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Did Ares ever really love Xena?

Author	Comment
meaurel	Did Ares ever really love Xena?	Lead	[-]
Warrior-in-Training Posts: 361 (07/15/08 5:30 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Tags : xena, ares, love I was just thinking. Did Ares really love Xena, or did he love the image he created of her? And can gods even love? (Sorry about the short thread) Vote Xena for president!
Aurora Goddess		#1	[-]
Administrator Olympian Posts: 14692 (07/15/08 5:48 PM) Shipper Enthusiast Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Just a short answer for now. You mean, that he created the image of her as a warrior? He definitely did love her. Because he came to love Xena as she was (good) and not as she used to be (just a warrior). Though that aspect of her is something he always loved and admired about her, it was her human side and ultimately her good side that I feel is what had him falling in love with her. I do think that gods are capable of love, just as humans are. Their places in life may have been more specific than mortals (there's a god for love, war, fire etc) but I think they were capable of it, of feeling human emotions, but it was often harder in some ways. For Ares, it was Xena that changed everything for him and as a result of his mortal experiences, it allowed him to love. XOC Forum Host, Graphic Artist and Technical Administrator "Do something SCARY... The payoff is awesome!" - Lucy Lawless My personal website (banner above) \|\| Shipper Seasons \|\| Bonded For Eternity Signature graphics by me \|\| XA black/white avatar by Lionchilde \|\| Userbar graphics by me, Taladarkie, Nanz, & Nutty
Elfrieda		#2	[-]
Olympian Posts: 11197 (07/15/08 8:04 PM) Miss Amphipolis Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	There is other evidence from XWP and HTLJ (and Greek mythology) that the Olympian gods were capable of love. Ares showed from the beginning that he admired Xena, but it took him a while to realize that he was in love with her for herself and not just because he wanted her back as his Warrior Queen. In GFC, he's there, but he is still uncomfortable admitting it to Xena, but finally in MH he's pushed to make a choice and he proves that he really does love her. Army of Xena
xenacrazay		#3	[-]
One Star General Posts: 1460 (07/16/08 12:40 AM) One Star General Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	i think he definitely loved her. thats what made it so special; that even a god could love, which was totally unexpected. he changed for the better and instead of desiring for her and pining after her as a warrior, he fell in love with her, as a person; the good side of her that wanted to change the world, the passionate side, every side. That's why I always loved Xena/Ares together. You could tell how much he matured and grew to appreciate her as the seasons progressed. I definitely think gods are capable of love, just as humans are. To me, sure they have these great, supernatural abilities, but they still feel emotions as a human does. Gods just have great powers. Katerina
LadyKate63		#4	[-]
Administrator Moderator Olympian Posts: 81384 (07/16/08 3:37 AM) Xena Studies Ph.D. Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I do think that Ares started out being obsessed with his fantasy of Xena, the perfect warrior, but later (I would say starting with Ten Little Warlords even though he wasn't aware of it then) he started to care about the "real" Xena. I think he first started to consciously realize that he loved her in Seeds of Faith -- both because their relationship reached its lowest point then, in terms of hostility (doesn't get much worse than holding a dagger to each other's throats) and because he gets his first inkling of mortality. Whether a god can truly love (at least, a mortal) is an interesting question -- but I do think that for Ares, the realization that he loves Xena is linked to the prospect of mortality. See my artwork and fanfiction at The Muse's Corner * Visit Xena Online Community Keepership and sig script by Nutty, banner by Aurora Goddess, Avatars by Cila
xenawp7706		#5	[-]
Royal Posts: 6254 (07/16/08 7:14 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I think he loved her especially in later seasons. His love started to show in GFC. No Xena, No Xenaverse
XenAres1		#6	[-]
Four Star General Posts: 4906 (07/18/08 12:59 AM) Xena's Little Bitch Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I'm certain that he loved her. It was definitely a long and tumultuous road arriving at that realization and even when he did realize it, he didn't understand how to handle or express those feelings. I agree that he was definitely fascinated by her unmatched prowess as a warrior. That coupled with the obvious physical attraction made her all the more alluring but ironically, I think it was Xena's turn to the good side that made his obsession even stronger. She did the one thing no one else ever did...deny him. Throughout most of the show, one would assume that gods were incapable of love...or at least unconditional love. Even though we saw Ares admit it a couple of times (out of earshot from Xena), I don't think he really fully understood his love for her until Motherhood. It was then that he proved gods (at least he was) capable of unconditional love. He made the ultimate sacrifice for someone else' well being.
Aurora Goddess		#7	[-]
Administrator Olympian Posts: 14751 (07/21/08 1:26 PM) Shipper Enthusiast Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	She did the one thing no one else ever did...deny him. I think, too, that if it was anyone else denying him, he'd have them fried on the spot or simply look down on them for doing so. He didn't take well to disobedience. With Xena, he actually liked that she was a challenge even when she was EvilXena and on his side. I think that was one of the early ways that showed Xena was special. When she turned good, it made her even more interesting. The fact that she had her own plans and spoke her mind even against a god fascinated him. XOC Forum Host, Graphic Artist and Technical Administrator "Do something SCARY... The payoff is awesome!" - Lucy Lawless My personal website (banner above) \|\| Shipper Seasons \|\| Bonded For Eternity Signature graphics by me \|\| XA black/white avatar by Lionchilde \|\| Userbar graphics by me, Taladarkie, Nanz, & Nutty
Little Godling		#8	[-]
Commander Posts: 762 (07/23/08 6:26 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I think he did love Xena. But not for what he created her, but for what she was.. "Araina Faith"
Livia Sabina		#9	[-]
Two Star General Posts: 2140 (07/23/08 6:47 PM) Champion of Rome Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	While I think that it started out as possessiveness and obsession, I think that Ares did come to love Xena. In terms of fighting abilities, strategies, etc, she was probably the only mortal he ever considered to be his equal, or even close to it and I think that he admired that in her. In "Ten Little Warlords", he wanted her to be his heir, for want of a better term, claiming his godhood if anything happened to him and, for me, that showed how much he respected her and the faith he had in her, that he knew that his dominion would be safe in her hands. In Season Five, I think it came as a surprise to Ares to find out that his feelings for Xena went deeper than that. I see "God Fearing Child" as a defining moment, shipper-wise. Ares is faced with a choice between his own immortal life (with the added bonus of being able to kill Hercules without getting thrashed for it by Zeus) and Xena's life, together with that of her child. He chooses Xena. Later, in "Motherhood", he faces a similar choice and he gives up his godhood to save Eve and, by extension, Xena. He even throws in Gabrielle, despite the fact that she is, in some ways, a rival for Xena's affections and despite the fact that it's not necessary to save her to preserve Xena's life because he knows that it will hurt Xena if she loses Gabrielle. He claims that Gabrielle was an "afterthought" but I don't think that it's something he thought about at all. He saved them both because he knew how much they both meant to Xena.
LadyKate63		#10	[-]
Administrator Moderator Olympian Posts: 81813 (07/23/08 10:18 PM) Xena Studies Ph.D. Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Livia Sabina wrote: In Season Five, I think it came as a surprise to Ares to find out that his feelings for Xena went deeper than that. I see "God Fearing Child" as a defining moment, shipper-wise. Ares is faced with a choice between his own immortal life (with the added bonus of being able to kill Hercules without getting thrashed for it by Zeus) and Xena's life, together with that of her child. He chooses Xena. Umm... actually, no. He does agree to let Zeus go after Xena as long as he can go after Hercules with impunity. What stops him is a fireball in the back from Hera. Though I do think he believed, deep down or perhaps not so deep down, that Xena would be able to get out of it somehow and wasn't really going to die. Of course it was after that (after his attempt to kill Hercules failed and he realized that Herc and Hera were working together to protect Xena and stop Zeus) that he goes to Tartarus to try to talk to Xena. I think his actions in this episode are kind of ambiguous -- to what extent is he expressing his real feelings for Xena, and to what extent calculating that, now that Zeus has likely failed to avert the Twilight, it's wiser to throw in his lot with Xena. (Of course, it's noteworthy that he, himself, doesn't do anything to harm Xena or her child.) It's possible that facing the possibility of Xena being killed made him realize just how much he did care about her. Maybe he even felt guilty about agreeing to go along with Zeus' plan to kill her and that was why he offered to protect her and her child from the other gods. And yeah, totally agree with you about Motherhood. See my artwork and fanfiction at The Muse's Corner * Visit Xena Online Community Keepership and sig script by Nutty, banner by Aurora Goddess, Avatars by Cila
saskialovesares		#11	[-]
Mortal Posts: 16 (07/24/08 1:10 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	My opinion: Ares just wanted to posses Xena. To have her at the head of his army because well, let's face it, Xena is the best warrior and won all of her battles in the name of Ares. I think that later on in the series he did fell in love with Xena. But his hatred for Hercules was stronger and that's why he agreed on that little pact with Zeus. If Xena would have died then I think he wouldn't ever have forgiven himself for it but he was blinded by hatred at the time !! At the end of season 5 he makes the ultimate sacrifice and that proves he truly loves her at that point and would have died for her !!! So ya in the end I believe he loved her more than himself. Because if I was a god I wouldn't give up my godhood for anyone, well except Ares maybe !!! LOL !!
xwpf		#12	[-]
First Citizen Posts: 42 (08/05/08 7:39 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	He realy loves her not the "warrior picture" remember what Gabrielle said to him in AUS? :"Did you realy like the bad Xena ?Then why you're so obssesed by her now?"she realised this even though may be he didn't
LadyKate63		#13	[-]
Administrator Moderator Olympian Posts: 82468 (08/05/08 7:45 AM) Xena Studies Ph.D. Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	You're right, xwpf -- I think that's maybe when he realized it too. See my artwork and fanfiction at The Muse's Corner * Visit Xena Online Community Keepership and sig script by Nutty, banner by Aurora Goddess, Avatars by Cila
xenawp7706		#14	[-]
Royal Posts: 6638 (08/05/08 2:35 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	In my opinion Ares started to really love Xena from season 5 on, as he realised how important she was for him, but Ares being the GoW has not idea on what love really is, so he tries to possess Xena because this is the only way he knows to love someone No Xena, No Xenaverse
Little Godling		#15	[-]
Commander Posts: 845 (08/06/08 3:46 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I totally agree with you xenawp7706. In season five Ares seemed more attracted to her than ever. And I do think that he loved Xena for who she was. But he has a reputation. He's the stinking God of War so how is he supposed to love. He can love Xena and he does know it, but his instincts kick in and he possess her, just like the GoW would do. "Araina Faith"
buffypii		#16	[-]
First Citizen Posts: 12 (08/06/08 4:04 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	You can never be sure.. No one but a God knows actually how gods think. But from watching Xena I realized that from all the time she spent with him that she learned how he thought. She did say a couple of times "No, it's not his style" when people wondered if he'd done something. She didn't love him herself, but Ares definetly loved her. Even if he couldn't tell her like in the ep. God Fearing Child. You could really see in that ep. that he loved her. Especially the way he said "I love you Xena" after she left with Solan. I think that in the beginnning Ares didn't truly love Xena. He only loved her skills as a warrior and her looks. But she grew on him, and eventually he grew a bit on her. They never actually endt up together as lovers, but they endt up as friends. And that was good enough for them both.. Of course, Ares wanted more...XD
Little Godling		#17	[-]
Commander Posts: 849 (08/06/08 4:15 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Oh well I totally understand where you are coming. I never thought of it that way. But in my heart I believed he loved Xena for Xena. "Araina Faith"
xenathewarrior		#18	[-]
Mortal Posts: 5 (08/06/08 4:58 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Ok...Ares at first wanted to posses her...but if you look back to season 1...in the episode Ties That Bind...there's one scene when Xena tells Ares "go ahead kil me...I rather be dead that come back to you" and he throws her sword at her it was evidently that he couldn't Kill her...so what does that tells you..that he loved her but he didn't want to admit it...at first!!!!!
guardian of existence		#19	[-]
Warrior-in-Training Posts: 303 (08/06/08 6:44 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	i believe that what happened in Ties That Bind with how Xena tells Ares "go ahead kil me...I rather be dead that come back to you" and he stops the sword is shpowing that somethings there deep deep DEEP down in him and he cant quite figure it out yet that he likes for her now so he puts off the little caring feeling to shes a good warrior would want to kill her and all. I also think that it took Xena to actually die in season 5 for Ares to actually realise that its not just a "oh shes a good warrior" feeling he has for and that it can be something else because i believe in Chakram when Xena has the chakram held up to keep Ares back, his face to me was like all happy and glowing (maybe thats not the right word .. lol) in a god of war way because he got his girl back to normal both dark and light sides.
LadyKate63		#20	[-]
Administrator Moderator Olympian Posts: 82542 (08/06/08 6:51 PM) Xena Studies Ph.D. Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I agree, xenathewarrior -- that's definitely a crucial early scene! I think he was a very long way at the time from admitting that he loved her, but it was the first time she really "got to him" emotionally. You can see how shaken he looks: See my artwork and fanfiction at The Muse's Corner * Visit Xena Online Community Keepership and sig script by Nutty, banner by Aurora Goddess, Avatars by Cila

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