(no subject)
Title: Initiation
Fandom: Greek Mythology
Characters: Hestia and Artemis
Rating: R
Word Count: +1700
Summary: After making her oath of virginity to Zeus, Hestia offers comfort and knowledge to a saddened Huntress who must learn to accept her role in the world.
Author's Notes: Gift for kwanboa for my Christmas Gift Fic Exchange 2008. I think it's pretty fluffy and sappy but I thoroughly enjoyed writing it and I hope you like it. The end came about by listening to a Dar Williams song actually :D
The delicate pearl comb moved in soft slow strokes over the ruined bob that had once been a luxurious sheet of curling russet locks. She had made her decision perfectly clear and received Zeus' reluctant blessing; Artemis had renounced the life of mother and lover and would never suffer the indignities of other women-other Goddesses-whose consorts chose to seek pleasures elsewhere. No male would demand her continued presence in a gilded tower, order her away from the hunt and the wild. Her cheeks were flushed, residual anger and defiance, but there was no fight to be had, no one with whom to argue, and the rage that had fuelled her earlier arguments and oaths now felt like a lump of ironwork within her insides wishing to dissipate. Her dark gold, sun-washed hands clasped together on her lap over the hem of her tunic.
"Why this kindness?"
The milk-pale woman sitting beside her on the cushioned lounge laughed silently, the rustle of her dress of veils a small disturbance in the lift and press of the comb. Her scarred hands shone red against the calming instrument and her yellow curls were perfumed with various oils, the warm scent of cedar surrounding her gentle countenance.
"Women have always had need of the kindness of other women." Hestia's voice was low, measured, reserved for the fireside and open ears, and Artemis turned her head, the better to listen. "We simply do not ask for fear of showing weakness, but this," the pointed spines of the comb dragged carefully over Artemis' scalp and the younger Goddess sighed, "is not weakness. It is a pleasure for me to perform, and, I believe, a pleasure for you to receive. A mutual comfort."
"But why?"
"I am afraid you believe you are destined for a half-life."
"What?" the Huntress turned fully, hastily, the pearl spines grazing the bare flesh of her golden shoulder. "No!" she shook her head, proud smile fighting to reach her Immortal eyes. "I shall have the best life! I have my fields and arrows, my hounds and deer! I have the wind in my step and the Long Hunt before me!" There was spirit in her voice. . .but doubt as well. This was what Artemis had longed for but she had seen how vows had changed Athena and even gentle Hestia by her Hearth-virginity was a solitude that Artemis suddenly feared she could not stomach.
"You swore an oath to men," Hestia calm spoke through Artemis' fierceness. "And they interpret as they see fit." Her blue eyes held a quiet sorrow as he seemed to read the other woman's mind. "That is something Athena never understood and now her life is full of war, no balance. Artemis," one hand rose to touch the Huntress' shorn hair. "You are of the Earth, the Moon, Life and Death. You were not meant to be alone."
"And what of you Goddess?" Hestia laughed, the noise like flickering flames and children's heartbeats, and stood to rearrange the swath of sheets around her body.
"I bless the multitudes, feed the hungry and keep the home. Solitude has never been my crutch. Now," she stretched out her hand. "Will you come with me?"
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The woods and thicket was not unknown to Artemis. Many a time had she roamed, head bent, attuned to the clicks and roars and padded steps of the animals that lived and died by her silver arrows, of the humans that hunted among the olive groves and still waters by her whim. There was a cry of birds overhead and the air was warm.
"Sit with me."
"This is my domain Hestia," Artemis kneeled, her swift limbs folded beneath her. "You have not been here before."
"I go where I wish," the elder Goddess smiled, "and harm none. It is how I have lived this long without a sword put to my throat or a curse thrown at my feet."
"You gossip too long with Hermes and now speak in riddles," the Huntress watched the wind push ripples in the water. "Why bring me here?"
"To show you what you have ignored since claiming these hills and vales and mountains as your sacred grounds," Hestia swept her hands over the long grasses, greens and dusty browns weaving around her fingers. "To show you what's been here since Nyx and Gaia parted, what you have thoughtlessly ignored in your arrogance and loneliness."
"Thoughtless?!" Artemis' midnight eyes widened. "Insulting fire tender-"
"Take care Huntress," Hestia's voice was calm but firm, her stare wise as she overrode the banked rage with truth. "Theban Niobe would say much worse if she could speak. Now come closer," she opened her arms to the younger woman, veils fluttering, thick yellow hair revealed by the warm breeze, and pointed towards two heavily flowering oleander, "and tell me what you see."
"I see a very tall shrub," she responded blandly, allowing herself to lean onto Hestia's rounded hip and welcoming lap, the gentle woman's sloped pillow-chest a comfort against Artemis' back however exasperating the conversation. She hissed snidely, "If you wished to question someone on blossoming flora you should have brought Persephone." The comment earned a pinch for which Hestia was wholly unrepentant and Artemis resumed contemplating the white flowers while the other Goddess began to stroke her neck.
"They have been here all along," the words were whispered with soothing breath and Artemis inhaled. "Had you but curled your finger any one would have been pleased to serve you."
"Serve me?"
"The Long Hunt is not meant to be faced by oneself, Artemis. Whatever you may think or have believed, you have many followers."
Followers? Sniffling, ornamental lackeys used to carry cups or race the rainbows escorting sanctioned messages? Useless.
"I have no need for followers."
"Companions then?" Hestia's soft caress moved up to drag along the Goddess' chin then back again, fingers curling under tunic straps to trace the contours of defined bones and muscled flesh. "Ones with like mind and heart? Who can be called upon but never commanded?" Artemis' chest rose and fell, her gaze unfocused now, the flowers and greenery becoming something else and something more.
"Are you doing this?"
"They have always been here waiting for you."
The tall trees and lance-like leaves were now accompanied by three astounding beauties, strong builds and glittering skin, with eyes as wise as the Fates combined. They stepped forward on silent feet, pointed ears perked for signs that Artemis was ready for their assistance, that the Huntress was calling a start to the chase.
"Tree nymphs?"
"Hardly. Courage and Speed and Spirit," Hestia smiled, nodding to the women who shrugged skeins of cedar arrows off their untiring shoulders. "Your soldiers, your lovers, your friends. They belong here with you Huntress, cannot be kidnapped or cajoled." She cupped Artemis' jaw and spoke firmly. "Loneliness is not your lot. Strength and passion will see you through eternity far better than any chosen mate would and now you know that they are all around you." Artemis blinked full, dark lashes, watching her ceaseless hunters simply enjoy the warmth of Helios' orb, the smooth shine of worked deer hide wraps and flawless sparkling cheeks so lovely as to bring tears. They could not be taken away, brutishly used and tossed aside by the Olympians she had been raised to venerate but could barely look upon. One white-haired warrior reached out for her black-skinned Sister who in turn wrapped an arm around the third who had begun to meticulously inspect a dagger of boar tusk. She flashed a dazzling smile at Artemis and kissed her Sister's hand, revealing a diadem of silver topped with moon-shine and starlight from the depths of her fur dress.
Her hand found Hestia's ankle and she squeezed, a sigh of relief and rebirth and revitalization leaving Artemis' limp body as she finally surrendered to letting the gentle Goddess support her weight. No more doubt, no more frightening holes of blackness to be seen like second sight into the future, no more waiting or wanting or envious judgment. Never would she again believe her oaths to be akin to a noose around her throat or fear the wrath of falling thunderbolts. She turned her head and pressed a kiss to the welcoming slippery lips of Hestia's mouth and the Goddess smiled, pressing back, tenderly placing a palm to the swell of the Huntress' lean chest.
"They interpret as they see fit?"
"Of course."
"Swear it."
Hestia raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"You wish another oath?"
"No! No. . ." Artemis shifted, fingers and thumbs and hands going quickly towards the curves and soft places hidden by Hestia's veils. A damn had been broken through delicate permission and now she could have and get and feel. "I. . .I will trust without the carving, without any pound of flesh." Milk-skin was revealed and Artemis flushed but did not still her movements or stop the searching Hestia seemed content to let her make.
"As it should be."
"But. . .But how did you know?"
"It does not matter," Hestia grasped Artemis' jaw and kissed her slowly, thoroughly. A Virgin tongue inside a Virgin mouth and nipples as red as berries. "But there will be more Huntresses Artemis; you will not be the last nor only."
Artemis pulled back momentarily from her first lick of pleasure then nodded, understanding. It would now be her responsibility to impart this wisdom, this freedom.
"I shall need followers."
"Will you accept them?"
Hands met between thighs and Artemis nodded, breathless.
"For you, for this, I will accept them. And pity the ones who live in want."
Hestia could only nod and accept the half-truth-for Artemis, like Athena, was her father's daughter and pity was a foreign word-and let the Huntress kiss her stomach and lower while her companions watched and imitated. "Thank you Goddess."
"They all shall be you realize. Even those who have no need of oaths. All who find love and pleasure will be."
"They will be what?"
"Goddesses."
Fandom: Greek Mythology
Characters: Hestia and Artemis
Rating: R
Word Count: +1700
Summary: After making her oath of virginity to Zeus, Hestia offers comfort and knowledge to a saddened Huntress who must learn to accept her role in the world.
Author's Notes: Gift for kwanboa for my Christmas Gift Fic Exchange 2008. I think it's pretty fluffy and sappy but I thoroughly enjoyed writing it and I hope you like it. The end came about by listening to a Dar Williams song actually :D
The delicate pearl comb moved in soft slow strokes over the ruined bob that had once been a luxurious sheet of curling russet locks. She had made her decision perfectly clear and received Zeus' reluctant blessing; Artemis had renounced the life of mother and lover and would never suffer the indignities of other women-other Goddesses-whose consorts chose to seek pleasures elsewhere. No male would demand her continued presence in a gilded tower, order her away from the hunt and the wild. Her cheeks were flushed, residual anger and defiance, but there was no fight to be had, no one with whom to argue, and the rage that had fuelled her earlier arguments and oaths now felt like a lump of ironwork within her insides wishing to dissipate. Her dark gold, sun-washed hands clasped together on her lap over the hem of her tunic.
"Why this kindness?"
The milk-pale woman sitting beside her on the cushioned lounge laughed silently, the rustle of her dress of veils a small disturbance in the lift and press of the comb. Her scarred hands shone red against the calming instrument and her yellow curls were perfumed with various oils, the warm scent of cedar surrounding her gentle countenance.
"Women have always had need of the kindness of other women." Hestia's voice was low, measured, reserved for the fireside and open ears, and Artemis turned her head, the better to listen. "We simply do not ask for fear of showing weakness, but this," the pointed spines of the comb dragged carefully over Artemis' scalp and the younger Goddess sighed, "is not weakness. It is a pleasure for me to perform, and, I believe, a pleasure for you to receive. A mutual comfort."
"But why?"
"I am afraid you believe you are destined for a half-life."
"What?" the Huntress turned fully, hastily, the pearl spines grazing the bare flesh of her golden shoulder. "No!" she shook her head, proud smile fighting to reach her Immortal eyes. "I shall have the best life! I have my fields and arrows, my hounds and deer! I have the wind in my step and the Long Hunt before me!" There was spirit in her voice. . .but doubt as well. This was what Artemis had longed for but she had seen how vows had changed Athena and even gentle Hestia by her Hearth-virginity was a solitude that Artemis suddenly feared she could not stomach.
"You swore an oath to men," Hestia calm spoke through Artemis' fierceness. "And they interpret as they see fit." Her blue eyes held a quiet sorrow as he seemed to read the other woman's mind. "That is something Athena never understood and now her life is full of war, no balance. Artemis," one hand rose to touch the Huntress' shorn hair. "You are of the Earth, the Moon, Life and Death. You were not meant to be alone."
"And what of you Goddess?" Hestia laughed, the noise like flickering flames and children's heartbeats, and stood to rearrange the swath of sheets around her body.
"I bless the multitudes, feed the hungry and keep the home. Solitude has never been my crutch. Now," she stretched out her hand. "Will you come with me?"
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The woods and thicket was not unknown to Artemis. Many a time had she roamed, head bent, attuned to the clicks and roars and padded steps of the animals that lived and died by her silver arrows, of the humans that hunted among the olive groves and still waters by her whim. There was a cry of birds overhead and the air was warm.
"Sit with me."
"This is my domain Hestia," Artemis kneeled, her swift limbs folded beneath her. "You have not been here before."
"I go where I wish," the elder Goddess smiled, "and harm none. It is how I have lived this long without a sword put to my throat or a curse thrown at my feet."
"You gossip too long with Hermes and now speak in riddles," the Huntress watched the wind push ripples in the water. "Why bring me here?"
"To show you what you have ignored since claiming these hills and vales and mountains as your sacred grounds," Hestia swept her hands over the long grasses, greens and dusty browns weaving around her fingers. "To show you what's been here since Nyx and Gaia parted, what you have thoughtlessly ignored in your arrogance and loneliness."
"Thoughtless?!" Artemis' midnight eyes widened. "Insulting fire tender-"
"Take care Huntress," Hestia's voice was calm but firm, her stare wise as she overrode the banked rage with truth. "Theban Niobe would say much worse if she could speak. Now come closer," she opened her arms to the younger woman, veils fluttering, thick yellow hair revealed by the warm breeze, and pointed towards two heavily flowering oleander, "and tell me what you see."
"I see a very tall shrub," she responded blandly, allowing herself to lean onto Hestia's rounded hip and welcoming lap, the gentle woman's sloped pillow-chest a comfort against Artemis' back however exasperating the conversation. She hissed snidely, "If you wished to question someone on blossoming flora you should have brought Persephone." The comment earned a pinch for which Hestia was wholly unrepentant and Artemis resumed contemplating the white flowers while the other Goddess began to stroke her neck.
"They have been here all along," the words were whispered with soothing breath and Artemis inhaled. "Had you but curled your finger any one would have been pleased to serve you."
"Serve me?"
"The Long Hunt is not meant to be faced by oneself, Artemis. Whatever you may think or have believed, you have many followers."
Followers? Sniffling, ornamental lackeys used to carry cups or race the rainbows escorting sanctioned messages? Useless.
"I have no need for followers."
"Companions then?" Hestia's soft caress moved up to drag along the Goddess' chin then back again, fingers curling under tunic straps to trace the contours of defined bones and muscled flesh. "Ones with like mind and heart? Who can be called upon but never commanded?" Artemis' chest rose and fell, her gaze unfocused now, the flowers and greenery becoming something else and something more.
"Are you doing this?"
"They have always been here waiting for you."
The tall trees and lance-like leaves were now accompanied by three astounding beauties, strong builds and glittering skin, with eyes as wise as the Fates combined. They stepped forward on silent feet, pointed ears perked for signs that Artemis was ready for their assistance, that the Huntress was calling a start to the chase.
"Tree nymphs?"
"Hardly. Courage and Speed and Spirit," Hestia smiled, nodding to the women who shrugged skeins of cedar arrows off their untiring shoulders. "Your soldiers, your lovers, your friends. They belong here with you Huntress, cannot be kidnapped or cajoled." She cupped Artemis' jaw and spoke firmly. "Loneliness is not your lot. Strength and passion will see you through eternity far better than any chosen mate would and now you know that they are all around you." Artemis blinked full, dark lashes, watching her ceaseless hunters simply enjoy the warmth of Helios' orb, the smooth shine of worked deer hide wraps and flawless sparkling cheeks so lovely as to bring tears. They could not be taken away, brutishly used and tossed aside by the Olympians she had been raised to venerate but could barely look upon. One white-haired warrior reached out for her black-skinned Sister who in turn wrapped an arm around the third who had begun to meticulously inspect a dagger of boar tusk. She flashed a dazzling smile at Artemis and kissed her Sister's hand, revealing a diadem of silver topped with moon-shine and starlight from the depths of her fur dress.
Her hand found Hestia's ankle and she squeezed, a sigh of relief and rebirth and revitalization leaving Artemis' limp body as she finally surrendered to letting the gentle Goddess support her weight. No more doubt, no more frightening holes of blackness to be seen like second sight into the future, no more waiting or wanting or envious judgment. Never would she again believe her oaths to be akin to a noose around her throat or fear the wrath of falling thunderbolts. She turned her head and pressed a kiss to the welcoming slippery lips of Hestia's mouth and the Goddess smiled, pressing back, tenderly placing a palm to the swell of the Huntress' lean chest.
"They interpret as they see fit?"
"Of course."
"Swear it."
Hestia raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"You wish another oath?"
"No! No. . ." Artemis shifted, fingers and thumbs and hands going quickly towards the curves and soft places hidden by Hestia's veils. A damn had been broken through delicate permission and now she could have and get and feel. "I. . .I will trust without the carving, without any pound of flesh." Milk-skin was revealed and Artemis flushed but did not still her movements or stop the searching Hestia seemed content to let her make.
"As it should be."
"But. . .But how did you know?"
"It does not matter," Hestia grasped Artemis' jaw and kissed her slowly, thoroughly. A Virgin tongue inside a Virgin mouth and nipples as red as berries. "But there will be more Huntresses Artemis; you will not be the last nor only."
Artemis pulled back momentarily from her first lick of pleasure then nodded, understanding. It would now be her responsibility to impart this wisdom, this freedom.
"I shall need followers."
"Will you accept them?"
Hands met between thighs and Artemis nodded, breathless.
"For you, for this, I will accept them. And pity the ones who live in want."
Hestia could only nod and accept the half-truth-for Artemis, like Athena, was her father's daughter and pity was a foreign word-and let the Huntress kiss her stomach and lower while her companions watched and imitated. "Thank you Goddess."
"They all shall be you realize. Even those who have no need of oaths. All who find love and pleasure will be."
"They will be what?"
"Goddesses."