This story will contain the following: two women as life partners and mothers, spankings to minor children, and anyone else whom the author deems needs it.
The rights of Xena, Gabrielle, Cyrene, Argo, etc. belong to REN pics and whomever else makes a profit from using them. I own nothing.
All that said, enjoy.
***XENA***BARD***XENA***BARD***XENA***BARD***XENA* **
Chapter 7
The heavy footsteps stopped behind me and I turned from Mavri and into Mama's waiting arms. She said nothing, instead, picking me up and allowing me to wrap my legs around her waist, she walked out of the barn and to the tree where I had played with Eve more than once since coming here.
Placing me down, she sat and allowed me to snuggle in her lap, never once speaking. I was past crying, past most emotions except for confusion. "Illusia is more than just a story isn't it?"
"Illusia was a new beginning for your mom and me," Mama said quietly. "Solan gave us a wonderful gift that day."
"He gave me a wonderful gift too," I looked up into my eyes staring back at me, "He gave me my mothers." Snuggling close to Mama, I relaxed and simply breathed in the smell of leather and vanilla. The scents that I had associated with her my entire life.
"Mama?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you think Solan would have liked me?" I asked quietly.
"I think Solan would have adored you," Mama hugged me close. "I think you would have adored each other."
"Yeah, I think so too," I looked up at her face once more. "Who was Solan's father?"
"A warlord named Borias."
"Did you love him?"
"As much as I was capable of love then, I think I did." Mama finally answered quietly.
"But you didn't love him the way you love Mom, did you?"
"I've never loved anyone the way I love your mother," Mama pushed me back and looked at my face intently. "She's my light, Sam. Gabrielle is my source and strength, without her, well, nothing would be right."
Allowing me to move back into her, I was silent for a long while, "Tell me about Borias, Solan, and the centaurs. I need to know more than the story Mom told me about Solan. Please."
"Are you sure you want to hear this, Sam? I wasn't a very nice person when I got pregnant with Solan."
"I know, Mama," I hugged her tightly. "Who you used to be doesn't change who you are now. Nothing would make me see you differently, but..." I trailed off for a moment. "I need to know."
Taking a deep breath, Mama kissed the top of my head. "You are so your mother's daughter, little one," she offered gently before sharing with me her time with Borias and how my brother came to be.
"Sam, what are you thinking?" Mama's voice cut through my thoughts as I contemplated what she had told me about her life before Solan. Her life with Borias.
"You were so lost back then," I looked into her face and smiled softly. "I know the stories say that you saving that baby from your own army was the first step you took in your redemption, but I don't think the stories are right."
"You don't?"
"No, it started with Lao Ma, and then with Solan." I traced my hand down her cheek. "You did the most selfless thing a mother could do, you put your child before yourself. That wasn't an act of an evil warlord; that was the act of my mama."
Feeling myself pulled into a hug, I felt a kiss to the top of my head once more. "Don't you ever change, little one."
Deciding that I needed some fun, I found myself pushing back from her, and grinning, "Don't worry, I won't." Jumping from her lap, I picked up my staff and did a single back handspring. "Come on warrior, let's spar."
Laughing, Mama stood up and drew her sword, "Okay, little one, let's see what you have."
Breathing hard, I tucked and rolled right before the sword hit my backside. Standing up, I grinned at Mama. "Missed me." I teased happily as she shook her head.
Hearing heavy footsteps, Mama and I stopped sparring to find Papa watching us, a sword in his hand. "I've been watching you for a while, think you can two of us on at once, Xena?"
Grinning, Mama twirled her sword in a lazy arc. "Bring it on," Mama responded before flipping back and waiting.
Lying on the ground, I was still trying to catch my breath as Mama and Papa talked sword maneuvers as they sat under the tree. "I still can't believe you managed to disarm me like that," Papa shook his head.
"You had Sam at your back, and me, close enough to get a strike, but you still managed to take us both out with the same move."
"I have many skills," Mama smiled slightly. "It's a simple kick and flip maneuver, Herodotus. Sam will be doing it in another year or so."
"You're going to finally teach me how to use a sword?" Sitting up, I looked at her with excitement.
"No," Mama's eyes told me not to protest and I sighed and laid down again.
"Great, so I have to do all the hard stuff, without any of the fun stuff."
"Yup, my greatest joy in life is to torture you."
"Don't I know it," I teased sitting up and facing the tree. "I never knew you could use a sword like that, Papa, you're very good. For an old man," I added.
"She is," he turned to Mama.
"She is what?"
"Just like my daughter," Papa grinned and moved to pull one of my braids. "I was in a long ago war, and was a fair fighter," he looked away and back to me. "I don't have the stomach for it though. It's not something I enjoy or would want to do again. Not unless I was forced to do so to protect my family, my home."
Saying nothing, I watched as he looked into the distance again, "What about you, Sam, do you enjoy fighting?"
"That's a loaded question, Papa," I finally admitted. "Yes, there is a part of me that likes the battle, the excitement of getting a strike on your enemy, the anger that flows through you and makes everything clear as day..." I trailed off. "But I don't enjoy killing, or knowing I may have to kill. I don't like what happens after the battle is done, the injuries, the hollow feeling inside..."
Seeing the look on his face, I leaned forward and touched his cheek, "Don't worry, Papa, it's not like I really fight right now anyway. Besides, if I get too out of control I have two mothers that can kick me to Chin and back rather easily."
Finally relaxing again, he nodded, "That is certainly the truth, Sam."
***XENA***BARD***XENA***BARD***XENA***BARD***XENA* **
We were just finishing up our evening meal when I felt the tingle at the back of my neck. Noticing Mama reacting as well, Mom stopped her clean-up of Eve, and waited until a sudden light appeared and Ares stood watching us.
Standing, Mama drew her sword as my grandparents' mouths hung open in shock. "Gabrielle?" Amma finally spoke as Mama twirled her sword.
"What do you want, Ares?" she asked dryly.
"Want, do I have to want something to visit my favorite warrior and her family?"
Mama merely raised an eyebrow and waited as Ares shifted, "Well, what do you want?"
"I was just wondering what it was Pallas and Enyo wanted with my little warrior. After all an uncle can never be too careful."
"You aren't my uncle here, Ares," I stated.
"And why is that, little warrior?" Ares took a few steps around the table and towards me. "I could still teach you things, you know. The joy of battle, the feel of bloodlust, the kicks you get from burning a village to the ground."
"Why the hard sell, Ares?" Mom finally spoke. "You already know that Sam isn't interested in what you're offering."
"Well, a god can try, can't he?"
"What's the point?" I asked. "Why try to be the nice uncle now, afraid to die?"
"Me, afraid to die?" Pointing to himself, Ares put his hand on the top of his sword, "Actually, yes, I am, but that's not why I'm here. I want to know if they offered you anything in exchange for Athena's throne."
"You'll just have to ask them, won't you?" Mama spoke before I could. Winking at the god, she moved forward and beckoned him with her finger. As he leaned in, she grabbed his ear and twisted it hard, "Leave my family alone, Ares." She directed before letting him go and watching him disappear as quickly as he had come.
Sheathing her sword, Mama sat back down and drummed her fingers on the table, "We are going to have to talk to someone about all this. Ares trying to be nice always makes me nervous."
"Yeah, he obviously wants something and I don't like it when he wants things from one of my daughters." Finishing cleaning up Eve, Mom seemed oblivious to my grandparents' silence.
They were staring at us in tandem, heads going back and forth several times before finally stopping. "Amma? Papa?" I finally asked. "Are you okay?"
"The god of war was just in our house," Papa finally said.
"Yes, he was," Mama stood up and looked at Mom. "I'm going to check on the horses."
Nodding, Mom watched her go and then looked at me, "Sam, take your sister and go get ready for bed."
"Bed, but it's early. I shouldn't have to go to bed yet," I protested.
"Now, Samina." Hearing the low growl in her voice, I reluctantly stood and took my little sister from her.
"Fine, but you could have just told me that you wanted to talk to Amma and Papa alone, I'm not a baby you know." I said before moving from the dining area and heading towards the bedroom.
***XENA***BARD***XENA***BARD***XENA***BARD***XENA* **
"Gabrielle, what just happened here?" Hecuba finally demanded of her daughter.
"We were just visited by Ares, Mom," Gabrielle's tone was frustrated and her mother's eyes narrowed.
"Don't take that tone with me, Gabrielle."
Jerking her head from looking at her hands, Gabrielle sighed. "Sorry, Mom, I'm a bit distracted. It's never a good thing when the god of war plays nice."
"You've met him before?" Herodotus' voice was surprised.
"Yes, Dad," Gabrielle sighed. "We've met most of the major gods; Ares, Aphrodite, Artemis, Athena, Hades..." the bard trailed off, "Xena and I were even there when Zeus was killed."
"The gods, Gabrielle."
"Exactly," Xena's low voice echoed in the room. "I'm sorry about Ares' interruption in our visit, but he won't be bothering us again."
"How can you be sure?" Hecuba asked softly.
"Because I know Ares," Xena moved and placed her hand on her wife's shoulder. "Ares and I go way back, and he's after something. He'll play nice as long as he thinks he has a chance to get what he wants."
"I don't like this," Herodotus stood and moved toward the mantle. "The god of war just casually dropping in as if he'd been invited. Nothing good can come of that."
"We don't like it either, Dad," Gabrielle placed her hand on top of Xena's. "But don't worry, Xena and I will take care of it, we always do."
***XENA***BARD***XENA***BARD***XENA***BARD***XENA* **
To everyone who has added this story to their favorite list: Thank you!
Thanks also for all the alerts.
I hope to post more soon- but alas, RL keeps getting in the way.
I hope everyone is still enjoying the continuing adventures of Sam & her family.
