Disclaimer:	This story is not intended to violate any copyrights held by MCA, Universal Studios, Renaissance Pictures or any other entity involved with the making of Xena: Warrior Princess or Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.
Bard Rates It:	NC-17
Warning:	This story is rated NC-17 for graphic sex between a man and a woman. If you are under 18, if this is illegal where you live, or if this offends you, please find another story to read.
Summary:	Takes place after the events of Sacrifice II. Xena is forced to team up with Ares when an evil god returns with a little help from his friends.
Bard Notes:	Chapters 1 – 22: completed July 1999; Chapters 23 – 33: completed January 2000; Chapters 34 – 55: completed August 2000; Chapters 56 – 77: Completed March 2002.
Feed the Bard!	The author of this story is Skkye Blue at skkye_blue@yahoo.com. Bards are always hungry for feedback; please send a note.
Web Site Note:	If the font size on this page is uncomfortable for your reading enjoyment, please remember that you can make text appear a different size with your web browser. In Internet Explorer, please go to the View menu and choose Text Size; in Netscape, please go to your View menu and choose Increase Font or Decrease Font as appropriate. Thanx!

Webmaster Note: To make this story load a little easier in your browser, it has been split into several web pages. You will find the link for the part of the story below at the end of each page.

Dark Revelations (Chapters 36 thru 39)

by Skkye Blue

CHAPTER 36

As she sat atop Argo who trotted down a dirt road, Xena gazed up at the sky. "It will be dark soon and since Pella is not far, we can bunk there for the night." Pella was the capital city of Macedon.

"Oh, thank you." Gabrielle was relieved that they would be stopping soon. She was not enjoying her ride atop Xerxes

The bard had a look of empathy on her face while gazing at Xena’s back as she rode on Argo in front of her. She knew Xena didn’t get much sleep last night. And during most of their journey she was very quiet, much more so than usual. Damn Ares to oblivion! Gabrielle thought to herself. She had seen the war god execute numerous schemes against Xena, which her friend had always found a way to disrupt. But this time, she feared there may not be a way to stop Ares because he had discovered a severe *chink* in Xena’s armor---their children---which he would use to his full advantage.

Gabrielle chided herself for ever having the silly notion that Ares actually had feelings for her friend. These thoughts had come about when the bard spent time with Ares when he was mortal due to an enchanted scroll she possessed. It was the first time the two had ever really talked and Gabrielle sensed more than obsession from the god where Xena was concerned---maybe even love. But that thought had been quickly dismissed when Ares threatened to have the Fates cut Xena’s life-thread if she killed Hope. There was no way Ares could possibly love Xena and threaten her life that way. And Gabrielle was even more certain of that being the case with Ares latest stunt regarding his abduction of Cyrus and the children.

Gabrielle was so glad she had never shared her suspicions with Xena. The warrior woman would have thought she had gone mad. NO, Ares did not love Xena. All his schemes of torment were for the purpose of trying to force Xena to return to the path of her *destiny* that she chose to abandon a few years ago and what he was always clamoring about. Now, he would use two innocent children in his latest scheme. But Gabrielle was prepared to help her friend make sure that didn’t happen.

The bard’s deep thoughts were replaced with a smile of relief when she saw several structures in front of them, indicating they had finally reached Pella. Due to the urgency of the situation and Xena’s knowledge of shortcuts in the region, they were making incredible time and would reach the mountains of Macedon within another day.

Massive, beautifully constructed stone halls dotted the capital city’s skyline. As the two horses made their way through the city streets, Gabrielle gazed in awe at the grand homes of the city’s residents. The bard’s green eyes practically popped out of her head when she saw the grand palace. It had once been the home of Macedonian Kings such as Philip II, Alexander the Great and Philip V.

The two horses trotted down one of the side streets and were brought to a stop by their riders in front of a public stable.

"I’ll get the horses settled." Xena dismounted from Argo. "You can get us a room at that Inn I saw on the next street over...Meander’s was the name of the place."

"And while I’m getting us a room, I will find an outhouse...boy, do I really have to *go* bad now." Gabrielle had dismounted Xerxes and now fidgeted from foot to foot. She was in a hurry as she grabbed her gear from the horse’s large back. "You should give me your gear, so I can get it settled in our room."

"Thanks." Xena handed Gabrielle her gear. A chuckle escaped her lips as she gazed at Gabrielle, dancing about on her feet with urgency as the bard slung her friend’s gear over a shoulder. "It’s not so bad when you’re sitting on a horse but once you are on your own two feet, you really fell that pressure. You better find an outhouse before you have an accident."

"Don’t you have to use the outhouse too?"

"I’m not the one who guzzled down her water supply." Gabrielle made a face over Xena’s sarcastic remark. "We are just a few blocks away from the square at the center of the city so I think I’m going to stroll around there a bit before I join you at the Inn."

Considering the events of the last couple days, Gabrielle thought the walk around the city’s square would do Xena some good. "I’ll see you later." The bard quickly headed off in the direction of Meander’s.

After Xena got Argo and Xerxes settled in the public stables, she headed down one of the side streets, headed for the square at the center of the city. She noticed the typical activity one would find on any street in a major city. Masses of people moved in and out of the various merchant stores. Others inspected various merchandise ranging from cookware to weapons, which were displayed on tables outside storefronts.

When Xena reached the square, she came to a stop as she gazed at the large meeting hall on the far side from where she stood. Men stood on sturdy wooden scaffolds affixing a large banner to the tower of the stone structure. Written on the large banner in bright red ink were the words:

Fifth Millennium Celebration

"Why any mortal would see this as something to celebrate is beyond me. The gods are a curse upon us all...nothing but trouble!" Anger was etched in her features as she gazed at the banner.

Xena was going to cut her walk short and join Gabrielle at Meander’s when she recognized a familiar face standing outside the large meeting hall that considerably softened her features.

The familiar face belonged to a man and by the time she stood before the large meeting hall, he had his back to her as he gazed up at the large banner.

"I’m really ticked at your kind right now but only you could put a smile on my face," she said in a slightly raised voice.

The man had an annoyed look on his face when he turned to see who was addressing him but that quickly turned into a huge smile. "Xena! Wow! It’s been too long." He embraced the warrior princess in a tight hug.

"Yes Hermes, it has been a long time." Xena was now smiling too as she returned the hug of the messenger god.

When Xena was Ares’ top warlord, she had gotten to know the Messenger to the gods very well. He was one of the few Olympians with whom Ares got along, and had dropped in at the war god’s Macedonian fortress on numerous occasions, which allowed Xena to develop a friendship with the god. Hermes wasn’t like most of the Olympians she had dealt with and he was a stark contrast to his half-brother the God of War. Hermes was tall with a bronze colored complexion like his brother but that’s where the similarities ended. He was muscular but had a leaner frame so he was not as buff as the war god. Hermes had sky blue eyes and blond hair styled in a buzz cut.

"By the way you are dressed, I take it you are on vacation from your duties of delivering messages for your fellow gods." Xena’s crystal blue eyes roamed over the god’s clothing. He did not don his usual attire as messenger of the gods but wore the clothes of a lowly mortal. The only remnant of his divine stature visible on his person was his famous winged sandals.

"Yeah, the work load has been kinda light lately with everyone on Olympus caught up in this fifth millenium celebration. So, I decided to check out the female mud wrestlers here. Pella is suppose to have a pair that really go at it."

Xena chuckled and shook her head. She remembered quite well Hermes’ love for female wrestlers. "Could I tear you away from the lady wrestlers long enough to do a favor for an old friend?" There was a pleading smile on her face as a sudden idea formulated in her head.

"For you Xena, I will postpone the lady mud wrestlers." The god’s eyes flickered with curiosity wondering what Xena wanted him to do.

Xena led Hermes back down the street to the stables where Argo and Xerxes were bunked for the night.

She went into the stall where Xerxes stood nibbling some hay. A smile crossed her lips when she found a brown leather bag sticking out from under Xerxes’ saddle lying across the stall wall. "Ah ha, Gabrielle did leave this behind...she probably doesn’t even know she left it." The messenger god curiously watched her rummage through the brown leather bag.

"This will do nicely." Xena pulled a blank scroll from the bag then proceeded to tear off several large pieces.

"Let me guess, you want me to deliver some messages?"

"That’s right." Xena rummaged through the bag some more and found a bottle of black ink and a quill. She walked over to a workbench just outside the stall and used it for support as she quickly scribbled messages on the pieces of parchment. When all the messages were written, she folded the parchment pieces and then on each scribbled the name of who should receive it. When she was returning the writing supplies to the leather bag, she noticed Gabrielle’s finished letter addressed to her family. Xena handed the letter to Hermes along with the messages she wanted him to deliver.

"Uh, these messages...do they have anything to do with that alliance you formed with Ares that I heard about?" Hermes was skimming through the folded slips, checking the names of the people to whom they were to be delivered.

"Yes it does and if the rest of you gods were smart, you would be helping us," Xena replied. "I know Ares has committed countless wrongs which are good reasons for you gods not to trust him but this time he is being totally up front about Dahak’s return to this world."

"Hey, you don’t have to sell me on Dahak being back." Hermes’ hands were now held up in a gesture of surrender. "I was one of the few on Olympus who believed Ares from the start. I even had some of my devoted merchants do some checking into possible hiding places for Dahak. A few days ago, one of them found some interesting information and gave it to a general that Ares has working on uncovering Dahak’s secret base.

"I’m curious to know what your guy passed on to this general."

"You should find out what that is soon enough...I mean Ares’ castle in the Macedonian mountains is about a day’s journey from here and that is where you are going, right?"

"Yeah, that’s where I’m headed." Xena’s tone of voice was glum and her lips were twisted in a smirk.

"Gee, you certainly don’t sound too happy to be meeting with your ally." Hermes’ eyes searched her face. "Don’t tell me that Ares has already done something to put this alliance in jeopardy?"

Xena just rolled her eyes and sighed.

"All right, what did he do this time?"

"Oh, his usual underhandedness and manipulations but this time it involves two innocent children." Xena felt the anger rise within her and she had to stop herself before she revealed too much to Hermes.

Hermes couldn’t help but notice the furious look that now etched Xena’s beautiful face. "Why don’t you tell good ol’ Hermes all about it?"

"I wish I could tell you but this is something I will have to handle myself." Xena took a deep breath as she got a grip on the anger boiling within. "I shouldn’t let what Ares has done effect me like this...in fact, these stunts should be old hat considering all the times I have had to face them."

"That brother of mine can be such a fool sometimes!" Hermes shook his head in disgust. "Why is it that when Ares is plastered on Ambrosia wine he can reveal his true feelings? That fool should be sharing those with you instead of continuously causing you grief."

"True feelings...what are you talking about Hermes?" Xena had a perplexed look on her face because she didn’t think it were possible for Ares to have any ‘feelings’.

Her curiosity was now piqued and despite Ares latest stunt, she wanted to hear more.

Hermes suddenly wished he hadn’t blurted out what he said in anger. But maybe it was fate that something, which had been hidden for so long, would finally be out in the open.

A sigh escaped the lips of the messenger god before he spoke. "You know I am one of the few gods who actually likes hanging out with Ares..."

"Yeah, yeah, I know all about that...just get to the part about true feelings," Xena impatiently interjected.

"I was getting to that part, if you would let me finish." Hermes was starting to lose his nerve to spill all that he knew because Ares would throw him into the abyss of Tartarus when he found out. "Like I was saying Ares and I hang out...he’s even gone to some wrestling bouts with me...and ‘Mr. Always-In-Control’ has even allowed himself to get plastered...and boy does he start yammering about you then...more so than usual."

"What does he say?" Xena moved closer to the god.

"He talks a lot about how good you are at what you do now and how much he likes to watch you work...and how much it would mean to him if you were back fighting for him." Hermes was rapidly losing the nerve to continue and decided to stop there.

Xena didn’t know why but she was somewhat disappointed. She chided herself for expecting anything more from Ares, especially after his latest stunt regarding the twins and Cyrus. It was just the same old...same old. "So, what you’re saying is that Ares torments me because he gets some type of warped thrill when I disrupt his schemes...tell me something I don’t already know!"

Xena shook her head in disgust as she bit her lower lip to squelch the anger, which threatened to boil to the surface again. "Ares’ thoughts about me are the same when he’s drunk on godly booze or plain sober."

"Hey, you won’t get any argument out of me regarding my brother’s actions but as hard as it is to believe there is a method to his madness."

"Yeah, he’s hoping that he will wear me down and I will lead his armies again."

Hermes shook his head slightly in agreement. "That’s part of the reason but there’s more."

"Oh, how could I leave out his desire to get under my leather skirt," Xena stated with sarcasm.

"You’re probably right about that too but there is still one more reason."

"And what in Tartarus could that possibly be?" Xena asked.

"Ares told me he does these things because it’s the only way he knows to keep you in his life...maintain a connection." Hermes gazed at Xena’s face, noting the disgusted smirk. The god focused on her crystal blue eyes when he spoke his next words. "Ares desperately wants to hold on to that one connection because...he loves you, Xena." With his last words, Hermes quickly vanished in shards of golden light.

The messenger god’s words had only startled Xena for a moment before she raised her head toward the stable ceiling and shouted, "Hermes, come back here!"

But Xena knew Hermes was long gone as she lowered her head. Argo, Xerxes and the other horses bunked in the public stables answered her with neighs and snickers. Xena fiddled with the strap of the leather bag dangling from a shoulder as she leaned against a stall wall. Hermes’ parting words echoed through her head... "He loves you, Xena." She stopped fiddling with the leather strap and just stared off into space. Were Hermes’ words true? Did Ares love her?

"What am I thinking? Ares couldn’t possibly love me," Xena mumbled to herself. Such a confession would have meant a great deal to Xena years ago, but that had changed when she discovered Ares had aligned himself with Caesar, someone who she hated and had tried to kill her. And since that betrayal, Ares had done far too much for her to believe he could actually love her.

Besides, Ares’ words were something he had uttered while highly intoxicated. Xena often doubted the truth of his words when he was sober so she didn’t put much credence in his drunken ramblings being the truth. But still...the way he made her feel lately and still did despite this last stunt. Xena chided herself for thinking such thoughts. Her recent feelings for Ares were based on lust not love. And she was sure his feelings for her were the same. Xena made the decision to dismiss what Hermes had revealed to her. But even as she made the vow to do that, she knew it would not be so easy to accomplish.

"Oh, thank the gods you have my leather bag! I didn’t even realize it was missing until after I got us a room for the night...and for a good price too I might add." Xena was so consumed by her thoughts regarding Ares that she hadn’t even heard Gabrielle approach. "You’ve been out here in the stables that whole time, what happen to your walk?"

"I did take my walk around the square and I ran into an old friend...Hermes." Xena handed Gabrielle the leather bag.

"You mean Hermes, the messenger to the gods was here!"

"Yeah, he’s into women mud wrestlers and Pella is suppose to have some great ones so he came to see them. But he’s going to postpone the mud wrestlers to deliver a few messages for me and I hope you don’t mind but I gave him that letter you had finished writing that was addressed to your family."

"Oh wow, thanks Xena." Gabrielle had a grateful smile on her face. "Boy, I would love to see my parents’ and Lila’s faces when they receive my letter delivered by none other than Hermes, messenger of the gods." The bard noticed her friend was staring off into space. "Hey, are you okay Xena?"

"I’m as fine as I can be at the moment." Xena fixed her gaze on her friend as a faint smile crossed her lips. "But I am tired, so I guess I will head on over to Meander’s. Which room is ours?"

"When you get there, go up the stairs...it’s the second door on your right. Oh, and here’s the key."

"Thanks." Xena took the key and headed for Meander’s.

"And Xena, I had a barmaid leave some food in the room, please eat it."

"I will," Xena replied with a sigh as she departed the stables.

Gabrielle lost herself in her own thoughts as she walked over and stood by Argo’s stall. The mare was nibbling on some hay but stuck her head over the stall wall when she saw Gabrielle. The bard ran a hand down the mare’s golden face. "Xena and Hermes didn’t just talk about him delivering messages and I bet you heard the whole conversation." Argo neighed and bobbed her head up and down as she swooshed her long white tail. "But unfortunately, you can’t talk...not in a language I can understand anyway." Gabrielle patted Argo on her side before she too departed the stables.

As she walked towards Meander’s, Gabrielle decided to do what she had always done. She would just have to remain patient until Xena finally revealed what new development, for she was certain it didn’t involve Ares’ abduction of the children and Cyrus, now consumed her thoughts.

CHAPTER 37

"Hey Lysia, betcha I can reach that old chandelier up there."

"No ya can’t. It’s too high."

The children were in Lysia’s bedchamber. Both were dressed for bed so they were wearing pajamas. They were jumping up and down on the large bed, putting to use their superhuman agility.

"Oh yeah, just watch me." Lycus jumped on the bed a few times to build momentum, each jump a little higher than the last. On his last jump, he leaped high in the air above the bed.

As he approached the old chandelier, he stretched out his arms and gripped the metal rim with his hands. "See, I toldja I could do it." The chandelier swung slightly under the child’s movements.

"Wow!" Lysia stared up at him. Amazement showed in her deep brown eyes.

"Now watch this." Lycus used his movements to start swinging the old chandelier back and forth. He did this for a while and when the momentum needed had been built, he let go of the chandelier and went flying through the air. He did a somersault in mid-flight before he landed noiselessly on the rug covered floor by the hearth. He immediately joined his sister who still stood atop the large bed. "Now it’s your turn."

"Okay." Lysia started jumping up and down on the bed as Lycus had done only moments ago. With each jump, she went a little higher. On the last jump she went the highest and headed straight for the old chandelier. She stretched out her arms like her brother had done and when she was within reach of its metal frame, she gripped it with her small hands. Lysia was now dangling above the bed. The chandelier was slightly swaying under her movements.

Lycus was standing on the bed and looked up at his sister’s dangling form. "Okay Lysia, now ya havta really get it to move."

Lysia took a quick glance at her brother far below her standing on the large bed. Then she started swinging the old chandelier.

"It’s really swingin’ now Lysia...so ya can let go."

Lysia did what her brother suggested and released the chandelier from her grip. She immediately went flying through the air then started to head towards the ground. Just as Lycus had done she too did a somersault.

At that moment, Ares came through the bedchamber door.

"Hey look out...above ya!" Lycus warned.

Ares looked up just in time to see Lysia heading straight for him. He stretched out his muscular arms and effortlessly caught the child. "Gotcha!"

"Ooh...whoo...that was fun. I wanna do it again."

"And just what do you two think you are doing? You both were put to bed a while ago and should be fast asleep." Ares lowered Lysia to the ground and both walked over to the large bed.

"We weren’t sleepy so we checked out that chandelier way up there." Lycus leaped off the bed and onto the floor.

"You two should be very tired after the busy day you had. And I bet if you actually laid in your beds you would go to sleep."

"Nah-uh." Lycus gazed up at Ares.

"I say you can...now go give it a try. I’ll be there in a moment." Ares mussed the child’s curly black hair. Lycus left his sister’s bedchamber and headed for his own.

"And the same goes for you young lady."

Lysia immediately got in the bed. Ares pulled the covers up over her. The child’s brown eyes followed his movements as a question formed in her mind. "When are we goin’ back to the castle in Macedon? I wanna play in the snow."

Ares had only taken the children back to Macedon so Cyrus could confirm his claim of paternity. After that, he took the children to his temple on the isle of Sicily near Syracuse. And that’s where they had been for the past day.

"Don’t you like Syracuse? It’s warm and you have the beach." Ares sat on the side of the bed.

"I do but I really wanna see the snow. I never get to see it where we live in India. And I wanna see Xena. Is she there yet?"

Ares knew how anxious the child was to see Xena now that she knew she was her mother. "No, Xena is not at the castle yet." The little girl had a disappointed look on her face. Ares soothingly ran a hand through her curly black locks and down the side of her face. "Right now, it is not a good time for you and your brother to be at the castle but once it is, I will take you both back...okay?"

Lysia was hoping Ares would say she and her brother could go back to Macedon tomorrow but since that was not to be, she would just have to be patient and put off her plans for playing in the snow. "Okay." Her lips curled into a faint smile. "Goodnight Daddy."

Upon hearing the darling little girl call him daddy, Ares couldn’t help but smile. It was like music to his ears. He had fathered thousands of children over his immortal existence but Lysia and her brother were the first in which he had taken an interest. "Goodnight sweetheart." Ares kissed the child on her forehead then departed the bedchamber to check on her brother.

**********

A cold wind whipped around the two horses that slowly trotted up the snow-covered trail. Gabrielle gazed up at the night sky. It was unusually bright due to the snowstorm. A few frosty flakes fell on her face and she brushed them away with a glove-covered hand. She gazed over the edge of the narrow snow covered trail. All she could see was the jagged side of the mountain covered with snow. It seemed to descend into a bottomless pit.

"Oh, are we up high." Gabrielle felt herself grow dizzy. She immediately turned her gaze from the mountain edge and focused on her friend riding atop Argo in front of her.

"Whoa girl." Xena pulled back on Argo’s reins bringing the horse to an abrupt stop. Gabrielle quickly did the same with Xerxes.

"Gods Xena...what is that?" The bard’s green eyes were wide with wonder as they gazed at the spectacle before them.

On the narrow trail, several feet in front of them, there appeared to be a bluish translucent wall that ran the whole width of the narrow trail.

"It’s a gate Ares created to keep trespassers from proceeding further up the mountain." Xena dismounted Argo, approached the gate and then stopped about a foot in front of it.

"What happens if someone touches the gate?" Gabrielle asked.

"You feel a painful sting throughout your whole body." Xena saw a tree branch partially covered in the snow, which she retrieved. "If you maintain contact with the gate, this is what happens." Xena held the tree branch against the translucent blue wall. After only a moment of contact, a humming sound could be heard as the tree branch began to vibrate in Xena’s glove covered hand. A moment later, the branch burst into flames.

"Yikes, that’s gotta hurt!" Gabrielle declared.

Xena let the burning branch fall to the ground then kicked snow over it to douse the flames.

"So Xena, how will we continue up the mountain without being toasted?"

"I’ve got a key that will open the gate." Xena retrieved her chakram from inside her black bearskin coat. She swiftly tossed the round metal weapon at the side of the snow-covered mountain.

The chakram bounced hard off the mountainside and then headed straight for the bluish translucent wall. When the chakram hit the wall, there was a bright spark of light from which Xena and Gabrielle had to shield their eyes.

Within moments, the brightness dimmed and the pair unshielded their eyes. Xena retrieved her chakram, which lay at her feet in the snow.

"That is amazing!" Gabrielle stared in awe at the newly formed opening in the translucent wall.

"We better hurry, it won’t stay open very long." Xena quickly mounted Argo and proceeded through the opening. Gabrielle and Xerxes quickly followed after them. As they continued up the mountain, the bard glanced back to see the opening created by Xena’s chakram fade leaving the translucent wall whole again.

The wind was now howling and had picked up in speed as had the falling snow swirling around them. Gabrielle pulled the hood of her coat lower over her face to shield it from the cold as Xerxes trotted up the snow-covered trail behind Argo. She would actually be relieved when they finally reached Ares’ mountain fortress. She hoped it would be toasty warm after spending several hours in the arctic cold of a snowstorm.

"We’re here," Xena announced as if reading her thoughts. The two horses came to a stop at a massive stone door.

Gabrielle ignored the falling snow hitting her face as she gazed upward. Out of the bright night sky, she could see the menacing stone towers of Ares’ mountain fortress. The bard thought the structure had a dark presence just like its owner. But at that moment, those thoughts were replaced with ones of her sitting before a warm roaring fire.

"Do you have the key for this monstrosity too?"

"I’m afraid not." Xena pulled down the hood of her coat as she gazed up at the massive door.

Gabrielle shifted her weight atop Xerxes. "We’ve got to get inside or we will freeze to death."

At that moment, both women heard a loud bang. Their eyes were glued on the stone door, which slowly slid open. Xena urged Argo to walk through the open door. Gabrielle did the same with Xerxes. After both horses had come through the massive door, it slowly closed. A large man dressed as a blacksmith was standing by the door after it closed. "Hello Xena."

Xena quickly whirled around to see who had spoken. "Hello Zethus."

The bard stared at the man that Xena obviously knew.

"Gabrielle this is Zethus, he’s in charge of the stables here." Xena dismounted from Argo and shook the snow from her raven tresses.

"Hello." Gabrielle dismounted from Xerxes. She pulled back the hood of her coat as she glanced around at their new surroundings. They were standing in the stables. The stone floor was unusually clean for boarding horses. Blocks of hay were neatly stacked against a wall. Neighs, snickers and whinnies could be heard from the horses occupying some of the stalls.

"Uh, yeah hi." Zethus quickly muttered. All his attention was focused on Xena who he approached. "Lord Ares said he was expecting you so I was to open the door when you got here."

"I figured Ares would have a look out for us." Xena grabbed Argo’s reins, ready to lead her to an empty stall.

"Oh, here, let me do that." Zethus took the reins from Xena. He glanced in Gabrielle’s direction. "I’ll take your horse too...it’s Gabrielle right?"

"Yes." Gabrielle was rather surprised Zethus had remembered her name when Xena said it earlier. Xena and Gabrielle removed their coats and laid them across the top of a stall wall.

"You don’t have to worry about your gear, Xena. I’ll have yours and your friend’s taken to your bedchambers...with that storm out there...you two will be staying, right?"

"Yeah, we will be staying." Xena muttered regrettably. "C’mon Gabrielle." Xena turned to leave the stables and Gabrielle joined her.

Xena and Gabrielle were walking by the last stall when a large black horse stuck out its head and neighed.

Abruptly, Xena came to a stop. "Hey girl, how are you?" Xena stood before the stall and ran her hands down the horse’s ebony face.

"Gosh Xena...she’s beautiful." Gabrielle now stood by her friend and gazed at the large animal. The mare’s black body glistened as if it were wet. Her mane and tail were darker than her body and appeared almost blue. Gabrielle ran a hand down the horse’s mane. It felt like silk. The horse gazed at both women with large cocoa colored eyes.

"Her name is Midnight and she is the pride of Ares’ stables." Xena smiled as Midnight nuzzled her head against her. "He mated her with Pegasus to get his two winged stallions...Serpico and Blade."

Gabrielle gazed across from the stall where they stood. Her eyes focused on two stalls, each containing a winged horse. Both animals had their heads bowed as they nibbled hay. Gabrielle knew the smoky gray stallion had to be Blade because she had already met Serpico. A chill went through her as she recalled how she became acquainted with the large animal.

Gabrielle had accepted Ares’ offer to get her to Chin before Xena. But Chin was in the territory of another pantheon of gods, so Ares’ godly powers were drastically reduced. Since he couldn’t transport her there using the aether, they had to use his winged stallion Serpico. Gabrielle had never cared for riding on the back of a horse but this ride was far worse since the animal had wings and could fly high above the earth. Gabrielle put the harrowing experience in the back of her mind. "You and Midnight must have been very close...she certainly hasn’t forgotten you."

"Yeah, we were very good friends. Outside of Ares, I was the only other person she would let ride her." Xena gave the horse one last rub on her ebony face before she and Gabrielle finally departed the stables.

The pair had to walk up three floors of stairs before Xena declared they had reached their destination. Gabrielle glanced around at their surroundings. They were walking down a stone corridor dimly lit by candles lining the walls. Gabrielle gazed far down the corridor. She could see a large stone archway. When the pair reached the archway, they proceeded through it.

"This is Ares’ throne room." Xena began walking about the room.

What lighting there was in the room was provided by a few large torches, the glow of the their flames bouncing off the stone walls. In the center of the room, carved in the stone of the floor was a very large image of Ares’ sword. Gabrielle walked around it for closer inspection. A circular band surrounded the image of the sword. The bard’s brows furrowed. The circle had a familiarity and now she knew why. It was the design on the circular band---it looked just like the one on Xena’s chakram---the circular band was a carved stone image of Xena’s chakram!

Gabrielle glanced over at her friend. Xena’s demeanor was tense and she was now staring at Ares’ unoccupied throne. Gabrielle turned her gaze too towards the large chair with blood red velvet padding.

In shards of blue and white light, Ares’ leather clad form came into view seated upon the previously unoccupied throne. His gaze fell on the dark-haired woman. "It’s a good thing you got here when you did Xena. That snow storm has intensified to life-threatening levels." The god turned his gaze toward Xena’s traveling companion. "So, Gabrielle, you are back among the living again?"

"Yes I am and I know how disappointing that must be for you," Gabrielle sarcastically replied.

"Actually, I find it rather fascinating. I guess we’re family now since the body you inhabit is that of my deceased child." Gabrielle had a disgusted smirk on her face after that comment which rather amused the war god. "This must be Hope’s doing. She obviously has more of you in her than any of us ever thought especially Dahak. He’s certainly not going to be pleased when he finds out what she has done."

Gabrielle didn’t continue the verbal exchange with Ares but remained silent. She was now in deep thought wondering what Dahak would do to Hope if he ever discovered what had really become of the Destroyer. She prayed Castor would find Hope before the discovery was made.

Xena wasn’t surprised that Ares already knew Gabrielle was alive. He obviously had been monitoring their journey to Macedon. When Ares needed information, he had ways of getting it, just like he did in Persia, when he had discovered the secret she had been keeping from him. Xena approached the large throne and now stood before it. Her crystal blue eyes glared daggers at the war god seated before her. "Where are they, Ares?"

Ares remained silent as a golden goblet materialized in his right hand. He took a quick sip of the fermented liquid before focusing his gaze on Xena. He knew she was boiling inside and this rather amused him. "Like I told you in my letter, Cyrus is here translating the scrolls we need to defeat Dahak. As for the children...they are somewhere safe."

Xena moved closer to the throne and rested her hands on the ends of the armrests as she stared into Ares’ deep brown eyes. "I want to see the children NOW!"

"I’m afraid that’s not possible Xena." He lackadaisically ran a finger around the rim of the goblet. "You see, they are asleep and I don’t think it would be right to wake them."

"Uh Xena...could I have a word with you?" Gabrielle had been silently watching the verbal exchange between the war god and her friend.

Xena gave Ares one last glare before she went to join her friend.

"What is it Gabrielle?" Xena’s tone was very impatient as she gazed into the bard’s face. She noticed how pale her friend had suddenly become. "What’s the matter Gabrielle---are you sick?" Concern was now etched on her face.

"It’s nothing serious Xena. It’s just that this last metamorphous took a lot out of me...and it’s taking a little longer than I expected to recover." Gabrielle moved closer to Xena and spoke in a whisper. "I really would like to stay and referee the fight brewing between you and Ares but I just don’t have the strength."

"It’s all right Gabrielle. This is between me and Ares." Xena had been so determined to get to Macedon in record time that she hadn’t even considered the stress it could cause to her friend who was still adjusting to a new body. She put a hand on her friend’s shoulder. "You must get some rest." Xena turned towards the seated war god. "Ares, Gabrielle needs to get some sleep."

"It’s already been taken care of." Ares set the goblet he held on an armrest as he rose from the throne. "I knew you would have to stay here so I had the servants prepare a bedchamber." He went behind his throne and pulled on a long velvet cord dangling down the wall.

A moment later, a female servant entered the throne room. "Yes my lord."

"Take this young woman to the bedchamber prepared for her."

The female servant bowed to Ares then turned to face Gabrielle. "Follow me please." The servant proceeded out of the throne room.

"Good luck Xena." Gabrielle comfortingly squeezed one of her friend’s hands before she followed the servant out of the throne room.

Now just the two of them, Xena stared hard at Ares. "If I have to search this entire castle to find the children, I will do it."

"You can search all you want Xena but you won’t find them because they are not here." Ares walked over to Xena and now stood before her.

Being demanding was getting Xena no where so she softened her stance when she gazed into Ares’ face. "You have to let me see them."

"I don’t have to do any such thing." Without warning and godly quickness, Ares backhanded Xena.

CHAPTER 38

The force of the blow knocked Xena to the stone floor, a few feet away from the war god. She was somewhat dazed. The blow had caught her off guard and her crystal blue eyes were wide with surprise as she tried to regain her focus. Tentatively, she raised a hand to her injured cheek. She didn’t think there would be a bruise but her skin was stinging. During this time, Xena never lost sight of Ares’ presence. Her eyes carefully watched him as he began to circle her fallen form in predatory fashion. She could feel the anger emanating from his being.

Xena was quite familiar with Ares’ fierce temper. But when she had made him angry in the past, he never laid a hand on her for fear that in a rage he might fatally injure her. He would either work out his frustration with swordplay or release his wrath on some undeserving victim. His fury over her hiding the twins from him had to be at its zenith for him to strike her like he had just done. This also meant he didn’t care about the damage such an attack might do to her. From her vulnerable position on the stone floor, Xena intently watched Ares as he continued to circle her.

"I was thinking back to six years ago...you were so calm and cool when you returned from Persia. No one would have ever thought that just a few short weeks before, you had given birth to twins and promptly sent them off to India." A chuckle laced with anger escaped the god’s lips. "And the irony is that if it wasn’t for your evil father, I would have never discovered your two little secrets."

Xena sensed that Ares was about to attack her again. She tried to rise to her feet to defend herself but he moved too fast. The god easily lifted her off the floor and tossed her body into a stone wall. The collision with the immovable object left Xena severely dazed but somehow she managed to stay upright. Her own anger began to boil as she glared at the war god who was steadily approaching her. How dare he treat her this way! She was NOT obligated to tell him a thing about the twins---it’s not like she had been his wife---she had been only a lover who he had essentially DUMPED so he could counsel that Roman PIG Caesar. Xena had no intention of being the punching bag on which he released his anger.

When Ares finally stood before her, with a dark fury of her own, she punched him square in the face. Ares stumbled back, slightly dazed by the godlike power behind the punch. A faint smile with a sinister edge briefly crossed Xena’s face. Before Ares had a chance to recover from that punch, she delivered another to his stomach. The war god was taken off guard again by the second punch, which gave Xena the time to move away from him. But Ares made a quick recovery. Xena didn’t get too far before he managed to grab her around the waist and with godly strength hurled her hard again into the stone wall.

Xena’s second collision with the stone wall cleared the dark fury clouding her mind. Through her anger, she had tapped the godly power she had inherited from her father---something she had vowed never to do again. She was moving away from the wall when Ares slammed her against it again, this time using his own body to pin her in place. He wrapped a hand around her throat.

"You should have told me about the children, Xena!"

Xena began to speculate that it was more than anger that fueled Ares’ attack against her. He may have been trying to get her to tap the godly powers she inherited from her father. He had certainly made it clear a couple weeks ago that’s what he thought she should do. He held her under his malevolent gaze but she was not frightened as she defiantly stared back. "I figured children were no big deal...you had already fathered thousands so why would you care about two more...besides, you were busy counseling Caesar and I didn’t want to disturb you."

"Are you saying you kept the children a secret just to get back at me for counseling Caesar?"

"No Ares, I hid the children from you because I didn’t want you to destroy their lives with war, bloodlust and death." Xena felt him tighten the grip on her throat after her last statement. She narrowed the gaze of her crystal blue eyes as she stared into his face. "Before you kill me, let me remind you of the life bond we share...I DIE...YOU DIE."

"I’m not going to kill you Xena." Ares moved his face closer to hers. When he spoke, she could feel his warm breath on her face. "I could beat you to within an inch of your life...but I won’t do that either." He released his grip on her throat and backed away from her. "The best way to get back at you Xena is to deny you access to the children just like you did me."

If he was expecting her to attack him now using godly powers, she would not give him such satisfaction. In the calmest voice she could muster she asked, "Did you tell them Ares? Do they know we are their parents?"

"Oh, I told them all right and you should have seen the stunned looks on their little faces. But such responses were expected since Cyrus had fed them a LIE that their parents are DEAD."

"Oh gods," Xena mumbled.

Ares knew this would pain Xena. He wanted to hurt her just like she hurt him by deliberately hiding the children for the last six years. "The children are so disillusioned right now Xena. They really looked up to Cyrus, he was a beacon of honor and truth for them. Then there’s you...their new friend who’s really the mother who gave them up right after they were born."

Xena slightly bowed her head and closed her eyes. She could just imagine all the questions running through their young minds. She opened her eyes and fixed her gaze on the war god. "Please Ares, you have to let me see them. I must have the chance to explain what I did."

"You will see the children when I say you can and not before."

"You have to let the children go back to India, Ares." The war god rolled his eyes in response to her statement. "They are too young to be of any use to you...if you care anything about them you will let them live out normal mortal lives and not interfere."

"There’s NO WAY in Tartarus I’m giving up my children." Ares’ tone was firm as he stared hard into Xena’s face. "And the twins should not be living like mortals because that’s NOT what they are."

Xena was stunned upon hearing this news. "What are you talking about? Of course they are mortal. You are a god...I am a mortal...our children are half gods but they still have mortal life-spans."

A sly smile crossed Ares’ handsome face. "Correction Xena. I am a god...you are half-mortal...the children are a quarter short of being full gods. And since your father was a Watcher, which is a step above even us gods...the children are immortal."

"Immortal?" Skepticism was written all over Xena’s face. "I don’t believe you."

"Well, it’s the truth and I can prove it. But we will need to take a little trip." Ares offered her his right hand. Reluctantly, Xena took hold of it. A moment later, the pair vanished in a shimmer of light.

They materialized in the abode of the Fates. The three goddesses were the daughters of Zeus born to him by Themis, the goddess of Order. Through their mother, their existence was tied to the very order of the universe so unlike the other gods of Olympus whose authority did not extend beyond their given territory, the Fates’ authority encompassed the whole world and thus every human life.

Each goddess had a job to do in the supervision of human fate. Clotho had the appearance of a young girl. She sat before the spinning wheel, spinning out the thread that represented life. Lachesis had the appearance of a young woman. She was busy at her job of measuring out the thread of human life. Atropos had the appearance of an old woman. She stood by the spun thread with a pair of cutting shears that she used to cut a thread when a life came to an end. The three goddesses were too busy with their important tasks to take much notice of their visitors.

Ares led Xena over to a large weaving of life threads. "These threads over here are for every mortal, still alive that was conceived in Olympian territory." He proceeded to point out the threads of people she knew. "Here’s your mother’s, your brother Toris’ and here’s your own lovely thread."

Xena intently gazed at the weaving as Ares continued to point out more life threads.

"This one belongs to my mongrel half-brother’s runty friend Iolaus and here’s the mongrel’s thread." Ares ran a finger over Hercules’ life thread, longing to snap it. "You could go through every life thread here but you won’t find threads for Lycus, Lysia...or Gabrielle."

Xena quickly turned her gaze from the life thread weavings to Ares upon the mention of her friend’s name too.

"Your friend is just like the twins...she is now more god than mortal."

Xena was not entirely convinced so she approached Lachesis who was measuring out more thread. "Is what Ares said true? Are the children and Gabrielle immortal?"

"We only oversee the life threads of mortals. We have no life threads for your children or your friend." Lachesis replied.

Xena was blown away by this news. The children and Gabrielle---immortal? Cyrus couldn’t have known this or he would have told her. And Gabrielle would be just as stunned as her when she heard this news.

With the trip to the Fates proving his words were indeed the truth, Ares transported them back to the throne room of his Macedonian fortress. Xena was in deep thought as her mind weighed the discovery of the children and Gabrielle being immortal.

"When I found out about the twins, I went to the Fates who informed me of this tidbit regarding their lack of life threads. If the twins were mortal, they would have life threads and you would have never gotten away with hiding them from me." Ares gazed intently at Xena who was still mulling over this startling discovery. He decided to share his own spin on this surprising development. "Ah, the mysteries of procreation...we will probably never solve them. Then there’s god and mortal unions...they have always been unpredictable but it becomes a virtual crap shoot when you throw the blood of a Watcher into the mix."

"Whether the children live a handful of decades or countless millennia, I WILL NOT let you destroy the humanity in them with your bloodlust for power." Xena’s tone was firm as she finally gazed at Ares.

"There you go again...assuming right away that my intentions towards the children are disingenuous. Maybe I want nothing other than to be a father to them."

A chuckle escaped Xena’s lips after hearing his words. "Oh come on Ares, Lycus and Lysia aren’t your only children...you fathered thousands before them...which you ignored for the most part. I find it hard to believe that you have suddenly been hit with the urge to play daddy."

"Well believe it, because it’s true." He started walking around her. "Need I remind you Xena that I have always held you in high esteem, even after we parted ways...so these children we now share are special to me too." Ares absentmindedly ran a finger through her hair. He moved to stand before her again. "Now that the children will be staying in Greece permanently..."

"Who says their stay will be permanent?" Xena interjected.

"Forget it Xena. There is NOTHING you can say or do that will make me relinquish claim to our children." Ares’ tone was very firm. "As I was saying...since the children will be staying in Greece, you can now be a mother to them. I know that is what you’ve always wanted."

"From what you said earlier I figured it would be quite a long time before you would ever let me see the children." Xena stared at him suspiciously. "What’s the catch Ares? I know you’re not making such an offer due to a sudden attack of compassion."

Ares’ lips were curled into a sly smile as he gazed at her. "I will let you see the twins and be a mother to them if...you become immortal." Ares held out his right hand. A crystal vial materialized in his outstretched palm. Inside the vial was a light red liquid---it was ambrosia.

Xena gazed at the crystal vial containing the ambrosia before looking angrily at Ares. "Me becoming immortal...oh yeah, you would like that all right! I drink the ambrosia, become a goddess and you no longer have a death sentence hanging over your head."

"What is wrong with me trying to save my immortality? Dahak had no right to bond my life to yours. There is no way to break the bond but it can be neutralized if you become immortal."

A thoughtful gleam was in Xena’s eyes as she gazed at the war god. "I knew there was more than anger behind your earlier attack. You were trying to get me to use my godly powers to defend myself. And by using them, you were hoping I would enjoy the feel of such power and gladly accept godhood."

"You do know rather well, the workings of my mind," Ares said with an impressed smile. "I did want you to use your godly powers and you did just that…I even saw a satisfied gleam in your eyes."

"Oh, I won’t deny I tapped those godly powers and I did enjoy using them but the feeling was brief," Xena said. Her stance became firm when she continued, "I already told you, the person I am now, no longer craves godhood or the power that comes with it."

"You are being too hasty Xena. Just think about it...you would always be there for the children...making sure I don’t corrupt them...and there’s Gabrielle...she’s going to live forever now too. Do you think she wants to watch her best friend grow old, die and leave her?" Xena bowed her head slightly after Ares’ words but remained silent. A weary sigh escaped the war god’s lips before he spoke again. "Since you are so dead set against godhood, then maybe you will find this form of immortality more appealing."

Xena again gazed at Ares as the crystal vial disappeared to be replaced by a black velvet box. Ares opened the lid to reveal the contents---it was a golden apple. "I made a special trip to the Labyrinth of the Gods to get this for you. It’s a fruit from the tree of life...eat this my dear and you will only become immortal. The only godly powers you will ever have will be those you inherited from your father that you *refuse* to tap."

Xena took the black velvet box that Ares held out to her. She stared at the golden apple. If she ate it, she would become immortal and could be with the twins and Gabrielle forever. ‘ She would also be with Ares forever too’. YIKES! Why did that thought slip in there? Xena shook her head to clear it from her mind.

"It will be so nice to gaze on that beautiful face of yours for eternity...to experience the passion we recently rekindled every night." Ares raised a hand up to her face and started caressing a cheek.

Xena had predicted that Ares would try to entice her to continue the recent intimacy which she had no intention of doing. "Hey, if I do this, it will be for the twins and Gabrielle only." She slapped his caressing hand away from her face. "So, any fantasies you have about us getting together will have to remain in your dreams."

"Don’t leave out your own dreams Xena. I especially like the one you had last night." A knowing smile was now plastered across Ares’ handsome face.

Xena was already angry with herself for having erotic dreams about the war god and him invading her thoughts to discover them infuriated her all the more. "STAY OUT OF MY HEAD YOU NOSY BASTARD!!!" Xena swung a fist at Ares’ face, which he deftly halted by strongly grasping her hand.

Xena was holding the black velvet box containing the golden apple in her other hand so she couldn’t attack him with that one. She countered by kneeing him hard in the groin.

Ares grimaced for only a moment but then an amused smile was plastered across his face. "Now Xena, you know that’s not what you really want to do to that part of my anatomy."

Only Ares would enjoy such a low blow that would have left a mortal man doubled over on the floor in excruciating pain. His apparent amusement aggravated Xena even more. "Will you let go of me!" She tried to yank her hand from his grasp but it was too strong.

"Your anger so excites me my dear." Ares kissed her hand then released it.

Xena glared at him. "I’m done talking...I’m going to bed."

"It’s about time you got to that." Ares had a lustful look on his face.

"I’m going to sleep...in my old room."

"You will find it just as you left it." There was a touch of disappointment in his voice. Still clutching the black velvet box containing the golden apple of immortality, Xena turned to depart the throne room. She had just reached the archway when Ares tauntingly called out to her. "If you change your mind and want more than sleep...you know the way to my bedchamber...we could act out some of those dreams."

‘And this is whom I’m dreaming about!?!?’ Xena thought, shaking her head in disgust as she proceeded to her old bedchamber.

Six years ago, after Xena had returned from Persia, Ares wanted to keep an eye on her so he insisted that she stay at his fortress in Macedon. Xena had agreed to his demand but made it clear the only interests between them were war and conquest so she wanted a separate bedchamber.

Xena had to climb a couple floors of stone stairs. When she reached the bedchamber the door was wide open. As she walked inside, she immediately noticed a small servant woman standing over a large metal tub. The woman gripped a bucket and was pouring steaming water into the tub. Xena recognized the servant woman from her warlord days when she was a frequent guest at Ares’ fortress. "Hello Penelope."

Upon seeing Xena, a big smile crossed the woman’s lips. "I was told you had just arrived after traveling through that horrible snow storm to get here so I figured you could use a warm bath."

"Yeah, I could use the warmth of a bath about now. I am still rather chilled after my journey."

Penelope set down the empty bucket, approached Xena and gave her a hug, which the warrior woman returned.

When they broke the hug, Penelope was still smiling as she gazed up at Xena. "Some of the servants told me you were here a few weeks ago but I thought they were just joking around until I heard you would be staying here for a while." Penelope now had a look of curiosity on her face. "I have heard all about how you have become the champion of the common folk. That’s why I was surprised to learn that you would be staying at lord Ares’ castle when you two are now supposedly enemies?"

"Ares and I are enemies Penelope but we have put aside our differences to fight against a common enemy we both share. Once that is accomplished we will go our separate ways again."

"But isn’t going your separate ways going to be tough? I mean with the children and all."

"You saw the children!?!?" Xena had a look of urgent desperation in her eyes as she grasped Penelope’s arms and gave her a penetrating stare. "If you know where they are please tell me."

"I only saw them for a brief moment, Xena. But it was easy to see whose children they are...they look so much like you and Lord Ares," Penelope replied. "That was yesterday when I saw them and I haven’t seen them since. I heard something about Lord Ares taking them to another place." The servant woman had great sympathy for Xena as she gazed at her disappointed face.

"When you saw them Penelope, how did they seem to you?"

"For little kids they were rather quiet but they did seem okay. I wish I had more to tell you Xena."

"It’s okay Penelope. What you were able to tell me about them did provide some small comfort."

The servant woman had a thoughtful expression on her face. "It doesn’t take much to see that you and Lord Ares are at odds over the children. For their sakes I pray that you two can work it out."

"Me too Penelope," Xena softly replied.

With her duties completed, Penelope retrieved the empty bucket and departed the bedchamber.

After Penelope’s departure, Xena walked around her old bedchamber. Ares had certainly made sure that the room was immaculately kept. There was no dust or cobwebs in sight. All the furniture in the room---a table, a couple chairs and a large four poster bed---were made from mahogany wood and in their polished state, shined in the light of the roaring fire.

Xena went over to the hearth. After spending hours in the bitter cold of a snowstorm, her body greatly appreciated the warmth emitted from its roaring flames. She could hear the whisking snow of the storm beat against the closed shutters of the bedchamber’s large window. She turned her gaze toward a large cedar wardrobe. Xena walked over to the wardrobe and opened its large doors. Her crystal blue eyes wandered over the contents. All her old belongings were still inside and in the same condition as when she had last seen them over three years ago.

Xena pulled out a gold silk shift and held it up for inspection. She hoped it would still fit. She laid the silk shift across the large bed covered with royal blue silk sheets. She removed her clothes then eased her body into the warm waters of the tub.

She lounged in the tub for a while, letting her slightly chilled body soak up the warmth of the water as her mind mulled over her dilemma. Xena hated to admit that after numerous successes at disrupting Ares’ schemes in the past that this was the one time that victory would be his. The war god was definitely holding all the cards and she would have to play whatever hand he dealt her.

Xena gazed over at the black velvet box containing the golden apple. Her desire for immortality had died along with her lust for power when she abandoned her warlord life. Some time ago, she had accepted the fact that she would probably die with her sword held firmly in a hand fighting a just cause for the masses. But death no longer had to be an inevitable end for her. She could be a mother to her children---something she thought she would never have the opportunity to be and she would also be with her best friend who was miraculously restored to her---and all she had to do was take on immortality. Gabrielle would tell her to accept Ares’ offer---in the end, she could use it to her advantage. But Xena knew that immortality even without the powers of a god would change her and she feared what those changes might be. Would they be good or bad? And what about the godly powers she had inherited from her father? She was finding it hard to resist using them in her mortal state. Would she give into them completely as an immortal?

Xena knew whatever decision she reached could not be made in haste. She needed more time to think about it.

After the soothing warm bath, Xena put on the gold silk shift she had earlier laid on the large bed. A pleased smile crossed her face. After three years, it still fit her perfectly.

Xena gazed at her traveling gear that Zethus had another servant bring to her bedchamber. She walked over to the table on which it sat. She pulled out the contents of the saddlebag until she found what she was looking for. A faint smile crossed her lips as she gazed into the face of Lysia’s doll.

Before departing for Macedon, Xena had retrieved the doll from her daughter’s belongings. She knew how attached the little girl already was to Vashti’s surprise gift and brought it along so she could give it to Lysia when she finally saw her. Xena clutched the doll against her as she walked over to the large bed and got in it. She let the one bedside candle continue to burn as she lay down for the night.

Despite how tired she was the worries of Xena’s mind would not let her rest. She was lying in the dim candlelight, gazing up at the ceiling when she heard a faint knock at her bedchamber door.

"Who is it?"

"It’s me, Gabrielle."

Xena rose from the bed to unlock the door.

"The servant woman told me your room was right next to mine. When I finally heard you moving around in here, I decided to come over." Gabrielle strolled into the room and plopped down on the side of the large bed. She gazed at Xena’s sleeping attire. "That’s nice, where did you get it?"

"It was in the cedar wardrobe over there...it still has my things in it from when I used to stay here," Xena replied. "You’re welcome to check it out. We are almost the same size now so you just might find something that fits you."

"I just might do that."

Xena looked at her friend curiously. "I thought you were tired, shouldn’t you be asleep by now?"

"I am bone tired but for some reason I just can’t sleep." Gabrielle shrugged her shoulders. "All I do is toss and turn in that big bed in my room. It’s gotta be this dark castle...or maybe Ares is doing some hocus pocus to torment me since I didn’t stay dead like I know he wanted."

"I highly doubt that Gabrielle. Right now Ares is occupied with other matters."

"Well, whatever it is, do you mind if I sleep in here tonight Xena? I’ll never get to sleep in that large creepy room. I need some company."

"No Gabrielle, I don’t mind. My bed is big enough to sleep a family of five easily."

"Great, it will be just like a slumber party." Gabrielle moved up the bed and climbed under the royal blue silk sheets. "Hey, what’s this in the bed?" Gabrielle pulled out the doll, which had been hidden under the silk sheets.

"That’s Lysia’s doll." Xena got back in the bed and faced Gabrielle who was lying on the other side. "It’s her favorite. I figured she was probably missing it about now and I wanted to give it to her." Xena now had a look of disappointment etched across her face.

"I guess it didn’t go too well with Ares after I left, huh?"

"He told them Gabrielle...Ares told the twins we are their parents. And now he won’t even let me see them so I can explain why I left them with Cyrus."

"I am so sorry Xena." Gabrielle placed a hand on her friend’s shoulder in a comforting gesture.

"The only way Ares will let me see the children is if I agree to his terms and become immortal."

Gabrielle’s brows furrowed with confusion. "I figured Ares would demand something but I thought it would be what he has desired most...you becoming his Warrior Queen and conquering the world in his name. Why is he only demanding you become immortal?"

Despite Ares’ latest stunt, Xena would still honor the promise she made to him about keeping their life bond a secret. Besides, she was sure the war god had other reasons for wanting her to become immortal. "I guess Ares figures, this way we can be a *happy* family...him, me and the children spending eternity together. You see Gabrielle, the children are immortal."

"Immortal!" The bard had a stunned look on her face. "Are you sure Ares is telling the truth? Maybe he is just being his usual deceptive self."

"At first that’s what I thought but we paid a visit to the Fates and they confirmed he did indeed speak the truth but that’s not all." Xena stared into her friend’s green eyes, as she lay across from her in the large bed. "The Fates told me you are immortal too."

"What???" Gabrielle bolted upright in the bed. "No, that’s not possible."

"Oh but it is possible. Just like the twins you are more god than mortal now." Xena sat up with her friend and gazed over at her stunned face. "You also must remember that it’s not only the blood of a god flowing through that body you inhabit but also Dahak’s and he was a Watcher."

"Wow, this is so unreal...I’m going to live forever." Gabrielle gazed at her friend sitting next to her in the bed. "You have to accept Ares’ offer."

"I figured you would say that." Xena had an apprehensive look on her face.

"If you become immortal Xena, you will get to raise your kids, something you thought you would never have the chance to do. We would always be together and then we could keep Ares in line."

"Those are all good reasons but I need more time before I make a final decision." Xena lay back on her plush pillow and Gabrielle did the same with hers.

The flame of a lone candle still emitted dim light about the large room as both women stared up at the ceiling high above them. They lay in silence, the only sounds were those of the howling wind of the storm and snow hitting the closed shutters of the window.

"Gabrielle?"

"Yes Xena."

Xena rolled over onto her side and gazed at her friend. "I’ve been doing some thinking about Dahak being my father and what Hope did to bring you back and I just wanted to say...I’m sorry."

"Sorry for what?" Gabrielle rolled over onto her side and gazed at her friend.

"All the pain you had to suffer these last several months. I caused it all when I insisted Hope had to die back there in Britannia. If I had listened to you and given Hope a chance...who knows...everything probably would have been a whole lot different...Solan would be alive...you would have never died...Dahak would have never been freed and the twins would be safely in India."

"I wish you wouldn’t blame yourself, Xena. No good will come from second-guessing past decisions. I had to learn that the hard way. You had good reason to distrust Hope...her father is the one great evil after all."

"But I now have the same father as Hope. I have committed far more horrors than she ever has so how can I be so critical of her?"

"But you have changed Xena and are now trying to right the wrongs of your past."

"And from what you told me, so is Hope." Xena stared into her friend’s face as she lay across from her. "I now pray that Castor finds Hope and gets her away from Dahak. And I want you to know Gabrielle that when this mess with Dahak is over I will try to make peace with Hope. I don’t know if I can ever forgive her for killing Solan but she is a part of you and she’s a part of me for that matter...she’s my half-sister. People gave me a chance and it’s the least I can do for her."

Tears of joy welled up in Gabrielle’s eyes. "Thanks Xena, that really means a lot to me." She leaned over and kissed her friend on a cheek.

"I knew it would, that’s why I had to tell you." Xena had a smile on her face. "Now we better get some sleep."

Gabrielle rolled over onto her back. A pleased sigh escaped her lips.

Xena leaned over and blew out the lone candle. The room now black, she lay back on the bed to get some sleep.

CHAPTER 39

"State what business you have at the palace." The guard’s voice was monotone and his face was like stone as he gazed at the stranger before him.

"I have come to see Hercules. I know he is in Corinth visiting the King," Joxer said.

The guard’s stony expression was replaced with an annoyed smirk. Every time word got out that Hercules was in Corinth, people would always appear at the palace looking for him to help with some dire problem or crisis. King Iphicles had given the palace guards strict orders that his brother was not to be disturbed by the citizenry. This was a visit of leisure and he wanted his younger brother to enjoy himself.

"Hercules is here for a family celebration so he is not taking any visitors," the guard firmly stated.

"But I am sure he will want to see me...I’ve brought him an urgent message from Xena."

"Xena!" The guard had been a soldier in the Corinthian army when the famed warrior woman led an attack against the city. Just hearing her name made the guard uneasy despite the fact that she now fought for good. "Wait here."

The guard left his post and conferred with another guard who stood nearby. Both men repeatedly glanced at Joxer as they continued to speak in hushed whispers. When their conversation concluded, the guard went through the palace gate and into the palace itself. But the other guard with whom he had been talking immediately took up his vacated post. The new guard gave Joxer a warning look to squelch any idea he may have had about sneaking into the palace.

Joxer just flashed the new guard a disarming smile. He started to pace the grounds outside the main gate of the Corinthian palace. He let his gaze wander over the people busily moving along the street. The smile on his face grew wider.

Talon was thoroughly enjoying his return to flesh via Joxer’s body. He inhaled deeply, letting the lungs that were now his fill up with air before slowly exhaling. He basked in the warmth of the noonday sun on his skin. The people around him took such small comforts for granted but Talon had new appreciation for these simple pleasures after spending centuries in a bodiless state wandering through the heated core at the center of the earth.

Talon let his gaze settle on a young woman strolling down the street. She cast him a friendly smile when she caught him staring at her. He returned her warm smile. "Oh, would I love to get a piece of that," Talon muttered to himself as his eyes admiringly raked over her curvaceous young form.

The recently freed fallen Watcher would perform whatever duties Dahak required of him but he had plans of his own and one of those was making up for lost time with women. Talon enjoyed his sexual romp with Gwenyth on the forest floor and wouldn’t mind being with her again. But there was a whole new world out there for him to explore---full of a variety of women and he planned on sampling as many of them that his new body would allow.

Talon strolled over to the cart of a cookware merchant situated not that far from the main gate of the palace. He gazed at his reflection in the bottom of a shiny metal pot hanging atop the carton. He ran his hands over his face and through his short brown hair. Talon’s new face did not have the stunning looks of his old face. But he still had his charm that could captivate women. His thin lips curled into a devilish smile. He also still had his sexual prowess. His new mortal body put limits on his stamina but he could still show a woman a good time---Gwenyth could certainly attest to that. Talon thought about her writhing beneath him as they lay on the forest floor---the sighs and moans of pleasure pouring from her pouty lips. Gwenyth had never known such ecstasy and the former Watcher was confident it would be the same for his other female conquests.

Talon let his thoughts drift back to the events he had witnessed through Joxer’s eyes before finally gaining control of his body. He thought about the joy that Joxer felt when he discovered that the woman he loved had been resurrected into a new body. Talon didn’t like the way such emotions made him feel but he had to admit this Joxer fellow had great taste in women---this Gabrielle was definitely a beauty. Talon had also been checking out Xena and thought she was pretty hot too. But the former Watcher didn’t want to face Dahak’s wrath by making a move on his daughter so he decided to only cozy up to her best friend. A wicked grin crossed Talon’s face again. This Gabrielle would soon discover that during her absence, Joxer had found a new boldness. Talon was going to have a whole lot of ‘fun’ showing her just *how much* she meant to Joxer.

Talon’s thoughts came back to his surroundings when he saw two cloaked figures approach the guard box outside the palace. His curiosity piqued, he approached the guard box and quietly stood in the background unnoticed. The two figures pulled back the hoods of their cloaks revealing themselves to be two beautiful women. One had curly blond hair like Gwenyth but it was somewhat longer. The other had long dark hair. Talon’s curiosity intensified and he moved a little closer to the guard box to hear the ensuing conversation.

"I heard that Hercules was staying at the palace and I must see him at once," the curly blond-haired woman stated with authority and urgency.

An annoyed smirk etched the guard’s stony face. Couldn’t Hercules have one moment of peace? "Hercules is here for a family celebration and is not taking any visitors."

"We aren’t just any visitors. This is Queen Ephiny of the Amazons and she is a friend of Hercules’," Solari stated.

The Amazons had planned on locating Xena and telling her about their startling discovery in the forest near Mycenae, regarding Dahak’s cult. But they had gotten word about Hercules being in Corinth and since it was closer, came to see him first.

Since he was not dealing with an ordinary visitor, the guard softened his stance. "You will have to wait for the other guard to return. He can take you to see Hercules along with the other visitor." The guard glanced over to Talon who was inconspicuously standing not too far from the guard box pretending to have his attention elsewhere. Ephiny and Solari turned to gaze in the direction the guard indicated.

Talon knew their eyes rested on him and he pretended not to notice.

"Joxer? By the goddess Artemis, what are you doing here?" Ephiny proceeded over to where Joxer stood. Solari followed her queen.

‘Oh great, they would have to know this Joxer fellow and now they are coming over here.’ Talon grumbled mentally. He let his eyes rake over the approaching women. Their faces were beautiful and he was pretty sure they had hot bodies to match under those cloaks. The former Watcher thought that for a shmuck, this Joxer fellow didn’t do so badly---he got to hang out with some pretty HOT women.

Talon was at a severe disadvantage. These women knew the previous owner of his new body but he knew next to nothing about them, except for what he had heard about the curly blonde being named Ephiny and Queen of the Amazons. Talon took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled. He was about to give his first *performance* as Joxer.

"Oh, hi Ephiny." Talon feigned a friendly smile when the two women finally stood before him. Since he did not know the brunette’s name, he just nodded to acknowledge her presence. "What are you doing in Corinth?"

"I could ask the same of you but the guard has already told me that just like Solari and I, you are here to see Hercules."

Talon now had a genuine smile on his face. He now knew the brunette’s name too.

"Is Xena here too? How has she been? She seemed so lost after Gabrielle’s memorial service," Ephiny said.

"Xena is not here. She had some pretty hard times but she finally realized how important it was for her to go on...it’s what Gabrielle would have wanted...so she is up to her neck with helping people."

"That’s good to hear." Solari had a pleased smile on her face.

"Yes it is. With Xena and Hercules fighting alongside us, this raises our chance of victory." Ephiny was silent for a moment. She took note of the inquiring expression upon Joxer’s face. "It appears an old enemy just doesn’t know when to quit."

"Yeah, Dahak’s cult is back causing trouble again," Solari added.

"So, you guys have had a run-in with Dahak’s cult too, huh?" Joxer asked.

"You mean you and Xena already have?" Solari asked with surprise.

"Not only have Xena and I faced off against Dahak’s cult but the One Great Evil himself," Joxer said.

Ephiny and Solari exchanged looks of surprise and fear.

"Oh wow! This is worse than I thought," the Amazon queen confessed. "These events are far too intense to continue discussing at the palace gates. We can exchange what we know about Dahak and his cult when we fill Hercules in on what is happening."

Solari and Joxer nodded in agreement.

**********

Those who were seated at the long dining table rose to their feet. Their gaze fell on Falafel as he entered the royal dining room.

In his outstretched arms rested a cake with lit candles atop it. When he headed towards the table, singing began.

"Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday to you..."

Falafel had a large smile on his face as he set the cake before the guest of honor who remained seated at an end of the table. Falafel stood by the table and joined in the singing.

"...Happy Birth---day Dear----Iphicles---Happy---Birthday---to you---"

Those standing began to clap as the singing came to an end. All eyes now focused on the man who remained seated at the table.

"Go on Iphicles, make a wish and blow out the candles," Hercules said when the clapping ceased.

Iphicles glanced at the smiling faces of those standing around the table. He took a deep breath, then exhaled, blowing out all the candles atop the cake. Those standing around the table cheered and applauded.

"Hey Iphicles, what did you wish for?" Jason asked as all retook their seats around the table. After Alcemene’s death, Jason had moved back to Corinth. He was now royal counsel to his stepson the King.

"Now Jason, you know the wish won’t come true if I tell you what it is," Iphicles replied.

All at the table began to laugh.

Falafel was cutting the cake into slices, which he proceeded to pass around to those seated at the table.

"Hey Falafel, did you make this cake?" Iolaus scrutinized the cake setting on the table before him.

"Sorry to disappoint you Iolaus but the palace baker made this cake," Falafel replied.

Iolaus had a look of relief on his face as he eagerly dug into his cake slice.

"Want cake Mama." The toddler patted his small hands impatiently on the high chair.

"Hold on Evander, Mama is getting your cake now," Nemesis assured the child. The former goddess was adjusting well to her life as a mortal and being a mother to a demi-god son. She had been Hercules’ first love and even though that had ended long ago, they were still very good friends. Hercules would always be there for her and his nephew, Evander.

"Here you go sweetheart." Nemesis set the slice of cake before Evander. With small hands, the toddler picked up the cake slice and began shoving it into his mouth, getting icing on his cheeks. He looked so cute that those around the table couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight.

At that moment, a male palace servant entered the royal dining hall. He proceeded over to where Hercules sat at the table, then whispered in an ear.

"Would you all excuse me for a moment." Hercules rose from the table and went with the servant to a corner of the dining hall. They spoke in hushed tones for a few minutes before the servant left the dining hall. Hercules came back over to the table.

"Is everything okay Hercules?" Iphicles asked from his position at the head of the table. A look of concern was on his face. All at the table now gazed at Hercules.

"Everything is fine," Hercules assured as he glanced at those around the table. "There’s just someone who needs to see me for a few minutes...it shouldn’t take too long."

"If you need privacy, you can use the royal study across the hall," Iphicles suggested.

"Thanks." Hercules looked to Iolaus. "You should hear this too."

Iolaus rose from the table and followed Hercules into the study across from the dining hall.

Once in the study, Iolaus asked, "So Herc, what is this all about?"

"There’s a man at the main palace gate who wants to see me. He claims to have a message from Xena."

Hercules and Iolaus had not seen Xena since the Amazon memorial service for Gabrielle.

"Xena was not in too good a shape the last time we saw her and I hope whatever this man has to say will not be that things have gotten worse with her," Iolaus said with concern.

"We will know soon enough."

A few moments later, the same servant from before held the study door open as three guests entered...a man and two women.

"Joxer, Ephiny and Solari!" Hercules and Iolaus exclaimed in unison.

"What are you guys doing here?" Hercules passed before the trio, gripping a forearm of each in friendship. Iolaus followed suit.

"We have urgent messages for you," Ephiny replied in a serious tone.

"Nothing has happened to Xena I hope?" Hercules intently gazed at the three faces for any sign of bad news.

"Oh no Hercules, Xena is fine," Joxer assured.

After what Xena had been through the last few months, the demi-god was relieved to hear that she was okay. But Hercules knew Joxer’s trip to Corinth along with the two Amazons was not one of leisure and he was curious to hear what they had to say.

Joxer sensed Hercules’ urgency to know the reason for their simultaneous journeys to Corinth. He nodded to the Amazon Queen that she should speak first.

"An old enemy has resurfaced...Dahak’s cult is back."

A weary groan escaped the lips of Iolaus. "Don’t these people ever give up?"

"Yeah, they certainly give new meaning to the word zealot." Hercules gazed intently at the Amazon Queen. "Where has the cult sprung up now?"

"We came across them near Mycenae," Ephiny replied. "And they have gotten sicker since the last time Xena dealt with them."

"Yeah, they are killing people and using their blood to feed plants," Solari added.

"Plants! You have got to be kidding?" Iolaus had a look of stunned amazement upon his face.

"I wish we were but this is too warped for our imaginations," Ephiny replied.

The brow of the demi-god hero was furrowed with perplexity as his mind pondered this latest bit of news regarding the activities of Dahak’s cult. "I thought the main goal of Dahak’s cult was to spill the blood of the innocent to free their lord. So why are they killing people to feed plants?"

"Because they have already freed Dahak," Talon finally chimed in playing the role of Joxer. "Xena has already faced off against the One Great Evil but she needs your help and sent me here to get it."

"Wow, Dahak is here! I thought the sky would darken and the earth would shake if that ever happened," Iolaus said.

"If given time and with whatever he and his followers have got planned it just might." Hercules fixed his gaze on Joxer. "Does Xena have some type of plan on how we will stop Dahak for good this time?"

"Yes she does. I don’t know all of it…Xena and Ares have both been working on it so either one should be able to fill you in on all the details."

"Ares!?!?!?" The others in the room were stunned to hear that the war god was working with Xena to defeat Dahak and voiced their shock in unison.

"Why in Tartarus is Xena working with Ares?" Hercules asked.

"Yeah, I thought Ares was on Dahak’s side?" Iolaus asked.

All in the room gazed quizzically at Joxer, waiting for answers.

"Hey, all I know is Ares said he only pretended to join Dahak and Xena believed him. She’s probably at his castle in Macedon right now...that’s where she wants us to meet her."

Hercules did not like what he was hearing. If this crisis with Dahak wasn’t bad enough, now he had worry that losing Gabrielle had driven Xena back to Ares. The only way he would uncover if that was indeed the case was by seeing her. The demi-god looked to his best friend. By the expression on Iolaus’ face, Hercules could tell that he was also now worried about Xena. "We better tell Iphicles and the others that we must travel to Macedon at once."

Hercules and Iolaus left the study and rejoined the partygoers in the royal dining hall. Joxer, Ephiny and Solari followed them.

The eyes of the partygoers fell on Hercules and the others when they entered the dining hall.

"Hey everyone, I want you to meet some friends of ours...this is Joxer, Solari and Ephiny, Queen of the Amazons." Salutations were exchanged between the newly arrived threesome and those seated at the dining table.

Talon couldn’t help but notice Nemesis seated at the table by the toddler. ‘Hot damn!’ He thought. Every woman he had seen since being released from his fiery prison was a major piece of ass---he felt like a fox in a hen house.

Iphicles sensed the change in his brother’s demeanor after the arrival of his friends. "You have to leave don’t you?"

"Yes I do," Hercules replied apologetically as he approached his brother who had risen from his chair at the end of the table. The others were busy chatting with the new arrivals and this gave the two brothers time for a private conversation. "I know you were looking forward to us spending some time together but my friends brought some disturbing news...Iolaus and I must help them."

"Hey, it’s okay Herc, I understand," Iphicles assured. By the grave look on his younger brother’s face, the King knew whatever the problem, it was not run of the mill. "So, you want to tell me about it?"

"I really can’t go into details right now but I’ll just say it has to do with Dahak."

"Dahak!" Iphicles eyes widened with surprise and fear. Hercules had told him all about the run-in he had with Dahak’s daughter and Xena’s numerous encounters with the cult. "I want to help...the Corinthian army is at your disposal."

"Thanks, but right now, I don’t know how serious the situation is and I’m hoping the use of an army won’t be needed but if it is, I will definitely take you up on your offer." Hercules embraced his brother in a big hug.

Afterward, he and Iolaus bid good-byes to those remaining at the birthday party, then departed with their friends for the mountains of Macedon.

Chapters 40 – 43

Webmaster Note: To make this story load a little easier in your browser, it was split into several web pages.

Feedback: Send comments to: skkye_blue@yahoo.com