Note From Author: As much as it pains me to cull the writing that I slaved so many hours over, FFnet is cracking down on adult content and purging anyone who has violated the TOS or had a complaint levelled at them, or even has the wrong rating. Someone was removed for having a swear word. Already, several Authors I know have had their stories removed without warning and you'll probably seeing stories in your Favourites vanishing. So, despite the original rating I have given it in the details below, you will not be seeing any of the adult content in the Fanfic below. It will only have as much is allowed by the site, then you will see a note to go to my site to see the full version. Unfortunately, this will mean whole sections of the Fanfics will be missing, and descriptions changed, and it's going to confuse a lot of my readers as to what is going on. There might even be only half of a Chapter before telling you to go to the Site, so you might just want to go there right off the bat and read the full version. Reviews are still very much appreciated for the Fanfics, either on my Site or FFnet. So, you can find my Fanfiction completely uncut on my personal site Destiny's Gateway. FFnet really went downhill the day they removed our all the adult Fanfics up here, and they destroyed a part of an Author's creativity when they want us to make no mention of something that's so much a part of every day life. Sex. As the largest Fanfiction site on the net, where else would we get the majority of our readers from, if not on here? I really want to keep all the lovely reviews from the readers who have loved my writing up here on the site and also let you know that the Fanfic exists, so I'm keeping most of it up here, but you won't be seeing above the allowed T rating.

Hugs,
Princess Destiny

(To FFnet Admin - I am changing all the Chapters of this Fanfic to take out the adult content, but it might take me a day or so. Please do not delete the story before I am done! This message in brackets will vanish when it is complete.)

Title: The Olympian Gods Series 1: Ares Flame
Author: Princess Destiny
Email: princessdestiny AT destinysgateway DOT com
Website: destinysgateway DOT com
Facebook: Link In Profile
The Ares And Xena Archives: Link In Profile
 Rating: M 15+ (T rated here on FFnet)
Summary: Xena and Gabrielle come across an unconscious girl on the road, who is not exactly what she appears to be. Ares is up to his old games it seems, but the destruction of the world is at stake this time. The darkness is rising, a nameless person who will bring chaos to the world...but who is it? Who is the Messiah that is the only one to save the God's and Mortals alike, to claim the flame sword Caeralon. Xena and Gabrielle are joined by Hercules, Iolaus, Joxer, Salmoneous, Athena, Zeus, Cupid, Aphrodite and even Ares as time runs out for them all...
Couple: Ares And Xena
Chapters: 1/19
Status: Completed
Year Completed: 1999

Comments: Hi everyone! What do I say about this one? Hmm, well it was written a very long time ago, in 1999. It was quite popular back then, which I was happy about. But it probably isn't remembered any more, since Xena went out of fad and I went onto writing Sailor Moon. There are a lot of new characters in this Fanfic, along with one I guess you would class as a mary-sue, even though she isn't. She isn't a self insertion and who she is will become more clear as the Fanfic goes along. In fact, some of you already guessed it, but you'll find out who she is in the Sequel. This tale is a great epic, filled with many battles, and practically every major character from the Xena and Hercules series' you can think off. A Sequel was even written, but it never got further than five Chapters. An interesting fact for you all; a publishing company was going to get this book out on the shelves around 1999, but the deal fell through. What a pity! I still gnash my teeth over that one occasionally. LOL. Anyway, I'd be interested to see if Xena Fanfics are still being read. :)

The Naughty Games Series: If you are also a fan of my Sailor Moon Fanfiction, I have started posting this Series on my own site Destiny's Gateway. It contains aggressive sexual scenes, bondage, spanking, oral and a lot of other things. It's not called Naughty for nothing! Check out the first two Fanfics Night Games and Day Games. I have just started posting the Sequel Apartment Games. Link in Profile.

Reviews would be wonderful! It means so much to an Author to hear how you liked their Fanfic, and what parts of the Chapter drew your attention. :) Also, if you spot discrepancies, or think that we can improve somewhere, that feedback is very welcome also.

The Olympian Gods Series 1

ARES FLAME

By Princess Destiny

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Chapter One

The Oracle walked in a stately manner towards the room, her hand-maiden's standing still as statues along both sides of the room. She walked past them and they each raised a sword as she reached them, the flat of the blade pressed against their foreheads and the point facing towards the sky. The Oracle's long white dress brushed the floor, slightly unsettling the red and white rose petals that were strewn along the floor from the door to the throne. Her long silvery-blonde hair trailed down her back to her ankles and her silver eyes were wide and clear as she firmly fixed them upon the wall above the throne.

There was a large silver Medallion, a meter square and in the direct center was the symbol of a flame, seeming almost to dance and glimmer as if alive. It was surrounded by two outer circles, one of white and the other of black.

She finally reached the dais and walked slowly up the stairs to the throne, bowing low before the Medallion. In response the flame began to glow with a pure white light and then the medallion resting against the snowy-white of her dress began to glow also. She then turned to face all the hand-maidens and their medallion's also began to glow faintly. They all lowered their swords and placed the points upon the ground, resting their hands crossed over on the hilts.

"It is the time. I have sensed the Messiah abroad in the world and now you must all leave here to seek the owner of Caeralon, the flame sword!" the Oracle said in a musical voice, strong enough to carry to the farthest ear. She looked around slowly, as if memorizing each face, for she knew that most of them would never return to her.

"I wish..." her voice faltered, then she began again.

"Search far my children, the Messiah must be found in time for the rising! The sword must be taken in hand before it is too late...for us all"

A hand-maiden on each side, closest to the throne broke away from the rest lining the walls on each side of the Temple and walked slowly to the Dais. They mounted the steps in perfect synchronization, the ritual well known to them and bowed before the Medallion on the wall. It's glow intensified as the Oracle turned to face it also and she held up her arms, the palms of her hands facing upwards.

"It is time! Caeralon, come forth!" she called out, eyes closing as the large Medallion became to bright to watch. A bell-like tone rung through out the room and then the light died, she opened her eyes and saw a sword hovering in the air, just above her palms. It was beautiful, with it's engraved silver hilt and the blade shone like the stars itself. It was the stone set in the blade however that drew all eyes, a silver stone in the shape of a flame. The sword lowered itself till it touched the Oracle's hands and she almost fell as a jolt of power went through her body. Such power! she thought.

"Caeralon!" she said, her voice clear.

"Caeralon!" they chanted.

Then a compulsion seemed to come over her and she grasped the hilt, releasing the blade and turning till the point of the sword was pointed towards the hand-maidens. The silver in the flame stone abruptly changed colour, glowing the purest white and she was almost staggered as the sword glowed in response. She stared down and it and had a premonition, giving it over to the two hand-maidens waiting patiently by her side. Each wore gloves of the thickest white leather and one took the hilt, while the other, the blade. The they turned and went to the throne, turning the sword until the hilt pointed towards the sky and was resting over the seat of the throne.

"Now," the Oracle said quickly and the hand-maidens thrust down into the stone of the throne, the sword sliding into it as if into water and it imbedded itself half way up the blade. They released it and it stood on it's own, still glowing with that light but the stone had returned to silver as if awaiting something. The Flame glowed with a strange luminescence as the sun broke through the clouds and shone through the slats of the windows, high on the Temple walls. They all bowed towards the great Medallion and it pulsed once in response, then both it and the sword ceased to glow.

"Go now, find the one we seek and never give up. Test all, the flame stone in your dagger's shall find the Messiah," she paused, running a weary hand over her face, feeling as if her will had been drained and all in the room felt the same way.

"Go and may the Gods protect you."

Gabrielle looked up at the morning sky and smiled, it was such a wonderful day. The sun was shinning, there were only a few fluffy clouds in the sky...and nothing was out there to threaten them. No battles, no one Xena had to run off to help...nothing.

"What are you smiling at, Gabrielle?" an amused voice asked her and the blonde turned her head to look at her dark-haired companion. Xena was watching her with a tolerant expression on her beautiful face and Gabrielle stretched widely.

"Oh, just the day. It so wonderful!" Gabrielle exclaimed, surprised when Xena dismounted from Argo to walk beside her along the dirt road.

"You really like this traveling don't you."

"Of course, never think that I don't enjoy traveling with you Xena" the blonde smiled mischievously, looking at her companion from under lowered lids.

"Of course." Xena said absently, patting Argo's mane as they walked.

"Now the war lords, the battles...Ares! I don't enjoy them!" the blonde paused, slyly. "Your stinky armour..."

"Mmm hmm...what?" Xena said, that look in her eyes and Gabrielle backed away slightly.

"Now Xena. Xena! Xena!" Gabrielle yelled as Xena made a grab and caught the back of the blonde's clothes, pulling her into a head lock.

"Now what was that about my stinky armour?"

"Arrgggggh! Xena!" Gabrielle shouted, struggling. Her staff shot up and Xena easily ducked it, but it was enough for Gabrielle to get loose and she brandished it. "En gard!"

Xena grinned as she and her friend exchanged playful blows, Gabrielle really was getting better with that staff...just like the Amazon Queen she would have to be one day. That thought sobered Xena greatly, she didn't like to think of the day Gabrielle and she would part. She wasn't watching with her full attention and Gabrielle's staff hit her squarely in the stomach. It would have hurt a lesser person but it caused Xena to grin wickedly and purposefully stalk the blonde until she gave up.

"Enough, I give!" Gabrielle yelled, waving her staff wildly. Xena nodded and got up onto Argo, her face sober. The blonde turned and started to walk down the road next to the horse when a booted foot caught her solidly in the rear and she went sprawling into the bushes. She emerged a second later, covered in dirt and leaves clinging to her hair. Gabrielle glared indignantly at a grinning Xena, who sat with both legs casually over the left side of the saddle.

"Now who's clothes are stinky?"

Aurelia groaned, moving her head slightly and wincing as pain shot through her temples harshly. She tried to open her eyes but they didn't respond and trying to move her limbs came with as much response.

"Oh, my head," she moaned. A faint sound came to her ears and she listened for a minute, trying to figure out what the familiar sound was. It was just on the edge of her mind. She knew what the sound was, but her mind was so foggy that she couldn't think coherently. The sound got closer and then it suddenly clicked that what she was hearing was hoof beats...a horse! Aurelia winced again as it became unbearably loud and she managed to crack open her heavy lids slightly to see that she was apparently lying in the middle of a dirt road and the horse was approaching. She also realized that the road bent around the tree's and she would be seen at the very last minute by the rider.

"I need a wash now, which way to the closest river?"

"Just brush it off Gabrielle, we've got a long way to go to the next town. Besides, I thought Amazon's liked getting in touch with the forest."

"Ha ha, very funny. How about you take a roll in the mud and we'll call it even!"

"And ruin my Warrior image?"

"You're just a barrel of laughs today. Why don't you just-"

Aurelia heard two people talking, one sounding implacable, the other annoyed. Perhaps they would see her before it was too late, she couldn't even summon up enough energy to fight a mouse. Maybe they could help her and tell her why she felt so sick and deadly tired...drained almost.

"Xena!" someone said sharply, just as it appeared around the corner, luckily someone had been walking ahead of the horse and it stopped as it's sharp hooves were almost touching Aurelia's face.

"Oh my god, are you okay? Miss?" the blonde girl who had warned the owner of the horse knelt down in the dusty road next to Aurelia and frantically brushed the dirt that the horse had kicked up from her face. Aurelia couched and felt her eyes closing again, then another voice was hear and she managed to open her eyes wider to see that the owner of the horse was another woman. A woman that was strangely dressed in a leather armour of some sort, a sword at her side and a strange metal circlet at the waist.

"Is she all right, I didn't see her down there." the woman asked, also kneeling down and Aurelia felt warm hands touch her forehead carefully. Aurelia shivered violently at the cool touch, the hand feeling like ice against her skin.

"Is she sick?" the blonde girl asked anxiously, rushing back to the saddle bags for water and she helped raise Aurelia's head slightly while she drank.

"She has a fever Gabrielle, we have to get her warm." the woman continued and Aurelia's eyelids finally dropped, the will going out of her and she slumped heavily back into the blonde girl's arms. Everything was going black and she struggled to stay awake, realizing in some detached part of her mind, that she was no where near home...wherever this was.

Xena tossed some more wood onto the fire and then looked over to where Gabrielle was brushing a damp cloth across the girl's forehead, murmuring soothingly every time she moaned in her fever. It was strange how they had found her, in the middle of the road like that. Xena wondered if she had been attacked perhaps, but there had been no sign of a struggle...the girl was ill however and had been tossing and turning with the fever for hours now.

She studied the girl quietly, noticing the poor clothes that were in tatters and covered in dirt in some places. Her hair was covered in a wimple, but Gabrielle had removed it to reveal shoulder-length light brown hair.

The eyes, when she had looked dazedly up at them from the road had been a pain-filled dark brown. She hadn't known where she was or what was happening, Xena was sure. It was strange because there were no villages around the area, so the girl must have been walking. Traveling alone.

"Xena, she's getting better I think, the fever is breaking." Gabrielle's excited, but weary voice said from across the fire and Xena stood to walk to their side. She leant over the girl and felt the forehead, sure enough it was cooling and she smiled at her blonde friend.

"It looks like it, she should be all right in the morning." Just then Gabrielle yawn loudly and Xena grinned.

"Why don't you go to sleep, I'll keep an eye on her." the dark-haired woman nodded and Gabrielle looked as if she were going to protest but another yawn interrupted her and she shrugged.

"I need a bath." Gabrielle said, teasing good-naturedly and Xena smiled.

"We'll find a river tomorrow...you'll need it because you do stink." Gabrielle looked as if she wanted to argue about it but another yawn interrupted her and she grinned.

"Okay, but wake me if you need me." she instructed, climbing under her blankets and Xena sat down by the girl.

"I think I can manage, get some sleep." Xena ordered dryly. She waited until she heard Gabrielle's even breathing and then turned to the girl, eyes penetrating.

"You can open your eyes now, I know you're awake."

The girl opened her eyes slowly, the brown remarkably clear and coherent for one who had just recently been in the throes of a fever. The girl ran a hand threw her hair and grimaced as it came away damp and sticky.

"How did I get here?" she mumbled, looking around and then her eyes fell fully on Xena and they widened in surprise. She saw the leather warrior's garb and the sword and then she sat up fully, throwing off the blankets.

"We found you in the middle of the road, feverous and made camp to take care of you." Xena said, watching the girl carefully. She had seemed to be startled by Xena's clothes and the fact she had been lying in the middle of a road when they found her.

"Oh," was all the girl said, she shivered and pulled the blankets back up around her shoulders.

"Can you tell me your name?" Xena said more gently, seeing a fawn-like startlement and fear in the girl's eyes and a protective instinct emerged.

"I-I Uh." the girl said, she had been rubbing her clothes and now looked down in amazement, her eyes widening further. She seemed shocked by something and Xena's eyes narrowed in thought as she watched the girl, who felt along her clothes as if seeing them for the first time and Xena saw that there were gloves covering the girl's hands. She hadn't noticed that before and now thought it strange. They were almost rags, the gloves, but they covered the skin.

"I'm...Meryll," the girl said abruptly and Xena glanced up, caught at staring. "What is your name?" she said politely and Xena smiled slightly.

"I'm Xena and this is Gabrielle." Xena introduced herself and the sleeping Gabrielle, bracing herself for the usual fear that people tended to showed at the sound of her name...but there was none at all. Meryll smiled warmly, her eyes glowing in a friendly manner and Xena smiled back involuntarily. There was no fear, no recognition in Meryll's eyes at Xena's name and though she was relieved at it...it also made her wonder.

"Thank you for helping me, I remember hoping that whoever owned the horse would." Meryll remembered aloud.

"We wouldn't have left you there, but you're lucky it was us," Xena said, glaring darkly into the fire at what could have happened if anyone else had found the girl helpless.

Meryll stifled a yawn and a slightly sheepish smile crossed her lips.

"I feel really tired, do you mind if I sleep now?" Meryll asked drowsily, her lids dropping and Xena nodded.

"Go ahead, you need the rest and in the morning we can talk."

Meryll nodded and lay down with her back to Xena, but her eyes were wide open. Where was she?

"So you travel around a lot then, Gabrielle? It must be wonderful!" Meryll said eagerly, drinking up Gabrielle's every word and Xena sighed. Ever since they had risen that morning, Gabrielle had been telling the peasant girl all about their adventures. Meryll's eyes had grown wider and wider, almost with disbelief as time had passed and Xena couldn't blame her really. It was hard to believe that she had gone through all that Gabrielle was describing.

"Oh yes, it's wonderful. Traveling with Xena isneverboring." Gabrielle said, cheerfully throwing a smile over her shoulder at Xena. The warrior Princess was a few paces behind them on Argo and Meryll was walking next to Gabrielle.

"Meryll, tell us about yourself." Gabrielle said after a silent moment and Meryll looked startled, then her expression closed and her eyes darkened a bit even as the blonde watched.

"There's nothing much to tell...my brother is in the King's Army and I lived with my father until responsibilities drew my brother back home. He got married and left being a soldier to take care of our home...I left then" Meryll said, hesitating slightly over some places, as if thinking. There was truth in her words but Xena had the distinct feeling that Meryll was not telling the complete story.

"Oh, it was uncomfortable with the wife being there huh?" Gabrielle said understandingly and Meryll flashed her a slight smile.

"Yes, I felt left out."

"So you left home...to go where?" Xena asked from behind and Meryll slowed, turning slightly to face the dark-haired woman. Xena truly had the most uncannily blue eyes, startling against the tanned face and Meryll felt as if those eyes saw a lot.

"I didn't know really, I just wanted to get away...to travel." Meryll said, her eyes were sad and she turned back to face the road before them after a moment.

"Well you can travel with us as far as-" Xena started to say but then the hair on the back of her neck rose and she slipped swiftly from her horse, recognizing the presence that had caused that feeling. A moment later the air before her horse flashed brightly and Ares appeared, looking as arrogant as usual.

"Ares," Xena said, not really surprised for some reason, only he could make her instincts kick into over-drive like his presence did.

"Xena," Ares said, smiling mockingly and then his eyes flickered over Gabrielle, barely seeing Meryll. He looked as confident and arrogant as usual, but Xena could sense an air of...impatience around him.

"What do you want Ares?" Gabrielle almost hissed and he didn't even look in her direction, addressing Xena instead.

"I need you to come to my Temple," he said commandingly, "Now."

"I don't think so." Gabrielle said indignantly, holding her staff before her as if wanting to hit him with it and he threw her a dark look.

"Be silent." he growled, taking a step forward threateningly and Xena stepped between them.

"I have no intention of going anywhere with you, Ares." Xena said calmly, a half-smile playing about her lips and Ares almost glared, then seemed to control himself.

"I don't have time for arguments. Look, one of my Priestess' is with child and is asking for you." Xena looked disbelievingly at him, wondering at the lame excuse.

"Is that the best you can do!" Gabrielle yelled, scoffing. The look he threw her was so black she shrank back and Meryll put a hand on her shoulder comfortingly.

"I see there's a new addition to your little party Xena-a new sidekick perhaps?" Ares asked, arrogance back. He looked at Meryll and almost smirked, his dark eyes sweeping her from head to toe.

"I can't say she's much of an improvement, but anything is better than listening to the blonde's incessant chatter." Ares said insultingly and Gabrielle growled, lunging forward with her staff. Xena blocked her casually with her arm and stared firmly at The God of War.

"Did you come here to insult Gabrielle or do you want to tell me why you're really here?" Xena said, loosing some of her patience with the handsome God.

"I told you, my Priestess-Sionna-is pregnant and for some reason she wanted you." Ares said in annoyance and Xena's eyes widened in surprise.

"Sionna? A girl with red hair and green eyes?" she said urgently and he smiled slightly, straightening his leather vest.

"Yes, red hair. Can we go now?" he said bored of the conversation. His patience was running out rapidly and he watched as Xena went back to her horse, motioning for Gabrielle and Meryll to follow her.

"Can you take us there?" she asked and the God smiled mockingly.

"Us? I don't remember inviting any side kicks, least of all nosy blondes," he looked Gabrielle over insultingly and then raked Meryll again. "Or peasants."

"Why you-!" Gabrielle, raised her staff again, face angry and she was dying to wipe that amused smile off of Ares face...God or not!

"If I go. They go." Xena said, cutting off any further conversation and Ares glared at her.

"Absolutely not! You, I will tolerate in my Temple, but not these stupid mortals!" Ares bellowed angrily, Meryll had been silent through out all of this and she watched as Xena faced the man calmly.

"All or none, Ares." Xena said, Ares seemed to be counting slowly backwards, his hand on his sword hilt as he glared at Gabrielle and then Xena.

"Fine!" he said finally, an amused smile crossed his lips before he turned away from them and gestured. Xena had enough time to feel a reluctant smile cross her own lips and then the air swirled and lurched dizzyingly.

Meryll blinked as the world became stable again and she saw that they were in a vast room, lavishly furnished with candles, red silk and an elaborate throne. Ares went to it and sat down, throwing a leg over one side and slouching casually. He clapped his hands twice, loudly and after a moment a woman came in the oak double doors to the side of the room. She was dressed in a black dress, complete with a medallion, black boots and a sword at her side. She went straight to Ares, bowing down before him.

"Ara, take Xena to Sionna." Ares ordered and the woman turned towards Xena, her face impassive, but her eyes were filled with dislike as she gestured for Xena to follow her.

"This way, Warrior Princess," Ara said some-what coldly and Xena followed her out, Meryll flinched slightly when the double doors boomed shut behind them and Gabrielle and she were left in the room with Ares. Meryll looked around and shivered a bit, not liking the situation and a look at Gabrielle's face told her that it was the same with the blonde.

"And now, what to do with you," Ares said musingly, his dark eyes amused as he stared first at Gabrielle-who faced him defiantly-and then Meryll. When she met his eyes for the first time she felt a jolt, this man was incredibly powerful, she could feel it almost emanating from him. Ares, Xena had said, was it possible that this was The God of War? It seemed almost unreal to be face with a God, someone that people had long since forgotten to worship where Meryll came from.

"Nothing, Xena will-" Ares cut the blonde off with a wave of his hand.

"Xena will do nothing, as long as you are here you are safe-unless you cross me." he said ominously, then he smiled arrogantly and a goblet of wine appeared in his hands. He took a sip and smiled at them both over the rim, reminding Meryll sharply of a hunting wolf. He was so dangerous.

"You and your friend may sit, I'll have some food brought." Ares said graciously, Meryll and Gabrielle sat warily at the suddenly appearing table and they stared distrustfully at the goblet of red wine that was in front of them both. Bowls of grapes were there also and Gabrielle and Meryll exchanged a look, wondering why The God of War was being so...nice.

"No thank you, I'd rather starve." Gabrielle declared, pushing the goblet away and Ares shrugged, unconcerned. Meryll looked into the depths of the red wine and her mind wandered, it was all so strange to be in this place. One minute she had been at home-in bed-drifting off to sleep and the next, she was waking up on a dirt road! She caught sight of herself in a shield on the wall and her mouth fell open in shock, she didn't look anything like herself! Her long black hair had turned to short brown, her dark green eyes to a dark brown and her face and figure...she was shorter and, well, ordinary. She had noticed that her clothes were strange, but even delirious it had not taken long for her to realize she was not in her own time.

"Meryll, do you think it's safe to eat, I mean, I'm pretty hungry come to think of it." Gabrielle's whispered voice broke into Meryll's thoughts and she started almost violently.

"I don't know." Meryll whispered back, her eyes on the grapes and she realized that she too was hungry.

"Are you afraid?" Ares said from behind Meryll and Gabrielle got to her feet, talking a stance with her staff defensively as Meryll spun in her chair. He was right behind her and neither of them had heard him, or seen him either, both having their heads so close together so he wouldn't hear them talking.

"Afraid? No, I'm not." Meryll said stiffly, lifting her chin, though she felt fear as his dark eyes met hers. He must have seen her start in shock when Gabrielle interrupted her thoughts. A smiled crossed his lips and he raised the goblet to his lips to drain it, then he leaned past Meryll to set it sharply down on the wooden table. It was loud and Meryll jumped in shock. Ares laughed in amusement and then disappeared. She took a deep breath and looked over at Gabrielle, who wasn't looking too pleased.

"I really hate him-he's so arrogant!" Gabrielle burst out and flopped back into her chair angrily, muttering darkly. Then she reached for a bunch of grapes and bit into them viciously. When she realized what she had done, she almost spit them out again, then paused. A blissful smile coming over her face.

"Oh, but these are so good!"

Xena came in a while later and the bowl was almost empty, though Meryll had touched nothing. She had watched the slender blonde eat an astonishing amount of food and wine, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Gabrielle, I see you got breakfast." Xena said, amusement in her voice as the blonde turned and grinned-not noticing that her chin was strained red from the grapes.

"Yep! These grapes wereamazing, I love 'em!" Gabrielle said enthusiastically and Xena's eyes narrowed a little. The blonde was acting just a bit too...bubbly? Her eyes were bright and she seemed to be impatiently fidgeting as if she wanted to run or dance.

"Yes, I'm sure they were." Xena said, wondering what Ares had put in the grapes to get this reaction. A look at Meryll showed that the brunette had not touch her wine, and from the distrusting look in her eyes when they alighted on the bowl of grapes, she had not touch a thing. The girl exchanged a look with Xena and then they both stared back at Gabrielle, who leaped from her chair and began rushing around the room.

"I feel great! Xena, why don't I feel like this all the time?" Gabrielle shouted, dashing from candle to candle and playfully blowing each out. Though as soon as her back was turned, they magically lit themselves again.

"I don't believe this," Xena muttered, Sionna had wanted to meet her companions but there was no way Gabrielle could be brought into a pregnant woman's presence like-that!

"I know. It was the grapes. She took one bite and she was hooked." Meryll said in a low voice, trying to keep from laughing despite the situation. Gabrielle had clearly been drugged with something.

"I think it's an improvement, personally." Ares said, appearing and looking at Gabrielle with an amused smirk. Xena turned to him, distinctly un-amused.

"What was on those grapes, Ares?" she demanded, watching as the blonde tried-vainly-to climb up to the chandelier and swing from it. She was too short and kept falling back, but cheerfully trying again as if it were the first time. She gave up after a moment and swung her staff around wildly, as if fighting an invisible enemy.

"Just a little something found in a particular plant," Ares shrugged, smiling and went to sit lazily in his throne again. His eyes followed Gabrielle in vast amusement and Xena finally sighed, turning to Meryll.

"Come on, Meryll. Sionna wants to meet at least one of you."

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To Be Continued...

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Comments: I'll have the next Chapter out tomorrow.

Hugs,
Princess Destiny