Xena sighed heavily, almost swearing she could see her breath in the air.
"Gabrielle, I know we need to get some sleep if we're going to be worth anything in battle, but…" The warrior was hesitant with her words, knowing that they'd have more gravity rolling off her tongue than they did residing within the walls of her skull. "You and I both know the risks of this. In the event that one of us dies in battle-"
"Xena-"
"No, I have to say it because it's very much a possibility. If one of us falls in battle…" The brunette tripped over her words again, eating the ground hard. She didn't like them anymore than she knew Gabrielle did. She inhaled. "Close your eyes," she finally said gently. Gabrielle didn't seem to follow.
"What?"
"Just… Close your eyes for a minute. Please, Gabrielle." Without another word, Gabrielle slowly lowered her lids over her eyes until they were closed, and after a second or two she understood Xena's meaning. The warrior princess leaned over, pressing her lips to the blonde's with a tenderness she knew not from where it came. But almost immediately Gabrielle kissed her back, a hand coming up to the back of the woman's head to pull her closer. The blonde could feel tears pressing through her lashes, threatening to wet her cheeks, and in response intensified the kiss. Xena reciprocated, rolling over so that she hovered above her companion, one arm supporting her weight. They remained lip-locked for a long time, each committing the kiss to memory as best they could. Neither wanted to admit it, but they knew quite well that it could be their last, and with this thought Xena shed a single tear. It flowed freely, hitting Gabrielle's cheek, and the blonde barely broke the kiss. When she spoke, her lips grazed the blue-eyed woman's.
"Xena, I don't want to lose you…"
"I don't want to lose you either." The brunette paused, trying to gain some of her composure back. Gabrielle was slightly less successful. "Hey, look at me. Gabrielle, look into my eyes." Gabrielle heeded her friend's request, looking up into an icy-blue gaze. "No matter what happens, we will be together." A warmth began to grow in Xena's heart then. "Not even death can separate us."
One day, later in the afternoon of a demonstration day after lessons had finished, Xena found herself alone with Argo in the surrounding forest. She had taken the opportunity of down time to go for a walk, to try and clear her mind. It was a good way to be alone, she figured… But she wasn't as lucky as she had hoped. Waiting for her on the cut-down stump of a tree stood Ares, as smug a smile on his face as ever.
"What do you want, Ares?" the warrior woman asked. The God of War threw his hands up.
"I'll never get a warm welcome from you, will I?"
"It's not looking' like it, no. Sorry." Ares pursed his lips and nodded once. "So what do you want.?"
"Oh. I came to congratulate you, Xena. You see, I've been watching your progress and let me tell you; I'm impressed. You've raised an army in record time and have given them combat skills that are very admirable."
"That's nice. But really, what do you want? Because I know you wouldn't waste your time coming here just to throw me a few empty compliments." Ares sighed, taking a few aimless steps.
"You know, I used to admire your 'let's get down to business' attitude, but lately it's been a bit abrasive… Borderline annoying." Xena only smiled devilishly, refusing to open up any further. "Alright, fine. If that's how you want to do this, then let's talk business. Your army's good and so are your efforts but, frankly, you're digging yourself, Gabrielle, and all those men and women you call soldiers a very shallow grave."
"Thanks," Xena deadpanned.
"Xena, there's something that I want to offer you and I just want you to hear me out-"
"I already know that there's a price for your help." Ares crossed his arms and sighed, coming a little closer to Xena.
"Will you at least get off your horse if we're going to talk?" Xena looked down at Ares for a moment, contemplating her options, before finally agreeing. She swung a leg around and landed gracefully on her feet. She kept Argo close. "Alright, obviously you don't care much for my help, but that's because you don't actually understand what you're up against. Basically, without me, your chances of being successful are slim, so here's my proposition; I will work with your army during battle and grant, no, guarantee, that you are victorious… With as few casualties as is reasonable." Xena cocked an eyebrow and lowered her eyelids, smiling.
"If?" she asked. Ares rolled his eyes at this.
"If after the battle is over, you dedicate the army to me and declare the victory in my name-"
"Not a chance in Tartarus!" Xena roared. She stepped forward, her cold breastplate pressing against Ares' leather vest, and looked him in the eye. "I'm not stupid, Ares. I know better than to bind myself to you. You honestly think you can fool me that easily!" Xena watched the God of War, particularly his eyes, which stared back at her, empty. He was the first one to look away, after which Xena turned on her heel, heading over to Argo.
"But what about Gabrielle?" Ares asked. Xena froze, a rage boiling up in her so fast it was almost frightening. She whipped back around, eyes fiery.
"Since when do you give a damn about Gabrielle?" Ares put his hands up defensively, palms forward.
"It's not about me caring about her, it's about you. Are you really going to risk losing her because of your distaste for me?"
"'Distaste' is a nice word for what I feel for you, but…" Xena thought on it for a moment, pushing past her anger and trying to focus. As much as she loathed the fact, Ares was probably right. This battle quite well could cost Gabrielle her life, and Xena was in no way, shape or form ready to deal with that kind of loss. She cursed fiercely under her breath, making a face, before a brilliant thought came to her mind. She smiled briefly, and then looked at Ares. "Alright," she started. "I will accept your help, Ares."
"Oh, come on, Xena- wait, did you just give me a 'yes'?"
"Uh huh. Sure did."
"Wow," the god said with a bit of a smile. "And here I thought I was really going to have to muscle through an argument with you and actually put in some effort. Huh, look at that."
"Stop gloating, or I'll change my mind." Ares' smirk didn't fade.
"Right, right. Sorry. Well, I guess this is the part where you tell me to 'go away', right?"
"Either you do or I will," Xena said honestly. Ares chuckled, amused.
"See you in battle." And with that, the God of War was gone. Xena turned back and approached Argo, mounting swiftly and settling in the saddle. She smiled wickedly, a light in her eyes.
"Did you like that, Argo?" she asked. Argo snorted and bobbed her head up and down. "Yeah. Mommy's pretty smart, isn't she?"
The month and a half had come to an end, and fast, but Xena wasn't too worried. She knew that she and Gabrielle had made good progress with their army, training the soldiers to their fullest potential. It would be a good battle, she was sure of it, regardless of Ares' assistance.
On the last day the warrior princess called for a final meeting at dusk after dinner so that she and Gabrielle could address the army before the battle. She knew a pep talk would do the men and women some good.
"Gabrielle," she called, walking into the tent she shared with the bard. Gabrielle stood when Xena stepped inside, turning to the warrior.
"Yeah?"
"I wanted to talk with you briefly before we go to the soldiers." Both women sat down, ready to speak as well as listen. "When we address them, I don't want to mention Ares' involvement. It will screw up their focus… If they know that the God of War is fighting on their side, I'm worried that they won't fight as hard and that might effect our odds."
"I understand," Gabrielle said truthfully. "I won't say a word."
"Thank you." Xena hesitated then, not sure whether or not to mention under what terms Ares was going to be lending his help. She wanted to tell the blonde, to be honest with her and fill hr in on everything she knew… But telling Gabrielle about the conditions, Xena reasoned, would have the same effect on Gabrielle's faith as it would on the soldiers' focus and drive. In the end, the warrior woman decided it best to hold her tongue. "Now, just to be sure we're clear, do you know what I need you to do tomorrow?"
"I'm taking half of the army around to the front of the clearing just beyond the valley first, right?"
"Exactly. I want you there just before dawn, if you can. Ares tells me that we're going up against a bunch of early birds."
"Alright. I can do that. I'll set everyone up and wait for your arrival."
"I'll be on the opposite end of the valley, out of sight, but you'll be able to see my flare from your position. When you do, we'll charge the army from both sides. It's the best way."
"Alright. Good," Gabrielle said. Then she sighed. "Is there anything else I need to know?" Xena hesitated again, but for a shorter amount of time this time. She smiled falsely.
"Nope. You know it all," she lied. "Now let's go give a pep talk they'll never forget."