A God in King Hercules Court
By Lady Leonie – [email protected]
Disclaimer: Ares, Gabrielle & Hercules belong to Renaissance Pictures.
A long time ago in a mystical kingdom far far away there lived a majestic King named Hercules and his beautiful Queen Gabrielle....
King Hercules sat in his place of honor at the round table looking around at his valiant group of knights. Many had been by his side since the beginning of his reign. Now all eyes were drawn to the empty place at the table. The noble knight Lord March had fallen in battle and now his seat must be filled. Hercules listened closely to each individual argument put forward as to who should replace Lord March. Several of the knights had heard of a fierce warrior from the south. Known only as The Black Knight. The King himself had heard stories of his bravery and skill. So it was decided that a messenger would be sent out to find this Black Knight and extend an invitation to meet with them.
Hercules stood on the ramparts of the tower, looking at the vast, fertile lands of his kingdom. Who would have thought pulling a sword wedged in a stone would have brought him all of this? For once he had been glad for his god like strength. His immortality had begun to bring him sorrow as he had sat back watching all his old friends dying of old age. First Salmoneus, then Autolycus and the most painful his lifelong friend Iolaus. He had merely been wandering through a nearby village when he had spotted a young lad trying to free the sword. Thinking to
help he gave a mighty tug and pulled it from its earthly sheath. What he hadn't expected was for the masses to fall at bended knee at his feet and proclaim him king. At first he had been reluctant to accept their fealty but having no real prospects half-heartedly accepted. The years had flown by in tedium bringing no real joy from his Kingdom. He had tried to be a good king but his heart had not been in it. Until she had arrived. He had not been able to believe his own eyes at first. A lone hooded figure had been escorted into his presence one morning. The diminutive figure had kneeled at his feet and pledged loyalty in a sing song voice he had thought never to hear again. When he pushed the cloaks hood back he was not surprised to discover a mass of long golden blonde hair and a set of emerald eyes looking back at him. It was Gabrielle.
That night they had sat in his chamber for hours reminiscing about old times. She had explained how many years after the fall of the gods Aphrodite had come to her. She had felt it was time to tell her the truth of her parentage. It seemed that she and Hercules had alot in common after all. They were both half-god. Her real mother Diana being afraid of Hera's wrath over her own liaison with a mortal, had left Gabrielle at her parents door. After that night the kinship between the two began to grow into love. Several months later Hercules and Gabrielle were married. Although they were happy Hercules could sense somehow that Gabrielle's thoughts sometimes wandered to something or someone else. When asked she would always deny anything was wrong and simply smile. The years passed and Gabrielle's influence on Hercules caused many changes in the kingdom. Her idea for a round table so that all the knights could be equal had been heralded with great enthusiasm. The only dark spot in their world was that in their time together Gabrielle had never conceived a child. The court advisors clamored for an heir. Since Hercules could not tell them of his immortality her would only agree with a grin to keep trying.
Now he sat waiting for the arrival of the Black Knight to fill the empty place at his council. When the trumpeters sounded he knew the illusive knight had arrived. The other knights having heard the herald began gathering in the courtyard. Hercules met Gabrielle in the great hall as they waited for the knight to enter. The thunderous sound of many armored feet as they filed into the great hall was deafening. At the back of the entourage a man came forth covered in Black shining armor and gave a knee to the king. Pleased by the show of fealty he bade the knight to rise and introduce himself. Placing his sword at Hercules feet he removed his helm. Hercules and Gabrielle both let out a inaudible gasp when it was revealed that The Black Knight was none other than Ares God of War!!!
Part 2
As the shock slowly wore off King Hercules ordered the great hall cleared so that he could speak with the Black Knight privately. Whispers and murmuring was heard as the crowd filed out of the hall. Once alone the trio sat silently looking at each other for several moments, before Gabrielle offered her hand to Ares in greeting. He accepted her hand placing a chaste kiss on her palm. Hercules watched the exchange between his wife and his half-brother and sensed a something almost electric pass between the two. Hercules cleared his throat once more gaining Ares attention and asked him to take a seat. He told Ares he had heard of his courageous deeds, fighting against the rebel warlords who still caused trouble from time to time. The fact that the great knight he had heard about and his brother were one and the same was mystifying. He had only half believed Gabrielle when she had told him of Ares sacrifice of his godhood to save her and Eve. Now here was proof. He still had misgivings about allowing Ares to join his order of knights, but right now they needed his help. He told Ares he would give him the benefit of the doubt concerning his possible motives for this change, but would still be keeping an eye on him. Ares agreed to Hercules’ terms and offered his hand in friendship. Still not certain of the new Ares he extended his own and shook his hand. That done Ares bowed before his brother the king and retired from the hall.
Several months past and during that time the fragile beginning of friendship between the brothers had flourished. Ares became a respected knight of the realm and a true brother to Hercules. The only cloud over this new bond was Gabrielle. Since Ares arrival she had become withdrawn and prone to melancholy. Hercules worried about what was wrong and confided in Ares his fears that something was making Gabrielle very sad. He wondered why whenever he brought it up that Ares would give vague platitudes and promptly change the subject. Something was definitely wrong and he intended to find out what.
Gabrielle watched Hercules and Ares practicing in the tilt yard and a single tear slid down her pale cheeks. "Why had he shown up?" Things had been just fine before then. After all this time she had managed not to think of him anymore and make a life with Hercules. Well that wasn’t entirely true. She had still thought of him, dreamed of him and worst of all saw his face in her mind while in her husband’s arms. She had thought it would be so different with Hercules. The had so much in common. They shared common goals and dreams. He was a good person and deserved better then the half life she was giving him. If he ever found out that she used an apothecary to keep from conceiving, he would never forgive her and now Ares was here. She had nearly fainted when the dark knight had turned out to be her old love. On several occasions since his arrival he had tried talking to her alone. Each time she had fled for fear of what might happen or who might see. The soft tapping of her tears hitting parchment drew her attention down to the note from Ares. He wanted to meet her and said it was urgent. At first she was going to ignore it,but fed up with her own cowardice decided it was time to set things straight once and for all. She was married to Hercules now, and no matter what. she would stay that way.
Ares sat waiting in the waning sunlight for Gabrielle to arrive. He had almost given up hope when he saw a small figure galloping toward him. He would know that golden hair anywhere. In his mind he saw her in her warrior garb and her chopped tresses. He was glad she had let her hair grow again but at first sight of her he had wanted to kill her. If not for Aphrodite filling him in on Gabrielle's parentage he would still believe she was long dead. It was during his renewed search for her that he had gained the persona of the Black Knight. When the invitation had reached him inviting him to King Hercules kingdom he had jumped at the chance to try to mend the rift between his brother and himself. The moment he had saw his brother’s wife that had all changed. Gabrielle was married to his brother. It had taken all his control not to run his sword through his brother instead of laying it at his feet. The beseeching look she had given had helped cool his temper for a time, but every time he thought of them sharing a bed together he wanted to scream his pain to the world. Until now the little minx had been able to successfully avoid him, but no more. If she hadn't of come he was prepared to pull the castle down stone by stone to get to her.
Gabrielle drew in a deep breath and prepared to face Ares. She had gone over and over in her mind just what she would say. As she walked closer and looked into his deep brown eyes that all faded away. Condemning herself for a whore, she rushed into his arms and pulled his mouth to meet her own. The spark between them that had lay unkindled for so long ignited into an inferno that threatened to devour them both. Mindful of their position Ares took Gabrielle’s hand and led her to a shaded glen away from prying eyes. "Do you know how long I have wanted you,
Gabrielle?" he asked. "Not as long as I have wanted you! Your passion for Xena almost killed me, Ares. I gave up hope of ever being with you a long time ago." Ares placed his hands on her cheeks and looked into her beautiful eyes. "Is that why you married my BROTHER?" Gabrielle could hear the anger in his voice and felt her own anger rise. "Do not condemn me Ares! All that I knew was gone. All my friends, my family. When I found out about my true parents I was lost and confused. Hercules was there when I needed someone the most. As far as I knew you were still pining for Xena. Hercules is my friend and now I've betrayed him." Ares pulled Gabrielle up against him. "Not yet you haven’t, but I intend to remedy that right now!" His lips were like liquid fire, scorching her skin everywhere they touched. She knew she should push him away and run as fast as she could, but she couldn’t. The spell he cast was unbreakable and there on the soft grass they made love until the nights chilly air washed over their sweat soaked bodies. "Come away with me Gabrielle, right now. We can go somewhere far away where we can be together for eternity." Gabrielle pulled herself away from his warm embrace ashamed at what she had let happen. "No matter what I feel for you Ares, I could never do that to Hercules. This can never happen again! For both our sakes you must leave here and never come back." Gabrielle flinched at the hurt and anger she saw on her beloved’s face. "You should know me well enough, my love that I don’t give up that easy. I am not leaving here unless you come with me."
"I beg to differ big brother! I think you will be leaving now or taste my sword on the morrow!"
Part 3
The sun had now reached its zenith and the two brothers battled on. They
had met at daybreak as agreed and now each was determined to outlast the other. Queen Gabrielle sat on her throne watching in dismay as the two men she cared most about in the world clashed swords. She could tell they were near exhaustion, but it was now a battle of wills. Each man drawing on his immortal strength to out do the other. For Gabrielle her emotions had run the gambit from sadness to irritation as the day progressed. If something wasn't done soon they would keep this up forever.
Ares grunted as his body reverberated from another of Hercules blows. He was nearing the end of his rope, but this fight was a long time coming. All his bitterness and jealousy for his brother came into play as they fought. This time Hercules couldn't win with his future with Gabrielle at stake. He delivered a blow of his own that sent Hercules reeling, but he returned with a maddened look in his eyes. "You will not walk away from this one, Ares. I promise you!" Hercules growled. His thrust became more aggressive as if he were looking for a death blow. Ares was not worried about dying, but something in his statement revealed that it was he intent.
Finally fed up with the whole thing Gabrielle began walking out into the tilt yard. As she stepped towards them she noticed something strange on Hercules blade. Blood! Neither man had been wounded, so where had the blood come from. It was then that Gabrielle remembered the hinds blood pendant Hercules had shown her a long time ago. He had stolen it from the Sovereign and kept it as a reminder of his dark half. He must be mad! Ares would die from even a scratch with the poisonous blood. She rushed forward yelling for Hercules to stop. In his fury he did not see or hear her approach and raised his sword high. Ares attention was drawn by Gabrielle’s screams and he did not see the blade coming down on him. When Gabrielle threw herself against him, knocking him to the ground, he started to argue at her interference. The shear look of pain and terror in her eyes stopped him cold. Hercules sword was buried in her side.
"My god, I've killed her. My love, please forgive me. I was out of my mind. Gabrielle....Gab.." She looked at the two men and fell unconscious the ground. Ares pulled himself to her side. Why was she bleeding so freely? Her immortal blood should already be healing the wound. He looked to Hercules. "What do you mean you've killed her? She can’t die! She is as immortal as we are. Answer me..why did you say that and why hasn’t her bleeding stopped." Hercules grabbed Gabrielle up into his arms and rushed with her to the healers tent. Ares followed behind hounding his brother for answers. Finally Hercules turned with tears running down his face. "The sword...the sword was laced with hinds blood." Ares felt rage such as he had never known, but right now Gabrielle was the priority. He kneeled by her while they waited for the healer to arrive. He whispered words of love and encouragement in her ear. When the healer arrived she ordered Hercules and Ares out. Once outside Hercules waited for Ares accusations, but found none. His brother was gone.
"Aphrodite..Diana..come to me now!!!" Ares screamed towards the heavens. In a split second the two women appeared. "Whoa..no need to shout bro, we were on our way when we saw what happened to Gabby. Good thing she has some immortal blood in her veins or she would be toast. What was Herc thinking, anyway?"
"I dont know what in Tarturus he was thinking, he's gone mad. But that doesn’t matter at the moment. That sword he impaled her with had hinds blood on it. Gabrielle is gonna die if you two don’t do something, fast!" Diana, who had been silent to this point gasped with rage. Grabbing Ares hand she jumped with a blink of the eye to the healers tent. Aprodite was right behind them. The healer nearly fainted when the three appeared out of thin air and went running out of tent in fright. Diana went to where her daughter lay dying. Her face pale from the loss of blood. Hercules unaware of what caused the healers fright burst inside. Diana turned and glowered at her son-in law. "How dare you come in here. It’s your fault she is like this. You let your anger and jealousy blind you and this is the result." Burdened by the guilt of his deed, Hercules backed out of the tent leaving Ares and the angry goddesses to tend to his wife. He walked out of the castle grounds and slumped down crying under a nearby tree. He made a promise to himself that if they could
save Gabrielle's life, he would not stand in her and Ares way. He owed her that much.
Gabrielle's life force was fading by the second as Aphrodite and Diana combined their powers to heal her. Since the twilight their powers had lessened and it took all their will to purge the poison from her body. Ares breath caught in his throat as he worried that they were too late. Praying to whatever force that might be listening he vowed that if she survived he would leave her in peace.
Nearly an hour had passed and the two goddesses were nearly drained of their power. Finally Gabrielle began to stir. The color was slowly returning to her face. It had worked. She was going to live. Diana and Aphrodite collapsed in exhaustion at the foot of the bed. Her eyes began to open and the first thing she saw was Ares tear stained face. It was the most wonderful sight in the world for her and she gave him a tentative smile. Ares pulled her hand to his lips and placed a kiss in her palm. "Welcome back, my love."
"Good to be back, Ares."
She looked down at her feet surprised to see her mother and Aphrodite staring back at her. "I take it you too had something to do with my being here and not sprouting wings in heaven?" The two ladies laughed with joy. "How could we not come with Ares yelling like a madman and our little Gabby in need of help." Each woman gave Gabrielle a warm hug before announcing that they were in dire need of one of Apollo's famous restoratives. With a twinkling of light the two were gone. Left alone with Ares she tried to sit up, but he pushed her back, ordering her to rest. She begrudgingly agreed and settled back on the soft bed. She was curious to where Hercules was, but was almost afraid to ask. Had Ares in his anger, done something to him. Working up the courage she whispered."Where is Hercules, Ares?" Ares flinched at the concern in her voice, but with his recent vow in mind went outside to find him. It didn’t take long since Hercules was on his way back to check on Gabrielle. The look on Ares face was enough to know that she was alright. "No thanks to me" he thought. "She wants to see you." was all Ares would say before he walked in the same direction his brother had just come from.
Hercules stuck his head in the tent opening, unsure of his welcome. Gabrielle smiled shyly at her husbands hesitance. "Come in, Hercules. We have a lot to talk about." He nodded and sat on the edge of the bed as they talked. She told him how sorry she was for betraying him, but she had been in love with Ares for a very long time. How she had fought the feelings because she had thought he was in love with Xena and didn’t want to hurt her. He told her about how lonely he had been before she had come back into his life and how she had made him remember his purpose in life..helping people. The purpose he had lost more at each friends passing. The couple talked through the night and agreed to a plan.
Ares sat in his chamber and looked at his things packed and ready to go. His vow to leave in exchange for Gabrielle's life was tearing him apart. He knew even now Hercules and Gabrielle were together. The pain in his heart was unbearable. He had to leave now, before he changed his mind. He swung the door open and came face to face with Hercules. "Going somewhere, brother?" If Hercules had come here to gloat, he was gonna throttle him."Yes, brother dear, I’m leaving. No need to come and rub my face in the dirt, but know this. If you ever hurt her...again, I will find a way to kill you!" A tired voice from behind Hercules piped in "Ares..enough!!" Gabrielle stepped between the two men. "Shut up for a second and listen to what we have to say..please!"
The next morning two cloaked figures rode away from the castle. Standing in the shadows Hercules watched as Gabrielle and Ares got farther and farther away. It had been decided that for all intents and purposes the queen had died of a fatal fever. Since there had been no witnesses to the fight between the two brothers it had been easy enough to spread the story. The healer was compensated for her silence and the kingdom would
mourn Gabrielle's passing as would her husband. Hercules was heartbroken at his loss of his queen, but glad in the end he still had his friend. He didn't know if he would ever see them again, but hoped someday in the future he might.
Ares and Gabrielle rode side by side holding each other’s hands as the new day began for all of them...