HEARTS' HOMELAND TRILOGY

PART 3: RITE OF PASSAGE

Kendaa walked all night without pausing. After the first hour her mind had calmed a great deal. There was a curious lightness about her that made her feel as if she had at last thrown off the demons of her past and was moving forward to confront her destiny. Long ago, Ceridian had told her she couldn't avoid her heritage; that some day it would return to claim her.

Once before she had been forced to confront her past, almost at the cost of her life. Yet, when the arrow of Hera's minion had struck her, the blood which had gushed forth and soaked the soil of the Great Forest had become the lifeblood of a reborn Forest Realm. Kendaa and the Great Northern Forest had been inextricably bound together in a seal of blood.

Now she would have to do so again. Yet this time, she felt within her a sense of cold finality. One way or another, the next day would see the end of the long struggle for the life of the Northern Forest Realm. Tomorrow it would end. Perhaps in her death and Hera's victory. Or perhaps not.

The night enfolded her, soothing and calming her spirits as she walked with determined tread. Night birds sang muted songs in the depths of the surrounding trees. Here and there a nocturnal animal moved cautiously about through the undergrowth. The sweet scent of a clear night hung lightly in the air.

She reached the grove of the Sacred Oak just as Helios made the first steps in his daily journey.

Slowing down, she moved forward, feeling the trees reach out to embrace and welcome her. The little ones were still some distance away, but were now coming at her mind call.

She looked in the direction of the Great Oak. It was there, as she had known it would be, waiting for her. She came to a halt, not moving for a long moment, simply gazing at the object which had been reborn out of her blood sacrifice several years before.

The boughs of the Great Oak hung low, interweaving into a pattern that held a distinct shape. Rich, verdant vines wreathed through and around the thick, twisted limbs of the sacred tree. A multitude of bright blossoms similarly adorned the object which had been born of nature, but which served a definite purpose.

The throne of the northern dryad realm.

Kendaa moved slowly forward, just as the little ones emerged timidly and warily from the thick growth surrounding the grove. She stood directly before the Great Oak. Taking a deep breath, she lowered herself onto the throne which had been waiting for her for so long. She looked around at the little ones of the forest, creeping slowly towards her, their pale little upturned faces reflecting a mixture of curiosity, innocence and apprehension.

She smiled, a warm, encouraging smile.

*Come!* She urged them gently.

They came.

By the time Helios' chariot had surged well above the tops of the nearby mountains, they had lost their fear and were playing and running all through the clearing.

Kendaa leaned back on the throne, watching them. She remembered her mother sitting and watching in a similar fashion. Closing her eyes for a moment, she did battle with the memories surging through her mind. Now was not the time.

Thunderclouds appeared on the distant horizon, moving closer with unnatural speed.

Kendaa sensed the approach of her enemy. The very air contained a strange, sharp quality of tangible menace. Yes, Hera was coming. She drew a deep breath, calming herself, preparing for what was to come. A wind began to stir through the surrounding Forest, sending the limbs of the great trees into an eerie, unnatural dance. The little ones looked to their mother-queen for comfort. She calmed them with a strong mind-send.

She sat on her throne, waiting in stillness for Hera to show herself, as the wind grew around her, and the air grew acutely colder.

A loud thunderclap announced the arrival of the Queen of the Gods. Hera had a particular fondness for dramatic entrances.

"Foolhardy halfling! Yet again you seek to defy me. Me, the Queen of the Gods! Don't you know you're destined to lose?" Hera laughed harshly, her fury a tangible thing.

The flesh on Kendaa's neck crawled. Pure evil radiated out from the Queen of the Gods.

"I wondered if you'd be rash enough to take up my challenge. I see you are indeed as stupid as I've always thought you to be," Hera sneered.

"And I see you've forgotten what took place here last time we faced each other," Kendaa reminded her, fury beginning to build within her. "You thought to kill me, yet again. You failed - and the forest was reborn." Her face was expressionless as she looked up at the dark presence that was Hera. Never reveal to the enemy anything of what you are feeling within. Keep them wondering.

The Queen of the Gods laughed. "I wouldn't crow too loudly! Your defiance will end today! I am going to destroy you and this benighted Realm of yours once and for all. After today it - and you - will no longer offend my very sight."

The dryad queen, her face calm but set in determined lines, left her throne and moved forward to meet the fury of the Queen of the Gods.

"Leave this place, Hera! This time you won't win. I give you fair warning - if you try to harm the Forest or any of these little ones - it's you who'll pay the price!" Deep within her, she reached out and drew to herself the Earth Power that was hers to claim. She felt it fill her; it raced through her veins, touching every single nodule of her being, feeding and strengthening her until she felt herself expanding under its influence. Yes, this time Hera would lose. Kendaa's anger simmered, but she held it in check, as she did the Power within her, now straining for release.

She sensed rather than saw Ares suddenly materialise near the edge of the clearing. She risked a glance in his direction. The God of War stood tall and forbidding, but the dark eyes which held hers for a brief space of time offered reassurance - and something else; something indefinable. She took a deep breath. He would stand with her against his hated mother.

Suddenly there appeared in the air a vision of true horror. A child hung suspended in thin air supported only by a pair of hands curled viciously around her throat. She writhed and screamed - one hideous, choking peel after another.

Eirene.

Gods, Hera knew about her daughter!

As if reading her thoughts, the Queen of the Gods laughed - a raucous, vicious sound. "Did you think I wouldn't find out? Stupid, stupid mortal! And you, my son! Foolish indeed, to think you could hide her from me. Today your spawn will truly die, as she was meant to. And she shall have no existence at all; not in Tartarous, nor the Elysian Fields, or that place where you thought her safe! And you, dryad bitch, will join her in nothingness!"

The rage in Kendaa overflowed, and with an animal snarl she gathered and focussed the Earth Power, preparing to launch it at Hera.

Ares sensed it and immediately saw the danger.

"No!" Roared the God of War. "Stay your hand! She would have you defile that which now fills you, so it will be useless to you!" Ares' black eyes, themselves now filled with murderous rage, turned to his mother. "It's nothing but an illusion," he hissed with deadly hatred, drawing the great Sword of War from its resting place at his waist.

Kendaa, her diaphanous green shift hanging from her slender, pale dryad form in wispy sheaths which floated about her with every movement, heard and stopped herself in time, without taking her eyes from the figure hanging above their heads. It looked so like the daughter she and Ares shared and who existed in that place apart from the mortal and Olympian world.

The apparition vanished as suddenly as it had appeared, leaving a queer, pregnant silence in the great forest clearing.

Using mind-call, the dryad gathered the little ones of the Forest behind her and stood in a protective stance in front of them. She knew they now faced the ultimate battle for the Northern Forest Realm. And she knew - had known all along - that the power she would wield against the Queen of the Gods couldn't be used as a weapon. It could only be used to defend those of the earth.

Ares was right, she knew. If she hurled the power within her at Hera in hatred or anger, and as a weapon, then it would take her and twist her until she became far worse than her enemy. For Earth Power was the purest Power, and could not, under any circumstances, be defiled. Her hand automatically flexed itself, searching for the familiar feel of her sword. But for this battle she would use none of the human weapons.

Kendaa at last entered into her true estate. She stood tall and ready for the onslaught to come. Turning deep within herself, she now sought to come to terms with that which filled her, deliberately letting go, one by one, of all the ways of preparing for battle that she had, until then, known and been familiar with.

Her expression changed. She smiled now, serenely. Legs slightly apart to balance herself, bare feet firm on the moist, brown earth, connected to it, she slowly raised both arms until they were out and almost higher than her head, hands open wide. Her long mane of hair swirled around her, tendrils lazily floating free of the hold of gravity.

She waited.

The dark God of War also watched and waited, his eyes widening slightly as he gazed at her. She was stunning. The dryad queen in her ascendancy possessed a wild, ethereal beauty that was, even to the jaded eyes of one of the twelve Enthroned gods of Olympus, utterly breathtaking. He felt the massive ingathering of the power within the woman standing so calmly in the centre of the great glade. The earth rumbled slightly in warning as she once again began to focus the energy within her. A translucent glow now surrounded her form, almost blinding in brightness.

Hera screamed now. A scream of unsurpassed rage.

"Ares!" She screamed at her son. "I command you to withdraw from this! You may have bedded the halfling bitch, but I, I will destroy her! She has displayed her insolence against me for the last time! Today it ends! Now go! This does not concern you!"

Ares was now, in complete contrast, entirely composed when he replied. "Command? You command me? I think not, my dear mother." He smiled; a cold, deadly smile. "I'm making this my concern. Harm this one or those she is set to protect and I swear there will be a troubling on Olympus such as has never been seen."

Several events now followed in quick succession.

There emerged from the forest on the far side of the clearing what appeared to be almost the entire complement of the city of the Amazons. Ares turned to glance at the new arrivals. He grinned outright, perfect white teeth flashing in the sharp, storm-ridden light now surrounding them. Kendaa, still intent on gathering and focussing the Earth Power, didn't appear to notice the new arrivals.

Hera screamed again; one terrible scream, the word "Kill!" echoing throughout the great forest. Dozens upon dozens of her minions now streamed into the clearing, making for the dryad queen and the little ones cowering behind her.

With a mighty roar, war cries ringing out, the Amazons charged, immediately engaging the servants of Hera. Ares also joined in, bolts of energy flying from his hands to incinerate one after another of his mother's minions.

As Kendaa watched, alert, the Queen of the Gods seemed to draw back, just as a serpent does prior to striking. Forewarned, the dryad held herself still. She smiled slightly as she faced her enemy.

Hera should have been warned by that, but she was so driven by her hatred and so intent on the destruction of the dryad queen she failed to notice the light now surrounding Kendaa or the slight calm smile on her face.

She screamed yet again, a stream of sickly red light shooting forth from her violently outflung hand.

At that instant, Kendaa unleashed the Earth power that had been building within her. Twin iridescent beams of bright pale green light streamed out and up from her raised hands.

There was a sickening, terrible cacophony of sound as hate-filled godly power was met head-on by pure Earth power.

The earth rocked violently around them. Many of the clearing's occupants were summarily flung to the ground by the force of the power now being directed against the Queen of the Gods by the still, calm figure at the centre of the clearing.

Still that blinding, bright light streamed forth. Hera had begun to scream. It was a scream of the most terrible agony, a sound neither Ares nor anyone else in the clearing had ever thought to hear from the Queen of the Gods.

All fighting ceased as the God of War, the Amazons and Hera's servants stood to watch the confrontation between the two.

Kendaa was silent, her eyes closed, her head flung back as she stood, still with arms raised, Earth power repudiating the Queen of the Gods with an absolute finality which at once awed and exhilarated those watching.

"Noooooooo!" Hera raged, writhing under the unrelenting lash of the Earth power. "You cannot! It's not possible!"

The dryad queen said nothing, but continued to send that power at her enemy. Those watching in the clearing could feel the power building until it reached a point that was almost unbearable. It felt as if the very cosmos itself would shatter. In one last overwhelming surge, the power within the dryad hurled itself at the Queen of the Gods, smashing into her.

Hera shrieked - an incoherent, tormented cry, before being flung violently into the aether.

Kendaa opened her eyes and slowly lowered her arms.

The remainder of Hera's minions had been staring, open-mouthed. They now, to a man, took flight, with several Amazons in pursuit.

The wind had died down, and the sky was once again returning to its natural blue.

Taking a deep breath, the dryad queen gazed around her, now seeing with her eyes what her senses had felt during the strange battle with Hera. Her sisters stood watching and waiting.

She glanced over at Ares who was standing rocking back and forth slightly on his heels, his arms folded across his chest, and a slight smile on his face. She smiled in return.

Suddenly, the God of War did something unmistakable and totally unexpected. He winked at her before disappearing from her sight.

Kendaa blinked. Now I'm imagining things. Ares doesn't wink. She shook her head, turning to her Amazon sisters.

Leaving the little ones behind for the moment, she walked slowly over to the silent and still women warriors, coming to a halt before a solemn-faced Ephiny.

"I... Thank you," she said quietly.

"Well, you didn't really think we'd let you have all the fun on your own now did you?" Interrupted Laurissa before her queen had a chance to reply.

Around them, her sisters broke into laughter. Kendaa smiled. It was an unguarded, happy smile.

Calico had sheathed her sword and was gazing at the young dryads scampering around the empty throne. "They're beautiful, my sister," she told the dryad queen, her face reflecting the warmth her heart habitually felt for all living things. Seconds later, she gave in to the urge and made for them. She was soon in their midst playing with them.

Ephiny moved a little closer, her face expressionless. "You have a choice to make, Kendaa. Which way will you choose? Here you are Queen and mother to the Forest; as an Amazon you are sister and warrior. You cannot have both."

The dryad smiled slightly. "But I have decided, Ephiny. And I can have both." Her smile widened. Long, slender hands reached out and grasped the hands of the Amazon Queen. "I am both, my sister; human and dryad. I can no longer deny that, nor do I wish to do so."

She sensed something and turned slightly to her right to see a figure standing close to the Great Oak, waiting for her. Judging by the non-reaction of those around her, he was visible only to her.

Kendaa turned back to Ephiny. "I'll be returning to the City, but there's something I have to do first." Her gaze shifted to encompass all her Amazon sisters. "I'll catch up, go!" She smiled warmly at them, and continued to smile as she watched them head back into the depths of the Forest.

Suddenly the clearing was empty except for the little ones, still playing happily around the Throne, Kendaa, and the being who watched her slowly cross the clearing, an uncertain expression clouding her dryad features.

Coming to a halt, she bowed formally. "Mighty Zeus," she acknowledged. He in turn gave her a courtly bow of his own. "Your Highness." His face creasing into a slight smile, he continued, "You did well, Forest Daughter."

Kendaa was frowning. "Even though I fought the Queen of the Gods?"

Zeus laughed softly. "Especially because of that. She had it coming, Kendaa. And I very much prefer that outcome to the alternative, don't you?" He asked her pointedly, his face now serious.

"Yes," she replied quietly. She looked down at the tiny dryads scampering about their feet and running in and out among the trees at the edge of the clearing. "Yes, I do," she said more firmly. And smiled.

Zeus indicated the Throne. "Melinnope would be very proud of you. She knew what she was doing to name you her successor, child."

The half-dryad, half-human woman smiled sadly. "Thank you, My Lord. I did what had to be done. I could do no less."

"And now? Will you now accept your destiny?" Zeus asked her, straightening to his full, daunting height, awaiting her answer.

Would she stay and claim the throne of her ancestors which was rightfully hers? She took a deep breath and looked around the Sacred Grove, now lush, verdant and full of life. Yes, she felt the strong pull to remain. The Forest was a part of her, just as she was a part of it, through an unbreakable bond. But she was more than dryad. She was also Amazon. And warrior.

She smiled as she turned back to the King of the Gods.

"Yes, I accept my destiny. I am both dryad and human. I am Queen of the Northern Realm. And I am an Amazon warrior." She was silent, thoughtful, for a moment.

"These little ones should grow and play and live in a world free of the taint of the past. If I remain, there will always be a link to what has gone before here. I would be that link. I will go back to my sisters in the city of the Amazons, but I will stand watch over the young ones while there is a need. And when they are of an age, I will appoint my successor from among them."

She looked to the King of the Gods for his response.

Zeus smiled slowly. "You're a lot like your mother. Stubborn - but farsighted. Little wonder my son is drawn to you."

Still she waited, silent.

His smile grew. "You are also very much like your father. He was a fine warrior," he added.

Kendaa started, surprised. "My father?"

"Oh yes. Ares always thought very highly of him, in spite of the fact that he never swore to serve him."

The tall dryad woman grinned in spite of herself. That must have annoyed the God of War.

The King of the Gods made a decisive gesture with his hand. "Very well, you may do as you intend. Return to the city of the Amazons and stand watch over your Realm, Kendaa. You do so with my blessing."

She smiled warmly. "Thank you, my Lord."

He returned the smile with equal warmth before vanishing.

Kendaa spent some time with the little ones before gently sending them back to the hidden depths of the forest where they might play and live in peace.

She stood again before the throne - her throne - for a long while, gazing at it without really seeing it. Then, taking one final look around the Sacred Grove, she slowly walked into the Forest heading in the direction of the Amazon city.

Not too far along the way, she found several of her friends waiting. Lessa, Laurissa, Klio, Khyra, Amphalia, Therese, Calee and Calico all came forward to meet her. Warm hugs were exchanged and the group headed back to the city, trailing along behind all their sisters moving ahead of them.

Night had long since fallen. Bonfires burned in the centre of the city in celebration, both for the defeat of Hera, however short-lived, and for the safe return of one of the city's own.

She stood before the hearth fire deep in thought, her hands on her hips. So much had happened that day. She felt as if her whole life had irrevocably changed. Which it had, in so many ways. In finally owning and accepting her dryad self, she had come to understand that she was as much dryad as she was human. Human she now appeared, having once again shape-shifted, although she could move with ease between the two forms.

She knew she would now, as long as she lived, be Guardian of the Northern Forest Realm. Amazon she was, and chose to remain, but whenever there would be need, she would be there to protect those who now so innocently lived and played in the depths of their Forest home. Acceptance of her destiny now lay curled peacefully around her heart. There was no denying the innate duality of her being. Nor would she, ever again.

Mellinope's daughter had at last come home to herself.

Hera would never again reach out to harm the People of the Forest. That day, the Queen of the Gods had learned there was a greater power than that which she possessed - the Earth Power; the power which had ever resided in all living things, waiting only to be released by those pure of heart and who held the key to unlock it. Hera had also learned that Zeus himself, and the God of War, would stand beside the one set to guard the Realm of the People if there was ever again need. No, Hera would not try that path in the future.

Kendaa drew a deep breath, feeling the flames warm her. Her Amazon sisters had greeted the revelation of her true, dual, identity in a variety of ways - but above all with an unconditional acceptance that even now gave joy to her heart.

And then, there was the other reason for the lightness in her heart. She sensed his presence long before he made himself visible. She knew he had been present and watching her for some time, but she chose not to disturb the gentle quiet - until she could stand it no more; she wanted - needed - to see him.

Smiling slightly, she whispered softly into the silence.

"Ares."

He was there behind her, strong elegant hands reaching out to turn her to him. She looked up into his face. His eyes were deep pools of black in which the reflected light of the flames in the hearth danced warmly. His head was slightly to one side as he gazed at her, his own face unsmiling, but for once mild. He brought his right hand up to caress her cheek with great gentleness with the outside of his fingers, a habit of his.

"You made me very proud today, my beautiful one," he told her softly.

Her smile grew. "Thank you for all that you did. If you hadn't come..." She had been so unsure of herself in that period of time while she stood assessing the untried Power building within her. Then, when he had arrived, she had felt his own god-power reaching out to support and encourage her. She shook her head before adding.

"Why did you?"

He smiled very slightly. "If you don't know that by now, my sweet, then I'm afraid there's no hope at all for you," he told her in that dry, teasing fashion that was uniquely his, just before his dark head swooped down, and his lips covered hers.

With a sigh, she yielded herself to the kiss, and to him, her mouth opening to receive his seeking tongue, her hands unconsciously going up to tangle themselves in his long, silky, curly hair.

It felt so good; the warmth of his hard body pressed against hers, his hands moving with slow, thorough and possessive sureness over her own body. For once she gave herself over to the need, inherent in all living beings, to belong and to feel secure.

She smiled beneath his hard-gentle lips. He felt it and answered by pressing her still closer to him. Later, much later if he had his way, they would talk, but for now, he too immersed himself in her presence. The scent of the woodland herbs she used to wash herself and her hair with was almost intoxicating. The very feel of her was ambrosia to him.

They separated and unhurriedly removed each other's clothes, never taking their eyes from each other. Yes, later they would talk, but for now, by mutual, unspoken consent, each needed to immerse themself in the other's physical presence.

Ares pulled her to him again, this time more urgently, himself reaching out to tangle his own fingers in her long, sweet-scented mane, his lips again claiming hers.

She was moaning her need for him now, the soft moan lost deep in his mouth, but he heard it. His hands left her head to move down and cup her firm buttocks. With god-strength he lifted her and impaled her on him. Her hands went around his neck and her head was flung back as she felt him slide deep within her and fill her. Her long, strong legs wrapped themselves around him.

Unhurriedly, he moved them to the modest cot that served as her bed, and sat on the edge of it, with her sitting on his lap, as they both moved together, unwilling for the moment to escalate the pace, but content to slowly savour each other.

The god gently leaned her upper body back away from him, and she opened passion-immersed eyes to gaze at him in languid curiosity. But his attention was elsewhere. His head lowered and he proceeded to gently suckle wetly and hotly, his hair curling softly against her chest. She whimpered like a wild animal at the exquisite sensation, her body becoming more insistent now, her breath coming in harsh gasps. But Ares was in no hurry. After a very long period of time, his mouth wandered to the other breast to treat it with the same intense, concentrated care.

When she thought she could stand it no longer, his hands wandered back to her buttocks to embed himself even more satisfyingly deeply within her. Now she did cry out.

At that moment, another sound cut across the Amazon's muted cries of passion in the small hut. A fist pounded on the door and a cheerful voice cried out, "Hey Kendaa! Come have an ale! Why are you hiding in your hut? You should be celebrating!"

At the first syllable, god and mortal froze in the act of lovemaking, both heads turning to the door.

Without warning the door began to open, only to slam abruptly shut again as Ares hastily waved his hand, his face settling into an annoyed frown.

Laurissa, never one to give up easily, could be heard tugging and pushing at the now-immoveable door. Kendaa suddenly found herself dissolving in a fit of silent laughter. Ares' dark eyes turned to gaze at her, the frown growing. He regarded the woman still joined to him, and now shaking with laughter, from whom little snorts of mirth were escaping. He tried to quell her with an exasperated glare, but that made Kendaa worse. He brought his hand up and clamped it over her mouth, but she still continued to laugh under his silencing hand.

Meanwhile, from without, Laurissa's loud, happy voice could still be heard. "Hey, what's up? You can't be asleep so early, not after all that's happened! Come on, open up!"

Without moving his hand from the shaking Amazon's mouth, Ares called out in a voice designed to intimidate. "She's busy, now go away!" Immediately, Kendaa's sister Amazon understood what was transpiring and who was in Kendaa's hut. "Oh! I'm...ah, I'm sorry!" Footsteps could then be heard moving hastily away through the undergrowth. Giggles also emanated from the departing Amazon.

Kendaa was still laughing helplessly as Ares removed his hand, and she leaned her head down until her forehead was resting on his bare shoulder. The dark Lord of War looked down at her still-shaking body in exasperation, sighing and slowly shaking his head as he waited for her to regain control.

"Do you think you'll get over it anytime soon?" He asked her dryly, but his own eyes were sparkling mischievously, in spite of the wry expression on his face.

The Amazon didn't raise her head, but a muffled voice floated up to him "Oh Olympus, no...I can't stop!" She was still shaking.

Ares rolled his eyes.

With determination, he moved within her again, and immediately she drew in a sharp breath and raised her head, dark green eyes glistening with merriment, moving herself so that they both returned to the pressing business at hand, her laughter fading away, drowned in the fierce, heavy-lidded gaze of the dark eyes so close to hers.

Ares looked down askance at her bed, frowned, and shook his head, the silver dagger earring in his ear moving merrily in the dancing firelight. His eyes found hers. "My sweet, this won't do. This won't do at all," he told her regretfully.

Even as her face was creasing in puzzlement, reality shifted and she found that he had brought them to his quarters in his northern temple, one of his favoured temples.

Now he carefully moved them on the bed, so that she was lying beneath him, and he was moving above and within her, his own eyes holding hers captive.

Kendaa smiled up into that darkly handsome face; a face that could more often than not reflect murderous rage, cold, calculated cruelty and even deadly intent, but which now showed a warmth that she was certain not many had ever seen.

Reaching up, she pulled his head once more down to hers, even as he began to increase the pace and power of his movement within her. She didn't want this night to end. Just for now, she wanted to pretend that somehow, they would always be like this. That Ares would surrender to that other he harboured deep within him. Perhaps he might. She didn't know; she couldn't read the future. She hoped so. Their relationship had changed so much since the first time they had come together. Yet, he would always be the God of War, and there was no changing that.

But for this night, and for however many days and nights lay ahead of them, she willingly surrendered to the deep love she had for him.

She smiled as his body continued to move within hers.

He was moving faster now. Thrusting deeper, animal growls escaping from him with each thrust. His hands encircled her, and held her as he rammed into her again and again. She too cried out now, the beauty, the pleasure of it almost too much for her to bear. Then they both found the release they were seeking. His warm seed pulsed into her and he subsided onto her. They lay that way for a very long time before he moved to her side.

"Ares?"

He pulled her closer, whispering, "Yes, my sweet?"

She snuggled sleepily against his chest, like a contented kitten settling for the night. "I l..." Her mumble trailed off into nothing. Ares looked down. She was fast asleep, her head nestled under his chin. For a long moment he lay regarding the golden, fragrant crown so close to him. He contemplated waking her, but chose not to, instead enfolding her more securely in his arms before closing his own eyes.

The early morning sun found Kendaa sprawled on her stomach lying diagonally across Ares' bed, still deeply asleep. Her long fair hair covered her features and hid them from the sight of the God of War.

Ares stood, arms crossed and fully dressed in his customary leathers, great Sword of War sheathed at his waist, contemplating the woman sleeping so soundly in his bed. He recollected himself, and leaned down.

"Kendaa," he said softly into her ear.

She didn't move or open her eyes, although a muffled "Mmmmmm," emerged from her mouth.

The God of War sighed.

"Kendaa!" He spoke a little more loudly this time.

The woman on the bed reached out, grabbed a pillow and pulled it over her head as Ares stared, bemused.

He sat on the edge of the bed, and pulled the pillow from her grasp.

"Kendaa!" He called, his voice containing just a hint of impatience now.

She sat up, pushing hair away from her face, to regard him blearily. "What? It can't be morning yet!"

Ares raised an eyebrow and pointed in the direction of the window, through which early morning light was beginning to find its way.

The tall Amazon sighed. "Alright, I'm up."

Ares smiled slightly. "As much as I would like to stay and dally longer, there's a war brewing near Stagira that needs my attention. I'll send you back to your city."

Kendaa shook her head. "No, I'd much rather walk it," she smiled warmly up at him, still-sleepy green eyes sparkling.

The God of War shrugged. "As you wish, my dear. Until later..." He stood, preparing to go to his army, but her voice forestalled him. He looked back at her in enquiry.

"We didn't bring my clothes or weapons when we came here last night, my Lord. Would you please do the god thing, so I can return home properly...dressed?"

He nodded, waving his hand. Her clothes, sword and dagger instantly appeared before her on the bed. When she looked up, he had vanished.

She sighed. "Gods," she muttered. "Always in a hurry about something." Shrugging to herself, she left the spacious bed and dressed.

The promise of a beautiful day was fulfilled as she left Ares' temple, heading through the surrounding vineyards and into the depths of the forest. Her feet lightly trod the shaded path she walked. It was as if the events of the previous day had unblocked something fundamental within her. For the first time since the slaughter of her kind, she felt light-hearted, free and happy. She grinned, feeling at one with herself and the entire world around her.

She was well away from the temple and the valley in which it lay when she was ambushed. With no forewarning over a dozen men moved out of the cover of the surrounding forest to encircle her. With little surprise, she saw that Nolus, Ares' warlord, was one of them.

The Amazon came to a halt, unsheathing her sword with a rapid, practised movement, eyes watchful.

Carefully, Nolus moved forward, but not close enough to be in range of her sword.

"It was you all along," he said without preamble. "I must confess, I should have guessed. No one else could have shown such open insolence to Ares and lived."

Kendaa's eyes never left him, although she was only too well aware of all the other soldiers now blocking her path both in front and behind.

"What do you want, Nolus?"

"Ares' Chosen...," the warlord mused. "And the Dryad Amazon - and one of the banes of Hera's existence."

He grinned suddenly. "Hera has such a fondness for you, you know, especially after what you did to her yesterday."

She knew then. Hera was behind this attack. The Queen of the Gods was smarting from her defeat the previous day, and had wasted no time in lashing out in retribution. And now, Kendaa knew with complete certainty, she would pay for her victory, and for being Ares' favourite. Hera hated the God of War, her own son, with a passion that was the complete opposite of a mother's love. She would stop at nothing to win ascendancy over him, since he had never chosen to obey her in any way.

So now Hera would make them both pay.

"What's the matter, Nolus? Don't you like working for the God of War any more?"

Nolus grinned, showing crooked, yellowing teeth. "Hera duly rewards her followers. Ares treats them like dogs!"

She stood, at bay and surrounded, waiting for them to charge, knowing she couldn't possibly take them all on and prevail.

Why didn't they attack? Something was wrong here.

Just as she was about to cry out to Ares for help, Nolus moved. He surprised her. Instead of attacking her with his drawn sword, he tossed the contents of a small pouch he had kept hidden in his hand. The fine dust floated on the light breeze, and before Kendaa had a chance to react, she was immersed in it.

Within seconds the drug had entered her system. Hera herself had prepared it with diabolical pleasure, knowing exactly what mixture would most effectively fell one of dryad blood.

The world around Kendaa began to spin crazily. Her sword fell from suddenly limp fingers, and almost in slow motion she felt herself falling to the ground, after which the darkness rose up and smothered her before she could even attempt to cry out to Ares.

She awoke to the awareness of pain. Someone was shoving her with their boot, none too gently. She lay curled up on the ground and tried to ignore the pain. But it wouldn't go away.

"Open your eyes Amazon! I know you can hear me! Time to begin to die."

The voice seemed to come from a great distance. Kendaa opened her eyes, but was unable to do anything but lie there, still held in thrall by the drug. She couldn't even open her mouth. She felt completely boneless.

"Hera told me to make sure you suffered before you died," Nolus laughed, pleased to be given a free hand by the Queen of the Gods.

Dark green eyes stared muzzily up at him, not quite able to focus. But her brain was awake and functioning sharply.

She knew she was in terrible trouble.

Desperately she tried to make her body obey her commands, but couldn't move even one finger. Nor could she summon any strength to cry out. She knew the one name she would cry if she had the opportunity, but that option had been effectively taken from her.

She lay looking up at Ares' former warlord.

Nolus moved to stand directly over her and began to untie his pants.

He was grinning in anticipation.

"Hold her down," he directed someone out of range of her eyesight.

Four of his men took positions around her. With businesslike efficiency they grasped her legs and arms and held her down. Not that it was necessary. She couldn't move at all.

As Nolus lowered himself onto her, Kendaa, using dryad instinct, withdrew to a place deep within herself; a place where she would be safe from what was being done to her body.

No warrior is immune to pain, and pain was a constant fact of life in any warrior's existence.

Now the Amazon woman endured two days of unrelenting pain and suffering. Unable to move or cry out, she lay as the hours slowly passed and Nolus and his men hurt her body again and again in many and varied ways. She, having withdrawn to that deep, hidden, quiet place within, watched with a curious kind of detachment, but knew when her body began to die.

It was late in the afternoon. Her torturers had withdrawn for a space of time to refresh themselves after their arduous work.

Somehow, somewhere, deep within herself Kendaa found and drew on the tiny fraction of strength that remained to her.

Returning to her agonised body, she desperately concentrated, gathering and focussing herself. With the greatest of effort, she slowly lifted her damaged body a little from the floor, and then, with the last remaining ounce of strength and hope within her, with great difficulty and with her entire will, she breathed out Ares' name.

Having used that last reserve of strength, she fell back to the floor and lay still.

Seconds later, the dark Lord of War materialised in the tent. Nolus and his cohorts were drinking and laughing. They didn't see him at first.

For several seconds Ares' stunned eyes were on the inert, broken and bloody form of the woman lying at his feet.

He raised dark, deadly eyes to the others, who, having realised that death now stood among them, had fallen silent, watching him like frozen, startled rabbits.

"My mother put you put to this, I'm guessing," he told Nolus in the softest, most terrifying of voices.

Nolus said nothing, merely watching him in abject fear. How could he have thought Hera would protect him from the wrath of Ares?

But Ares' eyes had returned to his favourite, lying so still at his feet.

He leaned down and gathered the unconscious form into his arms. Her head fell limply back over his arm, her hair hanging down almost to his feet. Standing to his full, daunting height, Ares looked at Nolus and his henchmen, his dark eyes murderous.

"I'll be back," he promised in a deadly quiet whisper.

As the God of War vanished with his burden, Nolus swallowed convulsively. He knew he faced death now, and knowing Ares, he would die a thousand times before he actually did die.

Hera would not intervene to help him; he had failed her.

Kendaa's bloodied and bruised body lay unmoving on Ares' massive bed. For all her height, she looked small and vulnerable, and somewhat lost in the middle of the great bed they had shared with such passion and abandon only two nights before.

The dark lord of war looked down at her, his face hard. He closed his eyes and opened his senses. He drew in a sharp breath - the child she carried was alive and unharmed. It's paternal parentage had given the baby the strength he needed to withstand the cruelty meted out to his mother. But Kendaa was badly hurt. Internal injuries and bleeding in several places, a dislocated shoulder, fractured ankle, stab wound above her thigh, and a broken jaw. Black fury boiled up in the God of War. Nolus would wish he had never been born.

He opened his eyes and moved to stand closer to the side of the bed, and directly over her. Her face was bruised and swollen where she had been beaten and where her jaw had been deliberately broken. Silently he looked down on the pale, unconscious face of the mortal he now admitted to himself that he did love, passionately and deeply, for the first time in his very long existence. And now she lay there, terribly injured because of the love they held for each other, and because of her own innate, stubborn courage.

Slowly he lowered his hands over her damaged body, and began healing her most serious injuries. It took a long time, as he worked with concentrated care over each injury. At one point the door to his inner chamber opened to admit one of his priests. Without looking around, Ares snarled, "Get out!" Before the servant could even open his mouth. His priest hastily withdrew.

Finally he stood back. He had healed the worst injuries and mended the several breaks, including her jaw. He gently reached down and softly stroked the bruised jaw. She moaned, but didn't wake. He passed his hand over her again, and the dried blood disappeared, as did the ruins of her Amazon war garb. His hand moved again, as he sent her into a deeper, dreamless sleep.

Standing away from the bed, his eyes turned cold. Time to reward Nolus for his betrayal.

Nolus stood abruptly when Ares reappeared in his tent, his face deadly. The former warlord could only shake his head as Ares looked at him expressionlessly. Abject fear spread through Nolus. He'd seen that look too many times to not know what it meant. A dark stain appeared and spread between his legs on his breeches.

"Nolus, you've betrayed me," Ares told him in a cold, emotionless voice.

Nolus swallowed convulsively. He couldn't open his mouth; there were no words.

"You know what that means," his master added, beginning to walk slowly forward, but not removing the great Sword of War from its sheath at his waist. Calmly he raised his hand. Nolus flew through the air, his neck sliding in between Ares' waiting fingers.

"And you dared to lay hands on my favourite," he told him, his voice now savage, his face terrifying in its fury.

The hideous screams that started and came again and again from Nolus' tent sent his men running headlong into the surrounding woodland, each one of them offering a fervent prayer to any gods who happened to be listening that the God of War should not find them.

Their prayers were unanswered.

It was almost nightfall when Ares reappeared in his quarters at the northern temple. The god removed his clothes and moved into the bed beside the Amazon woman. Gently he pulled her to him, enfolding the still form in his arms, and softly kissing her shoulder before settling down for the night. He didn't sleep however. Instead he lay holding Kendaa, his eyes gazing into the darkness at nothing, but thinking deeply as the night wore on. Near dawn, he closed his eyes and retreated to that place which served as sleep for the gods.

Kendaa awoke to brilliant sunshine spilling onto her face, and to pain. Memory returned, and with it, awareness. She cried out, her eyes flying open as she reared up in the bed, gulping in air. How had she come here? Ares must have heard her plea just before the darkness closed in on her. He was beside her, his arms moving to wrap themselves securely, if carefully, around her.

"No!" She tore herself away from his hands, scrambling to move further away from him.

"Easy! Easy! It's alright - it's over," he told her quietly, reaching out for her gently. She shuddered and made to pull away from him.

His hands moved to hold her face, forcing her to look at him. Dark liquid eyes stared compellingly into hers. "Listen to me, Kendaa," Ares said distinctly. "You know me. I'm not Nolus - I'm Ares, and I would never harm you! Believe me, and trust those oh-so-accurate instincts of yours." He put into that all the force he could muster, and that was some considerable force.

She stilled.

Gently, so gently, he took hold of her and pulled her slowly to him, urging her rigid body to lie back against his warm, solid one.

Very gradually she calmed down. Breathing out, she made her body relax, and curled herself back against a form she knew, as he had said, would not harm her. She had to believe that. She made herself believe that.

"Good morning," now came the soothing, still-quiet voice from behind her, in the vicinity of her ear.

"Good morning yourself," she whispered hoarsely, swallowing, turning slowly in his arms and wincing at the subsequent pain.

Dark eyes regarded her, as his hand came up to smooth a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Feeling any better this morning?" He asked, looking into her pain-clouded green eyes.

"That depends on your definition of better," she whispered tiredly. But added, "A little. There don't appear to be so many parts of me hurting." At least not on the outside.

His hand moved to gently cup her injured jaw.

"You'll stay in bed today, and rest. It'll be a few days before you're feeling up to doing much. I've sent word to Ephiny. Your sisters will expect you back when you're strong enough to travel."

She nodded slowly. It occurred to her that he'd been responsible for healing her worst injuries. Reaching out a hand, she gently touched his chest. "Thank you," she said quietly.

He shrugged slightly. "By the way, Nolus won't bother you again," he told her dispassionately.

Kendaa didn't care to speculate on what Ares might have done to Nolus; whatever it had been, it would have hurt - a lot. The wry thought churned her stomach.

She frowned. Her stomach was definitely churning.

"Ares, I need to..," she got out urgently before she started heaving, and covered her mouth.

He understood and instantly transported her to his water closet, where she proceeded to be thoroughly and miserably ill. Again and again she retched. As she leaned over holding her disgruntled stomach, a damp cloth was placed against her forehead, making her feel better. Ares held it there until she stopped heaving. When she finally stood upright, he gently wiped her face and mouth for her.

"This usually doesn't last long," he informed her, preoccupied with wiping her face.

She stopped dead. She wasn't sure she knew what he meant. She wasn't sure she wanted to know what he meant.

"What?"

He raised a quizzical brow, and placed his other hand on her stomach.

"You carry our child," he informed her quietly.

She stiffened, stunned, but was for the moment caught up in regaining her breath.

"I thought the mother was always the first to know...," she eventually managed between deep breaths. "This must be a first."

His hand gently rubbed her belly. Unable to stop herself, she flinched. He removed his hand. "I realise the timing could have been better. Do you mind?" He asked with a peculiar diffidence, just before picking her up in his arms and taking them back to the bedchamber, where he sat her on the side of the bed.

Kendaa shrugged tiredly, holding her arms. "I haven't had time to digest it, Ares. And after these last few days..." She stopped. She didn't want to go there. She shook her head. "Give me time."

Ares nodded slowly. "As long as you need," he told her in a quiet, patient voice that was totally alien to his nature. It surprised them both.

A thought occurred to her. "How do you feel about it? You do have thousands of children, after all," she asked slowly, glad of a chance to divert attention away from herself.

He smiled and sat beside her on the bed. "Ah, but none of them are yours, my dear Kendaa," he told her quietly as he pulled her towards him and rested her head on his broad shoulder.

Too tired and sore to resist him, she gave in and leaned back against the warmth of his body. She wondered how she could allow a man to touch her just then. But then, she reflected, Ares wasn't a man. He was a god. And she knew with absolute certainty that he would never harm her. They had fought from the very day they had met, but he had never, in spite of his numerous threats, physically harmed her. Even his marking of her some time before had been done out of his perverse desire to possess her, not out of any desire to actually hurt her.

"Eirene will have a brother or sister," she ventured thoughtfully.

He kissed the crown of her head. "A brother."

"Must you be such a know-all," she told him without real annoyance. She could feel the rumble of his silent laughter as she leaned against him, and smiled slightly.

Turning to look up into his face, she caught a rare look of warmth on the face of the God of War. It gave a boyish look to his handsome features, which surprised her. It was a pity he didn't look like that more often. But then, she reflected sadly, he couldn't. She reached up to stroke the side of his face, and he turned his head so that her hand covered his mouth and he was able to kiss her palm.

They sat like that for quite some time, the half-dryad's exhausted, hurting spirit drawing on the strength and comfort Ares' presence was giving her.

But other needs persisted until she could no longer deny them. Kendaa slowly raised her head to gaze into his eyes, her sad and tired features causing him to frown. "Ares, I need to feel clean again. I want to bathe. Will you send me to the hot spring?"

He kissed her cheek. "I'll come with you."

She shook her head slightly. "No, I need to go alone. Please. I need to wash their hands off of me," she told him quietly, her eyes filled with silent desperation.

He nodded slowly, his dark eyes caressing her. "Alright." He stood, pulling her up with him, and with a slow movement of his hand, sent her to the hot spring which lay in a secluded glen close to the temple.

Carefully she lowered her tired, hurting body into the warm water. And sniffed the air.

She smiled a little in spite of herself. Ares never ceased to amaze her. The water was scented with the most delicate fragrance; through the air floated the inviting, soothing scents of lavender, sandlewood and pine. She lay back and began rubbing her body in the water, trying to erase the terrible feel of the hands of her torturers from her body. She scrubbed and scrubbed, and then laid her head back in the deliciously warm water so she could wash her long blonde locks.

Looking up as her hair floated out behind her in the water, she gazed at the trees which met over her head. The morning sun was shining through the tree tops filling the small glen with a beautiful dappled green pattern, disturbed only by the lightest of breezes. Around her small woodland birds sang. She closed her eyes and drew a deep breath. It was so relaxing - and healing.

She drifted lazily in the water for a long time. Thinking and reflecting on all that had passed. On all that had been done to her over the past two days. She didn't think she'd ever be able to talk about them with anyone, let alone Ares. The God of War, however, already knew all that had been done to her - in terrible detail. And he had made sure Nolus suffered terribly for it.