Chapter 5

Disclaimer: I still don't own any of the characters from Xena or Hercules, nor do I own Melt Into Me

Dedication: This chapter is in honor of what would have been Kevin Smith's 55th Birthday, and to the memory of a close family friend, Suzanne Hibbs, who died from a massive stroke 3/15/2018, may you both enjoy the forever green fields of the Elysian Fields.

As Xena mounted Argo, and turned in the direction of Amphipolis, she couldn't help thinking about the last time she had been to Amphipolis.

Xena and Ares had just announced their engagement, and all of Olympus was celebrating. Ares in a black silk vest with the runes of war along the sides and black silk pants was talking with his parents while Xena, wearing a silver tiara in her hair which had been braided into a crown around her head and dressed in a one shouldered dress that started out in a light blue, which matched her eyes, then darkened to a royal blue, it had a form fitting bodice with a loose skirt with a slit up the side, was happily chatting with Athena, Artemis, and Aphrodite.

"So Xena, what does your mom think of your engagement?" Athena asked.

"I actually haven't told her yet, we aren't exactly on speaking terms. Haven't been for nearly a year, since she disowned me, and I was kicked out of Amphipolis after Cortese's attack. Once this celebration is done Ares and I were planning on sharing the news with her, and inviting her to the wedding…" Xena said with a hint of sadness, it still bothered her that her mother couldn't see that she had saved her village from being destroyed.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I hope that everything goes well and that we see her at the wedding. She was always one of my favorite citizens in Amphipolis. Congratulations, again Xena. I'm glad you entered my brother's life." Athena said with a smile.

Since the raven-haired warrior had entered Ares's life, he had actually become much more tolerable, not causing near the trouble for the Athenian armed forces and keeping his Spartan warriors on a much tighter leash.

Artemis agreed with her sister. "I too hope that everything goes well, and that you and your mother can make amends for whatever past grievances she has against you. If not then it is her loss and our gain in a wonderful princess of war and potential new goddess, right Dite?"

"Right Artie! By the way, Warrior Babe, I absolutely love this dress you are wearing! It really brings out your eyes, and truly makes you look like a goddess among goddesses!" the love goddess said, with a smile.

"Thank you Dite. Ares really does have good taste when it comes to some of the clothes he has made for me." Xena said with a small smile, as she ran a finger along her engagement ring. It was a princess cut ruby in a silver band with a chakram and a black rose embedded on one side and the rune of war on the other side of the gem.

As if sensing they were talking about him, Ares walked over to the four women, saying "Are you ready to go to Amphipolis to share the news with your mother, my dear?"

Turning and greeting her now fiancée with a gentle kiss, Xena replied, "Ready as I can be. If you will excuse me, Thena, Artemis, and Dite?" Xena placed her hand in Ares' as she said this.

"Of course, Xe! Good luck!" Athena spoke for the three goddesses, as they watched the couple disappear.

Reappearing in an alley near her mother's tavern, Xena couldn't help tightening her grip as she felt a knot of tension take residence in the pit of her stomach at the thought of once again facing her mother. Turning to look at his Princess, Ares noticed how nervous she looked, Ares gave her hand a gentle squeeze and said

"Everything will be ok, Princess. She can't do anything to you, not while I'm with you."

That being said, they walked out of the alley and made their way into the tavern. Thankfully it was a slow day and the place was practically empty. Hearing the door open, Cyrene looked up ready to greet the new customer, only to have the smile fall from her face and her gaze harden at seeing her daughter enter with a man, and both wearing clothes that would have cost her more than her tavern could earn her in a lifetime.

"You have a lot of nerve showing your face around here after what you did the last time." Cyrene spat at her daughter. "And where did you get the money to pay for such an expensive dress? Are you now whoring yourself out to the highest bidder? Well I won't have any part of that in my home, nor will I have the likes of you under my roof. You were warned what would happen if you dared to show your face in this town again!"

Hearing the hateful words coming from his soon to be mother-in-law's mouth, Ares felt his blood begin to boil. Who did this mortal think she was to insult his Chosen, and soon to be wife in such a way?!

"if you value your insignificant life, and this pathetic excuse of a building you call a tavern, you will not say another word, mortal! HOW DARE YOU ACCUSE THE CHOSEN OF WAR AND SOON TO BE WIFE OF THE HEIR TO OLYMPUS A WHORE?! THE ONLY REASON WE CAME WAS TO SHARE THE NEWS OF YOUR ONLY DAUGHTER'S ENGAGEMENT AND INVITE YOU TO THE WEDDING! I see now that was a mistake. If you ever say or think anything remotely in the same category as what you have just made the mistake of calling my fiancée, it will be the last thing you ever do! Come on, Princess. I can see it was a mistake to come here and think this Bacchae loving harpy would welcome our joyous news."

Finishing his tirade, the couple of war disappeared from the tavern, and reappeared in the Halls of War. "I never thought she would accuse me of whoring myself out... I knew she wouldn't be happy to see me, but I never expected her to be that cruel!" Xena said, fighting a losing battle against the tears that had threatened to fall since her mother accused her of being a tramp.

Pulling her close to himself, Ares wrapped his arms firmly around he, and as he soothingly ran his fingers through her hair, he softly told her, "she had no right to say those things to you sweetheart. You are NOT a whore. You are MY PRINCESS, and soon to be wife. She is just jealous that you will be the wife of the heir to Olympus, which also makes you the future Queen of the Gods."

Sniffling a little as her tears finally eased, Xena couldn't help asking, "Why did you choose me? Out of all the mortals and immortals on this planet, what did you see in that pathetic village girl who stood up to Cortese that stood out from all the other wannabe warriors throughout the ages?"

"You really have no idea, about your grace and beauty, do you? It was also foretold by the very first Oracle of Delphi that the God War, who I hear is quite a handsome devil, " as he said this, Ares wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, earning a small smack from his Princess and a chuckle "Not modest at all are you?" she said before he continued, "'The Enyo of the God of War shall have long raven tresses, icy blue eyes, and they shall find each other in the midst of tragedy. Only together shall they bring unity and honor to what til now has been a dishonorable discipline.' From the moment you first picked up a wooden sword, you were meant to be my Enyo, my better half. I spent close to a millennium searching for you before your spirit called me to you outside of Amphipolis." As he finished, he tilted her head from where it was resting against his chest and gave her a loving kiss to show just how much she truly meant to him.

Realizing the daylight was quickly fading, and that she needed to stop for the day and make camp, the Warrior Princess started looking for a clearing where she could set up camp. Seeing a clearing ahead, she sighed in resignation.

"Here we go, girl. Our resting spot for tonight, and lots of delicious grass for you." As she said this, Xena dismounted the mare, and proceeded to unsaddle her. As she reached into one of the saddle bags for some food, she felt a chain against her fingers. It can't be… but it was. As a wedding gift, Ares had given her a copy of his necklace, with one change to the rune on his own, surrounding the rune of war was a copy of her chakram and sword. It symbolized that she was indeed his equal, his Enyo, and wife. I can't believe he put it in there… taking the necklace from the saddle bag she proceeded to put the necklace around her neck where she knew it belonged. Finding the food she had originally been searching for the Warrior Princess finished eating and proceeded to make a fire and set up her bedroll.

I wonder what Aer is doing right now? Probably checking on some war or another through one of his portals. She thought with a snort. Not sure how well I will sleep tonight. This will be the first time in ten years, either one of us will be sleeping alone. She thought climbing into her bedroll, as a small tear made its way down her cheek. Ever since they had gotten engaged, they had spent every night together, starting by talking about their day and, if she was on campaign, plotting the next day's progress and ending with her falling asleep with her head resting on his chest, being lulled to sleep by the steady beating of his heart and safely enclosed in his warm embrace. "Goodnight Aer. I love you." She said in a small voice. It was a habit she had started sometime shortly after they had gotten engaged, and had never been able to break, even when they had one of their fights, she could never fall asleep until she had said that to him, and he had reassuringly answered her with similar words. Goodnight baby, I love you, too. Good job with Draco's goons by the way. So who is more annoying, a jealous Discord or that annoying wannabe bard peasant you met in Potedeia today? I asked through our bond with a slight chuckle.

I think the peasant girl. I can always threaten to call you to put Discord in her place, if Discord starts getting too annoying. You know how terrified she is of you. My Princess answered, a smirk evident in her voice.

And to answer your question from earlier today, no you were never as annoying as that blonde. Not even a jealous Aphrodite on a sugar high is as annoying! Go to sleep, Princess. You have a very long and trying day ahead of you tomorrow. I said softly, mentally singing our song (Melt Into Me) to lull her to sleep.

Watching her sink into sleep, I couldn't help sighing. It hadn't even been twenty-four hours, and my temples felt empty without her presence in them. How were we supposed to make it six years of this? Glancing back at the portal in which she was supposed to be sleeping, I saw her tossing and turning, and a frown marring her perfect features. What in Tartarus? I told Morpheus to make sure she got nothing but pleasant dreams or he would be sent straight to the Abyss!" I thought angrily. "MORPHEUS!"I thundered. As he appeared, I grabbed him forcefully by the shoulder and dragged him to the portal showing Xena. "I THOUGHT I MADE IT CLEAR WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF YOU GAVE MY WIFE ANYTHING OTHER THAN PLEASANT DREAMS!"

"I swear I have never given her anything other than those pleasant dreams you ensured, brother. I have also passed that warning on to my assistants. Perhaps you should go and check on your wife and see for yourself before you go accusing a god of something he has not done." My brother said, disappearing.

Perhaps he is right. Unlike some of my family, he has kept his word and never gone back on his word. 'I'm sorry I blamed you brother. You know how protective I am of her.' I told him mentally. Being the god of dreams Morpheus was one of the few gods everyone could talk to mentally. 'Your apology is accepted. I understand your protectiveness of her, now go see if you can help her have a peaceful journey to my realms.'

Transporting myself to the clearing, I quietly greeted Argo, who was standing guard over her mistress. "Hey girl. Guarding my princess, like always, hmm? Let's see what we can do to ease her troubled sleep, shall we?" I said, softly rubbing the palomino's nose as she softly whickered to me, nuzzling my arm for the apple she knew I had for her. After giving her the apple, I knelt next to Xe, and gently entered her mind to see what was plaguing her.

A puzzled expression appeared on my face, seeing that she was indeed having what was supposed to be wonderful dream. In her dream the two of us were riding along the countryside on our horses, Argo and Enyalius, chatting about the latest party on Olympus and where we were going to celebrate the winter solstice this year. She should not be tossing and turning like she is. What is bothering you, Princess? I couldn't help thinking. "Princess, why are you tossing and turning so on your bedroll. One would think you would be enjoying this." I told her as I pulled Enyalius to a stop.

"I am not enjoying this, because I can sense that other than right now, the real you is not truly next to me, and I can't seem to get comfortable without your reassuring presence next to me." She huffed out, angered by the fact that she has become so dependent on my presence in her life. "I know, how much I hurt you, but can't you at least stay with me at night, while I'm asleep, so I can at least pretend everything is normal?" she said burrowing into me and placing her head on my chest above my heart like every other night the past ten years.

Pulling her close, and gently wiping the tears from her eyes, I said. "Oh, Xe, all you had to do was ask. You know that even when I'm furious at you, I can't deny you anything. Now come on, enjoy your sleep, and know that Argo and I will be guarding you all night." As I said this I gave her a gentle, but very loving kiss on her lips. Feeling her snuggle even deeper into my embrace, I gently withdrew from her dream and settled down next to her sleeping form. "I'm here, Xe, go to sleep. I will be with you tomorrow when you see Cyrene, even though you won't sense me." I whispered in her ear, feeling her grip on me tighten and a relieved sigh come from her mouth, as I settled her in her favorite position against my side with her head nestled against my chest and above my heart. She's right, even when I'm furious at her, I can't deny her anything. I thought to myself as I stroked her raven tresses in a soothing motion.