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Chapter 2…
Before Xena could return to sleep, she got a surprise visit from Ares, her favourite god.
ARES: So how's my warrior goddess? Getting used to being immortal yet?
XENA: It's been tough. I can't sleep, I don't feel like eating, I have no fear of death. It's harder than it looks.
ARES: You'll get used to it.
His eyes wandered to the sleeping figure who lay on the bare ground. Akar refused an extra bedroll because he believed masters and slaves should never be on familiar terms.
ARES: Who's that?
XENA: It's a long story, but he's a messenger from Egypt. Eve's getting married to the pharaoh.
ARES: Eve? Your Eve? Who would've thought. Wait a minute, does she know about you and me?
XENA: No, I'll tell her before the wedding. How are the rest of my children?
ARES: Xander says he feels sick and Adreanna has her mother's temper and unfortunately her fighting skills. Today she basically stopped my army from another successful conquest.
XENA: I miss them.
ARES: I know, you can see them as soon as the coast's clear. Don't want any priests or followers coming after them. They're still young.
XENA: What about Alexus, Meredith and Amos?
ARES: They've even taken over Olympus. Aphrodite's been cranky lately 'cause of them.
XENA: Why can't I just live a normal life? Having your children live in another realm, not being able to see them, relying on their father to bring good news. It's not normal.
ARES: Nothing is ever normal with you. Besides normal is boring.
Ares left with a kiss on Xena's cheek after tucking her in.
No one slept well that evening, but they were all eager to leave for Egypt as soon as possible. It would take the trio at least 3 ½ weeks to reach the fabled city of Alexandria where Eve was awaiting their arrival. The journey was a relatively easy one, but Xena couldn't help thinking about how was to tell Eve about her other siblings and her love for Ares. With the birth of every child, Xena remembered the daughter she had almost lost to evil, a path she herself had almost taken. And when those children were sent to Olympus to grow in safety, she felt guilty for not raising them as a normal mother. Meredith, her first daughter with Ares was strong, yet delicate. Alexus and Amos, the first set of twins had been born on Mt. Olympus and therefore, the boys were more powerful than their oldest sister. The youngest children, Xander and Adreanna, were still young babies, but time on Olympus passed quickly and soon they would be the same age as their other siblings. If only Eve knew how much Xena and Ares loved each other, maybe she would understand why her siblings had been kept a secret. Ares was a good father, making sure his most precious children visited their mother and Aunt Gabrielle as often as possible.
"Xena, is something wrong?" Gabrielle noticed that Xena had become very quiet and was deep in thought. It had been two weeks since they left their campsite and Xena had spoken only a few words.
"Nothing's wrong." Xena was about to change the subject when Akar suddenly spoke.
"In the harbour ahead, the royal ship is docked, waiting for us. The voyage to Alexandria should only take a few days. I have already sent word with a messenger ship telling Eve and Pharaoh Rani that we are on our way. From now on, you are guests of the Egyptians, feel free to take what you wish."
"Thank you, Akar. I'm sure Xena and I won't be needing much, but thanks for offering."
They boarded a large ship with gold-trimmed sails and two levels of oarsmen. Every room was fully furnished with mahogany and silk furniture and every table was laden with fresh fruits and breads of every kind. "A girl could get used to this." Xena remarked as they set off.
The voyage was shorter than planned because the wind had pushed them along, leaving little work for the oarsmen. Within days the royal city of Alexandria loomed before the royal guests decked out in its full splendour.
"Looks like the pharaoh's got everyone excited about his wedding. Everyone's busy preparing for it." Said Gabrielle.
Akar boarded them onto chariots as soon as the ship had docked. Xena was glad to be on land again as she was never a fan of traveling by sea. This will be my daughter's kingdom. I guess she found the right way to rule this place. I attacked the city... she conquered the pharaoh's heart. The royal palace was unmistakable, towering high over the other buildings. It was constructed of white marble and its massive pillars reminded Xena of Olympus.
GABRIELLE: This place gets bigger every time we come here!
Guards led Xena and Gabrielle into the royal throne room where the pharaoh had brought in a welcoming party. As the golden doors opened to the large, atrium-like room, Xena was surprised to see Eve sitting on a throne beside the pharaoh himself.
"Mother? Gabrielle? You're here!" screamed Eve as she stood up and ran to meet her mother.
"I missed you."
"This must be the legendary Xena, Eve's told me so much about you. Welcome to my palace." The pharaoh was a young, handsome man with soft brown eyes and a caring face. He was well-groomed and exceptionally dressed but he didn't seem the type to care what he looked like. "Eve, darling, why don't you take your mother and Gabrielle to their rooms. I have to finish up here before the banquet."
"Don't take too long, you'll want to be on time for your own wedding banquet." Eve said with a smile.
"Of course, I'll see you later."
Xena was astonished to see how much her daughter had changed since they last saw each other. Back then Eve was resolute to spread the message of Eli and atone for her sins, now she was lively and vibrant. Throughout the trip, Xena had been dreading the fact the she would eventually have to tell Eve about her love for Ares and their children together. Xena would also have to tell Gabrielle and Eve that she had become a goddess of Olympus herself and was now immortal.
EVE: I know it's a bit overwhelming. I mean, hearing about my marriage to Rani from a messenger, but I couldn't come to tell you myself because I've been busy here. With the wedding and redesigning all the temples, it's been crazy.
GABRIELLE: Redesigning the temples? Xena, didn't Akar tell us they were newly built?
EVE: Who's Akar?
XENA: Akar, the messenger you sent to us.
By the confused look on her daughter's face, Xena knew that Eve probably had many servants and she needed more details.
XENA: Blonde hair, blue eyes, about 15 or 16 years old.
EVE: I didn't send any Akar, I've never heard of him. I sent Elan, my personal servant. Look around, no one around here has blonde hair or blue eyes.
GABRIELLE: If you didn't send Akar, then who did? Xena, wait…
XENA: I know. It was Solan.
GABRIELLE: He was bleeding real blood when we mended his cut, remember? He even traveled with us for 3 weeks. How could we not know?
EVE: Solan? My brother?
XENA: Long, long story, tell ya all about it later. Get back to the temples.
EVE: Well, Rani and I share the same beliefs about Eli and we've decided to introduce his teachings to the people. We both agreed that the people needed the choice, not dictatorship. So far Eli's message has been well-received, especially among the servants and peasants. It's surprising actually. It may be because Rani's family line comes from the line of Eli's family.
XENA: Rani's a descendant of Eli? What a coincidence.
EVE: I didn't know about that until recently, but it didn't matter before, so it doesn't matter now.
XENA: You must really like this guy.
EVE: Yeah. He's a dream come true. Oh, here are your rooms. The servants have already drawn a bath and we're supposed to meet in the grand hall just after sunset. There are clothes in the closets and the servants will help you with everything else. I'll see you later. I'm glad you came.
After Eve had hurried down the hall towards her own room, Xena and Gabrielle looked around the two rooms. Each had a canopy bed, leopard skin chairs, large open windows with views of the harbour, and fresh flowers in clay vases. Minutes later, they were in the large bath filled with perfumed water and rose petals.
GABRIELLE: Xena, you're quiet again. Are you sure there's nothing wrong?
XENA: Well, it's just weird to Eve all grown up and getting married. Just a year ago she was Livia of Rome, killer of the Amazons.
GABRIELLE: There's gotta be more than that bothering you.
XENA: My bed had green silk, not red.
GABRIELLE: That's not it.
XENA: Xander says he feels sick.
GABRIELLE: That's still not it, and it's not even humanly possible. He's immortal remember?
XENA: Okay, okay. I'm worried about telling Eve about Ares and I. It was hard enough telling you. You know how they were lovers at one time. She already has enough problems with the wedding, I'm sure. She could be furious, or disappointed or devastated. Who knows?
GABRIELLE: It'll be fine. You worry too much.
A/N: REVIEW!! You know you want to. You'll feel super guilty if you don't.
