank looks on their faces she continued. "assero in Latin means to claim, to defend, to appropriate, to attach, or to join too. The animals are like spirit or soul guides. Or platonic soulmates. Everyone has one but it's the creature's decision to make themselves known to you. They also chose when and if ever to tell you their name. They are different for each person, and usually, come when you need them most." Annabeth then smiled before continuing. "Mine found me when I ran away from home."

"So everyone in the world has one?" Reyna asked astonished. 

"Yes, everyone with magic is born with one. And technically, we are all magic, some just have close to none or chose to hate and ignore it. An Assero pair is made up of an Assero mortal and Assero creature"

"What is your animal?" a new voice chimed in. All eyes turned to see that Athena had finally woken up. The girl started intensely at Annabeth expecting an answer. "Do you know their name?"

"Yes I have met mine, I do not know his real name but everyone calls him Bobbito, meaning small Bob. He looks like a small saber tooth tiger, but is quite nice to everyone." Annabeth said smiling even more at the thought of the small cat. 

"But how did you know?" Athena asked leaning towards the blond girl with suspicions eyes. 

"They always talk to you the first time, you have a connection with them and they may talk to you again, and well, you, ah-, you just know, " She said shrugging. Athena tilted her head to the side giving the taller girl a look hoping that she would continue. But before Annabeth could continue, a loud hissy snarl filled the surrounding air. 

One of the teens let out a curse before yelling to them to get on the dragon if they wanted to live. 

"What is that?" Anthea demanded. 

"One of the oldest and powerful dragons that still live around here, and he does not like visitors," Nico said as he reached out a hand to help pull the three on. But Zoë hadn't moved from where she was standing. 

"Zoë, we should go," Artemis said grabbing her friend's hand pulling her towards the smaller dragon.

"He won't hurt us, he won't hurt me ," Zoë said quietly turning to look at Artemis. "I promise Ladon won't hurt us."

"Are you sure that the thing trampling through the forest is Ladon?"

"Yes, I know him, he won't hurt us, please don't leave, trust me," Zoë said turning to look deeply into the younger girl's eyes. 

"Okay, I trust you," Artemis said turning to the sound of the dragon tramping through the words keeping her hand intertwined with Zoë's. Neith seemed to want to pull away. 

"What are you guys doing! Your gonna get melted into a pile of sizzling mush!" Leo shouted. Seconds later the dragon broke through the top of the trees flatting some of the greenery in the process. The dragon's serpentine body was thicker than a booster rocket, and his bright scales shimmer like hot copper. He smelled of acid most likely because of the poisonous gas that streamed from his mouth and nostrils. But the actual liquid that the dragon was capable of spiting was worse. Artemis had seen first had the burns that the poison could cause.  

But the worst part was the huge dragon's heads, where about sixty necks should have been, There were only angry read scards and seeped the top of the lumps. The huge dragon let out another shriek that caused Festus to back up flapping wildly. Ladon could sit on the golden dragon and crunch him if he so pleased.  

"Ladon," Zoë said letting go of Artemis's hand and stepping forward towards the dragon causing the people behind her to start screaming at her to come back. "We won't hurt you," Zoë said softly. The dragon seemed to calm down at hearing and seeing Zoë. He brought his head down to her and breathed in her scent. After confirming it was her, he brought a few of his heads down to wrap around the girl and pull her away from the others. 

Zoë laughed and said something else to the dragon that caused him to look up and stare at the group with unblinking eyes. After a minute of staring at the group, Lando pulled away and allowed Zoë to walk back to Artemis. 

"He doesn't like people getting too close," Zoë said looking past Artemis as the group on top of the dragon whose all wore shocked expressions. "He wants them to leave him alone but he won't hurt anyone."

"How did you do that?" Percy asked breaking the two out of their world. 

  "I've known Ladon almost my whole life, he would never hurt me. I just had to explain the situation."

"You, talked to him?" Will said shocked, "Just like, walked up to him and asked him not to kill us, and he listened?" 

"Yes? Why is that so shocking?" Zoë asked though not letting the others see how confused and uncomfortable with the attention she was. But Artemis grew up with her and could read her like a book. 

"Dragons will only ever listen to their Assero mortal, and even then... they don't back down easily," Annabeth stated not moving from her spot beside Percy. 

"Ladon's my Assero..." Zoë mumbled turning to look back at the huge dragon. He responded by bringing a few of the remaining heads up to Zoë to nuzzle her. After a few minutes of stunned silence, a voice broke the trance.  

"So, do you want to camp with up and learn more about who you are?" Artemis saw that it was the tiny pale kid that had spoken. He appeared to be sixteen, the same as Will, though the ravenett was significantly shorter. 

"Who we are ?" Reyna asked slowly turning to look at Thalia who stood next to her with her spear still out. 

He looked at the women still on the ground then shrugged and said simply, "Magic."

Chapter Text

 Artemis was sitting once again on a dragon's back as they flew deeper into the forest. Though this time she was perched on top of Landon with Zoë and Athena. Athena was only a child in the dragon's eyes so he didn't see her as a threat and Zoë often smelled like Artemis when she went to see her dragon so he felt safe around her too. Thalia and Reyna weren't the same and the sight of them with weapons, even once they were put away, caused the dragon to attack. 

They were flying over acres of colors then blended together because of the speed they were traveling at. Festus was above them with the rest of the group and flapped five times for every one of Ladon's wing beats. The copper-colored dragon was three times as big as the fire-breathing dragon who they learned was also Leo's Assero creature. 

Artemis didn't even feel cold as she felt her sister shiver in her arms. Festus was definitely warmer, he radiated warmth while Ladon had normal body heat for a dragon (at least that's what Zoë and Annabeth said). Artemis was more sensitive to heat them cold, she loved the winter when it got colder and the moon was up for longer than the sun. 

"Are you okay?" Zoë asked turning to look at the two sisters. They both nodded as Athena snuggled closer to her sister trying to streal her heat. "Are you cold? Would you like my cloak"?" Zoë aks noticing that Artemis's arms were still smooth and not cover in goosebumps even though she only had the tunic and loose cotton shirt on. The younger woman had wrapped her cloak around her younger sister, claiming that she didn't need it. And from the looks of it, she really didn't.  

"No thank you, I'm fine, the cold never bothered me anyways," Artemis said blushing at the woman's genuine and constant concern for her wellbeing. "Did you ask how long it would take?" Artemis asked wrapping her arms tighter around her sister. She wanted to get her sister out of the cold and somewhere safe and warm as soon as possible. 

"Another two hours I believe, Annabeth said they have to be quite far in to stay safe."

"From who?" Athena questioned tilting her head to the side like a lost pup. 

"She wouldn't say," Zoë said her voice drifting into silence. With that, the three decided that it was time to stop talking. Athena pulled out of her bag and began reading trying to distract herself from the cold and fear that was doubled by the uncertainty. The time later, she slammed her book closed and shoved it into her bag. 

"Where are we going? what are we doing? what are we going to do? Why are we going with them?" Athena demanded, "I hate being in the dark." Artemis knew she wasn't talking about the actual darkness, she may have felt a little uneasy but not hate. The younger sister hated not knowing what was going on and what was going on. 

"We are going with people that seem to want to help us, they will one way or another give us more information, especially magic," saying the last word sent a shive of anticipation through her body. The word mafic was taboo back in Olympus, but out here it was normal, everything was magic.    

  "That still doesn't give me a lot of information. We don't know what we are walking into and without any information, we can't make an accurate functioning plan. I hate it."

"I know, but do you really want to risk losing them? They know stuff about magic that we will not be able to learn without them. I don't know about you, but I need to know."

"I want to know too," Athena said frowning at the dragon above them. 

"Then we will find out everything," Zoë said speaking to the two sisters. "Though I believe your thirst for knowledge is impossible to satisfy." Athena laughed and agreed that no amount of information would ever be enough and that there would always be more to know. 

The golden dragon then began to fly lower to the ground before it had placed itself near as it could to Ladon without risking touching. 

"We are landing soon! just follow us!" Percy screamed through the wind. Zoë rolled her eyes at the loud male but nodded her head and repositioned herself on Ladon's huge back. The golden dragon then shot forward so it was flying in front and just above the copper-colored dragon. The two dragons were flying towards a small mountain hidden in the trees, it's top jetted out only a few feet above the tops of the trees.  

Festus flew into a gap followed closely by Ladon. The two dragons ducked, dived, and danced through the cracks and gases until they came to the center of the mountain. The holloed out dome was covered in glowing flowers and branches and gaps in the stone let in the intense moonlight. There was a waterfall on the far end of the done that fell into a sparkling blue pool filling the cavern with the sound of running water. 

Artemis's eyes widened as she saw what was on the walls. Hundreds of animals were perched in caves, on sideways growing trees and branches and hanging from vines. Dozens of holes and cracks filled the walls, some small enough for a mouse and others big enough for Festus. Said dragon landed on the ground and backed towards the edge to allow the larger dragon to safely land. 

"Welcome to Bunker 9!" Leo said jumping of his Assero and walking towards Ladon. "This is where I found Festus! This whole thing was already hollowed out but abandoned. It was originally my workshop but then a bunch of Asseros decided to stay here. Now it's both!" He spreading his arms out gesturing to the huge cavern. A huge smile was on his face as he looked around the room. "Ladon can stay here whenever he wants." Zoë sild off Ladon and stood next to Athena and Artemis who had hopped off the second they had landed.  

"Thank you but he will probably find a place where he can be alone. He doesn't really like a large group of people," Zoë said as she placed a hand on one of Ladon's many heads. Leo nodded and went back to the copper-colored dragon and begin talking with him. The dragon responded with a series of clicks the sounded strangely like mores code.

"Annabeth!" someone yelled running out through one of the tunnels. She ran over to the blond and threw her arms around her pestring the blond with worries and questions. The girl had long brown hair that had a few braids, some of which head peacock feathers. She was shorter than Annabeth and had darker skin too. She wore the same orange shirt but had an embroidered tunic on over it. 

"Piper I'm fine," Annabeth said trying to calm down the worried girl, who handed Annabeth a small yellow and orange kitten who must have ben Bobbito.

"Who are they?" The peacock feathers girl asked pointing to Athena, Reyna, Thalia, Zoë, and Artemis who were all standing next to Ladon. Annabeth then began to explain to the girl who they were gesturing to them all while she said their names. Artemis was surprised that she remembered them, they had only said their names a few times. The girl then walked up to them and held her hand out. 

"I'm Piper McClean, its nice to meet you," Reyna and Athena shook her hand while the others stood back and watched. They all returned the greeting though with faked happiness. Three others came from the same tunnel that Piper had entered from minutes ago and went to their friends. 

One was a tall male with pale skin and close-cut black hair. He had a strong muscular build and was wearing a purple shirt compared to the orange most of the others wore. He also had a golden horse eagle hybrid pin attached to his tunic. He jogged over to the others with Hazle walking behind him. The other was a tall girl with caramel hair that was braided over one shoulder and dark almond-shaped eyes. She ran over to Leo and threw her arms around the shorter boy hugging him, then pulled him into a quick kiss. 

"Are You guys ready to go?" Annabeth asked appearing beside Artemis. 

"Go where?" Athena inquired. 

"We are currently in Buker 9, which is part of Montauk Hills, AKA the only organized magical community. We all live in Camp New Blood, which is an organization of mostly younger people who are working to improve magic and rescuing beings of magic from the cities and bring them here. A place where they will be safe and learn to use their magic."

"Is that why you broke into that orphanage?" Artemis questioned.

"Yes," Annabeth said smiling. "People with magic are in great danger in this world, 'normal' people are scared of us, and try to kill us. The people at Camp NB are working to save the next generation of magic."

No one knew what to say to that, so they just nodded and said that they ready to go. Annabeth then leads then through the tunnel that the others had come through. The tunnels hove through different areas and opened up to a new area every few feet. Glowing vines colted the sides and top of the tunnel and glowing rocks coated the bottom.

After what seemed like only ten minutes of walking they exited the tunle. They had walked way farther but the tunes were enchanted so that you could places quicker than should have been possible. 

They were standing at the top of a green hill that looked down upon the camp. It was surrounded by a fast-flowing river that was said to act as a barrier if ever needed. At the widest part of the river, there was a small island with a tall pine tree that had a golden blanket hanging from its branches, another defense. And wrapped around the base of the tree was a slumbering dragon, a defense for the defense.

Reyna, Thalia, Athena, Zoë, and Artemis stood at the top of the hill staring down in wonder. Most of the others had already walked down towards the river laughing talking with each other. The only ones that had stayed with them were Annabeth, Nico, and Will. The shortest of the three walked up to the group of girls and after taking in their shocked expression said.  

"It's a lot to take in, isn't it?" He said turning away from then to gaze across the grounds, he sounded like he spoke from experience. The five of them nodded or should some for agreement still not being able to form words. After a beat of silence, Nico turned back to the girls saying, "Well let me be the first to welcome you to Camp New Blood."

Chapter Text

Annabeth with the help of Will and commentary from Nico gave the girls a quick tour of the camp. The first stop was the big house where the leaders met to talk. The leaders consisted of one immortal, a centaur named Chiron, and a group of twenty centurions that represented the twenty different cohorts, and two elected praetors from any of the twenty centurions. The centurions were divided based on skill and dominant traits, and in some cases who you were born to. 

Percy for example was one of the only members in cohort three, the cohort of water. People that lived in the cabin were closely related to Poseidon, the immortal of seas, or water nymphs, or were incredibly good when it came to any water activity. 

Annabeth was a mortal who was incredibly good at changing any form of magic and was in Cohort 6, where the children of Minerva usually went. They were known for Strategic thinking and Leadership, Annabeth was the centurion. Nico is a child of Hades, the immortal Death, The Underground, and Darkness, and is the centurion of Cohort 13. His younger sister Hazle was the only other occupant of Cohort 13.

Will pointed to a solid gold cabin, which seemed to either reflect the sun or was glowing itself. Cohort 7 was for children born to Helios, the immortal of Day. Healing was another large part of Will's Cohort. Will told them that he was a few generations removed but was a descendent of Helios. 

"So you have solar powers?" Athena asked after Will finished talking about his Cohort. 

"I'm honestly a better healer but I can heal and control light," Will said smiling bright enough to rival the sun itself. 

"He also glows," Nico said smirking at the puppy-eyed glare Will sent his way. 

"That's not important," Will shoot back at the smaller boy.

"He's the best medic we have," Annabeth said trying to get the conversation back on topic. The two continued to quietly bicker but there was no real heat. 

"So how long has Jason been here for?" Thalia asked out of the blue looking away from the two boys over to Annabeth. 

"He's been here since he was a toddler, why?" Annabeth asked confused. 

"His surname isn't by any chance Grace?" Thalia asked quickly. Nico stopped his conversation and turned to look intensely at Thalia. Artemis, just like Annabeth was confused by the woman's question. She knew that Thalia had a little brother who was said to have died in a wolf attack but besides that had no family that she cared about. 

"Why do you want to know?" Nico said before Annabeth could answer. 

"I don't see why you need to know?" Thalia said narrowing her eyes at the shorter boy. Before another fight could be started Annabeth jumped in to supply Thalia with her answer. 

"Yes, his full name is Jason Grace," Annabeth said still looking confused but trying to stop an oncoming storm. 

"Where is he now? Can I see him?" Thalia's voice was shrill and urgent.

"Probably at the arena sparring with Percy, and I guess so?" Will offered to take them while Nico stated that he would be coming with them. Reyna opted to go with Thalia saying that they would meet up later that night. With that, the four hurried off towards the arena. 

"What was that about?" Annabeth asked after the group had disappeared from sight.

"I don't know..." Artemis said turning to Zoë who shrugged. Annabeth then continued on with the tour as if nothing had happened. She showed them the climbing wall which was cover in lava. The amphitheater where the campers met at night for a sing-along, campfire, and a variety of other things. The stables held more Asseros' and a few unmagical horses, and pegasi. They then walked past the cabins, each held one Cohort and a number of campers. They ended their trip by walking past the armory then heading to the arena. 

They entered the opened roofed area to see Thalia and Jason stabbing at each other. Nico, Will, Percy, and the feather girl sat on the sides watching them spare. Thalia had her long golden spear out, her shield sat on one of the benches next to her brown leather bag. Jason on the other hand was fighting her with a golden gladius. 

The three walked over to the group that was already sitting to watch the two dance around each other. 

"What did we miss?" Artemis asked sitting down next to Reyna who turned to her with a sarcastic smile. 

"Nothing much, except that Jason is Thalia's presumed dead little brother. And they are both the children of Jupiter, the immortal of the sky. But besides that, not much." Artemis and Zoë both gave out shocked reactions before turning to watch the two reunited siblings spar. 

The match ended with Thalia disarming her brother and a golden spear pointed at his chest. 

"I win," Thalia said grinning at her brother. 

"My turn!" Percy yelled grabbing a bronze sword running up to the spot where Thalia had just stood.

"Water first," Jason said grabbing a cantine and drinking the water that poured from it. He then walked over to the blond positioning himself lower to the ground getting ready to go again. 

"Bro... what if we had a homoerotic sword fight..." Percy said smiling like an idiot before striking, they exchanged a few blows before backing away giving the other time to think. "jk, jk," Percy said referring back to his earlier comment. The two exchanged a few more swings before Percy spook once again, "...Unless?" The ravenett struck once more causing Jason to get knocked to the floor. 

"I am literally the straightest person here," Nico said shaking his head at the Percys comment.

"What do you mean by that?" Artemis asked. The elder princess was confused at their language, straight? homoerotic? And why no one else found it strange that the two boys were acting playfully romantic towards each other. 

"By what?" Nico asked looking at her instead of the stone floor.  

"Straight?" Artemis asked her cheeks burning as the others looked at her like this was a ridiculous question. 

"Straight is another word for someone who likes the opposite gender," Annabeth explained. 

"Are you implying that males can love other males? And females other females?" Athena asked astonished at the information. 

"While yea, there's nothing wrong with loving who you want to love," Will said softly. "I mean Nico's my boyfriend," He said smiling and gesturing to the boy next to him. A blush covered the pale boy's cheeks as he mumbled something about 'Significant annoyance.'

"Really?" Zoë and Reyna said simultaneously. 

"Yea, and don't let anyone ever tell you differently," Nico said his eyes darkening "Because they are  wrong."

Artemis felt a weight lift from her that she never knew she was carrying. She had never been interested in being intimate with any male. The thought of marrying any man and having his children make Artemis sick. The news that this wasn't a bad thing, that she could love a  female, a girl!  It made her happier than she could say. Zoë, Reyna, and Thalia wore a similar expression. Athena just looked thoughtful and happily surprised. 

Artemis turned to look at Zoë and smiled at the older girl, for some reason her aunt's words from the day before came back to her,  "So who is it? I also know the face of heartbreak, whether you know it or not. " Artemis remembered telling her aunt that she loved no one, only for her aunt to ask her if she was sure. Then before her aunt could say who she believed her heart belonged to, Hermes had interrupted. Artemis wished now more than anything that she had gotten to hear her aunt's last words before they fleed. 

Chapter Text

"Artemis, shoot with me?" Zoë suggested holding up her silver bow. Her quiver was hanging on her back stocked with a dozen arrows. Another dozen sat in a quiver on the ground. Artemis's own sliver bow hung at her right side, her quiver also hung on her back with two dozen arrows. 

"I would love to," Artemis said walking over to where Zoë stood. Both girls stood at the shooting line, drew an arrow, and nocked it. They both pulled back with their left hand, let out a breath then shot. Even without gloves covering the women's fingers, they both hit a bullseye. They continued until they ran out of arrows. Artemis never missed the yellow center, while Zoë had a few that strayed towards the red.   

"Amazing job my lady," Zoë said hanging up her bow before walking into the no man's land to retrieve her arrows from the hay stuffed target.

"Thank You, you also did amazing," Artemis formed an 'L' with her hand, placed it over the arrow, and pulled out, taking the arrow with. The conversation turned awkward after that as the two gather their arrows in silence. They had been in Camp New Blood for a week now and since the event with Percy and Nicos comments, Zoë had been strangely distant.

"Is something bothering you?" Artemis asked, the question rushing from her mouth. 

"What are you talking about?" Zoë questioned turning to look at the younger woman. 

"You've been acting... distent since we got here," Artemis said carefully choosing her words.  

"There has just been a lot on my mind," Zoë said turning from Artemis in favor of walking towards the shooting line. 

"Would you like to talk about it?" Zoë didn't respond at once but when she did her voice was quieter. 

"Do you think what they said is true? That's loving female isn't unnatural?" Zoë said, pursing her lips. 

"Well, I don't really know. We were told our whole life that we were to marry a male and have children. I was to marry for status and to provide my husband with an heir. It's strange to hear that there's another option, but it's... it feels really good to know that crushing on my best friend doest make me unnatural," Artemis said letting out a nervous laugh. "I already have enough things to feel ''unnatural' about." As she said this she brought her hand up to her ears, placing her finger on the long pointed tip. 

"But what's the point? If all we are meant to do is have children then why would we be allowed to love a woman?" Artemis was taken aback by the question. She knew that Zoë hated the idea of marriages and giving birth to a child, but hating  love  in general...

"Because we love someone? Because maybe we can marry someone because we love them?" Artemis tried her best to answer. She hated seeing the older girl in such a state of distress. Both of them were usually composed, it frightened Artemis to see the smile notional of love break down the girl's walls with such force. 

"I... I'm going to go for a walk," Zoë said taking her quiver off her back and wrapping it around her hips then slipped her bow onto her chest the string drawn taut against her chest. Artemis watched Zoë walk off with a frown, hoping that she hadn't just lost her best friend. Zoë had been there her whole life, she was part of Artemis, and the princess didn't know if she could survive without the older women. Or more accurate, if she would even  want  to.  

Artemis walked over to the armory and hung up her sheath of arrows on an unlabeled wall then walked to the other side and hung up her bow under her name. The bow wasn't balanced right and was used before but would make do until she would get something that suited her. But considering that no one knew what kind of magic she possessed, it was hard to do much of anything. 

She and Zoë were staying in Cohort 8, which was for children born to Diana, though she hadn't had any children for as long as anyone alive could remember. So the cabin was filled with moon elves and people embodied the immortal's main traits, independence. The immortal also was rumored to be a virgin immortal and because of that, no man had the audacity to stay in Cabin 8 and be part of Cohort 8. 

"Artemis"  Artemis's head snapped up at the sound of someone calling her name. Then out of the corner of her eye, she saw a flash of silver dart into the densely packed forest at the edge of the clearing. The princess jumped up and ran after the silver creature as if she was being drawn. Her legs moved without thought as she dashed deeper into the wood. It has been midday when she left but once she had slowed to a stop, she realized that it was moon, not sun, trickling through the leaves.

"Hello?" Artemis called once she came to her senses. She was standing in yet another clearing, the path in front of her was so dark it was almost black compared to the way she came which was dark, but easy to move through. After she heard no response she turned to go back towards the light and to the camp. 

"Artemis"  The voice whispered again, distinctively female and louder now.

"Where are you?" Artemis called looking around for the voice.

"Deeper,"  the voice responded  "You are at a crossroad princess, make your choice, though your decision will change everything you thought you knew,"  Then the woods went silent. Artemis called out, getting louder and louder, demanding the voice explained itself more. Besides, going forward would be taxing, and she knew not what dangers things lay beyond. Montauk Hills was one of the only places of peace, everywhere else was up for debate. 

Artemis, after long though turned once again to leave, not wanting to risk death at the heads of a disembodied voice when she saw the flash of sliver again. Artemis wiped her head to see the sliver mist settle into the shape of an animal. The glowing animal took the form of a deer, a female, but with golden hooves and antlers. The doe turned its softly glowing eyes towards Artemis and blinked. Then turned and walked into the denser part of the forest, in the direction of the voice. 

"Artemis!" Zoë yelled running up behind her, causing the deer to sprint off into the forest. Artemis was about to follow in when a hand caught her arm. "What are you doing out here, where are you going? I thought you were hurt!" Zoë demanded. 

"I need to follow the doe," Artemis said pulling her arm away and trekking deeper into the forest. 

"What doe? Artemis where are you going?" Zoë asked again following Artemis deeper in. When the younger girl didn't supply her with an answer Zoë jogged up in front of her and stopped. "Artemis, talk to me," Zoë said softly. 

"I don't know Zoë, but I have to go, I don't know why, all I know is that I have to follow that deer" Artemis responded looking into the girl's dark eyes with her own pleading ones. 

"Then I'm coming with you, I'm not allowing you to go off on your own," Zoë held up a hand when Artemis tried to argue back. "We are in this together my lady. As I have told you before, I'll be at your side until death due us part." Artemis nodded knowing that Zoë was just as stubborn as her, then trudged deeper into the forest. 

"Then let's find us a deer"

Chapter Text

The two walked slowly through the thickening forest much to Artemis's dismay. She would have rather have ran through the forest after the silver doe, but the twisting vines and roots and sticks jutting out in every direction caused the group to move at a slower pace. Not only that but the sun had disappeared and in its place hung the silver moon. Artemis walked in the same direction, only changing direction slightly when a flash of silver catches her eye. 

"So where are we going?" Zoë asked after the two had walked for what seemed like an hour. 

"I don't know," Artemis said calmly stepping over a fallen tree and pushing a thick patch of vines away from her face. She walked with no idea of her destination but walked with determination and as much speed as she could safely manage. Zoë frowned slightly at the answer but continued after the younger woman. 

"Artemis,"  the voice, a female voice echoed through the forest, louder now. The voice rattled in her skull, pushing all thoughts to the edges of her mind. Her sole focus became getting to the voice as soon as possible. Artemis began to run through the thick twisting branches, not hearing Zoë calling out for her as the taller girl fell behind. Nor did Artemis feel the cuts and scrapes that appeared on her fair skin, staining the surface with red blood. 

The former princes only came to a stop once she reached a small clearing filled with fog, a dark wooden hut sat in the middle of the clearing. The structure seemed to bend the light around it, making the hut go in and out of focus. Two torches sat on either side of the door, causing the wood to shine like silver. 

"My lady," Zoë gasped out, panic fading from her face once seeing that the woman was not harmed beyond the marks left by hanging branches. "Where are we?" She asked slowly turning to look at the strange setting with awe and apprehension. 

"Artemis," the voice said clearly, causing both girls to jump.

"Yes? Who are who? Why have you called me? How do you know me?" Artemis asked breathlessly, her silver eyes darting around the fog looking for a hint of movement hidden in the white vale. 

"Come in children." Zoë and Artemis sharded a look before Artemis walked forward slowly, approaching the shining door. She wrapped her hand around the handle, shivering at the cool sensation. She pulled the door open and walk into a large room, much larger than the hut itself. 

The room was dark making it hard for either of the girls to make out any details. The only thing they could see was a woman longing in a cushioned chair, mats, and pillows littered the ground in front of her.

"Come sit," she said, her voice seemed to be everywhere in the room. With a hesitance in her movements, Artemis took a small slow step forward, then another until she arrived at the edge of the blankets. Zoë joined her at the edge before the two girls sank into the soft material.  

Once seated near the woman, the girls could see a dark polecat and female dog resting near her feet, watching Artemis and Zoës every move. Her eyes were black but looked green when the torchlight in the room flickered just right. Her skin was pale enough to rival Artemis. Her dark hair hung in straight lines down her back and seemed lost in her clothes. Which consisted of only a black cloak that covered her whole form.  

"Hello cousin," she said with a small smile. "Its been so long since I've seen you, you were only a child when your mother died."

"You knew my mother?" Artemis asked, eyes widening, "But father said she died giving birth to my brother and I?"

"Your father is a lying, despicable, and vile murderer," the woman spat her facing darkening as the torches in the room flickered. Artemis's eyes widened even more, she resembled an owl as she stared up at the glaring woman. The room was quiet as the two on the ground staring up at the older woman, praying for some explanation. 

The woman took a deep breath and ran her hands over her lap before placing them on the armrests of her chair. "Your father is a murderer Artemis. He killed my aunt, your mother with out hesetation," the women then paused watching Artemis's face flash between different emotions, confusion, horror, betrayal, and fear being the most prevalent.

"Who are  you , and how do you know this?" Zoë asked after realizing that Artemis had lost the ability and will to speak. 

"Ah Zoë, you look like your father," Now it was Zoës turn to gape at the woman, now girls now sat in stunned silence. "I'm Hacte, and your mother, Leto," the women said turning to watch Artemis, "is my aunt. Well was, if Zeus had not killed her."

"I, I don't understand," Artemis whispered, her voice shaking. 

"Oh my dear girl, I am sorry that you had to learn this," Hactes face softened as she gazed at her younger cousin with pity. "But after Zeus learned of your mother's origins, he came to the conclusion that the only way to go on was to steal you and your brother from your home and steal your mother from this world.

Zeus had learned his entire life that creatures of magic are evil beings, and that the only solution was to kill them. So after finding out that our dear Lato was an elf, well as I have said, he found that her death was the only solution to the sin he believed himself to have committed. For having a child with an elf? A crime punishable by death."

"An elf...?" Artemis said quietly, not as surprised as she had expected herself to be. Throughout her entire life, attention had been called to her elfish looks. telling her that they were a reason for shame, so how could this reveal come as any surprise? 

"Yes, and by the looks of it I'd say you're a Night Shine elf, a patron of the moon." 

"'by the looks of it?' It sounds as if she is a diffrent breed of elf than her mother," Zoë stated, tilting her head slightly to the side. 

"Don't say 'breed' child, you make them sound like animals," Hacte replied waving her hand through the air as she talked. "But yes, an elf's title and magic is diffrent depending on the being. The abilty to be an elf is pased from mother to child, but the kind of elf they will develope into has nothing to do with their parent," Hacte finished. 

"So... what am I?" Artemis breathed out, breaking the silence that had fallen over the group after Hacte had finished. 

"How do you mean?" Hecte asked defensively.

"Am I a human? An elf? And whats 'night shine'?'" Artemis snapped back, masking her fear with anger, something she learned from her father.

"You are both, a human father and elf mother," Hacte began. "And Night Shine is the title for elves of the night, ones who draw their magic from the moon. But Night Shine elves are powered by the moon itslef, not the moon's imortal, Diana. That is a mistake made offten." 

"Power by the moon?" Artemis and Zoë asked simultaneously. 

"You will soon learn how to use your magic. Magic centring around the moon. You will be most powerful at night and weaker during the day, a trait simmalir to Day Flash elves. Elves who are most powerful when performing under their magic source, the sun."

"Day Flash? Wait how many types of elves are there?" Zoë questioned. But before Hecte could respond, Annabeth's voice echoed through the cabin, it sounded far off but loud all the same.

"It seems out time toghether has come to an end," Hecate said standing up gesturing for the girls to follow her. She walked to the door and gestured for the girls to walk out onto the moonlight grass. 

Artemis walked out first followed closely by Zoë the girls stood facing Hacte and the cabin and only turned around once they saw Hacte focus on something behind them. The thing caused a thin sly smile to slide across her face. The girls turned around and Artemis gasped at the sight. 

The silver doe stood before them, closer than ever before. Zoë watched as Artemis walked forward seemingly in a trance, raising her hand towards the silver doe. The large deer took a step forward placing its muzzle in Artemis's outstretched hand. The doe seemed to glow brighter as it rested its head in Artemis palm unmoving. Its golden antlers sparkled in the moonlight but even with the glow coming for the doe, a silver aura could be seen around the princes of Olympus. 

"Your Assero," Hacte said watching the deer and Artemis closely.

"Shes beautiful," Artemis whispered as she began to run a hand through the does pelt. 

"She?" Hacte asked with a knowing smile, "But the deer has antlers, isnt that only seen in males?"

"She, its defintly a she. And shes not normal, you're not normal, are you? You're somthing special," Artemis said softly searching the does glowing eyes. 

"She most defintly is," Hacte agreed, nodding her head. "And she is your way back to Camp New Blood." Artemis nodded before placing her hand back on the doe's head and asked for the creature's permission. The doe took a step back lowering its body leading with its golden-crowned head. Artemis swang herself gracefully onto the back of the creature, settling herself onto its back as if she had been riding the doe since birth.  

"Zoë," Artemis said smiling down to the taller girl as she offered her hand. The older girl smiled, took the elf's hand, and pulled herself onto the doe's back. The doe then began to walk out of the grove and gained speed as they drew away from the cabin. "Hold on," Artemis whispered. Zoë then wrapped her arms tightly around the girl's waist and laid her head against Artemis's back, smiling at the closeness. 

Moments after Zoë's arms wrapped themselves around the Artemis's waist, the doe took off. Sprinting with goddess-like grace across the uneven forest floor. They seemed to be flying as the sky faded from the dark blue and soft silver of the night sky to the dazzling blue and harsh yellow of the day. 

And if anyone were to ask why the girl's faces were flushed red, they both would have blamed it all on the silver doe. 

Chapter Text

Royal Family

Ares (25)

Apollo (23)

Hephaestus (22)

Athena, (21)

Hermes, (13)

Dionysus (10)

Aphrodite (Old Adult) = Crazy aunt 

Main Cast

Artemis (23 older than Thalia)

Thalia (23 older than Reyna)

Reyna (23 Yonger than Artemis)

Zoe(24)

Camp New Blood

Bianca (19)

Percy (18 Older than Annabeth)

Annabeth(18)

Nico (16 Older than Will)

Will (16)

Hazle(15)

Frank (17)

Jason (17)

Piper (17)

Leo(17)

calypso(18)

Elf Types

ELEMENT: NAME 

 Moon: Night Shine elf

Sun: Day Flash Elf

Earth: Root Shaker Elf

Water: River Heart Elf

Wind: Sky Breath Elf

Creature: Beast Core Elf

Fire: Blaze Elf

Ice: Frozen Ribbon Elf

WHAT COHORT##BY BIRTH##TRAITS AND/OR POWERS##CENTURIONS##OTHER STUFF

Cohort 1: (Jupiter) Sky and Justice [Jason]

Cohort 2: (Juno) Family and Unity [OC]

Cohort 3: (Posiden) Sea and Freespirt [Percy]

Cohort 4: (Demeter) Earth and Stability [Katie]

Cohort 5: (Mars) War and Physical strength [Clarisse]

Cohort 6: (Minerva) Strategic thinking and Leadership [Annabeth]

Cohort 7: (Helios) Day and Healing [Will] {Apollo is his name in both Romand and Greek, I did what I could}

Cohort 8: (Diana) Moon and Independence [Bianca]

Cohort 9: (Vulcan) Medal and Inventions [Leo]

Cohort 10: (Venus) Munlipltiveness and Indisisviness [Piper]

Cohort 11: (Mercury) Trickery and Stealth [Connor]

Cohort 12: (Bacchus) Madness and Facetious [Pollux]

Cohort 13: (Hades) Death, The Underground and Night [Nico]

Cohort 14: (Iris) Messenger and Color [Butch]

Cohort 15: (Hypnos) Dreams and Self-preservation [Clovis]

Cohort 16: (Nemesis) Balance and Vengeance [OC]

Cohort 17: (Nike) Pride and Victory [Holly and Laurel] {They refused to pick one}

Cohort 18: (Hebe) Forgiveness and Childress [Paolo]

Cohort 19: (Tyche) Good Luck and Balance [Chiara]

Cohort 20: (Hecate) Magic and thoughtful [Lou Ellen]

Praetors: Frank and Hazle

Crown city = Mytikas

Country name = Olympus

Only magical community = Montauk Hills

The cave thing for Assero creature = Bunker 9

Camp New Blood: An organization of mostly younger people

who are working to improve magic

and rescuing beings of magic from the cities and bring them here.

A place where they will be safe and learn to use their magic.

THIS IS A REPEAT OF WHAT WAS IN CHAPTER NINE

Chapter Text

“Where were you?” Annabeth asked as Zoë and Artemis walked out of the woods into the open fields of Camp New Blood. Her voice held worry, seeing as the two new women had disappeared mear hours after arriving. The silver doe had dropped the two off at the border of the woods before running back into the thicket faster than a human blink. Though Artemis could feel that they would meet again, this was only the begging. 

“On a walk,” Zoë answered smoothly, the lie sliding easily off her tongue like a song. The two had silently agreed to keep this their secret for now. The meeting seeming too private and the information too new to be shared with the whole world. And with people who had yet to prove themselves trustworthy.  

"I'm glad you both are alright," Percy added walking up behind Annabeth. Percy quickly went to amend his statement after receiving two dry glares from the older women. "I mean, you both are new, and the woods can be dangrouse, not to say that you're weak. Becuase, like, you're not weak but like, I- I'll stop now," Percy said a blush creeping up his neck. 

"We was worried for a second, but you are clearly allright," Annabeth said smiling at Artemis, knowing that Zoë would not be won over and reassured with just a grin and a few words. Artemis nodded to the younger girl, showing her thanks. 

"Well! It's lunch time and we were just about to escort you to the pavilion!" Percy said with a big smile gesturing the way that he and Annabeth had come. With that, they began to walk began one of the many rolling hills that made up the camp. This hill was covered with picnic tables, small fires burned around the pavilion, keeping the people warm and providing some light. Though with the sun high in the sky and few tall buildings around to provide shade, it was bright and hot. 

The two girls walked in silence, listing to Percy and Annabeth speak about bits of the camp they had missed the first time they walked through. Annabeth pointed out cabins and people, naming their roles, talents, and uses without missing a beat. She talked about the architecture of each building as if she had built them, and for a vast majority of the newer and detailed buildings, she had. 

Zoë observed the way the two interacted while listing to Annabeth talk about the camp. She watched the way their hands would drift together. She watched the way Percy followed every movement of the younger girl's hand as she talked. Zoë observed the sparkle in his eye as he listened to the blond girl talk with passion about her home. She watched the kind and loving looks that they shared before glancing over to look at Artemis. 

Noting how the princes listened to each of Annabeth's words like they were Athenas. Value in each word and thought, and admiration for the longer girls showing that they two had intelligence, and that they were worth more than their looks. Zoë watched as the women's silver eyes gazed across the field, silent and smart, taking in each bit of information. 

Zoë watched as Artemis moved across the grass with a confident gait as if she was still walking through the halls of the castle. She moved with grace and beauty of a princess, even now, with people who saw her as an equal and not as royalty. Artemis walked with confidence, not arrogance as many in the castle did. She walked with her head high, sparking eyes silently taking in the world, and her sharp mind processing each input diligently. Her silver hair shimmer like glassy water reflecting moon rays.  

"Would you like to sit with us untill you find others?" Annabeth asked stopping before the first set of tables. The tables were set up in no particular order and no table looked the same. Each seemed to be made by different people or persons, with different materials, different heights, and made for different amounts of people. One of the largest tables held a few familiar faces and a few open seats. 

"Yes, thank you," Artemis said, following as Annabeth walked, and Percy jogged over to the large table. The table was made of pinewood and smelled slightly of pine sap and needles. There were sixteen chairs around the table. And after Percy sat down, only three remained. Annabeth sat down between Percy and the peacock girl from earlier, Piper. The two spaces left were next to each other and between Athena and Hazle. Artemis slid down next to her sister and Zoë next to her.  

Zoë looked across the table, seeing that only one person was completely foreign to her. Next to Hazle was the tall boy with close-cut black hair, Frank. He and Hazle were the Praetors she remembered. Next to Frank was another she recognized. Leo and the caramel-haired girl next to him seemed to be his partner if the kiss from early said anything.

Zoë then turned to her other side to see the others she was sitting with. Next to her was Artemis, Athena, Reyna, and then Thalia, who sat next to her brother. Next to Jason was Percy, then Annabeth, Piper, Nico, Will, and then one girl she had not yet seen. 

The girl seemed to be the oldest of the group, about 19 years of age. She had olive skin and silky dark hair and shared a shocking resemblance with Nico. There's a splash of freckles across her face that can be seen when she pushes the stray strands out of her face as she smiles and waves at the new arrivals to the table. The hair that isn't hanging out is pulled back in a stylishly loose braid. Her pale arms were structured with firm muscles and slightly covered by an orange shirt that most of the others wore. 

Zoë furrowed her brow at the shirt, the only ones at the table with purple shirts were Frank and Hazle. Everyone else had their own garments or wore an orange shirt, quite an odd color choice. But Zoë had seen much stranger things than shirt colors since she had arrived at the camp. The sound of a girl's voice broke Zoë from her thoughts. 

"Hello," the unknown girl said, raising her hand and gave the newcomers a small wave. "I'm Bianca, the Centurions of Cohort 8. Our Cohort is of the immortal Diana. Our elements are the moon and Independence." At this Artemis glanced quickly to Zoë her eyes shining at the mention of the Cohort of the moon. 

"And Nico's older sister," Leo added. "They look eierly similar, its kinda spooky, right?" Leo said turning to look at the new girls. Most of them looked back with blank looks or shrugs. He deflated into his seat with a puppy pout. Though after the caramel-haired girl laughed, he straightened back up with a sideways smile. 

"And I'm Calypso, I don't think we were properly instroduced," the girl said smiling and giving a confident wave. Athena smiled and waved back with just as strong of a wave, the others followed her lead and waved and the girl. 

Then lunch officially began, invisible wind spirits rushed around the pavilion delivering different food to each person. Even if they didn't know they wanted it. The food seemed to appear from nowhere and then disappear into thin air. The meal continued on as it had begun, loud and full-on energy as children and young adults moved around, talked, and ate.

-----------(time skip, they eat)------------------

After lunch had finished the group split into smaller pods but before the newcomers could walk off after Annabeth, Bianca walked up to the group with a smile. 

"If you guys don't have any plans, would you like to go on a walk with me? I heard that You and Zoë were in the forest eairler, and I thouht that I could take you to some of the more intresting parts?" Bianca said addressing Artemis, the clear leader of their small group.

"You're invinting all of us?" Bianca nodded, a small smile still on her face. 

"Who else would be comming," Thalia asked watching as the others that had been sitting with them broke off from the larger group and walked off.

"Nico and Will, I asked them before I came to ask you all." The girls all shared a look, and after Artemis had sensed no uneasiness in the faces of her sister or friends, she nodded to the younger girl. 

"We would love to come," Athena said stepping forward, following close behind Bianca as she began to walk towards the edge of the camp. Nico and Will joined them on the walk down. They walked in comfortable silence, the only sounds being made by Nico and Will as they softly talked a few feet away from the main group. 

"Do you want them to meet Mrs. O’Leary?" Bianca asked, turning to her brother before they entered the thicket. 

Nico shrugged before responding, "I can call her but she may or may not come."

"Who's Mrs. O’Leary?" Reyna asked as they entered the woods.

"My Assero creature, she's a hell hound, a being and creating of Hades," Nico responded, he and Will taking up the rear of the group as they slid through the trees.  

The newcomers all wore varied expressions of shock as they followed Bianca through a lightly worn path that was only seeable to trained or familiar eyes. The sun had sunken out of the center of the sky but still hung high, pouring light into the forest which filled in through the green leaves, warming the group walking through. 

"What's your Assero crea-" Reyna began but was cut off as Athena let out an ear-splitting creak. Nico and Will ran forward, a sword appeared in Nico's hand and light swelled around Will, and was the brightest in his hands. Reyna pulled out her swords while Thalie brandished her spear. Zoë pulled out a bow while Artemis placed herself in front of her sister. 

In a matter of seconds, a semicircle formed around Athena with Nico and Will standing on either side of the girls, and weapons were drawn. Bianca had spun on her heel, not seeing what Athena had screamed at. 

"Whats wrong?" Bianca asked quickly, her back now turned to the source of Athena's scream. The girl could say nothing, only pointed to the darkness behind Bianca's back. 

The think was seven feet tall hunched over and if it stood up straight a good four feet would be added to its total. It had a large chest but its ribs could be seen, the animal looked as if it hadn't eaten in months. It had the skull-like head of a deer. Large antlers grew from its head and bits of leaves and other dark bits hung from its black horns. It stood on strong back legs, looking like werewolf legs. The front legs were two dainty stick-like limbs with three clas on the front. Two large nails pointed forward and one pointing back. It seemed to only use its front legs for balance when hunched down as it was now. 

Its whole body was covered with back hair, except for its legs, which was covered in a thin layer of skin, letting the group see its thin but thick bones. The longes hairs were on its chest where it hung almost down to its keens. Though it would have looked shorted it the beast wasn't hunched over to stay hidden under the treetops. Its muzzle was long like a deer but full of sharp white shiny teeth that refected the little sunlight that hit it. But the worst part was the obsidian black eyes that seemed to suck the life and heat out of the air. 

The girls, save Bianca, stopped breathing, as they felt their life drain away. But out of the corner of her eye, Zoë could see Nico and Will relax, Will let his light evaporate and Nico sheathed his black sword. 

"What are you doing," Thalia hissed as she too saw the three relax. 

"Don't worry! They wont hurt you!" Bianca said waving her hands in front of the girls before turning and walking over to the large creature. The girls let out choked sounds of fear and warning as the beast loured its muzzle and... nuzzled Bianca's head.

"Shh, they are freinds," Bianca said rubbing the beast's head. After she said that the girls felt as though they could breathe again. Their fear began to leave them as if it was the beast that had sucked their life from their bodies and heightened their fear. 

"That- Thats... Thats a wendigo," Athena whispered staring at the creature with large eyes full of wonder and a bit of fear. 

"Yea, sorry about that," Bianca said turning back to the group who had still yet to move, though they had relaxed their stances. 

"Why did a  wendigo,  just nuzzle you," Thalia asked, her spear still raised as she eyed the animal. 

"They were just protecting me, you're new afterall."

" Protecting? " Thalia asked again in the same doubtful and snarky tone.

"Yes, my Assero is very protective but hates the daylight and people, so most don't know about them." Silenced filled the space as the others processed what she had just said. 

The silence was shattered when Athena squealed like a child, her eyes going wide. She held the same expression when she got a new book or learned of a new creature, "Your Assero is a  WENDIGO?! "

(Original and still mostly accurate stretch of this stories wendigo) [This was drawn by Nightshade_Rules on AO3 and is posted on my Tumblr {Alien Rainbow}]

https://alien-rainbow.tumblr.com/private/655469516746375168/tumblr_L4G53CpljfmcAWX1h

Chapter Text

Months of bliss had passed until danger was once again on the eldest princess's doorstep. The sunrise had been beautiful as the sunset the night before had been. The day started out perfectly, Aremis woke up at sunrise inside a pale gray and white cabin. The morning beams just starting to enter around the black curtains, making the walls shimmer with silver light. Diana's cabin had become her home. Her sister may have decided their place was among the people of Minerva's cohort, but she still had Zoë and Thalia at an arms reach within the silver cabin.  

The two girls were still sleeping when Aremis slipped out of the cabin, grabbing her bow and a cloak. She tossed the light fabric over her shoulders to keep the morning chill away as she hurried across the grass to the edge of the large clearing. She gazed around before stepping into the wood. Artemis walked for a few minutes and once the camp was hidden from her view by the towering trees, she stopped. 

She knew that she should feel afraid. Afraid of the still dark wood and the long shadows the trees cast across the dewed grass. Afraid that if something came for her, no one may hear, even if someone did they may not reach her in time. But the morning air mixing with fresh soil, the wind whistling through the large trees and green leaves, calmed her. Made her feel like she was home. She had never felt this back inside her castle, even under piles of fur blankets, wrapped in fine silks and sitting on a soft feather bed. 

She took a deep breath of the cool morning air before sitting down on a damp log, not minding as the water socked into the trousers she had pulled on that morning. She waited only a minute or so more before she stepped into sight. The silver doe stood up tall and proud. Her coat shinning as the golden horns reflected the light that slipped through the treetop. 

Artemis smiled as she stood up and moved forward, lifting her hand to the doe. The creature placed her forehead into the outstretched hand without hesitation. The elf smiled as she began to stroke the does head, the soft fur was glowing silver. The doe let out a sound that could be described as purring. A small smile slipped across Artimeses face. 

"You left without me," a calm voice called out gently from behind the two. Artemis's smile widened as she turned to watch the taller elf walk into the clearing. Zoë wore an ensemble similar to Artemis's but with the edition of a small silver circlet that was attached with a silver ribbon. Said ribbon was long and after being tied in a secure knot, was braided into her hair which fell down her back.

Days after Artemis's elvin discovery, Zoë had hers. The Diana cohort was sitting in the library along with Athena and Reyna. It was a beautiful building made out of living trees that were formed to grow together and create a large dome out of trunks and branches. The floor was soft green moss and was light with fireflies. No one was sure how or why they stayed light all the time, but the room was never dark. Either filled with the tiny bugs light, or theirs and the suns.  

Zoë walked quickly up to Artemis with a worn leather book in her hands, the title was written in silver script but Artemis could not make out the words. Zoë slid onto the bench, in the spot adjacent to Artemis flipping the book open quickly to a yellowed page filled with different shades of blues and written in the same silver script.

"My lady look," Zoë was quiet and breathless, the wonder clear in her soft voice. Artemis focused on the page and saw the title of the chapter, her eyes widening as she read, " River Heart Elf "

"Your elf kind...?" Artemis guessed. Zoë nooned once and turned her attention back to the page rereading it as Artemis absorbed the information written on the page. 

"River Heart Elfs, patrons of the water. They are themsleves already powerful, being able to work with and control with the tides of even the mightest rivers. But when paried with a Night Shine elf, their power is doubled. Though their has been very few combinations of these two becaseu of their liklyness to arguee over which is more powerful. These elves have been known to prefer that seaside and are thefor uasly found on the outskirts of lands..."

The book continued on with descriptions and other bits of information but neither elf needed to read it, they already knew that Zoë was more than human and most likely an elf. But they now had a name and though she wouldn't admit it to most, Zoë was delighted.

"River Heart" Zoë breathed out softly, her head directly to the left of Artemis. When she talked, the moon elf could feel Zoë’s breath on her neck. She flushed but didn't make any attempt to move, nor did Zoë. 

"I thought you would want to sleep in, It must have been tiring for you to show off your extraordinary archery skills to the rest of the campers," Artemis said with a slight smirk. "I thought you would appreciate the extra sleep-" darling, MY darling, beautiful, love... my love. Artemis snapped her mouth shut with a click before she could say something they would both regret. 

"My lady, I've come with you evey morning you have come to greet her. Today is no diffrent." Artemis fought the blush that tried to creep across her pale cheeks. She has been calling you that for years , don't start acting weird now!

"Well, I will rember that for next time," Artemis could almost swear she heard Zoë mumble 'you better.'

"Has she given you a name yet?" Zoë asked as she made her way towards the doe. Placing her hand on the soft fur of its neck, she began to lightly stroke the creature. 

"Mmm, no," Artemis said softly, "But she’ll say will when she ready, until then, I will wait."

"Most have given their Asseros a name if they don't provid one. If its not rude to ask, let me ask, why have you not?" Zoë questioned turning to look fully at the shorter girl who would not look her in the eyes. Artemis Kept her head pressed into the deer's coat to keep from looking at the taller elf, for fear of her seeing the blush that had spread. 

"It dose not feel right... I don't want to call her something she may not like. So until I have a name... I'll just wait." Zoë hummed, not asking her to elaborate. 

The rest of the day passed in peace and a new normalcy, Artemis joined her sister in the library to read and munch on honey toast before continuing with their days. It was midafternoon and Artemis was exiting the library when she heard panicked shouting.  

"Get help!"

"We need bangdes!"

"Eveyone out of the way, we needed these people at the infirmary yesterday!" She began to move towards the shouting hoping to provide assistance. 

"Move"

"Get help!"

"Thats my freind!"

"What happend?"

"Soldiers from Mytikas attacked!" Artemis froze at the sound of the city’s name. Campers rushed past her to help, to get others, to prepare the infirmary, to clear people out of the way, to spread the news. People from Mytikas attacked, people could be dead, people got hurt. Artemis's blood turned to ice, she stood perfectly still, rooted to the ground. 

I thought we were safe. I thought I would never have to see them again. I thought I was safe. I was told I was safe. I was told we were safe from them. I thought...

"Artemis!" Someone yelled. Annabeth, that’s who yelled. The girl came running up to her bearly out of breath. "You said that you have medical experience, right?"

"I, yes, but-"

"Okay we need the help, come with me," she tugged on Artemis's hand before turning and dashing back to the infirmary. Artemis stood for a few moments before she also broke into a run. She could at least try and help the people that had been hurt by her father. 

She arrived at the infirmary and thanked all the gods for her strong stomach and experience, because the sight was... There was blood on everything and everyone. It stained the clothes and bed sheets of the patients, and the gloves and hands of those trying to help. Some people were missing limbs and almost all of them had tears streaming down their ash-covered faces or in their eyes. The room was loud with groans of pain, yelling for help and supplies, and curses at the king.

That was not the worse part of it, the worst part by far was how old the people were. Children, my father has injured and-

"We need to go back!" a girl of about ten screamed, "my brother is still there!"

"Shut up!" an older child responded. "He's dead! Theres no point going back!" This only made the girl cry harder, gripping her bleeding arm. ... and killed. My father has injured and... and killed children. 

"I need some help over here!" Someone near Artemis yelled, she snapped out of her trance and hurried over to help. The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of bandages, screams, blood, and curses at Mytikas. 

Chapter Text

It was past dinner by the time everyone was thanked for their help and released for the night. Artemis stepped out of the infirmary and stood outside of the door for a moment. She stood still examining the moon and stars that twinkled brightly in the dark night sky. The moon was full and at its peak. A small tear fell down her face as she began to move not towards her cabin, but to her sisters, and more importantly, Annabeth.

She knocked lightly on the door, not wanting to wake anyone who may have gone to bed already. The cabin's olive wood gave the structure a homey feel and the olive trees that were planted around the cabin made it feel as if the cabin was nestled in a grove of the fruit-bearing trees. Since Minerva and Diana were known to be close, their cabins had similar designs, one such similarity was the simple setup and the favor of gray and silver in both cabins. 

After a few moments, the door opened and Annabeth stood in the doorway. Candlelight spilled out onto the green lawn and wooden porch that Artemis stood on. She looked exhausted with her hair up in a messy lump of blonde curls and dark bags beginning to form under her eyes.  

“Artemis,” Annabeth said, her voice low and gravely. 

“Annabeth,” Artemis greeted quietly, "may I come in?"

"Yea, sure," Annabeth said shrugging and taking a step back into the cabin and gesturing for the older girl to enter. "Athena's bed is in the back," she said gesturing to the back of the cabin. Artemis could see her sister sitting on the bottom bunk of a bed reading a book. 

"Thank you, but I actually came to speak with you."

"Oh? How can I help you then?" Annabeth asked turning to give Artemis her full attention, though with how tired she was, that wasn't much. 

"The attack earlier today? What was it about? Who attacked? Why did they attack? How many died? What hape-" but before Artemis could continue questioning Annabeth cut in. 

"Everyone will be informed tomorrow so-"

"No."

"No...?" 

"I need to know what happened today. People were talking about Mytikas and about Zeus, my father. I need to know what happened," Artemis didn't raise her voice, but her tone left no room for objections. 

Annabeth sighed and began to speak. "An older mentor brought a group of children outside of Montauk into the woods to practice magic and for some of the children to play with their Asseros'. Mytikas knights are never this far in. They hate magic and see it as something that needs to be extinguished. But the king is too cowardly or too smart, it's our home turf, to enter the forest and try to harm us."

"But this time was different."

"But this time was different," Annabeth agreed. "Out of the group of twenty-seven, including three mentors... only twenty-one people made it back alive. And everyone but two, a mentor and a child were uninjured. And since coming back two people have died." Annabeth had to pause, she took a breath in and let it out slowly. But she didn't continue speaking, her eyes were shut and her brows furrowed.  

"So out of the twenty-seven people, as of now only nineteen are still alive," Artemis said this more to herself but after hearing it, Annabeth nodded. 

"The uninjured mentor, has been our best source of information. And after talking with her we believe that we know why they attacked..."

"Why...?" Artemis's voice was quiet and monotone.

"They believe they are avenging their princesses who were kidnapped and possibly killed by us. They are killing us for taking the two princesses, but the knights don't seem to know if it is just revenge or a rescue mission as well."

"So eight people are dead, because Athena and I left. Because I didn’t want to live there anymore and took her with me. Eight people are dead," Artemis's whispered, her voice still void of emotion as if she was trying to ignore the severity and significance of the situation and the words she had just spoken. 

"People died and were hurt because that pathetic excuse for a king named Zeus ordered people into the forest with the intention to kill. You said before that your father was responsible for you mothers death? It's the same here. You are one of us, not one of them." Annabeth finished but Artemis didn't look convinced. "You escaped from a there and came home, we are your home, magic is your home. Not with murderers like Zeus."

"I understand," Artemis lied before turning to walk to the door. "Thank you for telling me." Artemis opened and closed the door before Annabeth could respond, and even if the younger girl had said something. Artemis was too far into her head to hear anything but her own racing thoughts. 

Artemis walked quickly between the cabins as she made her way from the sixth Cohort to the eighth. She opened the cabin door and slipped quietly inside, trying to not draw attention. But attention was drawn, although this was good attention. 

"My lady," Zoë greeted, moving up from her bed and over to Artemis who stood at the door still. "Welcome back, how are you doing? Today was quite hectic." Zoë's voice was quiet as to not startle Artemis who was begging to look like a frightened doe. When Artemis didn't respond Zoë spoke again, this time softer and more concerned than before, "My lady?"

"Walk with me?" 

"Of coruse," Zoë then grabbed a cloak that was hanging on the wall through it over her shoulders and handed Artemis hers. The younger elf looked surprised for a moment before taking the cloak and throwing it over her shoulders. 

The two walked in silence as they made their way around New Blood, most of the cabins still had lights on inside but were quiet. Many of the campers were still in the infirmary as patients or help. And for those who were in their cabins, the day's events had put a damper on the night's spirit. 

"What is on your mind?" Zoë questioned breaking the silence that had settled around the two. Artemis turned to look at Zoë but said nothing and began to walk with purpose to the edge of the clearing and into the wood where she had begun her day. Once she arrived at the small clearing where she had met with the doe earlier in the day, she slid down to the ground against a pine tree with her head facing the stary sky and her legs crossed beneath her. 

She sat still with her eyes closed, breathing in deeply as she listened to the wind blow through the leaves. As she focused on the cold bark against her back and the cool grass and pine needles beneath her. And the warmth by her side as Zoë sat down in the grass next to her. Artemis glowed softly with silver light under the full moon and sparkling stars. 

"If I hadn't left. If I had stayed and married him. If I would have just been content where I was. If I wouldn’t have run away and taken Athena with me.... eight people would still be alive today." 

"Artemis..." Zoë said, her eyes widening. 

"Soldiers from Mytikas attacked a group of twenty-seven people, all but two were harmed, and as of now, eight are dead, because of me..."

"It is not your fault that they attacked they-"

"Zoë! They came to avenge the princess that had been kidnapped from the castle! They are here because I left, because I ran away from a marige. They believe that Athena and I were kidnapped! They attacked and wounded people because of it!" Tears began to gather in her eyes as the memory of the little girl screaming for her brother bubbled to the surface of her consciousness.

"Artemis, that was Zeus’s doing, not yours. Please-"

"No!" Artemis said whipping her head away from the sky to glare at Zoë with tear-filled eyes that sparkled in the moon's light. "Zoë, children are dead , my father killed children . And it is at least partially my fault! There is no way around it, those soldiers were here because of me Zoë!" Tears fell from her eyes, flowing silently down her face. 

"My lady, Artemis, it is not your fault," Zoë said quietly. Artemis looked at Zoë, tears still falling down her face. She could no longer look the water elf in the eyes. Artemis dropped her face into Zoë’s shoulder and allowed her tears to seep into the fabric. Zoë made no attempt to move, she instead brought her hand up to Artemis's head and began to run her fingers through the long strands as Artemis cried silently into her shoulder. 

"But it is Zoë. Simple cause and effect. I left, my father beilves me and Athena to be kidnapped, he sends people to kill the magic users he belives to have taken us. It’s simple, black and white, clear as day. This is my fault."

"Did you chose your family? Was it your falut Zues killed your mother? Was it your fault you were born and forced into a unwanted marrige?" Zoë spoke softly still running her hand soothingly through her friend's (Hee hee, friends my ass) hair. "No, none of it was your choie or your fault. You could not have known this would happen. Zues for the past years has been affraid to come into this forest, no one would have expected this reaction."

"But-"

"Shh, Artemis, you were not the one to hurt them. You helped them Artemis. People were brought in after being hurt by Zues and you helped to heal, not to hurt." 

After a while, Artemis spoke, though her head stayed in the crock of Zoë's shoulder. "Heh, seems like my brother's medical advice was helpful after all." Zoë could feel the soft laugh that spilled from the girl's lips. 

"And Athena's genral hunger for knowledge?" Zoë added with a small smile as Artemis's breathing evened out. But the next sentence ripped the smile away. 

"I should go back. I can get married and make something up about Athena. She'll be safe here and no one else will have to get hurt." Artemis lifted herself back up, dried tears staining her face but she made no move to wipe them away. Artemis was going to continue explaining her reasoning but her words died in her throat after looking finally at Zoë. 

"No, you can't..." was all the older girl could say. The elder elf's face was drained of all color and her mouth hung slightly open as she stared intently at Artemis. Her face phased through a dozen emotions. Shock at the princess's words, anger at her and Zeus. Fear for her best friend if she went back. Anger at Orion for daring to hurt Artemis. She could not describe how sick she felt at the thought of Artemis going back and marrying him, having children with him, spending one drop of her time with him . 

"Zoë?" Artemis asked softly, worried at the jumble of emotions on the elf's face. 

"No. You mustn't go back, your place is here with us. With your sister, with me , with Reyna, with Thalia, not to Zeus, not to Orion." Zoë spoke the last two names as though they were venom in her mouth. "You can not go back my lady, you hate it there, you do not have to do this. You don't have to leave this place, we are safe here, my lady you are happy here."

" Zoë ."

" Artemis ." Zoë stared intensely at the shorter girl, almost daring her to break eye contact, to fight against her. "Do not go back, please."

"But, Zoë, more people could get hurt, and I can stop it."

"But you don't know, Zeus may take you back and continue to hurt others. Then we lose you and others. You mustn't go back. You don't have to go back my lady." The two sat in silence, Artemis tore her eyes away and faced her head to the ground thinking. 

"I- I won't go, I will stay," Artemis finally spoke looking up to meet Zoë's eyes. 

"Promise?"

"Zoë I-"

"My lady, please, promise me you will stay and if you have doubts you will talk to me before leaving. I will not allow you to go back there alone."

"I promise." Zoë gripped Artemis's hand and nodded at her before pulling the two to their feet. She then began to lead them out of the wood and back to their cabin. They walked in silence under the brightly shinnying moon towards Diana's cabin.