Chapter 3
When Gabrielle reached the mountains, she stopped beside a peaceful stream to fill her water bottle. As she finished this task, she heard a gentle fluttering sound. She turned around to see that a group of five swans had settled down on the grass behind her. The largest one spoke to her softly in a man's voice. "Gabrielle, my sister, we are happy to finally meet you."
Gabrielle felt tears well up in her eyes and the smallest swan squeaked, "Don't cry, Gabby. Everything will be okay." He inched closer and wiped her tears away with the tip of his wing. Gabrielle smiled. "I'm just so glad to see you. Tell me please, which one of you is which?"
The little swan said, "I'm Joxer." The largest one introduced himself as Marcus. The golden-headed one was Iolaus and the other two were the twins, Virgil and Julius.
The swans gathered around their new-found sister that night, keeping her warm with their soft wings.
In the morning, the swan princes led Gabrielle to Ares' favorite temple and promised to stay within calling distance. When Gabrielle went inside the temple, it seemed to be deserted. There weren't any priests or worshippers in sight. Very nervously, Gabrielle knelt at the altar and prayed, "Lord Ares, I humbly ask that you hear me and answer my prayer. I have an unusual offering for you. In exchange for something that belongs to you, I would like to give you...a smile."
Gabrielle heard a sound like thunder and saw a blue light surrounding Ares' throne. Full of fear and awe, Gabrielle watched, to see a dark handsome man appear sitting on the throne. He spoke in a rather bored tone. "Well, girl.....What kind of offering is that? Why do you think a smile is worth anything to me?" he said, frowning at Gabrielle.
"Oh, no, Lord Ares. I want to make you smile."
"And why is that?" asked Ares, getting impatient.
"If we smile, my Lord Ares, it brings us comfort. It makes us feel better. Gabrielle continued bravely, "May I have your permission to try to make you smile?"
"If you could make me smile, what is it that you want from me?"
"Your leather vest, sir." replied Gabrielle.
"My vest? I suppose you want my pants, too." he said, raising his eyebrows.
"Gabrielle turned pink. "Oh no, Lord Ares, just your vest, please."
Ares grinned, and realized that she had made him smile, without even trying. "Sorry, little one, for giving you a hard time. "Here's my vest." he said as he pulled it off, revealing a muscled chest that made Gabrielle's face turn even pinker. She reached out, took the vest, and backed away, saying "Thank you very much, Lord Ares.' She scooted out the temple doors faster than Ares could blink twice.
-TBC-