Chapter 9: Homecoming Surprise!

Gabrielle woke Xena from her nap. She didn't understand why Xena was sleeping in the middle of the day when there was so much still left to be done for tomorrow. She also wanted to tell her all about her day with the prince.

"Xena, Xena, wake up." Xena stirred as Gabrielle shook her.

"I'm up, I'm up," she said groggily. Gabrielle sat on her bed with a large smile on her face.

"Why are you still in bed, are you feeling okay?" Gabrielle reached her hand out to touch Xena's head, but she swatted her hand away.

"I feel fine. Just closed my eyes for a moment. Ulysses and I have been so busy trying to finalize for tomorrow. I heard you ran off with the prince. How did that go?" Xena arched her eyebrow at her. She had a feeling that Gabrielle and the prince were becoming closer than she had expected.

"Oh Xena, we had a great time. We walked along the forest paths and told stories of our past adventures." Xena gave her a light smile. She was glad Gabrielle found someone to share her stories with. There was a small knock on the door. Xena said that she would answer it, since she assumed whomever was on the other side came to summon her for some reason or another. She pulled opened the door and saw a chambermaid fidgeting nervously at the door.

"Lady Xena?"

"Yea?"

"The guests have started to arrive and I ..."

"Guest?!" Xena was not informed of any guests coming to the palace the day before. She looked down at her clothes. She definitely was not dressed to greet any guests. Her dress barely came to the top of her thighs. She sighed.

"Where is Ulysses? He should be greeting his guests."

"We knocked on his door numerous times and got no answer. You're the next person I could think of to go to." She knew that Ulysses was still passed out from the wine. She would have been too if Gabrielle hadn't woken her up.

"Give me a minute, umm,"

"Melaina."

"Yes, Melaina. I need to change my clothing and I'll be right down." Melaina nodded her head understandably. Xena slowly closed the door and went to the large chest in the room, hoping there was something regal she could slip on. She was not prepared to greet any guests and didn't quite understand how she got the job. She didn't even know how to present herself to the people. Should she say she was Ulysses' lady now? Or just disregard the whole formal greeting altogether. As her mind raced, she anxiously rambled through the clothes in the chest. Gabrielle sensed her uneasiness and went to her.

"Xena, let me help you." She pulled Xena away from the chest and guided her to have a seat at the vanity. She pulled out a royal blue floor length dress and a tiara. Xena scuffed when she saw the tiara.

"Xena, you should wear it. It shows your status." Xena snatched the dress from her hands.

"I have no "status" Gabrielle. I'm just Ulysses' friend." The rose hit the floor as soon as she took her dress off. She quickly kicked it out of sight, hoping that Gabrielle hadn't noticed.

"His friend?!" She zipped up the dress.

"You're the only person I see him locking lips with Xena." She blushed.

"I think you're more than his friend. If that was the case, they would be calling me Lady Gabrielle, but do they?" Gabrielle pushed Xena to sit down as she brushed her hair. Once Xena was presentable, Gabrielle grabbed her hand and squeezed it tightly.

"You got this." Xena shook her head and left the room. Melaina was still standing at the door waiting for her. Xena followed closely behind, as she led her to the entrance. The guests were impatiently standing at the front, chatting amongst themselves.

"Good evening, I'm so glad you could join us. Please follow us right this way." Xena greeted each guest as they walked in. She exchanged pleasantries with each visitor, ensuring they felt at ease in the palace. But then, amidst the chatter and laughter, a familiar sensation sent a shiver down her spine.

Her heart skipped a beat as she turned to see him—Ares—entering the grand hall with an air of undeniable power. Despite her efforts to remain composed, Xena's pulse quickened at the sight of him. What could he possibly want here in Ithaca?

Ares' eyes locked onto her, and he gave her a cunning smile. Xena's grip tightened around her gown. So many questions raced through her mind. Melaina bowed respectfully to Ares and spoke,

"The God of War, it is a great honor to have you in our presence." Xena fought to suppress a scoff. Melaina continued,

"You will have the most special room in the house, next to our king." Xena eyes lit up in horror.

"I'm sure there are other rooms where he can be placed," Xena quickly suggested however, Melaina wasn't changing her mind.

"I'm sorry My Lady, whenever there is a visit from a god, we must show them the highest honor." Xena frowned in disgust. Before Melaina could escort him to his room, Ares made a suggestion.

"Melaina, I would prefer Lady Xena to lead me to my room. There are plenty other guests I'm sure you need to tend to. I will be just fine." Melaina bowed her head respectfully and left. Xena frowned at Ares, not happy at his intrusion. She knew for sure that Ulysses didn't invite him nor was he Ithaca's patron god. Ares walked towards Xena, his gaze burning through her. He circled her, like prey, looking her up and down, taking her all in. She grabbed him by the arm before he could circle her again.

"Why are you here, Ares." she asked impatiently, casually glancing around not wanting to make a scene. Ares walked close to her face.

"I thought it was a celebration tomorrow...for the return of the king?" Xena took a step back from him. As the various staff members and guests walked past them, Xena would smile gracefully at them, trying to hide the fact that her and Ares were well acquainted. She harshly pulled him by the arm once everyone was out of sight, leading him to his room.

"No one invited you Ares so just leave."

"Ouch," he held his hand to his heart, " is that anyway to treat an old friend?" She stopped walking and swiftly turned around to face him. He gave her a wide grin. She pointed her finger at him,

"We are not friends, never were," she sighed as they began walking again. She stopped in front of his room.

"Well, here you go," she told him dryly and turned to leave. He grabbed her by the arm to stop her hasty exit. She snatched her arm angrily out of his grasp. Staff members cut their eyes towards them as they passed by. He frowned at the way she was treating him in front of everyone. He was just about to put his fingers around her neck when Ulysses door creaked open. She quickly turned away from him and stepped inside Ulysses' room. Ares walked inside of his after hearing the door close.

Ulysses circled Xena in his arms and gave her a peck on the lips. She stiffened at his touch. He gave her a quizzical look as he searched her eyes. They had a wild look to them.

"What's wrong, did something happen while I was asleep?" Her eyes scanned his room randomly, as she avoided eye contact with him. He lifted her chin towards him,

"What's wrong with you?" he asked softly. He searched her eyes for an answer but couldn't find one. She sighed.

"Nothing, just mentally tired from today's activities." Lysandra loudly knocked on the door. He gave Xena's shoulders a quick squeeze and walked to answer the it.

"My king, all the guests have arrived and are settled into their rooms. We even have a very special guest." His eyes lit up.

"Who?"

"Ares, God of War." Xena groaned inwardly at the sound of his name. There was nothing special about him. Ulysses' eyes widen.

"We must ensure he is treated with the highest honor. Let the dinner staff know that dinner must be superior this evening." Lysandra bowed and left to complete the king's orders. He turned excitedly to Xena.

"Did you hear that! The God of War is here, in my palace. Our palace." Xena gave him a tighten smile. He snapped his fingers.

"Oh, I just remembered, you two know each other. Will you formally introduce me?" he asked with pleading eyes. Xena wanted to leave. Not just leave the palace, she wanted to leave Ithaca. But no, she was not a runner. She wasn't sure what Ares wanted but she had a feeling he was not there due to Ulysses.

"Sure," she struggled to say with a straight face.

All the guests along with the king, prince, Xena, and Gabrielle were seated at the table for dinner, chatting lively. Well, everyone except Xena. Ares was not at dinner yet and she hoped that he was not going to show. Gabrielle watched Xena as she fidgeted with her fingers in her lap.

"Xena, what's wrong?" Before Xena could respond, a guard walked in and blew a horn. He spoke loudly with a mighty voice,

"I present to you, Ares, God of War." Gabrielle looked at Xena with wide eyes. Ulysses rose from his seat and grabbed Xena's hand. She slowly rose from her seat, as she groaned inwardly. Ulysses bowed his head respectfully as Xena stared at Ares with defiant eyes.

"Lord Ares, it is a great honor to have you in our presence. Xena tells me that you two know each other." Ares gave Xena a cunning smile.

"Ah, yes. She was the greatest warrior I ever trained. She was full of passion on the battlefield and of..."

"Okay, time to eat," Xena interrupted his conversation.

"My dear, you must not be rude to our special guest." Ares arched an eyebrow at them both. The words My Dear replayed in his head over and over. He teased Xena about becoming Ulysses' queen, but he never expected to see it actually happen. He kept his cool, as he really hadn't confirmed anything yet.

"I'm just ready to eat, that's all," she explained as she pulled him to his seat and walked to her own. Lysandra guided Ares to his seat, which was directly across from Xena. Gabrielle leaned over to whisper to Xena,

"What is he doing here?" She suspiciously eyed Ares and then turned her attention back to Xena.

"I don't know. I've been trying to figure out the same," she replied through clenched teeth. Ares gave Xena a cunning smile. She tried to tear her eyes from him but couldn't at the moment. She turned her lip up at him. Ulysses saw their brief facial exchange and he placed a hand on her thigh, drawing her attention to him. He leaned into her ear,

"Everything okay?" She shook her head yes. Ares' face was blank but deep down, he felt an irritation with the way Ulysses tended to Xena. He wasn't sure of this tingly feeling he was experiencing. He'd never felt anything like this before but whatever it was, it was starting to bother him. He adjusted in his seat uncomfortably.

"If I may have a request?" Ares said after clearing his throat.

"Sure, anything."

"I only want Xena to tend to my needs." Ulysses looked at Xena who had a disgusted look on her face while she stared at Ares.

"Absolutely not," she growled through tensed teeth. Ulysses lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed it lovingly. There it was, Ares felt that annoying tingle again in his chest. What was that feeling?!

"It makes sense, since you two know each other. He may not trust anyone else here." Xena let out a scoff. She couldn't believe that Ulysses was agreeing to something so ridiculous.

"Fine." she reluctantly agreed, not wanting to make a scene in front of everyone.