This came from an idea I got from another author...Can't remember who, or I'd thank them. All I remember is that their fanfic was a one-shot about Artemis...Oh well. Here you guys are: chapter 1.

P.S. Don't ask me how many chapters this is going to have because I have no idea; I just like labeling chapters. :D No, I'm not crazy. My mother had me tested.

1/

I am cold. That is what they all think. They think I do not know, but I can hear. I hear the whispers, the rumors, the tales about me. I hold my head high as I walk past them, pretending to be deaf to their words. But I hear.

Ever since I was a child, since I made Father promise me he would never make me marry, they have whispered about me. They believe I have a heart of ice, incapable of love. Perhaps 'tis true, perhaps not. I give them the choice. I let them think what they want. I know who I am, and that is all that matters.

I sit on my silver throne, keeping my face smooth. We Olympians sit in a half-circle around the sacred hearth, where Hestia resides now. She looks up from the flames and smiles at me. I return it willingly. She is so warm, always ready to lend a listening ear, or a helping hand. She is my favorite aunt.

A hand pats mine. I look up to see Apollo, my twin. He can be terribly irritating at times, but I will always love him, no matter what they say. Our thrones are side by side, his blazing gold, mine shining silver. I do not see him often, for I am always near the Hunt, but I miss his bickering at times.

I know what he is thinking, as our thoughts are almost telepathic: I hate winter solstice meetings! I lift one corner of my mouth in a mock-sympathetic smile without answering him. He returns it, his white teeth almost blinding. His hand drifts back to his lap. I can almost smell his boredom. I twirl a lock of my hair around my finger absently.

To my left is Dionysus. He is not so bad, though he is drunk most of the time. In fact, a crystal glass of wine dangles in his hand now. He sees me looking at him and smiles briefly before turning his attention back to Father Zeus.

Beside Apollo is Athena, one of my favorite sisters. She is like Hestia in ways, though she is far steadier, ready to say what she thinks without hesitation. She smiles at me as well, her gray eyes twinkling for a moment before switching to Father.

Next is my uncle, Poseidon. I do not know him as well as I'd like, for I am always on land, and he is always in the depths of the sea. He does not see me looking at him. For this I am grateful.

Zeus is forever grand, forever powerful. Now he sits proudly on his cloudy throne, holding his master bolt tightly in his massive fist, his voice echoing throughout the throne room. Beside him is Hera, whose motherly appearance hides a violently jealous nature.

Ares is her favorite son. I despise him, as does my sister Athena. He is far too violent, and thinks with his fists rather than his head. He is staring at her now, a cocky grin spreading from ear to ear.

My gaze changes to a glare as I look at her. Aphrodite. She flirts constantly with Ares, oblivious to the fact that her husband sits to her right, watching with pain. I hate her. She teases me for staying chaste, but I say nothing. I know what she is. Hate fills my thoughts, but I look away so I do not act rashly.

Hephaestus. One of my favorite brothers. He is always calm, hardworking, trustworthy. Unlike his wife. He deserves so much better than she. But what can I say? It is not as if I could suggest a replacement.

Next to Hephaestus is Hermes. The troublemaker. I smile when I recall the day he stole Apollo's cattle. I wanted to help him play that trick, but he was merely a child. I had decided to let him have his fun.

Demeter is seated by Hermes, her corn-silk hair braided with wheat. She polishes an apple on her emerald robes and bites into the red skin with relish. I frown. My gaze shifts in tedium. Persephone sits by her mother's side, looking solemn and grave. The Underworld has changed her. Her eyes meet mine, and she nods at me. One corner of her ruby lips lifts in a smile, but it is gone as soon as it came.

Hades sits just across from Queen Hera and Father Zeus, on a hastily brought wooden throne. He seems uncomfortable here, and I do not blame him. I would rather be in my domain as well.

Father's voice draws me from my thoughts. I focus on him, like the others. "…and Artemis" I sit straighter "you should not have changed your huntress into a hound. Your brother is angry. Apologize."

I glare at Ares. So does Aphrodite. At least we can agree on something for once. Ares stole my huntress's virginity, as well as my companion. Perhaps she had no choice, but I have a reputation to maintain. And I did change her into a nice hound. My glare heats. My jaw sets. "I apologize, Ares," I say through clenched teeth.

That horrible grin widens. "I accept, Artemis." I want to rush across the room and strangle him, but Father moves on quickly. I listen no more. This meeting has no worth. Why can I not be excused?

Athena's eyes meet mine, and she seems to read my thoughts. Her hand rises, and Father stops speaking. She is his favorite daughter after all. "Father, may Artemis and I be excused? Both our years have been uneventful, and she has already apologized to our dim-witted brother." That earns a glare from both Ares and Hera, but Father smiles. "Of course, Athena. Artemis." He nods at me, but there is not as much warmth as I'd like.

I step down from my throne, slipping from twenty-foot goddess to a five-foot young woman with my same appearance. Athena does the same, and together we walk out the door. Apollo sends me a childish pout. Why do you get to go and not me? I throw an immature smirk of my own just before leaving. Haha!

"Artemis, are you quite well?" Athena's eyes probe my own, worried. "You do not seem yourself."

"I am well," I answer. "I simply miss my lieutenant. I am in need of a new one."

"Perhaps I can help," she offers, but I shake my head.

"Thank you, sister," I say, "but I need to do this on my own."

"Why did you change the girl into a hound in the first place?" my sister questions. "If I am correct, you favored her spectacularly."

Of course you are correct, I think. But I say, "It was my duty. A betrayal in my household means punishment. An effect for every cause."

Athena nods, but her gray eyes are knowing. She is clever enough to see through my ruse. "Of course," she says.

I shoulder my bow, gnawing on my lip. "I am returning to the Hunt. Visit me if you please." I am startled to have Athena hug me. I am not used to such embraces. She steps back after a moment, smiling. Then she disappeared in the shape of a barn owl, returning to her palace.

I do the same, despite what I told her. My palace is my second favorite place to be, besides my tent in the Hunt. It is made from all silver and mirrors, something Aphrodite would love but comes nowhere near. I sit on my throne and swipe my hand over the pool of water by my side.

I watch my huntresses argue over something in the woods of Calydon. One pushes another. She pushes back. They begin to fight. I frown. Quickly I send one of my sacred deer to end their disagreement. I sigh. I would have to punish them both when I returned.

"Artemis." I turn to see Apollo, his aura dancing off the silver of my palace.

I stand to greet hm. "Brother. What brings you here?"

Apollo bites his lip nervously. "I…have a favor to ask of you, sister."

I frown in confusion. "Indeed? Well, do not hesitate to speak your mind. Athena does it easily enough." We share a harmonious laugh, but Apollo instantly sobers.

"I wish to make a one of your nymphs my bride," he says. "Idalia."

I purse my lips. My twin knows full well my thoughts on subjects such as marriage…among other things. "Bride? You mean bedmate?"

My brother flushes. "No! Yes! Argh!"

I smile slightly. "For you, my brain-deprived brother, I will grant your request. This once."

Apollo grins. "Thank you, sister. I am in your debt." He mock-salutes me, then disappears in a shower of gold.

"Yes," I say to no one in particular. "You are."

"Lady—Lady Artemis?"

I look up. A young nymph is standing in the massive doorway, looking terrified. I grimaced inwardly. I had no doubt she had heard the rumors as well. "Yes?" I say as gently as I can.

She comes forward timidly and bows. "I have an invitation from Lord Dionysus," she says shakily.

I roll open the scroll, sitting straighter. Dionysus was hosting a party at his palace this evening. I want to roll my eyes, but I keep them still, conscious of the nymph staring at me anxiously. I sigh. Why go at all? All that would happen is Ares trying to get me to dance with him (in more ways than one) and everyone drinking too much wine. But I thank the young nymph and dismiss her, planning on my attire.

That night I dress in a chiton of silver, adding a few arm bands and a bangle or two. I let my hair flow over my shoulders, only bothering to run a brush through it once. I carefully slip a ring set with a moonstone on my middle finger and poke diamond earrings through my ears.

I glance up at the sky and am pleased to see the moon going along perfectly, not a waver on its course. Silently I praise my reindeer for being so clever; the light brightens, as if they are happy they pleased me.

I give myself one final glance in the mirror. You shine as brightly as the moon tonight, I tell myself. Then I transport myself to Dionysus's palace in a shower of silver. Ares instantly appears at my arm.

Annoyingly, I had suddenly become his new object of obsession, for reasons I hoped were wrong. I tune out his voice, which had begun pestering me about dancing, and absently brush my hair behind my ear. I am about to wave Ares away finally when Apollo appears next to me. One glare from the sun god and Ares is gone, sending a hateful look at the both of us.

I smile gratefully at my brother. "Thank you. He will not leave me be."

Apollo frowns. "I do not know why he is so eager with you," he says sourly, glaring after our brother.

I sip the nectar from my crystal glass, having refused to drink any of Dionysus's intoxicating wine. "I believe he is attempting to make Aphrodite jealous," I say calmly. "I am her enemy after all."

"Oh, I wouldn't say enemy," comes a purring, sensual voice I knew all too well. "I prefer to think of you as my…antagonist."

Apollo's hand squeezes mine in fury. I shoot him a brief warning look. He has always felt protective of me, especially against the rumors, but I often have no need for his help.

"How lovely," I say to Aphrodite, my grip tightening around my glass.

"Yes, I think I look fabulous as well. Thank you for noticing so graciously." She picks at the nonexistent grime under her perfect nails.

My temper flares. "But I see a flaw in your attire today, Aphrodite." I keep my voice cool and expressionless.

Her eyes narrow dangerously. "Indeed? And what flaw is this?"

"Your skills have passed their prime," I say. "I am afraid your jealousy is grotesquely visible through your transparent mask, as is your lust."

Her blue eyes turn murderous at the insult. A cold, cruel smile suddenly tugs at the corners of her flawless lips. "At least I am not as cold as you. I am not ice—" here she pauses, her mouth curling into a hateful sneer "—like your heart."

I am furious. I want to tackle her to the ground and tear out her long gold locks, but I keep myself expressionless, frozen. Apollo pulls me away from the smirking goddess of love, murmuring words of comfort in my ear.

I drain my glass of nectar, then pick up another of wine instead. I empty that as well. "Stupid goddess," I mutter. "She will pay."

Apollo stays my arm. "Please, sister. Do not act rashly."

"You are beginning to sound like me," Athena smiles, suddenly appearing beside us. She looks at me. "I am proud of you. If I had been you, that foolish goddess of lust would already have been emptied of ichor. I believe it would have been quite therapeutic."

I manage to smile. "It was not as easy as it seemed."

Athena pats my arm. "Do not fret, Artemis. Her lies should mean nothing to you." Then, my sister accepts the hand of Zephyr, god of the west wind, and whirls away to dance. Apollo squeezes my hand once more, then vanishes into the crowd, probably to ask one of the Muses to dance with him.

I grip my glass tightly as my gaze falls on Ares and...her. Aphrodite's barbed words cut into my heart with a pain she would never know. I feel like crying, but I refuse to give her that privlige. Normally her insults are tossed away without a care, but tonight they maul me sharply, like a knife. Her last words echo in my mind: "I am not ice—like your heart." I march to Dionysus's abandoned garden, throwing my glass into the bushes. I cared not about the broken shards. I stare at the moon with anger I cannot control; I can feel it seething under me now, eager to burst out.

"Enjoying the party, Artemis?"

I turn to see Eris, the goddess of discord. I frown as soon as I recognize her, for she is the servant of Ares. "Eris," I say. "What is it you need?"

Eris shakes her head, bouncing her golden apple up and down in the palm of her hand. I restrain myself from glancing at it. "'Tis not what I need, but my master."

My frown deepens. "Yes?"

"He wishes you to meet him in Troy tomorrow," Eris says. "He says he has something that belongs to you."

I feel my face hardening. "Thank you, Eris," I say to her. She grins at me, then disappears, most likely to cause trouble with her apple.

"I heard what she said." The voice is so quiet it is barely audible, but I recognize it. I sit next to Persephone, who is looking quiet and lonely.

"Her words have no affect on me," I lie. "She is a foolish goddess."

Persephone nods, though it seems she does not believe me. "I realized. It was her son Eros who sentenced me to…" she trails off, but I follow her gaze; it rests on Hades, who sits solemnly by his brothers.

"I hate her," I say. "It is she who steals my Hunters from me."

"Yes," Persephone says quietly. "I dislike her as well."

"Persephone!" We look up. Demeter is waving her daughter forward impatiently, growing taller to see over the crowd. Persephone stands and brushes off her black gown.

I catch her hand just before she leaves. "Perhaps I can visit you in the Underworld," I offer. "Let me know if your husband permits it."

A glimmer of hope catches in my cousin's eye, and she nods. Then she, too, vanishes into the crowd to find her mother.

I sigh. I thanked Dionysus (after I finally found him) and return to my tent in the Hunt to spend the night.

I am furious at Ares. What could he have that belonged to me? Was he simply playing a trick to squeeze a reaction out of Aphrodite? *Apo touse theous! How I hate her! Could she possibly have anything to do with this arrange meeting?

*Apo touse theous: By the gods

So, what'd you guys think? Please tell me, even if they're flames. I don't care if it's five words or five sentances, just do it! :D I'll add another chapter based on my eerily impulsive impatience and how many reviews I get!

Kisses! -Alice