Ares Versus Thor
or
Mjölnir and The Chakram
Chapter One
A Warning
"These Vikings are brutes, trust me," Ares said. "They do fight like savages but seem to have no real organizational skill when it comes to warfare."
"But will they meet us on the open field of battle?" Xena asked.
They were studying a map of the North lands, trying to decide where would be the first and best place to launch the invasion. Due north from the Germania seemed to be the most direct route, with the least amount of sea to cross. They were currently camped on the northern shore if the arm of sea that separated the two.
"They will have no choice. They can try to hide, and fight in the hills surrounding their villages, but with our overwhelming number of troops…."
Ares left the sentence hanging, letting Xena realize the futility of their resistance.
"Plus, being that it's late spring now, the terribly harsh winters I've heard about won't be a hindrance to our victory," Gabrielle added.
"Exactly," Xena agreed. "Looks like the Fates are on our side."
"Now, I was thinking maybe a two-pronged front," Ares started to say, then stopped as if listening to something no one else could hear. Then he said, "Well, it looks like dear old dad wants a word with me, back on Mt. Olympus. Keep planning, this shouldn't take long."
And with no fanfare, he disappeared.
"I wonder what that's all about," Gabrielle said.
"Who knows?" Xena replied. "Maybe good OLD Zeus wants to join in on the fun, you know, since he does nothing all day but sit up there making lightning and thunder during storms."
"May be. Or maybe he thinks Ares is overreaching."
Xena shrugged, then she and Gabrielle went back to plotting possible routes for the army to take during the invasion.
Ares appeared on the balcony next to Zeus, overlooking over the western part of the country. Zeus didn't speak, but only stood there in silence. But his silence spoke loudly to Ares. He could feel the tension emanating from his father. He knew Zeus was trying to let his temper cool before he spoke. So Ares waited patiently; there was little else he could do.
Finally, Zeus turned to him, his fiery temper still showing through his eyes.
"I understand you have designs on the lands north of Germania."
"Correct."
"Your defeat of the Gauls, and of the Brits, and of the barbarians, has been nothing less than remarkable."
"I thought so."
"But you go too far. It is time to pull back; enjoy the fruits of your victories. And then cast your eyes, and your armies in another direction, to the south, perhaps."
"Why would I do that? We are so close to claiming the entirety of the lands to our north as our own."
Zeus slowly shook his head.
"And what of the gods that watch over and protect those living there? Do you truly think they will do nothing while your army brings death and havoc upon them?"
"I'm not particularly worried about them. You seem to forget my Warrior Queen, and her extraordinary weapon."
"Ah, yes, the Chakram. A formidable weapon indeed. But have you forgotten that one of the Norse gods also has a weapon of unparalleled devastation?"
"The fabled hammer? I suspect it is more myth than fact. And even if there WAS such a hammer, surely you don't think it begins to compare to Xena's Chakram do you?"
"I am of the opinion that is even more dangerous than the Chakram."
"You do?"
"I do indeed. From the tales I have heard, it…."
"Tales! Your fears are based on stories told in the night around campfires to frighten children?" Ares was incredulous.
"You DARE to speak to me in such a disrespectful tone!" Zeus lashed out. "Have you forgotten who you are? And who I am?"
And the goat and sheep herders tending their flocks on the side of the mountain knew what rolls of thunder on a sunny, cloudless day meant – Zeus was more than displeased at something. And they all hoped it was not them, nor at their families.
Then, in a more subdued and respectful voice, Ares said, "I have seen the wonders of the Chakram. I know its power, and I know its wielder. No one, and I mean no one, with any weapon can stand against it!"
"How small your world is," Zeus said sadly. "How very small."
"So, then tell me of the dangers of this hammer you have heard about."
"For one, when it is thrown, it never misses its target. And then the hammer will return to his hand."
"As does Xena's Chakram."
"But that is not its only power. It is said Thor can strike the ground with it and earthquakes result. He can raise it on high and lightning will come to it, and then be directed to wherever he wishes. And he can spin it by its leather strap fast enough to fly him where he may wish to go."
Ares didn't respond right away, but when he did, he was careful to choose his words wisely.
"And all these powers of this hammer, you have witnessed them?"
"No. I admit these are but stories that have come to me in bits and pieces over the years. But I do know that stories always have a grain of truth to them."
Zeus turned to once more look out over the side of the mountain, then said without looking back at Ares, "And do not forget that Odin, the father of Thor, and king of the Norse gods, also is a god of war."