Page "Xena: Warrior Princess" Paragraph 18

Suave, charming, witty, yet ruthless and amoral, Ares often represents, especially in the early seasons, the seductive power of war and the dark side.

He repeatedly attempts to lure Xena away from her quest for redemption alongside Gabrielle, and to win her over as his Warrior Queen.

He offers her huge armies and historic victories, great wealth and great power, and in later seasons his love, offers which she consistently rejects despite being sometimes tempted.

Much of Ares ' relationship with Xena remains ambiguous, including whether he is at least partly redeemed by his love for Xena, or is in fact her father, or to what extent Xena reciprocates his feelings.

He says several times that he " has a thing " for Xena, and this seems to prevent him from killing her, even when pitted against her in deadly combat.

yet he pursues her sexually and romantically.

Likewise, Xena is suggested to have strong feelings for Ares, but over the course of the series, never pursued them.