Our daughter, she said we got our daughter back. That gave me the greatest feeling of belonging I have ever had in my life. With all the fighting and running, Xena and I haven't been able to rest, neither physically nor mentally. But it's over now, and we are together.
Of course Mt. Olympus is in ruin. That's my warrior. Who else could go to Mt. Olympus and kill Gods? I only wish I could have helped her. The furies, Joxer's ghost and even a vision of my own daughter, Hope, had tricked me, into trying to kill Eve. I felt so ashamed and guilty once Ares healed me.
Those feelings were dashed by Xena's words. Our daughter. She has a way about her, doesn't she? She is amazing and I love her more than anything. We have a long way to go. So many thing to face, but I know we'll face them together. We plan to travel towards Amphipolis. We believe Cyrene is gone, but Xena wants to say goodbye and Eve needs to meet her Grandmother.
I suspect we will travel on to Poteidaia. Mother and Father are surely gone, but maybe Lila is still alive. Perhaps I have niece's and nephews. I am both dreading and looking forward to the trip.
I sit here watching my warrior and our daughter play with spiders. They look happy, and my body fills with love for both of them. A few days ago, I would never have believed this could happen.
The sun is starting to set and the wind coming off the ocean is cool. It feels so good. I close my eyes and soak in the last of the sun's rays. I hear the ocean dance across the rocks. I hear the birds flying above us. I hear the laughter of the two most important people in my life, drift up to me from the shore. I hear?.a twig snap.
I look around to see the former God of War.
"Ares?"
"Gabrielle?I didn't come here looking for trouble."
I know he saved Eve and me, but I will not sit back and let him try and take Xena away from me. I know that's what he wants. I can see it in his eyes.
"Ares?first I want to thank you for what you did for us on Mt. Olympus. You didn't have to do that." He started to speak, so I held my hand up to stop him. I didn't want to hear his voice. I've heard it enough. I wanted him silent.
"For all you've put Xena and me?and Eve through?I don't feel indebted to you."
I watched his face, as usual he tried to look angry. It wasn't working on me though.
"I'm gonna tell you this one time? Ares?I love Xena more than you can even begin to imagine?and if you think I'm gonna let you come between us you're wrong." I pulled my sais to punctuate my point. "Dead wrong."
I heard Xena laugh and it sounded like music to my ears, but my attention was still focused on Ares.
"You're mortal now?and if I see you even breath wrong, in Xena's direction?I will kill you so fast, you'll never know what happened."
I felt my blood begin to boil. I didn't want to fight. Not at this moment, I just wanted to enjoy listening to and watching my warrior and our daughter. But another part of me prayed that he'd make a move on me.
"Maybe I shouldn't have come here?.but I love her too Gabrielle. I just wanted to apologize?"
I couldn't take anymore.
"Ares?you've said your sorry enough. Now just go and leave us alone."
I watched as emotions ran across his face. He looked like a desperate man. I've seen that look in the eyes of many people. Enough to know that desperate people will do desperate things. I waited, ready for anything. Surprisingly he turned and walked away.
I know we'll see him again. It's in his blood. But for now I'm gonna walk back down to the clearing and bask in the vision of Xena and Eve. I'm gonna love my warrior tonight. Remind her of all the things she is to me. Yes, she is my warrior Ares.
She sees me walking into the clearing. Her smile leaves no doubt. She is all mine She motions for me to join them, and I can not refuse her. I love her. I wonder if they're up for a swim?
The end.
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