"Ares" Hercules began "maybe you should let her go, let her find her own way" he turned to Ares "if it is meant to be then she will find her way back to the ones that love her" he smiled "You know Gabrielle once told me a tale of how we just keep coming back over and over again and the same souls remain in our lives for all eternity" he patted Ares on the back once "Think about it" and he vanished.

Ares absorbed his words and turned from this haunted place, he vanished. Reappearing in the Halls of War he again collapsed to his throne and let out a sigh "Think about the bard's words" he mumbled. Then suddenly he sat up "Yes where is the little bard these days?" he smiled as he snapped his fingers and vanished yet again.

Ares found himself in an Amazon Village, he remained invisible watching the warrior women go about their daily tasks. He knew she was here, he could feel the annoyance of her mere existence fill him. Then she appeared as she exited a hut. A look of shock passes across his calm features, not at the sight of her in the Amazon git up, but at what she holds in her arms, a child of maybe a year. Ares quickly closes the distance between them to get a better look at the child. What he is met with shocks him further, dark hair covers the infants head then she opened her eyes to reveal light blue eyes. The child stares at him. Gabrielle turns her head in the direction that the child is staring in, her voice is soft and loving "What is it darling? What do you see?" the child smiles at Ares. Suddenly Gabrielle stiffens and holds the child closer. Fear crosses her face as she slowly backs away, turning she runs into her hut. Ares starts to laugh "I know your secret little bard" he laughs harder as he disappears from the village.

"I should have known" he says to himself as he reappears in the Halls of War "I should of never trusted that little bitch" he walks over to a small cabinet, upon opening he retrieves a flask "But who could have been hiding her from me?" he questions as he tips back the flask "Ahhhh" he sighs as he replaces the flask and locks the cabinet "I needed that."

"Ares"

Ares smiles to himself as he carefully replaces the indifferent mask again "Ah dear brother don't you part take in a little godly wine once in awhile?" he questioned as he turns to face Hercules "What do I owe yet another visit so soon?" he smiles as he casually reclaims his throne.

"It's nothing, I just wanted to see if you were feeling any better" replied Hercules.

"Yes" answered Ares in a uplifted voice "Yes dear brother I do believe I do feel better, and you need not worry anymore I am going to take your advice and let her go." Ares sat back, causally throwing one leg over the arm of the throne and awaited the response. He felt he was much better at the deceiving game that he was sure Hercules was trying to play.

Hercules cleared his throat "Well that is good to hear, I will leave you then and attend to some business" he turned to leave "Take care Ares" he said before he vanished.

Ares sat back and smiled "Yes I will" he said to himself as he began to think of how he was going to get his princess back from that annoying bard.

Twelve years had passed and though Hercules was sure Ares was spying on Gabrielle, he could never prove it. Ares on the other hand ignored his brother and watched his young warrior grow before his eyes. He noted that Gabrielle had again retained the title of Queen and her daughter Princess. She had trained the young girl in the art of defensive war, but would not teach her how to use the Chakaram or sword. The bard was the one forcing her will on the child now, not him. He would wait, she would be a woman soon and free to make her own decision.

He waited until her fifteenth birthday to approach her. She was on the hunt for a stag to use in a ceremony to become a full Amazon. He waited until she had left the safety of the Amazon lands and then chose to appear just as she killed the stag. He noted the triumph in her eyes as she stared at her kill. The bloodlust was there, but controlled. "Good Shot" he said in a light voice as he stepped from behind a tree.

The young woman turned to face the voice, her hair flowing as she turned her blue eyes blazing as she stared at the man before her. She had never seen a man before and didn't know what to think "Who are you?" she questioned as she pulled an arrow back with her bow, taking aim of his chest "Answer or you will die where you stand."

Ares watched her, amazed at the steadiness of her bow and the calmness of her threat "No need to worry I am a friend" he answered.

"I don't know you so you are not a friend" she replied coolly, still holding aim on him.

"I have known you for many years" he said as he advanced upon her. The arrow released, lodging in his chest. He looked down at it "Ya know that tickles" he said with a small laugh as he watched the girl fall faint to the ground "Well that I didn't expect" he bent and picked her up "My princess" he whispered as they disappeared.

When she woke up she did not know where she was, she jumped up into a defensive stance, turning to take in the room that held her. There he was in the corner watching her "Why have you taken me?" she demanded.

"What does she call you?" he asked, ignoring her question.

She was startled and confused by his actions, but did not feel threatened by him, she almost felt as though she could trust him "if you mean my Mother" she began "she calls me Rose."

"Ah a beautiful flower, perfect for a beautiful girl" he slowly closed the distance between them "do not fear me for I have come to offer you your memories."

"My memories" she stammered as she back away "I don't understand."

He gently brought his hand to her face "Close your eyes and trust me."

For some reason behind her rational thinking she did what he asked. When her eyes closed she felt a warm tingling slowly made it's way through her body. Ares smiled as he gave her only the memories he chose. He knew it was wrong, but hadn't Gabrielle messed with fate too.