Title: Eclipse – The  Revelation

Author: Strife's LMNT

Chapter: 3

            Meanwhile in another room…

            "She can't be queen! Just because the people love her and she's a good leader doesn't mean she can step in front of ME for the throne. There's gotta be something we can use against her, like thefts, murders or even bad grades in finishing school." Cleopatra spoke with a lack of wisdom much unlike the former queen she was named after. Her parents had given her the name in the hopes it would give her some sense in later life.

            Rani's siblings had been arguing for some time on how to deal with their brother's impending wedding to Eve. The younger children Auletes, Mento, and Rania were eager to welcome Eve into their family, unaware of the strict code of rules. The older siblings, Cleopatra, Olympus, Nivea, Puzo and Kenta, felt that the royal bloodline must be kept pure. They themselves, along with Rani and the other siblings, had been born from a large family of half-brothers and half-sisters who had wedded each other out of duty. The tradition had been kept alive for many generations, insuring that only the blood of royalty was flowing through their veins. Of course, their mothers and fathers had elegant mistresses and torrid affairs, another of the many traditions still kept alive.

            "But Rani really loves her. She can't be all that bad." Young Mento spoke for the first time that evening.

            "I say he keep her as his concubine and focus on his responsibilities. She's even got him changing the entire empire's religion. Can you imagine the consequences? The gods will be furious, havoc and mayhem will break out in their anger. I wouldn't blame them if they destroyed the empire our family worked so hard to build. Floods, earthquakes, famine, war and death will rule. Not us." Olympus' words sent a hush in the room as if everyone was afraid to speak.

PUZO: Whatever we do, we have to do it fast. The wedding is only a couple of days away. You also forgot to mention that Eve's mother is Xena, a woman who has saved this empire many times. The people love her, her daughter and Rani. We can't risk a revolt.

OLYMPUS: What if Eve was to refuse to marry Rani? The people would understand that.

CLEOPATRA: What about Rani? He would know something was wrong if Eve pulled out so close to the wedding.

NIVEA: There has to be something…

            Back in Xena's bedroom…

XENA: Ares? What are you doing here?

ARES: Wow, the Egyptians really know how to decorate. What? No kiss hello or questions about the kids?

XENA: Sorry. Come here. How are the kids? There's nothing wrong right?

            Xena took Ares in her arms and kissed him lovingly.

ARES: Well, why don't you ask them yourself.

            Suddenly five teenagers stepped out of a curtain of multi-coloured sparkles and smiled at the sight of their mother. They all appeared to be the same age even though they were born years apart.

XENA: By the gods, you guys get older every time I see you. Why are you here?

MEREDITH: We knew you would have to tell Eve about us before the wedding and it might be easier to have us here.

XENA: Whose idea was that?

MEREDITH: Father's.

XENA: What a surprise.

ARES: Anything for my warrior princess.

            Ares took Xena's face in his hands and planted a kiss in front of the children. All five let out a collective: "Eeew, gross!"

GABRIELLE: Xena? What do you think? Red, blue or… whoa! Um, who are they?

ALEXUS: Aunt Gabrielle how can you not recognize us?

GABRIELLE: Amos?

ALEXUS: Amos is over there. I'm Alexus.

GABRIELLE: Sorry, it's the whole identical twin thing. That means you're Xander and Adreanna. The last time I saw you guys, you just lost your first teeth!

XANDER and ADREANNA: We know.

            They were tired of being known as the babies of the family.

XENA: Sorry to interrupt but we have a banquet to get to and I'm not dressed yet. Why don't you guys come, just tell everyone you're guests from foreign country.

MEREDITH: Sounds fun. The banquets on Olympus are always boring, especially since we're the only ones allowed to come!

            Meredith gave her father, whom she usually adored, a look that would scare the fiercest of Bacchi.

ARES: Meredith, humans have never been allowed to enter the Olympus, and that rule has been around since Zeus built the place. Don't give me that look, it's not like I made that rule!

            Everyone got busy and hurried to get ready. The sun was almost setting and they could hear the other guests in the hall, already drunk. Xena was happy to help her three daughters get ready by zapping in some new robes and zapping their hair into place. It was one of the few goddess skills she used as she was comfortable with the old way of doing things. Ares took the boys and dressed them up in leather, of course. They were well-built, handsome men and therefore were not ashamed to walk around in black, white, and red leather outfits. When they were ready, the 5 children and Ares zapped to the front entrance and walked in as guests of Xena, the bride's mother. Xena and Gabrielle, who were wearing a black, low-cut dress and a golden, two-piece toga respectively, met Eve in the grand hall as planned.

XENA: Eve, is it okay if we talk after the banquet?

EVE: Yeah, sure. Is there something wrong?

XENA: No, I just wanted to talk.

            Looking into the crowd, Xena saw the two blonde-haired heads of Alexus and Amos bobbing amongst the crowd. It was still a mystery as to why they had blonde hair, while their parents and siblings had hair of various shades of brown and raven. Then Xena spotted another familiar blonde in the crowd.

XENA: 'Dite? Why are you here?

APHRODITE: Well, I suddenly noticed that the house was eerily quiet. No screaming teenagers, no loud music, not even a wild party. Except for the one I was hosting in my bedroom, of course. I knew something important was happening down here. So, why are we all here?

XENA: Eve's getting married to Pharaoh Rani. How could you not know? You're the Goddess of Love!

APHRODITE: It must have slipped past me. This is Egypt, you know, way out of my boundaries. But now that I'm here, I do sense a strong love between two people. I just assumed it was you and Ares. But I also sense a strong hate.

XENA: Well, whatever you sense, keep it to yourself for now. I have to tell Eve after the banquet. You should come with me, you're part of this.

APHRODITE: Yeah, sure, as long as I get to enjoy the party. The Egyptians are famous for their all-nighters!

            Looking back into the crowd, Xena's eyes were drawn to a group of moody teenagers sitting at and around the high table. They didn't seem in the mood to party and by their elaborate jewelry and clothes, Xena was able to determine that they were part of the royal family. It was strange to see them not enjoying the party that was being held in their own palace. If Aphrodite's intuitions were right then this was most likely the source of that strong hate.

            The banquet itself was a grand affair fit for the pharaoh and his future bride. Every table was piled high with food from all over Egypt and beyond. The guests were dressed in their grandest outfits and everyone wore numerous pieces of jewelry. Soft music wafted through the hall from every direction, cascading over every guest and servant. Everyone got swept up into the romantic mood. The five teenaged gods and goddesses each found themselves dance partners and went off in their separate ways. Xena and Ares found themselves lying together on large pile of cushions draped in fine Egyptian silk.

ARES: So when are you gonna tell her?

XENA: After the banquet.

ARES: Good plan. Get her all drunk and then tell her she has five brothers and sisters who are immortal, sired by me, the love of your life, and don't forget to mention you're a goddess too, my queen, actually.

XENA: You're not making this any easier, you know.

ARES: You worry too  much. We'll all be there when you tell her.

XENA: You're forgetting about Gabrielle. She doesn't know about the goddess thing.

ARES: She'll be there too. Let's just enjoy the party.

A/N: Please, REVIEW!!