Artemis

ul maiden came to take her bath. Her limbs shone like the li

the sun and moon. Everyone knew her as the white-gowned Leto, always mild, kind to me

most absolute white and its beak was golden, almost as golden as Leto's long flowing hair. The creature stared at Leto wit

was frozen by curiosity. What the eagle wanted as it gawked at her like a prey. Then it waddled forwards with its white wings spanning wide and high as

ooking at his true form. The man wore no clothing to cover his boldness, and Leto felt her breath hitch while she marveled at his presence. Those beautiful blue eyes bore into he

ouch. He grabbed her and embraced her. Leto felt the weight of his immense strength. She felt his lips brush against hers, and for the first time in her life, she felt like she w

and she saw the lightning of the storm glisten in them. It was at this moment she realized he was not just any mortal man. He was a god

His wife, Hera, was always jealous of any woman that caught Zeus' attention and if she w

d through the trees and stripped the grass with shadows, and it was difficult to see two quails whose feathers wer

will grow heavy with child, but you sh

d the mighty king kiss her one last time and then walk out of the woods, once again taking o

d as they fell down upon her and she looked up with tears in her eyes. The young maiden rubbed her belly, knowing

taunt her. It was only a matter of time before the e

ings of his children, his court and the swaying politics of mortal men. Leto never expected to hear

f Gods sent the great serpent, Python, to enforce her curse, to hunt Leto out of any sunny place she might try to rest. The Python was unleashed and as long as Leto was on the terra-firma it could find her. The poor Tita

ake a dwelling for her, but they greatly trembled and feared, and none

walked away from a city called Tremilis and followed the path, guided only by the howling and th

home. "We can guide you to the land called Delos, and there you can bear

tigue. "You are the first to befriend me. When I get out of this danger,

A thought struck her. Leto knew how to deceive the monster that kept chasing her. She looked upon herself and changed each

y to Delos, an island surrounded by swans. The island was not attached to the ocean floor and was not

willing to be the abode of my children and make us a temple -you will

taness's words?" came an

ill bring you hecatombs and gather here, and incessant savor of rich sacrifice will always arise, and you wil

But I fear, and I will not hide it from you, Leto. The Fates say that your children will be ones that are very haughty and will greatly lord it among gods and men all ov

s it that you f

ere to make their temple and wooded groves. So, many-footed creatures of the sea have made lairs in me and black seals have claimed their dwelling for I lack people. Yet if you will but dare to swear a

the great oat

ea, "and dropping water of Styx, this is the strongest and most awful oath of the blessed gods, surely m

t as she tried to cross the distance between the sea and the floating land, a hor

ling wave driven by shrill winds. Before Python could reach the rocky isle and harm Leto,

eature, and there on that lovely Delos, sh