Lieutenant

Chapter 26

They had won. Kronos was defeated as predicted, ending the years of conflict that had tormented so many of the demigods, and even the Gods themselves. Defeating Typhon had been no easy piece of work and yet they had managed.

Artemis was lying, she didn't admit she was thoroughly exhausted, but it had all been worth it. Though she'd lost Zoë, she'd gained Thalia. Her sister had proven more of an asset in battle, and personal life, than expected.

The two girls were closer to each other than they were with most other people. Even more, they had dozens of things in common. Of course, Thalia's company was quite different from Zoë's.

When Zoë stayed awake with Artemis late at night the conversations were calm, slow, and quiet. Often times it involved comforting touches or snuggling. They also talked about small things, where the topic would often seem irrelevant, and it was. They simply liked hearing each other's voices.

With Thalia, the conversations were typically louder, full of more emotional energy and emphasis. The daughter of Zeus talked with excited gestures, but there were times when she was still. In those instances, both girls would lay shoulder to shoulder looking up at the top of the tent. There were often long-drawn-out pauses in their talks; as if it weren't a necessity to fill every empty space with words, for it might be weeks before another opportunity of such peace presented itself.

Despite these differences, Artemis never mentioned them. She did not want to compare Thalia to Zoë or vice versa. Though the two were similar, they were still very different people, Artemis recognized and respected that. Thalia required more active listening than Zoë did. Thalia did not respond well when she felt she was ignored. Zoë did not mind, she knew Artemis was busy with her own mental schemes, and often only required a person to vent to.

Either way, Artemis was thankful. Thalia had seen her in her weakness and had not judged. The goddess had tried hard to maintain composure after Zoë's death but there were times it would slip. Thalia with her good heart had been a source of comfort.

Artemis never pegged her sister as the type to make physical contact. The goddess had seen Thalia pull away from attempted hugs by the others, but she had learned over time, that Thalia was more comfortable initiating the contact.

This of course had its reasons. When you grew up with an alcoholic mother who had tendencies to lash out, you learned to pull away from physical advances. You had zero control over the situation. However, if you initiated contact, the entire situation was within your power.

It was this new relationship in the goddess' life that helped distract her from grief though it did not erase it. When the grief ignited it was a violent and unsurfable tidal wave.

But Artemis also felt pride. She'd seen Thalia grow over the year of her leadership and it was amazing. She had better control over her impulses, was logical in her own unique way, took well to instruction when it wasn't just critical commentary, and more importantly, understood that being a hero was more than a title.

This was the source of Artemis' sadness and anger upon hearing that her lieutenant was injured, by none other, than a statue of Hera. Thankfully Thalia seemed well, despite the crutches, and a wide smile rested on her face. She seemed weightless now, like the sky itself no longer rested on her back.

What surprised Artemis the most was Thalia's refusal to return to camp immediately. The demigod hobbled over to her patron and paused in front of her. "Before I go, I just wanted to say thank you. For getting to know the real me, and actually valuing my opinion. It's been ages since anyone's really done that for me...since anyone's made me feel like I'm more than just a weapon."

Artemis noticed the slight pause in Thalia's voice as she tried to control the emotion caught in her throat.

"I should have listened to you all those years ago. I know it was fate that I didn't, and that I'm here now, but it would have been easier. Hell if I got to grow up with you instead of my mom, I don't know-" Thalia paused shaking her head as she tried to piece her thoughts together. She was never one to be good at vocalizing her emotions. "Maybe I'd be different? Less distant around other people, actually feel confident instead of pretending I am."