Author's Note: I would like to thank everyone one for their support. It's always nice to know someone likes your story. Anyway, yes, I know these next few chapters are short but life has kind of gone nuts for me lately and I haven't been able to work on this as much as I've wanted to. But don't worry, more will be coming soon (and by soon I mean in the next couple of weeks not months). Thanks again.

Chapter 7

That evening Darius entered the Conqueror's chambers to find her sitting at her desk and staring intensely at a piece of parchment as if willing the words on it to change by shear will power. When she failed to acknowledge him he coughed a little to get her attention.

"My stitches itch, old man. I think it's time for them to come out," she said without looking up.

"You know, Xena, I could heal your wound. There wouldn't even be a scar," said a gravelly voice off to Darius' right.

Turning the old man let out a growl at what he saw; standing by the fireplace stood a dark haired woman dressed in the clothes of an Amazon Shamaness. Alti's cold, coal rimmed eyes regarded the healer with annoyance. Darius and Alti had never quite gotten along ever since Alti killed one of his patients in front of him to acquire their soul for a spell.

Xena didn't look up, "I prefer the scars Alti; they're good reminders. Darius, get over here, now."

Doing his best to ignore the witch the old healer walked over and pulled back one side of Xena's robe and found that her diagnosis was correct like it always was. Placing the silk robe back in its proper position he stood back.

"You'll need to lie down if you want those stitches out. And you may want some privacy for this," Darius gave Alti a pointed look.

The old witch just scowled.

The Conqueror glanced between the two, "Alti, leave us."

"Not until you decide Xena," growled the Shamaness.

The Destroyer of Nations rose to her full height and glared at Alti, "I thought my decision was clear Alti, the girl is mine and you are not to touch her."

"She's an Amazon," Alti snarled.

Xena dropped the report she had been reading and faster than Darius could perceive she had her hand around Alti's throat. With little effort the Conqueror lifted the witch off the ground.

"She is my slave. You will not touch my property Alti, or I'll send you back to the Amazons. I can only imagine what kind of punishment they could think up for you."

Alti stilled at the mention of the Amazons and gasped, "As…you wish…Xena."

The Conqueror released her grip on the witch's throat and turned away, "Get out, Alti."

Collecting herself Alti straitened her stance and snarled at the staring healer before exiting the room. Xena walked over to the side of the bed and let her robe fall to the floor before lying down. Darius wasn't blind to the Conqueror's natural beauty but had seen her body so many times in various states of disrepair that he no longer fantasized about her. She was more like a daughter to him now and seeing her lying before him trying very hard not to scratch at her wound almost made him smile. As he removed the stitches he thought back to what Alti had said.

"You were talking about Gabrielle," He said.

It was a statement not a question and the Conqueror knew it. She turned her head away and stiffened at his words. She didn't speak as he worked, slowly removing each stitch with care. After he had removed the stitches from both the entry and exit wound Darius washed the cuts then left them uncovered. The Conqueror sat up covering herself with her robe as the healer put his tools away.

"What I discuss with Alti is my business Darius not yours," Xena said gruffly.

Darius frowned at his bag, "I don't know why you continue to socialize with that witch, Xena. And if it's about Gabrielle then it is my business. You made her my responsibility."

The Conqueror glared at him, "Alti is an asset, for now, and once she is no longer useful then I will dispose of her. As for the little Amazon, I suggest you don't get too close to her."

The old man met the Conqueror's cool gaze before turning away, "As you wish, my Lord Conqueror."

Darius didn't need to look to know that Xena had flinched at the use of the term. He had lashed out at the Conqueror the only way her knew how; by treating her with indifference. Without waiting for dismissal he left the bedchamber and headed back to the hospice stopping only once to pick up the uniform Gabrielle would need for her service tomorrow.

Chapter 8

Gabrielle didn't know where she was, all around her was blue smoky haze. Looking down at herself she could see that she was dressed in her ceremonial Amazon skins and that her hair once again reached the tops of her breasts.

"Gabrielle."

The Amazon Queen's head shot up at the sound of her name spoken by a familiar voice. Out of the haze stepped the Conqueror dressed in a leather battle dress and armor. Surprising herself, Gabrielle didn't feel only extreme happiness; the kind of happiness that comes from regaining something that was thought to be lost forever.

With tears clouding her eyes the Amazon asked, "Why did you leave?"

The Conqueror shushed her then smiled and leaned down, their lips were a breath apart and Gabrielle could feel her body tensing in anticipation.

"GABRIELLE!"

The young bard shot up in bed so fast she slammed right into Darius who was leaning over her sending him to the floor and her back to the bed. Holding their foreheads, each sat up and glared at each other before bursting out laughing.

Regaining control first, Darius reached out for the little bard's leg and began to massage it, "You sleep like the dead sometimes, little Rabbit, you should be more careful."

Gabrielle smiled at the term of endearment the healer had bestowed upon her before glancing out the window and noticing how dark it was.

"What time is it?" Gabrielle cleared her throat trying to get rid of the gravelly voice sleep had given her.

Darius continued to rub her leg, "A candle mark before sunrise. The Conqueror has already risen and begun her drills, your services will not be required until later this evening but it is best if you begin to get used to getting up early as soon as possible. So, get up and get ready."

The Amazon Queen grimaced in distaste at both her situation and the early hour. She hated getting up early, making this yet another torture for her to endure. Letting Darius step back she swung her legs over the side of the cot and stood stretching out her back muscles. The healer stepped away and returned with a tray loaded with food. She gratefully took the meal making it disappear in seconds; Darius smiled at the enthusiasm of Gabrielle's appetite. Once she was finished he returned with her uniform.

The little bard held up the garments and raised an eyebrow. The top was cut so that it only covered her breasts while the harem pants barely hung off her hips. Made of blue silk, the clothing left very little to imagination.

The old healer saw the look, "She wants you to stand out from the rest of the other slaves."

Gabrielle nodded and donned the clothes, once they were on Darius held up a polished metal tray for her to look in. The clothes wonderful on her and secretly the Amazon liked the outfit. After he had set down the metal she held up her wrists preparing to be shackled.

"No chains today, it would only impede your duties," he said then motioned for her to follow.

Gabrielle spent most of the day following the old healer around the palace ; showing her where to find the secret passages she would be required to use while in service as well as places of interest. One after another he led her to the training yards, the barracks, the kitchens, the Conqueror's chambers, the throne room and finally back to the main courtroom. Stopping outside the large, guarded, oak doors leading to the courtroom, Darius turned to Gabrielle.

"This door leads to the Conqueror's courtroom. You will be required to attend her while court is in session in any way she commands," he said bluntly.

Gabrielle raised an eyebrow at him, "I sort of assumed that Darius when she forced me into this position."

He sighed, "You don't understand."

She placed a hand on his shoulder, "Whatever she has planned for me it can't be as bad as what she has already done. I'll be fine."

The old man nodded solemnly, "By now she should be in nearing the end of her evening meal and probably has a few drinks in her. But, just in case, please try not to anger her. For my sake."

Gabrielle gave him her best smile and nodded knowing fully well that she was lying to the old healer. She had vowed that while she was forced to stay at the palace she would do everything in her power to undermine Xena's authority discreetly. Turning toward the doors she nodded to the guards who swung the doors wide open allowing her to pass into the lion's den.

Chapter 9

The Conqueror's courtroom was even larger than her throne room and slightly less ostentatious than her throne room. Like the throne room, the floor was made of marble but instead of tapestries lining the walls, large windows opened up the room making it seem even larger. Considering that it could easily hold up to two hundred people in Gabrielle's opinion it was unneeded. Tables lined the walls filled with drink and food which a few of the people in the room were gathered around while others either stood or sat near the throne at the far in of the room. Sitting upon the golden chair was none other than the Conqueror herself.

Xena sat leisurely on the throne, dressed in black leather pants, and a black leather chest plate decorated in gold. Gabrielle could see that the gold seemed to form the tree of life, the image was mimicked by the Conqueror's bracers.

As the young bard entered the room the fifty some occupants all appeared to ignore her except for Xena who was raising her goblet to take a drink when she spotted her new acquisition. She stopped and stared. Gabrielle could see the blatant look of lust in the ice blue eyes and felt a mix of anger and sexual need mix inside her stomach. She cursed herself for her lustful feelings toward the one woman she hated in all of Greece. How could the Gods be so cruel in making her one true enemy so beautiful that one look from those eyes could turn her to mush?

Drawing herself up as straight as she could Gabrielle glared at the dark haired woman; waiting to be acknowledged. Once the other's noticed that the Conqueror was staring at something they followed her gaze to the young beauty dressed in blue.

"Hello Gabrielle," Xena smirked.

"Conqueror," Gabrielle growled back.

Setting her goblet on tray provided by another servant, Xena stood gracefully.

"Ladies and gentlemen please allow me to present the entertainment for tonight. Dance for me slave."

The blonde was taken aback by the request at first but it only lasted a moment. Glaring at the Conqueror she felt disgusted by the idea that this woman would force her to act as a form of sexual entertainment for her crowd of followers. She had accepted the possibility that woman she hated most might force herself on her but Gabrielle refused to be paraded around like a new trophy willingly.

The Amazon Queen raised her chin in defiance, "No."

Gabrielle saw something flicker across the Conqueror's face whether it was anger or amusement she wasn't sure but it was gone in a flash to be replaced by an icy stare. Xena raised her right hand and a bald, scarred man stepped forward.

"Darfus, execute the slave," commanded the Conqueror, indifference lacing her voice, as she returned to her seat.

Darfus moved towards Gabrielle and shouted, "Guards!"

Two soldiers standing by the doors moved forward.

"Stop." Said Xena.

The soldiers and Darfus halted looking to their leader for instruction.

The Destroyer of Nations raised an eyebrow, "Surely, you can handle one unarmed slave on your own General. Or are you afraid of her?"

"I'm not afraid of this irritating little blonde," snarled Darfus.

Xena smiled, "Good. Now, kill her."

Gabrielle tensed as Darfus drew his sword and approached her. Quickly, she jabbed her fingers into the pressure point of her right leg and took a defensive stance. The scarred General chuckled before swiping at the blonde's head with his sword. In a second, all of Gabrielle's training took over as she ducked out of the path of the blade. Allowing her muscle memory to guide her, the young Amazon Queen dodged and weaved; avoiding Darfus' blows at every turn as she looked for an opening.

Dancing around him as he made an over head strike which ended up striking the hard marble, Gabrielle saw her chance. With just a touch of glee she kicked the blade out of his hands and went on the offensive. As she continually landed blows on the ugly man Gabrielle pictured Xena's face over his. In a fury the little bard broke bone after bone until Darfus was on the ground, with her straddling his waist, her hands covered in both his and her blood. In her anger all Gabrielle could see was Xena's red tinged face smirking back at her from the floor. Letting out a feral yell she reached for the forgotten sword, raising it above her head she prepared to run it through the General's throat.

The sound of clapping snapped Gabrielle out of her rage fueled bloodlust. Looking up she saw the Conqueror standing a few feet away from her with a grin on her face. The young bard looked down at the body beneath her to see the bloody pulp that was once Darfus' face. She felt her stomach twist at the sight as horror and despair filled her mind. The sword dropped from her limp fingers; the loud clang it made as it stuck the marble floor was intensified by the silence that filled the room. All of the spectators simply starred at the crazed Amazon and her victim.

Xena drew her sword and placed the tip under the blonde's chin forcing her to stand and move away from the body or have her throat slit. She motioned for the guards to check on the fallen General. A groan met their ears as they shifted Darfus' body. Gabrielle sighed with relief, she may have hated Darfus for being one of the Conqueror's Generals but she didn't want him dead. Right then and there she decided, with the Conqueror's blade at her throat, if she survived this she would never ever kill. While she had pummeled Darfus' body she had seen a glimpse of what she imagined Xena must feel every day. The joy and thrill of having someone's life in her hands, the choice of allowing them to live or die, and deciding to end it. Gabrielle had let herself fall to that level for a moment but she swore to herself that it would never happen again. While she may long for it, Xena's life would not be hers to take, but if she could somehow aid in the destruction of the Conqueror she would.

"Darfus."

The sound of Xena's low voice startled the Amazon Queen from her thoughts. Glancing around she saw that the wounded General was now being held up by the two guards and was conscious.

"My Lord," he lisped through his shattered jaw.

"You failed me Darfus, now you must pay the price."

Darfus' eyes widened, "No."

Gabrielle barely saw the blade move has the Conqueror's sword disappeared from her throat only to take up residence in Darfus' chest. The little blonde tensed as her stomach tried to rebel as she watched blood pour out of the General's mouth. With one quick movement Xena withdrew her blade splattering the guards and Gabrielle with blood. The Amazon remained still out of fear that one false move and the contents of her stomach wound end up on the Conqueror's boots.

"Remove this trash from my sight," said the dark hair warrior as she casually wiped her blade clean with one of the guard's capes.

They nodded in unison before dragging the corpse away. Xena turned towards the now blood splattered blonde before her. Gabrielle felt the Conqueror's gaze on her body like hands running over her skin and chastised herself for the blush which now covered her cheeks.

In a flash the Conqueror's sword lashed out and Gabrielle tensed waiting for the searing pain as skin and muscle were split apart by the blade. But the pain never came. Opening her eyes the little blonde found that she was now standing before the Conqueror and her court, completely naked. She made no move to cover herself, knowing that that would only increase Xena's pleasure. If she was going to be humiliated before she died then she would not further disgrace herself by trying to hide her body.

The Conqueror sheathed her sword and circled her captive, "You dance beautifully Gabrielle. Maybe next time you can perform with a little less bloodshed."

Gabrielle felt her long latent libido come back to life as the Conqueror began to touch her. The slight touch of fingers running over her shoulder blades, her ass, her breasts, and the slight pleasure/pain as an erect nipple was squeezed between thumb and finger made her flush with desire. The blonde began panting with need, all the while cursing herself for her weakness as Xena came to a stop behind her.

Gabrielle could feel Xena's breath at her ear, "Give yourself to me Gabrielle."

Xena breathed in the bard's scent and smiled when she saw her shake her head in refusal. The little slave was so responsive that the Conqueror had to use most of her strength to stop herself from taking the blonde here and now before her court. While in the past she would have done just that, this slave was different, and she wanted to taste that succulent flesh in the privacy of her own chambers, where no one could hear the blonde's cries of pleasure and possibly pain.

Running her hand down Gabrielle's arm she felt the upraised skin of the scar that formed a crescent moon. Oh, how Xena longed to take a knife and remove that bit of flesh; destroying the one piece of evidence that showed the Goddess of the Hunt's claim on the beautiful woman before her. But she only wanted to leave one permanent mark on this voluptuous body. For a moment, she took her hands away from the bard's warm flesh which was just long enough to twist the outer circle of her signet ring allowing long blades to appear from the ring forming her sign, an X inside a chakram. Returning her hands to Gabrielle's body Xena allowed her left hand to delve lower into the fair curls which covered the blonde's pussy. The Conqueror moaned at the heat she found there as well as the small whimper she received from her captive as she part the blonde's nether lips and began to stroke the hidden nub of pleasure she found. She could feel Gabrielle begin to relax into the pleasure Xena was giving her. The Conqueror waited until she could feel the little bard on the brink orgasm before shoving the blades imbedded in her ring straight into Gabrielle's shoulder just above Artemis' mark; marking her as first and for most belonging to Xena. The Amazon Queen cried out as both pain and pleasure ripped through her. Her knees gave out. She was saved the indignity of falling to the floor as Xena wrapped her arm around her waist, supporting her.

"You. Are. Mine," Xena whispered into Gabrielle's ear.

The Conqueror glanced up at a blonde headed, female warrior standing by her throne, "Mavican, the clothes."

The General nodded before leaning down and picking up a small pile of black clothes hidden behind the throne. Bringing them forward she thrust them into Gabrielle's arms before stepping back. Xena stepped away as well.

"Get dressed," she commanded.

Shakily, Gabrielle donned the black leather pants and soft black, sleeveless shirt before undoing the pressure points in her right leg. Once the clothes were on Gabrielle's green eyes met Xena's and the Conqueror felt a slight twinge of pleasure when she found that a small part of the blonde's defiance was gone. But there was still plenty there for her to work on. The Conqueror stepped forward once more, removing a black strip of leather, which bore her mark from her felt and wrapped it around Gabrielle's neck.

Xena gazed down at her slave and found the image before her to her liking. The woman before her dressed in clothes meant for a warrior, with slave collar around her neck, with bloody hands from her fight, and blood trailing down her arm from Xena's mark was a mess of contradictions. And the Conqueror loved it.

"Guards, escort Gabrielle back to Darius," ordered Xena.

The guards gently took Gabrielle's arms and lead her away.

As they reached the door Xena called out, "See you tomorrow, Gabrielle."