Myth Summary: The Death of Orion

Artemis once met a friend, also a lover of the hunt, in the woods one day. The noble man called himself Orion and the two shared a wonderful summer of hunting, racing, storytelling and laughing. One night, the two fell asleep by one of their evening fires. Apollo stumbled across his sister and the great hunter Orion. He immediately assumed that Orion had caused Artemis to betray her life long pledge to virginity, he masked his anger and began to whistle a tune until the two woke. Once the goddess and hunter were awakened, they looked to Apollo and invited him to breakfast as they didn't know of his true feelings.

Later, Artemis went to talk with her beloved nymphs in the woods and left her brother and friend to converse. The man and the god enjoyed their day of bonding, speaking together of their secret loves and past friendships. Soon, Orion mentioned his excitement that Artemis would soon return and the three would be great friends. Apollo became angry, remembering his earlier feelings toward Orion. More emotion was added to the god's outburst as well, he now felt jealous. Orion quickly explained to Apollo that Artemis was a great friend but he'd never betray her pledge to chastity. Apollo realized that the man's words were true but he refused to acknowledge his mistake. He stormed away, making sure to torment Orion with dreams of a deadly scorpion when he fell asleep that night.

Once Orion awoke, he walked from his house to speak with Artemis but he was confronted by the scorpion from his dream. He fought valiantly but his arrows and spears could not pierce the scorpions armor. Orion fled to the water, swimming from the beast. While this event happened, Apollo went to Artemis and said that an terrible man named  Candaon had attacked one of Artemis's beloved nymphs. Apollo then continued to say that the man was swimming away, trying to escape Artemis's wrath. The infuriated goddess took off, shooting what she thought was Candaon's head and killing him. The man she killed turned out to be her cherished friend Orion and the grieving goddess set him in the stars as a reminder of their wonderful friendship.