Make Love, Not War

Part 7

A week after starting their search Hercules smiled at the others as they entered Corinth, he was doing what he was meant to do – save the world. Even better was the fact that his father had actually come to him asking for help, making it obvious that he recognised Hercules’ importance.

Gabrielle spoke hesitantly, “What will Zeus do once we find this woman?”

“Stop her getting married, I imagine.” Hercules said calmly, positive his father wasn’t going to hurt her.

‘Like he’s going to stop at that!’ Auto thought bitterly thankful no one knew Joxer was the one they were looking for.

“She must be evil if the gods are scared of her.” Gabrielle said looking at the others for support.

Iolaus questioned, “Don’t you think it’s strange that Cupid and Strife allowed their child to be raised as a mortal?”

Hercules shrugged, “Maybe they just couldn’t look after her. Life is difficult on Olympus.”

“That doesn’t make sense.” Xena murmured to herself as she looked at Iolaus who nodded in understanding.

Iolaus asked, “What do you think our chances are of finding this woman?”

Xena responded, “Not very good. We know where she might have been born but she probably moved and we haven’t got long.”

“So we may not find her in time, Herc?”

Hercules nodded at the hunter, “Yeah. You think we should tell Cupid and Strife about what their child is going to do?”

Gabrielle grinned, “Good idea. They might be able to talk her out of getting married.”
*******
Auto broke away from the group anxiously looking around him before saying softly, “Ares, I need your help. Its about Joxer.”

Ares appeared in a flash of sparks, “What’s wrong?”

Auto said quickly, “The four are after Joxer. Zeus has ordered them to bring Cupid and Strife’s child to him. They think that they’re looking for a woman so Joxer should be relatively safe. I thought I should tell you that Joxer has to get married on his 28th birthday.”

Ares smirked, “Don’t worry, he’ll be married.”

“How is he?”

Seeing the thief was just worried about his friend Ares answered honestly, “Seeing how Zeus isn’t coming near me we’re safe.”

Auto smiled, “Okay. So are you going to marry him?”

“I do believe that’s nothing to do with you.” Ares said with a dangerous growl.

Auto stepped back anxiously saying, “Look, I’m just worried about him.”

Ares responded, “I know, that’s why I haven’t killed you.”
*******
Back at the campsite, Xena was watching calmly as Hercules set up a protection circle. She hadn’t seen one of them made in a few years, travelling with the hero certainly made life interesting.

“Cupid! Cupid!” Hercules called out, quickly becoming angry when the love god refused to answer him.

Seeing the look of ire on his lover’s face Iolaus said seriously, “Cupid, we need to talk to you please. Its about your and Strife’s child.”

Cupid appeared in the campsite quickly wondering just what had happened to Joxer now. His son seemed to get in trouble all the time at least that’s what he felt after viewing Joxer’s life in the Halls of Time.

Cupid said suspiciously, “How did you find out about my child?”

Xena answered him carefully, “Zeus told us. Look you have to convince her not to get married!”

‘Her,’ Cupid thought to himself in shock. Recovering quickly he said, “Why should I deny my child a marriage?”

Looking at the handsome and clearly angry god Gabrielle said, “Zeus said if your child gets married then she’s going to cause the end of Greece.”

“Thanks for the warning. Why did Zeus tell you?” Cupid said seriously.

“He’s asked us to bring your daughter to him so that he can ensure she doesn’t marry.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” Cupid said disappearing from the clearing in a show of pink sparks. He did not intend to do anything as the Fates had told him that he could not influence his son’s decision.

Iolaus looked at the group before saying, “Do you think he’ll be successful?”

Xena shrugged, “No idea but we should find her anyway. She might listen to us more than she does a god. From the sound of it the Gods haven’t done anything but abandon her.”
*******
Joxer slept fitfully lost in a world of pain and darkness. He watched frozen as all the gods on Olympus disappeared, fading into nothingness. As he watched Ares die, Joxer screamed out in denial.

“Young One, this is what will come to pass should you make the wrong decision.” Destiny said slowly as she descended from a long staircase, moving to sit at the man’s side.

Wracking his mind Joxer said finally, “What decision do you speak of?”

“You are at a crossroad, Young One. The path you take from here will determine the Fate of Olympus and the gods.”

“When must I make this decision?” Joxer asked sadly.

Destiny said apologetically, “Come to us with your decision on your 28th birthday. Think carefully before you decide, the consequences are far reaching. You must look inside yourself and choose.”

As the woman disappeared, Joxer looked around at the empty Olympus absorbing the full knowledge of the pain he could cause. He didn’t know what to do. The only decision he could think of was his marriage. If indeed Destiny was talking about that, what should he do? Every part of him wanted to marry Ares, to spend eternity with the one he loved. If it were the wrong decision though, he would be the death of the one he loved and his godly family.
*******
He needed someone to talk to about his decision. Someone who knew the hardship of having to decide between your heart and your duty. Who would understand his feelings? Who could he trust to help without taking advantage of him?

Suddenly it hit him…Hera! The goddess was probably the best one to speak to as both Queen of the Gods and the Goddess of Marriage. She had made a similar decision herself when she had married Zeus knowing she was in love with Hades.

Forcing himself to wake, Joxer looked over at his lover worriedly. He wanted to tell Ares about the choice being forced on him but somehow he couldn’t bring himself to do so. Smiling Joxer said, “Ar, can you ask your mother to come here? I need to speak to her about something.”

Shaking off the hurt at the thought that his lover wouldn’t talk to him about something that was obviously causing him pain Ares answered, “Of course. I guess you’ll want to talk with her alone?”

Joxer said reassuringly, “Yes. I’ll talk to you about it later. I just need to talk to her first. Everything is going to be fine.”

On Olympus Hera was shocked to hear her son politely requesting her presence in his hideaway. She had only ever been there once; when she had comforted her son after the death of his first friend. He had been so caring then, before the hatred and scorn felt towards him had made him retreat into himself, so far that not even she could reach him.

She quickly appeared shocked at finding her son cradling the form of the mortal bard Joxer. The bard was in agony, she could feel the pain pouring from him. When he saw her, the bard grinned and pushed Ares away. Her son hugged Joxer before disappearing in a flash of light.

Hera said regally, “You need to talk to me, Joxer?”

Joxer bowed to her slightly before answering, “Yes Ma’am. I need some advice and you’re the best person I could think to talk to. I have been told that I have an important decision to make. My choice will affect everyone, even the Gods.”

“What decision is this?” Hera questioned not knowing how a mortal could be so important.

“I think it is my marriage. Should I follow my heart or my duty?”

Hera pondered the question before saying, “For a marriage to be successful love is needed. However, it is true that two people can learn to love each other. If this decision is so important I can only say follow your duty.”

Joxer nodded in understanding, “Thank you for being so honest. How are you today, my Queen?”

Hera smiled, “I am very well however I am worried about will happen now Strife has left us. He was a kind if somewhat tortured man. I could sense it from him, he was always so misunderstood.”

“He was needed though.” Joxer said suddenly.

“Indeed he was. Tell me a little about yourself Joxer.”

Joxer shrugged, “I am twenty eight in two weeks today, I travel around the country searching for people that need help. However I have come to realise I am not meant to be a warrior. Ar, sorry Ares suggested I spend time figuring out what I wanted to do with my life. I know now, I want to be a bard. I want to entertain and make people think.”

“A noble ambition indeed. How do you feel about my son?”

“I love him ma’am.”

Hera smiled happily, “That’s a relief. I will go and let you think in peace. If you need to talk about your decision please ask Ares to contact me.”

“I will ma’am. Thank you for helping me.” Joxer said sincerely as the goddess disappeared.

Ares flashed into the room anxious to find out what the pair had discussed. When his lover looked at him with gleaming eyes, the god felt helpless. He was lost inside those beautiful eyes, he could happily spend forever gazing at his beloved.

Joxer grinned at his lover before saying seriously, “I have made a decision about my marriage.”

Not liking the mortal’s tone Ares asked, “What decision?”

Joxer smiled, “The only one I could make in the circumstances. I love you.”

“I love you too.” Ares said happily as he wrapped one arm around the man’s waist. They fell into a comfortable silence, which was now normal between them. Ares had become remarkably introspective ever since they had declared their love for each other.

Joxer had briefly wondered if it was to do with his dead father. Hades had refused to say anything about Strife was saying the souls in his domain were not to be disturbed by the living. Joxer resolved to keep silent, secure in the knowledge that Ares would reveal what was bothering him in due time.
*******
In a darkened room Clotho whispered, “Joxer has made a decision.”

“Is it the one we foresaw?” Destiny looked at the woman worriedly.

Atropos said seriou “Ye “Yes. We must prepare.”

Destiny returned, “We will be ready.”

“We have to be.” Lachesis finished the sentence seriously.
*******
Two weeks later Joxer sighed knowing, it was time. Even though he and Ares had only spent three weeks together as lovers, Joxer would cherish those memories for the rest of his life. The last fortnight had seen the pair just spending time together.

They hadn’t made love because Ares had said he wanted to wait until they were married. Joxer could only pray that Ares would forgive him this betrayal. Even if he didn’t Joxer would be content with the knowledge that he wouldn’t have to watch Ares die.

With a kiss to the sleeping war god’s head Joxer whispered, “I will marry whoever the prophecy decrees.”

“Thank you for doing this.” Eris said seriously as she hugged the man. With a thought, the pair reappeared in the Fates’ chamber.

Destiny looked up at the mortal, “Young One, you have made ydecidecision.”

Joxer said sadly, “Yes. Can we just get this over with?”

“Of course.” Atropos said gently as she moved the man forward.

Clotho said, “Discord, leave. You are no longer required here.”

Eris disappeared in a flash of sparks knowing better than to upset the Fates. If you did, it meant trouble. As she reappeared in her, room Eris wondered the wisdom of what Joxer was doing. She knew the mortal was doing it to save his family but in doing so, he had lost his chance with the one he truly loved, Ares.
*******
“Joxer the lone child of Love and Mischief, we thank you for your sacrifice.” Destiny said almost pityingly.

Joxer sighed as a blindfold was tightly placed over his eyes. He stilled when he felt a god appearing in the room. There was nothing he could do now that his intended was here. He had lost his chance to be with the one he truly loved.

Lachesis announced, “Joxer, son of Cupid.”

Clotho said solemnly, “Phobos, son of Ares.”

Atropos continued in the same tone, “Drink and embrace your new path.”

The pair drank the wine slowly, placing all their trust in the Fates between them. Unnoticed by anyone a tear fell from Joxer’s eyes as Destiny declared, “Joxer, God of Absent Lovers and Phobos, you are now married.”

Taking off his own blindfold, Phobos said shocked “What have you done to him?”

Joxer was lying on the floor, crying silently. Anger and pain radiated from the obviously distraught mortal. Phobos was unsure what he could do, he didn’t even know anything about his husband. How could he help someone when he didn’t know what was wrong?

Destiny murmured, “He is simply coming to terms with all the changes in his life.”

Clotho said quickly, “I recommend you get him out of here. He needs somewhere he can feel safe.”

Destiny’s voice echoed in their minds, “Joxer, Phobos! You must consummate your marriage before a day has passed.”

Phobos nodded and gently picked up his new husband. Within seconds, they were inside the master bedroom of his Olympus Temple. He wasn’t happy at their marriage and from the look of it neither was Joxer. They had no choice though and there was no point in fighting the Fates.

“Its not that bad!” Phobos said reassuringly as he rubbed the man’s shoulders.

Joxer said scornfully, “Yeah right (!) I’m in love with your father! I only married you because all the gods would be killed if I didn’t.”

Realising what this would do to his father Phobos said sadly, “Look, I’m not happy either but there’s nothing we can do about it. Who are you? There’s no way the Fates would be able to make a mortal into a god without Zeus’ permission.”

Joxer nodded, “I’m the son of Cupid and Strife. I was sent into the mortal world because Strife was told Zeus would kill me if I stayed on Olympus.”
*******
Hercules looked fearfully at his friends. They had failed their mission. There was no way to stop Cupid and Strife’s daughter from getting married and destroying the country.

“What can we do now?” Gabrielle asked worriedly.

Hercules said seriously, “Nothing. We have failed.”

Auto looked at the four wondering whether he should speak up and reassure them. Suddenly he found himself calling out, “ARES! ARES.”

Ares appeared quickly wondering why the thief was asking for help. Smiling at the shocked look on the heroes’ faces Ares said, “What’s wrong, thief?”

Auto listened in shock as his voice asked, “Where is Joxer?”

Ares shrugged, “When I woke up he wasn’t there. He’s probably talking to my mother again.”

Auto said quickly, “You’re wrong! Joxer has agreed to the marriage. You have to find him before the ceremony is complete.”

Ares couldn’t believe his beloved could do that to him, searching quickly the god found his lover’s thread. Rage and panic burned through the war god as Ares disappeared from the clearing intent on rescuing his lover from a marriage that would break both of them.
*******
Ares appeared in roomroom, seeing his lover in the arms of his son the War God screamed his denial. How could this have happened? He and Joxer were supposed to be married to each other with this in mind Ares quickly grabbed his love’s arm, only to be thrown across the room.

“AR! Are you okay?” Joxer asked worriedly as he jumped off the bed to tend to the god. He touched Ares causing pain to burn though both their bodies.

Phobos grabbed his husband’s arm saying urgently, “Joxer, don’t touch him. He’ll be fine, he was just knocked out.”

Just then, Ares regained consciousness immediately focusing on his beloved. Looking up at J’s f’s face he grinned, “I just had the weirdest dream, love. You were married to my son and I couldn’t touch you.”

“Its not a dream. Just remember I will always love you, Ar.” Joxer said crying as he stumbled to his feet.

“I love you too, Joxer.” Ares said in a mix of sadness and rage. With one last look at the new god, Ares disappeared from the room.

End Part 7