Title: Memories...part 2
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.
Xenia and Ares appeared in his temple near Amphipolis. Before them, two of Ares Priests held a woman, no more a child than woman. She was dirty and dressed in rags, her hair matted from lack of care. When the young woman looked up at them, her forest green eyes were full of pain. Xenia melted at the site as she quickly closed the space between them. Giving the Priests a hard look, they released the woman as she fell slightly forward. Xenia helped her stand. While holding the girl she called to Ares "Have a bath prepared, clothes and a meal" she turned to lead the girl from the room. In a quiet voice she asked "What is your name child?"
A small and weak voice replied "Gabrielle."
Ares signaled the Priest to make haste with the orders Xenia had given as he watched her lead the mortal from the room towards the rooms he had given to her, he didn't like the feeling he got from this mortal, she meant trouble.
Over the next few days, Xenia spent her time with Gabrielle, he watched in jealousy, as a bond formed between them. When Xenia felt Gabrielle was safe and stable, she searched Ares out.
She smiled at him as he sulked on his throne "Jealousy isn't very becoming on a God" she said coolly as she walked towards him "especially when there is nothing to be jealous of" she stopped short of his dark form "Lord Ares" she bowed before him with a smile upon her face.
Try as he might, his resolve to stay upset with her faded at her smile "I don't like to share" he stated simply "never have been good at it."
"Well you will have to for a bit" she climbed up on his lap "I have her stable now, but he was really messing with her head, she is quite convinced she is to kill as many mortals as possible to bring about his rule" she lay her head upon his chest "I am sure I have convinced her otherwise."
Ares wrapped his arms around her and held her, peace filling him once again as she was near. "Why does it hurt when you are not near" he asked simply.
She pulled back to look him in the eye, breaking his gentle hold on her "Because my dear God of War, I fear we have bonded" she said with a smile "and to be bonded a Fae is a very intoxicating predicament" she smiled wickedly while tracing his pendant on his chest.
"That is a predicament I shall enjoy being trapped in" he pulled her to him and capture her lips with his.
The next few weeks they spent wrapped up in each other, their connection growing stronger by the moment. Ares felt he was being pulled and he loved it. She was everything he ever desired, and he felt she thought the same of him.
As they sparred on the training fields of his Amphipolis Temple, she began asking him questions.
"Why do you not have a chosen?" she inquired as she blocked his advance with the sword with ease "It seems the other Gods of your Pantheon have each one."
Ares pulled short of another advanced, with small smile "Because none have been good enough" he replied simply "if I chose a Chosen, they will be almost equal to me in skill and talent" he advanced upon her, stopping short, he flipped over her head grabbing her from behind he pulled her close, one of his arms secured around her neck, the other around her waist "and I have yet to come across a mortal with even an inclination to that point."
Xenia smiled "Maybe you have been looking in the wrong places" she stepped back with her right foot, elbowed him in the chest, easily breaking his hold and turned quickly to face him "perhaps you need to expand your base" she smiled as she collapsed to the ground "enough for a day?" she asked looking up at him.
Ares joined her. They laid in the cool grass, watching the clouds pass by across the blue sky. Her voice broke the peace "I have to go back" she said as she turned on her side to face him "but only for a day or so" looking deep into his eyes "Ares I need to know that your feelings are true and you trust me."
He smiled as he cupped her face, pulling her gently to him "Of course Princess, I have never felt this way for anyone" he captured her lips as she pulled back "only you" he whispered before pulling her atop him.
It was the next day she left, leaving Gabrielle in his care. He felt his heart contract as she faded from sight. She had taken him to a veil crossing near Athens, he hadn't even known it was there. Two days, two days and she said she would be back for good. She had a plan, she had said, though she only asked him to trust her and she kept it to herself for now. Not one to normally trust, he found himself putting his faith in her and would wait, thought the act was difficult for him.
So, it was with great surprise that he was called to Olympus the next day. He appeared in the Throne room expecting to be nagged yet again by Zeus, but stopped short when he took note Xenia was there as well, she hadn't contacted him. Confusion filled him, what was she doing?
"Ares" Zeus pulled his attention from Xenia "it appears we have found a temporary solution for the Dark One problem. Princess Xenia has come with a request that I make her mortal and tie her soul to the mortal. She feels, for now, it is the only safe way to secure the safety of the realms. She will be tied to the mortal and serve as her Guardian until her Father and I can find a way to eliminate the threat permanently" Zeus paused has he appeared to be judging Ares's reaction, seeing nothing he continued "please bring forth the mortal as I understand she is under your protection."
Ares maintained a cool composure, but inside he was dying. She was betraying him and he could do nothing of it "Whatever" he replied coolly as he snapped his fingers and the blonde mortal appeared.
A puff of grey smoke and the Fates appeared before Zeus "Shall we begin" they said in unison.
Zeus nodded his head. He looked to Xenia "Are you ready?" he asked. She nodded yes. With a wave of his hands, she was surrounded in a blue mist, when it cleared she was still standing there, but she wasn't the same, her light was gone, her immortality. She was a mortal.
The Fates chanted between the two women and a light sphere appeared mid-air. It split in two, each half flying towards each woman, impacting them at the same time, the bond was set.
Clearing his throat Zeus spoke "The bond is done. Each life you will be drawn to each other, Xenia will be the Guardian and protect Gabrielle from the dark. This shall come to pass until we defeat the Dark One once and for all" he turned to the Fates "Thank you for your assistance in this matter." The three faded as quickly as they appeared.
Through all of this, Ares said nothing. He watched her slip from his fingers and at her own choice. She had used him, as many others had, he would never fall for this trap again he vowed at that moment.
Finding his voice, he faked the bravado he did not feel "Congrats, you two deserve each other" looking to Zeus "If there is nothing else I have a war in the Northern provenance to interfere with."
"You may leave Ares" was all the King responded.
Xenia caught his arm before he disappeared "Search me out Ares" she requested, her eyes begging for something he couldn't name.
He shook her arm off of him "I have little use for mortals" he disappeared.
His tale broke was he looked back to Aphrodite "It was before I even reappeared in my temple, that Zeus wiped my memories" he had a small smile as he shook his head "I am assuming now her plan was to become my Chosen and eventually immortal through our means" a lone tear strayed down his cheek as he stepped away from Dite's embrace "I failed her once, I will not again. She said through a child we could reach true immortality and down there lives her child, I will ensure he has the best of everything." He turned briefly to Aphrodite "I have to go Dite, thank you for listening" and he vanished leaving the Goddess of Love broken hearted for her favorite brother.