A/N at the End.

Prologue: The Adoption

"A Single Hero can change all of creation, But so can a single action"

Artemis P.O.V

Location Unknown, 10 years before the Theft of the Lightning Bolt and Helm of Shadows

I watch as my Hunters stalk the Hellhound we have been following for several hours, it seems to be hunting something. Before I can consider the next move a woman's scream rings out, without orders the Hunters attack the Hellhound dispatching it quickly before heading for the source of the scream. We arrive to see a woman with long brown hair huddled over a small bundle. My heart aches, not only for the injured woman, but for the fact she is protecting her child, something I may never experience. The Hunters and I quickly slay the Hellhounds with our arrows, I rush to the woman's side. Her abdomen is torn quite badly, she won't survive. She looks at my eyes "Lady… Artemis" She is aware of the gods, is she a Demigod? or the mother of one? "Please… I beg of y-" She hacks up blood "Please look after my son… he's all that I have left" She hands me the child, I look down at his face and know, My uncle broke the oath. "Tell Poseidon, I'm Sorry"

"What's his name?" I ask quickly.

"Perseus" The Destroyer fitting for a child of Poseidon. The woman's eyes begin to fade and she whispers out to me "Tell him… I'm sorry… My n-name is Sally, Sally J-Jack… son…" Her voice fades and she passes on.

"Prepare a burial shroud for a lover of Poseidon, she's passed on, May she rest in Elysium" My Hunters spring to the task. I stand to the side holding young Perseus, he appears to be somewhere around two, his eyes like the sea enchant me. Normally, I'd take him to Camp Half-Blood, but… My desires war within me, I am a Hunter and my Hunt is all female, but… as goddess of Childbirth, I wish to be a mother and here is a chance. Can I do it? Should I do it? No, No doubts, I'll do it, I'll Adopt Perseus. As long as I teach him about his true mother and her sacrifice, it must be remembered. I shift form from a twelve year-old to what I'd look like as a mortal in their mid-twenties. My lieutenant Zoë Nightshade some up to me.

"My Lady why hast thou changed into an adult?" I really should teach her modern English at one point.

"Because, I've chosen to adopt this child" She gapes at me as do several of the nearby Hunters.

"B-b-but it is a boy Milady" Zoë stutters out.

I raise an eyebrow "And?"

"Thy knows what men are like" Zoë replies and several Hunters nod.

"Then what better way to ensure a good man in this world then to raise him?" Suddenly all the Hunters get a calculating gaze and they realize the possibilities of this.

"A man who is not Arrogant, Proud, Boastful or lecherous?" Zoë Muses out loud while the Hunters continue with their task "It wouldst take a great deal of work Milady many years of it are thou sure this is a good idea?"

"To be entirely honest I not sure it's a good idea, but. As you know I am the Goddess of both Maidens and Childbirth, One of the things I've wanted more than anything else is to be a mother, but there are no men I'd consider worthy of being my lover and there is my oath. Adopting Perseus will allow me that opportunity" I finally admit.

"But what of his father? Will he not protest" Zoë cries.

Before I can answer a voice comments "No" I turn to see my Uncle Poseidon standing there, his face shows sorrow and he has golden tears streaking down it, in his arms is a Sea Green Shroud wrapped around the body of Sally Jackson. Before I can react he sighs "I wish I could of saved my poor Sally, I offered her a Palace under the sea, but she declined it. She wanted to stand on her own, she would of made a Great Hunter" I nod "But to answer your lieutenant's question, I will not protest about you adopting my son, it will keep him safe from Zeus' eyes for many years at least. I must go now, but first" He reaches over and puts a glowing hand to Perseus' forehead "I give him my blessing, Look after him well Niece" He sighs "Now I must go and bury Sally, I think I'll tell Amphitrite about this as well" Poseidon then disappears into a sea breeze.

I look at Zoë "Is that answer enough?" She nods. I smile.

"Very well, I'll begin the ceremony then" I walk back to the camp with Zoë following. In front of the central campfire I begin the ancient chants. Finally I make a small cut on my palm and in the centre of Perseus' chest, surprisingly he doesn't cry, as if he knows what I am doing. I place four drops of my Ichor into his chest and finish the ceremony with "By ancient laws I name you my son with the approval of both your father and mother, I, Phoebe Artemis, Daughter of Zeus and Leto, Goddess of the Hunt, The Moon, The Wild, Maidens and Childbirth name you. Perseus Artemis, Child of the Moon and the Hunt" A blinding flash of silver erupts from him, after it fades I look down and see his eyes have now become silvery-yellow like my own, but with a hint of Sea-Green visible at a certain angle. I smile at him and Perseus smiles back, his wound healing. He yawns and nods off against my chest. I notice his hair now has Auburn streaks in it. I feel a connection inside of me, I am no longer childless, I am no longer alone, I have someone to love without fear.

I am Complete.

While I still have several other stories I'm working on this idea just came to me, Now it won't be a romantic PercyXArtemis pairing, he is also unlikely to romance a Hunter. But a Camper is more likely. Thalia is a possibility, Annabeth as well but that's over done.

Guess I'll just have to figure it out. Maybe a PercyXAthena, that would be hilarious to write.

Not much of an A/N I'm Afraid. Any people who wish to offer suggestions on either the pairing or what Percy's main weapon should be for this story are welcome (Note, he can shoot a bow equal to or better than an Apollo Camper)

dragonsong2795