Amphipolis

by AngelKim

Disclaimers:- I do not own Xena, Toris, Lyceus, Cyrene, Ares, and any other character from Xena Warrior Princess or Hercules the Legendary Journeys. They belong to Renaissance Pictures, Studio USA, and Universal.

Violence:- Yes, As I always say, this is a XWP fan fic, what do you expect. It isn't really that bad.

Sex:- Not that I know of.

Language:- Here and there, nothing absolutely shocking.

Subtext:- Nope. Xena and Gabrielle haven't even met yet.

Romance:- I suppose so, mainly between Xena and Ares. But it is more of a 'Ares-trying-his-furry-darndest-to-impress-Xena' thing.

Religion:- Nothing in this story is offensive to people of any religion, unless you consider not having your religion mentioned an offense.

Spoilers:- Not unless you consider revealing Xena's past a 'spoiler'

Time setting:- Xena is sixteen and Lyceus is still alive. Cortese hasn't been heard of yet.

Dedication:- I would like to dedicate this story to Jen, for just been a good friend, Aussie Xenites, thanks for petitioning to get XWP back on, it was worth the wait. Sarah, as always. And my biggest thank you is going to go to Illyandra for everything that she has done for me, and helped me along through every problem that I have had with any fan fic. You're the best Illy.









The young girl smiled as she ran through the fields, her eyes were gleeful. She wore a long blue dress that was body tight down to her waist. Her long black hair was braided and her eyes were icy blue and warm.

Behind her a younger boy chased her, he had curly dark blonde hair and wore dark brown trousers and a dark red tunic. He was evidently younger than the young girl, and had blue eyes just like hers.
"Slow down Xena!" he called to his older sister, "Gee, it's not like we have to be there on time!"
The girl, only sixteen laughed, "Come on Lyceus! Toris is coming back today!"
"Yeah, so?" her younger brother said, his voice full of misgivings.
"Oh come on, we haven't seen him in over a year! Can't you be a bit happy that he has returned?" she returned just as harshly.
Lyceus nodded, "I'll try, but only coz you asked me to."
Xena laughed, "Thank you."
Together the two of them rushed through the fields towards their home on the outskirts of Amphipolis.
They lived in an inn, which their mother owned. It was smaller than most inns, but it was cozy. During the summer season, which was the most popular time for travelers, it could hold up to ten people at a time, not including the family, which meant about fourteen people in total. Xena and Lyceus spent most of their time in the small barn next to the inn, where they liked to hold mock battles and just talk about what was going on. Xena always held onto a small hope of running away and joining the Amazons, whilst Lyceus had decided to join the Spartan army. Both of them wanted to be legendary warriors, traveling around the countryside, slaying monsters and all the evil in their path.
Xena reached the inn first, she bolted inside and up to her room, which she had shared with Toris, until he had left. She wanted to make her older brother as welcome as possible. He would be eighteen now, and his year of service with the Athenian army would be over. Now he would have to decide if he wanted to stay in Amphipolis or go back to Athens and serve in the army.
Xena herself had never like Toris, there had always been a block between them. Xena was always so good at all the things that Toris had to practice at over and over again. Which were mainly the combat arts… Xena was a natural when it came to fighting, she fought with a passion and a fury that was unknown to most warriors.
"So, are you going to move into the barn?" She heard Lyceus ask.
The pretty girl turned to face her brother, "You're just jealous!" she declared, her sweet voice echoing through the house.
Lyceus laughed, "True, you always get the better part of the deal! I want to go to."
"Then why don't you?" The raven haired teenager asked innocently, "I'm sure mother would let you, as long as you were with me."
Lyceus walked in and sat down next to his sister, he placed a hand on her shoulder, "You don't have to try and impress him Xena. We all know that you are a stronger, better fighter than he'll ever be. And now that he is finally home, you are going to take all the abuse that you get from him?" He slowly pulled down one of the straps on her dress, exposing a long scar, "Remember what he did to you Xe. You didn't deserve the punishment you got for that. I think that mother gets that now, and I think that she is sorry, but you don't have to fear Toris you know. He is not worth the trouble that you are going to."
Xena smiled, "You're right, as usual."
Her younger brother stood up, "I'm still moving into the barn with you."
"Cool," Xena paused, "On one condition." She gave him a good whack on the shoulder, "That you never call me Xe again."
"Sure thing Xe." He said as he walked out of the room.

Lyceus trudged down the stairs, a look of sadness in his eyes, after all these years Xena was still afraid of their older brother. It was only fair really, after what he did to her on her fifteenth birthday, the scar was still there, and by the looks of it, wouldn't go away for a while. Xena was the one thing that he valued more than life itself. It was for him that Xena had copped most of Toris' wrath.
She wasn't really a bad kid. She was just different. Xena was independent and strong, rare traits in a woman. She was the strongest person, emotionally and psychically that Lyceus had ever met. Most people thought that the gods had meant her to be a boy, and through some terrible mistake had made her a girl. But Lyceus saw it as one of her quirks, and he also saw it as all the more fun. Not only could he have mock battles and wrestling matches with her, but she also had the girlish trait of being able to keep a secret.
And now that Toris was home, that would be it for the independent girl that he loved so much.
"Lyceus honey? Would you go to Pleson with your sister? I want some fish, bread, cheese, wine, fruits, and anything else that you can get. We're going to have a big feast tonight to celebrate Toris coming home." Cyrene called from the kitchen.
"Yep, sure." Lyceus replied, and then running his hands through his hair he added, "Mother, can I live in the barn with Xena?"
Cyrene stepped out of the kitchen, she was a small woman with green eyes and long curly black hair. She smiled tenderly at her youngest son, "I don't see why you would want to live in a barn, and with Xena none the less. Wouldn't you much rather stay in the house with us?" she asked kindly.
The fifteen-year-old shrugged, "Nah. You and Toris can keep each other company. I don't want Xena to be by herself out there. She'll get lonely."
Cyrene laughed, "Xena is never lonely dear child. Even if she is alone, she is never lonely. I don't know why that is. All I can say is that she often talks to people that aren't there, and I am getting worried about her. I really am."
'Xe sees things? No way, she's not crazy…' Lyceus thought, "Xena's not crazy mother. Maybe there really are people there."
"Not possible sweet heart." The older woman added, "Now, go fetch her and get out of here."
"What about the barn?" The boy asked.
"Yes, of course you can go in there with her. I don't see why not. Just remember that you are welcome back in whenever you get sick and tired of her."
Lyceus nodded vigorously and ran upstairs to get Xena.
She wasn't there anymore. All her stuff was gone. The room was empty of all her things. Normally there were dresses thrown about and various scrolls and even on the occasion various weapons. But usually Xena was a little bit more careful with the weapons than she was with everything else. If Cyrene ever found out that her little girl was hiding weapons in her room Tartarus would come to earth.
"You haven't gone to the barn already?" Lyceus whispered and went to the window.
Sure enough there was his older sister, rushing towards the barn with most of her stuff piled up in her arms. The dark blonde boy leapt out of the window, landing neatly behind her.
Xena spun around to face whoever was behind her, only to find him standing there, a wide grin on his face.
"You bastard Lyceus!" she yelled, but began laughing herself.
Lyceus grinned and took some of the things from Xena's arms, "You might want some help there Xena."
"What did mother say?"
"We have to go to Pleson, get some food for Toris' coming home party, and then she said I can go with you!"
Xena smiled, "That's cool." She said simply and kept moving towards her new home.
Lyceus followed his older sister, wondering why her reaction wasn't quite as happy as he expected.

Xena briskly walked towards the town's stables. Her long traveling cape fluttered in the spring breeze. But despite the pleasant weather and over all joyous mood of the town, there was a frown on her face, and her body movements were stiff and rigid. She looked like the embodiment of death and she moved quickly passed the temple of Ares and the blacksmiths, each time barely giving the structures a passing glance. She hated having to go to run errands for her mother, it made her feel inferior and childlike.
She had asked Lyceus not to come, she didn't really want him around. The young village girl loved him with all her heart and soul, but she couldn't have him in the same room as her. Cyrene must have told him about the voices in her head, about the people that appeared to her and kept her company.
She looked back at the temple of Ares. The pretty sixteen-year-old hadn't been there since her father was killed. The funeral service had been held in the temple, with a few priests and all of her fathers friends. Most of them had been drunk, and Xena was only four. But she could still remember it like it was yesterday.
Cyrene did not talk for three days leading up to the funeral, neither did Atrius' mother Sahib. Toris was balling his eyes out and Lyceus, who was only about two at the time was crying because he didn't get to go outside and play with his friends. Xena on the other hand just stood there, her eyes were emotionless and her posture was stiff and ready for an attack. Afterwards Toris had spoken to Xena and criticized her for not caring about Atrius at all, and not caring about his death. That had been when he had started beating Xena, trying to knock some emotions into her. But it had just made her colder, and more determined than ever to learn how to fight back. It had drawn her closer to Lyceus, and they had learned to fight together, and made time for each other. For these reasons Xena had never really had a lot of friends, and Lyceus lost all of his because of her. But they had just gotten closer and closer over the years, and when Xena had turned fifteen she had finally gotten up the courage to make him pay for all the abuse that she had been a victim of ever since she was four. And when she did, that was it for Toris. Xena had taken a club, and she had beaten him so bad that no god would have been able to withstand the fury that she attacked with.
He had left the next day.
The young girl smiled and spun back around to the temple of Ares. She should go and pray while she had the chance. If her mother ever found out that she was going to the temple to pray, the young Xena would be fish food.
Quickly the sixteen-year-old ran to the temple, up the stairs and pushed open the oak door. Inside the temple was dark and un-inviting. There was a statue of the War god, made of silver, it was about seven foot tall and extremely sturdy looking. The altar was filled with offerings and candles had been lit to pay homage to those that had died in battle recently. Swords, axes and various other weapons were on display for all to see. But there was one thing that really caught the curious girl's attention.
It was round, silver and gold. Small blue gems had been hammered into it and it had a sharp edge. It was hollow in the middle, so it was like a giant ring. Xena found herself walking slowly towards it, taking one quiet step at a time, hoping not to attract the attentions of any priests that might be in the area. Quickly she snatched it up and turned to leave, when she suddenly ran into someone.
Xena looked up, and stepped back.
He was taller than she was, and he had black hair, not unlike her own. His dark brown eyes bored into you and he wore a black leather vest, and black leather trousers. Xena noticed the sword at his belt and gulped, he looked very strong, and like a seasoned warrior, he could kick her ass to next week if he wanted to by the looks of him.
"You shouldn't steal you know." He said quite quaintly.
Xena shrugged, "I know that. What are you going to do about it?"
He chuckled, "You aren't afraid?"
Xena raised an eyebrow, "I don't know, should I be?"
The tall man laughed, and Xena could feel her anger rising, "I like you. Xena, right?"
The girl nodded numbly, the fear was starting to rise up now, "How did you know my name?"
"Common knowledge, I watch you a lot when you are holding mock battles with you brother, Lyceus, isn't it? You're good. Very good. I made it my business to find out your name." He smiled charmingly, "And what a lovely name it is too."
Xena took another step away from him, he was beginning to scare her now, but she kept up her cool exterior, "And so what does my name have to do with this?" she asked and held up the weapon.
"'That' is called a Chakram. A gift that I got from India not so long ago. Only my Chosen is permitted to use it." he reached out and took it from her, "And you my dear Xena, seem to have taken a liking to it?"
"Ares…" she breathed.
"The one and only." The god of war said simply, "You're smart too. I like you even more now." He laughed, "Can I have it back?"
The young girl shrugged, "I suppose." She tossed it back to him, "Why are you talking to me anyway? Ares isn't supposed to appear to anyone but his warriors on the field. So why are you here with me?"
"You're special." He said jokingly.
Xena nodded, "Yeah, okay, now the real reason."
He took a step closer, closing the distance between them, "I heard your brother Toris was coming back today. I also know that you two don't exactly get along well."
"He went off to serve you, so I don't see why I should even be talking to you right now." The teenager said hotly.
"You are talking with me because you know that I am going to offer you something, you just don't know what, and you want to find out." He replied and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Well what is this amazing offer?" the young girl asked impatiently and moved her head away from his hand. She glared at him with her ice blue eyes.
Ares smiled, "I wanted to offer you a chance to be what you always dreamed of. You could be the most powerful person in the world, ruling at my side. You could take vengeance on your brother for all the times that he wronged you…"
"Been there, done that." She interrupted, "And I can do it again whenever I want to."
"… But you could also defend the village that you love so from any raiders that might come, you know you could make life good for everyone that you care about. And make your enemies wish they had died, gone to Tartarus and burnt." He sighed and took a step back, "But who am I to judge. Unlike the other gods, I let my warriors make their own choice, it has nothing to do with me. I don't believe in force Xena, I believe in fate. The food is for your family Xena, so you won't have to go to Pleson alone."
And with that he vanished. Xena rolled her eyes, gods, they were all the same, no matter what they said, there was always a catch.
And Xena had a fair idea what the catch for this little gift was going to be.

Lyceus was getting worried. His older sister should have been back by now. Toris was already home, he had come home while Xena was gone. At first he had thought that Xena was dead, and had rejoiced in that. But as soon as he had found out that she wasn't, he was seemed disappointed.
"Lyceus." He heard a familiar voice yell from outside his bedroom window, there was no doubt in the world who it was, only one girl ever bothered to stand out in the freezing cold and yell like mad, just to get someone's attention. 'She'll either make someone very happy or very depressed one day.' He thought to himself.
Surely enough there was his younger sister. She was dressed in her usual long sky blue dress and she held a long rope that came around a corner. The pretty girl beckoned him down.
"Come on! Climb down!" the teenager yelled again.
Lyceus rolled his eyes and opened the window. He gingerly climbed out and swung his legs down. When they touched the wooden balcony he jumped onto it. When Xena had lived in that room she had taken some rope from the blacksmiths and tied it to a plank of wood that was poking out of the roof of the house. She used it in her escapes from Cyrene's punishments. Xena's brother grabbed the rope and threw himself down to his sister.
"What do you want Xena?" he asked impatiently, "And why the hell are you back from Pleson already? It should have taken you all day, that is why mother sent you there. So that she could have some time to herself with Toris."
Xena's features fell, "Toris is home already?" she asked glumly.
"Yeah. He was quite keen to find you actually."
Xena sighed, "Great, he's gonna fucking go all out for another lets-beat-the-crap-out-of-Xena game of his." But then she smiled, "Anyway, Can you help me with this cart? It's damn heavy!"
The curly haired youth nodded and ran around the corner to push. Much to his shock, about three men were already there pushing. But he went up and put his back into it anyway.
Only when Xena had yelled at all of them five times over and threatened their loved ones with death did the cart finally start to move. Xena looked happy at the result of her tactics, and most of the men looked happy that she didn't carry out her threats. Even Lyceus, her own brother, had to admit that he would rather be sent off to a war than have to face up to one of his older sister's threats.
"Where did you get all of this Xe?" he asked.
The raven haired girl smiled and punched his arm lightly, but it still hurt, "Don't call me Xe."

To be continued



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