Title: Legends Unearthed

Author: Adelaide

Pairing: Ares / Gabrielle

Rating: PG-PG-13

Disclaimer: I don't own anything here and I'm not doing this for money. So, please don't sue.

Summary: What really happened in the movie "Legend".

Author's Note: I decided to rewrite the movie "Legend" to the show Xena. If you haven't seen the movie it'll still make sense and will probably be more interesting, but if you have seen the movie, I hope you enjoy the differences and similarities I have put in.

"She grasped...no...she grabbed....no, even worse."

"Gabrielle what are you doing?" The voice melted in her ears, as she felt strong masculine arms wrap delicately around her taut waist. Gabrielle knew it was her lover. She could smell his sweet scent. Leaning back into his warm chest, she replied.

"Ares, shh...I'm trying to scribe Xena's last adventure and if you're not a little more quiet she's going to wake up and then I'll have to write about another ass-whooping. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find synonyms for punch, kick, and beat? I don't think I can take any more of this action?" Gabrielle sighed. This was the first time she had tried writing action since the whole enchanted scroll thing and she was stuck.

Ares smiled against her hair. If they had to be quiet here, then he was just going to have to take them somewhere else. Besides he had come here to get Gabrielle, why not take her a little early. He had a little surprise in store.

"Well, then, let's get out of here."

Before the young bard could reply, they disappeared in a flash of blue. The warrior princess slowly opened her eyes. Silently she crawled to a sitting position to await their return. Needless to say, she was not happy.

Gabrielle couldn't see a thing. They were still in the woods, she knew, but what woods and where, she did not. Being so quickly taken away from the nice firelight, her eyes tried desperately to adjust.

"Here." Ares placed one hand over her eyes and the other in her hand. Instantly she could see regularly. He removed his hand and lead her foreward.

"Thank you. Oh yeah, by the way, where the hell are we and why are we here?"

Gabrielle stood her ground. Just because she loved the man, didn't mean she couldn't get mad at him.

Ares grinned. He loved it when she was angry with him. She was just so cute and the very tips of her ears would become bright pink, simply irresistible.

"I have a surprise for you. Something to, shall we say, get you over your writer's block. It will be a nice change from writing about Xena. Ready to go?" He reached out his hand.

Gabrielle couldn't help but be curious. Of course she would go with him, never would she not. Turning her forced scowl into a smile, she grasped his hand and let him lead the way.

Silently they walked. Gabrielle had no clue as to where she was going, but if Ares was leading she knew was going to like it. She just hoped she would be back before the dawn so Xena wouldn't worry. If she knew she was with Ares. Boy, she would flip her lid. Probably search for the "only" thing that could kill a god, just to get revenge.

Gabrielle cringed slightly at the thought. She hoped Xena would be able to accept them as a couple when...if, no, when they told her. She sighed, it was going to be a long day.

Ares came to a halt. They were obviously there, but 'there' was nothing remarkable. When Gabrielle looked around, all she saw was a barely worn dirt path, a couple a bushes, and some vines. It looked the same as all the foliage they had passed so far.

Ares grinned when he noticed her disappointed glance around. "Be patient. Now, we get to wait." He guided her to a crouching position just behind some thick brush.

"Ares, where are we?" Indeed, she would love to wait with him but it was almost dawn and Xena would be up very soon.

"You'll see as soon as the sun comes up." He stated matter-of-factly.

Of course he knew Xena would awake any minute, but he didn't care. He loved this spot and wanted to share it with Gabrielle, despite what any warrior princess might think.

So, there they sat and there they waited. When, Ares first saw the sun start to speckle the forest floor. He quickly grabbed Gabrielle and edged them close to an opening in the brush.

As Gabrielle peered through, she noticed the grand splendor of the little nitch. There was a small crystalline pond at the far end which was thickly surrounded by reeds and the plentiful trees on the brim of the area provided great shelter for the whole alcove. Though the tiny creatures scurried quickly away from the reservoir as they noticed the pair sitting in the distance, the large deer and foxes laid nonchalantly at the bank.

None of this would compare to the wondrous beauty the two were about to see. "Look there's a pond. Can we please go get something to drink?" Gabrielle begged.

It had been a long trek through unfamiliar woods and she was tired.

"Why would I do that?"

"Because you love me and would do anything for me, including getting me some water." Her inviting grin didn't quite reach her ears.

"Gabrielle look over there." She did and saw a slight slither in the grass. "I'm afraid the viper has already contaminated the water. If I truly do love you, and I do, then I would be damned to get you any of that."

She soon realized his implications and was relieved that at least he had a good eye and was watching out for them. Gabrielle had relaxed into Ares' arms when they both noticed a slight glimmer at the east edge of the scene. Ares just smiled while Gabrielle leaned in to try and get a closer look.

Neither dared to make a sound, almost as if they were afraid it would shatter to serene intensity of the whole place.

Ares had heard them coming long before he or Gabrielle had seen them enter the sanctuary. Gabrielle's mouth almost went to the ground in shock, as a single white stallion poked its head through the trees to their right. He was beautifully different, though. Shooting straight from his forehead was long spiraled horn. It looked like it was made from the purest ivory, but both knew it was something more, something special.

As soon as the stallion confirmed that it was safe to enter the place, he did, but right on his heels was another surprise. An equally, if not more so, beautiful mare unicorn.

She was slightly smaller than the male, but had a large protruding stomach which positively meant that she was with child and it would be brought into the world very soon.

"Oh, Ares, I've heard myths about Unicorns, but I never imagined they'd be real."

Gabrielle could barely keep breathing. Everything here was just so magnificent.

They watched as the stallion made his way to the small pool. Lowering his head, he gently dipped the tip of his horn into the water. When he raised it, the female came over and began to drink the now purified water.

"Ares, may I touch one?" Gabrielle whispered.

Ares turned to her shocked and angered. "NO! Of course not!" How could she even imagine such a thing. These were the most pure creatures in the world and she wanted to touch them.

"Why not? What's the harm in getting a little closer?" Why couldn't she? She was pure of heart, the only requirement for a unicorn to come to you.

"Gabrielle you may be the purist heart person I know, but this is a sacred animal. I hope you understand that."

Gabrielle nodded disappointed. Quickly she looked behind her with a startled glance. When Ares turned to look to see what possibly the matter was, Gabrielle bolted out of his arms and into the clearing. Having been caught totally off guard, Ares could not react fast enough to stop her.

As soon as the unicorns saw Gabrielle, they became very agitated. No, they didn't flee, but they weren't too pleased with her presence.

The mare quickly rushed behind the stallion as he started to prance and stomp and circle Gabrielle. The circle he made became smaller and smaller, almost as if he were being pulled by an invisible lead. Gabrielle pure heart was too irresistible for the unicorn. He had to come closer.

Ares caught his breathas he looked out at the scene.

Gabrielle now stood with the unicorn's head and horn pointing straight at her heart with the tip just slightly piercing her breast.