Reluctant Goddess
Part 3 (end)
by Titanium and awatcher (Smilegal)
Continued from Part Two
Chapter 10 "A new beginning"
Xena pulled herself out of bed and scanned the room. Gabrielle had taken care of everything. In the closet was hanging her leathers, cleaned and neatly pressed. She looked at a nearby table and saw her armor, all polished and laid out with her sword and chakram resting in the corner. Xena quickly got dressed and packed all the supplies that she had noticed from the night before into Argo's saddle bags.
'Now what?' thought Xena. 'I haven't really been alone for over two years. I know I can take care of myself, but it won't be the same.'
She exited the house and loaded Argo. Xena turned back to the house and saw it slowly fade away. Xena returned to preparing Argo and saw a small pouch hanging from the saddle.
"I don't recall owning a pouch like that," mused Xena. She reached into the pouch and pulled out a single scroll with a blue ribbon attached. Hesitantly she pulled the ribbon off and unrolled the scroll. Written in Gabrielle's handwriting was:
Xena rolled up the scroll and tucked it into her left gauntlet.
She wiped a small tear from her eye, mounted Argo and started on
down the road.
'Where am I going?' Xena asked herself. She had ruled out going to Poteidaia, she didn't want to explain Gabrielle’s godhood to her family yet. Amphipolis would likewise bring back memories she didn't want to think about, as would the Amazons.
Up on Mt. Olympus, Ares watched Xena and said, "Now that the blonde is out of the way, you're mine."
"Uh, Uncle, what about Zeus's little promise?" asked Strife as he played with his dagger.
"Give me a break! You think I'm worried about that little brat?"
"Zeus said..."
"Zeus said," said Ares, imitating Strife's whining, irritating voice. Ares continued in his normal tone, "Zeus doesn't care what happens to Xena. Gabrielle can only get involved if she finds out, and I don't plan on her doing so. Even if she does discover my plan, there is nothing she can do to stop me. Goddess of Kindness vs. the God of War, no contest. Now beat it, I have some work to do."
Strife exited and Ares sat down to figure out how he would get Xena back.
"There have been several times I almost had her, but every time that blond screwed everything up," said Ares to himself. He picked up a few darts and threw them one at a time at a picture hanging on the wall. Ares smiled as he nailed one right between the eyes of the picture of Gabrielle. "I came so close when she went up against the Horde. She barely got away from me that time."
Ares let out a chuckle that grew into a deep laugh. "Perfect, I know exactly what to do."
Just before noon, Xena reached the city of Europos. The people were scurrying about, as if the end of the world we approaching. Xena took a closer look and saw the city walls lined with soldiers. She grabbed a traveler who was preparing to leave the city. "What is going on?"
The young man looked at her terrified, jerked away and quickly headed out the gates. She attempted to stop several others leaving, but each one was too busy trying to escape the city to answer her. She noticed a small group of soldiers heading her way led by an elderly, but obviously experienced veteran. They stopped, the leader looked her over before a flash of recognition came into his eyes. Xena saw his eyes and slowly started reaching for her sword preparing herself for a fight.
The leader's hands came up to show he was not going for a weapon. "Xena, Warrior Princess?"
"Yes," Xena slowly replied, keeping her hand on her sword.
"Little Xena from Amphipolis, who use to pester me into letting her ride my horse?"
"Who are you?" Xena took her hand away from her sword, but remained vigilant.
"You don't remember me, do you?. I'm Themistocles. I use to ride with the Athenian garrison. Part of our patrol range was Amphipolis and we use to stop at your mother's inn."
Xena thought back to the time before she was a warlord. Slowly memories of Athenian soldiers coming in from a hard ride came back to her. One soldier in particular, a young lieutenant who was patient with a rather hyper, young child who wanted to be a warrior.
"Themistocles, it's been well over twenty years since I last saw you." Xena smiled and stuck her hand out to grip the old warrior's wrist. Themistocles ignored the hand and gave her a hug, much to shock and horror of Xena and the amusement of the other soldiers. That amusement died fast when Xena turned and stared at them. Themistocles let go and a worried look came over his face.
"You shouldn't be here."
"What is going on? The city looks like it is preparing for a siege and people are running like scared rabbits."
Themistocles uttered one dreadful word, "Horde."
Xena froze for a second, recalling the last time she had faced them. It had been only a few months back, and she had barely defeated them.
"How many?"
"From what our patrols have discovered nearly a thousand."
"A thousand? Are you sure?" asked Xena, wanting to make sure she had heard correctly.
"Yes. We only have two hundred soldiers plus several hundred civilians who refuse to leave the city. I had heard you fought them recently. Will you help us? I am getting too old to command."
Xena didn't hear his request. Something was bothering her, but she couldn't place it. A thousand Horde warriors was more than she had fought at the Athenian outpost, but well within the normal amount they fielded. "I'm sorry Themistocles. What did you say?"
"I want you to take command of the city garrison," repeated Themistocles.
"No."
"Please, I'm no match for them and none of my other officers have ever seen a major battle before," pleaded Themistocles.
"You don't understand. I can't do it again. I'll lend my sword, but I won't lead."
"A sword is useless without direction," returned Themistocles. "I will have TWO HUNDRED useless swords if you don't take command."
"The answer is no."
"Look, I know about your past and your attempt at redemption. How will you feel about yourself if you allow hundreds of civilians to get slaughtered because you are too cowardly to lead?"
The soldiers around Themistocles and Xena took several steps back. Nobody in their right mind would call the Warrior Princess a coward. All eyes turned on Xena. She stood there with her eyes closed, contemplating her choices. Suddenly, her eyes popped open and took on a defiant glint.
"You, get those civilians away from the wall. You, assemble all of the officers. I want to meet them in one candlemark in the command post."
"Thank you Xena," said Themistocles quietly.
"Don't thank me yet. We have a lot of work to do."
With that Xena took off with Themistocles in tow to inspect the garrison. She spent the rest of the day setting up traps and drilling the soldiers to make sure they would handle themselves appropriately when the time came. At first, most of the soldiers grumbled about taking commands from an outsider, but word spread of who she was and of her victory against the Horde. From that point on, soldiers snapped to attention when she passed. Xena took it in stride, constantly reminding herself not to let it go to her head.
As night came upon the small city, Xena stood on the wall hoping it would not be a repeat of the last time. Victory had come at a price, a price she wasn't sure she wanted to pay this time. Her thoughts turned to Gabrielle and she was glad the little bard was not around to worry about, if she did lose her temper and reverted to her old ways, at least Gabrielle wouldn't be around to witness it.
Themistocles joined her on the wall. "Thinking about the old days?"
"Yeah, hoping they don't come back."
"Why? You were a force to be reckoned with, one of the best in the known world."
"I was one of the bloodiest, cruelest..."
Themistocles held up a hand. "I was talking about your martial abilities, not what you did with them."
Xena let out a small sigh. "One comes with the other."
"Not necessarily, tomorrow when the Horde attack, don't hold back. We'll deal with whatever happens later."
Xena was about to respond that it wasn't that easy, but Themistocles started talking again.
"Remember how you use to vault onto my horse? You would jump up and ride like the wind with you hair flowing behind you."
Xena thought back, she was very young then and only remembered bits and pieces. Something bothered her, both about the number of Horde, and Themistocles's little side trips into the past. She couldn't put her finger on it and instead concentrated on the present.
Dawn came too quickly for the beleaguered city and with it came the Horde. Xena could see two distinct lines forming. The Horde were preparing for a two wave attack, not a siege. Xena barely had time to warn the soldiers nearest to her to duck before a hail of Horde battle-axes came showering down at them. The garrison returned fire with arrows, cutting down Horde warriors as they started to run towards the city walls. The Horde kept coming until they had reached the wall and started placing ladders, while others pounded the city gates. The Horde swarmed over the wall and engaged the defenders in close combat. Xena's sword took on a life of its own as she fought her way along the wall, engaging Horde left and right. She could see the second wave approaching the wall and ordered a general retreat into the city itself.
Suddenly, Xena heard a cry for help and turned around to see Horde warriors pouring through a breach in the wall that lead directly to a building where civilians were being sheltered. Xena jumped from the wall and ran towards the building. Xena engaged warrior after warrior killing one only to have another take its place. She heard a scream and looked to see a Horde warrior decapitating a small child. A red haze came over Xena's eyes and she let out a blood curdling battle cry and began hacking away at anything that moved. Despite having the numerical advantage, the Horde warriors fell before an irresistible force as Xena struck blow after blow. The Horde warriors had seen enough, they broke and ran from the building. Xena pursued them, stopping only long enough to kill when she got close enough. She looked for more victims for her bloodlust and was rewarded by finding a group of wounded Horde trying to retreat. The red haze blinded her from seeing them as wounded warriors trying to leave the field of battle, only an enemy that needed to be killed. She charged forward, but stopped when something fell out of her gauntlet. In her desire to continue with the killing, she started to step on the object when it unrolled itself. She looked down and, despite the bloodlust that still blinded her, made out a single line on the parchment:
Xena picked up the scroll and realized it was the one Gabrielle had left for her. She examined herself and saw blood covering her, making her look every inch like the Warrior Princess stories of her past spoke of. She looked up and saw the Horde retreating across the entire city, hoping to regroup for one final attack. Xena stuffed the scroll back into her gauntlet and found the closest soldier and ordered him to find and assemble the officers.
As she made her own way to the command post, she thought about their situation. 'There are still too many of them!'
Something clicked in the back of her mind. 'The Horde are from the north. Gabrielle and I passed a large Spartan garrison less than a week ago. They would have had to have passed through them to get here. There is no way a thousand Horde warriors could have penetrated this far into Greece without raising the alarm. Something is definitely not right here.'
Themistocles ran out of the command post towards her. "Xena! The Horde are preparing for an attack. You must lead a cavalry charge, now."
"It's no good, Themistocles. We have less than fifty able-bodied warriors. We would be killed before we could do enough damage."
Themistocles shook his head adamantly. "No! I saw you fighting the Horde in thebuilding. All you need to do is unleash that rage and the day is ours!"
"What you saw was me losing control, something I won't let happen again."
"Come on, Xena. Vault up on that horse just like you remember and lead us to victory. Nothing can stop you!"
Xena paused and suddenly the memories of being with Themistocles came back completely. 'Not remembered, dreamed of!'
"Forget it Ares, it won't work. I nearly lost it a few minutes ago, you aren't going to get me to do it again." Xena turned on Themistocles and pointed her sword at him.
"Xena, what are you talking about?" asked Themistocles as he started backing away from her. "The Horde is preparing to attack again. We don't have time for this."
"You messed up, Ares. There is no way that many Horde could have gotten around the Athenian and Spartan defense without alerting the entire country. It took a while for me to realize that. If you had lessened the number or chosen a different enemy it might have worked, but then it wouldn't have had the desired effect on me, would it?"
"Xena..." started Themistocles.
"Nice try with Themistocles, though. A person from my past that I would help, but long enough ago that I wouldn't remember too clearly. You made a mistake when you tried to use my memory of him to distract me."
'Themistocles' stopped backing away and stood his ground. "You said it yourself. You remember me allowing you to vault on my horse and ride."
Xena let out a dark laugh and asked sarcastically, "Since when do three year olds 'vault' on warhorses? Those 'memories' you found were dreams of a little girl desperately wanting to be a warrior."
Themistocles's face darkened. The air shimmered around him and Ares appeared in his place. The Horde vanished leaving the weary soldiers of Eurpos astonished, but overjoyed.
"How did you breakaway from me after what happened in the building? You went on a rampage just like old times, I could see the bloodlust in your eyes. I had you and you know it." Ares pointed his finger at Xena.
"Yes, you had me," admitted Xena. "You just couldn't keep me."
Xena reached into her gauntlet and pulled out Gabrielle's scroll. "Gabrielle was always around to keep my dark self in check. She may not be around now, but she must have known eventually you would try something and she wouldn't be able to stop you in time. This scroll is a constant reminder of her faith in me. I refuse to let her down."
"This isn't over yet."
"Yes it is. You better go back to Olympus before Gabrielle realizes you came down here. She may not show it, but she has a temper to match mine when something gets her angry enough."
"I'm not afraid of her," said Ares before disappearing.
"You should be," returned Xena quietly to the fading form. Xena went to check on Argo, silently wondering what Gabrielle was up to. She reached into her saddlebag to find some dried jerky when her hands felt a familiar object. Xena smiled and pulled out anotherscroll with a blue ribbon neatly tied around it. She read the scroll.
Xena let out a chuckle, 'Leave it to Gabrielle to find away around the rules.'
"I can't believe she did that!" shouted Ares. "Not only did she manage to ruin my plan, she had the nerve to point out the flaws in it."
Strife sat quietly in his uncle's castle. He was not going to try to reason with his uncle.
"Stupid scroll," muttered Ares. "That blond wasn't even there and she managed to screw up my plans."
Gabrielle stood silently beneath the window. She had just finished a long lesson with Athena and was hoping to record more of the recent events when she had passed Ares's place and heard voices. 'That little... I am going to Zeus. It hasn't even been two days and Ares is up to no good. Now Zeus will have to let me stay with Xena at least part of the time.'
Gabrielle gently tiptoed away from the window and headed toward Zeus's temple. She failed to hear Ares's last remark.
"I am done with being nice to Xena. I'm going to teach her a lesson she will never forget. After she recovers from the beating I'm going to give her, she'll beg to come back to me."
Chapter 11 "Keeping a promise"
Gabrielle strode purposefully to Zeus’ palace. She wanted to run, but decided that she should look dignified when approaching Zeus. The goddess-in-training wanted to be taken seriously. Gods weren’t always known to keep their word and, no matter what, Gabrielle was determined that Zeus would live up to what was promised.
The palace was in sight when a blonde-hair figure appeared in her path.
"Out of the way, Aphrodite," Gabrielle growled. She had absolutely no time for imbecilic conversation.
"Ex-quease me? Did you--a little goddess wannabe--just say what I think you said? Are you blind? Don’t you know who I am?"
"Do you really expect me to answer that?" Gabrielle tapped her foot in impatience.
"Are you ever in a good mood? I came to talk to you. Your making a way nasty fashion statement. That shirt has GOT to go."
"NOT NOW, APHRODITE!"
"Fine, just be that way. I’m not going to stand here and take this." Aphrodite disappeared.
"And that’s supposed to hurt me...how?" Gabrielle asked herself as she started again toward Zeus’ residence.
Just before she reached the steps to the impressive structure, a blur flew past her. Instantly, Hermes was in front of her, hovering slightly above the ground.
"Hello," he spoke, tipping his hat.
‘Geez,’ thought Gabrielle, ‘do I have to go through all the gods on Mt. Olympus before I can see Zeus?’
"I see you’re planning on talking to Zeus about Ares’ little scheme." Hermes’ face remained solemn but if Gabrielle would have taken a close look into his eyes, she would have seen the laughter that resided there.
"How did you know about it?" Gabrielle’s brow furrowed and her eyes squinted, puzzled.
"News travels fast."
Gabrielle gave a sardonic smile and shook her head. "Fuunny."
"I thought so." Hermes paused then cleared his throat. "Actually, Artemis sent me."
"Artemis knows about this too?"
Hermes nodded. "She ran into Aphrodite, who whined to her about you. Artemis had a sneaking suspicion that something was up with Xena and a quick visit to the warrior confirmed it. She figured you would run to Zeus about Ares and, before you did, she needed to talk to you. Unfortunately, an emergency came up at one of her temples and Artemis knew she couldn’t get to you in time. So, I was asked to catch up with you, seeing how I AM the fastest god and all. "
"Modesty suits you," Gabrielle replied sarcastically. "Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to talk to Zeus." Gabrielle side-stepped Hermes and began up the steps.
"Wait!" Hermes shouted.
Gabrielle stopped mid-step and turned to face the god.
"I need to talk to you, remember?"
"No, you needed to catch up with me. You did. Now, leave me alone."
"It’s a message from Artemis. Don’t you think it’s important that you find out what she needed to tell you first? She is on your side, you know."
"FINE. Just make it quick, I’m in a wee bit of a hurry over here."
"She wanted me to tell you not to go in there."
"WHAT? I thought you said she was on my side? This is absolutely ridiculous." Gabrielle turned and began to climb the steps again.
"Gabrielle, you can’t just barge in there! He doesn’t allow visits during this time."
Gabrielle didn’t stop. "I thought time didn’t have meaning to gods? We’re immortal, remember?"
"But time does have meaning in the mortal world."
Gabrielle was at the top of the steps now and advancing toward the door. "So?"
"You know his son’s down there! You’ve met him for pity’s sake!"
Gabrielle’s hand raised to knock on the door. Just before her knuckle made contact with the door, she hesitated. Slowly, she lowered the hand. "He’s watching Hercules?"
"Every day at this time. He really, REALLY, hates to be disturbed. It won’t do your cause any good if you go in now."
Gabrielle whirled around. "Well, what am I supposed to do?"
"Wait."
"Wait? How long?"
"He should be finished any time now." Hermes was a blur, then behind Gabrielle. Before the bard could even turn around he had her by the back of the shirt. In less then a second, Gabrielle was at the bottom of the steps.
"How will I know when he’s finished?"
"He’ll send for me."
"If he doesn’t hurry up, I’m going down there without Zeus’ permission."
Hermes shook his head. "Rule number 17, don’t disobey Zeu..." Hermes cocked his head, listening.
"What? I don’t hear anything?"
"Shh." He listened for another few seconds. "That would be him. If you’ll excuse me." Hermes tipped his hat then disappeared.
"Does that mean I can go in?"
She never saw Hermes, but heard his voice clearly say, "NO!"
Gabrielle threw up her hands in exasperation.
The girl must have been pacing for a whole...two minutes before Hermes returned.
"What were you doing in there, having a picnic?" she asked. "And do you have to hover like that? It’s really annoying."
Hermes grinned and floated slightly higher. "Hey sunshine, you can go in now."
Gabrielle ran up the steps.
‘To Hades with dignity,’ she thought as she flung open the door.
Zeus immediately stood up from his thrown.
"I understand you wanted to see me," he said in a regal tone looking every bit the king of the gods.
Gabrielle took a deep breath, calming herself. ‘Why does he have to be so darn intimidating?’
"Yes, I did." ‘Oh, there’s a great beginning, Gabrielle,’ she chided herself. Well, it’s too late to change it now, just have to continue.’ "Our deal has been broken."
Hands behind his back, Zeus strode over to Gabrielle. "May I ask in what way?"
"Ares has gone down to the mortal world and interfered in Xena’s life."
Zeus raised an eyebrow. "Was he successful?"
"Of course not."
"Then what’s the problem?" Zeus sauntered back to his throne and sat down.
"Whether or not Ares was successful doesn’t matter. We had a deal. If any god TRIED anything I got to go back down. Ares tried something, now I get to go back down."
"Do you have proof of what you say?"
"Ask Artemis, she knows the words I speak are true.
Zeus closed his eyes for a moment. In seconds, Hermes appeared.
He stood before Zeus, cap in hand. "You called?"
"Please send for Artemis."
Hermes gave a quick nod of the head. He then turned to Gabrielle and winked. "See ya, Sunshine."
Hermes was gone before Gabrielle could reply.
It wasn’t long before Artemis appeared.
"Hello Gabrielle, Zeus. What do you need?"
"A verification," Zeus replied. "Does Gabrielle tell the truth? Did Ares truly mess with Xena?"
"Yes. He tried to get her back and failed."
"What was it this time?" Zeus inquired, sighing.
"He made up a group of Horde to attack a city."
"How tacky." Zeus shook his head. "He could have at least used real horde. I think the God of War may be losing his touch."
Gabrielle put up a hand. "Excuse me? I’m still here."
Zeus turned to Gabrielle. "I am a god of my word. You may return. However, I hope that you will consider staying. You were brought here for your own good."
"Thanks, but no thanks, Zeus. I want to return."
"As I said, I will not stop you. I do ask that you refrain from abusing your powers. It could get real messy down there if you do. Remember, If you hang around people too long they will notice that you aren’t aging."
"I’ll remember the warnings and I promise to return every few years for a couple of days as well as for good after Xena dies."
Gabrielle faced Artemis. "Thank you for everything. I’ve learned much."
Artemis gave Gabrielle a hug and the warning, "Be careful."
"Now, if you’ll excuse me," Gabrielle began, smiling broadly, "I have to go."
Two quick hand claps and Gabrielle was back in the mortal world. She was exactly where she wanted to be, in Xena’s camp. Gabrielle tilted her head back and inhaled the cool night air.
"Oh, how I’ve missed this. But there’s one thing I miss more. Hmmm...Xena?" She noticed that her friend was nowhere in sight.
Gabrielle heard the faint sound of clashing metal. She snapped her fingers and was instantly at the source.
Xena was fighting a dark, cloaked figure. Gabrielle had arrived just in time to see Xena disarmed. The person removed the hood to reveal himself.
"Ares," Xena muttered. She tried to punch him in the face only to have the hand caught and her arm painfully twisted.
He hit her in the face with the hilt of his sword and then kicked her in the stomach.
Gabrielle’s anger boiled over as she saw her friend doubled over in pain.
"ARES," she roared. "I suggest you leave, NOW!"
Ares round-house kicked Xena in the face, sending Xena flying, before turning to Gabrielle. A wicked grin slowly crept up his face. The grin became a laugh and he stood there, just chuckling at the goddess.
"LEAVE, Ares."
"Or what? Don’t threaten me little girl."
"This is your final warning. Leave Xena alone."
"So the Goddess of Just Causes wants a face-off with the God of War. Take your best shot, weakling." Ares crossed his arms, waiting for a response.
The ground began to quake. Xena had to dive out of the way of several falling trees.
‘He should not have done that,’ thought Xena. ‘Now, she’s mad.’
Gabrielle’s hands outstretched and a staff appeared in them. Wasting no time, she charged Ares.
Gabrielle was excellent with the staff as a mortal and becoming a goddess seemed to have increased her skill many times over. The God of War was finding that Gabrielle was actually a powerful force to be reckoned with. Though she never got an advantage, Ares couldn’t seem to land any major blows.
"Give it up, little girl. Xena is mine." He brought his sword downward, powerfully; aiming for her head.
Gabrielle brought up her staff for a block then kicked him in the gut, backing him off. "Not without a fight."
"That’s what this is." Ares swiped at her midsection.
Gabrielle made a quick jump backwards and avoided the blow.
She advanced toward Ares and again wood collided with metal.
The battle waged on for hours. Xena watched helplessly, knowing there was nothing she could do that Gabrielle couldn’t.
A day passed and the two gods were still at it. Xena was starting to get worried. Not at the length of the fight, but there had been more and more near misses as time went on. Gabrielle was still holding her own, but at the rate things were going she wouldn’t last much longer.
Finally, on the night of the second day, Ares managed to disarm Gabrielle. He put his sword to Gabrielle’s neck.
"Kneel," he commanded.
Slowly and deliberately, Gabrielle did so.
Xena picked her sword up off the ground and headed towards the gods.
"Don’t even think about it, Xena. Try anything and your going to have chopped goddess."
Xena froze.
"Go back to Mt. Olympus, Gabrielle," Ares commanded. "And, as long as Xena lives, never return."
"No." Gabrielle spoke quietly but with authority.
"Deny me again and you will live out eternity in a hundred different places."
"NO."
"You're stupid, I’ll give you that." Ares smiled, still holding the sword at her neck. "Don’t you get it? Xena is MINE. It’s only a matter a time before she will again pledge her allegiance to me. And there is nothing, NOTHING you can do to stop it."
Gabrielle’s rage grew. Her frustration and anger became overwhelming. The helplessness of her situation, her failure to help Xena and defeat Ares, as well the humiliating act of having to bow before this arrogant god burned inside her.
Without warning, a bolt of energy, seemingly to have come from Gabrielle herself, knocked Ares backward.
Gabrielle was surrounded with a light brighter than the sun. Even Ares couldn’t look straight at her.
"You couldn’t just leave her alone, could you Ares? You couldn’t have just found someone else to torture? I will NOT let you mess with her. Never again.
Ares wasn’t impressed; if only he knew what was coming next.
All the light that surrounded Gabrielle suddenly shot off toward Ares. It struck him square in the chest. Xena went wide-eyed, as she watched the God of War being shattered into pieces.
Gabrielle snapped her fingers and the ground quit shaking. Peace was again restored.
Xena looked down at Gabrielle’s handiwork. It looked as if thousands of black marbles were scattered across the ground. She made her way over to Gabrielle trying to step on as few pieces of Ares as possible.
Xena looked down and then at Gabrielle.
She picked up a piece between two fingers and commented, "We’re gonna need another Ares."
Gabrielle just stood there, trembling.
"Gabrielle?"
Gabrielle didn’t respond. She staring at the ground and trying, without success, to control her quaking.
"Gabrielle!"
Gabrielle looked up, shocked to find Xena there looking straight into her eyes. She quickly broke the eye contact and stared off into the distance; someplace where none of this was happening, where all was calm.
"Gabrielle, what did you do?"
"I...I...I’m not exactly sure." She returned her focus on the ground. "I th-think I k-killed the God of War."
Xena’s eyes went wide.
"I didn’t mean to. Honest. He was only supposed to get knocked over." She buried her head in Xena’s shoulder.
Xena hugged her in return. Though muffled now, she heard Gabrielle continue to talk.
"He wasn’t supposed to die, Xena. I wasn’t supposed to kill him."
Xena rubbed her eyes with a hand, still holding on to Gabrielle with the other.
"What a mess." A little quieter, she repeated, "What a mess!"
Chapter 12 "Getting what's coming"
Xena and Gabrielle looked up to see a huge flash of lightning cross the sky followed by a thunderbolt that threatened to deafen them. A small flash caused them to return their eyes to the ground. Artemis stood there with a pale expression, "Gabrielle, do you know what you have done?"
Gabrielle didn't reply. She hugged Xena even tighter and started crying. Xena continued to hold onto her, but turned to Artemis. "She knows. It wasn't her fault. Ares was after me, she was just trying to protect me."
"Xena, it doesn't matter why she did it. The fact is Gabrielle killed a god."
Athena appeared next to Artemis. "All of Olympus is in an uproar. Nothing like this has ever happened before. Gabrielle you have to come with us. Zeus is putting you on trial for violating the rules of Olympus."
Gabrielle didn't move from Xena's embrace. Athena reached to touch her arm, only to have Xena bat her hand away. "She did it in self-defense. Leave her alone."
Athena grabbed Xena's shoulder and said, "Look..."
That was all she got out before the Goddess of Wisdom went flying across the field. Gabrielle stood defiantly next to Xena. "Nobody, I mean nobody, is ever going to hurt Xena again. Touch her and you'll end up like Ares."
Xena gently placed her hands on the girls shoulders. "Gabrielle, get a hold of yourself. Athena is your friend. She wasn't going to hurt me."
Athena reappeared next to Artemis and walked towards Gabrielle and Xena again, this time keeping her hands at her side. She looked at both of them and said in a defeated voice, "Look, it's not my choice. Gabrielle broke the rules and she is going to have to stand trial. Zeus's orders. I'm just the messenger."
"Why you and not Hermes?" asked Xena still trying to find a way out of this mess.
Athena let out wry grin, "He was afraid Gabrielle might send him flying across a field."
Gabrielle glanced up and stammered out an apology, "I.. I'm sorry...I mean I didn't..."
"It's all right," interrupted Athena, "You thought you were protecting your friend. Unfortunately, you went a little too far when protecting her from Ares."
Gabrielle took a moment to compose herself, nodded to Athena and Artemis and said, "I'm ready, let's go to Olympus."
"No!" shouted Xena, "I'm not letting you go without me."
"I wish I could take you, but rule forty-something says no mortals on Olympus."
Athena let out a small smile, "You forgot one of the most important things about the rules Gabrielle."
"What?"
"There's always a loophole. You're right, rule forty-eight says no mortals are allowed on Olympus, but the sub-clause of rule fifty-two says that any god or goddess may have witnesses in the event of a trial. It doesn't specify mortal or immortal, and Xena is the only witness to what happened."
Gabrielle took Xena's hand and a moment later they appeared in Gabrielle's palace on Olympus. Gabrielle looked around with a confused expression on her face. Xena raised her eyebrows and took a moment to ease the tension, "Wrong turn?"
Gabrielle was about to reply when Artemis appeared. "It's not her fault, I diverted you here. Zeus wants to wait until all the gods are assembled and that may take awhile. Take some time to relax. Gabrielle needs some time to think about what happened and you don't look to hot yourself, Xena." With that Artemis disappeared.
Xena looked at herself in a nearby mirror. She was covered with mud and traces of blood from the beating she had received over a day ago, courtesy of the now deceased God of War.
Gabrielle shook herself out of the shock she had been in. "You're a mess Xena. How bad are you hurt? When was the last time you ate? Don't just stand there, sit down."
Xena smiled at the rambling goddess and said, "Why don't we start out with 'hello' first?"
"This is no time for jokes," said Gabrielle indignantly, stomping her foot.
"Relax, nothing major was broken. I have a split lip, some bruised ribs, and an awful headache, but that's it."
Gabrielle let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding, "I was worried he might have done some real damage."
"I think he would have, but you arrived before he got passed toying with me," replied Xena.
"After I overheard him ranting about you ruining his plans, I reminded Zeus about the agreement and came as quickly as I could. Besides, I knew you couldn't keep out of trouble without me."
Xena smiled, but quickly became somber. "I haven't had a chance to thank you. If you hadn't come along when you did..."
"Wait, we can talk about this later. First things first, let's clean you up." Gabrielle's eyes took on a slightly wicked glint. This time Xena caught it before Gabrielle could wave her hands.
"Oh no you don't, not again."
Gabrielle put on an innocent face and started to pout. She stared at Xena with pleading eyes that finally caused Xena to cave in. Xena shrugged and motioned for her to go ahead and use her powers. This time there was no flash or sudden down pour of water, one minute she had blood and mud caked all over her and the next was completely clean. Xena slowly reached up to touch her hair and found it not only clean, but dried and brushed. As she pulled her hand away from her head her fingers felt something mixed in with her hair. Xena turned to the mirror and saw several bright pink ribbons in her hair. She looked over at Gabrielle, who was trying to stifle a giggle.
"Sorry, I couldn't help myself." Gabrielle waved her hand and the ribbons disappeared.
"Thanks," said Xena sarcastically.
"I wish I could do something about the injuries, but since a god inflicted them I can't heal them."
"It's all right. The don't really hurt that much, except the headache."
"Now that I can fix since Ares didn't cause that directly." Gabrielle touched Xena's forehead and her hand glow slightly. When she removed it, Xena's headache was gone.
"It's time we talked about you now, Gabrielle." Xena lead her over to a couch and sat down.
Gabrielle sighed and tried to hold back the tears and she replayed her fight with Ares over in her head. Finally she turned to Xena. "I didn't mean to kill him. I just got so angry that I couldn't do anything and when he kept saying you were his, I just snapped. Everything that I normally would have kept bottled up exploded and 'Zap' he was in a million pieces."
Gabrielle broke down and Xena put her arms around her. "All I wanted to do was protect you.
Xena gently patted Gabrielle's head and whispered, "I know, I know."
Hermes appeared several paces away from the duo. "Zeus sent me to summon you to the main temple."
Gabrielle and Xena stood and slowly faded away. They appeared in the main temple in front of the throne. Gabrielle glanced nervously at her new peers expecting to see anger at killing one of their own. She wasn't disappointed, various gods and goddesses had looks of pure hatred on their faces. Gabrielle was surprised that quite a few didn't seem to care one way or the other and a few were actually smiling. She heard a few voices shout, "Nice shot," "That'll teach 'em", "He had it coming."
"SILENCE!" shouted Zeus as he materialized on the throne with a crash of thunder.
Gabrielle grabbed Xena's hand, but stood proudly. Xena looked about the temple and realized for the first time she was truly powerless to do anything to save her friend. It was up to Gabrielle to save herself.
"Xena? Who let this mortal up on Olympus?" asked Zeus scanning the crowd. His eyes eventually fell on Athena who just shrugged and pointed to a scroll. Zeus closed his eyes and sighed. His daughter wasn't known as the Goddess of Wisdom for nothing. He lowered his head and rubbed his nose and let out another sigh.
"Gabrielle, Gabrielle, Gabrielle, a goddess less than a week and you already managed to break one of the most important rules of Olympus."
"But he..."
"What Ares did is irrelevant. I warned you about controlling you powers. Now you are going to have to pay for your actions."
Gabrielle took on a defiant tone, "Now wait one minute. Ares was beating up a mortal and you say I lost control, what's wrong with this picture?"
Gabrielle took a deep breath and continued, "Look, I'm sorry I about what happened to him. I have never done anything like that in my life and I'm not proud the first time I did it was against a god, but I refused to sit back and be blamed for something he started."
Zeus sat back and listened, but Gabrielle's words were falling on deaf ears. "You don't seem to understand young one, it's not what Ares did that matters. He hurt Xena, yes that's true, but he did so while staying in the rules. You may not have liked him, few on Olympus did, but this time he did nothing wrong, you did."
Zeus paused before continuing, "The penalty for your crime is death."
"NO!" shouted Xena.
Zeus ignored her. "Do you have any last words before sentence is carried out?"
Gabrielle gave Xena's hand a small squeeze. She looked up at Zeus and said, "I'm truly sorry for killing Ares. I never..."
Zeus interrupted her, "Kill? Who said anything about Ares being dead?"
Gabrielle looked at him, then at Xena, and finally at Artemis and Athena before returning her gaze to Zeus.
"I blew him into a million pieces," she stammered, "both Athena and Artemis said I killed him."
Athena and Artemis looked at each other and then up at their father. Artemis finally spoke, "She's right. When I felt what had happened I immediately went to Gabrielle and there was Ares, scattered about the field."
The assembled gods and goddesses of Olympus murmured to themselves. Gabrielle stood there uncertain of what she had done, she knew she had cut loose with everything she had and the results were obvious, one dead God of War.
Zeus finally spoke, "My daughters are very powerful, but they still have a lot to learn. Ares wasn't killed Gabrielle, you don't have that kind of power. You managed to spread his life force across all of Greece, but not kill him."
"I didn't kill him?" asked Gabrielle with hope in her voice.
"No."
"He's not dead?" Gabrielle asked again to make sure.
"No, he's not dead, scattering his life force across Greece is close, but no you didn't kill him."
Xena had had enough, "Then why this crazy trial and sentence Gabrielle to death?"
"She still broke the rules, Xena. You above all mortals should know the consequences of one's actions."
Gabrielle looked puzzled and asked, "No killing other gods, that's a given and I agree, but what rule did I break then?"
This time Zeus was puzzled, but responded, "Rule five of course."
Gabrielle thought to herself, 'Rule five, rule five, rule five...rule...FIVE?'
Athena shot a nervous look at Artemis which was returned.
Gabrielle suddenly shouted, "Hold it! Nobody ever told me about rule five. Sure, twenty-three here and fifty-eight there, but this is the first time I have heard anything about rule five."
Zeus looked at Gabrielle in confusion and said, "What do you mean you never heard of rule five? Rule five: No god or goddess of Olympus shall kill or disembody another god or goddess without the expressed consent of Zeus. Scattering Ares all over Greece comes under disembodying. It's very clear and just because you don't remember the rule, doesn't mean you won't pay for breaking it."
"It's not a matter of not remembering it, nobody ever told me about it," argued Gabrielle sensing she had finally found her loophole.
"Ahem." Athena cleared her throat.
Zeus looked at her. "You have something to say, daughter?"
Athena looked at her boots and slowly said, "Gabrielle is telling the truth. I never got around to telling her about rule five."
"YOU WHAT?!?!?!?" exclaimed Zeus.
Artemis interrupted Zeus's screaming, "It's not Athena's fault, father. Athena was going to tell her, but I thought Gabrielle was upset and told her not to worry and that we could tell her later. I mean this was Gabrielle we were talking about, not some psycho like Callisto or Velasca."
Zeus put his face in his hands and just mumbled, "What have I done to deserve a family like this?"
"Um, I don't mean to interrupt, but what about me?" asked Gabrielle quietly, not wanting to set Zeus off again.
"What a mess," mumbled Zeus echoing Xena's earlier words. He paused and looked back up at the assembled gods and goddess and returned his attention to Gabrielle. "I have been called many things; cruel, greedy, womanizer, but never unfair. I won't punish you for something you didn't know about, but I don't see how I can let what you did to Ares just slide by."
"Can't you just put him back together?" inquired Xena. "I realize I'm new to this god stuff, but if a god did it, a god should be able to undo it."
"It's not that simple, mortal," responded Zeus. "It's like destroying a building. It is much easier to destroy it than put it back together. It would take many centuries for a god to accumulate the extra power needed to bring back Ares, without draining his or her reserves completely."
Gabrielle thought about the situation and realized it would be unfair to let her get away with blowing Ares to bits. She didn't really meant to do it. This goddess thing wasn't all it was cracked up to be. 'Blast! Things were a whole lot simpler when I wasn't a goddess.'
Suddenly a idea came to Gabrielle. The other gods were all arguing back and forth about who would replace Ares and Zeus was sitting on his throne mumbling about family problems. Gabrielle approached Athena who stood there apologetically. "Athena, what would happen if a god used up all his powers to bring back Ares?"
Athena thought about the question and responded, "If a god used up all of his powers he would be mortal forever. He might still have above average abilities, but no immortality or true powers. Why?"
Gabrielle's face lit up with the first true smile since this whole mess had begun. She let out a long whistle that silenced all the gods, even Zeus looked up from his private musings. Gabrielle walked up to Zeus and said, "I think I have a way to solve this problem."
"I'm listening," replied Zeus, hoping that somebody would say something useful.
"Okay, If Ares were brought back now, it would require a god to give up his godhood right?"
"Right, and nobody is going to do that." Zeus nodded and saw various other gods and goddesses do the same.
"Wrong."
"Excuse me?" asked Zeus, "Did you say 'wrong'? What god or goddess would be willing to give up their godhood to bring back Ares?"
Gabrielle smiled and pointed to herself, "Me."
"You?"
"Me," repeated Gabrielle, still smiling.
"You're the one who did this in the first place. Why would you want to bring him back?"
Gabrielle became somber. "I thought I killed him. I didn't, but I came so close it still frightens me. I don't want this kind of power, where I can do something like that without thinking. As a mortal at least I have a few seconds to think things through before acting. This time Ares was the only one to get hurt, what if next time mortals become involved? I realize that using a staff might eventually lead to losing my blood innocence, but it won't compare with what could happen if I use my powers."
"So you are willing to sacrifice you godhood to bring back somebody who might do harm to you and your friend?"
Gabrielle let out a small grin, "Hey, I may be naive, but I'm not stupid. Since you like conditions so much I have a few as well. First, Ares can't directly interfere with Xena again. I know he'll hatch some scheme or find some stooge to do his dirty work, but nothing direct from him. Second, I expect all the gods present to keep an eye on him to make sure he lives up to that. Third, if he breaks the agreement he forfeits all his powers and godhood to Xena."
Xena had been mentally agreeing with Gabrielle right up until the last condition. "No way, Gabrielle. I told you before I don't want to be a goddess. Ares already made the offer once and I turned him down."
Gabrielle put her hand on Xena's shoulder. "Relax, Ares wanted to make you a goddess in order to spend eternity with you. I don't think he would look forward to living with you as the goddess and him as the mortal. Besides, think of all the fun you could have bothering him for the rest of his mortal life. I know you're worried about what you might do, but you are used to having power and have a tighter control over your emotions than most people. I don't think you'll have to worry though, Ares doesn't want to lose his godhood, he had a taste of mortality once and didn't like it."
Xena wasn't entirely convinced, but what Gabrielle had said made sense. She solemnly nodded.
Gabrielle returned her attention to Zeus, "Well? Do we have a deal? I use up all of my powers to return Ares and you all agree to keep him line with regards to Xena."
Zeus nodded his head and was about to speak when Gabrielle added one more condition."
"One more thing, no loopholes." She looked over at Athena who quickly nodded in agreement. "If he tries anything, I mean anything, he loses his godhood for good."
"You have a deal young lady."
"Great," she paused and thought a moment, "Anybody care to share with me exactly HOW to bring him back?"
Artemis walked over to Gabrielle and said, "Give me you hand. Let your power flow through me and I'll direct it."
Gabrielle took Artemis's hand and concentrated. When it felt like every part of her body was about to explode, she unleashed her power. A large whirlwind appeared, and when it dissipated there stood the God of War.
Ares walked over to Gabrielle. Xena stepped in between them. Ares paused and turned slightly to face Xena. "Believe it or not, I'm sorry I lost my temper. You can be so frustrating, but I realize I can't physically force you to return. I won't lay another hand on you, in fact I owe you for the beating. Now if you'll excuse me I have a few words to say to the irritating blond."
Gabrielle slowly pushed Xena aside so she stood face to face Ares. The God of War's face was unreadable, he just stood there glaring at Gabrielle. Suddenly he grabbed Gabrielle's hand and gently kissed it. Gabrielle stood there in shock, Xena's jaw dropped to the ground and she stared at him. Ares let go of Gabrielle's hand and stepped back, enjoying the confusion he had created. "You have guts, I'll admit that. I didn't think you had it in you. You gave up your powers to bring me back. I won't forget that. Maybe you aren't so irritating after all...nah, you're still irritating, but maybe stronger than I thought."
Ares faded from view and the collected gods and goddesses began to disperse. Zeus came down from his throne and joined Artemis and Athena who had stayed behind.
Gabrielle looked relieved. "I'm glad that's over with."
"Gabrielle," Zeus smiled at her, "despite what happened, I want you to know I think in time you would have made an excellent goddess. Athena and Artemis were right to chose you. I have to go tell Ares about the conditions on his return."
Zeus vanished with a clap of thunder.
Athena walked up to Gabrielle. "I'm sorry about all of this. Artemis and I only had the best of intentions."
Gabrielle smiled to let them know there were no hard feelings. She took one last look around Olympus and asked, "Could one of you give us a lift back? I seem to have misplaced my map."
Artemis and Athena chuckled, glad all was forgiven. Artemis waved her hand and as Gabrielle and Xena began to disappear they heard Ares voice shouting, "YOU AGREED TO WHAT??????"
Chapter 13 "If tomorrow never comes"
The two travelers, now both mortal, were again standing on earth in a campsite. Their own campsite, they found out as Argo trotted over to greet them.
Gabrielle smiled.
"Thank you Athena and Artemis," she whispered, staring at the surroundings around her. A fire was burning and food was laid out. Argo had been brushed and, after assessing her mistress was fine, was nibbling contentedly on some nearby grass. Their waterskins were full, Xena discovered. And, they had been re-supplied as well as given 50 dinars.
Xena looked up at the sky. The moon and most of the stars were covered by clouds but the fire gave ample light.
"Perhaps the gods aren’t so bad after all," she commented.
"Psh. You didn’t have to live with them."
Xena grinned.
"I’m telling you Xena, being a goddess was not at all what I thought it would be like. I don’t see how they can live with each other. Hermes thought he was the greatest thing since parchment...and Aphrodite! Oh, man! She even drives the other gods crazy. And, well, you know Ares."
"Well, I’m glad you had fun." Xena plopped herself down by the fire. She picked up a loaf of bread, broke it in half, and offered half to Gabrielle.
Gabrielle seated herself beside Xena and took the proffered bread. She bit a piece off and, slowly, began to chew. "So, how did you do without me?"
Xena raised an eyebrow at the question. "Ares coming after me was definitely a downside."
Gabrielle let herself smile for a moment before becoming somber again. "Seriously, Xena. How was it traveling alone?"
"Lonely. After awhile, you get used to someone constantly badgering you all the time."
Gabrielle shook her head and gave up on trying to get a solemn answer.
She stared into the fire as she spoke, "Huh...It’s weird, Xena." Gabrielle paused a moment before continuing. "Up there, I had everything anyone could want. Yet, the entire time all I wanted to do was be down here. Isn’t that crazy? Half the time we’re starving, sleeping on hard ground, getting rained on without any cover, waking before dawn, being raided by thugs, and having little or no money. Still, all I could think of was coming back." Gabrielle bit off another piece of bread signaling she was finished talking for the moment.
"Just remember that the next time you start grumbling to me about how awful things are." More serious, Xena added, "Paradise is what you make of it. This is your life, Gabrielle. You knew that when you first started to travel with me. From the very beginning, you made it clear this is what you wanted. Besides, on Mt. Olympus, you had every THING. All those you loved were still down here. Possessions can be bought and sold, friends and family are priceless."
Gabrielle looked up at Xena. "You know, you don’t talk much but when you do, you can be very wise."
"I don’t talk much so when I do it sounds important."
"Huh."
Gabrielle and Xena were quiet for a moment, both staring into the fire. As usual, Gabrielle broke the silence.
"I guess we’re going to be late getting to Amazonia."
"Ah, Hades!" Xena pounded her thigh with a fist.
"It’s okay, Xena. I think Amazonia will still be there when we get there."
Xena waved a hand to silence her friend. "No, no. It’s not that. They were going to have a celebration for you and I was supposed to get you there on time."
"Whoops."
Xena was shaking her head in frustration. "Oh well. They might be mad, but it’s not as if we didn’t have a good excuse."
"That’s for sure...Oh, while I’m thinking of it, have you figured out the answer to the riddle?"
"What riddle?"
"The one I told you before all this stuff got started."
Xena thought for a minute. "I remember you telling me it but I can’t remember it. Repeat it if you will."
Gabrielle took a deep breath and repeated the riddle.
"And your sure there’s an answer to this?" Xena got up and put out her bedroll. She laid down but didn’t close her eyes.
"Mm hmm," Gabrielle said sleepily as she laid her bedroll next to Xena's.
A few minutes passed without a word being spoken. This time, Xena broke the silence.
"Oookay. You win. What’s the answer?"
"I'll tell you...tomorrow."
"Why do I have to wait until tom--Gabrielle!" Xena heard her friend chuckle. "Until tomorrow," Xena promised with a grin.
"Until tomorrow. G’Night Xena."
The End
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