My Immortal XIV
Xena, Gabrielle, Eve, and Aphrodite congregated at Ares' quarters on Olympus. Xena had uttered her tearful goodbyes to Cyrene shortly after Apollo and his goons had hauled Ares, in chains, out of the Main Hall. The quartet of women sat around Ares' ornate black marble dining table.
"I'm so bummed. I can't believe they wrecked my perfect wedding!" Aphrodite rested her chin on her fist.
"Aphrodite," Gabrielle whispered in warning and shook her head. Luckily, Xena had been too deep in thought to have caught the goddess' selfish comment.
"Mother, what are you thinking?" Eve asked and placed a hand gingerly on Xena's forearm.
"Huh?" Eve's touch had caught Xena's attention.
"What's your plan?" Eve rephrased the question.
"I have a few allies in the Phoenician pantheon and I may be able to convince a few of the Egyptians. The Norse gods hate me for the most part. . . ." Xena marshalled a list of forces to take down Olympus.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Mother. Do you think a full-scale war, pitting pantheon against pantheon, will really solve anything?"
"I don't know, maybe this was really what the Twilight was supposed to be. Maybe it wasn't just the Greek gods I was supposed to destroy, but all of them."
"Hold on, Xena." Gabrielle called. She could see the darkness creeping behind Xena's clear blue eyes. "Xena, look at me."
Finally, Xena looked across the table at her dearest friend. The warmth in the green eyes that she found tempered her anger only slightly. "What would you have me do, Gabrielle? Let them kill him? Because if I don't do something, that is exactly what is going to happen! And, I just bet Apollo will be first in line to volunteer his services as executioner! Ares did what he did to protect me and our unborn children. Was he supposed to just stand by while Enyo continued to pursue us? And now, they're gonna kill him because he killed one of their own in defense of a mere mortal."
"Xena, we're not gonna let that happen, you hear me?" Gabrielle tried to calm the warrior.
"You're damn right, I am not!"
"Look, I am sure there is a peaceful way out of this. Maybe one that will even satisfy the court." Gabrielle turned to Aphrodite. "Dite, how does the justice system work up here?"
"Well, Athena was in charge before. But they're not going to let Xena sit in judgement of Ares, there's a conflict of interest. Plus, she isn't even officially a goddess yet, she hasn't been coronated or eaten the ambrosia."
"Let's not rush that. It might just make Apollo and his gang antsy to execute Ares without awaiting a trial." Gabrielle argued.
"True," Aphrodite agreed. "They may let her defend him, though."
"I don't think that is a good idea, either." Gabrielle stated. "Aphrodite, let me ask you. how long between sentencing and execution, in general?"
"It is immediate," Aphrodite revealed. Gabrielle noticed Xena's fists clench and her whole body go tense. Gabrielle was about to lose her.
"Is there anyway that Xena can see him? Is he allowed visitors?"
"Yes, his counsel can meet with him anytime and he is allowed one daily visitor besides his counselor."
"Good," Gabrielle got up and walked over to Xena. "Xena, I am going to offer to stand as Ares' defender. You know how persuasive I can be."
"You'll want to study the law books. They are kept in Athena's offices. I can take you there," Aphrodite offered.
"Thank you, Dite, but first we need to see Ares. I hope he will accept my help. Either way, she needs to see him." Gabrielle pulled Xena up by the elbow. "Before you go waging Armageddon, let me see what I can do, okay?"
Xena stood and nodded at the bard, "Thank you."
"You'd do nothing less for me."
The two women followed hand in hand behind Aphrodite and Eve.
AXAXAXAXAXAXAXAX
The dungeon in which Ares was being kept was located in Hephaestus' former domain. They entered the caves, walked beyond the forge and followed a pathway that led into the darkest recesses of the mountain.
"We're getting close," Aphrodite said as the walls narrowed and the terrain grew steeper.
Gabrielle had to hold onto the side of the rock walls for support. She wondered if she should take one of the torches that was mounted along the route. It looked even darker up ahead.
Finally, they reached a large metal door with a grate. Gabrielle could hear chains rattling on the other side. A single guard was posted outside the door. "What's your business?" The guard asked gruffly.
"We'd like an audience with the prisoner," Aphrodite announced.
"He's only allowed one." The guard bellowed.
"Yes, I know. Xena will be his official visitor but this one needs to speak with him about representing him at trial." Aphrodite copped an attitude with the surly man.
"Very well," he rolled his eyes as he sized Gabrielle up. "He's a dead man for sure, now." He guffawed as he undid the bolts.
When he pushed the hulking door open, Xena begin to take in her surroundings, learning the prison's every detail, looking for a means of escape. She couldn't bring herself, however, to look at the cage and it's prisoner. She could hear the chains clanking as he ran toward the bars that held him. Guilt ate at her soul. If she'd just killed Enyo, none of this would have been happening.
Eve and Aphrodite had stayed behind with the gate guard. The two guards on the inside patted Xena and Gabrielle down. They took Xena's weapons, she didn't bother to argue. What good were they really in this place of enchanted armor? Only the chakram stood any real chance against Hephaestian metal.
"Xena, Gabrielle," Ares called. Why wouldn't she look at him?
Gabrielle went to the cage. Xena closed her eyes and didn't budge an inch.
"What's wrong with her? Did they do something to her?" Ares asked the blonde.
"She just needs a minute, Ares. Give it to her. It's hard for her to see you like this. She feels responsible, I am sure."
"She isn't." He argued.
"I know that, and so does she, deep down. It's tearing her heart out, I am sure, to not be able to just butt heads and rip you out of here, Xena style." Gabrielle leaned in, "She's already planning a war between the gods."
"That's my girl," Ares growled.
"That won't set you free. It'll only get you killed."
Ares swallowed and nodded. He conceded the bard's point.
"Now, I am going to serve as your counsel. I will do my best to find a way out of this. But you are going to have to trust me."
"Gabrielle, I know that you would never do anything to hurt her. I was going to serve as my own defender."
"I wouldn't recommend it. Besides, as a mortal, I'll be looking at your law books from a different perspective. I might find a loophole that you'd miss."
"Fair point."
"Plus, this way, I can serve as a messenger between the two of you. A messenger you can both trust."
"True," Ares nodded.
"Okay, I am gonna go outside now and let you two have some time alone. I'll be back tomorrow unless I find something sooner."
"Thanks, Blondie."
Gabrielle stopped as she passed Xena. "He needs you to keep it together," she whispered.
"I'm together," Xena answered with a clenched jaw and between gritted teeth.
"Keep your cool." Gabrielle warned, patted Xena on the shoulder and left the dungeon.
Xena's eyes remained transfixed on the stone floor. She studied her boots for a minute. Bile rose from her throat and she spat it across the room. There were only three guards, they had them outnumbered. She wondered how long it would take her to hack through the bars with the chakram. She lifted her eyes to look at the bars but didn't dare look at the accused. The bars were at least three inches thick. She could do it.
Ares knew that look. Knew what she was planning. He had to stop her. If she tried to bust him out, she'd share his fate. Anyone who aided and abetted a prison escape was doomed to share the fate of the accused. If they were caught, she'd stand trial with him and if he was found guilty then she would also be put to death. He was not about to let that happen. He had killed Enyo to protect her, after all. She was carrying his children. It warmed his heart to know that even if he was condemned and executed that Xena held within her his essence, his life, his gift to her, his children.
"Xena, stop it. Whatever you're planning, don't. Look at me!"
At his command, she finally looked up. She cut off her cry by clamping her her palm over her mouth but tears spilled over the back of her hand, nonetheless.
He beckoned her toward his prison and she crept forward. His hands were still manacled. His feet in irons. The collar was still clamped around his neck and anchored by two chains to the back wall. That was when she realized that she wouldn't be able to touch him. He was too far behind the bars and he had already moved as far forward as he could. The chains holding him were taut.
"Ares, I'm so sorry."
"Xena, none of this is your fault. I love you." He looked down then back up. He noticed that she'd changed back into her traditional leathers. "You were the most beautiful bride, I'd ever beheld, Xena."
"I am not going to let them kill you, Ares. I'll make a deal with Michael first! Do you hear me?"
"Look, maybe it won't come to that. Let's see what Gabrielle can come up with. But I need you to promise me one thing."
"What's that?"
"If I am executed, you will keep my children safe. You won't do anything stupid to put them in jeopardy. And most of all that you will love them and cherish them, that you won't turn into a monster and shun their love."
"Like I said, I'm not gonna. . ."
"Xena, promise!"
"Fine, I promise," she agreed begrudgingly.
"Good. . ."
"Time's up," one of the guards yelled.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" Ares asked.
"Yes." Xena nodded.
"And, Xena. Please don't worry about this. Let Gabrielle do the worrying. You just relax and take it easy, for the babies, okay."
"Fine. I'll sit on my ass like a helpless. . ."
"It's not like that. You're being a good mother. Take care of them first. It's what I want."
Xena nodded and brushed away more tears.
Ares wanted to touch her. He was confined by the enchanted chains. He couldn't materialize out of them. They sapped most of his godly energy but he wondered if their connection would let him touch her psychically. It was worth a shot.
He pictured his hand brushing along her soft jawline. He saw her body respond and her eyes light up. She looked at him for confirmation. He nodded, making the chains jingle. He decided to try a kiss upon her lips. He imagined what it was like to brush his thick lips across hers. He saw her pucker at the air and knew he'd been successful.
"Alright, alright, get moving," The guard shoved Xena toward the exit door.
Ares wished he could summon enough power to knock the bastard flat on his ass.