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Judgment

Rated PG

Cover art by Tango

10 Pages
Avg. File Size: 90K
Est Download Time: 17 sec.
In the aftermath of the fight on Olympus, Xena and Gabrielle happen upon the city of Sparta on the eve of their supposed return to their former glory. But King Menelaus hasn't been completely honest with his people.
Please Note: This is the completed story. Please read it from the beginning as it's been added to and reworked quite a bit.

Twilight's Kiss

Rated PG
File Size: 82K
Est Download Time: 13 sec.
A life well lived by two people well loved.

Why it's a Favorite:

That way overdue talk about daughters, adventure, kings, queens, rescues, secrets, the love of a lifetime... This is the story you've been waiting for! A page turner from beginning to end that you just can not stop reading. And the end! Oh, the end!

Why it's a Favorite:

There are exceptions to every rule and this is THE exception to the "ewwwwww, it's a mush story". Soft and gentle; loving touches and looks; just the right touch of looking back. Something Royal's awesome gift of description leaves tears in your eyes and a smile of satisfaction for a tale well told and well concluded.

Ares' Curse

Rated PG

Hosted by The Bard's Corner at MaryD's Australian Xena Information Page

A vignette with a theory about the beginnings of Ares' love for Xena from Ares' POV.

Ares' Chosen

Rated PG

Hosted by The Bard's Corner at MaryD's Australian Xena Information Page

This companion piece to "Ares' Curse" is the same incident only from Xena's POV as she tells the tale to the Bard.

Why it's a Favorite:

This beautiful, haunting, moving short piece focuses on a theme that has fascinated many Xena/Ares fans -- the paradox of the God of War conquered by love -- with an unusual twist rooted in ancient mythology. Written during Season 3, this story diverges considerably from the "official" storyline of Ares' love for Xena as it developed later on the show. Nonetheless, it gives us a convincing and unforgettable glimpse into the mind of Ares as he wrestles with new and unfamiliar feelings that he cannot quite understand.

Why it's a Favorite:

A powerful companion piece to "Ares' Curse," this story offers a fascinating version of Xena's first meeting with Ares, and of how the Warrior Princess views her bond with the God of War many years later.

This Is Me

Rated G
File Size: 21K
Est Download Time: 3 sec.
Ares makes an attempt to sort out his reactions to the Warrior Princess.

Why it's a Favorite:

This short vignette captures a moment of familiarity with the God of War. He tries to put forth a rather dispassionate distaste for his own actions/reactions to Xena but his attraction hums beneath it all. Well written complexity giving Ares emotional depth.

Why it's a Favorite:

Simple yet complex honest emotions from the God of War. Ares lives forever in this vignette.

Ruler of the Heart

Rated G
File Size: 27K
Est Download Time: 4 sec.
Athena muses on days gone by, and her brother's attachment for the Warrior Princess.

Why it's a Favorite:

An insightful and unusual POV. SQ walks us through Athena's thoughts with a touch of regret, a bit of impatience and imperiousness, and, finally, a hint of understanding and forgiveness. Well Done, SQ!

The Bounty of Corinth

by Xenite Sally, Shipper Queen, Serenity Sea, Tango, LadyKate, Deadly Chakram, CrazyCatGal, Cora, and Carly

Rated PG
File Size: 243K
Est Download Time: 38 sec.
Xena and Gabrielle head for Corinth with urgent news only to find that King Iphicles has died and a man bearing an uncanny resemblance has saved a child, defeated the sacred bull, and claimed the crown.

Blood Brothers

by XeniteSally, XenaAmber, Shipper Queen, SerenitySea, LadyKate, Katyrina2004, Deadly Chakram, Carly, Aresdiva, and aeverett
Rated PG
File Size: 204K
Est Download Time: 32 sec.
Thinking all his friends and family lost to the Twilight and time, a very surprised Hercules stumbles across a very mortal, and very ill, Ares — who is also his rival for the love of the Warrior Princess. But Ares has other problems as Eve's unresolved feelings for him come to the surface, and a mysterious assassin is not who she seems.

Why it's a Favorite:

An excellent collaborative effort on the part of all concerned, the warm humor, excellent character portrayals, and unexpected twists and turns keep you eagerly anticipating the next paragraph.

Why it's a Favorite:

An excellent tale well told with mystery, action, and adventure. Assassins out for revenge; brothers competing for the love of the same woman; conflicted emotions between a mother and daughter; it's all here and more!

A Bit of Friendly Advice

Rated PG

File Size: 25K
Est Download Time: 6 sec.

A brooding Ares vents his Xena-related frustrations to the Goddess of Love herself.

Immortal Requiem

Rated PG

File Size: 39K
Est Download Time: 9 sec.

Immortal:
1) Exempt from death;
2) exempt from oblivion.
Requiem:
1) a mass for the dead;
2) (a) a solemn chant (as a dirge) for the repose of the dead; (b) something that resembles such a solemn chant;
3) (a) a musical setting of the mass for the dead; (b) a musical composition in honor of the dead
Merriam-Webster OnLine

Why it's a Favorite:

Whether or not you agree that this is how Ares would think, this story is sure to make you grin with its affectionate sendup of male stereotypes. As you follow the conversation, Sarie makes you feel as if you had the front row seat.

Why it's a Favorite:

The story fits the title - or perhaps the title fits the story - perfectly. Either way, if you've ever heard the colloquial "Love and hate are but a wit apart", you'll understand clearly what it means when this story is over. Good characterization and excellent story telling that will touch your heart.

The End of the Beginning

Rated PG

File Size: 91K
Est Download Time: 16 sec.

Ares says he loves Xena. Will this end the relationship or begin a new one?

Sometimes You Have to Believe

Rated PG

File Size: 91K
Est Download Time: 16 sec.

Corinth is caught in the legacy of a tug of war between two gods.

When A Star Falls

Rated PG

Cover art by Tango

File Size: 114K
Est Download Time: 18 sec.
Gabrielle has sacrificed herself to save Xena and Xena will do anything to bring back her beloved friend.
Based on the episode "Soul Possession"
First of two stories, the story concludes in "Equivocation"

Equivocation

Rated PG

File Size: 128K
Est Download Time: 20 sec.
Conclusion of the story begun in "When A Star Falls"
Xena and Gabrielle reunite, but Hope is still alive too, with reinforcements. Ares has plans of his own.

Why it's a Favorite:

Sally has "rewritten" TUE^TM (The Unmentionable Episode) for a story much more palitable. This is the way that "Soul Possession" should have gone!

Why it's a Favorite:

Because it's the end of the story, of course! How can you have the beginning and no end and be satisfied with the tale? <G> Seriously, it's an excellent windup of the events begun in "When A Star Falls".

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