HI all,

Thanks for the reviews, you guys rock my world. I really appreciate the reviews, the questions, the comments and any improving constructive criticism is always helpful. It makes me write more and faster.

Crazygirl46, no worries there will be tension. I wanted to give Callie and Arizona a day or two to just be, and get that instant attraction down pat. I'm building the tension… I know I know in a day? Really me? Well…. We'll see what happens. More will be explained in later chapters about the war etc.

As always please read and review and thanks guys uber thanks for the reviews already sent. I'm starting to enjoy the direction this is going.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Except Eiraina and the story. I am just playing with them I promise to put them back when I am done.

Darkness fell over the land and the amazons lit a large bonfire in the middle of what seemed to be their festival grounds. Arizona followed the group, Callie coming up beside her with a smile and offered her an arm. The grounds were surrounded by the forest as was the entire village. It took Arizona's breathe away. She was escorted to a pavilion that held several large chairs and a table. Callie leaned in and explained.

"This is where all the members of the royal family or our visiting diplomats sit, it is a place of honor, as well as it is a place that is in the direct path of the temple of Artemis, all who sit here are honored by our people and by our god."

Arizona nodded and watched as Eiraina stood and signaled with her hands that all should be quiet. A hush fell over the crowd and the amazons turned their attention to their queen. Callie eyed their leader. Eiraina was dark skinned, an elf by race, and was as beautiful as the sea that bore her. Her blue eyes held fire and passion as well as calm and quiet, her hair was jet black and braided in smaller braids that made a swishing sound as she moved her head. Her ears were long as were her teeth, a formidable warrior and an incredibly beautiful woman.

"Tonight we celebrate a festival that enters our season into spring, we've survived a rough winter, with wars, we've lost many of those dear to us. It will mark one year that we have been at war with the romans, one year that hundreds of our women, our tribe, our nation, our life have been extinguished. Though we do not live in fear, we mourn tonight for the season past, the things lost and rejoice for the things found. Of those lost, there is one in our midst that I would ask to sing. She has lost much and tonight her song will mark and mourn for all of us the past, and lead us into the future. Callie?"

Callie groaned and shook her head.

"You're never not going to let me sing are you my queen?"

Eiraina stepped near to the young women she had helped raise and reached out touching her face gently.

"The prophecy will be fulfilled Callie, and as for singing, a talent as beautiful as yours should never be wasted, so sing beloved, sing for all that you've lost, and sign for a future that needs to be found."

Callie's eyes filled with tears at her statement she took a deep breathe and speaking in amazon to one of the drummers a slow beat began and callie lifted her voice and sang. Her voice pierced the night as other suttle drums came into play and Arizona watched as the whole tribe stood in a reverant awe of the beauty singing, some were on their faces, crying crying for those lost, while others had their faces lifted to the temple, their eyes begging through Callie's song that there would be a hope and a future. Soon Callie's alto voice stopped and the drums finished the song and Callie slipped away into the night, motioning to Addie and Cris to take care of the princess. As she slipped off stage and into the darkness of the night Eiraina stood.

"Tonight my nation let me introduce to you a hopeful Ally, peace talks will begin tommorow. This is Arizona robbins, of the Persian nation, a warlord, a princess a conquerer. Arizona we offer you peace by presenting to you a weapon forged by skilled amazon crafters. We hope it will serve you well."

Arizona stood and accepted the weapon and hid her surprise when another amazon instead of Calliope stepped forward. It was a beautiful sword, engraved with the markings of her nation, the marking of her rank and noticing a small button at the bottom she pushed it and her eyes glinted whe nit separated into a second sword.

"This is a beautiful piece of work, I will wear it and use it with pride, holding that the negotiations go well tomorrow. Tell me who is the crafter of this fine weapon?"

"Callie torres designed it."

Arizona nodded and Eiraina pleased that she liked the weapon began the party in full swing. The drums began to beat and amazons began to eat and relax and dance and enjoy themselves. Arizona saw her Persians among them and smiled. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Addison approach Teddy say a few words and then at the concern that flitted across Teddy's face, Teddy nodded and Addison jogged off into the darkness as Teddy made her way towards Arizona.

" Are you having fun your majesty?"

"Yes, these people really know how to throw a party don't they?"

Teddy chuckled.

"Yes maam, have you tasted this wine?"

Arizona giggled.

"Yes it's very good. The food is excellent as well."

Teddy extended her hand.

"Come dance with me your majesty."

Callie stood on the training fields, her eyes closed as she concentrated on her movements. Her body moved powerfully and quickly, her muscles rippling as she moved in the warriors circle facing demons, facing memories, facing pain. Tears were streaming down her face as she felt their faces appear before her closed eyelids. Their eyes haunted her, their faces begged her for the redemption she had not been able to give. After several moments she collapsed her sword tip burying deep in the sand of the training fields as a silent sob escaped her lips. Addison stood off in the distance and quickly approached her friend. She knelt beside her and hugged her softly.

"Cal, there was nothing you could have done. Nothing."

Callie's tears fell to the dark earth staining it.

"I should have been able to save them Addie, instead I was too weak, to stupid to see it coming, their deaths are my fault, their blood is on my hands. Even though they were our enemies, I still should have saved them, they were innocents, if I had, maybe maybe everyone else would still be alive. Our families Ads, our moms and dads. Our kids.." Her voice trailed off as a cry of unadulterated anger escaped her lips. Addison felt her breathe catch in her throat.

"Cal, it wasn't a matter of being strong enough, it wasn't a matter of it being enough, of you being a enough, you were all that you could be that day. In case you missed it I was the exact same way. We both failed them if we failed them at all. Come on, let it go. Lets go to the dance floor, you could use some wine and some dancing."

They headed back to the festival after Callie had washed her face Addison led her back to the festival and she nodded to Cris that she was back on guard. Eiraina saw her and softly smiled quickly handing her a goblet of wine. As Callie took it she whispered softly.

"You will heal when you learn to love again Cal, but for what its worth, nothing was your fault that day. It was not your fault."

Callie simply nodded into her glass and took a seat, watching the dancers. As the crowd parted her eyes fell on Arizona who was sensually dancing with Teddy and several of the other amazons surrounding her. She smirked as she watched Addison move up behind Teddy and grasp her hips firmly and begin to sway to the music with her. Leaning back in her seat Callie let the rythym of the drums move through her mind, her body and she relaxed, drinking from her wine goblet, her eyes closed leaning against the back of the chair. She felt rather than heard Arizona approach and a voice whispered in her ear.

"May I have the pleasure of this dance Calliope?"

Callie opened her eyes and searched the blue ones in front of her.

"If it would please you your highness."

Arizona grinned her dimple permeating her cheeks.

"Oh it would please me greatly Calliope."

"well in that case…"

Callie stood and setting down her goblet she motioned to the dance floor.

"Lead the way.."

Arizona took her hand and gently interlacing their fingers she led her out on the dance floor. Callie had always loved to dance and closing her eyes momentarily she listened to the drumbeat and began to move her body accordingly. She felt Arizona move closer and almost groaned when the women moved against her. Callie moved forward and gently asking permission set her hands on Arizona's shoulders, moving with her to the music, Arizona took Callie's hands from her shoulders and moved them down to her hips, and then she leaned back into the Amazon and putting her head on Callie's shoulder she laced her arms around her neck. Callie closed her eyes at the sensation and enjoyed dancing with Arizona, and for a moment all there was was the sound of the music, the woman moving against her and just the sheer enjoyment. After a moment the music slowed and Arizona turned in her arms, putting her arms around callie's neck as Callie put her arms around her waist, pulling her close. Together they danced, time and space forgotten, the war, the loss, the pain all of it was forgotten as they danced together, two souls knit together.

In the darkness the figure watched as the princess of Persia and the amazon regent danced together, a snarl covered the features and a angry phrase was spit out of the mouth.

"I will have my throne Princess even if I have to go through the entire amazon nation to get it. And you princess of Persia will bear my children. I will have it."