Title: Should I Stumble
Author: Qzeebrella
E-mail: qzeebrella@yahoo.com
Fandom: Xena the Warrior Princess
Archive: to Joxerotica and to ASCEML
Disclaimer: the Greek Gods belong to themselves, the rest except for
Thraxis belongs to MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures, no
infringement is intended. No profit being made.
Category: slash
Rating: G
Summary: Joxer takes part in the Rhapsodic portion of the
Panathenaic Festival in Athens. Much like Gabrielle did as a bard.
Beta: Pennydreadful, many thanks
Pairing: none, though if you squint it is Ares/Joxer
Author's notes: the song Joxer sings is my own creation. For
information on the festival mentioned go to:
http://depthome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/classics/dunkle/athnlife/rligious.htm
Feedback: is like ambrosia to me, I need it to feel all goddessy.
***
Xena and Gabrielle sat in the crowd of people, the bard virtually
vibrating with excitement to be here in Athens for the Panathenaic
Festival. It seemed as if everyone was there for the eight-day
competition, the only ones barred from coming were slaves and even
they would find some way to take in part of the action, by attending
their masters. Xena was looking forward to watching the equestrian
competitions, but for now they were watching the musical and
rhapsodic contests.
Gabrielle had not arrived in time to sign up for the Rhapsodic
contest, where those entered recited epic poetry and had been
disappointed she wouldn't have the chance to present her great poem
about Xena's quest for redemption to the crowd. She was eager to
hear the musical contests, especially the one they were at. She had
worked with one minstrel, Thraxis, and was hoping he would win. The
last time she met him, his presentation, style, his way of telling a
story through song was exemplary. He was entered in the contest for
the kithara singer and could win an olive crown made of gold and 500
silver drachmas. Though even if he came in sixth he would get a
cash prize. Thraxis was almost a virtuoso on the kithara; having
started on lyre which was very similar to it.
As they watched through the afternoon, they heard some amazing
pieces and agreed that so for Thraxis had given the best
performance. With only one performer left to play, they figured
their friend had the prize in the bag.
"Now for the last performer, a former warrior and for many years a
traveling minstrel when not following his quest to become a great
warrior. A devotee of Ares, a favorite of Aphrodite, and called a
friend by Strife due to creating mischief and chaos without even
trying. Joxer of Corinth."
Xena and Gabrielle listen to the applause and are astounded; not
having known their friend would be here. Gabrielle turned to
Xena, "I hope he does well, it takes a lot of courage to get in
front of all these people."
"It does, but it doesn't surprise me, he's always had a lot of
courage. He'll do his best as he always does everything from his
heart."
After tuning his kithara, Joxer starts to play a deceptively easy
melody, mixed with a complicated riff. As the melody starts a second
time he begins to sing.
"If I should stumble,
If I should fall
If I should end up
In Tartarus' hall
I shall get up
And try again."
"For at heart I am a warrior
I am strong of heart
Determined to succeed
In battle I took part
For I serve my God Ares
With my life."
"If I should stumble
If I should fall
If I should end up
In Tartarus' hall
I shall get up
And try again."
"I may fight as an archer
Or with a sword in hand
One day I'll be in Hades domain
Now I walk through the land
Knowing my heart is Ares'
For him I shall fight and live."
"If I should stumble
If I should fall
If I should end up
In Tartarus' hall
I shall get up
And try again."
"For life is a battle
From cradle to grave
Or so it has seemed to me
It is freedom I crave
I fight for it night and day
For Ares' honor and glory."
"If I should stumble
If I should fall
If I should end up
In Tartarus' hall
I shall get up
And try again."
"I am but one warrior
Of many who serve Ares'
God of war and battle
Defender of Greece's beauty
Hated and reviled by many
Who blame him for causing war."
"If I should stumble
If I should fall
If I should end up
In Tartarus' hall
I shall get up
And try again."
"Yet no one says the love Gods
Aphrodite and Cupid her son
Are the cause of all love
Just that they direct love
Harness its energy to lead
To whatever course it is fated."
"If I should stumble
If I should fall
If I should end up
In Tartarus' hall
I shall get up
And try again."
"So why blame Ares for war?
Why hate him for doing his job?
Why hate him when he is a protector
Defending Greece from attackers?
Why revile him when he is
A beloved father, a warrior true?
"If I should stumble
If I should fall
If I should end up
In Tartarus' hall
I shall get up
And try again."
"He is the heir of Zeus
The prince regent of Olympus
His father's right hand
The protector of all the deities
Providing for his warriors
When they are injured."
"If I should stumble
If I should fall
If I should end up
In Tartarus' hall
I shall get up
And try again."
"A provider for his family
A provider for his warrior's families
A teacher to new warriors
A good father, brother, son
He should be honored
The greatest warrior, Ares."
"If I should stumble
If I should fall
If I should end up
In Tartarus' hall
I shall get up
And try again."
"For Ares' honor
For Ares' glory
For love of Ares
For love of Greece
I shall get up
And try again
For I am Ares'
For Ares!"
Joxer ends his song with one last complicated chord, bowing as
applause breaks out. Amazed at how long the crowd cheers for him,
when they finally finish cheering he goes to wait with the other
minstrels to see whether he'll win anything. Hoping only for sixth
place and a small cash prize. Seeing Xena and Gabrielle in the
audience he waves at them and is thankful they wave back. Having
worried for a moment they would shun him since he had sung Ares'
praises. Stunned that they were applauding him too, not aware of how
his every note on the kithara was perfect. Not able to hear the
crowd singing to themselves the chorus "if I should stumble".
After debating some time the judges start to announce the winners,
Joxer watching the minstrels going up to accept their awards. From
6th place to 3rd. "Now our second place winner of 500 silver
drachmas, Thraxis for his song of the labors of Hercules." Joxer
claps as hard as anyone, having loved Thraxis' performance and
wondering who could have bettered him.
"And the gold olive crown goes to Joxer of Corinth for his tribute
to Ares, God of War." The announcer says and Joxer stands frozen to
the spot for a minute, never having expected this and only barely
hearing the applause. He is elbowed by a fellow contestant, regains
his senses and walks to the announcer, accepting the crown and the
drachmas.
Thraxis approaches him, "you were amazing."
"But, I thought you would get first, I thought the most I could hope
for is 6th. I have only just begun being serious about my playing,
rather than just seeing it as a way to earn money to support
myself." Joxer tells him, stunned.
"Even if you haven't been serious about your playing until now, your
playing is astounding. You helped the crowd see Ares in a different
light too. I look forward to hearing more of your songs and hearing
you play again." Thraxis smiles at him and then goes to the other
contestants.
Xena and Gabrielle come up to him and Gabby actually hugs him. "You
are a great player, I wish I had known I would have made you play
your kithara for us at nights." Xena says, smiling at him. He is now
convinced he's only dreaming all of this, seeing the look of pride
on both the warrior and the bard's faces. Seeing Ares flash in and
smile at him, standing in a distractingly sexy pose.
"Ares?" He says and sees Xena and Gabby go on guard.
"Ares," Xena says, a note of warning in her voice, her hand on her
chakram.
"Relax, I'm just here to thank Joxer for his song and to let him
know he will be welcomed in all of my temples, including the one on
Olympus." Ares says, walking to Joxer and kissing him on one
cheek. "Here me, oh my priests and followers. Joxer of Corinth is
under my protection as my chosen bard and minstrel, my wandering
priest." The God announces and is heard by all his followers. He
turns to Joxer once more, "should you ever want to stop wandering,
stop following Xena about, and come home to me. Come to Thrace, play
for me at my temple and I will provide you with a safe home."
"Thank you my Lord Ares." Joxer bows, "I will go there one day,
there are things I still wish to see."
"As you wish." Ares says, "I will watch over you, call me any time
you are in need." The God disappears in a flash of light. Joxer
amazed by the offer and wondering if the interest he saw in Ares'
eyes was really what he thought it was.
He turns to Gabby, who is frowning. He knows the bard hates Ares and
all he stands for, so is sure he'll be lectured for hours on how he
should not trust the God.
"Joxer ..." she says hesitantly, "I may never understand why you
follow him, but I will try to respect your right to choose to follow
whatever God you want, even if its the wrong one."
"Thank you Gabby." He smiles at his friends. "Shall we find a place
to stay? Or head out on another adventure together?"
"We'll stay until the festival is over," Xena tells him, "then we'll
head toward Corinth, I have heard that Iphicles is in need of some
assistance. We'll likely meet Hercules and Iolaus there. Joxer, I'm
glad you have turned towards being a minstrel." She kisses him.
Joxer knows that he and his friends will still have many arguments
over whether the Gods are necessary or not, over which way to go,
and many other things. He also knows they will criticize his
clumsiness and that Gabby will call him an idiot when frustrated by
his arguments, but is looking forward to traveling with them again.
Getting to know them on an equal ground this time and irritating
them on purpose, just because he can. When he does, it makes his
soul sing, for reasons he can not explain. He just hopes that now
he's turned minstrel, they'll treat him with a bit more respect.