Xena shivers as her tent flap opens and unseasonably cold air rushes in. “Xena, the healer needs you.” Xena, dressed in her leathers, armor discarded, stares at Darphus and shakes her head, “I told you that man would die. His wound was too deep. Now we’ve wasted time and herbs on him. Good move, Darphus,” she says turning back to her maps. He scowls, trying to hide it from his commander, “It isn’t about him. It’s about the rest of the wounded from the battle this morning.” Her head snaps towards him, “What about them? They all had minor wounds.” He nods and holds the tent flap aside, “That’s why the healer needs you. She can’t explain it.” Xena grabs her Chakram, hooks it to her side and rushes from the tent, scowling, ‘Damn healers aren’t worth the spit we feed them,’ she thinks allowing Darphus to take the lead.
Xena follows Darphus to the healer’s tent, surprised to find so many of her troops outside, waiting. She stares at the shivering men, then grabs Darphus by the arm and shoves him in their direction, “Get a fire started for them. I don’t know what Demeter has against us, but this winter storm she has brewing is going to kill them.” He stumbles, then gains his footing and obeys, trying to light a fire for the men in a cold pit where one had burned when he left the healer to find Xena a few moments earlier. Xena pulls open the healers tent and smells death and rot. Searching through the few standing figures she finds the old woman that has served as their healer for the past season, “What’s going on?” She demands. The healer looks up and shakes her head, trembling a little, in cold and fear, “I don’t know, Warrior Princess. First, there were the three from the battle, the one you said would die and the two with minor wounds.” Xena nods, “Where are they?” The healer points at some cots with sheets pulled over the bodies. She scowls and whips towards the healer, “What are you doing to my men? The one was as good as dead, but the other two had small wounds. They just needed their wounds cleaned, stitched and some ointment applied. I could have done it on the battlefield with no problems. ” The healer nods franticly, “I know Warrior Princess. I treated them and sent them to rest in their tents. They soon returned with more following them. Wounds were infected, many were coughing. One was clutching his, um, royalties and screaming in agony.” Xena smirks, one of her men had found another dirty prostitute, she had warned them all to be wary, “That wasn’t Estragon, was it?” The healer shakes her head taking advantage of Xena’s loosened hand and moving out of her grasp, “No, it was him,” she says, pointing to another cot with a covered body on it. Xena stares, utterly confused, she’d never seen a man die from that. “Uncover him,” she orders, moving towards the man. The healer follows and pulls a cloth over her face, offering one to Xena. She wraps the cloth around her nose and mouth, tying it behind her head, in case there was a contagion. As the healer pulls back the sheet, the stench grows and neither can help coughing. His face is twisted in a grimace, his skin blue and red, dried blood trickling from his nose, mouth, ears, and eyes. If she didn’t know better she would guess that he died of her “famous” pinch. “Remove his pants,” she orders. The healer gasps and wraps her apron around her hands before gripping the man’s trousers and yanking them down. Xena stares. “Fuck,” she hears Darphus say behind her. Xena takes a step closer, starring at his “royalties.” She had never seen so much swelling, puss, blood or anything so misshapen in her life. “Cover him,” she snaps. She turns from the healer to Darphus, “How many are ill?” He pauses, thinking about the ones outside and the ones still trickling in, “As far as I can tell, anyone who was injured has taken ill.” She nods, not looking happy, over half her men suffered at least a scratch in the last battle and some had been nursing older wounds. She turns to the healer, “A contagion? Poison?” She asks. The healer shrugs, “I’ve never seen anything like this Warrior Princess.” Xena leads them both to the opening of the tent, “You two go around camp, check with each soldier, anyone ill goes with the healer, the rest need to be moved to the other side of the hill, my tent included,” she says, pointing to Darphus. They both nod and take off, Darphus far faster than the healer. She stares at the empty fire pit, ‘Damn Darphus, didn’t even start the fire like I ordered.’ She kneels next to her men, starring at them; wounds are infected, their cheeks are red and sunken in, their eyes blank, one has blood in his ear. She rises, not bothering to speak to them or light the fire.
Xena rips the cloth from around her mouth and lets it fall to the ground as she heads to a pond far enough from her camp that she is sure her men hadn’t neared it. She gets to it and stares at the surface, seeing that it is freezing in shallow areas. She shakes her head and spins to stare at the mountain behind them. She curses; the snowline is lower than when they had returned from the raid and a small pack of reindeer graze near the base, “What in Tartarus is going on?” She bends and washes her hands then takes a drink of the cool water. Glancing around, making sure she’s alone; she grabs her Chakram and starts to lightly swipe her palm with it. A strong hand reaches out of nowhere and grabs her wrist, “None of that,” Ares orders. She turns towards him, “I was just going to get your attention.” He shakes his head, “Strange things are happening. From what I’ve gathered any wound or illness, no matter how minor, can lead to death, rather quickly too.” She nods, “I’ve noticed. Over half my army is dead or dying. And this weather… Something’s very wrong. Do you know what is going on? Is it the Gods?” He shrugs, “No one is talking about it. But you are coming to Olympus with me until this has ended. I will not lose my best warrior to some fluke of nature.” He grabs her arm, but she jerks away, “And I won’t abandon my army.” “What’s left of it,” he snaps. She growls and begins to march back to camp, taking long strides.
Ares appears next to her, ‘Damn stubborn woman.’ He grabs her arm and they appear in her tent before she can jerk away. Xena scowls at him, then jerks and begins to put her armor on, ignoring Ares. He grabs her shoulder, spinning her to look at him, “I have a safe place for your men to go, but only the healthy ones.” She nods, turning again to roll her maps up and wrap them in a leather tube, “Where?” He lounges back on the makeshift bed, watching her sleek movements, “The Halls of War, near Corinth,” he answers. Xena’s breathe hitches, “My army can’t go near Corinth.” He nods, “I know. I’ll map out the back way. Neither Corinth nor the Centaurs will know they are there.” She turns to stare at him, concern in her eyes, shoulders hard, “How do you know?” She asks, trying not to let her voice quiver. He rises and nears, stroking her hair away from her ear and leaning near, “I’m a God, my dear, I know everything.” She jerks away, “Don’t you dare-,” she begins but he waves a hand, “I’ve known sense you returned to Greece and I’ve done nothing. Why would that change?” She visibly relaxes and passes him a scroll and quill, “Alright. Make a map and instructions, I’ll give it to Darphus before I leave.” He takes the items, “Darphus is your second in command now? I thought it was Estragon.” She scowls, Ares liked clear structure and right now she was having an issue with giving either man the rank of second in command, “They’re both contenders. This will be my test. Whichever one can handle this mess the best will become my second in command.” He scowls, “What's wrong with them? Do you need someone new?” She shakes her head, “Estragon isn’t strong enough. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a good warrior, but I wouldn’t trust him at my back.” “You don’t trust anyone at your back,” he interrupts. She smiles, “I trust you at my back.” He halts in his map making and looks up at her, then returns to the map, “And Darphus?” Xena shakes her head, “He hasn’t proven himself capable of taking decisive actions.” Ares nods, then hands her the map. She looks it over and nods, “Two days. Do you think they have that long?” He shrugs, “If they don’t I owe you a new army.” She scowls, “I already need a new army.” His hand lands on her shoulder, tugging her until her back meets his chest, “Then I’ll start looking for one after I get you to Olympus.” She half turns, trying to catch his eye, “Are you inviting anyone else?” He shakes his head, “You are MY Warrior Princess. No one comes before you or holds the rights that you hold.” She scowls, “I don’t want special treatment or to be coddled.” He snarls, both hands grabbing her shoulders roughly, turning her, “If you are going to rule the world at my side and I have no doubt that you will, you have to survive whatever this freak storm is. Olympus is the safest place. Plus you need a break. You’ve been going hard sense you returned from the Norse lands. We’ve had little time to renew our previous arrangements.” She smiles, oh yes, she had kept herself busy; trying to stay away from his magnetism, knowing that whenever she was near him things became clouded. He inflamed her passions, each and every one of them with a smirk or a twinkle of the eye. He captures her lips briefly then pulls away as she starts to sink into him, “Get the orders to your men and get whatever you need together. I’ll return in an hour for you. You will be ready to leave, that’s an order. And remember: no injuries and stay away from those sick men.” She nods and he begins to disappear, then stops, “Xena, have your men leave the healer behind. She could be contaminated. I’ll ask Asclepius to find you the best to take her place.” Xena nods, not really wanting to lose another healer so soon after Satrina but knowing that it is necessary, just as it had been necessary to get rid of Satrina. The woman had known too much and could be a danger to her son, she’d had Estragon take care of her, claiming the woman had poisoned her during the battle of Corinth; that she had been secretly working with the Corinthians. Now she would be losing another healer, this time to ensure she didn’t accidently infect her men. And it would leave her men without a healer at the worst possible time.
Ares paces Olympus, giving Xena her hour to prepare. He has never let a mortal into his domain, but there is something about her. She is meant for greatness and he isn’t going to let this hic-up be her defeat. The smell of flowers invades his nose, warning him that his sister, Aphrodite is near. He rolls his eyes and steals himself for the assault on his senses. She appears in a bright pink splash, smelling of roses and leaving pink glitter on the floor around her. Her all too bouncy breasts threaten to spill from her top and her waves of hair are going everywhere, the slight tang of salt water clings to her, “Ar, what is going on? The oceans are freezing. I can’t surf with frozen oceans. And Zeus is nowhere to be found.” Ares shakes his head, “Something is wrong with the mortal plane, sis, not sure what. Fires won’t stay lit, winter is quickly coming everywhere, and small wounds are killing quickly.” She stamps a foot, “What does that mean for us?” She asks her voice a little too whiney. He shakes his head, “It means we stay on Olympus. If you have any special play toys, I would bring them here as well.” She smirks, “I guess that means you’re bringing your future Queen to Olympus?” She was the only one of his siblings that knew he planned to make Xena a Goddess once she had given him Greece and Hercules’ head on a platter, “Yes, she will be here, she’s preparing now.” Aphrodite bursts into giggles, “As if a mortal can prepare for the splendor of Olympus. She won’t be able to handle it.” He snarls, “Xena can handle anything.” She smiles, she could always count on her brother to step into her plans as long as she threatened his ego or that of his Princess, “Good because I will be throwing a winter ball. If winter is taking the mortal world by storm and I can’t surf, then I will plan a party to end all parties and you and your toy will be expected to attend.” Ares glares, knowing he had stepped into her plan, “I don’t do parties, and neither does Xena.” She gives him a patronizing smile, “You will this time or I will tell the whole family your plan for this mortal.” He growls, “That’s a low blow, sis, even for you. I told you that in confidence.” She lets out a squeal of laughter, “Ares, look at our family! Have any of us been able to keep a secret for long? Even you?” He shakes his head, eyes almost red in anger, “So be it. We will attend your little party. But that is all. Neither of us will help you coerce the other Gods into coming or help with anything else.” Aphrodite squeals in laughter again, “Like I would need your help. I have the dirt on every God in the Pantheon. I just have to choose what to use and if it’s worth it. As for decorating, well, parties are my specialty. Remember the baby shower I held for myself when I was pregnant with our little Cupid? It was stunning and I was pregnant at the time. Imagine what I can do now.” He shivers in dread, knowing neither he nor Xena would fit in at her type of party, “Fine, make sure there is mortal food for Xena. I don’t want her to starve or get ahold of ambrosia before she has earned it. And tell Bacchus to keep his wine to himself. We don’t need a bunch of half-drunk idgits running around here when the mortal plane is in crisis.” Aphrodite nods, smacking a kiss on her brother’s cheek, “Got it, bro. I’ll send out invites with dress instructions as soon as I get my theme and decorations nailed down.” Before he can say a word she is gone, leaving her rose stench and a pile of pink glitter behind. He waves a hand and the glitter disappears. He shakes his head then begins to check his rooms, making sure Xena will feel welcome and that there is no ambrosia lying around.
Xena grabs her coat from when she was up north and drapes it on over her armor, moving her sword to the hip opposite her Chakram, then leaves her tent, Ares’ map and instructions rolled and resting between her breasts, or “the magical bag of holding” as she had heard her men say when they thought she was out of earshot. She had once even heard them taking bets on how much she could fit between her breasts; the two responsible had been crucified as an example to the others. She quickly finds Estragon, carrying a rolled tent under his arm, “Where’s Darphus?” She asks. Estragon points ahead of him, “At the new camp, I’m on my way, I’ll show you.” She nods and falls into step beside him. Estragon glances at her, “Is he your new second in command?” She shakes her head, “Not yet. I have a task for the two of you. I will explain when we catch up to Darphus.” On their way, they pass the healer’s tent and find more men than before, more than Xena expected, sitting around the hut, a few dragging dead bodies out and trying to burn them, but the fires won’t catch. She scowls, “Those men better not be healthy,” she says nodding towards them. Estragon shakes his head, “Both are injured and coughing. Xena, are the Gods punishing us for something?” She shakes her head, “Of course not, at least not us directly. I spoke with Lord Ares, he says it’s happening everywhere and no one knows what is to blame.” Estragon huffs, “And you believe him?” She scowls, “Of course I do, Estragon. A God need never lie.” He falls silent and leads her towards the new camp.
Xena looks over what is left of her army, noticing the few tents and that only a trickle of men are still coming in, “Damn.” Darphus spots her and waves her over. She holds a hand up to let him know she had seen him. She turns to Estragon, “Bring your tent with, no point in unpacking.” He nods and follows her, returning Darphus’ glare with one of his own. Xena meets Darphus and enters the tent he had quickly set up as a barrier against the wind. Estragon sets his down by the door and follows them to a crude table. Xena shakes her head and points at the door, “Tie it shut,” she orders. He obeys and ties the door shut, peeking out to make sure no men were coming near, “If this is secret, we’re clear,” he announces. She nods and removes the map from her breasts, using four small daggers to nail it to the table. “As you both know I need a second in command. It has been a hard choice sense Corinth, but after this I will have my answer. This will be your shining victory or your miserable defeat.” Both men eye the other before returning their attention to Xena. She continues, “I’m leaving for a spell, working on a special project for our Lord, Ares. I need you two to keep what is left of this army together and alive.” Both men seem unsure, “How?” Estragon asks. She glances at him, “Ares has come up with a safe place for you and a way to get you there without breaking our peace with Corinth or the Centaurs.” “We’re going to Corinth?” Darphus interrupts. She gives him a hard look that clearly lets him know he had spoken when she hadn’t wished it, “You are going to the Halls of War. It will be a two day journey. On the way there I want you two working together to keep these men, our horses and supplies safe. I suggest making coats out of some of the tents and having as many men as possible stay in each tent. Also get the horses into some tents. They won’t like it, but once you reach the Halls of War everyone will have room to spread out and the horses will have a stable. You’ll be traveling without a healer and our best tracker and hunter are dead, so find people to take their places temporarily. Once you are at the Halls of War you will still have to fight the cold, but it should be easier and you will have supplies. Under no circumstances are you to go near Corinth or Centaur land. Have I made myself clear?” Both nod. “And what exactly will the mighty Xena be doing?” Darphus asks. She glares at him, “Whatever our God demands of me." Estragon asks, “The dead, what should we do with them? You saw that starting a fire was proving impossible. Should we bury them?” She shakes her head, sad, but hiding it behind a mask of power, “There isn’t time. Try to keep a list of everyone who dies and anyone who deserts us. When this is over we will visit the families of those who have died and give them their share, which means keep track. Have the injured gather the goods from the sick ones’ tents; explain that it will go to their family. If they refuse to part from it, kill them and take it anyway. As for those that desert, we will go after their families and crucify them. I want this army on the move today. March as far as you can each day. Take as few breaks as possible, set up tents only when absolutely necessary. I think this is going to get a lot worse before it even begins to get better.” Darphus nods, “And how will you know which of us to promote to second in command? Will you be watching?” Xena nods, “At times, yes, Ares and I will watch. I will also be asking the men and judging based on how many are left, how well my instructions are followed and how well you hand out tasks to everyone.” Estragon pipes up with another question, “If someone becomes sick or injured on the journey, what should we do?” Xena sighs, hating her answer, “Leave them behind. And if they won’t stay kill them.” He nods, then looks nervous, “What if it’s one of us?” She gives him an evil look, “Then my choice for second in command will be easier, now won’t it?” She snaps. He jumps and she continues, “You should choose a second in command, someone to take over if something happens to the two of you. I don’t want this army broken up into factions, this is MY army, but you should be prepared for your own death and I don’t want the men left without leadership.” The two men nod and begin to look over the map, planning their trip in more detail. Xena watches, critiquing them silently.
Soon Darphus leaves to find a scout and someone to collect water and Estragon leaves to order someone to go back to the old camp and collect names and belongings of the soon to be dead and to find a hunter and someone to gather all the horses. Not long after their departure, Xena exits the tent and Ares appears at her side, “Ready?” He asks. She shakes her head, setting a small back down by their feet. She whistles loudly and her men turn their attention towards her, “I know you’re scared, you’d be fools not to be. But do not lose hope. Lord Ares and I are going on a quest and I will return with more men and a new healer.” Ares stands tall beside her, adding his strength to her words by his mere presence. Xena continues, “As you know, I haven’t chosen my second in command sense Corinth. I am leaving Darphus and Estragon in charge with very strict orders. You are to follow those orders as if they have come from Lord Ares himself. They are leading you somewhere safe, somewhere special and I expect to see each and every one of you there upon my return. While I am away you are to watch your two leaders. I will be speaking with each man to find out what happens in my absence so I know how well my instructions were carried out. They will be choosing a second in command, hopefully they can agree on just one. If that ends up being you and you take their place, you will be expected to give me a very detailed report of everything that has happened from the moment you were chosen until the moment of my return and I will want to know exactly how your commander died.” She pauses and leans close to Ares, “Is this a contagion?” She asks in a whisper. “Not that I can tell,” he replies hand slightly over his mouth. She turns back to her men, “Now this isn’t a contagion, so you will be expected to bring the dead’s belongings with you on this trip. Some will be used for our new men, some to fund our next mission and some will go to the families of the dead. I can’t give the dead what they deserve, they won’t burn, there isn’t time to bury them, and we don’t have the supplies to treat them until death. But I will give their share, if they have anything left, to their family or to whomever they name. A list is being made at this moment. It will be added to if any fall on the way to safety. This is my promise to you all. Now if you think to desert me, I will hunt you down, hunt down your families, your friends, even your dog and I will crucify each and every one. I’m sure I have made myself more than clear on that.” The men murmur, many swearing their eternal allegiance. She gives a quick swipe of her hand and everyone falls silent, “My words of warning: Don’t get hurt, don’t get sick, if you do tell one of your commanders right away. It will mean your death, but you won’t have to die the way the ones here are dying and know that you are helping your brothers in arms and your families. Above all else, help each other and be patient. You have a two day journey ahead of you and you will need to stay close together at night to stay warm. You may even end up sleeping with horses in your tents if need be. But you are going someplace where things will be better and I will return to you as soon as we have fixed this.” The men again murmur, wishing her luck and passing tokens and offerings to Ares. A soldier supplies a helmet and the offerings are put in there and handed to Xena who passes them to Ares. He smiles at the men, “Pray to me, but when you do so do not offer your blood. Even a prick to your finger could be deadly. I will know those who are loyal to Xena and myself; and those who are will be blessed tenfold. Now give a proper salute to your Warrior Princess and we will start our own journey.” Each man falls to his knees, head bowed, fist going to his lips, then pointing towards Xena and Ares. Ares raises an eyebrow at Xena, “A mock of the Roman salute,” he says quietly. She smiles gleefully. “I approve, my Princess,” he says, taking her hand and whisking her, the bag at her feet and himself into the ether in a grand crash of thunder.
Xena feels queasy when the blackness of the ether fades and the bright lights of Olympus assault her eyes. Ares puts an arm around her shoulders, trying to pry her arm off of his. Realizing she was clinging, showing weakness, she quickly releases him and stands on her own, looking around, eyes wide, legs still shaky, “It’s amazing,” she says breathlessly. He shrugs, “It’s home.” He holds a hand out to her, “I’ll show you to my quarters, that is where we will be spending most of our time sense training isn’t possible.” She takes his hand and lets him lead her around as she stares at the vases and tapestries, “Why can’t we train?” She asks voice distracted. He pulls hard on her arm, making her come close, “Listen closely, Xena. A pin prick could kill you, I won’t risk a sword wound.” She glares at him, “Isn’t it my risk?” He scowls, “No. I am your God, you will obey me.” “Or what?” She asks, nose to nose with him. He growls, then smirks, “Or I will spank you.” She tries to stay mad, but she’d never seen a playful side to Ares and ends up laughing a little, “Hmm, I might like that.” He nods, “Good to know.” He begins to lead her again, casually telling her the many things available to them on Olympus, “We can watch events on the mortal plane unfold, we can even check on your family, if you like. I also have a stable full of horses that we can ride. There are some wonderful card games we can try.” She spits out laughter, “That’s not fair, you’re a God with unlimited funds and you can cheat.” He glances back at her, “I promise not to cheat and instead of money, loser takes off an article of clothing or a weapon,” he offers. She smiles, “Now that is my type of game.” He continues, “We can visit any place on the mortal plane, watch any event: wrestling, gladiators, you name it. If they are able to play that is. And we’ll have our own private booth away from the peons. I have bathes, pools for swimming, any food or drink you can think of and then,” he pauses and pulls her into his arms, “There’s always me.” She smiles, “I think that last one could entertain me for a while." He smiles, ready to eat her alive, but knowing he should also warn her, “Gods don’t have the manners that mortals have.” Under her breath she says, “I’ve noticed.” He glares then continues, “My family will randomly pop up, luckily most of my family leaves me alone, we just have to watch out for Aphrodite, Strife, Deimos, Discord, and my mother. Discord, Strife, and Deimos you can just tell to get lost. Aphrodite will do her own thing and my mother might kill you so let’s hope she doesn’t show up or that she takes a liking to you.” Xena nods, “Why would your mother kill me?” He shrugs, “Because of dad’s involvement with mortal women.” She nods again and he continues, “Aphrodite is planning a party of some type because the weather stops her from surfing and she’s bored.” He hears a curse from Xena and smirks, “Yes we are expected to be there. She’ll send instructions once she has a theme.” “A theme?” She asks, sounding annoyed. He smiles back at her, “Yeah. Don’t worry, you get used to her antics after a while,” he assures her. She catches up, dragging him to a halt at her side, “And you plan to keep me around here long enough to get used to her?” She asks. He smiles, eyes going dark, “It’s part of my long term plan,” he says, opening an ornate black door and pulling her inside.
Xena feels Ares release her but can’t pull her eyes off the tapestries and vases. Her booted feet sink into the plush fur on the floor that seems to stretch the length of the room. A huge dark, four poster bed with heavy drapes takes up one whole half. The other has a long table full of maps, a hearth, some plush chairs, and a smaller table with a water basin on it. Crimson, silver and black are the leading colors. But those aren’t what her attention is drawn to. Each tapestry and vase depicts a major battle, some she doesn’t recognize, but most include her. She lifts a vase and sees a younger version of herself, her brother at her side as they fight the masked men of Corteese. Tears threaten to spill as thoughts of her brother assault her but she doesn’t let them, instead setting the vase down and turning to a huge tapestry of the battle of Cirra. The battle had taken place maybe a month after Corinth, before she went north. She runs a hand down her own blood covered cheek. Ares steps up behind her, surrounding her with his heat. She turns and he flattens her against the tapestry, “I want a promise from you, while you’re here.” She nods, swallowing harshly, quickly becoming aroused by his hard body pressed against her. “I want to give you the freedom I have given no other mortal. I want you to be not just my Warrior Princess, not this Destroyer of Nations that Alti offered you. I want you to be my Chosen.” She licks her lips, “Of course, whatever you wish.” He laughs and it rumbles through her. He rests a gentle hand on each of her cheeks, “No, it’s not that easy. This isn’t a command. And it means more than you can imagine.” Pressing her lower body against his, she orders, “Explain, but I have already given you my heart, body, and soul.” He begins to explain, “It is difficult to explain all the ins and outs and there is a ceremony that will have to wait until after this disaster on the mortal plane is over.” “Why?” She interrupts. He sighs, “It requires blood and though when this has been done in the past by other Gods, the mortal’s wound closes immediately, I won’t risk yours not closing right away and possibly killing you.” She nods, “Alright so I offer you a blood sacrifice, that’s fine. I do that before every battle and any time I wish to speak to you.” He shakes his head, “No, this is different. It’s not a sacrifice, it’s a mingling, a sharing of blood between us.” Her eyes go wide, “Gods don’t bleed.” He gives a cold laugh, “With ceremonial daggers we can bleed, even die with the help of certain weapons. For this ceremony we have the option of using the Dagger of Helios or having a dagger crafted for us by Hephaestus.” “The latter,” she interrupts. He nods, “My thoughts exactly, especially sense we have time. Now stop interrupting me and let me finish explaining the nuances. As my Chosen we would be eternally bonded. Nothing could break this bond, not our choices, not death. I would know when you are in trouble, you would sense me, I don’t know to what extent, but you would certainly know if I were near, possibly know if I’m watching you.” She raises her eyebrows, clearly seeing advantages and he continues, “If we were in battle together, our battles would naturally become better coordinated between us. You couldn’t read my thoughts but you could sense things and I could speak into your mind, even read your thoughts. You would be amazing in battle, more so than you already are. If needed, I could even lend you my strength. Your own strength and resilience to injuries and poisons would be more than that of a common mortal and I could communicate battle plans without a word. In a way, we would be one. I won’t lie to you though; we would have to practice fighting together. The biggest benefit is safety to my position as the God of War.” She raises an eyebrow, “How so? Does this have something to do with children?” She asks, sounding nervous. He shakes his head, knowing that after Solon, she wasn’t interested in children nor was he interested in having his Warrior Princess out of commission for any length of time at least not until she became his Goddess, “No. If anything were to happen to me. If Zeus got mad and turned me mortal, captured me, or killed me, you would take my place. Now get that crazy gleam out of your eyes, if you in anyway arrange for that to happen, you die with me.” She gives him a shocked look, “I would never try to kill you for my own benefit. However I wouldn’t argue with becoming the Goddess of War.” He smiles, seeing his ultimate plan coming to fruition, “You will also have my protection from the other Gods, at least the Gods of this Pantheon. The others won’t respect our ways.” She scowls, “I don’t need protection, I am quite capable of taking care of myself,” she says hotly. He smirks and lightly presses his lips to hers, “I know, my dear, but there’s no harm in having a God on your side, especially when dealing with other Gods.” She smiles and nods, “You said there will have to be a ceremony,” she encourages. He nods, “In front of the Fates and with the approval of both my parents. I will inform the Fates of my decision to make you my Chosen. I will give them a sealed and endorsed agreement from Zeus and Hera. You will swear your allegiance, loyalty and utter devotion to me. I will swear the same to you. We will each slice our palms with the dagger and hold them together until the blood stops dripping from the wound. The blood will be collected into a goblet and we will each drink from it. Simple enough.” She nods, “Simple enough. Have you done this before?” He shakes his head, “Never. There has never been a mortal I would trust.” She smiles a little, “Side effects?” He shrugs, “Not much. Some of my family has reported the urge to consummate their new union, but I see that as a bonus.” She smirks, “I accept your offer. I will be your Chosen, now and always.” He growls and pulls her face towards his, intent on devouring her. Xena smiles and meets his lips, pressing away from the wall enough to wrap her legs around his waist, hoping their next stop will be the huge bed.
To Xena’s disappointment, Ares pulls from her lips and sets her into one of the chairs while he takes the other. With a swish of his hand a cheese spread and goblets of wine cover a small table between them, “Now for the promise,” he says. She gives him a questioning look while grabbing a piece of cheese and a goblet, “I thought that was the promise; to become your Chosen.” He smiles, “No, no, that is just something I have been planning. While you are here I want things to be different, because once you are my Chosen, things between us will be different, far more intimate and I don’t want to take your mortal mind by surprise.” She growls throwing a cheese knife at him. He snatches the knife and points the handle at her, “Nothing sharp, at least not until the mortal plane is fixed.” She motions down her body, “Are you going to disarm me?” He gives her a wild look, “I’ll do more than that. Later. However, I want you to take full advantage of Olympus and me while you’re here.” Her eyes twinkle and his leathers begin to grow tight as she licks her lips. “As I explained before there are many things available to you while you are with me. But there is more. I know you are not the clothing type of woman, but this armor,” he says, pointing at her leather bodice and shoddy breastplate in disgust, “Will be replaced. I am seeing something with bronze, maybe gold and large shoulder pieces to intimidate your subjects with. I’ll have Hephaestus make something and stylize it. Until then, I don’t wish to see this anymore.” He snaps his fingers and she sits naked before him. She glares, “And what would you like me to wear?” He points at a door, “The closet is full of clothes in your size, pick what you like.” She sets her goblet down, and enters the closet, feeling his eyes glued to her. She exits, “These are dresses.” He comes in behind her, pulling her against him, “Yes, they are. There are some leather pants and a few vests for if we practice or go horse riding. She turns in his arms, “You, the God of War, want me to wear dresses.” He smirks, “You are on Olympus, my dear, this is the picture of opulence and you will fit in and do as you are told. Who knows you might even like it, in fact, I’m sure you will.” Xena growls pretending to be agitated. In Amphipolis growing up, her family hadn’t been poor, but with her father leaving and then her step father dying and Corteese attacking, they hadn’t exactly had money for attractive clothes. Some of the wealthier families had nice dresses and horses, things she could only dream of, but once she got old enough to know she would never be like those girls she had steeled herself to their ridicule and worn her brother’s clothes to make it easier on her mother. She doesn’t know if Ares knows that or not, but she is happy with this opportunity. “And if I don’t like these?” She challenges. He smirks, “Then I will find something you do like. And if I can’t then I suppose you’ll have to remain nude or talk to Aphrodite.” She scowls, “I’m sure I’ll find something,” she says, turning her back on him and fingering through the clothes.
Ares runs a finger up her spine and watches her skin break out in bumps. Xena turns and faces him, “Are you sure I should be getting dressed?” He looks her up and down with a wicked grin, “There’s no rush,” he says, taking her hand and leading her out of the closet and towards the bed. She lowers her hand to his sword belt and unbuckles it, catching the sword and setting it aside. He smiles and lets a hand rest on her hips, drawing her closer. She basks in his warmth, his power, feeling it course through her veins, “Ares,” she says with a hushed growl. He allows his lips to drop to hers, a mere brush and she growls. She runs her hands from his waist up his chest, to his shoulders, and brushes the vest away. She wraps her fingers around his necklace and uses it to drag him closer, anchoring her lips to his, exploring and devouring with equal fervor. Ares smiles against her lips, letting his arms rush up and down her back, holding her close, feeling her passion climb, knowing that she’s likely the only mortal that can be his sexual equal. All too quickly one of her hands is in his thick hair, keeping his lips tied to hers, while her other begins to snake its way down his pants. He matches her moves, one of his hands going into her long hair while the other trails from her hip to the moist curls between her legs. She moans rubbing against him, grasping his member in her hand, firmly encircling it. He growls and the rest of his clothes disappear. “That is so handy,” she says, breathlessly. He smirks and lets out a small laugh backing away from her. She gives him a questioning look and he turns opening the curtain around the bed and pushing her down. She gasps as the cool, soft material touches her skin, “Silk from Chin?” He nods, “Only the best.” A small light seems to glow as Ares enters the bed, pushing Xena back further and lets the drapes fall closed.
Ares stares down at Xena as she leans back on her elbows and lower arms. She stares up at him, blue eyes glowing through her thick eyelashes, “So, My Lord, what can I do to please you?” She asks voice playful. He smirks, “Lay there and let me admire you.” She gulps as he grabs her knees, expecting him to open them and enter her quickly. Instead, he presses them together then uses them to push her further onto the bed, grabbing her ankles and pulling her legs straight once she’s fully on the bed. He moves to lounge beside her, then grabs her waist and flips her over. She lets out a surprised shriek, then a louder one when he smacks her ass. She turns to stare at him, “What was that for?” He smirks, “I remember threatening you with a spanking for something. I figure you had earned it by now.” She smiles, then growls when he pushes her head down, “Lie still,” he orders. “Why?” She asks head faced away from him. He raises an eyebrow, running a finger down her spine, “As I said, I want to examine you.” She nods against the bed, “Expamine away, My Lord.” He grabs her hair and turns her head to look at him, lifting it off the bed, knowing that she hates it, “Enough with the ‘My Lord’ crap, Xena. Not here.” Her eyes sparkle, “Then what shall I call you?” He releases her hair then smooth’s it as she lays it back on the bed, “Ares will do just fine.” She smirks, then nods, eyes glowing brightly. He nods, “Now stay quiet and speak only when needed while I explore.” She nods against the bed. He runs a hand over her shoulder, then stops at a small scar, “What’s this from?” She lifts her head, trying to get a look at the scar, “I fell from a tree as a girl, landed on a rock. I didn’t know it scarred.” He nods and runs his hand down her arm, stopping at a mark on the side of her arm, “This one?” She lays her head down, “Arrow grazed me when I fought Corteese. It was the same arrow that killed my brother. If it had landed in my arm instead of just grazing me, my brother might still be alive.” He nods, “Maybe, but you might not have the use of your sword arm. And if your brother was meant to die in that battle, then something else would have gotten him.” She nods, remaining quiet. He trails his hands lower, past the minor marks on her arms and stops at her wrist, “What are these from?” He knows very well, what the scars are from, they are unmistakable and he is sure her other wrist matches, but he wants to hear her say it. She scowls, moving her wrists under her body, out of sight. “Answer me,” he orders. She growls, “When Caesar crucified me, he didn’t nail me to the cross, he tied me around the wrists, waist, and ankles. My waist was protected by cloth. My wrists and ankles weren’t so lucky.” He grabs her arm, pulling her wrist out from under her, “Do you want to live with these marks?” He asks. “Who would?” She spits out. He runs a hand down her cheek, “Will you ask me to remove them?” She stars at him, “Can you?” She questions. He laughs, a deep, booming laugh, “I am a God, Xena, I can do whatever I want.” She smiles, “Remove them, then, please.” He nods and holds her wrist. A bright light surrounds it then fades. He grabs her other wrist as Xena stares at her scar free one in happiness. She feels Ares move lower and grab her ankle. At first she stiffens, then relaxes and allows Ares to erase the scars on her flesh, the physical reminders of Caesar’s betrayal. If only the mental ones were as easy to erase. She feels him go from her first ankle to the second, and then his hands move back to the center of her shoulder blades. “Thank you,” she says quietly. He smiles, running a finger down her cheek, “Anything for my Warrior Princess.” She smiles, a twinkle in her eye, “I’ll have to think of a special way to repay you.” He smirks, “Hmm, you do that, but for now let me continue my examination.” She nods and he slides over her, mounting her back, letting his weight stay on his knees. She sighs at his weight, his warmth, his strength. He lifts her arm, moving it back towards him as he examines it, finding only small nicks of scars on her arm. He releases it and slowly runs his hands through her thick hair, running his fingers against her scalp. She sighs, “That feels amazing.” He smiles but it turns to a frown when he finds a bumpy scar by her ear, “This?” He asks. She reaches her hand up to feel it then sighs, “I guess it did need stitches,” she says quietly. “What did?” He asks. She sighs, not wanting to answer, “Did you know I went to Jappa? I had a girl to ransom back to her father.” He nods, “I’m aware. I’m also aware that things became more complicated, you grew fond of the girl.” She nods against the bed, “I did. I didn’t handle her death well and her people tried to stop me from bringing her peace. I defeated them, but not before the urn broke and her ashes blew away. Fire broke out. Most of it is hazy to me, but a piece of the urn slashed me right there when I fell. I never knew it was that bad. The ash and snow and the blood of others had it clotting so fast and by the time I reached a place to wash out my hair, it was on the mend. And I wasn’t about to try to stich my own head anyway, who knows what kind of mess I would have made.” He knew the story was far more complex than what she was letting on. She had taught the girl the pinch, trusted the girl, even after Caesar had betrayed her. Maybe the child had reminded her of her brother or of the slave girl M’Lila. The girl killed her own father to avenge the deaths of her family, and then Xena had killed the girl to purify her soul. The fact that Xena wasn’t telling him everything let him know that she still hadn’t come to terms with it.
Ares continues his search over Xena’s body, tracing scars down her back, most from her early years of training, a few from her fights with the Amazons. From the backs of her legs, he can see the damage done to her legs from where Caesar broke her legs. Dismounting her, he places his hands on her waist and flips her easily, getting a slight screech from her. “Close your eyes,” he orders. She glares then obeys. She feels his fingers brush over her eyelids, across her cheekbones, resting over her lips. She smiles then pokes her tongue out and runs it down his finger. He offers her a deep chuckle then taps her nose, “Behave.” She argues, “I think I’ve behaved enough for one day.” He chuckles again, “Here on Olympus there will be allot more obeying. You’re mortal and everyone else here is a God.” She squirms then opens her eyes with a hard look, “I bend to no one.” He brushes his lips to hers, then moves away from her face, stroking her neck and shoulder, “And that is one of the things I love about you.” Her stomach tightens at the word ‘love’ and Ares takes silent notice. He runs his hands over her breasts and she inhales sharply, a smile dancing on her lips. Under his scrutiny her nipples harden, begging for attention and being a considerate God, he indulges, dragging one into his mouth while twirling the other around with his fingers. Quickly Xena’s breath becomes harsh and her hands dart to his hair and her legs begin to rise, searching for his waist, intent on finally having her way. He chuckles and releases her nipples, deftly removing himself from her grip, “I’m not done yet.” She growls, “And what exactly are you doing?” She asks harshly, patience gone. “Examining,” he answers, attention on her ribs. He runs a finger down a scar, fairly recent, but healed, “What’s this?” “Dagger wound,” she answers shortly. He pinches the flesh around it, making sure he has her full attention, “Try again,” he says. She sighs, “It was a training accident from a month or so ago.” He thinks back, then shakes his head, “Who were you training with?” She sneers, “Who do you think?” He growls, “You’re supposed to tell me if I get a hit in.” “It wasn’t serious,” she says nonchalantly. “It left a scar, that’s serious enough. You know I can heal you.” She smiles at him, “I don’t need you to heal all my scratches. I’m a warrior, Ares, I can deal with a scratch.” He shakes his head and waves his hand over the scar, making it disappear, “From now on, tell me if I hurt you.” She blows out a breath of air, “I’m not made out of glass.” He half ignores her, “No, glass could never compare to your beauty. I won’t be responsible for marring it.” Heat rushes to her cheeks and she’s glad his attention is now on her stomach and he isn’t looking up at her. She is embarrassed and a little mad at herself to be blushing, she hadn’t blushed sense she was a child. Chills erupt over her skin as Ares runs his fingers over her taught stomach. Quietly he says, “I would love to have this swollen with my child.” Xena grabs his hand, getting his attention, “Don’t even think about it. I agreed to be your Chosen, not your oven.” He scowls, not at all liking her wording, “You would be the mother to my heir, not an oven,” he says, voice rising in rage towards the end. She smiles, soothing his rage, “Ares, we have a good thing going. And I can’t bring about your empire if I’m pregnant.” He nods, “Not now, but one day.” She smiles a little, “Yeah, one day,” she agrees, not wanting to argue with him while he’s in such a good mood. His hand continues over her hips and she feels the heat of his stare on her moist curls, but he skips over the one place she wants his hands and allows them to continue down to her once shattered knees, “Lao Ma did good work with these. Would like me to remove the scars?” She turns her face aside and nods, both angry and sad at the thought of Caesar’s betrayal and her own desertion of Lao Ma. He heels the marks and glances up, expecting to see her beaming in happiness. Instead her head is tilted to the side and her eyes look sad. He grabs her chin, forcing her to look at him, “Bad memories?” She nods. He smiles and releases her chin then runs his hands over her smooth knees and shins, “All gone now, Princess.” She smiles, knowing that though the marks on her body may be gone, the marks on her soul would always remain. He sees the fake smile and strokes her cheek, “One day, we will go after Caesar and you will destroy him, torture him, and take everything he holds dear: his wealth, his stature, his pride, even his damn eyes.” She smiles, a true smile, one of happiness with a hint of vengeance in it. Ares feels the heat of her rage and can’t help but bask in it for a moment, no mortal could feed his soul the way she did.
With a coy smile, Xena gracefully slides her legs under her and stands on her knees, bringing herself against Ares’ bare chest. He smiles at her and strokes her hair, “You are so beautiful,” he says quietly. She smiles, “I have other qualities too and needs as well.” He nods, smiling, “I’m aware.” “Could have fooled me,” she snaps. He eyes her, “And how have I not cared for you?” She smiled, mischief sparkling in her eyes, “You examined my whole body…almost. You left one area alone and it’s the neediest area on my body.” He smiles and she grabs his hand leading it between her legs. “Is that so?” He questions, running his fingers through her curls, feeling her moistness on his fingers, smelling her need in the air of the confined curtained bed. She nods, inhaling when one of his fingers strokes her gently, then growling when it doesn’t return. “My dear, Xena, I like you in this position, kept in place by those newly heeled knees and held steady by those lovely hips. The question is: can you stay like this?” She smirked, “For you? Of course I can.” He chuckles, “We’ll see.” She maintains eye contact as he moves behind her, curious on his intentions. She smiles widely when he lays down and urges her legs farther apart. She thinks that he’s taking a creative path under her and is surprised when he doesn’t move her much. She feels his hot breath on her and his beard scratching against the sides and backs on her legs and lets out a moan. As his tongue reaches out to taste her she inhales with a hiss. Ares smiles beneath her. He can tell from her reaction, this wasn’t what she expected though it had been his plan from the beginning. Rarely did she allow him the pleasure of tasting her like this, their normal encounters being far rougher and desperate after a round of sword practice. But to have her like this, at his complete mercy, her taste on his lips, it was his personal Elysian fields. He wraps his hands around her hips offering her some stability while he devours her. Soon he feels not just her juices coating him, but her sweat as well. Her breathing is choppy and she is beginning to move in time to his licks and nibbles. The muscles in her stomach are tightening against his fingers, her inner thighs are becoming as tight as a vice and she is moaning nonsensical words with a desperate tone that he is beginning to love hearing. He glances up and sees that one of her hands is rubbing her breast and he feels the other twisting and pulling on his hair. He reaches one arm up to her shoulder, holding her closer to him, giving her no room to escape and she lets out a short scream. He circles the other around her leg, again anchoring her against his mouth and begins to run his fingers through her curls earning himself a few mumbles resembling his name. The mumbles soon become a scream as he sinks a finger into her wet depths and he smiles as she tugs his hair. Her muscles are tight around him and he knows she’s close to falling over the edge, the question on his mind is once she falls how quickly will she recover? He is dying to sink into her and find his own nirvana, to find that second of peace within her depths.
Xena moans her pleasure, allowing Ares to support her, to devour her, to see her at her weakest. This being the first time he’s ever attacked her with his mouth, she’s surprised at his skill and how quickly she finds herself responding to the tiniest of his movements. Soon, thoughts disappear and everything in her life is touch, feeling, sex. His attack is relentless, yet patient. He never lets up, not for a second, never giving her a break, never giving her body that chance to back down. She clings to reality, fighting the urge to slip away into nothingness. She curses herself as one little nibble sets the fire blazing, she knows she’s going over the edge and by the smile she feels on her thigh, Ares knows as well. Another nibble and she screams his name, whether in delight or defeat she doesn’t know, doesn’t even take the time to try to figure out. He continues his assault, wringing tremor after tremor from her body. Her legs are weak beneath her and Ares positions his arms to hold her weight. When the last tremor leaves her and he gives her a final nuzzle making her breath hitch in her throat, he slides out from beneath her and meets the fire of her eyes. “You taste amazing, better than the finest wine, better than ambrosia,” he compliments, cocky smile spread across his face. Color flickers across her cheeks, but quickly vanishes as she launches herself at him. He smiles catching her around the waist and bringing his lips to hers. She peeks her tongue out and licks his lips with a seductive look, “Mmmm, you’re right,” she agrees. His eyes darken, full of lust. She slides onto his lap, letting his member jut up between their bodies, squished between them, “That was…enjoyable,” she compliments, acting like she’s unaffected. He smirks, “Just enjoyable?” She nods. He shakes his head, “I’ve gotten better compliments in the past. Maybe I’m off my game.” She smiles, “Perhaps,” she agrees. He gives her a hard look, “Or maybe you don’t want to admit that I’m the best you’ve had.” Color flickers across her cheeks again and she smiles, “Perhaps,” she agrees again. He smiles and claims her lips then kisses his way to her ear, “I will get you to admit it,” he promises. She smirks and grabs his hair, bending his head so his ear is near her lips. She licks the edge then gently bites the lobe, “Maybe you should get to work then.” He growls and flings her onto the bed on her back. She sits up, moving to the corner of the bed then crawls towards where he’s sitting and with a wicked smile slides onto his lap, letting him glide into her.
Both Xena and Ares inhale, eyes on the other. Ares grabs her around the back and pulls her closer, raising his knees to rest behind her. She puts her thighs against his back, then slowly, almost like it’s a test, she begins to ride him, using her feet and his knees for leverage. He growls and lifts his hips, spearing her deeper than before and she lets out a heavy breath. He grabs her lips with his and a battle begins between them, each trying to outdo the other, both knowing the close intimate position won’t allow either of them to last too long. “You will scream for me,” Ares says, grabbing her shoulders and pulling her down tightly. She moans and smiles, “You’ll have to make me,” she challenges. He chuckles, accepting her challenge and falling backwards, getting a sharp gasp from her as his angle adjusts and he allows her to take charge. Xena moans, happy to take charge. She rides him hard, harder than she’d been able to ride any mortal. Ares delights in her eagerness, her audacity to take charge of him and push him in the best way possible. For him, she is a challenge, a challenge he isn’t sure he’ll beat any time soon and the prospect of having an equal excites him. He feels her body quiver and kisses the tightness of her lips as she tries to chase off her orgasm. “Let go,” he whispers in her ear. He grabs her chin and kisses her, letting her cling to him as she falls over the edge, dragging him with her. She collapses on his chest, slick with sweat. Breath short, she huffs out, “I still haven’t screamed.” A smug smile appears on her face then she shrieks as he rolls over, trapping her under him. He smirks down at her, “We’ll just have to work on that, now won’t we?” She smiles and meets his lips ready for anything he can dish out.
Hours later, Ares takes a deep breath and shifts Xena so that her head rests on his chest and she’s gathered in his arms at his side. Oddly, it is the first time he felt the need, the desire to remain with a woman after sex. She was sleeping, exhausted, he even considers taking a nap with her. But being a God comes with many responsibilities and he has already spent a great amount of the day wrapped up with his Princess. Carefully, he opens a portal in front of him and stares at her marching army. They look ragged, dragging their steps behind Darphus and Estragon. What she saw in either man he would never understand, but she did need a second in command, mostly for times like these. Times when he stole her away from that rag-tag bunch of thugs for his own pleasures. And after the day they had together, he plans to steal her away far more often and perhaps rush her towards world domination so he can make her his Goddess. He focuses on the men, their nonmatching armor, poorly crafted weapons, tired horses and worn supplies. ‘She deserves better,’ he thought. Already many of the men had fallen, far more than half had been left for dead and many fell as they continued their grueling march to the Halls of War. Not many will be left for Xena to claim when the mortal plane is back to normal. He switches to an army in Gaul. It’s lead by two lovers: Persuticus and Boadicea. He looks over the army. Right now, they don’t seem impressive as they huddle in tents, trying to escape the deathly cold, but he knows from watching and organizing their battles in the past that they are a force to be reckoned with. Not just that, their weapons were top of the line, the men were big, strong, and willing to follow their leader to the death. Their armor and supplies were in good shape. Even their horses and livestock were healthy. This was the army his Princess deserves and this is the army she will have as soon as the mortal world is back to normal. It might not be enough to conquer the world with, but it would be a good start.
Ares sees a flash of bright pink light through the cracks in the curtains surrounding his bed. Nudging Xena’s head onto a pillow, he rises and exits the bed, “Aphrodite,” he greets. “Brother,” she responds, eyeing him up and down, not particularly bothered by his nakedness, but quite curious. Suddenly the truth hits her and she tries to sneak around him, “She’s here? In your rooms? Oh she must be special. This I have to see.” He grabs her shoulder, dragging her away from the bed, “You will leave her alone. There will be plenty of time to gawk later, at your insane party.” She pouts, then shrugs and walks to the closet. It doesn’t escape her notice that half of it is now filled with dresses and armor for this ‘Xena’ woman. She exits shaking her head, “None of those will do.” “Do for what?” He asks, quickly. “My party, duh.” He closes his eyes, praying for patience, “Then what will we need?” Her eyes widen a degree, “You’re a ‘we’ now, hm?” He growls, “Aphrodite, get to the point.” She waves her hand in a dismissive gesture, “Drop the ‘tude, Bro. Alright here are the details: We are having a Winter Wonderland party. There will be food, contests, dancing, games, everything. And most of the family will be there. So it will be a good time to introduce your pet to the family.” He growls again, “She is far more than a pet.” Aphrodite’s eyes grow large, then she smiles daintily, “You’ll both need outfits, matching outfits. The colors are Blue, silver, white and I’m aiming more for a velvety look instead of satin though satin might be better for the men. After all, who wants to dance with someone when their dress is going to rub against their shirt and feel all funny?” He nods, already growing annoyed with his sister. “Is there anything else?” He asks hostility in his voice. She thinks for a moment, “Just the usual: No weapons, don’t start any fights, be on time and don’t leave too early.” He nods, rolling his eyes. “Alright, I got it. When is it?” She shrugs, “Tomorrow night. We’ll have a feast first at dinner time, then dancing and mingling and games and I’ll leave a buffet open.” He nods, “Fine, we’ll be there. Go, now.” Aphrodite gives him an unamused look, then smiles gently and places a delicate hand on his shoulder, “This one is special, isn’t she? Different from the other women? Your other Warriors?” He nods slowly, “When the mortal plane is fixed, she will be my Chosen.” Aphrodite inhales sharply, “Ares that is a big decision. Are you sure she’s worthy?” He laughs, a dark, haunting laugh, devoid of humor, “She’s worthy of Godhood itself, Sis.” She stares up at her older brother as he stares at the bed were this mysterious mortal rests, ‘He’s in love,’ she realizes, but stays quite, just giving him an awed expression. He turns back to her, “If that’s all, leave,” he orders. She nods, “I’ll see you both at the party,” she says, walking out the door instead of disappearing in her usual cascade of pink.
Xena exits the bed and meets Ares’ eyes, “That was your sister, Aphrodite?” He nods, “How long have you been awake?” She shrugs, “Sense you got up,” she admits. He nods, “How much did you hear?” She smirks, “You weren’t exactly quite,” she says playfully. He nods, “Well then, you know that we are in for a night of pure torture tomorrow.” She nods, “Just so you know, I’ll dress the part, but I don’t dance.” He smirks and laughs a little, “You will with me.” She shakes her head, “No, see I can’t dance. It’s not in my repertoire.” He laughs and runs a hand up her naked arm, “Not to fear my Princess, while you are with me, you will dance and maybe learn a few things, too.” She shakes her head, smiling a little.
Ares walks to the closet and grabs them each a robe. “I’m sure you’re hungry and I think you’ll enjoy the baths, I know I do.” Xena takes a silk robe and slides it over her body, tying it loosely in the front. He slips the second on, leaving it open. Xena smiles as her gaze lowers. “Hey, my eyes are up here, beautiful,” Ares snaps with a playful edge. She laughs and meets his gaze, “So, where are these baths?” She asks taking his offered arm. He leads her out of the room and she watches in amazement as the door opens and closes on its own. Quickly, she returns her attention to the hallway and the many tapestries, vases, and weapons. Another door magically opens and they enter a steamy room. This time Xena doesn’t even watch the door close on its own, far more interested in the empty granite bath. She turns to Ares, her look bewildered, “Where’s the water?” She asks. He openly laughs, “Oiled and perfumed water or mineral water, My Dear?” She eyes him curiously, “Mineral.” He waves a hand over the pool and it fills with steaming hot mineral water.
Ares drops his robe on the floor and Xena watches it appear on a chair off to the side then drops hers, surprised when it does the same. He offers her a hand and she takes it, letting him lead her into the steamy water. She sinks in with a moan and Ares sits behind her, hands instantly on her shoulders, massaging them with an expert hand. Her eyes close as he works all the kinks and worries out of her shoulders and upper back. He feels her relax against his touch, turning to butter in his palm and quickly grabs her hips, raising her out of the water. She shrieks in shock. “Take the edge,” he instructs. She obeys holding the edge, curious of his intentions. Slowly his hands start to work their magic on her lower back and she moans again, glad she obeyed. “You could warn me next time,” she says, voice gentle, no anger in it. He chuckles, “I won’t have to next time. You’ll know to expect it.” She smiles, “So you expect this to be a regular occurrence? Me joining you on Olympus for amazing sex and a steamy bath?” “And A nice dinner,” he adds in, “Yes, I would like to have you here more than this one time. You are the balm my soul needs, the inspiration I thrive on,” he kisses her lips gently, “And a meal I will never tire of.” She hears his words, words of endearment, of promise and she feels her heart opening to let him in. She turns in his hands, gently wrapping her legs around him and sitting on his lap, chest to chest, “When I’m here, with you, I feel whole. There have always been parts of me that no one will accept, my violence, my bloodlust, my command, yet you encourage all of those things.” He brushes his lips to hers, “Because those are the things that make you great.” “Great?” She questions. He nods, “Yes great, like the heroes and conquerors of old: Hector, Achilles, Agamemnon.” She gives him a shocked look, “You put me on the same level as them?” He nods, “One day, with the leadership of a very interested War God,” he answers with a smile. Growing uncomfortable, she backs away and begins to search the granite edge surrounding them. Ares turns her towards him, “What do you need?” She answers quickly, “Soap or oil for my hair and skin.” He gives her a devilish smile and a jar appears in his hand. She reaches for it and he pulls it away, “This will be my pleasure.” A sea sponge arrives in his other hand and he pours some of the oil onto the sponge then moves closer to Xena. She freezes, seeing his intention and somehow finding it more intimate than sex. “I can wash myself,” she says, reaching for the sponge. He moves it away from her, “I’m sure you can. But I want to.” She nods offering him her arms. He smiles, rubbing the sponge over her skin. She inhales the scent, trying to place it, then shakes her head, “What is that?” He chuckles, “Mistletoe, to go with Aphrodite’s annoying party.” She looks doubtful, “Will the scent stay that long?” He nods, “Yes and it will disappear the second the party is over; Benefits of Godhood.” He takes his time on her breasts, then motions for her to stand. She rises with a sharp inhale and the temperature rises to keep her warm. After covering her abs and stomach, he stares at the tight bunch of curls covering her core, “I think this sponge might be too rough for such a wonderful, delicate area.” He drops the sponge, hand slick with oil already and slides it between her legs. She gasps and grabs his shoulders as he works his hand over her until her folds are as clean as any have ever been. He picks up the sponge and looks up at her as he adds more oil to it. Her cheeks are flushed and her eyes are dark, “Enjoy that a little too much?” She shakes her head, “No, not quite enough.” He laughs, a booming laughter, “You are insatiable and I love it. But right now we are cleaning you.” “What about you?” She counters as he finishes her legs and feet and motions for her to turn. “Gods are always clean.” She lets out a disappointed sigh, “But you seem to be having so much fun.” He laughs lightly, “Maybe one day, Princess.” He pulls her down into the water, finishing her back and neck. “Rinse and wet your hair,” he orders. She obeys ready to be done with the bath and get back to much more enjoyable activities. She sinks into the water and rises in front of him, pushing her hair away from her face. He turns his finger in a circular motion and she turns, tilting her head back for him. He begins working the oil into her hair, “So long as you are here, this is the only bath you’ll need. You’ll remain clean like we Gods do.” She smiles, “That’s nice,” she says, voice soft. He massages her scalp and she lets out a moan. “Sink down so I can rinse this out.” She obeys, “I’ll be wearing a dress to this party correct?” He nods. She scowls, “I’ll need a straight edged knife then.” His brow wrinkles then he laughs, “Oh my dear, dear Xena. I am going to give you the gift of the ages. You will never shave again after this. All you will have to do is run my hand over the areas you would usually shave and no hair will ever grow there again.” She gives him a disbelieving look as she sits up. He smiles and puts his hand in hers, “Trust me.” She raises an arm and runs his hand under one arm, then the other, using her other hand to check and find that the hair is indeed gone. She smiles and stands up, giving him a wicked look. Starting at the top of her triangle of curls she takes one of his fingers and traces a path around her curls. Spreading her legs, she continues to use that one finger to completely outline her core and inner legs, earning a hungry look from Ares. Satisfied that she finally got to torture him a little, she returns to using his whole hand and quickly runs it over and around one leg then the other. “Done?” He asks. She nods and sinks back onto his lap, “I’m done with that,” she says, nibbling on his lower lip. “Mm, do you really think you can keep going?” He asks, giving her a doubtful look. She bites his lip and he jerks away, rubbing it, “Never question my desires.” He smiles and leans closer, “Good, we’ll get back to those… desires after dinner.” She growls but takes his outstretched hand. He leads her out of the bath and she watches the water disappear as her feet leave it. She also finds that her hair and skin are dry. She runs her hands through her hair, pure surprise on her face. She smiles at Ares, “Thank you,” she says, quietly. He nods and hands her a robe while draping his on. Mimicking him, she leaves hers open, but he turns and ties it, “I have no desire for Strife or Deimos to get a sneak peek of you if they pop in. I want to keep that vision all to myself.” She smiles and follows him back to his room.
He takes her robe and removes his, dropping them in the closet. Xena watches the robes as they hang themselves up. Ares' regular leather outfit, minus the weapons, covers him in seconds leaving Xena naked. “I suppose this isn’t a clothing optional dinner?” She asks in a teasing tone. He shakes his head, “I want you to get used to being on Olympus. Pick a dress Xena.” She walks into the closet, fingering the gowns. Most were far fancier than anything she had ever seen in her life. One reminded her of the dress she wore to seduce Caesar. She rips it from the hanger, “Destroy that,” she orders. He nods, happy with her reaction. He had purposely placed that gown in there hoping to find her hatred of Caesar still bright. Finally she emerges holding a dark green silk dress with delicate beads for straps and as decoration at the neckline. It tapers in at her waist and flares around her legs. “I hope you don’t expect me to where shoes as well,” she says harshly. He shakes his head. She begins to step into the gown, but he stops her, opting to wave his hand over her instead, immediately placing the gown on her. With another wave, her hair piles onto her head, held in place by chains of beads matching the gown. He approaches with three daggers, one he slides between her breasts, one he places against her spine, seemingly inside a sheath made in the dress itself. The third he bends down and offers her his knee, “Put your foot on my leg,” he orders. She obeys and he slides his hand up her legs and ties the dagger around her thigh. He motions to a mirror on the inside door of the closet, “What do you think?” She looks at her reflection, shocked beyond words. He approaches and places his hands on her waist, “This is why you are a Warrior Princess.” She smiles, still at a loss for words.
Ares leads the way down the hall pausing at a green door, waiting for Xena to catch up. He glances back at her and finds her studying a tapestry. He walks to her side and nods, “The Battle of Corinth,” he says. She nods, looking at herself and her well hidden extended stomach. She’s standing before a group of Centaurs and men, Dagnine and Borias are behind her, but there is no detail given to them. They could be anyone. She reaches up and touches her pregnant stomach her other hand going to her now flat and taut stomach. “Do you wish you had done things differently?” Ares asks, shrewdly. She nods, eyes darkening, “I should have left Borias in Chin or with his precious Amazons,” she says heatedly pushing away from the tapestry. “I want this removed,” she says, leaving no room for argument. He smirks, “It will be. When you conquer and take over a certain filthy Gaelic army and make it something I can be proud to call mine.” She nods, leaving the tapestry and continues to follow him down the hall and into a room filled with a long banquet table covered in more food than she had ever seen in one place in her life. A small seating area rests in front of a hearth, a couple of goblets already resting on a small table between two large deep red chairs. “This army-,” she starts, but is interrupted by Ares, “Gather a plate a food; we’ll talk about your new army while you eat.” Xena obeys, walking to the banquet table and filling a plate with things that she recognizes, then takes the vacant seat in front of the fire. “How strong is this army?” She asks, launching straight into the details. “One hundred thousand soldiers or so. I expect a couple hundred will die trying to protect their current leaders,” he answers. She shakes her head, “That’s not good. I don’t have the man power left to take that many on.” Ares smiles, “A small contingent of men are waiting to join your army at the Halls of War.” “Small?” She questions. He shrugs, “Seven hundred loyal soldiers awaiting the leadership of the great Warrior Princess Xena.” She smirks and nods, “That will help even the odds. Still, maybe I can take over the army without fighting. If I don’t have to lose any of my new troops that leaves me with a stronger fighting force in the end and possibly one that is more willing to serve.” He nods at her deduction. “Tell me about the leaders.” She asks. He nods, “Persuticus and his lover Boadicea. They’re barbarians and weak, but keep an eye on Boadicea, she’s far more shrewd than she seems.” Xena nods, “Any enemies?” Ares shrugs, “The Gauls are always fighting the Romans, but you won’t have the man power to go against Rome. You need the backing of a stronger army for that, maybe Athens or Sparta even. I have a few connections with the Spartans. You might be able to earn us a Spartan army. And that would give us quite a force, one that would give the Romans something to fear.” Xena nods, “Still, what can I use to get myself on the same side as these Gauls?” Ares thinks for a moment, “Recently Boadicea attacked and chased the Romans from Camulodunum. Her next target will be Londinum, at the head of the Gaelic isles. I’ve kept an eye on the mortal plane and this disaster has spread as far north as Gaul so that should put a halt on her attack. You can arrive with our army before she attacks, change her plans just enough to do more damage, get more loot for the men, have our men enter into their ranks and encourage them to follow you. Then after Londinum is properly sacked, betray her and Persuticus, have them crucified and take the army.” Xena immediately shakes her head, “We’ll be against the Romans, I can’t crucify them, but I can order them killed. I’ll set them up to look like traitors. Maybe set up a wagon of loot so it looks like they’re trying to take the loot and run. They’re lovers right? Not married?” He nods. She nods slowly, “Maybe I can use that to my advantage, seduce Persuticus, drive Boadicea into a rage, let her kill a few of her own men.” Ares shakes his head, “I don’t think that will work with this couple. You might be irresistible to the normal man, but they’re devotion to each other runs deep and I don’t want this to be a long campaign. You need to get in, get the men and get back to Greece. Once you conquer Greece, we’ll go back to Gaul, then Rome itself. Maybe move onto Chin, Jappa, Norse lands, Siberia, Egypt even.” Xena nods, “Siberia will be easy, the Amazon Queen structure has been destroyed. I don’t know if I want to tangle with Alti though, it might be best to leave her alone. Odin will be easy to defeat, he’ll fall with little hassle. I don’t see Jappa being too difficult either. Chin I would like to make an alliance with. The house of Ma helped me when I needed it and we could let them control eastern trade for us.” Ares nods, blood running hot as he watches her take over planning the attack; sees that her mind works like his, sees the power she will add to his own when she becomes his Chosen and later his Goddess. “You are sublime,” he compliments. She gives him a hooded smile, “We make quite the team.” He nods then motions at her plate, “Done?” She nods and it disappears. She turns in time to see a banquet of desserts replace the food on the table. She smiles, a wicked, playful smile, “Grab the wine and I’ll collect some desserts to play with back in your bedroom,” she says, rising and pushing her breasts towards Ares’ face as she moves around him. He chuckles and grabs their goblets and a couple of wine bottles, not noticing that one was Bacchus’ special brews.
Two plates in hand, Xena leads the way out of the banquet hall, knowing the doors will open for her without a touch, knowing that Ares will be impressed that she has already mapped out his quarters. Ares follows her, watching her hips sway in the dress, wishing he had gotten her into a dress far sooner in their relationship. The metal and leather suits her as a Warrior but as a woman the dress does her a courtesy that no armor could ever do. At the same time he realizes that tomorrow night at his sisters’ ridiculous party, he would have his hands full keeping his siblings’ hands off of her. He was sure his Princess would capture Apollo’s eye, along with his fathers, possibly Aphrodite’s even, and almost surely Athena’s. The only member of his family he is hoping will find her as enchanting as he does is his mother. If she doesn’t, she could bring her wrath down on Xena just for being a mortal woman catching the eye of her only son, much as the mortal whores caught the eye of her husband.
Xena spreads out in front of the hearth, setting her plates on the floor. Ares follows removing the chairs and table with a wave of his hand and placing a small board on the floor under the plates. He sets the goblets on top of the board and pours the wine, lounging on the plush rug next to Xena. Xena sips her wine and smiles, “So do Gods get drunk?” She asks with a smile. Ares shrugs, “With special brews, yes. But, it’s not my thing. I like to be in control of all my faculties.” She smirks, “We have that in common. Still, letting go can be very rewarding,” she says, taking her goblet and putting it to his lips. Ares sips from the goblet, licking the rim, while staring into her crystal eyes, “You want to let go?” He asks. She shakes her head, “No, I want you to.” He laughs, a loud booming noise, “Mm, maybe later. Right now I want to warn you about this party tomorrow.” She sighs, dipping a strawberry in honey and sliding it into her mouth, sucking the honey off of it, then offering him the berry. He takes a bite of it, “Xena, my family can be very manipulative. They will try to find a way to use you against me especially when they find out I have finally decided that you will be my Chosen. They will want to know what you have, what I see in you. And if they see it, they will want to either take you or kill you.” She waves her hand, dipping her finger in warm chocolate then painting his lips with it before kissing him. He pushes her back, “Xena, this is important.” She growls, “Then tell me about it tomorrow while we’re getting ready for the party. Right now, I want to play with you.” He smiles, relaxing, “You want to play with me? I’m not a doll, my dear.” She growls, “Good, I’ve never played with a doll.” He gives her a dark look, full of heat, “Alright, tonight we play. But tomorrow…” She nods, cutting him off, “Tomorrow, I will listen to your warnings and follow your directions so I don’t embarrass you in front of your family.” He chokes on his wine, coughing a few times, “Embarrass me?” She nods, “Isn’t that what you’re worried about?” He shakes his head, “Hardly. I’m worried about my family destroying you. I worry that because you are a mortal woman, my mother will put you in the same group as those whores my father runs around with and if she does, she will blast you into a million pieces and place me in the same basket as my father.” She nods, “Mm, daddy problems.” He glares at her and drains his goblet. She smiles and drains her goblet, leaving it on the board and rising. Ares’ eyes follow her, “Something missing, my dear?” She smile coyly, “I’m just going to slip into something a little more comfortable. Refill our goblets,” she instructs, walking into the closet and letting the dress slip from her shoulders to puddle at her feet. She smiles as it suddenly appears hanging up in front of her. Glancing around the closet she finds what she’s looking for and slips a dark red silk negligee on. The sleeves are mere strings and another string ties between her breasts. It stops at her thigh, quite a bit shorter than fingertip length. She smiles, and leaves the closet, smiling when Ares’ eyes glue on her form and his hand stops halfway to his mouth. As she walks towards him, he allows her hair to fall naturally, the pins disapearing. She smiles and sits back down, placing herself between Ares and the chocolate strawberry in his hand and takes a succulent bite of it. She moves and smiles. He grabs the back of her head and pulls her close, claiming her mouth for a hot kiss.
Xena moves away from Ares and grabs her goblet, taking a sip, “This tastes different?” He takes a sip of his own and his eyes go round, ‘Shit.’ He reaches for Xena’s goblet, but she is already taking a larger swig of the wine. He slaps the goblet from her hands as her eyes glaze over. A sloppy smile spreads over her face as she starts pulling at his clothes, knocking over the goblets and food all at once. “Fuck me,” she purrs, twirling her tongue around his ear. He grimaces, “Awe, love, you’re going to feel like hell when that wears off.” She smacks her lips, pulling his vest off, “When what wears off My Lord?” She asks, giving what she thinks is a seductive look but just turns out to be a wasted smile. He shakes his head, “I need to be more careful now that you’re going to be around here.” “Why?” She asks, stroking his chest and running her tongue around his nipple. “That was Bacchus’ wine. That can get a God drunk and kill a mortal. Lucky for us, you just had a little. You’ll have a nasty hangover, but I think I’m in for one hell of a night.” She laughs, “You’ve got that right, War God. Now should I get on my knees and worship you properly?” She asks, already pulling at his pants. He smirks, making their clothes disappear and going along with whatever Xena wants. Throughout the night, hour after hour, Xena stays strong, attacking Ares again and again, surprising him with her stamina, especially sense she’s highly intoxicated. Eventually she collapses on top of him, a look of satisfaction spread over her features. Ares smiles as her muscles relax and she lies on top of him, using his chest as a pillow. One of her hands is tangled in his hair and the other grips his cock. He finds himself exhausted and is quite surprised, never having had a mortal exhaust him before. Making a blanket appear on top of them, he wraps his arms around Xena and falls into a light sleep.
Xena wakes the next morning with a dry mouth and a pounding headache. However, she is warm and held tight on top of Ares’ chest. She finds one of her hands wrapped tightly in his hair and gently untangles it, then finds her other hand still holding his cock. She squeezes it and Ares pops his eyes open. He smiles at her, “I know you can’t want more,” he says with a small laugh. She shakes her head and the motion makes her nauseous. “By the Gods, what did we drink last night? I have had liquor from here to Jappa and nothing has done this to me.” He laughs quietly and slides out from under her, letting her rest on the comfy bed, “It seems I grabbed a bottle of Bacchus’ wine last night instead of a regular wine. You didn’t have much, which is good, it could have killed you. But you had enough to make you quite… playful,” he informs her, stroking his beard. She groans and closes her eyes, “I haven’t had a hangover sense I was fifteen.” He raises an eyebrow, “Started young, huh?” She smiles, propping herself up and staring at him, “I hung with all the wild guys in town. They would steal ale and wine and we would have drinking contests behind my mother’s inn. I refused to be outdone by the guys, even though they were older than me, more experienced, and larger.” He smiles at her, “So you’ve always had a warrior’s spirit.” She nods, then winces and holds her head. Ares laughs then runs a hand down her cheek, drawing her closer. His lips meet hers and suddenly her stomach settles and her head stops aching. She sighs against his lips, “Thank you.” He nods, “Of course, I have to have you in tip top shape today.” Her brow scrunches and he laughs, “The party, remember?” She scowls, “Oh yes, the party.” He laughs, “Aphrodite has strict instructions for a dress code and she sent over a pair of shoes last night.” She growls, “Dress code? Shoes? Don’t Gods have better things to do?” She asks hotly. Ares gives her a hard look, then smiles, “Not Aphrodite. And the rest of us have learned to humor her because when we don’t chaos ensues.” She growls, then nods, “Fine, how is the mortal world doing?” He opens a small portal and shows her a snow covered landscape, “I’m going to be real honest with you. It’s not good Xena. The world is frozen, mortals can’t heal, and fires won’t stay lit. I’m not usually a negative person, but this could end things. When the world is finally fixed, you could be returning to a brand new type of world: A world full of a few survivors, stragglers: a world in need of your leadership.” She nods slowly, “You mean our leadership,” she states. He smirks, “You know me well.” She nods and smiles, “Some might say intimately.” He laughs, “Some might,” he agrees, then changes the subject, “Breakfast?” She nods, “Fruit, bread, and cheese. And some water,” she says, not wanting anything extreme like the buffet table from dinner the night before. He nods and a plate appears on the bed between them. He holds a cup of water for her. She nibbles on the food more transfixed by the way his eyes watch her. Ares stares, openly, at Xena as she nibbles on her breakfast, wondering if she would be his downfall, that one thing, person that would be his undoing. He feels his life, his spirit spiraling into her. He feels his whole being wanting to be a part of hers He wants, desires her to stay with him. And for one moment, he feels the kiss of his sister’s gift; he feels love for a fragile, wild, and wonderfully mortal woman. He grabs her chin and waits till her eyes meet his, “You are mine,” he says with more conviction than he had ever felt before. Xena stares at him, feeling like she’s standing on a precipice, about to teeter over the edge, then her eyes turn bright blue and her smile gleams, “As long as you are mine,” she says. He nods, “I am yours,” he says, amazed that he means it.
Ares and Xena are both saved from the intense feelings, the depth of their connection that will only grow deeper when they perform the Chosen ceremony when a bright pink flash appears outside of the bed, “Ar?” Aphrodite calls. Ares rolls his eyes and his clothes appear in a blink while he lays a robe on the bed for Xena and hands her the cup of water, “Come out when you’re ready to meet my sister.” She nods with a dark look, “Like that will ever happen,” she says quietly. “I heard that, Warrior babe,” Aphrodite says, “You better come out here before I am ready to leave or I’m coming in there with you.” Xena gives Ares a questioning look and he nods, letting her know that Aphrodite’s threat is real. Ares smirks and exits the bed, letting the curtains flow shut behind him.
Ares gives his sister a warm smile, “Aphrodite, to what do I owe the pleasure?” She smiles at him, “Why Ares, aren’t you being charming? If your little Warrior does this to you then she is so worth keeping around.” Ares scowls, “Why are you here, sis?” She scowls, “And there goes the good mood. Well, when I looked in that closet last night I didn’t see a dress suitable for my party. So I made one unless you already made one for her…” Ares shakes his head, “It was next on my list,” he assures her. She laughs, a bubbling sound, “Sure it was. Next on your list was either sex or fighting. Ohh I forgot, fighting must be off the list sense the little mortal can’t heal,” she teases. He scowls at her but is saved from replying as Xena exits the bed, robe wrapped around her. She lets the curtains flow shut behind her. Ares smiles, all attention on her and Aphrodite watches the pair, noticing the difference in her brother. Aphrodite turns her attention to Xena, “You are beautiful, I’ll give my brother credit for that.” Xena scowls at the Goddess, “So glad I have the approval of the Goddess of love,” she says sharply. Ares chuckles and Aphrodite laughs, “Oh… And the mortal has teeth too. I like her, Ares.” He nods a little, “When the mortal world is normal, she will be my Chosen.” Aphrodite’s mouth falls and glances between the two: the confident Ares and Xena looking proud and sure of herself; she nods and turns back to her brother, “I’m happy for you, brother.” She turns to Xena, “You do know what kind of gift my brother is giving you, right?” Xena nods. Aphrodite smiles and approaches Xena, wrapping her arms around her in a tight hug, “Welcome to the family. Do you know what this means?” Xena slides out of Aphrodite’s arms and turns to Ares, “Why does she keep asking me that?” Aphrodite glares at her, “Listen Miss Thing, to become a God’s Chosen means they trust you with everything. It is one step down from being a Goddess yourself. And for my brother to choose you, choose anyone is amazing. Zeus has been pushing him to do this for a millennia and no one has reached any of his qualifications. And now here you are, his One. I am very impressed.” Xena fails to look worried or even happy, just lets herself lean a bit closer to Ares. Aphrodite looks them over, “You two look good together. I have several more stops. Do you want the dress or not?” Ares nods, “Thanks, sis.” She smiles and waves her hand, “No prob, bro. I’ll see you guys at the party in a few hours,” she says, flashing out of the room in a flash of pink. Xena blinks her eyes, “That was allot of flesh and allot of pink.” Ares nods, “Yeah, that’s my sister.” He places his hand on her waist and leads her out of the room.
Xena stays at Ares’ side, “Where are we going?” He smiles, “I want to show you something special.” She smiles back and follows him through an open purple door. She walks up to a round map and looks down. There are different colored areas with figurines on it. “This is Greece,” Xena says pointing at a purple area. He nods and points at another area, this one gold. She looks it over, “Rome.” He nods and points north of Greece, towards a blue area. She looks it over, running her hand over the area, “Gaul,” she says. She glances around towards grey areas, “That’s Chin and Jappa.” She says. He nods. “Why are they grey?” She asks. He glances at the areas, “I don’t have any armies there, no Temples, no connections. I hope that with you as my Warrior Princess that will change.” She smiles, hunger in her eyes. She points at the figurines, “These are your armies.” He nods. Her hand hovers over a small group not moving, “These are my men,” she says. He nods again, “Would you like to see a closer view of them?” She nods and he puts his hand over the small group of men then tightens his fist. Quickly the map changes and Xena watches her men slowly march through blowing snow. Darphus rides at the back, wrapped up tightly in a broken down tent, a man riding behind him on the horse. He watches the men march, some on foot and some on horses. At the head of her army is Estragon, also wrapped in a deconstructed tent with a man behind him on the horse.” She nods, “The men behind them are their seconds,” she says quietly. She couldn’t name the one behind Darphus, but the one behind Estragon was Theodorus, a strong soldier, a good fighter, but not the sharpest tool in the shed. He was a good choice, a solid choice that wouldn’t betray Estragon and would take orders well. “Estragon’s my new second,” she says quietly. Ares glances at her, “Really? Why?” She watches her men, many stumbling in the snow, Estragon rides back and urges them on, “That’s why,” she says pointing at him, “He cares for the men and he chose a wise second in command, a man that will support him and follow his commands. He is insuring that my army will be safe.” Ares shrugs, “But if Estragon dies, could Theodorus lead?” Xena shrugs, “Maybe, if Estragon has given good, clear instructions. Theodorus can follow commands and he will stand by your side no matter what.” “And the man with Darphus?” Ares asks. Xena shrugs, “He's a nobody, I don’t even know his name. I should know every man in my army, but this one is a new recruit, has never done anything that stands out to me, is an average fighter, but no one I would choose for anything.” Ares nods, “I knew Estragon was the one from the beginning.” Xena raises an eyebrow and he continues, “Estragon looks up to you, he listens and learns. Darphus thinks he already knows everything and he acts like a weasel. Never trust him at your back; he’ll shove a knife in it the first chance he gets.” Xena nods, then moves away and the board returns to normal. She looks it over then shakes her head, “What is this?” She asks, with a whimsical laugh that Ares never expected to hear from her. He smiles, “This is how I maintain everything in the world. I prefer to deal with my Warlords face to face or speaking through an altar in a Temple or a private one for those who haven’t earned my face time. But sometimes, when I'm busy or the Warlord doesn't impress me, I can send my Warlords a message through this showing them where to take their armies. It also lets me look out for enemies and to figure out the size of the forces my men will be against.” She nods, “Have you ever used this with me or will you in the future?” He laughs, “Ha! I prefer to watch you through one of my portals. You’re beautiful when you fight and I love to watch.” She smiles then a bit of uncertainty crosses her face, “Once I’m your Chosen, I’ll feel you watching me, won’t I?” He nods, then rests his hands on her shoulders, “We’ll practice the feeling so you’ll be used to it and won’t get distracted in battle. After all, it wouldn’t do for you to get injured because you’re distracted by my gaze.” She laughs, “You think far too highly of yourself.” He squeezes her shoulders then shudders a little. She looks back at him, “What’s wrong?” He shakes his head and grabs her hand, whisking them through the ether, back to his bedroom.
Distracted, he leads her to the hearth and releases her, letting her drape into one of the chairs. He takes the other and opens a portal. Xena watches as the image changes multiple times until finally settling onto an image of a bronzed man with blonde hair and thick muscles. Ares growls, “That’s my half- brother, Hercules, one of Zeus’ many bastards. Unlike the others, Zeus has taken a liking to Hercules.” “Why?” Xena asks, staring at the relatively attractive man. Ares shakes his head, “I have no clue. It won’t matter, one day you will kill Hercules.” She smiles at him, then gasps and points at the image in the portal, “Who is that frozen?” “Prometheus,” Ares answers quickly. He thinks then chuckles and nods, “Well, little brother did something useful this time. If Prometheus has been chained this whole time that explains why mortals lost his gifts: fire, healing, warmth, however, if he is free, mortals will have those gifts returned to them. With him free, the mortal realm will return to normal.” She nods, “Show me my army,” she orders. He glances at her, but changes the image to one of her men entering the Halls of War, “It looks like a few survived including both Darphus and Estragon.” Xena nods, “Can we see outside?” He nods and again the image changes to an outside view. Snow still covers the ground, but the torches on the outside of the Temple are lit and the sun’s rays are strong. He nods and reaches for her hand, “It’s over. Go change into something royal, red preferably.” She rises and heads to the closet, “Why?” She asks. “You are becoming my Chosen now. I will return soon. I placed an order with Hephaestus for a dagger and I need to talk to Zeus and my mother.” Xena pops her head out of the closet, “Don’t they need to meet me?” He shakes his head, “No, only the Fates will need to meet you. I’ll return soon.” She nods and he disappears.
Ares arrives in the main hall of the Gods and approaches the thrones of Zeus and Hera. He bows low before his parents. “Ares, my son,” Hera greats, warmly. Zeus nods, “Rise.” Ares obeys, “I am here to announce that I have found my Chosen after all these millennia.” Hera looks shocked and Zeus looked proud, “Who is he? A King? A rich warlord?” Ares shakes his head, “A warrior unlike any before. She is amazing.” “She?” Hera asks sharply. Ares nods, “Yes, Mother, a woman. I have learned from you, that sometimes the best man for the job is a woman. She is a mighty Warrior Princess. One day she will create a mighty empire for me.” Zeus nods, “What is her name?” “Xena,” Ares answers. Zeus opens a portal showing Xena in the battle of Cirra, “She is the one you stole the Chakram for.” Ares nods. Hera looks her over, “She’s very beautiful, very capable. Are there other things between you and her?” She asks. Ares answers carefully, “Nothing serious, but one day I would like to see her become my Goddess. She would make a wonderful Goddess of War.” Zeus nods and Hera looks concerned. Ares approaches his mother, “Mother, I have taken a long time to choose a Chosen. I feel that I was waiting for her, she is the one, I know she is.” Hera nods, “And you also think she is the one to give you a family, to continue our legacy?” Ares nods, “One day, when she has proven herself more than a normal mortal.” Hera nods and glances at Zeus who also nods. Zeus snaps his fingers and a parchment appears in his hands. He presses his thumb to a spot and hands it to Hera who does the same. Hera hands the parchment to Ares, "We approve of your union. Take this with your Chosen to the Fates. Share blood with your mortal; then say your vows and sign the parchment, both of you must sign the parchment. The Fates must sign this as well. Do you know the ceremony and all it contains?” Ares nods, rolling the parchment and sliding it into his vest. He begins to fade into the ether but Hera’s voice stops him, “Son, we expect to meet this woman.” He nods, “We’ll be at Aphrodite’s party tonight.” Hera nods, “Then we will make an appearance as well though perhaps not together,” she says harshly, glaring at Zeus, not happy with how he helped Hercules. Ares nods and fades into the ether.
Ares arrives in Hephaestus’ forge. He winces at the loud pounding of the blacksmiths hammer. “Hephaestus!” He yells. His brother turns with a jump, then relaxes when he sees Ares, “Brother, here for more weapons and armor or something more personal?” Ares smiles, the blacksmith knew him so well, “I do need to place an order for a set of armor, sword, scabbard, daggers of assorted sizes and uses for a woman, my new Chosen.” Hephaestus nods, “I guess you also want the dagger you had me make,” he says extending the jeweled dagger. Ares grabs the dagger and looks it over, “Beautiful work. I’ll be proud to use it.” Hephaestus nods, “I’ll need an image of the Warrior so I can make her armor. What do you want for her?” Ares makes a life like image of Xena appear, but rather than it just being a flat image it has depth and actually looks like a faded version of her is standing in the room. Hephaestus looks her over with an analytical eye, “What kind of look are you going for: something feminine or more masculine?” Ares shakes his head, “She is my Warrior Princess. I want a gorgeous set of armor made for her with large shoulder pieces and a short cape. I want something that will intimidate the men she conquers and rules over.” Hephaestus nods, “Silver? Gold? Bronze?” Ares waves his hand, “Bronze and silver. I’ll leave it up to your eye and experience. But I want this armor to be your best work. I want it to be just as beautiful as she is.” Hephaestus shakes his head, eyeing the image, “That will be hard to do, brother, but I will do my best.” “You better,” Ares threatens before fading into the ether and returning to Xena’s side.
Xena looks up from sharpening her sword when Ares appears in front of her. Ares smiles at her, “Ignore that sword, my dear, Hephaestus is making a new one for you along with new armor.” Xena smiles and tosses the sword aside, “I’ll pass my old sword onto my second in command.” He nods, “Zeus and Hera have approved of you becoming my Chosen.” She stands and waves the wrinkles out of the red skin tight dress. He smiles at her, then waves a hand piling her hair on top of her head, with curly tendrils framing her face. Diamond pins hold it in place. He looks her over and takes both her wrists in his hands covering them in multiple slim, silver bracelets covered in diamonds. He puts his hands to her ears and dangling diamond earrings hang down like a chandelier. He smiles at her neck, “Now for something special. This piece you will keep. It will be a symbol of our union.” He places his hand on her neck and a thick silver chain holds a symbol of her Chakram wrapped around his sword. Small blue stones that match her Chakram decorate the necklace. He smiles, “Perfect. Are you ready to meet the Fates?” She reaches to feel her hair and the jewelry, “Mirror?” She asks. He obliges, holding his hands up to form a mirror for her. She smiles and adjusts the diamond pins a few times to let a few more curly tendrils fall down at the back of her neck. She reaches her hand out to him, “I’m ready,” she says. He smiles, impressed, amazed and turned on all at the same time. He takes her hand and they disappear into the ether.
Xena looks around the Fates domain, then her eyes become fixed on the loom. Ares takes her arm gently and leads her towards the Fates. “Fates, I am in need of your services,” he announces. Clotho looks up from the loom, then approaches“Ares and his soon to be Chosen, Xena Warrior Princess. We are happy to serve you in this the first of many ceremonies in your future.” He raises an eyebrow, then shakes his head and sets the parchment on a able near the sisters, "Here is the parchment signed by the King and Queen of the Gods giving me the right to take this mortal woman as my Chosen.” He pulls out the dagger, “And here is my weapon, capable of piercing the veil of immortality to tie us together for eternity. Do you have the Chalice?” Atropos nods and an ornate cup appears before them on an table. Lachesis joins her sisters, “Are you prepared to join your lives together?” Ares nods as does Xena. Clotho nods and motions for them to come closer to the table. . Atropos grabs the dagger and it shines brightly, “Slice your palms, then grip them together and let your mingled blood flow into the Chalice,” she instructs. Ares takes the dagger and slices his palm then hands it to Xena who does the same before handing it back to the Fate. Ares reaches out and grips Xena’s hand in his while their blood drips into the Chalice that Lachesis holds for them. Xena watches their blood mingle and drip into the cup, amazed that it isn’t a stream. “Your vows,” Clotho urges. Ares stares in Xena’s bright eyes, “As the God of War, I accept you as my Chosen and welcome you into my fold. I offer you my protection, my bounty and my eternal support. I will be you shelter from the storm, I will trust you with all that I have, my life, my sword, my Godhood. Xena Warrior Princess of Amphipolis you are my Chosen.” Clotho nods and turns to Xena, “Mortal?” Xena gulps and turns to Ares, staring into his dark eyes, “War God, I offer you my life force: my body, my heart, my soul, and my sword. I will protect and fight for you for eternity. I will maintain your Godhood in the safety of my mortal blood. I welcome you into my body, my soul. I offer you everything you ask always.” She smiles and Ares releases her hand. The blood and wounds have disappeared from their palms. Xena has little time to study the fact. Lachesis hands the glass to Ares, “All the blood must be drained from the cup, equally among you,” she instructs. He nods and gulps down the blood, amazed at the strength of the mixture, then hands it to Xena. Xena smirks at him and gulps down the blood, feeling heat and power rush through her limbs. Once the glass is empty she hands it back to the Fate. Each Fate nods and places their thumb to the parchment then motion to Xena and Ares. Ares places his thumb then points to the spot for Xena to sign. She places her thumb on the parchment. Ares scoops up the parchment, rolls it and slips it into his vest then smiles at Xena and crashes his lips to hers. Clotho smiles at them, “Save that for another ceremony, War God and Chosen.” Ares pulls back making a choking noise while Xena stares at the Fate wondering if she is gifting them with a peak at their future. Xena takes Ares' arm and they disappear into the ether.
Ares and Xena reappear in Ares’ room. “We’re going to be late to the party, let’s get you changed,” he says. Quickly a pair of crystal heels flash onto Xena’s feet throwing her off balance for a minute. She glances down at the shoes, “You have GOT to be kidding me!” He shrugs and waves his hand over her again this time replacing her red dress with the blue one Aphrodite brought by earlier. He gapes at her for a moment and almost makes alterations to the dress, just to make her less enticing for his siblings. The dress is light blue velvet, almost an icy color. The back is low, so low it might as well be nonexistent. The bust line is a very low and wide V, showing off her perky breasts. The dress holds her curves tight, but a slit up to her mid-thigh allows her freedom of movement. The sleeves are long but off her shoulders with a string of diamonds hanging over them. He notices that her waist also has a string of diamonds for decorations. He twirls her around looking for anything missing, then smiles and places his hand on her head, leaving a tiara in its wake, “Perfect. You look like a Goddess, my dear.” She smiles and purses her lips, looking at him expectantly,“Aren’t you going to change?” He scowls, then drops his sword belt and replaces his vest with a silk shirt that matches hers, “That’s the best Aphrodite is getting from me,” he says with a hint of agitation. She grabs his arm, “Tonight is my last night here, isn’t it?” He nods, wrapping his arm around her waist and whisking them through the ether to Aphrodite’s party.
Xena chokes back laughter when she sees a huge glittery sign that reads “The Gods Winter Wonderland!” Ares shakes his head then braces himself as Aphrodite lunges herself at him. Her usual pink outfit has been traded for a blue bra and panty set covered by a blue sheer coverlet. Her crystal heels are far too high and she towers over Ares. A blue drink swishes over a glass decorated with mistletoe. “Drinks are over there, food over there, dance floor there, Reindeer races over there, sledding there, and people are mingling everywhere!” She says, pointing to each activity. “Oh and if you get caught under any mistletoe you have to kiss.” She holds her glass over Xena’s head and kisses her full on the mouth. Xena is shocked at first, then responds with a bit of a smile. Ares watches, not wanting to find the scene hot. Finally he pushes his sister’s shoulder. Aphrodite pulls away from Xena and smiles, “I taste God blood on you. You two really went through with the ceremony, huh?” Ares nods, “Xena is my Chosen, now and forever.” Aphrodite nods, “I’m real proud of you, Bro. Well go on, enjoy. Oh look out for Cupid, he’s in a bad mood,” she warns. Ares nods, hoping to avoid his son all together. “Where’s mom?” He asks. Aphrodite wrinkles her nose, “ Petting the reindeer. I told her they were for racing, but I think she’s adopting one of them.” Ares laughs and begins to walk away, leading Xena towards the reindeer and his mother.
Ares stares at his mother in her dark blue velvet dress. “Mom,” he says, to get her attention. Hera turns, hand still resting on a reindeer and smiles at her son while critiquing the mortal at his side. Xena stands tall under the inspection and bites off any rude remarks. Finally Hera smiles at Xena, “Welcome to the family, my dear,” she says moving to embrace Xena. Xena hugs Hera in return and Ares lets out a sigh of relief. He strokes the reindeer on the head, “Stealing one of Aphrodite’s racers?” He asks with a laugh. Hera chuckles, “I think I might. She walked right up to me and hasn’t left my side. Have you ever pet a reindeer, Xena?” Xena shakes her head and Hera moves the creature closer to her. Xena reaches out and strokes the deer’s head and nose, “They’re very soft,” she says. Hera nods, “Yes, it’s sad that so many are being killed and that Aphrodite is using them for races.” At that moment, a man hops off a reindeer laughing at another who looks grumpy, “And that Cupid is why I am better than you! I beat you again!” Cupid flutters his wings, then sulks towards the drink table. The other man spots Xena and starts coming their way while Hera and her reindeer disappear quickly. Ares leans close, “That’s my brother Apollo and he’s drunk,” he informs her. Xena nods. Apollo approaches and reaches into his pocket for a sprig of mistletoe. He begins to put it over Xena’s head, but Ares grabs the sprig and Apollo’s face, “Put your lips on my Chosen and I’ll rip them off your face,” he threatens. Apollo nods and begins to walk away quickly. Xena smiles and grabs Ares’ arm, “Awe, my big protector,” she teases. He smiles and pats her hand, leading her around, pointing out the rest of his family members.
As they approach the sled hill, Athena comes up, “Hello Brother and who is this? Some new whore you picked up for the night?” Xena lashes out at the Goddess, her elbow banging into Athena’s gut. Athena doubles over, “That is quite a bit of strength…for a mortal,” she says, looking angry. Ares grabs Xena and turns to his sister, “She has my strength Athena. This is my Chosen.” Athena stares her up and down, “Chosen? Amazing. Well Ares, you are the first in the family to bow to Dad’s wishes that we all have a Chosen. Of course he and Hera have one. But I thought the rest of us were going to stand strong against the idea of letting mortals so close to our ranks.” Ares shrugs, “Xena is amazing. And Zeus’ idea has merit.” Athena eyes the woman again then smiles and points at the hill, “Well, how about a friendly race down the hill,” she suggests, “Your Chosen against me.” Ares begins to shake his head but Xena steps forward, “No God-like cheating?” She asks. Athena nods, “Of course.” Xena smiles and leads the way to the hill, Athena behind her, watching the way her hips sway with appreciation. Ares follows with a scowl.
At the top of the hill, Xena mounts her sled and eyes Athena. She turns to Ares, “A kiss for luck?” He smiles and bends and kisses her hard. Athena clears her voice, “Are we racing or just making out?” She asks in agitation. Xena wrenches away from Ares after biting his lip as she pulls away. Athena rolls her eyes, then a countdown begins. As the countdown ends the sleds take off on their own. Xena shifts her weight to get hers to go faster and it takes off, leaving Athena behind. They clear a hill, smoothly hitting the bottom and gliding to the finish line with Xena in the lead. Ares smiles and wraps Xena in his arms, “Congratulations, my dear,” he says, swinging her around. She smiles as he lets her feet hit ground. Xena approaches Athena and shakes her hand, “Good race,” she says. Athena nods, “Good race. Maybe we’ll do a rematch sometime in a less…odd environment.” Xena laughs and nods, “You’re on.” Athena nods at her brother and gives Xena an approving look. Ares sweeps Xena up and kisses her hard. Pulling away with her still in his arms he laughs, “Xena, love, you’ve done amazing things tonight. You impressed my mother and Athena. And I think Aphrodite has a crush on you. Let’s get you introduced to my father and hit the dance floor.” Xena smiles at Ares taken over by how happy he is with her.
Ares looks around, giving the crowd a quick scan and finds his father near the drink bar. He leads Xena towards the drink bar and is taken by surprise when Zeus grabs Xena and presses his lips to hers. Xena is also surprised and pulls away wide eyed. Zeus smiles at the shocked mortal and angry Ares then points at the mistletoe above Xena’s head, “Sorry, Aphrodite’s rule and she’s watching us.” Xena nods and allows Ares to tuck her into his arms protectively only because of Zeus’ history with mortal women. “Father, this is my Chosen: Xena,” Ares introduces, “Xena, my father, Zeus.” She reaches out her hand for a shake but Zeus brings it to his lips and places a lingering kiss on it. Ares finally reaches out and pulls her hand away, “Alright Zeus, that’s enough.” Xena takes a mental note at how Ares calls Zeus by his name but calls Hera mom. She files it away for future reference. Zeus looks her over, scrutinizing her, waiting for her to wilt or fidget. She doesn’t give him the pleasure. He nods and turns to Ares, “She is a very good fit for you, Ares. She is everything a Chosen should be. I am proud of you, son. “ He turns to Xena, “Welcome to the family, dear,” he says, with a fatherly look and a seductive tone. He pours her a drink from a bottle and she takes it. Ares takes it from her hands and takes a sip before returning it to her. Zeus stares at his son, “I wouldn’t try to kill her Ares!” Ares laughs it off and shakes his head, though he had been checking for poison or some sort of attractant that his father might use to collect Xena into his Harem, he says, “We had a mistake with Bacchus’ brew last night. I just wanted to make sure the same wasn’t about to happen. I don’t know if you noticed, but mom took home a reindeer.” Zeus scowls, “That woman. She’s creating a sanctuary with the help of Artemis. If she would pay me the amount of attention she pays those animals I wouldn’t have to stray.” Xena scowls, “It’s a man’s choice to stray. If you truly want her attention you would be trying to win it.” Ares shoves her a little. The anger on Zeus’ face melts away as he eyes his son, “Does that mean you two are monogamous then?” Xena doesn’t answer just watches Ares. He turns to her and she shrugs, so he nods, “Of course, unless of course, my dear Xena needs to use her sexual wiles to outdo a foe.” Xena smiles, ‘Monogamous, that’s a change,’ she thinks, out loud she responds, “Of course, Ares would know about that first. It would be a part of our plan.” Zeus nods and places a hand on Ares’ shoulder, “She might truly be the mortal equivalent to you, my son. Cherish her,” he instructs. Ares nods and Xena sets her cup down. Her eyes stray to the banquet table and Ares takes notice. Wrapping her hand around his arm, he nods at his dad in goodbye and leads her to the banquet table.
Xena begins to fill a plate, again only grabbing foods that she recognizes, then returns to Ares’ side, both standing with their backs to a wall, watching the rest of the party. " I thought Aphrodite said something about a feast." Ares shrugs, " She changed her mind, I guess." Xena nods and watches the Gods mingle,“Is this a regular occurrence?” Ares begins to answer but is cut off by an agitated voice, “Only when mom can’t surf or feels ignored,” Cupid answers. Xena reaches her hand out and he places a kiss on it, noticing his father’s deep stare. “Son,” Ares greets. “Ares,” Cupid returns. Xena smiles noticing that Ares and Cupid share the same relationship that Zeus and Ares do. “So Ares, who is this? She smells like one of us,” Cupid notices. Xena sniffs herself a bit and Ares chuckles, “It’s a God thing, my dear. It will go away in time. Cupid, Xena is my Chosen, we completed the ceremony today.” Cupid nods, looking surprised, “Chosen? You’re the last person I thought would support Zeus’ little idea.” Ares shrugs, “I like having a safety net in place and Xena is the perfect match for me.” Cupid nods, “Ares, I’ve never asked you for anything, but I need you to talk to mom. She’s been riding my case really hard lately and I need her off my back.” Ares scoffs, “What’s she doing? Stealing your bow and arrows?” He teases. Cupid shakes his head and begins to walk away but Xena grabs his arm, “Tell us the problem. I had a mother who didn’t understand me, maybe we can help.” He turns back and Ares stares at her, surprised that she was taking an interest in his family affairs. Cupid goes on to explain, “She doesn’t like my friends. She says they’re a bad influence on me and that they are distracting me from my job.” “Are they?” Ares asks. Cupid sighs, “Sometimes I need a distraction. I’m not as old as you and mom. It’s not easy to be in charge of making sure all the right couples get together and the wrong ones are separated. Sometimes I just need to chill with my friends and go to a few drinking parties.” Xena laughs. Ares shakes his head, “Drinking parties with Apollo?” He asks. Cupid looks insulted, “No, Uncle Apollo is a womanizing loser. I have a group of Satyr’s, Nymphs and mortals that I hang with.” Ares nods and shrugs, “Sounds like the type of people I hung out with when I was young. I’ll talk to your mother when she’s back on the water. She’s happier when she’s riding a wave.” Cupid smiles, “Thanks, uh, dad,” he says, looking uncomfortable. Ares pats him on the shoulder, “Go on, go ask your mother to dance for now. That will make her happy with you and make it easier for me to make a few good points later on.” Cupid nods at his dad and gives a little bow to Xena before going to his mothers side. Ares shakes his head, giving Xena an amazed look, “That boy hasn’t called me dad sense he decided to join his mother in the love department instead of joining me in the war department. Thank you.” She smiles, “It wasn’t me. You’re the one who said you’d talk to Aphrodite for him.” Ares nods, “But you’re the one who stopped him and gave me the chance to talk to him. You are my little miracle worker.” She laughs, “Well, the real miracle will be if you find a way to keep me on my feet while we’re dancing. I’ve never exactly been graceful.” He laughs and begins to lead her to the dance floor, “You’ll learn. For now, we’ll stick with some nice slow songs. I’ll signal Aphrodite to keep them slow for a while.” Xena smiles and nods, hiding how nervous she truly is.
Ares enters the dance floor, nodding towards Aphrodite who motions to the nymphs in charge of the music to keep it slow. He wraps Xena in his arms, leading her arms up around his neck and pulls her close so he can feel her curves intimately. She plays with the hair at the nape of his neck as he rocks them back and forth. She rubs herself against him and he moans smiling at her, “You seem just fine with dancing,” he compliments. She laughs quietly, “This is more like foreplay.” He nods, “Just relax against me and let me take charge.” She nods and rests her head on his shoulder. After a few songs he feels her go limp against him and smiles. In one swift motion, he swings her into his arms. He carries her to his sister and quietly says goodnight, then takes them back to his room. He lays her on the bed, stripping her of everything except the necklace. His clothes disappear and he joins her in bed for one last night with Xena wrapped in his arms. He’s shocked at how much he’ll miss having her with him every night, but happy to know that she is his forever and always, in this life and all to follow. It wasn’t exactly a happily ever after, but for the God of War and his Warrior Princess it was the beginning of one.
Xena follows Darphus to the healer’s tent, surprised to find so many of her troops outside, waiting. She stares at the shivering men, then grabs Darphus by the arm and shoves him in their direction, “Get a fire started for them. I don’t know what Demeter has against us, but this winter storm she has brewing is going to kill them.” He stumbles, then gains his footing and obeys, trying to light a fire for the men in a cold pit where one had burned when he left the healer to find Xena a few moments earlier. Xena pulls open the healers tent and smells death and rot. Searching through the few standing figures she finds the old woman that has served as their healer for the past season, “What’s going on?” She demands. The healer looks up and shakes her head, trembling a little, in cold and fear, “I don’t know, Warrior Princess. First, there were the three from the battle, the one you said would die and the two with minor wounds.” Xena nods, “Where are they?” The healer points at some cots with sheets pulled over the bodies. She scowls and whips towards the healer, “What are you doing to my men? The one was as good as dead, but the other two had small wounds. They just needed their wounds cleaned, stitched and some ointment applied. I could have done it on the battlefield with no problems. ” The healer nods franticly, “I know Warrior Princess. I treated them and sent them to rest in their tents. They soon returned with more following them. Wounds were infected, many were coughing. One was clutching his, um, royalties and screaming in agony.” Xena smirks, one of her men had found another dirty prostitute, she had warned them all to be wary, “That wasn’t Estragon, was it?” The healer shakes her head taking advantage of Xena’s loosened hand and moving out of her grasp, “No, it was him,” she says, pointing to another cot with a covered body on it. Xena stares, utterly confused, she’d never seen a man die from that. “Uncover him,” she orders, moving towards the man. The healer follows and pulls a cloth over her face, offering one to Xena. She wraps the cloth around her nose and mouth, tying it behind her head, in case there was a contagion. As the healer pulls back the sheet, the stench grows and neither can help coughing. His face is twisted in a grimace, his skin blue and red, dried blood trickling from his nose, mouth, ears, and eyes. If she didn’t know better she would guess that he died of her “famous” pinch. “Remove his pants,” she orders. The healer gasps and wraps her apron around her hands before gripping the man’s trousers and yanking them down. Xena stares. “Fuck,” she hears Darphus say behind her. Xena takes a step closer, starring at his “royalties.” She had never seen so much swelling, puss, blood or anything so misshapen in her life. “Cover him,” she snaps. She turns from the healer to Darphus, “How many are ill?” He pauses, thinking about the ones outside and the ones still trickling in, “As far as I can tell, anyone who was injured has taken ill.” She nods, not looking happy, over half her men suffered at least a scratch in the last battle and some had been nursing older wounds. She turns to the healer, “A contagion? Poison?” She asks. The healer shrugs, “I’ve never seen anything like this Warrior Princess.” Xena leads them both to the opening of the tent, “You two go around camp, check with each soldier, anyone ill goes with the healer, the rest need to be moved to the other side of the hill, my tent included,” she says, pointing to Darphus. They both nod and take off, Darphus far faster than the healer. She stares at the empty fire pit, ‘Damn Darphus, didn’t even start the fire like I ordered.’ She kneels next to her men, starring at them; wounds are infected, their cheeks are red and sunken in, their eyes blank, one has blood in his ear. She rises, not bothering to speak to them or light the fire.
Xena rips the cloth from around her mouth and lets it fall to the ground as she heads to a pond far enough from her camp that she is sure her men hadn’t neared it. She gets to it and stares at the surface, seeing that it is freezing in shallow areas. She shakes her head and spins to stare at the mountain behind them. She curses; the snowline is lower than when they had returned from the raid and a small pack of reindeer graze near the base, “What in Tartarus is going on?” She bends and washes her hands then takes a drink of the cool water. Glancing around, making sure she’s alone; she grabs her Chakram and starts to lightly swipe her palm with it. A strong hand reaches out of nowhere and grabs her wrist, “None of that,” Ares orders. She turns towards him, “I was just going to get your attention.” He shakes his head, “Strange things are happening. From what I’ve gathered any wound or illness, no matter how minor, can lead to death, rather quickly too.” She nods, “I’ve noticed. Over half my army is dead or dying. And this weather… Something’s very wrong. Do you know what is going on? Is it the Gods?” He shrugs, “No one is talking about it. But you are coming to Olympus with me until this has ended. I will not lose my best warrior to some fluke of nature.” He grabs her arm, but she jerks away, “And I won’t abandon my army.” “What’s left of it,” he snaps. She growls and begins to march back to camp, taking long strides.
Ares appears next to her, ‘Damn stubborn woman.’ He grabs her arm and they appear in her tent before she can jerk away. Xena scowls at him, then jerks and begins to put her armor on, ignoring Ares. He grabs her shoulder, spinning her to look at him, “I have a safe place for your men to go, but only the healthy ones.” She nods, turning again to roll her maps up and wrap them in a leather tube, “Where?” He lounges back on the makeshift bed, watching her sleek movements, “The Halls of War, near Corinth,” he answers. Xena’s breathe hitches, “My army can’t go near Corinth.” He nods, “I know. I’ll map out the back way. Neither Corinth nor the Centaurs will know they are there.” She turns to stare at him, concern in her eyes, shoulders hard, “How do you know?” She asks, trying not to let her voice quiver. He rises and nears, stroking her hair away from her ear and leaning near, “I’m a God, my dear, I know everything.” She jerks away, “Don’t you dare-,” she begins but he waves a hand, “I’ve known sense you returned to Greece and I’ve done nothing. Why would that change?” She visibly relaxes and passes him a scroll and quill, “Alright. Make a map and instructions, I’ll give it to Darphus before I leave.” He takes the items, “Darphus is your second in command now? I thought it was Estragon.” She scowls, Ares liked clear structure and right now she was having an issue with giving either man the rank of second in command, “They’re both contenders. This will be my test. Whichever one can handle this mess the best will become my second in command.” He scowls, “What's wrong with them? Do you need someone new?” She shakes her head, “Estragon isn’t strong enough. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a good warrior, but I wouldn’t trust him at my back.” “You don’t trust anyone at your back,” he interrupts. She smiles, “I trust you at my back.” He halts in his map making and looks up at her, then returns to the map, “And Darphus?” Xena shakes her head, “He hasn’t proven himself capable of taking decisive actions.” Ares nods, then hands her the map. She looks it over and nods, “Two days. Do you think they have that long?” He shrugs, “If they don’t I owe you a new army.” She scowls, “I already need a new army.” His hand lands on her shoulder, tugging her until her back meets his chest, “Then I’ll start looking for one after I get you to Olympus.” She half turns, trying to catch his eye, “Are you inviting anyone else?” He shakes his head, “You are MY Warrior Princess. No one comes before you or holds the rights that you hold.” She scowls, “I don’t want special treatment or to be coddled.” He snarls, both hands grabbing her shoulders roughly, turning her, “If you are going to rule the world at my side and I have no doubt that you will, you have to survive whatever this freak storm is. Olympus is the safest place. Plus you need a break. You’ve been going hard sense you returned from the Norse lands. We’ve had little time to renew our previous arrangements.” She smiles, oh yes, she had kept herself busy; trying to stay away from his magnetism, knowing that whenever she was near him things became clouded. He inflamed her passions, each and every one of them with a smirk or a twinkle of the eye. He captures her lips briefly then pulls away as she starts to sink into him, “Get the orders to your men and get whatever you need together. I’ll return in an hour for you. You will be ready to leave, that’s an order. And remember: no injuries and stay away from those sick men.” She nods and he begins to disappear, then stops, “Xena, have your men leave the healer behind. She could be contaminated. I’ll ask Asclepius to find you the best to take her place.” Xena nods, not really wanting to lose another healer so soon after Satrina but knowing that it is necessary, just as it had been necessary to get rid of Satrina. The woman had known too much and could be a danger to her son, she’d had Estragon take care of her, claiming the woman had poisoned her during the battle of Corinth; that she had been secretly working with the Corinthians. Now she would be losing another healer, this time to ensure she didn’t accidently infect her men. And it would leave her men without a healer at the worst possible time.
Ares paces Olympus, giving Xena her hour to prepare. He has never let a mortal into his domain, but there is something about her. She is meant for greatness and he isn’t going to let this hic-up be her defeat. The smell of flowers invades his nose, warning him that his sister, Aphrodite is near. He rolls his eyes and steals himself for the assault on his senses. She appears in a bright pink splash, smelling of roses and leaving pink glitter on the floor around her. Her all too bouncy breasts threaten to spill from her top and her waves of hair are going everywhere, the slight tang of salt water clings to her, “Ar, what is going on? The oceans are freezing. I can’t surf with frozen oceans. And Zeus is nowhere to be found.” Ares shakes his head, “Something is wrong with the mortal plane, sis, not sure what. Fires won’t stay lit, winter is quickly coming everywhere, and small wounds are killing quickly.” She stamps a foot, “What does that mean for us?” She asks her voice a little too whiney. He shakes his head, “It means we stay on Olympus. If you have any special play toys, I would bring them here as well.” She smirks, “I guess that means you’re bringing your future Queen to Olympus?” She was the only one of his siblings that knew he planned to make Xena a Goddess once she had given him Greece and Hercules’ head on a platter, “Yes, she will be here, she’s preparing now.” Aphrodite bursts into giggles, “As if a mortal can prepare for the splendor of Olympus. She won’t be able to handle it.” He snarls, “Xena can handle anything.” She smiles, she could always count on her brother to step into her plans as long as she threatened his ego or that of his Princess, “Good because I will be throwing a winter ball. If winter is taking the mortal world by storm and I can’t surf, then I will plan a party to end all parties and you and your toy will be expected to attend.” Ares glares, knowing he had stepped into her plan, “I don’t do parties, and neither does Xena.” She gives him a patronizing smile, “You will this time or I will tell the whole family your plan for this mortal.” He growls, “That’s a low blow, sis, even for you. I told you that in confidence.” She lets out a squeal of laughter, “Ares, look at our family! Have any of us been able to keep a secret for long? Even you?” He shakes his head, eyes almost red in anger, “So be it. We will attend your little party. But that is all. Neither of us will help you coerce the other Gods into coming or help with anything else.” Aphrodite squeals in laughter again, “Like I would need your help. I have the dirt on every God in the Pantheon. I just have to choose what to use and if it’s worth it. As for decorating, well, parties are my specialty. Remember the baby shower I held for myself when I was pregnant with our little Cupid? It was stunning and I was pregnant at the time. Imagine what I can do now.” He shivers in dread, knowing neither he nor Xena would fit in at her type of party, “Fine, make sure there is mortal food for Xena. I don’t want her to starve or get ahold of ambrosia before she has earned it. And tell Bacchus to keep his wine to himself. We don’t need a bunch of half-drunk idgits running around here when the mortal plane is in crisis.” Aphrodite nods, smacking a kiss on her brother’s cheek, “Got it, bro. I’ll send out invites with dress instructions as soon as I get my theme and decorations nailed down.” Before he can say a word she is gone, leaving her rose stench and a pile of pink glitter behind. He waves a hand and the glitter disappears. He shakes his head then begins to check his rooms, making sure Xena will feel welcome and that there is no ambrosia lying around.
Xena grabs her coat from when she was up north and drapes it on over her armor, moving her sword to the hip opposite her Chakram, then leaves her tent, Ares’ map and instructions rolled and resting between her breasts, or “the magical bag of holding” as she had heard her men say when they thought she was out of earshot. She had once even heard them taking bets on how much she could fit between her breasts; the two responsible had been crucified as an example to the others. She quickly finds Estragon, carrying a rolled tent under his arm, “Where’s Darphus?” She asks. Estragon points ahead of him, “At the new camp, I’m on my way, I’ll show you.” She nods and falls into step beside him. Estragon glances at her, “Is he your new second in command?” She shakes her head, “Not yet. I have a task for the two of you. I will explain when we catch up to Darphus.” On their way, they pass the healer’s tent and find more men than before, more than Xena expected, sitting around the hut, a few dragging dead bodies out and trying to burn them, but the fires won’t catch. She scowls, “Those men better not be healthy,” she says nodding towards them. Estragon shakes his head, “Both are injured and coughing. Xena, are the Gods punishing us for something?” She shakes her head, “Of course not, at least not us directly. I spoke with Lord Ares, he says it’s happening everywhere and no one knows what is to blame.” Estragon huffs, “And you believe him?” She scowls, “Of course I do, Estragon. A God need never lie.” He falls silent and leads her towards the new camp.
Xena looks over what is left of her army, noticing the few tents and that only a trickle of men are still coming in, “Damn.” Darphus spots her and waves her over. She holds a hand up to let him know she had seen him. She turns to Estragon, “Bring your tent with, no point in unpacking.” He nods and follows her, returning Darphus’ glare with one of his own. Xena meets Darphus and enters the tent he had quickly set up as a barrier against the wind. Estragon sets his down by the door and follows them to a crude table. Xena shakes her head and points at the door, “Tie it shut,” she orders. He obeys and ties the door shut, peeking out to make sure no men were coming near, “If this is secret, we’re clear,” he announces. She nods and removes the map from her breasts, using four small daggers to nail it to the table. “As you both know I need a second in command. It has been a hard choice sense Corinth, but after this I will have my answer. This will be your shining victory or your miserable defeat.” Both men eye the other before returning their attention to Xena. She continues, “I’m leaving for a spell, working on a special project for our Lord, Ares. I need you two to keep what is left of this army together and alive.” Both men seem unsure, “How?” Estragon asks. She glances at him, “Ares has come up with a safe place for you and a way to get you there without breaking our peace with Corinth or the Centaurs.” “We’re going to Corinth?” Darphus interrupts. She gives him a hard look that clearly lets him know he had spoken when she hadn’t wished it, “You are going to the Halls of War. It will be a two day journey. On the way there I want you two working together to keep these men, our horses and supplies safe. I suggest making coats out of some of the tents and having as many men as possible stay in each tent. Also get the horses into some tents. They won’t like it, but once you reach the Halls of War everyone will have room to spread out and the horses will have a stable. You’ll be traveling without a healer and our best tracker and hunter are dead, so find people to take their places temporarily. Once you are at the Halls of War you will still have to fight the cold, but it should be easier and you will have supplies. Under no circumstances are you to go near Corinth or Centaur land. Have I made myself clear?” Both nod. “And what exactly will the mighty Xena be doing?” Darphus asks. She glares at him, “Whatever our God demands of me." Estragon asks, “The dead, what should we do with them? You saw that starting a fire was proving impossible. Should we bury them?” She shakes her head, sad, but hiding it behind a mask of power, “There isn’t time. Try to keep a list of everyone who dies and anyone who deserts us. When this is over we will visit the families of those who have died and give them their share, which means keep track. Have the injured gather the goods from the sick ones’ tents; explain that it will go to their family. If they refuse to part from it, kill them and take it anyway. As for those that desert, we will go after their families and crucify them. I want this army on the move today. March as far as you can each day. Take as few breaks as possible, set up tents only when absolutely necessary. I think this is going to get a lot worse before it even begins to get better.” Darphus nods, “And how will you know which of us to promote to second in command? Will you be watching?” Xena nods, “At times, yes, Ares and I will watch. I will also be asking the men and judging based on how many are left, how well my instructions are followed and how well you hand out tasks to everyone.” Estragon pipes up with another question, “If someone becomes sick or injured on the journey, what should we do?” Xena sighs, hating her answer, “Leave them behind. And if they won’t stay kill them.” He nods, then looks nervous, “What if it’s one of us?” She gives him an evil look, “Then my choice for second in command will be easier, now won’t it?” She snaps. He jumps and she continues, “You should choose a second in command, someone to take over if something happens to the two of you. I don’t want this army broken up into factions, this is MY army, but you should be prepared for your own death and I don’t want the men left without leadership.” The two men nod and begin to look over the map, planning their trip in more detail. Xena watches, critiquing them silently.
Soon Darphus leaves to find a scout and someone to collect water and Estragon leaves to order someone to go back to the old camp and collect names and belongings of the soon to be dead and to find a hunter and someone to gather all the horses. Not long after their departure, Xena exits the tent and Ares appears at her side, “Ready?” He asks. She shakes her head, setting a small back down by their feet. She whistles loudly and her men turn their attention towards her, “I know you’re scared, you’d be fools not to be. But do not lose hope. Lord Ares and I are going on a quest and I will return with more men and a new healer.” Ares stands tall beside her, adding his strength to her words by his mere presence. Xena continues, “As you know, I haven’t chosen my second in command sense Corinth. I am leaving Darphus and Estragon in charge with very strict orders. You are to follow those orders as if they have come from Lord Ares himself. They are leading you somewhere safe, somewhere special and I expect to see each and every one of you there upon my return. While I am away you are to watch your two leaders. I will be speaking with each man to find out what happens in my absence so I know how well my instructions were carried out. They will be choosing a second in command, hopefully they can agree on just one. If that ends up being you and you take their place, you will be expected to give me a very detailed report of everything that has happened from the moment you were chosen until the moment of my return and I will want to know exactly how your commander died.” She pauses and leans close to Ares, “Is this a contagion?” She asks in a whisper. “Not that I can tell,” he replies hand slightly over his mouth. She turns back to her men, “Now this isn’t a contagion, so you will be expected to bring the dead’s belongings with you on this trip. Some will be used for our new men, some to fund our next mission and some will go to the families of the dead. I can’t give the dead what they deserve, they won’t burn, there isn’t time to bury them, and we don’t have the supplies to treat them until death. But I will give their share, if they have anything left, to their family or to whomever they name. A list is being made at this moment. It will be added to if any fall on the way to safety. This is my promise to you all. Now if you think to desert me, I will hunt you down, hunt down your families, your friends, even your dog and I will crucify each and every one. I’m sure I have made myself more than clear on that.” The men murmur, many swearing their eternal allegiance. She gives a quick swipe of her hand and everyone falls silent, “My words of warning: Don’t get hurt, don’t get sick, if you do tell one of your commanders right away. It will mean your death, but you won’t have to die the way the ones here are dying and know that you are helping your brothers in arms and your families. Above all else, help each other and be patient. You have a two day journey ahead of you and you will need to stay close together at night to stay warm. You may even end up sleeping with horses in your tents if need be. But you are going someplace where things will be better and I will return to you as soon as we have fixed this.” The men again murmur, wishing her luck and passing tokens and offerings to Ares. A soldier supplies a helmet and the offerings are put in there and handed to Xena who passes them to Ares. He smiles at the men, “Pray to me, but when you do so do not offer your blood. Even a prick to your finger could be deadly. I will know those who are loyal to Xena and myself; and those who are will be blessed tenfold. Now give a proper salute to your Warrior Princess and we will start our own journey.” Each man falls to his knees, head bowed, fist going to his lips, then pointing towards Xena and Ares. Ares raises an eyebrow at Xena, “A mock of the Roman salute,” he says quietly. She smiles gleefully. “I approve, my Princess,” he says, taking her hand and whisking her, the bag at her feet and himself into the ether in a grand crash of thunder.
Xena feels queasy when the blackness of the ether fades and the bright lights of Olympus assault her eyes. Ares puts an arm around her shoulders, trying to pry her arm off of his. Realizing she was clinging, showing weakness, she quickly releases him and stands on her own, looking around, eyes wide, legs still shaky, “It’s amazing,” she says breathlessly. He shrugs, “It’s home.” He holds a hand out to her, “I’ll show you to my quarters, that is where we will be spending most of our time sense training isn’t possible.” She takes his hand and lets him lead her around as she stares at the vases and tapestries, “Why can’t we train?” She asks voice distracted. He pulls hard on her arm, making her come close, “Listen closely, Xena. A pin prick could kill you, I won’t risk a sword wound.” She glares at him, “Isn’t it my risk?” He scowls, “No. I am your God, you will obey me.” “Or what?” She asks, nose to nose with him. He growls, then smirks, “Or I will spank you.” She tries to stay mad, but she’d never seen a playful side to Ares and ends up laughing a little, “Hmm, I might like that.” He nods, “Good to know.” He begins to lead her again, casually telling her the many things available to them on Olympus, “We can watch events on the mortal plane unfold, we can even check on your family, if you like. I also have a stable full of horses that we can ride. There are some wonderful card games we can try.” She spits out laughter, “That’s not fair, you’re a God with unlimited funds and you can cheat.” He glances back at her, “I promise not to cheat and instead of money, loser takes off an article of clothing or a weapon,” he offers. She smiles, “Now that is my type of game.” He continues, “We can visit any place on the mortal plane, watch any event: wrestling, gladiators, you name it. If they are able to play that is. And we’ll have our own private booth away from the peons. I have bathes, pools for swimming, any food or drink you can think of and then,” he pauses and pulls her into his arms, “There’s always me.” She smiles, “I think that last one could entertain me for a while." He smiles, ready to eat her alive, but knowing he should also warn her, “Gods don’t have the manners that mortals have.” Under her breath she says, “I’ve noticed.” He glares then continues, “My family will randomly pop up, luckily most of my family leaves me alone, we just have to watch out for Aphrodite, Strife, Deimos, Discord, and my mother. Discord, Strife, and Deimos you can just tell to get lost. Aphrodite will do her own thing and my mother might kill you so let’s hope she doesn’t show up or that she takes a liking to you.” Xena nods, “Why would your mother kill me?” He shrugs, “Because of dad’s involvement with mortal women.” She nods again and he continues, “Aphrodite is planning a party of some type because the weather stops her from surfing and she’s bored.” He hears a curse from Xena and smirks, “Yes we are expected to be there. She’ll send instructions once she has a theme.” “A theme?” She asks, sounding annoyed. He smiles back at her, “Yeah. Don’t worry, you get used to her antics after a while,” he assures her. She catches up, dragging him to a halt at her side, “And you plan to keep me around here long enough to get used to her?” She asks. He smiles, eyes going dark, “It’s part of my long term plan,” he says, opening an ornate black door and pulling her inside.
Xena feels Ares release her but can’t pull her eyes off the tapestries and vases. Her booted feet sink into the plush fur on the floor that seems to stretch the length of the room. A huge dark, four poster bed with heavy drapes takes up one whole half. The other has a long table full of maps, a hearth, some plush chairs, and a smaller table with a water basin on it. Crimson, silver and black are the leading colors. But those aren’t what her attention is drawn to. Each tapestry and vase depicts a major battle, some she doesn’t recognize, but most include her. She lifts a vase and sees a younger version of herself, her brother at her side as they fight the masked men of Corteese. Tears threaten to spill as thoughts of her brother assault her but she doesn’t let them, instead setting the vase down and turning to a huge tapestry of the battle of Cirra. The battle had taken place maybe a month after Corinth, before she went north. She runs a hand down her own blood covered cheek. Ares steps up behind her, surrounding her with his heat. She turns and he flattens her against the tapestry, “I want a promise from you, while you’re here.” She nods, swallowing harshly, quickly becoming aroused by his hard body pressed against her. “I want to give you the freedom I have given no other mortal. I want you to be not just my Warrior Princess, not this Destroyer of Nations that Alti offered you. I want you to be my Chosen.” She licks her lips, “Of course, whatever you wish.” He laughs and it rumbles through her. He rests a gentle hand on each of her cheeks, “No, it’s not that easy. This isn’t a command. And it means more than you can imagine.” Pressing her lower body against his, she orders, “Explain, but I have already given you my heart, body, and soul.” He begins to explain, “It is difficult to explain all the ins and outs and there is a ceremony that will have to wait until after this disaster on the mortal plane is over.” “Why?” She interrupts. He sighs, “It requires blood and though when this has been done in the past by other Gods, the mortal’s wound closes immediately, I won’t risk yours not closing right away and possibly killing you.” She nods, “Alright so I offer you a blood sacrifice, that’s fine. I do that before every battle and any time I wish to speak to you.” He shakes his head, “No, this is different. It’s not a sacrifice, it’s a mingling, a sharing of blood between us.” Her eyes go wide, “Gods don’t bleed.” He gives a cold laugh, “With ceremonial daggers we can bleed, even die with the help of certain weapons. For this ceremony we have the option of using the Dagger of Helios or having a dagger crafted for us by Hephaestus.” “The latter,” she interrupts. He nods, “My thoughts exactly, especially sense we have time. Now stop interrupting me and let me finish explaining the nuances. As my Chosen we would be eternally bonded. Nothing could break this bond, not our choices, not death. I would know when you are in trouble, you would sense me, I don’t know to what extent, but you would certainly know if I were near, possibly know if I’m watching you.” She raises her eyebrows, clearly seeing advantages and he continues, “If we were in battle together, our battles would naturally become better coordinated between us. You couldn’t read my thoughts but you could sense things and I could speak into your mind, even read your thoughts. You would be amazing in battle, more so than you already are. If needed, I could even lend you my strength. Your own strength and resilience to injuries and poisons would be more than that of a common mortal and I could communicate battle plans without a word. In a way, we would be one. I won’t lie to you though; we would have to practice fighting together. The biggest benefit is safety to my position as the God of War.” She raises an eyebrow, “How so? Does this have something to do with children?” She asks, sounding nervous. He shakes his head, knowing that after Solon, she wasn’t interested in children nor was he interested in having his Warrior Princess out of commission for any length of time at least not until she became his Goddess, “No. If anything were to happen to me. If Zeus got mad and turned me mortal, captured me, or killed me, you would take my place. Now get that crazy gleam out of your eyes, if you in anyway arrange for that to happen, you die with me.” She gives him a shocked look, “I would never try to kill you for my own benefit. However I wouldn’t argue with becoming the Goddess of War.” He smiles, seeing his ultimate plan coming to fruition, “You will also have my protection from the other Gods, at least the Gods of this Pantheon. The others won’t respect our ways.” She scowls, “I don’t need protection, I am quite capable of taking care of myself,” she says hotly. He smirks and lightly presses his lips to hers, “I know, my dear, but there’s no harm in having a God on your side, especially when dealing with other Gods.” She smiles and nods, “You said there will have to be a ceremony,” she encourages. He nods, “In front of the Fates and with the approval of both my parents. I will inform the Fates of my decision to make you my Chosen. I will give them a sealed and endorsed agreement from Zeus and Hera. You will swear your allegiance, loyalty and utter devotion to me. I will swear the same to you. We will each slice our palms with the dagger and hold them together until the blood stops dripping from the wound. The blood will be collected into a goblet and we will each drink from it. Simple enough.” She nods, “Simple enough. Have you done this before?” He shakes his head, “Never. There has never been a mortal I would trust.” She smiles a little, “Side effects?” He shrugs, “Not much. Some of my family has reported the urge to consummate their new union, but I see that as a bonus.” She smirks, “I accept your offer. I will be your Chosen, now and always.” He growls and pulls her face towards his, intent on devouring her. Xena smiles and meets his lips, pressing away from the wall enough to wrap her legs around his waist, hoping their next stop will be the huge bed.
To Xena’s disappointment, Ares pulls from her lips and sets her into one of the chairs while he takes the other. With a swish of his hand a cheese spread and goblets of wine cover a small table between them, “Now for the promise,” he says. She gives him a questioning look while grabbing a piece of cheese and a goblet, “I thought that was the promise; to become your Chosen.” He smiles, “No, no, that is just something I have been planning. While you are here I want things to be different, because once you are my Chosen, things between us will be different, far more intimate and I don’t want to take your mortal mind by surprise.” She growls throwing a cheese knife at him. He snatches the knife and points the handle at her, “Nothing sharp, at least not until the mortal plane is fixed.” She motions down her body, “Are you going to disarm me?” He gives her a wild look, “I’ll do more than that. Later. However, I want you to take full advantage of Olympus and me while you’re here.” Her eyes twinkle and his leathers begin to grow tight as she licks her lips. “As I explained before there are many things available to you while you are with me. But there is more. I know you are not the clothing type of woman, but this armor,” he says, pointing at her leather bodice and shoddy breastplate in disgust, “Will be replaced. I am seeing something with bronze, maybe gold and large shoulder pieces to intimidate your subjects with. I’ll have Hephaestus make something and stylize it. Until then, I don’t wish to see this anymore.” He snaps his fingers and she sits naked before him. She glares, “And what would you like me to wear?” He points at a door, “The closet is full of clothes in your size, pick what you like.” She sets her goblet down, and enters the closet, feeling his eyes glued to her. She exits, “These are dresses.” He comes in behind her, pulling her against him, “Yes, they are. There are some leather pants and a few vests for if we practice or go horse riding. She turns in his arms, “You, the God of War, want me to wear dresses.” He smirks, “You are on Olympus, my dear, this is the picture of opulence and you will fit in and do as you are told. Who knows you might even like it, in fact, I’m sure you will.” Xena growls pretending to be agitated. In Amphipolis growing up, her family hadn’t been poor, but with her father leaving and then her step father dying and Corteese attacking, they hadn’t exactly had money for attractive clothes. Some of the wealthier families had nice dresses and horses, things she could only dream of, but once she got old enough to know she would never be like those girls she had steeled herself to their ridicule and worn her brother’s clothes to make it easier on her mother. She doesn’t know if Ares knows that or not, but she is happy with this opportunity. “And if I don’t like these?” She challenges. He smirks, “Then I will find something you do like. And if I can’t then I suppose you’ll have to remain nude or talk to Aphrodite.” She scowls, “I’m sure I’ll find something,” she says, turning her back on him and fingering through the clothes.
Ares runs a finger up her spine and watches her skin break out in bumps. Xena turns and faces him, “Are you sure I should be getting dressed?” He looks her up and down with a wicked grin, “There’s no rush,” he says, taking her hand and leading her out of the closet and towards the bed. She lowers her hand to his sword belt and unbuckles it, catching the sword and setting it aside. He smiles and lets a hand rest on her hips, drawing her closer. She basks in his warmth, his power, feeling it course through her veins, “Ares,” she says with a hushed growl. He allows his lips to drop to hers, a mere brush and she growls. She runs her hands from his waist up his chest, to his shoulders, and brushes the vest away. She wraps her fingers around his necklace and uses it to drag him closer, anchoring her lips to his, exploring and devouring with equal fervor. Ares smiles against her lips, letting his arms rush up and down her back, holding her close, feeling her passion climb, knowing that she’s likely the only mortal that can be his sexual equal. All too quickly one of her hands is in his thick hair, keeping his lips tied to hers, while her other begins to snake its way down his pants. He matches her moves, one of his hands going into her long hair while the other trails from her hip to the moist curls between her legs. She moans rubbing against him, grasping his member in her hand, firmly encircling it. He growls and the rest of his clothes disappear. “That is so handy,” she says, breathlessly. He smirks and lets out a small laugh backing away from her. She gives him a questioning look and he turns opening the curtain around the bed and pushing her down. She gasps as the cool, soft material touches her skin, “Silk from Chin?” He nods, “Only the best.” A small light seems to glow as Ares enters the bed, pushing Xena back further and lets the drapes fall closed.
Ares stares down at Xena as she leans back on her elbows and lower arms. She stares up at him, blue eyes glowing through her thick eyelashes, “So, My Lord, what can I do to please you?” She asks voice playful. He smirks, “Lay there and let me admire you.” She gulps as he grabs her knees, expecting him to open them and enter her quickly. Instead, he presses them together then uses them to push her further onto the bed, grabbing her ankles and pulling her legs straight once she’s fully on the bed. He moves to lounge beside her, then grabs her waist and flips her over. She lets out a surprised shriek, then a louder one when he smacks her ass. She turns to stare at him, “What was that for?” He smirks, “I remember threatening you with a spanking for something. I figure you had earned it by now.” She smiles, then growls when he pushes her head down, “Lie still,” he orders. “Why?” She asks head faced away from him. He raises an eyebrow, running a finger down her spine, “As I said, I want to examine you.” She nods against the bed, “Expamine away, My Lord.” He grabs her hair and turns her head to look at him, lifting it off the bed, knowing that she hates it, “Enough with the ‘My Lord’ crap, Xena. Not here.” Her eyes sparkle, “Then what shall I call you?” He releases her hair then smooth’s it as she lays it back on the bed, “Ares will do just fine.” She smirks, then nods, eyes glowing brightly. He nods, “Now stay quiet and speak only when needed while I explore.” She nods against the bed. He runs a hand over her shoulder, then stops at a small scar, “What’s this from?” She lifts her head, trying to get a look at the scar, “I fell from a tree as a girl, landed on a rock. I didn’t know it scarred.” He nods and runs his hand down her arm, stopping at a mark on the side of her arm, “This one?” She lays her head down, “Arrow grazed me when I fought Corteese. It was the same arrow that killed my brother. If it had landed in my arm instead of just grazing me, my brother might still be alive.” He nods, “Maybe, but you might not have the use of your sword arm. And if your brother was meant to die in that battle, then something else would have gotten him.” She nods, remaining quiet. He trails his hands lower, past the minor marks on her arms and stops at her wrist, “What are these from?” He knows very well, what the scars are from, they are unmistakable and he is sure her other wrist matches, but he wants to hear her say it. She scowls, moving her wrists under her body, out of sight. “Answer me,” he orders. She growls, “When Caesar crucified me, he didn’t nail me to the cross, he tied me around the wrists, waist, and ankles. My waist was protected by cloth. My wrists and ankles weren’t so lucky.” He grabs her arm, pulling her wrist out from under her, “Do you want to live with these marks?” He asks. “Who would?” She spits out. He runs a hand down her cheek, “Will you ask me to remove them?” She stars at him, “Can you?” She questions. He laughs, a deep, booming laugh, “I am a God, Xena, I can do whatever I want.” She smiles, “Remove them, then, please.” He nods and holds her wrist. A bright light surrounds it then fades. He grabs her other wrist as Xena stares at her scar free one in happiness. She feels Ares move lower and grab her ankle. At first she stiffens, then relaxes and allows Ares to erase the scars on her flesh, the physical reminders of Caesar’s betrayal. If only the mental ones were as easy to erase. She feels him go from her first ankle to the second, and then his hands move back to the center of her shoulder blades. “Thank you,” she says quietly. He smiles, running a finger down her cheek, “Anything for my Warrior Princess.” She smiles, a twinkle in her eye, “I’ll have to think of a special way to repay you.” He smirks, “Hmm, you do that, but for now let me continue my examination.” She nods and he slides over her, mounting her back, letting his weight stay on his knees. She sighs at his weight, his warmth, his strength. He lifts her arm, moving it back towards him as he examines it, finding only small nicks of scars on her arm. He releases it and slowly runs his hands through her thick hair, running his fingers against her scalp. She sighs, “That feels amazing.” He smiles but it turns to a frown when he finds a bumpy scar by her ear, “This?” He asks. She reaches her hand up to feel it then sighs, “I guess it did need stitches,” she says quietly. “What did?” He asks. She sighs, not wanting to answer, “Did you know I went to Jappa? I had a girl to ransom back to her father.” He nods, “I’m aware. I’m also aware that things became more complicated, you grew fond of the girl.” She nods against the bed, “I did. I didn’t handle her death well and her people tried to stop me from bringing her peace. I defeated them, but not before the urn broke and her ashes blew away. Fire broke out. Most of it is hazy to me, but a piece of the urn slashed me right there when I fell. I never knew it was that bad. The ash and snow and the blood of others had it clotting so fast and by the time I reached a place to wash out my hair, it was on the mend. And I wasn’t about to try to stich my own head anyway, who knows what kind of mess I would have made.” He knew the story was far more complex than what she was letting on. She had taught the girl the pinch, trusted the girl, even after Caesar had betrayed her. Maybe the child had reminded her of her brother or of the slave girl M’Lila. The girl killed her own father to avenge the deaths of her family, and then Xena had killed the girl to purify her soul. The fact that Xena wasn’t telling him everything let him know that she still hadn’t come to terms with it.
Ares continues his search over Xena’s body, tracing scars down her back, most from her early years of training, a few from her fights with the Amazons. From the backs of her legs, he can see the damage done to her legs from where Caesar broke her legs. Dismounting her, he places his hands on her waist and flips her easily, getting a slight screech from her. “Close your eyes,” he orders. She glares then obeys. She feels his fingers brush over her eyelids, across her cheekbones, resting over her lips. She smiles then pokes her tongue out and runs it down his finger. He offers her a deep chuckle then taps her nose, “Behave.” She argues, “I think I’ve behaved enough for one day.” He chuckles again, “Here on Olympus there will be allot more obeying. You’re mortal and everyone else here is a God.” She squirms then opens her eyes with a hard look, “I bend to no one.” He brushes his lips to hers, then moves away from her face, stroking her neck and shoulder, “And that is one of the things I love about you.” Her stomach tightens at the word ‘love’ and Ares takes silent notice. He runs his hands over her breasts and she inhales sharply, a smile dancing on her lips. Under his scrutiny her nipples harden, begging for attention and being a considerate God, he indulges, dragging one into his mouth while twirling the other around with his fingers. Quickly Xena’s breath becomes harsh and her hands dart to his hair and her legs begin to rise, searching for his waist, intent on finally having her way. He chuckles and releases her nipples, deftly removing himself from her grip, “I’m not done yet.” She growls, “And what exactly are you doing?” She asks harshly, patience gone. “Examining,” he answers, attention on her ribs. He runs a finger down a scar, fairly recent, but healed, “What’s this?” “Dagger wound,” she answers shortly. He pinches the flesh around it, making sure he has her full attention, “Try again,” he says. She sighs, “It was a training accident from a month or so ago.” He thinks back, then shakes his head, “Who were you training with?” She sneers, “Who do you think?” He growls, “You’re supposed to tell me if I get a hit in.” “It wasn’t serious,” she says nonchalantly. “It left a scar, that’s serious enough. You know I can heal you.” She smiles at him, “I don’t need you to heal all my scratches. I’m a warrior, Ares, I can deal with a scratch.” He shakes his head and waves his hand over the scar, making it disappear, “From now on, tell me if I hurt you.” She blows out a breath of air, “I’m not made out of glass.” He half ignores her, “No, glass could never compare to your beauty. I won’t be responsible for marring it.” Heat rushes to her cheeks and she’s glad his attention is now on her stomach and he isn’t looking up at her. She is embarrassed and a little mad at herself to be blushing, she hadn’t blushed sense she was a child. Chills erupt over her skin as Ares runs his fingers over her taught stomach. Quietly he says, “I would love to have this swollen with my child.” Xena grabs his hand, getting his attention, “Don’t even think about it. I agreed to be your Chosen, not your oven.” He scowls, not at all liking her wording, “You would be the mother to my heir, not an oven,” he says, voice rising in rage towards the end. She smiles, soothing his rage, “Ares, we have a good thing going. And I can’t bring about your empire if I’m pregnant.” He nods, “Not now, but one day.” She smiles a little, “Yeah, one day,” she agrees, not wanting to argue with him while he’s in such a good mood. His hand continues over her hips and she feels the heat of his stare on her moist curls, but he skips over the one place she wants his hands and allows them to continue down to her once shattered knees, “Lao Ma did good work with these. Would like me to remove the scars?” She turns her face aside and nods, both angry and sad at the thought of Caesar’s betrayal and her own desertion of Lao Ma. He heels the marks and glances up, expecting to see her beaming in happiness. Instead her head is tilted to the side and her eyes look sad. He grabs her chin, forcing her to look at him, “Bad memories?” She nods. He smiles and releases her chin then runs his hands over her smooth knees and shins, “All gone now, Princess.” She smiles, knowing that though the marks on her body may be gone, the marks on her soul would always remain. He sees the fake smile and strokes her cheek, “One day, we will go after Caesar and you will destroy him, torture him, and take everything he holds dear: his wealth, his stature, his pride, even his damn eyes.” She smiles, a true smile, one of happiness with a hint of vengeance in it. Ares feels the heat of her rage and can’t help but bask in it for a moment, no mortal could feed his soul the way she did.
With a coy smile, Xena gracefully slides her legs under her and stands on her knees, bringing herself against Ares’ bare chest. He smiles at her and strokes her hair, “You are so beautiful,” he says quietly. She smiles, “I have other qualities too and needs as well.” He nods, smiling, “I’m aware.” “Could have fooled me,” she snaps. He eyes her, “And how have I not cared for you?” She smiled, mischief sparkling in her eyes, “You examined my whole body…almost. You left one area alone and it’s the neediest area on my body.” He smiles and she grabs his hand leading it between her legs. “Is that so?” He questions, running his fingers through her curls, feeling her moistness on his fingers, smelling her need in the air of the confined curtained bed. She nods, inhaling when one of his fingers strokes her gently, then growling when it doesn’t return. “My dear, Xena, I like you in this position, kept in place by those newly heeled knees and held steady by those lovely hips. The question is: can you stay like this?” She smirked, “For you? Of course I can.” He chuckles, “We’ll see.” She maintains eye contact as he moves behind her, curious on his intentions. She smiles widely when he lays down and urges her legs farther apart. She thinks that he’s taking a creative path under her and is surprised when he doesn’t move her much. She feels his hot breath on her and his beard scratching against the sides and backs on her legs and lets out a moan. As his tongue reaches out to taste her she inhales with a hiss. Ares smiles beneath her. He can tell from her reaction, this wasn’t what she expected though it had been his plan from the beginning. Rarely did she allow him the pleasure of tasting her like this, their normal encounters being far rougher and desperate after a round of sword practice. But to have her like this, at his complete mercy, her taste on his lips, it was his personal Elysian fields. He wraps his hands around her hips offering her some stability while he devours her. Soon he feels not just her juices coating him, but her sweat as well. Her breathing is choppy and she is beginning to move in time to his licks and nibbles. The muscles in her stomach are tightening against his fingers, her inner thighs are becoming as tight as a vice and she is moaning nonsensical words with a desperate tone that he is beginning to love hearing. He glances up and sees that one of her hands is rubbing her breast and he feels the other twisting and pulling on his hair. He reaches one arm up to her shoulder, holding her closer to him, giving her no room to escape and she lets out a short scream. He circles the other around her leg, again anchoring her against his mouth and begins to run his fingers through her curls earning himself a few mumbles resembling his name. The mumbles soon become a scream as he sinks a finger into her wet depths and he smiles as she tugs his hair. Her muscles are tight around him and he knows she’s close to falling over the edge, the question on his mind is once she falls how quickly will she recover? He is dying to sink into her and find his own nirvana, to find that second of peace within her depths.
Xena moans her pleasure, allowing Ares to support her, to devour her, to see her at her weakest. This being the first time he’s ever attacked her with his mouth, she’s surprised at his skill and how quickly she finds herself responding to the tiniest of his movements. Soon, thoughts disappear and everything in her life is touch, feeling, sex. His attack is relentless, yet patient. He never lets up, not for a second, never giving her a break, never giving her body that chance to back down. She clings to reality, fighting the urge to slip away into nothingness. She curses herself as one little nibble sets the fire blazing, she knows she’s going over the edge and by the smile she feels on her thigh, Ares knows as well. Another nibble and she screams his name, whether in delight or defeat she doesn’t know, doesn’t even take the time to try to figure out. He continues his assault, wringing tremor after tremor from her body. Her legs are weak beneath her and Ares positions his arms to hold her weight. When the last tremor leaves her and he gives her a final nuzzle making her breath hitch in her throat, he slides out from beneath her and meets the fire of her eyes. “You taste amazing, better than the finest wine, better than ambrosia,” he compliments, cocky smile spread across his face. Color flickers across her cheeks, but quickly vanishes as she launches herself at him. He smiles catching her around the waist and bringing his lips to hers. She peeks her tongue out and licks his lips with a seductive look, “Mmmm, you’re right,” she agrees. His eyes darken, full of lust. She slides onto his lap, letting his member jut up between their bodies, squished between them, “That was…enjoyable,” she compliments, acting like she’s unaffected. He smirks, “Just enjoyable?” She nods. He shakes his head, “I’ve gotten better compliments in the past. Maybe I’m off my game.” She smiles, “Perhaps,” she agrees. He gives her a hard look, “Or maybe you don’t want to admit that I’m the best you’ve had.” Color flickers across her cheeks again and she smiles, “Perhaps,” she agrees again. He smiles and claims her lips then kisses his way to her ear, “I will get you to admit it,” he promises. She smirks and grabs his hair, bending his head so his ear is near her lips. She licks the edge then gently bites the lobe, “Maybe you should get to work then.” He growls and flings her onto the bed on her back. She sits up, moving to the corner of the bed then crawls towards where he’s sitting and with a wicked smile slides onto his lap, letting him glide into her.
Both Xena and Ares inhale, eyes on the other. Ares grabs her around the back and pulls her closer, raising his knees to rest behind her. She puts her thighs against his back, then slowly, almost like it’s a test, she begins to ride him, using her feet and his knees for leverage. He growls and lifts his hips, spearing her deeper than before and she lets out a heavy breath. He grabs her lips with his and a battle begins between them, each trying to outdo the other, both knowing the close intimate position won’t allow either of them to last too long. “You will scream for me,” Ares says, grabbing her shoulders and pulling her down tightly. She moans and smiles, “You’ll have to make me,” she challenges. He chuckles, accepting her challenge and falling backwards, getting a sharp gasp from her as his angle adjusts and he allows her to take charge. Xena moans, happy to take charge. She rides him hard, harder than she’d been able to ride any mortal. Ares delights in her eagerness, her audacity to take charge of him and push him in the best way possible. For him, she is a challenge, a challenge he isn’t sure he’ll beat any time soon and the prospect of having an equal excites him. He feels her body quiver and kisses the tightness of her lips as she tries to chase off her orgasm. “Let go,” he whispers in her ear. He grabs her chin and kisses her, letting her cling to him as she falls over the edge, dragging him with her. She collapses on his chest, slick with sweat. Breath short, she huffs out, “I still haven’t screamed.” A smug smile appears on her face then she shrieks as he rolls over, trapping her under him. He smirks down at her, “We’ll just have to work on that, now won’t we?” She smiles and meets his lips ready for anything he can dish out.
Hours later, Ares takes a deep breath and shifts Xena so that her head rests on his chest and she’s gathered in his arms at his side. Oddly, it is the first time he felt the need, the desire to remain with a woman after sex. She was sleeping, exhausted, he even considers taking a nap with her. But being a God comes with many responsibilities and he has already spent a great amount of the day wrapped up with his Princess. Carefully, he opens a portal in front of him and stares at her marching army. They look ragged, dragging their steps behind Darphus and Estragon. What she saw in either man he would never understand, but she did need a second in command, mostly for times like these. Times when he stole her away from that rag-tag bunch of thugs for his own pleasures. And after the day they had together, he plans to steal her away far more often and perhaps rush her towards world domination so he can make her his Goddess. He focuses on the men, their nonmatching armor, poorly crafted weapons, tired horses and worn supplies. ‘She deserves better,’ he thought. Already many of the men had fallen, far more than half had been left for dead and many fell as they continued their grueling march to the Halls of War. Not many will be left for Xena to claim when the mortal plane is back to normal. He switches to an army in Gaul. It’s lead by two lovers: Persuticus and Boadicea. He looks over the army. Right now, they don’t seem impressive as they huddle in tents, trying to escape the deathly cold, but he knows from watching and organizing their battles in the past that they are a force to be reckoned with. Not just that, their weapons were top of the line, the men were big, strong, and willing to follow their leader to the death. Their armor and supplies were in good shape. Even their horses and livestock were healthy. This was the army his Princess deserves and this is the army she will have as soon as the mortal world is back to normal. It might not be enough to conquer the world with, but it would be a good start.
Ares sees a flash of bright pink light through the cracks in the curtains surrounding his bed. Nudging Xena’s head onto a pillow, he rises and exits the bed, “Aphrodite,” he greets. “Brother,” she responds, eyeing him up and down, not particularly bothered by his nakedness, but quite curious. Suddenly the truth hits her and she tries to sneak around him, “She’s here? In your rooms? Oh she must be special. This I have to see.” He grabs her shoulder, dragging her away from the bed, “You will leave her alone. There will be plenty of time to gawk later, at your insane party.” She pouts, then shrugs and walks to the closet. It doesn’t escape her notice that half of it is now filled with dresses and armor for this ‘Xena’ woman. She exits shaking her head, “None of those will do.” “Do for what?” He asks, quickly. “My party, duh.” He closes his eyes, praying for patience, “Then what will we need?” Her eyes widen a degree, “You’re a ‘we’ now, hm?” He growls, “Aphrodite, get to the point.” She waves her hand in a dismissive gesture, “Drop the ‘tude, Bro. Alright here are the details: We are having a Winter Wonderland party. There will be food, contests, dancing, games, everything. And most of the family will be there. So it will be a good time to introduce your pet to the family.” He growls again, “She is far more than a pet.” Aphrodite’s eyes grow large, then she smiles daintily, “You’ll both need outfits, matching outfits. The colors are Blue, silver, white and I’m aiming more for a velvety look instead of satin though satin might be better for the men. After all, who wants to dance with someone when their dress is going to rub against their shirt and feel all funny?” He nods, already growing annoyed with his sister. “Is there anything else?” He asks hostility in his voice. She thinks for a moment, “Just the usual: No weapons, don’t start any fights, be on time and don’t leave too early.” He nods, rolling his eyes. “Alright, I got it. When is it?” She shrugs, “Tomorrow night. We’ll have a feast first at dinner time, then dancing and mingling and games and I’ll leave a buffet open.” He nods, “Fine, we’ll be there. Go, now.” Aphrodite gives him an unamused look, then smiles gently and places a delicate hand on his shoulder, “This one is special, isn’t she? Different from the other women? Your other Warriors?” He nods slowly, “When the mortal plane is fixed, she will be my Chosen.” Aphrodite inhales sharply, “Ares that is a big decision. Are you sure she’s worthy?” He laughs, a dark, haunting laugh, devoid of humor, “She’s worthy of Godhood itself, Sis.” She stares up at her older brother as he stares at the bed were this mysterious mortal rests, ‘He’s in love,’ she realizes, but stays quite, just giving him an awed expression. He turns back to her, “If that’s all, leave,” he orders. She nods, “I’ll see you both at the party,” she says, walking out the door instead of disappearing in her usual cascade of pink.
Xena exits the bed and meets Ares’ eyes, “That was your sister, Aphrodite?” He nods, “How long have you been awake?” She shrugs, “Sense you got up,” she admits. He nods, “How much did you hear?” She smirks, “You weren’t exactly quite,” she says playfully. He nods, “Well then, you know that we are in for a night of pure torture tomorrow.” She nods, “Just so you know, I’ll dress the part, but I don’t dance.” He smirks and laughs a little, “You will with me.” She shakes her head, “No, see I can’t dance. It’s not in my repertoire.” He laughs and runs a hand up her naked arm, “Not to fear my Princess, while you are with me, you will dance and maybe learn a few things, too.” She shakes her head, smiling a little.
Ares walks to the closet and grabs them each a robe. “I’m sure you’re hungry and I think you’ll enjoy the baths, I know I do.” Xena takes a silk robe and slides it over her body, tying it loosely in the front. He slips the second on, leaving it open. Xena smiles as her gaze lowers. “Hey, my eyes are up here, beautiful,” Ares snaps with a playful edge. She laughs and meets his gaze, “So, where are these baths?” She asks taking his offered arm. He leads her out of the room and she watches in amazement as the door opens and closes on its own. Quickly, she returns her attention to the hallway and the many tapestries, vases, and weapons. Another door magically opens and they enter a steamy room. This time Xena doesn’t even watch the door close on its own, far more interested in the empty granite bath. She turns to Ares, her look bewildered, “Where’s the water?” She asks. He openly laughs, “Oiled and perfumed water or mineral water, My Dear?” She eyes him curiously, “Mineral.” He waves a hand over the pool and it fills with steaming hot mineral water.
Ares drops his robe on the floor and Xena watches it appear on a chair off to the side then drops hers, surprised when it does the same. He offers her a hand and she takes it, letting him lead her into the steamy water. She sinks in with a moan and Ares sits behind her, hands instantly on her shoulders, massaging them with an expert hand. Her eyes close as he works all the kinks and worries out of her shoulders and upper back. He feels her relax against his touch, turning to butter in his palm and quickly grabs her hips, raising her out of the water. She shrieks in shock. “Take the edge,” he instructs. She obeys holding the edge, curious of his intentions. Slowly his hands start to work their magic on her lower back and she moans again, glad she obeyed. “You could warn me next time,” she says, voice gentle, no anger in it. He chuckles, “I won’t have to next time. You’ll know to expect it.” She smiles, “So you expect this to be a regular occurrence? Me joining you on Olympus for amazing sex and a steamy bath?” “And A nice dinner,” he adds in, “Yes, I would like to have you here more than this one time. You are the balm my soul needs, the inspiration I thrive on,” he kisses her lips gently, “And a meal I will never tire of.” She hears his words, words of endearment, of promise and she feels her heart opening to let him in. She turns in his hands, gently wrapping her legs around him and sitting on his lap, chest to chest, “When I’m here, with you, I feel whole. There have always been parts of me that no one will accept, my violence, my bloodlust, my command, yet you encourage all of those things.” He brushes his lips to hers, “Because those are the things that make you great.” “Great?” She questions. He nods, “Yes great, like the heroes and conquerors of old: Hector, Achilles, Agamemnon.” She gives him a shocked look, “You put me on the same level as them?” He nods, “One day, with the leadership of a very interested War God,” he answers with a smile. Growing uncomfortable, she backs away and begins to search the granite edge surrounding them. Ares turns her towards him, “What do you need?” She answers quickly, “Soap or oil for my hair and skin.” He gives her a devilish smile and a jar appears in his hand. She reaches for it and he pulls it away, “This will be my pleasure.” A sea sponge arrives in his other hand and he pours some of the oil onto the sponge then moves closer to Xena. She freezes, seeing his intention and somehow finding it more intimate than sex. “I can wash myself,” she says, reaching for the sponge. He moves it away from her, “I’m sure you can. But I want to.” She nods offering him her arms. He smiles, rubbing the sponge over her skin. She inhales the scent, trying to place it, then shakes her head, “What is that?” He chuckles, “Mistletoe, to go with Aphrodite’s annoying party.” She looks doubtful, “Will the scent stay that long?” He nods, “Yes and it will disappear the second the party is over; Benefits of Godhood.” He takes his time on her breasts, then motions for her to stand. She rises with a sharp inhale and the temperature rises to keep her warm. After covering her abs and stomach, he stares at the tight bunch of curls covering her core, “I think this sponge might be too rough for such a wonderful, delicate area.” He drops the sponge, hand slick with oil already and slides it between her legs. She gasps and grabs his shoulders as he works his hand over her until her folds are as clean as any have ever been. He picks up the sponge and looks up at her as he adds more oil to it. Her cheeks are flushed and her eyes are dark, “Enjoy that a little too much?” She shakes her head, “No, not quite enough.” He laughs, a booming laughter, “You are insatiable and I love it. But right now we are cleaning you.” “What about you?” She counters as he finishes her legs and feet and motions for her to turn. “Gods are always clean.” She lets out a disappointed sigh, “But you seem to be having so much fun.” He laughs lightly, “Maybe one day, Princess.” He pulls her down into the water, finishing her back and neck. “Rinse and wet your hair,” he orders. She obeys ready to be done with the bath and get back to much more enjoyable activities. She sinks into the water and rises in front of him, pushing her hair away from her face. He turns his finger in a circular motion and she turns, tilting her head back for him. He begins working the oil into her hair, “So long as you are here, this is the only bath you’ll need. You’ll remain clean like we Gods do.” She smiles, “That’s nice,” she says, voice soft. He massages her scalp and she lets out a moan. “Sink down so I can rinse this out.” She obeys, “I’ll be wearing a dress to this party correct?” He nods. She scowls, “I’ll need a straight edged knife then.” His brow wrinkles then he laughs, “Oh my dear, dear Xena. I am going to give you the gift of the ages. You will never shave again after this. All you will have to do is run my hand over the areas you would usually shave and no hair will ever grow there again.” She gives him a disbelieving look as she sits up. He smiles and puts his hand in hers, “Trust me.” She raises an arm and runs his hand under one arm, then the other, using her other hand to check and find that the hair is indeed gone. She smiles and stands up, giving him a wicked look. Starting at the top of her triangle of curls she takes one of his fingers and traces a path around her curls. Spreading her legs, she continues to use that one finger to completely outline her core and inner legs, earning a hungry look from Ares. Satisfied that she finally got to torture him a little, she returns to using his whole hand and quickly runs it over and around one leg then the other. “Done?” He asks. She nods and sinks back onto his lap, “I’m done with that,” she says, nibbling on his lower lip. “Mm, do you really think you can keep going?” He asks, giving her a doubtful look. She bites his lip and he jerks away, rubbing it, “Never question my desires.” He smiles and leans closer, “Good, we’ll get back to those… desires after dinner.” She growls but takes his outstretched hand. He leads her out of the bath and she watches the water disappear as her feet leave it. She also finds that her hair and skin are dry. She runs her hands through her hair, pure surprise on her face. She smiles at Ares, “Thank you,” she says, quietly. He nods and hands her a robe while draping his on. Mimicking him, she leaves hers open, but he turns and ties it, “I have no desire for Strife or Deimos to get a sneak peek of you if they pop in. I want to keep that vision all to myself.” She smiles and follows him back to his room.
He takes her robe and removes his, dropping them in the closet. Xena watches the robes as they hang themselves up. Ares' regular leather outfit, minus the weapons, covers him in seconds leaving Xena naked. “I suppose this isn’t a clothing optional dinner?” She asks in a teasing tone. He shakes his head, “I want you to get used to being on Olympus. Pick a dress Xena.” She walks into the closet, fingering the gowns. Most were far fancier than anything she had ever seen in her life. One reminded her of the dress she wore to seduce Caesar. She rips it from the hanger, “Destroy that,” she orders. He nods, happy with her reaction. He had purposely placed that gown in there hoping to find her hatred of Caesar still bright. Finally she emerges holding a dark green silk dress with delicate beads for straps and as decoration at the neckline. It tapers in at her waist and flares around her legs. “I hope you don’t expect me to where shoes as well,” she says harshly. He shakes his head. She begins to step into the gown, but he stops her, opting to wave his hand over her instead, immediately placing the gown on her. With another wave, her hair piles onto her head, held in place by chains of beads matching the gown. He approaches with three daggers, one he slides between her breasts, one he places against her spine, seemingly inside a sheath made in the dress itself. The third he bends down and offers her his knee, “Put your foot on my leg,” he orders. She obeys and he slides his hand up her legs and ties the dagger around her thigh. He motions to a mirror on the inside door of the closet, “What do you think?” She looks at her reflection, shocked beyond words. He approaches and places his hands on her waist, “This is why you are a Warrior Princess.” She smiles, still at a loss for words.
Ares leads the way down the hall pausing at a green door, waiting for Xena to catch up. He glances back at her and finds her studying a tapestry. He walks to her side and nods, “The Battle of Corinth,” he says. She nods, looking at herself and her well hidden extended stomach. She’s standing before a group of Centaurs and men, Dagnine and Borias are behind her, but there is no detail given to them. They could be anyone. She reaches up and touches her pregnant stomach her other hand going to her now flat and taut stomach. “Do you wish you had done things differently?” Ares asks, shrewdly. She nods, eyes darkening, “I should have left Borias in Chin or with his precious Amazons,” she says heatedly pushing away from the tapestry. “I want this removed,” she says, leaving no room for argument. He smirks, “It will be. When you conquer and take over a certain filthy Gaelic army and make it something I can be proud to call mine.” She nods, leaving the tapestry and continues to follow him down the hall and into a room filled with a long banquet table covered in more food than she had ever seen in one place in her life. A small seating area rests in front of a hearth, a couple of goblets already resting on a small table between two large deep red chairs. “This army-,” she starts, but is interrupted by Ares, “Gather a plate a food; we’ll talk about your new army while you eat.” Xena obeys, walking to the banquet table and filling a plate with things that she recognizes, then takes the vacant seat in front of the fire. “How strong is this army?” She asks, launching straight into the details. “One hundred thousand soldiers or so. I expect a couple hundred will die trying to protect their current leaders,” he answers. She shakes her head, “That’s not good. I don’t have the man power left to take that many on.” Ares smiles, “A small contingent of men are waiting to join your army at the Halls of War.” “Small?” She questions. He shrugs, “Seven hundred loyal soldiers awaiting the leadership of the great Warrior Princess Xena.” She smirks and nods, “That will help even the odds. Still, maybe I can take over the army without fighting. If I don’t have to lose any of my new troops that leaves me with a stronger fighting force in the end and possibly one that is more willing to serve.” He nods at her deduction. “Tell me about the leaders.” She asks. He nods, “Persuticus and his lover Boadicea. They’re barbarians and weak, but keep an eye on Boadicea, she’s far more shrewd than she seems.” Xena nods, “Any enemies?” Ares shrugs, “The Gauls are always fighting the Romans, but you won’t have the man power to go against Rome. You need the backing of a stronger army for that, maybe Athens or Sparta even. I have a few connections with the Spartans. You might be able to earn us a Spartan army. And that would give us quite a force, one that would give the Romans something to fear.” Xena nods, “Still, what can I use to get myself on the same side as these Gauls?” Ares thinks for a moment, “Recently Boadicea attacked and chased the Romans from Camulodunum. Her next target will be Londinum, at the head of the Gaelic isles. I’ve kept an eye on the mortal plane and this disaster has spread as far north as Gaul so that should put a halt on her attack. You can arrive with our army before she attacks, change her plans just enough to do more damage, get more loot for the men, have our men enter into their ranks and encourage them to follow you. Then after Londinum is properly sacked, betray her and Persuticus, have them crucified and take the army.” Xena immediately shakes her head, “We’ll be against the Romans, I can’t crucify them, but I can order them killed. I’ll set them up to look like traitors. Maybe set up a wagon of loot so it looks like they’re trying to take the loot and run. They’re lovers right? Not married?” He nods. She nods slowly, “Maybe I can use that to my advantage, seduce Persuticus, drive Boadicea into a rage, let her kill a few of her own men.” Ares shakes his head, “I don’t think that will work with this couple. You might be irresistible to the normal man, but they’re devotion to each other runs deep and I don’t want this to be a long campaign. You need to get in, get the men and get back to Greece. Once you conquer Greece, we’ll go back to Gaul, then Rome itself. Maybe move onto Chin, Jappa, Norse lands, Siberia, Egypt even.” Xena nods, “Siberia will be easy, the Amazon Queen structure has been destroyed. I don’t know if I want to tangle with Alti though, it might be best to leave her alone. Odin will be easy to defeat, he’ll fall with little hassle. I don’t see Jappa being too difficult either. Chin I would like to make an alliance with. The house of Ma helped me when I needed it and we could let them control eastern trade for us.” Ares nods, blood running hot as he watches her take over planning the attack; sees that her mind works like his, sees the power she will add to his own when she becomes his Chosen and later his Goddess. “You are sublime,” he compliments. She gives him a hooded smile, “We make quite the team.” He nods then motions at her plate, “Done?” She nods and it disappears. She turns in time to see a banquet of desserts replace the food on the table. She smiles, a wicked, playful smile, “Grab the wine and I’ll collect some desserts to play with back in your bedroom,” she says, rising and pushing her breasts towards Ares’ face as she moves around him. He chuckles and grabs their goblets and a couple of wine bottles, not noticing that one was Bacchus’ special brews.
Two plates in hand, Xena leads the way out of the banquet hall, knowing the doors will open for her without a touch, knowing that Ares will be impressed that she has already mapped out his quarters. Ares follows her, watching her hips sway in the dress, wishing he had gotten her into a dress far sooner in their relationship. The metal and leather suits her as a Warrior but as a woman the dress does her a courtesy that no armor could ever do. At the same time he realizes that tomorrow night at his sisters’ ridiculous party, he would have his hands full keeping his siblings’ hands off of her. He was sure his Princess would capture Apollo’s eye, along with his fathers, possibly Aphrodite’s even, and almost surely Athena’s. The only member of his family he is hoping will find her as enchanting as he does is his mother. If she doesn’t, she could bring her wrath down on Xena just for being a mortal woman catching the eye of her only son, much as the mortal whores caught the eye of her husband.
Xena spreads out in front of the hearth, setting her plates on the floor. Ares follows removing the chairs and table with a wave of his hand and placing a small board on the floor under the plates. He sets the goblets on top of the board and pours the wine, lounging on the plush rug next to Xena. Xena sips her wine and smiles, “So do Gods get drunk?” She asks with a smile. Ares shrugs, “With special brews, yes. But, it’s not my thing. I like to be in control of all my faculties.” She smirks, “We have that in common. Still, letting go can be very rewarding,” she says, taking her goblet and putting it to his lips. Ares sips from the goblet, licking the rim, while staring into her crystal eyes, “You want to let go?” He asks. She shakes her head, “No, I want you to.” He laughs, a loud booming noise, “Mm, maybe later. Right now I want to warn you about this party tomorrow.” She sighs, dipping a strawberry in honey and sliding it into her mouth, sucking the honey off of it, then offering him the berry. He takes a bite of it, “Xena, my family can be very manipulative. They will try to find a way to use you against me especially when they find out I have finally decided that you will be my Chosen. They will want to know what you have, what I see in you. And if they see it, they will want to either take you or kill you.” She waves her hand, dipping her finger in warm chocolate then painting his lips with it before kissing him. He pushes her back, “Xena, this is important.” She growls, “Then tell me about it tomorrow while we’re getting ready for the party. Right now, I want to play with you.” He smiles, relaxing, “You want to play with me? I’m not a doll, my dear.” She growls, “Good, I’ve never played with a doll.” He gives her a dark look, full of heat, “Alright, tonight we play. But tomorrow…” She nods, cutting him off, “Tomorrow, I will listen to your warnings and follow your directions so I don’t embarrass you in front of your family.” He chokes on his wine, coughing a few times, “Embarrass me?” She nods, “Isn’t that what you’re worried about?” He shakes his head, “Hardly. I’m worried about my family destroying you. I worry that because you are a mortal woman, my mother will put you in the same group as those whores my father runs around with and if she does, she will blast you into a million pieces and place me in the same basket as my father.” She nods, “Mm, daddy problems.” He glares at her and drains his goblet. She smiles and drains her goblet, leaving it on the board and rising. Ares’ eyes follow her, “Something missing, my dear?” She smile coyly, “I’m just going to slip into something a little more comfortable. Refill our goblets,” she instructs, walking into the closet and letting the dress slip from her shoulders to puddle at her feet. She smiles as it suddenly appears hanging up in front of her. Glancing around the closet she finds what she’s looking for and slips a dark red silk negligee on. The sleeves are mere strings and another string ties between her breasts. It stops at her thigh, quite a bit shorter than fingertip length. She smiles, and leaves the closet, smiling when Ares’ eyes glue on her form and his hand stops halfway to his mouth. As she walks towards him, he allows her hair to fall naturally, the pins disapearing. She smiles and sits back down, placing herself between Ares and the chocolate strawberry in his hand and takes a succulent bite of it. She moves and smiles. He grabs the back of her head and pulls her close, claiming her mouth for a hot kiss.
Xena moves away from Ares and grabs her goblet, taking a sip, “This tastes different?” He takes a sip of his own and his eyes go round, ‘Shit.’ He reaches for Xena’s goblet, but she is already taking a larger swig of the wine. He slaps the goblet from her hands as her eyes glaze over. A sloppy smile spreads over her face as she starts pulling at his clothes, knocking over the goblets and food all at once. “Fuck me,” she purrs, twirling her tongue around his ear. He grimaces, “Awe, love, you’re going to feel like hell when that wears off.” She smacks her lips, pulling his vest off, “When what wears off My Lord?” She asks, giving what she thinks is a seductive look but just turns out to be a wasted smile. He shakes his head, “I need to be more careful now that you’re going to be around here.” “Why?” She asks, stroking his chest and running her tongue around his nipple. “That was Bacchus’ wine. That can get a God drunk and kill a mortal. Lucky for us, you just had a little. You’ll have a nasty hangover, but I think I’m in for one hell of a night.” She laughs, “You’ve got that right, War God. Now should I get on my knees and worship you properly?” She asks, already pulling at his pants. He smirks, making their clothes disappear and going along with whatever Xena wants. Throughout the night, hour after hour, Xena stays strong, attacking Ares again and again, surprising him with her stamina, especially sense she’s highly intoxicated. Eventually she collapses on top of him, a look of satisfaction spread over her features. Ares smiles as her muscles relax and she lies on top of him, using his chest as a pillow. One of her hands is tangled in his hair and the other grips his cock. He finds himself exhausted and is quite surprised, never having had a mortal exhaust him before. Making a blanket appear on top of them, he wraps his arms around Xena and falls into a light sleep.
Xena wakes the next morning with a dry mouth and a pounding headache. However, she is warm and held tight on top of Ares’ chest. She finds one of her hands wrapped tightly in his hair and gently untangles it, then finds her other hand still holding his cock. She squeezes it and Ares pops his eyes open. He smiles at her, “I know you can’t want more,” he says with a small laugh. She shakes her head and the motion makes her nauseous. “By the Gods, what did we drink last night? I have had liquor from here to Jappa and nothing has done this to me.” He laughs quietly and slides out from under her, letting her rest on the comfy bed, “It seems I grabbed a bottle of Bacchus’ wine last night instead of a regular wine. You didn’t have much, which is good, it could have killed you. But you had enough to make you quite… playful,” he informs her, stroking his beard. She groans and closes her eyes, “I haven’t had a hangover sense I was fifteen.” He raises an eyebrow, “Started young, huh?” She smiles, propping herself up and staring at him, “I hung with all the wild guys in town. They would steal ale and wine and we would have drinking contests behind my mother’s inn. I refused to be outdone by the guys, even though they were older than me, more experienced, and larger.” He smiles at her, “So you’ve always had a warrior’s spirit.” She nods, then winces and holds her head. Ares laughs then runs a hand down her cheek, drawing her closer. His lips meet hers and suddenly her stomach settles and her head stops aching. She sighs against his lips, “Thank you.” He nods, “Of course, I have to have you in tip top shape today.” Her brow scrunches and he laughs, “The party, remember?” She scowls, “Oh yes, the party.” He laughs, “Aphrodite has strict instructions for a dress code and she sent over a pair of shoes last night.” She growls, “Dress code? Shoes? Don’t Gods have better things to do?” She asks hotly. Ares gives her a hard look, then smiles, “Not Aphrodite. And the rest of us have learned to humor her because when we don’t chaos ensues.” She growls, then nods, “Fine, how is the mortal world doing?” He opens a small portal and shows her a snow covered landscape, “I’m going to be real honest with you. It’s not good Xena. The world is frozen, mortals can’t heal, and fires won’t stay lit. I’m not usually a negative person, but this could end things. When the world is finally fixed, you could be returning to a brand new type of world: A world full of a few survivors, stragglers: a world in need of your leadership.” She nods slowly, “You mean our leadership,” she states. He smirks, “You know me well.” She nods and smiles, “Some might say intimately.” He laughs, “Some might,” he agrees, then changes the subject, “Breakfast?” She nods, “Fruit, bread, and cheese. And some water,” she says, not wanting anything extreme like the buffet table from dinner the night before. He nods and a plate appears on the bed between them. He holds a cup of water for her. She nibbles on the food more transfixed by the way his eyes watch her. Ares stares, openly, at Xena as she nibbles on her breakfast, wondering if she would be his downfall, that one thing, person that would be his undoing. He feels his life, his spirit spiraling into her. He feels his whole being wanting to be a part of hers He wants, desires her to stay with him. And for one moment, he feels the kiss of his sister’s gift; he feels love for a fragile, wild, and wonderfully mortal woman. He grabs her chin and waits till her eyes meet his, “You are mine,” he says with more conviction than he had ever felt before. Xena stares at him, feeling like she’s standing on a precipice, about to teeter over the edge, then her eyes turn bright blue and her smile gleams, “As long as you are mine,” she says. He nods, “I am yours,” he says, amazed that he means it.
Ares and Xena are both saved from the intense feelings, the depth of their connection that will only grow deeper when they perform the Chosen ceremony when a bright pink flash appears outside of the bed, “Ar?” Aphrodite calls. Ares rolls his eyes and his clothes appear in a blink while he lays a robe on the bed for Xena and hands her the cup of water, “Come out when you’re ready to meet my sister.” She nods with a dark look, “Like that will ever happen,” she says quietly. “I heard that, Warrior babe,” Aphrodite says, “You better come out here before I am ready to leave or I’m coming in there with you.” Xena gives Ares a questioning look and he nods, letting her know that Aphrodite’s threat is real. Ares smirks and exits the bed, letting the curtains flow shut behind him.
Ares gives his sister a warm smile, “Aphrodite, to what do I owe the pleasure?” She smiles at him, “Why Ares, aren’t you being charming? If your little Warrior does this to you then she is so worth keeping around.” Ares scowls, “Why are you here, sis?” She scowls, “And there goes the good mood. Well, when I looked in that closet last night I didn’t see a dress suitable for my party. So I made one unless you already made one for her…” Ares shakes his head, “It was next on my list,” he assures her. She laughs, a bubbling sound, “Sure it was. Next on your list was either sex or fighting. Ohh I forgot, fighting must be off the list sense the little mortal can’t heal,” she teases. He scowls at her but is saved from replying as Xena exits the bed, robe wrapped around her. She lets the curtains flow shut behind her. Ares smiles, all attention on her and Aphrodite watches the pair, noticing the difference in her brother. Aphrodite turns her attention to Xena, “You are beautiful, I’ll give my brother credit for that.” Xena scowls at the Goddess, “So glad I have the approval of the Goddess of love,” she says sharply. Ares chuckles and Aphrodite laughs, “Oh… And the mortal has teeth too. I like her, Ares.” He nods a little, “When the mortal world is normal, she will be my Chosen.” Aphrodite’s mouth falls and glances between the two: the confident Ares and Xena looking proud and sure of herself; she nods and turns back to her brother, “I’m happy for you, brother.” She turns to Xena, “You do know what kind of gift my brother is giving you, right?” Xena nods. Aphrodite smiles and approaches Xena, wrapping her arms around her in a tight hug, “Welcome to the family. Do you know what this means?” Xena slides out of Aphrodite’s arms and turns to Ares, “Why does she keep asking me that?” Aphrodite glares at her, “Listen Miss Thing, to become a God’s Chosen means they trust you with everything. It is one step down from being a Goddess yourself. And for my brother to choose you, choose anyone is amazing. Zeus has been pushing him to do this for a millennia and no one has reached any of his qualifications. And now here you are, his One. I am very impressed.” Xena fails to look worried or even happy, just lets herself lean a bit closer to Ares. Aphrodite looks them over, “You two look good together. I have several more stops. Do you want the dress or not?” Ares nods, “Thanks, sis.” She smiles and waves her hand, “No prob, bro. I’ll see you guys at the party in a few hours,” she says, flashing out of the room in a flash of pink. Xena blinks her eyes, “That was allot of flesh and allot of pink.” Ares nods, “Yeah, that’s my sister.” He places his hand on her waist and leads her out of the room.
Xena stays at Ares’ side, “Where are we going?” He smiles, “I want to show you something special.” She smiles back and follows him through an open purple door. She walks up to a round map and looks down. There are different colored areas with figurines on it. “This is Greece,” Xena says pointing at a purple area. He nods and points at another area, this one gold. She looks it over, “Rome.” He nods and points north of Greece, towards a blue area. She looks it over, running her hand over the area, “Gaul,” she says. She glances around towards grey areas, “That’s Chin and Jappa.” She says. He nods. “Why are they grey?” She asks. He glances at the areas, “I don’t have any armies there, no Temples, no connections. I hope that with you as my Warrior Princess that will change.” She smiles, hunger in her eyes. She points at the figurines, “These are your armies.” He nods. Her hand hovers over a small group not moving, “These are my men,” she says. He nods again, “Would you like to see a closer view of them?” She nods and he puts his hand over the small group of men then tightens his fist. Quickly the map changes and Xena watches her men slowly march through blowing snow. Darphus rides at the back, wrapped up tightly in a broken down tent, a man riding behind him on the horse. He watches the men march, some on foot and some on horses. At the head of her army is Estragon, also wrapped in a deconstructed tent with a man behind him on the horse.” She nods, “The men behind them are their seconds,” she says quietly. She couldn’t name the one behind Darphus, but the one behind Estragon was Theodorus, a strong soldier, a good fighter, but not the sharpest tool in the shed. He was a good choice, a solid choice that wouldn’t betray Estragon and would take orders well. “Estragon’s my new second,” she says quietly. Ares glances at her, “Really? Why?” She watches her men, many stumbling in the snow, Estragon rides back and urges them on, “That’s why,” she says pointing at him, “He cares for the men and he chose a wise second in command, a man that will support him and follow his commands. He is insuring that my army will be safe.” Ares shrugs, “But if Estragon dies, could Theodorus lead?” Xena shrugs, “Maybe, if Estragon has given good, clear instructions. Theodorus can follow commands and he will stand by your side no matter what.” “And the man with Darphus?” Ares asks. Xena shrugs, “He's a nobody, I don’t even know his name. I should know every man in my army, but this one is a new recruit, has never done anything that stands out to me, is an average fighter, but no one I would choose for anything.” Ares nods, “I knew Estragon was the one from the beginning.” Xena raises an eyebrow and he continues, “Estragon looks up to you, he listens and learns. Darphus thinks he already knows everything and he acts like a weasel. Never trust him at your back; he’ll shove a knife in it the first chance he gets.” Xena nods, then moves away and the board returns to normal. She looks it over then shakes her head, “What is this?” She asks, with a whimsical laugh that Ares never expected to hear from her. He smiles, “This is how I maintain everything in the world. I prefer to deal with my Warlords face to face or speaking through an altar in a Temple or a private one for those who haven’t earned my face time. But sometimes, when I'm busy or the Warlord doesn't impress me, I can send my Warlords a message through this showing them where to take their armies. It also lets me look out for enemies and to figure out the size of the forces my men will be against.” She nods, “Have you ever used this with me or will you in the future?” He laughs, “Ha! I prefer to watch you through one of my portals. You’re beautiful when you fight and I love to watch.” She smiles then a bit of uncertainty crosses her face, “Once I’m your Chosen, I’ll feel you watching me, won’t I?” He nods, then rests his hands on her shoulders, “We’ll practice the feeling so you’ll be used to it and won’t get distracted in battle. After all, it wouldn’t do for you to get injured because you’re distracted by my gaze.” She laughs, “You think far too highly of yourself.” He squeezes her shoulders then shudders a little. She looks back at him, “What’s wrong?” He shakes his head and grabs her hand, whisking them through the ether, back to his bedroom.
Distracted, he leads her to the hearth and releases her, letting her drape into one of the chairs. He takes the other and opens a portal. Xena watches as the image changes multiple times until finally settling onto an image of a bronzed man with blonde hair and thick muscles. Ares growls, “That’s my half- brother, Hercules, one of Zeus’ many bastards. Unlike the others, Zeus has taken a liking to Hercules.” “Why?” Xena asks, staring at the relatively attractive man. Ares shakes his head, “I have no clue. It won’t matter, one day you will kill Hercules.” She smiles at him, then gasps and points at the image in the portal, “Who is that frozen?” “Prometheus,” Ares answers quickly. He thinks then chuckles and nods, “Well, little brother did something useful this time. If Prometheus has been chained this whole time that explains why mortals lost his gifts: fire, healing, warmth, however, if he is free, mortals will have those gifts returned to them. With him free, the mortal realm will return to normal.” She nods, “Show me my army,” she orders. He glances at her, but changes the image to one of her men entering the Halls of War, “It looks like a few survived including both Darphus and Estragon.” Xena nods, “Can we see outside?” He nods and again the image changes to an outside view. Snow still covers the ground, but the torches on the outside of the Temple are lit and the sun’s rays are strong. He nods and reaches for her hand, “It’s over. Go change into something royal, red preferably.” She rises and heads to the closet, “Why?” She asks. “You are becoming my Chosen now. I will return soon. I placed an order with Hephaestus for a dagger and I need to talk to Zeus and my mother.” Xena pops her head out of the closet, “Don’t they need to meet me?” He shakes his head, “No, only the Fates will need to meet you. I’ll return soon.” She nods and he disappears.
Ares arrives in the main hall of the Gods and approaches the thrones of Zeus and Hera. He bows low before his parents. “Ares, my son,” Hera greats, warmly. Zeus nods, “Rise.” Ares obeys, “I am here to announce that I have found my Chosen after all these millennia.” Hera looks shocked and Zeus looked proud, “Who is he? A King? A rich warlord?” Ares shakes his head, “A warrior unlike any before. She is amazing.” “She?” Hera asks sharply. Ares nods, “Yes, Mother, a woman. I have learned from you, that sometimes the best man for the job is a woman. She is a mighty Warrior Princess. One day she will create a mighty empire for me.” Zeus nods, “What is her name?” “Xena,” Ares answers. Zeus opens a portal showing Xena in the battle of Cirra, “She is the one you stole the Chakram for.” Ares nods. Hera looks her over, “She’s very beautiful, very capable. Are there other things between you and her?” She asks. Ares answers carefully, “Nothing serious, but one day I would like to see her become my Goddess. She would make a wonderful Goddess of War.” Zeus nods and Hera looks concerned. Ares approaches his mother, “Mother, I have taken a long time to choose a Chosen. I feel that I was waiting for her, she is the one, I know she is.” Hera nods, “And you also think she is the one to give you a family, to continue our legacy?” Ares nods, “One day, when she has proven herself more than a normal mortal.” Hera nods and glances at Zeus who also nods. Zeus snaps his fingers and a parchment appears in his hands. He presses his thumb to a spot and hands it to Hera who does the same. Hera hands the parchment to Ares, "We approve of your union. Take this with your Chosen to the Fates. Share blood with your mortal; then say your vows and sign the parchment, both of you must sign the parchment. The Fates must sign this as well. Do you know the ceremony and all it contains?” Ares nods, rolling the parchment and sliding it into his vest. He begins to fade into the ether but Hera’s voice stops him, “Son, we expect to meet this woman.” He nods, “We’ll be at Aphrodite’s party tonight.” Hera nods, “Then we will make an appearance as well though perhaps not together,” she says harshly, glaring at Zeus, not happy with how he helped Hercules. Ares nods and fades into the ether.
Ares arrives in Hephaestus’ forge. He winces at the loud pounding of the blacksmiths hammer. “Hephaestus!” He yells. His brother turns with a jump, then relaxes when he sees Ares, “Brother, here for more weapons and armor or something more personal?” Ares smiles, the blacksmith knew him so well, “I do need to place an order for a set of armor, sword, scabbard, daggers of assorted sizes and uses for a woman, my new Chosen.” Hephaestus nods, “I guess you also want the dagger you had me make,” he says extending the jeweled dagger. Ares grabs the dagger and looks it over, “Beautiful work. I’ll be proud to use it.” Hephaestus nods, “I’ll need an image of the Warrior so I can make her armor. What do you want for her?” Ares makes a life like image of Xena appear, but rather than it just being a flat image it has depth and actually looks like a faded version of her is standing in the room. Hephaestus looks her over with an analytical eye, “What kind of look are you going for: something feminine or more masculine?” Ares shakes his head, “She is my Warrior Princess. I want a gorgeous set of armor made for her with large shoulder pieces and a short cape. I want something that will intimidate the men she conquers and rules over.” Hephaestus nods, “Silver? Gold? Bronze?” Ares waves his hand, “Bronze and silver. I’ll leave it up to your eye and experience. But I want this armor to be your best work. I want it to be just as beautiful as she is.” Hephaestus shakes his head, eyeing the image, “That will be hard to do, brother, but I will do my best.” “You better,” Ares threatens before fading into the ether and returning to Xena’s side.
Xena looks up from sharpening her sword when Ares appears in front of her. Ares smiles at her, “Ignore that sword, my dear, Hephaestus is making a new one for you along with new armor.” Xena smiles and tosses the sword aside, “I’ll pass my old sword onto my second in command.” He nods, “Zeus and Hera have approved of you becoming my Chosen.” She stands and waves the wrinkles out of the red skin tight dress. He smiles at her, then waves a hand piling her hair on top of her head, with curly tendrils framing her face. Diamond pins hold it in place. He looks her over and takes both her wrists in his hands covering them in multiple slim, silver bracelets covered in diamonds. He puts his hands to her ears and dangling diamond earrings hang down like a chandelier. He smiles at her neck, “Now for something special. This piece you will keep. It will be a symbol of our union.” He places his hand on her neck and a thick silver chain holds a symbol of her Chakram wrapped around his sword. Small blue stones that match her Chakram decorate the necklace. He smiles, “Perfect. Are you ready to meet the Fates?” She reaches to feel her hair and the jewelry, “Mirror?” She asks. He obliges, holding his hands up to form a mirror for her. She smiles and adjusts the diamond pins a few times to let a few more curly tendrils fall down at the back of her neck. She reaches her hand out to him, “I’m ready,” she says. He smiles, impressed, amazed and turned on all at the same time. He takes her hand and they disappear into the ether.
Xena looks around the Fates domain, then her eyes become fixed on the loom. Ares takes her arm gently and leads her towards the Fates. “Fates, I am in need of your services,” he announces. Clotho looks up from the loom, then approaches“Ares and his soon to be Chosen, Xena Warrior Princess. We are happy to serve you in this the first of many ceremonies in your future.” He raises an eyebrow, then shakes his head and sets the parchment on a able near the sisters, "Here is the parchment signed by the King and Queen of the Gods giving me the right to take this mortal woman as my Chosen.” He pulls out the dagger, “And here is my weapon, capable of piercing the veil of immortality to tie us together for eternity. Do you have the Chalice?” Atropos nods and an ornate cup appears before them on an table. Lachesis joins her sisters, “Are you prepared to join your lives together?” Ares nods as does Xena. Clotho nods and motions for them to come closer to the table. . Atropos grabs the dagger and it shines brightly, “Slice your palms, then grip them together and let your mingled blood flow into the Chalice,” she instructs. Ares takes the dagger and slices his palm then hands it to Xena who does the same before handing it back to the Fate. Ares reaches out and grips Xena’s hand in his while their blood drips into the Chalice that Lachesis holds for them. Xena watches their blood mingle and drip into the cup, amazed that it isn’t a stream. “Your vows,” Clotho urges. Ares stares in Xena’s bright eyes, “As the God of War, I accept you as my Chosen and welcome you into my fold. I offer you my protection, my bounty and my eternal support. I will be you shelter from the storm, I will trust you with all that I have, my life, my sword, my Godhood. Xena Warrior Princess of Amphipolis you are my Chosen.” Clotho nods and turns to Xena, “Mortal?” Xena gulps and turns to Ares, staring into his dark eyes, “War God, I offer you my life force: my body, my heart, my soul, and my sword. I will protect and fight for you for eternity. I will maintain your Godhood in the safety of my mortal blood. I welcome you into my body, my soul. I offer you everything you ask always.” She smiles and Ares releases her hand. The blood and wounds have disappeared from their palms. Xena has little time to study the fact. Lachesis hands the glass to Ares, “All the blood must be drained from the cup, equally among you,” she instructs. He nods and gulps down the blood, amazed at the strength of the mixture, then hands it to Xena. Xena smirks at him and gulps down the blood, feeling heat and power rush through her limbs. Once the glass is empty she hands it back to the Fate. Each Fate nods and places their thumb to the parchment then motion to Xena and Ares. Ares places his thumb then points to the spot for Xena to sign. She places her thumb on the parchment. Ares scoops up the parchment, rolls it and slips it into his vest then smiles at Xena and crashes his lips to hers. Clotho smiles at them, “Save that for another ceremony, War God and Chosen.” Ares pulls back making a choking noise while Xena stares at the Fate wondering if she is gifting them with a peak at their future. Xena takes Ares' arm and they disappear into the ether.
Ares and Xena reappear in Ares’ room. “We’re going to be late to the party, let’s get you changed,” he says. Quickly a pair of crystal heels flash onto Xena’s feet throwing her off balance for a minute. She glances down at the shoes, “You have GOT to be kidding me!” He shrugs and waves his hand over her again this time replacing her red dress with the blue one Aphrodite brought by earlier. He gapes at her for a moment and almost makes alterations to the dress, just to make her less enticing for his siblings. The dress is light blue velvet, almost an icy color. The back is low, so low it might as well be nonexistent. The bust line is a very low and wide V, showing off her perky breasts. The dress holds her curves tight, but a slit up to her mid-thigh allows her freedom of movement. The sleeves are long but off her shoulders with a string of diamonds hanging over them. He notices that her waist also has a string of diamonds for decorations. He twirls her around looking for anything missing, then smiles and places his hand on her head, leaving a tiara in its wake, “Perfect. You look like a Goddess, my dear.” She smiles and purses her lips, looking at him expectantly,“Aren’t you going to change?” He scowls, then drops his sword belt and replaces his vest with a silk shirt that matches hers, “That’s the best Aphrodite is getting from me,” he says with a hint of agitation. She grabs his arm, “Tonight is my last night here, isn’t it?” He nods, wrapping his arm around her waist and whisking them through the ether to Aphrodite’s party.
Xena chokes back laughter when she sees a huge glittery sign that reads “The Gods Winter Wonderland!” Ares shakes his head then braces himself as Aphrodite lunges herself at him. Her usual pink outfit has been traded for a blue bra and panty set covered by a blue sheer coverlet. Her crystal heels are far too high and she towers over Ares. A blue drink swishes over a glass decorated with mistletoe. “Drinks are over there, food over there, dance floor there, Reindeer races over there, sledding there, and people are mingling everywhere!” She says, pointing to each activity. “Oh and if you get caught under any mistletoe you have to kiss.” She holds her glass over Xena’s head and kisses her full on the mouth. Xena is shocked at first, then responds with a bit of a smile. Ares watches, not wanting to find the scene hot. Finally he pushes his sister’s shoulder. Aphrodite pulls away from Xena and smiles, “I taste God blood on you. You two really went through with the ceremony, huh?” Ares nods, “Xena is my Chosen, now and forever.” Aphrodite nods, “I’m real proud of you, Bro. Well go on, enjoy. Oh look out for Cupid, he’s in a bad mood,” she warns. Ares nods, hoping to avoid his son all together. “Where’s mom?” He asks. Aphrodite wrinkles her nose, “ Petting the reindeer. I told her they were for racing, but I think she’s adopting one of them.” Ares laughs and begins to walk away, leading Xena towards the reindeer and his mother.
Ares stares at his mother in her dark blue velvet dress. “Mom,” he says, to get her attention. Hera turns, hand still resting on a reindeer and smiles at her son while critiquing the mortal at his side. Xena stands tall under the inspection and bites off any rude remarks. Finally Hera smiles at Xena, “Welcome to the family, my dear,” she says moving to embrace Xena. Xena hugs Hera in return and Ares lets out a sigh of relief. He strokes the reindeer on the head, “Stealing one of Aphrodite’s racers?” He asks with a laugh. Hera chuckles, “I think I might. She walked right up to me and hasn’t left my side. Have you ever pet a reindeer, Xena?” Xena shakes her head and Hera moves the creature closer to her. Xena reaches out and strokes the deer’s head and nose, “They’re very soft,” she says. Hera nods, “Yes, it’s sad that so many are being killed and that Aphrodite is using them for races.” At that moment, a man hops off a reindeer laughing at another who looks grumpy, “And that Cupid is why I am better than you! I beat you again!” Cupid flutters his wings, then sulks towards the drink table. The other man spots Xena and starts coming their way while Hera and her reindeer disappear quickly. Ares leans close, “That’s my brother Apollo and he’s drunk,” he informs her. Xena nods. Apollo approaches and reaches into his pocket for a sprig of mistletoe. He begins to put it over Xena’s head, but Ares grabs the sprig and Apollo’s face, “Put your lips on my Chosen and I’ll rip them off your face,” he threatens. Apollo nods and begins to walk away quickly. Xena smiles and grabs Ares’ arm, “Awe, my big protector,” she teases. He smiles and pats her hand, leading her around, pointing out the rest of his family members.
As they approach the sled hill, Athena comes up, “Hello Brother and who is this? Some new whore you picked up for the night?” Xena lashes out at the Goddess, her elbow banging into Athena’s gut. Athena doubles over, “That is quite a bit of strength…for a mortal,” she says, looking angry. Ares grabs Xena and turns to his sister, “She has my strength Athena. This is my Chosen.” Athena stares her up and down, “Chosen? Amazing. Well Ares, you are the first in the family to bow to Dad’s wishes that we all have a Chosen. Of course he and Hera have one. But I thought the rest of us were going to stand strong against the idea of letting mortals so close to our ranks.” Ares shrugs, “Xena is amazing. And Zeus’ idea has merit.” Athena eyes the woman again then smiles and points at the hill, “Well, how about a friendly race down the hill,” she suggests, “Your Chosen against me.” Ares begins to shake his head but Xena steps forward, “No God-like cheating?” She asks. Athena nods, “Of course.” Xena smiles and leads the way to the hill, Athena behind her, watching the way her hips sway with appreciation. Ares follows with a scowl.
At the top of the hill, Xena mounts her sled and eyes Athena. She turns to Ares, “A kiss for luck?” He smiles and bends and kisses her hard. Athena clears her voice, “Are we racing or just making out?” She asks in agitation. Xena wrenches away from Ares after biting his lip as she pulls away. Athena rolls her eyes, then a countdown begins. As the countdown ends the sleds take off on their own. Xena shifts her weight to get hers to go faster and it takes off, leaving Athena behind. They clear a hill, smoothly hitting the bottom and gliding to the finish line with Xena in the lead. Ares smiles and wraps Xena in his arms, “Congratulations, my dear,” he says, swinging her around. She smiles as he lets her feet hit ground. Xena approaches Athena and shakes her hand, “Good race,” she says. Athena nods, “Good race. Maybe we’ll do a rematch sometime in a less…odd environment.” Xena laughs and nods, “You’re on.” Athena nods at her brother and gives Xena an approving look. Ares sweeps Xena up and kisses her hard. Pulling away with her still in his arms he laughs, “Xena, love, you’ve done amazing things tonight. You impressed my mother and Athena. And I think Aphrodite has a crush on you. Let’s get you introduced to my father and hit the dance floor.” Xena smiles at Ares taken over by how happy he is with her.
Ares looks around, giving the crowd a quick scan and finds his father near the drink bar. He leads Xena towards the drink bar and is taken by surprise when Zeus grabs Xena and presses his lips to hers. Xena is also surprised and pulls away wide eyed. Zeus smiles at the shocked mortal and angry Ares then points at the mistletoe above Xena’s head, “Sorry, Aphrodite’s rule and she’s watching us.” Xena nods and allows Ares to tuck her into his arms protectively only because of Zeus’ history with mortal women. “Father, this is my Chosen: Xena,” Ares introduces, “Xena, my father, Zeus.” She reaches out her hand for a shake but Zeus brings it to his lips and places a lingering kiss on it. Ares finally reaches out and pulls her hand away, “Alright Zeus, that’s enough.” Xena takes a mental note at how Ares calls Zeus by his name but calls Hera mom. She files it away for future reference. Zeus looks her over, scrutinizing her, waiting for her to wilt or fidget. She doesn’t give him the pleasure. He nods and turns to Ares, “She is a very good fit for you, Ares. She is everything a Chosen should be. I am proud of you, son. “ He turns to Xena, “Welcome to the family, dear,” he says, with a fatherly look and a seductive tone. He pours her a drink from a bottle and she takes it. Ares takes it from her hands and takes a sip before returning it to her. Zeus stares at his son, “I wouldn’t try to kill her Ares!” Ares laughs it off and shakes his head, though he had been checking for poison or some sort of attractant that his father might use to collect Xena into his Harem, he says, “We had a mistake with Bacchus’ brew last night. I just wanted to make sure the same wasn’t about to happen. I don’t know if you noticed, but mom took home a reindeer.” Zeus scowls, “That woman. She’s creating a sanctuary with the help of Artemis. If she would pay me the amount of attention she pays those animals I wouldn’t have to stray.” Xena scowls, “It’s a man’s choice to stray. If you truly want her attention you would be trying to win it.” Ares shoves her a little. The anger on Zeus’ face melts away as he eyes his son, “Does that mean you two are monogamous then?” Xena doesn’t answer just watches Ares. He turns to her and she shrugs, so he nods, “Of course, unless of course, my dear Xena needs to use her sexual wiles to outdo a foe.” Xena smiles, ‘Monogamous, that’s a change,’ she thinks, out loud she responds, “Of course, Ares would know about that first. It would be a part of our plan.” Zeus nods and places a hand on Ares’ shoulder, “She might truly be the mortal equivalent to you, my son. Cherish her,” he instructs. Ares nods and Xena sets her cup down. Her eyes stray to the banquet table and Ares takes notice. Wrapping her hand around his arm, he nods at his dad in goodbye and leads her to the banquet table.
Xena begins to fill a plate, again only grabbing foods that she recognizes, then returns to Ares’ side, both standing with their backs to a wall, watching the rest of the party. " I thought Aphrodite said something about a feast." Ares shrugs, " She changed her mind, I guess." Xena nods and watches the Gods mingle,“Is this a regular occurrence?” Ares begins to answer but is cut off by an agitated voice, “Only when mom can’t surf or feels ignored,” Cupid answers. Xena reaches her hand out and he places a kiss on it, noticing his father’s deep stare. “Son,” Ares greets. “Ares,” Cupid returns. Xena smiles noticing that Ares and Cupid share the same relationship that Zeus and Ares do. “So Ares, who is this? She smells like one of us,” Cupid notices. Xena sniffs herself a bit and Ares chuckles, “It’s a God thing, my dear. It will go away in time. Cupid, Xena is my Chosen, we completed the ceremony today.” Cupid nods, looking surprised, “Chosen? You’re the last person I thought would support Zeus’ little idea.” Ares shrugs, “I like having a safety net in place and Xena is the perfect match for me.” Cupid nods, “Ares, I’ve never asked you for anything, but I need you to talk to mom. She’s been riding my case really hard lately and I need her off my back.” Ares scoffs, “What’s she doing? Stealing your bow and arrows?” He teases. Cupid shakes his head and begins to walk away but Xena grabs his arm, “Tell us the problem. I had a mother who didn’t understand me, maybe we can help.” He turns back and Ares stares at her, surprised that she was taking an interest in his family affairs. Cupid goes on to explain, “She doesn’t like my friends. She says they’re a bad influence on me and that they are distracting me from my job.” “Are they?” Ares asks. Cupid sighs, “Sometimes I need a distraction. I’m not as old as you and mom. It’s not easy to be in charge of making sure all the right couples get together and the wrong ones are separated. Sometimes I just need to chill with my friends and go to a few drinking parties.” Xena laughs. Ares shakes his head, “Drinking parties with Apollo?” He asks. Cupid looks insulted, “No, Uncle Apollo is a womanizing loser. I have a group of Satyr’s, Nymphs and mortals that I hang with.” Ares nods and shrugs, “Sounds like the type of people I hung out with when I was young. I’ll talk to your mother when she’s back on the water. She’s happier when she’s riding a wave.” Cupid smiles, “Thanks, uh, dad,” he says, looking uncomfortable. Ares pats him on the shoulder, “Go on, go ask your mother to dance for now. That will make her happy with you and make it easier for me to make a few good points later on.” Cupid nods at his dad and gives a little bow to Xena before going to his mothers side. Ares shakes his head, giving Xena an amazed look, “That boy hasn’t called me dad sense he decided to join his mother in the love department instead of joining me in the war department. Thank you.” She smiles, “It wasn’t me. You’re the one who said you’d talk to Aphrodite for him.” Ares nods, “But you’re the one who stopped him and gave me the chance to talk to him. You are my little miracle worker.” She laughs, “Well, the real miracle will be if you find a way to keep me on my feet while we’re dancing. I’ve never exactly been graceful.” He laughs and begins to lead her to the dance floor, “You’ll learn. For now, we’ll stick with some nice slow songs. I’ll signal Aphrodite to keep them slow for a while.” Xena smiles and nods, hiding how nervous she truly is.
Ares enters the dance floor, nodding towards Aphrodite who motions to the nymphs in charge of the music to keep it slow. He wraps Xena in his arms, leading her arms up around his neck and pulls her close so he can feel her curves intimately. She plays with the hair at the nape of his neck as he rocks them back and forth. She rubs herself against him and he moans smiling at her, “You seem just fine with dancing,” he compliments. She laughs quietly, “This is more like foreplay.” He nods, “Just relax against me and let me take charge.” She nods and rests her head on his shoulder. After a few songs he feels her go limp against him and smiles. In one swift motion, he swings her into his arms. He carries her to his sister and quietly says goodnight, then takes them back to his room. He lays her on the bed, stripping her of everything except the necklace. His clothes disappear and he joins her in bed for one last night with Xena wrapped in his arms. He’s shocked at how much he’ll miss having her with him every night, but happy to know that she is his forever and always, in this life and all to follow. It wasn’t exactly a happily ever after, but for the God of War and his Warrior Princess it was the beginning of one.