My Immortal XIX
All the gods had filed back into the council chamber. Xena stood patiently inside the petitioner's box waiting for the fates to announce that the meeting had reconvened. She watched as Ares's sister Eileithyia walked over to the God of War and placed her hand gently on his shoulder before whispering in his ear. Ares' eyes went directly to Xena's and then quickly down to her womb. The look on his face and the direction of his gaze alarmed Xena. She knew that Eileithyia was the goddess of childbirth and she hoped everything was okay with the children growing inside of her. She instinctively placed a protective hand on her abdomen. Ares nodded to his sister then glanced back up to Xena and gave her a reassuring smile. Xena started to walk down to his seat to see just what that little exchange had been about but was interrupted by the entrance of the three grand dames that now served as judges for the gods.
"Let this council reconvene and finish the day's business," the Crone announced.
"I believe that Persephone wishes to speak on Xena's behalf," the mother gestured toward the pale, slender goddess, indicating that she should take the speaker's box.
Persephone gathered her robes and headed down the stairs to the speaking platform.
Xena stepped aside but gave the goddess a smile of thanks.
The goddess looked to Ares before she began her speech. She could see that her cousin really did love this mortal woman. Xena had inspired in him the kinds of changes that she herself had hoped to bring about in her own husband Hades. With Hades, however, it always felt like it was one step forward for every two steps back. She had plead with him to leave Xena be when the whole Twilight prophecy had been revealed. But Athena had convinced him that nothing but the destruction of the infant, Eve, would save them all. If he had listened, she wondered, would he be here with her now? Either way, it wasn't Xena's fault that he had died. He had brought it on himself.
Her voice was soft and kind, when she finally spoke, "I know that many of you will find it curious that I chose to speak on behalf a woman who was involved in my husband's demise. I hope you will hear me out and come to understand, as I did, that Xena was not responsible for Hades' death, nor any of the gods. If you'll recall, she begged us to let her live in peace, to let her raise her child in peace but Zeus and Athena became convinced that infanticide was the only answer to the Twilight prophecy. Xena didn't wantonly kill the gods, look at how many of us survived. She only harmed those whose egos forced them into a direct confrontation with her. And, unfortunately, my sweet husband was one of those."
"She's right," Celesta called from the audience.
"Order," the maiden called from the judges' box.
"Each of us has to vote his or her own conscience. I will ask you all to remember the Xena we all knew from before, when she first rode at the head of Ares' army. This is not that same woman. She has changed and what's more is that she has done something that none of us had ever managed to do, not even Zeus or Hera. She has taught compassion and love to the God of War and Ares is a better god for it. Maybe his time as a mortal also taught him those things but it was Xena that inspired the changes and for that we should all thank her. I feel we should welcome them both to Olympus and I accept Xena's proposal that Apollo should be unbanished as well. Thank you," With nothing left to say, the goddess stepped away from the platform and glided gracefully back to her seat.
After another three hours of speeches, both for and against Xena's proposition to return Ares to Olympus, the Fates announced that it was time to begin the voting. At the Crone's bidding, two young male servants entered, each carried an amphora. One amphora was designated for the yea votes, the second for the nays.
"Let the voting begin," the mother called and the gods and goddesses lined up to cast their ostracon in the jars.
"Ares, Apollo, and Xena, If you will kindly wait in the Main Hall while the votes are cast and tallied. We will send someone when the verdict is to be delivered," the maiden gestured for the servants to escort the trio out of the council chamber.
AXAXAXAXAXAXAX
When they reached the Main Hall, Xena pulled Ares out of Apollo's earshot.
"What was that business with Eileithyia?" She asked.
"Xena, now before you dismiss the idea out of hand, at least agree to hear me out."
Xena raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Go on."
"Eileithyia thinks it would be a good idea to put an enchantment on the fetuses. And to be honest, I agree with her."
"What? What are you talking about? I don't want any spell put on my children." Xena turned away from him. How could he want to mess with their unborn children that way?
"It's not a spell, Xena. I would be a protective enchantment. Just a precaution against anything Enyo might have prepared."
"I can handle Enyo, Ares!"
"I don't doubt that for a minute, Xena. But she dabbles in the dark arts. She doesn't play fair and it wouldn't be beyond her to try to hurt you by hurting the children." He warned.
"I understand everything you are saying. But Ares, she will just as likely try to hurt them after they are born. They are our children, Honey. They will always be a target of someone's wrath and hatred. Just like us."
"Then shouldn't we do all that we can to protect them?" He snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her back into him.
"When I become a goddess, won't that protect them anyway?"
"It will make them immortal, yes. But, what if the gods don't vote to welcome you into the fold?"
"You will still find a way to make me immortal, if not a goddess."
"True but your power would be greater if you become a goddess and not merely an immortal."
"Still, as an immortal mother, my children would be immortal, right?"
"Yes, but I still don't see the harm in letting Eileithyia place a protective barrier around your womb."
"Ares, have you ever considered that she might be working with Enyo. What if her intent is more malignant than you expect?"
"That's not her way, Xena. I know you don't really know her that well but let me put your fears to rest there. She's one we can trust implicitly."
"I don't trust anyone implicitly, not even you." Xena turned and glared out him.
"Ow, after all that we have been through," he reached down and kissed her.
"And plying me with your sweet kisses isn't helping your case any," Xena bit his lower lip playfully. "Makes me think you are up to something."
"I swear, Xena. You are insufferable. What is it going to take for you to put all of your trust in me, the way you do Gabrielle?"
"Ares, I just said I don't trust anyone implicitly. I didn't say, anyone but Gabrielle."
"Yeah, but it was an unspoken truth."
"No, you're wrong. She's betrayed me before. I don't even trust her with all my heart."
"You will trust me that way, someday. Soon, I'll have eternity to prove myself to you."
Apollo had inched closer while they were kissing. "You two are something else, you know it."
"Shut up," Ares warned.
"No, I mean really. You two were on the verge of world domination before she went and screwed our dear brother. The crazy part is that her leaving you for Herc made you want her even more. Instead of punishing her like the whore she proved herself to be, you started traipsing all over Greece after her like a fucking lovesick donkey."
"You don't know what you talking about, Apollo. but if you want to keep your tongue, you'd better silence it," Xena pushed away from Ares and advanced toward the god.
Ares grabbed her and held her back.
"That's it, Brother, keep your bitch on her leash."
"Enough!" Hestia called and leered at Apollo. "The council has reached its decision. Please head back to the chamber."
Xena smoothed her dress down. When everything was said and done, she planned to take Apollo somewhere and give him a good beating.
AXAXAXAXAXAXAXAX
When they returned to the chamber, Xena resumed her position in the petitioner's box. This time, however, she had company. Ares stood between her and Apollo, each as eager to hear the decision as was the Warrior Princess.
The Fates directed the three of them to turn and face the judges' box. The Crone began, "Since time immemorial, these gods have ruled over the people who call themselves Hellenes. They have set amongst themselves this council to keep peace and harmony on Olympus. It is with this goal in mind that the council has decided to welcome both Ares and Apollo back into the Olympian fold. Further, it has been decided by the council that Xena will be granted a goddesshood. Her coronation will take place following her nuptials with the God of War. It is also at that time that the children of the immortal couple will be granted their mantles.
Ares reached down and took Xena's hand in his. They were coming home! The gods not only had welcomed him back but they were accepting Xena into the family and not just as his queen but as a goddess in her own right! She deserved nothing less!
"Well, I guess you finally got what you always wanted," Apollo leaned around Ares and whispered to Xena.
"Not yet, but soon enough," she smiled wickedly just to taunt him.
Without another word, he walked out of the council chamber.
Ares was so elated that he picked Xena up by the waist.
"Put me down, you're making a spectacle."
As he lowered her, he slid her long body against his.
The gods and goddess who had voted in support of the couple came to congratulate them. Aphrodite was beside herself with joy. "I am totally throwing a huge welcome back bash. Like tonight! You two better show up."
"Mother, let them be." Cupid clasped hands with Ares, "Welcome home and welcome to the family, Xena."
"Thanks, Cupid." Xena hugged the winged god.
"When's the wedding?" Psyche asked.
"Well, uh, um," Xena stammered.
Ares hoped that she wasn't going to change her mind. He didn't like that she was stuttering through her answer.
"I - uh, how long does it take to plan a wedding?" Xena asked.
Ares smiled, relieved that her hesitation was related to the fact that she was clueless about weddings and not an indicator that she was still having doubts.
"A year, at least, I mean to do it properly," Aphrodite answered.
"A year?" Xena didn't like that answer. "Okay, well what can you put together in a week, Goddess of Love, I know you're up to the challenge."
"A week?" Dite looked at Xena incredulously. Ares heart soared.
"Okay, okay, so I might have some ideas already, I mean I've been planning this thing for nearly thirty years anyway."
"Thirty years," Xena eyed Aphrodite.
"True love, duh." the goddess pinched Xena on the cheek, "it conquers all, even the big bad God of War and his deadly Warrior Princess."
Ares wrapped his arm around Xena's waist. For once, he couldn't argue with his sister's logic.