Note: I told myself I wasn't gonna do it, but I did. I'm ashamed.

Xena walks a step or two behind me; this is the only place where she ever does that. It's her way of showing respect and reverence to my position in this society; I've told her it's not necessary but she insists. There seems to be a mixture of emotions in the Amazons as I make my way through them, unsure of what my announcement is going to be, some hopeful that I will be staying for good, others are indignant and insist I'm not needed.

I reach the dais and step upon it with only Xena at my side. I hold my arms up for silence and wait for the crowd of warriors to settle.

'Fellow Amazon sisters. I have come here yet again in a time of strife and I feel I can't just pass on the responsibility and walk away this time. It's my duty and responsibility to see that the Amazon Nation lives on, and I need to be here in order to make that happen. Tomorrow there will be a meeting with the council and a reallocating of duties and responsibilities. Tonight we will celebrate and rejoice the lives of our fallen sisters, and tomorrow we will rebuild our nation. To a strong Amazon Nation!'

'To a strong Amazon Nation!' The words echo in the air as the women disperse, some with pride and belief restored, others still in doubt of this queen that never stays. Xena clasps her hand on my shoulder.

'I think you got most of them.' She whispers close to my ear.

'But not all.' I watch a small group of three women talking, all making an occasional glare my direction. I do not know all of these Amazons and that is my fault. I can't fault them for not trusting me fully, but I am the Queen and they have to trust in that. 'Xena, we need to talk.' We turn back towards the Queens hut as an Amazon hands Eve back off to Xena.

I pace back and forth across the hut a few times as Xena feeds the baby. 'Xena, now I know you are going to be bored so I did some research.' I can hear her sigh. 'So there are a couple of things that can happen and I'm not sure how you'll like either of them.' I stop pacing and finally look up, a little worried to tell her. Xena's eye's narrow at me.

'Yeess?'

'Wellll. One; you can become an Amazon.'

'No.' She cuts me off firmly.

'Two; umm you sort of like….. Well I as the Queen am the only one who can marry, though its rare cus it's like slavery and whatever and it's usually to a man but the law isn't actually specific and it doesn't have to be to an amazon but that does make them a citizen though not an amazon, I don't know it's kinda of complicated. But then you can have jobs but you don't really have any say in the politics and things we do. The last Queen to marry was something like 200 years ago, so it's not like this would be completely crazy, but maybe not make my detractors the happiest.' I think I stopped breathing somewhere in there. Xena is looking at me with one eyebrow raised, and I think Eve is to.

'So those are some options.' I feel like maybe I should run, I suddenly feel self-concise. Xena takes a deep breath.

'So. Either I become an Amazon or we get married?'

'Well something like that yes.' I can't seem to look her in the eye.

'And what kind of job would I do?'

'Well you could hunt, help train, patrol, fight, do everything pretty much.'

'Would I have to wear the clothes?'

'Not necessarily.' Xena nods. 'You're not actually considering it?' She shrugs her shoulders, bouncing Eve on her knee.

'Maybe.' I narrow my eyes at her; she's toying with me.

'Xena.'

'Gabrielle.'

'Ugh.' I throw my arms up as I stomp out of the hut. I can hear her laughing as I leave, which of course only infuriates me more. Anyway, I need to stop thinking about Xena and think about my tribe. I have to see where we stand now, who are the leaders and the elders, and read up on some basic laws. There are some traditions here that I'm not too fond of and I do hope I can find a loophole. Of course this is me being very optimistic.

The hours tick away as I read each scroll, sometimes twice to make sure I've read it correctly. My neck is sore and my stomach is grumbling, but I'm determined to get through the bulk of these documents. Xena walks in, Eve strapped to her back, a tray of cheese, meat and honey in her hand.

'Figured you could use a break.' She smiles brightly at me. My stomach growls in response.

'Xena, some of these traditions are archaic.'

'Then change them.' She sits the tray down then takes the pack off her back. Eve is sleeping soundly.

'You know it's not as easy as that.' I try to keep my voice quiet. Xena takes a small wedge of cheese, swipes it through the honey then offers it up to my lips. I take it gently into my mouth, sucking her fingers a little longer than necessary. I try to concentrate back on what I was doing.

'Before winter starts, the best warriors of the tribe go out and get themselves pregnant to make sure the tribe lives on. The Queen is supposed to do this too if she has no heir.' Xena's face suddenly changes into complete shock then anger. 'Well as Queen, I'm meant to pass on my lineage.' I think my voice is squeaking. She's clenching her jaw at me. Then she calms suddenly.

'So if we get married or whatever it is, won't that make Eve your child?'

'Well I have given her my right of caste already, but I may still have to have a child by blood.' Her teeth grind again but I hold my hands up in defense. 'I'm still looking though so it's not definite.' She begins to mumble under her breath.