Artemis

ots of the earth, and on their capitals held up the rock with their massive bases. T

rs of Heaven, she remained on Delos, and the floating isle which used to be tossed

gan to grow and the land was laden with rich gold. A majestic olive tree

hey were only four days old and could outrun any wild things. As they clambered the rocky shore with fresh air filling

ll the other goddesses were also amazed by them and loved them just as much as Leto. The women would wash the young pair purely and cleanly with sweet water, and swathe

orne a strong son and daugh

back to heaven for you're too lovely for this simple island. As soon as you taste that heavenly nectar and ambrosia, not mere breastmilk,

idst of her suckling. "I and brother Apoll

to me as I will declare to men your des

uld rock the twins to sleep with her divine hands. Need

*

children. They were too beautiful. And beauty was the quality he found most appealing. As he looked down from Olympus, their faces seemed to blaze from among all the children on earth. It seemed to him

Delos. Her children, however, were boundless. The day, she brought them through the hall of O

hem to a seat by his side. Zeus then gave them nectar in a golden cup welcoming his dear children with a brilliant smile, while othe

nly to visit her children on Olympus. Very rarely would she step into Zeus' court, but when

den chariot drawn by golden ponies. But he withheld Artemis's gifts. He knew his daughter would prefer to choose

are disturb your father, at this hour? Zeus is the might of thunder and lightning, the bringer of storms and wrath. His t

d defiantly, tears welling in her e

Olympus, this was where Zeus fed on the fruits of eternal life and where he bathed in the river of light. She went past

Zeus asked as he took her on his l

father's chest. Her little

she said. "She does no

is daughter. "Hera fears you and your b

w s

ses who bore witness of your births are also the great goddesses of the old order. Therefore, it was the rites of a dynasty that the old prophecies hinting at Hera's fall. Wit

rtemis cried out. "Father, I must aven

e alarmed by

d. "She is and will always be the Queen of all the gods. But I can grant you anything els

if she couldn't rebel against the Queen of Heaven, she would f

h one. All my victories shall not be confused with that of my brother Apollo, whom fate deemed worthy of many achievements. Second, I want an embroidered deerskin tunic reaching to the knee, short e

our brother, you will remain a virgin and the pride of all nymphs, and you will be kno

greatest of men will cower in my hunting skills. I also request for my own court consisting of sixty daughters of the mighty Oceanus as my herald choir and twenty handmaidens of Nymphai Amnisides who shall tend well my buskins, and, when

when I was born, the Moirai Fates ordained that I should be their helper, forasmuch as my mother suffered no pain either when she gave me birth or when she carried

in supplication yet in vain, Zeus sat and pondered his daughter's requests. She was already growing fast and

ant child, all you asked heartily. You shall have the gift of eternal chastity, young lass, and also the gift of changing your mind about it at any time, wh

us bent his head t

to choose her gifts. From that day forth the godling shed her ch