Title: The End of the Beginning
Author: Cat
Rating: T (Possible Language and Situations)
Status: In Progress
Summary: Events following A Friend In Need...
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from the Xena Warrior Princess show or Hercules the Legendary Adventures. I do however own the story line.
After disposing of Alti and sending Borias back to his family, Xena joined Ares and began building an army like Greece had never seen. She hid her pregnancy through heavy furs and armor as she pushed the building army north and then west. Her plan was simple, unite Greece and destroy any cult that was starting up in Britannia. She would bring hell to him, but first Solan would be here by the solstice holiday. A temporary settlement was put together, her reason being the solstice and a reprieve for the army, the truth; she would be giving birth any day. Little resistance had been given and little blood shed brought as she pulled village after village under her control, slowly the power balance was being switched to Ares throughout Greece. Her first, a young man who had joined shortly after she began the campaign, named Nikolas, joined her reviewing maps in her tent. She assumed he questioned her health by the odd looks he kept shooting her way, but ignored any comment made in that direction.
"After the Solstice we will move further west" she traced the path on a map laid out before them "we will have to take on the Mountains, but spring should be here by the time we reach them."
Nikolas cleared his throat "I don't mean disrespect" he started "But aren't we close to Roman Territory, I don't think we have the force to take on the Roman army, not yet anyways."
"We will not be taking on the Romans" she answered shortly, noticing pains in her lower back getting stronger "not yet, I have another problem to clear up here" she stabbed a dagger in the middle of the Britannia territory marked out on the map "as soon as that little issue is resolved, they we are gonna do something about Rome." The pain ripped through her again, she managed to hide "leave me" she ordered without explanation.
Nikolas stared hard at her, he had suspicions, but no evidence "Yes Mistress" he slightly bowed and left her tent.
After he left, her mind fell back to the first time she delivered Solon, in the midst of a battle he came into this world, the death of this Father and within in a day of his birth she had handed him off to the Centaurs. Shaking the thoughts, that was another life time, her hand fell to her swollen stomach, and it would not be repeated. She disposed of the furs hiding her form, knowing she would not be disturbed for the rest of the evening just as another pain began building. She massaged her lower back the best she could "just a while longer little one" she whispered before laying down on her bed of furs.
Meanwhile, in the heavens above Greece….
Ares had been abruptly called to an audience with Zeus, much to the War God's irritation. He appeared in the grand meeting hall on Olympus; Zeus was standing at the window waiting for him.
"Took you long enough Ares" Zeus started as he turned to face his eldest son.
Ares smirked "Well you know how it goes Dad, war waits for no one" as commented as he walked towards the elder God "Now what do I owe the pleasure of this meeting you called?"
"I have noticed you are very active in acquiring new territory" he started "so much so that your sister has brought it to my attention your army has claimed four villages that were loyal to her" he locked eyes with Ares "What are you up to Ares?" he demanded.
With a small laugh "Nothing much, just unifying Greece for the greater good" he turned from Zeus and crossed the small space to a window overlooking the Olympus compound "Just keeping Athena on her toes" he added with his back turned to Zeus.
The older god watched Ares carefully "I don't believe you are telling a falsehood, but I don't believe you are telling me all of the truth" shaking his head "it matters not, just stay out of Athena's hair" he warned.
With a wave of his hand, Zeus brought forth a viewing portal "Tell me of your new General" he started "she is impressive."
Ares turned quickly at that, perhaps a little too quickly Zeus appeared to note "She is" he began "she is a natural leader and strategists, I believe I have found my Chosen" he added looking up at Zeus, drawing his attention away from the portal "Which is why I made her my Chosen."
Zeus shook his head thoughtfully "I thought you would never have a Chosen Ares" he said "I am surprised". He turned back to the portal in time to see Xena entering her tent with a young soldier. The scene changed to inside the tent "she is very impressive" he noted as he looked back to Ares "beautiful and intelligent" he smiled "I am impressed you got her before Athena."
Zeus stared at Ares, he appeared nervous "what is the matter with you Ares" he asked "you seem to be on edge."
Ares shook his head to clear his thought "Nothing is wrong" he paused "just have lot on my mind and need to get going, so if there is nothing else?"
But Zeus had turned back to the portal, his expression had changed from pleasant to bordering anger "Is it yours?" was all he asked.
Ares swallowed hard before looking to the portal. There was Xena, exposed and her secret revealed. Why did his Father have to keep interfering with his affairs? His face hardened "Yes" was all he answered.
Zeus said in a low furious tone "What have you done?"
"What?" Ares countered "I am going to be a Father, what is the big deal?" instantly defensive.
Zeus stared hard at him "You wouldn't comprehend the mess you have made" pointing to the portal "That child should not exist."
"Why, because it is mine?" Ares countered "Why are you set against me having a family?"
"You are WAR" Zeus yelled "and War doesn't love." He stared back at the portal "I let the whole cupid thing slide, but this is not" he raised his hand, closing his fist "This is not happening" he finished as he closed the portal and turned back to Ares "Forget the woman, forget the child, this little campaign of yours ends now." With a wave of his hand Ares was thrown into the ether before he could utter a word.
No sooner had Ares vanished, than Hera had appeared "What have you done?" she questioned her husband "I felt a life ripped from existence at your hand."
Zeus refused to turn to face his wife "I did what was necessary to maintain the balance" he said quietly "He managed to find her, how I don't know, and managed to get her with child." He shook his head "I did what was necessary to put her back on the path of the Guardian, she needs to find the Chosen and protect her, it was the task she accepted long ago to keep this realm safe."
Hera stared hard at him "That husband was a temporary solution that should have been corrected by now" she began as he turned to face her.
"Don't question me wife, you forget your place."
"I forget nothing" she continued "Our son and his mate sacrificed all to save this realm with the promise that a solution would be found so that they could reunite" she paused, her face dropping in disappointment at her husband "you have failed not only them, but me again as well" she stopped the emotion building in her voice "our Grandchild" she managed softly "you killed our Grandchild" with a shake of disbelief she vanished into the ether leaving the King of Gods alone with his thoughts.