Chapter III: Olympus

          I enter the golden gates of Olympus, catching a glimpse of Iris dancing on her rainbow. Hermes is there to greet me but he’s busy messing up a head full of black hair. I walk past him unnoticed into the palace.

          My chamber is very lavish. I go in and change into a pretty dress. I’m brushing my hair in front of the mirror when someone knocks on the door.

          I open it to see Apollo. He strolls in and flops onto some cushions. “Hello sister.”

          “It’s been a long time,” I say, sitting down with him. “I haven’t seen you since you abandoned me at Troy.”

          “You’re over that, right?”

          “No. How can I be? That was our home.”

          He sighed. “You’ve grown up since then Artemis. I can see it. For years you’ve been hunting on Crete. I thought you would be over this.”

          “Never.”

          “Then how are we supposed to live together again? Quit holding this against me.”

          “Live with you? I’ve already found a better partner. Someone I can trust. His name’s Orion.”

          There is a banquet in the evening. While Apollo plays music I sneak away from him to a balcony, overlooking the dark clouds. A shadowy strand of hair wisps across my face in the cold wind. I hear a nightingale sing a song in the distance that is new to my ears, suddenly making me forget my troubles, but sadly it fades.

          Just when my heart is overpowering me a hand grasps my shoulder. It’s Hermes. I haven’t spoken to him since he found me alone in Troy.

          “I’m sorry I missed you when you arrived,” he says. “You know how much of a daydreamer I am, if you can remember.”

          “Not really.”

          “Have you talked with your brother?”

          “Yeah, he’s not happy with me. I haven’t forgotten what he did at Troy.”

          “He isn’t one to take back his actions.”

          “I don’t care. We’ve drifted apart since then,and that’s not what he wants.”